Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / Aug. 10, 1933, edition 1 / Page 1
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I CHARLOTTE, N. CL,THURSDAY, AUGUST, 10,1*33 NO-31. VOL. LIV. CALVIN L UGHTNER, CHURCHMAN AND INDUSTRIAL LEADER • < _■ By Charles 6. Irving Raleigh, August 3.— When Mamie Haywood Blackman, In her Worth Street home, told Calvin E. Lightner that he would have to fix a place to car IV her, she determined for once and for all time his position in life. Calvin Lightner was then a >oung college professor who had • worked his way through a great school, and won for himself a position on the teaching staff of his alma mater. He had dis tinguished himself in music, and had, he thought, charmed j “Miss Mamie,” as he then called j her, to the extent that she was willing to take him as her wed ded husband. But Mamie Black man, beautiful, cultured and filled with the pride of the aris tocratic Haywood family, loved home, and, in unmistakable lan guage, told Calvin that his first consideration was “a place to carry her.” This curt statement of the slender music teacher and affa ble Raleigh girl could not de spair Calvin Lightner. He had heaped his love upon her for ten years, he had eaten with her, he had sung with her, and now, as a college professor, he was determined to live with her. Then, as now, he had a coun selor, “a friend in the hour of trouble.” This friend was Dr. Nicholas Franklin Roberts. The young man went to Dr. Roberts, who advised him during his col lege days, and told him that he f wanted for himself and his JL would-be wife a borne. He needed f ipneyr anr Dr. KGbferfs ^n sented to endorse his note for $250 and recommend him at the Mechanics Savings Bank where he secured the loan and pur chased his East Street home in which he now lives. The voice of ‘‘Miss Mamie" which sent her friend of a dec ade to Frank Ellington, then Ra leigh’s leading realtor, and Dr. Roberts did more than secure for herself a happy and congen ial home in which four fine is ' sues of their bodies now live. It gave Calvin Lightner such a de delight in fixing a place for “Miss Mamie" that he chose the profession of ‘‘fixing men and their places" for all time as his chief occupation. With his home settled, and his first bom named in honor of the man who had assisted him in Shaw and had endorsed his first note, he heard another voice calling him to “fix a place for Negro business,” which was being forced from the business center of the city because of the apparent growing prejudices of that age. He secured a lot on Hargett Street, against the ad vice of the business men of the city .. and Vith his own hands built what is now a monument to Negro foresight and indus try, The Lightner Building. Doing one thing was not the* way of the Lightners. He was undertaker, citizen, realtor, churchman and a friend to man. He saw in the city a number of transients who wanted a place —a decent place—and set him* self to the task of providing it. He did not seek some cheap spot, but, as he had done before, lie sought Hargett Street prop erty and built the Arcade which is the largest and best equipped hotel in the State. He planned a theatre and office arrangement sufficient for the needs of the city. His theatre project was halted in the crash of the de pression, and because of the dwindling business of the city he sold the building to the Household of Ruth of the State. •Calvin Lightner, like all the children of Frank and Dabney Lightner, of which there, are thirteen, is a churchman. He lays no claim to business gen jius, although he has wrought iwell. He vies with no man in in tellect. Though he id friendly and congenial he does not con sider himself a diplomat. He does consider himself a church man, and those who know him call him a cosmopolitan church man. His membership is at the Davie St. Presbyterian church, in which he has held every of fice save that of pastor, but his place of worship is all Christen dom. Lightner began his service in the Presbyterian church in Ra leigh when he arrived in the city forty years ago as a stu dent two years below the high school department of Shaw. He jrined the church and said in his South Carolina accented lan guage, to the then chorister, and now venerable senior elder, Robert J. Jones, “I sing in the choir at Chester; I want to sing in the choir here.” In a stern but dignified manner Chorister Jones said, “Well, what do you sing?” With that Lightner wit of which his sons have so much, and South Carolina jesting that seemed to him smart, he an swered: “I sing botheration.” He was admitted to the choir and today his voice as then charms and delights the small audiences that frequent the “lit tle church on the corner.” His musical voice was no bother, but his strict adherence to the fundamentals of John Calvin, when his fellow churchmen would ttira that ibsHthtioh frOei tno institution