Africo
KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE."-^John viii:S2L
CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 1, 1938.
CATHOLIC WOMANS COLLEGE HEAD
TELLS OF LIFTING OF COLOR BAN
New York—(C)—The lifting
of the color ban at Manhattan
ville College of the Sacred
Heart is explained in detail by
Mother Dammann, President,
in a statement in the college
publication, "The Tower Post
script,” Summer number. The
decision last Spring to let down
the bars to colored girls caused
the circulation of an anony
mous letter among the college
alumni, but replies proved the
alumni to be overwhelmingly
behind the administration. The
statement by President Dam
mann reads in part:
"For some years we have
known that the racial problem
in Catholic education would
have to be met by us not in
theory only but in practice, and
we have been educating our stu
dents in the principles by which
it should be met. This Spring
for the first time a young col
ored girl who fulfils all the re
quirements applied for admis
sion to the Freshman class of
next September.
"Now what are these re
quirements? First of all, high
scholastic attainments. . . This
candidate meets our require
ments. Other students from
her high school, white girls
with the same qualifications,
would be accepted without de
mur. Would it be just to re
fuse her?
"Second, all applicants, un
less they have qualified for a
scholarship by special examina
>f tion and by proven test, must
meet the fees stated in the Bul
letin. . . . This prospective stu
dent will meet all the required
fees for a registered day stu
dent.
“Third, we have cultural re
quirements. And this is be
cause it is-impossible -to give
our type of education unless
there is well-prepared soil in
which to sow its seeds. When
we have taken studepts with a
home background in which
books are not loved, in which
truth and goodness and beau
ty, unselfishness and respect
for authority are not held in
honor—even when there has
been a certain veneer of man
ners and the material advantag
es that money gives—we have
not succeeded in developing the
/ ideal I traced for you a moment
ago.' This particular student
meets this requirement also.
Her father and mother are col
lege graduates with dignity,
tact, gentleness, good breeding
and the virtues that a devout
Catholic home life develops.
She is not coming to college to
make ‘social contacts.’ Her am
bitions are far wider and deep
er than that. She is coming
for an education that will equip
her to work for the uplifting of
her own racial group. She needs
such an education for leader
ship. We are a Catholic col
lege equipped to give it to her.
Can we in conscience refuse to
do so?
“Knowing that this' step—no
matter how just and consist
ent—would rouse some opposi
tion, we put the question be
fore the Trustees. They saw it
as a duty to be fulfilled and as
an opportunity to ‘do the truth
in charity/ We made our de
cision on the following princi
ples—the general principle of
the sacredness of human per
sonality from which so many
others flow—underlying all that
we considered:
“1. There are no scientific
facts and no rational principles
which support the theory of an
innate racial inferiority.
2. There are revealed doc
trines on the oneness and equal
ity of the human race which
show racial discrimination to be
an unjust and therefore an im
moral and un-Christian thing.)
Moreover, the Pope through a
letter which the Sacred Congre
gation of Seminaries and Uni
versities has recently sent out
(we ledrnt of this after we
made our decision) has con
demned vigorously and round
ly the theories of racism. This
condemnation is directly against
those theories of Nordic supe
riorty which obtain in Germa
ny, but it applies equally to
theories of innate racial infe
riority.
“3. The democratic principles
of our Government have found
expression in the laws of many
States by which institutions
which draw a color line lay
themselves open to the loss of
their charters. All the first
class Eastern colleges for wom
en admit colored students when
properly qualified, with no con
sequent ‘loss of prestige.’ Is a
Catholic College founded on
supernatural principles to re
fuse to do what Bryn Mawr,
Wellesley, Smith, Radcliffe and
other privately controlled and
supported colleges do on
merely rational and democratic
grounds? I know of one of
these colleges where there are
Negro girls so embittered
against their religion by the re
fusal of Catholic colleges to re
ceive them that they are open
to allurements of the Commu
nists, who are only too ready
to make capital of such an at
titude on the part of Catholic
institutions.
