The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-16

adjourn al 1 o'clock for luncheon an1 finally at o'clock. It is expected that today the hours will be changed to some extent.
 ihe council heard addresses yesterday from Miss Neely and Miss Emery, tho two distinguished missionaries. upon the work being performed by the mission workers
 Bishops Annual Address
 Bishop Beckwith in his annual ad- dress said:
 "ro the Clergy and Iaity of the Diocese
 of Alabama. in Council assembled:
 My dear brethren: As far as l can recall, it has been my privilege to begin each annual address with a word of encouragement from the past, good cheer for the present and hopefulness for tho future. The condition of the diocese dur ing the year 19ll-1912 justiffes even strong CT words than I have formerly used. In many respects we are approaching the realization of standards at which ! have constantly aimed and I am persuaded that the movement Is a permanent one have no confidence in results that are forced from without and none in surface appearances that lack the Inward and hidden life. The test of church life and church growth is to he found in the fruit of the spirit l believe the spirit of God has been directing us in our work
 In two respects the diocese evinees in marked way the presence of new life, with new motives of action. and these have issued in methods of thought all changed
 The clergy are more united than since 1t has been my privilege to labor with you. While there has never been an oas- ward manifestation of want of unity in the working force Of tile diocese, still chords concealed underneath have not been any too strong and connections in close fellowship have nt times been moro or less disiointed. We have striven to create and quicken the esprit de corps in the ranks of our clergy, and We are assured that the earnest response to this effort is not lacking. Our clergy understand themselves and they under- stand each other better than ever before, and the spiritual atmosphere of the dio- cese is clear and unmistakable. There is brightness and hopefuluess in the air that one cannot but feel
 For years tho policy of this diocese, when vacancies have occurred in any of the parishes has been to look in- mediately beyond our own field for new rector, and to overlook the men who have worked faithfully within our bor- ders. In cases of vacancy, 1 have con recommended men who have proven themselves i'll the smaller parishes and mission stations of the diocese. Un- til this year with very few exceptions, our vestries have thought it best Co run the risk of outside material. and thereby the principle of local preferment has been lost, The real meaning and value of this principle will be understood upon coll sideration; and I believe the diocese has been considering. Not diocese in tho union claims any better men than those who make up the clergy list of XlabarQs;- ;- and when the principle of local prefer ment is firmly established, your bishop .4F. best men for the humblest fields [ am not at all averse to bringing new men into the diocese but I believe we would be wise always to study our own clergy before q call Is sent abroad. When St Pauls church, Greensboro. callnd the Rev. Mr. de Ovies from st. Andrews church, Birmingham and St Andrews church. Birmingham. called the Rev. Nh. Clark from rntaw. and St. Stephens church, Eutaw, called the Rev. MT Wal den from St. Johus church, Ensley, tremendous forward step was taken t9- ward the establishment of local prefer ment As an expression of new life and new motive, your bishop greatly rejoices in the facts above stated
 New Churches
 On the 9th day of May, visited Tiis- kegee and held my first service in the new church building al that place. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon those who have been instrumental in the accomplishment of this piece of work. In the face of great discouragementa' so far as the lack Of numbers goes. the Rev MT. Mcqueen has persisted in hold- ing regular services at Tuskegee for many months following the work begun by the Rev. MT ClaybroolS when he was the general missionary of the dio- cese. The church membership consisted of a very few faithful women. These have been untiring in their efforts, and as q result we have at Tuskegee an ex- ceedingly beautiful church building. This is certainly striking Illustration Of the shy ing Where a woman wills she wills, and that is the end of it." The example of Prattvie Union Springs and Tuske- gee should emholden us to undertake anY task however difficult and however great be the discouragaments If q church can be erected against the many odds in re- sources that faced the little flock at Tuskegce, a church can he built at any point in the diocese.
 Lay Readers
 Quoting from my address of l9f9; T
 fConfIpurd on Iust Pngel