The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-18
FINAL SERMON BY
 BISHOP c. w. SMITH
Appointments of Pastors Announced At Colored Methodist Confer
 ence Last Night


 Ore, who has been presiding over tht Central Alabama conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, composed oi colored communicants, preached a strong and forceful sermon at St Paul Metho. dist Episcopal church Sunday morning before an audience that packed the au- ditorium of the church. "Humanity's De sire for God'' was the theme of his dis course, and he spoke with deep feeling coursing down many a cheek
 Bishop Smith preached purely gos- pei sermon. There was no reference to race, nor to southern conditions or north ern conditions. He preached to the ne- groes in the Central Alabama confer ence as he would have preached to a white audience. On a religious occa- sion, from a deeply fervent text, he preached fervent, soul stirring sermon, setting forth the logical and natural de- sire of mankind for a knowledge of God A knowledge of God in his personality a knowledge of a manifested God, of a forgiving God and of a sympathizing God, he declared, was what mankind sought, was the desire of the human soul and the search of human wisdom and endeayor. This desire, he stated was prophetic of mans destiny For the de- sire of the ages could but terminate in flesh cryeth out for the living God" was the text, taken from the 2d verse of the Eighty-fourth Psalm.
 "I have read you the words that con- tain the cry of humanity he declared as he illustrated how in the ages past and even today man sought some knowl- edge of the Higher Being. This desire to know God Is natural" Bishop Smith con- tinued. 'I want to place very great em- phasis upon that statement This desire is natural. I do not mean to raise any theological question. I do not mean to discuss the total depravity of man or any kindred subjects, but the natural desire of the human soul is after God. It is well for us to understand this, be- cause nature itself is of God. God made nature as well as he made everything else. He made nature just as certain as he made religion. There can be no pos sible conflict between nature and relig- ion, and if any man thinks he finds a conflict, 1t is in his own head. God made both and there must be perfect har- mony."
 He declared in so many words that the yearnlng for God by mankind had been satisfed in various ways that mans de- sire for his personality was satisfied many times as shown in the Old Testament, in ha al laric hat Ia is forgiving to us in our every day lives and the sympathzing friend. The whole audience was visibly moved at the ccn- cluson of Bishop Smiths sermon The services were presided over by pr. J. l.. Wilson, pastor of St. Pauls Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. c. H. Trevor of Cannon Theological seminary, Atlanta, preached in the after noon. Our idea of life's proper aim will mean, he said, and pleaded for better conception of the proper aim of life, de- claring that Gods plan for man was to be realized only through Jesus Christ.
 The anniversary of the Sunday school board was the concluding service last night. Dr. E.. M. Jones of this confer ence, field secretary of the Sunday school board presided, while Dr. D. G. Downey Of Chicago corresponding secretary of the
 
 Dowrey declared that it was not e. ugh to save souls. The business of the church was to hasten the coming of Gods king don. Saved individuals must save others' he said, "the coming of Gods kingdom means the coming of the time when science, society. commerce, civics, letters and trade shall all be in harmony with Gods thought. The Sunday school is the institution best equipped for bringing in Gods kingdom. Boys and girls have the enthusiasm, chivalry and courage essen- tial to high achievement"
 In tho closing hours of the conference much business of routine nature was transacted. The reports of committees oc- fcupied most of the time. Resolutions of thanks were passed. which included the pastor of St. Paul sschurch, Dr. J. l.. Will son, Dr. A. P. Camphor, president of Central Alabama college for entertain ment the newspapers and Bishop Charles W. Smith Bishop Smitll's return was urged by the conference upon the board of bishops for another year.
 Benjamin r. Butler, John W. Howard, Robert Matthews, James R. Howser, Eugene Green and James w. Smith were ordained deacons. while Richard H. Cox and Ralph M. Davis were ordained elders. The conference voted favor ably on proposition sent down from the last general conference to change the day of general conference meet ing from the first Thursday in May to the first secular day in May
 Gadsdcn was chosen as the next