Africo-American Presbyterian
“AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.”—John viii, 32.
VOL. XLIX.
CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1927.
NO. 23.
SIDELIGHTS ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Well, we are in San Francis
co, and it is a wonderful city
Many things attract the visit
or’s eye with intense interest
San Francisco is a city of 200,
000, overlooking the placid wa
ters of San Francisco Bay
It is a city of many activities
and a city of much beauty
made so by nature. The Chin
ese and Japanese population is
large which seemingly is about
equally divided between the two
races. A group of us is staying
at the Chinese Y. M. C. A.
which is a splendid modern
building, operated by cap
able young Chinese men, of
whom one of the Secretaries,
who seems to be the leader, is
a Presbyterian. We can say
for these American Chinese that
they are very quiet and gentle
manly in their conduct and de
portment.
The colored population num
bers only five thousand. You
can go several miles and not see
a colored person. We were quite
a novelty in some sections, for
by the staring at us by these
people, it was evident that a
group of colored people was a
rare thing.
These American Orientals are
business folks. Their shops
and stores are no small gestures
but large and well kept, with
both American and foreign
goods. A trip through China
town is worth while. Although
the young foreigner is much
Americanized, both male and fe
male, yet one can see the old
home traditions among the old
er people. Their foreign cos
tume was much in evidence
among the older people; while
the “flapper and sheik” are
right up to their American com
panions.
The rre-Assembly Evangelis
tic Conference began May 24,
under the direction of Dr.
George G. Mahy, Secretary of
the Division of Evangelism, and
Dr. Wm. F. Klein, Field Secre
tary of Evangelistic Work. De
votional exercises were held by
Dr. Stewart Nye Hutchison, of
Pittsburgh, Pa. Dr. Mahy made
an extensive report on the work
of the division and this was fol
lowed by an open conference, at
which time many took part.
Several good speeches were
made by others. After this, con
ference closed. Among the ad
dresses was one on “Evangelism
and Its Aids” by Dr. I. H. Rus
sell, of Durham, N. C. Dr. Rus
sell made a stirring address
which made a wonderful impres
sion upon the house. It is the
consensus of opinion that his
address was the best at this
meeting. This is not the opin
ion of the colored brethren only
but of the white. The morning
conference was brought to a
close with an address by Dr.
Lewis B. Hillis, Philadelphia,
on “Evangelism in our Colleg
es.”
At the evening service a stir
ring praise service was conduct
ed, led by Dr. Robert Scott In
glis, Newark, N. J. Another in
spiring address on “Training
Church Members in Intercession
and Evangelism” was delivered
by Dr. Klein. These services
made a wonderful impression
uDon evervbodv nresent.
Wednesday morning found
everybody ready to resume
work in the conference. The
devotional services were con
ducted by Dr. E. A. Van Nuys,
San Francisco, Cal., the host of
the Assembly. “The Evangelis
tic Work of Foreign Missions”
was discussed by Dr. Francis
S. Downs, New York, N. Y. The
usual open conference was con
ducted with its usual good re
sults. This two days’ confer
ence was brought to a close
with a splendid address by Dr.
Robert Freeman, Los Angeles,
Calif.
It is needless to say that these
men are in dead earnest. A
65,000 loss of members for one
reason or another is cause to
worry over for one year’s de
crease of members in our be
loved Church.
The Assembly convened at
10:30 A. M., promptly with the
Stated Clerk, Dr. Lewis S.
Mudge, presiding. When the
usual devotional exercises were
over, Dr. W. 0. Thompson,
President of Ohio State Univer
sity, the retiring Moderator,
preached the opening sermon
from II Corinthians, 5th chap
ter and the 18th and 19th vers
es, subject, “The Gospel of Re
conciliation. An impressive
volves the so-called Modernist,
Fundamentalist and Liberalist
elements of the Church. Every
body anxiously awaits the final
results.
The other and second absorb
ing topic before the Assembly
was the Princeton Theological
report. Dr. W. O. Thompson,
President of Ohio State Univer
sity, and Chairman of the Com
mittee, made a comprehensive
report, recommending that the
Seminary be put under one con
trol instead of the present plan
and that the Committe continue
its labors with the Committee
increased from nine to eleven.
