The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-16
African Methodist Conferences

African Methodist ConiereHceS 'I have no faith in the man who sits around on the street corners, in barber shops and other places and complains about opportunities in busy world Ike this" were the words of Bishop H. Blan- ton Parks, D. D., of Chicago in calling to order the 34th annual session of the North American African Methodist con- ference yesterday morning in St. John A. NJ. E. church, Third avenue and Twenty-ffth street
 "The negro like other races, must earn his way to civilization,' continued the bishop, and he must learn that CIV ilzation is not a garment to be pur- chased in one of the big stores of tho city and worn off on the first fitting, but it represents years of toi, of labor, of self confidence. The American white man is today master of the world because he had faith in himself, and never sat around and begged for opportunities, but found that they were as plentiful as the air, and just took them up and used them. We must follow his example He has found wealth in the ground, in the air, in everything he touched, and the same things will yield to the negro touch if he will only take hold.
 This is considered an important ses- sion of the conference, as 1t is the closing of the administration of Bishop Parks. who has served the conference four years. and win have to report to the general conference to be held in han- sas City next May for assignment Dele gates are to be elected to the general con frence by this conference. There are | many aspirants to the honor, put the | conference is only entitled to seven ieie- | gates These men will select a successor | to Bishop Parks, which promises to oe | pr. G. w. Allen, editor of the Southern l Christian Recorder, Columbus, who is d native of Alabama, and will be the irst | negro of the state to be elected plshop | In the A. NJ. E. church.
 presiding elders and the pastors. u i' | The contest promises to be between the | the general opinion that two or thlee prsiding elders will be selected ana tne
 remainder will be pastors. pr. w. 5.
 Johnson. former pastor of St John. and who is now the presiding elder, IS poohen | for leader of the delegation.
 l Conference opened at o'clock yeste1
 day morning. The opening was conduct
 ed by Revs. E. w. Williams, T. w. COT
 fee and G. w. Todd. In the absence ol
 the preacher of the opening sermon l Bishop Parks delivered an address, III
 which he urged the men to be on tlnie saving that one of the curses to the race l was that it did not value time sufficient | lv and so many men dsregarded rheli 1 words. You must learn that O'CLOCK | means 9 o'clock Concluding ms re-
 marks, the bishop. assisted by the presid-
 ing elders, administered holy commuh- | ion. Following this the roll was calieo
 and the conference was organized TOT
 business by electing Revs. J. R. Hughes
 chief secretary; C. B. Moseley, fecoroiiis
 secretary: A. Jones, statistical secretary
 A. H. Harris, c. H. Newby, T. J. Youns
 I. Branch, marshals; A. Jones, core
 spondent to the Southern Christian Re- | corder Columbus, Ga; w. R. Raglaho to the Christian Recorder. Phlladeiphla Pa: M. II. Leath to the Voice Of Mlssipn New York City.
 | Tt was decided to hold two pusniess | session daily from 9 to F and ron
 to 5:3o. The boundary for the confer ence was set, and list of committees announced by Bishop Parks.
 The reports of pastors claimed tle attention of the conference during the morning session. When the report of St. John was calico for. the Rev. pr P. w. Walls, answered ready and reported raised for incidental'
 
 school, s12O for Allen Christian Endeav
 or League, $20; for benevolent purposes
 s250; members received, 120; raised fol
 education, $100; for missions $lto. fol , church extension, .$lO; paid presiding cid er $200; for the pastor $12Oo.
 Dr. Walls came to the state one yea
 ago from Arkansas. He is one or th' leading preachers in the church. He f graduate from Lincoln university Pennsylvania, and completed his theo [ logical training at Cannon Theological , Seminary, Atlanta and has made man'
 | friends in the conference. He is booked
 for one of the delegates to the genera conference. because of the good worl done by him during the past 12 months He planked down S330 to the dollar mon
 ey fund.- which is the general fund of th , charch. This is the largest amount re : ported from the church.
 I The session yesterday afternoon wa t spent in hearing reports, and general rou |, tine business. Bishop Parks presided
 1t was impossible to get standing room