SH:
m THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OFTHE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH
Vol XXVI
Charlotte, N. C., Thursday, July 30, 1903.
No 32
A FOREIGN LETTER
tin Prominent Negro Editors in America .
by our correspondent.
An art product of letters is one
of the most potent influences in
determining character. Many crit
ics have said the Negro has shown
no peculiar aptitude in literary
fields. With the exception of
histories, several novels and a few
other productions more or less
polemic it is true that our claim
to literary distinction rests on
somewhat a flimsy foundation, if
hone be eliminated.
That in making, there is a liter
ary fabric, no one will hardly de
ny; and the footprints of writers
whose fugitive lines appear in
reputable journals may become
well-beaten roads for worthy Ne-'
gro authors of the future. The
making of literature is slow like
the growth of a tree. It gets its
life from earth and air. In na
ture’s own mysterious laboratory
the writer by a peculiar alchemy
which he can not explain evolves
a self which buds, blossoms .and
bears fruit. Critics may mint,
but if a work is vivifying, it finds
its place, and they who hoped to
be hired mourners often become
obsequious beggars. American lit
erature, that is literature which has
a distinctively American flavor as
distinguished from British, was a
long time bursting into the glories
of the New England school which
hushed even the nightingale by
the beauty of American song
birds. In like manner the litera
ture of the Negro will be slow in
developing a distinctive flavor
which will differentiate it from
the other races yet make it a joy
forever.
rerbaps JNegro journalism will
furnish the school for the devel
opment of what so many- of us
would like to hail. The lot of the
peace-loving, conscientious editor
is hard. His it is to create senti
ment, defend the race, to say the
thing which ought to foe said, and
in a manner as to give no offence
to another race wThile it sends the
shaft to the mark. This is a se
vere school, but it is developing a
hardy breed. Among the papers
that that fall in my way are the
Richmond Reformer, Colored
American, the A. M. E. Zion Re
view, and the New York Age.
The editorial of these and other
Negro papers tell of wonderful
capacity and power.
Unique among the editors of
the race is the Rev. John Wesley
Smith of the Star of Zion. I re
member when he began his career
in articles dashing and sophomo
t'ic. He was always entertaining
and ready, so to speak, for any
thing, from a buzz-saw to a loco*
motive. Dangerous it generally
proved for the saw and engine, for
our knight went out for victory
and delighted to come home smil
ang. The author of the “Break
fast Table Letters” has since
found how to live less strenuously,
and it gives me as much pleasure
to read after him now in his and
any maturer years as when a boy I
used to hold my breath at some of
uis terrible onslaughts. He was
’uy Ivanhoe. Bryant in his
’’Thanatopsis” displayed as great
artistic ability as he did in his
"Flood of Years,” though the
production of his age is the trium
phant cry of belief in immortality
while the earlier poem is rank
with stoicism. Dr. Smith has
grown riper, and more artistic, as
well as stronger in c religion with
age. His sentences are terser,
thought more virile, sober and
clear. His style has assumed a
new charm. It seems to delight
him that his friends endorse his
manly stand for equity and right.
To my mind, his scholarship poise,
his true self, his earnestness of
purpose and desire to help men
out of the low to the higher things
is best exhibited in his religious
editorials, or short sermons.
A splendid example of short
sermon writing1 was the New York
Herald's religious article before
the preacher-reporter died a year
or so ago. £)r. Smith, for com
pactness and clearness, is easily
the peer, and besides his articles
have a charm that could not be
discovered in the Herald’s writer.
He has a flavor which lingers as
and is tinctured with the evangel-|
ical spirit which gives true!
preaching its power, while the
Herald writer was largely Ger
manic. Close at band are two
sermons of which I have been
speaking; viz., “A Wandering
Soul Unhappy” and “Future Fun-:
ishment.7’ The ^language of the
first is beautiful)^,the flow of the1
sentence pictures an aimless quest
and unsatisfying longing. The
thought is natural and suggestive
and beneath is a warning com
mingled with possible comfort.
