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And Minutes of the First Council of the United
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And Minutes of the First Council of the United
Board of Bishops of the three Colored
Methodist Connections.
THE A. M. E. CHURCH STATISTICS.
Though very difficult, it is very necessary, to record the
facts of our history as we pass; otherwise they will be treated
with indifference; for humanity judges, that if an organization
so large does not think enough of itself to record its status
and its progress, there is not much in it for others to seek.
Besides this, the chronicler on the outside is liable to do us
injustice on the side of dimunition, if we do not furnish the
data for him ; and we ourselves are liable to go far on the side
of magnification, if we do not have real facts available.
While we have published glowing facts and given to statis¬
ticians of the country and of other churches those facts, we
have done little real statistical recording from the basis of
actual knowledge, and we are not doing much now. Approxi¬
mating in records of this kind is well enough as the exception,
but when we give statistics, nothing is. better than going to
the base of operation and activity.
I have given out statistics to the national gov¬
ernment and to others that were based upon the
words I had read and heard more than on the facts
that I knew. I tried to know, as all "Our fathers have done"
but, like them, I have found so little reliable data in respect
to several vital points, that I have had to approximate.
From having discovered so many errors of my own in
this work, I have little doubt that many more have gone
undiscovered by me, to be seen by others. The supervisors
and lawmakers of our church can obviate much present
difficulty in making up statistics by carefully making and
rigidly following, a systematic form of blank sheets for
- 4 -
our Annual Conferences, omitting a large part of what we
now insist on printing in our conference minutes. It is
well if our pastors and our local church authorities take note
of every one of the data that we record in minutes, to the
exclusion of vital facts. It may be well to record in our
written records of Annual Conferences—though I doubt it—
the number of deaths, births, marriages, officials, etc., without
giving the name of one of them. It may be well to receive
our pastoral statements at Annual Conference, in detail; as
so much W. M. M. money, so much W. H. & F. money, so
much H. & F. money, so much pastor's gift money; but on our
table sheets all these funds should be registered in one column
as money for missions; the same is true concerning the money
reported for education, it should be printed in one column as
Education Funds. The moneys used by the district confer¬
ences in their business should certainly be recorded, put to
gether with all the expense of the Annual Conferences—in¬
cluding printing minutes—in one column, as Conference Sup¬
port. It is certainly unnecessary to pay for the publication of
the number of periodicals taken on any given charge or the
amount of literature taken in the S. S.
The matter of conversions is well to report to the confer¬
ences ; considering the case as we have it year by year, it would
hardly seem necessary to publish it. Respecting tabulating
number of Accessions it may be said; unless we at the same
time record exactly the number, in all ways, lost, there is little
known respecting the numbers of members and probationers:
opposite our "Accessions" should stand our Dimunitions—
without any description as to manner of the diminitiones.
If we should arrange our tables in three classes; always asso¬
ciating the S. S. work where it is the same with that of the
church in kind, in one column with church statistics; as
money collected 011 connectionl days, conversions, etc.
The three classes might be as now; NUMERICAL
LOCAL FINANCE, CONNECTIONAL FINANCE. With
some arrangement of this kind; every conference being bound
- 5 -
to use exclusively the official report blank, we should reach
a better ground for statistical records. There could be two
or three blank columns left for essential variations, but
£.s a rule these would not be needed; we should no longer be
babes; miscellaneous topics could be blended in our tables
under one head "Miscellaneous," in respect to matters whose
recording is more to publish amounts than analysis.
This is certain; we must improve the methods and manner
of our census work. Our Official tables must be intelligible,
comprehensive and reliable, and they must be stripped of
worthless entries.
I take occasion here to thank the few ministers and friends
—including Bishops—who have co-operated with me by send¬
ing minutes; in one case a minister went more than one hun¬
dred miles to secure his conference minutes: Thanks.
It is fair to me and to the church, to repeat, that these
tables are known to be faulty and irregular. Some cases are
based on minutes as old as from 1905 ; the nearest I could get;
others are of either 1900 or 1907. For want of data much
approximating has been done, and our departmental statistics
have been omitted.
I offer the following as a basis for reports to the statistician
of the A. M. E. Church:
Numerical Statistics for the Sunday Schools and Churches
—Membership, Probationers, Accessions, Diminutions, Trav¬
eling Preachers, Local Preachers, Exhorters, Churches, Seat¬
ing Capacity, Parsonages, Sunday Schools, Pupils, Teachers,
Endeavor Societies.
Local Finance—Support of Ministers, Local Church Sup¬
port, Sunday School Support, Allen Endeavor Support, Benev¬
olence—Total Local Funds, Value of Property.
Connectional Finance—One Dollar Fund, Mission Funds,
Education Funds, Sunday School Union Fund, Church Exten¬
sion Fund, Conference Support; Total for Connectional Pur¬
poses. Grand Total for all Purposes.
Whatever we give to the Bible Cause and to any object on
- 6 -
Allen's Day is evidently benevolence, and should so be pub¬
lished. We should be very careful about our entries under
"Charities," which term I recommend discontinued, and
Benevolence used instead. Reading" our statistics we are sure
much more than belongs there is accredited to Charity work;
and "Current Expenses" is another term leading to confusion.
It may be well to report to the conferences how much has been
used in our Incidental-—rather than in our current expenses,
and confine the use of the term to incidents of the expenses
of our work; as purchasing fuel, paying sextons, purchasing
tools, etc. "Buying, . Building, Repairing," etc., should be
registered under Local Church Fund. Of course, all this is
only recommendatory; better than we have. Owing to irregu¬
larity in recording number of members and the custom of
cutting the number to enlarge the ratio of dollar money to
the membership, figures for membership are not given in
analysis. We give the probable number of full paid members
as 700,000. We shall issue blanks to every Annual Conference
for perfect statistics. Our figures date from 1905.
Our Annual Conference Secretaries must be required to
add every column, before going to press and in proof. They
should certainly do this in respect to all the subjects—as some
very carefully and creditably do. This applies not to the
aggregation of the figures of each Presiding Elder District,
but the aggregation at the last point in each table—regarding
every column—the figures of the whole conference. Then the
Statistical Secretary must be required to publish a summary
to include every topic involved in the statistics; as :
Summary of Statistics. Numerical—Members, Probation¬
ers, Accessions, Diminutions, Traveling Preachers, Local
Preachers, Exhorters, Churches, Seating Capacity, Parson¬
ages, Sunday Schools, Pupils, Teachers, Allen Endeavor Soci¬
eties.
Money Used for Local Work—For Support of Preachers,
for Support of Local Churches, for Support of Sunday Schools,
for Support of Allen C. E. Work. Total for Local Work.
— 7 —
Money Reported for Connectional Work—For the One
Dollar Fund, for the Missions Fund, for the Education Funds,
for the Sunday School Union Fund, for the Church Extension
Fund, for Conference Funds. Total for Connectional Work;
total for All Purposes. This, of course, would be published
in columns.
We should also have special uniform blanks for the use of
Departments—with variations, where necessary.
The practice of reporting for record in the Conference
Journal, our indebtedness is wise, but the publication of this
item in our minutes is of questionable propriety. Our mem¬
bership should be well regarded and recorded and truly pub¬
lished. It is useless to publish what we cannot defend beyond
doubt.
For Better Statistics,
BENJAMIN F. LEE.
MONEYS AS COLLECTED BY EPISCOPAL
DISTRICTS.
(All moneys included.)
First Episcopal District $236,470 02
Second Episcopal District 241,907 22
Third Episcopal District 202,402 28
Fourth Episcopal District 224,959 15
Fifth Episcopal District 203,927 30
Sixth Episcopal District 068,782 60
Seventh Episcopal District 403,925 84
Eighth Episcopal District 150,843 25
Ninth Episcopal District 185,290 54
Tenth Episcopal District 140,416 64
Eleventh Episcopal District 241,416 64
Twelfth Episcopal District 33,016 71
By Business of Departments and Institutions. . . 300,000 00
Total $3,233,418 19
- 8 —
FINANCIAL BUSINESS OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
Financial Business of the A. M. E. Church may be classified
under three general heads, LOCAL CONNECTIONAL and
DEPARTMENTAL.
1. Local Funds—Money collected for use of churches and
Sunday Schools, including building, buying, improving, etc.,
and is called Local. It amounts to nearly three million dol¬
lars annually.
2. Connectional Funds—Money collected for, and used by
the connection, amounting to about three hundred thousand
dollars annually.
3. Departmental Funds—Money collected through and
by the church business enterprises and institutions themselves,
including schools; not counting the money which, listed as
"connectional" goes to the support of these same enterprises
and institutions. These departmental funds amount to about
three hundred thousand dollars annually.
This gives an approximate total for all purposes of about
three million one hundred and forty-one thousand three hun¬
dred and twelve dollars ($3,141,312.00) annually.
1. Money for Local Purposes.
To Ministers
To use of Sunday Schools
To Business of Local Churches. .
To Support of A. C. E. League. . .
To Benevolence
$1,430,752 91
92,547 39
953,711 78
5,189 48
83,354 92
Collected for Local Purposes
$2,565,556 48
2. Money for Connectional Purposes.
To the One Dollar Fund
To Mission Funds
To Education Funds
To Sunday School Union Fund. .
To Church Extension Fund
$ 170,781 60
44,513 80
50,472 53
6,980 16
6,980 16
- 9 -
To Funds to Support Conferences 14,114 43
Collected for Connectional Purposes $2,293,842 68
By Business of Departments and Institutions 300,000 00
Grand Total for All Purposes—approximately. . .$3,559,399 16
Property Value $7,721,811 00
The Conference Support Fund—In this is not only included
the Annual Conference Contingent Fund but the District Con¬
ference and Sunday School Convention Contingent Fund, and
the expense of publishing the Annual Conference Minutes, the
one-fourth of the traveling and support money connected with
General Conference. In this however, there is large failure
in the regular notation ; so twenty thousand dollars is added
to the aggregations in the regular notation—$11,869.91—giv¬
ing the reasonable estimate of $31,869.91 as funds to support
Conferences.
Benevolence—This includes the small sums given to the
Bible Cause annually and gifts to our own causes and people.
Church Extension and Sunday School Union Offices—
These funds are the moneys collected on "Children's Day,"—
second Sunday of June, and divided evenly between the two
offices.
Mission Funds—These are of three classes; the Home and
foreign Missionary Societies' Contributions and the Woman's
Mite Societies' Contributions, which are divided; three-fifths
to the home work and two-fifths to the foreign work; and the
Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Contributions; divided
half and half between the two activities.
The money for home missions is adininistered by the
Annual Conferences; the foreign mission funds by the Board
of Missions, composed of one person from each Bishop's dis¬
trict and one Bishop as chairman.
The Education Funds—In this place no note is made of
the payment of eight per cent, of the "One Dollar Fund" to
the support of schools; as that is to be considered below.
— 10 —
The third Sunday of September—styled by us Education Day
—is given up largely to collecting funds for our schools.
These funds are administered by the college boards, subject
to supervision by the Annual Conference and the Secretary of
Education. At the Annual Conference every minister is sup¬
posed to contribute one dollar to the cause of education—
many often giving as much as twenty-five dollars. The edu¬
cation funds frequently receive even much larger contribu¬
tions at the District Conferences, Sunday School Conventions
and School Board meetings.
One Dollar Fund—This fund is popularly known as the
"Dollar Money" because it is based upon the requirement—
in a general way—of one dollar "from or for" each member of
the Church. It is appropriated in divisions of 8%, 10%, 36%
and 46% ; the first division, to the Educational Office, is admin¬
istered by the Secretary of Education, a board composed of one
person from each Episcopal District and a Bishop as chairman;
the second to the Church Extension Office for administration
by the Secretary of Church Extension, a Board composed of
one person from each Episcopal District and a Bishop as chair¬
man. The 36 per cent, is applied by the Annual 'Conferences;
1. To supplement pastors' salaries when very deficient.
2. To the Annual Conference Mission Fund, for Home
Missionaries.
3. To the payment of pensions; (a) to Superannuate
Preachers; (b) to Widows of Preachers; (c) to Orphans of
Preachers.
4. To aid the work of education.
5. Io othei Benevolences, and the Annual Conference
Administration.
The 46 per cent, is forwarded by the Annual Conference to
the Office of Finance, where it is paid out as follows, under
the administration of the Secretary of Finance and a board
composed of one person from each Bishop's district and one
Bishop as chairman—all elected by the General Conference •
1. To Conneetional Benevolence.
-11 -
2. To the Administration of the Office of Finance.
3. To Connectional Administration.
4. To assist in the support of General Conference.
5. To payment of Pensions to Widows of Bishops.
6. To payment of Pensions, to Orphans of Bishops.
7. To pay Bishops' Traveling" Expense while holding"
Annual Conferences.
8. To payment of Bishops' House Rent.
9. To Salary of the Editor of the Christian Recorder.
10. To Salary of the Publisher of the Christian Recorder.
11. To Salary of the Editor of the Southern Christian
Recorder.
12. To Salary of the Editor of the Quarterly Review.
13. To Salary of the Secretary of the Board of Missions.
14. To Salary of the Secretary of the Board of Education.
15. To Salary of the Secretary of the Board of Christian
Endeavor.
16. To Salary of the Secretary of Finance.
17. To One-Fourth Salary of the Secretary of the Preach¬
ers' Aid Association.
18. To Salary of Effective Bishops.
19. To Salary of Ineffective Bishops.
20. To aid Students and Deans in the Theological Semi¬
naries.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH.
Wilberforce University.
This institution was founded by the Ohio Annual Confer¬
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1856, and purchased
by the African Methodist Episcopal Church 1863.
We have been unable to secure any special report of the
work in general outline. The following" facts are taken from
the annual report of 1907. These show the University's
strength and promise.
Synopsis of President's Address to Trustee Board.
The truest test of a school's worth is what that school does
- 12 -
for its students and what it does through them for the world.
Judged by this standard, Wilberforce University still ranks
as the leading Negro school in America. Our material Wil¬
berforce, or that Wilberforce which is seen in the form of
brick and clay, houses and lands, suffers in'comparison with
many of her sister schools; but our real Wilberforce—the
organic life, that intangible something, that dynamic force
which makes for character, for the banishment of ignorance,
for the dissemination of truth, for the inculcation of man¬
hood, for the education of men, yea for the making of men—
is great and daily grows greater.
The Carnegie Library—a thing of art, beauty and useful¬
ness—is now completed.
Wilberforce University as founded may be technically
known as a college of Liberal Arts; but Wilberforce Univer¬
sity today, as an educational plant, consists of the old founda¬
tion inclusive of its latter day departments that have been
firmly moored to the old foundation by organic legislation
which legislation was meant never to lead to any disunion nor
to any magnification of parts at the expense of the whole.
Throughout the history of the world, universities have always
consisted of a college of liberal arts for exact learning and
professional schools and training departments for the occupa-
tive that were utilitarian in character. With the College
of Liberal Arts confining its operations to its time-honored
fields and the professional and utilitarian departments adher¬
ing closely to their lines of work and the University left free
to 'make additional special departments as means and times
demand, there is room for limitless growth in our educational
plant and that without harm or injury to the permanent foun¬
dation. We have now at Wilberforce the germ of a great
University.
The C. N. and I. Department at Wilberforce.
This department is developing very rapidly indeed. The
State of Ohio has been very generous in supplying the means
- 13 -
for the conduct of this department. Galloway Hall, consist¬
ing of a commodious assembly room and other rooms for the
accommodation of school classes, has been completed. The
assembly room seats about a thousand persons. We have in
practical operation a Normal School, Business Course, Short¬
hand and Typewriting Course, and the following industrial
courses: Carpentry, Sewing, Cooking, Shoemaking, Printing,
Millinery, Blacksmithing, Wheel-wrighting and Vehicle-build¬
ing, Plumbing, Tailoring, and shop work in iron as well as a
course in Practical Engineering; making them more and more
scientific and technical; more educational, until the whole de¬
partment reaches an efficiency that will enable us to send
out master workmen in these arts. For this purpose the C.
N. and I. Board has appointed a committee on Course of
Study, to recast our course of study in keeping with the pur¬
poses herein announced and to correlate these courses in such
manner as to have them fit into the University life and serve
the growing needs of both the school and the age. In launch¬
ing this department, it is designed that the literary work cul¬
tural in character was to be done by the University Faculty,
and this work was to be paid for out of the funds of the C.
