Newspapers / The Star of Zion … / Jan. 1, 1920, edition 1 / Page 2
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A REVIEW OF DR. E. D. W1 ON THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARD ~ " is. By Rev. W. W. Evan* "The law governing the Council must be changed or the Council must 'be put in harmony with the law,’’ says Dr. Jones. Now in chang ing'a law the legislature examines first the original intention’ of the framers of the law and secondly, if the law failed to meet the require, ments sought. In examining the} law the correct interpretation must "be perceived and construed. The leaving out of a single word or a comma in the construction is apt to give quite a turn to the intent of those who originally framed the law so that those who may not havd the original ityefore them have to accept the defective interpretation. Now I take it that Dr. Jones is writing for the benefit of the Gen. eral Conference in May, and it be hooves him and those who would do the making and changing of laws to be very careful. Dr. Jones says: "‘The Council is a meeting of boards.’’ If I read cor. rectly the Council is not a meeting of boards, but is more than a meet ing of boards. Besides all the Bish. ops it is composed of the Genera’ officers and representatives of the Boards, these representatives ibein* the Presdent, secretary and treasur. er of ail the boards. He says: “only functions executively through tha powers invested in the several Con-* nectional Boards.’’ Now the Coun. cil does more than that. The Coun. oil exercises executive power over (not through) and possesses all thd rights vested in the several Connec tional Boards excepting that of the Bishops to which it is subordinate. It shall have authority to make and enforce such rules and regulation:! as may be necessary for the success, ful operation of the several Boards: Thus the Council is the controlling power in the management of thi Boards and is itself only controlled by a superior body, the Board of Bishops. Dr. Jones wants the membership of the Council changed and recom mends tSel Boards must compose the Council, since Boards do not and cannot function through lith. non-elected and non-proxied officers to give the Coun. cil any Legal status. Now what has become of Dr. Jones’ politics 9 Re, presentation is the essence of poli tics, ajnd the non.elected members are the constituency from which the representatives, namely, the (Presi dent, Secretary and Treasurer arc to take their reports to the Council and to whom they are responsible as a Board for their acts in the Council. Then again, what of the j membership of the Bishops and thd General officers? Is their influence in the Council of no account so a^ to make valid the work of the .Coun. cil and give it a legal status, Dr. Jones declares the executive power of the Council will be paper power not exercised power, becausd all the members of the boards arc . not mfembers of the Cquneil, and further that executive power without executors is written but not applied. Dr. Jones I will say unconsciously limits the power of the Council only to the membership of the represen tatives of the Boards and excludes the influence exercised by the Gen, eral Officers and all the Bishops. He says the Council could not vote an increase of salaries, but the Fi nancial Board can at the Council meeting, it is not so At the Council meeting it would not be the Fihan, cial Board voting for an increase of salaries. They will recommend to the Council comprised of all the re presentatives of the different boards. General officers and Bishops who will decide pro or con on the sub. ject. It will only be a recommen. dation from the Financial Board which has no power as Dr. Jones says; for its recommendation can' either be amended or thrown out by the majority of the members of the Council. . He says the Council can not function without the Boards, bit the Boajrjds may 'function and do without the Council. Now l do not like to criticise Dr. Jones’ interpre tation of the law, but it ought to <be understood that there could be U council without the Boards , and .a respect of the Boards doing with. juc the Council it is not in conform ity with politics for any set of bodies ot Boarus, societies or government^ -iot to have a ruling power to gov. orn them. Then what about this part of the law? “ The Council shall have authority to make and enforce rules and regulations for the sue* cessful operation of the several Boards; the Council shall see that each officer and member of the sev eral Boards perform the duties re. quired by law; if any officer willfully neglects his duty and suffer the work of the Board to fail on that account the Board may recommend his re moval to the Board of Bishops. Then how can the boards do