quadrenniaii address
of
BISHOPS
TO
THE TWENTY-FIRST
'OF i
THE GENERAL
* OF THE *
R. m- e. chuhgr
hhiid itf cobumbus,
ohio, mav, 1900.
ST. PAUL A. M. E. CHURCH.
Columbus, Ohio.
QUADREHNIRIi address
OF (>V»—~ -
BISHOPS
* TO «
THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
* OF THE *
R. M. E. GHUHCH,
HELiD I]M COLUMBUS,
OHIO, MAY, 1900.
A
Published by
ff. LtEE,
:ni
Salter. Lee. Grant. Aknett. Turner. ' Gaines. Tanner. Derrick. Handy.
Ti\e Bishops' Council of 1898, Wilberforce, 0.
EPISCOPAL! ADDRESS.
TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TWENTY-
FIRST SESSION ASSEMBLED.
Reverend and Honorable Fathers and Brethren:—
With gratitude and praise to God, the Dispenser of all good,
we greet you and bless you in His name. The fleetness of time; how
soon it brings the end of four years. How many and what wonderful
changes have been wrought in that time. Almost another world con¬
fronts us. The ambitions, the yearnings, the anxieties of four years
ago, how strangely impossible and unreal they seem to us to-day; but
the memories of trustfulness—the experiences of real reliance on
Almighty God four years ago—how real, how satisfying, how restful
they are to-day. Shall we not by these memories bring ourselves, by
Divine aid, into harmony with Divine law, love and life ? May we
not tarry a moment to
" Sing of His mighty love,
Sing of His mighty love;
Sing of His mighty love;
Mighty to save ? "
The sweep of time has carried away many of the strongest
earthly bulwarks of hope, but grace remains, and God remains. The
Church of God remains, truth remains, the Son and Savior remains.
The Comforter—the Holy Ghost remains. These are our satisfying
portion, our everlasting trust.
The progress of the A. M. E. Church has been great the past
four years.
First. Its increase in number has been considerable, for
which we praise God.
— 4 —
Second. It is fair to believe that it has increased in vital
piety. The evidences are: That it has performed its duties on all
observable lines better; its missionary spirit is emboldened and
enlarged. Its grasp of duty and its devotion to its performance are
greater. It has built more churches, educated more persons and had
a greater number of conversions than in any four years of the past.
Yet the growth of the spirit of holiness and piety is still far below our
desires. May God increase it, and may he reign over us and help
us. The Lord reigneth ; let the people tremble ; He sitteth between
the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The Lord is great in Zion;
and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and
terrible name; for itis holy. Exalt ye the Lord our God and worship
at his footstool; for he is holy. Psalm 99, 1-3, 5. The Lord reigneth,
he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, where¬
with he hath girded himself; the world also is established, that it
cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old ; thou art from
everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted
up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is
mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves
of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure; holiness becometh thine
house, O Lord, forever. Psalm 93. By his mercy in his infinite
dominion, we assemble in the twenty-first General Conference of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church, with his praise on our tongues,
with his love in our hearts, to consider the march of the church during
the four past years; and, to some extent, the movements of humanity
and the christian world.
THE CENTURIES.
The nineteenth century of our connectional organization is dis¬
appearing with this quadrennium, the mightiest of the centuries. The
century of flights of genius and feats of intellect, unequaled in the ages.
The century that eliminated from civilization, slavery and serfdom.
The century that extended the light of the glorious gospel to nearly all
the world. The century in which the arts and sciences, manufactories
and mercantile affairs have been advanced to such vast proportions,
that further progress seems all but out of question. The century that
has tossed about the very continents themselves, in geographical
changes; the faith to move mountains has played a wonderful part.
In this century the tendency of churches to find harmony and
theology unity, are among the most significant factors. Morals,
manners and mind crystalize more about the center of truth than of
sentiment. In this century science has brought all parts of the world
about the common center of human interests and necessities. In this
century the races have come into more intimate and significant
contact than ever before ; some through the incident and occasion of
trade; some by the intercourse of travel; some by the soothing heart
Bishop W. B Derrick, D.D., President
General Conference Commission.
of grace; some by the rude hand of bondage and some by the stern
trumpet of wars. The literature of this century is more profuse,
of better character and educative tendencies than in all preceding
centuries. The poets and prose writers; writers on all topics have
given the world thought in beauty, that will live and glow a thousand
years.
— 6 —
The advancement o( civilization has been marvelous. What
was at the beginning of this century the barbarous world is now either
subdued and refined by the masterly touch of modern civilization or is
in fair transformation to that desired condition; by the general tenden¬
cies and considerations of business necessities and relations, by military
conquests or by dominating influences succeeding discoveries and sur¬
veys and by the benign light and force of our holy religion. Still there
remains much land to be conquered. In its mad rush the extension
of civilization is not entirely the extension of Christianity pure and
simple, but adulterated with mental and moral defacing elements that
arouse the great solicitations and engage the great activities of the
church of Christ. And the church itself is still assailed by those who
"count gain godliness" and vain philosophy real. The preaching of
the cross is yet counted foolishness and holiness is mocked by many.
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The great sweep of Methodism with its old tenets and doctrines
of Christ is not exempt from these internal defects and external
assaults. Yet her trenches, her bulwarks and her arms have sustained
her thus far nobly. But against the vigorous press of subtile free
thought] Methodism has great need for more spiritual discernment
and watchfulness, fasting and prayer. The high headed and high
handed attempts to walk through the gardens of the inspired word
without the Divine recognition; to transform its flowers into gods and
its beauties into holiness, without communion with Him; to build a
tower of such intellectual heights as to eclipse the first principles—
repentance, regeneration, baptism and the laying on of hands; the
growing tendency to introduce persons to the mystic relations of the
children of God by human passports—all these dangers lurk in Meth¬
odism. It may be well that with advancement of the centuries the
inquisitorial courts with rigorous jurisdiction over creeds have disap¬
peared, and that the lines between orthodoxy and heterodoxy are drawn,
out in the open, where the sun of truth shines ever; at the same time
Methodism needs to keep a keen eye upon the invidious and insinuat¬
ing menace of tolerance. Given too great prominence in ecclesiastical
as well as civil organization, over-tolerance is dangerous; its tendency
is to anarchy. To insure stable government law and license must be
balanced wisely and well. The ground work of Methodism besides
having much in common with other formations of religious life, has
— 7 —
features distinctly essential and characteristic in comparison with most
other forms. Upon these distinctions it has made its race, accom¬
plished its marvelous work hitherto, and upon these its promise and
prophecy rest. To depart from them is to render itself no longer a
necessity to the world and to render it sure of displacement and decay.
The growth of this branch of God's church during this
century in usefulness and influence is unmeasurable. The "little
one has become a thousand." Our fathers built more wisely
than they knew. The extension of African Methodism to-day
is far beyond their wildest dreams. It is true much of its expansion is
yet merely tentative, so far as foreign territory is concerned. But the
church at home, what wide ranges it has taken; to the east, the west, the
north and the south. From a membership menaced and terrorized by the
slave power it has become a membership of freemen; citizens of no
mean country—embracing farmers, mechanics, merchants, college
professors, lecturers, authors, musical, composers, elocutionists, philos¬
ophers, artists, scientists, poets, statesmen, diplomats and jurists.
From a membership without a competent secretary to one in which a
thousand men vie with each other for the secretaryship of its convo¬
cations. From a membership in which woman was kept in humble
relationship it has changed to one in which her aspirations extend to
the very limits of Scriptural allowance and her attainments ascend to
the greatest altitude of the man by whose side she struggles, watches,
waits and prays. From a church whose children had little instruction
and little hope to one in which ten thousand hands and heads live and
work for the advancement and cultivation of the child life daily. What
wondrous advancement. The hills of our western world of continents
and islands for six thousand miles northwest to southeast are apexed
by our church spires; the valleys resound with the melodies of our
praises and the waters bear us on to greater conquests for the Lord,
where the isles of the sea await His coming.
Over the Atlantic to Africa, the historic land, the continent of
the future, we have gone in answer to the voice of Macedonia, to
assist a people of our kind largely in finding the way to God. Already
our work in Africa has been united to our work here by ties natural
and human—in the death and burial of blessed missionaries there ;
as well as by ties spiritual and Divine, in heavenly acknowledgement
of our work by our Lord.
OUR PROGRESS.
The increase of the A. M. E. Church in members and power
is shown by the following figures comparing 1787 with 1899 :
From a blacksmith shop to 5>°95 church edifices
From no school buildings to 20
1787. 1899.
Number of Communicant Members 42 663,706
Number of Adherents 200 17659,765
Grand Total, 2,223,471
No. of ministers 2 5.439
Pastors Support—aggregate $984,46^,849
No. of Churches 1 5>°95
No. of Annual Conferences. 65
No. of Bishops 9
Value of Property $2,500 $10,310,993
Colleges 20
Teachers 165
Pupils 5,257
No. of Graduates 660
Amount of Money Raised for Education $1,140,013 31 from 1884 to
1899.
THE A. M. E. CHURCH'S GREAT MISSION.
The peculiar mission and power of the A. M. E. Church in the
future are probably as far above our general conception as is its pres¬
ent status above the conception of its founders. The proof of man¬
hood is the ability to commune with God in wisdom, intelligence and
holiness; "to be like him," again. This can come to individuals
in weakness; but general elevation, race elevation must come
through a very large majority. It is no more important to us that the
advanced peoples are watching our movements, than it is that those
far at our rear are watching us. There is no greater danger of the for¬
mer rushing back upon us with overwhelming force than of the latter
dragging us to hopeless dispair and ruin. Both high grade civiliza¬
tion and low grade civilization, in themselves are dangerous; the need
of both is communion with God. In our distaste for lowly positions
among the great, we must not forget that all greatness not in commun-
— 0 —
ion with God, but lifts man the higher for a fall. We must not let the
humble success attending our activities intoxicate us. Level headed-
ness is demanded of this large body of Negroes, as a leader to the
race. We may expatiate as we will concerning liberty to violate the
Divine laws and the laws of reason, but "the high look" God will
surely bring down. The church of our fathers came to us measurea-
bly pure; men and God will hold us responsible to keep it pure. We
are in danger of allowing the material to absorb the spiritual. The
work of our churches in the great cities where vice is easy and preva¬
lent, should be directed more to the resistance and overcoming of vice.
Our churches in rural centers should maintain institutions that will
educate the youth and the adult in things in common life.
PERTINENT OBSERVATIONS.
As your chief pastors, we feel called upon especially
to plead for the consecration of the church to the practice of
sincere devotion—real devotion, home Bible reading, the culti¬
vation of good morals; for good morals may be attained as
are good mind and good manners by meditation, the emulation
of the good and by holy exercise. We beg a strict observance
of the "moral law," God's law—the ten commandments. While we
hear and read much of the necessity for observing the fourth, fifth and
seventh commandment, we feel called upon to urge that, "Thou shalt
not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," is as important and
as binding as any, though probably violated more frequently than
others. Will God hold us accountable for these violations? "He that
is guilty of one is guilty of the whole." We beseech you, brethren, for the
Lord Jesus Christ's sake, by the mercy of God, that you present your
bodies and your spirits which are his, a reasonable service and living
sacrifice; praying for absolute and complete sanctification. Let us
make the African Methodist Episcopal Church a proper object of
respect for the world, a light worthy of being followed by the dark
races and under God, the means for elevating the negro race. AVhile
we do not feel called upon as a church particularly to follow the
United States flag, in ministration to our people, yet it is the hand that
opens the way to great bodies of our race and, so far, Divine. Cuba
is Roman Catholic, but Cuba is of the dark race largely. From
awful experiences we fear for all such, when left in the strong and
greedy grasp of the Caucasian, in state and alas too often, in
— 10 —
church, and so all but instinctively our church flies — even
though with clipped wings, to their relief. Already we have begun
work in Cuba. This General Conference will consider the field and
the appliances for this work. If you think us able you will say "go";
otherwise you will say " stay till your wings grow stronger," and we
shall have to stay. This much we must know of a certainty, without
the money the work cannot be done. It is sometimes better to refrain
from flying than to fly to a fall; though to learn to fly, is to be liable
to some falls. It would seem that we have had a good deal of this
education, however, and that we shall soon have to secure strength
from high flight or be classified with low flyers. Puerto Rico and
Manila are peopled largely by dark people, but if the members of the
A. M. E. Church think more of that which is "nought" as the price for
their money than they do of the salvation of the world through the
spread of the gospel, God will not keep the dark classes back, waiting
for the A. M. E. Church, nor will he keep the white race back with
their towering strength. God has given us no preferred claims on
the matter of saving our kind, nor assurance that he will not withdraw
them from us and hand them over to others, if we abuse our oppor-
tunites. And what we say on this subject of foreign lands of dark
people, unoccupied by our church, we say also of the United States
and all other lands entered by us, as a church.