“4. The Pope and the Bishops
insist upon Catholic education
on all levels for Catholic stu
dents. A Catholic colored girl
who meets the requirements of
a Catholic college and applies
for a Catholic education has a
right to it and in consequence
the college has a duty to give
it to her.
“5. It is the duty of Catholic
colleges to advance Catholic
Action under the guidance of
the Bishops by training a Cath
olic intelligentsia, in the mean
ing of this term. By helping
the lawfully ambitious Catho
lic members of the Negro group
to-get such a training we and
other Catholic colleges will pre
pare them to resist those sub
versive influences which are
working to win them over to
Communistic and atheistic doc
trines and activities. Even the
mere instinct of self-preserva
tion would dictate this. The
call of the Holy Father gives us
a nobler and more inspiring
motive. ...”
NEGRO PUPILS ARE OFTEN
IN HIGHER GRADE THAN
WHITE
That white pupils, much
more frequently than Negro
children, are found in a lower
school grade than their mental
age would indicate, was one bit
of evidence found from a re
cent survey of white and Ne
gro graded school pupils in
Piedmont North Carolina.
The study was made by Dr.
Harry V. Bice under the spon
sorship of the State Board of
Charities and Public Welfare
and its participating divisions
of Mental Hygiene and Child
Welfare.
The question of whether or
not North Carolina should es
tablish a special grade for men
tally-handicapped children in
its public school system, while
far from being answered by the
results learned in the survey,
has a great deal of affirmative
evidence for the establishment.
State Superintendent of Pub
lic Instruction, Clyde A. Er
win, in the foreword to the pam
phlet, was of the opinion that
in accordance with past prac
tice in the State “the child
must fit the system rather than
the system fit the needs of the
child.” Facts now clearly indi
cate that modifications must be
made if the public school is to
prepare all pupils equally well.
“When handicapped pupils
and normal are mingled in
classes, and a uniform curricu
lum is placed before both, both
suffer. The earlier in the school
life of the child the facts of his
ability are known, the better it
will be for the child and the
more completely can the pro
gram be fitted to his needs.
“Compared with pupils in
States having eight years of
work in preparation for high
school, the North Carolina pu
pil is at a disadvantage,” Er
win stated.
In conclusions drawn from
data gathered in his survey,
Dr. Bice said it was now up to
colleges to sift out those not
really able to do the work or
else to lower their standards.
Facts of the study showed
that “an increasing number of
mentally handicapped children
prevented even a good teacher
from achieving normal success
with the non-handicapped por
tion of her pupils.”
Study of the mental ages of
the pupils showed that the
mean for the Negro in each
grade is lower than is that for
white students, while chrono
logical ages showed the mean
for the Negro in each grade to
be greater than that for the
white.
Both group and individual
tests were used by white and
Negro examiners of the stu
dents in the two schools which
were located in a county in the
piedmont section of the State.
Finding it impossible to make
the study on a statewide basis,
selection of a representative
county was the only course
open to Dr. Bice, the county
chosen being led by, and itself
leading, 49 other counties in
economic and social considera
tions.
“Our study indicated,” said
Dr. Bice, “that elimination of
the mentally unfit from the
professions does not begin at
an early enough point in their
educational career. The public
school should assume a greater
portion of this burden.”
Establishment of the special
grade for those mentally hand
icapped, he pointed out, would
help alleviate the situation.
REV. C. H. WHITE ELECTED
SEC.- TREAS. OF CATAW
BA SYNODICAL YOUNG
PEOPLE’S SUMMER 'i
CONFERENCE
Upon the resignation of Rev.
Frank C. Shirley as Secretary
Treasurer of the Catawba Syn
odical Young People’s Summer
Conference, Rev. C. H. White,
one of our wide awake, energet
ic, and aggressive young minis
ters, was unanimously elected
by the Board of Directors to
succeed him. Mr. White has
been closely identified in an of
ficial capacity with the work of
the Conference for a number
of years, and is well qualified
to serve the Conference as Sec
retary-Treasurer.
