Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / March 19, 1931, edition 1 / Page 1
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VOL. LIII. C^A4!LO®m N. wwwwwwmfw j .1.1 MARCH 19, 1931 By Rev. M. J. Jackson, n„ D., Dalzel! S. C. (Paper read at the Presbyterian Workers’ Conference) The subject assigned me its indeed a broad and deep on?, and demands the best there is in us and the strongest union possible of the forces called up on to foster it; for to reach the perfection of holy citizenship our people can not be too well guided and directed. All creatures being subject tjo growth and decay naturally need a period of rest. God ip His all wise providence has made this provision, in that wje have day during which time we exercise cur bodies; and ni&ht, when we rest. This for oujr • bodies is a period of recreation and we awake refreshed for our duties for another day. Social efficiency in the unicp cf church and school is neces sary for the proper develop ment of a recreation period far the people— especially our youth. Men, regarded as social be ings. living in group communi ties are dependent upon each other and. responsible for a certain part in the life anp work of the world. In order to fit their places properly aim master their duties, '! recom mend the proper training frorh the world’s three great institu tions of advice—the family, thje school and the church. Modem educational institu tions had their origin in thje church, and as early as tl 16th century elemental schools were conducted by fsh p«ests and monks, cnl for the training of boys for the priesthood. No doubt the inter est that the church showed in education has never died out, and its original purpose, keep ing pace with its growth, hajs indeed greatly widened. The education it now offers is no longer limited to boys for onie purpose, but is for both girls and boys as an aid in everjy vocation of life. Practically all religious de nominations’ have colleges anti universities for higher educa ton, and support parochial schools, and in many cortlihuni ties, high schools. .In the churches of the Middle Ag'es great efforts were made td ap peal not only to the minds and hearts of men hut to the eye also by erecting magnificent Gothic Cathedrals. - ! After the Protestant Refor mation emphasis was put more' upon the religious side of life and a new type of church ar chitecture was developed. There arose simple, plain halls with nothing in the way of dec oration which would take awaly > the thoughts of the people from the sermon. Recently the po etess ot the institutional church has ltd to a marked, change. This change was made necessary, by the many charitable, religious and s vial organizations which operate in the church, aside from the reg iar auditorium service, which yet stands out as the most im portant. There are class rooms, kitchens, shops, c’ub-room>, swimming pools, aiwUeven reg ular gymnasiums. These serve as aids to many homes, ana for community homes. - Women’s club? ana cm.™ c* eanizatiuns „ have fostered many playgrounds and park3 lor the purP08® of recreation. Tn this the religious and educa tional work of the church and •cM is not restricted to its lediate neighborhood, jus. ature is not. le beautiful trees of the p3t and field, not in one imunity but the world over, re man as food and shelter, asleep to recreate, awaking spring after spring, tto begin life and growth with renewed vigor. But these trees must be Carefully guarded, and protected that both fruit and foliage may be the very best. ; Man being of a higher , rodeir of creation does .not only -wastje and tire in a -material way bijt intellectually and spiritually as well When Philip asked the eij nuch, “Understandest thop what thou readest?” he gavje this very wise answer: “How can I unless some man guide me?” * T After all that is offered tjo youth, haw can they know how to properly use it unless direct ed? For a!! recreation should bje had in an advantagepna and up lifting way* otherwise it de stroys rather than uplifts. The church and the Christian school -go hand in hand for,the promotion and uplift of the people, and by this unity of op eration only can.wholesoine.and uplifting recreation be provid ed. v.■ ... . ;;! » There- is today a great demand for trained and trustworthy power among the' people;, this is to come about through education made possible by a combination of : chprch an|d school wc'rk. Since in , unitiy there is strength a recreation program fostered by. church end school, could easily takje car-e of the social life of the community, affording a pro gram in keeping with the laws of God. - I without any arm} some amusements are necessary and proper, thie question is.