AND YE IhALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE tY, MAY 16, 1935, VOL. LVI. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - CINCINNATI, OHIO, MAY 24. (Report made up from The General Assembly Daily News, and other sources.) Wuh the dignity and im pressiveness tnat have cnarac ieuze<i the opening of the •t'res oylenan uneeral Assembly eacn year ior nearly a century anu ft naif, tne i4/tn general as sembly began its sessions at iu:ou o ciocic yesterday morn ing, May 23, in the Taft Audi torium, Cincinnati, me open ing session was a service of wor ship, of communion and of tne pl eaching of the Word. The delegates and the visitors began to arrive early at Tafi. Auditorium and by 9:00 A. M. the looby was jammed. Slowly vney filtered into the auditori um and when Ur. Covert opened tne Assembly at i0:30 A. M., there was scarcely an available seat. The delegates have come from all parts of the United States and from foreign countries. There are missionaries from Yucatan and the Near and Far East, nurses and doctors from India and other parts )of ,the world. preceding a celebration of the Lord’s Supper marked by a silence that in itself was an in spiration to the 920 commission ers and the hundreds of visitors, the opening’ sermon was preached by the retiring Mod erator, the Rev. Dr. William Chalmers Covert of the Presby tery of Chicago. Dr. Covert’? subject was: “Apostolic Re^ui a’tes for . a Prevailing Churcn, and the Scripture texts were: “The Word of Cod grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24); “And (Acts 2:47.) sacrament s«rv*a On the stage as the Assem bly opened, were 80 elders of the Church and almost as many ministers to aid in the solemn Sacrament of the Lord’s Sup per, which followed Dr. Cov ert’s sermon. At the front of the platform, flanking the speaker’s stand, were long tables, glistening m white napery and with the sil very service of the Sacrament. The Sacrament was served to the approximately 2,400 persons in the auditorium in half an hour by means of the well drilled corps of elders. They were stationed at various parts of the auditorium and carried the Sacrament to the commun icants. The audience stilled to an in tense quietude as Dr. Covert be gan his address. Obstacles Compared The obstacles faced by the Church today were compared by Dr. Covert with thos? faced nearly 2,000 years ago by the Apostles. If they triumphed over their far greater difficul ties, he said, there was no ex cuse for failure of the present Church. “Why,” Dr. Covert asked, “do we see the Church hesitant while millions of unsaved men and women are all around us and unbelief, immorality and in temperance are honeycombing society and undermining the stability and progress of the Church?” He told his audience to hark back to the methods used by the Apostles if they would over come these conditions. “It is in us, not in the Gospel message that we shall find the explanation of that slackness and incompetency and lack of converting power that marks our preaching,” he said. “The secrets of the successes of the early church are far re moved from mechanism and programs and budgets. They were not related to fine-spun theories of faith. The Christian movement was the overflow and ! contagion of lives saturated with a vital believing in the fact of Christ as a personal Saviour.. —__God’s Word for it—when there comes upon our Church in newness of power these apostol ic gifts, then will come an apos tolic blessing.” Points to Labor of Old Today the Church has no right to claim that it faces un conquerable difficulties in the world Dr. Covert indicate!. Preachers never since have met such obstacles as the Apostles vanquished. “The message never faced a more impenetrable mass of self complacency and pride than then. It never was heaped upon with such such bitter contempt. Socially) it was never so despi cable and mockingly regarded by the elite. It never met, such depths of poverty nor such meagerness of personnel and provisions. ‘‘It was hated as blasphemy by the most religiously endowed race the world ever knew, out of whose prophetic hopes and promises it had come. The gr eatest, body of noble literature the pagan world ever produced ignored it. Prom its spirituality and ideals a haughty world turned to gross sins that, dark ened the mind, corrupted the heart and marred the manhood of the race. Yet in the face of all this, ‘The Word of God grew and multiplied/ ” The Moderator described five characteristics for the Church of 1985 to resurrect in its life today. He outlined them as fol lows* » 1. There was singing, The dreary world was waiting to be lifted on wings of song to levels of cheer and joy. Here is a great evangelistic potency that the present-day Church, facing a bitter, disillusioned generation, must invoke. “2. There