How shall the A. M. E. Church greet the new century ?
What answer will it give the question : " Are ye able?" We urge you
to thoughtfulness, humiliation before almighty God and fervent prayer
for the General Conference; that it may take no back steps; for our
institutions of learning, that we may be able to govern them to the
glory of God, saving those whom we teach; for our homes, that they
may not be broken by weakness from within nor strength from with¬
out, that they may be not only our castles, but God's palaces; for our
women, that though poor they may be pure; though dependent, they
may be reliable and staunch in the face of the foe, white or black; for
our children, that though handicapped they may not be hand-cuffed ;
for our men, that every passion be subordinated to^ spiritual
good; that though they are often denied the right and privilege
to work with men, they may never despise nor weary of the privilege
of working with God, in the redemption of the world ; for our country,
that all its righteous institutions may become liberal in censidering our
—11 —
race, its courts may be just to us, its legislations considerate toward
us, its wealth helpful to us and its religion gratious toward us; for
civilization, that it may be humble and right; for the remote govern¬
ments that recognize our labors, that peace and prosperity may be
restored soon ; for the spread of the glorious gospel to all races and
tribes, till his kingdom come.
The human sides of the foundation stones of Methodism
are its class meetings and love feasts; its contention for regen¬
eration and sanctification and its maintenance of discipline. When
we relinquish these we lose the essential distinctions of our church
and become as other men. The grounds of these principles and
practices are biblical; without regeneration no man has the
promise of eternal life. Without holiness no man shall see his face.
Holiness that involves correctness of life, not alone faith in the
perfection of the life of Christ, is what Methodism stands for and what
it contends for; holiness that includes temperance, virtue, prudence
and honor. Our Methodism can no more tolerate tampering with
intoxicants than it can tolerate slavery; if one is the "sum of all
villainy," the other is the basis of all crime. Our Methodism stands
for proper respect for monogamous marriage; consequently we must
deplore the rash and reckless securing of divorces practiced by some
ministers and laymen; the more so when said divorces are followed
soon by marriages of the divorced. The limits for cause for divorce
are laid down in the scripture and upon these Methodism relies; to
this it adheres.
THE SANCTITY OF GOD'S HOUSE.
Next to the sanctity of person is the sanctity of our vows in
consecrating all houses of worship. The disciplinary injunctions on
the uses of the sanctuaries dedicated to the worship of God are suf¬
ficiently strong. We feel it our duty, however, to urge respect for
these injunctions; in the matter of keeping the church edifices clean
and not abusing them by using them for promiscuous and secular
gatherings.
UNIFORMITY OF WORSHIP.
\Vhile it is plain that absolute and exact sameness cannot be
had in the forms of public worship in our churches, yet it is
advisable that we conform as nearly to the order laid down in our
Ritual as is-practicable. Upon this we must insist; that the cere-
—12 -
monies of the church be absolutely the same, as to words and form,
in our church service, our ritual, our discipline, our hymnals and in
any other publications used by our ministry. We urge also the use
of our hymnal in every pulpit and congregation. We earnestly plead
for the return of congregational singing; not to the rejection of choirs,
but to the edification of believers and conviction of sinners. We feel
that much of the indifference and wordliness seen in our assemblies
would be avoided by congregational singing.
THE EXPANSION OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
The war between the United States and Spain in the past two
years has effected changes in the civil polity of this country far beyond
the anticipations of four years ago, transforming this polity from one
limited by well defined lines and rules to one of conquest and am¬
bitious expansion. This war has wrought changes in the relations of
the American Negro with the American Caucasian. It has raised the
status of the former under military rules. It has opened new avenues
to exercise and pecuniary gain and extended the sphere of activity
and usefulness to the Negro. It ha; taken on, in the responsible life,
if not the incorporate life of the American nation, many thousands of
people, like ourselves, more or less negro, and many thousands of
others whose dark color renders them liable to similar contempt to
that too often exercised against the negro. Both these classes are
weak, more because handicapped by a prejudice barricaded in vast
historic strength than from inherent defects. And all such peoples
need to form that alliance which lifts them up to God, and thus chal¬
lenge and command the respect and Christian fellowship of Christians,
classified with the peoples strong as to actual acquisitions. The
A. M. E. Church should pray God to give it his grace, make "its
hands strong " and equip it to co operate with good people in prevent¬
ing the haughty and imperious character of our times, from grinding
to powder those who have become its wards by the conquests and
subsequent treaty with Spain. The A. M. E. Church can but rejoice
in the deliverance of Cuba from the evident injustice and wrong per¬
petrated upon her by Spain, and sympathize with the Cubans and
Puerto Ricans in the settlement of their status in the body politic of
the United States, praying that they may become citizens, not subjects
of the republic. We regard it unfortunate that the Fillipinos have not
— 13 —
stopped to consider the consequences to themselves of a long and
tedious war, prolonged by them, through methods unworthy of the
civilization of these centuries. The A. M. E. Church regards it as
highly proper that the Fillipinos should be governed as part of the
United States—not a dependency—in the final settlement of their
status. We hail with joy the prosperity and peace attending the ad¬
ministration of the government of the U. S.
THE BOER-BRITISH WAR.
As in case of all wars, so in this, we as a church are neutral,
with that interest in the moral and Christian advancement of the
human race that must characterize all churches, yet we have notions
of justice and equity, and are concerned deeply especially in the out¬
come of these wars to the Negro race, because of the misfortunes and
disadvantages self-caused and inflicted by others, under which this
race has lived thousands of years. It is our earnest prayers that the
work begun by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in South
Africa may find s) mpathy in all the governments there, and while its
members, as individuals, may be on either side of the conflict, con¬
tinue united as a church for the glory of God and the extrication of
the Negro race from its thraldom.
TRIBAL DIFFERENCES.
It is not in keeping with the elevated civilization and spirit of
Christianity to make incidental and tribal differences occasions for
church antagonisms. It is the promise to overcome these relics of a
disappearing and decaying barbarism that constitutes the chief apology
for African Methodism's existence; to break down the walls of tribal
and even racial partitions, so far as intellect and soul are concerned.
Therefore it is our earnest hope that the dark peoples of different tribes
and different civil governments will have for their one trumpet sound,
the Elevation and Christianization of the Negro first, tribal consider¬
ations afterwards, and our differences and duties shall not destroy our
oneness in Christ nor separate us from the great heart of Christianity,
regardless of race.
PRAYER AND PURSE.
It is not the length of purse so much as the strength of prayer
that moves obstructions to church progress. There is no difficulty in
the religious world that may not be surmounted by faithful, earnest
— 14 —
prayer. The effects of our days of fasting and prayer tell too plainly the
lack of prevailing power with God. Our clamor and shouts for money,
money, money, show the false heartedness of too much of our religion.
We have to call to the purse, because the heart of our church is not
sufficiently touched and impressed by the woes and wretchedness
created by sin, because we set too small store upon " truth in the
inner parts," the "sacrifice of a broken spirit."
SOUL SAVING.
Aware that the acquisition of money, the education of mind,
the visitations to foreign countries and uncultured peoples, the millions
worth of property and hundreds of libraries, are to the church only a
means to an end, we call upon you to have greatest regard for and
interest in souls.
Conversion to God should ring through the A. M. E. Church as
it did through Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the days of
Allen and Coker. " Repent and be converted" should be the watch¬
word of our ministry, in response to the ringing question of the Negro :
"Men and brethren what shall we do to be saved." Let
not the sad wail go out, "No man cared for my soul." No
reform but that which comes through repentance towards God and
faith in the Son of God is reliable. No elevation but that which
comes of obeying the voice of the Angel of the new covenant, "Come
up higher," is lasting. No refinement but that which comes from puri¬
fying influence of the Holy Spirit upon our nature is suc¬
cessful. It is one of the sad and dangerous elements in our
methods of propagandism that we call sinners to repentance at home
too seldom and too weakly while we cry aloud, lustily, "Africa,
Africa," but the African Methodist Church must abound in the good
word of God and the power of the world to come, to be worth much
to Africa. A crusade for salvation of souls should be our great bur¬
den. Let us go and tell Jesus " I cannot bear this burden alone."
"Come. Holy Spirit, heavenly dove,
With all thy quickening power.
Come, shed abroad a Savior's love,
And that shall kindle ours."
To this end the A. M. E. Church should seek to develop the
simple evangelistic spirit and to teach evangelism in its theological
seminaries; not to bring our own power to bear upon the sinful world,
—15 —
so much to so minister as to exhibit the Divine word by precept and
example, that the " Truth shall make free." " Lord, revive us again!"
Give us more spirituality, more of the purity of heart that " shall
see God."
THE EPISCOPACY.
God has blessed the present Council of Bishops with strength to
discharge the grave duties devolving upon their responsible office,
with reasonable promptness and success. Through travels and perils
oft, under God, it has been our pleasure to push onward the cause of
Christ, to his glory, as to the life and influence of the work in hand,
the A. M. E. Church, and to co-operate with the Christian world
beyond, in the common activities of reform and the regeneration of
mankind. Every conference, home and foreign, with the exception
of the San Domingo and the St. Thomas, has had at least one session
in the quadrennium; and these, even, constructively, in con¬
nection with the Haytian and Demerara conferences, besides this, as
will appear in this report and in that of the Secretary of the Board of
Missions, the work has been enlarged to the extent of creating two
additional conferences in South Africa, and the formation in our
domestic field, of five additional conferences—two in the Eighth
District, one in the Seventh District and two in the Sixth District.
OUR DEPARTED BRETHREN.
It is our painful duty to announce to this conference officially,
the loss by death, of the two bishops ordained last of all,
and so, episcopally, the youngest of all, viz: James Crawford
Embry, D.D., and Josiah Haynes Armstrong, D.D.
" Leaves have their time to fall
And stars to set, and flowers to wither
At the north wind's breath
But all—thou hast all seasons for thine own,
O Death."
These two bishops who, side by side, stood before the altar at
your late session to take upon themselves, at the the behest of the
General Conference, the vows sacred to the office of bishop, and side
by side knelt to receive the solemn imposition of the hands of the
episcopacy and presbytery; almost together, in time, laid by the
insignia of office and the cares of the same, to enter upon their
eternal rest and immortal state to be forever with the Lord. "In
their death they were not divided."
— 17 —
BISHOP JAMES CRAWFORD EMBRY, D.D.
James Crawford Embry, twenty-fifth bishop of the A. M. E.
Church, was born November 2d, 1834, in Knox County, Indiana.
Died August nth, 1897. Age 62 years, 9 months and 9 days. He
was licensed to preach 1855 ; ordained Deacon 1864; ordained Elder
1866; ordained Bishop 1896. August 16th, 1897, he was laid to
rest in Philadelphia, Pa. He was an itinerant Elder thity-one years.
Commissioner of Education and Financial Secretary, 1876-1880.
General Business Manager, 1884-1896 ; Bishop, May 19th, 1896 to
August nth, 1897. His education was self acquired, but by no
means insignificant; possessed of gigantic intellect, he seized many
of the subjects entering into a liberal education and thus became a
scholarly man, an able minister of the word and a considerable
writer. He was aggressive and critical. As a minister he was pro¬
found in the pulpit and faithful in the pastorate. As a bishop, he
was strong, commanding and impressive.
BISHOP JOSIAH HAYNES ARMSTRONG, D.D.,
Josiah Haynes Armstrong, twenty-fourth bishop of the A. M.
E. Church, was born May 30, 1842, in Lancaster County, Pennsyl¬
vania. He was converted in Jacksonville, Florida, 1868, where he
was the same year licensed to preach. He joined the traveling con¬
nection, 1869 ; was ordained deacon the same year; and in 1870 was
ordained elder. May 19, 1896, he was ordained bishop. He died
March 23, 1898, in Galveston, Texas, where his dust was laid to rest
Sunday, March 27, 1898. He served the state of Florida as a mem¬
ber of the House of Representatives two years; was a brave union
soldier in the war of the rebellion; an excellent officer in the A. M.
E. Church Office of Finance four years, 1892-1896.
He was a man of sterling piety, upright character, deep sym¬
pathies, dauntless courage, strong will, industrious habits, affable dis¬
position, and large religious nature. As a pastor he was zealous for
the moral safety of the flock and a patron of holiness. As a bishop
he was considerate, kind, firm, progressive and wise.
— 18 —
PROVISIONAL SUPERVISION.
The Seventh District: Since the death of Bishop Embry the
episcopal duties of this district have been divided between Bishops
Abraham Grant, D. D., and Wesley J. Gaines, D. D.; the former having
supervision of the work in South Carolina, the latter that of Florida ;
Bishop William B. Derrick, D.D., meanwhile, relieving Bishop
Grant of the responsibilities of the conferences in Nova Scotia and
Bermuda.
The Tenth District: Since the death of Bishop Armstrong
Bishop Moses B. Salter, D.D., has had the oversight of the work in
Texas and Bishop James A. Handy, D.D., that in Louisiana.