- to determine thje kind which may be enjoyed without danger of moral c|r physical injury to the ypung. j j: Primitive people always-gave a large place in their communi ty life to organized play. In bur own country ; in colonial days, Boston Commons seryeid riot only as a pasture* for cOWa and geese, but j a. place .where people gathered fbr> different gamiest,In- 3868, in one of the school yards of Boston, one of the first organized playgrounds in America was opened; - ! Today a classified playgrounjd Is as necessary for growing children as'; in colonial days. Many people refuse to go them selves *or 'to allow their chij-i dreri to go, because of the many thfcVgs they are; allowed tpr do. Qualities of character develop on the playground, evil pas sions. or self-control, courage, endurance and loyalty. This is What led the Duke of Welling ton, to say many years ago: “Waterloo was won on the foot ball field of Rugby.” Take a daily newspaper anjd count the columns devoted to athletics, books, movies, and various amusements. This is another indication of the inter est of the people in recreation. Fashionable society has drifted and broadened until the church and the world have seemingly joined hands, cater ing to the. wishes of the worldly minded until any kind of social pleasure is tolerated in,some instances. The vulgar dance, card, playing, unclean and de grading, picture shows are ft0 longer looked upon as vile and immoral. This makes it i«*'« pensably necessary that church and school look forwai, as never before to the s*7-*y of -the recreation of^Tne peo ple. For physical recreation I re commend . moderate and agree able athletic games, short foot and boat races, or gymnastics with a director for each ga#e, as there is danger of exercising to the extreme., 1: Since all recreation grows upon what Jt feeds, we must guard very caaf^r" “ * the moral and intellectual amusements of the people, especially our youth,1 and see to it that they enjoy clean amusements. Never be fore were we in greater need of clean, consecrated manhood and womanhood. The Apostle .Paul visited the most illustrious capital on earth, the capital wlp£h was called the eyes of Greece, t^je university of the world. The Apostle had taste, genius, edu cation and talent. Jfte had—to use a modern phraser-aesthet ic culture just the same as thooe who thought they had ja monopoly of it. But when he went to Athens ke;S^uy none o? its splendor, he was captivated hy none of. its. beauty, hie *unied his bffusk upon its teni nles, its schools, its lofty halls ^d great monuments. Why;? Because he saw. in the clear light which shined down upon hjm. from heaven, n city given over .wholly to idolatry an)d ruin; Daniel purposed in h|s heart; that f he would not defile himself, and we, the church of Qod and . Christian school?, must stand firm against unho ly environment ; not opportuni ty but true spirituality must bje the basic principle in our lives. Then fqr moral nod intellect ual recreation, first there must be clean association. The girl or boy left to choose their as sociates is not always found ip good company,’ .put ,like,gooji dog Triay. who followed:cross, meddlesome Tiger to town, they fall inhoeentjy into. mischief and are sadly mtfHxeatpd. Comlnning, Our forces as church and school we can see to.fy (as be?t tfe cap) that tjieir associates, are* morally clean. There" shbqld Jbe clean and in viting reading rooms, good li braries with clean literature, ^ caolisten in ovc“ '•peeches. lectures and music of the world- *‘greatest authors, poets and waiters, and enjoy the company of kings and queens of both ancient and modern times. This as a recreation breaks the monotony ? of text-book work, and affords an invalua ble store of knowledge, being directed and supervised by only those wh^* ' are examples of cleanliness and godliness. After an it is clean, practical Chris'tiariity which counts in the putting" over or planning of any uplifting program. Through Church and school as a unit let us see to it that we plan and foster recreation physically, morally, spiritually and intel lectually clean, that the lives of these' and unborn generations may tower upward,; and spread Us the cedars of Lebanon, grow strong1 in character like the gi ant oak, and be to the world as *>eautiful as apples of gold in pictures of silver. A Short Sketch of the Birth of Ebenezer Recreation Ground Dalzell, S. C. It. was a dense forest, so dense that one Could not be seen the • distance of a yard away unless carefully searched for by the keenest eye. For more than sixty years the forest. proved to be the abode of foxes, rabbits and ser pents, and’ from its fearful looks the most vicious animals might have dwelt therein; it also proved to be the hiding place, for fugitives or vice of many kinds. Bordering this forest on the North, hid from human view because of the denseness of the forest, there was a winding, p>^5w path that led through the forest to a ’ lake which proved to be a charming spot to one of the resent members of the Senior c. ^s of Johnson C Smith Umveri. ,y. A- few'; years ago another found his way down to the lit tle one-way path that led to the lake, and seeing the possibili ties of wonderful development there arose in the bosom of that one individual a desire to , (Continued on page 4) Sy lfcv. Win A. Savage, ®. 