Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / Oct. 3, 1935, edition 1 / Page 1
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SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.-John viii:82. mn. LEARNED SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA — OUTSTANDING FEATURES By Dr. Thomas A. Long, Johnson C. Smith University Part II Perhaps the most valuable program of the week from an educational view point was the symposium of Hebrew, Byzan tine, Gregorian and Russian mu sic at the Juilliard School of Music Auditorium. It is difficult even to I imagine finding else where than in New York schol ars and choirs capable of such remarkably fine performances. Lazar Saminsky, of Temple Emanu-El, gave a brief lecture on the links between • ancient Hebrew and early Christian mu sic, and then illustrated with a small choir possessing a thrill nig vibrant tone, singing anti phonally with the wonderful bass of Cantor Rudinow. Excel lent accompaniments were played by Gottfried H. Fender lein. Christos Vrienides with four other male singers sang several numbers of Byzantine music, with, its interesting use oi drone, jits beautiful embellish ment and its remarkable rhyth mic vitality. , The Gregorian Chants were sung by a large choir of girls of the Pius X School of Liturgi cal Music College of the Sacred Heart, New York, trained by Mother G. Stevens and directed by the talented Julia Sampson. The eight numbers were dis cretely accompanied by Achille Bragero, witlf charming inter ludes, showed as pure, unforced and beautifully rhythmical a tone aq the writer has ■ ever heard. It was a tone true, suf ficiently-varied and of angelic quality and freshness. As a finale, there was a brace of five familiar Russian num bers, sung unaccompanied by nineteen members of the Rus sian Symphonic Choir, under their famous director, Basile Kibalchjph. - After the plain-chant with its long drawn out monotone, though lovely flow, it was inter esting to contrast the resource ful harmony and dynamic ac centuation of the Russians. Sofne of the numbers, such as 1 Lvov’s “Last Supper,” had a splendor of tone and a variety i of effect that only Russians I seem to achieve. . E. Powers Biggs gave as a postlude a vigorous interpreta tion of the first movement from Jepson’s new “Third Sonata.” Later at Columbia Univer sity, the Choir of the Pius School of Liturgical Music gave a pro gram of Gregorian Music—per fect; in form, enunciation and harmonic blend. - The last of the three services for mixed choirs was held in St. Bartholomew’s church. Eve ry available seat in this mag nificent temple of worship was filled. The participating choirs under the direction of Dr. David McK. Wililams of St. Bartholo were St. Bartholomew, mew. Madison Avenue Presbyterian, Seth Bingham organist and Choirmaster; the Riverside church, Dr. Harold V. Milligan in charge; the Second Presbyte rian, Hugh Porter, organist; and the Church of the Saviour, Brooklyn, Morris Watkins, or ganist Honors were shared by Dr. Williams, Leo Sowerby and Seth Bingham with their com positions. The high spot of the service was; undoubtedly, Dr. Williams’ anthem, -- “Darest Thou Now, O Soul.” It was mod ern music at its best. The great audience sang the familiar hymns in a manner that was at once thrilling. The postlude, played by Hugh Porter, Seth Bingham’s Prelude and Fugue in C minor, was splendid work. The combined choirs formed a great ensemble, singing with abandon and perfect enuncia tion. The fine Skinner organ blended most pleasingly in the choral effectiveness. It was a beautiful service, as well as an interesting one, worshipful and reverent to the last detail. The organ in combination with various other instruments was given in a program at St. George’s Church on the closing day. Several artists played vio lin, harp, flute and 'cello, with George W. Volkel at the large Austin organ. There was excel lent balance in the registration, and the blend with the instru ments was exceptionally good. Outstanding numbers were: Adagio and Presto, Bach; Min uet, Debussey; The Rhineberger rheme and Variations and a Sarabande by Le Clair. The linal number was an exquisite performance of Handel’s Tenth Concerto by Mr, Volkel, in which rhythm, precision and musical feeling pervaded the playing. The entire program was novel and refreshing and proved a great success in that it was a pleasing change ■ in type. Lectures Some among the lecturers were Samuel A. Baldwin, T. Ter tius Noble. Frank Wright the Warden, Charles Henry Doer sam, Seth Bingham, Uselma Smith, H. C. Dunklee, Walter Henry Hall, Huntingdon Wood man, N. Lindsay Nordon, Hugh Ross, Thompson Stone, Frank ‘E. Ward, H. W. Gray, Ernest M. Skinner, Harvey B Gaul, Wm. H. Barnes, Arthur J. Thompson,, Senator Emerson L. Richards, J. B. Jamison (Aus tin Organ). Clarence Dickinson, S. E. Greunstein, Editor of “The Diapason.” Some among the subjects were: Code of Ethics, Console Standardization, Problem of Ac coustics, Balanced Program of Church Music, High Scholastic Standards Necessary, etc. The H. W. Gray