For the present Rev. Mr.
White is serving the Cherry
Street Presbyterian church in
High Point, N. C. He has been
on this field for the last 8 or 9
years, and has done a com
mendable piece of work there.
We understand he is resiging
the pastorate of this church on
Oct. 1st. We do not know yet
just where Mr. White is going
from High Point, but this we
do know, wherever he does go
the church will be fortunate
and blessed that receives his
service, for he is a young man
of sterling character, he knows
the program of the Presbyteri
an Church and knows how to
put that program into action in
the local church. He is a splen
did organizer, an excellent pas
tor, and is thorough in the
presentation of the Word of
God.
The Catawba Synodical
Young People’s Summer Con
ference has honored itself in
selecting the Rev. Mr. White as
its Secretary-Treasurer, and
the church to which he goes
from High Point will receive in
him a rich blessing.
FRANK C. SHIRLEY,
Retiring Sec.-Treas., Catawba
Synodical Young People’s
Summer Conference.
STICK TO IT
Plan for more than you can
do,
Then do it.
Bite off more than you can
chew,
Then chew it.
Hitch your wagon to a star,
Keep your seat, and there
you are.—Sel.
Books are the best things
well used; abused, among the
worst.—•Emerson.
“SURVEYING THE FIELD OF
MISSION CHURCHES”
On Saturday, August 20, be
tween the hours of 11:30 A. M.
and 12 M., a soft-voiced, cultur
ed gentleman invaded the city
of Ardmore, Okla. Accompany
ing him was a young man of
quiet disposition and yet seem
ingly firm in his convictions.
These gentlemen, riding in a
sports model coupe, which car
ried a Georgia license plate,
stopped at 25 F. Street, N. E.
The soft-voiced gentleman
alighted and knocked at the
door. I responded. His in
quiry was, “Is this Rev. Mal
lard?” My answer was in the
affirmative. I said, “Who is
tins?” He said, “Guess.” Then
said I, “Dr. McCoy,” and he
confessed that he was, to my
surprise.
Dr. A. B. McCoy is a busi
ness man of great ability and
stamina. After introducing him
and Mr. Pinckney to Mrs. Mal
lard, and Mr. and Mrs. A. L.
Batchelor, with whom we make
our home, his next move was
to get down to business. He
said, “Let us go and see the
teiit.”
The city of Ardmore has a
population of 18000. This in
cludes whites, Negroes and In
dians. In this little town in
the Southwest there are twelve
Negro churches. Here they
are: 5 Baptist, 3 Methodist,
(this includes the A. M. E.,
C. M. E. and M. E.), 2 Holiness,
1 Church of Christ, 1 Church
of God—Pillar and Ground of
Truth, and our church.
By Rev. S. D. Mallard
Being admitted into the Kia
michi Presbytery Sept. 15,
1&37, I was immediately as
signed to this point and to
Ada; succeeding the Rev. W. H.
Lane, who reported eleven
mepfbers of the newly organi
zed mission of Ardmore. The
supposed plaee of worship , was,
in one of the school buildings.
I arrived here September 23rd,
and began at once an Every
Member Canvass. I contacted
two hundred and twenty-five
homes, and made Enquiry for
Presbyterians. Each person
told me, “I am a Baptist,” or
“I am a Methodist,” etc. Fin
ally, after several months of
toil, I contacted five Presbyte
rians.
Having no place of worship
we secured the Odd Fellows
Hall. Not having any success
there, we remained only two
months. Another location was
found on Eighth Ave., N. E.,
with the Church of God—Pillar
and Ground of Truth. We ex
perienced the same fate as in
the former places, so we moved
out from our kindred and
friends into a land that we
knew not of.
Having a vision the thought
came to me to purchase a tent
and be to ourselves. Where
was the money coming from?
The next thought was to -make
a “brief” and solicit funds.
This was done. I took it to the
City Manager who 0. K’d. it and
started me off with 50c. At
this point my campaign began.
