The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-06-26
Princeton, Ky, Banner.
The COIOred Methodist south.

On Friday last the Hopknsvillo Dfs-
trict Conference Of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church in America, composed cn-
tirely Of colored people met in tine
Methodist church at this place, Bishop
VIM. Henry Miles presiding This dis
trict contains several counties and has
thirteen travelling ministers and mcm-
bership of ,283. The business ~ the
conference was carried on in quiet,
orderly manner, the Bishop closely ques-
tioning each preacher as he made his re-
port touching the condition of the church.
soberness, morality and good behavior of
the members. We happened 30 drop .u
on Saturday to see how they transacted
business. While some were awkward.
and evinced a want Of information as to
how they ought 10 do, yet they got along
very well. While there, several made
short speeches on questions which pre-
sented themselves. We were struck
particularly with the speech of Richard
+. Marshall, Presiding Elder Of this dis
trict, who spoke with animation and
earnestness, and used very good language
indeed. His personal appearance is very
good, being six feet or more IN height.
well proportional, and very good man
ners. On Sunday morning lac preached
TO a large audience Of colored people iu
the courthouse, and on Sunday night
he preached to the white people I'm the
Methodist church. The church was full.
and all gave him their attention He
preached from the 10th chapter and 2lth
verse Of St. Matthew. His delivery was
good, and manner plain and practical.
his ideas very good, his voice very well
modulated. He made no attempt what
ever at bombast or display. We believe
we speak the sentiment Of every gen.
tleman and lady who heard him when
we say that his sermon was n very good
one. Everybody was we'll pleased, and
no one regretted going 10 hear him
Bishop Miles was borne in Washington
county, KY, in December 1928, os the
slave of Mrs Mary Miles During biz
boyhood he learned the alphabet from
an old cOlOred man on the payment of
CT cents, and he learned 10 read at
cOlored Sunday-school taught by au
aged Presbyterian lady near by his mis-
tress' home. When his mistres died she
CIVILIZED him free" but the heirs
of the estate went into law about
the matter, and held il in court eleven
years. Finally, in 1864 the case was
compromised while pending in the Court
Of Appeals. BY that compromise Dee
became a free man IN 1864. He then
went TO Indiana, but in 1865 he returned
to Louisville and set up a retail furniture
house, but soon left and went TO Lebanon,
KY, and went into the garden and fruit
business. He was licensed 10 preach by
DIR. BEDFORD, Of Nashville, in 1858; was
bishop in 1870 by Bishops
Paine and McTyere, Of the NJ. T..
Church South. His episcopal jurisdic-
ton extends over this State, Tennessee,
Kansas and North Mississippi.
When he was ordained the m. i.
Church in America" was organized with
himself and r. III Vanderhost Ccol.) us
bishops. The white Methodists, North,
have been and are now hostile 10 such
an organization. Bishop Vanderhost b.
now dead, and in March last Bishop
Miles, aided by Bishop Pierce Of Geor-
yia, ordained three other cOlOred men as
Bishops in his church, viz: Jas. a.. Bebce
1f North Carolina l.. II. HOslcy, of
Georgia Isaac Lane, Of Tennessee.
We have seldom seen a more modest,
quiet, humble or less proud man than
Bishop Miles, especially when we re-
member that he has something 20 be-
proud of, viz His being the first man
" his race 10 exercise the high Office Of
bishop, and the first 10 labor in the or
yanization of his people into a separate
church.