Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / May 3, 1928, edition 1 / Page 1
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"AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE MAKE YOU FREE.”—John viii, 35. CHARLOTTE, N. C. MAY 3, 1928. PROMOTING WEEK-DAY BIBLE SCHOOL (Paper read at tbe Missionary Conference held at Selden Insti tute, Brunswick, Ga., February 7-10). s By Her, L. R. Taylor. I. What is a Week-Day Bible School? 1. It is a school where Chris tian public school teachers agree to take and use the “Manual” of Week-Day Bible Lessons, giving Bible instruction to the pupils at least one hour per week. Z. This "Manual has Scrip ture memory work for pupils of different ages, hymns to be memorized, Bible questions and answers, prayers for children to memorize, selected Bible passag. es to be read in opening the school, Bible drilling and many points of value in its wide scope which words cannot adequately describe. - 3. It is a hand at the fork of the road, a sign board on life's high way, the saint's sure guide, humanity’s salvation. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy, for it is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. In a public school a few days ago, the teacher called on me to speak to the children. The en rollment of the school was about 75, so I asked to see the hands of those who go to Sunday school, and out of the 76 pupils there were 50 who held up their hands. Then I asked to see the hands of those who did not gq to Sunday school, and there we a had 25 children who said that t ifchey lived too far from the ast\urch to go to Sunday school, ggjfrt to hear the 25 children ^WhOdonotgo- to^fipnday echoed in their Bible drilling and story telling, one would think that all members of the day school were in Sunday school on Sunday. Therefore we feel that the W. D. B. S. is one of the most im portant factors in the develop ment of the youth in this our Southland. J 4. The “Manual” is adapted to age groups, correlated with educational* objectives, and de signed to meet the spiritual needs of childhood, and if we fail to promote the W. D. B. S., •we will fail at a most vital point in process of Christian nurture. No program of Christian nur ture can be satisfactorily put over unless it promotes good singing. Because of this fact, great care was exercised by Mr. J. M. Somrendike, of New York City, in selecting hymns espe cially rich in devotional quali ties in compiling the Week-Day Bible Lessons. It has been said of Martin Luther, Zwingli, and jCalvin that they sang the Reformation into the hearts of the people; therefor#, we feel that if we pro mote tirW. D. B. we sing God into the hearts of tEe youth yet unreached. Expressions from a few teach ers who use the W. D. B. L. are as follows: Prof. G. P. Austin, Principal of Linden Academy, said: “I know of no better way of help ing a child than by using this book.” Miss T. M. Bettis, whose school was seven miles away from any church last year, said: “The book does not only develop the children, but it helps me as weB.” Prof. J. J. Dortch said: “It is worth its weight in gold.” Mrs. D. F. Williams wrote: “I give one hour every afternoon, and, of course, I use the W. D. B*Prof. A. F. Doby said: “Words cannot express its value.” As Sunday school missionary, we enlisted 3d teachers last year, and found it no hard duty in enrolling 24 this year, and yet, the half has not been told. II. How and why promote Week-Day Bible Schools? ' 1. According to the program of the Board of National Mis sions* there must be first, a Sun day school Missionary, whose duty it is to see, first* the County Superintendent of Edu cation and show him what the W. D. B. S. is and what it dbes, and then get his approval. (2) The Sunday school mis sionary gathers Christian public school teachers and show them also what the W. D. B. L. is* and what it does, and have them to say that they will use it as outlined in the “Manual.” In the December number ot the Sunday School Pioneer there was a compass with several points indicating the S. S. M’s task. The first point shows new Sunday schools, and the number of churches which have resulted from such schools prove their worth. The second point shows the S. S. M. as he visits lonely homes giving out rich literature, which gives the missionary a wonderful experience. Another point shows the D,i V. B. S’s, and they are making progress by leaps and bounds; and still another point shows the School of Methods. It is encour aging to note that last year we had a larger number of young people attending the above named schools than ever before, but remember, as hundreds of young people gather in summer conferences and in D. V. B. S., there are thousands of boys and girls yet unreached, and it is this group^ far~..whicb* these Week Day Bible Schools are promoted. 