Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / July 12, 1934, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
AND YE SHALL KNOW THETRUTH. AND THE TRUTH VOL. LV. /REV.LYLBORN LIGGINS DOWNING, D. D. f FOR FORTY YEARS PASTOR FIFTH AVENUE PRESS*TK RIAIN CHURCH, ROANOKE, VA. The Fifth Avenue Presbyte rian church, Roanoke, Va., will celebrate the 40th anniversary, of its pastor, Rev. L. L. Down ing, D. E^Sunday, July 15th.1 Dr William Hailock Johnson, President . incoln University | <Penna.) wiil 4ebr: «r the anni versary address,* The University of Virginia j recently in compiling a history of Roanoke adjudged Dr. Down ' ing 15th in a list of the thirty most outstanding citizens. This was the result ox questionnaires sent out. Lylbura Liggin Downing, D. D., was born in Lexington, Va., May 3, 1862. For the past forty years he has been the efficient pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church of Roa noke, having come to this city! in 1894, and assumed the pas rate of the church on the second Sunday in July, of that year. Besides his work as a minister of the gospel, Mr. Downing has' found time for other things of j a civic and public nature. Bornj only a few months before the Emancfpation Proclamation and neatly three years beforg the end of the Civil War, when' the1 public schools were opened inj the State to the boys and girls' of his race, he was among the1 first to enter in Lexington. Aj rare influence in the life of Mr. Downing was that of General1 “Stonewall” Jackson, who! taught a JNegro Sunday school class, having among his pupils Mr. Downing^ parents. He him self became a member of this class which was taught by * Colonel J. death of General Jackson. It was in this Sunday school class that Mr. Downing received his inspiration to enter the minis try. t. To better prepare himself for his life’s work, at an earl/ age he entered Lincoln University and it was while in the Prepar atory Department of Lincoln mat ms great aDiutv was nrer manifested. For four years he stood at the head of his class with a general average that was so high that he was awards a scholarship m the college de- j partment. In 1889 he graduated with honors, after which he en tered the Theological Semina ry, determined to make ample preparation for the ministry. He graduated from the Theo logical Seminary of Lincoln in 1894. While a student in this department he taught Latin in the Preparatory Department for two years, and was offered a permanent place on the facul ty staff which he declined for the nobler calling of the min istry. He received from Lincoln University the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Sacred Theology, and in 1906 the institution conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. While at Lincoln Dr. Down ing was not without class hon ors. In 1887 he won the Soph omore gold medal for an orig inal «rajtiom. immediately {fol lowing his graduation at the Theological Seminary, Dr. Downing came to Roanoke to assume the pastorate of the Presbyterian congregation, then a small mission of only seven members. The services were then held in a hall on Sixth Avenue, N. W. In 1896 Dr. Downing began the erection of the handsomel church edifice at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Third Street, N. W., to which a beautiful new addition has recently been completed. When Dr. Downing took charge of the church, it was on the promise of two dol lars per week salary from the congregation. His first collec tion was sixty-seven cents. Of course, there was a guaran tee from the Freedmen’s Board, and, but for that, the field was in many respects most un inviting and our good pastor never wavered. He had set him self to a task and went to it with a determination which nothing short of success could satisfy. That he succeeded is known of all men in the city of his adoption. Today there is np church in the bounds of the Presbytery, nor perhaps in thei REV. L. L. DOjWNING, D. D. south, which can boast of a setter record. with his work as a pastor* Dr. Downing has found time to mingle in atfairs of State and Civic betterment work general ly. For twenty years he was a metnber ef the Oity Repubhcan Committee' being tne only niem ber of hie race in that body and was an able representative of his people in both civic and po litical matters. - . For years he has taken an ac tive interest in juvenile work and was the city's first proba tion officer (and still serves in that capacity) in the care and protection of delinquents of his race. Fraternally he is a Mason and Odd