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THE SOUTH'S MOST DEPENDABLE INDUS
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By Rev. A. U. Frfer*m, D. O.
To the Editors:
I would not burden you artd
your readers with my frequent
mental peregrinations,could I do
otherwise. My apology is some
what Socratic. I am not able to
resist the pull of my “demon,”
whose voice keeps bus*1i;g in my
ear; and simply seems irrepressi
ble.
it, therefore, my articles
crowd for space that you have
for other and more important
and interesting matters, either
return them at my expense or
consign them to- the waste bas
ket. • .r. ' ,
The South being mainly an
agricultural section of the coun
try, it ought to be comparatively
easy to place finger on her most
substantial labor factor. When
I name it, however, some people
will be surprised, some will
pooh poohthe idea, and still oth
ers wifi turn away in derision.
Be that as it may, all candid
people will allow that my claim
is well-founded, and ever falls
without the pale of controversy.
From the time the Negro,
against his own volition and
without his consent, set foot on
American soil, took up his task
on the scattered tobacco planta
tions of Virginia, on the rice
farms oi Carolina? and in the
cotton fields of the Piedmont,
he seems to have heard and
heeded but a single order, to
wit : Gpcupy! As he toiled on the
hills of Virginia to make tobacco,
in the swamps of Carolina,to
on the cotton Jams, he ea«y
proved himself to be an- indis
pensable and invincible indus
trial factor. Therefore, with a
superb industrial record dating
back from 1619*20 to 1926
without a break, the Negro has
established his claim incontes
tably as uie South's most relia
ble and dependable industrial as*
get.
When the wealth of the coun*
try consisted chiefly in tobacco,
rice, cotton, crude tar and lum
ber, the Negro was the Her
cules of field and forest, and to
this good day he has not paused
even to “mark time.” His worth
and work have not been confined
exclusively to any single section
of the country, but are known
and felt throughout its bounds.
His share and contribution in
the* development of the country
are significant He has richly
earned the right to sing proud
ly and lustily with the rest, “My
Country, ’Tis of Thee,” ami with
added emphasis, fSLand where
my fathers died.”
There are some people who
would humble his just pride,
mid chill the ardor of his patri
otism by basely and arrogantly
holding over his head and hurl
ing into his face that old bogy,
“This is the white man’s coun
try.” The Negro in some quar
ters has accepted this as a
‘ truth, whereas it is only
f truth. , While it is a white
country by might of
it £i as truly the black
by might of
without the other
sible to argue, when aU the facts
favorable and advefH;
bearing are
nature has ri<
to face an ugly
sustain a strain1
ingly, under which ...
rebel, anu grow desperate?
Would it be a strain on the
charity of those with whom he
has lived longest and whom he
has. served faithfully to admit
that the Negro §r thoroughly
seasoned with the grace of pa
tience? These qualities he has
exhibited in most marked degree
and now f call you, who know
him best, to-reccM that where
other toilers sulk, pine,, even
languish and die, the Negro
sings, danced, laughs, and grows
sleek and fat. He has worked the
streets, built the public roads
and hignways, felled the forests
constructed the railroads, tun
neled and leveled the mountains
with a song. His voice has been
heard in the fields as it ming
led with that of the early spring
bird, and without faltering con
tinue through summer, and only
to die away after, having made
the welkin ring with the song of
“Harvest Home.”
His habit of associating toil
and song has so largely become
his mode of life, that some
Southern men have a supersti
tious dread of a Negro that
will not laugh and sing while at
work. All of you Will bear me
witness that the average South
ta on any job
mm
crock joKOB, laugh, and sing. If
perchance one happens to slip
in, who ■ seems meditative,
thoughtful, quiet, the “boss”
kedps his eyes on him, and will
get rid of him in the shortest
order, on the merest pretext,
tlie asumption being that the
man of color that will not sing
and laugh, while at work, will
not wear that job long or heav
ily on heart or hand.
