Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / May 28, 1925, edition 1 / Page 1
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i fl&fofi sM m®§ ■saakmAm A UNIQUE CHURCH. From The Charlotte Observer. Probably the most unique church in all of America is tc be found in North Carotin* Greensboro is its home and "The C h u r c h-by-the-Side-of-the Road" is its name. It has been the talk of the country and the results of its endeavors are being closely watched, not only by Church people and church work ers but by those interested in social work and community work, for this church 4n reality is a community church, and it indulges in community endeav ors and attempts to* faring its parishioner* closer to the church and closer to one another. That it has succeeded is evidenced by the fact that whan it took up this work, it was about to perish for want of a congregation. Now it has one of the most flourish ing fields in the State. - m J.9U4, n was me joessemer Avenue Presbyterian church and had been founded for the ex press purpose of serving the community which had grown up around an old finishing mill. Shortly, however, the mill dosed -down and the congrega tion drifted to other fields and the church was left high and dry. . ■! Owing to the strategic posi tion of the church, however, it was decided by die Presbyteri an ministers that it Ahould re main where it was and accord ingly the matter was laid before the Presbytery. A; committee was sent to look the situation over and it agreed with the ministers. Then it was moved to a bite on North Elm Street Where it became the North Ehn Presbyterian church.; At this time about half a doz en families had moved to that n^dnAri iMjl QltV ftTlH themselves with this^miggling church. From then on it kept growing until soon the congre gation exceeded the capacity of the little church. The congregation then began to look for a still newer and larg er site, and finally got one just a short distance off North Elm Street. The lot fronted 300 feet on Second Street running through to Third with a simi lar frontage on that street. On one side was Carolina Avenue, 600 feet, and the' same distance on the other side is Virginia Av enue. Thus, the lot was 300 by 600 feet. wnen me iox was iaia out ana the church building placed, it was found that there was ample room for a lot of activities never before undertaken by a Greens boro church. Accordingly provis ion was made on the back side of the lot for a most excellent baseball diamond and a full size baseball and football field. Be tween the church -building and this athletic field are the courts for tennis, basket ball and volley ball. Between the church build ing and Carolina Avenue is the playground whichr is - being equipped ‘with the best, most modern equipment obtainable. A short distance west of the church building is to be a wad ing pool for the smaller children and across a grass court a little farther west is to be an out-door swimming pool with locker rooms and shower baths. The margin of the entire ship around the lot will be planted with lines of red. oak trees. It will be one of the beauty spots of Greensboro besides a great community asset. All of these recreational facilities 'together with the services of a community nurse will be open to the pub lic, to anybody who wishes to use them, subject to such regu lations as may be necessary to safeguard them from abuses. Playgrounds; athletic fields, etc., be adequately supervised. Besides its athletic activities, the church has a herd of “com munity cows” which are loaned out front time to time to needy families with which every church comes in contact. These herds age kept in the best of condition in collaboration with the city find health departments. This on| feature probably has attracted more nation wide at tention >tiian any other activity it had fndertaken. The pastor, Rev. Wade C. Smith, 4s one of the most inde fatigable workers in the cause of the tehurch'and he, along' with A. W. McAlister, who is credited with being the origi nator of the idea upon which the church is run, are given credit for the bigger part of its success, Mr. McAlister is a well known insurace man of Greens boro. * Mr. ’Smith, before going to Greengporo, was editor of On* ward, the Presbyterian young people’s paper, published in Bjchmpfcfi, and came to be pas tor of the church even before he had Deen ordained as a Pres byterian minister. One promi nent Presbyterian cleric de fined him as “the most versatile man 1 have ever known.” Mr.' Smith himself probably sums tip the church and what it is better than anyone else could do it| In his own words: jfS is hot ah institutional chui#h. It is like any