Educational Convention of Colored Men in Georgia
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Title
Educational Convention of Colored Men in Georgia
Description
A report on the 1877 Georgia State Educational Convention of Colored Men held in Hawkinsville published in the Georgia Weekly Telegraph and Georgia Journal & Messenger (October 30, 1877)
Source
From Gale. 19th Century U.S. Newspapers. ©2008 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, Inc. Reproduced by permission. www.cengage.com/permissions
Publisher
Georgia Weekly Telegraph and Georgia Journal & Messenger
Date
1877-10-30
Type
Newspaper article
Scripto
Transcription
[PAGE 1]
Educational Convention of Colored Men in Georgia. Editors Telegraph and Messenger: - For some time past a notice had been circulated for the assembling of the above named convention at Hawkinsville, Ga, October 17th, and the pastors of the African M. E. church in this State were notified by their Bishop J. P. Campbell D. D., that all were expected to read original papers upon the subjects annexed to their names. Upon the day before, most of the delegates with the Bishop had arrived; and to expedite business a temporary organization was effected. The Bishop in his preliminary remarks congratulated the brethren upon the favorable aspect of affairs in Georgia - remarking that ten years ago there was almost total darkness upon points of education, but to-day we see the happy results of the persistent effort in this direction. These results have been brought about chiefly by the great liberality of the State and our numerous friends abroad and at home, and at this time their interest in us is stronger than ever. Let us, then, so improve our time here that our action
[PAGE 2]
shall merit the approbation of our own consciences, of all good men, and of God, the Judge of all. Rev. Andrew Brown, Presiding Elder, said, among other things, that ten years ago, upon the Atlanta District, there was but one man who could keep a minute of its transactions, and then the record had to be read while it was hot, for if it ever cooled down, it could never be read again. But now, there is scarcely a man among us who is not, besides reading and writing, considerably advanced in the course of studies prescribed to candidates for the ministry. Among the papers read before the convention those of Rev. W. H. Noble on “Baptism;” Rev. W. J. Gaines upon “A Successful Ministry;” Rev. James Porter upon "Educational Advancement;” Rev. S. H. Robertson upon “Money and Trade;” Rev. R. Harper upon “Temperance” were highly commendable. They were made to bear directly upon the present condition of the colored people in this State; and for style of composition and delivery, research and general adaptation were truly wonderful. Their originality was clearly discernible from sparks here and there of those peculiarities which are common to the negro. But for general finish, valuable data and statistics those papers, if preserved, cannot fail of interest, being the advance thoughts of that race whose destiny has been the problem of our age.
[PAGE 3]
The Convention closed on Friday afternoon, after a session of three days. It adopted resolutions for the early establishment of a higher Normal School for the colored people of Georgia, and appointed delegates to meet the North Georgia Conference at Eatonton, December 5, to ask that the Conference so to dispose of its school arrangements as to co-operate with the South Georgia people in providing one ample institution for the State. Bishop Campbell preached a strong sermon before the Convention upon "The Future of the Negro." He endeavored to show that after a long dispersion of the races, America is the grand land where all nations are to receive the common blessings of the gospel, and from this center he believes, and through the English language, these blessings will be given to the world. There were about forty delegates present, and all expressed themselves well pleased with the church and community of Hawkinsville, irrespective of color. The Mayor, Judge, Clerk of the Court and several white ministers visited the Convention. W. [/deletion] W.D. Johnson, Pastor of the A.M.E. M. E. Church, Macon.
Educational Convention of Colored Men in Georgia. Editors Telegraph and Messenger: - For some time past a notice had been circulated for the assembling of the above named convention at Hawkinsville, Ga, October 17th, and the pastors of the African M. E. church in this State were notified by their Bishop J. P. Campbell D. D., that all were expected to read original papers upon the subjects annexed to their names. Upon the day before, most of the delegates with the Bishop had arrived; and to expedite business a temporary organization was effected. The Bishop in his preliminary remarks congratulated the brethren upon the favorable aspect of affairs in Georgia - remarking that ten years ago there was almost total darkness upon points of education, but to-day we see the happy results of the persistent effort in this direction. These results have been brought about chiefly by the great liberality of the State and our numerous friends abroad and at home, and at this time their interest in us is stronger than ever. Let us, then, so improve our time here that our action
[PAGE 2]
shall merit the approbation of our own consciences, of all good men, and of God, the Judge of all. Rev. Andrew Brown, Presiding Elder, said, among other things, that ten years ago, upon the Atlanta District, there was but one man who could keep a minute of its transactions, and then the record had to be read while it was hot, for if it ever cooled down, it could never be read again. But now, there is scarcely a man among us who is not, besides reading and writing, considerably advanced in the course of studies prescribed to candidates for the ministry. Among the papers read before the convention those of Rev. W. H. Noble on “Baptism;” Rev. W. J. Gaines upon “A Successful Ministry;” Rev. James Porter upon "Educational Advancement;” Rev. S. H. Robertson upon “Money and Trade;” Rev. R. Harper upon “Temperance” were highly commendable. They were made to bear directly upon the present condition of the colored people in this State; and for style of composition and delivery, research and general adaptation were truly wonderful. Their originality was clearly discernible from sparks here and there of those peculiarities which are common to the negro. But for general finish, valuable data and statistics those papers, if preserved, cannot fail of interest, being the advance thoughts of that race whose destiny has been the problem of our age.
[PAGE 3]
The Convention closed on Friday afternoon, after a session of three days. It adopted resolutions for the early establishment of a higher Normal School for the colored people of Georgia, and appointed delegates to meet the North Georgia Conference at Eatonton, December 5, to ask that the Conference so to dispose of its school arrangements as to co-operate with the South Georgia people in providing one ample institution for the State. Bishop Campbell preached a strong sermon before the Convention upon "The Future of the Negro." He endeavored to show that after a long dispersion of the races, America is the grand land where all nations are to receive the common blessings of the gospel, and from this center he believes, and through the English language, these blessings will be given to the world. There were about forty delegates present, and all expressed themselves well pleased with the church and community of Hawkinsville, irrespective of color. The Mayor, Judge, Clerk of the Court and several white ministers visited the Convention. W. [/deletion] W.D. Johnson, Pastor of the A.M.E. M. E. Church, Macon.
Convention Minutes Item Type Metadata
Convention Type
State Convention
City
Hawkinsville
State
GA
Country
USA
Start Date
1877-10-17
Contributor
This transcription is the combination of work from more than 4,500 people who volunteered during the 2022 celebration of Douglass Day, held in partnership with Zooniverse.
Event ID
1877.GA-10.17.HAWK
Citation
“Educational Convention of Colored Men in Georgia,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/1689.