r
. JJti
^EDUCATION
Is o
The First Step
to
Doing somebodv
Doing Something
Helping Someone
Getting Somewhere
A NOTE OF PRAISE AND GRATI- ^
tUDE. J
Miss Beatrice M. Jones, The Young
Evangelist.
• “Thanks be unto God who giveth us j
‘ the victory through our .Lord and j
'Saviour Jesus Christ.’’
/ After spending several days in the
' death chamber in the Rutherfordton,
N. C. hospital, I am going on my |
wby rejoicing, praising God for His
"goodness to'me". The more I think of
my wounds, the more I realize that
nothing is too hard for Jesus.
I thank the Blue Ridge conference
for their kindness and prayers. I
have experienced that prayer means
• everything, and was all that brought
relief to me. The effectual, fervent
prayers of the righteous availeth
‘much.
, I cannot say that I deeply regret
my affliction, for I am sure it was a
blessing to many as well as to myself.
I was only called to be alone with
Jesus; while others were summoned
to the duty of prayer.
“God works in a mysterous way,
His wonders to perform;
.He plants his footsteps in the sea,
jUjid rides upon the storm. ”
..:i i*ousiville, Ky.
MIRRORS OF ZION.—AN ORATOR
v : 1CAL CONTEST.
. . ' • By Rev. A. Elison.
:>-We always hold the 12th of Febru
ary ini high' regard, because it is the j
birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the
*£reat Emancipator. It was through
thb proclamation issued by Lincoln.
Jan. 1, 1365 that made it possible
for us-as a race to hav* an oratorical
contest* or any other educational pro
‘gram that we would like to have.
Prof. W-. E. Woodyard, principal of
• Dinwiddle High School, who always
keeps apace with the’time, and Prof.
Mosdll, the science teacher, who is a
'graduate of Livingstone College,
'•thought-it wise to put on an oratorical
Contest on the 12th of February, the
birthday of one of America’s greatest
Presidents.
Those who participated were mem
bers of the Junior, Sophomore and
Freshman classes, respectively. Each
class was well represented. The
speakers were as follows: Mr. Willie
Blunt, and Mr. Augustus Lacy, of the
Junior class; Mr. Chas. Williamson,
and Miss Elizabeth Deel of the Soph
omore dtass; Mr- Arthur Williamson,
•and Miss Gladys Cunningham, of the
Freshman class. There was a first
and second prize for the winners.
The first prize was a gold medal, and
the second prize was $2.50. Mr. Au
gustus Lacy, a member of the Junior
class* won the first prize. Mr. Willie
Blunt, a member of the same class,
WOn the second prize. All of the
speakers made' a wonderful display
on the stage, each one holding his
equilibrium, and destined to make
great men and women.
Those who served as' judges for the
contest were: Dr. C. L• Alexander,
vice President of the board of trus
tees of Dinwiddie School, and Mr.
Charles Nelson, teacher act Dewitt,
¥sl . The judges rendered a very fair
decision, having to judge from the
four technical points: pronunciation,
memory, stage bearing and repeti
tion. .
Dr. Alexander is in the race for
the Church “Extension. He has a
Splendid program for this 'department.
While looking over the Mirrors of*
JB&ir we find that Alexander is still
shining. *
YOUTHS'
CORNER
General Conference.
As I stand with my ear toward the
ground trying to hear the news of
the future, I ask the watchman who
is standing on the wall with the
crank of time in his hand, how long?
The answer comes back that with
less time than two months the wheel
of time will roll us up to another
General Conference. The Master is
asking “Whom shall we send and
who will go for us?’’ Drs. Jones,
Walls, Madison, Alleyne, Shaw, Cal
lis and a great number of others have
already cried out “Lord, here am I
send me.” The gospel must be
preached in all the world. Then what
about Africa? I think that I haye
heard one cry, ‘‘Here am I, send me.”
and he is our most worthy Missionary
Secretary, Dr. W. W. Matthews.
Let us crown this prelate as Bishop,
and send him to Africa and Zion will
take on new life in that heathen
land.
Brethren, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise, think on these
things. (Philippians 4:8.)
Dinwiddie, Va.
DR. E. W. SMITH, CANDIDATE
FOR MANAGER, RECOMMENDED
BY CHURCHMEN AND CITIZEN'S.
To whom it may concern: *
This is to certify that I have been
personally acquainted with Rev. E.
W. Smith, from his early childhood
and it gives me pleasure to bear tes
timony to his excellent Christian
character and fidelity to every trust
committed to him. I know of no man
who has* done more for his race than
he. He is intersted in all that per
tains to the uplift of his people and
to accpmplish this, to my certain
knowledge, he has made great sacri
fices both of time and money. No
colored man has done more to help
me as County Superintendent, to
build up a creditable school system
among the colored people of our
County. I am always ready to en
dorse Rev. E. W. Smith, for I believe
him to be honest and straight.