DR. J. L. HOLLOWELL, OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY COR
RESPONDENT.
communion service was engaged
in by the one thousand commis
sioners, together with Several
hundred more visitors. During
this time also the Assembly was
saddened by the announcement
of the death of Dr. Francis E.
Clark, the famous and well
known Christian Endeavor lead
er.
What was expected to devel
op into a spirited contest for
Moderator, failed to materialize.
Men who were spoken of as
nominees, such as Hon. J. Wil
lison Smith, a prominent layman
of Philadelphia, and the Rev.
Dr. H. K. Walker, of Los Ange
les, Calif., became the nomina
tor and secondor of the most
popular layman in the Church
and the United States, the only
layman in the world upon whom
the degree of Doctor of Divin
ity has ever been bestowed, this
having been done by the Univer
sity of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Hon. Robert E. Speer, of New
York City, was enthusiastical
ly ana unanimously cnosen, al
ter these speeches were made,
as Moderator of the General As
sembly for the year 1927-1928.
An ovation was given to him to
which the new Moderator gra
ciously responded.
Dr. Ezra Allen Van Nuys, the
Chairman of the Committee of
Arrangements, presented to the
Moderator a specially made
gavel of stone, gold and wood,
all products of California. Af
ter felicitous words by the Mod
erator, Dr. Van Nuys then intro
duced his Honor, Mayor James
Rolph, Jr., an Episcopalian ves
tryman of Scotch antecedents
and Presbyterian affiliations, to
the Assembly. Mayor Rolph ex
tended a warm welcome to the
Assembly. The Assembly also
endorsed with resolutions the
Near East Relief Work.
One of the three most absorb
ing topics of the Assembly,
namely, the special Committee
or Commission appointed in
1925 to seek to harmonize war
ring factions in the Church,
made its report through its
Chairman, Dr. Henry C. Swear
ingen, of Minnesota. Under the
rules the discussion of the re
port was set for May 30. This
report attracted the close atten
tion of everybody, since it in
Dr. Thompson, together with
others, defended the report. Dr.
Laird, with others, opposed it.
An amendment was offered to
continue the committee for a,
year longer in its work before
a final decision. The amendment
was tabled and the original re
commendation adopted. Two
other recommendations remain
to be taken up May 30. It was
a high day of oratory and
thought. Men spoke, perhaps,
as they had never spoken before,
and all in good humor. This is
a good lesson to a number of our
Presbyteries and Synods.
The next important item of
absorbing interest to the As
bly was the new Pension Plan.
Passing over the reports of the
officials of the Ministerial Re
lief and Sustentation Work, the
Laymen’s report, headed by
Hon. Will Hays, a ruling elder
of national reputation, was
made by him.
mr. nays stood mgn aireaay
in the eyes of the Church, but
when he came forward not only
with a final report of the com
pletion of the fifteen million
dollars having been raised, but
also with a wonderful speech,
which captivated everybody,
the estimation of his worth and
esteem went several degrees
higher as he stood pleading for
the worn out preachers and their
wives who live on such omall
salaries. He plead with tears in
his eyes and with an earnestness
that bespoke his sincerity. This
business was the climax of the
morning session and it was be
fitting that the Assembly sang:
“Praise God from whom all
blessings flow.” A greater
demonstration has never been
accorded a body of laymen and
its chairman than was given to
Mr. Hays, No preacher plead
for this cause. It was all done
by laymen. Only as far South
as Washington were reports
read as to raising this sum to
help pension underpaid men
and women of our great Church.
What an indictment against
colored Synods! The door is still
open, however, Let us get out
and from under this blot on our
Church record. The plan goes
into effept October 1, 1927.
Rev. S. Q. Mitchell had the
honor of opening the Assembly
with prayer, Saturday morn
ing.
Several of the colored com
missioners were elected by their
sections on important commit
tees. We were offered for sec
retary of our section against a
white brother, but he won. Well,
somebody had to be the scape
goat.
The Madam C. J. Walker
Home for Working Girls is a
worthy institution of San Fran
cisco. It is a home beautifully
arranged and kept by a set of
consecrated colored ladies, which
cost $4,400 and not a dollar debt
on it. The officers of this home
are Mrs. Tulip Jones, President,
and Mrs. E. L. Congo, Vice
President.
