NIINUTES

OF THE

.f . ._

ALABAMA CONFERENCE

OF THE

SOUTH,

< FORTY-NI:NTII SESSION.)

' N vv . 3C-D-r 0 , 1881.

--.. ·-- -

•

SMITH & ARMSTRO"'G . F'BlNTERS AND BINDERS.

1882,

..

PART I

CONFERENCE OFFICERS, BOARDS, &c.

OFFICERS OF THE CmmEnENCE:

BrsrroP GEo. F. PIERCE, President, R. B. CRAWFORD, Secretary.

A s8istant Sec?·eta?·ies :

R. S. HoLco~m&, A. J. LAMAn, GEo. FoNTAD1E.

JoiN'r BoARD oF FINANCE:

Clerical.-I-I. D. :Moore, Alex. Hootl, J. M. Crews, J. W. Rush, J. Bancroft, J. L. Mathi­

son, J. L. Skipper, E. Phillips, C. B. DuBose, J. 0. Keener.

Lay.-Wm. Otis, A. K. Ramsey, S. W. John, C. ::\1. Howard, W. L. Chambers, I. F.

Cuh·er, E. B. Wilkerson, Junius Rawls, E. M. Lazenby.

BoARD oF MisSIONs:

M. S. Andrews, Chairman, J. W. Rush, Secretary, J. M. Patton, Treasurer.

}fanagers.-J. Barker, 0. R. Blue, J. E. Foust, Geo. F. Ellis, Alex. Hood, T. F. Mangum.

PREACHERS Am SociETY:

W. M. Motley, President, E. M. Turner, Vice President,

J. A. Peterson, Secretary, T. F. Mangum, Treasurer. Directors.-Jvi. M. Graham,\\'. I. Powers, Neil Gillis, J. Bancroft, J. E. Foust, G. Haw"

kins, C. B. Du~ose.

ExA~IINING Cm.nrrTTEEs:

Applicants.-W. M. Motley, T. J. Rutledge, R. S. Holcombe.

First Year .-M. S. Andrews, J. M. Mason, R. B. Crawford.

Second Year.-J. W. Rush, J. E. Foust, J. 0. Andrew. Third Yem·.-T. F. Mangum, H. D. Moore, E. L. Loveless.

Fourth Year.-W. A. McCarty, J. Bancroft, A. S. Andrews,

I30.\.HD OF TRU::>TEES SovrHEHX GxrYEHSI'L'Y:

A. R. Amlrrws, F. ~I. Peterson, T. 0. f'nmmers,

A. A. Coleman, D. J. CastlPman, J. H. Y. \\\,bb,

IV. A McCarty, :Madi~on Jones, A. H. :!\Iikhell,

II. Urquhart, 0 . R. Bhw, :u. R. Amlrews,

L. IV. HeeYes, John )fasRey, R. II. Cox,

H. D. :1\Ioore, J. E. Foust, P. <.r. Wood,

ThoH. Seay, IY. IV. Pmwrs, J. :u. Boland,

A. Ntollcmn~rck, II. F. J)eBnnle1l•hen, E. L. Lon~less,

8. W. Oliadwick, ''r· I. Po11·crs, I. F. C'nlrer,

R. II. Riwrs, Xcil Wlli~, E. 1\"adaworth,

Anson IYcst, ·wm. 13. Inge, R. B. Crawford.

J. Jlancruft, T. F. )lani;nm,

Bo.\..RD OT TnusTEES CEXTEXARY INS'l'ITuTE:

A. II. }Iitchcll,

13. F. Blnw,

L. IV. Re<'YCR,

R . D. Jaekson,

T . D. Corey,

T. F. l\Lmgmn,

Josi:lh Barker,

.T. W. RhorcK,

A. R Wooley,

J. R. John,

A. Hood,

E. S. ,'ta.rr,

IV. IV. Caruthers,

G. Hawkins,

C. R Willi::ms,

IV. E. \railes,

H. :II. ~los;;,

Gco. F. Ellis,

L. ~I. }[ontgomcry,

C. B. ~{oorc,

l\I. Canning.

BoARD Ol!' MANAGERS ALAn.urA CoxFEREXCE FE~L\..LE CoLLEGE:

Hon. R. F. Ligon, President,

J. IV. Rush,

T. J. Rutledge,

J. C. Smith.

IV . . T. Gautier, ::\I. D., Secretary,

IY. 1!. :IIutlcy,

W. A. :McCarty,

PunLISIIING Co~DriT'l'EE OF Ar.ABA~IA CHRISTIAN ADYOCATE:

J. IV. Rush, J. IV. Shores, IY. }I. :Motley, J. :!\I. Boland, R. B. Crawford.

Brsrrors oF THE J\1. E. CnmwH, SouTII, A?>D THEm PosT-OFFicEs:

RoBERT P,\1:\E ................. , ........................ Ahenlecn, ~I iss.

GEORGE F. l'IERCt~ ...................•• , ................ Sparta, Ga.

Humunn H. K.t L\XAUGII .................. . ..• . ....... . Louisville, Kr. ''trr,r.r.nr }I. 1\TrGH'f)fA~ ..........................•...... Charleston, So. Ca.

Hor.r •. \xn :X. 1IcTlEIRE ............ · ..................... :Xas]n·ille, Tenn.

JoHN C. KJmNJ.m ................................ .... ... New Orleans, La.

J[intdr'-" r~f tl1(' _[l,d,nma C'onfcrencr;,

::\fic\lnEilS oF TILE AL\ILUL~t.CoNFEJHJKl'E AKJJ '!'HEIR J\.J::Fr-(h'liicE::>:

Jl,-wnes.

*A.~- Dickerson, *Z . Do\Yling:, \\'. H. :1IcDaniel. *Ch<u·les Strider, *1-D. 1\'. Storey, ~-J . T. lZoper, •··w. B. Neal, 1\' . K . Norton, Thos. 0 . Summers, A. II. Mitchell, 0. R. Blue, \\' . Im Powers, J. \\'. ~Ic:Canu1 J . Harker, *T. S. A!Jern~thy, A. S. Andrews, J. 1\'. t-\hores, •w. H. Ellison, tE. \\-adRworth, E. Phillips, t<.<eo. T . .Sili:;, Il. Urc1uktrt, S. II. Cox, 1\I. t-l. Andrews, Josiah 13nn<.:roft, * \V. B. Adams, J. 1\I. Patton, W. M. ::\1otley, *J. IV. Jordan, tiY. A. 1\IcCarty, tL. :F. Dowdell, J. \\'. Rush, Gabriel ILmkins, J. IV. Glenn, Keil Gillis, J olm S. l\loore, B. D. Gayle, ~-r. I. Tatum, J. \Y. Solomon, W. H. Wild, Angus Do"·ling, tT. J. Rutledge, T. F. ::.rangum, B. F. Blow, J. L . Skipper, S. A . Pilley, A. J. Briggs, R . B. Crawford, IV . H . ~Iorris, tJ. H. Lockhart, B. L. Selman,

Po8t-o_tfice8. Brumliclg\'l, Gre<:5nvi lle . Randolph Smnmerti~!d

Tuskege-e Clanton Auburn En on K a:-;l1Yill e, Term Summerfield Mobile Tusk(•gee Bell\; Landing Summerfield Demopolis Opelika Cl;mlun Cl!cyton Greensboro Al•hm·ille Shiioh Greensboro Citronelle Montgomery GrecnYille Troy Coalopa Greenville GreenYille Glennville Tuskegee PrattYille Pushmataha Dayton OrrYille Greensboro l\Iarion ])alias, Texas Smith's Station Isney Seale Opelika Auburn Summerfield Ramer Uniontown Harris Eufaula Greenville Opelika Eufaula

Nct·rtleN: M. M. Graham, E. 1\'L Turner, J. M. ·Scott, W. P. H. Connerly, H . .JI. Gil lis, Eobert Smilie, D. C. Crook, tW. M . Winn, *E. P. Bir<.:h, H. D. l\ioorc,

Post-offices. Repton Union Springs Greenville Lower Pea,ch Tree Loachapoka Powdton, Fla, Clayton Lawrenceville, Ga. \Yarr ington, Fla Mobile