other eST with a definite community pro T> e church has a four acre lot, 30Q by 600 feet, a double block fronting on four streets. The church regards this lot as its most valuable asset. There Was the usual temptation in the outset to put everything in an imposing church building, but it was Wisely decided that there portance and that less preten tious ^ buildings would suffice temporarily. . The. church lot contains, be sides the temporary buildings, that is the church proper, men's hut, and young people’s hut, the following: a fully equipped su pervised playground and athlet ic field, which includes two, ex cellent tennis courts, playground apparatus and an ample base ball and football field combined. A playground director is em ployed for all his time, and he also renders valuable assistance other departments of the m work of the church. A community nurse is em ployed all her time. A night school. A home nursing class. A community herd, consisting, of, at present, three community cows. The cows are rented at $1 per week to families with chil dren, but no cow. Community cow No. 1 furnishes milk for a family in which there are eight children. Community cow No. 2, six children, and community cow No. 3, five children. The $1 per week accumulates for the pur chase of other cows. The church is endeavoring to minister to the existing commun ity needs. The result is that it has become the center of the re creational and social ad well as the spiritual interest of the com munity. The spiritual is the dominant note of the church, to which everything else is made contri butory. This is the evidence: Every department of the church organized for evangelis tic work. Increase in membership in two and one-half years from 34 to 230. Family altars established in 42 homes out of a total of 88, and 100 tithers of nearly 50 per cent of the church membership. This church has expressed its aims or purposes in the follow ing terms: “The all-inclusive aim of this church 1s the spiritual aim. A i Ah© /Scorn r>ffj b church must be spiritual first and foremost and forever. A second aim is that the Christian life of this church shall be a full life, an aoundant life; and that it may become not only the reli gious but the social and recrea tional center of- the community in which it is located; and that it may be an uninterrupted influ ence, a constant well-spring of happiness by being a going con cern seven days in the week, continuously active and helpful, serving God and man. A third aim is to be a friendly church, a democratic church, a church of common ground upon which men and women can meet as equals before their common Lord, a church whose standard of pre cedence shall be neither worldly goods nor so-called social posi tion but that of Christian char acter. and service.” This reason is given for the adoption of the . name: ‘‘The Chur c h-hy-the-Side-of-the Road:” We knew that there was at least one who Reserved to jhe called the Friend of Man and that he lived by the side of the road. We know that best Friend of man went about doing good, healing the sick, restoring his sight to Blind Bartemaus, all by the side pf the road. He bade the multitude sit down in companies and He ministered to them ky the wayside. His house was by the side of the road. He went from place to place, by the well, the mountainside, the road side. His church was by the side of the road And as we labor to gether for the extension of God’s kingdom on earth, let it be our concern and our prayer continually that our church may be 90 filled with the spirit of Christ, may have such an atmos phere of friendliness and help fulness; may radiate snch gen uine, whole-hearted neighborli liness arid kindliness that it may be in v$ry truth “The-ChtfrlAs REV. MAYLE CONDUCTS EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. Mr. Editor: Kindly give publicity to the following news: Evangelistic services conducted dt eaich of Rev. W. C. Hargrave’s churches in Tennessee. The Synodical Evangelist, Rev. W. W. Mayle, Synod of East Tennessee, came to the St. Luke church, April the 20th, and continued in services there until April the 29th. It was in a true sense a revival; but it was more. Christians were aroused from a state of luke warmness and indifference to a state of spiritual fervor and ac tivity in the Master’s vineyard, and sinners yielded themselves to the reign and rulership of Jesus Christ. ■Nineteen persona ranging iu age from seven years to thirty five, professed faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Sav iour. Thirteen were admitted to full membership in the St. Luke church and six went to the Meth odist church. From St. Luke the evange listic party came