The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1911-09-23
CONFERENCE FOR
NEGRO PASTORS
Al Denominations Are Asked to
Send Delegates
SETTLEMENT WORK BEeUM.

But Further Discussion Of the Moral,
Civil, Spiritual and Sociological Con-
dition Of the Race 10 Needed For
Practical UpIift, Which Can Best Be
Done Through Religious Channels.
ByGEoRGE r. KING.
Durham, N. C.-Hundreds Of colored
people in touch with the masses Of the
race attended the recent summer
school and Chautauqua Of the Ma
tional Religious Training school, this
city. This is the only movement OF
its kind among Negroes, and its Of
ficials are men Of both races from va
rious sections Of the country. The spirit
Of the Chautauqua was for the uplift
Of the Negroes who were environed to
their detriment. The lectures and the
other departments, featuring such well
known preachers as DIR. Jesse Q.
Massee of Chattanooga, Tenn; DIR. w.
Y. Chapman Of Newark, N. j.; DR..
Jesse L. Hurlburt, one Of the leading
authorities in America on the Bible;
Bishop Kilgo, Durham; Professor
Kelly Miller, Washington, DR.. Jesse
johnson, Xenia, O., and DR.. D. Web
ster Davis, Richmond, kindled the
minds and hearts of hundreds OF the
race, who received new educational
value and experienced a newness that
gave them a determination to dwell
amid the most monotonous surround
ings to triumph over certain condi-
lions making large number Of their
race parasites upon society.
Settlement work is a new feature
among the educational activities OF
the Afro-American folk, and this in
stitution is the pioneer in such a
needed work for the Negroes good.
The teachers and preachers were given
lectures on sanitary chemistry, and
during the six weeks of the summer
school and Chautauqua excursions
were made to various sections Of the
city that afforded the members Of the
settlement party an opportunity to do
real settlement work among their peO-
pie. The good accomplished by such
excursions will undoubtedly become a
potent factor in a large number OF
cities, towns and a large section Of the
rural districts, in the south especially.
The Negro that helps to make up the
undesirable element In the north and
gives that section a phase Of the prob
lem found in the south was discussed,
and the outcome Of such discussions
and investigations on the part Of stu
dent body directed by the president
of the institution and a number Of
prominent northern and southern men
of both races has caused greater ac-
tivity among those attending the
school to better the sociological con-
ditions of their race In their respec-
tive communities and made 1t tmpera-
tive for the following call, signed by
DR.. James e. Shepard, founder and
president Of the school: ITO the min
listers of the United States: At the
request of many who are interested in
the development Of the race along all
lines have been asked to call con-
ference Of the colored ministers of the
United States at the National Religious
Training school, in the city OF Dur
ham, N. G., July 6, 1912.
'This conference is for the purpose of
discussing the moral, civil and spiritual
condition Of the Negro, to study So
Geological problems and to devise some
means of working along practical lines
for the uplift Of the race, especially
through religious channels. We realize
that the colored minister is the real
leader of his people and that there
should be cooperation between him
and all others who are striving for the
racial uplift. We believe that the col
ored minister holds the real key to the
situation, and for this reason we de-
sire to have a heart to heart confer
ence of all the ministers, irrespective
of denominations. 49,
"such practical questions as these will
be discussed: What is the moral con
dition of the people in your commu
nityP What Is the sanitary condition
What effort, If any, has been made to
improve the sanitary conditions? Is
crime on the increase? If not. what
was the cause of Its reduction? To
what extent do you cooperate with
the Civic Improvement leagues? Has
settlement work to any extent been
conducted in your community and, If
80, with what results? Many kindred
subjects will be discussed.
"The National Religious Training
school invites all ministers to be theil
guests for one week, 80 that you will
be at no expense while in the city OF
Durham. The railroad win be asked
to cooperate in this movement to the
extent Of making very liberal rates
Durham Is regarded as one Of the mos
progressive cities in the country, anc
It win be a pleasure and benefit fol
you to come and see what your OWL
race is actually doing in Durham.
"An ministers who contemplate at
tending this conference are requested
to make same known by Jan. 1, 1912
80 that arrangements can be made fol
their accommodation. We will also b.
glad to have any practical suggestions
that YOU may see fit to make, and they