SESSS9 VX)L. XLVni. 1^1 #• n 111^ IF STRENUOUS TIMI3 With the temperature setting new records and, in certain ways, startling recordst for this season, thermometers 'register ing beyond the 100 mark, with a drought so threatening that the waters are receding in the mead ow streams, and the grasses upon the hilly cliffs withering as the leaves of autumn, people assembling here and there pray ing for rain, it verily begins to appear that there needs be an Elijah of ok! to come forth from Cherith’s brook on Jordan’s shores to go and tell the Ahabs in high places that the com mandments of the Lord are . be ing forsaken. "Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary.” “If ye walk in my statutes and keep my commandments to do them, then I will give you rain in due season.” (Lev. 26:2-4). Again: "Take heed that your hearts be not deceived, and ye turn aside and serve other gods. Then the Lord’s wrath be kin dled against you, and he shut up the heaven that there be no rain.” (Deut. 11:16, 17.) So says the Bible. Now who in this day believes in any such stuff written thirty-five hundred years ago when folks knew little and could do only little, when God had to feed them and fight their battles? Folks who had no automobiles, air-ships nor sub marines—those ignorant depen dents whose forefathers had to make bricks without straw would need have regards for Moses and the prophets, but not the exalted generations of to day. V, In a recent issue of the “Afri the headline, a took occasion to refer to cer tain members of the class of ’98 purporting, it seems, to ascribe tribute to whom tribute is due. School men of today admonish that in going afield—seek facts. .That explanation that does not explain and that illus tration which does not illustrate some object or dement usually turns to the denudation of that which was designed for some beneficent eneomium.The following appeared: “Twenty-five years ago the class of ’98 graduated from the Theological Department of Bid dle—W. R. Muldrow, J. M. Johnson and Hugh Hairy. When they entered the Seminary Mr Sandy D. Thom joined the class. .This gentleman made an average of 98 per cent for three years under a hard man like the late Prof. A. P. Bissell, Ph. D..Mr. Thom on ac count of his high average, won ten dollars, given by Dr. Bissell, over the other three of the class. But he was and is hitherto gen erous, and thereby surprised Dr Bissell and his classmates, seeing the financial straits of his classmates, by dividing the amount equally between him self and the other three.” Where the Key. Metz got his information of this matter, as it appears here, is puzzling to me. In the first place, Dr. Bis sell’s prize involved no competi tion. The condition was that the student of the Junior class who made an average of 90 per cent in Hebrew would be award ed ten dollars in gold. A full year's (8 months') daily recita tions, and one examination made up the year's work. And if a student was two days late on entering according to Dr. Bis sell’s consideration, he (the stu **,**^dent) had about forfeited all \chances for winning the ten dol lars in gold by the 90 per cent rule. In the fall of 1898, beginning our Junior Seminary year, I did not go in school until the fifth week after school had opened, and on my first appearance in class Dr. Bissell told ms frankly that I could hardly cherish any hopes of obtaining a prize in He brew, for while he did not at all question my ability (for he had been my instructor for 2 years in German) he said, a student, no matter how brilliant, coming in a month late could hardly do the Junior year's work, and said that it would be different in either the Middle of Senior year. I assured him that my lateness was due to circumstances over which I had no control. He re plied: "I am sorry, but that does not help the matter.” At the close of the term three of the j class attained the required 90 per cent average :Thom, 98; Mul drow, 91; and Johnson, 96. On conferring with the class Dr. Bissell informed us that al though three members had made the required average, he could not give but two prizes— twenty dollars.’ Two members the preceding year, F. J. Ander son and C. A. Hendricks, made the average and each received ten dollars. f I made this proposition to Dr. Bissell and the others concurred: that the faculty be asked to give ten dollars so that each might .receive a ten dollar prize, and if the faculty refused, which I felt they would do, then let the twenty dollars be divided equally among Thom, Muldrow and myself. This was readily agreed to by all. Dr. Bissell consented to pre sent the matter to the faculty and I was to speak to the Pres ident personally. The faculty gave the matter no considera tion, so we. learned,, and Dr. ing of prizes in Hebrew was al together a matter in which Dr. Bissell was concerned and that the faculty did not feel called upon to consider our request. In the meanwhile Dr. Bissell informed Muldrow and me that Thom had been to him and pro tested against the equal divis ion of the twenty dollars as had been agreed upon, and he (Dr. Bissell) ordered the class to come to his class room that the matter might be amicably ad justed. At this meeting Dr. Bissell, after again commending the class for the excellent year’s work, and the splendid spirit which had existed among us, suggested that the proposal to equally divide the twenty dol lars among the three be accept ed and it was done. It is easy to tell the number of degrees in each angle of a regularly inscribed hexagon when you just know that the side of the hexagon and the radius of the circle are equal; but to find the apothem, something more must be known; turning on a little light can do no harm. J. M. JOHNSON. Clinton High School, Clinton, S. C. CONFERENCE ON SLAVERY AND FORCED LABOR. Washington, May 30.—“Deep ly distressed by reports of de plorable and inhuman conditions of labor amounting to slavery or worse,’' the Administrative Com mittee . of the Federal Council of Churches has issued an ap peal to the United States Gov ernment to cooperate with other civilized nations in abolishing the evil. The government is asked to take part in the Inter national Conference on Slavery and Forced Labor called for next September. It is asked to help draft and to ratify a con vention to abolish the evil. The Federal Council of Churches, which is composed of 28 great communions, is coop erating in . the matter with the Foreign Missions Conference of North America, composed of practically all the Protestant foreign mission organizations of the United States. The action of the Administra tive Committee, as pointed oat by Dr Sidney L. Guliek, secreta ry of the Council's Commission on International Justice and Goodwill, is based on the reports of “travelers and investigators who have personally witnessed these terrible conditions." The objective of our Govern ment in this cooperation should be to secure the maximum possi ble protection and liberation for the peoples of Africa and else where that have been so long and so ruthlessly exploited by greed and avarice,” ‘ says the statement, which adds in part: “We believe that the Church es and Christians of the United States would cordially support any practicable plan looking to the complete extirpation of slav ery and forced labor everywhere5 throughout the world, i “We believe that our Church es and Christian constituency would desire the Government of the United States to cooperate with other nations in holding such an international confer ence, in drafting and ratifying an effective general treaty .and in adopting all necessary meas ures calculated to abolishaa soon as possible every form of slavery and all involuntary ser vitude, analagous to slavery, re sulting from compulsory labor."' DOING EVANGELISTIC WORK. - To the Editor of the Africo American Presbyterian: I desire to &y a few things through your paper. Our evan gelistic work is getting on fine now, notwithstanding we are Evangelist for the Atlantic Syn od, is doing a great work. In February, March, April and May more than a hundred peo ple gave their hearts to God. And there have been added to our churches under the power ful preaching of Dr. Jackson more than sixty people. We fed assured that Dr. Jackson has found himself in this great evan gelistic work. We are indeed sorry that he will not be able to give all of his time to the Atlantic Synod. We are asking him to spend some time in the Canadian Synod which he has consented to do, and as he carries the message of a loving Saviour in that Syn od we are sure that there will be a spiritual awakening. We have not learned yet just the time that we can convenient ly spend with the brethren over in Canadian, but we are sure that he will get to you some time soon. Will be glad to have you write him, and whatever ar rangements he can make will be satisfactory with the Board, and with the director of our work. I have been laboring in my own Synod, the Catawba, with some success. I spent some time in the North during mid spring at Newark, N. J. We had wonderful success. Dr. Ellerson is doing a wonderful work in Newark. His wife is Superin tendent of the Sunday school, and they have the largest Sun day school I have visited during my ministry. Dr. T. J. B. Harris is making things go at Englewood. He has a beautiful church, a splen did congregation and a large Sunday