·---—-—-.—« - « ML ZION CHURCH IN AMERICA. vol xvm. SALISBURY, N.C. THURSDAT§ MAY ?4, 1394 4 NUMBER 21 RUNNING FIRE COMMENT ON PER80NB AND THINGS. BY REV. J. W. SMITH. Anthony U one of the happiest men la Zion. He fairly shakes with laughter because the New York Age three weeks ago aoored pretty sharply Bishop Toner and I for killing organic onion. Then in a frenzied freak he tuna and hits the Colored jjnerfeaa beoanse it said the union between Bethel and Zion is off, and that I led the opposition. The American and the Age are better readers of the signs of the times than our friend professor Anthony. These two brilliant Negro papers know that organio union is dead. They generally horosoope the oavt of religious and political events with almost prophet!o ken before they r ach a conclusion, ♦ * * Anthony who is walking in darkness asks:—“Are we to understand that the announcements made by two secular pa pers to tbe effeot that the union of ‘Zion’ and “Bethel” churches is off, proceeds from official authorities f ” No, Antho ny, it prooeeds from the people who are the greatest authorities after alt Tbe American people are greeter then any President or Congress. The members are greater than the bishops and general conference. Prof. J. C. Price at the last general conference was making a speech that did not please one of the bishops, and the biabop made a threat. Dr. Price quiokly replied In a ringing voloe that “tbe bishops and ministers are the servants of tbe people, the people are sovereigns, and will be heard tnd re spected.” A deafening applause from the general conference greeted theee fiery remarks. It showed that that learned body of common sense men well knew that the people are “the power behind tbe throne.” Anthony you know the meaning of Vox Popeii, Vex Del. Many leading churches in both owl nections have voted egalnet this humbug movement, to say nothing of the smaller churches, and many more are going to follow suit. Then there are loti of churches that have not voted, although they have had plenty of time to do so. And, mark you, many of the pastors who were almost crazy for union, are pesters of these churches. Why don’ttney have their churches vote f It shows that either these pastors are not sincere In this matter, or that their people wont have organio union. Then Bishop WeL ters complained a few months ago be cause the reports of churches voting came in so slow. I have also talked with some of the bishops on both sideeand they admit that organio union is dead One bishop said that last platform Was a “oompound of nothing.” I have had interviews with many et the leading men oi both churches and they said there would not be any union; that the thing did not start right; that it shoald have started from the people and not from tbe bishops and ministers; that the people did not authorize the last general conferences of theee two denominations to bring this matter up. But why need I waste words to oon vinos Anthony that the union between Zion and Bethel is oflf If he doesn’t know it he will soon l«em It If he wiU w alk around a little after the oommenoe ment of the college is over. I am glad I led the opposition, ably seoonded by men on both sides, which prevented a million of people from joining a movement which would have been suicidal, and resulted in splits and in establishing of other Zion and Bethel chnrohee. » * * The New York Age ii a foe worthy of uy man’s steel and If Its oauee Is strong It will fight you to a finish. In Its fight on organio union Its oause Is weak and its arguments old and threadbare. It Is a’l torn up because It says Bishop Turner and I are standing In the way of union Well, we will erer stand !■ the way until the first foundation of union is laid, which is “fraternal union.” There Is very little of that to-day between these two churches. Anthony, who gives his hand of congratulation to the Age for hitting Bishop Turner and I, admits this fact. He says In the Stab of May 81 that ‘‘others who were enthusiastic for it at first are not so hopeful now not be oause they believe la It lees—but because the spirit of fraternal union eeemsto be lacking.” This fact being generally ad mitted by the unionists It seems to be the sheerest nonsense to talk or think of uniting these two great denominations This] union effort Is more for human than for divine glory. One reason why it has collapsed so suddenly Is because there Is no God in Ik If the Age doubts this assertion let It take down its old Bible and read Acts v:8*-». “If this counsel or this work ha of men) It will come to nought: butif Itheof God, yi cannot overthroe It, leat haply fo be found even to fight against God.” — - * and ! will have a great deal to lag In the way of Age hai oonsulted the Divine mind end know* whet it is talking about. I shall be highly pleased at the day of judgment to have the privilege of answering for every word I have uttered against organic union, for the unionists will then say, “In yonder’s world we eaw through a glass darkly; but now taoe to face. Bro. Smith, yon were right.