The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-21
WILL DIVIDE
 THE DIOCESE Episcopal CouncilAdopts
 Resolution. SANCTIONED DY THE BISHOP Alabama Too Large for Active
 Church Work. Conclusive Action win Not Be rnkea UntiI the General couscn
 Holds iss Meeting
 in 1910.
DY THE BISHOP

Huntsville. May 2O.-(special l-Tba Diocesan Council of the Enisrnr.I Church has unanimously adopted resolution looking to the division Of the diocese It being generally agreed. nlshop Beckwith ccncurring. that the sea,e oI Alabama has become too large to be included in one diocese.
 The members of the Council hare "a gard this action as the most lfuporf- ant matter that has been brought ,,,, m recent years. Conclusive action nn this matter will not be taken until ina General Council meets in 1910.
 This Is the seventy-fifth annual meet ing or the Diocesan Council of Ala pama, and the hftieth anniversary of the nrst meeting of the body fn inc Church of the Nativity in this citv
 The opening sermon was deIiversa oy Rev. R. H. Cobb. D. D.. of Greens- poro, who was assistant rector of fht. church at that meeting of the Ccunclf nfty years ago. Church history shovvs that at that time Rev. Dr. Lay. who afterwards became Bishop of DeIa- ware. was the rector of this church at that time. Dr. Cobbs had fust con,n here at that time and was daecn, afterwards being ordained into inc priesthood by his father. Bishop Cohba.
 Preceding the opening sermon there was processional in which the ebnr isters and all of the clergymen in vest ments took part.
 The Council was called to order fm- mediately after the religious servsce Dy hlshop Beckwfth. Nearly all of the clergymen of the diocese are here and nearly every parish is represented bv one or more lay delegates.
 At the afternoon session Hishon Beckwith read his annual addrasE nrtsz. Ing resume of the work of the wear and showing that there had been 3s0 combinations in that time
 Rev. J. G. Glass. rector of Graca Church, of Annlston, and gecretnrv oe the Diocese. introduced the followtnr resolution providing for the division Of the diocese:
 Whereas. The Diocese of AIabar,. haNi0s co-tefmiuus with the state of Alabama. embraces a territory extend- ing $50 miles north and south and 200 miles cast end west and covering sf .s4o square miles. with a population in 1889 of 1.s2ses7 and now neariv s.- 00o00. Is unwieIdy. and
 Whereas, The rapid growth of tha church both in the cities and in tho mission field Is In direct proportion ta the ability of the church to take al vantage of opportunities. ana
 "Whereas. The work of the BIshop of Alabama is already rapidly. in@ VI IQEHE& ally physically and spirituality to even measurably meet the demands mada upon his time and strength. and
 Whereas, If the work continues 10 increase in like proportion it will be easily beyond ability of one man t0 successfully meet its requirements. ana
 Whereas, Decreased territory will in this case mean increased capacity for effective work, capitalization of local interests and conservation of vital energy. Therefore be #
 Resolved, that a committee be ap. pointed by this Council to take under consideration the entire matter of a possible division of the Diocese of Ala bafna by the general convention of 1910. said committee to be appointed by and with the full and free consent of the Bishop of the Diocese and report back to this Council in 1909. The commit tee are at liberty to report and sug- gest lines of division and any other matter that may bear upon the aues- ton.
 Resolved. That the said committee shall consist of the following clergy men and laymen of the diocese and in case of vacancy from any cause the said vacancy shall be filled by ap- pointment of the Bishop: Rev. R. H. cobbs, D. D.. Rev. T. J. Beard. D. D. Rev. W. N. Claybrook, Rev. Matthew Brewster, D. D.. A. P. Agee. chanceI- Tor of the Diocese. D. M. brennan. Major W. W. Screws and R. n. Mabry.T
 Before the resolution was put to a vote Bishop Beckwith arose and stated that he realized the importance and necessity of division and would aid in carrying out the Idea contemplated to the full extent of his ability.
 Standing committees were appointed this afternoon and other details offhe work were attended to.
 Tonight the evening prayer ard ser- mon was conducted by Rev. R. De- Ovies.