Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / Nov. 5, 1936, edition 1 / Page 1
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Africo-American Presbyterian “AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE."—John viii:32-. L V'OL. LVII. CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1936. ' IKT ' NO. 4.5 ADVENTURES IN RACIAL UNDERSTANDING By Mrs. A. H. George Article IV. On Monday at 3:45 over sev enty-five people gathered at 156 Fifth Ave., New York City, in a tea which served as an “ac quaintance party” for all the adventurers. Over the social tea' cups, in small groups, mingled boys of the Smith Quintette, Board executives, members of the office force, the Barber- Scotia Quartette, representa tives and pastors of the two Ne gro Presbyterian churches of the city, some young men from Union Seminary, Dr. Dirk Lay, Dr. Calfee Smith and Dean L. S. Cozart of the Indian, mountain and Negro fields respectively. Mrs. Fred Bennett presided over the program, which con sisted of three-minute speeches to introduce the work one rep resented, and interspersed mu sic by both groups of singers. The music groups added just 1 he right atmosphere to the gathering. The ensemble of Smith and Barber-Scotia in the last number was a happy com bination of the best music of ])oth schools. School duties called Dr. Byrd Smith, Dean Cozart and Mrs. Boulware back to work. Dr. Jesse Barber had to leave a week ago to attend the meeting of his Synod. Since I had no public duties calling me, I was asked to stay until the 20th of November. Little tours this past week carried us to Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, (Dr. Henry Ward Beecher’s church in Brooklyn,) to the meeting of New York Synodical on Man- day, Tuesday and Wednesday, the 19th-21st. The church building is dis tinctive, representative and hallowed in iBemorial wind, corridors, alcoves and annex by the presence of pictures of Henry Ward Beecher, his red plush pulpit chair, with the name “Beecher” engraved on it, the desk upon which on “Feb. 6, 1860, Mr. Beecher sold the young slave-girl, Sally Ma ria Diggs, for the sum which purchased her freedom,” and there are priceless relics, let ters and books owned by pri vate citizens but loaned to the church in order that the public might see them. One thing that arrested my attention was the first letter Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her father. Dr. Lyman Beecher. She reverted to little “i” ’s at times. There was a far call from her “first letter” to the immortal “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The speeches of the Synodi cal were challenging calls to duty. Dr. Robert Speer, in his last address as retiring Secre tary of the Foreign Missions Board, gave a recital of men who have adventured glorious ly in all the ages since the hum ble fishermen started the trail. He mentioned adventurers to day who have followed the vi sion glorious and helped to bring God’s Kingdom on earth. Dr. Louis H. Evans, the new President of the Board of Na tional Missions, gave a most heart-searching address, grip ping from the beginning to the end, on “Pioneering Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” All of our group appeared on the program. Rev. Irving Un derhill, Jr., presented the work of Batanga West Africa, and Dean L. S. Cozart represented the Negro at home; Mrs. Boul ware and I took part in the wor ship service. We were proud of our men. Dr. Byrd Smith spoke at 166 Fifth Avenue with Dr. Calfee of the Asheville Normal School at the “Third Tuesday” meeting. I heard .some interesting comments on the various speeches which I certainly shall not put into print. I was amazed at the facility with which the program went off at the Synodical. There was not even a second lost. As one speaker left the rostrum the next few speakers moved up to the front pews ready to step up. Mrs. John Mills, the Pres ident, who presided, stood, acknowledged with a bow the speaker’s presence, and the speaker plunged right in with out the loss of a word, a phrase or a sentence. That was a place where a program fulfilled its purpose—you had only to watch it and keep up. We were guests on Wednes day at the Luncheon given at the Bossert Hotel, shared by the Synod and Synodical joint ly. Mrs. Boulware and I helped to sell in the “Gift Shop” the various articles made in our National Missions Schools. There were Indian blankets, jewelry, carved buttons, buck les, and toys from our moun tain white school. There were beautiful hand-made articles. I was asked “Is there no work from our Negro fields?” I looked in vain and found none. So I pass the question on to you, “Is there no work from our Negro fields?” The last of the week was free time for three of us. Dean Co zart joined us at the “Y” cafe teria one evening and we began to discuss “fan mail” and re sults. I graded us in a sort of “reduction descending” or der, and it ran something like this: Dr. Smith is our $50 speaker; Dean Cozart is our “hand-shaking-and-they-leave-a bill-in-the-hand speaker;” Mrs. Boulware, “a-handkerchief re ceiving speaker,” and I at the foot — “a bouquet-of-flowers speaker.” Seriously, though, both of our men are making