IV. Hargrave Morris, Lusk D. J. Wright, Monroeville JereS. W illiams, Pine Apple C. B. DuBose , Pensacola, :Fla J. l\L l\htson, Union Springs Joseph H. J::nnes, Suggs,·ille James 0 .. Andrew, Mobile John A. Peterson, D. C. Standley, IV. S. Wade, A. C. H undley, J. S. Frazer, C. R W illiamson, E. IV. Solomon , J . L. 1Iat.thison, F. H. \Vardiaw, W . A. Wee, L. C. Calhoun, T. Y. Abem:tthy, J. S. Peavey, A. J . Coleman, J. M. Boland, R. H . RiYers, W. H . IYeatherby, John 0. Keener, Rich'd S. Holcombe, C. H. Kelly, J. M . Crews, H. D. Hill, John P. S:muders, J . S. Rencher. A. J. Lamar, 1\r. D. 0\1-ellS, F. l\L Peterson, G. J\L Roper, J. D. Anderson, J . C. Johnson, B . C. Glenn, W. P.. Dickinson, 0 . S. Perry, John R. Peavey,

Gaine::;ville P011'olto:H, Ela Lo•xndesboro Greenwood, Fla l\hriaim::t, Fla l\Iobile Troy Ozark Load1apolm \Yarrington, Fla Plantersville Monterey Pike Road Georgiana Selrna Eufaula Summerfield Milton, F!a Tuskegee Uniontown Camden Marianna, Fla l\Iidway Hurt,·ille Auburn Eclectic Greensboro Selma \Vetumpka Choctaw Corner Whistler Marion Fort Depoit Salem

6 Mintdes of the Alabama Cor~ference.

Names. Post-Offices. Names. Post-Offices. A. Hood, Havanna J. \V. ::\fenefee, Luther's Store A. :\I. .Jones, Bladon Springs E. E. Cowan, Brundidge J. E. Foust, Livin;:ston C. B. Pilley, Dumas' Store L. Patterson, Autaugaville Isaac F. Bilbro, Tallassee E. L. Loveless. Selma Claudius L. Chilton, Glennville

Those marked thus* arc superannuated-marked thus t supereumerary.

PnEACHEns ov TIIE Founnr YEAR.

Names. Post-o_{lices. Names. Post-offices. Jame); H. Powell, Newton A. T. Cousins, Rundolph

Stockton Jefrer~on P.II:tmilton,Demopolis L. H. S. Chappelle. Jolm D. SimpHon, Evergreen Samuel II. NettlcH, Pleasant Hill Ang-nH L. f-;pller~, Gen!'Ya CIH1rlcs R. Lamar, Citronelle Rohert l'. Baker, Pollard Jm;ob B. Nel!:!on, Pea River \Villiam :\I. Cox, )loun t Sterling

... \Tumc:-t. William J. Price, J olm Wesley, JameK E. McCann, Charles D. Jordan,

]\Tome.~.

·william P. Hurt., Joseph P. Roberts,

Name,q. Henry T. Johnson, JoReph A. Scott, William T. Rencher, J. Adolphus Moore, \V alker Bancroft,

Kames. .T. T. Harris, John Massey, H. C. Armstrong, \V. L. Chambers, S. H. Dent, B. F. Cassaday, T. A . .Johnson, I. F. Culver, B. F. Barnes, J. H. Ilerrin, A. Yau~hn, James Joyce, Fleming Law, R. H. Powell, J. A. Giddens, Vi'. B. Gilmer, E. l\L Lazenby, R. S. Pilley,

PHE .\CHER>< OF TilE Trrmn YEAR.

Posl-<~f/iceo. Name.~. Post-o.f!ices . Gordon RobertusA.Williams, Herber~ Vernon, Fla Edgar M. Glenn, Forkland Eutnw T. D. Allbright, Grove Hill Rutledge

PREACJ!EHS OF TilE SECOND YEAR.

Post-o_(lices. l\Iil!Yiew, Fla l\Iohile

Names. Chappell S. Perry.

Post-offices. Orion

PnEACHER8 OF THE Fms-r YEAR.

PuM-r~flices. Names. Post-offices. Pinckney l\1. Guthrie, Briar Hill William F. Arnold, Circle Hill, Fla J. B. G. Cumming, Freeport, Fla ·walter G. Isaacs, Daphne

York Station Deats,·illc Oakey P.treak Greensboro ColumiJia

LAY MEMBERS

P ost-o.f!ices.

William A. McCann Choctaw Corner

AND THEIR PosT-OFFICES.

Opelika Tuskegee Notasulga Montgomery Eufaula Ozark Eufaula Union Springs Campbellton, Fla Knox Hill, Fla EliJa, Ala

Union Springs Union Springs Ramer Fort Deposit Forest Home Georgiana

Names. T. P. McGowan, W. J. Williams, William Otis, T. B. Creagh, Jno. W. Portis, S. S. Cope, A. K. Ramsey, L. Lawson, J. Thomas Smith, R. B. Hunter, Fred. H. Smith, P. G. Wood, W. H. l\Iason, W. W. Morland, W. H. Lloyd, J. S. Hausberger, C. M. Howard, W. W. Draus,

Post-offices. Stockton Bagdad Mobile SuggsYille Suggsville Bladon Springs GainesYille Greensboro Havanna York Station Orrville Selma Marion Brush Creek Pine Apple Tionus, Bibb county Mulberry Hayneville.

PART I I. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

/

QuESTION 1. Who are admit.ted on trial ? ANSWER-William T. Rencher, J. Adolphus Moore, Walker Bancroft, Pinckney M. Guth·

rie, Geo. G. Smith, Wm. F. Arnold, J. B. G. Cumming, Walter G. Isaa.cs, Wm. A. ~IcCann. QuESTION 2. Who remain on trial? ANSWEJt-Willinm P. Hurt, Joseph P. Roberts, Chappell 8. Perry, Joseph A. Scott, Wil·

limn J . Price, Henry T. Johnson. QuESTtoN ll. Who are discontinncd? ANSWER-None. QL'ESTIO~ 4. Who are admitted into full connection? ANSWER-John Wesley, Chas. D. Jordan, Edgar M. Glenn, Rt'lbcrtusA. Williams, T. D.

Allbrigh t, James E. McOI\nn. QuESTION 5. Who are re admit.ted? ANSWER-None. NoTE-W . B. Den~is was re-admitted, but subsequently, at his own request, the vote was

re-considered and his name was withd rawn. Qu~'STION 6. Who are received by transfer from other Conferences? ANSWER-H. D. Hill from the North Alabama Conference. QuESTION 7. Who are the Deacons of onP. year? ANsweR-James K. Po:-vell, Jefferson P. Hamilton, Robert P. Buker, Wilham ~I. Cox,

Andrew J. Cousins, L. H. S. Cl.appelle, John D. Simpson, Angus L. Sellers, Samuel H. Net­tles, Charles R. Lamar, Jacob B . Nettles.

QuESTION 8. \Vha1 tra,·elling preachers nrc elected De"cons 'I ANS\VEJt-Cbarles D. Jordan, Edgar M. Glenn, Roberlus A. Williams, T. D. Allbright,

James E. McCann. QuESTIQN 9. What travelling preacher~ are ordained Deacons? ANSWER- Charles D . Jordan, Edgtu· M. Glenn, H.obertus .A. Williams,

Jacob .B. Nelson. \

Qu~:·ll:r i oN 10. W hat local preachers arc elected Deacons?

T. D . AIIIJright,

ANSWER-John Thomas Chavers, James R . Crawford, \Villiam H. Chambere, George Fontaine.

QuESTION 11. What local preachers are orclnined Deacons? ANsw~:R-J ohn Thomas Chavers, James R. Crawford, \Vm . H. Chambers, George Fon-

taine, Martin V. Marshall, Walter G. Isaacs, J. Thomas Smit.h. QuEST ION 12. W hat travelling preachers are elected Elders? ANSWJ,;R-Ciaudius L . Chilton, Uhas. B. Pilley, !sane F. Bilbro, E. E. Cowen. QuESTION 13. What travelling prcachf>r·s are ordained Elders? Axsw~'It-Clandius L . Chilton, Charles B. Pilley, Isaac F. Bilbro, E. E. Cowen. QuESTION 14. \Vhat local preachers are elected Elders? ANsw~;R-Alex . L . McBryde, ,J no . S.C. Glenn QuESTION 15. What local preachers are ordained Elclers? A NSwlilR-Aiex. L. McBryde. QuESTioN 16. Who are located this year? ANSWER-H. M . Moss, at his own request. Qu~:STION 17. Who are supernumerary? ANSWER-Gen. F. Ellis, J . H. Lockhart, W. M. Winn, E. Wadsworth, W. A. McCarty, T .

J. Rutledge, L . F . Dowdell. QuFoqTION 18. Who are superannnatf'd? ANSWER-A . S. Dickinson, Chas. Strider, J. T . Rope•, W. H. Ellison, Z. Dowling, E. W.

