THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZiON CHURCH.
Vol XXVI
Charlotte, N. C., Thursday, flay 7, 1903.
No 20
FACTS VERSUS FICTION
Free Discussion of the General Interests of
the Church Mto be Feared
BY BISHOP J. W. HOOD.
LETTER NUMBER 15.
Some of my timid friends have
suggested that it might be well for
me to keep quiet, as any effort on
my part may start radicalism up
with greater activity. On the other
hand it has been suggested that I
nad better keep quiet and let ca
jolery try its hand; a«d see if more
can be accomplished with radical
ism by seeming to agree with it,
than by any criticism from me. In
the first place, in the very nature
of things, radicalism is always ac=
tive. Nothing that I can say or
leave unsaid will increase or de
crease the activity of those who
have certain ends they want to
reach. They are working now
with all their might. They are not
sounding the trumpets as they did
four years ago. Experience has
taught them a little wisdom. It is
more of a still hunt this time, but
a hunt nevertheless.
If we study the columns of the
Star closely, we need not be igno
rant on this point. Take the issue
in which the doings at Louisville
during the meeting of the Council
were recorded, and you will learn
that every opportunity while there
was embraced, that wherever two
or three were met, “out of ear
shot” of those from whom their
secrets were carefully concealed,
they were at work forming plans,
pooling issues, fixing slates, adjus
ting interests, arranging combina
tions, figuring on chances, and
forecasting results.
As I remarked, there is less
noise; but the Star gives ns light
on that point.lt informs us that the
watchword now is “Keep still till
after the delegates are elected.
Don’t let it be known where you
stand. The majority in all the con
ferences are in favor of building
up our Institutions, and doing
what is best for the Church; if
they learn that you are more con
cerned to serve personal iuterests
and personal ambitions than you
are to serve the Church, they will
leave you at home; so keep quiet
till the delegates are elected.”
Study the Star closely, and you
will at least be able to read be
tween the lines, that there is al
ready great activity.
On the other hand, I can not tell
whether it is I or the other fellow
who is going to be deceived. The
fact is, that truth has nothing to
fear from open, full and free dis
cussion. Reason is the one weapon
with which I have fought my bat
tles, and I want no other. The
cause which will not stand the
force of reason is weak, but he
who has right and reason on his
side, is thrice armed. No weapon
formed by an enemy can prevail
against him.
My experience has been, that
fair-minded people love to listen
to reason. That was the ground of
ray confidence four years ago,
when many feared that we should
be overwhelmed by an avalanche
of radicalism. That is the ground
of my confidence to-day. It is a
favorite dodge with men, when
their cause is weak, to appeal to
passion and prejudice. This was
freely resorted to four years ago. 1
The attempt was made tomake men
believe that those in authority 1
were abusing that authority by
stilling free thought and free ac
tion. Bat when, on my motion in
General Conference, a rule was
adopted which provided that no
important measure should be decid
ed upon until each side had been
fairly heard, and giving any mem
ber a right to move for a division
of time, slander was disarmed
of all its force. And possibly,
nothing contributed more to the
harmony of our proceedings than
that rule. It was not often invoked,
but the fact that it could be,
removed all fear of snap judgment.
I have seen a little of this dis
position to appeal to passion in
this year of grace. It seems strange
that a Christian minister can get
down that low; but human nature
has some uuaccountable freaks. It
is hoped that we shall see no more
of this, that we may have open,
free, and also fair discussion.
There is no reason to fear the re
sults of such discussion.
The centrifugal foices have
been working on this earth of ours
for a long time, and would have
carried it off into unlimited space
long ago, but the centripetal forces
have been performing their func
tions at the same time, and thus
the earth has been held in its orbit
around the sun. Likewise, it is no
matter how hard the forces of rad
icalism work to carry the Church
away, they know not whither, yet
so long as the centre-seeking forces
perform their wonted part, she
will keep her safe and successful
course, moving toward a splendid
and glorious destiny, undreamed
of by any mortal being to day.
Congratulations.
BY REV. T. P. SHEPARD.
Allow me to congratulate our Senior
Bishop Rev. J. W. Hood, D. D., LL. D ,
on his series of articles, viz., “The Man
ner of Man a Bishop Should Be” and
‘The Manner of Man a Bishop Should
Not Be.” The General Conference
ought to profit by them. He has in
deed touched the right chord, aid the
echo is being heard throughout tue
Connection.
It is gratifying to know that we have
a few ministers who are b'ameless in
life and character, who would grace the
office, and they are fully competent
from every standpoint. Such a man or
men ought to be elected, and they only.
