..TttiP - ■ - - : '
/ SKETCHES Of SMS FORMER RICHARD
SDN SCHOOL SMEWS
By Rtf. G. T. Dillard, D. D.
Article II.
REV. M. G. JOHNSON, D. D.
Rev. Muck G. Johnson was
born near Wfamsboro, S. C., and
'■* was' amoag the first and test
' students of the Fairfield Normal
Institute, r He was a pious, dili
gent, trustworthy young man
thatgavefOil time to his books
and other things demanded of
him. He took fittle or he interest
in games or plays of any kind*
He did not know one game from
another and if he did he would
not say so or go to them. But
he liked books and prayer meet
. ings and everybody liked him.
He was handy, sympathetic and
sound in faith and in the funda
* .mentals.
' When Mr. Richardson wanted
a trustworthy fellow to conduct
prayer meeting he usually se
lected Johnson, and we thought
one reason why he did such a
thing so often was because John
son had more religion than all
of us put together. He was pray
ing and preaching long before:
he was ordained to the gospel
ministry. But there was a time
when he archied speaking as
much as he could. For example,
the first talk he ever made in
the school house btefore. a large
audience was: “The sun is up
and I am up, the sun is down
■ill tisi il»aa ** The house went
wild. That was his first effort.
But when Mr. Richardson got
done withhimnext day, John
son’s speeches were longer and
better after that
Jdhnson completed the course
HoWard University, Washing
ton, D. G., and took the course
in theology there. At this time
he was older and possessed of a
pretty large amount of knowl
edge, both natural and acquired,
and made his way all right and
graduated with honors from that
institution. On his return to
Winnsboro he was soon licensed
and then ordained by the Pres
bytery of Fairfield to the full
work of the gospel ministry, and
began his career of preaching
the gospel in York County, S.
C. For several years he did
good work in getting the people
together and preaching to and
for them in a manner u«*t uc
and they became much attached
to each other and the churches
in his keeping began to grow
In numbers and spiritual life
and character.
The young man was doing
well truly. But his stay in York,
S. C., was cut short, for Ladson
church of Columbia, heard
about him, and, after sufficient
trial of his fitness, etc., they
took him and he became their
pastor. He became acquainted
with his new field of labor and
Columbia, and soon was feeling
very much at home. Ladson
Presbyterian - church furnished
Mr. Johnson a great big chance
to use mid use again every bit
of knowledge which he pos
sessed in order that he might
win success. After working
a few years in and for Ladson
it was agreed that the congre
gation needed a new church
\huildihg. Everybody began
raising money by the usual
methods. The church folks and
pastor were leaving no stones
unturned. Finally Rev. John
son and his folks thought it
wise foV him to go North and
see if he might not succeed In
helping to get * ***tor*ioet
of the snm needed to erect the
new building. The proposition
worked 0. K. The amount was
Sd and a beautiful new,
bride building stands today on
the lot where the wooden house
ueed to be, which is an honor to
all—Ladson people end their
friends and to the city of Co
lumbia as well. .
The new building brought
many new people to Ladson,
many of them joined the church
ana cue entire cnurcn grew Dy
leaps and bounds, and is today
a credit both to Ladsonpeople
and the city of Columbia". Rev.
Johnson turned on all his pow
ers of mind and body in his new
charge. He was diligent, fer
vent in spirit, serving the Lord.
I have never seen a preacher
anywhere- that could beat Rev.
Johnson visiting thfe sick and
the well. He was at home in the
sick room and with folks who
got into trouble. No matter of
what denomination you were, if
you were sick or in any kind of
trouble Rev. Johnson would call
on you and pray before he would
leave the house. Like his
Master he went about doing
good unto all men. He grew in
favor of man and God. He had
common sense and horse sense
and his advice was usually
sound, Ladson pulpit never
mad#fen uncertain sound or got
awajrfrpm the old time religion,
but it stood for Jesus and Him
crucified. For 46 years Rev.
Jnlpson held that pulpit and
lived above the fog with his
face turned toward the sky.
Howard University conferred
D. D. on him. I spoke to him
about it. He knew to get a de
gree like that was a fine thing.
Of course he did. *
But Ladson church and its
upkeep never left his mind. How
to reach and save souls and
build the kingdom interested
him more than degrees or hu
man honors. He was sold to
Jesus and he respected and
up to the obligations which he'
had v promised to keep. He
worked almost till the hour he
died. He was not sick and at
tended by doctors like some
folks. No. He was busy today
and gone tomorrow. “None
lives too long or dies too soon
who lives till life’s great work is
done.” Johnson’s work was done,
it was time to go and he went.
