Marshall County independent., 1898-09-16

Previous to his lecture Paul Gilbert,
the evangelist, sang bea ltiful solo
and Mrs. Scott made few remarks or
the line of DR.. Mason's theme.
The purpose of the Freedman's Aid
society was defined by DR.. Mason and
the many accomplis hments in the way
of church and character building in the
negro districts of the South were pict-
ured to the audience. He told of
young negro boys who were born in
slavery and who never attended a
school of any kind until after they had
passed their tenth year but who with
the assistance of the Freedmen's Aid
society had been educated into the pro-
fessions. Some are physicians, some
teachers IN colleges and over 1000 are
preachers of the gospel. They are now
toiling for the intellectual emancipation
of race that was So long in bondage.
The speaker emphatically objected
to determinations on account of color
True character is the proper measuring
stick to estimate humanity, whether
white or black. He spoke of the loyal
ty of the negro race to our common
country, telling how the brave black
men so invincibly fought side by side
with the white soldiers at Santiago, and
Tow together they had given Spain the
"best 'panking she ever had"
He very curtly defined the meaning
of the ID. ID. which follows his name.
at does not mean Doctor of Divinity
so much,' said the speaker, "as it
means Donated Dignity"
During his lecture of an hour and a
half the attention did not abate, his apt
humor keeping his audience in proper
mood for the re ;eption of the import
ant issue in the interest of which he
was here. Most everyone left the
church with the full determination to
contribute something this year to assist
the Freedmen's Aid society. Bishop
Bowman surrendered to the speaker
before he had quite finished his dis
course, contributing dollar on the
spot.
The Saturday session of the confer
ence was opened by Bishop Warren.
He introduced Bishop Bowman, who
gave parting talk as he was obliged
/ to leave that morning.
The first question of Importance that
came up was the locating of the next
conference. Rev. w. I'll. Wise invited
the next conference to come to Green
castle and Rev. Hollingsworth gave a
similar invitation on behalf of Frank
fort. Greencastle was supported by
DR.. Gobln and DR.. Hickman. Frank
fort was urged by DIR. S. p. Colvin, Ell
der Dale and others. Forty-six favored
Greencastle and seventy-three favored
Frankfort. The conference will meet
next year at Frankfort.
Prof f. A. Shell was appointed by
Bishop Warren to preach the mission
ary sermon next year, and w. E. Nc
| kenZle, alternate.
DR.. Towne then read the report of the
board of examiners
The committee on incorporation of the
conference advised that no action be
taken. DR.. Hickman moved substi-
tute motion to the effect that the Ell
ders appoint committee of three to
submit plan of corporation. The SUBJ
stitute was tabled and the majority re-
port carried.
The church board of extention of last
year was continued for another year.
The matter of disposing of funds
which has come to the conference at
the bequest of Martha Ray, deceased,
of Tlppecanoe county, came up for q
timely discussion. This lady bequeath
ed farm worth $4,000 for the pur-
pose of an Epworth hospital. The 10
cation was such that 1t was not advisa-
BILE to locate hospital there, 1t being
six miles from city. Besides the
heirs contested the matter but a settle
ment was made whereby the confer
ence receives $4,000. The discussion
was in regard to what disposition should
be made of the funds. Some favored
giving it to the South Bend hospital
and others favored giving it to the
Preachers Aid society. s. p, Colvin,
the lawyer preacher favored giving to
the Aid society. DIR. Hickman moved
that the money be held in trust until
some future time when the conference
could take more intelligent action
This motion prevailed.
Rev. w. III. Wise, chairman of the
educational committee, then presented
the report with a long list of resolutions.
The report was accepted by the confer
ence.
Mrs. Rev. ID. M. Wood presided at the
W0man's Home Missionary SOriety
meeting. Addresses were given by
Mrs James Dale and others.
AT o'clock Mrs. Rev. Isaac Dale
| @ad Of hn W, 20