Clifton Conference

[1] The conference began with devotional services led by Reverend A. C. Dixon and Bishop Willard Francis Mallalieu.

This was followed by status reports from members of the Association's executive committee, and discussions on ways to address the needs and difficulties of Sunday school teachers in the districts represented by the participants.

The Portsmouth Herald reported that by this point, the Clifton Conference had become an eagerly anticipated event for Sunday school workers in Massachusetts.

[4] Nearly 300 workers "from all parts of the commonwealth" attended the conference, representing many denominations and around 1,900 schools; they included ministers and superintendents; about half the attendees were women.

[8][10] Historian Sally McMillen described the conference as a "small and exclusive gathering" of leaders who were "renowned in Sunday school and church circles".

[9][10] The conference issued a unanimous declaration: (1) That we gratefully recognize the phenomenal progress of the Negro race since emancipation, and the excellent work that is being done by the educational institutions for the Negro in Bible instruction; (2) That the fundamental need in the present condition of the Negro is the development of right moral motives and high standards in the mass of the race; (3) That the permanent uplifting of the race must be through the moral and religious instruction of the children and youth in their homes, schools, and churches; (4) That the Sunday-school, when properly organized and conducted, is a great and effective agency for imparting the principles of the Christian religion and the saving knowledge of God's Word.

[12] The conference was highly regarded by Bishop George W. Clinton of the AME Zion Church, who stated that it was "the best thing that has been done for us, the colored people, since Abraham Lincoln wrote his emancipation proclamation.

"[11] Alexander's Magazine, in its September 15 issue, covered the conference in great detail and praised Hartshorn's plan as "one of the most liberal and far-reaching" proposals presented.