Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / May 2, 1935, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Africo-Americ AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND VOL. LVL TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE CHARLOTTE, N. C* THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1935. FACTS FROM THE REPORT OF THE BOARD Of CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Philadelphia.—Recent growth in the drinking habits of the American people and a “shock ing increase” in traffic fatali ties have produced during the past few months a revived in terest by the Church in the problem of alcohol control, ac cording to the Presbyterian hoard of Christian Education. “On the whole," the Board states, “the Church has been slow in recovering from the re vulsion and inertia which fol lowed the repeal of the 18th Amendment/’ The statement appears in the report of the Hoard which will be made May 27 to the annual Genera! Assem bly of the Presbyterian Church meeting at Cincinnati, May S6 29. Board headquarters are m Philadelphia. "If the Church goes back' ward, children and young peo ple are not to blame,” the doc ument says regarding the year’s progress in adult education, "ii the Church stands Still, it. is be cause adults are standing still. iNOtable success is recordea throughout the whole Presbyte rian Church in holding evening "schools of religion” for grown people. Particularly "there is a new interest in the significance of worship as a means of reli gious growth.” . “A new appreciation” by young people of Christianity in tneir personal relationships is recorded by the Board, especial ly regarding ^marriage, patriot ism, peace, drinking and eco nomic problems. .During the past , two years the gro iritual era of a Church and in cooperating com munions has been very marked. "More has been accomplished than has ever been reported. Ne •ver before has there been such whole - hearted interdenomina tional cooperation.” A complete failure of "at tempts to achieve character ed ucation without the aid of reli gious motivation” is reported. The Board announces plans for joining aggressively in a coop erative effort, by 37 other Churches in America “for the extension of Christian educa tion to the millions of unreached children and young people. Sun day church schools are still failing to enlist more than 40 to 50 per cent of their Protest ant constituency. Miilions of nominally Protestant children in our country are without any systematic religious training. As for the future, says the re port, “it is certain that vaca tion and week-day Church schools will have a larger part in the plan.” The Presbyterian Board now offers two series of textbooks for vacation Church schools, one written entirely by Presbyterians, the other being the work of interdenomination al writers. A gain in the past year of 152 Vacation Church schools con ducted by Presbyterian church es is announced by the Board. Hie total number of such schools was 3,358. These en rolled 235,393 pupils. More than 8,000 young peo ple of college and high school age attended last, year’s Pres byterian summer conferences. Tlie 8,000, the report states, went back to their home church es with a new understanding of Christian living and of the work of the Church, with new willingness to do church work andswith their characters 'in creasingly steeled to meet, their everyday problems. There were 80 conferences, including one in Alaska, two in the West Indies, 12 in Maine, New Xork, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Mary land; 12 lr.the South; 12 on the Pacific Coast; 9 in the far West and 32 in the Central West The sum of $169,786 was paid by the Board during the year to aid 36 of the 53 colleges and academies of the Presbyte rian Church. These schools have a total capital investment of $94,931,847. The Board main tained 63 men and women “pas tors” on the * campuses of 61 State and other universities, to care for the religious life of the 50,000 Presbyterians among the 500,000 students of these institutions. The 12 Presbyteri an theological seminaries with which the Board cooperated have an enrollment this year of 823 students. The largest en rollment, is at Princeton Theo logical Seminary, 191. “Last year not one student who waa eligible for aid under' the rules , was declined," states the Board in reporting the send ing during the year of $68,50t to 600 students who are pre paring for careers of full time Christian service as missiona ries and other Church workers. Nearly $30,000 was repaid dur ing the past year by students who had received such aid but had changed their minds and abandoned their lull-time ser vice plans. "The greatest hindrance” in the work of most Presbyterian churches is “the non-cooperative home,” the report indicates as the result of a survey. Family religion ranks highest among the problems of many