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PETERSBURG, VA., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12.1884.
NUMBER 50
CORRESPONDENCE
FROM THE MINISTERS AND
MEMBERS OF THE A^M. E.
ZION CONNECTION IN •
ALL PARTS OF tHE
INITED STATES.
TO THE STAR OF ZION.
FROM SUMMERFIELD, ALA.
- SUMMERFIELD, ALA., )
November 17, 1884. j
Mr. Editor :
I never like to intrude upon one’s
precious time, and an editor’s needed
patience, but do indulge me this once,
and give space for a brie'’ sketch of
our District conference of the third
district of W. A. A. conference,which
otice, through your kindness, has ap
peared in the columns of the Stab for
several months.
At the appointed time Elder Butler
read the 5th chapter Ephesians.
Rev. A. L. Scott, lined the hymn :
“Hark, how the watchman cry/' and
after singing prayer was offered by
Eider Banks.
FIRST DAY.
Presiding Elder Butler in the chair.
On motion of Elder Scott, J. C.
Saunders was elected secretary.
H. B. Gaines assistant secretary.
On motion of Rev. H. R. Gaines,
Rev. A. L. Scott, was elected statisti
cal secretary.
There has been a remarkable turn
around in the third district since our
notice appeared in the Star calliug a
district meeting; it has done much
good for the third district.
A vote of thanks were tendered to
the general conference for conferring
editorial honors on Elder Scott.
Tuscaloosa is noted for its shady
streets and educational facilities for all
parties. There are institu ions for
both white rnd colored. A normal
school for the training of colored chil
dren, with Mrs. M. A. Kernon, as
principal; and Zion’s palace, with
Elder Bynum, the leading colored
minister of the city, as its pastor, for
her aid.
Our much esteemed presiding elder
delivered his address, which cheered
their minds and comforted the souls
of the brethren.
The Rev. J. M. Butler was looked
upon as father of the entire confer
ence. We all agreed, by motion that
he was the right man in the right
place.
Elder Butler announced a large
number of committees of various
kinds,and then explained to the breth
ren the great responsibilities that rest
upon them, and that he had taken up
< two ministers, Bev. S. F. Bandleson
and Joseph Hanner.
On motion of J. (J. ttaunders, our
old and efficient superintendent, Bro.
J. Barnes, was made an honorary
member.
Brother Barnes made a few brief
remarks and then entered the bar.
The Committee on Credentials then
reported eight lay delegates in attend
ance.
Rev. A. L. Scott presiding.
A message came to the conference
that Elder Bynum was sick and could
not be out. He [Elder Bynum! told
the SIcter tW bis mind and heart was
with him in the work.
: TLie Committee on Derotion ikport
ed that Rev* H. R. Grainee would
preach at 7:30 p. m., and Rev. P.
Goodrum would associate with him.
Benediction by Rev. J. M. Butler.
Rev Gaines preached a fine soul
stirring sermon, from the words: “Ve
shall see me again.”
J^fcfer by Brother Saunders. ^
Elder Scott lifted a collection.
Elders Scott, Gaines, H. Hamner, J
Hamner and X G. Saunders made re
ports of this year’s work.
The great question, the presiding
elder’s system, then arose. The chair
requested the brethren to table it until
the next day. Carried.
Benediction by Rev. Gaines.
SECOND DAY.
Elder Scott read 2nd Corinthians,
11th chapter, and with matchless elo
quence.
Rev. Mr. Rosser read the 206th
hymn.
Prayer by J. Ruffin.
Rev. J. M. Sutler presiding.
Mrs. A. Kernon, (white) was
introduced to the conference, she made
a short but very lovely speech. She
said : “I am not only willing to be
introduced to this honorable body, but
I am willing to take the front ranks
in this great work.” Our hearts were
made glad.
Mr.. 8. W. Tahaterro also intro
duced to the conference.
On motion of J. C. Saunders, Elder
Scott was requested to reply, which he
did. I tell you he did, and thaf with
credit to himself and honor to the con
ference, amt strength to the connec
tion, for his oratorical manner of re
plying.
Saunders moved that the speakers
should be complimented by the con
ference with a vote of thanks. Car
ried.
Revs. S. Booker and Banks report
ed.
Mr. Shepherd and Thomas Ma
din, students of the ministerial school,
were intirodnced to the conference.
The conference was so much in sym
pathy with the presiding elder that
they all agreed to get him a new suit
of clothes.
