The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-30

cided
 The two general conferences are to meet in Atlanta in 1918, and if the negotiations are then advanced to the point where final action would only be matter for formal ratification the occasion will be celebrated by a great love feast.
 l The Methodist Episcopal church, known as the northern body, is much the larger of the two. According to i last years statistical report it had communicant membership of 1 3,6O3,265. The membership of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, was stated at 2,OO5,7O7, making a total of 5,6O8,972
 The northern and southern Meth odists were of the same connection until 1844, when split took place over the slavery question. The feel ing between the two was bitter for many years, even after slavery had been abolished and the Civil war was ended with Lees surrender at Ap- pomattox. But with the gradual heal ing of old sores, and after the fratri- cidal strife was only an historic mem ory the two big conferences began to get close to each other. Fraternal correspondence became the rule and | it was cordial and characteristic of pioneer Methodism. Nothing could be more natural then than the perma- nent reunion of the two bodies.
 When the merger goes into effect the denomination established in this country by Wesley will receive new and mighty impulse and it's growth in membership and spiritual power will be so rapid as to surprise even it's most ardent prophets.
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 Let the scientists wrangle all they please over whether man lived here 125,- eco or SOOOOO years ago.. What most peo- pie are worried about now is whether they will be able to live from one day to the next.
 After all the high crimes and misde- meanors Villa has committed it would be singularly handsome for the United States to remove him from the bandit class.
 It is common enough to see women smoking publicly in New York, but they havent.yet reached the point where they slap each other on the back. * *
 The Crown Prince may have played in hard luck at verdun but there is not fighting man in Europe who is surrounded by more creature comforts. The belief persists among the allies that Germany is feeling the bangs of hunger At any rate, the German soldiers don't fight like starving men, *
 
 looks'' has been invented. Shouldn't care to see the photographic reproduction of baseball rooters voice. General Carranza still thinks General Pershing ought to go, but there are ex- cellent reasons why General Pershing ought to stay.
 Judging from some of his recent state ments Thomas W. Lawson has no re- spect whatever for the dignity of con- gressman.
 1 There is going to be a shortage of cal endars this year, but the banks will kindly remind you if you have note fall- ing due.
 According to statistics there is hold- up every six hours in Chicago. What are the footpads doing the rest of the time? * a; * | Charlie Chaplin is said to play the vio- lin for his own amusement. He doesn't claim that it amuses anybody else. | Villa is charged with having shot former l. w. w. for footing. Surely, no one will object to that. * * * | Incidentally, what has become of the old fashioned prohibitionist who called saloon ''grogshop?"
 
 President Wilson promises to be as secretive as Colonel House until the peace negotiations are ended.
 Still, it's trifle early yet for Holland to sweep out The Hague peace palace for a conference.
 | In turning over a new leaf, be sure to lay a 1O0O- pound weight on it. so it wont t