The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1899-01-28
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OF the A. NJ. f.. Church of North
Mississippi.
Large Attendance of Eminent Divincs and
I.aity.

SlO HllulsttFS are III II'e Clty dItcuuiuS
the 23rd annual session Of the North
Mississippi Conference Of the African
Methodist Episcopal church, which
opened here Wednesday morning and
will continue in session until Monday
night when the ministers will he ap-
pointed to their work for the next y
moths, by Bishop WI4iar1 Benjamin
Derrick, p. D., IL. D.. Of New York.
The Conference represents the pro-
gress the co,or"d folks have made in
the past thirty five years. Many Of the
| ministers were born in slavery days,
and after the cmanc' patton took ad,
vantage of such schools as were opened
to the negroes and have made rapid
progress. Some OF them are learned
men, whilo others know but little
more than they did when they entered
the world. They however carry the
people by storms. being able to put
! their hands behind thejr ears and turn
! churches over, so to speak. This clus.,
o. negro p. eSchcrs are Sill Going som"
good; work in the rural districts. They
feel their i'm portance, aud receive their
appointments each year and go out ard
wage war, against the devil and sin.
Another class OF you7g men, who are
sons Of sla res, and who he'd better
school advantages than their parents,
have entcred the ministry from choice,
aud Others from circumstances ind are
doing their part in developing the race
and preparing them for better citizen
ship. They show what is possible for
the people TO accomplish. Some are
college graduates and are good Greek
aud Hebrew scholars. They are neat>
ly at,ired and are strong men. This
class OF men presided over hy one
OF the most learned coorcd mon in
America. have net here for the pur-
pose of reporting their lat years work.
and their conflict with sin ard evil.
1T IS an interesting thing 70 visit the
conference and hear " young college
'r"d negro make a speech, au,i then
hear one who is graduate from the
school Of experience, holding his d.
p!"lnH from Swamp University, Doth
aiming at the same thing, the eleva-
ton of the race
bishop Derrick called The conference
I 0 order at 0 o'rlock Wcdursuy morn.
ing, all of the ministers wi'4 bnl few
exceptions being present and taking
part in the opening exercises. The songs
we're appropriate and the prayers ap-
pea!ing. The opening sermon was
preached by Rev. DR.. r. w. Hcnder-
son, OF Philadelphia. Holy Commun-
ion was administered by The Bishop,
who was assisted by general officers
and presiding elders. Following this.
the Bishop delivered a timely lecture
to his ministers, giving them some
good advice on race elevation. H. said
that the preachers we're the only
recognized leaders of the cclored race.
and as such they should live right
"Hon cannot practice evil and lead The
people, he declared, "and YOU must
lead by example, He said that the
progress Of the race wa. often retarded
BY impure men getting in the pulpit,
and he indicated that his church had
reached the place where it would &c.
rid of bad preachers. He asked those
who were unable to live right to with
draw from the connection, thereby saw
ing the trouble Of expelling them. He
referred to preachers who we're going
around the country making love to the
sisters. He put 10 foot down on it In
strong language, telling his preachers
to love and support their wives and be
true TO them. He called halt on the
kissing business and said that if there
was Il preacher in the conference who
was guilty he would haye to look for
another job. In closing hs told the
negroes that this was their homo and
they would have to remain here and
build 1t up. He said that the negro
would have to make friends with tho
white people, and live here, save their
money and invest it in homes.
In the conference are a number Of
distinguished visitors, who were intro.
luced to the conference. Vicar Bishop
James M. Dwane, OF South Africa, who
S here studying the condition of the
American negroes and their mode and
customs of church worship; H. Blan-
lon Parks, D. D., Of New York City,
secre,aryaThomas W. Hen
|erson, D. D., of Philadelphia, Pa,
General manager of the Book Concern;
4. M. Moore, D. D., Washington, D.
y, financial secretary: H. r. johnson.