3SSSSTSSS-S—
►AY, MAY 6, 1126
NO. 18.
MARY POTTER MEMORIAL SCHOOL
EMERGING FROM ASHES
ByAn Observer
r
For thirty years Mary Potter
Memorial School, of which - Jlev.
G. C. Shaw, D. D., is principal,
could boastof never having had
a fire. Then the tables
changed. First, the Principal's
home went up in a blaze. About
a year ago the Bdys' Dormitory
followed. Then last October our
Main Builidng was charred and
Slutted and partly destroyed.
Such calamities are the acid
test of the permanency and in
herent qualities of a school.
Mary Potter staggered, but soon
regained her equilibrium. To
day her tread is firmer and
stronger tnan ever Dexore. rrom
the ashes of the principal's
home arose a modern bungalow
that appropriately adorns the
entrance to the, campus. As if
by magic there sprang up to
take the piece of the BoysL Dor
mitory that went down last
March, a modern, up-to*date,
beautiful boys’ building^with
every conceivable convenience
and comfort. It is conceded to
be one of the best, not the
best, boy's dormitories in the
State. From the charred
and
Jdackened* wails of our Main
Building there leaped a new roof,
painted walls and new, modern
furniture.
It has been a strenuous year
with us, but we have continued
to march. Every step has been
forward, none backward or fal
tering. We are still in need of
a renovated and enlarged girls’
dormitory and an industrial
KiiilHinxr Wo ore Proving and
working for these additional and
very much needed improve
ments, and believe they are in
sight for the near future.
We feel very much elated be
cause of our recent success in
winning the silver cup for de
bating. This is the first year
that circumstances have allowed
us to enter the contest. Last
year, just as we were getting
ready for the debate, we had
our fire which so disorganized
things for a while that we could
not get into the debate. We felt
proud and congratulated our
selves on having won both sides
of the debate and thus were
called into the finals. To have
won there is very encouraging.
Mary Potter has always tak
en an active part in the athletic
sports of the State, having won
the base ball pennant one sea
son and was a close contestant
for the athletic cup last season,
having lost only two games dur
ing the season, and both of these
games were contested, certain
irregularities having featured
in them. Under ordinary cir
cumstances the games would
have been given us by the exec
utive board. But extraordinary
circumstances existed and the
games were not allowed us.
Therefore we did not get the
cup. But fate smiled on us and
we got the debating cup. We
must have a cup.
There is scarcely a school in
the State that has been able to
get anything like a capital mark
on the athletic map that Mary
Potter did not train and send
them their star players. The
National Training School, now
North Carolina College for Ne
groes, never won a game that
gave them any athletic standing
until we sent them Nutall, their
star pitcher, and Bennie Hicks,
their present coach, who de
serves the credit for all the ath
letic honors that have come to
them. Biddle University, now
Johnson C. Smith University
did not get on the athletic map,
so far as base ball is concerned
until we sent them 0‘Daniel.
Hayes, their present pitcher,
who is pitching them to victory
this season, graduated from us
last May. We congratulate
these two schools, our dose ath
letic competitors, and maybe,
our supplanters for base baU
honors. This year Mary Potter
has decided to seek honors in
other fields where the climfite is
more congenial or ratMfir^iie
gods of the storms are 11' little
better disposed.
There are several things that
have entered into the growth
and spirit of Mary Potter that
have made -its growth steady
and given itr,the spirit to will.
Our motto in everything is to do
our best and let our best be the
best work of its kind.
To carry out this motto Dr.
Shaw has, from the very begin
ning of the school, surrounded
himself with tfih very best qual
ified workers available. This is
^specially noticeable in the class
Of young men hfe has had con
nected with the School..
Prof. C. A. 'Jbhnson, who was
With him for ten years, only left
to take |harge of the High
School ^ Columbia, S. C. Rev.
B. R. Smith, who also was con
nected with the work for about
ieh yeaSB, left to enter the pas
torate, and was later called by
the Board of Freedmen to take
charge of the girls’ seminary at
Crockett, Texas, being the first
colored President the school
ever had, and, in fact, the first
colored man placed by the Board
at the head of any of our semi
naries.
Rev. E. J. Gregg was with us
for two years and left to enter
the pastorate. He is acknowl
men^n our*^!imrch^^Be v. P. J.
A. Coxe served us for a year or
more. He is now in Louisville,
Ky. Rev. Coxe is a man of rare
scholarship and intellectual at
tainments.
Rev. H. S. Davis and Prof. L.