school. We spent two weeks in East Tennessee Synod. The Lord is blessing Dr. S. A. Downer. We had an ingathering of souls in Knoxville. We are going to spend six weeks later on in Rogersville Presbytery. Our church at High Point is steadily growing under the leadership of Rev. C. A. Wash ington. There we had the out i raVe juat returned from the tf&fLl Assembly where we en Up* great treat with the WBML Assembly’s Evangelis fjGommittee. Dr. Mahy is Mp great man and God is liderfully using him in set k forth plans and ideas, lie had the pleasure of spend er a week while in Baltimore l&Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Wright. rs.Wright is a graduate of XK&r Women’s College, and 6m childhood was brought up |^e John Hall church at Car tage. Now she and Mr. Wright fmembers of the Grace church j Baltimore. Mr. Wright was fcmerly a Baptist, but decided Unite with the church of his We are pleased to say these w things about our work, and It for the prayers of the lethren. By God’s will we will * to you soon. I. H. RUSSELL, Director of the Work. was regular was regular BLANDONIA CHU NOTES, SANFORD. Sunday, June 6, ching day at Blandonia. Al ugh the weather was some ,t inclement in the early part $f the day it was not long before jfe could look into the smiling of a noonday sun shining ;h with all its splendor and seemed to bring and * p»t Rev. J. E. McMillan, our pastor, brought to us. The morning text he used was, “I must work the works of him that sent ms while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work,” St. John 9:4, subject, “I Must Finish My Task.” At the night service the pas tor chose for his text, “Behold we have forsaken all and fol lowed thee. What shall have?” Matthew 19:27. we The Sunday school is still thriving under the direction of Superintendent Roberts. The Cephas Bible class, taught by Dr. C. N. McMillan, was success ful in regaining the banner. The Missionary Society will meet on Thursday, June 10. They are still studying the Book of Genesis. The lesson for Thursday is from the 15th through the 18th chapter. The Men’s Club of the church gave the community an unusual thrill in that they had a debate on Thursday, May the 20th. The subject was: Resolved that wo men should take an active part in public and .civic life. The dub was fortunate in securing some of the best talent of the city, of both women and men, to participate. There was a large audience out to hear the debaters. The decision of the judges was in favor of the affir mative by a vote of 2 to 1. The President of the Club has been asked to have the debate over or one similar. Sometime ago the pastor saw fit to divide the church up into five groups and the church is how working strenuously on the $1,000 drive to be completed by the 4th Sunday in this month. The church was glad to greet many of its school boys and girls home again, namely, the Mclver sisters, Misses Alma Bland, Emma Bland, Rosa Maud Cox, and Messrs. Oliver Alston, Walter Green, Willie Green and George McKeithen. Some people want to do the right thing, and others want to know how much money there is in doing the other thing. ST. JAMES CHURCH GREENSBORO By Mrs. S. W. Carter. Sunday morning, May 30, Rev. H. C. Miller spoke from Eccl. 12:7, “Then shall the dust return unto the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” From this verse the speaker discussed “Some Evidences of the Life After Death.” With simplicity the speaker piled up numerous evidences all indicat ing the immortal life, backing, Up these by the Word of God. The subject made quite an Op pression on the large gathering whose attention was held dur ing the discussion The speak er made a fervent appeal to the unsaved to accept Jesus Christ, which is life eternal The Sunday school was full of life and interest yesterday, there being 5 new pupils en rolled. The goal is 300 in the Sunday school. It is very grat ifying that the number of adults almost equals that of the Children. Banner for finance was taken by Up and Doing class, while J. R. Nocho class captured the banner for attendance. Mrs. E. B. Meares is whipping the children in shape to ob serve Children's Day, June 2nd Sunday. It is hoped to break the record in the offering to the Sunday school Board. The young men are getting the playground in shape for the Daily Vacation Bible School. It is hoped to enroll 200 in this School. Miss Clara Wade, of Ashebo 1_ _ t visitor at many other visitors whose names could not be secured. Mrs. Sarah Prayer, Mrs. H. C. Miller, Mrs. C. A. Waugh and Mrs. E. S. Alexander are attend ing the conference at Johnson C. Smith University. These ladies were sent by the white Presby terian churches of this