some fine contacts and are getting splen did results. Dean Cozart says the Barber-Scotia ^ Quartette is going over in a big way. They will need some rest when they back, Thursday. Miss Sut ton has to exercise self-control and say, “No!” after the 6th number. Dr. Byrd Smith spoke at Staten Island on last Sun day at Dr. Swain’s church and after the service, while he was at dinner, a colored woman brought to the door an envelope containing a letter from a col ored woman who had heard Dr. Smith speak at the morning ser vice. The envelope' contained ^50.00—a gift from the colored woman—who washed for her living the first part of the week and did house cleaning the last part. She asked Dr. Smith to use the “small sum” to help in the work for her people in the South. The story was repeat ed on the floor of the Synodi cal as an inspiration for sacri ficial giving. During our rest period, we took in some movies, the Schom- berg Collection at the Colored Library, Theodore Roosevelt’s Home, N. B. C. Studios, and other places of interest. One little remark which comes in from a night meeting I filed during the week proves interesting. In making conver sation, I inquired of a woman if she had attended the Synod ical meeting and had heard Dr. Evans’ address. She answered I don’t know much about Presbyterians, I’ve been a mem ber of this church only two years. When we first moved here (Long Island) I was a Baptist and worshipped in the Baptist church for six years, bu't we got a new minister and I did not like him, so I quit the church and joined the Presby terians.” Did you think as I did — that only Negroes do that? I owe a colored Presbyterian minister in Charlotte an apolo gy for misrepresenting his driving. I have said he was a “wild driver.” I hereby apolo gize. Mrs. Boulware and I took the articles from the “Gift Shop” in two taxis from Brooklyn over to Miss Taylor’s office at 156 Fifth Ave. My longer be classed by me as a “wild driver;” he would make a gentle, safe, dependable driv er for nervous old ladies here in New York City, after that ride on Wednesday night. For five miles I stayed among the toys in the bottom of the car. This was a simple case where the brakes “held,” but the passen ger did’nt—could’nt! WEST OF THE FATHER OF WATERS BY REV. T. B. HARGRAVE INTERRACIAL PROGRESS IN TENNESSEE Interracial activities are nu merous in Tennessee. A recent monthly report of R. E. Clay, State Rosenwald school agent, is replete with examples of cooperation. Parks and play grounds for colored are under consideration for Jackson, John son City, Newport, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Three to five acres are mentioned as sizes of the proposed parks. Educational Loudon County colored peo ple have named a committee from different communities to represent them in their efforts to secure a junior high school at Loudon. The county super intendent and school board will be contacted. Swift Memorial College at Rogersville, owned by the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., is receiving high school students of Hawkins County for whom the county board is paying to the college $160 per month in lieu of county facili ties. W. E. Turner, supervisor of Negro education in Tennessee, has just visited high schools in Murfreesboro and South Pitts burgh. He held conferences with county superintendents and others in Jasper, Hunting don, Ripley and Memphis. While in Memphis he visited the Tri state fair to see the exhibits shovn'ng Negro nregr.-?"" Shelby County. He has approved the appointment of Jeanes su pervisors in Gibson and Lauder dale Counties. The Haywood County training school at Brownsville is making progress under a new principal and a new Smith-Hughes teacher. Community Activities Seven families in the Warner Grove community in Madison County, under the direction of the supervisor of colored schools, have canned several hundred cans of corn, tomatoes and peaches. Better homes and garden clubs are active in many places. The training school at Brownsville set aside a day for a community meeting, with adults, gardeners, teachers and children participating. Prizes are offered for improvement in homes, gardens and the making of home devices as outlined by instruction. Function of the Interracial Movement The Tennessee Interracial Commission is cooperating with the departments of public in struction, health and institu tions, creating favorable public sentiment. When projects are definitely launched the commis sion practices self-effacement. Its chief task is to improve in terracial attitudes. It was or ganized 18 years ago, and has been a stabilizing influence in the State. More liberal appro priations are now made for the betterment of conditions af fecting colored people. The commission receives no help from public funds, and is sup ported voluntarily. The effect iveness of its work in the field of race adjustment commends it to all right thinking people and justifies the confidence of its friends. Since its inception in 1918, James D. Burton of Oakdale, Tenn., has served as State Executive Secretary. The saints of the past have been for the most part men who have fled the world; but the saint of today is the man who can use the world. —F. G. Peabody. A single false move loses friend in Charlotte shall no the game. —Chinese Proverb. This article is being written far up in the Blue Ridge Moun tains of Virginia. Above, the clouds envelope the peaks of this stately range. Far below, one gets a bird’s eye view of the lovely little city of Big Stone Gap, beautiful for situation, and almost surrounded by the meandering Powell river, which nearly ^circles this Common wealth.