The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-02
PRE-EM|NENC OFI
 CHRIST, HIS TOPIC.
Bishop Richardson Speaker Before Alabama Metho-
 dist Conference

The Alabama conference of the Methodist Episcopal church con venes Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in it's Fifty-seventh session with Bishop E. G. Richardson, D. D.. l.. L. D.. resident bishop of the At lanta area, presiding. At the open ing of the conference Bishop Rich ardstn gave pointed address on the Pre- eminence of Christ" taking his text from Col. 1-1S: And He is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things He might have the e-eminence," mak- ing the emphasis that Christ must be given eninence in every phase ment of the Lords supper was ad- ministered by Bishop Richardson. The conference then went into busi- ness session, consisting of organiza- tiLn of the conference and hearing the reports from the pastors.
 From ' to o'clock in the evening there was an informal reception fol- lowed by program of welcome ad- dresses by D. F. McLendon. president city commissioners, speaking for the city. and A. D. Peck. prominent lay man of the church, in it's behalf. These addresses were appreciated by the visiting delegation. and the bishop responded in a wonderfully pointed address Special music fea- tured this program.
 Visitors Introduced.
 The conference assembled at S:30 Thursday morning, with devotions led by Rev. W. L. Hart of Boaz, Ala. Dr. F. H. Harrington. director of Near East relief of Mississippi and great work done by this organiza- ton. Bishop Richardson gave an inn pressive message on the text: 70, foolish Galatians, who hath be- witched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you" Gal. 3-l.
 At the close of the morning ses- sitn, Dr. J. Bibb Mills, superinten- dent and H. G. Payne, field secretary of the National Anti-Saloon league, and Mrs. Charles F. Thirkield, bu- reau secretary for the Woman's Home Missionary society, were in- troduced.
 At 2:45 the afternoon session was opened with devotions by Rev. $. $. Owens of Wadley, Ala, followed by an address on the American Bible agency secretary. Dr. J. l.. Brasher' secretary of the conference, gave an inspiring evangelistic address to large crowd.
 The evening program was presided over by Rev. D. E. Cayaleri, pastor tf Simpson church, who introduced Dr. William Fielder, president of John H. Snead seminary. Boaz, Ala. and he spoke on the work and progress of this educational institu- ton. Mrs. A. c. Steward, president of Alabama conference, Woman s Home Missionary society, presented Mrs. Charles F. Thirkield, bureau secretary for Alabama and Georgia, who spoke Cn the work of the w om- ans Home Visionary society. A. ID. Peck then introduced Thomas V. Ell zey, general secretary Alabama Sun day School Council of Christian Edu- cation, and he gave an inspiring message on the work of the Sunday school.
 Friday morning at s:3o the devo- tions will be led by Rev. J. E. JChn- session. At 10:30 will be an address by Bishop Richardson, followed by an address by Dr. A. A. Brown of the University of Chattanooga, on "Edu- cation.
 In the afternoon at o'clock the anniversary of the board of confer ence claimants will be held. Rev. J. B. Miller presiding; pr. c. K Oaten, business secretary, giving the address. Following this, Dr. J. L. Brasher will again give an evan gelistic address. At 7:30 in the eve ming the program will be In charge of the committee on conservation and advance, and Bishop D. G. Richard son will give an address, ITO serve the Present Age"