The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-08
ANCIENT CHURCH
 HAD ITS QUARRELS Corinthians Would Be Turned
 Out Today SOME GENERAL STATISTICS Report To Alabama Methodist Confer ence Shows $14e,s2o.45 Given For Support of Ministry-value
 of Buildings $1,641 ,31s.25.
SOME GENERAL STATISTICS
BY CHESTER E. JOHNSON.

Enterprise, December 7.-(Special.) )-The fourth days session of the Ala bama conference opened at o'clock this morning with singing and prayer led by the Rev. J. P. Hamilton. After prayer the entire body joined In reciting the apostles creed.
 The bishop read his lesson from the fourth chapter of Philippians. It is noticed from this reading that there ex- isted some difference or misunderstood ing between two of the women of the church. The bishop said perhaps one of them was president and the other secrs- tary of the Womans Home Mission so- ciety. He said: There were differences existing in the church in those days as well as now, and the idea prevailing to- day that the old church was the best church in the world is a mistake.
 There are many pastors in the Ala bama conference who would have turned out the whole church at Corinth before tomorrow night if they had a fair chance at 1t. It is very reasonable to suppose that these differences existed when we remember that the members of the church were fshed up from heathens."
 In commenting on another part of the chapter the bishop spoke of the thought and inner life of men, saying: "Our thoughts are subject to our own control God judges men by ---eir thoughts and inner life. The world may judge by outward appearances. but God says as a. man thinketh so Is he.' We can get rid of evil thoughts by being in better ones by reading good books, conversat ton with good men and prayer to God.
 "A mans thoughts are the reflection of his true character Evil thoughts bring forth evil deeds like good thoughts bring forth good deeds.
 Whatsoever thoughts are true, honest, just. lovely and of good report if there be any virtue, think of these things"
 For Church Extension.
 Minutes of previous session read and approved. It was reported that s4790 42 had been collected during the year by the conference board of such extensions. A special collection of S525 was taken for church building in Brazil.
 Col. B. M. Was. uurn of Montgomery read the report of the joint board of finance. This report showed $12,OS4.59 col lected for superanuated preachers and widows and orphans of deceased preach CTS during the year.
 Dr. J. D. Hammond. general secretary of education, was introduced and ad- dressed the conference on Christian edu- cation, saying 1t was the best kind of education one could secure and that the denominational schools were the proper places for the, sons and daughters of Christian men and women. He believed the Methodists will soon take the lead in this great work.
 Dr. Gross Alexander spoke to the con ference in the interest of the Methodist Quarterly Review.
 What is said by many to be the best speech of any connectional officer during the meeting of the conference was de- livered by Dr. w. F. McMurry of Louis vile. Ky. He is secretary of the general board of church extension. Since this board was organized 9 years ago it has spent s2,116.000 in church building and has built 51.100 churches every week ever since its organization.
 In this conference there are 611 houses of worship and 73 congregations who are yet without shelter.
 Work In Oklahoma.
 This board Is doing a great deal of work for Oklahoma Methodism. In this new state there are 1000 societies of the Methodist Episcopal church. south. and almost half of these have no houses in which to worship. Dr. McMurry says that the state of Oklahoma presents the
 
 had. Only and 10 per cent of that state 's population belong to any church, but 37 per cent of the church members of the state are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, south.
 General Statistics.
 The general sta tistics showed 241S adults and 923 infants baptlsed. Also that S149. S20. 45 had been given for the support. of the ministry for the conference year. The value of houses of worship and parsonages Is 1,641. .91S. .25. Damage amounting to ss9S has been done to houses of worship during the year and $312 insur- ance has been collected.
 The Rev. E. L. Crawford read the report of the committee on temperance At 3 D. m pr. Cross Alexander preached and at D. m. the missionary anniversary was held and was addressed by Dr. W. F. McMurry
 The following announcements were made for tomorrow, December 8:
 9 a. m.-Love feast at the Methodist church conducted by F. M. Turner.
 Il a. m.-Same place. Bishop Hoss breaches and ordains- deacons
 5 D. m.-W P. Hurt.
 ' D. m.-Memorial service, Baptist church.
 Il a. m.-A. P. McFerrin.
 M-Poh Topec