S. Cozart, who are at present
connected with the school, are
among the strongest and most
progressive young men of the
State. Each of them is in easy
reach of his M. A.—Prof. Cozart
from Columbia University and
Rev. Davis from Northwestern
University. Prof. L. S. Taylor,
who is now at Berry O’Kelly
School at Method, was with us
for about two years. He is a
young man of acknowledged
rare intellectual ability. Prof.
R. L. Smith, who was with Prof.
H. A. Hunt, of Fort Valley, Ga.,
for a number of years, is known
for his efficiency and thorough
ness in scholarship and every
thing he puts his hand to, is
with us this year.
Prof. I. H. Buchanan, who is
known throughout the State for
his musical ability, was with us
for twenty-five years. His high
moral character and stand for
clean athletic sports are still felt
around the school.
Prof. A. H. Poindexter, who
was with us last term, was fresh
from Lincoln where he was a tu
tor during his last year there.
He resigneu to enter the Univer
sity of Toronto, Canada, to stu
dy medicine.
Prof. Thomas Hicks, who has
charge ox our Manual Training
and Industrial work, is a genius
in his profession and is so ac
knowledged by all who know
him or has seen his work.
Prof. J. C. A. Dillard, who is
with us tms year, is a graduate
of the class of 1925 of Union
University, Virginia, and was a
member of their traveling quar
tette. He is a* young man of
marked abilities, both in music
and literature.
Our lady teachers have been
no less efficient and active than
the men in bringing Mary Potter
to the front. The entire faculty
during all these years has been
loyal and true to the best inter
ests of the school and this loyal
ty and devotion has been passed
along to the student body, all
working to do their beat ani t^
let their best be the beat worlf
of the kind.- Now and then this
motto is seehto bud and bear
fraft-'-soraetimes in atWetid^r
at another in debating. May
the motto everlUe mid in Ih
bear fruit. - r?^ *
SOtITHERN VIRGINIA PRES
BYTER! AL.
The Woman’s Home and F<
eign Mission Society of
Presbytery of Southern Vi
iamet with the missionary
ety of Bethany
church, Norfolk, -Yav> on
-The executive meeting
held in tne home of .Dr.
Mrs. S. L Moone and the meet"
ings thereafter were held in the*
U; P. church. The devotk
exercises were entered into
interest, after which was the
enrolling of delegates ' wi
showed that the work is
advanced and that lee are
awaking more and more in'the
interest of home and foreign
mission work.
Mrs. Kendrick, the President,;
recommended the circles, which]
recommendation was accepted
and the circles were arranged as
follows: t§S|
Mrs. Marks: nopeweu, Tra
cey, Petersburg, Charley Hope^,
Mrs. Carr: Chatham,So. Be#
ton, Love’s Chapel, Danville,' M$.
Zion. «
Mrs. Hedric: Newport IfewSi
Norfolk, Richmond.
Mrs. Lomax: Crewes, Notto
way, Victoria, Allen MemoriaL
Mrs. DiHard:
Central, Lynchburg, Grace,
Grove.
We are hoping that resi
from these circles will
thespj©&Mj
icers for the ensuing year
were next elected:
Mrs. Kendrick, President.
Mrs. M. B. Marks, Vice-Presi
dent.
Mrs. C. P. Hedric, Recording
Secretary. > ‘'
Mrs. S. J. H. Dillard, Corre
sponding Secretary.
Mrs. M. H. Burrell, Treasurer.
Mrs. W. E. Carr, Secretary of
Literature.
Mrs. M. K. Jones, Secretary of
Missionary Education.
Mrs. M. J. Jones, Secretary of
Young People’s Work.
Miss E. Reynolds, Secretary
for Freedmen.
Miss E. V. Gunn, Secretary of
Westminster Guilds.
Our financial report was as
follows:
Money paid through the Pres
byterial Treasurer, $557.00;
assessments, — — — $43.48
Public collection - 50.00
Contribution of five So.
Circles__ 15.00
Total_ 663.43
for the year just enaea.
We feel that we have an ex
cellent program committee with
Miss Reynolds and Miss Gunn
heading this committee. We
had one of J;he best programs
that we have ever had. The
principal feature was a pag
eant; “The Way of the Cross
Leads Home.” It was quickly
gotten up but well rendered.
We cannot forget to mention
the hospitality shown us in
Norfolk and especially that of
the United Presbyterian church
in that they threw their doors
open to us with a hearty wel
come for which we wish to
thank them. Ask God's bless
ings on us continually.
We shall meet next year, D.
V., with the missionary society
of Henry Presbyterian church.
(MRS.) C. P. HEDRIC,
Recording Secretary.
DR. FRIERSON GOES TO
LANCASTER.
