The Evening critic., 1882-05-16
POLYGAMY AND DIVORCE
Discussed I'm the q. M. T.. Conference
Bishop Miles Wants n Certain
Matter Investigated other Inter-
psfinr prOreesliurs.


The delegates TO the Coored NJ. T.. General
Conference assembled at Israel Church this
morning, punctually Mt 0;3O o'clock, and
after devotional exercises, which were con-
Quoted by Rev. o. r. Womack, of Texas, the
previous minutes were read and approved.
Bishop Miles took the chair and stated he
desired the Conference to transact its business
promptly and intelligently. ''Let us do good
days work." he said.
The Committees on Literature and Bounds
submitted minor reports, which were laid
upon the table until tomorrow.
resolution was offered by Rev. II. s. Bass,
recommending that blank forms of deeds and
titles be authorized and published by tho Con-
ference. Adopted.
A resolution was offered by Revs. W.. T.
Thomas and II. Il. Thurgood, requiring the
Bishops topublish quarterly report OF their
work, and the progress of church work in the
Christicn Inder. Adopted.
The following resolution, relative to polyg
amy and divorce, was offered by Rev. G. W.
Usher, of Georgia: "Whereas polygamy and
divorce are practiced among our people, and
mony TO such as have been divorced; there
fore be 1t
"Resoiged, The preface Of section 8, page 196,
= the book of discipline be changed to read
At the day and time appointed for the solem-
nization Of matrimony, the persons to be mar
ried, having been qualified, shall certify that
they have not been divorced"
Laid upon tho table.
Bishop Miles said, "Divorce is justihable
where adultery has been committed by either
party, both by the laws of God and man."
The Committee on Episcopacy submitted de-
tailed reports on the characters Of Bishops
Miles and Beebe, as called for by yesterdays
session, and they were adopted.
Bishop Miles made a stirring address on an
action OF the last General Conference, which
he claimed reflected upon him, during which
he said:
81 was mobbed twice in the last Conference
by its action, and now demand that these re-
0pcffye hroupht bnfora "
and settled"
At this point Hon. j. r. Lynch, of Mlssis-
sippi, was introduced to the Conference by
Mr.. Lynch, In short address, said, among
other things: "There is question which
giously and politically, that is the elevation of
our race and the education of our children.
Another thing TO bo considered is the attain
idea that rich man cannot enter the
Kingdom Of Heaven, is q false one. The In
tent Is that man shall not love his money
more than his God. Money is as necessary to
our race advancement as education. do not
feel fully at home in addressing body OF this
nature. My forte is standing upon the floor
of Congress and defending the rights Of The
colored people. When any one on that floor
knocks colored man on the head, want to
knock back"
Previous TO the last session OF the q. NJ, E,
Conference at Nashville, Bishop Miles received
notification that certain minister had charged
his own wife with living In open adultery with
several men, and still said preacher persisted
| in living with her. He at once called board
OF investigation, which board promptly eX-
pelled the minister upon his refusal to forsake
| the adulteress. The matter came up before
| the last Conference, and Bishop Miles
claims the action OF that session was ex-
| tremely derogatory to his standing as a
| Bishop in not fully supporting his action.
He therefore demands that the present
session either exonerate or condemn him in
the premises. The question threatened to
cause general bad feeling, and would have
done so had not the determination OF a mum.
ber OF delegates prevailed In 'pouring oil on
the troubled waters" The subject was with
drawn.
A resolution was adopted declaring that no
| district shall contain over eighteen appoint
| ments.
| A motion was offered and adopted that
| Bishop Holsey be allowed to retire at his own
| discretion, in order that he may proceed at
| once as greeting bearer to the Nashville Con-
| ference.
| Rev. W. Il. Thomas stated he had collected a
| sufficient amount TO defray Bishop Holsey' s
| travelling expenses.
Bishop Miles stated arrangements must be
| made by the Conference to continue the pub
| lication Of the Iadeg, as he has not the time To
| devote to 1t in the future
1t was decided to hold night sessions, Ia
| begin tomorrow at 7:30 p. m, so that the
| Conference can adjourn Thursday night.
Adjourned at p. m.
Bishop Miles, of Kentucky, who Is undoubt
| edly one Of the greatest colored humorists IL
| the United States, Will be requested to repeal
his lecture on sour Married Relations" i'm
mediately after the adjournment OF the con