Company prize of $100 for the best an them was awarded Porter Heaps, of Chicago. The title of the anthem is “A Thanksgiving for All Created Things,” and is a setting of words by St. Fran cis of Assisi. rugrimages To great organs, viz.: Cathe dral of St. John the Divine (Skinner), Amsterdam Avenue and Cathedral Parkway; River side church (Hook and Has tings) , Riverside Drive at 122nd Street; First Presbyterian church (Skinner), Fifth Avenue at 12th Street; Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church (Skinner), Fifth Avenue at 55th St.; St. [Patrick Cathedral (Kilgen), Fifth Avenue at 50th Street; Temple Emanu-El (Cassavant), Fifth Avenue at 61st Street; St. Bartholomew (Skinner), Park Avenue at 51st Street; St. George’s church (Austin), Stuyvesant Square at 16th St.; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (Moller) Park Avenue at 50th St. Closed With Banquet A brilliant scene, was present ed on Friday night as the Con vention came to a close with the banquet at the Hotel Astor to which 600 sat at the board. Warden Charles H. Doersam was toastmaster and presided with ease and dignity. The guests of honor were Mayor F. H. LaGuardia and.Dr. Wal lace Goodrich, Director of the New England Conservatory of Music. He said that the organ is the king of instruments but its royalty is in the hands of the performers. Dr. Goodrich gave high praise to the Warden, C. H. Doersam, as a man of sterling qualities and fine char acter. Mayor LaGuardia spoke of his proposed' high school for music and said that art is a ne cessity and. not a luxury. The Downtowhers’ Quartet, three of whose members were at one time boy sopranos at Trinity church, entertained with songs. Marie Andrews/ noted composer, gave some of his in imitable pianologues. Warden Doersam responded facetiously to the addresses* Hie banquet was a resplendent climax, the last word in appointment, to the largest and most successful con* vention the Guild has had with New York as host. All were loud in praise of Charles H. Do ersam, of Columbia University, and his inspiration, Mrs. Doer sam, and all -his associates for the very line work accomplished this year and the happy frui tion in the New York meeting; The only colored members of the Guild present were: Harry r. Burleigh, the composer, Mis Carlette C. Thomas, Edward Margetson, all of New York, and Thomas A. Long, of John son C. Smith University, Char lotte, N. C. BALTIMORE COUNTY CITI ZENS ASK FOR HIGH SCHOOLS Baltimore, Oct. 4.—In a sec-j ond assault upon unequal school facilities in Maryland, colored citizens of Baltimore County are carrying forward a campaign to secure high school facilities for the hundreds of colored children who are now forced to go to the city of Baltimre for high school work. Baltimore County has five white high schools but not a single. Negro high school. The first fight for equality in school facilities was the Murray case, m which a court action finally forced the'University of Mary land Law School to admit a col ored student. The case is now on appeal and will not be heard by the higher const before Novem ^ Jn ^ Jneantime, Murray was permitted to register in the law school September 25 and is reported to be enjoying cordial relations With his instructors and fellow students. There have been no disturbances of any na ture. In the fight for high schools a much larger section of thef population is directly affected. Negroes have for years peti tioned the authorities of Balti more .County for a Negro high school, but their petitions have been ignored as impractical. In stead the county pays the tui tion for a selected few Negro students in the Baltimore City high school. However, there is never enough tuition money to provide for all the Negro chil dren graduating from the coun ty graded schools. In fact, the usual practice in the county is to permit only a certain number of Negroes to pass the exami nation to go to Baltimore to school. As a preliminary move to force open the whole - question of high school inequality, two colored children made applica tion to one of the white high schools of the county and were denied admission by the princi pal. Thurgood Marshall, an attor ney acting for the National As sociation for the Advancement of Colored People in Maryland, has announced that unless high school facilities are afforded Negroes in Baltimore County he will file a suit to compel the Maryland County Board of Ed ucation to receive colored pu pils into the white high school. It is recognized by both white and colored people here that this sort of legal action is for the purpose only of securing high school education for Ne groes and is not to be construed as a movement having for its ultimate object the forcing of Negro pupils into white high schools. “It is my idea to force the county fto make provision for colored children of high school age,” said Marshall. “At pres ent our children must go to Bal timore to receive education above that of the public schools. Out of 128 who took examina tions for high school entrance, only sixty-four were allowed to pass this year. We intend to file a suit at Towson to compel the Baltimore Couhty Board of Ed ucation to receive children of our race into the high schools. Also we will go into court \to fight for; the building of a col ored high school in the county.’’ UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA ASKER JX) STATE ALL REA SONS FOR REJECTING NEGRO GIRL Richmond, Va., October 4.—• The University of Virginia whose bfard of visitors recently rejected the application of Miss Alice C| Jackson, of this city, for admission to its graduate school, was asked by Miss Jack-’ son this'week to furnish her ail the reasons for her rejection. At the time her application was tuified down, the board of visitors Issued a statement lay ing that the action was taken because Ut was contrary to the custom Of the State of Virginia to educate colored and white persons In the same schools, and “for other good and sufficient reasons not necessary to be herein enumerated.” Miss Jack son is requesting that the other “good and sufficient reasons” for the rejection be itemized. The present application of Miss Jackson, which has aroused intense Interest in the State of Virginia, was made because she desired to pursue graduate work id French and the State of Vir ginia does not provide any grad uate school where Negro stu dents may secure advanced training in the arts and scienc es and professions. Miss Jack son is a graduate of Virginia Union University here and has done some work at Smith Col lege in; Northampton, Mass. Ttfi'oa «TT«i her family have requested advice and as= sistance from the National As sociation for .the Advancement of Colored People. -CHOOSING CHRIST PRO GRAM GUIDE “Choosing Christ in All of Life” is the title of a new book let of the International Society of Christian Endeavor, which tells the story of the. thirty fifth International Christian Endeavor Convention, held in Philadelphia in July. Published on October 1, “Choosing Christ in All of Life” has two important functions. It provides in condensed form an illustrated account of the Phil adelphia sessions, with inform ation concerning actions taken in the great gathering. In addi tion the forward {program yof “We Choose Christ” which will be emphasized in young people’s societies, churches and commu nity unions in the ‘ next two years. The material presented for this purpose is taken from addresses and conference pro ceedings of the convention. The program guide is sold at 35 cents, postpaid when ordered from the International Society of Christian Endeavor, 41 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston, Mass., or denominational book stores and headquarters. WHOSE CONSTITUTION (From the Washington Daily News, October 1, 1935.) News dispatches from Geor gia, reporting that a Negro, ar rested . for drunkenness, was taken away from a sheriff and lynched by a mob, call to mind that Georgia is ruled by a gov ernor who has gone about the country in. recent months tell ing the people how highly hr respects the Constitution. Which also calls to mind that the Con stitution, among other things, guarantees that no man shall be deprived of life without due pro cess of law.' It will be interesting to note whether Governor Talmage will be as vehement in deeds, as he is in words, in defense of Hie Constitution. t • -. UNION # m NEGRO METHODIST CHURCHES By Dr. Kelly Miller A denomination is » body of ] Christians united by a common i faith and form of worship and ] discipline, 'there are over two , hundred denominations of j Christians \ differentiated by creed or ritual. I The Methodist Episcopal < Churcn was organized oy Jonn j Wesley in America in 1784. j Since then it has split into six i separate denominations— three wnite and three colored. The I proposal to unite the three white bodies is now receiving wide discussion. The A. M. E. and the A. M; E. 1 Z. denominations split off from the parent body at about the same time and for practically the same reason—race preju dice. The G. M. E. was later set apart by the M. E. Church South. There never has been any creedal or ritual difference in these Negro denominations. These three denominations co pied their confession of faith and form of worship from the Mother Church. , 1 remember the first time that I saw Dr. Price, President of Livingstone College, was in 1881 when he was visiting Washing ton as a member of a commis sion to consolidate these de noi.