Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / July 2, 1931, edition 1 / Page 2
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The Africo - American Presbyterian CONSOLIDATED WITH THE SOUTHERN EVANGELIST Rev. H. L.McCROREY, B. D., LL. D„ Editor W. E. HILL,* Associate Editor Rev. C. P. PITGHPORP, Business Manager. Devoted to the Educational, Mate rial, Moral and Religious interests of our people in the South, and pub lished at Chariotte, N. C., every Thursday. All questions arising under the various 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 Church at large. There is carefully selected r me ding matter suited to aH of our people—the farmer, the me chanic, the artisan and the profes sional man. TERMS OP SUBSCRIPTION: Single copy one year_fl.50 Six months_.75 Three months ._jjq Send all money by P. O. Money Order, Registered Letter or Bank Check, otherwise it might be lost and the sender alone wiH be respon sible. Entered at the Postoffice at Char lotte, N. C., as second class matter. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 193L~ an appreciated work curing trie first week in June there were held in North Car olina, South Carolina, Alabama and perhaps other Southern States conferences for colored women under the auspices of the Women’s Auxiliaries of the Synods of the Southern Presbyterian Church. These Conferences began about eight years ago, and grew out of a desire on the part of the wo men of the Southern Church to help their sisters of darker hue. Begun with some degree cf misgiving on the part of many colored women, the con ferences have grown into occa sions of mutual understanding, and, therefore, of great help fulness. In fact, many colored women now look forward to these annual meetings as sea sons of real social enjoyment and spiritual uplift. As show ing the attitude of the white women who are fostering this movement, a large-hearted, fine-spirited woman, who is deeply interested In these con ferences and who teaches in a Sunday school for colored people, writes: “We white women of the Southern Presbyterian Church are very proud of them. (The conferences.) They represent a perfectly unselfish attempt to help our Negro sisters to help their own people, and we make them as good as can be made. Every Southern Synod, I (be lieve, now holds one annually, besides the General Conference held annually at Tuscaloosa, our own Negro center for the Church.” The Africo-American Pres byterian was pleased to publish a report of this year’s confer ence for North Carolina, held at Winston-Salem, and will be glad to co-operate in this work in any way it can. THE ORDINARY PASTOR “The average pastor in the Presbyterian Church, U. S. -A., gets very little consideration in our denominational organiza tion. He out-numbers all oth ers by a large majority. He works harder for smaller mon ey rewards than others. He goes once or twice to the Gen eral Assembly, and lives in in ferior places, while the “lead ers” have the fine accommoda tions. He does the hard work, pressing his congregation for more money, part of which is wasted. He is often hard pressed, spiritually and mate rially, and in spite of all, he gets very little consideration from the “higher-ups.” Even a committee chairmanship is seldom accorded him. If he serves in one of our seven thousand vfllager and country churches, he is named on.no Board and is allowed nothing but the privilege of saying “aye” and “nay” on motions. It might be a good thing for the “average pastors” of village and country churches to com bine in order to get their due. Loyalty and orthodoxy, and, on the whole, the best fruitage for the cause of Christ, arty found among these men who are overlooked when honors and responsibilities are allotted by those who plan such things. We are not thinking one thing to the discredit of our present Moderator when we say the average man showed something of his strength in the first vote at the recent Assembly. ' We hope the next Moderator will be some one whose name and face were not known by the Assembly of 1931. Get in some new ones.” The above is from The Pres byterian, of Philadelphia, of which the Rev. Dr. W. Court land Robinson is the Editor. Of course, Dr. Robinson is think ing of the white pastor. But if the white pastor fares thus badly, what about the poor Negro pastor? As the “average” layman ob serves the proceedings in oim Presbyteries and Synods he is often led to think that the “av erage” pastor” is about the whole thing. He rules in Pres bytery and Synod, but it seems that he is checked at the As sembly. It may be he will soon come into his own there, if The Prlesbyterian’s hopes are realized. • THE LYNCHING RECORD FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR Dear Sir: I send you the fol lowing information concerning lynchings for the first six months of this year. I find ac cording to the records com piled at Tuskegee Institute in the Department of Records and Research that in the first six months of 1931 there were 6 lynchings. This number is four less than the number 9 for the first six months of 1929; it is the same as the number 5 for the first six months of 1928; 6 less than the number 11 for the first six months of 1927 and is 4 less than the number 9 for the first six months of each of the years, 1926 and 1925; it is 4 less than the number 9 for