Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-20
Advancement of the African Metho-
dist Episcopal Zion Church.
CELEBRATION OF ITS CENTENNIAL
interesting Addresses Delivered by
Its Representative Men.
Me st Att STIC S

M. E. Zion Church, which began yesterday
morning at Metropolitan Wesley A. NJ. E.
Zion Church, d street between ID and Sd
southwest. was continued after the re-
port in The Star closed, with but slight
intermission for recess until late last night.
Many interesting topics, Of interest to the
connection at large were discussed.
The subject treated by Bishop Small was
Our Literature" In part the bishop said
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church was standing upon the last round
of the first century of her existence, and;
as she claims the recognition which this
period of MONDAY enlightenment demands
it might be asked HAS she Il literature, and
of what does her literature consist?'
Thirty years ago. he said, the race was
not merely debarred from all branches of
literary pursuit. hut it was a punishable
offense for any member thereof to be seen
with piece of paper in his hand trying to
discern the letters of the alphabet. 1t could
not be expected that with scarcely thirty
years advantages in the field of literature
that the highest quality of literary achieve
ment could be reached.
Nevertheless the race had literature,
and. for it's chances. the world must admit
they need not be ashamed of it.
Colleges md Authors.
Bishop Small then noted Livingston Col
lege, an institution which has spread its
influence far and wide. and is one of the
numerous and undenable evidences of the
ability of colored men to lead in & great
undertaking; Jones University: Booker
WashinSton's Institution at Tuscaloosa
Ala; Petty High School, Lancaster, S. c.;
Greenville High School. Greenville, Tenn ;
Zion High School. Norfolk, Va: GreenvilIe
High school, Greenville, Ala; Atkinson
college,. Madison, KY, and other schools of
less note.
There were." he said quite an array
OF authors. the product Of the African
the world as well the church may be
proud Among these he named Bishop
Christopher Rush. Bishop John ]. Moore.
Bishop James W. Hood, Bishop Singleton
7. jones. Rev. G. L. Blackwell, 8. T. B.:
Rev. DR.. r. r. Morris, Rev John wesley
Brown. Rev DIR. John f. Price. Rev. j..
Harvey Anderson, j. b. Small, Bishop c. C.
Pettey. D. D.: Rev. DIR. f. George l;iddle,
Rev. i. d. Blackson and others.
Mr.. John C. Dancy, editor of the Church
quarterly. had for its subject, Civil and
religious Liberty and treated his subject
IN an Instructive and interesting manner.
THE Origin, Progress and Achievements
of the A. NJ. f. Zion Church was the sub
ject of the address of Rev. W. H. Mari
shall of Harrisburg, Pa, assistant secre-
t;y OF the conference: and Professor VIII
liam Howard Day of Harrisburg. secretary
of the A. NJ. f. Zion Church. spoke ON
Our Educational Institution" The sneak
er traced the work the A. NJ f. Zion
Church had done for education. and claim
ed that this church was the pioneer in the
cause Of negro education
Inc centennial hymn, written especially
Tor the occasion by Rev. r. Alonzo Scott
OF Tennessee. was sung by the author as a
solo. the large audience Joining in, the
chorus.
The Future of the A. NJ. E. Zion
church was the theme of Rev. J. S.
CoWles of York. Pa, who, in part. said:
Having risen from handful of members,
hn
native period, and having met all its op-
positions and vanquished them, so that to-
DAY what was a handful has become a
strong army. 1t is reasonable to presume
that the future will be brighter than the.
past, and that Zion Church is to march
forward to complete victory"
Kew DR.. w. H. Chambers talked of "Our
Girls and Their Possibilities "H-nH
Some Interesting stnti.ties. ~
Rev. DR.. George S. Adams made an ,ad-
dress on Our Numerical, Intellectual and
Religious Strength" and in the course Of
his remarks said: 1.-The A. NJ. E. Zion
Church L. not only the Oldest colored or
largest. 1t has 1881 members. 40is,
preachers. 10000 Sunday schools, 125.OOO
scholars and nine of the ablest bishops liv-
ing, regardless Of church or race. Her,
borders stretch from Canada to the Gulf
OF Mexico from the sun-,it hills of chs
Atlantic to the golden gates Of the west,
She has also hofsted her banner in the
vest Indies and Africa; she has hoisted her
banner in two worlds; has inscribed upon
1t the insignia, The World for God and for
ZiCn'"
A paper expressive Of the satisfaction of
the mem bership generally in having the
conference meet here was read by Mrs. c.
N. Robinson of Harrisburg. Pa; one on
"Woman's Place in the Church." by Mrs.
Bishop j. B. Small. and another on "Orig1n
and Development of Sunday School Work"
by Rev. W. ]. Holland.
During the evening meeting the speaking
Vas suspended to permit the committee on
temperance to make its report. The report
recommended. among other matters, that
every minister addicted to the use of to-
bacco be left without appointment by the
bishop during the ensuing conference year.
This part of the report created much op-
position, and, on motion, was stricken out,
whereupon the rest of the paper was adopt
ed by a unanimous vote.
The conference resumed it's business
meetings this morning and the entire ses-
sion was occupied with the examination of
the characters of the ministers All pass
ed satisfactorily.