8 :Minutes of the Alabama Conference.

Rtor~y, I. I. Tatnm, T. R. Abcrnr.thy, J. II' .• Jordan, "''· B. ,\damR, E. P. Birch, II'. B. Nl'al.

Qn:sTIOX 19. \<Yhnt preachrr~ harr rliNl rlnl'ing the past year'? Ax~w~:R-D. M. Hudson, ~L C.Tuncntine, .fohn A. Green. (Rc ,~ t.rrruoirs). Qnsnox 20. Are all the preachers blameless in their life and official administration'? AxswJ,lt-Therc names were called one hy one and their chamcters passed, except C. A.

Apple who had withbrawn from the church.

Qr·J·:sTIOX 21. 'What is the number of local preachers and members in the several Circuits St:-.tions and :Missions in the Gonfrrcnce'?

.\xswr:R-Local prraf'hers, ~00; whit!' members, 31,251; colot·cd members 18. Qn:.s'!'IO:\ 2:1. How many infants h .. vc been baptized during the year? A:>sWHR-1.25rl.

(~, f:,;TIOX 2:3. How many arlults ha1·e lJecn baptized <luring the year'? 1\:\SWEit-]

1]42. 4

Qr•ES'I'IO:\ 2-!. What. is the nnmhl'r of ~unrlay ~r·hools? \\:-:\\ 1·:1:- tun.

IJ> '"''~''"" :. . \\'hat is th<' """""'" 111' Snnd:r_r ~r·holol tP:II'hr•rs '! · .. \.\;i\\1:1~ - ~.::(:,.

Qr 1-:s·r·ros ~ti. \\ h:lt ir. the numhr·r of Sunr1:.y f:lcho<•l scholar~'! A:-.-swrm-1(i,!l.'n .

Qr·r:s'l'ros 27. \\'hat nmount is n('('t'R~'IIT lor the supe1annnatcrl pread1ers anJ the wiLlows n 1111 orphans of pr<':H'hers 'l

.\xswEB -$n.->R !.00. Qr f:sTIO:\ 2R. \\'hnt has h<>en (:oll,•ct<'rl on the furegoing ncconnt :tnd how has it been np-

p!ierl. ,\x~wEH-$1,!1l!U\O. (Sf·<' rl'port of the .I oint Bom·r1 of Finance). Qn:s·r•Jox ~(). \Yhat lws UC'Nl contrih>rt<'•l f(n· :l!issions'! .\ xswtm-For Foreign :Missions, S:l,!Hij .:~,j; for Domestic :llissions, S!l,2!JJ.l.j; Total,

Si.2fiJ..iO. Qn:s'I'JO:\ :lO. Where shall the next session of thl' Confercnrr hi' held? A :-.-swr;rt .\ t Troy. Qn:sTlOX :31. Where ar<' the prrno·hcrs stationed this year'! AxswEr:-

.\!OnT.LE DISTIU<)'t_. ~.,.Demopolis . • 1. P. IT:ui1ilton, 2J..b Gn·cn<>. J. K':\lc(':uth, 1 Yr

Prc.<iding F:lder, 0. g, Br.n.:, 2 . l>iYing,;tou and l~u\:l\v, .1. E. . Pon~t. 4 Frankli11 Rtrcet, IT. D. :\!oore, 4 St. Franeis ~tn•1•t. .J. 0 .. \.ndrcw ~ Ht. Paul, C. lt. Williamson, :.l 'f~,nlminrillr. ,i P. HubPrb.;, 1 \Yhi,-t!Pr. B.<'. r;,r·ru. 1 Eastt·rn Shor:•. \Y. (I . lsancs, 1 Gmnrl J~ay :\[i,-sinn, to he snpJiled' ( 'iti'Oncllc. ( ·. H. Lam;ir, l L<rre\', \\'. H. \\'ilrl, 1 . Blari"n ;trul St. Stephens, A. :\L .Tones, Eseataw!1a Mi,sio11, to be supplied, Sno·gsvil c . . T. H .. James, 3 Gr~·i· e Hill. T . D. Allbright, 2

GitEENSBOlW D%1-'HlCT.

J>resirliflg Elder. H. 'L'tCf?Ql'IL\HT, :2

Greensboro. F. :\L Peterson, 2 .T. A. )[oore. Snp<'r'nnrncmry, E. \Yadsworth,

H;n-ana, A. Hood, !l Xewbern, Jno ... :lloorl), 2 Forkland, E. :Jl. Glenn, 1

(h~in<:sYillr•, ,t .• \. Pr·INR011 1 4 l

I .. B!'!mont,;:· \l. Paunn, il · Culm, H. I. .lohn~on, 1 ·Guston. G. llawi~..ins, D

I Butl!'r anrl :111. ~terlirH', i\' . .\L (ox, 1 Choctaw Cm·uit an>t.\!is>ion, \\'. lbrgnwe

.\lorri,;, 1 I Profcs,·ors in Ponthcrn Unin·r~ity, F . .\I.

Peterson, .J. S. Morwe, .) . A . .\Io >re. PrnfesRor of ~y,kmatic 'l'he.,Jugy in YHu­

derl>ilt C'niver·sity, Book Editor Hnd Edi­tor of Quarterly Heview, T. 0. Surr.nwrs,

SEUJA DI~TlU<'T.

Pn•sidi1:g Elde,·_, .J. .\I. BouxD, 1

Selma, K L. Lon:l<'ss, 4 )vv · Supcrnninth·,,._,-, "'-A. )!cC:uty,

East f'eh~1a, G.)[. Hoper, 2 ~ i"ummPrfleld, .J. Jla k<'r, ~ Perr_,:villc )lis ·ion, W. H. Wentherhy, 1 Bra~h Creek, 13. D. Gayle, 2

/ I

Minutes of the Alaba?JW Conje?·ence. 9

Marion, 'IV. P . Dickinson, 1 Uniontown, S. A. Pilley, 2 L Uniontown l\J ission, C. H. Kelley, 2 Orrville Circuit , N. Gillis, 3 Rpring Hill Circuit, J . W. Glenn, 3 R<'mbert Hills Circuit, J. W. Menifee, 1 Clifton Circuit, C. B. Pilley, 2

Supernumerary, Geo. B(. :Ellis, McKinley l\Jission, to be supplied by George

Fontaine, Lower Peach Tree Circuit, W. P. H. Con·

nerley, 4 CJ,oetaw Corn~r, J. C. Johnson, 1 W. A. Mc-

Calln, 1 " Colporteur American Bible Socirty,B. F. Blow,

PRATTVILLE-DISTRJCT. QJ"' Presiding Elder, A. H . :Vlt'I'CllEr.L, 4

PrattvillE:, J. W. Rush, 2 ,h-V .,...,..... Deat.svi lie, J . A. Scott. 1 / /) 1

Antang:nllle. L. Pat.te'rson. I VY' Clanton and Verbena, J. W. Shores, 1 \Vetumplm, J. 13 . Anderwn, 3 Randolph, A . J. Cousins, 2 ' PlanterR·:ille, L . C Calhoun, 1 Lownucsboro, W. S. \\'ade, 1 , I I Pleasant Hil\ and Mission, S. H. Ke!,.!.les, 2 Bl'!l's Landing. J; W. McCunn, 2 . \ Pine ,\pple, J. S. '1'\'illiams . 1 ! ' [ Camden and Oak Lawn. J . )J. Crews, 1'' ' J('mi~on. v\'. H . l\lcDnniel, 1 l Coosa Mi~sion, to be supplied, \

l\lONTGOJIERY DISTinCT.

Presiding Ei<lt·1·, T. F. :II AXGt>,f, 4

1\Tnnt .. r:omery, l\f R. Andrews, 4 TuskegPEJ, H, S. llolcombe, 1

SuJ•Cl'lllllllPr;lry, T. J. i{utlPd.r:e, Tuskegee Circuit, W. Ira Powe1s, l

Supernunwrary, L. F. Dowdell, HurtYili<' Circui1 .. I. R. HPnch er, l ttA~ Cral\'ford Circuit, .r. \\'. SoiO"IOll, 1 ry:, Salem Circuit, .J. R. Peavey, 2 Opl·likrl. J\ . S. A lHh·ews, 4 " . f ,

Supernum,·•·:cry. J. H. t:"ocl,hart, Auburn, A. J. Lamar, 1 1.. Jr ·• Loa~hapoka, H. :'II. G!lhs. 1 Tallapoosa Mission, F. H. \Vnrdlnw, 1 Elmore Circuit, \\'. D. Owen~, 1 Tallasee, I. F. Bilbro, 1 Franklin Mi~sion, to be supplied,

EUFAULA DIST!aCT.