It touches the soul, fires the pas
sions, kindles an earnest desire for
for rest; it is an unconscious art
product . There is4 no straining
after effort. It is a call to a wan
derer to follow the gleam of the
light in the Father’s mansion,
where there is no more wandering
but rest. “Future punishment”
is different. It is quasi combative,
but so arranged that the burden
of proof is on the shoulders of the'
unbeliever. To the preacher
there is a hell. There is do ques
tion of his orthodoxy. He does
not paint inferno like a Dante.
But he is as earnest as a Whitefiejd.
The argument is convincing be
cause it is true; it is powerful be
cause it is truth put in such a
manner as the wayfaring man may
read and’ run. The closing is a
model. Here is either intuition
■or scholarship. Certainly there
is skillful arrangement. Milton,
Shakespeare, Greek philosophy
and the gospel as expounded in a
sermon of close thought and orig
inality by a modern preacher are
drawn upon with facility as gives
both force and beauty. True
these are sermons, perhaps I may
call them sermonic essays. VV hat
ever their names they are richly
worth study from the artisttes and
literary side as from the religious.
And who knows but that in the
development of the higher literary
life of our people the sermon will
not take the lead?
Here is a pastor, a strong
preacher and an editor in Dr. J.
W. Smith whose versatility makes
him a worthy workman the fame
of which cannot be circumscribed
by the limits of his own Church.
As an artisan, when he was a sim
ple correspondent, he had many
imitators; but as an artist where
deftness of touch, skill in delinea
tion, beauty of finish is necessary,
where men forget rules and form
v. as and work by the initiations
of acquired power and the inspira
tion of genius made sacred by a
devotion to the cause of Truth, he
is without question a master.
The true writer as well as
preacher is pre eminently a teach
er. Such is our subject. Some
times there is the charm of the
Spectator in the palmy days of.
(Continued On Fifth Page.)
MISS MAP YE. E. HILL.
/ -__
Charming Daughter oi Dr. and fln J. M
Hi!!.
ASLEEP IN JESUS?
The home of Dr. J M. Hill, General
Manager of the A. M. E. Zion Publica
tion House, is one of sadness and gloom
at this writing. The tears of the Isra
elites did not flow anore copiously at]
the death of the noble and good Joshua]
than they do in this home over the]
death of his sweet little daughter, Miss]
Mary Emma Eliza Hill, which occurred
Friday, July 17, 1903, at 3:20 p. m. She
was 18 years, four months ana two days
old, and because of h'er^xtraordinaryj
• #4r~
MISS MARY E. E. HILL
, i
l qualities as a young woman and Chris
tian was the idol of her parents and'
brother. No wonder the hearts of Dr.
and Mrs. J. M. Hill and son are severe-J
ly wrung with sorrow, because, in the^
language of Jeremiah 15:9, “Her sun is
gone down while it was yet day. ’ ’
I * FUNERAL,
j On the Sabbath afternoon following
,her demise, long before the funeral
procession left the home, Clinton ehap-j
;el was densely crowded with people,!
^hundreds being turned away for want'
[of sufficient room. At 3:10 the funeral
entered the church while the congrega-'
tion rose with bowed heads and Miss
Jennie Warner played a funeral dirge'
on the organ,
“By cool Siloam’s shady rill,” was
lined by Dr. W. H. Goler. Rev. How-j
ard read the first funeral lesson; Rev.!
IP. F. Malloy, of Friendship Baptist'
church, the second, and Bishop T. H.l
Lomax the third. Dr. R. B. Bruce of-j
fered a pathetic and consoling prayer. I
“Beyond the smiling and the weeping,
was sung by the choir. Dr.-Goler gave
out “O for the death of those,” which!
was solemnly sung. The biography!
was slowly but distinctly read by Dr.
J. W. Smith.
Dr. A. J. Warner, the pastor, then
preached a timely, profitable and inter-!
esting sermon from Rev. 21:3,4. “It
is natural for us to weep at the death'
of loved ones, ” said Dr. Warner, “but1
not as those who have no hope. The1
infidels and skeptics have no hope, but'
the child of God has. Dr. and Mrs.!
Hill and brother Gus, God will put no
more upon you than you are able to"
bear. All things work together for!
good to them that love God. She can
not come back to you, but you can go to]
her. She is in heaven. How do I know!
it? Because as the tree falls, so will it]
lie. As we live, so we die She lived!
and died a Christian. God has come in-J
to the flower garden of Clinton chapel
and plucked the most lovely flower !