*' * will not leogthen this artiole as I shall, Hallowed, answer the Age in Its own columns this week. * * * Doubtless when this article appeals the Philadelphia and Baltimore oonferenoe preaided over by Bishc p Walters will be in session In Harrisburg. A lot of breth ren have heard from heaven recently and they feel that the Lord wants them in such and suoh a place "and that place means a fat place, of course. * * * Rev. O. L. Blackwell, in his weekly theological talks in the Stab tells how incorrect and funny some candidates answer some questions propounded to , them by the oonferenoe examining com mitteee. I remember s case In Washing ton when I was on the committee during my oonferenoe. I was examining a man la geography. He was about 40 ytars old, with a emm and sour look. I asked him what wasgebgraph) f He answered correctly. 1 then asked him what was the earth ? Top who study geography know the answer. Well, he looked at me a minute and got angry as he thought I was making fan of him and he said, in a quick and gruff voice, “Can’t you ask me any better question than that; you must tbi«k 1 am a long-headed fool; its the ground I reckon.” * * * Would it not be well for the Stab to let the church know about once or twice a month how Bishops Thompson and Harris are getting along? * * * I beard to-day from the scholarly P. ▲ L. Hubert, the financial secretary of Livingstone College. He says, “Smith, I told yon last year that I most raise two hundred dollars per month. I have been out eight months since my last report. How yon look out for this report when 1 reach the oollege the 20th of May.'* My friend Hubert told me some months ago when the general conference oomes he expeots to show morn money raised thu any other general offioer we have. Dr. Manley says he expects to do the same. Go ahead, boys; magnify your of fices; keep the law by making reports so that Zion can eee what you are doing. * * * In a reoent Iana of the Stab Pretiding Elder F. K. Bird stempe aa. untrue the report that the North Carolina confer once is opposed to transfers. Oood 1 TK«t. is the Aping report, and it is refresh ing to Ielow there is no truth in it. I could not believe this of the grand old North Carolina conference. It is silly in any conference to oppose transferees, for certain parts of the connection would never be built up without such men. When we remember that many of our bishops who planted Zion in the South were Northern transferees, and when we remember that the prosperity of many of our big churches an over Zion were built np by transferees from the North and South, it seems per fectly ridiculous that any sc* of brethren should kick on this line. We should feel that every inch of ground, and every nail, shingle and board in Zion is oars; that where our services are needed most there we will ao, caring not a button what other think of it. Our eon erencee do not belong to any set of men, and what right have they to kick against the ap pointments of the bishop ? It some of these mean, jealous, envious, seotlonal men who because they are too lasy to study mid fed'they are becoming back-aumbers •rc not satisfied with the bishop’s trans feree, let them get their Bible, umbrella and carpet-bag and get out of Zion as fast as their feet will carry them. I am down on this everlasting howl of “sectionalism ” If we keep np this erf the day will oome when Zion will be divided—North and South—like the Methodist Episcopal church. Every general conference when it oomee to elect bishop and general officers this *»—e*wg sectional ory is heard. Ti e loyal, progressive men of Zion must rebuke it I am not thinking of transferring, bat if I was, the bellowiags of men wouldn’t amount to a snap of tire finger with me. l*t the bishops have the backbone to frfifflir men wherever they se fit Zioa most be bni'tup. Cfcriicle, Pa. HERBERT, (8. G) NEWS. BT AVON. Sir, onr quarterly conference and meet ■g convened 1b Salat Lake ehtrroh on gsroh 3d and 4th, Rev. H. Blake preeld m- Pomp and harmony prevailed tobnghout and eaeh pastor node a creditable rppogt. jOa. Sunday ti U a, mM Bred ding Elder p lake preached an excellent serssoa from rdm S«MubJeot, “And if I be lifted up from the earth I .will draw all men unto Me,*' and the church oaught the same influence. At 8 p. m., he adminis tered sacrament, and after whioh Rev. S. L Jones filled the rostrum and preached mother soul-stirring sera on, and also we realised daring the quarter $7 SO. Services at Saint Lake were conducted by Rev. S. L Jones in the absenoe of the pastor. We have a fine Sunday school whioh was organized April 4th by R. B. Jeter as superintendent and Miss Esther Tucker as secretary We have enrolled 27 pupils with seven offioers. DOTS FROM THE LAND OF | FLOWERS. SPECIAL EASTER SERVICE AND GRAND RALLY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. BY REV. J. N