Again, the apologists explain
by saying* this man lives on the
light'Side of life and is incapable
of serious and consecutive think
ing. But slight reflection forces
the conclusion that the Negro is
possessed Of .the “bears” in an
exceptional degree. His power
of endurance and forebearance
sets the pace for the world. For
any man or people that can sing
and laugh in spite of the rigors
of a Northern winter bordering
the climate of the frigid zone,
and under tlm^eltry Southern
sun of summer, well-nigh tropi
cal, while at work, will never
make a Socialist, - Bolshevist,
revolutionist, anarchist, or
otherwise. You can depend on
tnat. Any man or people, wnose
passion for music and love of
merriment and laughter can be
excited and stirred by the sight
and touch of pick and- shovel,
never make strikers. Any
man or people .that can tune to
music tne heavy thud of the
sledge and ring of the anvil* the
rattle, clatter and click of steel,
can never be marshalled into
formation of organized law
breakers. In our bright and
beautiful, sunny Southland, si
lent, yet eloquent and unmistak
able testimony fills the air, as
to the prominence an'd impor
tance of. the place held by the
Negro as an industrial asset. A
voice is heard in the land, com
ing up from thousands of unocr
cupied houses fast falling into
disuse and.decay, Ten spf thou
sands of acres of fertile and pro
ductive lands are given joyer to
ATLANTIC
AND SCHOOL
' '
■ •:
yi»; "rfr
to be toe country’s :
dable asset He has
spanded to his
call to laoor, whether
or light till he was %
out of the “Railroad Brigade"
the late World War. Every at
tempt to sidestep him has
proven a snare. Every effort to
supplant aim or find some sub
stitute tor him, has proven a de
lusion.
From ah that has been said,
it is fair to conclude that if he
is given a “square deal” and a
man's chance he will keep your
Western prairies and Southern
hills and plains covered with
green corn, and your cotton
fields white unto the harvest.
He will keep the fires burning
in the furnaces of your factories,
the spindles turning and the
looms in motion in your mills.
He will keep your mines
your engine for trade and
portation breathing mid
bing, and your trains and steamy
boats running on scheduled
time. If a chance is given him,
I wish to assure all concerned
that the section, and, even the
country he has loved so purely
and served so long and faith
fully wul never call to him in
vain.
In making up the Negro’s sta
tus as an industrial asset men
would do well to heed the words
of Shakespeare’s Othello; para
phrased, r
Speak of him as he is, nothing
uate, Jp
Lancaster, S. C.
YADKIN CENTRAL DISTRICT
CONVENTION.
By Mrs. J. H. Clement.
It was on the evening of Au
gust 5th when the doors of
Cherry Street church, of High
Point, were thrown open to wel
come the delegates and minis
ters of the Central District Sun
day School Convention of Yad
kin PresDytery. Not only were
the church doors open but the
homes of the many frie&ds of
the Cherry Street members.
Thursday evening was the
time for opening the Conven
tion. An electric storm came
over the city and the rain
poured, but the delegates and
friends were out in large num
Dr. J. C. Alston, pastor of
Lloyd church, Winston-Salem,
preached the opening sermon. It
was enjoyed by all. We were in
deed glad to have Dr. Alston to
bring to us the many truths.
The program for the evening
was a treat to the delegation.
Dr. J. C. Morgan, Superinten
dent of Cherry Street Sunday
school, welcomed us on oenau
of the Sunday schools and Rev.
Si L. Parham, B. Th., pastor of
the First Baptist church, made
a welcome on behalf of the Min
isterial Union of the city.
Dr. J. A. Bonner responded.
His address as usual was en
joyed by all 'who, heard him.
After being welcomed by the
splendid gentlemen the dele
gates felt at home.
A collection of $6.17 was lift
ed and the meeting adjourned
until Friday morning.
Friday A. M. at 9:00 o’clock
we had a lively praise service
conducted by the faithful Sup
erintendent, Mr. B. C. Ellison.
of Hillsboro.. He is always
ready and willing to do his part
and is a man ftWho believes in
business going on in a business
like way.
