The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1908-05-08

Norfolk, Va, May 5.-Ine twenty |
third quadrennial session Of the Cen
eral conference of the African Meth
odist Episcopal Church opened at 8
o'clock Monday morning with impress
i've services under the direction of
Bishop Wesley ]. Gaines, who presided
during the day. Bishop Henry Nc
Neal Turner whose duty it was as SEN
ior bishop of the church to call the
conference to order, was absent on ac-
count of his serious illness.
1t is expected that the session will
continue through three weeks, during
which time many important questions
of interest to the whole Negro race
will be discussed and many prominent
leaders are expected to be present.
Booker T. Washington is expected;
also Senator J. B. Foraker, who has
been active in the townsville affair.
The latter will deliver an address Fri
day night.
The educational work among the
Negroes in the United States will come
in for much discussion. There are
many prominent educators present
Some of the college presidents are ex-
pected to be promoted to the highest
position in the gift of the Church
bishop-and some of the well-trained
young mer will be selected to fill their
places
This is the largest convention of
Negroes ever held in this section,
hence is attracting large crowds.
The opening service yesterday at
tracted to ST. John A. M. r. Church
fully 5000 people. Many were unable
to get even standing room in the large
auditorium. The Negroes of Norfolk
were anxious to see the leading men OF
their race and large number of white
people attended the opening service.
Promptly at $3.50 Bishop Wesley J
Gaines called the conference to order
and led in scripture sentences.
Bishop B. T. Tanner, Of Jackson
Vile, Fla, made the opening prayer
Bishop c. T. Shaffer, of Chicago, I'll,
read the first scripture lesson. and thu
second lesson was read by Bishop L
j. Coppin, of Philadelphia, Pa
Bishop Moses B. Salter led in sing
| ing 20 for Thousand Tongues tt
Sing" and the ritual services were con
Quoted by Bishop w. B. Derrick, o
| Flushing, N. Y.
After a selection by the choir, Bish
op Gaines introduced to the congre
CATION one of the most noted NeGr
pulpit orators in the country, Bisho
Evans Tyree, D. D., NJ d., of NASH
3 Vile, Tenn, who is without question
l representative of the Negro race. TIL
sermon was practical and was nunetr
: ated with shouts of "Amen." fror
> many threats, and other expressions.
n Following the sermon, one Of tn
\ most pathetic PRAYERS ever listened t
was made by Bishon Charles Spence
Smith, of Detroit. Mich It was a SD,
cial prayer for Bishon IT, M. Turne
: and BishoD ]. A. Handy, two venerabl
# nrelates of the Church.
S Bishop Abram Grant administers
). Holy Communion, and the benedictio
u followed
:, The afternoon session opened wit
g Bishop Gaines presiding. Rev DR..
. TT. Reynolds, who has served as seer
tarv since 1896, called the roll Of del
gates by districts But few were no
ed absent. Contests were noted frol
t. the delegation from several of II
g Florida conferences. Dr. Reynolds a.
g nounced that he was not candida
t, for reelection because of some othC
al things. He is booked for the episc
:; pacy,
81 Rev. w. D. Johnson, of Georgia, W;
elected chief secretary Bishop Gain