The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-19
AFRICAN METHoDISTS MEET.
THE GEORGIA CONFERENCE BE-
GINS IT'S ANNUAL SESSION.


the Presiding BfshOp-The Open
ing Observation-Disclosures to the
General Conference to BE Chosen
To-day.
Fbe Georgia conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal church convened
Yesterday at St Phillips church on New
street. and will be in session until next
Tuesday
The conference represents the oldest
and most aggressive church organiza-
ton among the colored people in this
country, it being over 100 years old. 1t
was established by Bishop Richard Al
len in 1851, at Philadelphia, but did not
show any signs of growth until after the
emancipation of the slaves. Possibly the
first organization of an annual con-
ference was the Georgia conference thirty
years ago with very small membership
embracing the state of Georgia. Since
that time two other annual conferences
have been organized. The entire connec-
ton has a membership of 600,000 1000
Of which are in the Georgia conference.
For nearly a half century the represen-
tatives of the church in this conference
have assembled annually to report and re-
view their work, to devise ways and means
for enlarging it, extending their useful
ness and elevating and educating their
race. After a years hard work. they
have assembled to report its results.
The reports made yesterday show the
progress the race has made during tine
past thirty years. During the first two or
three years of the existence of the Geor-
gla conference ana others, II was 1mpOSSl-
bic to find a secretary among the men,
bers, hence it was necessary for the
bishops to preside and keep the
tory of the conference. The church has
established educational institutions for
negro youth in all parts of the country.
Forty-three schools are owned and main
tanned by the entire connection, two of
this number being located in this state.
One of the largest colleges in the United
operated by the African Methodist Epis-
copal church in Atlanta, the Morris Brown
University. That school property and
buildings are valued at $4,000, the other
one is Bayne Institute, located at Cuth-
bert. The church has raised in ahe state
during the last year about $4,000 for ed
ucation, and the prosecution Of the work
at these two institutions.
The present session is considered one of
the most important of the conference, as
It is the closing of the quadrennial and
delegates are to be elected to the general
conferences, which convenes next May, at
young men. who have been admitted to
the conference, are anxious to be dele
gates, as four bishops are to be elected to
Bishops Payne, Ward, Brown and Way
man, and they want to have voice IN
saying who their successors shall be. The
men who have had experience in general
conferences for the last forty years are
anxious to continue in the work. The cleo
ton will take place to-day at noon, and
as 1t stands now the delegates will be
divided between the old and young men,
the former with a majority Of one;
Rev. Abraham Grant, ID. D., LII. D,
the presiding bishop, is one Of the ab ,3
Of African n,
and one of the most influential and tai
ented men in the negro race. Although
born slave in Florida, he has taken ad-
vantage of every opportunity to improve
himself. His success simply shows what
the negro boys and girls can do If they
will take advantage of the institutions by
educating themselves and attending TO
their business Bishop Grant has given
more money for education than any col
ored man in the state. He was honored
by his conferences with a trip. through
Europe, and represented his church at
the Wesleyan conference, Plymouth, Eng
land, last July While travelling through
Europe he addressed large audiences on
the condition of his race In America, and
refuted a number of statements made by
sensationalists regarding the condition of
the negro in the south. He expressed
himself as being proud of the progress OF
his race and their progress. He informed
his English brethren that the condition
of the negro in America is not nearly as
bad as is represented, yet there are cases
of lynchings. When elected bishop, eight
years ago, it was said that he was one
of the youngest men ever called to the
episcopacy by the African m; NJ r; , church;
is fortunate in having a man of such clear
ness of decision and determination to- d.
The - Conference is being held at St.
Phillips church on New street, near
Farm, one of the largest colored churches
I'm the city. Rev. T. NJ. n. Smith has had
charge of the church during the last four
years. He is a man of influence among
his race, and is editor of a paper devoted
TO its interest and that of the church. He
has succeeded while here in getting the
good will of the white people, and has
raised about $4,000 for the church work.
Fifteen hundred dollars worth of i'm
provements were made on the church to
accommodate the conference.
The conference was called to order by
ious exercises, Rev. S. d. Roseburgh, d.
D., preached the annual Introductory ser
mon. He based his remarkeS upon the
DUTY of the ministers to their work. He
advised them to pay attention to their
calling and not to hesitate to go to the
work assigned them to do by the bishop.
lie said that any man who would refuse
10 go where sent by the bishop was not
called to the work of preaching. He de-
lined the difference between a spiritual
heartily approved by the congregation
and conference. At its conclusion the
Lords supper was administered.
. The roll was called by the secretary.
Rev w. d. Johnson was elected secre-
tary; u. H. Henderson, assistant secre-
Jary; A. B. Shaw, statistician. Revs. E.
d. Brown, j.. E. Jones, and S. B, Proctor
We're appointed ushers and Charles Stew
ART OF Chicago, official stenographer.
bishop Grant made some remarks upon
me work being done by the conference
lie paid high compliment to Gov. At1in-
son for the interest manifested by that
executive in the race, and for his desire
expressed to suppress lawlessness, and to
enforce the laws of the state. He said
mat the. white people of Georgia are
often misrepresented. '"They are Cthe
better .elass) friendly toward the negro,
ana viii do anything for his progress"
ne told his ministers to go out the next
year, with a determination to teach the
people how to attend to their business,
as Wei as serve the Lord, and how to be
5000, law abiding citizens. The pastors
Ihen proceeded to make reports of their
work during the past year. All reported
an increase in finance, only a few short
ages being reported
,. Inc following are the presiding elders
t Mao have assisted in the prosecution Of
f4e work during the year: w. H. Powell,
IIi;a nav district: J. A. Wood. Bruins
WICK district; ]. b. Lotion, Darien dis
UTcti r. r. Downs, Savannah district;
" . p. Sherman, Thomasville district;
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