‘AND YE SHALL KNOW THfeTRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.”—John viii, 82.
1 : . . •' •. — • • -.*.»
. CHARLOTTE, N.C, THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 1925
HOLDING THE INTEREST OF THE BOYS
AND GIRLS OF THE TEEN AGE
By Dr. E. 0. Woodward.
(Paper read before the last Western District Convention of
Southern Virginia Presbytery at Ridgeway, Va.)
in every position m me from
the highest to the lowest there
are certain requirements that
must be met if any degree of
success is to be obtained. The
boys and girls in the teens con
stitute or make up a class to
themselves. They are the con
necting links between childhood
and manhood. This is the time
in their lives when the pent-up
energy begins to manifest it
self in many ways and under va
ried* conditions which often tax
the patience of the most learned
scholars of psychology.
For the most part they are
inattentive to instructions,
boisterous in their behaviour,
and are never ready and willing
to accept and do their full share
of service in the Sunday school
work; but rather choose to sit
up and look important. This, I
acknowledge, is an awful indict
ment against those who are bone
of our bone and flesh of our
flesh; but it is true, neverthe
less.
x ucoc kj\jj a auu guio ui v uvv
responsible for the present con
dition of things,—not by any
means; but the trouble lies at
the door of the parents. An over
indulgence on the part of the
parents in dealing with their
children, and an utter neglect
of their own as well as their
children’s spiritual welfare is
responsible for the present con
dition of things. Worldliness has
taken possession of our homes;
ence is felt in the church, for
as the home is, so also is the
church.
This, to my mind, is the true
•condition of things. How, then,
may we hope to handle well
those of the teen age? To my
mind the first and essential
qualification is that of good
moral character, and, second, re
generation, and the third, a spe
cial preparation for teaching.
For one to assume the role of a
teacher without moral charac
ter is a failure to start with.
Character is that quality which
gives poise, grace, ease and
stamina to the life of anyone
who may possess it. When a
man or a woman is elected a
teacher of a Sunday school class
then he or she is discussed
around the fireside of every home
connected with that church,
and if there is an established
opinion against him or her,
their doom is fixed and sealed.
The successful teacher must
teach both by precept and ex
ample. There are some who
may seek to dodge the responi
bility as teachers by saying,
“Don’t do as I do, but do as I
say.” That is an impossibility,
for as one writer truly said,
“What you do sounds so loud
that I cannot hear what you
say.” Character carries with it
an influence which always tells;
it always enables the possessor
to get a hearing. It exercises a
power greater than wealth and
secures all the honor without
the jealousies of fame. Charac
ter is a quality which one un
mistakably can see in another.
It is this which attracts others,
and makes it possible for its
possessor to accomplish those
things which one less fortunate
could not hope to do.
The next essential and the
crowning feature of any useful
life is regeneration. And when
I say regeneration I mean all
that the word implies. I feel
safe in saying that many
of those whose names are on the
church records have never been
changed from nature to grace.
No wonder, then, that those of
the teen age seem so very dif
ficult to handle. When Jesus
met Saul in the way, the latter
said to Jesus, “What wilt thou
have me to do?" Jesus said,
‘"Go thy way unto the city and
it will be told thee what I would
have thee to do. Saul obeyed,
and through the preaching of
Ananias he was converted, and
returned to Jerusalem, not as
a persecutor of the Church of
Christ, but as an ambassador.
Later still, we find Paul going
over into the country of Arabia
where he spent some seven or
eight years preparing for his
life’s work, and it was, perhaps,
during this period of seclusion
and meditation that he was
caught up into the third heaven
and saw and heard things that
would be unlawful to utter. I
mention the above incident that
I may at least illustrate what 1
mean by regeneration.
Too many of our people who
have no knowledge of Jesus, but,
with a little education, dare at
tempt to teach others the way
of righteousness, a thing that
is impossible. Just as an un
converted minister of the gospel
of Jesus is a handicap and a
destroyer of a church, so also
an unregenerated man or wo
man as teacher is a great draw
back to any Sunday school
class.