was sharing. These apostolic men and women never lost their contact with the mis ery and misfortune around them. It was the moving power of a brotherhood—not the the ory or the mode of the code— that made the Apostolic Church the most magnetic unit of hu man living the world ever saw. This is an hour of strange need in our nation’s life. The nobler instincts of our brotherhood ne ver before have had such a chance to convince a desperate world of the sincerity of our faith. “3. There was healing. It was their sympathies for the sick and suffering that drew to those be lieving apostolic men and wom en an unbelieving world. The Master waits to endow with spiritual blessings His people when they lift the falling, sup port the faint, soothe the suf fering and lighten with love and hope the hour of death. “4. There was corporate pray er. There was an oneness ol spirit in that early corporate praying in which apostolic dif ferences were submerged in the great unity of desire for the saving of the world through the power of the risen Christ. The Church today, on her knees in corporate prayer for the saving of the world, must find that same apostolic oneness of spir it. “5. There was preaching. Such earnest apologetics and passion ate pleading men never heard. The fearlessness and joy with which they swept across all the frontiers of a selfish world with the gospel left men dumbfound ed.” “Will the Presbyterian Church through this significant gather ing; of her servants here,” con cluded the retiring Moderator (Continued on page 2) DESEGREGATION Br Dr. K«Jly MOer Dr. Benjamin Stolberg in a striking contribution to '"Rmi Nation” of May 15th, boldly de clares “our first duty is to fight for the complete economic, so cial and spiritual de-segregation of the American Negro.” These are fine words inspired by a no ble purpose. Dr. Stolberg is a Jew and belongs to a minority group whose circumscription is pomewhat similar, though infi nitely less galling, than that of the Negro. He indulges in the counsel of perfection with no means of putting his counsel into effect. He might as well ad vise the Germans that their first duty is to de-segregate the Jew. This counsel would but make the “Hitlerites” laugh. From the beginning of the segregation movement until now, the Negro has been the help less victim with little more re sistive power than the Jew had against, the Grotto of former days. The dominant white group, consciously or uncon sciously, came to the mind that segregation should be the policy of dealing with the Negro in matters of social or semi-social relationship. The attitude is all but universal with but a few daring individual exceptions. The Negro is merely the re cipient with little or no power to determine or resist the nature of the treatment which he is to receive. In this respect, he is befitted precisely as the Jew in Germany under the im perial decree of Hitler. All Negroes want de-segregation jas described by Stolberg but 'Sge painfully conscious of their flP ble resistive capacity against Some Negroes of the more cau tious or conservative tempera ment, have sought to make a vir tual necessity and have advocat ed the acceptance of segregation as the only practical method of racial adjustment under the prevailing circumstances. This is but a modem instance of the fox denouncing the too hign hanging grapes as sour. If the race must needs worship in sep arate churches, why not regard such churches as the ideal place to develop and practice the beauty of holiness? Theoretical ly, the Negro has denounced segregation from its incipiency with a bitter, though impotent denunciation. The late William Monroe Trotter, the uncompro mising champion of Negro equality, nailed to his mast the motto, “Segregation for Colored is the Real Permanent Damning Degradation in the U. s. A.— Fight It.” He lived, fought and died under the inspiration of this standard. The National As sociation for the Advancement of Colored People for a number cf years devoted its chief ener gies against segregation and won a signal victory in the Su preme Court of the United States. Flushed with this legal victory, and with an optimism bom of zeal rather than dispas sionate understanding, this mil itant organization declared that if given two million dollars it would destroy segregation com pletely. possessing what 1 re garded as a clearer understand ing of the deep-seated forces which lay behind segregation, 1 at the time declared that this objective could not be accom plished with ten million or even a hundred million dollars. My judgment proved the wiser as revealed by subsequent events. All of the commendable efforts put forth have nqt made a sin gle deep dent in tne side of seg regation, the N. A. A. C. P. has desisted from its dramatic op position and turned its energies into combatting other forms oi race prej’udice. Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois, who did more than anj single agency in creating th< ' spirit upon which the N. A. A (J. P. was founded, has at last convinced himself of the nope lessness of the fight and would sensibly utilize segregation since he finite he can not destroy it. Afterporty years of strenuous endeavor he has given up the quest ;for the absolute and now seeksf more immediate and practical aim. But neither the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People riot* ijjr. DuBois nor myself, nor even <Negroes of more timid principles can ever surrender to segregation in its principle. The lamb|; segregate themselves fromjthe wolves by a cautionary salutary instinct. TheTCommunists, as a militant but impotent minority, are dram atizihg the evils of segregation in order to win the Negroes to thein support. But if by any bad chaise this radical minority should find itself in a controll ing position, what assurance is there that it would or could as suage the rancor of race prej udice? * Ali Honors to Dr. stoioerg for lis noble declaration as tc the ae-segregation of the M e gro. This appeal, however, if it is tp^ he of any effectiveness whatever, must be directed to the-Iwhite race which is in the controlling position. The Negro hears these things gladly out powerlessly. It is ideally self-ev ident that if democracy is ever to come to the fulfillment of its high pretensions every vestige of segregation on account of creed, race or color must be done away with. When this na with or without law, seg e NegV; i, it belies the prki&fe mocracy. But this is the white man’s burden, albeit the Ne gro bears the hnviest brunt. Dr. Stolberg advises the .American people that, unless they de-segregate the Negro he will become a counter-revo lutionary force in the class struggle with which America is threatened. Herein Dr. Stolberg gives away the secret of the who is so solicitous ~’s welfare. HAYNES SAYS INTEGRA TION OF GROUPS IS WAY OUT Washington, D. C., May 20— There closed here today at How ard University a significant Na tional Conference on “The Po sition of the'Negro in our Na tional Economic Crisis,” held under the auspices of the Joint Committee on National Recov ery, Dr. Geo. Edmund Haynes, chairman, and John P. Davis, ex ecutive secretary, and the Social Science Division of Howard Uni versity with direction of Dr Ralph J. Bunce, of the Depart ment of Political Science. Pre siding over the sessions were Dr. Haynes, who gave the wel come address; Miss Nannie H Burroughs, of Washington; Dr A. Howard Long, Dr. Alain Locke and President Mordeca Johnson, of Howard University and Miss Elizabeth Eastman, o1 the National Board of the Y. W C. A. The program comprised pa pers and addresses surveyinj the problems of Negroes unde] the NRA and their relationshi] to the trade and labor unioi movements in industry, ant three sessions given to discus sion of Negroes in the presen farming situations especially i] the cotton States of th South. An array of fact was presented on farm tenan | conditions in the cotton belt b; i Miss Olive Stone of the Univei I 3ity of North Carolina and b representatives of the Feden ; Government’s Departments dea , ing with subsistence, hom< (Continued on page 4) CATAWBA PRISBYTERIAl By Mrs. R. Z. Beatty, Recording Secretary Theme: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” The annual meeting of the Women’s Plresbyterial Society for National and Foreign Mis sions in the FTesbytery of Ca tawba met with the Mt. Olive Fresbyterian church, R. F. O., near Charlotte, N. C., May 52, 1935. The worship period, led by Mrs. A. L. Shute, was the first order. This service was very inspiring. Mrs, Shute stressed the need of a closer relationship with the Heavenly Father, more conscientious songs and prayers that we might gam the needed strength and courage to do the work of the Master. Presbyieri al delegates took an active part. The closing prayer was offered by Rev. 0. E. Sanders. The next order of Dues ness was called by Mrs. Hallie W Mayberry, the Fresident. This was the registration of delegates by the Recording Secretary, Mrs. R. Z. Beatty. Seventy-two delegates were registered at this time. Hearty greetings from the hostess church were given by Mrs, J. Viola Grier. Response was made by Mrs. P. W. Rus s'ell. of Johnson C. Smith Uni versity church. Memories of the 1934 meet ing were given by Fresbyteriai Recording Secretary, Mrs. Beat ty. Goals achieved were related by the Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. J. H. Gamble. The goal of the year had been reached. Many had reported as recom mended by the Recording Sec retry, yet others had not. Send your repo^ Jo the^ Secretary apportionment quarterly anc promptly is