or neiormation to that of conformation was more than botheration. In church, as in business,, Calvin Lightner sought no expedien cy. The right way, to Calvin Lightner was the only way. His stand for what to him seemed right has lost him many friends; has Dlaced in his oath many ob stacles, but has, he thinks, giv en him the courage and strength to “press on to the end.” He has contributed largely to his church and to all charities. His greatest contribution to the Davie Street church was when the new church was in process of erection. He drew the plans, supervied the work, con tributed much of the material, and paid his pro-rata past on the edifice. When tha obligations of the church were pressing and threats of foreclosure were hurled, he took an officer of the church and went to Concord, N. C., where he met Dr. J. M. Gaston and placed before him the condition of the church and asked for a loan from the Board of Church Erection. So convinc ing was the argument of Light ner that when Dr. Gaston put the matter before the Board, the Board decided to give the church one thousand dollars on condi tion that the church raise one thousand. Lightner organized the church into ten groups of beasts of which he was king and in thir ty days had one thousand dol lars. He has since resigned his place as chairman of the Trus tee Board and his son Nicholas has been elected to the Board. Clinging tenaciously to the tenets of the Presbyterian Church, Lightner believes that preparation for death should be made during life. He likewise thinks that preparation for an Inexpensive and decent burial should be made by each individ ual. He has set himself again to the task of providing an insti tution in which it can be done. The Wake County Burial League is the “child of his dream” and he is now giving much of his time to its develop ment. Experience during these years of plenty and famine has been to him a great teacher. He how realizes that, tile responsi bility of his race can not be car ried on his shoulders. The Wake County Burial League is so formed that the humblest man or woman can carry their own burdens and assure themselves of a .decent and respectable bu rial at their demise. Calvin Lightner, like his il lustrious father, Frank Light ner, whose life was beautiful because of its fine finish, has passed the half-century mark in service—unselfish service to humanity, and in the words of his first born, Nicholas, “Pro poses to carry on.”. CANADIAN SCHOOL OF METHODS It Has been said that “Where there is no vision the people per ish.” But the School of Methods of Canadian Synod has not only vision, but character, courage, faith and color. Because of drought which has played havoc this summer in this section and the general depression many were pessimistic about our be ing able to hold our own this year, but with such field work ers as the Revs. C. N. Shrop shire and Thos. B. Hargrave at the controls you can always rest assured that the program will go over with a punch. This year marks an epoch in the history of our Convention. Not only was the Convention larger numerically ‘but there were many new faces, and new sections represented for the first time from as far as 500 nrilek awav. ^ - - ^The gOioof **wasr*~ also^tfistin-^ guished because of the large group of young people which shows that Canadian Synod has a great future. We were delighted to have our distinguished director, Dr. A. B. McMcCoy, who always brings life and inspiration. Our dear Mrs. Agnes B. Snively, of Pittsburgh, was with us this year and our hearts were filled with joy at her smiles; and the information that she brought will ever live in our memories. Dr. L. B. West and Miss Ethel Goins were also with us and we feel that they were a part of our Synod, for they make themselves at home with us. On the opening night our President delivered his annual address. Rev. T. B. Hargrave was at his best as he spoke on the subject, “Our Task.” His knowledge of the work and the presentation set the School off with a punch and this enthusi asm lasted throughout the week. The work in the class rooms was on a higher order this year than before. All instructors had thoroughly prepared their work and they were not without wide awake pupils fom aff parts of the Synod. Addresses Each day “The Work of the Church” was discussed ably by Rev. W. E. Houston, D. D., of Camden, Ark. Dr. A B. McCoy brought us an inspiring message at the devotional period. Rev. H. C. Cousins had charge of the vesper services add it was a beautiful sight to see how th|i young people gathered arounq and took in the message. Rev. Mark M. Gibson, of Ok^ lahoma City, held the audience spellbound as he displayed a' masterpiece on Thursday night. This young man has added! much to our Synod the short! time he has been a member and we are proud of him. He also had charge of one of the class*-, ess.. •■ 7’ . Mrs. Agnes