EPISCOPAL FOREIGN TRAVEL.
In no former quadrennium have our Bishops traveled abroad so
extensively. Bishops Grant and Derrick have visited the work in Ber¬
muda and Nova Scotia; Bishop Handy, Hayti, that had been so long
without episcopal supervision; Bishop Grant has visited Sierra Leone
and Liberia; Bishop Lee the Windward Islands and South America;
while the most extended, most far reaching in influence, the most sig¬
nificant episcopal tour ever made on behalf of the A. M. E. Church was
that made by our senior, Bishop Turner, to South Africa. Extending
the borders of our beloved Zion to that far-off field, receiving several
thousand Christians into our church, promises to the A. M. E. Church
vast opportunities for usefulness. It is true the task of occupancy of
that field of Christian activity is not without difficulty, misunderstand¬
ing, misrepresentation, disappointment and hardship; yet have we
great hope that an open door is presented to us by the Lord, that "no
man can shut." The advance of the A. M. E. Church is not the
keen act of adventurers, the march of conquerers, nor the vangard of
nations. It deprives no man of his wealth nor asks him to cease in
his honest endeavors toward success, nor does it interfere with any in
the peaceful pursuit of happiness and prosperity. It stirs up no
seditions against civil govtrnments. In its distribution over the terri¬
tory of many governments its members are loyal always to the respec¬
tive governments under whose control they live. It acknowledges
men of all races as brethren, God as the All Father and Christ as the
one Redeemer. It enters South Africa as it has entered other doors
admitting it to the great centers of the aggregated hosts of the race
— 10 —
making up (chiefly) its communion, to "seek its brethren made to
find communion among their own class because of the discriminations in
the communion of others. If courageous and believing, we shall suc-
Bishop B. T. Tanner, D. D., LL. D-,
President Christian Endeavor Societies.
ceed in South Africa as we have succeeded in every field into which
He has led or suffered us. We are thankful to God for the safe
arrival to this country of Reverend I. N. Fitzpatric, who was
appointed by Bishop Turner to hold the South African Conference,
and also for the presence of our delegates from the West Indies,
South America, South Africa and West Coast, Africa.
INCREASE OF NUMBER.
Notwithstanding the Lord's strengthening the present incum¬
bents to the extent implied in the statements already made, we are
— 20 —
reminded by the enlargement of our work, by the lengthening years
of our respective lives, by our common mortality, by the diminishing of
our number and by the voice of reason, that there should be an
increase of four bishops ; three for the work on this western world
and one for the foreign fields. If in your judgment, Africa
should have two, then let there be but two elected for the
western continents and islands. May we suggest to your ven¬
erable body, that the men required for the important work in
Africa, whether as pastors or bishops, in this formative period of
our work there, particularly, must be of the most rugged and best
tried material in our ministry. We enter this field in close relation¬
ship and earnest competition with the great powers in religious organi¬
zations ; we enter fields of vastly different crystalization and ten¬
dencies from those with which we have been acquainted, where mis¬
takes will be failures and apprenticeship ruin. The character of
the men, like the character of the work they do must be strong, clear,
wise, definite and respectable. We feel called upon to lay special
stress on this point for the reason that, because of the lack of infor¬
mation that characterizes the average member of our church con¬
cerning those distant fields, and the tendency of humanity to treat
lightly that work which is more remote, and from the fact that we are
liable to underestimate the status oi our brethren who have been long
under the influence of heathenism.
EQUITY IN DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY AND LABOR.
Evidently the efficiency of the episcopacy would be strength¬
ened greatly by a wise and equitable distribution of the work among
all parts of its members. There are at present sixty-five conferences.
It will be unjust and unfair that any bishop in condition to do full
service, should be limited to three or four conferences, or that any of
his colleagues, in some cases no stronger, should be forced to care for
from six to eight conferences. The mere sentiment of holding
together the conferences of given states in one district should yield to
reason and the larger interests. We should have that interest in the
whole work that would enable us to separate any two states—however
long they have remained in district unity—where progress and
strength of church character demand it. We recommend that the
bishop for Africa be elected particularly to that work; for the reason
that a single mind should fashion and advance it for the time being on
—'21 —
lines selected by special care. The sixty-one conferences, aside from
Africa divided equitably among eleven or twelve bishops would give
each bishop from five to six conferences. Why should this not con¬
stitute the basis of distribution of responsibilities in our episcopal
supervision ? We recommend that the work in the West Indies
remain in conference relations to continental work similar to the
present arrangement, but that the conferences be held annually with
the same regularity as those on the continent.
EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS.
So far as is possible, episcopal districts should be of contiguous
territory; excepting in case of the insular work. But where there
are incongruities in the present district composition, that seem almost
impossible to overcome, we suggest separation and reconstruction.
MERGING OF CONFERENCES.
We recommend the merging of the Ontario and Michigan
Conferences and also the Nova Scotia and New England Conferences;
under such titles as you may choose.
NEW CONFERENCES.
We would also recommend the formation of an annual con¬
ference composed of all the state of West Virginia, such parts of
Northwestern Maryland and such part of Virginia as you may elect,
to be known as the West Virginia Annual Conference; and also the
formation of an annual conference of the work in the state of Dela¬
ware, and Eastern Maryland and Virginia, to be styled the Delaware
Annual Conference.
THE DEPARTMENTS.
The distribution of the responsibilities of our work into depart¬
ments has proven wise, as a rule, though the tendency to depart,
mentalize is liable to exaggeration. The church cannot be too careful
on this subject. The disintegration of our activities is not the least
among the difficulties of such a course ; there is danger of constituting
a line of almost essential connections between these offices and the
episcopacy—a course that is liable to reduce the office designed to
advance our connection to one of personal advancement. The pay¬
ment of salaries to most of these offices, regardless of the volume of
business transacted and from funds raised outside them is also liable
to weaken the efficiency of the church. Just so far forth as
22
is possible, general officers should receive their salary from their
respective departments.
THE PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
THE BOOK CONCERN.
The reports from this department show great advance over
previous quadrenniums, in the equipment of office, circulation of
periodicals and volume of sales. The efficiency of management, the
Bishop A. Grant, D. D., President of Board
of Education and Board of Church Extension.
extent of circulation and business will be discovered in reading reports
submitted by publishers and editors. The quality of the literature
has been reviewed during the years. We commend the business
manager's efforts to relieve the concern of indebtedness, and on having
kept the journals afloat. His report to January ist, 1900, shows a
volume of business aggregating $60,920.35.
23 —
BOOK PUBLICATIONS.
THE DISCIPLINE.
We would recommend the thorough
and complete revision and new composition
of our Book of Discipline; as the plates are
mutilated and worn, the type confused as
to sorts, the paging antiquated and the gen¬
eral appearance unbecoming the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. We have
prepared and present herewith for consid¬
eration several suggestions as to revision,
trusting that they will simplify the work
of the committee on revision.
THE HYMNAL.
We recommend the new Hymnal in
both editions ; without notes and with notes ;
this latter addition to the efficiency of our
hymnal can not be valued too highly; yet there might be a few elim¬
inations from the selections of both music and text, and also a revision
of the music. Its issuance marks a definite and great step in the
progress of our church, and reflects credit upon our present manage¬
ment, the preceding management and the compiling committee.
BOOKS IN MINISTERIAL COURSE AND GENERAL READING.
While we are requiring much study of our preachers, we pay
too little attention to the business elements involved in managing and
supplying books for our field studies, as well as our seminary studies.
It is true Methodist Polity by Bishop H. M. Turner, D.D.; Outlines
of History, The Dispensations and other works, by Bishop B. T.
Tanner, D.D.; Digest of Theology, by Bishop J. C. Embry, D.D.;
The Negro and the White Man and the Gospel Ministry, by Bishop W.
J. Gaines, D.D ; History of the A. M. E. Church, by Bishop D. A.
Payne, D.D.; Baptized Children, by Rev. L. J. Coppin, D.D.; The
Preacher, by Rev. H.T. Johnson, D.D.;with other books and numerous
pamphlets and tracts etc., are issued by our own Book Concern and
the voluminous history of our church win appear soon, written by Bishop
B. W. Arnett, D.D. We have no doubt that our own Book Concern
Rev. T. W. Henderson, D D.,
Business Manager of Book Concern.
— 25 —
will bring this work out. Our ministry and people are paying thous¬
ands of dollars yearly for books in pastoral course, seminary course and
common reading that add little to the volume of business at our Book
Concern, and less to the purses of our ministers and laymen com¬
petent to produce books similar to those in use. Our connection
should equip our Book Concern and place it in position to encourage
book writing, and become the controller and owner of the books—
largely—used by our ministerial students and read in our homes.
The first step in this direction—as it must be a step toward self-sup¬
port also, is to pay off the debts dragging along and thus allow the
moneys now paid on account of interest to strengthen the ability to
publish new books, and rehabilitate the house, that the salaries of
the officers of the house may be made from the proceeds of the busi¬
ness, after the next two years.
THE PERIODICALS.
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER.
This oldest of our connectional organs has grown in volume of
circulation and in ability in some respects. The defects in the quality
of its matter should be overcome by the fact, that manager and editor
are paid from funds beyond their immediate creation, and so clothed
with considerable independence; yet the paper suffers greatly by
being subordinated by a spirit among pastors and laymen, either
regardless or unenlightened as to what should be the character of a
church journal, narrowing the paper to certain grooves or distorting
it to lines of close approach to the unfit and distasteful. The
Christian Recorder is indispensable to the connection; we long to see
it made indispensable to the individuals in the connection. The
editor can not make it what it should be till his patrons, who regard
him as in their employment, appreciate a good paper. The present
incumbent has issued many able numbers. We can but wish the
duty of his office did not necessitate so frequent absence from the edi¬
torial chair; as the presence of an editor in his office is the only
guarantee of a responsible and reliable journal.
THE QUARTERLY REVIEW.
This magazine has, under the present editor, maintained well
the character formed in its early history. The publishing of a work
of its character cannot be expected to bring revenue to the church for
Rev. H. T. Johnson, D. D., M. D ,
Editor of the Christian Recorder.
27
a long while. Of all our periodicals this must be supported most
from outside its earnings many years; for the leason, simply, that it
will require several years for our people to be able to appreciate it.
Nothing, however, will aid them in this matter more than forcing the
Review upon them. The Review had best be published by the Pub¬
lishing House, as at present, the editor, meanwhile, staying at his
office, doing his legitimate work. To separate it from the House is
to require the editor to travel too much. Presence at the office is
absolutely necessary, and must be required of our editors.
Bishop M. B. Salter, D. D.,
President Southern Publishing House.
THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN RECORDER.
Ten thousand copies weekly would be a moderate circulation
for this paper. We must commend the success of the present man¬
agement in keeping it in the field throughout the quadrennium, the
Rev. H. T. Sealing, M. A.,
Editor of the A. M. E. Review.
— 29 —
first time since it became a connectional organ. We indorse his
application for a stipulated annuity if needed in the future, but
regard it a possibility that it will not be necessary.
THE VOICE OF MISSIONS.
" ONE HEAD."
As we regard it, the Book Concern is under one head, as to
management; but one head does not mean that one official shall be
"all in all", but all in his own office. He should not Occupy the
pages bf the Christian Recorder otherwise than according to business
necessities and as a member of the A. M. E. ministry. His control
of the literary work is limited to seeing to its consistency with African
Methodism. Our Book Concern should supply all certificates and
other official business papers for our local work, our district con¬
ferences and annual conferences, (at minimum cost,) and all such
papers and documents should be purchased of our Book Concern.
Should no accredited agent of the Book Concern or Southern Pub¬
lishing House appear at conference, the Bishop presiding should
appoint an agent for the Book Concern and Southern Publishing
House, and see that all the preachers subscribe to one or more
weekly connectional papers, the missionary paper and the Review.
The moneys collected by this agent shall be sent to the manager
before the conference adjourns, and the post-office or express agent's
receipt handed to the president of conference and recorded in the
minutes.
THE MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT.
The advanced steps taken by this department of our con¬
nection speak volumes for our good character, and place upon us
responsibilities far beyond the comprehension of the masses. To
elevate and broaden the views of our multitudes on missionary work
and duty is one of the great and uncompromising demands of our
church ; to bring them up to the relations of our powers, necessities
and duties. The receipts of the office of the Secretary of Missions to
January 30th, this quadrennium, are $49,457.08; these figures are
very encouraging and suggestive. Let us expect this much in one
year before the close of the next quadrennium. Indeed the neces¬
sities of our mission responsibilities are equal to those figures now.
The Voice of Missions is a great means to this end. It should refrain
Rev. R. M. Cheeks, D. D.,
Editor of the Southern Christian Recorder.