pastors, another survey revealed. Dur ing the past year the Presby terian Board has attacked this problem by joining vigorously home” as a clamant need ot Church and nation. Because it is not a general but a purely religious puouca tion, the Hoard reported witn enthusiasm that. its smau monthly devotional magazine, To-Day, now has a paid circula tion of 49,000 and in its three years has had a total distribu tion in sample and paid copies of more than 1,000,000. "No other publication of the Board,-’ which every year spends $1,500,000 in publishing and celling millions of copies of books and periodicals, "has re ceived so hearty a response." “No deficit” is. reported by the Board for the year ending March 31. A gain of $3,761.09 reduced the accumulated deficit of the early depression years to $267,01,6.13. Donations to the Board for Re work of the year which are in addition to the receipts of the publica tion department, were $748, 364.90. Of this total the amount spent in administration was $57,988.52, or 7.76. per cent. Leading achievements and airr-js of the Board during the year as listed in tne report number 25 or more, Prepara-i tion of young people for mar riage, through cooperation oy the Board, the local church and the home, is One of these. Oth ers are the maintenance of hap py homes, training of parents; Christian education of every person from the age of tnree onward, training, in the making and use of money, help to' young people in expressing themselves in life and action, stimulating interest in foreign and home missions, and education as to alcohol, war, peace and motion pictures. - * J More than 50 executives car ry on the work of the Board of Christian joaueation under tne direction of the lienfcral secre tary, the Rev. Dr. Harold McA fee KODmson. A recommendation for unit ing this Board with the Presby terian Board of lN&tionai mis sions will come before the Cin cinnati General Assembly for decision. BIDDLESMTTH REUNION When I entered Biddle (now Johnson C. 2>mith) Uctooer, 1888, the Freshman class was considered large in comparison with the average Negro Fresh man class in those long-ago years. The present President of Johnson C. Smith University was then a hard student and member of the Freshman class of Biddle, lSjBS-’SS. This class was composed of men—not boys —of fixed habits, well balance in judgment and temperament Truly it could be said that they I had seen their visions and were then dreaming their dreams. But when this class of earnest, hard-working men was gradu ated it numbered hut si*; H. L. McCrorey, R. L. Douglass, H. M. Stinson, J. P. Woolridge, E. W. Allen and DavidS, Ug lier. Three of these men are liv ing and active: McCrorey Douglass and Stinson, unu, u , course, they will be ac the com ing Biddle43mith KeuiLou. The Sophomore class was aii exceptionally large class, too. In many respects, it was ou . standing on the campus and n the city of Charlotte. But wne this class was graduated (Ju% 1891), the number was 7—1 am speaking from memory: h. ts. Rice, W. A. Walker, J. A. Till* man, C. M. Young, N. N. Gregg, H. L. Peterson, and W. A. Byrd; and with the exception of Byrd and Peterson the class has crossed. The Junior class that year; was very small; but not one wasl a lad: P. W. Russell, S. C. Thompson, R. W. Williamson and J. M. Roger. These men were serious, with faf^f RJOie^ highly esteemed by the faculty and student body; were there to study, unpretentious, with en vied; ability to grasp things m the line of college work. But only P. W. Russell of this class is left; and he teaches Hebrew and Greek in Johnson C. Smith University. I mistook one of the seniors to be one of the profesors—as we had one colored teacher in Biddle then (our old friend and Nearly beloved Prof. Geo. E. Davis, Ph. D.) But I was told that this senior was Irwin W. IViuldrow; mid his classmates were Samuel J. Hargrave, Al bert J. Tate, John C. Johnson, and Walter T. Reed. Any one of these men of the senior class could have easily been taken for a college professor. They were men of few words, with the ex ception of Hargrave, who was a fine mixer, cordial, interested in undergraduates, and new fellows on the campus. And the class made an atmosphere that called for three tabernacles; in their presence the whole campus at that time seemed to say: *lt is gopd to be here.” These men. with ithe exception of Walter T. Reed, have crosed the river and are resting under the shade of the trees. But, shall we meet this side of the liver at. the Riddle-Smith reunion ur the commencement, June 3, 4 and f ■ We were there ttn yeai*3 ago. Many have passed from ti;e Biddle-Smith group since June, 1925.' Let’s go, boys! Dr. R. P. Wyche, and our old friend, Dr. J. E. Rattley,—this was Bid dle’s first class (1877), and these two are still living and active win be there. Col. Berry will be there. Mrs. Mamie Muldrow Fuller wrote me: ‘I will meet