* The original “Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” made fa mous by John Fox in his book that beai's this title, follows the valley below me and becomes lost in the gaps of the everlast ing hills. Looking away to ward the North one can observe the cottage where Fox wrote. Another book which also served to immortalize this place, comes to mind, “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come.” What a haven for romance and medita tion! As the gentle breeze through this sheltering Pine seemed to whisper in that lover’s ears the sacred name “June,” so d^es that same Pine seeiij to whispe;- to me, “God Is Nig^i.” The Preaching Mission The day dawns and the shad ows "Hee away! Awake, awake, put 'on Thy strength, O Zion! As the Presbyterian Church played such a large pafV-ija the establishing of this nation,''so- has it a wonderful opportunity to help in redeeming this same nation. The Preaching Mission offers a challenge to our Ne gro 'group. Every Synod and every church and every Chris tian should get behind this cause and carry out to the let ter the Great Commission- ,of our Lord. Meditate upon this lil^e poem: V rum' itie i hrune of His Cross, the King' of Grief Cries out to the world of unbe lief, Oh, men and women, afar and nigh, Is it nothing’ to you all—ye that pass by?” Is it nothing to you that a Seminar is to be held in each of our four Negro Synods? Is it nothing to you that the first Seminar will be held at Johnson C. Smith University in Catawba Synod, Nov. 17-19? That the second will be held at Columbia, S. C., Nov. 20-22 for Atlantic Synod? That the third will be held at Knoxville, Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, for Blue Ridge Synod, and that the fourth will be held at Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 4-6, for Cana dian Synod? Is it nothing to you that there will be classes for all Christian groups? That the ministers will have a place? That the women will have a place? That the young people will have a place? Is it nothing to you that some of the leading men of the Chris tian world will be there to in struct us? Is it nothing to you that our first duty is to Christ? That He has commissioned us to Go and make Disciples. Is it noth ing to you that the Church is calling us to wage an eight-day campaign against Satan and for the cause of Christ? Awake, Awake, put on Thy strength, 0 Zion, Brethren, we can’t afford to miss this great opportunity. Let us go after it and put the task over. Now is our chance. Benevolence It is indeed gratifying to note the growing interest in the benevolence cause of our great Church. At both the Ca nadian and Blue Ridge Synods this subject was one of the is sues and reports show that a great deal of interest has been manifested and the churches have been at work. 'White River Presbytery in Canadian Synod is leading the West as usual, and is out in front of her record of last year. One call was made at Morrillton, Ark., where Rev. S. J. Grier is pas tor, and the church responded with her full quota. This week' here at Mt. Hermon church. Big Stone Gap, Va., Rev. B. C. Hood is calling his congrega tion together, where an after meeting will be held to discuss a benevolence program. The re vival is gaining momentum each night and this after meeting I am sure will ha-ve great effect upon our pending benevolence cause. Blue Ridge Synod, meeting at Asheville, N. C., gave much time to the discussion. Rogers ville Presbytery is leading now in this line. Our Johnson City church. Dr. Cox, pastor, has paid up in full. St. ' James church at Kingsport, Tenn., is always the first to go over. Calvary Church, Asheville, is never behind and Dr. Edington is always on the job. Bristol is on the map with her quota. Rev. ‘GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH"^B0GGS ACADEMY’ BY MISS R. L. TAYLOR,. Boggs Academy, near Keys-' yille, Georgia, has opened with prospects of a splendid school year for 1936-37. The school now operates under a new ad ministration. The Rev. C. W. Frances of Anderson, S.. C., formerly principal of the Salem High School, succeeds the Rev. J. L. Phelps, D. D., founder of the institution. The faculty and students of this institution are delighted with the interest shown in the work by the Rev. Francis, 'flie formal, opening of the school was held about ten days follo’vy-r ing- its' general opening early in September. An excellent liter ary program of student talent was'presented concluding with very fitting remarks by our principal, the Rev. Francis. During the course of Rev. Fran cis’ speech, those present were Jones, with Dr. A. W. White at assured of his deep concern in his side, cannot fail. It will-be interesting to watch Birming ham Presfiytery