One of the men to whom I have ref
erence is Rev.-. He is waiting
Lhe.fulfillment of his lime. I am op
posed to any man being elected t > the
bishopric who is not blameless in his
life and character. It is a blot on any
Connection to vary from the Bible
standard. Let us observe the golden
rule. Zion Connection owes lasting
gratitude to Bishop Hood, for to her
he is an Abraham for faithfulness, a
Moses for leadership, a Ji shua for res
olution, a Job for patience, a Solomon
for wisdom, an Isaiah for prophecy, and
a Paul as a preacher. He i3 chief
among his colleagues. Bishop Hood,
we are with you from start to finish;
for it is due largely to your fatherly ad
monition and untiring labors that Zion
is what she is to-day. May you live
long to council the Church of your
choice, and like the sainted John in
your declining years say: “Little chil
dren, love ye one another.”
Dr. Smith, I also wish to congratu
late you on the continued improve
ments you are making on the Star op
Zion It is shining brighter and
brighter. Your editorials are like
golden gems and a history to all that
read them. Be thou faithful, study and
write to chow thyself approved a
i workman that needethnot beashamed
Dr. Hill, to you I send congratula
:ions. You are performing satisfacto
rily the work assigned you, for which
pou will be remembered in due time.
Dr. Bruce, I congratulate you on the
ip-to-date Sunday-school literature you
ire giving us. You are certainly the
■ight man in the right place. May the
General Conference continue you in
■he same position to bless the future
2hurch.
Goldsboro, N. C.
CANNON BALLS.
FACTS UPON FACTS.
ORGANIC UNION.
BY REV. S A. CHAMBERS.
Seventhly—I do not believe it
would be advantageous to drop
the name “African” from our
church name and substitute the
word “Colored” as so many
things have “color.” The word
“African” carries with it more
weight, and is more significant
than the word “Colored.” To
drop the name “African” from
our Church name would hinder the
progress of our mission work
among the natives of Africa.
Rev. C. M. Tanner of the A. M.
E. Church, who is a missionary in
South Africa and who is studying
the situation close and well, and
noting carefully the thing that
gives him the warmest welcome
among the natives has found that
the name “African” under which
his Church is chartered is the
thing that catches the attention of
the natives as nothing else does.
We clip the following from the
Voice of Missions, April number,
from an article written by Rev. C.
M. Tanner who is reliable and
what he says can, with propriety,
be accepted as good authority.
He writes touching the influence
that the “African” portion of his
Church name has on the natives
as follows:
‘lhese persons a/© much sur
prised to find that our Church in
America is chartered under the
name “African.” And how prov
idential it is! As soon as the na
tivehears of a church called “Af
rican” and having black men as
ministers, he feels a kinship and
interest, and is instinctively drawn
toward it. The words “African
Church” catch his attention at
once. He feels that here is a
church especially for him.”
A little further in the same ar
tide will be'found where Rev.
Tanner says “And the very name
of our Church is destined to play
an important part in the progress
of its work in this country. The
name “African” is a passport to
our people; it secures for the
Church a welcome to and rapid
progress among them. It is the
oil of the machinery, the bait on
the hook.”
Now, if the word “African” is
so helpful to the missionaries of
Bethel, would it not be equally
helpful to Zion’s missionaries? If
it is good bait on Bethel’s hook,
it will be good bait on Zion’s
hook, and serve one and the same
purpose. We want every advan
tage in Africa that any other
Church has. And we cannot af
ford to lessen our chances by or
ganic union. Can we afford to
stampede our progress and thwart
the usefulness of our missionaries
in Africa by dropping that time
honored word “Africa” from our
Church name? It is very obvious
that we cannot. The eyes of all
denominations and co-operations
are set on Africa because her fields
are fertile and her mines are in
travail with gold and silver and
her hills and valleys are bedecked
with diamonds; and nothing but
the gospel of Jesus Christ is need
ed to make it the most coveted
country on the globe. The de
nomination that takes the lead in
developing the religion of that
continent will, eventually, be in
the lead every where else.
Whatever advantage we have
in going into that continent as a
Church that we must hold and be
queath it to posterity as a pfch
legtcy. If the word ‘'African” is
helping Bethel to gather the na
tives into the kingdom of God it
will help Zion. And whatever
helps to bring those people into
our respective Churches is infinite
ly more important than organic
union. Africa should not perish.”
BowlincS Green, 8. C.
Reception to Recorder Dancy.
One of the most brilliant recep
tions ever given in this city was
the one tendered to Recorder John
C. Dancy by Mr. and Mrs. William
Jennifer, at their large and com
modious residence 445 second
street ,southwest, on last Wednes
day evening from 8 to It o’clock.
Mrs. Jennifer, the hostess, was
handsomely gowned in cream color
ed silk and her pleasing and enter
taining manner made her one of
the most attractive of the occasion.
Recorder Dancy was accompanied
by his wife who is a most pleasing
lady and an agreeable entertainer.
Mrs, Dancy has a most pleasing
smile which is one of the few char
acteristics that makes her a wel
come guest wherever she goes.
Mr. Jennifer the host introduced
Recorder Dancy in a most eloquent
address, who responded in his usual
characteristic manner which creat
ed much merriment. At the ap
pointed time the guests repaired to
the dining room where covers were
laid for 50 guest. There were elev
en courses by Mr. E Murray. A
beautiful menu card with a fine
portrait of Recorder Dancy was
placed at every plate.