It is significant that most of
the originators of this move
ment are Southerners. Under
score that. Most business en
terprises in all large Northern
cities among our group have
Southern originators. The
question was asked (and it is
debatable) why are native Wes
tern and Northern Negroes
slow in opening up business en
terprises? The answer was, that
he feels that he segregates him
self in this manner. Think it
out.
A trip through Chinatown is
worth while. Here you will find
a group who have not only seg
regated themselves but also in
doing so have built up a commun
ity and made money. Think that
over. The Chinese is engaged
in all the branches of merchan
dise that his American brother
is. From an Eastern and South
ern point of view, we only come
into contact with him as a laun
dryman, except in isolated cas
es. Your idea will be greatly
changed after a trip through his
district.
Let no one think that we be
lieve in segregation, but we do
like the idea of groups doing
business.
The colored commissioners
were entertained with a dinner
at the Hotel Clinton, May 28.
This dinner was arranged by
Dr. J. M. Gaston, the much be
loved Secretary of the Division
of Colored People’s Work. The
commissioners and their friends
did not have time to express
themselves with speeches, but,
nevertheless, the dinner was
highly appreciated. Mrs. W. T.
Larimer, Secretary of the Wo
men’s Department, was also
present at this dinner.
Another luncheon was served
to the commissioners at the Ma
dam C. J. Walker Home through
the courtesy of Mrs. Lamar, a
wealthy white lady, who has
shown considerable interest in
the work.
In reporting for the Commit
tee on the Laymen’s Pension
Plan, Hon. Will Hays made two
outstanding statements among
all the other things he said. (1)
“The first $50.00 contributed to
the Pension Plan was by
a Baptist, the last contributed,
a contribution of $50,000, was
given by a Catholic.” (2) “The
Church is divine in its origin
and eternal in its operations.”
What about No. 1?
Johnson C. Smith Quintet is
making musical history for the
University and the race. The
Hotel Clinton, Westminster
Presbyterian church and the
Civic Auditorium have been fa
vored with their presence.
Rev. John W. Lee, of Phil
adelphia, spoke Sunday morning
at the Third Baptist church, be
ing assisted in these services by
Drs. I. H. Russell, J. L. Hollo
well and Rev. P. J. A. Coxe.
Dr. I. H. Russell acceptably
served the church at night.
Sunday many popular meet
ings were held. Mrs. G. W.
Long, of Cheraw, S. C., appeared
on the program of the Sunday
school department and made a
fine impression. We have not
been able to attend any of the
meetings of the Biennial, but
from all reports our group are
giving a fine account of them
selves.
Rev. Ralph B. Nesbit, mis
sionary to India, in his address
Sunday afternoon, made a very
striking statement concerning
the opinion of the natives in re
gard to the oft-repeated state
ment of the “white man’s bur
den.” The native says, “It is
the white man’s burden, but
the colored races have been
bearing it.” That is applicable
not only in India, but every
where.
nev. Lr. b. Beanland, mission
ary to West Africa, said in his
address that “civilization with
out the gospel of Jesus Christ
is a menace to Africa.” Africa
has a population of 160,000,000
souls, with a large proportion of
these still under the influence of
Mohammedanism. The speaker
related an instance when a whole
tribe went over to that religion
because no one was available to
send to them. The Foreign
Missionary Board has come to
a wise decision to admit our
people as missionaries seeming
ly at the right time when the
laborers are few. Many of us
are glad to know that the Pres
byterian Church is not a passing
notice in Africa, but instead,
the biggest church in member
ship in the world is located
there.
The only organized Presbyte
rian church in the State of Cal
ifornia of colored people is in
Los Angeles. There is a good
possibility of a fine organization
in San Diego under the leader
ship of Rev. V. McPherson. By
the way, Rev. Mr. McPherson
has taken unto himself a former
Charlotte girl, Mrs. Sarah Al
exander.
Rev. A. A. Hector carried out
concretely the teaching of the
Master. He served at the morn
ing service at the San Quentin
penitentiary. Riev. A., (Wilson
assisted him in these services.
One thing can be said of the
colored Baptists here. They
have been hospitable in caring
for all who have been entrusted
to their hands.
Dr. I. H. Russell met a white
brother from the South the oth
er day who ran true to form.