CLINTON, A. B. Early Saturday morning the Sunday sohool committee and other ladies by speeial invitation oould be seen with has kets of beautiful flowers and evergreens wending their way to Talbot ohapel A M E. Zion ohuroh to deoorate and beaut ify the large and spacious chapel; for, the morrow was Easter Sunday and the children and young people were looking forward to the grand exercises promised by the superintendent and indicated by the beautiful program published in tne daily papers of the oity; while their par ents and older folks remembered the an nouncement that the pastor would preach a special Easter sermon to which gospel feast all were kindly invited to oome and participate. The weather was stormy and rain poured down in copious show ers; but so intent and determined were Mrs. Ellen Smi h and the ladies of the committee that the ohapel should be beautifully decorated, their efforts ceas ed not until the church was beautifully and handsomely dressed with floral de signs, gorgeous to behold. That beauti ful heart of roses with the inscription, “He is risen,*' was contributed by sister Ellen Smith who seems to be an adept in floral designs All, the floral contribu tions were Indeed grand but too numer ous to mention. All Saturdsy night it rained—Sunday morning the storm had Increased and at eleven o'olock a few had assembled and greeted their pastor, El der Carter, having braved the storm in their anticipation and eagerness to be on baud and present their Easter offerings for the benefit of the Sunday-school Union. At 3 p m, Rev. E. J. Carter, Zion's strong and forceful divine, preached a speoial Easter sermon from the theme— “It was impofs’ble for death to hold him." Though the congregation was small on acoount of the continual down pouring of rain, the pastor’s eloquent and able sermon will long be remember ed by those who came through the blind log storm and were intellectually and spiritually benefitted by the burning words of gospel truths whioh fell from his lips. At 7:30 p m, the rain had ceased and the clouds threatened rain the ohuroh was soon oomfortably filled with mem bers and friends anxiously awaiting and determined to enj^y the speoial Eister service, arranged for this hour by the superintendent, fur the adult and inter mediate scholars of the Sunday-sohool. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow" was heartily sung by the choir and congregation. Rev. E. J. Carter offered a fervent and soul-stirring prayer for the school, its officials and teachers, the ohuroh spiritually and all the people. The ohoir sang “Gloria in patri." The introductory remarks by the superintend ent encouraged a hearty co-operation in every effort to sustain our Sunday-school Unicn and thus hasten the ultimate real izstion of its great aim as set forth by Dr. Morris and the Board of Bishops “Jesus is risen" was lead by that brainy | young Ztonite, Riohird H. Blount.1 “Easter carols)1 sung so prettily by two little girls of No. 5, will cause many little ones hsreafter to try and emula'e their example Miss M F. Milton, who read her essay with so much effect, informed us that “Easter eggs" were a symbol of ereatic n and new life; she said: “For the Chris tian it symbolised the resurrection of Christ" The essay read by Miss Adrella Hilton, whose subjeot was “Aim in life," was a literary treat and was therefore highly oommended. Misses Coleman and Gaskins sang very sweetly that beaut lful duet, “Unger with me." Mrs. B, Simmons, who had taken for her subjeot “The denied and forsaken Savior," was at her best and read so blearly and dis tinctly that her audience gave marked attention and audibly expressed their ap preciation at the close of her essay. Mas ter Clayton 411etfe recitation was excep tionally good and his teaches may vrell beproqdof bim. Misses Hilton, Gary and Willis sang a beautiful trio whioh was exceedingly appropriate and nioaly ren ‘ dered. Miss Minnie Gaskins who baa ---I been attending the State Normal lohool, read an essay upon the subject^"The as tension.” Her ability Is unquestioned and her lovable disposition and willing* ress to do any thing assigned her, wins for her the esteem of the pasto*%nd sup erintendent as well at the love of aU who know her. Miss Katie Hopkins and L. Coleman were very maoh admixed and read- remarkably well; their subjects were ''Gethsemane” and "Christ in the judgment hall.” Little Bessie Rummer supported by olass No. 13, sang "Golden years.” It was hard tp deoide which one did best as all were highly commended. Mias A. Coleman read a beautiful descrip tive essay on "Peter and John’s‘journey to the sepubhre.” Mrs. Alice Bradley’s essay will long be remembered; her sub ject was "The betrayal of the Savior;” hers was a grand effort and the lady her self is truly a noble young womant "The Centurian soldier” was the subject of an essay read by Mrs. Josie Abdel Kader. If her introductory had not contained an apology for her Inability to write, thus preventing