Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-27
CHURCH WORK IN THE SOUTH
Inauguration of Evangelistic Movement
Among the Colored People.
the management In Hands of a COM
mittce of Protestant EpiscopaI
Church-An Address.

Rev. Owen NJ. Waller recto~ of st. Luke's
p. E. Church, and Rev. William v Tun-
nell, warden of King Hall, the 2. E. Theo-
logical Seminary for the education of col
ored ministers in this city, who were ap-
pointed members of committee 10 inaugr-
rate an important church work among the
colored people of the south, have issued an
address in explanation of the scheme, in
which they say:
Looking over the field, We are heartily
thankful for what has been accomplished
at different points in our branch of the
church's work, and for the Increase in the
ministry. AT the same time we are con-
scious of certain pressing needs among the
people. which hinder the development of
the further progress of the church's work
There is need of better homes, in order that
thereby practical morality may be ad-
ranced among our people. There is need
of reform in the prison system, the aboIi-
ton of the chain gang, and the establish
ing of rescue missions and reform schools
We desire to add our hearty condeInna-
ton to the convict lease system, lynching
and the crimes which provoke this bar
barous and inhuman practice.
There is need of larger contributions
from the general church for carrying on
the missionary work. At the same time We
urge upon our people the necessity of sys-
tematic giving, with the view of greater
self-support.
Another need is the strengthening or
unification of our normal and theological
schools, that there may be a more econo-
mic expenditure of the churchs funds.
AN apostolic system of real evangelical
ton of our people is needed. The confer
ence considers that the church cannot pos
among the mass of the colored people
without a change in the present system OF
administration"
Endorsed by Conference.
The authority for the Issuance of this
address was given the committee by a con-
ference of church workers of the Protest
ant Episcopal faith, among colored people,
which was held in Baltimore last week, at
which large number of the most promi-
nent persons, both white and colored en-
gagged, in that mission, We're present
The subject had been discussed i'll many
former conferences, and as a result of the
agitation many of the colGred clergy who
have heretofore vigorously opposed the
move are row enthusiastic advocates of
the scheme of having colored bishops
Chief among these IS Mr.. Waller who in
trCduced the matter at the late conference
and was also appointed chairman OF a com :.
nittee 10 superintend the work.
Preliminary Report.
Before the adjournment of the confer
cree, the committee submitted a prelimi-
nary report, which was Endorsed by that
body, and which read as follows:
The committee appointed to consider
some plan for more effectively extending
the church among the colored people beg
leave to report that, in their opinion owing
TO racial and historical conditions which
cannot easily be controlled, and which
operate to retard the development of the
church among the colored people as a.
present constituted, some adaptation or re-
organization, duly enacted by the general
convention, Is necessary, whereby the
church set apart missionary Jurisdictions.
subject to the house of bishops over which
coiored bishops be appointed
Your committee prays that 1t be en-
powered TO lay this matter before the col
orcd clergy and laity of the church during
the ensuing year. with view of ascertain.
ing their approval or disapproval of the
plan suggested"