you at the commencement, tile reunion, of course.” I have just left, ProTT C. A. Johnson * on Cannon Street, Charleston. He is a trustee of Johnson G. Smith and supervis es the city schools of Columbia, S. C. He said to me: *1 will be at the re-union." Good! W. L1. METZ, class of ’95. ... , THE REPUBLICAN PARTY By Dr. K«ijy Miller “WheiWfc party dies can it live atfain?” is a query which his tory answers in the, negative. Every social organisation, like a biological organism, has with in itself germs of decay. It is develops, flourishes and like a plant or an animal; ;hing lasts forever. *Our lit systems have their day; have their day and cease to be.” History shows that whenever a political or social or gahization departs from or re peals the enacting principles up on which it was founded, its re maining days are numbered. The defeat of a political par ljt however crushing, does noi issarily connote its death have seen both the Demo nic and Republican Parties er humiliating defeat, and, ynxlike, arise from - their i ashes. So long as an organ tion perseveres in the faith which it was founded, is hope for resuscitation, experience of political par i in America vindicates this iple. But whenever an or ation loses its own soul, it •y undergoes a moral death beyond the hope of resur rection. £ Both the Republican and Democratic pities have repudi ated or ignored, the political principles upon wnich tney Were lounded and are now living upon political expe diencies, catching the man ners living as their rise. At each quadrennial convention the con tending parties draft a plaitr firm, not expressive of their fundamental faith and belief, bid the adversary for popular favor respective to the issues of the day and hour. In every great revolution or evolution, if you please, nice that through which we are now passing, will demand new polit ical organizations to consolidate and effectualize transformed public thought and attitude. Neither of the old line parties, in its traditional guise, is ade quate to meet the issues of a changing nation in the midst of a changing world. They are both beating about the bush, feeling after the effective way, if haply they might find it. Neither h; any great regard for its own traditions or for the consisten cy of its historic principles, x The Republican party was conceived in liberty, and dedi cated to the proposition of the equality of all men before the law. It typified the rebirth of the nation after the elimination of human slavery. Incidentally, the Grand Old Party adopted the protective tariff upon which it has built .our national pros perity. In its ♦scheme. of reor ganization it does not, propose to revert either to the funda mental principle of Human rights of the forthright princi ple of the protective tariff. The chief hope of the reorganizers rests mainly upon the exploita tion to profiteer by the mistake and imperfections of the polit ical adversary. A rebirth on this basis will probably be of short duration leaving the last state of the Grand Old Party worse than the first. ■ Likewise, the Democratic Par ty has also repudiated its basic principles of local sovereignty and free trade. Unfortunately, this party early became entan gled with the issue ot numan slavery as it found lodgment, in the South. The democracy of Franklin D. Roosevelt is as far from that of Samuel J. Tildeh as the East is from the West. Local sovereignty, States' rights, tree trade and provincial atti tude of human rights have been wholly abandoned and linger only as embarrassing survivors. As the country is now con fronted by upset domestic con ditions and foreign relations, neither of the old line parties is able to cope with the si na tion by traditional formulas. The new wine can not be put in to the old bottles. A new deal'is demanded by the nature of the situation both in its political and economic aspects; The “New Deal" as sponsored by Franks lin D. Roosevelt constitutes the proposal which is now before the American people for accept ance. Those who have captured fhe machinery of the Democrat ic Party have fallen in behind Roosevelt and avow faith m the “New Deal” and its adequa cy to cope with the issues oi the day. “Not so,” rejoin the leaders who have captured the Republican organization. Al though they have put forth no proposals of their own, they hope to come into power by ne gation. Traditionally, the party in power has proposed and tin party out of power* has opposed constructive measures to con duct tne atiairs ot tne nation. Of late these roles have beer reversed. The Republican Par ty is now* opposing whatever the Democratic Party proposes, without any constructive meas ures of its own. Some new political organiza tion is inevitable, ft may take the form of one dominant polit ical party which wipes out all opposition has taken place m Italy, Germany and Russia Or, we may continue the two party