Please take and give notice
of the change in my Post Office
address from Winnsboro, S. p.,
to Box 146, Lancaster, S. C.
Sincerely,
A. U. FRIERSON.
Lancaster, S. C.
EVERY DAY MOTHER'S DAY
0 ----
By A. Dttnforth Dinkins
*y a oeautif ul custom of re
cent origin, next Sunday is set
apart as “Mother's Day," in
honor of universal motherhood.
It is well for all of us to devote
at least one day in the year to
tender memories of vanished
years, and to look forward with
faith and hope to better years
to come.
■ -/A it not a fact, however, that
every day in the year is moth
er's day? From the dawn of
the New Year to the fading light
df December's last day, is not
iaother the central figure of- the
te and a radiant center of
influence in the community?
Without the mothers, if indeed
existence were possible, what a
dreary uxe this would be.
[ Every day is mother’s day of
duty and of toil. There is truth
In the old saying: “Man’s work
j^done from sun to sun, But
Woman’s work is never done.”
From the time that her first
babe is laid in her arms to the
last day of her normal life, she
IS full of responsibilities and of
labors. Early and late, in heat
mid cold, in time of feebleness
as well as in time of vigor, she
feds impelled to spend the last
dunce of strength in ministering
to her children. The wants of
those children are numerous
and pressing, and sometimes the
tired mother feels impelled to
renaer services mat me cnuaren
would better take upon them
selves. There are few sights
bnctife pathetic—and more exas
perating to a wise observer—
ihan of a delicate mother wear
ing her life out in waitingupon
a group of inconsiderate boys
and girls, who are perfectly able
to wait upon themselves. But
the very nature of motherhood
is to be self-sacrificing, and it
is the bad habit of many chil
dren who are old enough to know
better, to accept those sacrifices
without scruple. Yes, every day
is mother’s day of toil and
struggle for the benefit of oth
ers.
Every day is mother’s day for
the exercise of influence over
those whom she has brought in
to the world. No other human
influence is comparable with it.
The great emancipator, Abra
ham Lincoln, on one occasion
said, that “All I am or hope to
be, I owe it to my mother.” The
late Senator Lodge shortly be
fore his death wrote these words
to an intimate friend: “The
truth is, that I should have
been an atheist of the French
type, if it had not been for one
recollection, and that was when
my mother used to take my lit
tle hand in hers and cause me
on my knees to say, ‘Our Fath
er, who art in heaven.’ ” I once
knew a young man in a Southern
college who told me that he had
become so disappointed and dis
couraged with life, that he had
been strongly tempted to suicide,
but one thing restrained him,
and that was the dear, sympa
thetic mother back at home.
That mother’s influence was all
that held him back from self
destruction. Such influence as
is illustrated in these incidents
is the result of patient, steady,
toilsome living on the mother’s
part, with love in her heart for
her children and her God.
Every day is mother’s day in
another sense. It is a day when
[those about her should appreci
ate her faithful labors and yield
td her gracious influence. Not
one day in the year merely, but
all the days should bring honor
to motherhood, and loving coop
eration with her whose person
ality binds the household togeth
er. It is easy enough to render
tribute to mother under stress
and remorse, when she lies
broken in health and almost
ready to depart for lack of the
help and sympathy which her
children might have given, but!
too oiten withheld. It requires
thoughtfulness and a degree of
self-sacrifice on the part of
young people to forego at tunes
their favorite diversions that
SJaraier’s burden may, be re
lieved. The true mother always
finds hope and strength when
she sees her children eager in
the household tasks, ready to
give up the tennis game, the
party or automobile ride when
mother needs help at home.
In the foregoing remarks, of
course, it is the true mother
who has been held in view. As
we all know, there are women
of a different type—women to
whom God has committed the
holy responsibilities of mother
hood, but who fail to meet them
in the only way that leads to
wholesome influence and well
earned reward. If these lines,
which is an experience told to
me by a mother a few days ago,
should chance to meet the eyet
of such a mother, they may be
well commended: “When my
children were young,” she said,
“I thought the very best thing
I could do for them was to give
them myself. So I spared no
pains to talk with them, pray
with them and to be a loving
companion and friend to my
children. “Sometimes,” she con
tinued, “I had to neglect my
tiouse. I had no time to indulge
myself in many things which. I
should have liked to do. I was
so busy adorning their minds
and cultivating their hearts'
best affections that I could not
adorn their bodies in fine
^othe^wthoug^X, kept ttem
neat arid comfortable.” “I have
my reward now,” she said with
a smile on her face. “My sons
are ministers of the gospel; my
laughter is a Christian wom
an. I have plenty of time to sit
down and rest, and I have a
thousand beautiful memories of
their childhood to comfort ftie.
