Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-12-02
DEAD BEATS ARE
Scored BY BISHOP
N. {. CONFERENCE
At Same Time, Conner Dis
claims Intention Becom-
ing Collection Agency.

Crossett, Dec. 1.-The man who
will not pay his honest debts is un-
fit to preach or to lead the people"
were the words of Bishop J. M. Con-
ner, d. D., of Little Rock in calling
to order the third days session of the
South Arkansas African Methodist
conference this morning in Gates
chapel, land | want to say now that
if you can't pay up, come to me and
get your transfers to any other con-
ference Or bishops, because dishonest
men cannot receive appointments
from my hands"
Bishop Conner. exhibited number
of letters from creditors against the
ministers. He declared that he was
not elected a collector by the gen
eral conference of the African Metho-
dist Episcopal church, but one of the
bishops, and he was not the source
for collecting bad debts. Il don't see
why merchants get into their minds
the bishops are to collect their bills
for them. In opening accounts with
men, the bishop is not consulted and
do not understand why he should
be consulted in collecting. A min
lister is a man like others and resort
to the same process for collecting
your bills. 4
"a God-fearing and od-loving
minister will never allow complaints
to be brought to conference against
him. He will Go his full duty to-
ward God and man."
Examine Minister'S Characters.
Are all the preachers blameless
in life and Conversations was the
question asked by the bishop which
brought before the conference for eX-
animation the character of each min
lister. All passed, except two, and
they were sent to an investigating
committee with DR.. o. l.. Moody, Of
Pine Bluff, as chairman.
Albert O. Wilson, X. d. Rhodes,
David ID. Nelson, l.. w. Whitfield, j.
H. Bowles, were admitted into tifa
conference on trial, they having de-
clared that they We're called to
preach and passed the required ex-
animation.
Ignorance in the pulpit is not
wanted in this country" declared
Bishop Conner, land if God called you
to preach, He at the same time called
yOu W GpdlS " pI toCh. w lux liz
school room turning out so many
men and women, and these men and
, women are demanding a trained min
lister.
"As ministers entering the con-
ference you are to be diligent, never
unemployed. No minister should sit
around on street corners or barber
shops and tell jokes which are toe
often lies. He should spend tha!
time in study.
"You are not to go around stirrinG
up race prejudice or race hatred, but
preach the gospel of peace and love
| care not what others may do ours
is to preach peace, TO preach love
/ We represent the Prince of Peace. the
! greatest character that ever walkot
| this earth.
AS ministers you are not to visi
one home too often, when the hus
| band is away, nor are you to stay
TOGO long. No minister should allow
himself to become common with the
people. yet he mist be friendly will
them all the time.
young men, study, make friends
and if you have anything to say tt
the white man, say it to him and MOI
about him. We can approach he
white people here in the South ant
tell them our troubles. If you arr
miStreatcd on the railroads OF any