Servant of God, well done! Rest
from thy labor and wear thy
crown!
COME OUT OF THE VALLEY.
By Mrs. W. Geo. Avant.
(A paper delivered October 2,
Home-Coming Day, at Pine St.
Presbyterian church, Durham
N.C.)
We find many people going
from day to day having the same
thoughts and doing the same
things. They are eking out a
monotonous existence. There
seems no solution to their plans.
They think their ways are
right, and seem to be content.
They only give vent to their
feelings by finding fault with
their brother; they criticise him
when really they do not under
stand his ideas, for things are
not what they seem.
They find fault with the
preacher, God’s anointed, yet
they will not preach. God is
calling yet. Every child of the
King should tell the sinner of
that divine love of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. Tell
them that:
“God calling yet! I cannot stay,
My heart I yield without delay:
Vain world, farewell, from thee
I part,
The voice of God has reached my
heart.”
They find fault with the Su
perintendent and the Sunday
school, yet they will not attend
nor contribute for its support.
They find fault with the choir,
yet they will not help to sing
those sweet songs of Zion.
They find fault with the
church services. They say, we
did not do like this years ago.
This great church of ours has
seen fit to make improvements
along the upward way. and tc
have more of God’s Word read
in our churches and responsive
readings; chant the , Lord’s
prayer and to chant many of the
Psalms., Today we find the Psal
ter in our hymnals.
There was a time when we had
no automobiles nor airships but
advanced thought has found, a
new way. Let us not be knock
ers. The knockers are the val
ley Christians who have not
found a new way, a better way,
to do things.
Christ did not remain the
same; he grew in wisdom and
stature day by day. “Where
there is no vision the people per
ish.” We, too, will perish if we
have no vission.
Pardon me for this reference.
Mr. Hayswood, our co-worker,
has found a new way. He is
truly in the other, class of Chris
tians, I. might say the moun
tain Christians, of which I am
proud that Pine Street church
has a faithful few to carry on
God’s work at all times./' Mr.
•Hayswood called us today to cel
ebrate Home-Coming ' Day,
Every Presbyterian of Pine St.
church should answer to the roll
call. Some, we fear, will not be
able to answer to. the roll call uf*
yonder. Some are too busy to
attend church and Sunday
school. They are too poor to
give a part of their earnings
back to God. Give us the Sav
iour’s precepts.
Let us all find a new way by
'doing more for our church, crit
icising less and cooperating
more. The spirit of cooperation
must exist in every breast in
order to magnify the work of
God made manifest in our
church and Sunday school.
Come out of the valley and
find a new way! Let us ascend
the mountains, for the way of
the Spirit is one o| new ideas.
JVJtien we feel the higher con
sciousness withirr,v%e“becbme‘ais
a unit, God’s children, one with
Him. We can not, then, be con
tent with limited or adverse
thoughts on the mountain, but
the desire to expand will be
ours.
When we come out of the val
ley and ascend the mountain we
see things from different angles,
from a more beautiful view
point. As we climb higher and
higher we have change of vis
ion, new perspectives.
Only those in the valley
see the same things in the same
old way. If you fear that to
change suddenly would cause too
great a shock, why, change
gradually. If you have read the
23rd Psalm every morning, why
not read the 70th Psalm, learn
more of God’s holy word which
is “a lamp unto our feet.”
Come out oi tne valley, cnris
tians, and live on the mountain
beneath a cloudless sky. Let the
by-products of our lives become
the finished products by keeping
in direct communication with
God. Let us heed the call to
repentance and prepare the way
for Christ’s second coming;
make our paths straight. These
are the attributes of the moun
tain Christians coupled with
prayer and almsgiving. Re
member Cornelius' alms and
prayers reached from earth to
heaven. >,
Come out of the valley, Chris
tians. The greatest sermon
Christ ever preached, to my
mind, was on the Mount.
Some day meteors will clash,
the sun cease its shining. This
old earth will burn like a scroll,
but the Christians on the moun
tain, the saints of God whose
alms and prayers were received
around the throne of God, will
be caught up in mid-air and joir
that innumerable throng thal
John saw, to answer to the rol
call up yonder.
Let us get ready for that stu
pendous moment. Our churcl
and Sunday school are the ante
rooms to prepare our souls foi
that “Great Day.”
We are weaving our robe:
through the looms of time; th<
golden stitches we take ari
making a perfect fit for the sou
to receive our King. We mus
ar time, our talent our
r our souls and our bodies,
lelude witb this wonderful
lif £lS*r Guest:
Puly sorry for the man,
It wrapped in luxuries he’s
>W8 but a selfish plan
not found the joy of
e pride in taking lies,
joy in selfish living,
the poor, the dull, the
their happiness in giv
.BROOK ST. CHURCH,
DANVILLE, VA.