(Seal) F. T. Wooten,
County Superintendent!
I fully concur in the above, This
August 1st, 1921.
(Seal) J. L. Memory,
Clerk Superior Court,
Columbus County.
Official Board of Saint Mark A. M.
E. Zion Church,
Whiteville, N. C
To whom it may concern:
This is to certify that Rev. E. W.
Smith is a citizen of Columbus coun
ty, Whiteville, N. C. He served us
as pastor for a period of five years,
during which time he erected a beau
REV. E. W. SMITH, D. D , P. E.
Candidate for Manager A. M.’E. Zion Publishing House, General Con
ference, 1924. Address: Vineland, N. C. '
DR. ELEY'S BIRTHDAY RECEP
TION.
A very enjoyable birthday surprise
was tendered Dr. William H. Eley,
pastor St. Peter’s A. M. E. Zion
church, Bayonne, N. J., on Monday
evening, March 10th by the following
ladies of the church—Miss Mabel
Winchester in charge, assisted by the
Misses Edna Johnson, Ardenur Smith,
Carrie Martin, Ida Lane, Mesdames
Carrie Johnson, Sara Winchester and
Flossie Thomas.
A short, but very interesting mu
sical and literary program was ren
dered, at the conclusion of which the
pastor, in a few appropriate remarks,
expressed his sincere appreciation
for the very agreeable surprise and
for the numerous tokens of love and
esteefh in the form of a purse from
the various auxiliaries of the church,
and personal friends as well, including
a very beautiful bouquet of carna
tions, represnting in number the age
of the pastor.
At the conclusion of the program
the many members and friends pres
ent retired to the basement of the
church with the pastor and his family
to enjoy a delightful collation, which
included a very beautiful birthday
cake.
Bayonne, N. J,
■
. tiful brick church which reflects cred
it upon this town, and County as well
as the whole Zion connection. It
gives us pleasure to. bear, testimony
to his excellent character a^ a race
builder and his fidelity to every trust
committed to him. Rev. Smith also
served as postmaster of Vineland,
N. C., four years. Twenty years a
member of the school board, proving
himself to be honest in every respect.
As a man of business we know of no
man surpassing him. He is fully qual
ified to fill whatever may be commit
ted to him. As a pastor during a per
riod of five years he has done forms
what no other pastor has done or
could do. We say this without any
reflection on. the part of any of the
good men who have served us.
Signed by the official Board of
St. Mark A. M. E. Zipn Church:
3^. J. Pierce, E. M. Baldwin, J. P.
Maultsby, R. H. Howard, A. L.
Pridgen, F. H. George, Prof. C.
McPhaul.
He has also been endorsed by the
following influential citizens:
A. W. Baldwin, Register of Deeds,
Columbus County; E. F. Powell,
President Bank of Columbus; H. Lr.
Lyon, Member of Congress from 6th
i District, North Carolina .
I _
l\ Velmot makes\yoilr hair beau
tiful. Get a box to-day at 10c
stores and drug stores.
REVERENCE
Planted in Childhood
vill
Bear Fruit in Manhood
in
BETTER LIVES
HAPPIER HOMES
NOBLER CITIZENS
THE PIVOTAL HOUR
By Rev. E. F. Rollins.
As we approach the forthcoming
General Conference which convenes
tn Indianapolis in May, we become
more and more concerned about the
welfare of our Zion. The problems
to be solved are many and weighty,
and there is none more important
than the election of the best fitted
men for that high and holy office.
First: We all realize that the
Church is approaching a crisis, and
the pivotal hour is at hand. The
supreme idea in the mind of all the
delegates, both lay and clerical,
should be the election of the men
»best suited to serve in that capacity,
rather than .those who are mainly
anxious for. the bishopric. The con
servative judgment should prevail in
making such a choice rather than’ the
partisan whim of self-seeking candi
dates .
• Second: The first prerequisite.of a
leaddr in the Church of Christ, is that
of a Well developed spirit of brother
I ly love. A bishop that loves the
brethren after the General Confer
ence as well as before the election,
j is what we want. And rte are going
' up there to get them. A big brother
: bishop instead of a cattle driving boss
is our ideal. ,
The Number Needed.
The fact of the necessity of Chris
tian leadership has been recognized
in all preceding ages. Nothing great
in Church or state has ever been ac
complished without a great leader.
Therefore an adequate number com
mensurate with the demands of our
Zion niust be elected. At the last
General Conference at Knoxville,
Tenn., our Board of Bisops recom
mended the election of three men to
meet the tdemands of the Church,.
Only two, however were elected and
since that time four of the venerable
fathers have died. Since that time
oui; beloved Metdoism has suffered a
serious set back because of a lack of
adequate supervision from a numeri
cal point of view.
