The Afro-American., 1896-05-16
In the World
of Religion.
A. M. E. and NJ. Il.
Churches.
3A??yTs 70 Nss! IN Az
Gust.
Virginia Baptists at
Norfolk.
Maryland Baptists.
Unrest ii ID, ?'I,S ?sIi.
A DESERVING Ele-
ment.
DESERVING
nlent.
I11le
NOTES AND COMMENT.

The General Conference of the A.
M. E. Connection is having a lively
seseion down in North Carolina. The
city of Wilmington is just now the
centre of attraction to the A. NJ. e.
people. How many bishops will they
elect, and how many more dollars
will they add to the taxes to be col
lected from the struggling churches is
the question many members of the
-onnection are asking.
The consensus of opinion in this
city is that enough bishops ought to
be elected to fill the 4cancies caused
by death since the last quadrennial
meeting, and that the high honor
should be bestowed on none other
than the very best men the church can
produce.
The Me. General Conference has
given the papers much to publish
which adds nothing commendable to
the cause of Christianity. At one
session the orators are reported as
being so unruly while the Woman's
question was under fire that the pre-
siding bishop expressed his indigna-
tion by rapping until the gavel broke
in flinders.
The question of electing bishop of
African descent was disposed of by
passing a resolution making quaiifica-
tions a test for the office of bishop VS..
color. There are bishops to be elected
at this session, and the resolution
passed will be better explained by the
complexion of the pastors who will
be made bishops.
1t is very likely that the CoIored
National Baptist Convention of the
United States will hold the annual
meeting this year in August, instead
of September, as in previous years.
The sessions will be held in St. Louis,
Mo. Tt will, in all probability, be one
of the most important meetings ever
held by the cOlOred Baptists of this
country.
There is a growing element in the
fold who believe the National body
should have legislative powers, and
the element led by Or. e. X. Love of
Savannah, Ga, will, no doubt, make
themselves heard and felt at the com
ing meeting.
The real mission of the convention
is the evangelization of Africa, and
Rev. l.. G. Jordan, Foreign Mission
Secretary, and his associates will pre-
sent new plans at the August meeting,
which they hope will link all the
churches, pastors and Sunday Schools |
in the United States and raise the /
money which is now the only neces-
sity for prosecuting the African work.
The field is oCen, and the Board has
applicants ready to go, but
no money to send them. The cOnyen-
tion represents over one and half
millions of Baptists, $4,000 churches
and nearly as many pastors. aud some
of the wiser and more successful pas
tors of the focks are doing their best
to get the churches to give for Mis-
sions and the cause of education in /
with their nume RI
cal strength.
The Virginia Colored Baptists are
in session at Norfolk, Va. The con
yention has over 100 delegates, and
looks after missions in Virginia aud
Africa.
The Colored Baptists of Maryland
and the District of Columbia will
meet at Sharon Baptist Church, this
city, Thursday. May 21st, 1896, at 10
a. m.
The First Baptist Church was
packed last Monday night with the
and friends in honor of the
25th anniversary of the pastor, Rev.
J. G. Allen. The decorations we're
beautiful and the exercises very i'm
Dressive. Addresses were made by
Revs. a. B. Calls, g. r. Waller, Jno
A. Brown, Geo. f. Bragg.
IT., w. NJ Alexander, A. Yon, j. I'll
Reed. There were also other ministers
present. The exercises closed with Il
silver offering, which was presented
oy Brother Pitts, an official Of the
church. The money was a free will |
1ffeTipg, and DIR. Allen, In receiving
he hard cash, expressed MS graft
.ude for such d general mlapi -
u the appreeiatia
ind friends foa
exercises refreshR
Hna large audience free 0f cff
At the last session Of the Washing
~ Fsx4 L. II 4 tA49a