Morning journal and courier., 1891-05-11
THE A. ME. ZION CoNRERENCE

THE A. M. E. ZION CONFERENCE The Able Report of the Commitfe
 on the State of the Country-Othe Business Transacted-CompIet Dc
 tails Of How Conference Sunda,
 Was Kept-The Memorial Service,
 to the Late Bishop Jones.
 The fourth days session of the New
 England annual conference of the African
 Methodist Episcopal Zion church convened
 in Zion church Saturday morning or
 Foote street, and after devotional exer
 cises was called to order by Bishop J. w | Hood
 | The committee on ministerial studies re- ported that it had examined John A. Hall of New Haven and Richard Brown of Derby, Conn.,, and the result was not as satisfactory as was desired. but they were received on trial, with the promise that they pursue their studies under the sys- tenn that is adopted for the training of | preachers.
 Professor c. G. A. Won Gayer, general superintendent of the bureau of religious | information at New York, was introduced | after which Dr. J. N. Green introduced resolutions, which were adopted, relative to taking higher standard of educational requirements for admission to the minis try.
 Resolved, That the committee, and all persons to be examined. be present at the place of the meeting of conference one whole day before tho. regular session; and as far as practicable the committee shall report on the first day of con ference.
 The committee on the state of the church reported its condition to be encouraging and that its influence was everywhere ad- vancing; and it congratulated the church on the appointment of J. c. Dancy, esq.,, editor of the Star of Zion, the official organ of the connection, and one of its proml- nent lay members to the collectorship of the port of Wilmington, North Carolina The question of propriety was raised as to the introduction of MT. Dancy's official pro- motion in such 8 report. An interchange of opinion developed the fact that the po- sition was rendered to Bishop Hood, who declined it, and that he recommended MT. Dancy, who was appointed.
 Bishop Hood was highly complimented for declining a position much more lucra- tive than the one he occupies, and because he preferred the afflictions of his people, to dwelling in the courts of official favor In the interchange of opinion, it was made apparent that it was the influence and Po"cI O1 tAc tudI Causcu one or us members to receive such distinguished con- sideration. The committee on the state of the country reported in condemnation of the 'brutal and barbaric manner in which citizens of New Orleans murdered thirteen Italians" and denouncing "such practices as being degraded and cowardly and with al contrary to the spirit of our civilization and foreign to the motives of the vaunted constitution of our government.
 The report congratulated the country on the fading away of the war cloud; spoke of the situation regards labor and capi- tai, with wise comment in behalf of & due consideration of the interests of the labor ing classes; commended the use of heaters instead of stoves on railway trains; and greater care of the lives of employed by railroad authorities; expressed sympathy with sufferers by flood and fire; advised restriction rather than prevention as re- gards the immigration problem, adding: ''We believe that America should cease being the dumping ground for such de- moralizing and disreputable characters as have found an asylum in the United States for the last decade. We should call 6 halt and admit none to our fair land, except such as will add honor and dignity. and who are willing to share in our ad- versity as well as prosperity.
 Next is the negro or race problem. Not withstanding the wrongs and injustice which have been practiced upon our peo- pie almost everywhere we are making un- paralleled progress along every line of de velopment. We appreciate the growth of public sentiment against the indiguities and atrocities too often the sequel of an unIighteous desire on the part of some to dominate and rule the black man. We be Geve the indulgence in such an unholy practice is destined to undermine the fair fabric of our American civilization, and the sooner such senti- ments receive the condemnation of the entire public, the better it will be for all concerned. However, We believe that Christian influences will be the most speedy remedy for such state of things Religion, moral and intellectual training will place the colored man in such con dition as that he will demand the respect which is due him. Politically. we have to be encouraged in that the Afro-Aneri- can is beginning to receive recognition in the distribution of public patronage.
 We regard the failure on the part of the national senate to pass the election law as a death blow to the purity of the ballot box, and no race of people will experience it's baneful effects more keenly than our people.
 We hail with ineffable delight the aus picious outlook of our churches and schools. Everywhere they are growing in importance and influence. Our schools are more largely patronized than ever be- fore.
 Bishop Hood at this point expressed re- gret that the committee had not empha- sized "our condemnation of the lynching of the Italians at New Orleans" and said "that it was one of the greatest outrages of modern times, while the conduct of the grand jury was more shameful than that of the mob itself" The bishop criticized the state department as not exhibiting its usual sagacity. The state's rights idea he had supposed was buried in the ruins of four years war. A government not strong enough to protect its citizens within its own domain does not commend itself to the respect of other nations.
 The bishop then speaking of the federal election law said the state of things it was to remedy has existed for fifteen years and it was not the negro's condition that gave birth to the election law. The true motive was the fact that by the suppress sion of the negro vote one part of the country is having more power in the gov ernment than it is entitled to. The cry of negro supremacy was the strongest weapon brought to bear against it. If the true purpose of the bill had been brought out more it would have passed.
 The conference in the committee of the whole amended the report to conform to the sentiments expressed by Bishop Hood.
 In the afternoon the conference visited in body Yale Theological seminary by in vitation extended by Professor George E. Day on behalf of the faculty of the insti- tuition. They were highly gratifed with what they saw and heard and were appro- priately addressed by Professor Day on the importance of a thorough education and the inviting field of labor that Africa presented to learned and sanctified min istry of African descent. His remarks made profound impression upon the members.
 Bishop Hood responded with some i'm pressive remarks, in which he spoke of the organization of the Zion charch and its mission under God to develop the negro here and to regenerate him in Africa.
 The ministers were conducted through the theological department.
 CONFERENCE SUNDAY.
 Conference Sunday yesterday was as us ual day of great interest and many visitors were present from Hartford, Worcester, Bridgeport, Derby, Waterbury, Green wich, Meriden and other places. The services of the day began with love feast conducted by Rev w. B. Bowens at 9 o'clock in the morning. The exhortations, the bread with each other, the shaking of ha1ls tho af falI1,-