CHARLOTTE, N, C> THUMB B%lgMAY 21, 1931
VOL. MIL
MAM
NO. 20. t
PRESBYTERY AND THE SYNOD Of
EAST TENNESSEE
BrfkW
The Evangelistic Convention:
of the Synod of Eapt Tennes
see which was held in the Shi
loh Presbyterian church, Knox
ville, May 1 and 2, was a means
of spiritual revival to all who
attended it, and we hope to all
who shall come under the. influ
ence of those who were feftu
nate in being present. The con
vention was formally opened
Friday morning by Dr. Wm.
F. Klein, Director of the Divis
ion of Evangelism, Board of
National Missions, New York
City. Devotions were led by Dr.
Samuel A Downer, of East
Vine Avenue church. Rev. A.
H. George, of the Shiloh
church, extended welcome to
the delegates in behalf of the
church.
Dr. Klein stated the objects Of
this convention were: 1. To be
with Christ ourselves. 2. To Win
others for Him. He said that
in the Presbytery of Le Vere
there were only 11 Christians
who brought another to Christ
during the year. This left -689
who either had nothing to share
with others, or had lost theirr
influence. The membership of
the Presbytery is actually 13
per cent smaller than it Was 5
years ago. If we keep the pace
we have set in the last five
years it won’t be long before
Le Vere Presbytery will go out
of existence. The pertinent
question is: "Did you bring
anyone into the kingdom dur
ing the last- 365 days; if not,
what did you. do.?
Dr. Harvey Klaer, associate
director, had charge of the
courses in Personal Work. There
were three lectures on Person
al Work and one on Prayer and
Revival. These were "definitely
outlined with illustrations from
the Bible and from his own
rich experience. The courses
were compiled by wr. iviaer,
and showed what a wonderful
grasp he has on the Scriptures.
He used a period for Bible stu
dy and during that period many
references were read by the
delegates to show authority
for his writings. Over and back
of it all was his deep spiritual
power which flowed from him
to us all and made us feel that
truly this man Kvais fpossbsed
with God.
Dr. Charles E. Tucker, Pres
ident of Swift Memorial Col
lege, led the devotions in the
afternoon. He brought a vital
message as did Dr. Downer in
the forenoon. Dr. Klein held a
very interesting course on the
Sunday School and Young Peo
ple’s Work. There were fifty
questions gathered here and
there in similar conventions.
These were headed : “Someone
Wanted to Know.” The session
was conducted in the fortim
style, each giving an answer
which he thought best fbr a
particular problem. In this way
it was possible to form a com
posite thought of the group.
On Friday evening devotions
were conducted, by Dr. J. Kelly
Giffen, President of Knoxville
College. ' His message on
“Christ Above All” was grip
ping. Dr, Klein delivered a
most masterful address on
“The Whole Task of the Pres
byterian Church.” In a very
striking way:he brought to us
the variegated activities of the
Boards and Divisions of our
Church. The whole message
was shot through with a
challenge to all of us togoback
to our fields and carry on in a
bigger way than before. The
choir of the Shiloh church fur
nished music for the evening
hour. Dr. Robert £. Gamon,
Stated Clerk of Union Presby
tery and National Missions Ex
ecutive for setioati Presbyte
ries in East Tennessee, offered
Saturday morning's theme
Was: “Stewardship of Life.”
Rev. A. H. George led devo
tions. The forum method was
again used in the discussion of
‘‘Women of the Church,” and
‘>Men of* the" Church,” and
“Men's Organisations.” There
irere fifty questions on each
subject which had been gath
ered from over a wide section
of the 'country . These questions
caused some real soul search
ing 'on the part of workers. It
safe to say that every
Cfoirtit wotfid he greatly bene
fifted If it WOiild take all four
toestionnaires and discuss them
1th a 'view of carrying the
questions into action.
At each session every person
in the audience filled out a card
ivfth a KSt of names of individ
uals for whom special prayers
were1 offered. Tne cards were
laid on the communion table,
4 rid the petition Was . sent up
by Dr. Klein. More than three
hundred names were placed on
the table. All of ub'pledged to
bray daily for these unsaved
Souls until thtey WeTe brought
to Christ
Or. Klein closed the meeting
Witfi a passionate appeal to the
ministers to fight. In his appeal
to the mert of the Synod he
Said: “Why dpn’t you fight,
minister, why don’t you fight !”
fh*. C. E. Tucker offered the
Closing ptayer.
Weildft that meeting feeling
liFiL
ed than caine in at the front
floor. We are going to get them
arid hdia them by giving them
Something worthwhile to hold
on to. Tire vicious custom of
dropping members in order to
escape paying for them is not
going to be tolerated. We are
going to be honest with our
selves. The spirit of apathy and
indifference that has deadeneci
us has been thrown off and we
are being gripped by a strong
and vigorous spirit, with a fixed
and persistent purpose to fight
and to fight!
