Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-19
Educators { !! and Religious
Workers In Conference.
Will Try 10 Learn Present
Mental and Moral Status.
Representatives Of Both Races Will
Speak At Clifton, Mass.

Clifton, Mass, Aug. 13.--The preSi-
dents and representatives of the lead
ing institutions of the country, devot-
cd to the education of the Negro, with
members of the executive committee OF
the International Sunday School Asso-
citation, today organized a conference
which during the next three days will
consider the Negro problem In its sew
eral phases. for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the present mental, moral and
religious condition of the Negro and
the advisability of the International
Sunday School Association entering
into the practical work of Negro edu-
cation.
The more than score and a half
of Negro educators and others who are
here to participate in the conference
are the guests of W. n. Hartshorn,
chairman of the executive committee
of the International Sunday School AS
sociation, by whose efforts the con-
ference was brought about. Mr..
Hartshorn, in outlining the purposes OF
the conference, stated that it is hoped
to discover the condition of the Negro
at the present time as regards religion
and the mental and moral standing OF
the race; to determine the practical
bility of the International Sunday
School Association furnishing inStruct-
orS to the institutions devoted to the
education of the Negro, and to secure
the opinion of the management and
faculty of these institutions regarding
the plan and an idea of what will be
done to cooperate with them.
The plans for the consideration of
the subject provide for its discussion
under four heads, representing the
chief phases which bear upon the re-
suit looked for. Each topic will be
treated by four speakers, two of
whom will be white and two colored
and all from the Southern part of the
country.
The several topics to be considered
are The Negro as He Was 80 Years
Ago. 'The Negro as Free Man,
The Present Condition of the Negro"
and "The Present Needs of the Negro
Along the Lines of Mental, Moral and
Religious Development" With the
knowledge gained from the discussion
of these several subjects, it is hoped
to lave the Sunday School Associations
plans considered by the gathering
lIlOuSIl us lICdtlliSilI NY Aoai ttuNASAoH-
al speakers, two colored and two white,
as in the other discussions.
Previous to the formal organization
of the conference this forenoon, Bish-
op William F. Mallalieu of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church conducted a de-
votional service and a short period,
noted on the program as "An Accept
ance hour" was passed in introducing
and acquainting the members of the
conference with each other.
Thirty-two Southern institutions for
the education of the Negro were repre-
sented by 20 educators, pastors and
others Interested when Chairman
Hartshorn of the International Sunday
School Association opened the first
session of what is to be known as the
fifth Clifton conference. In a brief adj
dress Mr.. Hartshorn reviewed the
causes leading up to the calling of the
conference.
At the close of Mr.. Hartshorn's adj
dress, Rev. DR.. John E. White, pastor
of the Second Baptist church, Allan
ia, Ca, was elected chairman of the
and Feorge W. Penniman
of Brockton was chosen secretary.