The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-09-08
] Bishop )
]. !. Derrick
PRlEsIDES OVER WEST VIRGINIA
! ! ANNUAL CONFERENCES HERE I
THIS WEEK. ~
Gathering g / 2! Finances
And Reports from Charges Consume
p Most Of First Day, a Little Time
Being Devoted to Mild Criticism
Of Pastors. ssl:. ....-..' j.. .

y The West Virginia Annual con-
ference of the African Methodist
| episcopal church is in session here
this week rat the st. Paul "A. M. E.
church, Of which Rev. r. r. Downs is
}pastor. Bishop w. b. Derrick Of the
! third episcopal district comprising
the Ohio, Pittsburg, West Virginia,
Bermuda and Nova Scotia conferences
Is presiding. -. ...
The bishop is accompanied by two
ministers of Pittsburg w. H. H. But
Ter and S. A. Anderson, the former
as his secretary and the other repre-
senting the Book concern, Some
speculation was INDUCED In as to
the presence of DR.. Butler in such
capacity, causing little buzz, with
attendant interest Of those near by,
IN spirited undertone. 1t was evil
dent that a conflict of some kind was
being urged with the bishop and pas
tor Downs as principals; but finally
1t came to a laughing close. ~
The Ladies Aid had quite a nice
little program Of welcome to the
minister's, with II. G. Nutter making
the, principal address, remarks by.
VIM. o. Lee, and Grant Jones. Rev.
S. P. West replied on behalf of the
conference. .-
The opening devotional exercises
of the conference We're interesting.
The Lords supper was administered.
-. Upon the completion OF organiza-
|ti6n the nYahop ssi a xs642Ye 7naia
criticisms Of those who led the devo-
tions. The ministers who read, used
the\term chapter" instead of Psalm;
another, in prayer said; "Jesus, the
fountain Of guilt and sim" The
bishop explained-"This is done, not
to ridicule, but to cause our brethren
to exercise more care in their public
ministrations.' e..
The most of the day was spent in
hearing reports from charges and
gathering In the finances One bro
ther reporting from Simmons, an
educated man, twenty-five cents for
Christian education from two differ
ent points, was questioned for cause
for such little interest; another, re-
ported salary Of five hundred dol
lars but only ten dollars for the con-
ventional support, explained, that,
the white people gave me that
money, to go away, because l was
sick. Being both elderly and rever-
ent in manner, his explanation was
good humoredly accepted.
The Bluefield pastor Rev. S. F.
Boston, reported having received a
salary Of only twenty-five dollars. The
Bishop said, to him: "I sympathise
with you, "a man of your education
and culture. I will send you to an
| other place and If you then fail I
mold you--re responsibie:' The
bishop also took occasion to give his
opinions of the minister, who was
paid for doing political service and
that no matter how great the sum
PAID, the church could have no GLAZING
upon 1t as salary. He also spoke at
length Of the value Of the ministery,
In general to Negro uplift and pro-
gress and commended Mr.. Nutter's
frank admission as to the worth of
the Negro ministery. Upon being in
formed that Governor Glasscock, who
was to have addressed the conference
was compelled to leave the city on
account Of illness, and spend some
lime at Hot Springs, the bishop cal
led the attention Of the conference
to their duty in not only showing
sympathy but to pray for the re-
,covery and preserving Of so valuable
life. Rev. Downs, upon motion,
caused the conference to order the
secretary to send q telegram to the
/ governor.
The bishop, in speaking Of men
who were friends to the cause of the
| oppressed said that "the Negroes
should erect, at Charleston, West
! Virginia, memorial, no matter how
small, to John Brown"
I