Presiding Elcler, R. B. CtuwFoan, 4

Newton. J. K. Powell, 1 Columbia., W. Bancroft, 1 Hemy. E. Phillips, I Eufaula Circuit. B. L. SeiJP.an, 1

l\IARIANNA DikTRTCT.

Presiding Elde1·, J. S. FHAZEtt, 1 'jt/i). L./t,.,_ Marianna Mission, H. D. Hill, 1 )C ~l.::>f:::C Greenwood, A. C. Hnnclky, 1 Calhoun Mission, W. F. Arnold, 1 Headland Mission, W. J. Price, 1 Big Creek Cireuit, to be supplied, ''I llohnes Val!Py, Jno. 1\'e~ley, 4 A· ..;/1-Chipola, lission. to be ~npplicd, Gene\·a Circuit, A. L. Sellars, 3 I. CNrn Oorrlo l\Ii"~ion, to be supplied by :M:.

V. l\larshall, Freeport "fission, J. B. G. Cumming, 1

UNION SPRrNGS DISTRICT.

Presiding Elrler, W. ~f. J\lo'i'I.EY, 1

'Cnion_Springs,J. ~1-.}fason,_l .., l('l vY lit. Hllh:wd, \\.h .. ::Sorton, :l n.J . ·-- -Tr••v. K W. Solomon, :l .,/Vr....r v--1. Thn.ndid.e-e. 1-:. E. Cowen. 1 - -1 Hri:tr Hill, P. ]\[. Guthrie, 1 I J>ine Lcvel. C. S Perry, 2 ?lit. ;\Ieigs, J. S. Pean', 2 RockY }.Iount, J. L. Skipper, 4 Fort DPposit. 0. f.\. P .. rry, 2 lircf'nYiiiP Oircnit, J. l\1. Scott, 2 .. Hnt 1<•11;;-<'. C. D . .fordan. 2 Oakey Streak, \V. T. Rencher, 1

PE~SAlOLA DJSTHWI'.

l're.<i<lii•:J blde1·, S. TJ. Cox~ 2

T'< ·Hsnenln, C. B Uu Bo~e, 4 j ;}_,~1 ~liltnn, Jno. 0. 1\ccner. 3 ,...."'!:;"' \\'arrington, \V. ,\.Hie<', 1 :Ji.lvi,•w and Ho's p,,i,,t, \\'. P. Hnrl, 2 i'u\YI·~ nn, R Sn1illP. H l'er.ndo :\fission. U. C. StanlE-Y, 2 Poll:ml Cj,.,,,it, U. P ll::.;(•r. 2 i-'totklon Cir<:uil. L. H. S. l:ilappelle, 2 EvergrcPn Clrrnlt. (J. n. ~impf:.On, ] :lhn:·opville Cirenit. D .. r. 1\'rigl•t, 3 i:<'pton :\li~sion, ~IlL (;rahalll. 1 Ge11rgianna Circnlt. ~ .. J. Co!Pmnn, ~.,I i-'Ppul;:;a Circnit. 'W. 11. ~[uni;;, 1 J, ~l••nlcrey Cinluit. T. Y. \bcrnalh•·, 4 Her!JerL ·.:.Iission, H. A.\\ illiums, .1

TRAKSFEHRED. Eufaula, H.. H. Rivers, 3 1 /, f d "' h G · \'illnla, A. Dowltng. 4 f _ Josiah Lewis trans errc to "'ort eorg1a Glennville and Cowikce Miosion, C. L. Chi\- C< nfL'reuce.

ton, 2 (lpo,·gp G. Smi•h ln<nhf<·rred tn Xorth Ala-

1 La moe (on fer~ nee,. and "!'Pointed to. Falls Beulah, .\. J. Briggs, 2

b10n and Midway, ,T. P. Sanders, 2 }.l,.sion.

Perote, E. M · Tnmer, 2 C 1 2

~ The figures denote the numlH'r uf consecu-Ciayton and Louis,·ille, D. C. rou.;:, . d 1 Pea RiH·r, J. B. Neison, 3 ,'...1/Y " tJVe ye:us the preache1 ha1·e ~en" t1at Ozarl;, J . L. MathiAon, 2 +r ('harge.

PART I I I.

MISCELLANEOUS.

ORGANIZATION.

The Conference Session opened in the West Selma Methodist Church at 9 A.M. November 30th, 1881.

As Bishop Pierce did not reach the Conference in due time, Dr. M. S. Andrews called the Conference to order and moved that A. H. Mitchell take the chair and con­duct the religious exercises, which was agreed to.

The Secretary of the last year called the Roll and seventy members responded to their names.

The Conference then proceeded to elect by ballot a President. Dr. A. H. Mitchell having received a majority of all the votes cast was declared

elected and continued to preside until the arriYal of Bishop Pierce, who came at 12 M. on the first day of the session .

R. B. Crawford was elected Secretary, with R. S. Holcombe, A. J. Lamar and George Fontaine as assistants.

The following Committees were appointed during the Conference Session:

ON PUBLIC WORSHIP. W. A. McCarty, E. L. Loveless, G. M. Roper.

ON BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.

W. S. Wade, T. B. Creagh, W. P. H. Connerly, Fred. H. Smith, J. E. Foust, J. ,V. Shores, ,V. H. Lloyd, J. Bancroft, J. T. Harris, A. J. Briggs, B. F. Cassady, ,V. M. Oox, E. W. Solomon, R. H. Powell, T. Y. Abernet.hy, ,V, J. Williams.

ON SUNDAY SCHOO;LS. C. R. Williamson, F. Law, J. S. Frazer, J. S. Rencher, ,Y. W. :\foreland.

ON EDUCATION.

J. 0. Andrew, J. W. Portis, J. S. Moore, L. Lawson, S. A. Pilley, P. G. Wood, J. R. Anderson, J. S. Hansberger, J. R. Peavey, John Massey, R. H . Ri,~ers, S. H. Dent, B. C. Glenn, C. L. McCartha, W. l\I. Motley, W. B. Gilmer, C. B. DuBose, E. M. Lazenby.

ON MEMOIRS. Josiah Barker, H. D. Moore, lVI. S. Andrews, J. Bancroft.

ON BIBLE CAUSE.

A. S. Andrews, J. Bancroft.

Rev. J. B. Anderson was appointed to procure subscriptions for the Woman's Missionary Advocate, and for the Advocate of Missions, and succeeded in getting a large list for both papers.

E. M. Turner was appointed to represent the Publishers of the Wesley Memorial Volume, and Rev. J. A. Peterson to take charge of the accounts of the Publishing House and those of the Quarterly Review.

Minutes of the Alabama Conference. ii INTRODUCTIONS.

During the Conference Session the following visiting brethren were introduced, cordially received and invited to seats among the members:

Revs. R . B. Downer and Dr. Linus Parker, representing the New Orleans Chris­tian Advocate; Rev. J. B. McFerrin, representing the Nashville Publishing House; Rev. J . W. Christian, representing the Alabama Christian AdYocate; Rev . J. W. Hin­ton, D. D., of the South Georgia Conference; Revs. IV. C. McCoy, L. M. Wilson,-­"Whitehurst, F. T. J. Brandon and Dr. West, of tbe North Alabama Conference; Rev. E . JVI. Bounds, of the St. Louis Conference; Rev. J. T. Heard, of the Mississippi Confer­ence; Rev. Dr. C. K. Marshall, of Vicksburg; Revs.-- Gowan and Dr. Hooper, Pas­tors of the Presbyterian Church; Rev. Dr. Smith, Pastor of the Cumberland Presby­terian Church; Dr. Kendrick, Pastor of the Christian Church; Drs. Henderson and Cleveland of the Baptist Church.

COJ.VI:YIUNICATIONS.

Communications received from the following sources were read and properly referred:

From Rev. T. 0 . Summers, Book Editor; A. Wilson, Missionary Secretary; Mrs. McGavock, Corresponding Secretary -of the IV oman's Missionary Society; Mrs. E. F. Chilton, Corresponding Secretary of the Alabama Conference ·Woman's Missionary So­ciety; J. B. McFerring, Agent for Publishing House; from Publishing Committees of the New Orleans and Alabama CLristiau Advocates, and froru our various institutions of learning.

MEMORIAL.