3. There are 452 churches and missions with about 27,000 members. There are about 740 workers, including ministers and teachers, but there are thous ands of persons yet in the rural districts of the South', among them are children with no Bible instruction or Christian train ing. 4. In certain rural districts where the population is widely scattered it is not easy to bring the children and young people together for a Sunday school. To meet this situation, and in order that these children may not be denied some Bible teaching and character training, our attention has been directed to the fact that many of our public school teachers who are Christians, and who recognize the value of Bible training in education have ex pressed a willingness to devote at least an hour each week to Bi ble instruction. 5. In many instances this may lead to the demand for a regu lar Sunday session.. The work is arranged in a manner that makes it adaptable to pupils of different ages, either as out lined, or according to the judg ment of the teacher. / 6. The fact that the lessons are entirely free from any de nominational or sectarian teach ing makes it worth while. While this book is published by the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., its purpose is purely in the interest of familiarizing the boys and girls who are without the privileges of the church, with the Bible and the principles of Christian living. Next to education /the great question is character Better to know less of the world’s art and music,V its great achieve ments and outstanding accom plishments and know more about Christian . brotherhood^ and Christ’s view points. { In a letter from Mrs. L. C. Rogers, a few days ago, were these words: “Because we have and are using the W. D. B. L„ we have better pupils, better teachers, and better Bible stu dents.” Mrs. M. J. Taylor, principal and teacher of Rock Springs School which is at least 15 miles from town, said: “Were it not for theW. D. B. S„ The Ten Commandments and the Apos-i ties’ Creed, the Beatitudes and| other Bible passages would! never reach the ears of many children to say nothing about their hearts?’ Mere education does not suf fice ; it may secure bread, but not character; will develop the mind but not the soul. Therefore there is something else to be acquired together with a knowledge of what schools andj colleges have to offer. It 7s certain that unless train ing in Christian character runs! parallel with intellectual train-! ing, the future of our boys and! girls is endangered. To train! the mind and body, and leave! he spirit off, leaves man with: a very poor equipment in life. That is what Paul meant when: he said: “Though I speak with; the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am be come as sounding brass, or a: tinkling cymbal; and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have faith, so that I could re move mountains, and have not charity, T am nothing.” From the Church’s viewpoint, the end of the process of educa tion is the harmonious develop ment of body, mind and spirt, which makes a symmetrical, well-balanced, allround man, one who can stand four square, play his part in the drama of life, and face the future with every assurance that all will be well in the swdet by-and-by. Seeing, then, the importance ^theW.D. B. SChOdl, it is wise and praiseworthy that they be promoted even at the cost of sweat and blood, and we as a race and denomination, should give to the man who compiled the Week-Day Bible Lessons three cheers: one for what he has done, one for what he is do ing, and one for what he may do. Selma, Ala, YADKIN PRESBYTERY Yadkin Presbytery met at Hne Street church, Durham, April 11th, and continued through the 14th. The Presbytery convened at 8 o'clock P. M., was called to order, and the Pine Street church choir furnished some charming music. The retiring Moderator, Rev. J. E. McMillan, was assisted in the opening exercises by the pastor, Rev. W. Geo; Avant, and by Rev. J. Lee White, The retiring Moderator preached the opening "sermon from Colossians 2:10. He must have been especially inspired for the occasion; it seemed that all who heard him enjoyed it and many expressed themselves by saying, “It was indeed a power ful sermon.” The Presbytery was constitute ed with prayer. Dr. J. C. Als ton, of Winston-Salem, was chos en Moderator. Dr, J, E. Shepard extended the welcome address to the \ Presbytery, Elder W. H. Tapp extended the welcome on behalf of the church. Mrs. J. E. Avant extended a welcome on the behalf of the Missionary Society. These addresses were responded to by Drs. W. J. Ran kin and J. A. Bonner, who ac cepted the welcome in befitting terms. After the local program a splendid collection was raised, amounting to |17. At