Morning journal and courier., 1880-04-08
Annual Conference.

New England A. M. E. Zion Church sSs7SA The Bish0P's Address,
 The assembly of the New England annual conference of the A. M. E. Zion church took place yesterday morning at Zion church in this city, Rt Rev J. J. Moore, s. T. D. presiding Tho bishop opened the session by reading 8 portion of scripture He was followed by Rev. R. H. G. Dyson of Boston, who gave out hymn. Rev. s. H. Hunter, of North Carolina, led in prayer. Revs J. B Small was then elected secretary and Thos. A. Davis as- sistant secretary. Afterwards the bishop then gave his annual address, which was as fol- lows
 THE ADDRESS.
 My dear brethren and fellow laborers in Gods vineyard-It is with deep emotions of gratitude I rise to address you at this session. It could hardly be otherwise when consider the sea of turmoil danger and anxiety over which 8 gracious Providence has brought me since our last annual meeting, with the pre- servation of my life, health and strength so necessary to the success of the foreign mis- sion that has engaged the last eight months of my labor. Those divine favors demand of me the most unreserved grateful acknowledg- ments to our heavenly Father.
 Beloved brethren, permit mo to coRgratu- late you upon ths continued favor of God in the preservation of your lives, health and strength, permitting us again to enjoy our usual friendly greetings and the reciprocation of our Christian sympathy, and an exchange of thoughts
 In reference to my past year of experience, 1t has been in some respects peculiar. I have had to assume extra responsibilities as you know, in my foreign mission to collect funds to sustain our connectional efforts in the work of shaping the true destiny of our race in this I hau had ka kA fa-s eight months, 5000 miles from nay district in the capacity of financial agent.
 Notwithstanding the weight of episcopal re- responsibilities resting upon me, thank God however, by his assistance, and herculean ef- forts, my agency proved a reasonable success l; while, happily, this annual district has suf- fered no harm from my absence, and for this condition of things great credit is due to the ministers of this annual district.
 further desire to say to you, dear breth- ren, that while abroad on my mission, no ef- fort on my part was spared, not only to sustain the claims of Christianity, but also to sustain the claims of my church and race.
 My success in this particular the English journals attest wherever they were eognizant of my public efforts.
 Now, dear brethren, as we are convened to meet the usual duties of our annual session, would remind you of the special imp portance of this session, as it is vergiDg upon our gene- ral conference. I hope the action of this session will embrace such measures as will help to secure in the general body suitable legislation to the support of our Connecticut institutions, as our book concern, our mis- sionary work, our journal, and our education al institutions.
 am happy to inform you that through the most indefatigable efforts of the Board of the Book Concerns our book concern has been most successfully established, and is now 8 real connsctional institution, owning a valua- ble stock of religious and useful literature, as the general book steward (Rev. J. Thomas) will report to you for your satisfaction.
 Permit me next to remind you of the inn portance of your sending full delegation from this body to the general conference with suitable instructions as to what we need to promote the best interests of our beloved Zion, especially lifetime episcopacy also hope you will give the subject of the Southern exodus careful and practical consideration, for believe it to be the true means by which our people will be permitted to enjoy their inalienable rights as American citizens I hope, also, some special measures will be sadopted in this session looking toward the m missionary interest of our connection in Kan sas among our migrating people there. Hop- ing God may guide our deliberations.
 J. J. MOORE.