B. Snively made a wonderful address on “The (Continued on page 4) SOC _ ^ _ __ from, the ballotting by delegates of thf (National Association of Colored! Women, in convention disclosed that Dr. Mary ‘Waring, for thirty years a leader in civic, educational and professional fields, had been elected President to succeed Mrs. Sjdlie Stewart, of Evans ville, ESd Seated,upon the platform to greet the new President was Mrs., Maly Church Terrill, first President of the Association, elected thirty-seven years ago. Election of Dr. Waring and the defeat of Dr. Charlotte Haw kins Brawn, founder and prin cipal of Palmer Memorial Insti tute, Sefialia, N. C., brought to an end fee most spirited and spectacular election campaign in the history of thei Associa tion. « Chicago, Aug. 2—(By the. As Negro Press)—-Returns' ration Choice The new President was the choice of the outgoing adminis tration j&nd of the State of Il linois; signalized in the history of the Association by its mani fold contributions for the devel opment of the organization. Succeeding Mrs. Daisy Lamp kin, of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Lethia Fleming of Ohio, was elected chairman of the executive com mittee and Mrs. Lampkin was elected Vice-President. Aspir ants for fee position won by Mrs. Fleming were Mrs. Grace Evans, Ind.; Mrs. Christine Smith. Detroit, widow of the late Bishop C. S. Smith, and Mrs. Lillian: Jones Brown, of I* The practice of the organizatio has been to regard the Vic< President as an understood car didate for President at the nes convention. Pre-convention rumblings in i-be press had indicated that a | fiery fight would be waged for the chief office in the gift of the Association. The lines were tightly drawn between Dr. Brown and Dr. Waring. Illinois, having given much and having been given little in the history of the Association, claimed its share of honor during this World Fair year. Although the issue between the candidates was not scetional, the heavy member ship of Illinois gave its candi date a preponderant edge as the convention opened and one of the principal issues respecting the election was that of grant ing credentials to delegates of whom Illinois registered 119. Kentucky, Dr. Waring’s native State, was the next heaviest registrant, with nearly 100 del egates.. From the other States came delegations ranging from four to twenty in number. It was from some of these States that it was necessary for the de feated candidate to gather her strength. Dr Brown Withdraws— ' Re-enters So dismal was the outlook when the delegates began to ar rive that Dr. Brown decided for the good of the organization to withdraw from the contest and to throw her entire support to Dr. Waring. Mrs. Brown made a formal statement of withdraw al to the Associated Negro Press Friday before the conven tion opened. Some of Dr. Brown’s supporters, however, among whom was Mrs. Robert R. Mo ton and Miss Nannie Bur roughs, refused to yield to the suggestion of no contest and over the week-end worked to rally support to the North Car olinian, ' As the issue finally worked out the representation of Illi nois was challenged. It was dis closed that many of the dele gatee of Illinois represented a membership -which had (only paid fifty cents in annual dues. Some of the State delegates re presented memberships paying $1.50, or fifty cents for three years in dues. Mrs. Brown’s supporters) demapided that Illi nois pay $1.50 for each voting delegate as each of these other States had done, but it was ruled that there was a variable stipulation in the constitution and that other States than Illi nois had registered delegates according to the 50 cent provis ion. Hie Illinois delegation, therefore, remained intact. Wednesday morning Mrs. Brown took the floor of the con vention in her own behalf in a spectacular effort to ward off defeat. At times the action be came acrimonious and older heads in the convention shook sadly as they noted the domi nance of the political spirit in the convention. Finally, Mrs. Moton arose and, with a poise of dignity and pow er, paraphrasing the final words of Lincoln’s second inaucjjjral address, she asked that the con vention with malice toward none and charity toward all, move on to the completion of its busi ness for the good of the organ ization. She indicated her will ingness to yield to the claims of IHihois. This gesture on her part relieved the situation and action was swiftly speeded to ward balloting. Seek Truth, Facts' ' More like a seminar) than a convention was this assemblage $fjhe re^res^rilyej of 50,000 • -11 ^ -^feaT Precise-' T from one instructive address and discussion to the next upon the program. Little space was allowed ta the eloquence of mere words and furbished thoughts, the wise leaders of the move ment checking with dignity all digressions that distracted the attention of the delegates from the high