he Negro pulpit. Now as in the past the Negro
pulpit constitutes the true leadership of the race.

Having been the pioneer in almost every race uplifting enterprise it
will ever heartily co-operate with those who have come along in the
paths blazed out by the Negro pulpit until the race shall take its
place among the foremost peoples of the earth in every good work for
the advancement of man and for the glory of God.

SECOND PAPER.

TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE NEGRO PULPIT UPLIFTING THE RACE?

BY REV. J. B. L. WILLIAMS, D. D.

[Illustration: J. B. L. Williams, D. D.]

REV. JOHN B. L. WILLIAMS, D. D.

Rev. John B. L. Williams, D. D., was born in Baltimore, Md.,
November 22, 1853. His parents, John W. Williams and
Elizabeth Williams, were examples of piety, and were of
prominent family connections in Baltimore. At an early age
he was placed in a Roman Catholic School. Later in life he
attended the city public schools and Douglass Institute. At
17 he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal
church. At 18 he was divinely impressed with a call to the
ministry. At 19 he became an apprentice at cabinet work and
undertaking and completing his apprenticeship engaged in
business for three years in Baltimore. In his 22d year he
was licensed to preach by the Quarterly conference of John
Wesley M. E. Church in Baltimore.

In March, 1876, he abandoned his business and left Baltimore
to accept an appointment at Oak Hill, Ga. The same year he
joined the Savannah Conference in its organization by Bishop
Levi Scott, and he has rendered efficient service in the
leading charges of the Conference: Newnan, three years; Loyd
Street, Atlanta, one year; Presiding Elder Atlanta District,
four years; M. E. Church at LaGrange, five years. He was
honored by his brethren to the election of secretary of the
Conference fifteen successive years. While pastor at Newnan
he was principal of the city public school. At LaGrange he
served two years as a member of the faculty of LaGrange
Seminary and one year its principal. In 1882 he entered
Clark University, taking studies in the college preparatory
course. The same year he entered Gammon Theological Seminary
and graduated in 1885 with honor. In 1891 he was transferred
by Bishop H. W. Warren to the Florida Conference to take