The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-12
The CONFERENCE
AT GAINESVILLE
GATHERING OF GREAT IMPORT.
ANCE TO METH0DlSTS BE.
GINS TODAY.

Gainesville, Dec. 1.-THE Univer-
sity City has been very much astir
the past few weeks getting ready
for the Florida Annual Conference
of the Methodist Church to be held
here this week. An annual confer
epce is an occasion that is looked
forward to with very deep interest,
and many people in the State are in
tcrestcd in the work of the body.
4 number of committees, and
boards will begin their work ON
Tuesday. in fact some of them are
meeting tonight. The committees
OF examination of young preachers
will be in session all day Tuesday.
Tuesday night the opening sermon
os the conference will be delivered
By Rev. j. b. Mitchell, pastor Of First
Church, Tallahassee. one Of the
strongest preachers in the confer
ence.
Bishop T.. e. Hoss, who is to pre-
side at this session Of the Confer
ence, was elected to the office Of
Bishop at the General Conference In
Dallas, Texas, in 1902. He was
born In Washington County. Ten
nessee, April IA, 1S49. He was con-
,erted and joined the church Ut
Jonesborough. Tenn. In 1859: was
licensed to preach In 1866: was or
dained by Bishop Kavanaugh In
1870, and elder by Bishop McTyeire
in 1872. He sprang from a grand
old revolutionary family, his family
being among the pioneers Of this
country, having come hither from
Virginia, Maryland, and PennsyI-
vania in the early days. lie was
educated at Ohio Wesleyan college.
Virginia. lie Joined the HOlston
Conference In 1869. ana served many
of the prominent charges. Dr. Hoss
was president of Martha Washing
ton College, Abingdon. Virginia, for
five years. and of Emory and Henry
College three years. lie occupied the
chair of Church History In Wander
Lilt University for five years, ana
from this position he was elected edi-
tor of the Nashville Christian Nd
yocate, the official organ of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
For twelve years he filled this high
office, terminating upon his clevat'o"
to the Episcopacy. Bishop liOss is
conceded to be one of the strongest
men In the church, and his election
TO the bishopric gave universal de-
light. lie was married Nov. -,
1872. to Miss Addie clark, Of Knox
vile, Tenn. Tie has Oftimes been a
delegate to General Conferences,
and has represented his church IN
world gatherings. His home Is
in Nashville. Tennessee. THIS Is
Eishop IIoss' first official visit to
Florida. and warm welcome awaits
him.
Tuesday night the opening SER
rlun of the COnfcrcnc" will be- de-
liycred by Rev. j. y. Mitchell. Of
Tallahassee. and following the SER
mon the sacrament of the Lord $
supper will be administered by Dr.
r. J. Nixon. presiding elder OF the
Ocala district. Wednesday night the
anniversary Of the Sunday school
board will be held Addresses by DIR.
e. ID. Bulla and Dr. II. NJ. IIamill.
Thursday night the board of educa-
ton will hold its anniversary. Ad-
dress by Bishop IIOss. Friday night
church extension anniversary, with
address by Dr. w. +. McMurry. Sat
urtlay night the board of missions
will hold its anniversary; address by
Dr. I'D. +. Cook Sunday afternoon
the Epworth League rally will be
conducted at which Rev. J. Marvin
rmlbreth will speak. Each afternoon
during the conference a Sunday
school institute will be conducted by
Dr. and Mrs II. NJ IIamill.
The committees and boards will
be in session Tuesday, December IL,
but the conference proper Will be
opened Wednesday morning, Dec.
18th.
Mr.. II. l.. Phfer is the chairman
Of the committee on entertainment
and Major w X. Thomas is chair
man of the board of trustees of the
new Epworth hall.