— 31 —
from participation in other matters, and discussions by correspondents,
of other topics ; and be kept within its legitimate lines. It may be
well for us to suggest that the minister consecrated to the episcopacy,
as Bishop of Africa, should be the best minister in the A. M. E.
Church as to soundness of body, mental strength and culture, moral
refinement, educational finish, spiritual power and religious quali¬
fications ; one whose ministerial record is faultless as to morals, and
includes large contact with men of affairs—if possible—and a large
public spirit. Our work in the West Indies calls for ministers of
excellent equipment also.
The work in South America brings to us great responsibilities.
Our Church Extension Department should at the earliest date possible
assist the Board of Missions in relieving our few churches in the West
Indies, South America and Africa of all indebtedness and proceed to
supervise the building of churches in the chief of our operative
centers. This done and the foreign work in the larger cities will soon
be self supporting and thus allow our missionary activities more promi¬
nence and energy in extending the gospel to the back districts. The
A. M. E. Church must take a view vastly above and beyond any
heretofore had, to meet the responsibilities devolving upon it from its
missionary extensions. In order to avoid confusion as to support, and
to maintain a clear understanding, secure the most able missionary
service and to keep our responsibilities within the limits of the ability
of our missionary treasury ; we recommend that no new foreign field
of missionary operation should be entered or occupied by a bishop,
without the sanction of the House of Bishops, and that no person
shall be. assigned to any foreign mission work, responsibility or duty
without the knowledge and agreement of the House of Bishops, and
the recognition of the Board of Missions acting in regular or called
sessions; the Executive Board being empowered to act in the interim.
We respectfully call your attention to the mission field of
Oklahoma and the Indian Territory, also, though these conferences
are regular, they should be aided because of the conditions of their
country.
missionary students.
We recommend that the following ideas be properly arranged
and published in the Missionary Department, under "the cause of
missions;" no person shall be acknowledged as a missionary student
Rev. H. B. Parks,
Secretary of Board of Missions.
— 33 —
at any of our connectional schools to be supported, wholly or in part,
by our connectional missionary funds, unless satisfactory agreement
has been made by our foreign missionaries, (or others responsible for
said person,) with the Secretary of the Board of Missions before said
student sails for the United States, and the certificate of the Board of
Missions accompany said student to the school. The Secretary of the
Board of Missions should not receive any person as a "missionary
student" who is not recommended.
(a) As having been a member of the A. M. E. Church at
least one full year.
(b) As being between the ages of fifteen and twenty one—
save lor the purpose of post graduate work.
(c) As having a sound body, clear intellect and A. M. E.
parentage.
(d) As without deteriorating or destructive habits.
(e) No more than five such students should be placed in any
one of our schools in any given year.
(f) No more than ten missionary students should be received
at all our colleges in any given year And if this number should
prove too great a burden, the secretary is fully empowered to
reject any.
(g) Every missionary student at our colleges should be trained
in at least two branches of industry.
(h) Our Board of Missions should have a committee on mis¬
sionary students who would inspect their standing in the schools,
their habits, conduct and progress.
(i) The standing of the missionary students should be sent by
the school authorities to the Secretary of the Board of Missions
monthly, filed in his office and made a part of his annual and quad¬
rennial reports.
(j) Persons whose parents are able to educate them—though
they may live in foreign countries—must not be received and
educated by the A. M. E. Church as "missionary students."
We make liberal suggestions for modifying our laws for govern¬
ing missionary matters.
— 34 —
constitution for annual conference home and foreign societies
We recommend, in lieu of "Article VIII" and " IX" of the
P. H. & F. Constitution, to follow the general constitution ; the fol¬
lowing brief constitution for annual conference home and for¬
eign missionary societies.
ARTICLE I.
composition.
The Bishop, all members local and itinerant, and probationers
of each annual conference with others shall constitute a Missionary
Society and shall pay one dollar each on entering, and one dollar
annually.
ARTICLE II.
sessions and officers.
The sessions shall be held annually at the place and in the time
of the Annual Conference. The Bishop being president ex-officio;
the Society shall elect a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, a
Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer and an Executive Board annu¬
ally, whose duties shall be such as are common to their respective
offices in similar bodies, excepting that the Executive Board shall co¬
operate with similar boards and the bishop in all the conferences of
their episcopal district to devise ways and means for enlarging the
missionary collection on Easter Day and for the holding of a great
episcopal district missionary mass meeting once a year for the purpose
of diffusing the missionary spirit and collecting funds for the cause of
missions.
ARTICLE III.
the annual conference board.
Each Annual Conference Missionary Society shall elect a
Board consisting of five members : three traveling ministers and two
laymen, yearly; whose duty shall be to consider the responsibilities of
the conference under the requirements of the General Board of Mis¬
sions, and the ability of the conference, report the same to the Annual
Conference Society with recommendations as to distribution of these
responsibilities among the several pastors and charges. This Board
shall also find out the necessities of its Annual Conference Missiona¬
ries and estimate the sums that should be allowed to each, recommend¬
ing the same to the conference. All funds of this society shall be
divided between the Parent Home and Foreign Missionary office and
— 35 —
the Missionary Board of the Annual Conference for distribution—30
per cent, and 70 per cent, respectively.
UNION OF THE WOMAN'S MITE MISSIONARY SOCIETY AND THE WOMAN'S
HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
As there is talk among our sisters concerning, and as- we rec¬
ommend, the blending of these two useful societies, as such union
might prove helpful to the great cause of missions; and as such union
cannot be consummated without several modifications in the constitu¬
tion of the W. P. M. M. Society to bring it into conformation with our
connectional societies, we recommend the following amendments
to the
CONSTITUTION FOR THE W. P. M. M. SOCIETY.
In order to generalize the management we recommend that
Article IV be so changed as to have the Board of Managers composed
of one woman from each episcopal district, instead of "thirty," to be
elected quadrennialy instead of "annually." The women of the two
general societies who will hold conference in Columbus this May,
selecting a temporary board at their conference, to hold till the regular
annual meeting of the W. P. M. M. Society in Philadelphia the first
Tuesday of November, 1900, when a regular election shall be held,
and the board then and there elected shall hold four years. As there
is great liability to confusion in the use of the term "Auxiliary" as it
occurs in " Amendment 1," being applied to both local societies and
annual conference societies, we recommend the following substitute
for all, from beginning of " Amendment 1" to " Connection;" There
shall be a Woman's Mite Missionary Society organized within the
bounds of every annual conference, (omitting the term "Auxiliary
Branch,") so restricting its use to local societies. Then make this
amended " Amendment'''' an article in the constitution or the
by-laws. We would incorporate all these amendments in the
constitution or the by-laws of the annual conference societies. We
would substitute the following for " Amendment 3": "The moneys
of" the Annual Conlerence W. M. M. Societies shall be used for the
promotion of missionary work, exclusively, as follows : thirty per
cent of all such money shall be forwarded to the treasurer of the W.
P. M. M. Society quarterly. (Annual Conference W. M. M.
Societies may suggest to the Parent Society their preference as to the
distribution of their contributions for foreign work); seventy per
— -36 —
cent shall be disbursed quarterly to missionaries within the limits of
the Annual Conference Society, by direction of the bishop of said
annual conference; except that the funds in the Annual Conference
W. M. M. Treasury for the quarter ending with the session of said
annual conference shall be paid to said Annual Conference Missionary
Board, which shall receipt for the same and pay it to its missionaries
on order of the Annaul Conference. This amended "Amendment"
Mrs. Florida Grant,
President of the Woman's Mite Missionary Society.
should be made an article of the constitution. We would amend
" Amendment 4," making it read "The Woman's Parent Mite Mis¬
sionary Society " shall hold a convention quadrennially in the month
of November preceding the General Conference of the A. M. E.
Church—at such place as may have been agreed upon by former con¬
vention. This convention shall be composed of delegates from the
— 37 -
Episcopal District Conventions, at the rate of one delegate for each
Annual Conference, but all women who are workers in the mite
societies may be honorary members, and may be assigned duties on
the program. The president of the general board shall preside.
Wives of all bishops shall be members, on payment of regular dues,
and shall be honorary vice presidents. " We would add all of the
present article after "A. M. E. Church," and then make the amended
"Amendment" an article of the by-laws." We recommend
the following substitute for " Recommendation First," page
32 8p, the matter to be made an article or by-law of the W. P.
M. M. Society : The Corresponding Secretary shall travel, organiz¬
ing, unifying and inspiring the W. M. M. work throughout the con¬
nection. For her service she shall receive her traveling expenses and
a salary of .$ yearly. We recommend that all reference to " Pre¬
siding Elders," in this "Recommendation" be eliminated. We
recommend the substitution of the following for "Recommendation
Second," and its incorporation in the constitution or by-laws of the
W. P. M. M. Society : The President of the W. P. M. M. Society
shall be a member of the Connectional P. H. and F. Board of
Missions.
BY-LAWS.
"ARTICLE I."
We would recommend the substitution of the Executive Board
for the " Board of Managers."
"ARTICLE III."
In article III we would substitute one of the vice presidents
for " the vice president first mentioned on the roll."
"ARTICLE IV."
We would recommend the following substitute for all this arti¬
cle : It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, receipt for and
account for all moneys, and disburse the same, on order of the presi¬
dent only. She shall report quarterly to the regular meetings of the
Executive Board and annually to the general Board and to the P. H.
and F. Board of Missions. Her books shall be open to the inspection
of the officers of the W. P. M. M. Society and the A. M. E. Connec¬
tion.
-38 —
" ARTICLE VI."
We recommend that all after the word "Society" shall be
the following substitute : The Corresponding Secretary shall report
to the Executive Board quarterly, the General Board annually
and the W. P. M. M. Convention quadrennially.
CONSTITUTION FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
W. M. M. SOCIETY.
We recommend that the Bishop of each Annual Conference
held next after the rise of this General Conference shall arrange for the
organization of the Annual Conference Woman's Mite Missionary
Society (where it does not exist,) by calling a convention of women
to meet on a given day either during the Annual Conference session
or at some other early date, at an appointed place and time for the
purpose of organizing under the following
CONSTITUTION FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
W. M. M. SOCIETY.
ARTICLE I.
OBJECT OF THE SOCIETY.
The object and duty of the Annual Conference Woman's Mite
Missionary Society is to act as an auxiliary body to the Woman's
Parent Mite Missionary Society of the A. M. E. Church, according
to the constitutional provisions of the latter. All of its funds raised
by annual dues and auxiliary societies' returns shall be paid to the
Treasurer ot the W. P. M. M. Society and the home missionaries in
its jurisdiction, quarterly, on such day as the by-laws shall direct; in
the ratio of thirty per cent, and seventy per cent., respectively. The
expenses of the convention shall be met by special funds raised by the
Auxiliaries for that purpose, and by collections at places of sessions.
ARTICLE II.
OFFICERS.
The officers of this society shall consist of a president, two vice
presidents, two recording secretaries, one corresponding secretary, a
treasurer and an executive board of five; all of whom shall be elected
annually at the convention, by ballot.
— 39 —
ARTICLE III.
THE DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
The duty of the president shall be to preside over all annual
conventions, call extra meetings on request of fifteen members, over¬
see the execution of the spirit of this constitution, draw orders on the
treasurer for all funds of the society; according to constitution and
report every order drawn to the recording secretary. She may travel
through any part of the work, if so ordered by the convention, or on
her own option. The vice presidents shall perform the duties com¬
mon to their office. The recording secretaries shall record the acts of
conventions in a regular and orderly book. The corresponding secre¬
tary shall correspond, quarterly, with the corresponding secretaries
of the auxiliaries of her conference district, the corresponding secretary
of the W. P. M. M. Society the first Tuesday in August, November,
February and May, stating amount of funds, and with the president of
her convention, and others, as necessity may suggest. The convention
shall print regular correspondence forms for the secretary's use. These
correspondence forms shall provide, (i) for receiving reports
from the auxiliaries giving the state of membership and funds,
amount forwarded and so forth; (2) reporting the same and other
information necessary to the President of the W. P. M. M.
Society and to the President of the Annual Conference Convention.
The duties of the treasurer shall be to receive all funds of the
Annual Conference Woman's Mite Missionary Society, keep record
of the same, honor and record all orders drawn on the treasurer
by the president of her convention, and keep a full record of all orders
reported by the Auxiliary Societies; for what purpose soever. The
Executive Board shall prepare and print the program for the Annual
Convention six months before date of its meeting.
ARTICLE IV.
MEMBERSHIP.
Any woman or girl may become a member of this society and
hold said membership by the payment of fifty cents admission fee and
fifty cents annually at the annual meeting—or to the Recording Secre¬
tary in the interval; or a life member by the payment of $5.00 at one
time. Auxiliary delegates of the convention may become members by
paying the regular membership fee.
Men and boys may become honorary members on payment of
— 40 —
twenty-five cents each and hold said honorary membership by the pay¬
ment of twenty-five cents annually.
ARTICLE V.