to the Bethel church and opened a campaign April 29th and continued to May 9th. The power and demonstra tion of the Spirit could be witnessed here as at the other church. Eleven persons made profession of their faith in our common Lord and Master. Nine of these joined Bethel church. One each went to the Methodist and Baptist churches. A special feature of the ser vices at St. Luke and Bethel was the meetings held for children in the afternoon, two days aech week. These services were large ly attended by the youth of the community, with a sprinkling of older persons in the audience. Another feature of the services was the singing which was con ducted by Prof. S. H. Buchanan, who is filling a needed place in the program of the evangelist, Prof. Buchanan is full of life, ;f „/ K «!» ■ iigious zeal. He makes^the sing. party wait to Rice church if the 11th and continued ongh the 17th. The in is duplicated there $h jsp^rbemg given a new b only Dr. Mayle can d many said at each el visited: “I never heard pt” At Rice more than W » professed f^th in Jesus r Twelve decided to join aptist church, two went Methodist church and six lire Presbyterian church, [interest was at white halt edgy night when the ser closed. Hh<e people were pkfor the meeting to con ipdtjhcr wdek, but Rev. pad to'leave for Assembly at Columbus, •ayers of the people iKh is man of God,audthey will delight the news of F return to each of the jilted, f W. C. H. 1BORO. An a tened W. J. Jones, Reportor. , May 24, was observed ’s Day in the jgturch. les H. Ireland (white) speaker for the min ces. Mr. Ireland's sub “A Dream.” His ad beautiful, vary pic and full of instruction, iative audience lis Ireland, and each him a warm handshake as he left and invit come again. iai* program was ar ia* “Woman's Day.” Mrs. va* and Mrs/ Walker to the lar seiiiritt dies during C. K. Brown gave an mental selection. The Female Quartette rendered a beautiful selection. This movement goes forward to aid in the 2000 ft. Drive in the interest of the church as a whole. The Day was a very successful one. Mrs. Edna Hunter and Mrs. Pearl Jordan will give a House Party on Friday evening in the interest of the “Drive.” All are asked to be present. Mrs. Edna Hunter, of Ashe Street, entertained the Ladies’ Aid Society on last Thursday. Delicious refreshments were served at the close of the meet ing. Mrs. u. S. Alexander enter tained on Thursday past. It was a business meeting. A number of ladies were present. At the close of the meeting refresh ments were served. The Christian Endeavor Soci ety is progressing nicely. I think that their motto must be “Unity,” for they pull together so well. Too much praise cannot be given these young people. A Birthday Party was given May 18th for Mr. Edward Jones, ,son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Jones, 317 N. Beech St. There were 42 young people present and many were the gifts. The home was beautifully decorated with fern and white and pink carnations. Miss Blanche Taylor and Miss Marguerite Diffay served at the punch bowl. Mr. R. L. Smith, of Durham, was a visitor in our church or Sunday. Mrs. G. Andrew Bridges was called to her home a few days ago on account of the death oi her brother, Mr. Ralph Wade, oi Wilkesboro. Miss Clara Wads stopped over with her sister ix passing through. Prof. I. M. Martin, of Rich mond, Va., passed through th< city last week enroute to Gas tonia. It is rumored that Gasto nia is to be his new home. %..it ■_ fc : hj Jrtl es and schools are progressing in this part if the moral vine* yardl - *.. . i It; was my privilege. to viaif the field of Rev. M. Stinson! P- D., pn the first Jliinday of this - month (May) at £ottoif Plant and to preach the-annual Cotton Plant Academy, weather was ideal for thp occa-" 8ionti apd the people of Cottofi; tageof the same. On the ipom-: ing pf the date mentioned, at 11 o’clock, the diurch was fitted to its utm^t capacity by .eager hearers. Such an audience was a souAie of inspiration. The ap pearance <0^ 4hp.. graduating class, seated on the front pew, iwas; indicative of rare school training. And w£ were tpld that every member of the'd&tt'is a member of some churcfr.The music rendered by -the choir wan above the- ordinary, and added much to the inspiration of the services. ----- -. