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VOL. XL VII.
CHARLOTTE, N. O,
►AY, JULY 23, 1925.
NO. 30.
%m OF RACIAL UN
DERSTANDING
By Rev. M. Ashby Jones, Chair
man of the Federal Council’s
Commission on Interracial Co
operation.
The whole racial discussion
today is confused and clouded by
the claims of “superiority” for
particular racial groups. There
has been little effort at clear de
finition of what is meant by “su
pietfority.”
That there is a vast difference
in the attainments and achieve
ments of racial groups is readily
granted,. This, however, is far
frpm proof that the more back
ward peoples might not show
superior accomplishments under
different environments, and per
haps in different lines of endeav
or. The most deadly and unjust
inference, however, from the as
sumption of the superiority of
one race over another, is that
any hlember of the socalled supe
rior jpce is superior to any
member of the so-called inferior
race. This is to be guilty of the
gravest of all injustices, to judge
a man by his birth rather than
by his individual accomplish
ments. *
As Christians we “face a world
whore the divisions are largely
traced in terms of racial preju
dices and hatreds. These divis
ions become more definite and
these prejudices more acute as
they are intensified by the clash
of political and religious inter
ests. It is supremely important
that first of all we should seek
to find the attitude of Jesus, and
meet this world condition in His
Spirit. To him the supreme val
ue in all the universe was a man.
As he looked into the faces of
meA, there was no traces in His
- nf nagfob national
or class distinction.
Th» value, however, from
Jesus’ standpoint, is a potential
value. It is not what a man is,
but what he can be, which chal
lenges the supreme effort of
Jesus.
I would make this discussion
honest and practical. We must
ijecognize the countless differ
ences in men—differences in he
redity, tradition and environ
ment. We must recognize the
vast differences in attainments
and achievement, which differ
entiate progressive from back
ward peoples. But fundamental
ly there must be faith in the po
tential value of a man. Without
this faith we must accept the
pseudo-scientific dictums, which
determine racial destinies, deliv
ering final judgments as to the
superiority of this race, and the
inferiority of that, and finally
fixing their places in the world.
Our allegiance to the Christ does
place the responsibility upon us
to grant to each man his inalien
able right to a fair chance to de
velop into his best.
Where there has been a lacK
-of human sympathy is where we
have been thinking of men and
dealing with them en masse or
as a race. Here is the value of
the very simple, but significant
contribution which has been
made by the Inter-racial Com
mission to this whole question.
We have sought in every neigh
borhood in the South to bring
together the best representa
tives of both races in Inter-ra
cial Committees. These com
mittees do not discuss the aca
demic question of the relation
of races.
As neighbors and citizens,
they meet each other on the
common ground of human
needs and interests. They take
up the specific needs of the
home. Specific cases of injus
tices and discrimination in the
courts, or in the business
world, are brought before them
for adjustment. Questions of
better facilities for recreation,
and all those problems which
make for a fuller and jricheil
human life come in\g the con
sideration of thisV. comrade
council. But the supmme good
is to be found, not in any spe
cific results, but in the spiritual
NATIONAL NEGRO ANTHEM
"Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
By James Weldon Johnson
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty.
Let oar rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies;
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the dark present lias brought us.
Facing the rising sun of a new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died.
Yet, with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come, over the way that with tears has been watered.
We have come, treading the path through the blood of the slaugh
tere?, {
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last,
Where the bright gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou whoi hast brought us thus far on our way,
Thou who hast by* thy might
Led us into the light.
Keep us forever in the path, we pray;
Lest our feet stray from the .places, our God, where we meet Thee;
, Leqt our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath thy hand, we may forever stand,
True to our God, true to our Native Land.
atmosphere of human kindness
which has been created.
I know we are prone now
and again to say this or that is
to be a final test of Christian
ity. | do not believe that there;
is any one test, but I aiii con
vinced that the efficacy of tfcb
Christian religion cnaver found
a more insistent challenge‘thjjgi
in the relatioiish!p*TOf"^fe iraci^
in the world.
LITTLE THINGS.
Rev. Herbert Spaugh, Pastor
Moravian Church, Charlotte.
Faithfulness in little things
is the stepping stone to both
spiritual and material success.