L. E. Hannon.
* was
scho
ly, September 25th, was
sing of our Star Rally,
a great success, and
that the effort was not
The amount raised to
$245.11. This rally lasted
i uroalra
October 2, was rally
le Sunday school. This
was rendered in the
,- at 7:30 by the adults
ten of the Sunday
e amount raised was
Iwhich was sent to the
[are
r„ October 9th, our pas
sed a very helpful ser
#j|l, 3: 13-14, “Breth
int riot myself to have
led, but this one thing
forgetting those things
Which are behind and
forth unto those things
before, I press for
the mark of the
high calling of God
_Jesus.”
“Pail had a singleness of pur
pose. JVe, aa Christians, should
'■ __ 2Z*rrr*^i»iView- ■ .and
that is winning sotifis foFofirist.
We should eliminate all weights
and forget the past. The church
is God’s saving agency.”
Sunday, Oct. 9th, the Home
Department which the late
Rev. Mr. Yancey led so long in
the Sunday school, but which is
now under Mr. P. H. Doswell,
rendered a special program for
the benefit of Missions at 3:30
o’clock. Some of Danville’s best
talent appeared on this program.
The amount raised by this effort
was $163.25.
All departments of the church
and Sunday school have taken
on'new life since the coming of
our new pastor and his wife. We
feel that his work in the church
and school will be crowned with
iccess.
idustrial High School Opens
With High Prospects.
The Industrial High School
>ened September 19th, one
eek earlier tharf usual, with
ie largest enrollment it has
id for a number of years. The
irollment is now 360.
The school is under the super
sion of a new Superintendent,
le Rev. Thos. B. Hargrave,
ev. Hargrave is a graduate of
>hnson C. Smith University
id Lincoln University. Prof,
red. D. Davis is principal. Prof,
avis is also a graduate of J.
. Smith University. He spe
alized in Columbia and Hamp
>n Summer Schools; taught last
ission at Walnut Cove (N. C.)
icrh school.
Mrs. Thomas B. Hargrave, a
graduate of Oxford (Pa.) High
School, one year at Howard Uni
versity, and four years New En
gland Conservatory of Music,
Boston., Mass., has charge of th€
sixth and seventh grades.
Miss Deerah Beavers, a grad
uate of Scotia Seminary, has
; charge of the first grade.
I The other teachers, who wert
also connected with the schoo
• last year, are: Mrs. Hattie Hen*
i ry, Mrs. Anna D. Gunn, Mrs
Daisy L. Clark, Mrs. Annie K
• Claiborn and Mrs. Lucy E. Han
non.
i Some new studies have beer
! added to the course to enabh
s the graduates^ to make th<
l Freshman-slass in higher insti
; tutions. Other new features an
current events each morn
physical exercise thiree ti
week and the organization of
athletic association. The work
of the school is hindered because
of ah inadequate building with
out equipment and an insuffi
cient number of teaehersr The
present building has outgrown
its day.
SWIFT MEMORIAL
LEGE NEWS.
COL
By Dean M. R. Eppse.
Mr. John Dillingham, the
field secretary of the Y. hi. C. A.,I
was at Swift the first part of I
the week on official business. He
spot, to the whole student body |
in the chapel on Tuesday after-j
noon. The theme of his re-1
marks was: “Cultivate a Crea
tive Imagination.” I
At night Mr. Dillingham held I
an all boys conference, at which!
time he gave the boys helpful
information concerning the lo
cal work to be carried out this
year.
Rev. C. E. Tucker, D. D., the
President of the school, made a
flying trip to Knoxville to speak
to a large assemblage of people,'
He returned to his desk late
Monday afternoon.
Glover Rhodes and Harry
Coleman were the school dele
gates to the Y. M. C. A. rheet
in at Chattanooga, October 6th
to 8th. Bennett Allen, one of the
students, drove them over in his
car.
The Presbyterian church, lo
cated on the campus, is being
ably supplied by Rev. H. F. An
derson. The student body at
tend the morning services each
Sunday.
Dr. Byers and a host of his
friends were the surprise visit
ors of Dr. *pd Mrs., Tucker
New students are continuing
to arrive. Last week W6 had
five: two from North Carolina,
one from Kentucky and two
from Alabama.
Dr. C.-E. Tucker will proba
bly attend the inauguration of
Dr. Johnson as President of Lin
coln University, his Alma Ma
ter.