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock the Christian Endeavor Society rendered a program, and was ad dressed by Mrs. E, C. Harris, of Little Rock, Ark. As her custom is, she entertained the society and visitor with edifying jre marks which provoked loudfap plause. The night services were large ly attended, and. as much enthu siasm was exhibited as was dur ing the morning services. , On Monday night the Prima ry f children appeared on the scene. Each child performed his well, and reflected night. It was mas and music by the advanced pupils. This program came up to the expectation of those who know the past record of the school. On Wednesday night a musi cal program consisting of violin and piano music was rendered by the music classes. Permit me to say: it was firie enough to charm the most savage ear. So much for what has been said respecting the above, which was simply preliminary. Now comes the real night— graduating night. This sounded big to those who were successful in reaching this mile post. Al though the programs of the oth er nights were fine, the program of the graduating class was the finest on Thursday night. The orations and essays were as fine as any we have heard on similar occasions. To hear them would make one predict a bright future for every one of the class who has come thus far on the intel lectual and moral race course of life. Another thing signmcant about the class: The whole class is so stimulated that it expects to toil still upward on the ladder which it has built, round by round, until it reaches the heights which great men have reached and kept. Rev. E. C. Haines, D. D., of Little Rock, delivered the annu al address. It was appropriate and eloquent, and also contained food for thought. Rev. Dr. Stinson and his co teachers are doing a telling work at Cotton Plant. On each night mentioned above the school au ditorium was crowded. The school is progressing along the 1 lines of literary and industrial i pursuits. The enrollment of the last scholastic year was larger . than ever. The literary and in s dustrial training which Rev. . Stinson received at J. C. S. <Bid . die) University peculiarly fits him for the field in which he is ■ ' -a- ■ - -1. .u.j m % laboring so assiduously. May fas and his faculty live long toren der service to humanity. G. E. CAESAR. Little Rock, Ark.*'"*#***# «A .s ; 'f.u ■ * - mf&fag, TWENTY-GNE r& j *f is NU?ht i?d« to Ob sessions. iaai Delegates from 211 already been the 16th Annual Confc ^ the National Association for the represented are; Arizona, Ar kansas, Colorado, District of Q> jtobta, ryland, Massachusetts, Misaottr. ri, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. Delegates cretrentiais are 1 now ieing sent 6nt T>y the )ffice. | The list of prominent speak ers who are to address tSe Ja^^j bring is constantly being in creased, the latest additions be mg Representative Leonidje^C. By er,sponaer in Gongxfe6s* of the federal Anti-Lyncning Bill; Dr. E. B. DuBois, Editor of The is;0 Mrs. Florence Kelley, ■etary of the National HzaP ers? League; Dr. George Wv as, President of the^Now1 Orleans Braneh,N. A. A. G. 'P.^' and Seipio A. Jones, ofljRi&i1 Stock, Arkansas, ~ who will1 give a complete account of the court victories won by the N. A.'A.'G.41 P. in the Arkansas peonage eif :i7» A preliminary list of their subjects at • Judge Ben B. Lff probably refer to his recent'Vffe-U tory over the klan. Ex-Governor William E. Sweet, of Colorado. Clarence Darrow of Chicago. Prof. H. Adolphus Miller, of Ohio State University: “Science vs. Pseudo-Science on the Race Question. . Representative L. C. Dyer ,of Should Be Amended to Elimi nate Filibustering.” Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, of New York: “Modern Industrialism ■J i.1 "VY ** and the Negro. Scipio A. Jones, of Little Rock: “The Arkansas Eight Against Residential Segrega-. tion.” Charles Edward Russell,; .of Washington, D. C William Pickens, Fid^ Secre tary N. A. A. C. P. James Weldon Johnson, Na tional Secretary N. A. A. C-bP. On the night of Tuesday, June 23, a pageant of welcome is tb be staged in the Denver MhhiCiptf Auditorium, and on the after noon of Jure 28, a parade will be held in the Streets of Denver, with floats and decorated auto mobiles and banners. The1 bperif” ing mass meeting of the Confer- ’ ence occuis the nightrof Jtihe 2^ .‘iitiorhK'ft* An appropriation of $250lstb ward the expenses has -wipr made by the City Council of Denver with the concurrence of 5 Mayor Stapleton. V \ All delegates and visitor# '^6' * the Conference are urged tb1' send their names at once tb tTSd ; N. A. A. C. P. National Office^'68* ‘ Fifth Avenue, New York, in or der that suitable accommbda-; tions may be arranged. tf nml Subscribers who owe the ph- * per are asked to send in their > subscriptions without furrier * delay. The paper is in urgentU need of the money/due. ; , * nmu bui ‘jf/lful til tt&0
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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May 28, 1925, edition 1
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