N. and I. Department.
Payne Theological Seminary.
This department is doing excellent work. Our teachers
are excellent gentlemen and hard workers. Considering the
present status of our people and our churches, where the de¬
mand for ministers somewhat trained is so great, the English
Course in Theology ought to be made available to every man
who has capacity and a fair education; but all candidates for
the degree of bachelor of divinity ought to be men of acknowl¬
edged scholarship. Their foundation training in liberal studies
should be respectable. Diplomas in themselves mean nothing
unless they signify to the world that the holders have actually
received the training and acquired the enlargement and power
of mind for which a college education stands.
— 14 —
College Department.
The College Department or that part of the University
constituting the original foundation is in as healthy condition
as we could reasonably expect. We have struggled hard and
accomplished much during the year with the means at our
command. At last Commencement, the report of our Secre¬
tary showed an indebtedness in round numbers of $35,000.00.
Enrollment.
Net College Roll 222
Net C. N. & I. Roll 200
Theological 21
Grand Total Enrollment 443
Receipts from all sources from June 1, 1906, to May 31,
1907:
Total $23,061 19
Brought forward from last year 568 88
Total to be accounted for $23,630 07
Total disbursed 23,623 90
Balance in Treasury $ 6 39
Report—Campbell College.
Value of property $78,000 00
Number of teachers 10
Total annual salary 3,224 97
Number of students enrolled 335
Number of graduates in the history of school 6
Amount of money received for the year 10,100 00
Sources:
From district Conference. . . . $2,300 00
S. S. Conventions 1,400 00
From Conference Ed. Dol... 400 00
From Tuition 6,000 00
- 15 -
Way man Institute.
Value of property $ 7,500 00
Number of teachers 3
Total annual salary 1,200 00
Number of students enrolled 91
Number of graduates in the history of school 14
Amount of money received for. the year
Paul Quinn College.
Value of property $225,000 00
Number of teachers 11
•Total annual salary 4,514 85
Number of students enrolled 330
Number of graduates in history of school 80
Amount of money received for year 117,250 00
Sources:
Frc.n Dr. Hawkins $1,000 00
From District Conference and
S. S. Convention 7,000 00
Per Ed. Rotau, Banker, Waco,
Texas 250 00
Kittrell College.
Value of property $ 50,000 00
Number of teachers 13
Total annual salary 4,910 00
Number of students enrolled 207
Number of graduates in history of school 160
Amount of money receive;! for year 11,332 13
Source :
Contributed by Church .... $3,694 0')
Contributed by others 7,638 13
ALLEN UNIVERSITY, COLUMBIA, S. C.
Synopsis of Statement by Rev. Wm. D. Johnson, D. D., Presi¬
dent of Allen University.
The large number of young men and women who have
— 16 —
graduated from Allen University continue to reflect honor
upon the institution by their noble work on the farm, in
mechanic arts, in fine arts, in law, in medicine, and as preach¬
ers of the gospel.
The Executive Board: Bishop L. J. Coppin, D. D., Presi¬
dent; Rev. N. B. Sterrett, D. D., Vice-President; Rev. J. C.
Williams, B. S., D. D., P. E., Secretary; Rev. R. E. Wall,
D. D., Treasurer; Rev. B. J. Ramsey, D. D.; Rev. P. J. Chavis,
D. D.; Mr. R. J. Logan; Prof. E. G. Jones, B. S., and Mr.
Z E. Walker.
The Theological Department, in charge of Prof. S. J. Guess,
B. S., B. D., is doing regular work and meeting with great"
favor.
The Sewing Department, under Airs. Ella E. Sightler, is
doing splendid work for the institution.
Since last Conference we have collected in subscription
payments $413.67.
The New Building—Coppin Hall.
At the last session of Conference the new building at Allen
University existed only in thought and possibility. Now we
can point to one of the largest, most substantial, beautiful and
best equipped buildings ever erected and controlled by the
Negro Race. March 20th, 1906, Bishop Levi J. Coppin,
assisted by the Trustees, faculty and visiting ministers, after
religious ceremonies, broke ground for the new University
building. Later the contract was given Rev. John D. Smart,
of Winnsboro, a traveling minister of the Columbia Confer¬
ence. At the Commencement, in June, the brick work being
up to the second story, the corner-stone was laid by the Grand
Master and visiting Lodges of the Grand United Order of
Odd Fellows of South Carolina; and, in honor of our worthy
presiding Bishop, Levi J. Coppin, D. D., it was named the
Coppin Hall.
The building will probably be completed in about a month.
It is built of fine red brick, 110 by 45 feet, and four stories
— 17 —
high, with Mansard roof, covered by artistic tin shingles,
while large Grecian columns adorn the front portico of the
building.
The first floor contains eight large rooms, to be used for
office, library and recitation rooms. The second floor is taken
up entirely with the Chapel, which is capable of seating about
700 persons. The third and fourth floors are to be used for
girls' sleeping apartments and contain 19 rooms each, includ¬
ing two bath rooms, making 47 rooms in all. The building is
equipped with toilets, electric lights, water supply and heat¬
ing apparatus; the house to cost, when completed, $'20,000,
without the furniture.
Number of Students.
Males Females Total
Primary Department r>5 49 104
Intermediate Department (57 94 1(51
Normal Department 52 78 130
College Department . . . . 11 2 13
Music Department 2 11 13
Sewing Department — 4 4
Theological Department 22 — 22
Total 209 238 447
Counted twice 11
Actual attendance 430
Many young ministers are pursuing studies in other de¬
partments to better prepare themselves for the full course in
theology.
At the Commencement last June $5,000 cash was collected
on the spot looking to the erection of this building.
Allen University was started in 1880. Our property is now
valued at about $100,000, yet in all that time we have received
only $1,700 help from white friends.
— 18 -
SCHOOLS FOR THE COLORED RACE.
Separate schools for negroes are maintained in all the former
sixteen slave States and the District of Columbia. For the year
1904-5 the sum of $46,401,832 was expended for the support of
the common schools for whites and negroes. In most of the
Southern States separate accounts are kept not of school expendi¬
tures, but at the present time, according to careful estimates,
about 20 per cent, of the public school funds in these States is
for the support of schools for the negroes. The table which fol¬
lows shows the common school enrollment in the South, separate
as to race, each year since 1877. The annual expenditure for the
schools for both races since 1870 is shown in the same table.
The public school expenditure for the entire South since 1870
has aggregated $818,242,553. It is estimated that at least
$149,000,000 of this has bas been expended to support common
schools for the colored race.
Table 1.—Sixteen later slave States and the District of Columbia.
Year.
Common school
enrollment.
Expendi¬
tures
(both
races).
Year.
Common school
enrollment.
Expendi¬
tures
(both
races).
White.
Colored.
White.
Colored.
1870-71
1871-72
1872-7:-!
$10,385,464
11,623,238
11,176,048
11,823,775
13.021,514
12,033,865
11,231,073
12,093,091
12,174,141
12,628,685
13,656,814
15,241,740
16,363,471
17.884,558
19,253,874
20,208,113
20,821 969
21,810,158
23,171.878
1889-90.. ..
1890-91 .
3,402,420
3,570,624
3,607,549
3,697,899
3,848,541
3,846,267
3.943,801
3.937,992
4,145,737
4,144,643
4,261.369
4,301,954
4,386,322
4.428,842
4,522,744
4,564,798
1,296,959
1,329,549
1 354 316
1,367.515
1.432,198
1,423,593
1,449,325
1,460,084
1,540,749
1,509.275
1,560,070
1,594,308
1,575,659
1,578,632
1,577,385
1,602,194
8 24,880,107
26,690,310
27,691,488
28,535,738
29,223,546
29,443,584
31,149,724
31,286,883
31,247,218
33,110,581
34,805,568
35,998,667
37,887,537
39,582,654
43,653,647
46,401,832
1891 92
1879-74
1892 93
1874-75
1893 94
1875-76
1876-77
T827,139
2,034,946
2,013,684
2 215,674
2 234.877
2,249.263
2.370,110
2,546,448
2,676,911
2,773,145
2,975,773
3,110,606
3.197,830
571,506
675.150
685,942
784,709
802,374
802,982
917,240
1,002,313
1,030,463
1,048,65
1,118.556
1,140.405
1.213.092
1894-95 ,.
1895 96
1877-78
1878-79 ■.
1896-97 ....
1897 98
1879-80
1880-81
1881-82
1882-83
1883-84
1881-85
1885-86
1886-87
1887-88
J88X-X9
1898-99 ..
1899-1900..
1900-1901..
1901-2
1902-3
1903-4
1904-5
Total...
$818,242,553
Comparative statistics of the common schools for both races
lor the year ending June, 1905, are exhibited in Table 2. The
totals for the Sovith are compared with like totals for 1890 and
for 1900.
- 19 -
Table 2. Common school statistics of the South, 1904-5.
State.
Estimated number
of persons 5 to 18
years of age.
Percentage
of the
whole.
Persons enrolled in
public schools.
Per cent of
persons 5-18
yrs.enroll'd
White.
Colored.
Wh.
Col.
White.
Colored.
Wh.
Col.
Alabama
Arkansas
Delaware (1899-00)
District of Columbia
Florida (1903-4)
Georgia
Kentucky (1902-3)
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi (1902 3)
Missouri
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
357,380
342,143
40,094
44,446
102,380
415.416
602.912
253,702
278,301
221,981
930,455
441,267
193,638
520,799
909,653
381,321
313,534
305,663
131.871
8,888
21,370
78421
387.166
88.580
238,827
73,355
332,141
47,736
234,693
303,125
165,881
246,490
236,503
12.385
53.90
72.82
81.85
67.53
36 72
51.76
87.19
51.51
79.14
40.06
95.12
65.28
38.98
75.85
78.68
61.72
96.20
46.10
27.82
18.15
32.47
43.28
48.24
12.81
48.49
40.86
59.94
4.88
34.72
61.02
24.15
21.32
38.28
•;.80
520,000
248,640
30,754
34,600
76,068
298,865
438.501
142,729
182.470
192,881
696,566
325,290
141,391
406.135
609,858
251,713
238,337
150,000
87,125
6,141
16,630
46,568
200.238
62,981
67,387
44,355
210.766
32,234
148,821
161.272
102,288
146.161
110,059
9,168
69.95
72.67
76.70
77.85
74.28
71.94
72.73
56.25
65.57
86.89
74.86
73.72
73.03
77 95
67.05
66.01
76.02
49.07
66.07
69.09
77.85
59.64
51.72
71.10
28.22
60.47
63.55
67.54
63.41
53.21
61.66
59.29
46.54
74.03
55.01
57.67
51.65
Total, 1904-5
Total, 1899-00
Total, 1889-90
6,349,620
5,892,392
5,132,948
2.912,795
2,705,142
2,510,817
68.55
68.55
67.15
31.45
31.45
32.85
4,564,194
4,261,369
3,402,420
1,602.194
1,560,070
1,296,599
71.89
72.32
66.28
State.
Average daily at¬
tendance.
Per cent of en¬
rollment.
Number of
teachers.
White.
Colored.
White.
Colored.
White.
Colored.
Alabama
135,000
75,000
54.00
50.00
3.900
1,500
Arkansas
154,111
53,329
61.99
66.21
6,174
1,652
Delaware (1899-1900)
21,500
3.800
69.91
61.88
693
138
District of Columbia
27,591
13,005
79.84
78.20
1,003
475
Florida (1903-4)
51,293
32,338
67.43
69.44
2,205
720
Georgia
191,784
119,705
64.17
59.79
6,951
3,409
Kentucky (1902-3)
268,720
41,116
61.28
65.28
9,021
1,428
Louisiana
100,033
46,201
70.09
68.56
3,515
1,165
Maryland
Mississippi (1902-3;
117,025
21,886
64.13
49.34
4.557
593
115,079
118,096
59.66
56.03
5,524
3,398
Missouri
450,234
20,432
64.64
63.39
16,675
710
North Carolina
196,898
83,390
60.53
56.04
7,005
2,682
South Carolina
92,635
107,800
65.52
66.84
3,602
2,457
Tennessee
277,537
71,151
68.31
69.56
7,862
1,922
Texas
407.129
94,605
66.76
64.73
13,940
3,176
Virginia
152,584
62,621
60.62
56.89
6,892
2,180
West Virginia
156,817
6,251
65.80
68.18
7,334
302
Total, 1904-5
Total, 1899-1900
Total, 1889-90
2,915,970
2,775,059
2.165,249
970,726
981,026
813.710
63.88
65.12
63.64
60.59
62.88
62.74
106,853
98,710
78.903
27,907
27.313
24.072
Statistics of A. M. E. Schools from Latest Results.
Name and Location.
1 Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, O..
2 Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, O
3 Morris Brown College Atlanta. Ga
4 Kittrell College, Kittrell, N. C
5 Paul Quinn College, Waco, Texas
6 Allen University, Columbia, S. C
7 Western University, Quindaro, Kan
8 Edward Waters College, Jacksonville. Fla
9 Shorter University, North Little Rock, Ark
10 Payne University, Selma, Ala
11 Campbell-Stringer College, Jackson, Miss
12 Wayman Institute, Harrodsburg, Ky
13 Turner Norma 1 Institute, Shelbyville, Tenn..
14 Flegler High School, Marion, S. C
15 Delhi Institute. Delhi, La
16 Sisson High School, So. McAllister, I. T
1891
1856
1880
1886
1881
1880
1883
1887
1897
1891
1887
103K
18
2S
8
3 2 S
a
« Men
O p
3.$..
•20
7
8
8
8
10
8
4
9
2
1
3
3
3
2
9.00
6 75
6.50
10.50
6.50
7.50
7.50
6.00
^2
1512 41 525.912
►tfSL
2 p
$13,000
158,400
75,000
30,000
80,000
35,000
75,000
25,000
10,250
3,000
10 500
2,760
3,500
1,505
3 000
Foreign Work.—Parochial Schools in Africa, British Guiana, the
Islands of Hayti, San Domingo, Bermudo and
Bahama, representing 9 Schools, 27 Teachers,
1,291 Pupils; with school property valued at
$8,000.
General Summary.—No. of Schools, 25; Teachers, 100; Average
Attendance of Pupils, 4,695: Acreage of
Land, 1,482; Buildings, 51; Total value of
School Property, $525,000.
- 21 -
THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH, CHICAGO, ILLS.
The Institutional Church is not, as some have been led to
think, a social organization without religious basis. The un¬
derlying principle must be "sanctifying all days and all means
to the great end of saving the world for Christ." There is a
difference between an Institutional Church and a Social Settle¬
ment ; where both are combined the latter must always be
subordinate to the former.
Here is one fact well known—all social reforms which have
had their origin in the large cities of the world in the last 25
years have perished, unless based upon Christianity, and all
religious movements that have adopted social methods have
experienced a period of prosperity. The Institutional Churches
are to deal with the cities; here are the nerve centres of almost
all great movements. The battle between Christ and Satan
has waged with increasing severity ever since the days of Paul
who said, "I am set as a defense of the gospel in Rome." The
first successes of the great preachers (Peter, Paul Chrysos-
tom) were in the leading cities of the East. The early his¬
tory of Christianity is a history of three great cities, Jerusalem,
Antioch and Rome. Paul saw that the saving of the cities
meant the saving of the world, and what was true in Paul's
days is no less true in our day. Our Church has the greatest
opportunity ever open to a church or denomination to do a
certain and specific work for reaching a great bulk of the race
who are constantly drifting into this city. The saloon and
amusement halls are the only places open every day for the
reception of our young men and women. If they do not go to
these, they are thus cut out of that social contact which many
desire. While the work here has increased along many lines
it has been done in spite of the unfriendly attitude of other re¬
ligious organizations ; not one penny has been contributed by
any organization for the maintenance of a single activity here
in spite of the fact that the nursery and kindergarten, bas¬
ket ball, reading room, etc., are undenominational and non-sec-
- 22 -
tarian. I believe it is the fear that these innovations will de¬
stroy our old set opinions as to how the thing ought to be done,
but what does any method mean to a people if they are not
reached and saved thereby; if the regular church is not reach-
tion to something new, if that something" new has as its object
tion to something enw, if that something new has as its object
ultimately the salvation of man?
THE DAY NURSERY.
