The Africo - American Presbyterian. Established in 1879. CONSOLIDATED WITH TEE SOUTHERN EVANGEUST. Rot. H. L. McCROREY, d. d. ll. d., Editor. W. E. HILL, Associate Editor. Rov. C. P. PITCHFORD, Business Manager. Devoted to the Educational, Mate rial, Moral and Religious interest* of our people in the South, and pub lished at Charlotte, N. C., every Thursday. All questions arising under the varioui subjects above indicated are discussed from a Christian point ol view. Each number contains the freshest and best news from the Southern field and from the Church at large. There is carefully select ed reading matter suited to all class es of our people—the farmer, the mechanic, the artisan and the pro fessional man. The Sabbath School and Mission ary causes will receive special at tention. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Single copy one year-$1.6C Six months -- -78 Three months - -6C RATES OF ADVERTISING. Given on Application. We earnestly ask the sympathy and prayers of our brethren and friends at large in order that oui efforts in this enterprise may be crowned with success. AGENTS WANTED—to whom a liberal commission will be paid. Send all money by P. O. Money Order, Registered Letter or Bank Check, otherwise it might get lost and the sender alone will be respon Bible. __ Entered at the Postoffice at Char lotte, N. C., as seopnd class matter. THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 1925 MINISTERIAL CHANGES Among recent ministerial changes we note that Rev. W. J. Nelson has gone from our church at Ridgeway to Good will church, near Mayesville, S. Cm and Dr. C. A. Ward from Newport News, Va., to Toledo, Ohio. Both Rev. Nelson and Dr. Ward are strong, energetic preachers and had marked suc cess in their former fields. Goodwill church boasts the largest membership of any of our Southern churches, and has a long and interesting history. For many years it was served by Dr. I. D. Davis, eloquent preacher and sweet singer, who succeeded the late Dr. M. G. Johnson at Ladson church, Co lumbia. The Carver Memorial church in Newport News, is one of the best in Virginia. Dr. Ward leaves a fine church edifice and a united congregation that wanted him to stay. He was a factor ifi all phases of our church work, and we in the South shall greatly miss him. He carries to his new charge the best wishes of all his min isterial brethren and a large circle of other friends. AN EPITHALAMION: DR. JOHN M. GASTON’S MARRIAGE. A Polyphonic Prose Poem (Written December 12th, 1925) By Rev. Yorke Jones, D. D., Author of “Gold and Incense.” Ham, ’tis good to be named—“John.” In the Book, note two great Johns: Him who said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” And him who had Patmos visions. Strewn through the ages are great Johns— Princes in the Kingdom of God, Who went on swift feet beautiful— Feet “beautiful upon the moun tains:” i There was John Chrysostom, ■ John Wycliffe, John Huss, John Cal vin, John Knox, John Bunyan, John Wes ' ley, And hew' world John Witherspoon, And the great John who died for thee— John Brown. On feet “beautiful upon the moun tains,” Going hither and thither on labors of love, Not dying, but living for thee, Ham, To break fetters off the soul of thine, There is another great John— John Gaston— Whom thou, Ham, dost love! Anent him, thy great John, Ham, Southward upon thine ears attent A North-born wind hath a message borne. And thin the message Is: Whereas, aforetime, thy great John Was alone what time went he hither And thither, in his labors for thee of love, Latterly it hath come to pass He hath linked his hand masterful In a gentle, queenly hand— One name and roof the same, Hereafter, to suffice for him and her. And Ham, thou art glad! Thou art glad with and for him and her! CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WILSON, N. C., RAISES $1207.20. In a financial campaign just brought to a close the Calvary Presbyterian church, of Wilson, N. C., realized $1207.20. In this supreme effort the members and friends worked most admirably to the end that the standard of Calvary might not be lowered. The official body cannot be com mended too highly for its care ful and prayerful planning of the campaign, and following it up with unrelenting toil and endeavor. Nor can one forget the tremendous sacrifice made by the officials and the bulk of the members. In this period of retrenchment there was a little doubt as to whether the church could maintain its past stand ard. “We strengthened our stakes; lengthened our cords; and enlarged our plans and gifts.” A new standard was set. The object of the campaign was to clear some outstanding obli gations and to pave the way for the erection of a manse in the near future. The Missionary Society, one of the most energetic and potent organizations in the church, is doing effective work in the community. Its members are “evangels of mercy” to the needy. The society contributes largely to the support of Home and Foreign Missions. Its regular weekly meetings are a source of inspiration and infor mation to all who attend. On Thanksgiving Day this so ciety served a dinner and the sum of $65 was realized. On December 4th the society rendered “The Reverend Day ton Up to Date” to an appreci ative audience. The characters deported themselves nicely. in the recent financial cam paign this group