North Carolina Newspapers

CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY. JULY 21, 1938. no.; 29. BEHIND THE DYKES OF THE FUNT RIVER By Dr. C. E. Tucker Behind the dykes of the Flint river, lies the Georgia Normal and Agricultural College, which we were delighted with the privilege of recently visiting „ and of having a small part in the closing sessions of its sum mer school. The Director of Instruction was Prof. R. E. Lee, A. M., the Registrar and College Dean of Swift Memorial College, and he had under him twenty or more instructors—all of whom held advanced degrees. There were in attendance four or five hun dred teachers from the differ ent counties in the State. This institution, we learned, has a very interesting history. Some thirty years ago, we were told, Dr. J. W. Holley, with the aid of a Northern white friend, organized at Albany what he called a Bible Training School for Negroes, because at that time this was the only kind of school it was safe to attempt to organize for Negroes in that part of Georgia. For, while the Southern white man opposed giving the Negro higher educa tion, he has never opposed giv ing the Negro religion. The Bible Training School, organized under the circum stances mentioned, for awhile went over in a big way. And much good was accomplished, reflecting credit upon its or ganizer. But the prejudice which, at first, tolerated it, in the course of time, passed to such extent that there was an insistent demand for its en largement and reorganization. This demand was acceded to,— both local and State aid being . given. The reorganized school, during the years, has reached a high degree of efficiency and, xoaay, ’Zs xjtig or wxe laumz pop ular institutions of tlie State. There are seven substantial brick buildings on the campus, arranged and constructed on a plan which pleases the eye, and about which are ample, dry, clean and well-kept grounds with beautiful shrubbery and moss-hanging trees. All of these buildings save one, which is the gift of the State, are a monument not only to the gen ius but to the struggles and labors of Dr. Holley. The Dormitories are well furnished and finished, and the rooms are large enough to give the students who occupy them a fair chance for good health. The Administration Building not only provides ample and convenient rooms for adminis trative purposes, but also large, well-lighted and ventilated class rooms for the different depart ments of instruction, and these are all 'equipped with the latest modem equipment and appli ances. There is also on the campus a Training School, which easily represents the last word in construction a(nd equipment. No pains have been spared in making this building and the departments of Home Econom ics the most outstanding on the ■f campus. The Library is a beautiful, two-winged building, which will accommodate about two hun dred. It was a place of busy activity during the summer V school. \ The Dining Hall stands in lonely grandeur, as command ing as it is beautiful, both in side and outside. Now to a word about the President. And what shall it be? What is the secret of his success? What shall we say? For as the appearance of the landscape changes with the light which falls upon it, so does the character of men as sume a different aspect in the eye of the beholder according to his point of observation, and the means he has of forming an impartial judgment. This being true, it is not easy to write of one so extensively and favorably known as Dr: Holley, a man who has been before the public as an educator over a quarter of a century and whom the public has learned not-only to respect but also to admire for wide reading and intimate acquaintance .with men and measures. But we have known Dr. Hol ley many years and have been associated with him on various occasions. Let us give our ac count of him and present his picture from the point of our observation and contact; and, doing so, the things which, in our judgment, have contributed to the remarkable success of Dr. Holley as an educator and a builder: First, we should say, is a high order of natural ability with a habit of thoroughness and a capacity for hard work that is rarely equalled. Second, we should place his sturdy independence. There is not a grain of time-serving in the make-up of Dr. Holley. Con vinced that a thing ought to be done, and time for action has come, he will set to work re gardless of consequences. In this way he has often accom plished what to more timid souls would have been impos sible, and under his aggressive leadership many a battle has been fought and won where odds seemed to be against him. Third, we should put his good judgment, tact, and dis cretion. Dr. Holley is no vis ionary dreamer, but, as his ca reer shows him to be, above all things, a practical man. Fourth, as there are few worthwhile things accomplish ed in this life in which there is not a woman, we should place the amiable and cultured wife of Dr. Holley as the power be hind and on. the throne. past, as; President Holley has a rare faculty of making friends wherever he goes, and equipped as he is with the power to in spire and mould