This is a department supported by the King's Daughters,
an organization of about 25 earnest and energetic workers.
From 20 to 30 children are in attendance every day. These
children are given two meals, looked after by a young woman
qualified for the work. A number of the mothers have said:
"I do not know what I would have done if it had not been for
the nursery." In addition to the provision for the care of the
children each day the nursery supplies clothing for many des¬
titute persons. Can any one say that this is not the work that
the Master would approve? "Inasmuch as you have done it
unto the least of these, my little ones, you have done it
unto me."
The material is here (the people). What is needed is the
proper adjustment and arrangement of this building to meet
the absolute needs of the colored people. Every provision has
been made for the young white man: churches, social organi¬
zations, clubs, etc., making provision for the care of body and
intellect. We are doing nothing along this line aside from
what is being done at this Institutional Church.
To make this work successful, our great Church will need
to sustain the same relation to this work as the Wesleyan
Church does to the South London Mission. In 1889 it was
but a small mission with less than 200 members; today a build¬
ing stands on the ground which will seat 2,000, and the
membership has increased to over three thousand; conver¬
sions daily, besides the great good that is accomplished for the
poor and unfortunate. The A. M. E. Institutional Church
- 23 -
can be made the center of a great social work with the prime
object to help the people to help themselves, and at the same
time to win their confidence in order that we may be in a
position to help them spiritually. This is being done now in a
small way ; it ought to be on a larger plain, but this requires
some source of regular financial backing.
It is evident that we need not expect any help from any
of the churches, our own included. They: have their
obligations to meet; the demands upon them are num¬
erous. Every night, as a rule, is taken with socials,
festivals, concerts, shows, etc., and even with all of
these they are crying beneath their burdens. We are
confronted with the problem of church growth and de¬
velopment. "The ceaseless advance of democracy is trans¬
forming society ; the ceaseless advance of science is transform¬
ing thought; the universal diffusion of education, the gigantic
growth of great cities and the transfer of power to the mass
of the people have altered the problems of church growth."
All the old method of the early days—even of our own church
—will not do today. Some of them cannot be substituted.
We are called upon for new methods; this does not mean
to degrade the assuring doctrine of atonement by Jesus Christ,
nor the doctrine of a clean heart, and a pure and upright life,
the doctrine of the necessity of salvation from sin, but it means
more work for the masses; it means the devising of methods
of saving the boys and girls and throwing around them in¬
fluences which will make them better and stronger men and
women.
The regular church deals almost entirely with the spiritual
side of the individual; the Sunday service, week-day meetings,
etc., accomplish this end ; the Institutional Church idea is that
the church is not only to save souls, but to prepare people
for citizenship in the kingdom of God here on earth. The
persons with whom the church has to do, have bodies and
intellects, as well as souls. The process of dealing with these
triple natures cannot be carried on intelligently without con-
- 24 —
sidering and in a degree understanding our influences and en¬
vironment. Conditions and circumstances are not propitious
for such manifold work in the regular church; therefore, the
need of the Institutional Church. It should be the center
around which and in which should flow the combined in¬
fluences of all denominations, for the better provision for the
physical, social, intellectual and religious nature of the people.
This does not mean that we are to make less of regeneration;
but, even more, the way to save society is to save the indi¬
vidual as the essential unit of society; and the only power that
can save the individual is the life of Christ formed within.
INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIAL SETTLE¬
MENT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
From April, 1906, to May, 1907—Receipts, $4,104.49; dis¬
bursements, $4,109.10 ; deficit, $4.61.
I was appointed here October, 1905. I found a debt of
$843. The debt was against the church for the following
items: Gas, coal, janitor service, teachers in the Kindergarten,
roof repair, furnace repair, and furniture bill. This account
has been reduced to $295. The present debt up to May, 1907,
is $299.61.
The membership and congregation collected $2972 49
Contributions from public, subscriptions, etc 1132 00
The church has a membership of 194, with 15 probationers.
Total, 209.
The persons now associated with the work are as follows:
2 in the Kindergarten, 1 matron of Nursery, 1 teacher of Mil¬
linery Department, 1 in Musical Department, 1 in basket ball,
the minister, warden, janitor and cook, making a total of
9 persons. The Sewing Class will open this summer, also
Printing Department, Manual Training, etc.
THE CHURCH HOME, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
Report From Organization to March 1, 1907.
The Church Home of Bethel Church was purchased by
— 25 —
Bethel A. M. E. Church; Rev. John Hurst, pastor, 1901; the
purchase price was four thousand six hundred and seventy-
two dollars ($4,672.00). Twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00)
has been offered for it recently.
The building was furnished by subordinate and auxiliary
benevolent and fraternal organizations within the church, and
"The Williams Love and Charity Association" and "A Friend"
—in memorium—a room styled "The Scott-Stanford Room."
Total cost of original furnishings, about five hundred and fifty
dollars ($550.00).
The institution was formally opened in 1902. February 8
of that year, Georgianna Mun?on, an aged member of Bethel
Church, was transferred from the city almshouse—Bayview
Asylum—to the Church Home; the first inmate. Since then,
sixteen aged women have been admitted; seven of whom
have died.
Financial Statement—1901-1906.
In the first five years receipts and disbursements have been
as follows:
Receipts from public collections in Bethel Church. . $1,201 13
Through Board of Managers 427 67
Entrance fee of beneficiaries 1,977 00
By realizations on inmates' health and life policies. . 437 47
Miscellaneous donations 114 10
General Financial Statement for Year March 1, 1906- March
1, 1907.
Total
$4,647 38
Total receipts
Total disbursements
$1,099 46
1,084 01
SARAH R. JACKSON, Superintendent.
A. L. GAINES, D. D„
Pastor of Bethel Church, Baltimore, Md.
— 20 —
DOUGLAS HOSPITAL, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
Douglas Hospital is situated on a lot 125 x 125, between
Third and Fourth Streets on Washington "Avenue,, ;Kansas
City, Kans. The property is valued at $5,000. The main build¬
ing is of brick and the annex, six rooms, is frame. We have
a horse and wagon which do the hauling for the institution.
The same is also used by the soliciting agent.
The following is a statement from the Secretary of 'the
Board of Directors and the Matron, who has been in charge
since the property was deeded to the A. M. E. Church,
in 1906:
Report of Douglas Hospital from January 1, 1907, to
April 1,1908:
Patients treated 112
Patients cured 76
Patients died 13
Charity patients 52
Pay patients 64
From patients $924 75
Miss Henderson (Soliciting Agent) 624 83
State Kansas 300 00
County 120 00
By Conferences in the Fifth Episcopal District 186 30
Donations from other sources 562 72
No. physicians lectured to nurses 13
Nurses' Training School consists of—
Pupil nurses . 5
Graduate nurses 1
Bishop A. Grant, D. D., President; Rev. F. J. Peck, D. D.,
Vice-President; Rev. J. YV. Braxton, Treasurer; Rev. E*. R.
Vaughan, Secretary ; Dr. T. C. Unthank, Surgeon-in-Chief.
— 27 —
GENERAL CONFERENCES OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
The Organizing Convention, Philadelphia—1816.
Bishop Richard Allen.
In the city of Philadelphia, April 9, 1816, there assembled
from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey,
sixteen men, to confer on the subject of consolidating" churches
of Methodists, whose membership was of African descent—so
far as such churches wished—in a connection. These persons
were twelve ministers and six laymen. From Maryland were
Revs. Daniel Coker, Richard Williams, Henry Harden, and
Messrs. Stephen Hill and Nicholas Gilliard; from Pennsyl¬
vania were Revs. Richard Allen, Clayton Durham, Jacob Tap-
sico, James Champion, Jacob Marsh, William Anderson, Ed¬
ward Jackson, and Mr. Thomas Webster; from New Jersey,
Rev. Reuben Cuff; from Delaware, Rev. Peter Spencer.
The Foundation of the Superstructure.
"RESOLVED, That the people of Baltimore, Philadelphia,
and all other places, who should unite with them, shall become
one body, under the name and style of The African Methodist
Episcopal Church."
April 9, the Convention elected Rev. Daniel Coker, Bishop.
He declined the responsibility, and Rev. Richard Allen was
elected, and May 11, 1816, was consecrated Bishop.
General Conference, Philadelphia—1820.
Bishop Allen.
There are references to, but no record of, this Conference,
but much of general Conference business seems to have been
transacted in the only Annual Conferences—the Baltimore and
- 28 -
the Philadelphia—which two years later elected Rev. Morris
Brown assistant Bishop (ordained May 25, 1828).
It had been agreed in the original Convention that the Gen¬
eral Conference should be composed of one delegate for every
two hundred lay members.
General Conference, Baltimore—1824.
Bishop Allen.
Records wanting, excepting" in small matters relative to
expenses.
General Conference, Philadelphia—1828.
Bishops Allen and Morris Brown.
Bishop Morris Brown was consecrated May 25.
Special legislation relative to the book concern, two book
stewards being" appointed, Samuel Johnson of Pittsburg", and
Benjamin Kurtz of Cincinnati.
General Conference, Philadelphia—1832.
Bishop Brown (Bishop Allen had died 1831).
The Ohio Annual Conference was reported to this Confer¬
ence by Bishop Morris Brown, who had organized it in 1830.
General Conference, Baltimore, 1836.
Bishops Morris Brown and Waters.
Bishop Edward Waters was consecrated at this Confer¬
ence.
General Conference, Baltimore—1840.
Bishops Brown and Waters.
The Ind iana and Northern Canada Conferences were re¬
ported and enrolled.
General Conference, Pittsburg—1844.
Bishops Morris Brown, Waters and Quinn.
Bishop William Paul Quinn was consecrated at this Con¬
ference. The Discipline was revised, regarding" proceeds of
- 29 -
the Rook Concern, modifying composition of the General Con¬
ference, regulating order of making new Annual Conferences,
and the Contingent Expenses of Conferences.
General Conference, Philadelphia—1848.
Bishop Quinn.
Bishop Morris Brown was ill, (Bishop Waters had died
1847). Rev. Daniel A. Payne was elected historiographer of
the Church.
General Conference, Cincinnati—1856.
Bishops Quinn, Payne and Nazry.
The Episcopal address was a very comprehensive docu¬
ment, dealing more largely than formerly with the subject of
education.
The Missouri Annual Conference was enrolled, having
been organized in 1852. Steps were taken to set the work
in Canada apart as a connection, owing to difficulties in ad¬
ministering the connectional government there, said govern¬
ment located in the United States. The B. M. E. Church was
organized September 20, 1856, Rev. J. P. Campbell, General
Book Agent, recommended the merging of the offices of Agent
and Editor in one man.
Our Episcopal Seal was ordered. The design was by
Bishop Payne—the original of our historic "God our Father,
Man our brother, Christ our Redeemer." Two hundred dol¬
lars was set as the salary for Bishops and Pastors alike.
Fifty ministers were present at opening of Conference.
The magazine was changed to quarterly issue, and a weekly
paper was established, called The Christian Herald, and Rev.
A. R. Green made editor. Our Church was extended to in¬
clude New Orleans, La.
The Parent Home and Foreign Missionary Society, which
was organized at the General Conference of 1844, was strength¬
ened at this Conference. It was ordered that the ministers
should preach a missionary sermon each year. This was the
— 30 —
first Conference to receve the Episcopal address written. The
address urges the introduction of the office of Presiding Klder.
A modification of the Two-cent Law provided for one-half
of it being" applied to the aid of pastors, and superannuated
and supernumerary ministers and Bishops.
General Conference, New York—1852.
Bishops Quinn, Payne and Nazry.
Bishop Morris Brown had died. Revs. Willis Nazry and
Daniel A. Payne were elected and consecrated Bishops. The
quadrennial address was again strong, and again made a strong
plea for the establishing of the presiding eldership.
The privilege of allowing all of our preachers, regardless
pf the Conference to which they belonged, equal privileges
with members of any Conference, was changed; only by
special grant were they allowed a voice in a Conference of
which they were not members.
More than ordinary interest was taken in the election of
Bishops. It was the first instance in which a minister who had
not been previously used under appointment by the Bishop
or election by the Annual Conference as "Assistant Bishop."
This exception applied to Rev. Daniel A. Payne alone. At the
close of this Conference the first Episcopal Council was held,
and the first District Episcopal Supervision adopted, Bishop
Quinn taking the Indiana and Canada Conferences, Bishop
Payne the Philadelphia and New England, and Bishop Nazry
the Baltimore and New York.
The name Christian Recorder was substituted for the
Christian Herald, and Rev. M. M. Clark made editor, Rev.
W. H. Jones, boo agent, and Rev. W. T. Catto, book steward.
It was ordered that the Book Committee and the New York
Conference should pass upon all manuscript for books to be
published.
Twenty-five dollars was appropriated to revise and publish
the hymn book.
— 31 —
General Conference, Pittsburg—1860.
Bishops Quinn and Payne.
A committee was appointed to draft a constitution for the
Connectional Missionary Operations. Committee: J. P.Camp¬
bell, M. T. Staley, T. M. D. Ward, J. A. Warren, W. J. Fuller,
E. N. Hill, and R. Bridges. Rev. E. Weaver was made general
book steward, and Rev. James Lynch editor for the Christian
Recorder.
General Conference, Philadelphia—1864.
Bishops, Quinn, Payne, Wayman, Campbell.
Revs. Alexander W. Wayman and Jabez P. Campbell were
elected and consecrated Bishops.
This was the last General Conference to be held under the
old rule, under which the laity was represented by local preach¬
ers, this being the only representation given the laity in the
General Conference.
Chaplain H. M. Turner and Captain Robt. Small came to
the Conference from the battlefield. Other prominent persons
were Revs. Chas. Burch, Wm. A. Dove, Elisha Weaver, J. P.
Campbell, A. W. Wayman, J. A. Shorter, Joshua Woodlin, and
James Lynch. Wilberforce University had just been pur¬
chased.
Here the M. E. Church first recognized the A. M. E.
Church in fraternal greetings. Another feature of the session
was an attempt to afifect a union with the A. M. E. Zion
Connection.
The Bishops elected were Alexander W. Wayman and
Jabez P. Campbell. The general officer was Elisha Weaver,
elected to edit and publish the Christian Recorder.
General Conference, Washington, D. C.—1868.
Bishops Ouinn, Payne, Wayman, Campbell, Shorter,
Ward, Brown.
The Presiding Eldership was established, but each Annual
Conference was privileged to apply the system to whatever
- 32 -
extent it might see fit. Two new Conferences were added
to the Connection ; South Carolina and Louisiana; other Con¬
ferences were extended and the whole plan of Conferences
was changed to suit extensions. Appropriations were consid¬
ered for Wilberforce University, the Theological Seminary at
Charleston, S. C., and the Union Seminary at Hanover, Ind.
The office of Book Steward and Editor were separated and a
Publishing House ordered at St. Louis, Mo., and at Charles¬
ton, S. C. It was recommended by the Bishops that the time
of a minister's remaining on a charge be changed from three
to two years, but the recommendation was not passed. A
delegation was sent to the General Conference of the M. E.
Church, South. It was favorably received by them and some
valuable church property held by Negroes formerly of their
church, was surrendered to the A. M. E. Church.
The Bishops elected were T. M. D. Ward, James A. Shorter
and John M. Brown. Rev. B. T. Tanner was elected Editor
of the Christian Recorder.
General Conference, Nashville—1872.
Bishops Quinn, Payne, Wayman, Campbell, Shorter, Ward,
John M. Brown.
The "Dollar Money" law was recommended by the Com¬
mittee on Temporal Affairs, and adopted by the General Con¬
ference. This law is attributed to H. J. Young, J. H. W.
Burley, and A. L. Stanford.
Rev. J. H. A. Johnson was Secretary of the Conference.
The C. M. E. Church presented claims for some of the
property granted to the A. M. E. Church.
Attention was given to the mission work in Hayti.
The status of lay delegates was fixed.
Rev. W. H. Hunter was elected Publisher at the Book
Concern, Rev. J. H. W. Burley Secretary of Finance, and Rev.
B. T. Tanner Editor of the Christian Recorder.
Retirement of Bishop Quinn—Resolutions.
"RESOLVED, That our Senior Bishop, be allowed to
- 33 -
take the oversight of all the work, to go where he feels dis¬
posed, and that his traveling expenses be paid, and that the
Episcopal Districts be taxed in amount sufficient to give him
a reasonable support."