in the ne.xt few weeks. We know what was done down there last year. They do not want me to report just yet. But watch them come forward with a surprise. Watch this column for later benevo lence returns! Young People’s League I had the privilege of motor ing over to Johnson City, Tenn., with,--fhe Asheville delegation to attend'thg^ Young People’s League of RoVersville Presby tery. I was interested- .in this League for I happened t6 be present when it was organized and I know of some of the diffi culties that Miss Ethel Goins had. When I arrived and found large group of fine Christian youngjnen and women interest ed in their League and so many of the churches represented I could not believe my own eyes. I listened with keen interest to an address delivered by Miss Ruby Rhyne, of Charlotte, N. C. Miss Rhyne was master of the situation and brought inspira tion to all. This Rogersville Young People’s League has grown and Miss Goins is a big factor in our Church. I was interested in the en thusiasm of the Ashe-yille dele gation. I almost believe that Mrs. J. H. Michael and her fol lowing of Young People would be willing to tunnel Mt. Mitch ell before they would miss a meeting. This is the spirit that makes things go and this is the spirit that it takes to make our great Presbyterian Church go forward. Here a Little, There a Little At the meeting of Canadian Synod, Dr. W. P. Lockwood, of the Board of Pensions, made some helpful remarks during our discussion of Evangelism. He also made this interesting observation: “I have watched this Synod grow in the last few years and it has made remarka ble strides.” Thank you. Dr. Lockwood. I think you recall our meeting in 1931 when the at tendance was not as large as the smallest Presbytery, but today about 90 per cent of the ministers are present each year and many of the churches are represented by elders. The Synod seldom falls short of 100 I per cent in benevolence and is always in the plus column in accessions to the church. We also have several new buildings going up and many young min isters are being added to the Synod. Our program also calls for the beautifying of all churches. Since the resurrec tion of our work at Hot Springs, watch it become the center of action in the bounds of White River Presbytery! Watch Ca nadian ! the work and of his aims, which are for a progressive institu tion of Christian and literary training. Rev. Francis, up to this time, has given the greater portion of his time to the adjustment of the physical side of the institu tion, in an attempt to make con ditions more comfortable for those who must live here. Manj' additions in this way have been made. Along with Rev. Francis is Mrs. Francis, who is an ardent worker in the manner in which she has served the school. Presently, She is serving as di etician and. dining-room matron in addition to looking after the work of Home Economics in the High School. The institution has had sev eral prominent visitors whose interest in the school brojight them among us. Dr. John M. Gaston, whose interest is in promoting all sides of the in stitution’s work, was here near the last of September and re lated a few of his plans for the physical plant. Dr. Gaston has been and is yet a loyal support er of Boggs Academy. The first of October brought other visitors in the persons of Miss Louise Maas, of New York, and Mrs. C. C. Heyle, of Phila delphia. These two splendid ladies spent a day and night on our campus. They are making a survey of all Southern Pres byterian schools among Ne groes for the purpose of com piling an efficient study book on the work of the Negro. Both were present in our chapel service and made brief but help ful remarks which made us realize more clearly the advan tage we have here for service. The teachers of this institu tion are Christian men and wo men and are efficient in the knowledge of their work. We have as a faculty: Rev. C. W. Francis, Principal; Professor T. M. Hardy, Dean, Irmo, S. C.; Professor Q. C. Griggs, History and Music, Augusta, Ga.; Miss R. L. Taylor, English, Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. E. B. Banks, Mathe matics, Valdosta, Georgia; Miss A. B. Collier, Jr. High School, Savannah, Ga.; Miss 0. J. Johnson, intermediate gi-ades, Waynesboro, and Miss Bozza Lee Garvin, Waynesboro, Pri mary Dept; Mrs. C. W. Fran cis, Home Economics. The school wishes for all other Pres byterian schools a splendid year. Yield not to discourage ment; thou art alive, and God is in His world. —Bishop Spalding. “I, the Lord, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee. Fear not; I will help thee.”Isa. 41:13. Dry rot, of stagnation and conventionality and profession alism, threatens the most vital institution on earth, the Chris tian church. Much church membership and attendance is an unvital routine. Thousands of preachers are merely holding down jobs. In many communi ties the- presence of a church makes little difference in the life of the people. Yet the Gos pel was meant to be sensation al. Jesus was the sensation of His day.—Dr. W. T. Ellis.
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Nov. 5, 1936, edition 1
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