Fellow, having been hon ored by both organizations. He served as Grand Master of. Ma* sons of Virginia and District Grand Master of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. For two years Dr. Downing served as President of the Na tional Interdenominational Min isterial Conference, which meets annually at Hampton In stitute, Virginia. Three times in succession he was chosen a Commissioner to the General Assembly of thej Presbyterian Church and for a number' of times as Moderator o$ the Presbytery. During the World War Dr. Downing was a Special Deputy of the govern ment in connection with the* sale of Liberty Bonds and served as a collaborator of his tory in preparing records of thei accomplishments of Roanoke soldiers. In 1906, Dr. Downing erected the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Window in the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church. Few mon uments erected to commemo rate the lives and deeds of heJ roes have the significance and interest of the people of thfcj community and throughout the South as this memorial of aj Negro pastor to a Confederate General because of appreciation of the illustrious character who so nobly befriended the colored people of his town. Recently the newly erected; colored grammar and high school of Lexington, Va., wasi named, “The Lylbum Downing School” in appreciation of the (Continued on page 3) ' \ 7 J . . By Robert E. ‘1 am the voice of one crying in tne wnaernea, make straight me way cn me imra, as said me propnet x^aias.; —»iohn. 1:33. "me wages of sin is death, but tae gut ot Goa is eternal iuc, through desus Cnnst our Liord,—Jttomans 6:2d. .it was soul-cheering to us in iowa, to . read in the columns of our home paper, The Times, me sensible and vigorous pro test of the f ree Spring Breth evils, especially the return ctf me nefarious traffic in intoxi cating liquors, and united re solve to combat this debasing; effrontery of human greed, by a system of religious education, to lift our young people to high er 'levels of understanding and living. 1 send you herewith, not clip-' pings, but merely some sugges tive, large type headlines from, two Texas newspapers: “The News,” a daily of Dallas, popu lation 260,000; and “The Fun damentalist,” a weekly of Fort Worth, 160,000. It fell to my lot to visit thosei two cities in February. I at tended the services at the First Baptist church, Fort Worth, and greeted Dr. Norris, the pas tor, on Sabbath, February 4th. Victory in Cook County A great victory has been won in Cook County, of which Gainesvilie is the county seat. Whenever a county goes wet, the newspapers feature it with display headlines, but when it goes dry, th.ey list it at the footjj of the classified add column. However, most of the counties in. Texas; that have held- loe*fe option elections have gone dry. Cook county is one of the most populous counties in the State. its population includes a 'large German element, and in the election of April 28, 1934, they voted wet, as they usually do. It was, however, the privi lege of Rev. Frank Norris to voice a gospel protest in the public square of Gainesville on the Saturday afternoon preced ing the election to a great crowd of several thousand from all- parts of the counr ty. The ministers of all denominations were pfrefsent and joined enthusiastically in the battle cry. The result was a de cisive j (blow to the liquor crowd. This was said to be pos sible in every county in Texas. Protest ^Against Corrupt Public Officials and Gamblers Headline announcements in Texas newspapers, after a pro test had been voiced at the First Baptist church in Fort Worth on a Sabbath evening in April against corral public •<fli -ials a •; orse mn; gamblers. “Sunday night message stirs Dallas to close bookmaking and gambling in Dallas, hurriedly and tight.” “The (District Attorney’s Office in Dallas promised Dr. Norris to close all book-making gambling places, and this promise was kept.” '“Bookies close up hurriedly after threatened raids.” Another one reads: “Regular patrons, trying to place their bets, find their favor ite retreat in Dallas shut tight.” At the close of an investiga tion by the District Attorney and the grand jury, it was agreed to close all the book making places in Dallas imme idately, and those in Fort Worth immediately thereafter. These victorious incidents in Texas have been noted to indi cate the value of voicing a pro test against a public evil. They also illustrate a good method of procedure when the right thing is done in a good way. Corrupt Deputies It is a well known