General Conference, Atlanta—1876.
Bishops Payne, Wayman, Campbell, Shorter, Ward and John
M. Brown, (Bishop Ouinn had died 1873).
Memorial services were held in nonor of Bishop William
Paul Quinn. the office of Stewardess was ordered. The General
Conference authorized the Metropolitan Church, Washington,
D. C., Bishop Payne tendered his resignation of the office of
President of the Wilberforce University, and Rev. B. F. Lee
was nominated as his successor.
The Woman's Mite Missionary Society made its first report
to General Conference, having been organized in 1874.
Rev. H. M. Turner was elected Publisher at the Book
Concern, Rev. B. T. Tanner Editor of the Christian Recorder,
Rev. R. H. Burley Secretary of Finance (Dr. Burley resigned,
1876, succeeded by Rev. J. C. Embry), Rev. R. PI. Cain Sec¬
retary of Missions, Rev. J. C. Embry Commissioner of Educa¬
tion. When he accepted the office of Secretary of Finance,
Rev. B. F. Watson succeeded to the office of Commissioner of
Education.
General Conference, St. Louis—1880.
Bishops Payne, Wayman, Campbell, Shorter, Ward, John M.
Brown, Turner, Dickerson, Cain.
Revs. H. M. Turner, W. F. Dickerson and R. H. Cain were
elected and consecrated Bishops.
Two noted visitors greeted the Conference, Rev. Dwyght
L Moody, one of the world's most celebrated Evangelists, and
Rev. William McDonald, Fraternal Delegate from the British
Wesleyan Church. Mr. Moody's sermon text, "What Think
Ye of Christ," was wonderful.
Rev. B. T. Tanner was elected Editor of the Christian Re¬
corder; Rev, T, Gould, Publisher at the Book Concern; Rev.
- 34 -
B. W. Arnett, Secretary of Finance; Rev. J. M. Townsend,
Secretary of Missions; Rev. B. F. Watson, Commissioner of
Education. Fraternal Delegates, in the persons of Bishop
R. R. Disney and Rev. S. D. W. Smith, bore to this Conference
the proffer of the B. M. E. Church to reunite with the A. M. E.
Church. Resolutions appointing a committee to consider the
proffer, and to confer with similar committee of the B. M. E.
Church prevailed also. Committee: Revs. W. H. Hunter, J.
A. Handy, J. M. Townsend, John Turner, N. Mitchem, J. E.
Hayne, I. N. Fitzpatrick, J. T. Jenifer, W. R. Carson.
Following persons were appointed by the Bishops delegates
to the first Ecumenical Conference of Methodists in London'.
Bishops Payne, Shorter, John M. Brown, Dickerson, Revs.
J. M. Townsend, A. T. Carr, J. C. Embry, B. F. Lee, Messrs.
Alexander Clark (of Muscatine), J. 1'. Shorter, J. W. Morris,
N. T. Gant.
General Conference, Baltimore—1834.
Bishops Payne, Way man, Campbell, Shorter, Waid, John M.
Brown, Turner, Dickerson and Cain.
Considerable interest was had in dealing with ritualistic
tendencies, clerical vestments, etc. The General Conference
declared itself on this matter.
An effort on the part of Rev. W. R. Carson to discuss cer¬
tain acts in the administration of Bishop Cain also created
quite an excitement.
Rev. J. C. Embry was elected publisher at the Book Con¬
cern, to take his salary from the business of the house,
Rev. B. F. Lee, Editor of the Christian Recorder; Rev.
B. T. Tanner, Editor of the Quarterly Review (just insti¬
tuted) ; Rev. J. M. Townsend, Secretary of Missions; Rev. W.
D. Johnson, Secretary of Education; Rev. C. S. Smith, Secre¬
tary of the Sunday School Union, which had been organized
under the auspices of the Bishops, 1882, at Atlantic City,
Bishops L. J. Coppin, C. S. Smith, and Secretary II. Talbert of
Wilberforce University are the only ministers living who were
— 35 —
present at the instituting; Rev. B. W. Arnett, Secretary of
Finance.
General Conference, Indianapolis—1888.
Bishops Payne, Wayman, Campbell, Ward, Brown, Turner,
Gaines, Arnett, Tanner, Grant and Disney. (Bishop Richard
R. Disney came in with the consummation of the reunion of
the A. M. E. Church with the B. M. E. Church. Bishops
Shorter, Dickerson and Cain had died).
Revs. W. J. Gaines, B. W. Arnett, B. T. Tanner and A.
Grant were elected Bishops, and Revs. J. C. Embry, Publisher;
B. F. Lee, Editor of the Christian Recorder; M. E. Bryant,
Editor of the Southern Christian Recorder; J. M. Townsend',
Secretary of Missions (Dr. Townsend resigned 1889, succeeded
by Rev. W. B. Derrick) ; L. J. Coppin, Editor of the Quarterly
Review; W. D. Johnson, Secretary of Education, and J. A.
Handy, Secretary of Finance; C. S. Smith, Secretary of Sun¬
day School Union.
General Conference, Philadelphia—1892.
Bishops Payne, Wayman, Ward, Brown, Turner, Gaines,
Arnett, Tanner, Grant, Lee, Salter, Handy. (Bishops Camp¬
bell and Disner had died).
Revs. B. F. Lee, M. B. Salter and J. A. Handy were elected
and consecrated Bishops. Rev. J. C. Embry was continued
Publisher; H. T. Johnson, Editor of the Christian Recorder;
R. M. Cheek, Editor of the Southern Christian Recorder; L. J.
Coppin, Editor of the Quarterly Review; W. D. Johnson, Sec¬
retary of Education; C. S. Smith, Secretary of the Sunday
School Union; W. B. Derrick, Secretary of Missions; J. H.
Armstrong, Secretary of Finance.
Bishop H. M. Turner delivered an enthusiastic report on
the prospects for our Church in Africa, from which continent
he had just returned.
General Conference, Wilmington, N. C.—1896.
Bishops Turner, Gaines, Arnett, Tanner, Grant, Lee, Salter,
— 36 —
Handy, Derrick, Armstrong, Embry. (Bishops Payne, Way-
man, Ward and Brown had died).
Revs. W. B. Derrick, J. H. Armstrong and J. C. Embry
were elected and consecrated Bishops.
Dr. C. T. Shaffer, as Secretary reported The Church Ex¬
tension Society, he having been appointed Secretary by
the Bishops.
Rev. T. W. Henderson was elected Publisher; Rev. H. T.
Johnson Editor of the Christian Recorder; Rev. R. M. Cheek,
Editor of the Southern Christian Recorder; Prof. H. T. Keal-
ing, Editor of the Quarterly Review; Rev. C. S. Smith, Sec¬
retary of the Sunday School Union; Prof. J. R. Hawkins,
Secretary of Education; Rev. H. B. Parks, Secretary of Mis¬
sions; Rev. M. M. Moore, Secretary of Finance.
The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was
entered as Connectional.
General Conference, Columbus, Ohio—1900.
Bishops Turner, Gaines, Arnett, Tanner, Grant, Lee, Salter,
Handy, Derrick, Tyree, Moore, Smith, Shaffer, Coppin.
(Bishops Armstrong and Embry had died).
Revs. E. Tyree, M. M. Moore, C. S. Smith, C. T. Shaffer,
L. J. Coppin were elected and consecrated Bishops.
Rev. R. H. W. Leak was elected Publisher, Rev. H. T.
Johnson, Editor of the Christian Recorder; Rev. G. E. Taylor,
Editor of the Southern Christian Recorder; Prof. H. T. Keal-
ing, Editor of the Quarterly Review; Prof. J. R. Hawkins,
Secretary of Education; Rev. B. F. Watson, Secretary of
Church Extension; Rev. H. B. Parks, Secretary of Missions;
Rev. W. D. Chappelle, Secretary of Sunday School Union.
Delegates appointed to the third Acumenical Conference of
Methodism to meet in London : Bishops Gaines, Tanner, Grant
Salter, Shaffer, Tyree, C. S. Smtih, R. C. Rausom, P. A. Hub¬
bard, John Albert Johnson, John Hurst, W. D. Chappelle E.
W. Lee, J. H. Jackson and Mr. H. T. Kealing.
This was the first General Conference at which delegates
- 37 -
from Africa were registered. The names of the African dele¬
gates follow:
From Liberia Conference, Rev. L. C. Curtis.
Sierra Leone Conference, Rev. F. G. Snelson.
Transvaal Conference, Rev. J. J. Xaba, Rev. I. G. Sishuba,
Rev. A. Gabashana.
South Africa Conference, Rev. M. M. Mokone, Rev. J. C.
Tantsi.
These delegates were associated by Rev. Ishmael N. Fitz-
patrick, who had made a double-quick run to Capetown, C. C.,
South Africa, and held the South Africa for Bishop Turner.
General Conference, Chicago, 1904.
Bishops Turner, Gaines, Tanner, Grant, Lee, Salter, Handy,
Derrick, Tyree, Smith, Shaffer, Coppin. (Bishop Moore had
died).
The general officers of former quadrennium were contin¬
ued, excepting Rev. J. T. Jenifer, D. D., Rev. R. H. W. Leake,
D. D., and Rev. G. E. Taylor, D. D. Rev. J. H. Collet was
elected Publisher at the Book Concern; Rev. G. W. Allen, Edi¬
tor of the Southern Christian Recorder; Rev. E. J. Gregg, Sec¬
retary of the Allen C. E. Leagues; Rev. W. H. Heard, Sec¬
retary of the Connectional Preachers' Aid Association.
Summary of Acts by the United Board of Bishops of the A.
M. E., A. M. E. Z. and C. M. E. Churches.
SESSIONS IN WASHINGTON, D. C.
February 12-17, 1908.
CHAIRMEN
Bishop H. M. Turner, D. D.; J. W. Hood, D, D.;
L. H. HOLSEY, D. D.
SECRETARIES
Bishops B. F. Lee, D. D.; A. Walters, D. D.;
C. H. Phillips, D. D.
This historic assembly, entirely voluntary and non-official
and non-connectional, opened all sessions with appropriate
worship,- holding from 10 a. m. till 2:30 p. m. daily, five busi¬
ness days, and worshipping together Sunday, in absolute and
perfect harmony.
THE ROLL.
The A. M. E. Bishops.
J. A. Handy, absent, ill; C. H. Smith, C. T. Shaffer, L. J.
Coppin, H. M. Turner, W. J. Gaines, B. T. Tanner, A. Grant,
B. F. Lee, W. B. Derrick, M. B. Salter and E. Tyree.
A. M. E. Z. Bishops.
J. W. Hood, T. H. Lomax, absent, ill; C. R. Harris, A.
Walters, G. W. Clinton, J. W. Smith, J. W. Alstork, T. S.
Caldwell.
- 30 -
C. M. E. Bishops.
•L. H. Holsey, I. Lane, R. S. Williams, E. Cottrell, C. H.
Phillips.
Following are the chief utterances and accomplishments:
1. The federation of the Bishops of the three connections.
2. Agreement to recommend federation of the three con¬
nections.
3. Agreement to protect these denominations against min¬
isters expelled or suspended for grossly immoral conduct by
either of them.
4. Agreement to recommend interdenominational preach¬
ers' alliances in every place of common occupancy.
5. Agreement to hold sessions of the united boards every
two years.
6. Recommendations to the respective denominations:
(a.) The observation of a given day, to be agreed upon, an¬
nually, for fasting and prayer; (b) recommendation of a com¬
mon Hymnal; (c) recommendation of a common Catechism ;
(d) recommendation of a common Order of Service; (e) recom¬
mendation of the consideration of having a common Theo¬
logical Seminary.
7. The issuance of a statement, embracing the following
items: (a) Utterance of gratitude to God; (b) advice to the
colored people, (c) declaration, that these bodies feel called
upon to help shape the destinies of the great AFRICAN
CHURCH, which is to be one of the largest in the world; (d)
declaration for absolute Temperance; (e) demand for fair
treatment in affairs civil, politic, judicial and religious; (f)
basing claim for fair treatment upon record as civilians, sol¬
diers, professionals, business acts—MEN.
The final paragraph of this statement declares: "We appeal
to judges of the Supreme Court, to annul laws in violation of
the federal Constitution; to members of the legislative bodies
of the several Southern States where disfranchising laws have
been enacted, and to the Congress of the United States, to re-
— 40 —
peal the enactments which have robbed ns of the rights guar¬
anteed to ns by the federal constitution, which were gained on
the fields of conquest and bloodshed—by black as well as
white men. As leaders of the people, we finally appeal to you
for all the rights guaranteed to the citizens of these United
States."
NEGROES' VENTURES IN BANKING.
Banks have been started and run as follows:
True Reformers' Bank, Richmond, Va., R. T. Hill, cashier.
Alabama Penny Savings Bank, Birmingham, Ala., W. W.
Pettiford, president.
Bank of Mound Bayou, Mound Bayou, Miss., Charles
Banks, cashier.
-Lincoln Savings Bank, Vicksburg, Miss., W. E. Mollison,
president.
Union Savings Bank, Vicksburg, Miss.
One Cent Savings Bank, Nashville, Tenn., J. C. Napier,
cashier.
Savings Bank Knights of Honor of the World, Greenville,
Miss., H. C. Wallace, cashier.
Wage Earners' Bank, Savannah, Ga., Walter Scott, presi¬
dent.
Order of St. Luke's Bank, Richmond, Va., Mrs. M. Walker,
president.
Mechanics' Bank, Richmond, Va.
American Trust Savings Bank, Jackson, Miss., S. D. Red¬
mond, president.
Capital City Savings Bank, Little Rock, Ark., Judge M. W.
Gibbs, president.
Delta Savings Bank, Indianola, Miss., W. W. Cox, cashier.
People's Penny Savings Bank, Yazoo City, Miss., H. H.
King, president.
Nickel Savings Bank, Richmond, Va.
G. U. O. of Galileean Fisherman Consolidated Bank, Hamp¬
ton, Va., T. H. Shorts, president.
- 41 -
Sons and Daughters of Peace, Newport News, Va., S. A.
Howell, president.
Isaac H. Smith's Bank, New Berne, N. C.
Solvent Savings Bank and Trust Company, Memphis,
Creek citizens' Bank, Muskogee, Ind. Ter.
Gold Bond Bank, Muskogee. Ind. Ter.
People's Bank and Trust Company, Muskogee, Ind. Ter.,
J. Johnson, cashier.
Bluff City Savings Bank, Natchez, Miss.
Central Trust Building and Loan Association, Jackson¬
ville, Fla.
Unity Savings and Trust Company, Pine Bluff, Ark., J. N.
Donohue, president.
Gideon Savings Bank, Norfolk, Va., E. J. Puryear, presi¬
dent.
Southern Bank, Jackson, Miss., L. K. Atwood, president.
People's Savings Bank, Hattiesburg, Miss., Edward D.
Howells, president.
Penny Savings Bank, Columbus, Miss., W. I. Mitchell,
vice-president.
Loan and Trust Company, Savannah, Ga.
Metropolitan Bank, Savannah, Ga., Fred M. Cohen,
cashier.
Tuskegee Institute Bank, Tuskegee, Ala., Thomas Mur¬
ray, cashier.
Boley, Ind. Ter., two banks.
— 42 —
STATISTICS PERTAINING TO NEGROES.
Enrolled in the public schools, about 2,000,000
Total in population 11,000,000
Average attendance, about 1,000,000
Colleges for training 11
Negro teachers 30,000
Negro graduates 19,000
Graduates in training 1,200
Graduates in special training 1,100
Number taking special trades 1,900
Trained nurses and physicians 2,000
Lawyers 600
Newspapers 650
Negro authors of books 650
Books in libraries, in volumes 250,000
Books in libraries valued at $650,000
Banks owned and controlled by Negroes 30
Farms owned bj^ Negroes 250,000
Homes independent of farms 130,000
Amount of school property $15,000,000
Amount of church property $40,000,000
Amount of taxable property $700,000,000
Contractors 3,000
Telegraph operators 100
Steamboat pilots 25
Sailors 10,000
Stenographers 5,000
numerical statistics
by annual
conferences.
Annual
C'ONFKLMONCEK.