.book learning is all rignt, and
a thing to be desired; but I fear
that in these modern times in
which we live there is to© strong
a tendency to lay all the stress
upon education of the. head and
too little on the spiritual devel
opment of the heart. A teacher
who has not a message for his
class from a prayerful censid
harmony with the plan of salvar
tion, and the sooner such an one
gives up the job the better it
will be for all concerned.
Along with the foregoing re
quisites must be mentioned also
a knowledge of the Bible. If it
was good for Paul it is also good
for us. The colored teachers
must recognize the fact that the
average Negro home does not
contribute much in the way of
help to the success of the Ne
gro teacher, for the reason that
those family altars which still
exist are being slowly torn down
by worldliness; and unless there
is a return to the God of our
fathers and mothers and to true
worship then we may at any
time expect to find ourselves liv
ing in a time like that of Ahab
and Jezebel.
The boys and girls about this
time of life usually begin to
form ideals of their own. One’s
appearance in dress, his ability
to command respect from oth
ers, his knowledge and ability
to hahdle the various subjects,
all come in for a large consider
ation in influencing the young
minds.
There are many today who
claim that this scheme of hand
ling those in the teen years will
be accomplished only through
social functions. That may be
so, but it seems to me that the
same Christian life lived by
Jesus and His followers is all
sufficient today as it was in the
drifted centuries of the past. We
know that with the ongoing of
years everything becomes more
modern except religion arid we
fear that there is a disposition
on the part of some to modernize
religion itself.
With all the changes that
have taken place in the world
since the purchase oi redemp
tion by Jesus, the plan of salva
tion has not changed an iota ;
but stands today as it did eight
eep hundred years ago with-all
of its beauty and freshness
when uttered by Jesus Himself.
Solomon in his writings said,
‘Train up a child in the way it.
should go and when it is old it
will not depart from it.” I be
lieve if that is not true today,
then it was true when uttered;
many centuries before Christ’s'
time. If this be true, and I be
lieve it is—then all I have to do
and any other true follower of
{
Christ, is to live the life and
prtayepfully recommend it to ray
family^With me.
i (One Of the .mostI beautiful pic
tures" of ill my life was noted
ini connection With the demise
of the late William Jennings
Bryan when I read of the young
Bryan” of California coming to
assist; his father at Dayton,
.Term./ against those who would
dairi'assail the Writings of the
Old ind the ' New Testament
Scriptures. J;
Bryan lived for. something.
Let'mr go and do likewise.
Now, iri conclusion, I wish to
say that if those of the teen age
are ever .made to see and un
derstand the real purpose of
life they, must see it through
us. We must live the life our
selves; establish the family al
tar, and see.to dt that we and
our families rigidly, observe the
Sabbath day; and aS sure as the
night/follows the day, God will
bless, ;Our efforts.
LK l iMS TO THE
TEACHERS Or
THE STATE
Superintendent of Public In
struction, State of North
' “ " T. Carolina .
. ' n Raleigh
September X2,. 1925.
To North-Garolina Negro Teach
ers :
I hive lust learned that the
North Carolina Negro Teachers’
Association will meet in Greens
boro qp... November 25, 26 and
27. As xpi^ know, this Associa
tion *a»„v "^tremendously in
Wlflfan .wflKEtr ' Pjffo
the last four or five years and
is lhore and more becoming a
professional body.
Please let me urge all Negro
teachers in North Carolina to
attend this meeting if possible
and to take part in the discus
sions. There are many things
which the Association can do
from time to time in helping to
perfect a system of schools in
the State for the Negro chil
dren. I hope you can make your
plans to be present.
