The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-08

sion was the farewell talk of the delegates of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Bish- ops John M. Walden of Cincinnati and Isaac w. Joyce of Minneapolis.
 The general subject for discussion dur ing the morning was ''The Religious Life of the Race"
 The first paper read was on "The Pres ent Religious Status of the Negroes in the United States" by Rev. Ernest Lyon of Baltimore.
 He indignantly lefuted the statement that the negro had no religious status; being a man. he is a religious being. pr. Lyon claimed for the negro what he termed the six clements of religion: Hu- nility, Patience. Endurance, Forgive ness, Charity and Brotherly Love. Meas ured hy these standards. the negro Is religious.
 Speaking of lynchings. he said:
 The negro has been lynched and his body used as faggots for bonfres. but there is no record in the courts of the law charging the negro with leading a mob against his prosecutors, or with puc- ting a torch even to the homes of his enemies
 'The negro" he said, Ifs a friend of law and order. He is neither a striker, a socialist nor an anarchist"
 He referred to the work of the negro troops in Cuba during the Spanish-Ameri- can war, and spoke of his position in the various churches.
 Rev George E. Morris of Morristown, N. J., the next speaker, talked on the ante-bellum religious life of the race.
 In an original poem Rev. D. Webster Davis of Richmnod, Va, declared that the negro must fight his own ignorance and sin more than the hate and prejudice without.
 In a paper on the True and False in the Revival Methods of the Race." Rev A. c. Gardner of Washington, D. C., stated that most of the negro's troubles grew out of emotionalism. Emotionalism has some virtue, but it must not be the only result of a revival.
 "In some of our churches the chief evl- dence of conversion is found in excite ments, visions, strange phenomena and great physical agitation. The tempera- ment and mental calibre of pastor and people make this both possible and agree able, but this Is not spiritual power"
 The subject of revivals was further discussed in the speech of A. L. Gaines of Norfolk. Va.
 "The need of a properly trained mis- istry." was explained by President D. J. Sanders of Riddle University, Charlotte. N c.
 "A properly trained ministry is neces- sary," he said "The negro is dispropor- tionately dependent on their ministry for leadership. He is also injured by caste distinction. Many intelligent negroes are deterred from entering the ministry by the manifest influence of weak men in the ministry"
 Prof. A. w. Pegues of Shaw University, Raleigh, N. C.. talked on the same sub ject.
 Ministers should be well-educated," he said. Men in other lines find it neces- sary. Why should not ministers? With too many of us religion is emotion"
 The evening session of the congress was devoted entirely to music and elocutlon. Prominent participants in the program were Prof D. Webster Davis of Rich mond, Liattah B. Marshall of New Or leans and Laura And erson of Cincinnati. The musical program included selections from Handel, Rossini. Verdi and many other composers of classical music. Prof Charles G. Harris of Tuskegee led the chorus of 800 voices.
 Delegates are still arriving in the city and the attendance is expected to reach I0 0O0 hv tomorrow night.