After he had captivated that
large crowd at the evangelistic
meeting and everybody was ex
pressing their delight at his ad
dress, this good brother came
forward also to offer congratu
laitons. He wanted to know
where was he from. The infor
mation was given him. He then
wanted to know by what name
he was called, to which Dr.
Russell said, “Henry.” “Well,”
the good brother said, “You
won’t mind me calling you Un
cle Henry?” Permission was
granted him and his good white
friend has felt at home ever
since.
Of special interest to the
Church at large, every one
would like to have informa
tion about Overtures “A” and
Overture “A.”
“Shall the Form of Govern
ment, Chapter 9 Sec. 6, be
amended by the addition of the
words, “Upon profession of faith
in Jesus Christ,” upon presenta
tion of satisfactory certificate of
church membership, or in the
absence of such certificate upor
the part of persons coming from
other churches, upon re-affirma
tion of faith in Jesus Christ, sc
as to read as follows: “The
church session is charged with
maintaining the spiritual gov
ernment of the congregatior
for which purpose they have
power to inquire into the knowl
edge and Christian conduct oJ
(Continued on page 2)
SPINGARN MEDAL FOR 1927
GOES TO ANTHONY
OVERTON.
A Pieneer in Life Insurance Or
ganization for Negroes
New York, June 3.—The Na
tional Association for the Ad
vancement of Colored People, 69
Fifht Avenue, today announced
that the Spingarn Medal Award
Committee had met in its offices
yesterday and awarded the
Spingarn Medal for 1927 to An
thony Overton, of Chicago,
President of the Victory Life In
surance Company, President of
the Douglass National Bank of
Chicago, and manufacturer.
The Medal is awarded to Mr.
Overton “because of his success
in a long business career and for
the crowning achievement of se
curing the admission of the Vic
tory Life Insurance Company as
the first Negro organization per
mitted to do business under the
rigid requirements of the State
of New York.”
This is the thirteenth award
of the Spingarn Medal which
goes annually to the United
States citizen of African de
scent deemed to have most sig
nally distinguished himself or
herself in some honorable field
of endeavor.
The members ofthe Commit
tee on Award of the Spingarn
Medal are: Bishop John Hurst,
Chairman; Dr. John Hope,
President of Morehouse College;
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt;
Oswald Garrison Villard, Editor
of The Nation; Dr. J. H. Dillard,
Director of the Jeanes and Slater
Funds; and Dr. W. E. B. Du
Bois, Editor of The Crisis. Col.
Roosevelt and Dr. Dillard were
unable to attend the meeting
but expressed their preferences
in writing. The Medal will be
presented by Zona Gale, the nov
elist, at the 18th Annual Con
ference in Indianapolis, June 22
to 28, of the National Associa
tion for the Advancement of
Colored People.
Mr. Overton was born in Mon
roe, La., in 1865, was educated
in Washburn College and re
ceived the degree of LL. B. from
the University of Kansas in
1888, being admitted to the bar
in the same year. Mr. Overton
was Judge of the Municipal
Court in Shawnee County, Kan
sas, from 1888 to 1889. In 1898
he established the Overton Hy
gienic Co., manufacturing bak
ing powder, extracts and toilet
preparations, of which he is
still President. The plant was
removed to Chicago in 1911.
He is now President of the
Douglass National Bank and the
Victory Life Insurance Compa
ny, which he organized in 1923,
and a member of numerous fra
ternal bodies.
Since its organization the
Victory Life Insurance Compa
ny has loaned more than $233,
000 to Negro property owners,
only one loan exceeding $15,000,
the bulk of the loans being for
sums under $5,000. In April of
this year the company had close
to $5,000,000 of insurance in
force in ten States outside of
Illinois. The company is devel
oping Negro actuaries and pre
pared its own valuations and all
statements for the years 1925
and 1926 in its own office.
FASHION’S BIG TOLL
(From The Youth’s Companion)
“It used to take two sheep to
clothe one woman” says a hu
morous British observer. “Now,
I understand, it takes only one
silk worm.” But the cotton and
woolen industries are not the
only ones that are in difficulties
through the vagaries of femi
nine fashion. Bobbed hair has
put most of the African ostrich
1 farms out of business, for os
1 trich plumes do not go with
close-fitting hats that the bobbed
and shingled hosts affect.
1 It is a pity that so many peo
; pie get church membership con
fused with religion.—Rev. R. L.
Smith.