From most of us the little
things receive scant attention,
and yet if it were not for the
little things, the greater would
not be possible.
All matter is composed of
atoms and molecules, invisible to
the naked eye. All time is com
posed of the little seconds,
which we fritter away so easi
ly. The security of a massive
bridge may depend upon a single
bolt. The safety of hundreds of
lives may depend upon a small
telegraph instrument. The
breaking of an insignificant part
will cause your automobile to
stop running. A few little words
may break up a home. One act
started the world war. We re
member the little poem:
“Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
And the beauteous land.”
And it is the small duty that
we are prone to neglect, the or
dinary things of life. Some peo
ple when they join the church
select the largest simply because
it is large, when the smaller
ones need them much more.
Some people will take no part in
a small enterprise simply be
cause they cannot be in the lime
light. But in God’s opinion it is
the small things that count. He
it is who upholds the sparrow’s
wing, clothes the lily with His
own beautifying hand, and num
bers the hairs of His children.
He descends to an infinite detail
and builds the universe in the
smallest things.
Fidelity in small things opens
the way to larger. The lofty
summits of the mountains are
only reached by the small paths.
A friend who is faithful in
the small things will not fail you
when times of great need arise
Fidelity is an enduring posses
sion, a possession which neither
moth doth corrupt and which
you can carry into the life be
yond. It is God’s test of char
acter for usefulness in the eter
nal life hereafter. We have th*
promise of Jesus, “Be thou faiths
ful unto death and I will
thee a crown of life.’’
It was fidelity that lead
dure tne agony of a martyr's
death at the stake, fidelity to
His Master and to his convic
tions. It was fidelity to their
God which gave our religioujs
forefathers strength to endure
the fearful persecutions which
came upon them in the early
days of our church following
the death of their leader. It is
this same fidelity that I urge
upon each member of this con
gregation this morning. And to
you to whom this congregation
has entrusted the management
of its spiritual and temporal af
fairs as God’s stewards I give
the words of St. Paul: “More
over it is required in stewards
that a man be found faithful.”
NEGRO HEALTH WEEK
PRONOUNCED A SUCCESS.
President Robert R. Moton, of
the Tuskegee Normal and In
dustrial Institute, in a communi
cation directed to Surgeon Gen
eral Hugh S. Cumming, United
States Public Health Service,
calls attention to the National
Negro Health Week having
grown in scope and influence, so
th^t now it may be regarded as
an institution definitely contri
buting to better health and the
prevention of disease. The help
ful assistance rendered by the
Division of Venereal Diseases,
in the preparation of the Health
Week Bulletin and in otherwise
cooperating in the promotion of
the Negro Health Week, facili
tated the progress and success of
this health campaign. Surgeon
General Cumming feels gratified
with the results of the Negro
Health Week and he considers
it productive of the utmost good.
Popular educational publicity re
garding the prevalence and pre
vention of venereal and other
diseases is economically and so
cially productive and essential as
an health measure aiming at the
promotion of the best interests
of the people through the effec
tive cooperative functioning of
the Federal and State health
agencies.
Charleston County, South
Carolina, has 398 less colored
farmers than five years ago.
I COTTON CULTI
VATION EXPANDS.
erson City, Mo., July 21.—
cultivation in Missouri
taken a marked jump during
past five years, and the
heastern counties of the
tie are now well on the way
vantage in the cotton mar
In this connection it is
that that portion of Negro
its finding their way
hward into Missouri, which
erred the cotton fields to the
ry, has found steady em
ent in cotton cultivation
# good wage and under im
ed conditions of housing and
better chances for educar
and general advancement
formerly. Consequently
uri’s Negro population is
ly increasing and the su
ision of the State adminis
jpn over their welfare has
,sed its watchfulness. The
Missouri Negro Industrial Com
mission has therefore been re
Pgftedly called upon to broad
its inquiries into the com
ity and work life of the Ne
of the State, and the find
of the Commission have
i^ided ample material for in
crpased attention to this partic
ular phase of the State’s work
' " ^officials in public office. The
^te Administrative staff and
. efficient personnel of the
mission are to be heartily
ended.
the Office of the Dean.)