the recommenda tion. Working With Our Hands. Mrs. Carrie Henry, Secretary of jNational Missions ana uve. Sea Sewing, said much had been done towards the support ot Brainerd institute during the past year, and for the year 1935 we are to support our own Bar ber-Scotia in a tangible way. “Go ye, and whatever your hands find to do, do with all your might” was the admoni tion of Mrs. Floretta Johnson, Social Service Secretary. It makes the Secretary of Lit erature happy when there is an increase in the purchasing of literature. The societies are do ing better in this respect, and yet there is much room for im provement. Mrs. H. L. McCrorey, the Stewardship Secretary, was pre sented to the Presbyterial. Mrs. McCrorey said that something definite was being done as touch ing stewardship, as it deals witfi money and possessions. Many, said she, are sacrificing ant giving of their meagre incomes for the furthering of God’s king dom. The Group Conferences oj 30 minutes were led by th< ; Young People’s Secretaries , Mrs. 0. E. Sanders, Intermedi ! ates; Mrs. F. C. Shirley, Chil dren’s Secretary; Miss Annii Chresfield, Young People’s Sec . retary; Mrs. A. H. Prince, Sec P retary of Missionary Education 1 Each group was well instructs , by the leaders and much inter l est was manifested by individ l uals. Mrs. Prince’s report on Mis t sionary Education and Studyinj j and Reading Missionary Liters , ture gave us new ideas an j courage to work harder. Let th t study be a means of prayei Prayer helps us to grow. Sh [ reported forty adult readin classes. Let us have more reac J ing campaigns. _ Miss Chresfield, in speakin ‘ for Young People's Work, aske 1 the questions : Are we doing on bit by the young people? Ai we giving them the opportunity to show to the world that they can put the job over in a bigj. fine way? Many, churches are failing in this great task. Mrs. 0. £. Sanders made a fine report for the Intermediates and at the same time offered her resignation as Secretary as she is to go to a new field soon. Her resignation was accepted witn much regret as she is a very splendid and efficient worker, and Catawba t'resbyterial was loath to give her up. Hut with the best wishes and prayers of the body, we surrendered her to Cape Fear fresbyterial. Mrs. F. C. Shirley made a fine report on Children’s Work, This report will be printed in the Africa The next order was the ap pointment of committees on next place of meeting, on me morial and on nomination of of ficers. Visitors were introduced. Dr. H. L. McCrorey was presented. As he had not' been with us in several years, he could readily see the progress made by the Presbyterial and spoke in' glow ing terms of the work and its workers. He also spoke of the growth of Mt. Olive Church. He is one of the former supplies of Mt. Olive church. Dr. L. B. West spoke in be half of the ministers, and Mrs. * Mary M. Jones for the visiting latUea. Adjournment for dinner. Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock was the worship period. Reports of local societies were heard. Twenty-two societies re ported by delegates or letters $4&25> fifteen- Yoang Heoeptea organizations reported $16.75; Biennial fee, $12.50; public of fering, $6.50. Total collection, $84.50. Mrs. W. R. Mayberry was unanimously elected by the ex ecutive body to represent Ca tawba Presbyterial which meets at Ashevlile. Working Through Our Gifts of Money. The Treasurer’s re port by Mrs. H. Wilson was sat isfactory in every way and was readily adopted. The President did not deliver her annual address as per sched ule. This was missed very much. The Committee on Next Place of Meeting accepted the invita tion from Love’s Chapel Society to meet with them next year. Mrs. N. Bell and Mrs. Esther B. White, who had served long and well as Presbyterial offi cers until their demise in March, were memorialized in a brief service led by Mrs. R. L. Moore. The Nominating Committee recommended all officers for re election with few exceptions. Mrs. Alexander was elected as Secretary of the Division of Mis sions with Mrs. R. L. Moore as Assistant Secretary. Mrs. Ber nice Richardson succeeded Mrs. : O. E. Sanders as Secretary of s Intermediates. Dr. Wilson, in an : impressive way, installed the . officers. After this there was I1 adjournment for supper. Presbyterial Officers <D N O-W! Honorary President — Mrs. ■ G. E. Davis. j President—Mrs. Hallie Q. 1 Mayberry. 1st Vice-President — Mrs. P. W. Russell. 2nd Vice-President — Mrs. " M. L. Harrison. ? 3rd Vice-President — Mrs. ' F. L. Brodie. 4th Vice-President — Mrs. ? M. J. Phifer. * 5th Vice-President — Mrs. Irma Grier. F 6th Vice-President — Mrs. Chas. H. Shute. Treasurer—Mrs. H. Wilson. Recording Secretary — Mrs. R. Z. Beatty. (Continued on page 4)

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