The monitor., 1928-05-18
GENERAL CONFERENCE
AFRICAN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
One Thousand Delegates and Visitors
by Thousands Are Attending
Sessions of Great
Denomination
REPORTS REVEAL PROGRESS
Easy Divorces and Companionate
Marriages Are Condemned
in Episcopal
Adress

ChiN@BO1 tDy ItiG n ~ -
The African Methodist church, in all
of its ramifications, "is moving
along" This fact is being firmly es-
tablished by the reports submitted at
the general conference of the denom-
ination, which is in session here at
the Eighth Regiment Armory, at
Twenty-fifth street and Giles ave
nue..
Day in and day out, the thousand
delegates and thousands of visitors,
who pack the armory which extends
a half block in length, are listening
to the reports of the progress of the
church in it's various departments.
Reports that have been compiled and
printed and which have been distrib-
sted to the delegates so that they may
take an accurate record back home
to their vast constituents.
To be sure that mot a word is
missed" by the vast audience, a mi
crophone and amplifiers have been
installed. In many instances these
instruments are unnecessary as num-
bers of the brethren are fully capable
Of being heard even in the far re-
+ tcesses of the building.
The Episcopal Address
Easy divorces and companionate
marriages were scored as the "great-
est blight to our civilization" and
''the nearest approach to prostitution
to the marriage altar" by the episco-
pal address, which is message from
the bishopric to the conference and
delivered by a series of bishops. The
message pointed to the progress of
the Church, declaring "that in every
built, purchased or rebuilt, the mem
bership has increased and the minis
ters as a whole are more cultured
and better trained"
Modernism and fundamentalism
were thrust in the background, in this
address, evidencing the belief that
~
plished through "unity of religion"
unity of the church." and the "unity
of man."
In pointing out the problems faced
by the Church, due to the migration
of Negroes from the south to the
north, the bishops ascribed the reason
for tha t,aiorafiaY, m fstba er,p,raooion
oppression, and repression of our peo-
pie by the dominant group in the
south, and the deprivation of poll
tical rights"
recommendation were submitted
condemning lynching and segregation
and urging the people to make
thoughtful use of the ballot in all
elections. Other recommendations
pertaining to legislation. were refer
red to committees.
Reports
The report of the financial depart
ment showed that the denomination
was enjoying healthy financial
SAVWbi. tHah anu q
half dollars have been paid into the
department and in dollar money
alone there had been an increase of
more than $150,000. Through the
financial department, many churches,
schools, and other departments of the
Church have been helped materially.
The report was made by Mr.. John R.
Hawkins, secretary.
In education the A. M. f. Church
is doing great work. Conducting 15
schools, all of which reported that
they were making progress and were
in better shape than at the last gen.
eral conference, this denomination is
touching the lives of thousands of
young people who are endeavoring to
prepare themselves for larger and
more serviceable life and a we'll
rounded citizenship.
The Methodist Book Concern, un-
der the managership of d. M. Baxter,
is now source of pride to all mem
bers of the Church. A new building