She was as faithful and devoted to the!
ehurch as she could be. She was equal-]
ly so to her parents. She always car-]
ried smile and sunshine in her face. I
She has overtaken the blood-washed!
army and joined relatives and friends'
^n that city whose streets are gold and!
whose walls are jasper.”
Dr. Goler also spoke, paying, “I have
come to drop a tear of sympathy with1
the family over their great loss. God
says, ‘What I do, thou knowest not1
now, but thou shalt know hereafter.’
God’s ways are past finding out. Trust
God, and by and by you will see the
wisdom of his purpose, of his course.”
Dr. J. W. Smith spoke soothing words
to the family and warned the uncon-J
verted to prepare to meet their God. I
The body of Miss Hill was interred in [
the cemetery of the city. i
BIOGRAPHY.
Mary Emma Eliza Hill was born!
March 15, 1885. She was baptized at |
eleven months old by Bishop J. W.
Hood, D. D., LL. D., at which time her
parents took it upon themselves to train
her up the way which she should go, all
of which they have done to the fullest
extent of their ability.
She was converted at the age of 12
years and some months at a revival held
m the Metropolitan Church, Fayette
jville, N. C., joined the church under the
administration of Rev. R. Alonzo Scott,
and lived a consistent Christian until
■the day of her death. She was a true,
[faithful and devoted daughter to her
[father and mother Her pleasant and
lovely nature could always be realized
(in the home, and she always brought
sunshine when she came She joined
Clinton chapel, Charlotte, N. C., soon
after coming here and was assigned to
class 13; Richard Martin leader.
She was never heard to make any un
pleasant or unbecoming remarks about
associates, friends or neighbors, but, to
the contrary, she always spoke of them
in the highest terms.
I in conversation with her lather and |
mother on her sick bed, she told them
that she was praying and trusting in
the Lord. As her mother began to shed
tears at her bedside,, she said “Mamma,
don’t cry, I will be better after awhile.”
And seeing a sad countenance on her
father’s face she said, “Papa, you .look
worried.’’ He said to her, “No, daugh-f
ter, papa is not worried. I am con
cerned about you. I am doing all I can
to help you. You must trust in the
Lord.” He then asked herjf she loved
Jesus. She replied, “Yes^&pa, I love
Jesus and he loves me.”
She was Always true and faithful in
church and Sabbath-school. At the
age of five years, Clinton chapel, Char
lotte, presented her with a child’s Bible
as an expression of their appreciation
her devotion to the church and Sab
for
bath-school. In the Easter rally in the
year 1901 in Clinton chapel, her success
,was of such a character that they were
induced to make her another present
of an Oxford Bible.
A few moments before crossing the
river of death, there came a smile upon
her countenance that expressed to fath
er, mother and all, that it was well
;with her soul. She leaves behind a
devoted father and iftother and one
brother. .
Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy
rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour’s
breast:
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee
'best—
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
Only “Good-night, ” beloved, not “fare
well!”
A little while, and all His saints shall
dwell
In hallowed union indivisible ...
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
Charlotte, N. C.
Bishop Walters.
This large-hearted, hard-work
ing and capable bishop has been in
our midst. He preached one of his
usually able sermons Sunday night.
His charming wife to whom he has
been recently united in the bonds
of matrimony at Louisville, Ky.,
is with him. The good people of
the Metropolitan church and the
city gave them a grand reception
Monday night. The bishop is just
in from the meeting of the Afro
American Council. He declares it
was a great success. He thinks its
next meeting should be in this city
during the World’s Fair. By all
means let us have it here. A body
of leading colored St. Louisians
should be organized now and an in
vitation extended, arrangements
made, etc.—St. Louis Advance.
From a copy of the annual report of
the trustees of Galbraith A. M. E. Zion
church it appears that during the last
conference year there has been paid by
them $8,671.75, $5,890 of which can
celled the second mortgage, $820.75 in
interest, taxes, and attorney fees, $1,200
on pastor’s salary, $300 for CoDnection
al claims and $971 for all other pur
poses. Rev. Corrothers, the pastor,
certainly has set a pace that it will be
difficult for any other church of propor
tionate size to surpass.—Washington,!
