The colored American., 1901-06-15
Brooklyn, New York, Special

ing the New York COnferer ce of the
A. N. Z. Church held in the Bridge
street church, Brooklyn, over which
the d1gnified and eloquent Bishop w.
B. Derrick IN flowing robe, presided.
The deliberations OF the Conference
were OF a highly interesting character
thrOug hOut the sessions, and evidenced
the fact that the pessimistic critics of
the Negro both white and saddle col
nred are mostly If not altogether liars
The conduct OF the mem bals of the
body OF earnest and and intelligent Ne
gro Clergymen In the transaction of
the business OF the Conference was ex-
emplified in the highest degree, the ad-
dresses delivered by the various clergy
men visiting and others were logical,
learned and eloquent. The address Of
the missiOnary from Africa, who by
the way, was q decidedly black man,
was as ornate and finished as ever fell
from the lips OF any Negro from auy
platform. The entire proceeding of
the week furnished an object lesson to
the cranks, critics and fanlt-finders
who wink at the mCral deiirQUeneies
OF men like Prof. Heron (WhIte) and
make mountains Of any Iapses of which
the Negro who is only human, may be
guilty.
The New Conference was a dignified
gathering Of Negro cIergymen every
one OF whom has done mOIe to advance
the interests Of The Negro race and TO
give the right direction to the thought
which is to lift it higher in the scale
Of humanity than ell Of the cOnceited
and OpiniOna' ed critics who do nothing
except to crlticise and find fault with
the race becaJs 1t has not accom- mplished
In thirty Eve years what it r, Quired
the stronger races to accom- plIsh In
3 500 years But no one Will regard
seriously these petulant aud peevish
OutgiVlng OF the rheumatic and dysper-
tic cTanks who think they know ell
about the Negro and see his finish
The Negro will take care OF himself
and there will be enough Of him LETT to
attend the funerals OF all the prophets
of evil snd "Harpies" who have ST lit
the air, or spoiled good paper in the
past dozen years, to disI lay their egc-
tism and exploit their eruditI0n and
command Of the Kings own.
said Bishop Derrick presided over
the New York Conference and he did.
From my seat in the rear OF the church
L commanded coed view Of the Bish-
op and had opportunity to study the
NAN and his methods OF dealing with
men. He is model presiding officer,
cool, calm, collected and diguified-
stern. positive yet kind and generous
tn fault All the young men wheth
fr in or out of the Church love BishC D
Derrick and he loves young man and
pushes those under his watch care to
the frOnJ whenever he has opportunity
to do so. The Brooklyn aud New York
city paneTs gave very ger erOus reports s
OF the Conference and so / shall not at
tempt TO duplicate them here. My
purpose being to tender my personal
thanks TO the Bishop who is an old
friend OF twenty years stapdin Ors.
Park; Leak, Z. w. Henderson, w. L.
Hunter, M. D, the Bishops private
secretary aud the members OF the Coz
ference generally for the uniform
courtesy shown me during my visit to
the Conference, and particularly for
the hearty, aud as b:lieve We IL meant,
reception accorded me on Tuesday,
June 4th when I had the honor tC
submit paper Def re- that body of in.
telligent Negro gentlemen which was
received with marked appreciation by
the entire audience. / am under spec
ial obligations to the good Bishop fol
his kindness and courtesy in giving ms
an opportunity tn address the Confer
enCe. Bishop Derrick is one Of tht
strong forces in the A. N. E. Churct
and the impression which he has mad
on the public by his wise rulings anC
patriotic utterance7 stamp him as
man who thoroughly understands wha
is required of him as Bishop of grea