Vesper Service is a very
feature of the School
program. This ser
held in the quiet of the
after the busy, day of
work and recreation
campus of the University, listen
to a short but heightened mes
sage and commune with the
Father All Glorious in song and
meditation.
The patrons of th Convention
will remember with pleasure the
service Dr. J. J. Wilson, of
Wadesboro, N. C., rendered in
the first School of Methods in
1921. The Committee this year
in formulating the program re
called the deep spiritual mes
sages of Dr. Wilson and their
inspirational effect, and decided
to graciously extend to him an
invitation to direct the Vesper
Service.
At the closing service on Sun
day, August 30th, will be the an
nual sermon and the Consecra
tion and Communion Service.
This is usually the most impres
sive assembly during the week
of the Convention and the dele
gates leave on the following day
with the thoughts uttered indel
ibly impressed upon their
minds.
The annual sermon this year
will be preached by Dr. W. E.
Carr, of Holbrook St. church,
Danville, Va. Dr. Carr needs no
introduction as he is a pioneer in
the cause of Sunday School ac
tivity, and has kept pace with
the rapid development of the
Church’s Program of Religious
Education. He is constantly
referred to for counsel and ad
vice on matters pertaining to
Sunday School work.
Each mail is bringing in
registrations together with let
ters and cards of inquiry. This
year ought to be a record break
er. We note, however, that a
number of the “Old Guard”
have not registered yet. They
say they are coming, but, “Old
Guard,” remember we must
keep to our old policy of assign
ing rooms in the order in which
we receive registrations.
Are you seeking First Aid: 1
For that Crippled Cradle Roll!
2. For that Maimed Bible
Class? 3. For that Woundec
Workers' Conference? Then yoi
had better register and come tc
the Catawba Synodical Conven
tion and School of Methods, J. C
Smith University, Charlotte, N
C., August 24-30, 1925.
OVERCROWDING FACILI
TATES SPREAD OF SOCIAL
DISEASES.
The National Anti-Slam
League of Puds in its recent re
port states that overcrowding is
rampant in certain sections of
that city and that it may be
viewed .as the cause of social Re
integration and the moral down
fall of the family. “The dan
ger of promiscuity, says the re
port, naturally occurs when par
ents and children sleep in the
same room and elder and young
er brothers—and very often
brothers ana sisters—sleep/ in
the same bed.” ?
The housing difficulties in
Germany, according to an ab
stract in “Social Pathology”—
issued by the United States Pub
lic Health Service, have notch to
do with the increase of venereal
diseases, particularly among
children. Due to overcrowding
entire families have been infect
ed, and a coincident laxity of
morals standards has been
found. One report states that a
a family of nine slept in one
room, two married couples being
among the number.
An editorial in “National
Health,” published in London,
states that “We are noV likely
to attain a full measure ft suc
cess in the control of venereal
disease until we have arrived at
a solution of the housing diffi
culty.”
But the incubators oi lewa
ness and its frequent associates
—gonnorrhea and syphilis—are
by no means limited to the low
er strata of society. Promiscui
ty is very diffusible, and one of
the most essential as well as
productive measures for health
maintenance is the effort to
combat mental and phyaical dis
eases by both mental ana pnysi
cal hygiene. The two leading
British ^Societies for tl:c*preven
tion of these diseases are now
in accord as to the efficacy of
personal cleanliness and disin
fection in the prevention of ve
nereal infection. Widespread
education by publicity regarding
the great scourge of venereal
diseases as they affect the Child,
the Family and the State, and
the conditions influencing their
spread and prevention is very
productive of good results and is
universally recognized as essen
tial health work. The Washing
ton Times, of June 26th, gives
publicity editorially to “The
Curse of Deafness,” and points
out the causative relation of
syphilis to certain types of deaf
ness.
MRS. M. L. KENDRICK AT
THE OAK GROVE PRES
BYTERIAN CHURCH,
MANNBORO.
The Amelia Ladies’ Mission
ary Circle met May 31st with
the Oak Grove Missionary Soci
ety, Mrs. Seppie R. Mann, Pres
ident, Mrs. Maymie L. Kendrick,
of South Boston, Va., being the
principal speaker.
