The record-union., 1897-08-19
Am. E. CHURCH CONFERENCE
ANNUAL SESSION NOW BEING
HELD HERE.
Bishop Gaines Of Georgia Presid'
ing-His Earnest Appeal for
GodlinesS.

Methodist Church yesterday, the occd-
sion being the thirteenth annual con-
ference of the African Methodist Epis-
copal Church. The session was pre-
sided over by Bishop Wesley j. Gaines
OF Atlanta. Ga.
After a prayer by Rev. E. T. Cott-
man of Los Angeles Bishop Gaines de-
lvered 4 discourse, the text Of which
was taken from the 37th Psalm. God,
said the speaker, wanted men of bold
ness to preach and labor with the
wicked, not one of meekness. Chris
tianity's worst enemies are those who
have foIsaken their vows while remain
ing nolninally within the pale of the
churches. This class Of so-called Chris
tians should be dealt with vigorously,
but without vindietiveness. The pas
tor should never forget that he is a
messenger from Cod and at the same
time the servant of the people.
God wanted people to trust and de-
pend on Him. Many never think of
having their souls saved until the hour
of death comes, and the grave stares
them in the face. But if they would
live as they should live they would
be prepared for death, and would have
no anxiety about their future lives.
He did not claim to be himself sancti-
fed, but he was striving TO that end,
and felt that he was on the right road.
He joined the church when a child of
nine years of age, and for forty-six
years had endeavored to follow its
teachings. He hoped to live till he is
eighty years of age, and if spared that
long he Will be found always waving
the banner of Christ
Bishop Gaines said he had learned to
love the people of the coast, who had
treated him so kindly that he had even
sent word to his flock at home that
he would like to remain here. His wife,
who was an invalid, had experienced
a great Improvement in her health since
coming here, and health is better than
money.
The speaker had some kind things to
say of the newspapers, which he ranked
next to the Bible as educators of the
people. "A man." he said, who doesn't
read a newspaper can't be intelligent.
The press is the greatest power on
earth IN forming public opinion, and I
want to see good men at the helm. The
press and pulpit Joined together could
successfully conquer sin in any city"
The color of a mans skin does not
prevent him from being a gentleman.
ways have the respect of his fellow
men. He had no use for men who
would desert their wives and children,
and so long as he could prevent it no
such person would ever receive an ap-
pointment by the conference. The wife
deserter and bigamist should have his
character burnt into his brow, that all
men might know him. Only good
Christians should be put at the front.
YOUNG MEN NOW.
The conference was next addressed
by Rev. p. r. Green of Martinez, a
veteran minister. who has passed the
allotted three-score and ten years of
life. He was warmly received when in
troduced. The old men, he said, were
rapidly passing away. and the minis
try is now mostly filed with young
men. He saw few others about him,
but the young men of to-day are bet
ter educated and fitted for the work of
the church than those who had to
struggle against the disadvantages of
the past, He felt that the church is
in good hands.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Bishop Gaines announced the stand
ing committees for the ensuing year
as follows:
Public Worship-D. r. Jones, j. E.
Edwards, John Pointer
Dollar Money!. E. Edwards, E. T.
Cottman
Missionary Money-w. B. Anderson.
Contingent Money-John Pointer, W.
r. Chapman.
Endowment Day Money!. E. Ed
wards, H. Wilson, s. s. Freeman.
Children's Day Money!. f. Ander-
son, X. N. Hardeman.
Finance. E. Edwards. E. T. Cott-
man, D. r. Jones.
Church Extension Money = P. R
Green, w. w. Grimes.
Mile Missionary Money!. r. Green,
j. r. Dorsey.
Minute Money-D. R. Jones. W. B.
Anderson.
Bible Cause-P. r. Green.
Educational Report. f. Edwards,
E. It. Cottman, w. B. Anderson.
Temperance Report - w. B, Ander-
son, w. W. Grimes.
Publication Department and Allen
Day-John Pointer, H. Wilson.
Circuits and Stations-John Pointer,
d. r. Jones' ]. E. Edwards. E. T.
Cottman W. B. Anderson.
State of the Church-W. B. Anderson,
c. W. H. Nelson, J. E Edwards.
Validity of Deeds-John Pointer, D.
r. Jones' p. r. Green.
Memoirs-E. #. Cottman, John Point
er, J. E. Edwards
Admission j. E. Edwards, John
Pointer.
First Years Class-D. R. Jones, ].
+. Anderson.
Second Years Class-E. T. Cottman,
S. S. Freeman.
Third Years Class-John Pointer w.
p Anderson, D. Johnson.
Fourth Years CIass-John Pointer
]. E. Edwards, E. T. Cottman. D. r.
Jones.
Local Deacon's Orders-E. r. Cott-
man, W. W. Grimes.
Local Elders Orders. E. Edwards,
D. r. Jones, John Pointer
Presiding Elders Assessments. T.
Cottman. ]. E. Edwards. w. B. Ander-
son.
Rev. d. r. Jones. pastor of the local
church, was elected Secretary and Rev.
W. B. Anderson of San Francisco Stat
istician.
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
The annual statement of the Secretary
and Treasurer of the A NJ E. Church
Sunday-school Union, with headquar-
ters at Nashville, Tenn. was read. The
report said that on August 11th, this
year, the Sunday-school Union Wit
messed its fifteenth anniversary 1t is
the first eolored religious denomination
to adopt "Children's Day as an ami
versary of annual observance and to
apply the collections received therefrom