North Carolina Newspapers

The Africo - American Presbyterian. Established ill 1S79. ■gj||COTf»OLfDATED WITH THE SOUTHERN EVANGELIST. Rev. H. L. McCROREY, D. D„ LL. D , Editor. W. E. HILL, Associate Editor. Rev. C. P. PITCHPORD, Business Manager. Devoted to the Educational, Mate rial, Moral and Religious interests of our people in the South, and pub lished at Charlotte, N. C., every Thursday. All questions arising under the va rious subjects above indicated are discussed from a Christian point of view. Each number contains the freshest and best news from the Southern field and from the Chnrch at large. There is carefully selec ed reading matter suited to all class es of our people—the farmer, the mechanic, the artisan and the pro fessional man. The Sabbath School and Mission ary causes will receive special at tension.*, TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Single copy one year-- $1.50 Six months. 76 Hiree months . 60 RAfES OF ADVERTISING 4 Given on Application We earnestly ask the sympathy and prayers of our brethren and friends at large in order that our efforts in this enterprise may be crowned with success. AGENTS WANTED—t' whom a liberal commission will Ik >,aid. Send all money by ' . O. Money Order, Registered Le» ter or Bank Check, otherwise ir might get lost and the sender alone will be respon sible. - Entered at the Postofiice at Char lotte. N. C., as second class matter. THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1927 WHA'jf Tri® FIGURES SHOW. The total sum contributed by the Presbyterian churches in the U. S. A. for all purposes last year was $62. 782,907 or $1,596-, 185.00 more than the preceding year. This gain, however, was not dud to increase in benevo lences, but to an increase of $1,881,691.00 in contributions for loca| expenses. Instead of ah increase in benevolences over the preceding year there was a loss of $355,606.62. Churches should be urged to regain these losses in benevolent contribu tions this year. The best way to meet an annual budget is to meet the monthly quotas. If churches allow six or eight months to pass before they get in earnest about meeting their budgets ten to one they will never be met. The net increase of communi caiits for the past year was only 18,157. There were added on confession of faith 20,299 less than the previous year, and by certificate 7,246, or a total of 127,545. This comparatively small an nual increase in membership rhould be a matter of great con cern to the Church. As parents, Sunday school teachers, sessions and ministers we should ask ourselves the question, have we done our full duty in efforts by the help of God to bring men into the kingdom ? To succeed in winning souls for Christ Chris tians should not work alone, but with God through faith. “I have planted, Apollo watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own re ward according to his own la bour. For we are labourers to gether with God.”—I Cor. 3: 6-9. OLDEST NEGRO ORPHAN AGE. New York,—This city boasts of the oldest Negro orphanage in the United States. It was es tablished in 1836. It was only sixteen years ago that the Board of Education established at the Orphange Public School 49, and the experiment of educational affiliation with a separate insti tution has more thpi justified the move. i Miss Alice F. Hatpin, the Principal of the School, has held the post .since the first roll call Eight teachers are supplied by the Board of Education. The re cent commencement exercises demonstrated the progress of ed ucation among Negro children in . ...hi. New York. &J, located at one of the (THE BIBLE. of the city. ABOUT The Bible is the world's fafest seller. People of all classes read it daily, and many of the world’s greatest scholars have made it a life study and have compiled many interesting and curious facts about the Book of books. There are sixty-six books in the Bible, thirty-nine of which are in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the’New Testa ment. Job is the oldest book of the Bible. The number of letters in the Bible is 3,596,489; Words, 773, 092; verses, 31,173; chapters, 1,189. The longest book of the Old Testament is Psalms, which has 150 chapters; the shortest is Obadiah which has but one chapter of only 21 verses. The longest chapter in the Old Tes tament is the 119th Psalm, which contains 176 verses; the shortest chapter is the 117th Psalm, of only two verses. The longest verse in the Old Testa ment is the ninth verse of the eighth chapter of Esther, which contains 90 words, composed of 426 letters. The shortest verse is the twenty-fifth Verse of the first chapter I Of I Chronicles, Consisting of twelve letters and three words. In the New Testament the longest books are Matthew and The Acts; there are 28 chapters in each, but Luke contains more verses and words. The thirty fifth verse of the eleventh chap ter of John is the shortest in the Bible. , The eighth verse of the, 118th Psalm is the middle verse of the Bible. The twenty-first verse of the seventh chapter of Ezra contains an the letters of the alphabet, with the exception of the letter “j.” Methuselah was the world’s oldest man; he died at the age of 969 years. Solorpon was the wisest man. Because his asked mot for wealth or power, but for wisdom to gov ern his people, he was given more wisdom than any other man of the past or future. Abraham was the founder of Israel, but this nation was named for Jacob, who was called Israel by the angel with whomi he wrestled at Peniel. Although the Book of Esther] contains ten chapters the name of God is not mentioned in the book. The word pulpit occurs in the Bible only once, Neh, 8: 4.