New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-09-25
4. VI. T.. Church


kEOKUK, Iowa, sept. l., 1873.
~ TIE Etitors he ys,o National Erl md cHtrr:
The second annual session of the Illinois an
nual conference convened in the NJ. +. church
in this city. Conference assembled at . a. M
Bishop Alexander Wayman presiding. Devo-
tional exercises were conducted by the bishop,
assisted by T. W. Roberts, of Chicago.
About fifty ministers were present. Prom-
nent ones to wit: G.. G. Booth, W. c. Trevor.
J. B. Dawson, VIM. Jackson, W. J. Davis, j..
W. Eads, Elder W. a. Dove, and many
others.
&. W. Guy, exPrincipal of Keokuk Colored
Schools, was elected reporter for city papers,
assisted by W. T. Peyton.
Rev. p. c. Cooper was marked for mall
administration. At first the conference en-
deavored to ignore the charge on the ground
OF informality in proceedings. The plaintiff,
Mrs. Mary j. Dove, then applied to the civil
court for a redress of grievances. Learning
this, the conference granted her a committee
for investigation. said committee recon-
mended that she be restored to membership
in A. NJ. +. Church, the said NJ. J. Dove
withdrawing the suit.
At four O'Clock Rev. W. c. Trevan, of
Chicago, conducted the religious exercises,
and preached the annual sermon from Mat.
Oh. "a, V. ii, to well filled house and at
tentive audience. This was an admirable
discourse, replete and delivered with con-
siderable pathos.
Rev. J. J. Dyer was expelled from the
connection for neglecting his wife and fraud
ulently obtaining divoice.
Three O'Clock of the fourth day was set
apart for the memorial services of VIM Paul
Quinn. 1t was learned by these services that
the Bishop was licensed by Bishop Allen in
1877, elected the fourth Bishop in 1871.
He came west of the Alleghcnics and
planted the standard Of Christianity in Ohio,
Michigan, Kentucky, and Missouri; died
February lst, 1873, like the Apostle Paul,
having kept the faith, finished his course,
went home to glory"
On Sunday services were held in Gibbons
Opera House, which was filled to overflow
ing, over 200 persons being present.
Rev. e.. c. Booth preached in the morning,
Bishop Wayman in the afternoon, and Rev.
J. W. Eads at night. The sermon Of Rev.
G.. c. Booth was a powerful one. His audi
ence was completely at his command. 1t
undoubtedly equalled any sermon delivered
during the session.
The announcement that Bishop Wayman
would deliver q discourse at Chatham Square,
(the NJ. f. church, drew large audience
on Sabbath morning. Many doubtless went
out of curiosity with scarcely an idea that
they would hear anything from the cOlored
Bishop beyond an ordinary sermon and as
many who went to the church so feeling
went away well pleased at having been
present. The Bishop, az many Of our read
ers know, is large, we'll formed man, an
African Of the darkest hue, but he carries
! with him in every move the manners Of an
| intelligent and well-bred gentleman. He is
an excellent reader, and at once in giving
out the first hymn, and in reading the morn
ing lesson, engaged the attention OF his audi
ence. Taking the text, $40, | am with you
always, even TO the end Of the world" he
branched out into a learned and eloquent
discourse, showing how, from the moment
the Saviour uttered the promise, on up to
this period Of the world, it has been, asd is
being, fulfilled precious promise that was
| given after the tragic scenes Of Calvary had
been enacted. He addressed the people for
! forty minutes and, when he closed his
| hearers only regretted that he did not talk
| forty minutes longer. The black skin was
/ forgotten, and admiration for the man's learn
/ ing, his power, and his subject, were upper
most in the minds Of those present, and when
/ the heart was thrilled with a powerful burst
/ of eloquence, or the eye was dinmed BY
/ tears that were persuaded to trickle down
| the cheeks On account Of common syrnpa-
/ thy that pervades all good hearts, the people
didn't consider for moment that il vas a
black mans elOquence and black man
/ pathOs that was doing il all.
| On Tuesday the conference adjourned 10
meet next in Springfield, lllino,-.
( Bishop Wayman went 10 II. LOUIS 10 hold
/ the annual Missouri conference.
/ Yours for progress, ". r. L.