the first six month of 1924; 10 less than the number 15 for the first six months of 1928; 25 less than the number 80 for the first six months of 1922 and 31 less than the number 36 for the first six months of 1921. There were 82 instances to which officers of the law pre vented lynchings. Of these 4 were in Northern and West ern States. In the 6 other in stances the prisoners were re moved or the guards augment ed. In the 6 other instances force was used. Thus a total of 55 persons, 10 whites and 45 Negroes were saved from death at the hands of mobs. Of the persons lynched 1 was white and 4 were Negroes. The offenses charged were at tempted rape, 3; murder, 2. The States in which lynch ings occurred' and the number in each State are as follows: Mississippi, 2; Missouri, 1; North Dakota, 1; Tennessee, 1. NEGRO WOMEN ASK, FULL OPPORTUNITY Pittsburgh, July 2.*—That Negro women in America ask not charity, but equal oppor tunity with all others for edu cation and careers, was the statement last night of Mrs. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, head cf Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, N. C., who ad dressed the 22nd Annual Con ference of the National Asso ciation for the Advancement of Colored People in session here through Sunday, July 5. “The Negro woman does not ask charity, but all equal chance for self-expression with the white woman,” said, . Mrs. Brown. “She asks respect for her judgment and intelligence. When the question of the white women of the South was put to a representative of the Negro women’s group at an inter-racial meeting in Mem phis a few years ago, as to what the Negro woman really wanted, it was my privilege to give the answer thus t ‘Ac cording to her opportunity and training, she wants everything the white woman wants.’” Mrs. Brown scored the prac (Continued on page 3) CAUSE AHD CURE OF 1 SICK CHURCHESfj When an automobile or other machine fails to function effir ciently, the operator instantly ^ j investigates the cause and ap» plies the corrective. It would seem that this procedure would suggest itself in cafe of defective functioning of "a church. It is surprising, there fore, how long a church will exist, inert, and how low it will let its efficiency fall before its disorder is diagnosed and cor rection undertaken. Some congregations go on indefinitey suffering such ail ments as ebbing attendance, failing finance, neglected rec ards, monomanagemfent, func tional inactivity, general' in difference, nonpopularity, and inconsequential usefulness. As soon as either of these disor ders appears, steps should be taken to find its cause and the means of its removal. Habitual absence or tardiness must be due to either religious indifference in general, or to some objection in one’s church in particular. In the first case, one should not have joined the church. In the second case, he should compose his difference or cancel his connection; for the most conspicuous injustice' one can inflict upon his church or other interest is to neglect it. In no other way does he more frequently advertise his contempt for it. There exists no surer way of repelling peo ple without the church than its disregard by those within it. Withholding one s propor tionate contribution to the church’s, support is a less pub lic, but an equally paralyzing practice. When communicants can not contribute to the church’s support, the church ought to contribute to theirs. Those who won’t contribute to its maintenance should with draw from its membership. Noth withstanding that the prayermeeting has long been relegated to the desert of dis use, it is still incumbent updh' hte faithful to preserve this ancient and efficacious agency of spiritual nutrition. It is a serious situation when an individual or a clique gets the idea that he or it is au thorized to run affairs inde pendently of other equally in-., terested and efficient col leagues. A first rate induce ment is thereby offered the ig nored element to seek more congenial companionship. One of the most reprehensi ble practices is for an official to cram the uncounted con tents of the collection plate in to his pocket. Another is for the fiscal statistics, if any,. to be confined to the exclusive custody of the treasurer. If every one were like the writer, the only one holding the rec ords would hold the records only The minister, as overseer, cannot escape censure if these conditions obtain. Besides his obligation to work for the cor rection of the church’s ills, it is the minister’s further obli gation not to be the cause of them. Sometimes empty seats, outworn interest, congregation al inactivity and lack of influ ence may be chargeable to him. Long, monotonous, platitudi nous sermons are peculiarly conducive to these conditions. A most successful method of reducing attepdance is to ha rangue thosfe present on the shortcomings of others^ If the seminaries do not teach the follies of these practices, experience fchould. Following are offered some Recuperative Recipes 1. Let the service be cere monially complete. Do not em ploy too many abbreviations, and eliminations. Empty ser vice, empty seats. 2. Let it be judiciously va ried. Monotony is mighty to move folks from it. 3. Don’t devote it to dis cussion of delinquencies. Take them up with delinquents, or iii congregational conference, * or in Session. ; 4. Official and1 congregation-" al conferences are ad' essential to a small church as tb' a'large one. The organism of & mouse | ■■. ■ in —i i» as complete as that of a mammoth. 