WOULD REVISE BOOK of
DISCIPLINE
Dr, Lewis Seymour Mudge,
Stated Clerk* of Philadelphia,
Pa., announces in the official
Blue Book that lie will suggest
to the Presbyterian General
Assembly at Pittsburgh, Pa„
May 28-hine 8, that he be 'au
thorised to submit to the Pres
byteries for their careful stu
dy a proposed hew draft of the
Book Of Discipline and that they
file with the Stated Clerk not
later than March 1, 1932, the
results of their study or tne
draft, so that the proposed re
vision 'may be presented to the
General Assembly in 1932. The
'Book of Discipline has not been
changed in its fundamental
principles sinoe the organiza
tion of the Assembly in 1789.
It underwent an important re
vision in 1884.
“Almost fifty years have now
elapsed," says Dr. Mudgie,
“since the important revision
of 1884. During this time the
growth of the Church - in size,
influence -and power has neces
sitated many alterations land
additions to the various sec
tions of the Book of Discipline.
The result of such changes at
intervals over a tong period of
time has inevitably meant a
lack of unity, clearness and
logical consistency to many
parts ofthe ‘Book. While As
sembly deliverances from time
to time have done* much to ex
piain some of these fliiriifcations,
nevertheless it has become in
creasingly clear that certain
1 -ftJinj r 1 'p"wif-1,!j ~r *
(Continued on page 8)
HOOVER URGES BET
TER HOMES FOR
NEGROES
Washington -CNS)- Presi
dent Hoover directed Friday to
the Committee on Negro Hous
ing headed by Miss Nannie H.
Burroughs, President of the
Rational Training School for
Women and Girls, a message
Encouraging t&em to seek high
er living standards among the
colored people of the Nation.
The Chief Executive later re
ceived the Committee Of seven
teen prominent Negroes at the
White House.
; The President’s message,
read by Robert P. .Lamont, Sec
retary of Commerce, as the
Committee opened its organiza
tion meeting in the Commerce
department Building, urged
he need of improving the de
sign, construction and condi
tions of ownership of Negro
housing. It appealed for a pro
gram of self-help and govern
ment co-operation looking to
jiigher standards of sanitation,
Convenience and wholesome
ness. r
I The President said:
I “Prompted by a fine spirit of
public service, you have assem
bled here today to consider
what program may be devised
to improve conditions of hous
ing for our colored citizens.
This committee is one of many
Special committees, each of
tvbieh is charged with some im
portant phase of the broad
problem of home building and
home ownership. Since the
health and welfare of all citi
kens, and particularly of chil
vityHy affected by
life, your committee has un
selfishly undertaken to give
tareful consideration to urgent
questions which affect directly
the welfare of more than
10,000,000 persons.
“Your studies will lead you
into the consideration of prob
lems of the design, construc
tion and financing of houses, of
Conditions of ownership and
tenancy, of remodelling, equip
ping and furnishing of homes
in city and country. Thought
ful consideration is needed
in order to determine what
can be accomplished by
the Negroes themselves in the
improvement iof conditions of
housing and home life and* of
what can be done by public au
thorities or other agencies to
aid them in bringing housing
conditions to higher standards
of sanitation and wnoiesome
ness. Wherever conditions are
found to be below a reasonable
standard the problem is one of
determining what next steps
can be best taken in improving
the conditions and how infor
mation and service can be ^mo
bilized to prevent future re
currence of conditions of hous
ing that may impair health or
character.
""“Many of you will doubtless
be asked to help in the work of
other committees, but I feel
that a judicious consideration
of the special problems as
signed to this committee may
lead to a service of unusual
value to your country. Self-help
is a primary principle of pro
gress, but self-help involves
'vise stimulation and thought
ful leadership. It is my hope
that you, who are among the
acknowledged leaders of your
race, may find in the work of
this committee an opportunity
to Carry the study of this sub
ject farther than it has been
carried before, and that your
recommendations may help to
co-ordinate and direct the forc
es which will lead to a more
rapid solution of the important
problems of housing with
which you are concerned.”
The committee is one of about
thirty committees of the Pres
ident’s Conference on Home
Building and Home Ownership,
Secretary Lamont said in ad
•g the group. Each com
Afi charged with making
of some part of the
problem in order to
a report to the general
ence next fall, he added,
ithout a committee such
as youts there is the obvious
possibility that some significant
phases of the problems of Ne
gro housing might fall to re
ceive the attention they de
servOpMtr Lamont said.
