Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-20
Discussed by the. eolorsd Pastors of
the M. Conference.
Els COUNSEL EXPLAINS TEE AFFAIR
Routine Reports'for the Year Heard
and cpnsidered..
TIER PROCEEDINGS

Today's session of the Washington con-
ference Of the NJ. e. Church was marked by
a much larger attendance than at previous
meetings. The conference assembled as
usual, In Asbury e. Church, on K street,
with Rev. w. H. Brooks, presiding elder
Of the district, In the chair. The most i'm
portant business of the day was brought up
on a motion inviting John NJ. Langston to
appear before the conference and explain
the situation with regard to. ex-Consul
Waller. whose arrest, conviction and i'm
prisonment in France have been made a
subject of International inquiry and dis
pute. By some inadvertence the invitation
did not reach Mr.. Langston, but by acct
dent he happened to be present during the
hour given to discussion of the topic of
Benevolent Collections: Their Importance,
and How to Take Them" ,.-.
The Waller Case.
Mr.. Langston said he was very grateful
for an opportunity to speak before the con-
ference in behalf of brother black man
whose lot had fallen in such hard lines.
There could be no question of the injustice
Of Mr.. Walters sentence to Imprisonment
for twenty years. and the case was one
which colored men would watch with a
deep interest. Necessarily, as matter of
Mr.. Waller would be released. In that in
terval his wife and four children were desti-
tute. In no better way could the topic of
the morning be illustrated than by a ,prac-
teal act Of benevolence in providing to
some degree for this destitute family. The
President of the United States promptly
acted in behalf of Mrs. Waller and her
children when the case was called to his
attention.
Coming ms Witnesses. ..-,--..,
An American in Madagascar had provided
means to enable the family to reach Port
Louis, on the coast. and President, Cleve-
land had ordered that they be brought
home to the United States by way of
France where Mrs. Waller hoped to be
able to see her husband. The family were
being brought home as witnesses in the
proceedings for Walters release, and they
were expected to arrive in the United
States about the list of October. When
they arrive here they will pc destitute. and
Mr.. Walters attorneys had provided that all
who desired to aid the family coald de-
posit contributions with Riggs & Co., to be
placed in fund subject to Mrs. Walters
order.
Several members OF the conference rose
to suggest motions In regard to the Wal
Ter matter but the chairman postponed
consideration of it ilnstil later session.
YcarlSeReports.
During the morning reports were made by
exhorters, by class leaders, and church stew
ards The exhorters and class leaders made
an interesting showing of the religious life
and growth of the various churches and
spoke earnestly for the prospect of greater
and more encouraging work in the future.
The stewards were called upon for state
ments in regard to tie finances of their vari-
Gus churches. AS there were many churches
to hear from. much time was necessarily &C.
cupied in hearing these reports. AS a rule,
they showed a healthful financial condition
of the churches and generous willingness
on part Of mcmbersIto give for church sup
pert. Almost withoatsexception the reports
spoke Of better times ahead and larger con-
tributions for church purposes.
Upon the topic Of church benevolence Rev.
s. A. Lewis, Rev. Benjamin Myers and Rev.
w. r. Wilson made brief addresses.
Finance Committee.
At the afternoon session yesterday de-
vottonal exercises were participated in by
Rev. D. D. Johnson. Rev. Benjamin Mey-
ers. r. H. Alexander, A. w. Brooks and
John o. Clark were appointed a committee
to collect the finances due the district con-
ference. Reports of pastors on the work OF
the year were heard. In the evening the
exercises consisted of a sermon by Rev.
Thomas H. Bl ooks on Conservation as an
Element of Success in Christian Work. "
Following the sermon, the subjects OF
"City Missions" and Church Extension
were discussed by Rev. w. R. Davis and
Mr.. e. s. Atkinson.