· A memorial from the Greensboro District Conference requesting this Conference to memorialize the next General Conference to establish a Series of Graded Catechisms for our Sunday Schools was received and referred to the Committee on Books and Peri­odicals.

ON DISCIPLINE.

After some debate the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That the Presiding Officer of this Conference be requested in the exam­

ination of character, to ask in the case of each Preacher, "Has he faithfully adminis­tered tho Discipline of the Church during this year?"

(Signed) A. J. LAl\:fAR, R. S. HOLCOMBE.

The following resolution, offered by T. 0. Summers, was adopted: Resolved, That Revs. M.S. Andrews A. S. Andrews and C. R. Williamson, our rep­

resentatives in the late Ecumenical Conference be, and they are hereby, requested to de­liver discourses during the session of the Conference, giving an account of the character and proceedings of the said Ecumenical Conference, and that the Committee on Public Worship be instructed to appoint a suitable time for the delivery of said discourses.

In accordance with this resolution the Committee appointed Friday night of the Conference session as the time .

Addresses were delivered by Revs. M. S. Andrews, D. D., J. B. McFerrin, D. D., and Rev. C. R. Marshall, D. D., of Vicksburg, Miss.

INSTRUCTING THE LEGAL CONFERENCE TO TAKE ACTION CO~CERXING

THE PROPERTY OF THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT GREENSBORO.

The Board of Trust of the Southern University reported the following preamble and resolution which was adopted:

vVIIEREAS, The Trustees of the Southern Uni,·ersity heretofore borrowed money to pay debts contracted by them in carrying on said Institution, and to secure the same executed to the lender a mortgage on certain of houses connected with the University building; and

12 lYiinutes o} the Alabarna Confe1'cnce.

·whereas, The Chancery Court of Hale County has rendered a decree for the sale of said houses for the payment of saiu mortgage debt; and

·whereas, If the said houses embraced in said mortgage shall sell for an amount not snffieient to pay said mortgage debt, the UniYel'sity Building may be afterward sold on execution issued on said decree for the payment of the remainder of said mortgage debt; and

·whereas, Litigation is now pemling between two claimants of the said mortgage deht, to ascertain who is the rightful owner thereof, which litigation has prevented a compromise of said mortgage debt by the said Trustee$; and

·whereas, An appeal to the Supreme Court from the said decree of sale may be nePe>ssary in order to preYent the sale of said property, and in order to a proper settle­ment of said mortgage debt; and

Whereas, It is ,]esimble to save all the property now held by the said Trustees for the purposes for whieh• it was acquire>cl, namely, to maiulain a Male College, to be \lll(]er the llirectiun of this Conferenee; and

1\"hereas, The said Tm,;tees kwe no money with"which to pay said mortgage <leht, aml tu indemnify the t;ureties on the l>ond necessary to be given to take an appeal from sa i< 1 tlecret'; and

\Vhereas, This Conference at the se>ssion held in Eufaula, in 1R72, rlirl appropriate the interest arising from eerLain fund:; l.wlunging to it, for the benefit of the Southern U ni yer:-;i ty ;

Rl'.~nl•'l'fl, That the L<•.!:!:nl Cnnf<•rence be, and it is herehy in;;truct.ed to take snch action a~ it may he athi;;ed is nec:cJS~<\t'Y l<> .;ec:are Lo ti1is f'onferencP the ownership of all tlw JH'<)lll'rty, real an([ personal, no,,· hel(l hy the Trn;-;tee~ of the ~outhern University, within the bounds Df Alabamn, an<l the mid Lt•j.!al Confc•rc1we is hereby authorizer[ to use any of the money, bondR and notes, now in iU; hands, belonging to this Confereuce in :;ueh way as is neeessary to accomplish this purpose.

ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE GENEHAL CONFERENCE.

Conference met at 3 P. ~r., on the third day of the session for the purpose of elect­ing delegates to the ensuing General Conference, and balloted \rith the following result:

CLEIUCJAL.

FIRST BAJ.T.OT.-\Yhol e number of votes cast 102. T. 0. Summers received 79; R. B. Crawford GO; 0. R Blue 50, and were declared elected.

f:>Eco:-:D BAll o-r.-\\'hole number of votes 102. W. A. McCarty received 58 votes and wns declared elected.

TmRn BALLOT.-Totnl vote 04. No choice. l<'oPJVI'll B.u.Lo-r-Total vote 83. No choice. FwrH BALLOT.-Total vote 74. T. F. Mangum having received 43 votes was declared

elected. FOR ALTJTIRNATES.

Fms-r B.l.LLOT.-Total vote 6G. M. S. Andrews received 39 votes and WllS declared elected.

SEcoND DALT.OT.-Total vote 59. A. H. Mitchell received 54 votes and was elected.

LAY.

Fms-r B.\LT.OT.-Total vote 26. P. G. Wood received 17 votes anrl was elected. SECOND B.u.r.o-r.-Total vote 29. S. H. Dent received 21; J. W. Portis 20; F. Law

15; J. T. Harris 15 votes and were elected.

ALTERNATES.

FmsT n.\LT.OT.-Total vote 24. No choice. SEco:-:u BALLOT.-Total vote 24. H .. H. Powell received 22; Wrn. Otis 13 votes and

were elected.

Minutes of the Alabama Confe?'ence. 13

SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD.

R esolt,ed, That. the Conference Sunday School Board, shall be composed of one Min· ister from each District of the Alabama Conference, who shall be appuin;eu by the Confer­ence Sunday ~chool Secretary, ami shall ha\·e supervision of all Sunday Sehoul operations within the bounds of said Conference.

Hesolved 2d, The Conference Sunday School SecrPtary shall be ex-rdficio Secretary of this Board, and shall make a report of said board at its annual session, which session shall be held sometime during the se<:sion of the Annual Conference.

Adopted. C. R. WILLIAMSO~, J. B. ANDEi~SON.

MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARY.

At the Missionary Anniversary on Saturday night, Rev. J. vV. Hinton, D. D., of the South Georgia Conference, d<:Jlivered the address. A collection was taken amounting to about $3Gl 00.

The following resolution was reported from the Board of :Missions and adopted by the • Conference: ~

Resolvccl, That. we recognize with gratitude to God the opportnniii('s of enlarged use­fulness presented hy the contlition of our missionary work, at botne and abl'Oad, anJ pledge ourselves to use all endeavor to mi'e during the next year, the full sum assessed our Confer­ence, by the Board of Missions at Nashville.

EDUCATION.

R esolved, That twr,h·e hundred rl'>llars b0 assessed for e,1ncat.ion the coJning y0nr, and that this a~ses;meut i.Je distribuLcd among the several Districts to be raised by the Presiding Elders; and that these assesments for the Districts be not clist.rihutcd Rmong the various charges except so far as each Presiding Elder may deem it advisable to do so.

Adopted.

NEW ORLEANS CHlUSTIAN ADVOCATE.

Whereas, this Conference has adopted as its official organ the Alabama Christian Ad­vocate, thereby dissolving its official relation to the New Orleans Christian Advocate, ·there­fore:

Resolved 1st, That in · thus 'evering the relationship with our former Conference paper, we cherish for it feelings of fraternal regard, and will continue to gi1·e it snch patronage as we may be able to secure for it, c:onsistent with our engagements to the Alabama ChTistian Advocate.

Resolved 2d, That we extend to Dr. Linus Parker, its accomplished editor, a most hP.arty invitation to vi~it ntu· Confe1·ence whenever in the Providence of God he may be able to tlo so, assuring hirn of our cordial greetings at our annual meeting toget.her.

Adopted. J. BANCROFT, J. S. WILLIAMS.

,.

PART 'IV. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, &c.

BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.

The Committee on Books and Periodicals have had under consideration the papers which have been submitted to them, and would offer the following report:

The subject of Christian literature is one that deserves the attention of all who 4 are interested in the moral and religious culture of mankind, and it especially devolves npon us to give to the literature of our own Church the most favorable consideration, and that we use all possible means to secure for it the prominence that it should have in the estimation of the people.

The Annual Report of the Publishing House, which has been referred to us, fur­nishes satisfactory evidence that this interest of our Church has received the most earnest attention and over~ight of all who have been charged with its care, and that judicious management and consummate skill have characterized all their labors. It is cause for the highest gratification that the House is not only meeting all its annual expenses, but is increasing upon a sure and safe basis its ope!-ations, and is making rapid progress in effecting its full relief from all embarrassment.

The plans and policy which have been adopted, if diligently and energetically prosecuted will, in the near future, be the means of freeing this agency from all its dis­abilities, and of giving to it that potency which will be sensibly felt and realized in the furtherance and success of the interests connected ther:ewith.