without thJ Council. According to the reading where is only one board that can do without the Council and that is the Board of Bishops. And that is the Board alone which permits the Coun. oil to function. Dr. Jones says the spirit of the law is that each Gen eral officer or secretary report to his Board first, and then in open session as you please to the Board of Bish ops, etc. According to custom sucli organizations generally depute their representatives who in this case, are the President, Secretary and treas urer, to report their findings to the Council composed not of the Board of Bishops alone, as Dr Jones says, but to the full Council. If the churcli machinery and the government is centralized owing to the custom oL carrying every departmental meas ure up to the Board of Bishops for adjustment it is not the fault of the law which is quite efficient, but the fault of the custom or procedure. The Board of Bishops must be the only functioning board that will be heeded because that is the only dis ciplinary Board; the other Boards can only recommend, even the 'Coun cil can only recommend- to the board it Bishops. Dr. Jones askfe how is a member going To perform Ms duties by law if be is denied membership in a body where his Board meets and func. :ions? The Board £des not meet in „he Council; th§/representatives of the boards meset. Each member of ih&Board is expected tj> do his duty in the JBoard with the idea of its being reported by his representatives to the Council. He asks again, how can reports be made to the Council? The essence of the law expects re ports from every Board to the Coun. cil, and if such reports are not for mulated for the benefit of the Coun. cil, those Boards are not performing their duties according to the direc. tion of the law. If these laws are misconstrued or if they are not car ried out to the letter, that is what Dr. Jones must complain against; but not upset laws which in them, selves meet the requirements and are intended for the proper working and good management of the Con. nectional Boards. It appears that Dr. Jones misconstrues the law and it is no wonder if that law is not car. ried out to the letter. He says we can have no Council without hoards and when these boards are not at thd Council exercising executive power the Council is simply a gathering of celebreties. The economy of the Council deals notr with the Boards but with the representatives of such Boards, and those Boards are not required to exercise executive power for that is! the work of the Council. In conclusion I presume the mak ers of the law in framing the com. position of the Council according to their experience had some model or plan to go upon in which the inten. tion of the law had its origin The word ‘Council,’ was a term employed in the Methodiht Episco. pal Church in the early days to des ignate the meeting of the Bishops and Presiding Elders for the pur pose df 'arranging the ministerial appointment*. i It was first applied in 1789 to an assembly instituted for the gen eral union and supervision of the Church and the plan of the council was changed so as to substitute for the Presiding Elder an elder elected by each district. So we Bind that representation was the foundation of the Council, and while there was 9 Council there were no Boards. New York. CLASS LEADER’S RALLY MOTH. RR A. M E. ZION CHURCH. The thirty sixth annual Fair ana mortgage Fund Rally of Mother A, M. E. Zion Church, came to a close 6n Sunday night, November 30th as which time the leaders made theii reports. The classes were divided into groups according to ther numer. ical strength: v No. of class, its leader, amount raised, and prizes won are as fol lows: GROUP NO 1. No. 3, J. A. Hopkins, $1,470.60; I first prize. No. 7, C. A Jordan, $1,356.15, sec. ond prize. No. 5, R. Herbert Porter, $1,202. 68. No. 6, J. D. Blackwood, $853.57. No. 8, J. E. Nickson, $833. 98. GROUP NO. 2. No. 12, C. A. Davis, $821.19, first prize. •No. 2, H. H. Thomas, $708.03* second prize. No. 10, G. H.. Lamlbdon, $627.80. No. 4, James Chase, $589.73. No. 11, E. W. Stewart, $372.96. GROUP NO. 3. No. 9, C. H. Brent, 392.45, first prize. No. 1, P. A. Richardson, $307.06, second prize. No. 13, Archie Watkins, $231.63, No. 14, Austin Mills, $224.88. No. 15, J. D. Steele, $69.22. Friends, $215. 