^aations. I recall that he ex pressed the hope that the union would take place as the result of the pending deliberations. For more than fifty years there has been repeated effort to bring about this result, but all with out" success. There never has been, .and is not now, any reas - denominations should not unite accept the prac tical difficulty of ecclesiastical Consolidation. Experience shows that it is exceedingly difficult to have separate church organ izations, of the same faith and order, united into one congre gation with one set of officers, purely for reasons of ecclesi astical and personal jealousy. Neither congregation is willing to give up its own name, pastor and set of officers. One often finds several struggling congre gations of the same denomina tion in a given community, whereas, if they were con solidated into one organ ization the work of the Master could be carried on with half the expense and thrice the efficiency. But human nr ture, with its petty jealousies and narrow prepossessions, is a stubborn force which must be reckoned with in all practical dealings. These denominations for many years have been op erating in the same field and among the same class of people. Each of them is ambitious to cover the entire Negro race; but the field is imperfectly cov ered and too often the work is inefficiently done. Poor congre gations and poorly prepared ministers are struggling as best they can in the spirit of rival ry rather than Christian union and cooperation. It is pathetic to go through a small town and see a littje A. M. E. Z. church on one corner, an A. M. E. on the other and a C. M. E. on still | another, whose combined con gregations could barely support a competent minister and carry on up-to-date church activities. If there were any reasonable hope or promise for growth or enlargement in the early future, this wasteful duplication of ef fort might not be so inexcusa ble. But for the past thirty or forty years neither of these de nominations has very greatly augmented its membership. In the large cities the membership - of each denomination is concen trated in a few large church i es with little or no promise of ! church extension. I doubt , whether there are many more : Negro Methodists in Washing ton today than there were when came to the city fifty-five reafa ago. Whatever increase nay have taken place has aris sn from immigration rather han by fresh recruits. It is pathetic to say that hese churches are waning rath >r than waxing as potent reli gious and social factors in the ife of the race. There is need >f fresh impulse and incentive. Chis, it seems, might well be >rought about by the union of he three bodies into one solid phalanx: of Christian endeavor. Where there are no doctrinal inferences, nothing but ecclesi astical pride and jealousy can teep denominations apart. Nat urally enough, each church has i number of ambitious men for he higher orders and is zealous to retain its traditional name. Consolidation means devising a new name, reduction in the num ber of bishops and general offi cers. No candidate wants the door of hope closed in his face by consolidation. The consolida tion of denominational schools, colleges a,nd other properties ought not to occasion any insu perable difficulty. >> This is a strategic moment for such consolidation to take place. It so happens that there are a number of vacancies on the bench in the three bodies and funds are not sufficient to pay the full staff of general of ficers. Should these denomina tions be willing to forego any further election of bishops or general officers for the next two or three General Conferenc es, the number would materially reduce itself to the requirements of the Consolidated Church and funds would 'be adequate for proper compensation. By effecting such a union at this time, Negro Methodists would present to their white co-religionists a noble, example in Christian brotherhood and unity. The three white Method jist bodies are tied up in a tan gle over what to do with the Negro membership in their household of faith. They confess their lack of the sufficiency of grace to assimilate them into one Christian fellowship with themselves and are confronted with the embarrassment of set ting them apart in a semi-sepa rate ecclesiastical body. The -vhite Christian is perfectly will ing to accept the colored mem-, ber on tjie basis of brotherhood but not of fellowship. It is re served for the Negro Method ist to point out the way ,of Christian union among all peo ples of the same faith and or der. Let us hope that this long deferred consolidation will be speedily brought to pass. When this has been accomplished, the colored members of the Mother Methodist Episcopal Church, however they may be adjusted in the meantime by the exigen cies of race prejudice within the parent body, will in all prob ability find it easy and agreea ble to unite with their colored brethren in consolidated Negro Methodism. Ideally, all Methodists should unite in one body without re gard to race or color, but the practical will precede the ideal. The Negro must become one with himself before he1 can reasonably hope to become one with his white brethren. In 1882 Miss Clara Barton or ganized the Red Cross Society in America; it has played an ac tive part in caring for the sick and wounded in war and the dis tressed in time of peace. These hospitals have created a profession that has become in dispensable. The first ten years of struggling and well-sought efforts in the profession was the result of twenty-two training schools.—The Sanatorium Sun.
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Oct. 3, 1935, edition 1
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