—Lin da Lauderdale in The Presbyte rian. \ HERE AND THERE Dr. Gaston, Rev. G. W. Ham ilton and family and his good people have built a good church and manse at Asheville. Mem bers are being added to the church and to the different so cieties. Dr. W. T. Frasier, of Charleston, and wife are there telling of their trip to the Gen eral Assembly. Rev. Hamilton said, “It is said that the Presbyterian church does not suit the people. Let the same work be done among the people in our Church by the preacher and people that is done in other churches and this will be ho longer a question. The whole work only brought 18,000' to the fold of God the past year. We have some good women who are working hard. I at tended their meetings. Mrs. G. E. Davis and Mrs. B. F. Murray, the one of Catawba and the oth er of Yadkin Presbytery, are real leaders. They did not go to see “how often they could change dresses or could wear the shortest hair or dress. The dresses they wore there they wore away. There was a preacher and his wife who used to spend and dress and their members tried to do the same thing. But their Africo bills and other debts were not paid. People are cut ting out their garments by us. People who dress well and eat three square meals and some be tween times ought to be able to pay for the Lord’s paper. No family is complete without family prayers. Neither is it without the church paper; A person partly dressed does not == Total communicant members, 1,927,268. Net increase in membership, 18,157. Total Sunday-school members, 1,596,515. Gain in Sunday-school members, 15,735. Total churches, 9,477. .Loss in churches, 88. Total ministers, 9,961, . Loss in ministers, 29. Total contributions, $62,782,907. ' Gain in contributions, $1,596,185. Given to benevolences, $15,757,273. Loss for benevolences, $306,469. Given for congregational expenses, $46,612,753. Given for congregational expenses, $1,881,691. Given to National Missions, $5,093,460. Loss for National Missions, $49,669. Given to Foreign Missions, $3,924,903. Loss for Foreign Missions, $144,792. Given to Christian Education, $1,681,721. Loss for Christian Education, $569,761. Given to Ministerial Pension Board, $1,124,057. Gain for Ministerial Pension Board, $466,119. Given to miscellaneous benevolences, $3,933,132. Loss for miscellaneous benevolences, $8,366. Given to Presbyterian Boards, $9,652,156.. Loss for Presbyterian Boards, $355,606. Nearly $63,000,000, by far the largest annual sum in its his tory, was spent in the national and world-wide enterprises of the Presbyterian Church during the fiscal year recently closed, ac cording to the yearly review of denominational statistics made pub lic today by Dr. Lewis Seymour Mudge, Stated Clerk of the Pres byterian General Assembly, from his offices in the Witherspoon Building, Philadelphia. Of this amount, $46,612,753 was used for local congregational expenses, an increase of $1,881,691 over the preceding year. The contributions to benevolences totaled $15 757,273, which was $306,469 less than the benevolence gifts of the previous year. The number of communicant members, reports Dr. Mudge, is now 1,927, 268, the largest official Presbyterian census ever en rolled. The net increase in membership for the past year, however, was only 18,157, the smallest annual gain in years, and an aver age of less than 2 for each of the nearly 10,000 ministers and churches in the denomination. The gain in Sunday-school mem bers was 15,735, making a total Sunday-school membership of 1,596,515. The official statistical summary, just completed from the de tailed summary of the 299 Presbyteries throughout the United States, shows that 90,416 new communicant members were added to the church rolls during the past church year on confession of faith. There were also added 64,713 new members on certificate from other denominations, while 11,028 others were restored to membership. The losses of members by death totaled 22,182. There were 67,060 placed on the suspended roll, the largest num ber of suspensions in years; and there were also 54,657 letters of dismissal. The number of infants baptized in the year was 42,333, a loss of 1,724; and the number of baptisms on confession of faith was 31,017, a loss of 4,543. The number of Synods remain the same, 46; also the number of Presbyteries, 299. 