Now that they have gone out
into the world I have the sweet
consciousness of having done all
that I could to make them
ready for whatever work God
calls them to do.”
This type of motherhood is
that which imparts to Mother’s
Day its noblest significance.
BIRMNIGHAM PRESBYTERY.
Wednesday, April 14, was an
ideal spring day. In he moun
tains of Northern Alabama,
where iron and coal abound,
where the villages are green and
shaded here and there by beau
tiful trees, is situated Anniston,
where the Presbytery met with
Calvary Presbyterian church,
Rev. A. W. Rice, pastor.
At 8 o’clock, P. M., Rev. Van
Horn Murray, of West Point,
Miss., retiring Moderator,
preached a soul-stirring sermon.
After the sermon Presbytery
was called to order. The Rev.
T. B. Bailey, of Ackerman, Miss.,
was chosen Moderator.
From the beginning, the spir
it of Christ was in the meeting.
It could not have been more har
monious. All members an
swered to the roll call, save two
—Rev. W. H. Lampley, who was
sick, and Rev. C. J. McLin, who
labors out of our bounds.
All causes of the Church were
ably represented by the differ
ent chairmen., Presbytery did
better on its benevolence than
in any previous year. After the
report of Committee on Pro
gram and Field Activities every
brother expressed his determi
nation to pay his full quota for
1926-1927. We have many reas
ons to believe that Birmingham
Presbytery will go over the top
on benevolence this year.
Rev. L. R. Taylor was re
ceived into our Presbytery from
the Baptist Church and is our
pbalUfL. . . in i rn in' i
For the good of the
tier, who has been supy.. __
churches at Okolona and i
non, Miss., has permia *
labt>r out of our bounds,
returning to South Carolina, the
native State of most of the
Presbyterian ministers in these
parts.
We need t wo good men to take
work among us. Rev. C. J. Mc
Lin was dismissed to join White
River Presbytery.
Rev. A. W. Rice and Rev. Geo.
E. Cooper were elected commis
sioner and alternate, respective
ly, and Elders J. L. Grier And
R. L. Davis were elected lay
commissioner and alternate, re
spectively, to the General As
sembly.
We had very pleasant visits
to Barber College where we
found that most of the college
girls were Presbyterians—such
as the Brodies, Joneses, and
Stinsons—whose fathers were
my classmates. Barber College
is actually doing the work and
has a faculty of no mean abili
ty
The President of Barber, Dr.
J. F. Scherer, was accorded a
seat as a corresponding member
of Presbytery and he made an
interesting talk. p
Our Woman’s Presbyterial
had a nice program Friday
night. They went over the top
with their quota, .
Presbytery closed one of the
smoothest and most pleasant
meetings in its history.
H. L. PETERSON,
Stated Clerk.
1286 McLemore Ave.,
NORTH CAROLINA OLDER
BOYS’ CONFERENCE ASKS
FOR COLORED STATE
WORKER
Instead of one State Colored
Older Boys’ Conference as last
fear North Carolina held two,
jne for the West at Winston
Salem and one for the East at
Raleigh.
The State Conference held at
Greensboro last year was the
first and was a great success as
about 25u boys *were registered
from even the remotest sections
of the State. It was this large
interest that called ior regional
conferences this year. Nearly
i hundred boys met at Winston
Salem, April 9-11, and about
two hundred fifty met at Ra
leigh, April 23-25.
These conierences, neia un
der the auspices of the State Or
ganizer of the Y. M. C. A., have
been conducted largely by J. T.
Fesperman, the white Boys’
Work Secretary, and his attitude
throughout has been thoroughly
Christian and entirely satisfac
tory to the colored group of
adult leaders with whom he has
cooperated.
The State Department of Ed
ucation has given its cooperation
through W. A. Robinson, Super
visor of Colored High Schools,
who has promoted all three of
the conferences. The National
Council of the Y. M. C. A. has
cooperated through its workers
like W. C. Craver, Ralph Bullock,
Channing H. Tobias and J. H.
McGrew.
Both 1926 conferences had
“Vision” as a conference theme.
After listening to the excellent
and inspired speakers, including
Dr. J. A. Cotton, of Henderson,
Dr. McDowell and C. B. Curley,
of Durham, and others, the boys
discussed their own problems in
telligently and frankly and
drew up resolutions. The reso
lutions at Raleigh listed the
boys’ problems under the follow
ing heads:
1. Student Life.
2. Choice of Life’s Work.
3. Bad Habits (profanity,
drinking, etc.)
(Continued on page 4)