The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-02
SchlOSS Bros. & Co.
Rogers, Peet Co.

this society. It's inhabitants, both in pre-
historic and historic times. afford fine
basis for comparative study and research,
involving a consideration of the facts and
incidents recorded by early explorers and
traders, and also of their archaeological
remains. Many narratives of exploration
are available to students and others are
being brought to light from year to year
In every county of the state are mounds,
earthworks, ancient fortihcations, village
sites and other evidences of former occu-
patton of the soil prior to the coming of
the white man. 1t will be the purpose
and endeavor, as announced by the Ala
bama Anthropological society. to work
over this area for the benefit of the larger
field of science, as has been done well
elsewhere. The people of Alabama gen.
orally should lend cooperation.
Alabama Methodist Church History.
The success of the Ala bama Conference
Historical society, organized December 8,
1905, should encourage all denominations
in Alabama to effect a special organiza-
ton within their own membership. the
object of which should be the preserva-
ton of the materials for their history.
This society meets annually on the even
ing preceding the formal opening of the
Alabama conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal church, south. At these meet
ings there is an annual address. the re-
ception of reports from officers and COM
mittees, and discussions of plans and
work.
The address at the meeting for 1909. held
at OpelilSa, on the evening of December
Z, was delivered by Rev. DR.. A. j. Lamar,
one of the agents of the Methodist Pub
fishing house. DIR. Lamar's address was
devoted to a discussion Of Methodist Ex-
tension in the Alabama Conference. with
Special Reference to Montgomery and
Mobile" From a consideration of the
facts of church extension in the confer
ence, he concluded that real expansion
came only with the breaking up of the
large single congregations in the centers
OF Methodsm and the planting of new
churches here and there. suited to en-
vironment and local needs.
1t was reported that the society had ac-
cumu1ated several hundred valuable books
and pamphlets including conference jour
nails, church registers. sketches of church
es sermons, old disciplnes and other
Methodist books, and also the manuscript
records of both the Alabama and forth
Alabama conferences. several manuscript
records of district conferences, the man
uscript records of the Preachers Aid So
ciety and other subordinate conference
organizations, and of several local church,
es These records are preserved In the
hands of DR.. Thomas NJ. Owen. secretary
and curator of the society. In the state
capitol at Montgomery Here they are
open for consultation by Methodists or
other students who may wish to make
use of them. DR.. Owen is anxious to re-
ceive other additions. and the society will
be glad to defray express charges on any
contributions which are made.
Travelling Libraries.
The travelling libraries, supplied by the
library extension division of the state de-
partment of archives and history, have
proven to be most useful and helpful
agencies in affordinig good books and
reading to small communities without
library facilities. The collection of books
in the hands of the department. available
for this use number about 1000. and are
all in constant circulation. So popular
have they become that the demand far
exceeds the supply, and several applica-
tons are on the waiting list. There is no
charge for the use of the books, but the
community or the school making applica-
ton is required to pay 81. to cover ex-
pressage both ways. A library may be
retained four months. after which 1t must
be returned. Another library may then
be had IL desired. The collections usually
number from % to 40 volumes, but larger
ones can be made up to meet local condi-
tons In the latter event larger fee
for transportation is required.
Rare Old Portraits.
To the visitor to the state capitol the
gallery and museum of the department of
archives and history is an amending
source of delight and instruction. Here
has been brought together more than 100
oil portraits some of them works of art,
of many of the leading men and women
of the state, from the earliest times, both
In peace and war. Here also are gath
cred and displayed hundreds of rare and
interesting objects and curiosities of all
periods of the state history, including In
dian relics. pioneer relics rare manu-
scripts. old prints and battle flags and
banners No better place can be found
for the permanent preservation and dis
play of treasures of this character which
have accumulated in the hands OF fam
lilies. The department will undertake to
care for and protect against loss all por-
traits, relics and other historic objects
which may be contributed
Thomas in East.
Alabam was represented at the annual
meeting of the Americal Historical asso-
citation during the last week of December
In New York city by Judge William II.
Thomas of Montgomery. On the evening
of December 20. Judge Thomas presented
a paper on 1.-The South's Task Some of
Its Difficulties" This paper has been
issued in pamphlet form (svo. PIP. l9) and
NAV be had from the author.
Died at Huntsville.
Huntsville. January Especial Mrs.