Alabama
Alabama, Central
Alabama, East
Alabama North
Arkansas
Arkansas, East
Arkansas, South
Arkansas, West
Baltimore
Bermuda
California
Colorado
Florida
Florida, Central
Florida, East
Florida. South
Florida, West
Georgia
Georgia, Atlanta
Georgia, Macon
Gsorgia, North
Georgia, Southwest......
Illinois ! ...
Indiana
Indian Mission
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Kentucky, West
Louisiana
Louisiana. North
Michigan
Mississippi "
Mississippi, Central....
Mississippi, North
M ississi ppi, Northeast..
Missouri
Missouri. North
New England
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Carolina, West....
Nova Scotia
Ohio
Ohio. North
Oklahoma
Ontario
Philadelphia
Pitt«burg
Puget Sound
South Carolina
S. Carolina, Columbia.
S. Carolina, Northeast.
Tennessee
Tennessee, East
Tennessee, West
Texas
Texas, Central
Texas, Northeast
Texas, West
Virginia
West Indies
Totals
112
131
4?
24
141
131
43
31
98
130
26
20
130
106
33
33
90
144
2?
33
104
104
14
24
128
130
23
28
120
96
40
36
m
98
27
60
6
5
1
2a
20
11
33
5
r>
14
125
80
29
20
iv;
80
30
20
165
100
75
23
166
80
53
39
19
155
91
23
26
195
126
28
25
196
223
40
38
196
130
10
20
190
324
74
57
85
163
19
43
65
64
5
40
73
35
15
19
61
30
27
31
•12
6-
12
44
61
49
10
35
56
21
4
26
64
137
38
30
73
82
32
22
3D
25
3
19
96
109
29
28
112
137
38
22
63
77
"'27
17
76
31
9
39
5 V
25
10
38
39
13
10
8
93
87
19
31
48
23
10
11
72
62
12
16
131
41
8
16
9
1
1
4
5(1
38
3
24
45
47
18
32
53
32
6
8
12
n
1
3
124
119
32
41
104
63
7
38
19
6
1
6
397
245
200
81
250
236
37
32
140
230
62
46
150
129
29
25
64
26
5
5
■SO
50
80
24
70
61
13
30
SO
64
19
22
90
50
25
40
120
93
33
30
703
712
20
46
10
1
4088
1534
1735
r*
2*
TJ
H
a
•"1
•V B
3
a
I.
<D
O
o
&•
-5"'^
-5
T
5
f
f
: "5
re
KK
a
03
: x
'Jj
124
31390
2
lit.
4075
386
1008
117
26481
3
112
4468
245
2585
108
16400
2
85
3178
245
1079
97
17988
59
103
3529
304
1837
103
30026
28
104
4505
304
1526
79
18910
26
80
2704
244
1696
174
46053
16
192
5969
359
2885
114
31245
29
115
5253
352
2000
113
40180
28
11:
8110
563
11085
6
1735
16
46< 5
12
It
634
61
1235
27
4870
8
2!
705
78
298
150
35520
20
140
5789
245
2034
100
16020
12
95
3159
208
2678
125
19058
15
138
4125
323
2156
99
13408
10
102
2591
229
210(i
196
31458
7
188
7160
609
6768
106
30000
8
10:.
4394
368
3758
290
50125
12
19i
7844
684
4905
199
16980
10
92
30651
281
2905
247
50000
10
248
10683
82
80270
81
26500
25
74
3805
357
3846
59
20000
21
55
2206
215
1779
45
9882
61
1557
185
1511
59
13240
22
53
3249
251
4333
75
18850
36
77
2642
255
3018
66
25507
4<
1667
158
2575
47
13860
5
42
1741
138
2'00
73
15382
•12
70
3189
11(1
2524
77
15395
5
66
•1963
160
l(i.54
26
69050
7
24
1025
114
1460
110
29575
13
10:
4561
288
2812
103
26301
7
79
2796
309
4724
84
l'\'{15
6
65
1918
161
6160
70
22700
16
57
1879
172
2122
62
17650
17
60
2162
577
1846
23
6415
5
17
1328
191
2803
70
25042
16
63
1515
342
1116
25
7750
10
26
1644
138
3219
107
2500
102
4038
382
2763
76
34800
82
3771
351
2751
1120
6
194
36
316
52
12535
15
42
2109
181
3501
65
17205
19
62
3715
318
5585
28
15000
3
33
807
87
585
10
2225
3
9
382
41
936
110
27025
40
106
8337
659
15331
87
20491
VI
4314
392
6838
7
1501
3
6
279
28
150
216
49608
13
221
10488
919
4836
200
38899
18
201
10447
1015
5386
185
38574
15
182
11767
1109
2000
108
27645
12
11(
4519
330
1257
35
8625
3
21
1233
94
244
220
49209
30
205
87:-0
16i'
6867
81
10748
18
68
2118
112
1000
70
8800
10
70
1800
220
1298
93
20505
49
76
28M
396
1534
106
30321
35
121
3837
419
1552
109
27683
15
106
6000
445
8729
4
1200
1
3
10
120
5486 131)9074
811
5301
253724
19759^301899
Total for
Connect'ual
Purposes
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For Support
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Education
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Missionary
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One Dollar
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J JSSSSSSS^ZZZ^ZOOOOPMP-P-.XXCC-H^-HHHE-H^t?
STATISTICS OF THE LOCAL FINANCE — BY CONFERENCES.
Annual
Conferences.
Paid to
Ministers
SP8
■c 2.
:
S. School
Support
Alabama
« 16657 17
$ 7806
02
If 978
V>
Alabama, Central.
21)793 35
13036
49
1456
09
Alabama, East
14269 45
7450
(10
906
48
Alabama, North ...
33448 41
29906
51
2012
91
Arkansas
12260 30
7402
87
958
63
Arkansas, East
10846 58
5182
48
818
50
Arkansas, South...
11761 65
5555
m
602
27
Arkansas, West
15963 22
5491
93
957
6;t
Baltimore
35300 4C
46606
85
5541
52
Bermuda .\...
3000 (XJ
200
Oil
40
00
California
6795 80
15260
17
493
47
Colorado
11455 91
21562
118
570
39
Florida
42264 45
32560
00
1000
00
Florida, Central...
21251 25
200IH)
00
900
00
Florida, East
15699 88
17000
Oil
998
00
Florida, South
19785 67
15600
Oil
2930
13
Florida, West
11936 29
20000
00
1000
Oil
Georgia
126645 01
28164
12
3707
27
Georgia, Atlanta...
23185 27
25684
42
1877
75
Georgia. Macon
174197 09
24228
06
2362
34
Georgia, North
15551 6:*
14820
01
1574
02
Georgia, S'thwest..
11675 67
32053
61
1182
51
Illinois
33826 61
33942
55
1699
83
Indiana
23133 65
15581
13
1118
41
Indian Mission
5077 72
3640
19
457
78
Iowa
27874 49
24546
85
2257
27
Kansas
20145 22
15777
04
1235
08
Kentucky
17423 13
4334
93
629
36
Kentucky, West
8756 74
2735
95
650
77
Louisiana....
16461 00
5307
61
986
99
Louisiana, North-
8925 35
3331
96
543
78
Michigan
13925 32
8996
10
641
17
Mississippi
15890 17
6831-
33
1158
24
Mississippi, Cent'l
11478 Ifi
15977
7:
770
50
Mississippi, North
11478 00
15*00
00
780
00
Mississi ppi, N. E...
12995 76
2615
84
n99
89
Missouri
26227 72
38446
PO
12:i6
32
Missouri. North
19640 78
11695
90
545
91
New England
11211 05
6015
54
758
22
New Jersey
40391 90
36850
42
3194
57
New York
13516 89
9571
41
1356
82
North Carolina
14372 16
7622
4H
1766
00
N. Carolina, W'ern
14265 40
9388
60
2227
49
Nova Scotia
900 00
350
00
80
00
Ohio
17133 14
11772
12
910
41
Ohio, North
25488 82
19488
70
9080
80
Oklohoma
3820 23
1132
53
375
32
Ontario
2804 10
1149
68
203
49
Philadelphia
45192 23
38645
84
4025
17
Pittsburg
52340 22
51502
82
2025
lb
Puget Sound
2483.51
1868
32
193
22
South Carolina
47392 35
24182
83
2104
93
S. C., Columbia ...
40390 15
17440
79
2194
HI
S. C., Northeast ...
43676 40
15663
33
3064
68
Tennessee
19383 95
8876
47
1692
76
Tennessee' East
7-199 2
3865
20
255
04
Tennessee, West...
19354 77
13185
65
968
96
Texas
11688 38
10390
00
814
37
Texas, Central
12187 -1
6657
54
870
54
Texas, Northeast -
16816 02
850C
67
1306
97
Texas. West
18811 87
7521
59
1868
64
Virginia
25464 85
34011
21
2694
45
West Indies
3000 00
500
00
200
00
Totals
$1,430,752 91
$ 953,711 78
$ 92,547 39
>
W
H
Q
||
a
o o
23 CT-
' D
HI —
■S p
<
Tdd-
8 ®
fT
O
** 2
Is3
1 2=
3-H
■c •
S t-i
o ^
s?
Ct o"
cy) >-i
$ 999 90
$ 1070 26
$ 29510 57
$ 32668 17
$ 170011 00
1716 31
27003 24
32668 62
100440 00
500
599 91
23230 87
26735 47
40601 00
1761 21
730 33
67159 10
21152 13
72980 37
28021 23
45320 00
48750 00
100 (HI
69 3ll
621 88
J753S71
22605 06
30650 00
36 20
466 8V.
1S422 30
25150 72
50976 00
455 22
797 in
93685 19
28716 51
65000 00
200 00
4116 ; 02
91611 79
104512 97
350000 00
3240 00
23195 51
3931 50
24859 39
5000 00
79225 00
33 85
612 22
22 26
246 1-1
34S57 38
26899 89
46922 00
30 00
6564 45
82411 90
84913 78
20574 00
100 00
750 00
43 )01 25
47227 10
67842 00
100 00
333 79
31121 67
39285 95
106174 00
100 00
325 00
29040 80
34484 92
58879 00
50 00
135 00
33121 29
35504 89
21690 00
50 00
1877 08
160443 47
171271 11
126645 00
75 00
1325 25
152147 7
156953 26
191632 00
100 00
1514 39
2024nl 88
211215 81
174197 00
50 00
575 00
37570 66
41162 36
73945 00
50 00
2478 39
47440 18
58180 06
142829 00
50 00
1662 78
71131 77
76322 55
241193 00
795 93
1147 41
41779 53
45492 24
118750 00
8 66
444 15
8628 50
109B5 59
408881 00
11 25
1347 47
56373 33
61943 95
300846 00
50 00
1346 9a
38555 32
43478 03
110785 00
50 0(J
590 08
23027 50
2hi278 7
316323 00
50 00
533 11
12716 III)
14922 60
44850 00
50 00
557 12
23362 72
27222 17
107521 00
50 00
354 44
13206 53
15759 74
66305 00
37 20
612 22
24212 01
25786 34
137770 00
10 00
912 22
24801 96
30602 25
82602 00
10 00
1220 85
29457 22
34894 21
93667 00
10 00
1200 00
29068 00
23000 59
90000 00
10 00
410 13
16431 62
19364 21
43008 00
13 75
2207 65
61732 34
66794 09
89254 00
14 52
965 86
32S62 97
36652 49
69599 00
100 00
256 04
18340 85
20i94 93
138575 00
50 00
1926 0
82362 90
88207 39
288200 00
59 00
820 53
25324 65
28356 28
275006 00
50 00
1449 17
25259 81
28803 71
144097 00
50 00
820 53
26752 12
31649 97
99962 00
1330 00
1461 50
1000 00
100 00
418 04
30333 71
33445 65
263535 00
80 00
1285 20
55423 52
60381 93
381606 00
10 00
258 50
5596 58
6465 23
37925 00
10 00
64 48
4231 75
4641 81
31715 00
129 33
2598 92
90591 49
99711 42
431971 00
125 00
1433 80
107426 99
113634 70
685408 00
10 00
402 30
4757 38
5242 91
25000 00
391 25
3525 24
77896 60
90080 62
254575 00
2500 30
62525 25
73001 97
112137 00
100 00
3629 86
66134 27
7511H 62
111458 00
63 40
1247 82
31264 40
36729 13
89171 00
9 16
442 44
12471 11
14001 92
48184 00
139 55
944 74
34593 67
39860 97
130559 00
25 10
372 53
23290 38
25267 74
66496 00
50 00
1653 99
21469 28
25488 11
40389 00
14 30
1236 41
27874 37
32768 22
90932 00
90 50
2680 83
3100 * 43
39030 65
118141 00
184 77
7841 30
71196 58
77140 57
246915 00
20 00
25 00
3745 00
3900 00
10000 00
8 5.189 48
$ 83,354 92
$1,705,556 48
$2,293,846 68
$7,721,811 00
— 46 —
THE 23rd GENERAL CONFERENCE.
The matter in this pamphlet was in type when the 23rd
General Conference opened. The matter, so far as statistics go,
ends with conferences of 1907.
It is of service to say concerning the General Conference ;
it left the One Dollar Fund intact, so far as appears at this time ;
the committee to compile the laws and regulations as to the
Discipline has not met or acted ; five Bishops were elected regu¬
larly, but assigned irregularly, in that two were assigned to
Africa for twelve years ; all others have gone to their assign¬
ments for four years.
The Bishops: Revs. E. W. Eampton, of Mississippi, born in
Kentucky ; H. B. Parks, of Missouri, born in Georgia ; J. S.
Flipper, of Georgia ; J. Albert Johnson, of Maryland, born in
Ontario, Dominion of Canada, and W. H. Heard, of Georgia.
The Bishops' Addresses.
Bishop II. M. Turner (Historian, without District)
30 Yonge St., Atlanta, Ga
Bishop W. J. Gaines Houston St., Atlanta, Ga
Bishop B. T. Tanner (ineffective) 2908 DiamondSt., Philadelphia, Pa
Bishop A. Grant Washington Ave., Kansas City, Kan
Bishop B. F. Lee Wilberforce, Ohio
Bishop M. B. Salter . . 130 Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S. C
Bishop J. A. Handy (ineffective) 1341 N. Carey St., Baltimore, Md
Bishop W. B. Derrick Flushing, New York
Bishop E. Tyree 17 N. Hill St., Nashville, Tenn
Bishop C. S. Smith Detroit, Mich
Bishop C. T. Shatter 3340 Rhodes Ave., Chicago, 111
Bishop L. J. Coppin . . . 1913 Bainbridge St , Philadelphia, Pa
Bishop E. W. Lampton Greenville, Miss
Bishop J. Albert Johnson . . Capetown, S. Africa (after December)
Bishop W. H. Heard . . Freetown, Sierre Leone (after December)
Bishop H. B. Parks
Bishop J. S. Flipper
Chicago, 111
Atlanta, Ga
- 47 -
The General Officers' Addresses,
Revs. H. T. Johnson, D.D., Managing Editor Christian Recorder;
J. H. Collett, D.D., Business Manager Book Concern, and
Prof. H. T. Kealing, A.M., Managing Editor A. M. E.
Review, 631 Pine St., Philadelphia.
Revs. John Hurst, D.D., Secretary of Finance, and B. F. Watson,
D.D., Secretary of Church Extension Society, 1541 14th
St., N. W., Washington, D. C.
Rev. W. W. Beckett, D.D., Secretary of the Board of Missions, 61
Bible House, New York.
Rev. G. W. Allen, D.D., Managing Editor of the Southern Christian
Recorder, Columbus, Ga.
Rev. J. Frank McDonald, D.D., Managing Editor of the Western
Recorder, Kansas City, Kans.
Rev. W. A. Lewis, Secretary P. B. A. and C. P. A. A., 1702 Jeffer¬
son St., Nashville, Tenn.
Prof. John R. Hawkins, Secretary of Education, Kittrell, N. C.
Mr. G. T. Bryant, Secretary of the S. S. Union, and Rev. J. C.
Caldwell, D.D., Public Square, Nashville, Tenn.
Episcopal Assignments for the Quadrennium 1908-1912
First District — Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and New
England Conferences, Bishop W. J. Gaines.
Second District — Baltimore, Virginia, North Carolina and Western
North Carolina Conferences, Bishop L. J. Coppin.