1 * ,.j the denomination has 9,961 ministers, 29 fewer than a year ago. During the year 219 ministers died, 41 more than in the pre vious year. The number of candidates for the ministry was 1,294, a gain of 80 over the year before. New ministers licensed were 194, a loss of 33. New ministers ordained were 169, a loss of 67. The denomination now has 48,916 elders, a gain of 500, and 20,908 deacons, a gain of 410. The total number of churches is 9,477, which is 88 fewer than the preceding year. The churches organized were 64; and church es dissolved, 105. The sum of $62,782,907 was contributed by the churches for all causes during the church fiscal year. This was $1,596,185 more than during the preceding year, and shows a steady progression for the past six years. In 1922 the total contributions were $47, 332,374. The amount given for local congregational expenses was $46,612,753, an increase of $1,881,691, and much the largest amount in the past six years. In 1922 the congregational expens es were $32,780,714. A total of $15,757, 273 was contributed to 'benevolences, a loss of $306,469. Of this amount, $5,093,460 was given to National Missions; $3,924,903 to Foreign Missions; $1,681,721 to Christian Education; $1,124,057 to Ministerial Pensions, as well as $1,267-, 475 toward the $15,000,000 pledged for the New Pension Fund through the Laymen’s Campaign; and $3,933,132 to miscellaneous benevolences. 1 Not all of this benevolence money was distributed through the Presbyterian Boards, for large sums were donated to outside causes; but on the other hand, these Boards received donations from other sources than through the local churches, so that the official Boards received from living givers, outside of bequests, during the year, the following: National Missions, $2,861,140; Foreign Missions, $4,027,455; Christian Education, $857,460. The cencm.ration gave $43,647 to the American Bible Society, a de crease of $14,019; and $14,234 to the Federal Council of Churches, an increase of $2,737. Self-Supporting Synods reported receipts of $1,309,444. The receipts of all the denomination’s Boards and Agencies from livi .g givers totaled $9,652,156, a decrease of $355,606. The per capita giving of the members of the denomination for all purposes during the past year, \?as $33.26, a gain of 69 cents; the per capita giving for benevolence was $9.36, a gain of 79 cents; and the per capita giving to the Presbyterian Boards, $6.15, a loss of 1 cent. _ look well. So it is with a family without their church paper. N. BELL. Huntersville, N. C. HANNAH CHURCH, GREENS BORO. Mrs. C. C. McLean, Reporter Mr. Editor:—Please allow spaces for a few words about what we are doing. We have preaching every first and third Sundays. Last Sunday it rained and we did not have any servic es. Rev. H. C. Miller is our pas tor. We are few in number, but we are trying to move on any how. We are glad to say we had the D. V. B. S. one week at our church with Mrs. Alma Harris as our teacher. She taught us much about the Bible and craft work and we enjoyed her to the highest and hope she will come again next year and be with us longer. She opened with 10 pu pils and closed with 29. Our Sunday School Missiona ry, Mr. George R. Marsh, was with us during the last month and We were much pleased to have him with us and hope he will come oftener. BIRTH Rev. and Mrs. S. Q, Mitchell of Brunswick, Ga., announce the birth of Dorothy Louise, on Au gust . 5th, 1927, weight 7% pounds. SHADY SIDE NOTES, LEXINGTON. Chi last Sunday, our Rev. Rankins, preached Luke 15th chapter, subject, The Two Sons.” At 11 o’clock the “Prodigal Son” was dis cussed and at the evening ser vice the “Loyal Son,” or the son that remained at home. The speaker emphasized the fact that we should rejoice over the lost that was foupd, the sheep that went astray and was brought back, the prodigal son or daughter that returns—but we should not forget to praise and encourage that boy or girl who is loyal and has not broken the rules and commands of the home. And while we kill the fatted calf for the wayward, let us give a kid to the loyal to make merry with his friends and thus encourage him. We were delighted to have preach for us the second Sunday, (the 14th), Rev. C. W. Dusen bury, of Youngstown, Ohio. Rev. Dusenbury and family are visiting his mother, Mrs. Alice Dusenbury; also Mrs. C. W. Du senbury is spending some time with her father and relatives in Thomasville and nearby cities. On to the School of Methods! is the watchword of Rev. Rankins. So early Monday morning Rev. and Mrs. Ran* kins and Miss Mamie 0. Sul livan were found wending their way to Oxford, the place of the meeting. We trust they had a safe journey motoring through the country. August should be known as the month of vacation, as it seems almost every one tries to get a vacation in this month, be it ever so short—even a week end trip to some summer resort. Miss Cora L. Gilchrist is at Blowing Rock. Miss Maggie Dix on is at Reidsville. Mrs. Essie Brumwell and sister are in Le noir, and Misses Flossene, Lucile Louise and little Elizabeth Dix on spent the week-end with rel atives in Charlotte. Mr. and Mrs. Z. S. Hargrave are visiting Mrs. J. E. Hargrave, their mother, and also relatives in Winston-Salem. >J . Mr. and Mrs. Roan, Miss