The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-07


 of North Alabama Conference guard against loss of pastoral touch and tact. However, determination of that matter is with the bishop-and he does not always catch and carry on accord ing to the drift of opinion.
 ''The cffice of presiding elder in the Methodist church is one of high honor of large opportunity, and of grave re- sponsibility. It is assumed that in a conference such. as north Alabama there are plenty of men amply equipped for this office, and many perfectly willing to endure the exactions which it imposes Dame Rurnor ayers that there are oc- casionally actual candidates And that's lawful-Q Tim. 3:1 5:10. But, like the returns from political primary, not all the candidates get in. And then there is a body of ministers, larger or smaller, whose mind is set solely on the pAstorate esteeming that the finest of all fields for ministerial service, therefore pre- ferring that. Besides, there are sundry secretarial and managerial jobs, appar- entity multiplying Happily or unhapply) which appeal to certain brethren as the best field for their service. These jobs whether alluring or not hardly ever go begging
 SEVEN IN BIRMINGHAM
 "Of the twenty-one pastors at the end of their fourth year. seven are in Bir- minghhm: Rev. M. M. Newton, east Bir- mingham; Rev. R. I. Walston East Lake; Rev. G. R. Stuart, First Church. Rev P. B. Wells, Highlands; Rev E. M. Glenn, Mt. Vernon; Rev. S. o. Kim brough. Owenton; Rev. A. M Freeman Walker memorial. It is assumed that pr. Stuart will remain at First church. The situation there is exceptional: he is exceptional, they fit, and are satisfiedi and it is presumed that all the neighbors and all the brethren are glad that First church and pr. Stuart are glad in each other, and say "So mote it be-"
 "All these other four year pastors, throughout the conference, with pos sible exception or two, will very surely move-ought to move. Quarterly con ferences will not ask otherwise-will likely count it best not to ask otherwise And in this pastors aequiesce.
 Three deaths have occurred during the year in the ranks of the conference membership: Rev. Moses E. Butt. octo- genarian supera nnuate for years; Rev. zaccheus A. Bowling, active pastor, but nearing superannuation; and Rev. Sin gleton A. Woodland, a young man, re- ceived last fall. These were all good and true men, and died in the faith.
 EDUCATIONAL
 'sThroughout it's history, Methodist has apprehended the importance of public education: has felt the gall to evangelization through the teaching process, as well as through pulpit min istration; while magnifying preaching, it has been forward also to magnify teaching. Hence, on it's heart from the beginning has been the cause of edu2 tion, with it's hands consequently full of enterprises and institutions. When effort was made to give the gospel to Alabama Indians, preachers were ap> pointed to each as well as to preach and history records some notable re- suits therefrom. The first college char tered in this state was established by Methodsm at LaGrange, in 1850; and at Athens was chartered in lS42. and opened in 1S43, the second college au- thorized to give degrees to women the first being Wesleyan at Macon Ga., Methodist college.
 "At the coming session, denomina- tional education will likely command the center of the stage and receive larger attention than will any other specific matter. Not that there will be any diminution of interest. abatement of zeal, curtailment of effort or neglect of anything anywhere; but 1t Is feit that the church now faces the hour when it is imperative to rise to the most signal, reaching and deter mined effort of her history for girdins her schools with the strength of eadip> ment and the amplitude of furnishment reuuisite for putting them abreast or their unparalleled opportunities and calls. Therefore, it is that with studied intent the church proposes at this time to get about this business in the best way-with a mind to stay with it and stick to it till the forces go over the top and our schools and colleges be amply supplied for all ob- jectives.
 During the year 1921, Methodism sets for herself the task of providing ample funds for ample equipment Of her schools. She counts that the con- stituents control their proportionate share of the vast wealth of the coun- try. and reckons upon their apprecia-, tion in the premises and looks to their liberality to meet the coming call. So far as this important matter concerns north Alabama. the conference at Gads- den is expected to anticipate every con- dition and accordingly to provide for every contingency. The best brain, the best conscience and the best delioera- ton are expected at Gadsden to sched- ule the best methods for thrilling i'm agination and stirring impulse of preachers and people toward the great big end"
 THE EPWORTH LEAGUE
 During the year. perhaps no depart ment of the church has shown more marked enterprise and exhibited greater activity than the Epworth League. Indeed. full disclosure may declare the league to lead the field in notable achievement.
 Last year. the League conference at Athens determined to put man in the field, as a sort of secretarial manager and leader to devote his whole time to organization and development--a general and specific leadership, looking for definite results. Accordingly at the last annual conference session. Rev. Wm. Graham Echols was set apart for this particular service. With no precedents to keep him out of the bushes and in the plain and proper path but there vast any such path he had to blaze his own way. The work was undertaken seriously. stuck to de- votedly, prosecuted diligently: and mar vicious achievements have come Partial tabulation of results will show: 94 new chapters organized; those already in existence heartened and