Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/318

310 Petty being absent a while after the Conference had convened. He has served in other prominent positions in church councils. He was transferred, in November, 1888, from the S. C. Conference to the Allegheny Conference, and is now serving as pastor of the John Wesley A. M. E. Zion church in Pittsburg, Pa.

His career as a public writer began in 1877. Among his first contributions to The Star of Zion was a poem, entitled "In Memoriam of C. D. Stewart," who was a fellow college-mate. The poem was dedicated to Miss Julia Eagles, the young lady to whom Mr. Stewart was affianced.

His active career as an editor began with his service of seven years upon the editorial staff of The Star of Zion. He has written for such Anglo-Saxon journals as The New York Weekly Witness, The Centenary, The Charleston Sun, News and Courier, and others equally prominent. His article to The A. M. E. Review on "The Pulpit and School-room" was very highly commended.

The Afro-American Spokesman, of which he is now editor, is the only paper published among the Afro-Americans of Pittsburg and Allegheny City. It is supported by a stock company, composed principally of the ministers of the city. It began operations on the 30th of May without a subscriber or helper, except those of the stock company with their capital shares.

Mr. Clinton, as a writer, is clean, with great simplicity of style. He uses his descriptive powers to much advantage. If he continues in journalism, he is destined to be one of the foremost writers of his race. In entering upon his work as editor of The Spokesman, Mr. Clinton says: "While we shall devote adequate space to the religious doings of our people and give church work its due recognition, we shall consider ourselves at liberty, and to be in keeping with the aim and purpose of the paper, to give a reason of the faith