fact that criminals and gang ire round for some time ction in and around th and Dallas, the two ies near eacn other in them part of Texas, a short time ago a fOr at Dallas was m in a series 01 Dana lies. At the present time aty ot the sheriff of Fort is under indictment at jfor confessed root^ery. untrustworthy depu ted as confederates be the criminal gangsters ide-outs and tne prosecu attomey and sheriff. ' was high time the ministers fl good citizens were aroused. F judgment began with a fa pble decision by the Grand ry, and approval of the Attorney. JOur country is facing one of tile most critical crises in its history, according to the Attorney General, Hon. Homer S. Cummings. He recently stated in the public press: “There are now more armed criminals than soldiers under arms in the United States.' With more gangsters, armed tank robbers, and reckless gamblers than there are soldiers to enforce the laws, how long can our Christian civilization £ It is high time that every public-minded citizen, minister and public official join hands in voicing a public protest against this immoral criminal menace that is shaking the very foun dation of our civil and religious privileges. Cniaa<k . Fortworth has recently been stirred by the young men! attending Bible School in the First Baptist Church. In their soul-winning crusade they have been willing to go wherever the people resort in the evening for amusment or entertainment. Daily newpapers gavp this soul-winning cjrusadte special notice on the first page. it? A group ot nity Bible stu dents in small squads and sing ing “Where He Leads Me, I Will | Follow,” in the evening marched into the hotel lobies, pool rooms, beer gardens, saloons, gambling tiensi drug stores and filling | stations, wherever they found | accessible gatherings of the people. One reporter said: “What a contrast they present to the usual religious gatherings, con ventions or conferences, where ministers put up at high priced hotels, smoke long, black cigars and spin yarns, but never v/in a soul.” Another reporter said: -‘These singing groups went into beer halls, where clouds of tobacco smoke floated, into domino par lors and a pool hall. The first evening of this crusade five souls were won.” Rockwell City, Iowa. when (^Vacation Some people make their vaca tions a great injury to them-j selves by going with evil and worldly companions. They think that it makes little difference with whom they go, or what they do, when they are away from home. The pastor and peo- ] pie of a little country church are are greatly helped or greatly harmed by the conduct of vaca tionists among them in the summer. You remember how carefully President Coolidge at tended church out in the little mountain settlement when he had his vacation. The disciples had Jesus for their companion. It is well to be/ with him at home and abroad, while working or resting, while asleep or awake. —Dr. E. P. Whallon. The officers met in an exec utive session from 10 to II, July 17th, 1934, in Durham, N. C., to arrange plans and recommenda tions tor the general meeting. The meeting was opened at 11 with & praise service led hy Mrs. A. W. Waddell, of Lejungtun, and Mrs. L. B. Turner# of Win ston-Salem. The subject, “Let us love one another," was led by Mrs. Waddell Mrs. Turner offered prayer. Sentence pray ers were led by Mrs. Sullivan and closed by Mrs. Meares. At the close of the devotional service the President, Mrs. H. N. Sullivan, of Lexington, took the chair and presided in a most gracious manner. The roll call of delegates by churches follows: St. James, Mrs. R. E. McNair, Mrs. J. H. Biggs, Mrs. D, L. McNair, Mrs. E. 3. Meares; Grace, Mrs. L. B. Turner; Pine Street, Mrs. Cora T. Russell; Shady Side, Mrs. J. V. Bitting, Mrs. A. W. Wad dell, Mrs. H. N. Sullivan. The noon recess from 12:30 to 2 was used for lunch served by the Missionary Society of Pine Street, and a sight-seeing tour of the city which took in the offices of the North Caro lina Mutual Insurance Co* North Carolina College for Ne groes, Duke University and Lincoln Hospital. The afternoon session was opened with prayer by Dr. Rus sell. Delegates made their re ports. The Treasurer reported, and the President, the Synodi cal delegate made an inclusive report. Papers were read by Mrs. L. B. Turner, “The City of Our Dreams;” Mrs. J. V. Bitting, “Ask Somebody Else,” Mrs. Cora T: Russell delivered an address on “Missionary Work in Our Churches.” Mrs. E. B. Meares, President of the Yadkin Presbyterial, outlined the isix objective's of the District Presbyterial. 