From this beginning I raised
$37.50, all of which came from
the white business men except
$3.50. Let me say the white
man injects business into his
religion. Mention should be
made of the two white Presby
terian ministers, the Rev.
Horace Cassey, and the Rev.
D. C. Cox. The former gave a
check for $5.
From the above amount a
tent 16x20 feet was purchased
and erected on Main and G Sts.,
N. E., and equipped with seats,
a pulpit, and electric lights.
Thus the Siloam Presbyterian
church is centrally located for
the advancement of kingdom
building.
We began a series of nightly
meetings with the cooperation
of the Ministerial Alliance.
Working alone so far as mem
bership goes, we have a tent,
the first in the history of Ard
more that was purchased for
a church by our group.
“Let us go and see the tent.”
We responded to Dr. McCoy’s
request, for it is as a city that
is set on a hill and cannot be
hid.
i
YADKIN CENTRAL DIS- |
TRICT CONFERENCE
By Mrs. A. W. Waddell,
Secretary -Treasurer
The Sunday School Conven
tion and Summer Conference
of the Central District of Yad
kin Presbytery convened with
the Presbyterian church at
Mebane, Rev. John Lee White,
pastor, July 12-15, 1938. Our
Theme was: “I Would Be True.”
Tuesday evening, July 12,
was the time of the first meet
ing of the Conference. It op
ened with a song service, after
which devotions were led by
Rev. John Lee White. At the
close of this very impressive
devotional period, Elder D. A.
Murray gave the welcome ad
dress, in which he made us wel
come to the churches, homes,
and city of Mebane. Miss Bet
tie Sullivan responded to this
most hearty welcome given by
Elder Murray which she ac
cepted on the part of the Con
ference members.
Next was the annual ad
dress, which was delivered by
the President, Mr. Frank Cald
well. His subject was, “Life’s
Journey.” He stated that in
life’s journey there are three
periods: 1. Preparation. 2. Be
ginning. 3. Ending. This was
a well prepared address, and
the Conference listened atten
tively.
After this address our Sun
day School Missionary, Miss
Naomi Freeman, gave some
helpful remarks.
Wednesday morning, July
13, the Conference opened
with devotions led by the Dean,
Mr. C. W. Robinson. At 9:45
classes began. The Bible Hour
was conducted by Rev. C. H. C.
White each morning. Rev.
White had a very interesting
discussion which was enjoyed
by all. His subject for this
period was the Ten Command
raents. much interest was
aroused in the young people.
10:45 to 11:30 The Work of
the Sunday School Officers was
taught each day by Mr. C. W.
Robinson. Recreational Lead
ership was taught by Mrs. Sa
rah Barber. How to Interest
People in Missions was taught
by Mrs. R. E. McNair. Prob
lems of Young People was
taught by Miss Naomi Free
man. Much knowledge was
gained in these courses and
the interest was high.
Each day from 11:30 to 12
was the Convention Music
Hour. This was conducted by
the Music Director, Mrs. Sarah
Barber. Mrs. Barber always
had music suitable for the oc
casion.
Each day from 12 to 12:30
was assembly hour, conducted
by Dr. H. C. Miller. His sub
ject was, “Our Presbyterian
Church.” His addresses were
helpful and gave much infor
mation concerning the Presby
terian Church.
After supper each evening
vespers was led by Rev. A. W.
Waddell. His subjects were
“Interrupted Life,” and “The
Art of Living.” These vesper
services were enjoyed by all.
On Wednesday night a pop
ular program was presented
with the President presiding.
The program was as follows:
Prayer, Scripture, Music. “The
Work of the Church,” discussed
by Mr. Matthew Black, Presi
dent of Young People’s League
of the Central District; “How
the Church Can Advance
Through Music,” Mrs. Sarah
Barber; and “Through the Mis
sionary Society of the Church,”
by Mrs. R. E. McNair. There
was a solo by Miss Carolyn
Robinson. “Why a Sunday
School Convention?” was an
swered by Miss Naomi Free
man. “Development of Our
Work Through Our Confer
ence.” was discussed by Mr.