We then had a business ses
sion widen called for the elec
Atlantic Synodical
^Convention
hods «£'. ;
Augusta, ,Ga., convened
*vtwf»hA?Sl^th’
t ft rough tut, zona. • ■.
finnly believed by the
of those who attended
is year surpasses .all
ars in enthusiasm,
There Were 190j*egis-;
and over two-thiirds ;of
tits convention were
girls and boys of high
age, which plainly, shows
great Church is Mild-'
a firm foundation for the
, *ne delegates came en
from great distances add
of them bore their own ex
A. S. Clark, of Cordele,
delegation of five cars with
si in the party and all
to they met with an ac
which caused two to be
in a hospital it did not
from their regular en
Many other churches
likewise, which plainly
most of our thinking peo
appreciate this orgahi
ft.
e Convention opened Mon
night with Mrs. A. S. Clark,
our President, presiding. Owing
to the accident they encoun
tered, Dr. A. B. McCoy, director,
made the address. It was full
of thought and power. Dr. Me
in his usual, thoughtful
pointed to the cream
race and showed how they
dress was
helpful.' ft,
This year the election of of
ficers was held on Monday night
and the following officers' were
elected: Rev. M. J. Jackson, D.
D., President; Rev. J. H. To&t
ley, 1st Vice-President; Rev. J.
M. Miller, D. D., 2nd Vice-Pres
ident; Mrs. B, B. Douglas, 3rd
Vice-President; Mrs. Ethel
Cain, Recording Secretary ; Mrs.
Belle Vincent, Corresponding
Secretary; Miss L. White, Treas
urer. ;1'
We were pleased to have Mr.
•J. M. Somemdike, Director Of
Missions, Mrs. A. D. Snively,
Mr. L. E. Black and Miss Daw
son, directors of athletics, Miss
Ruth Smith and Miss Maud
Kihneburgh, Dean of Barber
College, with us. The Conven:
tion would* not seem complete
without them. .
Our faculty this year was
indeed efficient and . inspiring;
Among its members were r Dr;
A. B. McCoy, Rev. A. H. George,
Dr. J. E. Jackson, Dr. S. D.
Thom, Dr. C. J. Baker, Rev. F
C. Shirley, Dr. A. S. Clark.
Prof. A. A Adair, Dean, Prof
W. C. Lewis, Miss Theodors
Percival and Rev S. Q. Mitch
ell.
The school opened in fuli
Tuesday morning with , eacl
room crowded with Hungry
souls seeking the ‘ fountain oi
religious knowledge.
At 11:45 A. M. R«y. O. M
McAdams presented a master
piece to ' the Convention' am
held them spellbound fronS th<
subject, “Sdeffce and. Christ!
anity.” It will long be remem
bered.'
Mr. J. M. Somerndike pre
sented each day a lecture 01
4*The History of the Engiis)
Bible," which was very helpful.
Tuesday evening at 8 P. M
the President of Paine College
made an addres, and foHowinj
Was an address by Mr. A. R
Donnelly, of Sumter, S. C.
Miss Maud Kihneburgh in ai
address on “College Women1
showed plainly that she wa
mistress of the situation, Sh
presented the 'J
of women of today- and
they are thinking for them
byall.
mk
subject,
and
y night
. Douglass and Mrs.
made wonderful
which afforded every
information of the
• Friday Rev, G. W.
Cheraw, S. C„ in hif
pressive way spoke
subject, ‘"Hie
lenge to the Yc
took Dr. Long t$,V- _
subject to the large number of
young people present and the
directors are to be congratulat
ed on their wise judgment.
Friday afternoon of the Con
vention was selected for the
great contest between the Reds
and Blues. These contempora
ries had battled all during the
week; and although the Reds
boasted of their experienced
men, the Blues had youth and
inspiration from suich leaders as
Dr G. W. Long and Rev. F. C.
Shirley.
fThe contest began at 3 P. M.
and each side was determined to
win. When the scene of battle
had cleared ami the smoke lift
ed, the Blues’ flag was still there,
To the regret of all Miss Cecelia
McCoy, daughter of Dr. A. B,
McCoy, and the Reds’ only hope
for victory, met With an acci
dent,, and had to be out of the
contests This, I feel, aiccounted
for the deadly defeat of the
Reds, 3-OL 1 ‘ ”
witnessed a beautiful pageant
which showed, how the truth
can make one’s soul free from
the fetters of evil powers.
After the paggant Dr. McCoy
was. called forward and Dr. G.