us from giving the due meas ure of praise her essay deserves. We have oould said it was second to none in thought, language and sentiment. The best rule always is to make no apoliglee whatever—It always detracts. Always strive to do tire best we can and merit will reap its own reward. The duet sung by Misses Sims and Boyd was pimply beautiful. Probably the best essay ever read by any member of our Sunday school was the one by Mrs. Florence Cunningham whose subject was "The three mays.” For depth of thought, beautiful imagery and excellent diction, her essay was far above the average She is a model young woman and holds tn important position in Zion Sunday school. ' i "The Sunday-school as an aid tp mis sionary work” was the subject of a par per read by H. G Williams, M. D, a bright young physician just from college whose valuable assistance In onr Sonday< school will help to mould character and ievelop the minds of the many young men and women who are every Sunday pining the school. After the beautiful quartet, "Resurrection,” led by Mrs. B. Simmons ably supported by Mrs. M. F. Green and others, was sung, Elder Cart er, in his happiest mood, said in his closing remarks, that, while he loved all denominations, he loved the Methodist church the best, and after listening to the grand efforts of the young men aad women who had far exoeeded his highest, hopes and most sanguine expectations on this oooasion, It was a wonder to him that every young man and woman did not join the Zion church or 8 unday Bohool, who were at all anxious to ele vate themselves intellectually, morally and religiously. Said he: "Zion churoh is the only ehureh in the world that ad mits deserving young women who have morally and intellectually fitted them selves, to a place in the highest oounoils of the churoh. Miss Minnie Jordan, our able and effle lent organist, deserves special mention because of her devotion and untiring en ergy in selecting all the music and in the preparation of the same for the Eas ter service. The task was entirely too muoh for her delicate constitution and physioal strength; and had it not been for our own MUs Mamie Gaskins, who came quickly to the reeoue, just think of it—what would we have done. Our girls, like our general officers, never' fail to respond promptly to Zion’s call. Let us now form a club and take the Stab. Such inducements as are now offered long oonttnue. It la highly gratifying to the members of Talbot chapel to see our aged and worthy brother, Samuel Sherman, highly oomplimented for his interest ln%ur con nection. The ditor of the StAb says of him—"He sells aad pays for more Quar terlies and Stabs than any nun in the churoh.” The secret of our brother’s suo oess lies in the fact that he regularly at tends Sunday eohool, is a dutiful and act ive olass leader, Attends every ohuroh servloe and is a living, walking ohuroh directory and of valuable assistance to the pastor. When brother Sloan fails to tell you the name, residence, number and street of any one of the thousand Zion members in Penaaoola, they have surely died or gone to parts unknown. Send us a photograph of the new brick four story Varriok Memorial Building that Is to be the headquarters of our Sun day sohool Union end and our August oolleotion for this building will be the greatest effort of our lives. The collection raised and forwarded to Dr. B. R. Morris for the Sunday-school Union was $15.00, about one-half the amount that would have been raised had the weather been favorable for the large attendance agtiolpated. BLACkT STOCK? (8. C.,) HEWS. BY L W. BTEWABT. Mr. Editor:—AUow see through Thb Stab to say to those who have not* paid his or her duty to Thb Stab, let him be an Elder, Deacon or a preacher etc. It is a shame for subscribers to take our paper and read it for a year and then not pay for it. In my mind the devil doesn’t want any better workers of in Iquity, and tho*e who wont pay up their debts. David said that God took him from a fearful pit and from the miry olay, and upon a rook he set my feet establishing my way, and then put a new song in my' mouth over God to magnify. ’ Now brothers if you are on thi i line oome up and pay your dues to The Stab, for we are the leaders of the world and ohurch es, and when we get behind the whole fix is out of the way. In ray mind to-day I do not think that there is a single preacher of the gospel of God, but what can pay $1 50 to The Stab a year ;]if he cannot he is no man hardly, and take hardly away he is no man at all. So brethren oome on like men of war, and tell to the world that we are men of God and are on the line of duty etc. Things are beginning to look bright here at Bethel and Gethsemalle. We|are looking for P. E, H. Blake, ere long God bless our beloved Zion. WILMINGTON (N. O) SPRAYS. BY MBS. FLORENCE V. DANCY. Mr. Editor:—The air is redolent with the perfume of the magnolia blooms and everywhere has the appearance, not of spring, bat summer. Miss Maggie Dozier died Monday, May 1, at 9 o’clock p. m., at her late residence on 8th street, anl was boried the following afternoon from St. Stephens A M E churoh, Bev E J Gregg officiating. Deeeased was highly esteemed as a lady of lovely char acter and many accomplishments. She left Brtmshand and four children to monrn her loss, the youngest an Infant of four months old surviving its mother only five days. Bey A MaoL Moore read the burial services Sunday morning at 10 SO o’clock.