contributed nearly $150. On Thursday, December 10, the district meeting of the Pres byterial Society was held with the local organization. This dis trict is composed of Rocky Mount, Elm City, Wilson, Smithfield and Goldsboro. Mrs. S. C. Baskerville, of Rocky Mount, is the leader. This was the first meeting and the time was spent largely in setting the machinery in order. The group pledged itself to try to set up an organization in every church in the ditrict. These meetings are to be held fre quently. The Sunday school depart ment recently presented to the church 10(T new hymnals, re vised edition, at a cost of $162. These Hymnals will be formally dedicated the fourth Sunday night in December. The Intermediate class of boys is elated at having Mr. Bill Hines, a successful young bus iness man, as teacher. Frederick Reid was re-elect ed head of the Pioneers. Bill Jones is the new Secretary.. A Quartette from this group will soon make its initial appear ance. John Burns Jackson is the new President of the Y. M. B. C. In addition to its prescribed activities this group is doing a lot of reading with a view to giving a synopsis of what each one reads. The “Radiogram” is the name of the news letter the Friendly Church on the Corner sends out frequently to all of the Wilson students who are away in school.' This letter carries a pastoral "message; the activities of the clubs; the activities of the local schools, etc. The Light Bearers, under the leadership of Miss Willie Har grove, will render a literary and musical program Sunday night, December 20th. Rev. George preached to the faculty and student body of Bricks Junior College Sunday morning, December 13th. Rev. Fred Davis, a local Baptist min ister, filled his pulpit. THE SCRIBE. MI§|lONARY ACTIVITIES IN AMELIA COUNTY, VA. Rev. W. H. Freeland, of the ! Russell Grove Presbyterian church, Amelia, Va., addresses' the Ladies’ County Missionary Circle at Allen Memorial church, Jetersville, Va., November 29. Mrs. W. J. Wright, presiding, called the meeting to order at 2 o’clock P. M., and introduced the following program: The Rev. W. H. Shepperson, pastor of the church, read the 3rd chapter of John and led in prayer. Congregational Singing, “if Jesus Goes With Me I’ll Go.” Roll Call—Russell Qrove, Oak Grove, Huntington Mission, Albrights and Allen Memorial reporting present. Welcome address, Mrs. Sarah Page Brown. Response, Mrs. M. J. Wright, President. The Russell Grove choir sang, “Let the Gospel Light Shine Out.” Mrs. Claire Pearon Alter, Preceptress of Ingleside Semi nary, and Misses Frances Craine and Bertha Tate, teach ers in the same school, were in troduced. Mrs. Alter made a short address in which she told of the importance of all work ing together in the spirit of love and harmony for the ob taining of the proper results. We thanked Mrs. Alter for her interesting remarks. Mrs. M. J. Wright then an nounced the speaker, Rev. W. H. Freeland, who had for his subject, “Money.” He empha sized our financial duty to the church, urging the necessity of each member paying the $1.63 per capita which every member of the Presbyterian Church is asked to give as benevolence. His address was timely and in structive, and, we are sure, will bring forth fruit. There was a song, “Speed Away,” by the Ingleside Quar tette. This Quartette consists of Miss Evelyn L. Reasor, Miss Wilbert McLaughlin and oth ers. Address, Miss Josie Morgan, of the Virginia Normal and In dustrial Institute, Petersburg, Va. Her subject was “A Chal* lenge to the Present Day Negro Woman.” Miss Morgan did jus tice to her subject and was heartily applauded. Select reading, Miss Annie R. Vaughn, Albrights. Solo, Miss Madeline M; M. Thompkins, of the Oak Grove Missionary Society. An appeal for a strong collec tion was made by Mrs. S. V. Thompkins, of the Huntington Mission, Mannboro, Va. The re sponse was liberal beyond ex pectation, with the Rev. Charles Pitchford presenting the first dollar. Others whose names we present, gave a dollar: Mrs. Alice Pitchford, Mr. Clarence Wright, Mrs. M. J. Wright, Miss Hattie Post, Mrs. Fannie Wil kerson, Mrs. Nannie Swann, Mrs. Maggie Swann, Mrs. Sarah P. Brown, Mr. Edwin Thomp kins, Mrs. S. V. Thompkins, Mr. David Thompkins and oth ers whose names could not be gotten. The collection was fine. Duet, the Misses Evelyn Rea sor and Wilbert McLaughlin, of the Ingleside Quartette. Miss Frances Craine was organist for the Ingleside sing ers. Song, Allen Memorial Quar tette. Remarks, Rev. W. H. Shep person. Closing hymn, “Blest' Be the Tie That Binds.” As on most occasions , Mr. Clarence Wright presided at the orgian. Our next place of meeting will be the Big Oak church the fifth Sunday in January, 1926. Our very highly esteemed Rev. T. H. Lackland, of the So. Vir ginia Presbytery , will make the principal address. Mrs. Claire Pearson Alter ex tended invitation to the “Circle” to be the guest of Ingleside Seminary in its Spring meeting which invitation was .accepted joyfully. SARAH V. THOMPKINS, Secretary. During the. past two weeks, Dr. J. M. Gaston, accompanied by Mrs. Gaston, has visited several of our schools. This was Mrs. Gaston's first visit South. The workers were de lighted with her. ECHOES FROM LOUISVILLeT (Continued from page 1) chastened you! Surely her efforts were hot in vain, for in her ill ness she could call each by name and say