CONVENTIONS.
This society shall hold a convention annually, at such time and
place as may be agreed to by the annual convention preceding. Be¬
sides the members, this annual convention may include one delegate
fromeveiy Auxiliary Society; and for those societies having more than
twenty members, one delegate for every twenty members or a fraction
thereof. The duties of this convention shall be: (i) To hear
reports from all auxiliary societies in its respective jurisdiction.
(2) To receive all funds collected for its sustenance or other pur¬
poses. (3) To render a dignified and thoughtful program, remember¬
ing always to give much time to spiritual services. (4) To devise and
formulate plans for strengthening and extending the work. (5) To
stimulate subscriptions to the Voice of Missions. (6) At the fourth
convention in each fiscal quadrennium of the A. M. E. Church, to
elect five persons in its jurisdiction delegates to the quadrennial con¬
vention of its Episcopal District, and (7 ) To provide for the traveling
expenses of these delegates and of the delegates to the W. P. M. M.
Quadrennial Convention.
ARTICLE VI.
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.
All funds received from membership fees, collections, auxiliary
societies and all such other funds as may be paid to this society, shall
be disbursed quarterly; thirty per cent, to the treasurer of the W. P.
M. M. Society and seventy per cent, to the missionaries in the bounds of
the Annual Conference ; under the advice of the Bishop. Bequests,
donations and special gifts may be used for the general missionary
Work, in such way and place as may be designated by the donors ;
otherwise they shall be subject to the same distribution as the regular
funds.
ARTICLE VII.
CERTIFICATES.
The convention shall prepare and issue a certificate to be given
to members moving from one town to another, commending them to
the W. M. M. workers of the new town in which they settle.
_41 —
BY-LAWS.
By-laws not inconsistent with this constitution may be addec
by the convention.
We recommend the following modifications in
CONSTITUTION FOR THE AUXILIARIES.
"ARTICLE I."
TITLE.
This society shall be called: The (here giving any prefix t(
"Woman's Mite Missionary Society" that may be) Woman's Mit<
Missionary Society.
" ARTICLE II."
OBJECT OF SOCIETY.
Add to this article: To support the home missionary work
within the bounds of the Annual Conference.
ARTICLE III.
MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDS.
Any woman or girl may become and continue a member of the
society on the payment of five cents entrance fee, and five cents
monthly. Men and boys may be honorary members by making a
contribution to the society monthly. All money collected as fees and
otherwise, unless their use is reslricted by constitution or by special
arrangement, shall be forwarded by the treasurer once every three
months—on dates fixed by the Annual Conference W. M. M. Con¬
vention—to the treasurer of the Annual Conference W. M. M,
Society.
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS.
Substitute this: The officers of this society shall be a presi¬
dent, two vice presidents, a treasurer, a librarian and an executive
board of three. These officers shall be elected annually by ballot, al
the first monthly meeting after the Annual Conference W. M. M.
Convention.
ARTICLE V.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
Substitute this for 5, 6 and 7 :
The president shall preside at all meetings, draw orders on the
Auxiliary Treasurer for remittances to the Annual Conference W. M,
— 42 —
M. Treasurer quarterly, (or oftener if called for,) make orders for all
payments made by her treasurer, and do all in her power to stimulate
activity. She shall supply, through the recording secretary, a certifi¬
cate of membership to every member moving to another town the pre¬
sentation of which shall be her passport to any auxiliary W. M. M. Soci-
eiy. The vice presidents shall perform the functions common to their
office.The recording secretaries shall keep record of all transactions of
the society's sessions, (suitable books being furnished,) countersign all
orders drawn on the treasurer by the president, keeping careful record
of the same, in "an order book," and perform such other duties as may
be assigned by the society. The corresponding secretary shall cor¬
respond with similar officers in each auxiliary society of her conven¬
tion at least once a year, publish at public church meetings and
Sunday schools, notes tending to enlighten the masses on missionary
subjects, act as agent for Voice of Missions and other missionary
journals, and write the corresponding secretaries of W. P. M. M.
Society and her Annual Conference corresponding secretary, once
each year, and transact any other business referred to her by the
society or president. The Executive Board shall prepare a program
for, and institute a public W. M M. meeting at least twice a year for
the dissemination of missionary information—especially W. M. M.,—
increasing funds and rendering a program. The treasurer shall
receipt for all funds paid her, and honor all orders drawn by the
president and countersigned by the secretary for payments to the
treasurer of the Annual Conference Society or for such moneys as are
raised for special purposes, to the end for which they were raised.
ARTICLE VI.
SESSIONS AND DUTIES.
This society shall hold a session once a month on such night
as may be agreed upon, when it may render a program; and
receive dues from members. At the meeting held two months
before date for Annual Conference W. M. M. Convention it shall
elect delegates to the same, providing funds for their traveling and
contingent expenses. To increase the funds for incidental purposes
the W. M. M. Society may cause collection baskets to be passed in
the public, congregations once every Sunday throughout the year,
after all church officers and ministers have taken all their collections.
The auxiliaries should organize "juvenile" societies in all churches,
— 43 —
making simple constitutions for their operations. These ''juvenile "
societies should be amenable to the local Auxiliary W. M. M. Socie¬
ties only—not to be Annual Conference W. M. M. Societies; though
they may send written reports to the latter.
Note.—These recommendations contemplate the expunging
from the constitution Articles VI, VII and VIII, and also all that
follows, before " Constitution and By-Laws, etc."
RULES FOR EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WOMAN'S
MITE MISSIONARY CONVENTION.
RULE I.
This convention shall be known as Woman's Mite Missionary
Convention of the Episcopal District. It shall be com¬
posed of five delegates from each Annual Conference W. M. M. Soci¬
ety within the given episcopal district, who shall be chosen by the
several Annual Conference W. M. M. Societies at the meeting next
before the quadrennial episcopal district convention. Other persons
may be enrolled honorary members on contributing fifty cents to the
convention.
RULE II.
officers.
Note.—The president of the local auxiliary at the church in
which the convention assembles shall call the meeting to order and
conduct devotional exercises, after which the delegates shall elect the
following officers, to-wit: President, two vice presidents, two record¬
ing secretaries, one corresponding secretary, a treasurer and such
committees as are deemed necessary.
RULE III.
sessions and business.
This convention shall hold a session each quadrennium, before
the quadrennial session of the Parent W. M. M. Society. It shall con¬
sider and review the work of the district, the work of the missionary
world, compile and order published the statistics of the Annual Con¬
ference W. M. M. and Auxiliary Societies for which it stands, elect
delegates and devise ways to assist the Annual Conference W. M. M.
Societies in providing for their traveling to the Woman's Parent Mite
Missionary Convention and consider any other matters that may
present themselves to a deliberative body. Its corresponding secretary
— 44 —
shall send a list of names and addresses of delegates to the president
of the Parent Woman's Mite Missionary Society and to the presidents
and recording secretaries of her Annual Conference W. M. M. Society.
RULE IV.
The government shall be in accordance with "Reed's Parli¬
amentary Rules."
Bishop W. J. Gaines, D. D.,
President of Board of Finance.
THE FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
The management of this branch of work lias been ad¬
mirable and the result of the people's response very good.
The amount of $100,250 per year as the average of four years
is altogether to the credit of the management and connection.
— 45 —
In the face of the two reflections cast upon our race variety,
namely, that we are incapable of self government and unwil¬
ling to trust one another, this success is magnificent. In no
branch of our responsibilities however is there greater necessity
for care, lest we should "count gain godliness," and the
masses should repudiate our claims as a church because we
call for " dollars " so lustily. The orderly and business-like
Rev. M. M. Moore, D.D.,
Financial Secretary.
manner in which the affairs of the financial office are con¬
ducted commend its executive who, considering the matter
of handling four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) in four
years, has a great burden to bear. While this is not finan¬
ciering, it is faithfulness, honor, honesty, interest in the
church, which are endowments greater than that of "finan¬
ciering," as used ordinarily. We recommend that greater
Bishop B. F Lee, D. D., LL D., Ph. D.
— 47 —
effort l>e made to collect our dollar money quarterly. The
expansion of the fund so far above any previous years, sug¬
gests safety in legislating according to the necessities of our
church, with the assurance that any reasonable legislation
will be sustained and honored by the great masses composing
our communion.
POSSIBILITIES OF THE FUND.
The limitations of tlie usefulness of this fund are difficult
to reach. Elsewhere we make recommendations concerning
aid from this department to the Theological Seminaries.
OUR LEGITIMATE PENSIONERS.
The provisions made for aiding our widows, orphans
and aged preachers are meager enough. It is a delight to
see the aggregate funds attain to a magnitude that in the
near future must enable us to discharge our whole duty to
these classes.
AID FOR OUR DEPARTMENTS.
There is but one department in the church that does
not draw upon the dollar money fund for help. Without this
good system of gathering and consecrating our church funds
by small payments, we have won respect from all observers.
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
As a department this has been a failure, without reflec¬
tion upon its secretaries. As a department it is not likely to
become a success for the following reasons: each of our
schools is an incorporate body, and under the management
of its incorporation will not be managed by any individual;
cannot be well. As to the collections on endowment day,
they are departmental nominally only, the entire work being
done by district secretaries, annual conferences and Bishops.
We recommend that the work of " the Department of
Education" be changed to the work and duties involved in
an educational agency for raising funds for our institutions
of learning, clothing it with the responsibilities of managing
a system of agencies for our schools; relieving them of in¬
debtedness and endowing them in order; beginning with
one, then taking up another and another and so on, to the
extent of five thousand dollars on account of each, and then
return over the same road a second time, thus making the
— 49 —
circle over and over. We advise this 011 the principle that
men will give to agencies for given schools who will not
give to a " department." They will give to endow schools
when they might, not give to pay debts. Let the district part
of our collective system for endowment day remain as it is
substantially. The secretary to become an actual agent and,
James A. Shorter Hall, Wilberforce University.
as general agent, hold such relation with the agents elected
by the respective school incorporations that he may receive
reports from them, but leaving them under contract with the
schools only. The general agent himself to canvass for one
O'Neil Hall, Wilberforce University.
school only at a time, as intimated above, the order of pro¬
cedure being authorized by the General Conference, he re¬
ceiving thirty-three and one-third per cent, (more or less) as
this conference may elect, of what he collects ; excepting that
Paul Quinn College
— 51 —
for the first two years lie shall pay all moneys collected over
to the school or schools and receive the salary of a general
officer from the connectioual treasury. We advise that the
number of schools denominated "connectioual" be limited
by this conference.
Rev. James M. Henderson, A. M., D. D.
President of Morris Brown College.
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES.
Considering the great indebtedness of our schools, the
vast responsibilities devolving upon our church, in respect to
foreign missions, church extension, expansion in activities of
reform and the increase that is likely to be made to our epis¬
copacy ; the fact that from each of our several great centers,
only few students enter Theological Seminaries ; notwith¬
standing we would like to recommend connectioual theologi¬
cal schools at four or five points; yet we feel bound to, restrict
our recommendations to two only; allowing, of course, for
a chair of theology in the faculties of other schools. In
Prof. J. R. Hawkins, M. A.,
Secretary of Education.
— 53 —
addition to Payne Theological Seminary, we recommend the
establishment of a connectional seminary at Atlanta, Ga.,
under sucli title as may be selected. We recommend that
the Bishops shall be ex-officio members of the boards of
these Theological Seminaries, and appoint the deans of same.
And finally we recommend that these deans shall receive on
account of their salary, $1,000 each, annually, from the
Board of Education, out of appropiations made to it by the
Financial Board.
PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOLS.
The efforts to control and operate a great number of
schools has been very unsatisfactory. The extension of our
work of this kind must be met by positive and
reliable provisions by this conference for the support
of those schools, or the legislation will serve only to
add to the embarrassments already staring us in the
face. There must be at least $20,000 expended yearly
on two theological schools, and this money must be pro¬
vided from outside the school itself; for the theological
schools create no funds. It is regarded as impossible and
unreasonable, to undertake to found a school of theology
without an endowment fund at the start; and unless the A.
M. E. Church make itself absolutely responsible, by just as
strong provision as it makes for the support of its episcopacy
or its general officers, to the extent of $8,000 to $10,000 to
each of its Theological institutions annually, it were better that
these schools "had never been born." Theological schools have
no way of making money. And this is true to a very large
extent concerning all <?ur schools, of whatever character.
W e have reached a period of intelligence and experience that
should make it impossible for us to adjourn a General Con¬
ference without providing absolutely and definitely for the
reasonable support of our schools.
We recommend that the chapter on education be modi¬
fied to agree with the agency plan, making the duties of the
chief officer of the department: 1. To collect funds for
our schools—in special way, one school at a time, but holding
connection and understanding with all our school agents.
