ui Wm SSSSBSB VOL. XL VIII. - The most lively and stirring theme before the American peo ple today in state and Church, is the Volstead Act or the 18th Amendment to the Federal Con stitution. That the ultimate fate of this humane, and benefi cent act should even seem to rest in the balance after the ex perimental period of a few years is a very sad commentary on our boasted progress^ proud civ ilization, and even Christianity. For whatever else might be said, this act per se has been more fruitful of good to all the peo ple of the country, and has proven to be more far-reaching in its benignant effects than any other that has found its way to th$ statute books, and has richly earned a place as part the organic law of the land. None more wise and im portant has been enacted into law within a centary perhaps. There are those in our group who firmly believe^ tins act nas come in the evolution of the di vine plan to purge and purify the American people, hence, it cannot long rest in the balance, if at all, neither go backward nor miscarry. It must and will meet the divine purpose, to wit, the deliverance of the most pro gressive and aggressive group of the human family—the peo ple of the United States—from the thraldom of the rum demon —finally the world. It is quite natural and a thing to be expected, that the secu lar element of the country should entertain varying views fljjhiecijjt .. . r_ion, hence, break up in to hostile and madly contending camps. The fight when con fined to the realm of politics gathers more than passing no tice and interest as it promises a decidedly temporary advan tage or disadvantage to the pros and cons. For already men are translat ing the ^retention or abrogation of the Volstead law into national issues that will overshadow all others in the next Presidential campaign. Prohibition thus employed largely loses its moral force and effect and is degraded into a matter of political expe aiency. But here is a new world won der. The church of Jesus Christ seems almost as evenly and hopelessly divided as any other organized body, if we are to credit current press reports. The clamor for some form of modification or even the repeal of the Volstead law rings out as loud ana clear from some quar ters of the Church as from any unholy camp of the world. It seems to this lay writer that it this subject had but the single, saving element, to wit, the Ifft ing of American manhood and womanhood into a higher and purer atmosphere, the Church, the Christian Church—ought to be able without ^scruple, bent or bias, to present a united front and stand full four square to the heavens. /The wonder be comes more wonderful when one considers the social, eco nomic, civic and the less notice able values, blessings %nd ben efits that fall into the lap of all the people following in the of temperate living rttfther forced or voluntary. !ut I have gone very far Jd generalizing, and must „ t back to my chosen theme— rhe Attitude of the Colored American to the Volstead Law M- Prohibition. When it comes to the matter rf violating the prohibition law, [ freely and frankly confess, with shame and confusion of face, that the colored American can’t take to himself very large comfort, while pointing a scorn ful finger into the face of some other with the taunt, “holier than thou.’’/> Vet since in any local or country-wide issue, the final set tlement ojl which vitally affects the whole people, the man of color is kept under closest sur veillance, and actions are care fully watched and subjected to critical scrutiny, his attitude to any such issue should be made up on facts And evidence. What are the facts and evidence be fore the court of public opinion in making up his attitude to the |l8th Amendment? He seems possessed of an insatiable appe tite and an inordinate desire for intoxicants. His dispositon to drink to excess is almost well* inigh proverbial. In addition to this the frequency with which he is caught in charge of an il licit still, watching a blind tiger, with small quantities of whiskey bn his person, haled into court, takes a sentence, a fine or both, and thus earns free publicity through daily press reports, an jgo very far in determining pop ularly his attitude to the 18th Amendment. I am not inclined to enter into a discussion of the thus but fairness or unfairness of determining his attitude; since there are facts more ger mane and bearing more decid edly upon the matter under con sideration, they ought to be al lowed and duly credited. That such facts are available and adducible ought to cheer the man of color, his friends and all truth-loving and fair minded people. Any just and fair determination of the attitude 'of the colored Amer cab faff1"; Amendment, must take into ac count, primarily, his activities in connection with the manufac ture of contraband liquors. Here it needs only to be noted and said, if he figures at all, it is as a moorer, and hence, be comes nothing more than the dead machinery harnessed in the service of some master mind. His part the country round, therefore, as a manufac turer in violation of law is neg ligible. In the second place, his con nection with and interest in the illicit sale and dispensation are as little worthy of serious no tice, as his participation in the manufacture. If he enters the field of trade at all, he can come in one oj. two ways: he must enter either as employe, or is duped in under the delusion that sooner or later it will prove to be “a gold brick.”, In either case he almost inyariably be comes a willing tool of someone “higher up.