The record-union., 1897-08-20
THE COLORED METHODISTS.
SECOND DAY OF THEIR AN
NUAL CONFERENCE.
a Los Angeles Elder Dropped-New
Ministers Examined-Presid-
ing Elders Report.

Yesterdays session of the thirtfeth an
nual conference of the African Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, held in St. And
rew's Church in this city. was well at
tended and the interest throughout was
unfagging.
Bishop Wesley J. Gaines of Atlanta,
Ga, called the conference to order at
10 o'clock, and praise service was con-
Quoted by Presiding Elder John Pointer,
who after the invocation and hymn took
for the lesson the first psalm.
The minutes Of the previous meeting
were read and approved, and reports re-
epecting the financial condition and the
membership Of the several churches
were in order.
Rev. w. r. Chapman reported for the
San Diego church that the finances We're
In a healthy condition, and that the
membership had had steady, though
not a large increase.
Rev. Robert Arlington, pastor of the
Bakersfield Church, reported progress,
as did also Rev. w. w. Grimes, pastor
of the Stockton congregation
Rev. K. n. Hardeman, pastor of the
Marysville flock, reported the financial
situation to be good, and explained
that the interest taken in church work
by the people is steadily increasing.
Presiding Elder John Pointer stated
that Elder ]. H. Nelson of Los Angeles
had withdrawn from his church with
out permission from the Presiding Elder
or from the church, and had not de-
manded his letter from the church until
long after his connection had been sew
cred from the same.
Bishop Gaines urged that a Christian
feeling be extended to Elder Nelson, who
he had ascertained had done nothing
immoral and whose only fault was in
withdrawing from one church to serve
as pastor of another.
Elder Pointer favored Bishop Gaines
proposition, but was inclined to believe
that Elder Nelson ought to show re-
spect for the church and its proper Off
cials.
In the end Bishop Gaines suggested
that the name of Elder Nelson be with
drawn as a delegate to the conference,
as representing a church, and it was so
ordered.
The interesting feature of passing up
on the character of the several ministers
was next taken up, and all were heartily
had been received that Rev. Robert
Arlington of Bakersfield was in the
habit of quarreling and being too Sc
we're on his flock, and he came in for
gentle chiding at the hands of Bishop
Gaines Rev. Arlington stated that his
congregation had been mistaken in
thinking he was quarrelsome and too
strict, but said that he may have had
-. r,f t,e,x -9y1cr
such was the case he would in the future
try to remedy matters.
The several standing committees were
not yet ready with their reports and
they were considerably given until this
morning to do so by the Bishop.
Presiding Elder John Pointer sub
rnitted his annual report, which con-
tanned sub-reports from the pastors of
the several churches represented in the
conference. The report showed the re-
suits of the work done by the several
churches to have been gratifying in the
extreme, and all showed advancement
along the lines of Christianity. The re-
port, however failed to state the num-
Der of new members admitted during
the year. and Elder Pointer win furnish
that information at this mornings ses-
sion.
The question being Where shall the
next conference be held Bishop Gaines
called attention to the fact that for the
past two years it had been held in the
northern part of the State and suggest
ed that, as a matter of courtesy to the
people in the citrus belt, it ought next
year to be held in the south.
Elder Pointer suggested that San
Diego would be a proper place for hold
ing the conference, but his suggestion
did not meet with the approval of the
conference.
Then Rev. Harry Wilson of Riverside
said a word for his town The mem
bers of the church in that place. he said.
proposed to care for the conference after
the arrival of the ministers, and to put
up 500 toward paying their expenses
to and from the annual meeting.
Rev. E c. Cothman, however, spoke
in favor of Los Angeles. and his re-
marks were received with a burst Of ap-
plause. He extolled the beauties of the
southern city and the warmness of the
welcome always extended by its people.
Being put to a vote, Los Angeles re-
ceived the support of every delegate ex-
cept Rev. Wilson of Riverside, who was
loyal to his people to the last.
Rev. Wilson explained that it was
through no discourtesy that he held out
for Riverside and was informed by the
Bishop that his position was appreciated
and that at some time in the future
Riverside will be chosen as the place for
holding the annual conference.
At ! o'clock p. IN. a recess was taken
until 10 o'clock this morning, when the
several reports of standing committees
viii be received.