duty of obtaining through the interchange of thought and information wis dom and knowledge with which they might return to their homes and disseminate messag es of helpfulness that would serve to keep the members of the Association to their uttermost limits working intelligently to ward the same common goal. If there was eloquence, it was that of truth, of the shining fact. Cites Evil Thus, upon one occasion, Mad am Ezella Carter, addressing herself tq the problem of the Negro woman who must work, moved the delegates with sim ple words, simply spoken, but charged with the sort of truth that was almost terrifying. Said she: “The Negro woman in industry or in domestic service must face her responsibilities, too. The time has passed when the arro gant domestic servant can hold a job. We have had our women who would enter homes and try to run them according to their interest. They would have their afternoon off even if the President of the United States Were to be entertained. Dinner time would catch them talking to their sweethearts oveh the telephone. They proudly an nounce ithajt they are ‘ttaisfe” cooks and renounce the book with distressing results. “The Negro women in industry have in many instances made their own way hard. They are Sunday dressers with little thought given to tidiness and neatness upon the every day job. They are sassy. One large Chicago concern employed 50C Negro girls in clerical and semi clerical position^. But many oi these girls soon began to neg lect their work for the rest rooms. It was necessary to place monitors in the washrooms and limit these girls to eight min utes. Negro foreladies were se lected, but the colored girls would avoid their colored fore ladies-a nd run to’ the whites. Soon all these girls were out of jobs. “One of the curses of the Ne gro woman in the South is the double-duty husband. In the rural regions these wives slave from month to month, never seeing town, but the men seize the fruits of their labor and maintain girls in the- towns. Our women must exercise greater care in the selection of their husbands. Many Women (Work More than 1,800,000 Negro women are employed, or one woman out of each three Negro workers, Alonzo Thayir, indus trial Secretary of the Chicago Urban League, told the dele gates. He directed the attention of the assemblage to the neces sity of women’s leaders being on the alert to see that this large number of workers be aligned to* share the benefits of the so-called “new deal” as ex pressed in the National Indus trial Recovery Act. Mr. Thayer emphasized the provision of that Act which pro tects employees in their right to bargain collectively in respect to their hours of labor, wages and other working conditions. This ideal of the labor unions, once restricted to so-called or ganized labor, is placed within the grasp of all workers within the code era. Out of this thought developed the attitude that Negro women should regard their labor prob lems in the same fight as other "women workers, of whatever joined the National Council of Women and the International Congress of Women in estab lishing a united front for women workers. President’s Address The President’s address was made Wednesday morning. Mrs. ! Stewart described in detail the nature.of her activities and the condition of the organization. She recommended: That steps be taken to pub lish National Notes, the Associ ation organ, as a bulletin con taining information about the organization, to be made avail able to each financial member. That a new plan for raising finances for the organization be put into operation and that the expenditures of the Association be soi regulated that payment on the national headquarters at Washington might be completed by 1935. That the organization join in the observance of Frederick Douglass Day and National As sociation Day each year. That the Association reconse crate itself to the completion of the scholarship fund, the land scaping of Douglass Home and the development of department al work. Send Telegrams The following telegram was sent in the name of the Associ ation to President Roosevelt, Gen. Hugh S. Johnson, Director of the National Recovery Act, and! Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior: “The National Association of Colored Women in Biennial ses sion assembled, representing 50,000 club women, urge you to use your executive power under the National Industry Recovery Act codes to prevent discrimi nation in all contracts under the Public Works Act. “To this end we request that specific clauses, prohibiting dis crimination on account of color, t reed or race, be included in con tracts for employment of labor of all kinds. We further request that qual ified Negroes be appointed to ad (Continued on page 4)
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Aug. 10, 1933, edition 1
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