Our present Board of Bishops, men
of vision, courage and a progressive
idealism,” of whom we all are proud,
is the equal, if not superior to any
of the high prelates in the history
of our Zion.
Because of the economic stringen
cy of the times and the thinning of
the ranks by death, they are both
underpaid and overworked.
As I see it, to merely fill the va
cancies caused by, death, would re
quire the election of four bishops.
And if we have made any progress
at all, and if we hope to make any
in the immediate future, we certainly
need to elect five. Even then, wq will
only be up to the number-recommend
ed in the last General Conference.
In my personal conviction, the
Church needs that unique type of
manhood as we find in the interest
ing personality of Dr. E. D. W.
Jones. Our fairminded men must ad
mit that Ed. Jones can fill a place in
Zion very difficult for others to fill.
As a writer,' a scholar, a thinker,
and a pulpiteer, who in our Zion, in
our race or any other race for that
matter, can excel “Willie” Walls.
The age limit should be no barrier
to any one so capable of rendering
efficient service on the Episcopal
bench. Dr. Walls, however, is safe
within the law.
Others who would grace the benoi
_0f Bishops are: t)rs. W. C. Brown,
of Brooklyn, Y. Y., C. C. Alleyne,
and E. L. Madison. To my mind the
. n -.
FAMILY
ALTAR
five named gentlemen above cons-ii
tute as strong a group of brain and
practical leaders as the church could
select. And still we have r> large
number standing Episcopal timber,
anxious to be hewn down and carried
to the mill. Such men as Dr3. J \v.
Brown, B. W. Swain. 3. L. Corroth
ers, H. J. Callis, J. W. Martin. Wm.
Sutton, W- L. Hamblin, F. M. Jac
obs, W. W. Slade, and others.
For the editorship of The. Star, Dr.
W. H. Davenport should be elected.
He is one of the acknowledged mas
ter penmen of the Church and race.
He should be unanimously elected.
More anon.
New Bern, N. C
A VISION OF HEAVEN.
By Rev. N. T. Hunter.
That heaven is real there can be no
doubt. That others beside St. Paul
have been allowed a view of Paradise
is evident from the testimony of the
most reliable witnesses, such as Dr.
Tennent, of New Jersey, Dr. Cake
and many others. One of the most
interesting and touching incidents or
this character is related by Rev. B.
Finley in his “Autobiography.” It
occurred in 1842 when he was pre
siding elder of the Lebanon district
Ohio conference.
He tells us that “I was winding up
the labors of a very toilsome year.
1 had scarcely finished my work till
I was most violently attacked with
bilious fever, and it was with great
difficulty I reached my home.” He
sank rapidly. The best medical skill
failed to arrest the disease, and life
was utterly despaired of. “On the
seventh night,” he says, "in a state
of entire insensibility to all around
me, when the last ray of hope had A
departed, and my weeping family and!
friends were standing around my
couch waiting to see me breathe my
last, it seemed to me that a heavenly
visitant entered my room. It came
to my side, and iji the softest and
most silvery tones, which fell like .
rich music on-ihy ear, it said: “I have
come to conduct you to another stgte
and place of existence. In an instant
'I seemed to rise, and gently borne
by my angel guide, I floated out upon
the ambient air. Soon earth was lost
in the distance, and around us on ev
ery side were worlds of light and
glory. On, on, away, away, from
world to luminous worlds afar, we
sped with the velocity of thought.
At length we reached the gates of
paradise, and oh the transporting
scenes that fell upon my vision, as
the emerald portals, wide and high,
rolled back upon their golden hinges.
Then in its fullest extent, did I real
ize the invocation of the poet:
“Burst, ye emerald gates, and bring,
To my raptured vision,
All the ecstatic joys that spring
Round the bright Elysian.”
“Language, homever, is inadequate
to describe what then, unveiled eyes,
I saw. The vision is indelibly pic
tured on my heart. Before me spread
out in beauty was a broad sheet of
water, clear as crystal. Not a single
r:PP^e on its surface, and its purity
and clearness indescribable.
While I stood gazing with joy and /
rapture at the scene, I saw Rev. P- *
R. PittmaD, presiding elder of the
Wilmot district, Rev. W. J. Black,
pastor at Crossett, Ark., Rev. Dr.
J. W. Carter, pastor at Dermott,
Ark., Rev. A. Newman, pastor at
Wilmar, Ark., and N. T. Hunter, •
presiding elder of the Montrose dis* 1
trict. All of these brethren were
t elected ministerial delegates to the
General Conference from the Arkan-*
sis Conference.
Auroda, Ark.
IN MEMORIAM.
A
In. loving remembrance of our Baby s
Boy, William Hamblin Hunter, who
went awa^one year ago, April 2, 1923.
You have gone from us forever,
Longer here you might not stay,
You have reached a fairer region,
Par away,—Par away.
The parents,
R. T. and Gladys-Hamblin Hunter,
Lincolnton, N. C.