The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-09-09


concern. our well being as a race in
Ibis great country. The Committee
on the State of the Church do set
forth this public address, declara-
tion and prayer.
In looking over the whole field of
labor In our Church, we are wonder
fully impressed with the remark
able growth and development of the
work under 80 many embarassments
and limitations. From all parts Of
| the field come most encouraging re-
ports OF steady and permanent ad-
Vancement along missionary lines
many new missions have been start
ed, the number of workers has been
increased; here and there church ed
'hces have been erected, the people
contributing largely. We are also
glad to note that there is a growing
tendency towards self-support. We
are indeed grateful for the liberal
and kind sentiment manifested to-
wards us in our efforts to build up
and sustain our educational insti-
tutions, theological, industrial and
classical, for the moral and spirit
nal uplift Of the race Thus far
much. good has been accomplished
through the agency Of St. Angus
tines School, st. Paul's School, the
Bishop Payne Divinity School, and
our other industrial and parochial
schools.
These institutions have prepared
great number of young men and
young women for usefulness in
their homes, in their communities
and in the Church. There 51s no
Church work in the Southland, and
very little elsewhere in the country,
where the influence of these schools
has not been felt. While they have
done SO, much to ameIiorate the con-
ditions of home. and Church life
sending forth the light of religion
and education to our people in all
walks of life, in the towns and in
the rural districts, they have accom-
plished 1t all without adequate sup
port from the Church. Neverthe-
less we are very grateful for what
has been done and pray that the
general Church may learn more of
the great work these schools are do
ing and assist In charging and in
creastng their equipment, that they
may stand as a mighty bulwark Of
the moral, intellectual and Christian
development Of the colored people.
On account of the continued
growth and expansion Of the Church
among colored people, we feel that
the appointment of Field Secre-
taTy would. greatly =, tend :, TO-. bring
about what We believe all true and
.fair-minded Church men earnestly
desire for our welfare and for the
extension Of the Church. We there
fore most respectfully ask that such
an agent, chosen from our own race
be appointed.
We are indeed grateful that, not
outstanding the spirit Of unrest and
strife In some parts Of our country,
our people, for the most part, have
stood for peace and the supremacy
OF the law, and we urge them every
where to strive to be peaceable',
quiet, Industrious, honest and law
abiding, trusting in God to do all
things we'll.
This is the second session Of the
Conference held in the South and
the first time it's Northern members
ever had a chance to experience real
old fashioned hospitality dispensed
as only your Virginian knows how
to hand 1t out. The Conference
was delighted with it's reception. and
every member went away loud in
praise Of the generous welcome &C
corded them by both white and
black. The Conference was espec-
tally grateful to the Virginian
dailies, The Times-Dispatch, News
Leader, Index-Appeal, and Land
mark, the Philadelphia Press and
and the New York World, for copies
free distribution during the sessions
Of the Conference. The next Con-
ference will meet in Cleveland, Ohio.
NJ II