Third District — Ohio, North Ohio, Pittsburg, Bermuda, West Vir¬
ginia and Nova Scotia Conferences, Bishop W. B. Derrick.
Fourth District — Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, W. Kentucky,
Michigan and Ontario Conferences, Bishop C. T. Shaffer.
Fifth District — Missouri, N. Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Cali¬
fornia and Puget Sound Conferences, Bishop A. Grant.
Sixth District — Georgia, Macon, Atlanta, N. Georgia and S. W.
Georgia Conferences, Bishop C. S. Smith.
Seventh District — South Carolina, Columbia and N. E. South
Carolina Conferences, Bishop B. F. Lee.
Eighth District — Mississippi, N. Mississippi, N. E. Mississippi,
E. Mississippi, Louisiana and North Louisiana Confer¬
ences, Bishop E. W. Lampton.
— 48 -
Nintih Dstrict — Arkansas, W. Arkansas, S. Arkansas, E. Arkan¬
sas, Oklahoma and Indian Mission Conferences, Bishop
J. S. Flipper.
Tenth District — Texas, W. Texas, Central Texas and N. E. Taxas
Conferences, Bishop E. Tyree.
Eleventh District — Florida, E. Florida, S. Florida, W. Florida
and Central Florida Conferences, Bishop tVL B. Salter.
Twelfth District — Alabama, N. Alabama, Central Alabama, W.
Alabama, Tennessee, E. Tennessee and W. Tennessee Con-
ferences, Bishop H. B. Parks.
Thirteenth District — Liberia, Sierre Leone and Gold Coast Con¬
ferences, Bishop W. H. Heard.
Fourteenth District — Cape Colony, Transvaal and Orange River
Conferences, Bishop J. Albert Johnson.
The General Conference directed the 50 per cent, of Children's
Day money, going' to the S. S. Union heretofore, forwarded to
the Annual Conference Missionary Treasurers, to be distributed
among home missionaries by the Annual Conferences.
The General Conference ordered that 50 per cent, instead of
25 per cent, of the Easter Mission money be taken to the
Annual Conference for distribution to conference missionaries.
The Council of Bishops have declared the act of General Con¬
ference relative to the 36 per cent, of the One Dollar Fund self-
destructive and the old law still operative.
The P. B. A. Society was recognized, Rev. W. A. Lewis, its
founder, continued in office and also made Secretary of the
C. P. A. Society, dependent upon the business of the societies for
salary.
Rev. B. F. Watson, Secretary of Church Extension Societies,
was allowed to move his office to the finance building, Wash¬
ington, D. C.
Rev. W. D. Chappell is president of Allen University.
Rev. E. G. Gregg is pastor of St. John's Church, Baltimore.
Rev. W. Decker Johnson is pastor of Moi'ris Brown Church,
Charleston.
Not being able to secure sketches of all new Bishops and
their photographs we omit all.
First Council of the United Board of
Bishops of the A. M. E., A. M. E. Z.
and C. M. E. Churches &&
Held in Metropolitan A. M. E. Church,
Washington, D. C., Feb. 12-17, 1908.
PRESIDENTS :
Bishops H. M. Turner, D. D.; J. W. Hood, D. D.; L. H. Holsey, D.D.
SECRETARIES :
Bishops B. F. Lee, D. D.: A. Walters, D.D.; C. H. Phillips, D.D,
BISHOPS OF THE A. M. E., A. M. E. Z. AND C. M. E.
CHURCHES,
excepting Bishops Lomax and Handy,
FEBRUARY 1908.
Reading from left to right: lowest rank, B. F. Lee, L. H. Holsey, H. M. Turner, J. W. Hood, C. H.
Phillips, A.Walters, B. T. Tanner. Second rank, E. Tyree, C. K. Harris, L. J. Coppin, A. Grant,
W. B. Derrick. Third rank, W. J. Gaines, M. B. Salter, J. \V. Smith. Fourth semi-circular
rank, R. C. Williams, G. W. Clinton, E. Cottrell, J. W. Alstork, J. S. Caldwell, C. S. Smith,
C. T. Shaffer, I. Lane.
FIRST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS
Washington, D. C., February 12, 1908.
The joint Boards of Bishops of the A. M. E., A. M. E. Zion
and the C. M. E. Churches assembled in Metropolitan A. M.
E. church at noon on the above date; the senior bishops, J.
W. Hood, D. D., LL. D., A. M. E. Zion Church; L. H. Holsey,
D. D., C. M. E. Church, and-H. M. Turner, D. D., D. C. L., A.
M. E. Church, conducting affairs.
It was a magnificent sight to see twenty-three bishops of
different branches of colored Methodism arm in arm, march¬
ing up the aisle of the great church. It was a scene never to
be forgotten.
The following named Bishops were present:
A. M. E. Church.
H. M. Turner, D. D., W. J. Gaines, D. D., B. T. Tanner,
D. D., A. Grant, D. D., B. F. Lee, D D., M. B. Salter, D. D.,
J. A. Handy, D. D., W. B Derrick, D, D., E. Tyree, D. D.,
C. S. Smith, D. D., C. J. Shaffer, D. D., L. J. Coppin, D. D.
A. M. E. Zion Church
J. W. Hood, D. D., T. H. Lomax, D. D., C. R. Harris, D.
D., A. Walters, D. D., G. W. Clinton, D. D., J. W. Smith,
D. D., L. H.'Alstork, D. D., J. S. Caldwell, D. D.
C. M. E. Church.
L. H. Holsey, D. D., I. Eane, D. D., R. S. Williams, D. D.,
E. Cottrell, D. D„ C. H. Phillips, D. D.
The call for the joint meeting was read by Bishop H. M,
Turner, as follows;
- 52 -
CONFERENCE OF METHODIST BISHOPS.
(Colored)
Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal, African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion and the Colored Methodist Episcopal
Churches, Greeting":
Dear Colleagues : In compliance with the concurrent reso¬
lutions adopted, by our respective Episcopal Councils, while
in official session, you are hereby notified and requested, to
assemble in joint convention, Wednesday, February 12, 1908,
in Metropolitan A. M. E. church edifice, on M. Street, N. W.,
Washington, D. C., and remain in session a week or ten days,
if the magnitude of our business demands it.
The Ecclesiastical, Religious, Civil, Political and Socio¬
logical conditions of our race at this time are such, that it
requires attention, mature reflection and expression, and pos¬
sibly commutual expression ; as we have to bear the burdens
of government.
It may be found necessary to speak to the country, and
probably to our race.
J. W. HOOD, A. M. E. Zion Church.
L. H. HOLSEY, C. M. E. Church.
H. M. TURNER, A. M. E. Church.
November 4, 1907.
After reading the call, Bishop Turner announced that the
senior bishops in charge liad decided to nominate the secre¬
taries of the churches represented. Bishops B. F. Lee, A.
Walters and C. H. Phillips to act as secretaries of the meeting.
The first hymn, "Blest be the Tie That Binds," was an¬
nounced by Bishop J. W. Hood; an earnest and eloquent
prayer was offered by Bishop L. H. Holsey, after which
Hymn 500, A. M. E. Hymnal, was announced by him.
Bishop J. W. Hood read the first scripture lesson, 133
Psalm. The second scripture lesson, 4th chapter of Ephesians,
was read by Bishop L. H. Holsey, D. D. The sermon was
preached by Bishop II. M. Turner, D. D., LL. D., from 2d
— 53 -
Epistle general of Peter, 3d chapter, 18th verse. Text—"But
Grow in Grace." The sermon was rich in thought and elo¬
quent in delivery. It was filled with scientific facts. He said,
"God has billions and billions of worlds and heavens." He
stated that we had to believe that God is, and is a re warder of
them that diligently seek him. This is the ground of growth ;
everything grows,—mountains, hills, man, beast, birds—all
grow. Again, he said; we must grow in grace, take on more,
take in more of the love of God; grow morally; grow spiri¬
tually ; grow intellectually; grace is a great thing. It means
favor, favor to fallen sinners ; grace is the mother of mercy:
we must grow in favor, grow in mercy, grow every way until
we reach heaven. At the close of the sermon, Bishop Walters
lead in singing, "Savior, more than Life to Me." The Holy
Communion was administered by the senior Bishops. It
was a glorious sight to behold the Bishops kneeling together
around the sacred altar. After the Bishops had been served,
the general officers, ministers and laymen were given the
Holy Communion. There was a wonderful outpouring of
the Holy Spirit.
At this juncture, Bishop Turner, introduced Bishop J. W.
Hood, the oldest colored Bishop in America, and oldest in
point of service, as the presiding officer of the day. Bishop
Hood 011 taking the chair, said that he was glad to be present
—glad that he had lived to see this glorious day—for which he
had prayed and longed, trusting that the sessions would be
pleasant, profitable and harmonious.
Bishop C. S. Smith moved that the secretaries nominated
be confirmed. It was carried.
Bishop Hood announced the following subjects to be acted
upon during the meeting:
1. Federation.
2. Religious affairs.
3. Civil and Political condition of the Colored people.
4. Liturgy and Uniformity of Service.
T>. Common Hymnal.
6. Catechism.
- 54 -
Bishop W. B. Derrick, D. D., A. M. E. Church, suggested
that we have a committee on transfer of ministers and denomi¬
national exchange; accepted.
Bishop J. S. Caldwell, D. D„ A. M. E. Zion Church, moved
that a committee also be appointed on resolutions, which was
carried. Clerical vestments was also added to the list of sub¬
jects.
It was agreed that the joint board should meet at ten
a. m. and adjourn at 2 p. m. daily. An executive session
was ordered for 10 a. m. Thursday, to adjourn at noon. The
session adjourned. Benediction by Bishop Isaac Lane, D. D.,
of the C. M. E. Church.
SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, D. C., February 13, 1908.
The joint Board of Bishops assembled in executive session
at Metropolitan A. M. E. Church at 10 a. m. The chairman
of the day. Bishop L. H. Holsey, D. D., being out on a com¬
mittee, on motion it was agreed that Bishop Wesley J. Gaines,
D. D., A. M. E. Church, be temporary chairman. Bishop E.
Cottrell, D. D., C. M. E. Church, announced hymn 284 and
offered prayer. The 87th Psalm was read. Minutes of the
previous session were read and approved. A communication
was read from the Constitutional League of Philadelphia,
asking that a declaration be sent to the country by the joint
Boards of Bishops in the interest of the manhood-rights of
the Colored people. It was referred to the committee on
Civic and Political Affairs.
A statement was made by Bishop Hood relative to the
history of the movement for this joint meeting. It was agreed
that a committee be appointed to collate the facts in the case.
Committee: Bishops R. S. Williams, D. D., A. Walters, A.
M., D. D., H. M. Turner, D. D., D. C. L.
A discussion ensued relative to the lack of recognition on
the part of the daily papers. A committee was appointed to
— 55 —
look after the matter. Bishops A. Grant, D. D, J. W. Smith,
D. D., R. S. Williams, D. D.
The following standing committees were announced:
Federation—Bishops W. J. Gaines, J. W. Hood, A. Wal¬
ters, C. T. Shaffer, C. H. Phillips and Isaac Lane.
Religious Affairs—Bishopse C. R. Harris, B. F. Lee, A.
Grant, J. W. Smith, R. S. Williams, and L. H. Holsey.
Civic and Political Conditions—Bishops E. Cottrell, G. W.
Clinton, A. Grant, W. B. Derrick, A. Walters, L. H. Holsey.
Liturgy and Uniformity of Service—Bishops M. B. Salter,
C. S. Smith, J. S. Caldwell, C. R. Harris, R. S. Williams,
Isaac Lane.
Hymnal—Bishops L. J. Coppin, E. Tyree, J. W Alstork,
J. W. Smith, C. H. Phillips, R. S. Williams.
Catechism—Bishops PI. M. Turner, B. T. Tanner, C. R.
Harris, J. S. Caldwell, R. S. Williams and E. Cottrell.
Ministerial Transfers or Denominational Exchange—Bish¬
ops J. W. Smith, B. F. Lee, E. Tyree, J. W. Alstork, E. Lane,
L. H. Holsey.
nor connectional, opened all sessions with appropriate worship,
Committee on Clerical Vestments and Uniformity of Serv¬
ice—Bishops W. B. Derrick, A. Grant, J. W. Hood, A. Wal¬
ters, R. S. Williams and C. H. Phillips.
Committee on Resolutions—Bishops J. S. Caldwell, C. S.
Smith, and E. Cottrell.
A communication bearing greetings to the body was read
from Bishop A. Handy, D. D., A. M. E. Church, who is ill
at Baltimore. The communication was ordered filled and a
telegram of sympathy sent to the Bishop. Notice was also
given of the illness of Bishop T. PI. Lomax, D.D., A. M. E. Zion
Church, Charlotte, N. C. A letter and telegram of sympathy
were ordered sent to him. An invitation was read from Dr.
W. P. Thirkield, President of Howard University, requesting
the Bishops to visit the Institution. The invitation was
accepted, and it was agreed that the visit be made on Mon¬
day at '1:30 p. m.
■— 56 —
On motion and agreed that the membership of the joint
session be composed only of the Bishops represented.
Eloquent and able addresses were made by Bishops W. B.
Derrick, D. D., and C. S. Smith, D. D. The following Gen-
jeral Officers of the churches were introduced: H. B. Parks,
H. T. Kealing, W. D. Chappelle, H. T. Johnson, J. H. Jones,
A. L. Gaines, J. Albert Johnson, L. M. Beckett, E. W. Lee,
N. D. Naylor, E. E. Makiel, I. N. Ross, P. W. Wortham, J. G.
Robinson, C. C. Dunlap, J. H. Welsh, R. H. W. Leake, W. W.
Beckett, P. J. Jordan, Jno. Hammond, C. H. Young, J. M.
Turner, T. N. M. Smith, J. Styles, B. W. Arnett, H. H. Pinc-
ney, N. B. Sterrett, J. L. Moorer, H. D. Canada, H. E. Daniels,
D. N. Baxter, S. S. Patterson, R. T. Gordon, W. H. Heard,
A. J. Kershaw, J. D. Smith, E. L. Bell, A. Brister, W. L. Ivey,
J. A. Lindsay, A. J. Wilson, T. J. Askew, and others of the
A. M. E. Church; Drs. G. C. Clement, G. L. Blackwell, W. H.
Goler, E. D. W. Jones, E. Geo. Biddle, L. E. B. Rossier, R. D.
Garrett, H. G. Callis, E. J. Warner, M. M. Bell, W. A. Ray,
W. H. Davenport, S. S. Carruthers, J. T. Anthony and others
of the A. M. E. Zion Church; also Rev. George Lee of the
Baptist Church. Dr. Stout and others of the C. M. E. Church.
Five minutes were allowed for the General Officers to make
addresses. Rev. W. H. Goler, D. D., LL. D., President of
Livingstone College of the A. M. E. Zion Church, was intro¬
duced. He said that he rejoiced to see this glorious hour and
hoped that it would redound to the good of all the people.
Dr. I. N. Ross, of the A. M. E. Church, was introduced.
He said he was glad to embrace the opportunity to say a word
at so important a meeting, and that he thought we should dis¬
cuss everything that relates to our manhood-rights. He also
said that during his fifty-three years of existence, he had never
seen such a glorious sight as the one presented by the joint
Boards of Bishops as they proceeded up the aisle and took
their seats on the occasion of the first session.
Dr. R. S. Stout of the C. M. E. Church was introduced,
who said he rejoiced in the thought that we had asked no
- 57 -
one to help us, until we had helped ourselves, or tried to
help ourselves, and that we would make our cause stronger by
complaining less along certain lines. "Stand together" was his
suggestion.
Dr. G. C. Clement, Editor of the Star of Zion of the A. M.
E. Zion Church, was next accorded the floor, and spoke very
earnestly in favor of fraternal union.
Dr. J. H. Jones, President of Wilberforce University, was
next accorded the floor and made an earnest and eloquent ad¬
dress in favor of the union and in the interest of the race.
Others followed.
The following program was announced for the evening
session : Presiding officer, Bishop A. Grant, D. D.; addresses
by Bishop Elias Cottrell, D. D., C. M. E. Chruch; Bishop
Alexander Walters, A. M., D.D., A. M. E. Zion Church; Bishop
Evans Tyree, D. D., A. M. E. Church ; Bishop Chas. H. Phil¬
lips, A. M., D. D., C. M. E. Church ; Bishop G. W. Clinton,
A. M., D. D., A. M. E. Zion Church ; Bishop C. S. Smith, D.
D., A. M. E. Church. Session adjourned. Benediction by
Bishop Lane.
THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, D. C., February 14, 1903.
The joint Boards of Bishops met at the Metropolitan A.
M. E. Church at 10 a. m., with Bishop H. M. Turner, senior
Bishop of the A. M. E. Church, presiding. Bishop J. W.
Alstork, of the A. M. E. Zion Church, announced hymn No.
377, "O God Our Plelp in Ages Past." Prayer by Bishop E.
Cottrell. Scripture lesson, 27th Psalm, read by Bishop L. J.
Coppin. Bishop J. S. Caldwell led in singing, "I Have Started
Out to Seek Another Home." Minutes of the previous meet¬
ing were read and approved.
On motion and agreed that eacli Board of Bishops select a
speaker as its representative on Monday at Howard Univer¬
sity Bishops Lee, Clinton and Phillips were selected.
— 58 —
The committee on hymnal made the following report,
which was adopted.
1. We recommend that the three great denominations rep¬
resented in this joint meeting have a common Hymnal.
2. That each General Conference appoint a commission
of three members to select from the Hymnal of each denomi¬
nation such hymns as will constitute one common hymn
book, and that said commission have power to edit and pub¬
lish said Hymnal.
3. We further recommend that the Hymnal bear on the
outside the inscription, "Common Hymnal," the inside of' the
fly-leaf the words, "Hymn Book of the A. M. E., A. M. E.
Zion and C. M. E. Churches."
BISHOP L. J. COPPIN, Chairman,
BISHOP J. W. SMITH, Secretary,
BISHOP C. H. PHILLIPS,
BISHOP J. W. ALSTORK,
BISHOP E. TYREE,
BISHOP R. S. WILLIAMS,
Committee.
The Committee on Catechism made the following report:
We, your committee, appointed to consider the all impor¬
tant work of preparing a catechism that can be used by the
churches here represented, beg leave to make the following
report:
"The Bible is the religion of the Protestants," is the saying
of one of the fathers of the great English Church. Represent¬
ing as we do this branch of our common Christianity and
accepting as true this trite word, it seems altogether right and
proper that we should acquaint ourselves with the teaching
and requirement of this declared guide to our faith and prac¬
tice ; and not for ourselves only, but especially for the benefit
of the children of our respective churches whom God has given
unto us to bring up in the knowledge of his being, his nature
and his will—a duty recognized by all the Protestant churches
— 59 —
of Christendom and believing as we do that the method
adopted by these is the one that promises the best results, we
gladly fall into line and under the guidance of the blessed
Spirit, enter upon the work of preparing such a catechism
as best suits our condition and promises the richest harvest
and grace and truth for the incoming millions of our race.
As parents we are led to ask: "What is the teaching of
Scripture in regard to the religious training of the children
permitted to our care?" The world abounds with religious,
Jewish, Mohammedan, and Pagan ; but it may be safely af¬
firmed that in no one of the ten great religions, enumer¬
ated by James Freeman Clark—is fuller command given re¬
lating to the training of children, than is found in Christianity.
The pages of its sacred books, whether of the Old of the New
Testament, abound not only in requirements as to what par¬
ents should do, but as well-—to the duty of children.
The time would fail us were we to enter upon the discus¬
sion of each and all. We therefore satisfy ourselves with a
single command from each of the Testaments referred to.
From the Old Testament, we select the command (Prov. 22:6)
"Train up the child in the way it should go." As here given
it is sufficiently pointed that he may run who readeth. And
yet, to accept it as presented in the Marginal, is to increase
its pointedness manifold. According to this, the command is,
"Catechise a child in the way it should go, and when he is old
he will not depart from it."
Catechise; remember the text from the New Testament
which we select is (II Tim. 3 :15) "And from a child thou hast
known the scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto
Salvation," as in the case of the Old Testament, so here; in
the Marginal, we read, "And from a babe thou hast known
the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto
Salvation." And yet, these are but as examples which may be
said to abound in Scripture, in Genesis to Revelation. Suffi¬
cient are they, however, to .make the preparation of a Cate¬
chism for the children of our churches, an absolute necessity.
- 60 —
Your committee therefore, begs to offer the following
resolutions:
1. That we recommend to our respective General Con¬
ferences the preparation of a catechism that shall be used in
all the churches of our respective organizations.
2. That in the preparation of the same, there shall be ap¬
pointed from each of the respective churches, three persons,
one of whom shall be a bishop, whose duty it is to co-operate
with those similarly appointed by the other churches.
3. That four years, if deemed necessary, shall be allowed
for the consummation of said work, provided, however, (a)
that all questions shall be settled among them by vote, (b)
That each year, shall be presented to each of the Board of
Bishops composing the above named churches, samples of the
work accomplished.
As to methods of carrying on the work, meeting" the ex¬
penses, etc., this shall be left for the said committee of nine,
to decide, (c) That nothing herein said, shall be regarded as
detrimental to the use of what is known as the Lesson Leaves.
BISHOP H. M. TURNER,
BISHOP E. COTTRELL,
BISHOP R. S. WILLIAMS,
BISHOP C. R. HARRIS,
BISHOP J. S. CALDWELL,
BISHOP B. TUCKER TANNER, Sec.
The report was adopted.
The Committee on Civic and Political Affairs made the
following report:
As the Chief Pastors of the A. M. E., A. M. E. Zion and
C. M. E. Churches, assembled in the city of Washington, Dis¬
trict of Columbia, United States of America, we send greet¬
ings to our communicants in particular and the race in general.
We, first of all, desire to render thanks to Almighty God
for having preserved us in the midst of racial opposition for
about three hundred years, and for the marvelous progress we
have been enabled to achieve. We congratulate the race upon
- 61 -
the leligious, moral, intellectual and financial advancement
that has been made, in spite of great difficulties, and felicitate
ourselves in the splendid showing" of our progress in the
churches, our schools, our numerous homes and other insti¬
tutions.
We are thankful to the friends, North, South, East and
West, who have aided us in any degree in reaching our pres¬
ent stage of advancement. We congratulate ourselves upon
this great religious movement which has brought us together.
One is reminded of the religious convocations of other cen¬
turies the early convocations of the Christian Church, Coun¬
cils in which Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Jerome, Oregin,
Cyprian, Augustine, Tertullian, and the early fathers sat;
great men, pious men, zealous men, who shaped the destiny of
the Christian Church, so far as its doctrine and its Ecclesias¬
tical policy was concerned. We, too, are shaping the destiny
of the great African Church which is to be one of the largest
and most influential which the world has ever seen.
America will only be the home of this great church; but
Africa is to be the scene of its greatest operations. May the
good Lord help us to realize our responsibility and our duty
to this future church.
We hail with delight the tidal wave of Temperance now
sweeping over the country, and feel assured that our race will
not be the least among its beneficiaries and promoters.
We heartily commend all efforts being made to rid our
common country of the rum traffic, and we pledge this righte¬
ous movement our hearty support, and take this occasion to
urge our people, especially those who are qualified to vote, to
give the cause their united support, until this evil is driven
from the land.
As Fathers of the Churches represented, we advise that in
public and private places, and in common carriers, our people
so deport themselves as becometh good citizens to the end
that favorable public sentiment may be created in our interest.
— 62 —
RACIAL MATTERS.
We, the Bishops of the A. M. E., A. M. E. Zion and C. M.
E. Churches take occasion as the religiouse leaders of about
two millions of communicants in America, and a following" of
over five millions, to address ourselves to the Christianity and
justice of the white people of the nation in respect to the rig"hts
and wrongs of our race.
To enumerate the civil, social, moral, judicial and political
injustices that today exasperate and annoy the members of our
race, would be a hard task. We do not make for our people
any claim that they are better than any other classes, or race
groups of the citizens of the Republic. Nor yet do we assent
to the imputation that they are worse than any other, and that
they compose in your midst an alien race in the land where
they have lived and labored and loved for about three hun¬
dred years.
We speak the same language, obey the same laws; we read
the same books, worship with you the same God, we have no
blood in our veins which has not been American for centuries.
This blood we have shed freely with you for our common
country in four separate wars. We fought side by side with
you in the war for American Independence at Lexington and
Bunker Hill; in the war of 1812 under Jackson at New Or¬
leans ; under Perry at Lake Erie; in the war to save the Union
in 1861 under Lincoln and Grant and Butler and Farragut,
and in the war to free Cuba under McKinley, Dewey and
Schafter.
In these struggles, we never flinched or fouled, but struck
with our might on land and sea, the embattled lines of our
nation's foes. We are Americans by right of birth, by the
blood we shed, by the service we have freely given to achieve
the independence and to preserve the life of the Republic
against foreign and domestic enemies.
We are citizens of the United States under the Supreme
law of the land, entitled as much to equality of civil and po-
— 68 —
litical rights as all other men before the law. We have there¬
fore, rights—sacred rights, under the Constitution of our com¬
mon country, such as the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness. The same, no more, no less, that white men
possess, and too, a voice in the government, State, and Na¬
tional, exactly as other citizens enjoy. We do not ask at your
hands any special favors; we ask at the bar of this Christian
Nation, nothing to which we are not entitled under the law
and Constitution. We ask only for that which belongs to us
as a right, for justice, for equality of freedom of action, of
opportunity before the law, and in the industrial life of the
land North and South, alike.
We ask for fair treatment, that we may, like other races,
make the most and best of ourselves; that we may rise or fall
on our merit, like other men in the political and industrial life
of the Republic. We cannot do this unless we and our chil¬
dren are given equal opportunity with other people to get an
education at the public expense; unless we are given equal
voice with all classes in making the laws; unless our laborers
are given equal chance to obtain work with all other laboring
classes in the industrial system of the nation.
These things are not only necessary to the highest good of
our race, but the highest good of our common country as well;
for be it forever borne in mind by all, white and black alike,
that the freest and most intelligent labor is the most pro¬
ductive.
This also is a truth worth remembering, viz., that a labor
class in an industrial Republic like ours, deprived of the right
to vote or any voice in the government is at the mercy of other
laboring classes which possess that right and that voice; in¬
deed, at the mercy of all thus privileged.
Now, badly as this race as a labor class needs the ballot,
needs education at the public expense, needs industrial oppor¬
tunities to sell its labor freely like other classes in the Republic,
in the South, by one device or another, it is almost universally
deprived of the right to vote. In many cases, our children are
— (34. —
denied equal school privileges, the whole race in the North and
South is deprived of equal industrial freedom to obtain work
with other labor classes. We regret the fact, that wherever
this race turns, it is restricted within certain narrow limits by
the "color line." It is "thus far" in the North and "thus far"
in the South. It hears this hostile, this terrible "no farther"
North and South, alike.
This Christian Republic cannot with safety look on with
indifference at this state of affairs. The teachings of Christ
are opposed to the treatment we are receiving both North and
South. We are told that we are the weaker, the infant race.
If true, then, we should be treated as the stronger should
treat the weaker, and the mother, the infant—indeed, the
strong should bear the infirmities of the weak. We appeal to
the friends of humanity to use their influence to rid this
glorious country of mob violence, which is sending so many
to an untimely grave. We appeal to all who believe in fair
play to assist us in banishing from our land the peonage, and
the convict labor systems, which are degrading and destroying
every vestige of manhood, and relegating them to the most
galling serfdom.
We appeal to the liberty-loving men in authority to .lend
us their assistance by influence, by legislation for the removal
of the "Jim Crow" car laws, which have placed a stigma upon
the noblest and the best of the race, from the bishops of the
church, to the humblest, while at the same time, we are re¬
quired to pay the same fare for inferior accommodation.
We appeal to the Judges of the Supreme Court to annul
laws in violation of the Federal Constitution; to members of
legislatures of the several Southern States where disfranchise¬
ment laws have been enacted, and to the Congress of the
United States to repeal the enactments which have robbed us
of the rights guaranteed to us by the Federal Constitution
which were gained upon the field of conquest by blood shed
by black men as well as white men.
— 65 —
As leaders of the people, we finally appeal for all the rights
guaranteed to the citizens of this great Republic.
Bishop J. W. Hood,
Bishop L. H. Holsey,
Bishop H. M. Turner,
Bishop T. H. Lomax,
Bishop W. J. Gaines,
Bishop I. Lane,
Bishop C. R. Harris,
Bishop B. T. Tanner,
Bishop R. S. Williams,
Bishop A. Walters,
Bishop A. Grant,
Bishop E. Cottrell,
Bishop G. W., Clinton,
Bishop B. F. Lee,
Bishop C. H. Phillips,
Bishop J. W. Alstork,
Bishop M. B. Salter,
Bishop J. W. Smith,
Bishop J. A. Handy,
Bishop J. S. Caldwell,
Bishop W. B. Derrick,
Bishop Evans Tyree,
Bishop C. S. Smith,
Bishop C. T. Shaffer,
Bishop L. J. Coppin.
The report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Federation made its report, which was
amended and adopted.
Benediction by Bishop L. H. Holsey, C. M. E- Church.
- G6 -
FOURTH DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, D. C., February 15, 1908.
The joint Boards assembled at 10 a. m., Bishop H. M.
Turner, D. D., of the A. M. E. Church, presiding. Services
were conducted as follows:
Bishop W. B. Derrick read hymn "Awake and Sing the
Song of Moses and the Lamb," which was sung. Bishop M.
I1). Salter read Psalm 51; Bishop Derrick led in prayer. The
minutes of the previous day's session were read and approved.
Rt. Rev. A. G. Hal. D. D., LL. D., was introduced under
the following credentials:
Memphis, Tenn., February 10, 1908.
To the Bishops of the Colored Episcopal Church in America,
now in Session in Washington, D. C.:
"This is to certify that the bearer, Rt. Rev. A. G. Hal, D.
D., LL. D., has been appointed by the Board of Bishops of
the T. A. M. E. Church of America, to represent our church
in the council. Any consideration shown him will be highly
appreciated, and we further pray God's blessings on your
efforts in this session."
RT. REV. G. W. LOMAX,
REV. M. A. STARKS,
REV. R. H. SIMONS,
REV. A. YATES.
A committee of three was appointed to consider the above
credentials. Committee—Bishop B. T. Tanner, Bishop G. W.
Alstork, Bishop R. S. Williams.
Bishop C. S. Smith, D. D., of the A. M. E. Church, for the
Committee on Liturgy and Uniformity of Service, made the
following report:
Liturgy and Uniformity of Service.
To the Chairman and Members of the Joint Conference:
We, your Committee on Liturgy and Uniformity of Serv¬
ice, beg leave to recommend the preparation and adoption of
— 67 —
a uniform method of opening and closing services on Sunday:
That this recommendation be referred to the general con¬
ference of each respective denomination herein represented.
We further recommend that a committee of three be ap¬
pointed by each respective general conference to work out the
details of the plan.
BISHOP M. B. SALTER,
BISHOP C. S. SMITH,
BISHOP J. S. CALDWELL,
BISHOP C. R. HARRIS/
BISHOP R. S. WILLIAMS,
BISHOP ISAAC LANE,
Committee.
Suggestions were made to be included in the address to
the country by Bishop L. J. Coppin, as follows: We do here¬
by discourage excursions, especially those run by the railroads.
On motion and agreed that a standing committee of three
from each of the churches be appointed on Race Affairs.
Mrs. S. W. Layton, President of the Society of Protection
of Colored Women, was introduced, and made an excellent
and interesting address on the purity of our women. On mo¬
tion and agreed that one minister be appointed to serve on
her Board from the joint Board of Bishops. Bishops L. J.
Coppin, of the A. M. E. Church, A. Walters, A. M. E. Zion
Church, C. H. Phillips, C. M. E. Church, were appointed.
Standing Committee on Race Matters—Bishops A. Wal¬
ters, G. W. Clinton, H. M. Turner, A. Grant, C. H. Phillips
and R. S. Williams.
The following report on transfers and denominational
exchanges was read and adopted:
MINISTERIAL TRANSFER.
