The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-12-07
SIDELIGHTS ON THE
ALABAMA CONFERENCE
BY J. p. Roberts, Jr.

Those who take an interest in the
,:1ffairs OF the Methodists of Alabama
land West Florida have their attention
T1veted upon Pensacola this week, real
Ezing that this the seventy ninth ses-
sion of the Alabama Conference, is an
event of much importance to them,
and. although to the observer who
looks on from a strictly outside point
or view all conference sessions NAV
look ahke, yet those in close touch
with the affairs of the Methodist
church realize that this is a session
that VIII be long remembered for
many reasons. There are new issues
constantly arising and new PROPOSE
tions TO be dealt with and the body
OF men IN session in this CITY now is
the body which must devise WAYS and
means to meet the new conditions
However, the people whom they rep
resent are confident that they are
capable of looking out for their inter
estS, and the men composing this con-
ference fully realize the responsible
ties which are upon them and the con-
ference is sure to be a success
Bishop Alpheus W. Wilson, who is
presiding over this session, is the
senior bishop in the college of bishops
of his church, and is recognized as
one Ct the most conservative men in
the church and the conference is to be
congratulated upon having him to hold
TINS session. Few mon are revered and
loved by their constituency as is
Bishop Wilson by the members of the
is placed in his Judgment and un-
limited respect is accorded his age and
wisdom.
This is the first time since he was
elected bishop that the Alabama
RnJ11fnpnnra 10 e.,
to entertain Bishop Collins Denny. bur
it is evident that he has captivated
the hearts of the Alabama preachers
already. During practically all of
yester days session he was in the chair
and he showed splendid ability as a
presiding officer. dispatching business
rapidly, yet constantly HANDING. ont
valuable advice as he went along. He
also revealed kind and sympathetic
disposition. This was manifest when
ever any report of misfortune or be-
reavement to a. member of the confer
ence was made.
Probably Rev. A. L. Sellers. the
conference evangelist, holds the record
for preaching this year. He reported
yesterday that during the year he had
preached 800 sermons. If Bro. H. T.
johnson had been the bishop he would
probably have told him that was
preaching some.
The first meeting Of the bishop and
his cabinet was held yesterday after
noon and the game of checkers was
begun. In fact, If the list were to be
adopted right now, some of the
brethren would probably not have any
appointments at all, while others would
have two or three. But they will get
it all straight, and here's hoping that
aNTA NSlH- will l,o fol
Bishop Denny said yesterday that
some of the best medicine IN the world
could be found at the end of a hoe
handle, and ]. B. Tate added and be-
tween the pillow handles Bro Tate
knows, too.
The writer had the pleasure Of sit
ting next to his cid friend and school
mate, Frank Biltro. of the class of the
fourth year, Sat the meeting OF the
Historical Association Tuesday night,
and when Bishop Denny. in telling of
the desire on the part of the aSsocia-
tian for relics, such as pictures of dis
tinguished preachers, etc, the writer
suggested to Bro. Btlbro that he send
in a likeness of himself, but the young
brother seemed a bit too modest to
agree, without some reluctance, and
seemed to prefer that the writer send
III pK16 "ll4Sh udppGLS 70 Dc III MS pOS-
session.
1t appears that one of the preachers
got in the county Jail about as soon
as he got here and has been there
since, but I have not learned who he
is yet (although l am generally in
close touch with the inmates Of that
inStitution.) Yes, j. r. Steward, the
jaifor, who lives with his family in a
part of the Jail building and who is a
clever, hospitable fellow. is entertain
ing at least one delegate
Since Rev. H. T. Johnson became a
sure enough presiding elder. 1 have
not learned exactly who succeeded him
as leader in the Kitchen cabinet" but
no doubt that body will be as actively
at work this year as ever and we will
hear from them before the week is
out.
Pensacola will get as much boost
ing and free advertising from the body
of preachers here this week when they