Bes sie Wilbom, their adopted daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Z. S. Hargrave, of Charlotte, mo tored to Asheville recently and were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Markham, 14 Crescent St. They were the recipients of many hospitalities. On last Thursday evening Mrs. Maggie Dixon entertained some of her friends at a guessing par ty in honor of Rev. and Mrs. C. W. Dusenbury. The winners of prizes on drawing were Miss Thenia Thomason, Mrs. C. W. Dusenbury and Rev. Rankins. Delicious refreshments were served. All went away feeling that they had spent a pleasant and profitable evening. Rev. Martin of the M. E. church of Hie city gave the parting words. , The Missionary Society met with Miss Thenia Smith on Church Street last Friday eve ning. Although there was a down-pour of rain some made their way to the meeting and re port having had a splendid meet ing. Our Secretary, Mrs. W. E. Thomason, is visiting relatives in New Jersey. “BEE.” CHERRY ST. CHURCH, HIGH POINT By Miss Lucille Moore Sunday morning Rev. C. A. Washington preached a strong and impressive sermon, subject, “Prayer Without Ceasing,” from the text I Samuel 7:8, “And the children of Israel said to Samu el, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hands of the Philistines.” Many persons attended the Sunday school and other servic es Sunday. Miss Anna Saunders spent last week in Philadelphia with ome friends and relatives. We are glad she has returned home. Rev. and Mrs. C. A. Washing ton spent last Thursday in Win ston-Salem with relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Willie Clement, of Greensboro, lost their baby and it will be buried Tuesday. Rev. Washington will conduct the funeral. The Sunday school gave its annual picnic on August 18, and it was as usual, a very enjoyable The picnic was at High 3 the Yadkin River. GREENSBORO By Mrs. G. A. Bridges Sunday doming Rev. H. C. Miller spoke from Matt. 6:19, 20, using subject, ’’Good and Bad Investments.” The discourse was replete with illustrations which held the attention of chil dren and adults. Said the speaker, “It pays to invest in things pertaining to healthy bodies and minds. Noth ing of material things saved compensate for loss of health. Jealousy and envy do not pay. The jealous person hurts himself most. Kindness always pays; so does. courtesy. Selfishness does not pay. The speaker said, “The battle of Jutland would have paled any other naval engage ment in the annals of the world, but Sir Jellico’s selfish ness in holding all at his orders gave the Germans chance to es cape.” Helpfulness — charity —pays well. Here the speaker said, “We rise by lifting others. No man can go up by crushing down the other fellow. What is true of the individual is true of the human race. The South is rap idly rising because she has learned to lift the Negro. As long as the South kept the Ne gro down she remained back ward. In this world we all go up together or we all go down to seiner The best investment is that? of the heart in Jesus Christ. The speaker concluded by an earnest appeal to the youth to give -God the heart. The Up and Doing class is still holding the Cup. The banner for finance went to J. R. Nocho and Earnest Workers’ classes. Miss Marion Woods, of High services. She is visiting in the home of Mrs. W. W. Donnell. Their many friends will be grieved to learn of the death of the baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Clement. FROM BETHLEHEM FIRST CHURCH. Our revival closed on the 14th inst. We began in a prayer meet ing August 4th. It rained but we were there. On Friday night, Rev. J. C. James preached a good sermon, subject, “What Will You Do With Jesus? Sabbath morning the senium was by the pastor from Hebrews 12: 1. At 3 P. M. Rev. Martin Hall, of the A. M. E. Zion church, subject, “Christ and Him Crucified.” At 8:38 our son, Rev. W. C. Jones, preached from Acts: “What shall I do to be saved?” From Sabbath night, the 7th, to Sabbath, the 14th, we had a sermon at 12 each day and and many were awakened and there have been five or six additions. Pray that our faith fail not. Thompson Blake, of McCon nellsville, S. C., »died on the 28th of July of a lingering illness. He was a member of Bethlehem 1st church. His father and moth er are two of the charter mem bers and Deacon Columbus Blake, Thompson’s father, is one of our oldest and most faith ful officers. Thompson died in the faith. His funeral services were conducted by his minister at Bethlehem 1st and he was bu ried at Bethlehem Cemetery. A. A. JONES. McConnellSville, S. C. A MOTORIST’S PRAYER. Teach us to drive through life without skidding into other peo ple’s business. Prepare our brake linings that we may stop before we go too far. Help us to hear the knocks in our own motors and close our ears to the clash ing of other people’s gears. Keep alcohol in our radiators and out of our stomachs. Absolve tus from the mania of trying to pass the other automobile on a nar row road. Open our eyes! to the traffic signs and keep our feet on the brakes.—Boston Tran script.