Atlanta Daily World

His Hat's In Ring

REV. J. WESLEY THOMAS, Pastor, Warren Memorial Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, who yielding to the wishes of a number of close friends and associates in all stations of life, religious and secular, announced his candidacy for Episcopal honors at the approaching quadrennial conference of the Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church, scheduled to get underway at Greensboro, N. C. on Thursday morning, June 8.

The Rev. Mr. Thomas announced his candidacy in the presence of a few close friends from his parsonage Sunday morning preceding his 11 o'clock services.

Dr. Thomas set forth a number of grounds upon which he believes the Central Jurisdiction should make its choice and elevate him to the Episcopacy after many years of fruitful and faithful service to Methodism in all sections of America:

"He is the son of a Methodist parsonage, emanating from a family of preachers; his high literary attainment ranks among the best in our present-day leadership. He was graduated with distinction from Claflin College. He is a builder and in his 22 years in the ministry has built three churches, the last of which is the great Warren Memorial Methodist Church just completed and one of the finest parsonages in the Central Jurisdiction. Within three and one half years he secured the beautiful site and built the modern church edifice valued at around $75,000. Dr. Thomas has shown in himself a rare combination of pastor, builder and preacher. He is a preacher and brother beloved. His friends refer to him as a pastor, a preacher, builder, and an orator of the first water. Dr. Thomas says 'a vote for him is a vote for freedom and democracy in the Central Jurisdiction.'"-(adv.)