The Nashville Christian Advocate, onr connectional organ, is increasing its circula­tion, and the ability and discriminating judgment evinced by its setting forth the dis­tinctive peculiarities of Methodism, justly entitle it to our most hearty patronage and support. It is hoped that the wishes indulged, in reference to its circulation, will be fully realized at no distant day.

Although no communication has been submitted to us concerning the Qt1arterly Review, yet we rejoice to learn that the R eview is doing well. We should be disappointed if it were otherwise under the management of such eminent qualifications as are pos­sessed, both by the Editor and Publisher. vVe most heartily recommend it as deserving a more general patronage from t.he ministry and membership of the whole Church.

The New 01·leans Christian Advocate is recognized by many of our people as the equal of the best of our weekly religious journals having patronage in our connexion .

The following resolution was adopted by the committee, and is herewith sub­mitted for your concurrence:

Resolved, That the New Orleans Christian Advocate is ably edi ted, and has been and is yet, a power in favor of Methodism and religion, and that we consider it wort.hy tbe patronage of all Christian people, and that it is a necessity to the prosperity of Pro­testant Christianity in the South-west.

The Alabama Christian Advocate which was projected and provided for by the action of this Conference, and of the North Alabama Conference, under the action of the Joint Committee of the two Conferences, issued its first number last May, and has made its regular weekly appearance since. Some changes have taken place in its edi­torial management and publication since its commencement. By the latest action of the committee appointed to inaugurate the enterprise, it is now under the control of Revs. J. W . . Christian and T. J. Rutledge as joint publishers, relieving the Conference of any financial liability. Rev. J. W. Christian is Editor, and Rev. T. J. Rutledge is Business ::\ianager.

Your Committee have agreed to the following resolutions, and submit them for your adoption:

Minutes of the Alabarna Conference. 15

Resolved 1st, 1\\lat we hail with delight the appearance of the Alabama Christian Advocate, and that we are gratified at the success it has already attained; that as a com­mittee we heartily endorse the same and recommend the Conference, in accordance with its action in Tuskegee in December, 1879, to adopt it as our organ.

Resol-ved 2d, That we recommend the appointment of a Publishing Committee of Five, by our Conference, to co-operate with a like committee appointed by the North Alabama Conference.

Your Committee also offer the following resolution: 'l'hat we recommend Bishop McTyeire's Catechism on Church Government as an excellent presentation of our Church polity, and urge its circulation upon both preachers and laymen in order to dis­seminate information with reference to our Church.

All which is respectfully submitted, J. W. SHORES,

Chai1·man. REPORT ON BIBLE CAUSE.

The Holy Bible lies at the basis of all Ch1:istian truth, personal faith and purity of life, and your Committee rejoice to learn that the people of Alabama continue to show a growing interest in the success of the Amcriean Bible Society, that has for its object the placing of the Sacred Yolume in every house and family in the country. We most heartily commend this noble Institution to the .sympathy alt<l support of our people.

Resolved, That we will present the claims of the Ame:-ican Bible Society to our people during the coming year and report the result of the same at our next annual session.

A. S ANDREWS, J. BANCROFT, } Committee.

· REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

There are three Institutions of learning under the control of this Conference­the Southern UniYersity, at Greensboro; the Alabama Confei"ence Female College, at Tuskegee, and Centenary Institute, at Summerfield. It would afford your Committee great pleasure to report all these institutions in a prosperous condition, but such is not the case with all.

The report of Rev. H. M. Moss shows that Centenary Institute has matriculated, in both male and fema;e departml'nts, sixty pupils. The female department, without an increase of patronage, cannot be kept open much longer. Pres. Moss is a thoroughly competent teacher, and the Institution deserves a much larger patronage than it enjoys.

The Alabama Conference :Female College, under the presidency of Dr. Massey, has upon its roll one hundred and twenty pupils, forty-two of whom are in the boarding department. The work being done is all that could be desired; the buildings and prop­erty in good repair, and the Conference is to be congratulated upon the prosperous con­dition of the institution.

The Southern University at Greensboro is not enjoying the patronage it needs and deserves. Whether this is due to the stringency of the times; the competition of State institutions; the lack of interest on the part of trustees and preachers, or all of these combined, we do not say.

It is useless for us to adopt glowing reports if those who are the guardians of its interests are careless or indifferent as to its welfare. Perhaps if those of us who are prophesying its death would labor more earnestly for its restoration to health, its recovery would be more rapid . The Conference has made arrangements for purchase of the property; the present faculty will continue to perform their duties; the institution will live and do good, and we trust will grow in usefulness and prosperity. We recom­mend that a collection be ordered by the Conference for the benefit of the University.

Respectfully submitted, J. 0 . ANDREW,

Chairman Committee.

16 Mhwtes of the Alabama Conference.

COMMITTEE ON SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Your Committee on Sundny Schools submit the following report:

From the information we have been ahle to obtain, there are evidences of an increaqe of zeal and efficiency in the prosecntion of this great work, but we think it is not commensu­rate with its importance anrl would urge renewed and increased effort o,-tbe part of all pro­fessors of religion in tl1is important field of labor.

We are much gratified at the continued improvement of our Sunday School Literature and its increased circnlation. vVe hope the day is not far distant when it will be used in every Sunday School connected with our church. While it meets our wants in the study of the International Lessons, we are fN·ling the necessity of uniform catechctical instructions, which is much neglected, we think this can be overcome, and the nPc.essity met by the adop­tion of a catechism simple in its character, and doctrinal in its teachings, for uniform nse in our church. We therefore. a1•prove the resolution of the Greensboro Dist.rict Conference, and recommend the adoption of the follo1ring:

Ee.~olred, That this Annual Conference memorialize thn General Conference to have prr>pared and to adopt a graded series of catechisms for the use of our Sunday Schools.

'\'e take pleasure in calling attention to the valuable recommendations of the Con­vP.ntion of Sunday Scho<1l Secretaries, hdd at Nashville, in M>ty, 1881, and especially do we approve their memorial to the GP.11eral Conference, for the e~tablishment of Conference Sunday School Boards, the sessions of which to be held at the time and place of their re­spective Annual Conferences. '\'e also approvt> their recommendation, that in order to pro­cnrc uniformity in our statistical reports, that such reports, of the preachers in charge, should include the whole number of officer~, teach€'rs and pupils, who were enrolled members of the

\ school, for any part of the conference year, and that they should report separately the num­ber of Methodist pupils in Union Sunday Schools.

1'\'e invite the special ilttention of our Ministers nnd Sunday School Workers to the importan~e of keeping onr Sunday schools well supplied with libraries of good and useful books, which can be procured fr< m onr Publishing House, and using every effort to secure their usc, that the young may be thus diverted from the pPrnieious garbage in the shape of extitingand demoralizing novels that en1anate from the brnin of immoral and vicious pt>r­sons, lor the purpose of gain only, thnt now Hood our land, Slll'l'<lding a baneful influence, distorting the illlagination and corrupting the mindK of the young.

1'\'e regret to find that the directions of our discipline, in relation to the organization of Missionary Societies in our Sunday sch:>ol~. nre not more generally observed throughout the Conference. It is a lamentnllle fact that our Confrrcnce falls far short of its duty, measured !)y its abilitY, in the prosecution of this work, which is con1rnnnded, yea, demanded of us, hy the teachings n.nd example of our SaYiour; this, we npprehcnd, is attributn.ble in no small degree to the dl'fective training :wrl edncution of tho present gencmtiun. There are mnny children now imbibing, from their parents and adult members of thechnrch, the ~arne erron­eous Yiews, that now cripple onr energies in and retard the progress of this heaven-ordained mission pf sprcadi ng tl1e Gospel of Christ. How >hall this be overcome? Let Missionary Societies be organized in eYery f.:abbath School within the bonads of the Conference, tntin the children to aid, by their contrib11tions to this noble wot1<, ::t11cl teach them that it is God's work and tlmt they are his instruments for its accomplishment. Do this and the rising gene­ration will realize and appreciate its importance und necessity, and will be more abundant in men and means for its consummation.

Respectfully submittud, FLEMING LAW.

Chairman.

Jlfi1mtes of the Alabama Conje?·ence. 17

REPORT OF P. G. WOOD, l'JtEASUREl~ OF THE LEGAL CONFERENCE.

P. G. Wood, J.'reosnreT, in a<~count with the Alabama Conference, JI. E . C. S:

1880 DEBITS.

Dee. 8-To cash on hllnd this day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ...... . Dec. 8-To cash, interest on ::\Iohile & Ohio Jt. R. bonds, due Dec. 1, 1880 ...... .