5. Get congregational con sent to congregational obBga tio**, * ... 6. Monomanagement irri tates, collaboration pacificates. 7. Accurate financial records should be easily accessible to all whose interest they involve. 8. Let the sermon be pithy, peppy, prepared. And if you ?an hot make it short, make it a serial. Give the folks enlight enment, not acrobatics; stimu< lation, not vociferation; an en ergetic, not an anesthetic. 0. B. ACTIVE—D. S. C. DR. J. M. JOHNSON fhe news of the death of Dr. J. M. Johnson, of Clinton, S. C., which occurred on the 12th, ult., at a hospital in Co lumbia, S. C., was quite a shock to most friends of his. Only a few of his relatives knew he was there. ., The fuperal services were conducted June 16th in Calva ry Church* - Newberry, S.C., where he pastored four years ago.' A large number which came from1 various points were present. , Several ministers of other denominations were present and took part ip the services and made very com mendable remarks touching the life of Dr. Johnson as a man, a teacher and a preach er. I I I did not say much at the funeral, as the building was small and packed to its utmost capacity. I felt it would be an imposition on the people to speak at length, and I decided to make my expressions as I am how doing. I make this explanation as I did not do so at the funeral. It came to me afterwards that some people might .think it a little strange that I did not say more. I knew Dr. Johnson from a small boy. I was his first teach er in our little church school at Blackstock, S. C., and felt like saying much concerning his life as I knew'it. Some one in his remarks at the funeral said Dr. Johnson was a man of few words. This was one of his characteristics from a boy, hut tffteiT when he did spetfk it wotild cause you to think. He showed aptness from the be ginning of his career at school. I learned from time to time of those who spoke to me about him that this was true of him during the entire time of his preparation for his life work. At an early age Dr. J. M. Johnson joined my church from which time he conducted himself as a Christian and at various times such reports came to me, from one and an other, during the whole time he was at Biddle University. Early in life Dr. Johnson took great interest in reading the Bible which I believe had much to do with shaping his life, which led me to read the 9th verse of the 119th Psalm as a basis of the few remarks I made at his funeral: “Where withal shall a young man cleanse his way?” etc. Another thing I admired him for, he was tenacious for the ri<rht on matters that came up at the Presbytery and Synod. Some thought he was too ex treme; others of us did n't think so as he contended for right. side from this he had oth er <traits that not every young man has., Not many young men, I,do not think, surpassed J. M. Johnson, in their atten tion to a widowed mother ana fatherless sisters. Thoughtful ness and good intention seemed to have been at the bottom of hiS life, as I saw his life. I feel like saying, “Soldier of Christ, well done.” T i. • B. F. RUSSELL, • Blackstock, S. C. June 14. - A Scotchman in planning his new home left ther oof off one room. -■ Afriend asked the reason for this. “Qh, that’s the shower,” re plied the Scotchman—Carolina Buccaneer. City Slicker: “What does your son do?” ’ Fanner: “He’s a bootblack in the city.” . , City Slicker: “Oh, I see, you make hay while the son shities.”—Purple; £ow, ST. JAMES CHURCH GREENSBORO 1 - _____ Sixty-Fourth . Amdvcnuy of St. Junes Chureh St. James church, Greensboro, N. C., celebrated her 64th An niversary, Sunday, June 28, 1931. Dr. Henry Louis Smith,. President Emeritus «f Wash ington and Lee University, preached the sermon. The speaker took as 'the basis for bis sermon, Exodus 14*16, theme, “Go Forward.” Dr. Louis Smith is arson of. Dr. Henry Smith under whose ministry in 1867 colored mem bers of the First Presbyterian church (white) withdrew to form St. James Presbyterian church. The music for the day was furnished by the combined Senior and Junior choirs of the church. Mr. L. C. McNair sang “The Lord Is My Light,” be fore the sermon, and Mrs. E. B. Meares sang “The Voice In the Wilderness” after the dis course. At 8 P. M. began what was called Historical Night.. The church’s history was given in three parts: History of the Church from 1867-1931, Rev. H. C. Miller; Sabbath School, Messrs J. H. Biggs and Jacob Jones; Societies, Mrs. R. E. McNair; Reminiscences, Prof., C. H. Moore. Duett, Mrs. E. B. Meares and Miss Susie Miller. Among ,fhe interesting feat ures of the evening w^s calling the roll of all the ministers who had served the church from the beginning, giving the number of years they served and the persons joining the church under their ministries: 1. Rev. James A. Chresfield, 1872-1877; five years, 89 mem bers joined. • . Z. iiev. Li. K. donnsun, ioov 1883; 18 persons joined. He died on the field and is buried 3. Rev. E. R. Garland, 1884 in Greensboro. 1887; 3 years, 18 persons joined. (Hannah Chapel organ ized.) . „ k 4. Rev. W. R. Lawton, 1«90; served 8 months, 12 person^ •joined. ‘ . - * :**=**-&& 5. Rev. C. J. Lawton, 1890 1891. One year, 6 persons I vlllvvlt 6. Rev. A. J. Tate, 1892 1898. Served six years; 41 per sons joined. 