how kind and con siderate you had been. You poured out your love, affection, gratitude for her and these were enough. Surely this made her departure more seemly, more satisfying. It was easier to depart and be with her Lord which is far better. Departed from the boy friend of her ear ly childhood; departed from the gallant youth who won her heart, departed from the hus band of her joys and sorrows. One pouring forth her sym pathy on one occasion said: “I have a pain in my sister's side.” •This characterized the life of our sister here. Her neighbors’ pains and sufferings Were hers. Living so long in one neighbor hood, and known as a good neighbor testifies to the fact that she was a good neighbor. As I went to see her during her illness, her neighbors in 32nd street would stop me and in quire as to her state. On Mon day a little boy halted in his skating to know when Mrs. Buckner would be brought home. She has departed from the neighborhood. She will be missed. There are those here who were her friends from child hood. The way over which you trod together was beautiful. It is more beautiful today than ever, for you see it afar; you see it as those whose he(arts are more tender at this mo ment than ever before. 0, how she loved you! How she loved you. This is the time of her departure. Some day you shall be with her when all the beau tiful things you did and said may be lived more happily than here. When you were ill or in trouble did she say in action: “I have a pain in my sister’s side.” Sympathy is the true mark of the Christian, the mark of the Christian. When the hearts of Mary and Martha were broken because of the death of their brother, it was sympathy that rolled away the stone. A little boy looking on a funeral procession, it was a wife and mother, noted how crushed was the spirit of her husband and father and how halting was the step. It reached the heart of the little fellow. He left his play and stole up to he broken-hearted man, and taking him by the two hands, walked with him silently to the tomb. This dear woman knew how to sympathize with the broken-hearted. Her Lord had taught her and she learned the lesson well. Departed from the ways of sympathy!! The time of my departure from the church is at hand. Re moved from the church, sepa rated from the visible, moved on to the invisible body of the saints. How she loved the church! Great was her devo tion! Was it worthwhile?—fif ty-five years in the service of Christ—a longer life than most of us live here! Was it worth while? I can show you in one instance that is was worthwhile. At the recent congregational meeting when the matter of sell ing this church property was being discusesd she arose with broken voice and dimmed eyes and declared how she loved the spot and how reluctant she would be to leave. The pastor and others attempted to show her how necessary it was so to do and how it would mean the broadening of the life o fthe church and especially to those who had come up with it she seemed to be relieved and sat isfied. This is the mark of a Christian. She loved her church. She has rejoiced be cause of it. She has wept because of it. She was ready to be offered up when the time of her departure was at hand. She desired, no doubt, to depart and be with her Lord. Her death is her graduation day* It is the commencement of her real life when she will enter into the fellowship with spirits of just men made perfect, the ideal socialism of heaven, and into the service of eternity. “Death releases us from the lim .ita-mm cm cm cmcmm mmmm itations of this earthly environ ment and lets us out into the infinite and perfect environment of God. In union and fellow ship with Him all our powers of thought and action will find un hindered expansion and complete < satisfaction. Our intellectual faculties will roam through in finite fields of truth and tack-. Le problems of which we have < never dreamed, our esthetic • sense will bathe itself in beauty ( more grand and lovely than was ever suggested by Human 1 art or by the cloud-clapped tow- 1 ers and gorgeous palaces of the ; world, our wills will hitch 1 themselves to celestial stars of 1 duty and service, our affec tional nature will be satisfied with the perfect society of per fect' spirits, and our sense of dependent childhood and yearn ing for a Father will be cra dled in the Everlasting Ark, close to the loving heart of God.” “For we know that if the earthly house of our taberna cle be dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” “There is no death! The stars go down To rise upon some fairer shore, And bright in heaven’s jeweled crown They shine forevermore. And ever near us though un seen, The dear immortal spirits tread For all the boundless Universe; In life there are no dead.” God’s Studio. I John 3:2. You go into an artist’s stu dio, and all about the walls are fragments of pictures,. blotches of paint, suggestions of scenes, mere hints, and you say, “You call this man an artist?” But your friend replies: “You are only in his studio; these are only his sketches; these are his unfin ished works; if you want to know what he means, you must go to the gtalleries where his finished pictures are gathered.” This world is God’s studio. There are sketches, blotches of what is to be; but the finished work is gone, it is not here; when the picture is ready, it