the close the delegates found their way to their homes where they were to be entertained. We werd favored by having with us Dr. A. B. McCoy, of At lanta, Ga., and Dr. L. B. West. Both of these gentlemen were accorded seats as corresponding members and spoke with timeli ness to our Presbytery. ' ■- : ' ft work Gene lowell made tc their 1 Clerk reported the the Council, which was and adopted. * tmnissioners to the Iasi Assembly, Dr. J. L. Hob d Elder A. E. Spears] p-' reports. It was in4 as they informed us of right on 'the job. Almost every! church "Was represented by anj elder, and for this reason the Presbytery was unusually large.! It was. very sad to hear the* Rev. J, A. Ramseur, who hadi worked |so faithfully for 36' years, make the request to be honorably retired. Rev. Ram-i seur preached at Sanford for a lumber of years, built a splendid! church, and for the last 8 orUO years he has been laboring at; Mooresvfile. It was indeed ^pain ful to see the old soldier of the; cross lay 4own the gospel sword,! ind say that he could not fight! ir pastor any longer. Quite a number of brethren from other denominations called in during the session and spoke! if the ttork of the Presbyterian Church, ,, . \ . 1 The Behevolence Quota was, presented Jjy the chairman, Ur.; Presbyte^ not only to accept “it? but raise it. a Dr. J. A. Bonner plead as did Dr. Russel that we would accept the quota, and do our best to raise it. The Presbytery took a standing vote to do the best they could in raising their benevo lence quota, A large number of the church es had joined the Pension Plan, which indeed was gratifying. The work of the Presbytery was smooth; there were no cloud, bursting this year. Only a few changes were recommended by the Committee on Supply. Dr. J. L. Hollowell, our Stated Clerk, is well up on the law of the Church. Everything seems to be at his finger’s ends. The ladies of the Presbytery desired to meet at a different time. When all meet together the attendance is so large they think it will be better to meet alone. We did not get an op portunity to attend this meeting, but we understand they had a fine meeting. The Pageant Friday night was grand. We were favored by hav i ing with us Miss R. C. Barr, the Field Representative of the Board of National Missions. She spoke feelingly about our work, brought to us encouragement anid consolation, and fastened the truth in our hearts by many 'stirring illustrations not to be forgotten soon. At the dose of the Pageant the North Carolina Mutual In surance Company invited the ; Presbytery to enjoy a repast with them. About one hundred and fifty persons availed them selves of that opportunity. Af ter we had assembled on the , 6th floor of the building and had been made welcome by officers | of the company, our own Pres ident of the Presbyte)rial was called on, and in well chosen words accepted the invitation on behalf of the lady delegates. Dr. |j. L. Hollowell accepted the in vitation on the part of the Pres bytery. | As far as we know the men and women left Durham with a good regression, and we hope for them great success in the < cause of the dear Master. HODGE PRESBYTERY. The Presbytery of Hodge con vened in Conyers, Ga., April 11, at the Bethany Presbyterian church, of which Rev. T. L. Kennedy is pastor. me opening sermon was preached by the retiring Moder ator, Rev. Wm. D. Wood, of Washington, Ga. His subject was “Belief in Christ,” the text being found in Acts 16:31. The Presbytery was consti tuted with prayer by Rev. J. R. Harris, of Augusta. Rev. Frank ling Gregg, of Newnan, was elected moderator, and Rev. W. D. Wood, temporary clerk. Rev. J. T. Singleton, Principal of the public school, made the welcome address, which, was re sponded to by Rev. A. A. Wilson, of Decatur, Ga. The choir ren dered excellent music, Thursday morning the devo tional service was led by Rev. W. E. Garrick, of Dalton, Ga. The various committees were appointed by the Moderator. Reports of the standing com mittees were read and approved. Rev. J. H. Byers, D. D., of the Rogersville (Tenn.) Presbytery, was introduced and given a seat as corresponding member. Af ter some other reports were read Presbytery adjourned for din ner. Thursday afternoon Dr. J. H. Byers, of Rogersville Presbyte ry, and Rev. Daniel Campbell, of Knox, were received as members of Hodge Presbytery. .Dr. S. D. Thom spoke at length upon! evangelism. . A. J. Wigfall, an elder of Morgan church, Keysville, Ga., was examined and licensed as a local evangelist. Rev. A. A.:. Wilson, commis sioner to the last General As sembly, made a very interesting report of the meeting of the Assembly. Dr. Byers* and Rev. Gregg also spoke of their trip to San Francisco. Thursday night the women of Hodge Presbyterial had a splen did program^ Excellent musical numbers and