( The committee members lat
er organized to consider in de
tail,urban and rural housing
<md ,4ther factors in the situa
tion of Negro communities.
HOW unemployment
AFFECTS NEGROES
Extracts from Bulletin Pub
lished % Hie National Urban
!' ' k I i League
“...I....In every instance where
figures, are available, the per
centage of Negroes among the
inGRjipye
jftpulfition
lyed is higher than their
rant4< sometimes running as
highlts four times the propor
tionate amount, and in some
instances, five and six times as
high-—”
“Needless to say that wages
have been cut-races compet
ing with each other in order to
gain favor with employers.
Thorp are casek of whites un
derbidding Negroes, as well as
egrbes under-bidding whites,
are instances of one
doing the work of two
tvhitfs at the wage of one..”
" __Replies from these
soprees (State government offi
cials) and from others who are
in ^ position to influence the
emfilpyment of workers on pub
lic instruction, Indicate that
limited degree Ne
-usedin public,
work created for the purpose
of making jobs for unemployed
people.”
“The condition of astounding
unemployment disclosed in the
various city reports—seven per
cent, of the population consti
tuting 25 per cent of the unem
ployed, 9 per cent of the pop
ulation constituting 66 per cent
of the unemployed; or 4 per
cent of the population constitut
ing 25 per cent of the relief
cases, or 18 per cent of the pop
ulation constituting 92 per cent
of the relief cases—'is an eco
nomic problem that far trans
cends racial significance. It is
usually assumed that economic
systems make no deference to
race. Academically this as
sumption holds, but practical
cognizance should be taken of
a situation which is degrading
and pauperizing so large a part
of the nation’s population-.
The factor of race presents an
economic question which must
find place in programs of reg
ularization and relief.- No pro
gram to prevent or limit unem
ployment yet announced has
recognized the problem pre
sented by hordes of unemployed
Negroes whose low standards
of living should be the concern
of business as well as of social
workers.”
The' bulletin reaches the fol
lowing conclusions:
“That measures for relief are
confined almost entirely to
charity;
“That Negroes get more re
lief but fewer jobs than others
from agencies established to
aid the unemployed;
“That Negroes continue, and
unless provision is made to the
contrary, will continue to con
tribute more than their share
of ^the burden of relief agen
cies;^
“That the ecenomic structure
of the entire Negro race is in
an alarming state of disrepair,
with dire effect upon business
and professional interests de
pendent upon the patronage of
Negro wage-earners; and
‘That restlessness is evident
from one end of the country to
the other; for unquestionably
Negroes have lost jobs to which
they wrill not return even when
normal times come again.”
h - , -—. -ij.' n r ...
i WHITE RIVER PRESBYTE
RY, ARKANSAS
The White River Presbytery
met with Harris chapel at
Brinkley, Ark., on Wednesday,
April g, 1931, 7:30 P. M., and
was opened with a sermon by
the Moderator, Rev. ' C. N.
Shropshire; after which the
Presbytery was constituted
with prayer by Rev. G. E. Cae
sar.
Then the roll was called and
a quorum being present, the
Presbytery proceeded in the
election of officers. Rev. R. J.
Christmas, of Forrest City,
Ark., was elected Moderator,
and RevB. T. C. Boyd and C. N.
Shropshire, of Pine Bluff and
Texarkana, respectively, were
elected Temporary and Assist
ant Temporary Clerks.
The docket of the Presbytery
was read and approved. Also,
the minutes of the Presbytery
of 1929 were read by the Stat
ed Clerk, Rev. ,C. S, Mebane,
Hot Springs, Anc. ..0.
The Rev. N. ' B. ; Bynum,
Brinkley, Ark., chairman of the
Local Committee on Arrange
ments. made a report on behalf
of the committee.
The Moderator then an
nounced that Elder A. B. Knight
would conduct the devotional
service on Thursday at 9 A. M._
The Presbytery adjourned to
meet at 9:00 A. M., Thursday,
and was closed with prayer by
the Moderator.
Thursday* April 0, at 9 :00 A.
M«, the Pre&bytery met and the
first half hour was devoted to
prayer service. Then the Pres
bytery was opened with prayer
by Rev T. B. Hargrave!.
The minutes of the last
night’s session were read and
approved. Then the roll was
called; after which the Modera
tor -announced the Standing
The reports from the church
es were called for. The reports
were made by thd delegates
for the various churches, and
were discussed at length by the
other members of the Presby
tery. The reports showed gains
in most of the churches.
A call from Camden Second,
Camden, Ark., was presented to
the Presbytery, asking for the
pastoral service ot Rev. W. &.
Houston, D. D., Springfield,
Mo. The call was approved sand
arrangements were made for
his installation.