7. Rev. H. A, Gibson, 1898 1901; served 3 years, 30 per sons joined. 8. Rev. J. J. Wilson, 1901 1905; served 4 years, 15 per sons joined. 9. Rev. J. G. Walker, 1907 1919; served 12 years, 93 per sons joined. Built new church. Remodelled manse. Church as sumed self-support. 10. Rev. B. R. Smith, 1920 1924; served three years, 32 persons joined. Basement com pleted, heating system in stalled ; budget system adopt ed. 11. Rev. H. C. Miller, 1924 1931; served 7 years, 140 per sons joined. Pews installed; Sabbath school enlarged to more than 300. Outstanding events in ine history of -the Chyfrch are: First college trained minister to our group in Greensboro, and the only Negro church all of whose ministers have been trained for the work. Beginning of Graded School in Greensboro. First Daily Vacation Bible School for our group. During 64 years 11 ministers have served, 16 young men have entered the ministry, and 461 persons passed through the Session into the church. The Daily Vacation (church) School was begun Monday morning with a splendid en rollment. Mrs. R. E. McNair is Principal. She is assisted by Mrs. H. C. Miller, G. A. Bridg es, S. W. Carter and Miss Lorie Holmes. Rev. F. C. Shirley spoke to a large gathering last (Wednes day night on “Leadership Training." Mrs. Yorke Jones, of Char lotte, is visiting in the home of Rev. and Mrs. H. 0. Miller.; Mrs. W. H. Holmes, of At? lanta, was a week-end visitor in the home of Mrs. A. El Spears, , of East Seventh St. in these times of de n in relieving some of Dear Readers: You j will know by this writing that Grace is still active and is de veloping other activities. Though we have been without a shepherd for the last six months our work has not en tirely ceased. You shall heat from us weekly. The missionary and social service departments have kept up the ebb and flow. They have had their weekly and monthly meetings. The two or ganizations have worked to gethd pression the unfortunate. They have given more than a hundred garments and have aided sev eral families with provisions, under the supervision of Mrs. Jessie C. Young, the church social worker. Tne month of June has meant supreme happiness to us because it has brought to us something that every one is trying to get—a Fortune. This month has been a very inter-' esting and inspirational one for the members and friends; of this church. Every Sabbath Gospel messages has been pre sented to us very effectively. Every one has caught the spirit of the message, “Go Forward/* delivered by the new pastor, the Rev. A. E. Fortune. The text was Exodus 14:15. Much enthusiasm is being manifested by the auxiliaries. Mrs. A. M. Fortune, an accom plished leader among young people, as well as old, has al ready organized the children up to 12 years of age. These children meet every Sunday afternoon at 5:30. This organi zation promises to be one of the most outstanding ones of the church, having the able Miss Ruth Young as their ad viser of “The Children’s Hour.” The Young People’s Forum, under the direction of Mrs. L. B. Turner, is progressing in electrifying steps. Mr. TT. B. Eggleston, the President, is an energetic young man, who is leaving no stones untjjrned Jto _ put their programs over. Every Sunday evening at 7 o’clock, these young people gather to do work for the Master.. Dur ing the week many festivities are sponsored for raising mon ey for the Forum. The enter tainments are held on the spa cious lawns of different mem bers. Sunday, June 28, “How 1 Must Spend My Leisure Time” was the theme for discussion in the Forum of the young people. They are to be com mended for the masterful way in which they handled this subject and others. A very beaeutiful affair was given on the spacious lawn of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Matthews, 1117, East 14th Street, in hon or of the “Back from College” students. The scene whs most dramatic as well as romantic. We had this on a beautiful night in June while the roses Were in full bloom. The lawn Was very picturesque. iYUS» Ruth Young made a most charming hostess, guiding the exquisitely, gorgeously dressed young ladies in lawn games and croquet under arbors of pink and red roses. The lawn was beautifully decorated with colored lights, while the young men were handsomely groomed in black and white. Under the rose arbor sat a white table festooned with lace linen, hold ing a beautiful bowl of spark ling punch. The following col leges were represented: Talladega College, William Hairston; Winston - Sate TeacKers’ College, yiI“Hrer?J’ gleston; Shaw, Leslie McClen non; Atlanta University, Prof. A. L. Williams; Smith Univer sity, Rembert Malloy ; Bennett College, Miss Lee Belle Black, Atkins High, Canetta McLain. Solos were rendered by Miss es Esther Young and Willie Mae Vaughn; piano solo by Canetta McLain. The reception was enjoyed by all who attend ■ Mrs. Spencer, a member of Mt. Pleasant M. E. church, was hostess to our Missionary Society, Thursday afternoon at 6 o’clock. A large number at tended this meeting. Six guests (Continued on page 8). ,
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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July 2, 1931, edition 1
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