The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-05-10
Kansas City, Mo. and
Charlotte, N. c.
Both Bodies Get Down to Business
Monday Iast-opening Session
Impressive-A. M. E's Meeting
in Historic Church-AlIen
Chapel-One of the Oldest
Religious Buildings in the
West.

special 10 tne Gl0De.
Kansas City, Mo-, May 6.-The gath
General Conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church met in
Allen Chapel, this city, this morning.
The meeting was called to order by
Bishop H. NJ Turner, of Atlanta, Ga,
who read the Scripture sentences.
The opening hymn was lined by Bish
op H. B. Parks, of Chicago; prayer Of
fered by Bishop ]. Albert Johnson,
of South Africa; responsive Scripture
lesson was led by Bishop ]. S. Flip
per, of Atlanta, who conducted the
service in very impressive manner;
Decalogue was led by Bishop L. ].
Coppin, of Philadelphia; second Scrip
ture lesson by Bishop w. H. Herd, of
West Africa; Hymn No, 295 was lined
!, Bishop Evans Tyree, of Nashville.
The Quadrennial Sermon was
preached by Bishop c T. Shafer, of
Chicago. It was a masterful effort
effort. and on several occasions he
lifted his audience, as 1t were, to the
skies Ofttimes when he would re-
late some striking historical event
through which the Church has passed
in its struggle upward, many hand
kerchiefs were seen throughout the
vast congregation.
The Conservation of the Holy Com
munion was conducted by Bishop B.
F, Lee, of WiIberforce, Ohio, and w.
B. Derrick, of New York. Benediction
was pronounced by Bishop G. S.
Smith.
A large number of delegates are
present, coming from all parts of the
country and from foreign lands. The
members of the General Conference
and their friends have brought to the
city between two and three thousand
visitors. The Conference will be in
session for three weeks, or until the
: 9th of the month. The session prom
ises to be an important one in the his
tory of the Church. Much is expected
of this General Conference aside from
the election of Bishops and General
Officers. 1t is expected that much
legislation will be enacted tending to
the further advancement of the Con
nection. The sessions are being held
in the historic Allen Chapel, situated
on the corner of 10th and Charlotte
streets, where it occupies a large his
toric place in the annals of African
Methodism, both because OF the intiu-
ence exerted over the people on the
West and the distinguished men who
have pastored it. Even as late as
1864 the founders of the Missouri Con-
ference had been limited. The Com
ference of that year, being held in
Louisville, KY, and that of 1863, in
New Orleans, La. To-day Missouri
has four Annual Conferences, the
Youngest of which is the Southwest
Missouri Conference, in which Allen
Chapel is situated. 1t has always
been a strategic point for the Church,
because it is the gateway to. Kansas
and the furthest west.
The number of Bishops to be elected
at this General Conference has not
been decided as yet, however, it is
predicted by many of the leading
men that at least five will be elected,
an dprobably six The aspirants are
already busy soliciting votes, and the
contest promises to be a spirited one.
Dr. R. G. Ransom, of Kansas, is IA
vorably mentioned for Financial Sec
retary and all the West is pulling
with all of its might for him. 1t seems
IN he a foregone conclusion that DR..
Hurst. the present incumbent OF that
office. will be elevated to the Bishop
ric thereby making vacant the posi-
tion DR.. Ransom strives to attain. DR..
T. A. Jones, of Tennessee, seems to be
leading candidate for the editor
ship of the Southern Christian Re
corder. His State is here in force.
Aside from the delegates, many Of his
friends are on the ground pushing his
candidacy.
Some of the strongest men of the
race are members of this Conference,
prominent among them being DR.. G.
v Roman. a specialist Of information
al reputation. DR.. Roman is also an
aspirant for honors and it is believed |
bv his friends that he will be the sue
cessor of DR.. H. T. Healing, President
of the College conducted by the
church at Quindaro, Kans. DR.. w. T, !
Vernon, who was recently Register of
the u. S. Treasury, is also leading
figure in this Conference. Many 9th
ers might be mentioned, as the array
of talent here is the equal of any that
can be called among the Negroes any
where in the world.
The sessions are being held morn
;ng and evening. with some special |