> Third, ''when it comes to the matter of administering and en forcing the prohibition pro vision, the colored American stands eliminated and is not en couraged to cherish even the faintest hope of a look-in. In this respect all doors seem per manently closed in his face. From these important and sig nificant points of view, it would seem that he has not played the leading role in violating the prohibition law, nor does he share largely the responsibility for failure in the law to meet the ends of its enactment. The question of obeying or violating the prohibition law becomes one purely and simply of patriotism, morals and religion as far as it concerns the man of color. It does not appeal to him as a bus iness proposition since it is hedged about by legal restraints. It is noteworthy and goes down to his everlasting credit that whenever and wher ever he has been allowed voice or vote on prohibition, that voice has been generally lifted, and that vote nas been cast and re corded on the side of law and or der. He has been uncomplain ing, has taken no concerted ac tion, has entered no protest, and no studied and unified opposi tion to the 18th Amendment can be set to his account. No reguest or petition for modifi tion, repeal or otherwise has emanated from him. While he, perhaps, is proportionately the greatest sufferer as a violator and an evn doer under the law, he cannot De charged with being the greatest malcontent. Touched with all the feelings and infirmities of a man; heir to the propensities of a de praved and sinful nature; sur rounded by the most powerful stimuli and manifold tempta tions, who wonders that he should at times fall victim to vi olating the prohibition law? il wish it distinctly understood {that I enter no plea and make jno apology for the shortcorangs of this man in living up to the requirements of tins most phil anthropic law* But I would like to see, and suggest that the jrules of the game—fairness to all—be followed and applied in !a matter so vital as determining the real attitude of the colored American to the i8th Amend ment. I teel if this is done, the eye of suspicion which now rests so intently upon him will find time to turn in some other direc tion, and . the suspicion that falls upon him as a standing menace to law and order will he perceptibly lifted. At any rate, it will do much to sfiVe him bit ing, bitter, and withering criti cism, hasty and unrighteous judgment, harsh and undue cen sure. I plead for him no ex ception in the application and enforcement of the law. For already the American man of color has reaped by far the ine and substantial citizenship, and his growing desire and dis position to participate in the larger ana more general human concerns have been noticeably increaseu. His economic and civic relations and condition, and even religious status are all changing for the better. Finally, since all that is here in claimed for him is true, he can be counted on to align him self with all the forces at work to save the country and con serve tne principles of right eousness. He can be relied on to do his full bit in the prohibi tion crisis now before the coun try as he has done in all the past. The Church as such needs have no misgivings as to where her colored contituency stands on pronioition, if I have proper ly senseu and analyzed the at titude of the colored American to the 18th Amendment. For all this is remarkable, unique, on viable. Yours for truth and fairness, A. U. FRIERSON. Lancaster, S. C., Box 146. JOHN HALL CHURCH, CAR THAGE. By Mrs. Belle M. Jackson Sunday morning, July 25, Rev. P. N. Boykin preached a very helpful and practical ser mon from Ecclesiastes 11:6. Just after the morning ser vice we entered into the Sab bath school and the lessons were enjoyed by all. It was for merly suggested that the class raising the highest amount would be given a picnic. Great enthusiasm prevailed through out the Sunday school. The Young People’s Division, taught by Miss Alice E. Kelly, defeated the other classes by raising the sum of $20.31. {The total amount raised was $43.00. The amount appropriated to be sent to the Board of National Mis sions was $50. The instructors conducting the Daily Vacation Bible School are having much success with the work. The Children’s Day exercise was largely attended at Ingram (Continued on page 3) Synodical Convention and School of Methods, Haines Institute, Augusta, Georgia, August, 1925. ation and s ready beei the vacati y, P. D. aran4 4 We are also trying to plan the, most economical way of travel, for the delegates and friends, coming to this convention; in doing so, we offer the following, plan: All delegates coming by * the. way of Sanford, Aberdeen, and Hoffman are advised to come; down on the “Shu Fly”. Thursr day morning and get off at. Hoffman, where you will be met. by cars to take you to Silyer Hill for the price of $1.00. This; will make a net saving, for you of about $1.00 one way. Wei will also return you to Hoffman for the same rate ($1.00). Re member, we are only going to meet the “Shu Fly” Thursday; morning; all persons coming af ter Thursday morning had bet ter come to Laurinburg. So we . advise ministers and superintend dents to see to it that your del egates have $2.00 . outside of their R. R. fare to Hoffman. Explain this fully, to your del-, egates before leaving. - ? On Sunday we are planning a great service and are expecting folks from all over the district. We are requesting all delegates and visitors to send in their names immediately to REV. J. B.. FRANCIS, P. 0, Box, 312, Eaurinburg, N. C. EBENEZER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HENDERSON VILLE .. Sunday, July 25th, _ Rev.. W, G. Hamilton delivered the* morning sermon - for . the Rey,i Brannon at the| Star- of Bethel Baptist church. Rev. Brannon i filled Rev. Hamilton’s pulpit in,, the afternoon and preached an; inspiring sermon. After, the sermon Deacon Dempsey, Reid, s took charge as It, was -his day* He was head eaptain and was..) successful in raising the* most money. The results are as folr lows': . ■ • >■ Deacon Demp»»hb|Reid, $38;,; Elder Jason JqN0u425; Mrs./ L.- A. Whitley,' $22<50.‘Totftl, 185.50. '-1 ■, J JUf. JJ - r; ) Human life is flO**shriiirti!that* we must learn from /experi » ences of others ?fes weft/ ail* ott*; * own. * *‘rt- wfh.: o