The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-06-12
A. NJ. E. CONFERENCE.
The Colored Methodist to Meet
in 0skaloosa.

The twentieth annual session of the
Iowa Conference OF the A. NJ. Z.
church is to be held in this city dur
ing the month of September, 1903.
The African Methodist Episcopal
church is distinctly negro organ
ization, the distinctive product of his
constructive genius, the highest ex-
ponent of his capabilities of self gov
eminent. The Iowa Conference en-
braces the state of Iowa, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, the two Dakotas, and the
northern part of Illinois, including the
CITY of Chicago. The roster of the
Iowa Conference contains some OF the
most brilliant churchmen of the goth
century. men of national and inter
national reputation. Ri, Rev. A.
Grant. d. D., the presiding bishop, is
one of the most noted churchmen in
the world, a Cariolanus in statue, a
fervent and graceful pulpit orator,
who has met and preached before the
crowned heads of the old world, and
universally recognized as one of the
foremost leaders of thought and action
upon this planet. The local church in
this city has been commissioned %
make arrangements necessary to the
entertainment of this distinguished
body. Our membership is small and
the necessity of help is apparent. IT
is estimated that between $3.50 AMI
$500 will be required for our work,
and TO a generous public this appeal
is made The enlightened and pro
gressiye element of the colored people
are engaged in the work of elevating
their less fortunate brethren. The
colored race is now scattered all over
the United States.
The great African Methodist church
sends her agents everywhere and
wherever the dusky sons of Ham are
found they unfurl the banner of the
Cross and proclaim the fatherhood of
God and brotherhood of man. If they
find them poor, ignorant and vicious,
they make them thrifty, honest and
virtuous. This church has been try
ing for one hundred years to better
the condition of the colored race. She
frowns down vice and immortality. She
teaches her children thrift, economy
and virtue. The great work of edu-
eating, outstanding and training
race devolves upon the progressive
element of the colored race.
1t is the duty and has been the pleas
ure of hundreds of true and brave
hearted white people to assist the col
ored churches. The great NJ. +.
church has done a good work, as also
have the Presbyterians, Congregation.
alists and members of other white
churches. Here in Mahaska county,
in the city of Oskaloosa, are nearly
five hundred colored people, most Of
whom have gathered here within
twenty-five years. A few families have
made commendable use of them.
Some of these are we'll known and
held in high esteem by the people of
this community. They have all ac-
cumulated fair property and made
records as enterprising and thrifty
men and a number of others are mod
els of industry.
Ignorant preachers, i'll disciplined
and i'll regulated religious societies
have perhaps done as much evil as
good. The African Methodist church
is today shaping the destiny of mill
ion negroes, with eleven bishops and
two thousand preachers she is busy
planting true standards of moral and
high social precepts. Religious in
structi9n and church discipline is the
crying need of the colored people. The
object Of this article is to place before
you as near as possible in its brief
limits some thoughts about the COL
ored people with the hope that 1t will
be responded to by liberal proffer
of aid from our white neighbors and
friends. The destiny of the negro is a
problem of national moment, it pre-
sents itself wherever the colored man
is found.
Each citizen as well as each COM
munity has its individual duty to per-
form. Whoever moulds a thought or
promotes an idea in the remotest part
of our land contributes to the destiny
of the republic. Just so each individ-
ual who aids the colored man lends
helping hand to the righteous adjust
ment Of one of the most momentous
questions of today. Broad, thorough
religious instruction and correct
church discipline is the great lever by
which a race is tolerated.
Don't despise the negro, he is a
child of destiny. He is the worlds
greatest enigma. His past is as
mysterious as the enduring sphynx
which stands lonely witness of de-
parted greatness. His future is hidden
in the impenetrable folds of coming
years. His present is before you.
Help him, for as you do it unto one
of the least of Gods servants you do it
unto Him, who stitch upon the throne
of justice and pronounces His inexor-
able fat. Blessed are the meek for
they shall inherit the earth"
J.R. CLEMISs,
Pastor A. NJ. z. Church,