2. To deliver courses of lectures at our institutions of learn¬
ing as extensively as possible, publishing in our school
catalogues yearly, at which school, in what month and on
what subjects he will lecture in the scholastic year following
Rev. Jol\i\ G. Mitchell, D.D., or|e of tl)e founders of Wilberforce
University, ar)d Deari of Payrie Theological Seir\i-
r^ary. Borr] Marcl\ 24t^, 1827, at Salerq,
Ir)diar|a, Died Marc}} 23d, 1900, at
Wilberforce, 01\io.
i)b
next. 3. Let the general agent be an honorary nieniber of
tlie board of trustees of every one of our schools. 4. Require,
him to report to the school in whose interest, particularly.,■ lie
labors, quarterly, and to all our schools, annually. Let our
church literary organs be open to him and give him the most
liberal access to our churches and let him have an evening
at each of our Annual Conferences.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Sunday School Union
indicates a healthy condition. We are pleased to note general
service rendered by it to the connection, in "gifts and sales
as well iis inspiration. It would be of greater service to the
church by publishing out of Children's Day proceeds yearly,
libraries of literature selected by its management and board.
The children and youth of our people must have more litera¬
ture adapted to their conditions. Who but our Sunday School
Rev. C. S. Smith, M. D., D. D.,
Secretary of Sunday School Union.
Union should supply this literature? There are at least fifty
books by colored persons, fifty books about colored persons,
fifty books for colored persons and one hundred books for
mankind, that should be selected with great care for the mold¬
ing of our race. Thus we should have a peculiar library of
two hundred and fifty volumes, that might do more than the
— 51] —
THE A. M. E. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION BUILDING,
206 Public Square, Nashville, Tenr.
colleges to strengthen and advance onr people. The secretary's
report for this quadrenniuni, shows a business of $75,802.80,
including balance of $1,G82.<)-4. We commend the faith¬
fulness and business like care and regularity with which
the literature conies to us, and the promptness with which
— 57 —
donations of Bibles and Sunday School literature have
reached our dependent missions. The Sunday School Union
is thoroughly established. The entire church should pat¬
ronize it. If it received the full volume of business done by
the Sunday Schools of our connection, the fifty per cent, of
Children's Day could go to our Theological Seminaries.
The A. M. E. Church and the Negro race are under tribute
to the manager for the solidity of character acquired by
this institution. It is the only department that has not
received aid from the financial department.
CHURCH EXTENSION DEPARTMENT.
This department has rendered great service in the sus-
tentation of the hope and honor of our connection. Its
influence is felt throughout the United States, Canada, the
West Indies and Africa. Yet we warn our church against
the liability of allowing this to slacken the ardor for building
and paying for churches within their own responsibility,
trusting in God as in former days. We would also advise
such legislation as will enable the treasurer to retain a capi¬
tal fund of ten thousand dollars, invested properly by direc¬
tion of the board, with a banking company, where if emer¬
gency require, it can be called in on short notice, or remain
as a capital to be drawn against. As intimated, in another
section, we would urge the erection of a church at each of the
principal towns in our foreign work, and that their erection be
supervised and aided by our church extension department—
so soon as our church connection is registered in these for¬
eign countries. The management of this department is ex¬
cellent. The secretary and board have the confidence of the
church and the respect of the business world. It is not, easy
to satisfy all claimants in business of this kind ; especially a
class as inexperienced as w7e average ; yet the church exten¬
sion office, with its meager fund, has succeeded generally.
The relief given has been prompt as possible, and in amounts
and number of instances, surprising.
THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR WORK.
This institution has been organized with Bishop 13. T.
Tanner, D.D., at its head. jNo secretary is acting, but the
work is spreading by virtue of its own excellence. The
Board authorized the publication of a paper in the interest
of the endeavor work and appointed Kev. L. J. Coppin, ]).D.,
Rev. C. T. Shaffer. M. D., D. D.,
Secretary of Board of Church Extension.
— 50 —
its editor. The Allen Endeavor, a bright sheet, is the result.
The paper has been managed well and become a welcome vis¬
itor to hundreds of homes. In respect to this, as in respect
to all other auxiliary organizations, it behooves the church to
maintain such great spiritual vigor as will secure it against
Bishop H M. Turner, D. D., LL D.,
President of Board of Missions and Board of S. S. Union.
The similarity of the names, Turner and Tanner, have caused a little "mix."
Bishop Tanner's picture should be on this page, and Bishop Turner's on page 19.
The Printer.
suffering from comparison, and such spiritual vitality as will
make an auxiliary people feel its need. We would advise
the election of a young minister from among our best
equipped, to organize the endeavor work in all the connection.
THE CONNECTIONAL PREACHERS' AID ASSOCIATION.
This institution was organized January, 1897, Bishop
J. A. Handy placed at its head and Rev. J. T. Jenifer, D.D.,
— 60 —
its secretary. The care for those for whom we are responsible
while we live, and as long as possible after, is a most impera¬
tive duty. While the C. P. A. A. is a mutual association
and hence, in a sense, liable to the fortunes and fate of that
class of insurance companies at some time, it is hedged about
Bishop J. A. Handy, D. D ,
President of Preachers' Aid Association.
by several limitations and protections that give it health,
promise and vigor; so ought to be nurtured and patronized.
We recommend its being made connectional. The Connec-
tional Preachers' Aid Association has established its practi¬
cability as a means to supply a general and long felt want in
the church in the good results already attained in the aid
afforded the wives and children of the deceased preachers.
More than $1650 have been collected (Jan. 80, 1000.) and
paid to the heirs of thirteen deceased preachers, at an
average cost to the insured of a fraction over $3.90 each.
It saves appealing to committees to bury ministers and
care for their widows and orphans. It makes death
easier. It is business-like, it is comparatively inexpen¬
sive to insure in the C. P. A. A. A\re urge the General Con¬
ference to give the matter of connectional fostering of this
institution its earnest care and official seal and recommend
the creation of a committee to that end, and we suggest that
all expenses of the business shall be born by its own treasury.
$600,000—our century offering.
The transition of centuries is a rare epoch, witnessed
by few comparatively, consequently it is the duty of the
living to accentuate this event by extraordinary acts and
memorialize it by such monuments as will be observed by the
sweep of life that follows, before the next change of centuries.
In all civil, social and religious compacts, the civilized world
will express its feelings and demonstrate its character, by
such deeds as will give the coming century a good foundation
for advancement. It is fitting that the African Methodist
Episcopal Church should celebrate this change of centuries
in such Avay as to erect a memorial back to which the
future African Methodism shall look with pleasure and grat¬
itude through all the centuries to come, and from which it
will receive courage and inspiration. As your chief pastors
wre see no more fitting way to do this than to reverently con¬
secrate and commit the church and ourselves, personally, to
the following undertaking.
First. To raise $150,000 per year, the next four years,
or $000,000 within the coming quadrennium as our twentieth
century offering. This is less than twenty-five cents per
member, which, with proper plan and executive force, can be
surely collected.
Second. Place the management and execution of the
business involved in this undertaking in the hands of a
Board of Directors, to be composed of Bishops, Elders and
Laymen and "A Century Commissioner," who shall be
allowed a reasonable salary out of the proceeds. Said salary
to be fixed by this General Conference.
Third. The Commissioner shall have power to collect
money by systematic connectional arrangements, through
agents, and to receive any funds or devisements, trusts or
— C 2 —
Rev. S. T. Mitchell,
President of Wllberforce University.
bequests that may be made for the causes hereinafter set
forth, and shall divide the same as directed by disciplinary
provisions.
Fourth. The Board of ])irectoks shall prepare and
issue certificates to give to churches and individuals pre¬
senting given sums.
— G3 —
Fifth. The Board of Directors shall report annually to
the Board ot Missions, the Board of Church Extension, the
Board ot Publication, the Board of Education and the Council
of Bishops, and shall order the funds in hands of the com¬
missioners paid to those several departments in the ratio
provided by Discipline.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE BOARDS.
Sixth. Each Annual Conference shall create a board
ot live; three ministers and two laymen, who may elect one
of their number special conference commissioner, whose duty
shall be to organize and advance the twentieth century
enterprize within his annual conference. The Annual Con¬
ference Commissioner shall report to his Annual Conference
Board quarterly, lie may be allowed a reasonable compen¬
sation from funds in his office for his services, as his board
and conference may allow.
DISPOSITION OF FUNDS.
Seventh. All funds collected, by whatever means, for
the 20th century offering shall be distributed by the general
board in ratios agreeing with the following : Of every $00
Theological Seminaries shall receive $20, the P. II. and F.
Board and Educational Board $10 each, the Church Exten¬
sion Board $17.50, and the Publication Boards $2.50, till the
following figures are reached :
To the P. II. & F. Mission Board - $100,000
To the Church Extension Board - 175,000
To the Education Board - 100,000
To the Directors of our Seminaries - 200,000
To the Publication Board and Southern Recorder 25,000
Eighth. The money appropriated to the Church Exten¬
sion Board shall be used in relieving our churches of indebted¬
ness according to arrangement by Church Extension Board.
Ninth. The money paid the Book Concern and South¬
ern Publishing House shall be applied first to discharging
debts of these institutions, then to equipping the offices.
We recommend the provision of the sum of two
thousand dollars ($1000) by the following departments,
share and share alike: The Church extension, the Mission¬
ary, the Educational Departments, the Publishing Depart-
— (34 —
ment furnishing one hundred dollars ($100), to be available
on demand of General Century Commission, for use in ad¬
vancing the century movement, and especially to set up the
office and put the plans in order.
OUR RACE IN AMERICA.
The condition of the Afro-American in the United
States is not the most satisfying. It is true we have made
great strides in the march from bondage. We contribute
largely to the sum total of American excellence, in respect to
intelligence, wealth and virtue. Ilastj7 and prejudiced com¬
parison shows us hopelessly unincorrigible, but honest, fair
and true comparison shows us docile, progressive, virtuous
and true. Prejudice removed and it cannot be shown that
we are excessively vicious, in comparison, but prejudice can
distort every weakness into crime and every suspicion into
knowledge. Prejudice condones the same crime in white men
for which it flays alive and burns black men. Prejudice sends
the white boy to the reform school for misdemeanors, on ac¬
count of which it sends black boys to penitentiaries, and penal
mines and plantations. Prejudice degrades colored women
first that it may brand them as impure, and men, that it may
write of their lecherousness. Prejudice throws open wide the
gates to the avenues of helpfulness to growing white children,
that are barred against black children. Prejudice offers means
of livelihood to white men and women, that it will not allow
colored men and women to touch. Even the same lines of
business and trade that bids for black men's patronage and
makes many thousands of dollars by this patronage, will not
employ them.
This unfair and unequal treatment is what aggravates
the case of the common dwelling in this country of the two
races more than the ignorance of the black man, because it
maintains the very principles of determined antagonisms to
the progress, prosperity and peace that it charges us with
lacking. Yet, we must insist that the inconsistencies and
incongruities of the situation are no greater than our race
meets in other countries nor greater than some other races
meet. There is no door to better condition open to us, else¬
where hence we are bound to sue for the fair dealing pledged
to us by the government of this country when it made us citi¬
zens without our asking.
THE UNCHRISTIAN LAWS OP CERTAIN STATES.
The great number and influence of the membership of
the A. M. E. Church, its large property holdings, its devotion-
to truth and the refinement of mankind, its great service to
the country in every way possible, certainly should command
the attention, if not the respect of the busy, high headed men
who make laws and regulate affairs both within the State
and federal government. The duties of our church compel
the going and coming of many scores to and from errands of
mercy and usefulness daily. Shall we rest as if satisfied with
the unholy and unchristian treatment to which we have to
submit in our travel simply to satisfy a warped and morbid
second nature that has been seized by the humanity around us
produced by our former relations, by which all black men
are treated in a given way while traveling, and that way
intended to degrade all?
The great churches that gave ns Christianity are in
more or less close communion with the men who conclude to
work our ruin. The great incorporations that yield without
demurrer to the unjust laws of states that declare by statu¬
tory enactments that we shall not be allowed the rights of
decency and humaneness while treveling, are composed of
human beings. The states themselves are composed of the
same forms of life as characterize our membership. Indeed
the membership of the A. M. E. Church makes up a good
part of the constituency of those very states.
Taking all these facts in consideration, it is clear that
the A. M. E. Church must exercise itself 011 behalf of the
great masses ; it must enter upon a systematic appeal to the
reason and the humanity of the states and the incorporations
of this country; before the grasp of prejudice becomes so
firmly set in the conditions of things in this country that it
cannot be broken. The church must be in evidence and
strongly protest against the forces of wrong. We recommend
to this great body the institution of a commission that shall
remain intact throughout the quadrennium ; to present
remonstrances to state legislature and congress, petitions to
railroad bodies and conventions, addressing ourselves to rea¬
son. To let the people know, at least, that we are not satis¬
fied with a condition that treats the delicate woman, the
afflicted, infirm and aged man the same as the rugged hand
laborer, simply on the ground that both are black; or forces
the colored minister to travel at much greater expense than
is strictly necessary, buying sleeping car tickets to avoid the
,confusion consequent upon the ill treatment in other cars and
even prohibiting from this luxury at a price, at times. We
believe there remains humanity enough in man to consider
our complaints. We also urge the extension of every legiti¬
mate agitation of these questions in the communities in
which our churches are situated without denominational lim¬
itations, in prudence and discretion but with strength and
vigor. The right of petition is one of the boasts of our
modern civilization and one of the chief delights of the boast
of the United States.