The occasion is long to be re
membered as one of the huppiest
and most pleasant moments in the
life of the popular Recorder of
Deeds for the District of Columbia.
Washington Bee.
Easter and Our Rally.
BY SARAH PAGE.
Kind friends: We were very
successful in raising means for our
church; we did not fall short, but
we reached Ihe desired amount.
We have received so many applaus
es that we are rejoicing over the
work tha,t we have done in our
city. We gave our rally Easter
Sunday in order that the pastors
from the different stations might
be present
We were well entertained by
both pastors,namely, Rev. Argyle
of Rockwood station and Rev Star'
ling of Kington station. We heard
the Scripture expounded in its pu
rity. May many blessings fall on
them that th<^y may be endowed
with more wisdom and knowledge
from God.
Our presiding elder, J. D. Gai
ther, was with us and did a great
work on that day. He stayed with
ns and now we are almost over our
struggle. We mean to blend our
forces together and pull for the
shore, God is our leader and is help
ing us through.
The Easter Intertamment which
was held on Easter Monday even
ing was grand. Many were present
and had a joyful time and all went
home at a late hour. I mast say
that our pastor, Rev. H. B. Moss,
[s certainly doing good work
here and we are blessed both spirit
aally and financially. The church is
loing well.
Harr {man, Term.
APPOINTMENTS
OF THE NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE.
1903-4.
Jersey City District—Rev S
C Birchmore, P. E.
Jersey City. A P Miller; New
ark, Isaac B Walters; Red ,
J E Rodgers; Asbnry Park, J H
White; Rossville, J H Mason;
Eatontown, E M Stanton; Mata
wan, M M Edmonson; Lakewood,
J R Dangerfield; Pine Brook and
Reveytown. J H Hudgins; Bay
onne. E C Black; Middletown, W.
T. Biddle; Key Port, Calvin
Heath; Bethlehem, James W.
Brown; Easton, G. H. Cole.
Camden District — Rev J O
Temple, P. E.
Camden, W L Clayton; Atlantic
City, C D Hazel; Trenton, W A
Ely; Paterson, B W Swain; Bur
lington, W H Batchelor; Somer
ville, R R Ball; Hackensack, J D
Meade; Englewood, G N Ray;
Ridgewood, E Hammett; Paramus
and Lodi, W H Chandler; Ruth
erford, N S Cutler; Closter and
Park Ridge, W W Gales; Rah
way, R T Taylor; Timbuctoo and
Kinkora, W. Johnson.
TRANSFERS
To New York Conference—Rev
W A Fitch; to New Jersey Con
ference-Revs W F Bowden, 1 F
Aldridge, C P Lee and N E Col
lins; to Western New York Con
ference-Rev A L Purnell and
Jonathan Jackson; to Missouri
Conference—Rev C H Brown.
Vice President W H and F M
Society—Rev Florence Randolph;;
President Y C E, Miss M Eva
Thompson; President Daughters
of Conference—Mrs Ida B Hart.
Notfee,
To the members of the Philadelphia’
and Baltimore Conference :
Dear Brethren; Our annual confer
ence is about four or five weeks off, and,
as usual, there is a great deal to be
done; but it is only the busy people
who can and will do. The same may
be said of churches, simply because
“Idleness is the devil’s workship ” As
vice-president of the W. H. and F. M.
Society, I want to beg tbe pastors with
in the range of the Philadelphia and
Baltimore Conference to please see that
their church and auxiliaries make good
reports. I think all who are interested
in the advancement of the Master’^
kingdom upon earth, will readily agree
that there is much need of the above
named collection. Some may say, “Well
I had my Woman’s Day, and sent the
money in long ago”. That may be true,
my brother, and I hope every one has ;
but that does not relieve you of the re
sponsibility of raising money for the
vice-president of your conference. Let
us do our whole duty because we love
God, and it is right to do so.
Yours in the Master’s Work,
Mary J. Small,
V.-Pres. Phila. & Balto. Conf.,
York, Pa.
Price Goslen Dead.
BY REV. L. D. JONES.
On the morning of April 25, 1903, at
7:30 death entered the home of Rev.
and Mrs. A. F. Goslen and took away
from them their youngest son, Price
Goslen, age 16 years, 11 months and 14
days. He was born at Wagesburrough,
N. 0., May 13, 1886, professed a saving
faith in Christ in 1897 at Butler’s chap
el A, M. E. Zion church, Amite City,
La , from which time he lived a con
sistent Christian until his death.
On Sunday at 2:30, the funeral ser
vices took place from the 1st A. M. E.
Zion church. The funeral was con
ducted by the pastor Rev. L. D. Jones,
assisted by Rev. A Scott of the M. E.
Church It indeed was a solemn occa
sion. Then we deposited his body be
neath the sod in the midst of about 200
sympathizing friends. The grave was
covered with beautiful flowers. He
leaves a father, mother, two sisters and
three brothers and a host of friends to
mourn their loss. Ponchatoula, La,