Your committee to which was referred the matter of Min¬
isterial Transfers, desires to submit the following:
1. We believe that the time is ripe for exchanging ministers
- 68 —
who are in good and regular standing in their respective de¬
nominations composing the three branches of Methodism here
represented, when such an exchange will promote the cause
of Christ, strengthen our common Methodism, and contribute
to the welfare of the race, and we recommend that this form
of Ministerial transfer be agreed upon in such manner as
may be mutually satisfactory to the A. M. E., A. M. E. Zion,
and C. M. E. Churches.
2. We would recommend that when a minister is ex¬
pelled for gross immorality or any grave offense, that the fact
of his expulsion be published in the chief periodicals of the
respective bodies of Methodism here represented, and that in
no case shall such expelled minister be received in either
church until he has been restored to good standing in the
church from which he was expelled by the regular polity of
our Common Methodism.
.'3. We recommend that when a minister has been sus¬
pended from either of the three branches of the Christian
Church represented in this joint Council of Bishops, that he
be not admitted to the itinerant ranks until his suspension
has been lifted and he been restored to good standing, or
until twelve months shall have expired.
4. We recommend that the ministers coming from either
of the three bodies here represented who may desire to unite
with either one of the other bodies, be required to bring a
certificate form their Presiding Elders or Bishops, showing
their standing at the close of the last session of their annual
conferences. All of which is respectfully submitted by your
committee.
BISHOP E. COTTRELL, Chairman,
BISHOP L. H. HOLSEY,
BISHOP J. W. SMITH,
BISHOP B. F. LEE,
BISHOP E. TYREE,
BISHOP G. W. CLINTON, Secretary.
On motion and agreed that the proceedings of the meet-
- 69 -
ing be published in pamphlet form and sold by the publication
departments.
Committee on Public Worship made its report.
On motion and agreed that the secretaries prepare the pro¬
ceedings for publication and that all the pictures of the Bish¬
ops be included.
Rev. R. S. Williams was made the treasurer of the Joint
Board of Bishops.
On motion made by Bishop C. S. Smith it was unanimously
agreed that a letter of commendation be sent to Bishop Chas.
B. Galoway, D. D., LL. D., of the M. K. Church, South, who
is ill at his home in Jackson, Miss. Speeches of approval
were made by Bishops C. S. Smith, W. B. Derrick, E. Cott-
rell, G. W. Clinton, Isaac Lane and M. B. Salter. All com¬
mented on the Bishop's friendliness to our race.
The Committe on Religious Affairs, made the following
report:
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS.
To the Federation of Bishops:
Having been appointed to prepare a report on religious
affairs, we beg to submit to you the following:
The duty of the Christian Church is to work together
with God to regenerate the hearts and reform the lives of men.
Its means are the reading of the Bible, the preaching of the
truths of the Gospel, public and private prayer, the testimony
of Christians as to the effect of the truth when received into
the heart and practiced in the life, and as to the effect of
participation in the sacraments of our Lord Jesus Christ. These
means are familiar to the membership of the churches repre¬
sented here, as seen in the services conducted in houses dedi¬
cated to the worship of Almighty God, in prayer meetings,
class meetings, and other forms of social worship.
The sincere desire of every earnest Christian is to do what
lie mav for the salvation of men. And yet multitudes of men,
— 70 —
.women, and children are passing into eternity to endure the
pangs of soul-torments and to forfeit the gift of eternal life
offered them in this world. Hence the need of counsel, advice,
and instruction on the part of the church, as to the best and
the most effective methods of saving men and inducing them
to enroll themselves in the ranks of consecrated Christians.
The church is a city set upon a hill, whose light reaches the
farthest horizon and whose benign influence shall be felt and
enjoyed by every inhabitant of earth. It is true that some¬
times when noticing the cruelty, wrong, and perfidy of- many,
we grow weary and heart-sick, and are even tempted to doubt
the glorious promises. Still like the souls under the altar, seen
by John in apocalyptic vision, we cry: "How long, O Lord,
how long?" Wondering when this sad state of affairs shall
cease. Nevertheless:
"Jesus shall reign where e'er the sun,
Shall his successive journeys run!"
We are impressed with the need of constant work by
Christians to bring about the glorious time, when through
God's love the Church in its individual capacity, im¬
pelled by love of the souls of sinful men, seeks to mingle
with them to find avenues of approach into their confidence
and esteem, that thereby she may win them to Christ.
While rejecting from the Holy Communion the drunkard,
the gambler, the debauchers, she pleads with them earnestly,
lovingly, with silent prayer, that God may grant them
repentance unto life, and give them a welcome place in her
fold. God grant that more and more laymen, as well as
ministers, shall become dominated by this soul-winning spirit,
in order that His Kingdom may take possession of the earth.
We recognize that the general rules and the class meet¬
ing being peculiarly characteristic of the Methodist Church,
should in spirit and practice, control every department of the
church, and that it would be treason to recede from them;
spirit and practice, control in every department of the church;
- 71 -
yet we realize that the modern forms of church activity; the
Sunday School, Christian Endeavor Societies, Epworth
League, and Missionary and Temperance Society, are but
extensions of the spiritual purpose of the class meeting, and
should be taken into account in estimating the worth of the re¬
spective members of the church. So their establishment may
account for the seeming decline of the class meeting in its hold
upon the church, but we must not forget that, taken in connec¬
tion with them, the influence of the church upon the world has
vastly increased. Yet we feel that the class meeting should re¬
main in its rightful place as the chief method of church work.
Let us take steps to renew its youth by such means as will
bring freshness and life into its meetings. We would suggest
that the regular weekly prayer-meetings be conducted
by the several classes in turn, thus throwing upon them the
responsibility of success. Also, let the classes meet in private
houses as well as the church edifice, in order that their spiri¬
tual power may be carried into all parts of the community. To
this end let the classes be small and their members, as far as
possible, of the same neighborhood.
We submit the following recommendations:
1. Until a system of inter-denominational transfer of min¬
isters shall be adopted by our General Conferences, we, indi¬
vidually and collectively, pledge ourselves to refuse an ap¬
pointment to any preacher who has been suspended or
expelled from a sister denomination for grossly immoral con¬
duct, until at least twelve months shall have elapsed, or until
he shall have been purged of his wrong-doing, provided that
each Bishop shall be informed of the suspension or expulsion.
2. That it would be well for this body to take into consid¬
eration the establishment of a Theological Seminary, asking
that every member of the churches represented in this con¬
federation contribute at least two cents annually for its devel¬
opment and maintenance.
3. That we aid in the spread and strengthening- of the
temperance cause to the extent of our ability in all parts of
the country.
4, .We recommend that a day of fasting and prayer for
Lhe extension of the Redeemer's kingdom and the purity,
harmony, and co-operation of our people in all parts of the
country be set apart.
BISHOP C. R. HARRIS,
BISHOP J. W. SMITH,
BISHOP B. F. LEE,
BISHOP A. GRANT,
BISHOP R. S. WILLIAMS,
BISHOP L. H. HOLSEY,
Committee.
The following resolution was presented by Bishops Wal¬
ters and Clinton:
"Whereas, The Negro Young People's Educational Con¬
gress, which has done a very creditable work in bringing to¬
gether representatives of all the Christian Churches in
America, and in promoting fraternal fellowship and in produc¬
ing valuable race literature and otherwise benefitting the race,
therefore, be it resolved that we heartily endorse the Negro
Young People's Educational and Religious Congress, and that
we approve the plan to have the future Congresses to work
under a Constitution which provides for delegated representa¬
tion instead of the mass meeting plan."
(Signed) BISHOP G. W. CLINTON,
BISHOP A. WALTERS.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on'Plan of Federation of the Bishops, was
read, amended and adopted.
The Executive Committee is as follows: Bishops, J. W.
Hood, L. H. Holsey, H. M. Turner, B. F. Lee, A. Walters, C.
II. Phillips, L. J. Coppin, J. W. Smith and Isaac Lane.
Bishop R. S. Williams of the C. M. E. Church, extended a
most cordial invitation to the Joint Board of Bishops to a re-
— n 3 —
ception which would be tendered them on Monday night, the
17th, at the Miles C. M. E. Church. The invitation was
accepted.
Benediction by Bishop A. Walters.
Washington, D. C., Sunday, Feb. 16, 1908.
The different pulpits of the churches represented were filled
by Bishops and visiting ministers. See report.
FIFTH DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, D. C., Monday Feb. 17, 1908.
The Joint Boards of Bishops assembled at Metropolitan
A. M. E. Church at 10 a. m., Bishop J. W. Hood, D. D., L,L.
D., presiding. Devotional exercises were conducted by Bish¬
op C. T. Shaffer, D. D., of the A. M. E. Church, and Bishop
J. S. Caldwell, D. D., of the A. M. E. Zion Church. Minutes
of the previous meeting were read and approved. Prof. I.
Garland Penn of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was intro¬
duced and made an interesting and timely address, on "How
to Reach and Hold Our Young People." Response was made
by Bishop Isaac Lane, D. D., of the C. M. E. Church. Bishop
J. S. Caldwell offered the following resolution:
"Whereas, We shall need money to carry on the great
work we have in hand, therefore be it resolved that the bishops
in council assembled, request each minister to contribute one
($1.00) dollar,, towards a sinking fund; the money so con¬
tributed, to be sent to Bishop R. S. Williams, treasurer of this
body. The motion was amended so as to read, "And ask that a
contribution be solicited from each minister for the general
work of the body, and that each church provide for the legiti¬
mate expenses of the Joint Boards in its own way." The
resolution as amended, was adopted.
On motion by Bishop A. Walters, D. D., that the Baptist
Church, Presbyterian, Congregational, Episcopalian, and other
colored churches be requested to appoint representatives of
three each to co-operate with the Committee on Race Affairs.
The motion was carried.
- 74 -
On motion and agreed that the three secretaries of the
separate bodies be the permanent Committee on Finance.
The committee appointed to examine the credentials of Rev.
A. J. Hal, made the following report:
To the Bishops in Council Assembled:
We, your committee appoited to consider the application
of Rev. A. J. Hal, as the Episcopal representative of the Inde¬
pendent A. M. E. Church, to our body, beg leave to report that
having examined the credentials he brings, together with
other documents, and having" been informed verbally of the
organization under consideration together with what is per¬
sonally known by us, the members of your committee, of the
rise and work of the said Independent A. M. E. Church, re¬
spectfully report that we cannot see our way clear to the
admission of the proffered body into our ranks as a regularly
organized Methodist body.
(Signed) R. S. WILLIAMS,
J. W. SMITH,
BENJ. TUCKER TANNER.
Bishop Tanner offered the following resolution, which was
read and adopted:
"Resolved, That we, the Bishops in convocation here as¬
sembled, do here and now pledge our sacred honor as men and
brethren in the Lord, that of all we have recommended, nothing
on our part individually or collectively shall be left undone to
consummate the work to the end that the goodly purpose of
our heart, shall be readily manifested to the world."
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INCIPIENT MOVE¬
MENT TOWARDS EFFECTING A UNITY.
During the month of November 1906, Bishop Harris vis¬
ited Bishop R. S. Williams at his home in Augusta, Ga. Dur¬
ing the visitation the conversation turned upon the general
conditions of the race. Bishop Williams suggested the ad¬
visability of having the matter brought to the attention of the
Senior Bishops of the A. M. E., A. M. E. Zion, and C. M. E.
Churches.
Bishop Williams agreed to write Bishops Turner and Hood,
and Bishop Harris was to write Bishop Holsey. Bishop Wil¬
liams did write to Bishop Hood and Bishop Turner. Bishop
Hood replied, saying the letter reached him too late to be
presented to the college of Bishops of his church which had
just adjourned, "but," said the Bishop, "I think the idea a good
one, and that if carried out, it would result in great good to the
churches and the race in general. He said that he would turn
the letter over to Bishop Walters and due consideration would
be given it. Bishop Turner did not reply personally, but took
the letter before the House of Bishops of his church. They
also agreed that it was a good idea and a great one,
adopted the suggestion and directed the secretary to reply
stating the matter had been before them and approved.
Bishop Harris wrote to Bishop Holsey, the Senior Bishop of
the C. M. E. Church, later, and he brought the matter officially
before the college of Bishops of the C. M. E. Church and they
also approved and authorized Bishop Holsey to act with the
Senior Bishops of the other two churches in making and
arranging for this great convocation.
Bishop J. W. Hood, Senior Bishop of the A. M. E. Zion
Church, informed Bishop Walters, secretary of their Board of
Bishops of the contemplated joint meeting, but said nothing
had been done toward issuing the call, and it seemed as if the
matter would go by default. The call was being issued for the
meeting of the National Afro-American Council at Baltimore,
for June 26, 1907. Bishop Walters thought that it would be a
very good idea to request the Bishops to meet on June 25,
1907 and to arrange for a general meeting of the three bodies
concerned. He therefore, took the liberty to issue the call
in connection with the call of the National Afro-American
Council. Those who responded to the call were: Bishop H.
jyT. Turner, D. D., D. C. L., A. M. E. Church; Bishop C. R.
Harris, A. M., D. D.; Bishop A. Walters, A. M., D. D.;
- 76 -
Bishop J. S. Caldwell, D. D.; Bishop J. W. Smith, D. D. of the
A. M. E. Zion Church. Letters of approval were received
from Bishops L. H. Holsey, D. D., C. M. E. Church; C. H.
Phillips, D. D., and R. S. Williams, also of the C. M. E.
Church. Bishops B. F. Lee, D. D.; A. Grant, D. D.; C. T.
Shaffer, D. D., and Evans Tyree, M. D., D. D., of the A. M. E.
Church, and Bishop J. W. Hood, D. D., LL. D„ of the A. M.
E. Zion Church. The meeting was held in the parsonage of
the A. M. E. Zion Church, Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore,
Md. Bishop J. S. Caldwell was elected temporary chairman,
and Bishop A. Walters temporary secretary. A majority
of the Bishops not being present, it was decided that
Bishop A. Walters should correspond with the Senior
Bishops of the A. M. E., A. M. E. Zion and C. M. E. Churches
and arrange for a meeting to be held in Louisville, Ky., on
September 24, 1907.
INDEX.
*>
Page.
Addresses, - - - - - . - 16
Allen University, - - - - . 56
A. M. E. Statistics — Suggested, - - - - 20
A. M. E. Colleges, 20
Banking Business by Colored Men, - - - - 40
Bishops' P. O. Addresses, - - - - 46
Campbell College, - - - - - 14
Carnegie Library, The - - - - - 12
Catechism, Report of Com. on - - - - 58
Church Home, The ... 25
Combined C. & I. School, - - - - 13
Committees — By United Boards, 55
Committee on^Civil and Religious Affairs, - - - 60
Connectional Financial Statistics, - - - 40
Delhi Institute, - - - - - - 20
Douglass Hospital, The ----- 26
Educational Institutions, - - - - - 12
Edward Waters College, 20
Financial Business of A. M. E. Church, - - - 8
Financial Committee of United Boards, - - - 74
First Board of Bishops of Three Churches, - - - 49
Flegler High School, - - - - - 20
Foreign School Work, - - - - - 20
General Conferences of A. M. E. Church, - - 27
General Officers' Addresses, - - - - - 47
HanJ}'". J- A.—Message from, 55
Hov.'-id University, - - - - 55
INDEX — CONTINUED.
Page.
Hymnal, Joint — Report on, - - - 5^
Incipient Movements for Board, - - 74
Institutional Church, The - - - - - 21
Kittrell College, - - - - - - 21
Liturgy, ------- 67
Local Finance, A. M. E. Church, - - - "45
Ministerial Transfers, ----- 69
Moneys Collected — By Districts, - - - - 8
Morris Brown College, ----- 20
Negro Young Peoples' Congress, - - - - 72
Numerical Statistics — A. M. E. Church, - - 43
One Dollar Fund, The, - - - - - 10
Open Session United Boards, 53
Other Churches Considered, - - - - 73
Paul Quinn College, - - - - - 15
Payne Theological Seminary, - - - 13
Payne University, ----- 20
Portrait of Bishops of Three Churches, - - 50
Proceedings of United Boards, - 51
Quinn, Bishop W. P., Retirement of - - 33
Schools for Colored Race, - 18
Shorter College, - - - - - - 20
Statistics of Colored Men, - - - - 42
Turner Normal School, - - - - - 20
Twenty-third General Conference, - - - 46
Wayman Institute, - - - - - 15
Western University, - - - - - 20
Wilberforce University, - - - - - 12