A good many of the delegates ask
ed for the return of their same preach
ers.
j The report of the Committee on
Sunday Schools was very good.
Adjourned until 7:30 p. m.
After some reports, benediction by
Elder Scott.
The night session consisted of hear
ing the reports from the delegates.
The fourth session of the Sunday
School convention of the 3rd district,
of the W. A. A. conference, A. M. E.
Zion church, They formed themselves
under a rood constitution, which pro
vided for a reunion at the next annu
al conference at Selma.
Programme for the Next Convention:
Subject: Duties of Superintend'
ents. By Stephen Potts.
Subject: Good of Sunday Schools.
By M. A. Hamilton.'
Subject: Sunday School Teacher’s
Qualification. By Edward Kassel.
Subject: Value of Sunday School
Conventions. By J. L. Spearer. .
Stephen Potts.,
Secretary.
More to follow.
REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON THE
STAR OF ZION.
To the Presiding ISlder and Corner*
enpe, brethren:
We, the committee on the Star of
Zion, beg leave to report:
That it is the sense of all good men
that a paper to any institution is not
only useful, but very useful. Through
whieh news go as though it were upon
the wind. It carries comforts to the
m
nearest house, the, lonely has been
reached, the sick has been helped* and
the cast down Bind baa been nosed
by the reading of agtSod paper, and
through such mediums different na
tions have understood each other.
Thereiore be it
Resolved, Tha$ every minister end
preacher should subscribe for theater
of Zion, our connectional organ,
Resolved, That every member should
subscribe for the Star ol Zion, for,we
are satisfied that there are informa
tion that would do them good if they
would subscribe for and read it.
1%, solved, That every member of this
conlerence take a copy in which these
minutes shall be printed.
Resolved, That it is the duty of
every minister to get as many copies
distributed through his station or cir
cuit as possible, and that each super
intendent take one.
, J. C. Saunders,
Zack Booker,
J. Cutts,
Committee.
We were with the Sunday school
Sunday morning; had a good time;
we pray for the district conference to
meet at that place again.
The writer preached for them at 3.
p. m. Subject: “The giving God.”
Elder Hamner preached at night.—
Subject: “Fight the fight of faith
very good sermon.
1 hanks were tendered to the people
and members of Hunter’s chapel for
their kind greeting and hospitalities.
Also the choir for' iheuMureet mptfc.
Miss E. M. Winn performed at the
organ with the skill of an organist,
who was also thanked for her delight
ful and melodious voice, which render
ed 'comforts to all present.
Just after the 3 o’clock sermon,
Elder Bynum make his way to the
church, although very sick. Elder
Bynum is much thought of by the
citizens of Tuscaloosa.
Yours in Christ and Zion.
John C. Saundebs.
N. C. CONFERENCE.
Newberke, N. C. Dec. 1,1884.
We arrived in Newherne at 7:45 p.
m., and in a few minutes we were in
St. A ndrew’s chapel, where we found
Kev. Mr. Meade, advocate of the tem
perance cause, preaching one of his
soul touching sermon on intemper
ance. The manner in which he han
dled the subject and the many incidents
he related relative to human depravity
and ihe scenes in the drunkard’s fam
ily, and the use of of liquors brought
solemnity and tears in many eyes* He
concluded his discourse in such a
touching and feeling manner that
there was a glorious shouting all over
the church. At the close of -the ser
mon the conference re-assembled a$
the call of the Bishop, and the report
on temperance and education wa#dis
cussed at length by Elders J Thomas,
Small and others, and was. adopted.
The night session then adjourned to
meet at 10 a. m. Tuesday.
r SIXTH DAY.
Bishop Lomax presiding.
After the usual devotional exercises
were had, the Bishop called for re
ports from the -various committees,
which were received and iadopted. He
ran through the discipline questions,
had them all arrenged accordmg to^
order.
The question of the place where the
next conference was to be held was
asked by the Bishop. Kingston,Golds
boroand Washington were put innojth
iaationjand heatedly discussed by fie
brethren patting each place in nomi
nation, and Kington was made the
choice of Us nett meeting, the 4th
Wednesday in November, 1886.