12. Grand total, $10,277.05. Last year the church was remod eled at a cost of $40,000. The build, ing is yet too small. Plans are now being formulate to erect a modern Sunday School building in the reaf of the church with an entrance from 137th street. During the seven years’ pastorate of Dr Brown the church, parsonage and Brotherhood house, a social cen. ter for the young people, have been purchased by the congregation. ON TO VICTORY By Rev. G. A. Howard, Pastor of thd Luverne Circuit. There ’s a loud call by the A. M, E. Zion Church. Here is the answer Yes. We will do what you want us to do, is the real answer. As a man who loves Zion and her cause I must say that we are not only going t^ answer Zion’s call with just what it asked for, but we are preparing to go over the top with $20,000 more than the required amount. We must do it. We -can do it with God to help us. All that is needed ds men, members and friends mixed witlf prayer and faith in God. We really cannot afford to let Zd. on’s banner trail in the dust. We aro with our Bishops and we are going to stand by the great Financial Drive. We are not listening to any thing along this particular line, but forward march, and that is towards Zion’s needs, and that is yet small for five years. We can not have too much money, for our Zion must lead for we have great leaders, and we must not let them fail. So when the great drive comes off we all shall be made to fee1 glad. God be- praised for the effort. Get ready brethren. Get together members, and let us march over the top with not less than one million dollars more than the General Church called for Let us not swing back against any move for Zion. Now is the time ta show loyalty to the Church. God will lead ,if we follow him as Moses did in leading Israel. Just go for ward and keep the staff in hand and God will tell us what to do with it. May God bless our Bishops and Gen. eral officers. Prayer is the powe* of the great movement, then willing ness next. Faith to believe that we can get the money. Do not pray too long, do not stay on our knees too long; Pray short. Then have a will mixed with faith. Then go ahead with th J staff in hand. God will tell us hov? and what to do with it. “All I have is thine, O, Lord; All I may have thou givests me.’’ Montgomery, Ala. PENNSYLVANIA PETITION SEN ATORS OUMMINS AND KNOX ON JIM GROW CARS Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 5. 1919. The following resolution was adopted last evening at a citizen’s mass meeting held in t'he St. Paul Baptist church, Rev. E. Luther Cunningham, pastor, at which time there was an address by William Monroe Trotter of Bos. ton, the Colored American delegate to the Peace Conference. Leading colored citizens present who madii addresses on behalf of equal rights for the race were H. Justin Carter; Esq., Dr. C. L. Carter, Rev. B. M. Ward, Rev. James Robinson, Prof. B. H. Baker,. Mr. Robert J. Nelson, Rev. E. Luther Cunningham, and L *5 F. Baldwin, Esq., of New York Ci. ty. Mr Robert J. Nelson presideA over the meeting. RESOLVED: That inasmuch as the rights to travel in public convey, ance is one of the ’fundamentals of free governments, and any restric. tions thereon based on race, creed or color constitute class legislation of the most drastic and undemocratic kind, we, colored citizens of Harris, burg, Pa., call upon the Interstate Commerce Commision, through its chairman, Senator Cummins, to en* couch in the present Railroad bill a clause doing away with that anoml ly, that insult to the race, segrega tion for color in interstate travel, or to grant a hearing on such a pro posal, also, RESOLVED; that we, citizens of Harrisburg, assembled in the St. Paul Baptist church, December 4th. 1919, do hereby petition Senator P« C. Knox of this state to see to it thaj an amendment is made to the Rail, road bill, which will do away with segregation of Colored Interstate passengers by a hearing on the mat. ter before the Interstate Commerce Commission, or by his moving such an amendment to the bill when un. der consideration by the Senate. RESOLVED: That the Secretary Reverend E. Luther Cunningham, send a letter with a copy of these’ resolutions to Senator Cummins and Senator P. C- Knox and Senator Boise Penrose. <,SagnedLRobert J. Nelson,-chairman. Rev. E. Luther Cunningham^ Secretary. THE VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFER ENCE Supreme importance and interest attached to the 54th annual session of the Virginia annual conference, Richmond, Va., Nov. 26 to Dec. l 1919, in view of the fact that it wc \ held in the capital city of the South ern confederacy, after the struggle} and experiments of 54 years and by the finest church owned by Negroes in that city. The conference was organized by Mr. B. T. Parson, secretary; Rev. J. W. Morgan, assistant secretary; Mr. J. W. Poe, Reporter to the city pa pers; Rev. W. J. Hines, Reporter to The Star of Zion; Rev. B. J. Bolding Reporter to the Norfolk Journal and Guide; Revs. E. T. Lynn, R. H. Spel man and P. H. Dallas, Marshalls; J*rof W. E. Woodyard, secretary to the Bishop; Mrs. P. R. Flack, Mrs. M. L. King, Mrs. M. A.. Everette. and Mrs. M. F. Gregory were made life members of the W H. and F. Missionary Society. ' This society