Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1920-04-17
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE,
AFRICAN NJ E. CHURCH

An event Of great Importance in the re-
ligious development of the race this year
is the cOnvening Of the General Conference
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,
which will open in st. Louis May Bird and
continue in session for at least three weeks
This is one Of the most representative bodies
Of Negroes Of which we have any knowledge
and meets every four years 1t is dele
gated body, it's members being chosen from
annual conferences of the denomination, of
which there are 81, eight of which, are in
foreign lands The number Of delegates en-
titled to seats in the conference is 636 OF
course there will be as many more visitors
from all parts Of the country, and from
South America, the West Indies and Africa
The General Conference is the law max
ing body Of the denomination, and also
elects bishops and general officers for the
work Of the various departments. Perhaps
the most significant question which will come
before the conference at this sessn is the
union of all solored Methodists into one great
body The A. NJ. E. church has about
100000 MEMBERS; the A. Nj. f.. Zion about
100000 the G. NJ. f. about 25O,O0O. Each
of these lodies at their last quadrena ses
sion appointed commission on union and
they have 'enn working together on plan
to bring these l,3o0OOO Negroes into one
grand organization for the religious and
moral welfare Of the race Thousands who
are not members of either communion anX-
ously wish for this great consllmmation.
The election Of bishops also attracts wide
attention from the entire race as the bishops
of this great organization have always
welded great influence as leaders and
spokesmen for the race. Some Of them have
interested themselvs much in politics, lilI
bishops Arnet and Grant, and Presidents
and statesmen have sought their counsel
pertaining to matters of the race. 1t is sup
posed that four or five new bishops will be
chosen and many prominent cergymen are
being pushed forward by their friends as
the right men for the high office. The most
prominent candidates seem to be The Rev.
DR.. Sampson Brooks of Baltimore and The
Rev. Dr. A. J. Cary of Chicago. DR.. Brooks
is the acknowledged financier of the race.
He is simply a prodigy, when it comes to
lifting church mortgages. His last great
achievement being the raising Of $4,000
in less than three years and clearing Bethel
Church, Baltimore, when others had been
unable to keep up the interest on the mort
gage. He thus gave the connection clear
of debt, the finest church owned by the race
anywhere. Many think that the General Con-
ference will show it's gratitude by electing
him bishop by acclamation.
Dr. Carey Of Chicago is one Of the most
brilliant orators Of the race, but in addi-
ton is great organizer and tireess worker.
He is desired on the episcopal bench also
for his great influence in politics. lie can
be Of immense value to the among
statesmen. In the South nearly every state
will present favorite son and the voting
strength being principally in the South they
may be expected to carry off most Of the
hOnOrs.
Among those who will attend the confer
Graham and wife Of our city. They expect
to leave here about the Goth inst.