At the Southern Virginia
Presbyterial which convened in
Newport News in April, 1924,
Mrs. M. J. Wright and Mrs. S.
V. Thompkins were sent out as
workers with the missionary so
cieties of Amelia County, Va.
The result of their labors ripened
into one grand missionary or
ganization known as the Amelia
Ladies’ Missionary Circle.
The circle is yet young and
has to be coached into a larger
state of usefulness; hence, the
invitation extended Mrs. Ken
drick, whose address was one
of a most constructive nature,
full of strong, helpful knowledge
and advice concerning the many
problems confronting us which
must be faced and handled wise
ly if we are to be a successful
part of the great Presbyterian
Church. Mrs. Kendrick is a
i very choice speaker and we hope
to have her with us again.
Rev. D. A. Henry spoke alsc
• very interestingly concerning
the problems which are calling
, the attention of the Church, and
, made an earnest appeal for the
local churches t o fall in line and
lend a helping hand to the many
calls for the uplift of humanity.
Mrs. M. J. Wright, President;
Mrs. S. V. Thompkins, Secreta
ry, and Mrs. Richard Giles, a vis
itor, all made helpful remarks
concerning the missionary
cause.
Mrs. Joseph Scott, who was
Miss Daisy Smith and who was
a teacher in Ingleside Seminary
before her marriage, presided at
the organ. The hymns were
beautiful and a solo was sung by
Mrs. Mabel Scott, “Beautiful
Garden of Love,” deserves great
praise and the duet prayer song
sung by the little Misses Ellen
Marea and Helen Scott was very
entertaining.
Mrs. Julia Scott, who is our
field correspondent, was present
also and made a very helpful
talk, but, owing to her indisposi
tion, has not been able to fill
her post of duty ; hence the de
lay in sending this article.
All enjoyed what they thought
a well spent day. The circle
will meet with the Russell
Grove Missionary Society, Ame
lia, Va., the third Sunday in
September, 1925.
Benediction was given by Rev.
D. A. Henry.
SARAH V. THOMPKINS.
DR. RUSSELL AT JETERS
VIELE, VA.
Dr. I. H. Russell, our Synod
ical Evangelist, arrived in Jet
ersville on July 15 for a five
days’ meeting at Allen Memo
rial church. After preaching a
strong sermon from the words,
“How old art thou?” he stated
that "we will oil, water and coal
up tonight on the side track
and tomorrow we will get on the
main line.”
At 2:30 o clock on the next
day Dr. Russell with the church
went on the main line with open
BibU*, declaring that salvation
is offered to all—everybody. It
is offered by the Father,
through the Son. As the light
of God’s love flashed from the
different texts as read, Dr. Rus
sell urging at the same time the
acceptance of Christ, we felt in
deed that we were on the main
line and making a pretty run.
The meeting was well at
tended. Friends came from
Burkevilje,—the Millers,
Hydes, Marshalls and their pas
to*; from Nottoway,—Mr. Jos
eph Lomax and family; from
Crewe,—Mr. Mason and fami
ly. These people hear Dr. Rus
sell whenever he comes within
their reach. It was ik great
meeting. V
Our |S. S. Superintendent,
Mr. T. W. Wilkerson, andNiis
Sunday School teachers deserve
great credit for the success of
the meeting. There were thir
ty who accepted Christ as their
Saviour. Thirteen were bap
tized on Sunday morning and
25 received into the church.
The collections during the
meeting amounted to $50.00.
Everybody seemed to have en
joyed the meeting and left the
church giving God the glory.
W. H. SHEPPERSON.
ATLANTIC SYNODICAL CON
VENTION AND SCHOOL OF
METHODS.
The Synodical Convention and
School of Methods of Atlantic
Synod will begin August 17th
and will last for one week. We
are looking forward to a great
time.
We are expecting delegates
from every department of the
Church. Our program this year
has many new and attractive
features. Our teaching force
and public speakers will be as
good as ever.
If you have not registered
please do so at once. Send reg
istration fee to Dr. G. W. Long,
Cheraw, S. C. Rooms will be at^
a premium.
A. A. ADAIR, Dean.
When more of our leaders
adopt the old slogan, “Not for
self but for all” our progress will
be more pronounced.