> The Bishop then put in nomination
the foliotriag named brethren to be
elected presiding eiders: W J Moore,
A W Allison, J Hooper, and J H
Mattocks; they were balloted for and
elected. *h v ^ r »_-• -j -
T Mrs. Freeman, vice-president of jthe
Ladies Home ann Foreign Missionary
Society, was introduced to the confer
ence by the Bishop. She came for
ward mid made a short address to the
brethren of the conference, ashing
their oo-operation in the missionary
work. She received by collection
$3.53.
Much business of interest was trans
acted to a late hour. At 11:30 p m
the Bishop read the appointments.
' We note that this conference was
one among the heaviest of the four
'that we have just attended. Much
important connections! business was
transacted, and we were pleased to
learn that Bishop Lomax presided
over the conference with great ability
and dignity ;* he won the confidence of
the brethren. Full proceedings ofithe
meeting will be published in our njext
issue by our reporter.
Ourselves, Bishop -Lomax, Kev.
Jacob Thomas, Book agent, and Rev.
W. J. Moore, left Newbeme at 9 A.
M. Wednesday for Fayetteville, N. C.,
to meet the Board of Bishops. jWe
had to lay over at Sandford all night,
i arivingat Fayetteville by 3 P. M.
We Arthernole-BmtFIder W.H.
Thurber, bis members, and the good
people of Newbeme had everything
pleasant and comfortable for the con
ference. We could read in the eye of
every one we met, the word “web
come.’' Our people in Newberne are
advancing to a high point in intellect
and wealth. Splendid new buildipgs.
are in course of erection throughout
the city owned by our people, the
new Zion church located in a promi
nent part of the city, is -soon to bejftn
ished, which will add much to church
edifices in the city of Newbeme.
FROM ALABAMA.
*' Sweet Uniow, West Ala., )
v November 26th, 1884. j
Mr. Editor :
As we seldom trouble you, allow us
a small spaop in your valuable paper.
I was almost discouraged when I took
charge of ^he little church called
Sweet Union, the congregation num
bering only -fiye persons, aid one of
them almost a cripple. While pur
number has increased many of them
are from ten to fifteen years of age,
but thank Clod, happily converted,and
striving to labor for God and the
church. Fading my task a tedious
one, I sought the Lord by prayer and
endeavored to press upon the minds of
the little band to exercise iatfh in God,
for He will answer prayer. The little
cabin I found had neither stool nor
benchy the sills were alt decayed. We
started to work without a dime, but
felt assured of the promise: I will
not leavethee nor forsake thee, ana
again said thej&aljpjst* they that trust
in the Lord shall hq as Mount Zipn,
which cannot be moyed, surrounded
with great opposition. I was deter*
mined never storelax my holt, for I
lelt that the Lord would be <|ur
strength and our support. Many tried
to d»OOU*age ttS, but I remember the
Saviour’s advice, Enter into thy closet
and {way to. thy Father,and thy Fath
er, which seeth in secret shall reward
the openly. X found their n«baln* for
sysiy wound^acocdinliinsfyerytei
.... i.
I found comfort, joy and consolation.
Truly it is said, ye shall reap if you
faint not. We succeeded in repairing
the church, and made it comfortable
without owing a dollar when it was
complete.
Then came on the quarterly confer
ence . at Jackson’s Chapel. At the
close of the conference we requested,
that the next quarterly meeting would
be held at Sweet Union, which would
take place in the month of September.
The membership numbered then about
19 persons. We had an increase of 14.
The brethren of the seveial churches
laughed at us because we made the re
quest that the conference should as
semble at Sweet Union, looking upon
it as a complete failure if the confer
ence was appointed there. The little
band acknowledged that they were
poor, and very few in number. After
having to meet the repairs of tie
church so as to make it comfortable,
yet they felt that the hand that sus
tained them was an Almighty hand,
they could trust him still, and as their
was never a conference held there be
fore for the good of those who live in
that vicinity, and the cause that was
dear to them, they desired it as a part
and parcel of the whole. For Zion
sake we will not hold our peace. It
was then granted. It was then deci
ded that the conference would be held
at the little church Sweet Union.—
When at the appointed time they met,
according to adjournment, we had a
very pleasant and happy time, a great
many visitors attended. The meeting
was Conducted by Elder Evans, as the
Presiding Elder could not convenient
ly attend. His address was such as
cheered our hearts and caused us to
feel that it was good to be their at 2
o’clock P. M. We retired to dinner,
and a sumptuous table was spread
with good things, for the accommoda
tion '■ of at least 8u persons. Being
agreeably surprised they all returned
satisfied and well pleased.
