The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-06
Afternoon Session.

The afternoon session was marked by the introduction of the resolution dividing the diocese and the address of Bishop Charles M. Beckwith.
 The first action was the election of J. G. Glass as secretary. The application of Seals and Troy to dispose of church prop erty was referred to the standing com mittee.
 Dr. w. E. Evans introduced a resolution setting the hours, d. m., morning prayer; 9:30 a. m. to 1 D. m., for business; 8:3O p. n., to 5:30 D. m., for business; s p. m., night session.
 The report of the committee on the di- vision of the diocese was intfoduced and read by the Rev. J. l.. Beard, and the consideration was set for Il o'clock this morning.
 Report of the bishops fund, read by Treasurer J. H. F'itts, showed: Receipts. $263O 80; disbursements, $2575 .S5, and total securities of $45,700.
 The report recommended that one-half of the bishops fund be invested in inter- est-bearing securities until it amounts to $10O,000.
 Reports of Hammer Hall and thre treas urer of the diocese were submitted. The diocese report read by Treasurer R. H.. Cochrane showed total receipts of $SO55. 57, and balance of $522 .65
 A resolution was introduced by the sec- retary cutting down the salary of the sec- retary from $250 to $150, and referred to the finance committee.
 The question cai- up as to whether an amendment to the cason should be sub mitted or held over. When ChaiNnan Me Queen asked that he be allowed to hold it over, one of the members told him he had been instructed by the committee to submit it, and he replied, 'I don't take instructions from any one except Mrs. Mcqueen"
 After further detail business Bishop Beckwth read his annual report, follow ing which he was given rising vote of thanks for his tireless and consecrated work in the state.
 Invitations from Mobile and Montgom- cry for the next meeting were received and referred.
 Bishops Address.
 The bishops address was in part as fol- lows:
 To the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Alabama in council assembled
 My dear brethren: It became my priv ilege once more to meet with the assem- bled representatives of the church in this diocese, and to confer with you touch- ing our common interests in matters ec- clesiastcal-past, present and future.
 I may report the diocese in generally good health. As to your bishop, am more encouraged over the work in our special field at the close of this year than at any former time of my episcopal supervision. Among the clergy there seems grow ing determination to push the mission in terests of the church into unoccuped fields. This fact is evinced by the estab- lishment of mission points within reach of parochial centers. Among the laity, interest in diocesan work has increased ten-fold. It Is quite common tbing now for your bishop to be stopped by >laymen, in the large cities as well as In villages, and held in conversation regarding the progress of the church beyond their own borders A number of times have had men say to me- II desire to be numbered among the active workers of the church. ' The character of letters l have received in connection with the bishops church guild presents fair indication of church interest, and I may report the same en- couragng signs all along the line. As a diocese we have much to be thankful for, and very little to discourage. Con- sidering peculiar local conditions at a few points in the diocese, the number of per- Sons confirmed manifests the faithfully