Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-11-21
SOUTH A. NJ. &. CONFERENCE
OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST
CHURCH IN SESSION.
Many Distinguished Colored Men in
Attendanee.-A Review of
the Work.

! CLARENDON, Ark. Nov. lS.-Tht
South Arkansas conference OF tn,
African Methodist Episcopal churel
opened this morning with Rt. Rev
VIM. Benz. Derrick, D. D., of New
York presiding.
Promptly at 8 O'Clock Bishop Der
rick called the conference TO order
making a short address in which he
outlined the business to come before
the session and urged the pastors
who had spent a busy year working
for the church and race, to work t.
make the conference "A success finan-
cially and spiritually. Rev. A. A.
Williams, d. D.. lined the oDeniBg
hymn ana Presiding Elder +. B.
Carolina, made the opening prayer
DR.. II. e. Johnson, read scripture
lesson and the liturgy services
We're conducted by Rev. H. H. King.
Rev. J. w. Whiteside, delivered The
annual sermon. He discussed the
duties of the ministers. His sermon
brought forth shouts Of amens and
many other expressions OF approval.
After the sermon the Holy Com
munion was administered to the
members of the conference by Bishop
Vim. b. Derrick who was assisted by
the presiding Elders. Bishop Derrick
then delivered his address to the con
ference. Ie advised the pastors who
had labored for years in the
course OF saving souls to
unite in doing what they
could for the upbu ilding ofhumanity
and to serve God with all their
hearts. Among other things he told
them they would he required to
study. Our motto during the next
four years will be Educate, educate.
educate, or perish In explaining
the motto he said that the ministers
who expected to hold appointments
in the future would be required to
study, and the young men who ex-
pected to enter the ministry should
have at least common school ed
ucation or they would not be re-
ceiyed into his conferences. This he
impressed upon the minds Of all
present and especially the committee
on admission
He admonished them in his Epis-
copal address to use moderation in
the pulpit. He did not approve OF
preachers making blood and thunder
speeches which tended only to create
friction Of races, thereby causing
blood shed. He wanted the men
who held appointments under him
to work to establish and maintain
friendly reIationsbetween the races.
His address was received amid great
applaudits and enthusiasm.
Rev. G. T. Shaiier, Secretary and
Treasurer OF the church extension
department OF his church, is in at
tendance. He is a citizen OF ! hila-
delDhia and gentleman OF refine
ment, ana a scholar OF rare parts
He is a graduate of Berea college
Ky, holds a dioloma from one of the
leading medical colleges OF Philadel-
phia.
H. T. Johnson. PHI. d., Editor OF
the Recorder and DR.. l.. w. w.
Manaway, OF Mississippi, the travel
ing companion of the Bishop, are
also present. DR.. Manaway is one
of the leading orators Of his race in
this country. He travels with the
Bishop over his district, and may
some day bud into bishop or gen
eral officer.
Rev. W. c Cox, OF Morrilton, Sec
rotary to Bishop II. NJ. Turner,
editor of the Voice Of Missions; J. E.
Carter, A. B., OF Texarkana and
Prof Chas Stewart, OF Chicago,
arrived this morning and were pres
ent ut the opening.