At 3 o’clock the meeting was called
to order, the Sabbath school matched
in singing one of the sweetest songs of
Zion. After singing another of their
beautiful songs we were seated. The
superintendent then introduced the
school to the conference. Here they
extemporaneously repeated several
psalms and other pieces. We never
had before a Sabbath school or day
school. Our advantages here has been
very limited, but thanks be unto God,
our heads are above the wave. We
think we hear him say who is yet
alive, it is I, be not afraid. We have
been encouraged while we have pon
dered over letters that was written in
the Star where sister churches with
preachers have had like struggling,
and have succeeded. It gave me en
couragement to persevere, and with
God’s help the little band now num
bers 23. We have engaged an acre of
land and expect ere long to builji a
new church. I thought to let you
know that Zion is not asleep in the
South; her interest is to build up
Zion. Yours very truly.
Handy Washington.
Tallulah Station, La., )
October' 22, 1884. J
, WANTED.
Information concerning the where
abouts of Peter Fields, Nancy
Fields and Sarah Hampton,
lived in Richmond, Ytt*» the ypf
1870, with *maa by the name
Seahan, a gunsmith.
Any information concerning
party will be thankfully recei?
Address Rev.H. W. Babnstt,
Tallulah Station, La.
—
FROM MARYSVILLE, TENN.
Marysville,
Mr Editor:
Allow me space at your valuable
journal to inform yoer many readers
the condition of my church. The
Bishop^ and conference saw fitin their
judgment to leave me here for another
year, which seemed to please the pec* -j_
pie. On the first Sunday after con
ference adjourned, I began my labor
by collecting general fond. And to
encourage my members I .went to the
printing office and had 1,000 tickets
struck off, which we gave to the mem
bers &s a receipt for the general fond,
that they pay from time to time,which
seems to please them.
Though my members are not hard
to please, so they ale workers for Zion.
The people say that Prof. J. C. Price,
Elder Petty, and Elder Me H.Farley,
told them SO much about Zion that
they intended to work for the connec
tion. So we collect general funds
every Sunday, and even in class too.
Mr. Editor, don’t you think that it is
a nice way to collect the general lund?
Our free school will soon close, and as
soon as it is out I am going to attend
college another year at this place. We
have 107 scholars enrolled. They all
seem to be advancing in their studies.
i Now I shall speak of what happen
ed to me last Saturday night, while I
was reading at a late hour. Behold,
at once it’seemed to me that 50 persons
(began tg sing this song at the «.oor of
| th^ parsonage: Seek and you shall
| find,1* knock and the door shall be
! opened, and* the love came twinkling
down Kincade; Jesus called you Kin
cade. Jesus called you and the love
came twinkling down. And I sprung
up and opened the door, and it seemed
to me like that there was still 50 per
sons in the yard. I asked them in.—
And so in they came with basket, pa
pery and bundles of all kinds, and
filled my table with the many good
things. These are the parties: Sisters
Eliza A Coffine, Sintha Coffine, Vilet
Aannum, Vilet Asbry, Maggie Wil
son, Sallie Owens, Betsy Pleasant,
Willey Hannum,Clody Porter, Maria
Lillard.
So brethren, pray for us. Yours
for Zion. G. W. Kincade.
A PRESIDING ELDER CANED.
On Monday night December 1st,
1894. at the close of the night session,
(the North Carolina conference) Pre
siding Elder W J Moore of Goldsboro
district, was presented a very fine
gold headed cane, gotten up by the
various ministers of the district, over
whom he had presided for four years.
The presentation was made by Elder*
J H Mattocks, who yr a brief speech
assured Elder Moore, that the cane
was presented £o him from the breth
ren, as a token oi respects and high
regajjs to him for the impartial, -dig
nified, and satisfactory manner in
whieh he had discharged the duties of
a presiding elder for four years. El
der Moore, in a very modest and ap
propriate manner, thanked Elder
Mattocks, and the donors, for such a
valuable and serviceable present, he
assured him that he would keep it as
an esteemed .present, he requested
Hon J C Dancey, to further, respond
on the occasion, which he did m a
splendid speech, characterising the
fkithful labors of Elder Moore for the
four past years in the presidingelders
work, he urged the rest of the breth
ren to be faithful in their high office
andwin the esteem and respect from
their various districts, and recieve
from the hands of the ministers and
people a like token of respects as El
der Moors has. The was a solid
grid IMecLose.
t ■