With best wishes, l am,
Very sincerely yours,
N. C, NEWBOLD,
n_ Director Division Negro Ed
ucation..,
.V September 14, 1925.
r To the Negro Public School
Teachers in North Carolina:
in The Association of Negro
Teachers in North Carolina has
been of great service in improv
ing the conditions under which
instruction in the Negro Pubic
Schools has been given. A large
number of patriotic and earnest
‘teachers have been attending
'this Association for many years.
Whether a teacher is able to
attend the meetings of the As
sociation or not, she should be
come a member and thereby
lend her influence and strength
to the professional improvement
,®f all the Negro teachers in the
State. -Membership in this As
sociation might be considered a
fair test of one's loyalty to the
cause of public education. A
tfrOiig attitude on the part of
one teacher reflects upon the
whole body of teachers and
•weakens, to softie extent, the
power and influence of all the
others.
It appears to me, therefore,
that it is incumbent upon every
teacher, who has accepted work
in the public schools, to join
thfs Association at the first op
portunity. It is a duty she
owes, not oftly to her own pro
fessional iniprovement, but also
to the good of the entire teach
ing force.
I am,
Very truly yours,
A. T. ALLEN,
State Superintendent of Pub
Kt Instruction.
itial hi V
DR. HARRIS WRITES AGAIN
TO CHURCHES IN SOUTH
ERN VIRGINIA PRESBY
TERY.
Crewe, Va., Oct. 21, 1925.—
Relative to the article appear
ing inphe Africo on the date
of August 13th under the head
of “A Fund For Ministerial Re
lief,” l|wish to say that the re
sponses have been everything
but en< ouraging.
The chairman of the Lay
men’s Committee is asking for
a report on what has been ac
complished so that the commit
tee will be enabled to develop
plans for its future activities.
To Ipis time, I have heard
from less than half the church
es in our Presbytery. The thing
the committee asks us to do
ought hot to be considered a
hard task. We are asked for a
tabulation of names and ad
dresses of those members or
friendsf of our congregations who
are wiping to subscribe to this
very important program, or even
probable supporters. We are
not asked • the amount of sub
scriptions. This seems plain and
easy, j
i ao ?noi Deueve we can ao a
more creditable thing in the way
of “Lifting the Level” than by
supporting this timely move
ment in our Church.
I believe most ministers and
many laymen are subscribers to
the Africo, but to be sure of get
ting in touch with all the ses
sions I sent to every minister
and clerk of session a copy of
the issue in which the article ap
peared.
Some of the ministers, I find,
are a bit timid about presenting
such matters to their congrega
tions. Where the congregations
rSSl
rrrrfyur
al problems of the Church either
the minister or some other per
son possessing the ability must
give the needed information
without hesitancy. If the min
ister has done his whole dutv
among his members why should
he hesitate in presenting to
them any program of the Church
soliciting their support? Don’t
let us fall down on this matter.
To recapitulate: tabulate the
names and addresses of those
persons of our congregations or
friends of our congregations
who are willing to contribute to
the program,—mot only known
contributors, but probable con
tributors. We are not asked in
this report for any amount of
subscriptions; so do not bother
your heads about that.
Now, 1 beg of you, please let
me have these lists asked for, if
you can, not later than Novem
ber 15th, or you may send list
direct to the chairman, Mr. Will
H. Hays, Room 800, 522 Fifth
Avenue, New York City.
Yours for the success of this
program,
EDWARD B. HARRIS.
Box 584,
Crewe, Va.
In whatever light we view re
ligion is appears solemn and
venerable. It is a temple full of
majesty, to which the worship
ers may approach with comfort,
in the hope of obtaining grace
and finding mercy; but where
they cannot enter without be
ing inspired with awe. If we
may be permitted to compare
spiritual with natural things, re
ligion resembles not those
scenes of natural beauty where
every object smiles. It cannot
be likened to the gay landscape
or the flowery field. It resem
bles more the august and sub
lime appearances of Nature—
the lofty mountain, the expand
ed ocean, and the starry firma
ment, at the sight of which the
mind is at once overawed and
delighted; and, from the union
of grandeur with beauty, drives
a pleasing but a serious devo
tion.—Blair.