1) .years ago one of opr rs gave this deftoftio^ smatics: The wo^i js .from an ancient lan and means things to fepoot We are borrowing that idea in order tb suggest a leyv mfttt|rsrthat have come to ppr mitafi coning these .dreary ter tAuTs. - %; Presbyterian tbopc ighly imbued with ides |f saving all the people.! * program was thought ago in order to reach | P« Among the flr§t was the training of Hence, the establish* several schools to get out our ts ment; ooys and girls ami send to lift up our peoplk' Were put in places <k the young men were ;t the head of churches1 >Is and then organized ibyteries and Synods, special equipment anjd the reasonable expec ts that our people be gathered and fash “tf. Christian citizen* is so far has been £ . ve been facing two im placable critics. One was the? doubts: and fears of our own? peopteand the intense zeal and earnestness ;: of: our white friends. What to do to induce the masses of our people: to fol low out leadership and come in to the dhurch in large numbers, and What to do to stay the anx iety white friends be great as our religious not so far advanced as the most optimistic; as well as the “Doubting Thomases” could ex pect. In the first place, we are fac ing economic difficulties. The Negro has never had an equal opportunity with all other citi zens for making a livelihood, and we have been obliged to face unreasonable race preju dice. We are disposed, however, to be thankful for the advance that has been made, and look hopefully for better days. Just now, among others, we have two pressing needs—first, the will to do, which we must sup ply ourselves; and, second, the means to do with which the Church must supply. Many of our little churches are discour-^ a/ ted because of commercial e angelism among us. 1 In the second place, we are discouraged because the work ers who come to us endeavor to give us a program of the large city churches, while our needs as urban churches should be given a program suited to our surroundings. Possibly our theological seminaries have I not kept pace with the present growth and needs of our peo ple. Our leaders come to us with large doses of theological acumen as an antidote for our ailments, when in truth . .we understand that theology is a science with various ramifica tions and adaptations. One boy studies civil engineering. Is it absolutely foolish to train ,our ministers, some to do city work and others to do urban work. Specialized workers is our need. A smaller need in training that should be prayerfully con sidered is this: Should the workers be trained in or near the field where they are to opT crate and will they succeed bet ter if they are kept in sympa thy with the people with whom they must live and work? Would Dr. lines, of New York, and Dr. Glaseo, of Pittsburgh, be equally successful in Rich mond, Va.. Atlanta, Ga., or Charlotte, N. C.? Would SouthT ern men trained in the So ith be successful in New York,and Pittsburgh? Of course, there are exceptions to all rules, and ' -1 the matter of temperament tis well as training .will determine a man’s success or failure wher ever be fopy be placed. An imperative need is for Women worker*, *** simply to tajach -ihe day school In, Negroceptars a consecrat woman can he of great and a great help to the minister tin charge, this may he some what new fpr ,colored Presby terians, hut the effect will ble immediate and satisfying; Th^s is ne;8peca»Uppeal for ordained wwneniPrea^MU^ but is a ca|l for a: kind of work that is ap pealing and satis&iiig and will eert^nly<a^^a growth of our Ghnroh and our group, A goodChristian woman will gather the women and children around her and keep them in terested in religious matters, bring them into the Sunday school and vi«t them in thje home. A teacher who whips children during the week wi|l not appeal to them to come to church on Sunday. Since we are not having any parochial schools, jig the Stateis ^taking 91I ■ IwnKth yp that ki»Mi pf W9*k* the pres byteries should seriously con sider the matter ;pf WO^ep mlssloiiaries ip patient ? points and puih thia mid^er of churel growth and to its ut most limit. Whfjtsrdo the breth ren in (thc fb^bytenesv thmk of this?We iwfc a« well f^ facte and;g»t husyk, • Can regulate commercial evangelism and Secure church co-operation in spiritual efforts ? Can we put Abe emphasis on $ deep spiritual Me:, and • loyalty to Christ anditbe church* pr is it better ilojiirinbhas^r iponeV gathering to the negleet ojf the soul gathering ? Is it possi ble to get the, pf,thj people to' tomato* Christ ant ___s-ofr 1 I sincerely tope that these few suggestions may bring into prominehce some feasible plans for the immediate growth of pur Church among us. We invite our pastors to care fully consider the School of Methods