is taken to a higher gallery and a nobler service. The best saint on earth is like a potted plant; when the roots get too great tor the pot, and the gardener sees that the pot, which has in tended to preserve it is dwarf ing and killing it, he breaks the pot, and takes the plant out and transplants it. “To those everlasting gardens Where seraphs walk and angels are the wardens.” The time for departure draweth near. Paul has made the voyage and is gathered home. Sister Buckner has made the voyage, had a longer period of service to Christ than did the Apostle. She, too, is with Him. During the stormy days of the Civil War a gov ernment vessel sought to enter the harbor of St. Augustine from the ocean side. A severe storm prevailed. It was early morn. The wind blew a gale. Huge waves lifted and rolled. The unwieldy steamer rolled, swayed, creaked. A group of office’s sijood on the forward deck The snowy crest of waves on the confronting bar seemed to shake defiance at the ven turesome voyagers, forbidding their progress. Yet there was firm hope among the watchers, for they trusted in Him to whom their lives had been committed. Far forward, in the eyes of the steamers bow, clinging to an iron girt stanchion, stood the sturdy, weather-beaten old pi lot of the port. Before pilot and watchers, out' of the reach of the storm, on the far shore of the sheltered bay, there lay in the morning light, the quaint old Spanish city, and none of the steamer’s deck had doubt that they would reach the port, for the pilot whom they trusted was a very present help in trou ble.” “One who has known in storms to sail I have on board; Above the raging of the gale I hear my Lord. He holds me when the billows smite, I shall not fall. If sharp, ’tis short; if long, ’tis light; He tempers all. Safe to the land, safe to the land, The end is this; And then with Him go hand in hand Far into bliss.” as < Continued from did; not deem it fail the Editor with piaci ofthe school in the A months’ subscriptioi taken, one to come to the ary Society, one to the Research Society, and one to the C. E. So ciety. The bas idly gettinj to play ma season ends. The students of the Normal Department'1 have organized a society known as “The Research Society.” The aim of the organ ization is to do research work, declare war on slang anc( bad English, and advocate whole some and decent literature. Miss Beatrice Wilson, a mem ber ofthe second year Normal, on account of continued illness, has been forced to give up school for a while and.han gone to her home in Georgetown, Ky., to take treatment under her family physician., We hope for her an early recovery and return. . .;.. Miss Kinchlow and Miss Cal iman. both teachers in Fee, spent Thanksgiving in Bowling Green and Richmond* Ky., re spectively. \ Much surprise as well as much joy was given us a few days ago when Rev. Mc^ajr an nounced that he had added a new feature to Fee. He stated that after seeing some local friends, he has been able to make the following offer: that the girl finishing the Normal Department with the highest honor, provided her average in deportment is not below 98 per cent and her average is not be low 75 per cent in any one sub ject will have her way paid through some institution dur ing the summer, and will have the honor of being one of the teachers in Fee the coming term. He states that he hopes to give some of the exceptional ly bright girls an opportunity to teach in Fee, but’ not until they have done extra work in some noted school. Since this announcement every girt has determined to win this honor. Mrs. McNair has begun to practice the primary and grammar grades for an exer cise to be had during the Christa mas holidays. The Quartet sang for the Baptist church last Sabbath and gave a good account of them selves as usual. Our friends have already be gun to speak of our site as “College Hill,” and we hope this is only an indication of what’ the future has in store for the school. A school bank has been or ganized among the students and the following are the officers: President, Mary F. Mitchell; Cashier, Ada B. West ; Auditor, Eddie M. Harris; Board of Di rectors; Nina M. Henry, Willie M. Walker, Cleo Ramseur, Mil dred Gray and Winston Miller. BOGGS ACADEMY, KEYS VILLE, GA. On Founder’s Day, December 8, we were delighted to have an inspiring address by Mr. W. L. Hughes, of Dublin, Ga. This ad dress was so helpful that we are hoping to have another ad dress from this splendid speak er soon. Boggs Academy is pleased to offer the following courses this term: Literary, Musical, Com mercial and Industrial. Stu dents are making splendid pro gress in all the courses. Preparations are already be ing made for the Christmas ex ercises which are to be held on Christmas Eve. Plans are being made to try to make the ser vices during the Week of Prayer unusually helpful. Boggs Academy opened its eighteenth term the last of Sep tember with a corps of ten ef ficient teachers. The enrollment was large and is still growing. This promises to be one of the best terms in the history of the scnooi. Our Principal, Rev. J. L. Phelps, seems to be just as full of energy as he was before his long and serious illness. The five churches and two schools under his care seem to have taken on new life since the Fall saeson opened. 7 Several improvements have (Continued on page 3)