The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-01

Dothan, November 30.-(Special.)- )-The Alabama conference is holding it's eigh- ty-fifth session, having been organized at Tuscaloosa in 1883 under the pres idency of Bishop James o. Andrew. It then embraced eastern Mississippi, western Florida and all of Alabama, but prior to 1883 it's territory was included in the Mississippi conference. The ar engagement at Tuscaloosa held until 1865
 Since the Tuscaloosa session the growth of Methodism in the territory of the Alabama conference has been steady and at some times rapid. At the close of 1916 there were in the Alabama and north Alabama conferences 179,33g members, 449 local and 531 travelling preachers in full connection, of whom 155 local and 206 travelling preachers were members of the Alabama conference
 pr. A. J. Lamar, the secretary of the body, who has long served, says in the roster of the Alabama confer ence have been enrolled many men prominent in the councils of Methodism in the last S5 years. Two of the bishops of the church, McTyeire and Keener, served in it before being elected to their high office.
 The oldest member of the Alabama conference in years of service. James w. Shores who after years of labor filling stations, circuits and districts, is now growing old gracefully honored and ha ,II J,i Ia H. mitted on trial in 1851, but is still in terested in all the movements of the days which make for the uplift and betterment of mankind.
 Rev. M. E. Lazenby, the host of the conference, volunteered for missionary service in Cuba and his church sent him to that field, but after year and a half his failing health made it necessary for him to return to the states Since he took charge of the Lafayette Street church it has grown by leaps and and used it freely to advertise the
 ''homelike church." The building is steam heated, elegantly furnished, has Ia magnificent pipe organ and the indi- rect system of lighting. It is good to look at from the outside and is com fortable on the inside.
 One of the most momentouS sessions of the Alabama conference was the one held at Montgomery on Wednesday, De- cember F, 1860, over which Bishop An drew presided. Bishop Soule was also present at the session. An old paper states that ''his venerable form had a hallowed influence" His frame and voice were feeble and he spoke but sell dom. The missionary spirit ran high but the session resolutions were the dominating factor in the deliberations Dr. J. B. Cottreu made one of his fiery speeches that swept the audience. The membership at this time which in cluded the negroes was 74,459 The white membership is now over 1S0,o00.
 Over the sessions of the Alabama con ference from it's organization to date have presided all of the bishops of the church, except five of those elected te office in 1910. In order of election these
 run from Bishop Joshua Soule to Bishol John c. Kilgo. This is practically tn, third time that Bishop Denny has pre- sided, as he had to assist Bishop Wilson l who was i'll at the session held at Pen sacola, Fla, in 1911. Judging from re
 marks I overhear, he is giving great sat
 isfaction as presiding officer.
 l Here are a few of the great name
 in the Alabama conference. All of then have gone to their reward. Jefferson Hamilton, Greenberry Garrett, Edwar, i Wadsworth, Thomas o. Summers, Simol Peter Richardson Gone of the mos unique characters in Methodism), Allel $. and Mark Andrews. These men ha,
 a reputation throughout the bounds o southern Methodism.
 l Dr. c. c. Daniel made great speecl on education on Thursday night; it wa
 one of the truly worth while addresse i,of the conference He lived up to tn | best traditions of the conference i
 thought and delivery. Rev. R. C. vii | Hams of Hurtsboro is both editor an,
 preacher. He serves at Warrior Stan and edits the Tribune. He is a liv lmember in east Alabama.
 l J. D. Flowers is a Methodist laymaI 1 upon whom the church leans heavily. Hi lSELECTMEN CHARGED | WITH KNOWING LAW