-St Lukes Sunday- sohoo) pionio was held Monday at Mineral Springs, and was largely attended by a happy throng of old and young. Misses Maria H'll and Mamie Howe oon~ template a visit to New York during the summer.-Seventy-two dollars was re alize 1 April 29th, at St Lukes for the benefit of a sister churoh, the new Zion mission situated on 12th street, and whleh Is rapidly approaching completion. It bids fair to be a model and oomfortable house of worship. Bev A MaoL Moore was out of the city and Bev Blackledge, pastor of the mission, delivered two ex cellent sermons. Over three hundred communed Sunday, May 6th. A rally morning and night towards raising money on the finishing of the ohuroh tower net ted 962 69. At 3 p. m. Bev Moore ad ministered the holy rite of baptism to nine ohildren, and in the evening the surpltoed choir of thirteen male voloes, under the leadership of Prof Moses Jones furnished the mode. Mr. William Moore is organist and Miss Maggie Sampson as sistant.-Miss Maggie Thurber has been on the slok list, but is convalescing. —-tMr Bichard Green, an old and highly respected citizen of this place, died Saturday evening, May 6, at his residence on Oth street, after an illness of 8 months. The funeral servioes were held at St Ste phens Sunday afternoon at 4 o'olock, and the interment made at Pine Forest Ceme tery. Mrs Bessie Blaokweil was also bur led tho same day from the ‘same ohuroh ——The congregation of St Lukes are preparing to hold camp-meeting, begin ning Friday, May 18th, at Piney Grove. -Miss Marianna Thurber has returned from teaching.-Bev D J Sanders, President of Biddle University, paid a visit to the “City by the Sea,” a few days ago. • RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT AND CONDOLENCE. Whkbxas, It has pleased our kind Heavenly Father, who doeth all things well, to remove from ns our beloved friend, Mias Rlohardeen Hoover; and, Whereas, We the members of Clinton Chapel ▲. M. E. Zion Sunday-school and more especially of the class with whioh she was identified do deeply mourn the loss of one so bright in intellect, so dear of conception and so gentle in manners; therefore, be it Beeolved, That we bow in humble sub mission to the will of a loving and al wise Parent whose good pleasure it it that His ohildren tarry from home but a short while* Resolved, That we extend to the be reaved finally our most slnoere sympathy in this, their hoar of sore trial, and we oonsolingly direct them to Him who alone ean soothe sorrow. Resolved, That aoop/of these resolu tions be sent to the bereaved family and also to Tn Stab or Zion for publica tion. ^" Committee: Lila M. Jones, Eugenia Taylor, mu Jjnes, y, Simmons. Charlotte, N. C. RALEiGHT, (N. C.,) KEWS. BY REV. E 8. W. fclMMOSS, Mr. EditorFor the first time during my administration at the capitol city of the state as pastor, I attempt to let the members Of this great Zion know as to the condition of cur ohurch here. At the conference held in Newbeme, N. C, 1892 I was appointed as pastor cf this oharge, known as the Raleigh sta tion I entered my work at once and am glad to say found some true Zionites here. I vent to work endeavoring to make or collect together a congregation whlcL I succeeded la doing. In a few Sundays I was unable to accommodate the large crowd that came to hear me. I at once being anxious to improve our church building began to devise plans for the same. 1 went to work by the help of God and succeeded in raising money enongh to take oil that old roof which was a hip roof and a very leaky one at that and put on a square top roof Then the orowd that continued to come was of such until 1 proposed to make the church larger, benoe I set about the same. We knocked out the rear end of the old ohuroh and j ut on an addition 15x40, and this enabled us to seat about 250 or 300 more persons than we could cefore. And yet we need more room. During the year 1893 we were blessed with two visits from that great and ven erable prelate and pulpit orator, Bishop J. W. Hood, who m 'ved Raleigh wit If his masterly argument concerning JesuB and his Christ And then we were hon ored with a visit from that most eloquent and distinguished soholar and embassa dor of Christ, Bishop Pettey. These dis tinguished divines contributed greatly to our success. Hence, we took np at the conference held in Greenville, 1893 the grandest report ever went from Ra leigh, having also doubled our member ship. At that conference we were reap pointed to this charge; also th