1. Check, on local societies. 2 Create more interest among the wonlen. *3. • Explanation per-! taining to local and general meetings. 4. Reach more local persons. 5. Exchange plans and ideas. 6. Urge quarterly quota payments. The following churches were not represented: Lloyd, Cherry Street, Graham, Groveland, Thomasville and Mebanje. Mrs. Sullivan brought greet ings from the Presbyterial. Visitors were welcomed by the President and invited to sit as corresponding members. The following were present: Rev. C. H. White, High Point; Dr. I. H. Russell, Durham; Mesdames C. H. Harris and E. W. Butle^ Durham; Mesdames Roberts and Stewart. The fo(3pwing fcJecommenda-) tions made in the executive* meeting werp offered and left; open for discussion: 1. That officers always keep in mind the things that are for the upbuilding of the district. 2. That the official group of this meeting be composed of Presidents of local societies. 3. That each society do sew ing, bring one or more articles to the district meeting and sell the other articles. All articles not sold to be given to some SUIIUU1. _ The recommendations were received and adopted. It was decided to pay .the en tire expenses of a}l officers to and from the. District Presbyte rial, if possible; if not, pay as much as could be paid. The following officers for the year 1934-35 were unanimously elected: President, Mrs. H. N. Sulli van, Lejxinjgton,; N. Ct, P. 0. Box 30. Recording and Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Cora T. Russell 411 Pine Street, Durham. ; ' • , ! ■ Treasurer, Mm. A. W. Wad dell, 219 Center Street, Lexing ton, N. C. The President appointed the following ladies to constitute the program committee: Mrs.C. L. Cooper, 1021 Lind say Street, Greensboro. Mrs, J. H. Biggs, 408 Beach Street, Greensboro. Mrs; D. H. McNair, 429 East Washington Street, Greensbo ro. Mrs. J. E. Avant, 305 Pine Street, Durham. Mrs. H. N. Sullivan, P. Q, Box 30, Lexington. « was decided that each local society si. Vi each year give $3.65 or to the Efland Home for Delinquent Girls and that this amount be sent to the Presbyterial Treasurer, Mrs. W. P. Donnell, Mebane, N. C. The second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day, was suggested as a good time to raise this fund. The Yadkin Central Presby terial will meet eaeh year the second Friday in July. Rev. C. H. White, of High Point, offered the closing pray er. The delegates and visitors were served an elaborate two course dinner by the Missionary' Society of Pine Street church at 5 o’clock. All enjoyed the dinner and expressed their ap preciation by giving several yells of praise. Friday evening at 8 o’clock the meeting was called to or der by the President. Mrs. H. N. Sullivf n. The following pro gram was rendered: Music was furnished by the Pine Street and the Groveland choirs. Prayer — Dr, Avant, Dur ham. Solo—Mrs. C. H. Hayswood, Durham. Welcome Address — Mrs. J. E. Avant, Durham. Response — Mrs. R. E. Mc Nair, Synodical President, Greensboro. Music. Greetings — •' Mil. C. ~C. Spaulding, President North Carolina Mutual Insurance Co. Solo — Mrs. E. B. Meares, (Continued on page 4) ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN BOOSTS N. A. A. C. P. MEMBERSHIP New York, July 5.—A sur prising increase in membership nas already resulted from the ijationwide 25th Anniveiswry Campaign of the National Association for the Advancer" ment of Colored People, it was announced from that office to day. For the first six months of 1934, the number of branch es of the Association has grown from 374 to 390, an increase of 16. The number of branches in process of or ganization is 10. Hie number of inquiries received in regard to organization of branches in the past six month is 68. N. A. A. C. P. officials also attributed no small part of the increase to the intense discus sion of segregation which in stead of splitting the organiza tion as predicted in some quar ters, has aroused militant Negroes in all parts of the country to renewed determina tion to fight more vigorously all , formsm of segregation and dis crimination. It is also pointed out that the 1 Association’s Penny A Negro Campaign for $120,000, or one ! cent for every Negro in the ’ United States, has resulted in reaching areas hitherto dor mant or largely untouched, par ticularly in the South, winning the cooperation and support of l clubs, societies, fratternitiefe, , churches and individuals in a most gratifying manner.
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 12, 1934, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75