The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-06
CAND[ER PRES|DES
 OVER CONFERENCE
Mthodists Now in Session
 at Meridian
LARGE CLASS ON TRIAL
Sessions Being Held in Central Meth Odist Church-Business Session
 This M0rning-Carry Out W Committee Work

Meridian, Miss, December 5.-(Special.) Bishop Warren A. Candler of Atlanta, Ga, arrived in the city last night and this morning took the reins of office in the guidance of the conference of the Methodist church of Mississippi which is in session here this week. The entire day was spent in examining under grad uates for admission and ordination into the conference. A large class is on trial About 200 ministers. and laymen have reached the city and 50 more will arrive within tho next 24 hours All sessions of the conference will be held in Central Methodist church, of which Dr. w. II. LaPrade, formerly of the Louisiana con- ference. is pastor. A number of commit tees made report this afternoon, which showed the churches throughout the dis trct to be in fourishing condition.
 A large audience gathered last night at the meeting of the Historical society of the Methodist church, A number of high ly interesting addresses were heard deai- ing with the history of Methodism In South Mississippi. A review of the work of the Methodist church and eulogies of some of those who have contributed to its successes was heard.
 At o'clock Wednesday morning bus 1ness session of the conference will be held, at which character examination Of all candidates on trial will be gone through. A number of candidates are now on trial and the examination Wednes- day with the final test of their quaIifi- cations for the regular work of the min- istry.
 One of the most impressive services of the session will be that to be held Wednesday night when pr. E. H. Moun- ser, who has been in the work for 50 years and will preach the semi-centen- nial sermon. After the sermon Bishop Candler will administer the Lords sup per
 The regular committee work will be carried out on Thursday and on Thurs day night, pr. W. W. Pinson, who ar rived in the city last night, will deliver an address on the subject of missions and the missionary work of the Methodist church. Immediately following the ad- dress the mission board will meet for conference business. Friday will be spent in routine work of the conference. pr. E. B. Chappele will deliver an address
 
 work of the church.
 The laymen's movement will be dis ctssed at length on Saturday night by pr. W. w. Pinson. This work of the Metho- dist church has gained considerable head way in the southern division and much Interest is manifested in the service of Saturday night
 On Sunday there will be special serv- ices in all of the Methodist churches of the city. Visiting ministers will occupy the different pulpits. The appointments for next year will not be read out until Monday night. There will be a number of changes made at this session of the con- ference, as there are many of the minis- ters who have served their four years time the limit allowed in single station by the Methodist church.
 A feature of the conference, and one that will be of interest to every Meth. odist minister. for they are proverbial "chicken eaters,' is that on Thursday aft ernoon the visiting ministers will be en- tertained at the Meridian college, when they will witness a military drill by the young ladies and young men who are students at the college Following the drill they will be entertained at the larg- est poultry farm in the state, and 1t will naturally follow that they will be given the Methodist minister's favorite food --chicken. Dr. J. w. Reason, president of the Woman's college, has extended an invitation to the conference and it has been accepted.
 The visiting ministers are being enter tained in the homes of the Methodists of the city, but all denominations are ex- tending hearty welcome.