The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-27
LEXINGTON CONFERENCE
THE THIRTY-sECOND ANNUAL MEET
ING BEGINS HERE TO-DAY.
Important Matters to BE Considered
During the SessiOn-A Pre-
Iiminary Meeting.

The thirty-second annual meeting of the
Lexington Conference of the African Meth
odist Episcopal Church, which embraces
the Kentucky. Indiana and Ohio districts
of the A. NJ. E.. Church, with six appoint
ments in Illinois. will begin in Simpson
Chapel, at the corner of Missouri and Elev-
enth streets, this morning.
The Lexington Conference was originally
known as the Kentucky Conference and
was composed of both whites and negroes,
but the blacks were afterwards separated
and the present conference now controls 156
churches. which have a valuation of $247.-
500. There are 155 pastors in the conference,
and among the important business to be
transacted by the present meeting will be
their appointments for the ensuing year.
The various congregations of the present
conference are represented by 146 delegates,
many of those present being prominent
throughout the United States. 1t was esti-
mated that about two-thirds of the dele
gates had arrived last night, and the others
are expected to put in an appearance some
time to-day. Among those who will attend
the present meeting are: Stephen Nj. Mer-
rill. the presiding bishop of the conference;
w. f. Oldham, secretary of the Missionary
Society; NJ. S. Hard, secretary of the
Church Extension Society; w. p. Thirk-
field, secretary of the Freedman's Aid and
Southern Educational Society; Il. b. Medley,
secretary of the Sunday School Union; l..
G.. Penn, assistant secretary OF the Ep-
worth League; Il. w. 5. Hammond, presid-
ing elder of the Louisville district; Joseph
Courtney, of the board of managers OF the
Freedman's Aid and Southern Educational
Society; j. II. Stanley, presiding elder of
the Lexington district: j. l.. Ferguson, pre-
siding elder of the Ohio district; l. Il. Scott,
editor, and s. w. Christian, manage of the
Southwestern Advocate; j. w. n. Bowen,
professor OF ancient and sacred history in
the Cannon Theological College at At
lanta, Ca, and others.
A NEW CONSTITUTION.
Among the important business matters to
be settled by this conference is the adop-
ton OF the new constitution referred from
the last General Conference. The new on
stitution contains a provision removing the
time limit in the duration of a pastorate.
1t is also proposed to admit women as dele
gates TO the General Conference. Another
matter to be considered Is the proposition
to establish a school for the higher educa-
ton of the colored youths of the Lexington
Conference. III the plan meets with favor
able consideration a college will be erected
on a site to Doe selected in Kentucky.
Preliminary to the opening of the con-
ference this morning the Rev. Irvine Gar
land Penn, assistant general secretary of
the Epworth League of the a. NJ. T..
Church, last night delivered an address to
an audience that completely filled the
chapel on the Work and Growth of the
Epworth League" After speaking OF the
marvellous growth of the league organiza-
ton Mr.. Penn spoke of its work In relation
TO other denominations. "Methodism." he
said, has always stood TO help all the peo-
pie without respect TO race or denomina-
ton. In this day, when all legislation
against the negro is based upon the prof
ligacy and shiftlessness of the young peo-
pie, il would have a pleasant moral effect
for the young negro people 10 drop denomi-
national lines and to assemble in n great
conference so that il may be known that
some have not bowed their head TO Baal."
In conclusion Mr.. Penn said: There Is a
future in America for upright, intelligent,
spiritual. moral and thrifty young people
of the negro race. We are many years re-
moved from where the fathers were. BE
therefore not discouraged. BE manly, be
COURAGEOUS, be dutiful. be helpful and stand
bv the church and the schoolhouse. The
building of a race and the acceptance of the
sons and daughters of ex-slaves by ex-
Shareholders on terms of equality cannot
entirely be accomplished I'm a day. We
have run we'll: only TO run faster and bet
ter must be the rallying cry. For IL We
need young men and women trained in
heart head and body