Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-12-13
TIME PAST WHEN
 PREACHERS MAY BE
 IGNORANT BISHOPS
Negro Church Leader Says FrOck Coal Not All
 That's Needed

QulGcU CAdIilllld dGioll Co CIlCCI Soll- ference, Bishop J. M. Conner de- clared in the Central Arkansas African Methodist Episcopal con- ference yesterday that if God had called them to preach He had also called them to prepare for the work, flor 1 declare unto you that God cannot use ignorant and illi- terate men in this age. There is no excuse for a man being igor ant today, with the many oppor- tunities opened to them to study and prepare for anything they desire to do.
 "There was a time when all a man had to do was to get a long tailed coat, clerical vest, look important, strut like a peacock, put his hand behind his ears and go like dying Calf and he was called great preacher, but that is a thing of the past and now a man must be able to say some thing, and be able to instruct the people,"
 NtttAlS at IIeItltd.
 Most of the morning session of the conference yesterday was spent in hymnology and general discussion. Bishop Conner re- quired each minister to have a hymn book and Bible during the session of the conference hold ing that a man going out to hunt must have his gun, and a minis ter going out to hunt for souls should be armed with his weap- ons, land then he is prepared to put the devil to flight"
 The Rev. T. J. Holmes conduct ed the opening of the conference yesterday morning, and an ad- dress was delivered by Dr. L. $. Overall of Helena, who extended invitation to the ministers to at tend the East Arkansas confer ence, which meets next Wednesday in Helena, Ark. He said that ev- erything was ready, and all the people united in an invitation for the conference and visitors to come. "We want you to see that peace and harmony reign and that every mans rights are respected"
 The Rev. pr. J. c. Caldwell of Nashville, Tenn, secretary of the Allen Christian Endeavor league, was introduced to the conference and made an address. He spoke in terms of praise of the work done by Bishop J. M. Conner, the lead CT of the negro race in Arkansas especially in his efforts to keep together in brotherly love the two races, thereby making Arkansas the garden spot of America. "a He was glad that he had some hand in making Bishop Conner bish- op, and he was real proud of him he said
 Dr. Caldwell is leader among young people of his church, and is spoken of in connection with the episcopacy.
 During the morning session most of the committee report. ed, and yesterday afternoon was spent in business. A report was adopted coming from the commit tee on the state of the county in which lynching, mob violence crime and criminality were con demned as being un-American ant a draw back to civilization. "Wt feel that our country is going tt take a stand against it," said thu committee, "and we pray for thu day when life and property vii be safe everywhere. The reasol we have so many murders is be cause too many of the murder es cape without punishment. Send { few of them to the chair and fev of the lynchers go to the sam road, and you would see anothe country"
 Glee Club to Sing.
 The principal speaker last nigh was the Rev. Dr. s. l.. Green o Little Rock president of Shorte college, and the educational lead CT of the African Methodist il Arkansas. "The world is callin, for thinkers" said Dr. Green, "an to the young negro it is not ask ing thing about his parents o what they could do, but it demand to know you and what you can dc and if you are not able to measur up to the standard of a man, yo must stand aside and let the pro ccesslon go on. This is man Job and it requires man to exc cute it. Get busy young people and feed your minds and soul as we'll as your bodies. It is a awful thing to see 2OO-poun ' body inhabited by two-ounc m!nd. It would do your souls goo to step in and see that body c young people struggling to giv the state higher citizenshi, men and women who will not a burden on the state but help.
 The Shorter college Glee ciu Will reach the city this mornin and will sing tonight at the cor ference. This will be a splendi opportunity. Features will l. olantatlon melodies and jubile songs.