Newspapers / The Star of Zion … / Nov. 17, 1898, edition 1 / Page 2
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MAJORS AND MINORS. LAY REPRESENTATION THE PEDES TAL UPON WHICH THESE PARA GRAPHS REST. BY W. F. FONVIELL3. - > The friends of the cause of Lay Representation feel gratified at the great numbers of persons who are every day coming over to their side of the question, espe cially so, when it is known that no person has ever been inspired to write a word in favor of it. It is a spontaneous outburst from the leaders of thought and opinion in the great A. M. E. Zion Church. * * * * * It now leaks out that the persons who are so bitterly “agin them laymen having anything” are office-seekers, and they a ::e “ sore afraid ” if a layman gets an office there will not be enough to go around when they commence their antics in the feed trough, * * * * * The people everywhere who have the pleasure of knowing the Rev. Geo. C. Clement a re glad to know that he is much better, though not entirely recovered from his recent sever a illness. From last accounts he was not in favor of Lay Representation, but hedera splendid young man for all that, and it is to be hoped that he will be spared to the Church for many days yet. * * * * * The secret of Rev. J. W. Smith’s success as an editor has cropped out at last. It is this: Under his editorship the Star is the people’s forum. Every man has a chance; and he realized from the first that the Star of Zion belonged to the Church and not to Smith. After a red-hot discussion with some person, in which little men would get ugly and angry, anc pout and spout, and do spiteful things— when the smoke of battle has lifted, Smith will generally take care of your wounded and permit you to come in under a flag of truce and bury your dead. That’s Smith. Out of a fight, as cheer ful as the sunshine, as 1 ender as a child. All great editors are cast in this kind of mould. ***** I met in Greensboro the other day, for\he first time, the Rev. A. L. McGees. We were glad to see each other and “sheok.” He handled carefully a s lk tile of wonderous lustre which some admirers had presented him. He carries a great congregation at Winston and is doing a good work. He wishes his name to be recorded with the folks who ask for recog nition in the Church. ***** I predicted six mont tis ago that the laymen in the M. E. Church would win out handsomely in their fight for equal representation in the law-making body of the Church; and so it seems. If we pray often, trust in God and do nothing to hinder the great cause for which we contend, likewise shall we also win. * * * * * The contribution to the Star on “I Don’t Like the Name,” by Bruce-Grit, is as fine an article as has appeared in American news papers for a long time. The Eng lish was faultless. If he were a member of our Church, his heart and soul would be tound up in Lay Representation. All of our crowd are bright men who admire bright things when they see them. We are overjoyed to know tha1 Revs. J. W. Smith* J. H. McMul len, W. J. Sides and Prof. Wm, McB. Provinder have all beer converted to the cause of laity. Such men as these would give strength to any cause, for the} represent the creme de la creme oJ Zion. Without mentioning the editor of the Star, it is wel known that Rev. j. H. McMuller is one of the strong young men ir the Church, £tnd while stationec at Louisville, Ky., was acknowl edged to be one of the most^opu lar men that ever;j' pastored £ church in Kentucky. Rev. W. J, Sides, as a pastor, has never had £ superior from the ranks of the younger men—an unqualified sue cess in church work, and ac knowledged by Rev. Dr. G. L. Blackwell, a year ago, to be the young man who is making acquisi tions to the property of the Church. In a conversation with Bishop Hood some time ago he saic substantially the same thing. Prof, Provinder is a layman, educator, writer and speaker that any race would be proud of. These, then are the kind of people who are aligning themselves with the folks As we are all Methodists, let’s ex tend to them the “right hand 01 fellowship.” Conwajy, S. C. AT REST. BISHOP JEHU HOLLIDAY, D. D. Rev. W. M. Matthews, one oj my coming men in the North Loui siana Conference, and his dear wife, feel very keenly the loss of then sweet little girl. I baptized th< child and took her in the church, but soon after I left, the Lord tool? her to her kweet home in heaven. Their loss is her gain. She wil] not come back to them, but they can go to her. I was with Rev. Matthews on his work at Delhi and Sweet’s chapel, Louisiana. He is doing well at both points. Sweet’s chapel will be a nice church when finished; also the church at Delhi, when completed. Send me copies of the Star to sell at all my annual conferences. My North Louisiana will meet at Car ling, La. Mounds, La., is the postoffice. Hearne, Texas. CHURCH DEDICATED. if