W. Long presented him with a
gift of $100 from the Conven
tion as a token of appreciation
fpr his untiring service to our
Synod and Church in general.
It is hoped that Dr. McCoy
while abroad will be able to vis
it Africa as well as Europe, for
it will mean much to our
Church as well as to himself.
We are proud of Dr McCoy
and the . great work which he
has accomplished and we hope
through the inspiration of this
great man we can find others
who will and can equal or even
surpass his great record. We
have them coming, and all they
need is a chance as Dr. McCoy
has. had. •
u Saturday night, under . the
direction of Rev. S. Q. Mitchell,
a beautiful musical was Ten
dered. Among those who dis
played rare talent were Mr.
Jones, of Johnson C. Smith
University Quintett, and Miss
Mayle 01 Barber College. Miss
Mayle has been traveling with
the Synodical evangelist and I
. am sure if she touched the
hearts of the public as she did
the Convention,, she was a pow
erful instrument for the Spirit
in reaching lost souls.
Sunday morning a.Model Sun
day School Was conducted'by
Dean. Adair and the missionaries
followed by an inspiring sermon
by Dr. J; M. Miller.
Sunday night the consecration
service was conducted by Dr, J.
P. Foster, of Sumter, S. G.
Dr. C. M. Young, of Irmo, S.
G., was present and had charge
of vesper services and this phase
of the school was quite interest
ing.
Barber College was well rep*
resented and clearly showed her
self as a real college. Ifhe mis
sionary girls had accomplished
great thing?, this summer and
we are expecting greater things
in the future. We are proud of
Barber and I predict that Bar
win not be. able to *
place for our Presb:
the future if this present
siasm keeps up.
Each yew- our ConVOitipn is
more
mortal (white? Presbyterian
church in the Norwood section
of the city. A vCry* inspiring
lecture was liateiied to by a re
turned missionary from Africa*
Rev. Mr. Washburdr *
daughter of Wfest F
stopped over in thiN
way to the Sclibrt
in Anniston, Ala. I
a very inspiring ser
11 o’clock services.
Rev. and Mrs, L
motored here front !
and we listened to a
presented at the School <of
Methods. Iliere were, twenty
from Birmingham. Every one
seemed to have gotten help spir
itually and morally as well as
physically. Among those who
attendee were Messrs. E. R.
Johnson, Matt Jones, Jerry
Hutchins, Mimes Aria Marshall,
Gertrude Winfield, Anna Mae
McCall, Mi
B. L. Greer and Mr. add Mrs.
U S. Bryant.
The Ladies* Missionary Soci
ety met at the home of Mrs.
C. H. Johnson. A very interest
ing program was carried out on
the mission' subject, “Chink.”
Mrs. J. ft. Mims; President of
the Aiaoama Synodical (white),
was present and made a very in
teresting talk; She assured the
ladies that they could fed ft ee
in calling upon hey foir assist
ance in any oftheir undertak
ings. A Chinese menu was
served at the close of the meet
ing by Little Gladys and June
Sample. Miniature fans were
given visitors attending the so
ciety.
iajgg
bmKilCp
Bli
it ALi
The Sunday school is planning
a picnic to dose out the season’s
gaities. Plans are being made
to use the games as taught at
the School of Methods to make
the day a lively ond.
Mr. S. Bryant, and Miss; E.
Newell were‘married August 1.
A part of their honeymoon was
spent at the School of Methods
in Anniston, Ala.
Miss Louise Wardjof Cleve
land, Ohio, is the house giiest
of Elder and Mrs. E. L. Jones
on High Street.
Mrs. Wm. Sample and chil
dren have recently, returned
from a visit to friends, in Nortl
and South Carolina.
Dr. ILB. Maclin lu
ing special treatment undertth
famous Mayo Brothers in Min
nesota. He is continuing his
stay in Chicago, HL
The Miller Memorial delegate)
at the School of Methods gave
their church a deal of publicity
during the dinner hour Friday
in Barber College. A yeH was
led uy the Superintendent, after
which the following song wf
sung in the tune of "Workii
Together,” which is found
the “Songs for Service:”
What’s The Matter With MOI
ft'" Memorial?
#hat’s the matter with MiHer
Memorial!
not a thing we knov.
on page i
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