The Matron, Preceptress and
teachers aided the boys in ar
ranging an informal banquet for
Mr. Dillingham, the Y. M. C. A.
Secretary.
The County Superintendent of
schools, the Superintendent of
the Rogersville High School,
and the Home Economics teach
er of the High School, were the
visitors of the school Saturday.
The purpose of the visit was to
compare the work of Swift with
what their schools were doing.
It was the consensus of opinion
of all the visitors that we were
on the right road; our equip
ment was good and the build
ings were the cleanest of any
they had seen in the county.
Prof. R. E. Lee is leading the
foot ball squad in tough scrim
mages now, priming them for
the game with Johnson City on
October 15th. Jordan, Arm
strong, Coleman and Williams
are showing up in good shape.
The Choral Club, the Quar
tette, and the Music Apprecia
tion students are down to real
work. They will soon start on
their public programs.
The College department has
had three additional students
within the last few days. This
year the classes are doing tful[
credit work in all departments.
Swift Holds Memorial Services
for Gov. Peay. ■
The members of the facility
and student body of Swift Me
I morial College assembled in De
Veuve Chapel on Wednesday,
October 5th, 1927, at 4 P. M.,
and after the singing of an ap
propriate hymn, the reading of
the 23rd Psalm and some re
marks by the President, the
• following resolutions were
1 passed:
‘I Whereas it has pleased God,
! lour Heavenly Father, in the wise
‘ dispensation of His providence,
* to remove from labor to re
;Gov.
Whereas his passing at this
Ume is .a great loap n to the
State of Tennessee, and especi
ally to JEast Tennessee where
we are privileged to live and
work ; and,
Whereas this section of the
State, as well as other sections,
has been benedttpd by. the wise
and impartial administration of
the affairs of the State under
Governor Peay, who has made
it possible for the cit&ens to
travel the thoroughfares of this
section in ease , and comfort
throughout the entire year; and
who has made is, possible for
every ohild,in the State to enjoy
the advantages of. an eight
months term of jebdol; and who
has *. also inaugurated ;j)ther
movements for the /continuous
progress of our beloved common
wealth , ■ --
Therefore, bint resolved, that
we, the faculty and student body
of Swift Memorial College, Rog
ers ville,“,Tenn.j humbly submit
ting to Him-•'.who f- doeth * all
things well, ) do hereby Express
our sincere sympathy for, and
tender the»<«aine sympathy to,
the widow;and other members
oj: the executive family.
Be it further resolved, that .a
copy of these resolutions fee sent
to the family; and a copy be
published ;in the daily papers of
the State.
W. C. HARGRAVE,
Chairman.
BARBER COLLEGE
NOTES
By jtoetta Stinson.
erai visiting ministers hav*
conducted exercises. Wednes
day morning Rev. Partridge, the
evangelist for Northern Alaba
ma, gave an impressive talk.
The Faculty Missionary Soci
ety met and organized for the
ensuing year. Officers w^re
elected and plans made for wbrk
and study. Summer work in
both home and foreign activities
was also discussed at this meet
ing.
The tennis court will soon be
ready for play. Miss Ternent,
with some volunteers from the
girls, has arranged, to begin
work right away to this effect.
A very, delightful meeting was
held in the chapel Friday eve
ning when the delegates to .the
Summer Conferences met. with
faculty andfjiident hody to re
port the mdll jkgs and activities
they ha , denjoyed at the con
ferences. Miss Lina Murray,
from the East Tennessee Synod
conference, held, at Knoxville,
and Miss Ainslee Jones, from
the Augusta Conference, gave
very interesting, and enthusias
tic talks. Other girls also told
of Daily Vacation Bible School
work this summer.
The East Tennessee Synod
will hold its annual meeting in
t h e Calvary Presbyterian
;hurch, of Anniston, Alabama,
beginning October 19. Berber
expects to assist, in the Enter
tainment ; of the Synod and is
looking forward to the coming
of Or. Gastpri, Miss PEtrie arid
others. f,
The two Student Goweriiment
Associations are now . in opera
tion ai Barber; the High Sdnool
under the name of the H. S., S.
G, A. and the College as C. S.^G.
A. Both . organizations ^ are
working effectively. ., *
The Third . Senior High. girls
are decorating arid fitting, up a
large roomoh.third floor to serve
as a C^feiSi Teacher Training
room arid Third Senior Assem
bly room.
The Calvary Presbyterian
church is undergoing a genes
of repairs prior to the .meeting
of Synod. Barber has taken as
her share the painting and var
nishing of the chairs and possi
bly part of the woodwork.