Give us that calm certainty
of truth, that nearness to Thee,
that conviction of the reality of
life to come, which we shall need
to bear us through the troubles
of this.—H. W. Beecher.
YADKIN WESTERN DIS
TRICT CONVENTION.
The 35th annual Sunday
School Convention of the Wes
tern District of Yadkin Presby
tery met at Mount Vernon Pres
byterian church near Woodleaf,
on Thursday, August 20th,
1925. The Convention opened
with a short song service. The
opening prayer was by Mr. Wal
lace Gibson. Then there was
music by the choir, after which
the welcome address was deliv
ered by Mr. C. F. Phifer, who,
in a most cordial manner, wel
comed the Convention to the
church and to the homes of the
people. This address was re
sponded to by Mr. Jno. A. Smoot
of Mocksville.
The annual address was de
livered by the retSring Presi
dent, Mr. Wm. A. Cowan. He
selected for his subject, “Why
I Attend the Convention.” He
spoke of the many benefits to
be received by attending the ‘
Convention, and why each Su
perintendent should attend.
The roll of the Convention
was called by the Corresponding
Secretary. The superintendents
and delegates were enrolled. The
olio wing ministers were pres
snt: Revs, J. A. Ramseur, W.
Hawkins, W. T. Byrd, J. M.
Norton, B. F. Murray, D. D.,
md Rev. J. G. Murray. Rev.
ind Mrs. Mayberry were ac
:orded seats as corresponding
nembers. Short, but very in
cresting addresses were made
iy each.
The following persons were
sleeted as officers: Mr. Jno. A
Smoot, President; Mr. W. A.
Soward, Vice-President; Mrs.
Samuel Massey, Recording Sec
retary ; Mrs. Senora Payton, As
sistant Secretary; Mr. Joo.^^
ry; Rev. W. A. Hawkins, finan
cial Secretary; Mrs. S. M. Mur
ray, Treasurer.
After the report of the local
committee the collection was
taken by Mr. L. W. Ellis. The
amount was $5.25.
The meeting adjourned to
open Friday morning at 9
o’clock.
The Convention opened on Fri
day morning at 9 o’clock with
a sjiort song service. Rev. J. A.
Ramseur made a short talk on
the “Good Shepherd.’’ After
this Bible Study was conducted
by Rev. B. F. Murray, D. D. He
selected the first chapter of Gen
esis as a chapter for study.
This was a very interesting and
helpful study. Rev. Murray
made a brief but interesting
talk on evolution, outlining the
origin of man, and showing
that man did not come from
the ape nor the monkey, but was
created by God in His own im
age. This seemed to be a very
profitable meeting.
At 10 o’clock the business of
the Convention was taken up.
The appointment of committees
and reports from the schools
were made. Some very inter
esting talks were given by the
Superintendents.
Friday afternoon the music
for the meeting was furnished
by Mt. Tabor Junior choir. Their
music was enjoyed by all. The
first on the program for the af
ternoon was the departmental
Conferences—Children’s Divis
ion. Mrs. J. L. Hollowell being
absent, Mr. Jno. H. Smith made
a brief talk on the Children’s
Division. Mrs. A. D. Lord
spoke on the Young People’s Di
vision. She stated the ages that
are included under this heading
and the principles by which she
thinks a Sunday school might
be improved, mentioning loyal
ty and spirituality.
Mr. W. A. Howard made a
very interesting talk on the
Adult Department showing how
the adults of today are being
improved by the Sunday school
ana the necessity of having the
adults in the Sunday school.
Short talks were made by Mr
Smith and Mr. Marsh on forms
of Organized Classes.