THE SANCTITY OF SUNDAY.
The seventh day of the week is sacred by the institu¬
tion and commandment of God, by the necessities of our
frame and the wants ot the soul, lloly observance of the
rest-day requires care, " remembrance." That is what our
heavenly Father means when he commands us to " remember
the Sabbath day.'' There are many ills of our times tracaeble
to violation of Sunday. It is a mistake to think that retri¬
bution for the violation of this fourth commandment does
not begin in the present life. The church should pray for
the Sabbath spirit, that remains to the people of God.
TEMPERANCE.
Having spoken on this subject elsewhere, we pause a
minute to enlargen and emphasize. Than temperance, there
is no subject more important. To a class unfortunately
weak, this is all the truer. Poverty, ignorance and irresponsi¬
bility are fruitful fields for the growth of intemperance. We
enjoin our ministers for the salvation of souls, to join them¬
selves to temperance workers in every community in which
they act; such as the Anti-Saloon League, and urge our
women to unite with the W. C. T. U. Our pastors should
organize against intemperance in Sunday school and church.
There is 110 danger of signing the pledge too often, too much
in public, nor with too much will and prayer. God help this
great body to assert itself pronouncedly in favor and practice
of temperance.
THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN.
Let us continue to educate colored children precisely as
all children who have become the men and women who have
— 67 —
given character to their times were educated ; that is, train
the intellect to think and reason, the heart to feel and the
hand to act. Let all technical education include considera¬
tion of the moral nature. The idea of hand education alone,
any more for one race than another, is not to be considered,
is not becoming to citizens of a republic. We urge the edu¬
cation of the entire man. Industry is god-like and hence is
highly honorable, but must not be isolated from other vir¬
tues. The people must be educated against gr£ed as well as
against indolence ; against jealousy as well as against shift-
lessness. Were vices fewer in the dominant class of this
country, the colored race would exhibit much less indolence;
that is the vice that closes industrial doors to us.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION.
We recommend that it minister be appointed by the
bishops as Held agent, for the missionary board which shall
pay him a reasonable salary.
THE OFFICE OF DEACONESS.
For the better co-operation of all members of our
church, and for greater efficiency in helping the weak and
unfortunate, we recommend the institution and incorporation
of the office of deaconess and providing for proper organiza¬
tion of their work and statement of their duties. We rec¬
ommend that a deaconess home be established and organized
in each of those cities in which our church has five hundred
members and upwards, as rapidly as possible. We advise
reference of this subject to a special committee of this
General Conference.
RAILROAD CHAPEL, CHICAGO.
A committee of five Bishops, A. Grant, W. J. Gaines,
B. W. Arnett, J. A. Handy and B. F. Lee, and two Elders—
general officers—Revs. M. M. Moore, D.D., and C. T. Shaffer,
D.D., elected by the Council of Bishops, purchased Railroad
Chapel in Chicago, 111., March 6th, as an Institutional Church
for our connection ; said purchase being subject to action of
this General Conference. We recommend the ratification of
the act of purchase of Railroad Chapel, in Chicago, 111., as an
Institutional Church to be held as a connectional property
for such special uses as will hereafter be determined. This
property was purchased on terms hereafter appearing. The
— 08 —
uses of the property are intended to include employment
office, industrial schools, business school, baths, gymnasium,
etc., in basement, and lecture rooms ; the auditorium to be a
popular auditorium and place of worship.
REV. C. M. TANNER'S BOOK.
We commend the book 011 A. M. E. Church Doc¬
trines and Polity for Probationers, prepared by liev. C. M.
Tanner, as one of the works to be incorporated in our minis¬
terial course of studies, both in field and seminary.
ARTICLES OF DEPARTMENTAL INCORPORATION.
We recommend that the articles of incorporation of any
department in the A. M. E. Church that preclude super¬
vision and presidency, by the bishop presiding over the dis¬
trict including territory embracing said departmental office,
be so amended as to agree with our system of super¬
vision or as to read : where chairmanship of incorporation
is iixed ; one of the Bishops of the A. M. E. Church.
LOCAL PREACIIEKS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
In keeping with the tendency of the age, we recom¬
mend that the chapter 011 the composition of the annual con¬
ference be changed to include local preachers, with these
provisions and limitations, to-wit: Provided they attend
the quarterly conference and district conference, are loyal to
the pastorate and connection, subscribe to one or more of our
journals, and are recommended for membership by their
district conference. Providing that any local member not
reporting to the annual conference may be suspended or
discontinued.
PREACHERS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS.
In keeping with the custom of the more* liberal church
connections, we recommend the continuation of the practice
of accrediting to preachers received from other evangelical
denominations, the ecclesiastical order given them in the
churches from which they come; except that in any case, for
good and substantial reasons, we may feel bound to depart
from this rule. It does not follow tlmt such preachers shall
not pass satisfactory examinations by the committee as
already provided in our discipline.
— <!9 —
UNAUTHORIZED TITLES, RITUALS AND PRACTICES.
We are bound to regard the application of unauthorized,
uncommon and unwarranted titles to our ministry, such as
" Primate," " His Grace," " Arch Elder," and " Vicar Bishop "
as in bad taste, subjecting the church to ridicule without any
compensating good. No ritual should be used in our church
but that authorized and published by the church. Local
" Services " if prepared must conform, in respect to the Lit¬
urgy, to our authorized 1-iitual.
The rules ot African Methodism, in keeping with all
methodist episcopal 'churches recognize in the ministry, the
diacoilate, the eldership and the episcopacy. These are
fundamental and constitutional limitations. No additional
nor intermediate office or order can be introduced into our
ministry without amendment of the constitution by the whole
church. Ilence ordination to any intermediate or additional
office or order is invalid and intolerable.
HISTORY OF TI1E A. M. E. CHURCH.
We are pleased to announce that the manuscript of a
large part of the history of our connection as prepared by
Bishop Arnett is ready for press. The author contemplates
bringing the work out in one hundred and seventy-one chap¬
ters. The manuscript of the biography of the Bishops,
records of the General Conferences, accounts of the organiza¬
tion of Annual Conferences, the Episcopal Addresses, various
statistical tables, history of the departments, etc., is complete.
We have good reason to believe that the completion and
publication of the history of the church by Bishop Arnett
will add greatly in increasing the respectability of our church
and our race in the popular mind. In preparing this work
Bishop Arnett has collected various minutes, books and
papers, some of which are extant in the single case only and
have great historic value in themselves.
The plan of the author includes the idea of publishing
the valuable manuscript prepared by Bishop Daniel A. Payne
in full.
We recommend that the early numbers of the A. M. E.
Magazine, the early journals of General Conferences and any
others that may appear necessary be republished in book
form for information and preservation.
Bishop B. W. Arnett, D. D., LL. D.,
Historian and Secretary of Bishops' Council.
— 71 —
CONNECTIONAL INCORPORATIONS.
The vast holdings of our connection, the extent and
wide field of its operations, its grave responsibilities and local
requirements suggest that the African Methodist Church
become a body in law as well as in fact. We therefore
recommend that steps be taken by the General Conference
for incorporating it.
INCORPORATION OF THE W. P. M. M. SOCIETY.
We recommend for the purpose of receiving and admin¬
istering bequests and donations, etc., the W. P. M. M. Societjr
be authorized to take out articles of incorporation.
In view-of the vast increase to our connectional respon¬
sibilities, on lines of ministerial education and foreign mis¬
sions, we recommend that arrangements be made for the
appropriation of respectable and definate sums to be paid by
the financial secretaiy to the theological seminaries; and the
missionary board recommend that after one year from this
conference all general officers be paid out of the funds of
their office; excepting the editor of the Review.
SERIES OF DISCIPLINARY AMENDMENTS
RECOMMENDED.
We are aware that propositions in detail, for revision
of discipline are uncommon in papers of this kind, and so
simply submit them for your consideration, without reading.
As is stated elsewhere, our discipline requires entire re¬
arrangement. It has been a long while since its revision has
been thorough. A careful reference to what appear to be
inconsistencies and irregularities, may aid our committee 011
revision.
To facilitate and simplify this work we recommend the
following changes, to-wit:
ORIGIN OF EPISCOPACY.
PAGE X PAGE XVItt.
Page X. After the history of the beginning of our
episcopacy in the consecration of Richard Allef], publish the
history of the episcopacy in the following form and order:
The General Conference sitting in Philadelphia, May,
1828, duly elected Reverend Morris Brown, an ordained elder
for twelve years, and May 25th, 1828, Morris Brown was
solemnly set apart by prayer and the imposition of the hands
of Bishop Richard Allen and live regularly ordained elders.
The General Conference sitting in Philadelphia, May,
1880, duly elected the Reverend Edward Waters, a regularly
ordained elder for many years, and May 15th, 1887, the Rev.
Edward Waters was solemnly set apart, by prayer and the
imposition of the hands of Bishop Morris Brown and five
regularly ordained elders.
The General Conference sitting in Pittsburg, May, 1844,
duly elected the Reverend William Paul Quinn, a regularly
ordained elder, and Ma}* 19th, 1844, the Rev. William Paul
Quinn was solemnly set apart by prayer and the imposition
of the hands of Bishop Morris Brown and five elders.
The General Conference sitting in New York, May,
1859, duly elected the Reverend Willis Nazery and the Rev¬
erend Daniel Alexander Payne, regularly ordained elders
many years, and May 18th, 1852, Willis Nazery and
Daniel Alexander Payne were solemnly set apart by
prayer and the imposition of the hands of Bishop William
Paul Quinn and five elders.
The General Conference sitting in Philadelphia, May,
1804, duly elected the Reverend Alexander Washington
Waynian and the Reverend Jabez Pitt Campbell, many
years elders, and May 28, 1804, Alexander Washington
Waynian and Jabez Pitt Campbell were solemnly set apart
by prayer and the imposition of the hands of Bishop Wil¬
liam Paul Quinn and five regularly ordained elders.
The General Conference sitting in Washington, D. C.,
May, 1808, duly elected the Reverend James Alexander
Shorter, the Reverend Thomas Myers Decatur Ward and the
Reverend John Mifiin Brown, and May 25, 1808, James
Alexander Shorter, Thomas Myers Decatur Ward and John
Miflin Brown, many years elders, were solemnly set apart by
prayer and the imposition of the hands of Bishop William
Paul Quinn, assisted by Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne,
Alexander Washington Waynian and Jabez Pitt Campbell,
and several regularly ordained elders to the office of Bishop.
The Geiieral Conference sitting in St. Louis, May, 1880,
duly elected the Reverend Ilenry McNeal Turner, the Rev¬
erend William Fisher Dickerson and the Reverend Richard
Ilarvey Cain, many years elders, and May 20th, 1880, Henry
McNeal Turner, William Fisher Dickerson and Richard
— 73 —
Harvey Cain were solemnly set apart by prayer and tlie impo¬
sition of the bands of Bishops Daniel Alexander Payne,
Alexander Washington Wayman, Jabez Pitt Campbell,
James Alexander Shorter, Thomas Myers Decatur Ward and
John Miflin Brown and several elders.
The General Conference sitting in Indianapolis May,
1888, duly elected the Reverend Wesley John Gaines, the
Reverend Benjamin William Arnett, the Reverend Benjamin
Tucker Tanner and the Reverend Abraham Grant, many
years elders, and May 24th, 1888, Wesley John Gaines,
Benjamin William Arnett, Benjamin Tucker Tanner and
Abraham Grant were solemnly set apart by prayer and the
imposition of the hands of Bishops Daniel* Alexander Payne,
Alexander Washington Wayman, Jabez Pitt Campbell,
Thomas Myers Decatur Ward, John Miflin Brown and
Henry McNeal Turner and several elders.
The General Conference sitting in Philadelphia, 1892,
duly elected the Reverend Benjamin Franklin Lee, the
Reverend Moses Buckingham Baiter and the Reverend
James Anderson Handy, many years elders, and May 19th,
1892, Benjamin Franklin Lee, Moses Buckingham Salter
and James Anderson Handy were solemnly set apart by
prayer and the imposition of the hands of Bishops Daniel
Alexander Payne, Alexander Washington Wayman, Thomas
Myers Decatur Ward, John Miflin Brown, Ilenry McNeal
Turner, Wesley John Gaines, Benjamin William Arnett,
Benjamin Tucker Tanner and Abraham Grant, and several
elders.
