The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-08
GETTING RE7DY FOB WORK
The African General Conference Spends
Most of Its First Day in Devotion.
A Few Contesting Delegates Cause Some Con-
fusion, Which the Presiding Bishop
Speedily Checks-4ddresses Of Welcome

The first days sessbR of the General Confer
ence Of the African II. E. Church yesterday
was not particularly ieventful. the day being
devoted almost wholly to devotional exercises.
In the morning over three hundred ministers
the main auditorium ofiBethel A. NJ. E. Church.
and few moments later Presiding Bishop A.
w. Wayman called the nineteenth session OF
the conference to order.
Bishop r. r. Disney. Of Chatham, Canada.
assisted by Bishop HIM Turner. Of Atlanta,
Ga. Rev. John Turner. of Denver. Col. and
Rev. David Smith. of Xeuia, o., conducted the
devotional exercises Father Smith. as he il
Familiarity called, offered very servent prayer
which drew forth many loud amens. He
thanked God that he had lived to see the church
grow from eight travelling ministers to $780,
Considerable interest was manifested in the
election Of a secretary, as the candidates were
very prominent men, being DR.. NJ. E. Bryant
Of Selma. Ala; DR.. T. Il, Jackson, dean of the
illogical department. wilberforse University.
Wilberforcs, o.. and DR.. G. Asbury, of Pennsyl-
vania. DR.. Bryant was chosen.
The long roll of conferences was then called.
Each conference was entitled to q ministerial
delegate for every twenty travelling ministers,
and to two lay delegates. AS the roll
was called the fact developed that there were .
number Of contesting delegates. Bishop Camp
bell was presiding at tho time OF the roll-call'
and he good-naturedly brought order out OF
the slight confusion which was created by tho
disputing claimants who were demanding recog-
milton on the floor. He said: "a committees
IN,
and every man, from the bishops down through
the laymen, must pass through the committees
gate" He then made the disputants take their
seats, calling ont one of them by name, ana
saying he was sorry he had to call him to order.
In this way the difficulty was soon passed. and
the convention proceeded to other matters.
The address of welcome to the conference on
behalf of this bishoprc, and more particularly
Indiana, was also delivered by Bishop Camp
bell He said that the Hooser capital and
State Including white and black inhabitants. ex-
tended cordial greeting to the delegates and
visitors to the conference.
Rev. j. W. Gazaway pastor of Bethel
Church. delivered the address of welcome on
srnor, and Auditor of State, and ''the noble
Harrison" had not only sent words Of welcome
but had given substantial aid. This statement
was enthusiastically appauded. and particu-
larly the reference to General Harrison
DR.. James A. Handy, Of Baltimore, then re-
words of welcome He said that the spread OF
their church in the new world had been some
thing wonderful and for which they should be
truly thankful to God that the church knew
no North and no South, aud that its
foundation had been laid, not only for America.
but for al lands where "a shady, dusky son OF
Africa could be found DR.. Handy's remarks
were greeted with applause, were those Of
DR. Turner, of Philadelphia who succeeded
him. At half past IL o'clock the conference took
a recess until o'clock.
There was large attendance at the services
in the afternoon. which were very impressive.
The communion services ware conducted by
Senior Bishop d. A. Payne, assisted by Bishops
A. w. Wayman. J. P. Campbell, j. NJ. Brown.
II. M. Turner and r. r. Disney.
At the conclusion of this service, which lasted
for over an hour, Bishop Payne announced the
committee on credentials, which WAS to consist
of one member from each district, Is follows
First District-Dr. J. T. Jenifer.
Second-Kev. w. r. Arnold.
Third-Rev. r. G. Mortimer.
Fourth--Rev. John Turner.
Fifth-Rev. NJ B. Saultsr. .ass..
Sixth-Rev. s. l.. Mimms.
Seventh-Rev A. Grant.
Eighth-Rev. II. b. Parks.
Ninth-Rev Bedford Greene.
Tenth-Rev. ! A. Johnson.
The remainder Of the afternoon was taken ut
In perfeeting the Organization. Although the
rain continued until after the time for the even
ing services. q large number were present "a
hear the discourse OF DR.. VIM D. johnson. sec
rotary Of education. which Was very logical and
highly appreciated.