(D. C.) Record .
PULPIT AND PEW,
0! Zion.
READ.
Rev. J. J. Adams of Rochester, N. Y.
is in the city.—Zion Methodist.
On the 21s*, Rev. J H. Tremble had
a baptizing at the river.—Voice of the
People.
Rev. Wm. H. Tucker of the Blue
Ridge conference of Tennessee, is in
the city this week.—Zion Methodist.
Dr. P. J. McIntosh of Uniontown,
Pa , holds his audience spellbound from
Alpha to Ompga, and is a second Dwight
L. Moody —Voice of the People.
Bishop Clinton baptized the little son
of Rev. and Mrs. Clement last Sabbath
morning; John Clinton Clement is the
name of the young gentleman.—Zion
Methodist.
Dr. J. M. Hill, the business manager
of the Star of Ziont, has just put a
beautiful bay-window to his l-esidence
on First street, thereby adding much to
the appearance and comfort of his well
ordered home.—Baptist Sentinel.
John Wesley church and pastor were
highly favored by the excellent sermon
Wednesday evening preached by Bish
op J. W. Hood, D. D., LL. D. Each
heart filled with joy as he preached the
eternal truth of Jesus Christ.—Voice of
]’the People.
Rev. G. W. Johnson, John Wesley A.
M. E. Zion church’s popular pastor is
genial, affable, generous-hearted, wise
administrator, splendid preacher and
cute financier. He is carrying John
Wesley away up the realm of success.—
Voice of the People.
Media, Pa. (Special).—The Rev. Dr.
W. E. Mask, who was recently appoint
ed by Bishop Clinton pastor of the A.
M. E. Zion church, South Media, is ard
uously at work arranging for a big fi
nancial event in the near future.—Phil
adelphia Courant,
Dr, Snowden an4 Chairman Nunm
and the Board of Trustees are to be
congratulated on the very elegant re
ception tendered Bishop and Mrs. Wal
ters. The whole city is full of praise
for our generous Jacob-street congrega
tion.—Zion Methodist
We have received an invitation to'
the marriage of our friends and former
college-mates, Miss Lena Bell Jordan,
and Prof. Samuel E. Dancan at Wash
ington, N. G., Wednesday, July 22d.
Congratulations, and best wishes for a
long and happy journey.—Zion Metho
dist.
Rev. Dr. M. R -Franklin, (new pastor
for the A. M. E; Zion church, Yonkers,
N. Y., and who succeeded Rev. Gaskill,
preached his initiatory sermon on Sun
day, July 5. It was a very able presen
tation of the Gospel. A very fair-sized
congregation was out to hear the netr
pastor.—New York Progressive Ameri
can.
Rev. Harry J. Williams, ye editor
pastor of the A. M. E. Zion church, Al
toona, Pa., was in town a couple of
days last week. He returned to his
charge Saturday. He looked well, hap
py and cheerful. Rev. Williams is suc
ceeding nicely and will make a record
in Altoona.—Voice of the People.
A well-bred gentlemen never squirts
tobacco juice on the pavement, because
he knows the street is the place to do
it.—Star of Zion.
This makes us question in our mind
whether or not a “well-bred gentle
man” will squirt tobacco juice any
where.—Rock Hill (S. C.) Messenger.
We want men in the lead that will
marshal the army of Zion and go into
the waste places and establish Zion
When a man finds that he is not able to
do a piece of work, he ought to be man
enough to get out of the way and let
some one there that can. Plans are of
no use whatever unless they are put in
operation.—The Link.
Well, while I am talking I want to
say that the general Church ought to
know of some of South Carolina men in
the next General Conference. Tnere is
Dr Killingsworth, Rev M Ingram, Dr
J H Manley among the older ones and
among the younger is Rev J H Thomas,
Rev Or W Ingram and others that are
fully able to take cai-e of any of Zion’s
interests committed to them And we
have laymen also that are fully able to
fill with credit any office in the general
Church. Among them is Prof J A Wal
lace, the Palmetto Plum Tree Man- by
all means, Dr Manley ought to be elect
ed to the secretaryship of the V c E
He is the man first, last and all the
time.—The Link.