C. W. Robinson.
Thursday evening a program
was given by the young people.
Each took an active part and
made the program very inter
esting.
At the close of the program
Little Aubra Lee Spaulding
White, the daughter of Rev.
and Mrs. John Lee White, was
baptized by Dr. H. C. Miller.
Rev. A. W. Waddell offer
8d prayer. The Purpose of
Baptism was stated by Rev.
D. H. C. White. This was an
impressive period. The elders
who assisted were Mr. C. W.
Robinson and Mr. Murray.
Music and adjournment.
We could see much growth
in our Conference. Sixty-two
persons registered. The Sun
day schools that have paid
their assessment are on the
Honor Roll. They are Mebane
church; Groveland church,
Durham; Lloyd church, Win
ston-Salem; Cherry St. church,
High Point; Shadyside church,
Lexington; Second church,
Thomasville.
Much interest was shown by
the leadership staff in making
the work interesting and in try
ing to put over the program.
“Blessed are those servants
who when their Lord comes,
shall find them so doing.”
THE TRI-PARISH OF ADAM'S
RUN, EDISTO AND WAD
MALAW ISLANDS
The Parish Council was or
ganized at Adam’s Run by the
efficient S. S. Missionary, Mr.
R. H. Pinckney, and officers
elected. Mrs. W. H. Paden is
President; Mrs. Patsy Dent,
Recording Secretary; Mrs Jua
nita Grimble, Treasurer; Mrs.
Henderson and Mrs. Metz were
elected Vice-Presidents. Mrs.
Metz was also elected Corre
sponding Secretary. The meet
ings were opened with devotion
als conducted by the President.
The Parish Worker did not
come on the field until June.
The next meeting was held
at St. Paul’s church, Adam’s
Run, June 15th. At that time
the Parish Worker, Mrs. M. V.
Marion, was present and was
introduced by Dr. Metz. Mrs.
Marion then gave some out
lines of what she hoped to ac^
complish.
;JLne 3ra meting also was neia
at the same place, July 21, with
a much larger attendance and
more enthusiasm. The topic
of the meting was “The Wisdom
of God,” which was discussed
by the President, Mrs. W. H.
Paden.
There were three classes
held. The Teachers’ Training
class conducted by Mr. Pinck
ney, and the Sunday School
Secretaries’ class conducted by
Mrs. M. V. Marion.
Rev. G. E. Henderson' gave
an interesting address empha
sizing religious education in
our work and on our several
fields.
Interesting remarks were
made by our visitors, Revs.
J. R. Pearson and M. A. Sanders,
also Miss Anna Belle Singleton,
of Walterboro, who, with a
number of young people on
their way to Charleston to at
tend the Presbyterial Y. P.
Conference, visited the Council
meeting.
The Adam’s Run field was
represented by two delegates
besides Mrs. Paden, the Presi
dent, and Mrs. Patsy Dent,
Secretary. Wadmalaw was
represented by Mrs. G. E. Hen
derson and little daughter and
Mrs. Juanita Grimble. Edisto
Island brought a splendid dele
gation represented by Mrs.
Metz and nine young people
wno are energetic and enthusi
astic, workers in the Sabbath
school and in the Cedar Hall
Mission Sunday school.
There were six Sunday
school Superintendents, three
Secretaries, seven Sunday
school teachers, five ministers,
one Sunday School Missionary
and the Parish Worker present.
Teachers were appointed for
the next meeting which will be
held at the Edisto Presbyterian
church, Edisto Island, S. C.,
Sept. 21, 1938. We are expect
ing a large delegation from the
fields and an interesting meet
ing.
MRS. W. L. METZ,
Corresponding Secretary.
Edisto Island, S. C.
Everybody finds out, sooner
or later, that all sucess worth
having is founded on Christian
rules of conduct.—H. M. Field.
Though you think you are
wrestling with men or with
your circumstances—it is God.
It is hard to see it, but it is
true, nevertheless.—Nelson.