The General Conference sitting in Wilmington, 1ST. C.,
May, 189G, duly elected tjie Reverend William Benjamin
Derrick, the Reverend Josiah Ilaynes Armstrong and the
Reverend James Crawford Embry, many years elders, and
May 19th, 1896, William Benjamin Derrick, Josiah Ilaynes
Armstrong and James Crawford Embry were solemnly set
apart by prayer and the imposition of the hands of Bishops
Ilenry Mc.Neal Turner, Wesley John Gaines, Benjamin
William Arnett, Benjamin Tucker Tanner, Abraham Grant,
Benjamin Franklin Lee, Moses Buckingham Salter and
James Anderson Handy and several elders.
Page 30, Article XXIII. Modification of Foot Note.
" The powers that be are ordained of God" and ought to be
respected, honored and obeyed. Subjection to civil govern-
-74-
ment is one of the principle duties of all men and was digni¬
fied and honored by onr Lord and liis apostles. Though
differing in form and polity, all civil governments rightfully
command the subjection, loyalty and support of all Christians
whom they protect and control.
Page 63, Page heading and chapter title—the page
heading to page 67—should be " Rules for Band Societies."
Section 2, should be made Section 1.
Page 66. Directions, etc., should be a section head, to
be numbered 2.
Page 68. Page heading extending to page 74 should
be " General Rules of United Societies.'1
Page 83, Section 1. After general officers; and two
delegate-? fi\>m every Annual Conference, and for Annual
Conferences of over sixty full members, one delegate for
every thirty ; or final fraction of sixteen members, and one
lay delegate for each Annual Conference, and for Annual
Conferences including more than fifteen hundred laymen,
two each. Local members and probationers are not to be
counted in Annual Conference basis.
"Qualifications." After "years" should follow : next
preceding the session of the General Conference attended by
said delegate, as a full member, in good, regular and con¬
tinuous standing in the A. M. E. Annual Conference.
"Election of Delegates." Page 84, substitute for par¬
agraph 1, "Each Annual Conference shall elect delegates
at its session next before General Conference ; except that
those Annual Conferences that meet after January may elect
a year earlier. The election shall be made a special order.
Each Electoral college shall meet at the time appointed by the
sessions of Annual Conference next before the last in the quad-
rennium. In all cases of election, two clerks and two tellers
shall be elected, and every ballot shall be deposited in the
ballot box by a teller."
Page 85, paragraph 1. Add after " same as that of a
delegate," "And in all cases the number of alternates shall
correspond with that of delegates."
Paragraph 2. After " voted for" add : nor be counted
in making up basis for delegates. Nor shall local members
vote, be voted for nor be counted in the basis for electing
delegates."
Paragraph " 3." Cut out.
Paragraph 4. Substitute : Each pastor shall publish
from his pulpit the time of meeting for electing a lay dele¬
gate to the Electoral College at least one week before the
date of said election, which shall be at least three months
before the day set by Annual Conference for the Electoral
College. Each charge, station or circuit (but not mission,)
shall elect one layman a delegate.
Page 86, paragraph 5. Insert Electoral between
" every " and a college "—in line 1. Substitute the following
for all after u Assemble At the place and time appointed
by its Annual Conference. It shall organize after the
manner common to delegate meetings; any delegate moving
that a given delegate be made temporary chairman.
After religious services, effect a permanent organization —
electing a president., secretary and officers of election ; and
proceed to elect one delegate; or if the number of lay
members in the Annual Conference be over fifteen hun¬
dred, (1500), two.
Eliminate paragraph " 7."
Page 88. We recommend the following, reduced to
form, as paragraph 11 :
GENERAL CONFERENCE SUPPORT.
As our General Conference is becoming burdensome to
any city ; since access to hotel accomodations for our people
is limited in any city in America, and in a good number of
cities impossible, and since our people in large cities, as a
rule, live close, we recommend:
(a) That the Annual Conference, basis for General
Conference delegates shall exclude
(1) All local members; as they have their repre¬
sentation and vote in the lay college and should not be
duplicated.
(2) All probationers; as they are not yet members of
the Annual Conference.
(b) To avoid difficulty and embarrassment and to
mete out justice, we advise such legislation as will fix the
responsibility of entertaining General Conference upon the
entire connection.
(1) By finding the approximate cost of General Con¬
ference entertainment.
(2) Apportioning this amount among the entire num-
ber of our Annual Conferences according to the number and
strength of membership.
(3) Providing that each Annual Conference shall
raise one-fourth of its portion, (by such method as each may
elect) yearly, report the same to each succeeding annual
session, and at the session's close pay it to the eonnectional
Financial Secretary, who will keep it in separate accounts
and pay all such moneys out on order of General Conference
Commission, for the support of delegates and members of
General Conference.
Page 90. " Their might be omitted from title. Un¬
less this General Conference return to admit local members
to the Annual Conference, all of paragraph under " Section
1," after " Conierence district "' should be omitted.
Page 92, Paragraph 4. After " shall be present " should
be: And preside. The Conference shall elect secretaries,
marshals and all committees necessary. (Should a Bishop
fail to be present, the conference may elect a president pro
tem.) The presiding officer and secretary shall sign the Con¬
ference Ilecord, after adjournment, and present it to the
General Conference.
Page 93. Insert "Mite" instead of " Union " next to
last line. If the two women's missionary societies are not
blended, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society
should be inserted above "College Fund."
Page 95. Alter "Bishop shall ask the following ques¬
tions" place: Which shall be answered by the secretary, and
the following questions, giving them this order.
15. Is any preacher in debt to the Book Concern or
Church Publications?
14. Have all the preachers subscribed to one of our
eonnectional weekly journals, The Quarterly Keview and
The Voice of Missions? Then make present " 13," " 14,"
" 15," etc., three numbers higher.
Page 99. Eliminate paragraph (3, under section IV.
Page 108. Make a paragraph after 5 : Who with cer¬
tificate ? Make this 6.
Page 109. Make page heading, to page 109b, Ciiuuch
Conferences, and make Church Conferences, Chapter VI, a
new chapter.
Page 113. Make " lie shall see that all funds of the
conference," &e., paragraph 14.
— 77 —
Make the next paragraph begin with " lie " instead of
" The Bishop," shall not., &c. Number it 15.
Then make the next following paragraph 10. He shall
not transfer nor appoint any preacher to a pastorate, presid¬
ing eldership, evangelistic work, missionary work or agency,
who is under suspension or expulsion, nor shall he allow
any preacher in these relations to be received into con¬
ference, whether formerly of our own connection or another.
Then make the matter relative to publishing " Year
Book" begin with " The Bishops" shall publish, &c., num¬
bering it 17.
Page 114. Under "Appointments," strike out "Ac¬
cording to his best judgment."
Page 115. In last line after " Quarterly Conference,"
insert, And District Conference. Strike out " but be."
Page 116. Add, after third line, And District Con¬
ference.
Paragragli 5. Add: But he shall not employ, use
nor allow to be used, any preacher who is under suspension
or expulsion from our own or other church.
In paragraph 6, next line to bottom of page, insert
" Children's Day," between " Educational " and " Easter."
Page 117. Section VII should be transferred to page
343, under " Section 39."
Page 121, Paragraph 11. Strike out all of clause
beginning " The stewards though," etc.
Page 122, Paragraph 12. After " quarterly meetings"
add in seventh line " on request of the presiding elder."
Page 129. Add to "after quarterly meetings" "pro¬
vided, requested so to do by the presiding elder."
Page 131. "Traveling Licentiates." "Mode oe Re-
ception." The heading of this page, and on to and including
page 137 should be: " Receiving Licentiate Preachers on
Trial." The caption of Chapter V. should agree with this
change.
Page 137. Paragraphs "4" and " 5 " should be placed
within Chapter VI, as the matter contained is entirely
concerning subject matter included therein.
137a. Headings of pages 137a to 139 should have the
headings, "Receiving Preachers to Full Connection."
Page 140. The following substitute for paragraph 1 is
suggested.
— 7 IS -
Make title of Section 1, Reception of Preachers
from other Denominations, and the text as follows:
Preachers coming to the A. M. E. Church trom other denom¬
inations, whether in local or pastoral relations, licentiate or
ordained, shall be subjected to the following questions and
answers, with such others as may seem necessary.
(a) Have }'ou read the form ot Discipline of the African
Method:'st Episcopal Church? Answer. Yes.
(b) Do you possess such Discipline ? Answer. Yes.
(c) Do you solemnly believe in the doctrines of the
church that you come to enter? Answer. I, (giving full
name) do fully believe and willingly receive, adopt, and sub¬
scribe to, and will be governed by, the doctrines and polity of
the A. M. E. Church.
(d) Will you refrain from teaching or practicing all
other forms of doctrine or polity? Answer. I will.
Page 142. Strike " Concerning" out of heading.
Page 148. Strike out of paragraph 1, " Or a majority
of it."
Page 147. All after "itinerant" in paragraph 5 should
be eliminated, as this matter is plainly set forth elsewhere.
After " exhort," last word on 147th page, should follow,
Provided he possesses the latest discipline, the A. M. E.
Hymnal and is a regular subscriber to one or more of the
A. M. E. Church publications.
Page 149. Line three "is" should be are.
Page 1(37. Add the following paragraph, taken in sub¬
stance from page "117," and number it 5.
The Committee for the trial of a presiding elder shall
be composed of elders. If this is not possible, of elders and
deacons. And still if this is impossible—as may occur in
foreign work, licentiate preachers.
Page 174. Strike out " Concerning," under Section I.
Strike out initial word " On " from all Captions through¬
out the book.
Page 182. Strike out " Concerning," part of caption,
under Section VII, and also the same word on page 184,
Section II.
Page 191. Strike " Concerning " out of heading.
Page 320. Insert Parent before "Home," transferring
the last four lines of page 328p, to page 320, placing it in
italics, just above "Article I." We would add after "Corre-
— 79 —
sponding Secretary," " Article IV," and tlie President of the
W. P. M. M. Society.
Page 323. Eliminate Article VI, page 323 ; as it is
annuled by Article IV, page 321 and is inconsistent with
episcopal unity of government. We would add to Article
IV, the Board shall organize and select a President and
Secretary ; submitting the organization to the General Con¬
ference for ratification at the same session. We advise the
elimination of second paragraph of Article V, of " Consti¬
tution " beginning with "■ Assistance," and the editing of the
entire article ; that it may present a more respectable and
orderly appearance.
Page 325. Make heading of " Article X," Collection
and Appropriation of Funds.
Page 34:5. Page heading should be, " Support of Itin¬
erant Preachers." The same words in body of text should
constitute a chapter and be numbered V. This would neces¬
sitate changing all succeeding chapter numbers in " Part VI."
Page 343. Page heading should be " Educational
Interests."
Page 3496. Complete the title heading, making it
" Educational."
Page 351. Strike out paragraph "7;" because that
matter is made clear elsewhere.
Page 370. " Chapter VII" should be completed.
Page 376. Make page heading, " Church Property."
Strike out paragraph " Third."
" these all died in the faith."
Among those of our associate delegates of four years
ago, who have fallen asleep are
Rev. Joseph S. Thompson, D.D., of the New Jersey
.Annual Conference.
Rev. John G. Mitchell, D.D., Dean of the Ohio Annual
Conference Payne Theological Seminary.
Rev. L. S. Thomas, of the North Georgia Conference.
Rev. S. H. Coleman, D.I)., of the East Florida Annual
Conference.
Rev. S. W. Washington, D.D., of the South Carolina
Annual Conference.
Honorable C. H. J. Taylor LL.D., San Domingo An¬
nual Conference.
Rev. Bedford Green, of the Tennesee Annual Conference.
— 80 —
lie v. 0. P. Ross, of the Mississippi Annual Conference.
These brethren had all the promise for lo-ng life that
characterized any of us four years ago, but God has taken
them. Your committee on memoirs will pay proper respect
to their memory at the service appointed for that purpose.
In order to expedite the publication of the minutes of
this General Conference immediately, and issue the new addi¬
tion of the Book of Discipline very early, printing from
entirely new plates, we recommend that the sum of $1,500
be ordered paid on account of regular bills presented for this
work. $500 being paid as soon as the minutes are out; $500
during the progress of the pal lication of the book of disci¬
pline, and $500 on its completion.
Imploring again the blessings of our heavenly Father
upon our deliberations and our church at large, asking you
to sink all unholy ambition beneath the cross, all personality
in the Christ and all earthly claims in the church, and solic¬
iting your prayers for ourselves, we are,
Your fellow laborers in the Gospel and the Christian
Pastorate,
Henry McNeal Turner,
Wesley J. Gaines,
Benjamin W. Arnett,
Benjamin T. Tanner, '
Abraham Grant,
Benjamin F. Lee,
Moses B. Salter,
James A. Handy,
William B. Derrick,
Bishops of the A. M. E. Church.