those who work under and with him, we predict for the Georgia Normal and Agricultural College a bright future. GRADUATING EXERCISES AT FORT VALLEY, GA. The graduating exercises of the Fort Valley Normal and Industrial School came up to the usual standard of interest and excellence. The sermon to the class was preached by the Rev. W. H. Marshall, the re tired chaplain, who so long and so well served the school as both teacher and chaplain. He chose for his theme “Going Forward,” which was replete with inspiring injunctions based upon his long experience and wide observation. The address to the graduates on Thursday night was deliver ed by Mr. L. M. Lester, As sistant State Director of the Division of Negro Education. Mr. Lester’s address showed that he is more than an official; that he is also a sound educa tor. He spoke on what lies ahead of us in the State of Georgia especially. He ex plained how a great change is taking place in Georgia that is affecting both the material and the human resources in the State; and he said that it is the privilege of teachers to deter mine largely what change shall be made in the human resources, which in turn will affect the material resources. He thought that we should think first of changing individuals before we attack the problems of living, because it is the individual who must solve those problems. There were in all sixty grad uates, each of'whom was called by name by Mr. L. R. Simms, the director of the Summer School, as each came forward to get her diploma. The en rollment this summer reached a total of 438. It would be hard to find a more happy group anywhere than these summer students, although they were right down to the business of study this summer more than ever before. TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVER SARY OF REV. R. Z. BEATTY AS A MINISTER By Madge McClary The twenty-fifth anniversa ry of the Reverend R. Z< Beat ty as a minister was held at Woodland Presbyterian church of Paw Creek, N. C., during the week of July 4-10. It was a week of old-time preach ing by the best ministers of several denominations. Monday night, July 4th, Reverend Edward McGrue de livered a sermon which was beneficial to all. His text was Psalm 92:12, “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.” Tuesday night, July 5th, Rev. A. P. Corley, D. D., select ed as his text Luke 19:13, “Oc cupy till I come.” v Wednesday night, July 6th, Rev. J. H. Gamble delivered a soul-stirring message from John 5:25, taking for his sub ject, “Search the Scripture.” Thursday night, July 7th Rev. Stewart chose “Obedience” for his subject which was tak en from John 2:5. On Friday night, July 8th, other soul-stirring sermon was delivered by Rev. Davidson, a Baptist minister. Sunday afternoon, July 10, Rev. W.'A. Blackwell, D. D., of Charlotte, gave a splendid ser mon. The following captains were appointed for the different nights to look after the finance: Monday night—Mrs. R. Z. Beatty and Mr. Will Watt. Of fering, $15.03. Tuesday night—Mr. and Mrs. I. D. Fox. Offering $10. Wednesday night—Mrs. Rog ers McDonald and Mr. Irby McDonald. Offering, $6.10. Thursday night, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Sadler. Offering, Friday night—Mrs. John McClary and Mr. Edward Mc Clary. Offering, $10.12. The offering Sunday after noon was $2.51. The amount of money raised during the an niversary was $49.45. Sunday morning service was conducted by Rev. R. Z. Beatty. The collections for the different meetings were: Christian En deavor, 44c; Sunday school, $6.54; regular collection, $10; Sunday night, $3.31. The total Sunday collections was $22.80. The anniversary ended Sun day night, July 10, with several talks from persons who were members of the church before Rev. Beatty became pastor. Talks were made by Mrs. Alice Powell, Mrs. R. Z. Beatty, Mr. Irby McDonald, and others, which brought the anniversary to a close. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY “Every Presbyterian student should be told of the importance of the Sesquicentennial Fund for Christian Education” writes Rev. William Upton Guerrant, university pastor at Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kan sas. “If education is not in some way made more Chris tian we shall soon face a bank rupt national life, a disinte grating home life, a decadent church life, atnd an immoral and spineless individual life. The great purpose of the Ses quicentennial (Fund for Chris tian Education is to stabilize the financial condition of 53 Presbyterian colleges and 52 Presbyterian centers at uni versities, which, to Presbyteri ans, are the two most import ant agencies for ,the develops ment of Christian leadership for the church and the nation.” Not only every Presbyterian student, but every Presbyteri an will have an opportunity to be told of the Sesquicentennial Fund, for October 30 is to be observed throughout the Church as Sesquicentennial Sunday for Christian Education. While sermon material, an illustrated leaflet for distribution and a church calendar will not be available until the first week of September, it is not too early to plan now for the successful observance