system which has operat ed from the beginning of our Government until; now. But in -either case both the old parties 1§irth must partake of the nature and spirit of the new political* economic and social conditions which the revolution or evolu tion is enforcing upon us. Partisanship, in its traditional sense, is adjourned sine die. McClelland press y TERIAL By Mrs. M. V. Marion, Cor. Sec. The Spring session of the Mc Clelland Presbyterial was held in the A. M. E. church, of New berry, S. C., in connection with the Presbytery that was held with the good people of Calva ry Presbyterian church. The ex ecutive committee was called to gether by the President, Mrs. A P. Butler, at 9:30 A. M. Af ter discussing several importarit items, the meeting closed to en ter into the regular program 1 for the day. The theme for the entire session was: “Worship the Lord.” The devotions were conducted by Mesdames Pope and Francis. They were very inspirational and uplifting. The President, in an introduce try remark, gave as the thought for her message, “A challenge to workers to do more work in the Master’s field.” The minutes of last meeting were read and approved. The roll was called and showed offi cers present. 12; local Presi dents, 4; delegates, 7 ; visiting members, 8. The reports of all the secre taries were good, and a new| feature was added through the Secretary, of Stewardship. The society that held the most points received a token and Mat toon society was the lucky one. There was only one district leader present, but members from the fields gave encourag ing remarks on what their fields had one during the year. The afternoon session was held in the home of Mr*. Nellie Goldman. The warmth of the home made the meeting very interesting. We certainly did appreciate the cordial hospital ity of this dear woman. The de votions were conducted by the I,w The local reports were good and showed that had been working. Although we did not meet our quota, it is the aan of the Presbyteriai to come up next year in full. The urer's report was very „ and her challenge to each ciety was to do the best to the* quota. The President was elected as delegate to the Biennial which is to meet in Asheville, N.C. The following named ladies were enrolled as guests: Mes dames Julia Rurriss, Ahna Fla$k, J. G. Porter, Rosa B. Toatley, A. L. Francis, Geneva Murray, Eloise Williams and Marcia V. Marion. Mrs. Ida Johnson conducted the Necrology hour. We had three faithful workers to pass to their resting place since out fall meeting. They were Mes darries Jenkins, Pit,ts and Jones. After a few words from Mrs. Dunjgee, of Ridgeway, and Mrs. VVhite, 0f Newberry, we closed with the Mizpah benediction to meet at 8 P. M., at the Calvary Presbyterian fdhurcjh. The fol lowing program was rendered at the church. Opening song—“My Song." Scripture Reading. Prayer—Mrs. Ida V. Jdhnson. Chorus—“I Heard the Voice" —Harbison Glee Club. Welcome address — Mrs. Lil lie Henderson. Response—Mrs. J. G. Porter. Chorus—“Any How, My Lord"—Harbison Glee Club. Pjresident.’s Address — “A Challenge to Service’'—Mrs. A. P. Butter. Solo: “Who Knows, I Shall Miss Jennie Young. Pageant—“Dividing the Dol lar”—Young people of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. An Appeal for Harbiso* — Mrs. J. G. Porter. Offering. Chorus: A Little Talk With Jesus. Free at Last—Harbison Glee Club. Benediction. ■ We can all sing the praises of the cooperation of the churches of Newberry. The Methodists played their part in singing and in the pageant which was so beautifully por trayed by the young people un der the direction of Mrs. Mur ray and Miss A. Jones. In spite of a stormy night the church was filled/ which Showed how* anxious the people were to make us welcome. , TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MAYESVLLEv S. C. On Sunday, April 7th, al though the weather was a little wintry, a splendid crowd came out to the morning services. Rev. McFadden spoke from Rev. 21:13, theme, “The Twelve Gates/’ This indeed was a splen did message and everybody en joyed it very much. One young man joined the church at this service. We had several distin guished visitors to worship with us on this occasion. The week embracing the 3rd Sunday in April the Ministers' Union of our city observed Pas sion Week by having services each night at one of the five churches. The services were had as follows: April 15th, Rev. J. W. Curry, of the M. E. church, preached at the Baptist church from Matt. 21:19. April 16th Rev. M. Burgess, of the Sanctified church, preached at our church, from Matt. 11: 20. On th*. ,17th Rev. S. W. Ford ham, of the A. M. E. church, preached at the Sanctified church from Matt. 26:24. April 18th Rev. G. J. James, of the Baptist church, preached at the (Continued on page 4)
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 2, 1935, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75