1881. Jan. 1-Cash, interest on State bonds, 5, for $500 each, for() months, at 6% ..... . Jan. 1-Casb, interest on Percy Clark ' s debt, it being interest on 4 State bonds for

$500 each . for 6 months at 6% . . . . . . . . . . ......... . Jan. 1-Cash, balance of interest due on Percy Clark's deb~ up to July 1880. Jan. 1-Cash, balance of interest due on Percy Clark's debt from July 1880 to

Jan. 1, 1881... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ . Jan. 1-Cash, interest on Hale county bond to date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . .fan. 2i)-Cash from A. Y. Sharpe, for interest on his debt. . ... . . . . . Jan. 31-Cash from \V. E. & R. H. Clarke, tmstees, on Cornish and Sharpe's debt. :\lar.:30-Cash _from T. F. Mangum on his debt..... . ......... . :\Iay3l-Cash, interest on 2 :\I. & 0. R. H .. br.nds due June 1, 1880. .July 1-Cash, interest un 5 State bonds, 3% for 6 months. July 1-Cash, interest on Percy Clarke's 4 bonds 3% for 6 months .............. . July 1-Cash, interest on Hale county bond . Dec. 4-Cash from H.. D. Jackson's note .......... .

539 52 60 00

75 00

6Q 00 22 00

22 00 40 oo

100 ou 4G 51 30 00 oO 00 75 00 60 00 40 00 50 00

Total receipts . . .. . ....... . .. . .. $1300 03

1881. <..:Hl<~l11T;-).

Jan. 3-By cash loaned to Webb Wood . . .............. . Jan. 5-By cash paid Southem University. . ... . ...... . Jan. 5-By cash paid Alabama Conference Female College. . . . . . . ... . Jan. 24-By cash paid A. S. Andrews, for expenses of himself, Anson West, L. M.

Wilson anrl W. B. Wood, Commissioners of North Alabama Conference .. June 4-By cash paid Southern University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . J nne 4-By cash paid Alabama Conference Female College. . .. . .......... . July 1-By cash paid Alabama Conference Female College. . .......... . . . July 4-By <.:nsh paid8outbem University..... . ........ . . .......... .

300 00 225 00

54 00

138 00 88 70 21 30 33 87

141 15

'I.'olaldisbursements ........ . . . . . . Balan co on hand ................. . ......... . ... . . . . .

.$1002 02 298 01

$1300 03

S"l"ATE:III"X'l" 0~' TilE l\OTf:s, l!OliDS 1 &C., llELO!\'Gll\G TO THE Ai.AH.DU. COXl<'ERElWE.

7 bonds of the City of Mobile (Nos. 3177,3178,3179,3180,3181,3182, 3183), for $500 each (on deposit in B~nk of ~Iobile). $3500 00

2 bonds of the i\L & 0. R. R. Company, bearing 6% interest for $1,000 each. 2000 00 5 bonds of St!lle Alabama hearing 6% interest for $500 each..... 2500 00 Perey Clark's note (secured by Alaban1a bonds ::>:WOO). 2050 00 J:t. D. ,Jackson's note and interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 46 '1'. F. ::\[a.ngum·s note and interest. \Vehb Wood's not•~ with interest from Janua1-y 3, 1881. . . ............. . Cornish and Sharpe's debt about.

The :\lohile city bonds have paid no interest for two or more years . P.

395 94 300 00

1000 00

G. WOOD, Trea"'urer.

18 Minutes of the Alabarna Conje1·ence.

MElliOIRS. Rev. JoHN A. GREEX was born )larch 6th, 1849, and died October 17, 1881.

Bro. Green received his preparatory mental training at such schools as were in the reach of his home, and though he did not graduate was for some time a student at Auburn College in East Alabama. He was converted and became a member of the church in early life. Receiving license to preach he was admitted on trial into the Ala­bama Conference at its session in Selma, December 3-9, 1873. He served in the Con-ference, as preacher in charge, the Geneva, Newton, Calhoun, Grove Hill and St. ~ Stephen's circuits. On the 9th of October he went to his appointment at Kew Hope Church, in the St. Stephen's circuit, and, though suffering with fever, preached to the assembled congregation. After the morning service he went some distance to baptize three persons by immersion, and this was the last official act of his life. On returning to the house of Bro. W. A. Richardson he was compelled to take his bed. Much of the time during his sickness was spent in exhorting those around him, and though con­scious that his end was drawing near he seemed calm and fearless, and died in the triumph of the Christian faith.

Bro. Green was an active member of the Conference for eight years, and though appointed to serve much of that time in some of the most difficult fields within its bounds, he never seemed disappointed or discouraged.

All who knew him and his ministry will affirm that he was ever faithful and true and zealous in every good work; and in everything showed himself fully consecrated to the cause of his Master.

Bro." Green was a plain, unassuming man His humility, manifest to all, dis­·played itself especially in his readiness to do any kind of work to which he might be assigned; and because he was meek and amiable he was always cheerful and happy in the performance of that work. His highest ambition was to be true to his duty and vows as a Methodist preacher. Esteeming others better than himself he was never known to murmur at the arduousness of his own work, or to be envious of hiR brethren because they were appointed to more inviting fields than those he occupied . The young men of his class and Conference rank among the first in the connection in intelligence, zeal and devotion to their work, and stand as high as any in the profession in those qualities that form the character of a successful Methodist preacher. Yet of this class none more than he held a warmer place in the affection of his brethren, and none stood higher in the esteem of those who knew best the excellencies of his character.

As a preacher be was earnest and practical. He sought in all his sermons to save souls; to reclaim backsliders, and to raise the Church to a higher standard of spiritual life. He loved the Church with a pure and fervent loYe, and never failed in his preach­ing to promulgate its doctrines, and, in his pastoral work, to enforce its discipline. Always zealous, be reproved sin no matter where, or in whom, it was found. Neither the love of praise and popularity, nor fear of the influential, caused him tD hesitate in the discharge of what he believed to be his duty.

A holy and devoted minister of Gospel be lived, and as such he died; and when the good and true and pure shall gather and shall take their glittering crowns and cast them at the feet of Jesus, singing, "Not unto us, not uuto us, but to Thy name be all the glory!" of all that glorious host, I think none will sing that song with louder emphasis or sincerer heart than our beloved and now departed brother John A. Green.

DANIEL l\1. HuDSON was born in the State of Ohio, February 12, 1822, and died in Tuskegee, Alabama, April 12, 1881.

He was of the sons of the prophets. His father, a physician, was a faithful and honored minister of the Baptist Church. .

Bro. Hudson was converted at 12 years of age, bnt failing to make a formal pro­fession of faith in Christ he lost the peace that belongs to the children of God, and was for years without the comfort of religion. At 24 years of age he was again made to feel the bitterness of a sinful life, and, earnestly seeking, he found peace with God and the witness of the spirit that he was born from on high.

He soon felt that he was called to be an ambassador for God, and in the winter of 1853 he was admitted on trial to membership in the Alabama Conference.

Our dear departed brother was for more than a quarter of a century a beloved and trusted member of this Conference. A man cif various and large learning, whose life was spent, in great part, in the accumulation and study of valuable and rare books. He was not a genius in the common me:oening of that term-not a popular preacher in the estimation of the multitude-but he was a man who had a power oi mental acquisition,

J11inntes of the Alabarna Conje1'e?!ce. 19

such as few men are blessed witb. In the judgment of some of his brethren he was too largely endowed for the humble sphere in which he was called to act-a David, burdened by Saul's helmet and sword and shield-a bird ·which has an important message to bear encumbered aud retarded by the superabundance of plumage which adorns and beauti­fies it.

A large part. of our b rother's life was spent in labors faithfully bestowed in the various fields which belong to itinerant life on the Circuit; on the District, or in the Station, and in each position to which duty called him he was equally zealous and always acceptable.

His was a meek and quiet spi rit, and he bore without complaint the sufferings incident to failing health an<l the care of a dependent family, which he knew he must soon lea,·e to finish for themselves the long battle with poverty and sorrow.

God honored him wi th a perfect peace in the parting hour and now he realizes the meaning of the afflicted· patriarch, who, looking upward, exclaimed, "There the wicked cease from troubling and there the weary be at rest."

