The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-02-22

Baltimore, Md, Feb. 21---The
semianual session of the Board OF
Bishops Of the African Methodist
Episcopal church came to an end at
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal
church with the passage OF resolu-
ton stating that the heads Of the
fnurch had always stood for the man
mood rights of the race. q, Il. =
The declaration followed an ap-
peal from the Allen Christian En-
deavor Union, Of. indianapolis, Ind,
asking that; the bishops speak out
against lynching, disfranchfsement.
Jim Grow laws and other measures
that snbvert the spirit of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States 1
I'VE appeal to you," reads the
plea in part, ''as our sages in the
great cause for human rights, to
make an appeal to bring pressure be-
lore Congress to bear upon the var
lous. States to enforce the laws un-
der the Constitution Of the United
States that protect our rights as cit
liens" .-..... :. : . j
The bishops adopted the following
resolution endorsing the appeal, and
stating their position regarding the
rights of the race:
The bishops Of the African Meth
odist Episcopal church. assembled in
council having heard the-appeAl
from the Allen Christian Endeayorl
Union, OF indianapolis, Ind, take
this opportunity to express their
most hearty sympathy with the ex-
pressions therein and beg to assure
them and all concerned that we are'l
most vigorously engaged to the ex.
tent OF our ability and opportunity
IN the furthering Of every means andl
Hfu II Gn foo oEffilS TO the removal or
these and all other discriminating
and humiliating disa3ilities under
which, as people, we rsaSe been
forced to live and labor, which,, -un-
fortunately, is the awful expression
of American prejudice against thef
Afro-American people, who are o.
mong the most loyal citizens"
Besides considering their quad
rennial address to the General con-
ference Of the denomination, which
will open at Kansas City on May 6, /
the ,prelates considered number oil
recommendations that they are tot
make to the general conference as
well as heard reports from the var
ious general officers. The election Of
four new bishops, to take the places
Of Bishops e. W. hampton, Abra-
ham Grant, James A. Handy anu
Wesley J. Gaines, who have passed
the past two years. An
appeal from the Baltimore Preach
ers Meeting that financial aid be
recommended for Bethel church, Of
this city, which was purchased over
a year ago for 100000 and also one
from Rev. j. III. Morgan, who was
expelled by the New Jersey confer
nce two years ago, following the
clearing of the late Bishop Gaines on
charges that had been filed by Nor
gan against the bishop, was also
heard,
The council voted to send seven
bishops ps-to-th -the-races,- congress that
will be held at Tuskegee Institute
in April, and approved a suggestion
from Rev. r. H. w. Leak, Of RAJ
eigh, n. c., that the centennial Of
African Methodism be celebrated in
Philadelphia in 1916. The prelates
adjourned to meet in Kansas City.
, the Thursday before the general ccn-
| ference convenes.
The following bishops attended the
session: Bishops H. N. Turner, who
presided; B. F. Lee, who acted as
secretary: J. Albert Johnson, who
, has charge Of the South African
work Of the denomination; w. H..
| Heard, who has charge Of the work
| in West Africa G.. s. Smith, !. s..
FlipDer, Evans Tyree, w. B. Der
rick, u. B. Parks and l.. J. Coppin,
/ B. r. Tanner. Bishop Salter Is con-
; fined to his home in Charleston. 5.
! c., on account Of serious illness.