On May 7 the ministers listened to what they declared the finest addresses ever heard, delivered by Dr. Isaac N. Ross of Baltimore, Md., and Dr. W. H. Mixon, Selma, Ala. It is believed by all present at the time that Dr. N. Ross’s address had a great influence on the ballots cast in his favor in the race for Bishop.
On May 8 the big fight started for the election of Bishops. Many ministers and Bishops did not endorse an elevation of any more clergymen to the bench, as they felt that their present number could take care of the business and under the existing unsettled conditions and increasing expenses that it would not be advisable; but the sentiment among the majority was so strong for new Bishops that the Episcopal Committee passed on the election of two.
Fifty-three ministers entered the race. They began a systematical campaign. Three or four districts had their headquarters together and they kept a printer busy day and night putting out all manner of cards and pamphlets explaining why each of the fifty-three individuals would be best suited for Bishop.
After weeks of campaigning two Bishops were finally elected. Before the ballots were cast Rev. R. C. Ransom asked for prayer and Bishop Parks prayed. It would be a hard matter to eradicate from the minds of Bishops, candidates, delegates, and visitors that fifteen minutes of prayer. All minds were lifted to higher planes and the two weeks of campaigning were forgotten along with personal aims and selfish ambitions as they turned their thoughts to God and voted for the men whom they sincerely believed would help make his kingdom on earth what he would have it to be.
The ministers elevated to the bench were Revs. I. N. Ross and W. W. Beckett.
Rev. Dr. Beckett was born in Edisto Island in 1856, and was educated at Clarke University and Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Ga. From 1908 he served as missionary secretary of the A. M. E. Missionary Board. How well his services to his Church were appreciated was shown in his elevation.
Rev. Dr. Ross comes from a grand old Tennessee family. Four of his brothers, now deceased, were A. M. E. ministers. He served the Church since 1880 as pastor. His fame as an orator and his faithful and tender leadership over the flocks that he was appointed to lead were two chief factors that stood out in his success.
The National Republican Convention
This issue of the Half-Century was delayed so as to include a review of the proceedings of the National Republican Convention which assembled in this city on June 7th.
From a Racial standpoint the convention was somewhat a disappointment, as it furnished conclusive proof that the Negro is gradually, but surely, being eliminated from National Politics. For notwithstanding practically all of the “old guards” of the race were here—they were principally “hangers-on”—members of the “third house,” or contestants, as but few of them were regular delegates or even alternates.