addresses by Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Gregg were lis tened to with much interest. After the program was complet ed and the offering taken, the President had each lady repre sentative and the minister where no lady was present, to stand near the altar, and in a very im pressive manner, gave each one a dial and a list of the goals for thjs^year as suggested by Miss Roberta C, Barr, closing with an earnest prayer that they would be used to increase the efficiency, faith, interest and spiritual growth of each local society. Friday morning, after devo tionals, led by Elder A. J. Wig fall, Prebytery was oj^ened for business with prayer by Dr. S. D. Thom. Reports of commit tees were continued. Dr. Phelps having resigned the Westmin ster church at Waynesboro, and the Rand Memorial church at Midville, Mr. L. A. Taylor was appointed to preach at these churches until a regular supply could be secured. The Presbytery accepted the invitation of Rev. Garrick to meet with his church at Dalton next Spring. Rev. T. E. Kennedy was elect ed commissioner to the General Assembly at ITulsa, Okla., and Elder A. J. Wigfall, lay commis sioner. The Moderator spoke for the Presbytery in expressing sincere appreciation of the hospitality of the good" people of Conyers, and of the untiring efforts of Rev, T. L. Kennedy to make our stay pleasant. Presbytery adjourned Friday at 3 P. H. J R. HARRIS, Stated Cl&k. ith > ■ i , *°*m so.” By Rev. Wm. Sample Dr. Raasel in Birmingham. The Miller Memorial church was indeed fortunate in getting Dr. I. H. Russell to conduct our revival which began on the sec ond Sunday in March and ran through Thursday after the third Sunday. Dr. Russell came as usual with his old time pQwer and fervor which never fails to move people for Christ. He not only spoke for the church but worked every 'day in our school, speaking to groups and individ uals which resulted in several students making confessions and joining our church. Every body that heard Dr. Russell says that he is indeed a prophet of God. We all are glad to know that he will stop over with us enroute to Tulsa and deliver our annual sermon Sunday, May 20, at 3:30 P. M. The Honor or Dishonor Roll When we look over our Honor Roll in the Africo and see how feeble the Negro constituency of the Presbyterian Church, U. 9. A., is benevolently, which says in thunder sounding words, “bow wow” with the other fel lows, we are tempted to call the honor roll, the Dishonor Roll. One has said that our Christian ity is measured~by what we give to others. If the honor roll is true our church is almost a Christless church. Our good brother who pastors the old historic First Presbyterian church, of Richmond, Va., would achieve a great victory if he would—since none of the breth ren are transgressing the law— fire his big gun upon the South ||Uj1ihjgiBia and the rest; pf our io more than accept their guo tas. Brethren, do we marvel because 21 of our elementary schools have been disbanded? Many of our much needed mis sionaries are cut off, terms of others of our schools are short ened and because there are fields that are crying for an experi enced evangelist and an echo is heard, we would but you won’t give. It is or should be heart paining to the pastor when he thinks that all of the children of these 21 schools are denied Christian training because his church would not give. An Invitation. All of the commissioners both lay and ministerial are cordially invited to our home 808 11th Ave. N., if you have a lay over of a few hours here while en route to Tulsa. If you will send us a card stating the time you expect to get here we shall be glad to meet you and have breakfast, lunch, dinner or sup pea* awaiting you. Let us hear from you. 808 11th Ave., N.,, Birmingham, Ala. McClelland presbyteri al. In accordance with the usual custom, McClelland Presbyterial jheld its Spring meeting along with the Presbytery at Oak Grove church, Prosperity, S. C. The session was opened in the school room Thursday morning, April 6th, with the Presidnet, Mrs. J. H. Toatley, presiding. Miss R. C. Barr, a very able Christian worker, empowered by the Board of National Missions, of New York City, to work in the colored home mission field; and Mrs. M. M. Jones, President of Atlantic Synodical, were ac corded honorary membership. While awaiting the arrival of many delegates there was ample time for a round table talk in which Miss Barr was most help ful. The praise service on Friday morning was led by Mrs. M. M. Jones. The Year Book of Prayer was used as the basal text.. Earnest and fervent prayer (Continued on page 4)
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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May 3, 1928, edition 1
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