The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-06

pdlud COlLSiCl dl NNOOQldWn, ana luT- ried in an automobile to be at the finish of city administration.
 The close of the conference was an im- pressive occasion. Although a Baptist preacher, could not but feel the sus- pense that many Methodist pastors were feeling. The reports of the various com mittees were heard attentively, but in the subconsciousness of every preacher present was the thought of where he must serve during another year.
 looked about the gallery which was fringed with preachers wives, and as looked into their sweet but wistful faces I knew that many hearts were anxiously beating in the hope that their husbands would get a good appointment, not so much for themselves as for him and the children. The wives of Methodist preach CTS are a heroic class. They know the meaning of sacrifice, just as they know the meaning of service
 It was truly & dramatic moment when Bishop Denny arose after the business was finished. It was the supreme hour when every Methodist preacher was to be put to the acid test. Every one sensed It's importance to the hundreds of faith ful pastors who were waiting to get their orders to stay on their charges or bc moved into new fields. It was a. time of nervousness for the young in the min tr%. 4.,- for the old war horses of Methodism who has heard many time before at confer ence the bugle call to be loyal to the itinerancy.
 Bishop Denny did not attempt to min inlize the solemnity of the procedure, but with selective care led up to the reading by referring to the Titanic disaster in which 1t was said that the Wesleyan Methodist band leader, facing watery grave, ordered the band to play, Jesus. I My Cross Have Taken" and they all played until the waters closed above their heads. It is favorite in the Methodist -hymnal, and as 1t was sung every one saw Its appropriateness.
 T wrote in my Monday story that Methodists were noted for four things prayer, preaching, singing, and organiza- ton. Some men are gifted in prayer, Just as others are in preaching. At the close of the gospel song that warmed all hearts, the bishop called on Dr. Lester to lead in prayer. It was wonderful talk with God. It lifted the vast audience above worldly things into the very heaveniies. If ever a man had the spiri. of prayer. he had it. and long before he closed, troubled minds had been com forted and every preacher present was willing to go where the Lord wanted him to go.
 I thought the time was mellowed for the reading of the appointments, that the rived for the announcements, but there was yet something coming to further soften the disappointment of any one who might not get the assignment Tor which he had longed. had sized up the bishop as being rather cold. Possibly it EdIlt0 HUH HIS udVlu6 tO 1uiS WAtlAA 4kAS law when thought he might have tipped the scales on mercy's side.
 Rising from his chair he began in a voice charged with emotion, as if he was conscious that the words about to fall from his lips would bring heartbreaks to some. He showed by the tremor of his body that although he had presided over the conference four times, that what he was about to do was far from being per- functory, but that his own heart yearned over the men who were about to hear from his lips place of work that meant hardship and suffering. His language was sympathetic, just as his manner was kind, and I believe his brethren believed him when he said that he had made the appointments to the best of his ability with the lights before him, and that in no case had he allowed his own personal wishes to influence him. And then the names were read amidst the deepest si- fence. It was truly a solemn hour. The body adjourned, and I felt that I had learned many things while sitting in the midst of brethren of another denomina- ton.
 Just a word about the outgoing city administration. I believe that the retir- ing members carry with them the best wishes of the community. George Ward was both gracious and manly in his re- ception of the incoming commission. John Hornady, the only leftover, will be utilized on the city's bill of fare for an other four years. Personally, have none but kind wishes for the retiring commits sioners I believe that every one of them was honest and gave the city his best service.
 And now what shall say of the new men we have put at the city hall to gov- ern us? There is much that might be said, but at present I am simply going to request this in their behalf I have been talking about preachers. so I'll apply this bit of advice to our dealings with the new administrations: Don't let's do like many church members do when a new preacher Is called or sent to shep- herd them, say, II nope ne Will make good" but let's say to each of the new commissioners. "I am going to do my best to help you make good.' If all of us will do this we can make Birmingham by far the best place in the south IT. which to live and do business.
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