“How to Keep a Constanl
Supply of Workers in the Sun
day School” was the subject oi
a splendid paper by Miss Lore
na Stevenson of Freedom Sun
day school. “The Importance
of the Devotional Service in the
Sunday School" was the subject
of a paper read by Miss Anna
Rankins.
A D. V. B. S. demonstration,
conducted by Mr. L' W. Ellis,*
was very interesting and help
ful. Mr. Ellis is well experi
enced in the D. V. B. S. work
and his service deserves com
mendation.
Rev. A. B. Moseley, of the A.
M. E. Zion church, was accord
ed a seat as a corresponding
member and made a short talk.
A collection of $6.00 was tak
en for Miss Lorena Stevenson
whose home had been destroyed
by fire.
" Paper, “The Value of an Or
ganized Class,” by Miss Mattie .
Harris and an open forum con
ducted by Mr. Jno. H. Smith,
followed. Many Sunday school
problems were discussed and
suggestions as to how to solve
them were offered.
Friday night’s session was
opened with music by the Mt.
Vernon choir. Prayer was of
fered by Rev. J. G. Murray.
This being a popular meeting
some interesting papers were
read. The subjects of the pa
pers were as follows: “What Is
the Main Business of the Sun
day School?” by Mr. James
Waddell. Miss Esther Conner
beautifully illustrated The Qual
ifications of a Good Teacher.
Mrs. Senora Payton read an in
spiring and helpful paper, “Can
the Sunday School Reach Its
Goal Without the Religious
Training in the Home?”
Paper by Miss Edith Tatum,
“Why Should Special Attention
Be Given to Our Catechism ?”
Solo by Mr. Jno. H. Smith,
1 **rl^T Vfm • wjgfflei1 tiwem-'r&ac
TO • TT JK3p'CI*'P WWW
to Your Soul,” his own composi
tion.
Address, “Enlisting the
Young People in Christian
Service,” by Rev. J. A. Ram
seur. He said that the Church
needs young men volunteers
who will work willingly and
who will csme to the church be
cause it is the house of God. We
also need cultured men.
Mr. G. R. Marsh made a very
interesting talk on the work of
the School of Methods. Dr. A.
D. Lord and Rev. Dr. Dockery
also made short talks.
A collection of $6.20 was tak
en by Mr. H. C. Cowan and Mr.
W. A. Howard.
Saturday morning the Con
vention opened with a short
praise service. The Bible Hour
was conducted by Dr. Murray,
subject, “The Birth of Christ,”
Scripture, Matt. 1:16-25. The
talk Kiade by Dr. Murray was
very interesting and helpful.
Mr. G. R. Marsh made a very
helpful talk on “Standard Rec
ords and How to Keep Them.”
The Catechism contest was
conducted by Mrs. Murray. The
winner was Miss Helen Phifer,
of Cameron Sabbath School, of
Elmwood.
Sunday morning, August 23,
at 9:45 the Model Sunday
School was conducted by Mr. G.
R. Marsh. A large number of
delegates and members of the
church and school were pres
ent on time. The officers for
the whole Sunday school were as
follows:
Supt., Mr. G. R. Marsh, S. S.
M.; Assistant Supt., Mrs. Se
nora Payton; Secretary, Mrs.
Samuel Massey; Supt. Adult Di
vision, Mr. Jno. H. Smith;
Supt. Young People’s Division,
Mrs. Lucy Dulin; Supt. of
Children’s Division, Miss Mag
gie L. Knox; Usher, Mr. Enoch
Knox; organist, Miss Martha L.
Smith.
The teachers were Mr. Jno.
H. Smith, Mr. W. A. Howard/
Mr. J. A. Smoot, Mrs. Lucy Du
lin, and Miss Maggie L. Knox.
There were 95 persons pres
ent at school and the collection
was $3.10. The lesson was re
viewed by Mr. Jno. H. Smith
and Mr. W. A. Howard.
At 11 A. M., the annual ser
mon was preached by Rev J. M.
(Continued on page 4)