totaled in its annual receipts $1216.42. They conducted dieir beautiful program Saturday night at which , time the Silver Leaf Glee club of the Fifth Street Baptis; church sang several of their popu. lar selections to the delight of the large audience. It was announced that Bishop G. C. Clement would sail for Africa December 17, 1919. The attendance of General Officers included Dr. J. Harvey Anderson Editor of The Star of Zion; Dr. J. W. Martin, Secretary of. Education and others. General Conference delegates: W E. Woodyard, S. P. Cooke, C. L. Al exander, N. D. King, P. R. Flack, G. W. Brown, M. F. Gregory. Alter nates, G. H. Miles, T. J. Williamson, W. M. Spalding, W. T. Beck, W. H Horton. Lay Delegates: B. T. Par. sons, T. C. Irwin, alternates. B. T Lynn, J. H. Brooks. The conference by vote endorsed Drs. B. J. Bolding and P. A. Wallace for the Bishopi'ic; Dr J. Haijvey Anderson for the editor of The 6tax of Zion; Dr, A. J. iGorham for For., eign Missions; Dr. C-’L. Alexander for Secretary of A. M. E1. Zdon Le* gion of Financiers, Dr. S. P. Cooke,, for Secretary of A. M, E. Zion Min isterial Brotherhood and Rev. W. T. Beck for Ter Centenary. Prominent pastors in ervddenee were Dr. P. A. Wallace, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Dr. W. J. Walls, Louisville. Ky.; Dr H. J. Johnson, Ithaca, N_ Y.; Dr. L. T. Conquest, Detroit. Michigan; Dr. J. Fulford Williams,, of Henderson, North Carolina; Dr; W. C. Brown and Dr. W. D. Battle, and Dr. J, T. Moppins and J*rof. S. M .Dudley, Washington, D.'C.; Rev. ^Lieut. A. H. Hatwood, Charlotte^. North Carolina. Great sermons were delivered at; the seat of the conference by Rev. W. J. Hines, D. D., annual sermon.. Wednesday might by Dr ±. J. Mop. pins; Thanksgiving sermon Thurs_ day night, Rev. W. J. Walls; Educa tional sermon Friday night, Dr. P.. A. Wallace, 11 A. M. Sunday; Dr J. W. Martin, 3, P. >M.; Dr. J. Harvejr Anderson also preached at 11 A. M., at the Presbyterian church, Rev. A, A. Hector Pastor. Dr. I/. T. Con. .quest delivered the missionary ser mon Monday night. The local choir was assisted Sun day 3 P. M., by the choir of the.MeW ropolitan A. M. E. Zion church o£ Norfolk, Va., Oak Street A. M. E. Zi_ on church of Petersburg, Va., Fifth. St. Baptist church and the A. M. E. church both of Rchmond, Va. The finances as shown by the re ports ran ahead of the schedules. The Ter Centenary Drive went u^, into the thousands by cash and sub scriptions. The General claims were all in excess of the scheduled amts_ The conference totaled for the year $110,000. The Sunday offering: amounted to over $500. The con. ferenee is divided Into three districts manned by efficient and able officers^ Norfolk district, Dr. S. P. Cooke; Petersburg district, Dr. M. F. Greg ory; Victory district, Rev. T. J. Wil liamson. The teaming Missionary spirits are:' Mrs. Nannie Brooks and Mrs. Mollie Jones of Petersburg; and. Mrs. JiA F. Gregory, of Berkley. “(Other names will appear Sn con_ ferenee wnite.ups by the reporter*.) The entertainment of the confer ence by Dr. P. R. Flack and his cul tured congregation was excellent, .ueais were served at t'he church and the homing accommodations were superu, uie Ricnmond citizens own. ing and possessing very fine homes supported by a large line of business uiiu' saiileu labor, professional an t other industries for which Richmond ,s famous. The Stewardess Board of the A. M. E. Church fed the con ference sumptuously one day. Bishop T. L. Blackwell was at his best and happy. Drs. Wallace and Martin were good assistants to him in the conduction of the conference. It id not an easy matter to flatter Bishop jBlackwell by praise and compliment. He is all that can be sincerely said about him. In another way we will speak more definitely of Hood Tem ple A. M. E. Zion Church, the Rev* F*. R. Fia£k and of his work present* ing cum or%imself, church and par. sonage. Following is the program of welcome. Wednesday 8 P. M.. Devotional Exercises. Annual Sermon by Rev W. J. Hines, l>. D. Welcome Addresses— On behalf of Hood Temple church, Dr. W. J. Pettis. On behalf of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. A. A. Hector, D. D. On behalf of the A. M. E. Church. Rev M. E. Davis, D. d. On behalf of the M. E. Church. Rev. C. C. Gill, D. D. On behalf of the Baptist Church. Rev. T. J. King, D. d. On behalf of colored citizens, Hon. Giles B. Jackson On behalf of societies, Dr. W. M. H. Smith. On behalf of town, Mayor George Ainslie. Responses, members of the Con. ferenee and the Bishop. Bishop Blackwell conducted his proverbial “School of the Prophets,” alloting one occasion to Dr. Sterling Brown, Professor in Howard Unirer-* (Continued to Page 7) ‘ 'T f
The Star of Zion (Charlotte, N.C.)
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