of the day.' I WHY NOT A THIRD TERM FOR FRANIOiN D. ROOSEVELT? I •-■ By DR. KELLY MILLER Will Franklin D. Roosevelt 5chosen for a third term? the answer in the stars, for mortals do not know.” No ident knows at the middle of his term whether or not he ill stand for re-nomination, ither for a second or a third His political mind is not s own but is controlled by po litical eventualities. With the political horoscope he must con sult the conjunction of the planets in the political heavens. Hypothecating good health, the decision whether to run or not to run is dictated by the welfare of his country and the exigencies of his party. Pres ident Roosevelt has made the £§ew Deal the ideal of Ameri f democracy and the object of the nation’s political and economic program. His success id formulating a new doctrine and his ability to impress it u|M)n the nation as a program ov practical action stamps him a| the greatest political genius ol this generation. Having tak en holg of the plow of this po litical and economic gospel, he dares not look backward. He is the only American with the ragged individuality, intrepid ity and courage to push this proposition to full fruition. So long as the ultimate success or failure of the New Deal hinges u$dh his leadership he is in duty and honor bound to keep the reins in his own hands. If within the next two years, prior to the nominating con ventions, a. lieutenant emerges upon whose shoulders he can safely transfer the mantle of < <undqubt >y bei gi&di * ■/relieved fof this burden. But so far no such leader looms above the horizon with the requisite grasp, power and personality. He must for a while longer bear the cross alone, for, in the popular esti mation, besides him there is no other. The American people are ir revocably committed to a pro gram of liberalism. Conserva tism and reaction have been thoroughly discredited as be longing to the “horse and bug gy age.” President Hoover, the apotheosis of conservatism, is most highly honored and re spected as an ancient and hon orable statesman of the days gone by. Franklin D. Roose velt is without a doubt the most dynamic liberal and con structive statesman since An drew Jackson. This can be said with all due respect to Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who laid the foundation upon which Roosevelt erects his sup erstructure. Dr. Glenn Frank, Chairman of the National Re publican Policy-Making Com mittee, has frankly declared himself a “Reluctant Rebel” against the New Deal. In sub stance, both parties effect to endorse liberalism, of which Franklin D. Roosevelt is the most conspicuous exponent. Unless conditions vitally change within the next two years the liberal sentiment of the nation will demand the re-nomination and re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, regardless of parti san affiliation. The bug-bear of the third term tradition has no terror for the genuine lib eral. The example of George Washington in declining a third term has lost its sacrosanctityi There was genuine reason why George Washington should have refused the proffer of a third term, but no such reason ex ists today. At that time there was genuine danger of a life tenure of the President, which the sanction of the august per sonality of the father of his country might have made a part of the Constitutional pro cedure more binding than the Constitution itself. But after the lapse of one hundred and fifty years the American people feel perfectly free to elect a man best calculated to promote the national welfare, regardless of the third term tradition. There was no national necessity for Washington’s election for a third term. His continuance in office would not have settled the issue between Jefferson and Hamilton, which continues as the divisive political principles down to the present day. The third term tradition doubtless would have been brok en had Abraham Lincoln not fallen victim to the assassin’s bullet and if the issues growing out of the Civil War had re mained unsettled at the time of the election in 1867. Theodore Roosevelt would have been re-nominated and re elected for a-third term had he not misplaced confidence in his lieutenant, William Howard Taft, to carry on and carry out his progressive policies. But even so his defeat in 1912 was due rather to the fact that he bolted his party and did not al low himself sufficient time to perfect his new political organ ization, rather than to the hob goblin of a third term. Had Woodrow Wilson’s health not broken down in the midst of his second term, he doubt less would have been nominated and elected for a third term, with commission from the peo ple to bring the United States into the League of Nations. Never before in the history of American politics had the con tinuance of a President in of fice for a third term been so clearly demanded by political, economic and social conditions. President Roosevelt has as tight a grasp upon our foreign Ms upon out- domestic problems. Should present forebodings lead this nation into war the captaincy must needs continue in his hands. For the homely philosophy of Abraham Lincoln still holds good, “It is dangerous to swap horses in the middle of the creek.” Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only American President whose third term is demanded by the trend of events. From the present posture of political and economic affairs, it is a safe venture to predict that if the Presidential election were held today instead of 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt would be chosen for a third term by an impress ive majority comparable with that'which he received for his first and second terms. But who dares predict what changes the two intervening years may bring forth? So far as the colored voters are concerned they are as large ly in favor of Roosevelt's re election as they were in 1932 and 1936. DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT MOCKSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA By Eva L. Long The 12th session of the Daily Vacation Bible School conduct ed by the Second Presbyterian church of Mocksville, N. C., closed June 24, after two weeks of successfud operation. Al though the past Vacation Bible School studies have been well carried out there, this year they were equalled and sur passed. The session followed the usu al program except that the school was more of a commu nity one in that the officials and pastors of the sister churches assisted Dr. L. M. Onque (pas tor of the Presbyterian church) in putting the program over. With an enrollment of forty seven studeiits, the faculty, at the closiite program, showed the parents, relatives and friends of Mocksville that their children had shown unusual in terest in the school work this year. This was done through contributions made by each class. On exhibition, the girls displayed beautiful handiwork in dresses and lovely hand « made aprons and scarfs. Their skill in painting was revekled when one glimpsed the designs painted on various shaped and sized bottles, which made beau tiful vases. The boys’ skill in craftsmanship was well rated in their exhibition of dumps, oil and motor trucks made from tin cans. the following is a list of the faculty, and classes taught by each: Rev. L. M. Onque, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian church, superintendent. Rev. Stewart, pastor of the A. M. E. Zion church, was assistant of Dr. Onque, and taught the senior group. He also conduct ed the recreational period. Rev. R. A. Smith, pastor of the Beth any and Ardmore churches, as sisted Rev. Stewart. Dr. E. L.' Evans, superintendent of the Presbyterian Sujnday-school, conducted the studies of the intermediate department. Mrs. Syvella Hanes, (Pres byterian) was the talented in structor of the Junior division. Miss Ivey Nell Gaither, (Meth odist) assisted Mrs. Hanes beautifully. Mrs. Alma Dulin (Methodist) was the efficient instructor of the Primary and Beginners de partments. Mrs. Lillian Cain, (Baptist) proved a talented as sistant to Mrs. Dulin. Miss Margaret V. Woodruff, (Presbyterian) organist of the church, worked splendidly as music and program director. Miss Eva L. Long (Presbyteri an), student of Barber-Scotia College, assisted Miss Wood ruff. The Vacation Bible School closed with a lovely picnic at the beautiful Sanford Pond the morning and afternoon of June 24th, and that evening the final program was rendered, at which Rev. R. A. Smith was speaker. The thirteenth annual Inter denominational Vacation Bible School of the Phyllis Wheatley Center, Greenville, South Caro lina, was held June 13-24. Rev. William Calvin Strother, Jr., pastor of the St. Andrews Methodist Episcopal church, Greenville, was Principal. The Rev. E. L. McAdams, minister of the Mattoon Presbyterian church, Greenville, was Assist ant Principal. The school was conducted on the departmental plan. Misses Laura Watson and Mary Lykes were in charge of the music. Bible Expression was conducted by Misses Lois Brooks, Mary F. Cureton and Frances Will iams; Bible Stories, Misses G. Chapman, Sadie Mae Smith and Marguerite Sewell; Handwork, Misses A. J. Cary, Fannie Stewart, Annie Brockman and Mamie Gambrell. The Begin nersi were supervised by Mrs. Emma Wilson Strother. The A. A. Thompson, Sabbath School Missionary for McClel land Presbytery, was in charge of the recreational period. The enrollment was two hun dred and two with an average8 attendance of one hundred six ty. Seventeen church schools were represented. . Each day at the closing pe riod, special features were offer ed by various persons in the community. Among the many visitors present throughout the session was Miss Annie Hall, a returned Missionary from Afri ac- She gave an interesting talk on her work in Africa. The commencement program was held in the auditorium of the Center on June 24. Imme diately following the closing program, the children were taken on a picnic, a few miles beyond the city limit to the picnic grounds of the Laurel Creek M. E., church. One hun dred seventy children enjoyed a real outing. . Too much praise cannot be given to Mrs. Hattie Duckett, Supt. of the Center, for her splendid co-operation in help ing to make the school a suc cessful one. REPORTER. More people are leaning on the government than ever be fore.