The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-21
ALABAMA DIOCESE
 WILL BE DIVIDED Important Action Is Taken At
 Huntsville RESOLUTION UNANIMOUS The Alabama Diocesan Council is Largely Attended by clergymen and Laymen From All Sec
 tions of the State.

The business sessions begun today. There are now 3s clergymen in attend ance. A large number of lay dele gates are here also. A class of eight boys and two girls was confirmed in the Church of the Nativity last night by Bishop Beckwith. Among those who are attending the council are Rev J. J. Harris of Faunsdale, Dr. and Mrs. B. J. Baldwin of Mobile Frank Fitts of Tuscaloosa, Rev and Mrs. w. E. Evans of Birmingham J. H. Fitts of Tuscaloosa D. M. Drennen, ex-mayor of Birmingham, Mrs. D. M Drennen, MT. and Mrs. Thomas s. Forbes of Bir- mingham, F, Mitch ell of Mobile, R. H. Cochran of Tuscaloosa, Mir and Mrs G. c. Tucker of Mobile, and oth CTS. Senator Joseph r. Johnston and Maj. w. w. Screws are expected later.
 Huntsville, May 20.-(Special )-The do- cesan council of the Episcopal church has unanimously adopted a resolution look ing to the division of the diocese, it being generally agreed. Bishop Beckwth concurring, that the state of Alabama ha s become too large to be included in one diocese. The members of the council here regard this action as the most inl- portant matter that has been brought uu recently Final action on this propo- sition will not be taken until the gen eral convention of the church in the United States meets in 1910
 This is the fiftieth anniversary of the first meeting of the body in the Church of the Nativity in this city. The open ing sermon was delivered by the Rev R. H. Cobbs D. D. of Greensboro, who was assistant rector of this church at that meeting of the council 50 years ago. Preceding the opening sermon there was a professional in which the choiristers and all of the clergymen in vestments took part.
 The council was called to order by Bishop Beckwith immediately after the religious service. Nearly all of the clergy men of the diocese are here and nearly every parish is represented by one or more lay deieeates.
 At the afternoon session Bishop Beck with read his annual address, giving resume of the work of the year and showing that there had been SSO confirm ations in that time. Tn resolution pro viding for the first step for division If the diocese was introduced by the Rev. J. G. Glass, rector of Grace church. An niston. It is a fact that the state has grown to contain a population of abou. 100000, that the church has grown n proportion and the work of the bishop, now taxing his mental. spiritual and phy- sical character, will be beyond the ability of any one man to fully meet it's re- ouirements. if it continues to increasa Bishop Beclwith spoke in favor of the resolution and 1t was then adopted unan- imously.
 The Rev. R. HI Cobbs the Rev. pr. T. J. Beard, the Rev. W. N Claybrook. the Rev. Matthew Brewster, A. P. Agee, D. M. Drennen, Maj W. W. Screws and R. H. Mabry were appointed members of the committee on dividing the diocese. They are required to report to the coun- cil in 1909 and the matter will then be taken up to the general convention in 1910. The Rev. R. DeOvies preached to- night