At this juncture, the Rev. T.
B. Hargrave, Synodical. Evan
gelist, preached a soul-stirring
sermon to the Presbytery and
visitors A similar sermon was
preached by him each day at
11:30 while the Presbytery
was in session, which was very
timely and edifying.
The Presbytery adjourned
after the sermon, with prayer
and benediction, to meet at 2
P. M.
Thursday, April 9, 2 P. M.
The Presbytery met and was
constituted with prayer. The
reports of the chairmen of the
committees on . the different
Boards were called for. The re
ports were made by the said
chairmen and were discussed
generally. ,?i
The reports of the commis
sioners to the last. General As
sembly were called for. Rev* S.
J. Grier being-the .commission
er to the last General Assem
bly, made a very elaborate re
port, which showed that he was
on the alert at the Assembly.
A vote of thanks was extended
him for such an instructive re
port. Elder J. H. Thompson,
lay commissioner, was not pres
ent. to make his report because
of sickness.
Most of the afternoon was
occupied in hearing the reports
of chairmen on the Boards.
The discussions were interest
ing* after which the Presbyte
ry adjourned with prayer.
Popular Meeting Thursday
Night.;
The popular meeting was
held on the above; date and is
held annually at the meeting
of the Presbytery. ’ At this
meeting some important sub
..- ‘v. ... 1 ' " I'l.ll I
jects pertaining to the Presby
terian Church are discussed by
members of the Presytery who
may be appointed by the Mod
erator. Hence, the following
Subjects were discussed: The
Board of National Missions—
Rev, W. E. Houston; Christian
Education—Rev. G. E. Caesar;
Evangelism—Rev. S. J. Grier.
The speakers endeavored to
Show the importance of these
Subjects from many different
angles. The meeting was held
in the Baptist church, and a
large and appreciative audi
ence was present. The choir
rendered inspiring music to the
delight of an who were pres
ent. We were pleased to have
the white minister and a law
yer of the Presbyterian
Church, U. S., with us. They
expressed themselves in glow
ing terms respecting the pro
gram and the subjects which
Were discussed, and extended a
hearty welcome to the Presby
tery on behalf of the citizens
bf the town.
Friday, April 10, 0 A. M,
j The Presbytery met and de
voted, the first half hour to de
votional , service, conducted by
Rev. C. N. Shropshire; after
Which, the .Presbytery was
galled to order by the Modera
tor, and was constituted with
praye^. Then the regular order
f)f tiie docket was announced,
i The. report on Vacancies and
jSupply, was called for and
made Jby the chairman, Rev. T.
C. Boyd. ,
Rev. G, E. Caesar was elect
fed Stated Clerk of the Presby
tery, succeeding the Rev. C. S.
Mebane, D D., who had been
Stated, Clerk many years, and
is “Stated Clerk Emeritus.”
The Presbytery adjourned with
prayer. „ M
i Friday, April 10, 2 P.M.
The Presbytery met on the
iwith; prayer.
The election of commission
ers to the General Assembly,
which will meet in Pittsburgh,
Pa., May 28, 1931, was called
for. Rev. R. J. Christmas and
Rev. H. M. Stinson, D. D, were
elected principal and alternate
commissioners, respectively.
Elders Israel Harrison ana a.
B. Knight were elected princi
pal and alternate lay commis
sioners, respectively; after
which the Presbytery completed
the docket.
The Presbyterial Missionary
Society made its report. All the
officers of last year we^e re
elected. The Presbytery ad
adjourned with prayer.
Friday, April 10, 7:30 P. M.
The Presbyterial Missionary
Society rendered the annual^
program, which always adds *
spice to the occasion. Mrs B.
Williams, Cotton Plant, presid
ed, assisted by Mrs. A. C. Alex
ander, Little Rock. The pro
gram measured up to the stand
ard of the former programs and
the women were congratulated
for the zeal with which thev
carried it out, and for the suc
cess they fachieveft,
Rev. and Mrs. N. B. Bynum
are good mixers on the field
and have the co-operation of
all denominations. They enter
tained the Presbytery royally,
beyond expectation. May the
Lord continue to bless them
and the good people of Brink
ley.
Rev. T. B. Hargrave made an
eloquent address, which was a
part of the program and which
added Imuch inspiration. As
the women’s night is always
the “banner night,” the audi
ence was larger Friday night
than the night before—Thurs
day night.
After the > program Resolu
tions of Thanks were read.
Then the Presbytery adjourned
with prayer to meet with West
ihinster church, Cotton Plant,
Ark., the second Wednesday of
April, 1932.
Refreshments were served
wh|» f$ade the guests feel
that it, was good to be pres
ent.
G. E. CAESAR.
Stated Clerk.