city. The Missionary Society met last Thursday with Mrs. Sarah Limley. The ladies are making strenuous efforts to raise their quota for the new pews which were installed June 1st. A de licious course of refreshments was served to the Socity at the close of the meeting. The Up and Doing Adult Bi ble class gave a hay ride last Friday night, May 28th. Al though it was a bit cool the ven ture was quite a success. A neat sum was realized for the pew fund. The Christian Endeavor Soci ety gave a supper in the base ment of the church last Tuesday night, May 25, for the same pur pose. This was an enjoyable af fair and a tidy sum was raised. Miss Lois Ray is back home from Raleigh where she has been attending St. Augustine school during the past term. She makes quite an addition to the Young People’s work. Mrs. Chase Brown has as sumed directorship of the Jun ior choir. Mrs. Brown is a musi cian of no mean ability and much is expected of this organ ization under her leadership. NOTES FROM RIDGEWAY, VA. The Holmes Memorial church, which is located in the vicinity of the Chestnut Knob Mountains, is striving to do its bit under the leadership of Rev. G. R. Carter, who came to us a little more than two years ago from Bristol, Tenn. Prayer meeting each Wednesday eve ning, Sabbath school every Sunday morning, preaching ser vice two Sundays in each month; a popular meeting of the Wom an’s Missionary Society the first Sunday evening with a business meeting the third Friday in each month constitute a part of the church’s program. On Sunday afternoon, May 2, we were favored with the pres ence of one of the greatest work ers in Southern Virginia Presby tery in the person of Mrs. S. J. H. Dillard, of Martinsville, who gave a splendid report of the re cent meeting of the Southern Virginia Presbyteriai. Mrs. Dillard, who is our Presbyteriai representative* is chairman of the Missionary Circle and has seven churches under her super vision. Many excellent ideas for growth were advanced that will prove helpful to - all soefettes that will follow them up. We hope to have Mrs. Dillard with us again. Her talks are always very helpful. The writer was appointed chairman of the circle in the local Society of Holmes Memorial church. On Sunday morning, May 9, the minister preached a splen did sermon to mothers. In the evening an interesting program consisting, of choruses, read ings, recitations, solos, papers and quartettes bearing on Mother's Day was , rendered. Rev. G. R. Carter presided; MRS. B. M. HEREFORD. IN AND OUT AND ROUND AND ABOUT IN YADKIN PRESBYTERY. -o By Geo. R. Marsh, S. S. M. My dear Mr. Editor: Please allow me space in your very val uable paper to say a few words about some of the activities in Yadkin Presbytery. I think it is timely for me to re-affirar the faet that Ytidkin top “saw wpod” and tembiy reported lb the Spring meet ing, also the kind hospitality shown us by the Gate City, viz., the welcome address at the Presbytery by His Honor the Mayor of the city who welcomed us in a most hearty spirit of cooperation between the two races. The next item worthy of men tion was the unusual kindness shown on the part of the First Presbyterian church (white) whose people so kindly opened their doors to us and gave the use of their lovely church sfor our meetings, and the Smith Memorial Bible class room for the Ladies’ Missionary Society to hold their meetings in which the ladies did with pleasure. Rev. H. C. Miller, the pastor of St. James church, and his offi cers and leaders of the work, are responsible for the very rare kindness shown us by the First Presbyterian church. On May 23rd another event of much consequence was the organization of Marsh Memorial Mission Sabbath School into a promising Presbyterian church. The Presbytery committee, ap pointed to do this work, was the Revs. J. B. Francis, P. W. Toney, and S. S. M. Geo. R. Marsh. The day was ideal, the attendance excellent. We or ganized with eleven members with bright prospects of early accessions, as there are five or six who had given their names who were not in this number above reported. We had a splendid sermon for the occasion by Rev. J, B. Francis, Chairman of the committee. After the church organization two elders and one deacon were ordained and seven persons were baptized. The visiting ministers and elders present were Rev. L. J. McRae and Rev. Henry Mc Laughlin and Elders W. P. Ev ans and W. M. Malloy and their families of Bowers’ Chapel, Lau. rinburg. Elder Evans favored us with encouraging remarks, putting his stamp of approval on tiie special work just accom plished. Mrs. B. F. Clark, Mrs. (Continued on page 4)

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