Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-11-30
AFRICAN METHODIST
 EPISCOPAL MEETING
Conference Opens at Warren With 250 COlored Ministers and Church
 Crowded With Laymen.
(By Chas. SteWart.) )

(By Chas. Stewart)
 Warren, Nov. 29-"There is much for which we should enter into thanksgiving unto God" said Bishop J. M. Conor, D. D., of Little Rock. in addressing the South Arkansas Afri' can Methodist Episcopal conference this morning in making a Thanksgiv- ing address before 250 ministers, and g church crowded with laymen.
 Look back to where we were fifty years ago, just coming out of slavery and see the progress we have made, for a religious, educational and moral standpoint, and you can see that the Lord hath done great things for us, and ws should thank Him. We have enjoyed the peace and prosperity of this great country of ours, and now that it is in war we are going to share our part of its woes if there are to he any Side by side with the white men we are going to fight for our country, yes, die for it, and there is no getting around it.
 HOnOrs Won By the Negroes.
 "I am proud that am an American negro, because the negroes in Amer ica lead the negroes of the world. The United States has done more for the negroes than any other country in the civilized world where the white ma his in authority. Emerging out of slavery just few years ago. we have been members of the house of representatives in congress, we have been in the United States senate: in the legislatures of our states; we oc- cupv oroot ru1pitc ov,orO our pocnYo A negro has been marshal for the District of Columbia; been register of the United States treasury; recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia; :; assistant attorney general of the United States; two negroes filling an important part in the United States food administration. and right now Emmett J. Scott. of Tuskegee insti- tute, is assistant secretary of war in the office of Sechetary Baker, and it doth not yet appear all it will be be- fore this war is over.
 "In the war we are going to do our part. We are going to sign up the pledge cards as sent out by the Unit ed States food commissioner, Her bert Hoover, and then we are going to carry it out to the letter. We are loyal to our country"
 Preach From the Bible.
 Following the address of Bishop Conner this morning, Dr. J. C. Cald- we'll of Nashville, Tenn., secretary of the Allen Christian Endeavor league and one of the best trained young negro ministers in the A. M. B. church conducted ministerial institute. He urged the ministers to study their Bibles, and from Gods word preach rather than from Talmage, Spugeon or Moody. Speaking of the Bible and its importance, he said:
 "The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of sal- vation. doom of sinners, and happi- ness of believers. It's doctrines are holy, it's precepts are biding, its his tories are true, and it's doctrines are immutable. Read it to be wise, be- lieve it to be safe, and practice 1t to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you It is the travellers may, the pilgrims staff. the pilots compass, the soldiers sword and the Christians character Christ dts grand SuDJeCt, our SOOQ US uoSlSu, and the glory of God it's end. It is a mine of wealth, paradise of glory, a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, it will be open to you in judg- ment, and be remembered forever It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor. and con- demns all who trifle with the Holy contents"
 I am glad to look in upon this conference at this time', said the Rev. James Jones, of Pine Bluff, because you have done great work-1 should have said, we have, because I was a member of this conference until last year. and now I am in the new con ference which meets in Fordyce next week. I cannot stay away from you.'
 Negro Coming to His Own.
 We are living in great age, and the negro will come into his own in proportion as he shall thake his place in the adjustment of affairs through the worldwide war. Of course our country is going to win, and we are going to share in the victory. Our sons are going to die for Old Glory With the enemy we are all alike. God forbid that there will in the history