within the hounds of our four Synods, which meet each year, and Is not only a re ?reation period, but an informa tion period and an inspiration al period, and a study of the plans for the good of the local churches yrithin our . bounds. Is /a Presbytery justified in urging URon -the' pastors, ses sions and members of the local churches to resort to prayer seasons for great ingatheings of the people in the fold of God ? Ts it. .wrong, to. expect and pray for regnant Christian person alities within our bounds to be the: future laborers in our fields? ' BARBEft-SCOTIA NOTES Mrs. Reddy, Miss McCandless, Miss Dager, Miss Hoag, Miss Eoresman and Miss., Crissey spent, a few hours in Charlotte Monday, -shopping. The si': contestants for the Junior prize are busy preparing their essays. The contest will take place Saturday evening, the 11th of April. -A group .of the high school and college tochers took ad vantage of the -balmy Spring weather last Friday, and spent a delightful evening pfcnicmg. Lucy Jones, a Junior in the High Schoph was absent a few days, .last .week on account _qf illness. } - •Misses Meaner, .Jameson,* d&hton> Cr^sey, Swock,Kings ley and Chapin attended a din ner at .the’,first -Presbyterian chuneh, Monday evening, m fe*»or pf B^tty Leslie, Missionary Cg^le Trader. t -ZTT'. furniture has its ad vantages fpr those who have not the time to take care of wood finishing. It is, easy to move and and jfater applied cor rectly will, .k^sp a clear and shining surface. NMM0R1 WEEK AT HAINES mount" AUGUSTA, The secorid week iii Feb£uhVy is annually observed as Negro History Week, at which, tigie ejQr*8; made to put before the people the achievemewtsxof the Negro along various Hues, and his part in the making .of this country’s history. It is al together fitting arid proper thkt these things be brought *to the attention of the youth in order that there might be awakened within theni Appreci ation for these accomplishments ahct a ‘ ' keener sAnse of race pride. ' ‘ • In keeping with this, Haines School celebrated the Negro History Week- the Wfeek* of March 2nd. Although this, was a little later than the national celebration, it was felt " the event should not be passed by unrecognized.- Programs were rendered each day by the High School classes, ' the first ' Being tendered by the First ;'¥ear class, whose subject was, “The Historical Backgrounds ' Re presentatives ot the class gave in an interesting manrid£‘fa$ts concerning Abyssinia, Liberia, Haiti, ami; Santa '* Dbwringo. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of-this program1 WAS t';e snatch on r Africa 'Evelyn MoAlpih, who pictured15 as a land cf thistles and thorns that shall some day produce the fruit to feed the nations of the earth. The music,' all of which Was of Negro origin, was rendered by the class. • The subject, “Trail Blazers, _ „ in a«ommen<taBle y fife mmm* The -participants gave much'in formation as to those who1 Were pioneers, mentioning such characters as Grispus Attucks, Andrew Bryan, Riehard Allen, Frederick. Douglass and others. The oration, “What Kind-- of Negro Do the American People Want?” was delivered by Clar ence Wigfall in a way that re flected credit on hig-class. It is conceded that the Ne cro’s greatest contribution has ieen through music. His heart songs have stirred the people of two continents and even, today the singing of a spiritual calls forth much favorable com ment. His contribution to music was the presentation of the Juniors, that the stuclents and teachers knew, with the dignity rf bearing characteristic of the class, would add valuable infor mation regarding the Negro in the field cf music. All were up lifted and inspired as the Jun iors slipped us away into;, the artistic world .of ■■ the . Negro, reciting the accomplismepts. of the outstanding musicians, both living and dead. Aside from from Burleigh, the composer, facts were given relative to the soloist of the St. George’s Epis copal church, New York City, R. Nathaniel Dett, director of music of Hampton .. Institute, whose choir just recently -re turned from European triumphs, the late Samuel-Coleridge-Tay ior, perhaps the greatest com poser thus far produced, Mari an Andersoij, greatest contralto, who is enjoy nig both American and European recognition,the incomparable Roland Hayes, a Georgia boywho, by persever ance, has sung before kings. The Junior;^,Glee CliiJ^ren tered a spiritual, ElizabefwdJen iett played a composition -of lurleigh, “A Scene from‘T!n Vallet.” The second tu ition from Burleigh Was *>y Louise Everspni" An mtstanding present day * cdTfn oser is J. Rdsamond .JFehfisftn, /hose “Song of the^Seart” war ung very creditably . by! Osie loleman. William Dixon’s cor et solo. “Carry Me Back to (Continued on page -
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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March 19, 1931, edition 1
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