BY REV. A. J. MCDONALD. The dedication of the Marvir church, October 14, 15, 1898, was successfully carried out. Dr. G. L. Blackwell, on Saturday morn ing, won for himself a great name by preaching an interesting sermor from John 10:11, on “ The Good Shepherd. ” At 3 p. m., the corner stone was laid by Rt. Rev. J. W. Hood, assisted by Dr. Blackwell. Sunday morning at 11 a. m., Bishop Hood preached on “Thy kingdom come,” to a crowded church. Before he finished, white and colored were wonderfully de lighted. It was a powerful ser mon. May the Bishop’s path ever be bright, his life lengthened, and the blessings of God accompany him forever. Collection, $75.80. The church is fully completed and out of debt. Mr. Editor, we commend you for the impro vement made on the Star, and Dr. Blackwell, for the improvement of the Publication House. The election of you two men seems to be providential. Poortith, N. C. ) BISHOP A. WALTERS, D. D. • • I'' -:— ■ Bishop Alexander jWalters, pres ident of the National Afro-Amer ican Council, wfts in the city this , week, and his visit inspired the . formation of a district branch of • the national body. The Bishop is „ enthusiastic in the work of build i ing up a permanent protective t agency for the Negro. He has faith in the capacity of the race [ for citizenship and progress. He believes in the honesty, the integ rity, and in the cohesive force of the race, and is confident that all will rally when theurgency of the situation is plainly pointed out. The wisdom of bis selection as president of the Council. grows more apparent evejy day.. He is earnest, energetic and tireless in ( pursuit of a purpose. He is obliged to travel for the 4- M. E. Zion , Church and on his rounds he is in a happy position to spread the in [ fluence of this organization. He has not asked nor will he accept a penny for traveling expenses or , salary. He is prepared to give his time, his talents, his life to the up j building of the races, and to the de velopment of its latent resources. Such unselfish and Christian spir : ited men are so rare that when one is found he should; be appreciated and honored without limit. In this work, so well begun, Bishop Wal ters should have the hearty moral and financial support of every member of the | Afro-American race.—-Washington^ (D. C.) Col '■ ored Amei'icam. SPARTANBURG DISTRICT. j BY REV. A.< MCNEIL. The Spartanburg district con ference met in New Hope, Octo ber 27th, Rev. S. T. Meek, presid ing elder, presiding. Rev. J. R. Blake preached a fine annual ser mon from Habakkuk 2:2. Rev. J. Brown preached a sermon on “Temperance.” He is the giant of the Conference. Collection, $4.05. The delegates reported, asking for the return of their pas tors and presiding elder. But few reported to the contrary. Pro fessor J. A. Cunningham read a grand paper on “The Rise and Progress of the Race.” He is one of our coming young men and Principal of the Palmetto Insti tute in Union. Rev. J. M. New ton preached an instructive educa tional sermon Friday night. Col lection, $30.50. The New Hope choir did credit to themselves by i their sweet music. The Sunday-school was well represented by delegates from the i district. Several grand papers were read by young ladies, show ing that Spartanburg district is up to date. Too mujch can’t be said of the pastor and good people of New Hope church for bountifully feeding the conference from well prepared baskets of nice things. They are building a new church, which when completed will be a credit to the people and Zion Con nection. We wbre the guest of one Brother William Gillam who is a member of j said church and owns 300 acres of land which is paid for, and he is living in a com fortable home. He subscribes for the Star. Spartanburg district always leads on general fund and bids fair to lead again. Delegates elected to the annual Conference: J. H. Thomas, C. C. Cohen and L. B. Caison. Amount raised for dele ' 1 :; \ • ' ■i.' gates’traveling expenses, $21. The address of welcome was delivered by Mr. James Moorman and two young ladies in behalf of the church. Total amount of money raised for all purposes, about $65. Thus ends one of the most agreea ble district conferences ably pre sided over by Rev. Meek, P. E. Spartanburg, S. O. BETHEL AND ZION AGAIN. The discussion between Bethel and Zion has not yet ended. At first Bishop Walters and Editor Smith of th e Star were arrayed against Rev. J. M. Henderson and Editor Johrson of the Recorder. Two or throe weeks ago Bishop Walters made a move for peace and wrote a letter to the Star of Zion and duplicated the same for the Christian Recorder. In his letter, the Bishop made some admissions that did no1; meet the approval of Senior Bishop Hood and Editor Smith. In the last issue of the Star Bish op Hood sail that he had kept out of the denom inational controversy; that his published History would