ST. AUGUSTINE’S RECORD
^ugufitinc'ss Eecorb
Published bi-monthly during the College year at Raleigh. N. C..
in the interest of
St. Augustine’s College, Rev. E. H. Goold, President
Subscription, 25 cents.
Entered at the postoffice in Raleigh as second-class matter,
under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for
in section 1103. Act of October 3, 1917, authorized April 11, 1921.
REFLECTIONS ON THE EPIPHANY
SERVICE
(Editor’s Note.—The Hecoui) has iniblished foi'
many years descriptions of the Epipluiny “Fea.st of
Liglits” service, whicli is so inseparably assoclfited
with St. AuRustlne’s College. This year we present
11 meditation on the service, written by a member
of the faculty.)
In tlio world today there is a growing belief
in many quarters tliat religious institutions have
failed. The students and the staff of St. Augus
tine’s College, however, know that religion Avill
never fail. The beauty of the Epiphany service
suggests how religion appeals to the ajsthetic
senses as well as to the mind. To admit the
essential contribution that religion makes to
man’s whole being is a delightful acknowledg
ment ; made through reason and through feel
ings—through the intellect and through the heart.
It is fitting indeed that after a holiday season
of merriment and joyous song we should pause
for a thoughtful appreciation of the true signifi
cance of Christ’s birth.
On the evening of January fi the Chapel was
filled with peoples of different denominations and
different races. It w^as beautiful to see the mag
nificent star shining alike on the faces of all.
It is said that “the sincere seeker finds in every
House of Worship, be it Christianity, Judaism,
Buddhism or Mohammedanism, the same exalted
sentiments of worship and of brotherhood.” 1 his
is surely so at St. Augustine’s, for every devout
soul found peace and brotherly love as the old
sweet story of the three Wise Men was re-enacted.
Realizing that religion alone can bring uni
versal peace and literally save the world, we were
fired with the desire to see the teachings of Clirist
actually practiced. It is only by living according
to the true principles of Christ that the world
can emerge from turmoil and strife.
Religious differences have always been a chief
cause of warfare between peoj)le.s, while religious
sympathy has always made for peace and under
standing. One hundred years after Christ lived
on earth wo would not have found Greek Chris
tians raising sword against Roman Christians.
They would have been conscious first that they
were Christians, second that they were Greeks.
Today we are first English, German, American,
French, and, as an afterthought, Christians to-
getlior. In the early years of Christianity the
master emotion was a common love for God, and
the other emotions were sublimated to it. N^othing
short of sueh vitality can save humanity today.
Christ and all the prophets taught of the com
ing of the reigii of God upon earth, which would
be a time of peace and prosperity; when all the
people Avould know the Lord and abide in His
love. We nnist spread these teachings to meet
the requirements of the illumined age.
As the Epiphany service ended with the sym
bolic spreading of the Light, w'e realized that
the promise of all ages is not far distant.—
L. J. M.
THE WOMAN’S AUXILIARY
The Woman’s Auxiliary has had two very in
teresting guest speakers at recent meetings: Pro
fessor Arthur P. Chippey and Bishop Edw'in A.
Penick. At the mid-January meeting Mr. Chip
pey, a member of the Diocesan Finance Com
mittee, gave an illuminating account of the finan
cial system of the Diocese of Xorth Carolina,
and sliowed charts which illustrate in detail how
the system works. He spoke also of his visits to
the Negro churches of the Diocese for the pur
pose of exjjlaining the system and of the encour
aging increase in giving subsequent to his visits.
He expressed the hope that as more and more is
exj)ccted of these churches, most of which are
either organized or unorganized missions, they
will respond heroically not only for the sake of
the Diocese, but for their own growth and vitality.
Bishop Penick visited the Woman’s Auxiliary
on January 27th and conducted the meeting.
Members of the Auxiliary of St. Ambrose Church
and members of the College Junior Auxiliary
were guests, and the Choral Club of the College
were guest singers. Under the direction of Pro
fessor Russell Houston, they sang “Christ for the
World We Sing,” “Break Forth O Beauteous
Heavenly Light,” and “How Lovely Are the Mes
sengers.”
Bishop Penick’s address was fatherly counsel.
He explained that he would speak not of tech
niques in missionary work nor of particular mis
sion fields, but rather of the motive for missions,
a sort of philosophy of missions. “God,” he
quoted, “is love.” Then if missionary activity is
to help people know God, Love must be both its
motive and its end, and Sharing its means. There
followed illustrations of what Love is and does,
and prayers for pure motives and generous par
ticipation on the part of men and women every-
Avhere. The soft opening bars of “How Lovely
Are the Messengers” gave a suitable closing to
the service.—L. R. ^[cK.
I'lie twelfth annual Public Welfare Institute
of Negro Social Workers of tlie State of North
Carolina was held at St. Augustine’s College,
Feliruary 3, 4, and 5. The conference, in charge
of Rev. William R. Johnson, Consultant on
Negro Affairs and Field Agent, has held all its
recent annual meetings on our campus. Miss
Ruth Stevenson, instructor at the Bishop Tuttle
School, was one of the conference speakers and
leaders. Students of the Bishop Tuttle School
avail thenuselves of the opportiuiity of attending
the discussions.