:lfoRGAX C. TuRREXTIXE was born in Hillsboro, N. C., September 17, 1800. His father's family removed to Milledgeville, G:;~.., while he was yet a child, at which

place :IIorgan was converted and made profession of faiLh in Christ, at the age of 16 years . He was 19 years old when he began to preach the gospel. At 20 years of age he joined the South Carolina Conference, was sent as Missionary to the Creek Indians, and labored among them during the years 1824-5-6 and 7.

He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Roberts at Wilmington, N. C., in 1825-was or­dained Elder by the same Bishop in Augusta, Ga. , January 14, 1827-came to Alabama in 1857-was superannuated at onr last Conference held in Pensacola-died in Bladon countv, North Carolina, July 1881. ·

We are admonished by authority to make our report a brief one-but is the foregoing brief statement a sufficient expression of our love for 1lorgon C. Turrentine-a sufficient ex­pression of our gratitude to God for a long life devoted to the doing of heroic deeds and ending in glorious tn umph '? It is written that "devout men bore Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him ."

We are not told how long t.bey lamented nor by what ceremonies they made their sorrow known. Let us pause a little while beside the grave of the old man who loved us dearly, and whose hope was to die among us; and leave his ashes in our trust, until we too should pass away, and leave. the precious charge to our successors.

This old soldier of Jesus Christ was born and built up for a hero. At an age when some of our young men are the petted darlings of tender mothers who "suffer not the winds ?f heaven. to visit them too roughly "-at such an age this boy· ambassador for God went alone mtothe Wild woods, se11kinguntamed savages, that he might bring them to Christ. \Ve have heard him tell how-wearied with the long days ride-he has gone to his bed of earth-sup· perless, with nothing bnt the forest leaves between him and tbe .stars that seemed to look down sadly upon the lone wanderer, whose only requifl:n was the shriek of the night bird, and ''the wolfs long howl." Four long years in the wilderness, companion of hunger, and danger, and want! but we hasten forward. A stranger would be ready to believe that he might have taken his complexion from the wildness around him. No! nature made our brother a gentle­man, and the grace of God made him a Christian. Children followed him, as flowers turn their faces to the sun, and like his ever blessed Master, "be took them in his arms and blessed them," and blessed they were, for benediction fell u.pon them, in answer to the prayer of God's servant who adored Him.

I think very few persons ever called our brother "Father Turrentine'' Thank God, that Time, who was commissioned to whiten his bead and dim his eyesight, was forbidden to touch his heart. That heart held perpetual festival, for there was room there for all things that were lovely and of good report. There was no sorrow in his night, no winter in his year. Death touched him gently when he was preaching last Summer to the friends of his early years. On his way hon •e from God's house be noticed a pain that was strange to him, The physician said "paralysis." It was repeated again and again, His son writes, "'Ye beard ~im say several times, 'my work is done, I am ready and waiting at the gate.'" Then in a little while this royal soul was taken to the God who gave it, thP Christ who was its Saviour.

Three classes are represented in onr list of the dead this year, Brother Green, who was yet in his yontb, Brother Hudson, just gone beyond middle manhood, and Brother Tur­rentine in his old age. Brethren may we not well say:

•· Oh though oft depressed and lonely, All my fears are laid aside,

If I but remember only. Such as these have lived and died."

JOSIAH BARKER, Chairman.

1'1

20 Jfimtfc8 r~f tltP Alabama Crm.frTPilCC.

HEPORT OF .TOI:\T DO.\.IW OF FI:SA:XC'E.

The Board ha,·e mmlc the di~tribution of fnntls colle1·ted for ConfecY•nce claimants ,,. the year· 1~81 : ::\frs .• Tetferson Hamilton ... . .. .... :ii 12.) 00 1 He,· .. f. T. ]{oper ........... :;; 22,; '''

~;) 00 Rev. A. S. Dickinson..... . . . . 22-i o ::\Ir~. L. P. Gholson .............. . HeY. T. S. Abernathy ........... . ::\Irs. R. R. Dickinson ............ . Hev. C. Strider ................. . ::l[rs P. P. X eeley ............... . I. Spangler's 3 children . . ........ . ::\[ rs. T. ::\f. Lynch ............... . Mrs.G.H. Tallev ............... . ::\Irs.\\'. H. Carter ....... . ....... . ::\Irs. W. C. Harris .... . .......... . ::\[ rs .• J es~ie Ellis ................ . ::\[rs. H. E. Care.v ................ . ::\Irs. H .. 1. Hunter ............. .. :If rs. '1'. Lynch ........... . Mrs. A. ,J. Crawford ............. . ::\Irs .• 1. :II. Jennings ....... . .... ,. Rev. Z. Dowling- . . . . . . . ....... . ReY. W. H. Ellison ............. . ::\Irs. J. \\'. Loney ............ ..

1fi:) 00 j ::\irs .. i. G. Rush... . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Oil 12·i 00 I Re1· l. I. Tatum . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Oll 1-iO 00 J\.Ir~. C. K. Hurt . . . . . . . . . . . 1'>0 00 125 00 ::\lrs. S. F. Pillev IJO 00 :;o 00 ReY. ,J. \\' .• lor(lan............... 80 00

100 oo ::\lrs. B. F. Perry ............ . .. 150 oo· 1 ~6 00 )frs. J. F. Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 00 J2.) 00 J\lrs. J. S. Hughes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 00

\10 00 ?II rs. F. G. Ferguson. . . . . . . . 79 80 z~ 00 I Mrs .• r. w. Starr.. . .............. 50 00 .u 00 ::\[rs. D. ::\I. Hudson.............. 300 00

12,j 00 ::1!.-s . B. B. Rose 150 00 7;) 00 ::\irs .• J. D. Fisher 1:li) 00

12G 00 I He\' W. B. Xeal . . 1:2.) 00 100 00 1-tev. W. B. Adams . . . . . . . . . . 76 00 175 00

1

::\Irs. J. T. Talley. . . . . . . . . . 1:20 00 2:2ii 00 ----

7G Oo Total....... .::;-l72!l SO HE:\RY D. ::\IOORE, Uhoi1·mon.

Disltitls. Education. Bishops. $176 00

1ii0 00 ]!).) 00 120 00 1!l0 00 140 00

('on(ereuee Coil . . ;3li0G ()() ;\lobile ...................................... $188 00

Greensboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . 138 00 Selmn.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 00 Prattville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 00 Montgomery . .. .. . ........................... 173 00

770 ou 7!JO 00 f\!10 00

Eufaula... .. ....... .... .. . ....... 1i)1 00 ::\Iarianna.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 00 Union i->prings . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] :-);3 00 Pensacola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:23 00

ao oo 1!30 00 1:2.3 00

1030 00 7uo oo

lJ :?.>0 00 7-10 00 (jfj(i 00

Totals. :jil2:20 Oll $lHiOO 00 IIEXRY D. )IOOHE, Chainnan.

,\ssf:s~'IEXTH BY ·rnE BoAnn OF ::\lc,.;scoxs OF THE AucLDI.\ CoxFEREXI'E f'OU 1882. Di.,tril't. Foreign. ;\lobile.................. . .................... .. .......... $1~00 Oil Greensboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOO 00 f-\elma.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H50 flO Montgomery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:300 00 Ectfaula ................... . .... .. .... . ............ . ... . .... 1200 00 Union ~prings............ .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . !!00 00 Pensacola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GUO on )Jari>tnna.......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.)0 00 PrattYille. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850 00

Domestic. ;'itiOO 00

400 00 lj.jO 00 liOO 00 G50 00 .j.)O 00 :lOO 00 110 00 (l.jO 00

:If l~SIOXAHY Al'PROPHJA'£10:-.'~ FOR DO)IEST!C 1lt~SI0);S D~Rl:-.'(.: 1882.

Eastern Sbo~·e ..................... $125 00 I CoosaHiYer ....................... $100 00 Grand Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l 00 00 Ripton.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 00 Escatawpa. . . . . .................. 100 00 Yellow Hiver..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 00 Choctaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 00 Perryville......................... 70 00 Glennville and ::\lission ............. 1~5 00 Uniontown ::\Iission... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 00 East Selma ........................ 300 00 ){cKinle)' .................. .)0 00 Herbert........................... 75 00 TallapOORa ....................... 150 00 Perdido ........................... 200 00 J?ranklin ........................ 100 UO Jemison ... . .. . .......... · ......... 1;iO 00 .\Ia1:i:wna District. ................. 450 00 Headland......................... /;) 00 Calhonn....... .j() 00 :\larianna and Missioc............... ;)() 00 <..:eno Gordo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'f.-, 00 Pleasant Hill.. . .. . .. . . .. . . .. . .. . . . 75 00