stand “in spite of any attempt to gainsay it.” But Bishop Hood feels it his duty to speak out at this time aid make some correc tions on Bishop Walters. He proceeds to speak of the origin of the A. M. E. Church, and, in this argument, lie comes to the acknis sions of Bishop Walters. Now that the discussion is tak ing a different turn—Zion leaders correcting €>ach other and differing among themselves—who will not say that the time is more than ripe for the cessation of a discussion which proves nothing, settles noth ing, and converts no one. When the smoke of the wordy war is over, Bethel and Zion, so far as the question of priority is con cerned, will believe what they believed before the debate began* It is further evident, that; if the question of priority is ever settled, it will not be by the leaders of these two denominations but by arbitration, the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church being one of the; principal arbiters.—The Christian Index. - ' AN APPEAL. ho! for the great thanksgiving RALLY. REV. A. J. WARNER, GEN’l SEC’y. Thanksgiving will soon be here and we will all be called upon to assemble and return thanks to oiir heavenly Father for His goodness to us. In view of the great need of money 1o carry on our Church extension work, I appeal to every mite society, and to every pastor who has th e progress of our Zion at heart t3 raise a thanksgiving collection for Church extension and forward it at on to me. Send whatever you can and we will send you a receipt for the amount and the same will be cred ited on your special ten cent tax for Church extension work. Oh! Zion, arise, and let us show to the world that we are indeed an aggressive Church and intend to be found in the forefront of every great movemefit. Let us raise $3,000 Church extension money on Thanksgiving day. Let Zion’s watchmen all awake, and take the alarm we .^ive. Birmingham, Ala. - ■ ~ 1J OUR CHlJRCH EXTENSION DE PARTMENT. BY REV. J. 8. CALDWELL. I rise to second the motion of Bishop G. W. Clinton, D. D., that we make a Thanksgiving of fering to our Church Extension Department. If any one of our departments above another, needs our encouragement, in our minds, it is the Church Extension De partment. In our district conference a few days ago I listened to the re ports of many of our brethren who are laboring in mission fields. It would make any lover of Zion almost weep to hear them tell of the opportunities of spreading the Church in sections where a Zion church is much needed, but be cause they have no money and the people are poor they cannot even get a foothold. If I had $500 to-day at com mand I could plant in a desirable part of the city of Philadelphia a Zion church which would pay back in hard cash to the Connec tion in two years the amount loaned. I can point to half a dozen towns and cities within the boundaries of our Conference alone where a similar thing might be done. If Zion would keep pace with other denominations and measure up to her responsibilities, she must have money to extend her borders. We are producing preachers faster than we are churches. The mem bers, ministerial and lay, in Zion are as capable of establishing and conducting a Church Extension Department as any simi lar organ ization under heaven. The only reason that I can see for not hav ing one is that we have not yet awakened to its need; if we do not soon awaken we will find the ground we might have taken occu pied by others who were more progressive and aggressive than we. ’r The Board of Bishops to a man have pledged one hundred dollars each. I see by the report of the Missouri Conference that $800 was subscribed by that Conference. That is a good showing. Let other Conferences and individuals follow suit. If Dr. Warner can be kept on the field and the Church will stand by him so that he may be able to travel and stir the churches by his stirring addresses, by the next General Conference the Department will be on a good basis. Let every church throughout the Connection heed the call made by Bishop G. W. Clinton and send to the Department at* least one dollar as a Thanksgiving offering. In my next I will tell what I think the General Conference should do in relation to the De partment in question at its next session. Mr. Editor, I am sure the many readers of the Star will be glad to know that Rev. G. W. Offley, D. D., who a few months ago went home on account of ill health, has so far recovered and gained his strength as to be able to preach with his old-time fire and accus tomed zeal. He occupied our pulpit twice of late and preached excellent sermons. Ete told us a few days ago that he was ready to take his place in ranks and move forward for God and Zion. Philadelphia^ Pa.
The Star of Zion (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Nov. 17, 1898, edition 1
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