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Title
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June 18, 1963
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Description
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The Paper With The New Look
ee
Know The News With Nolen
VOL. 114—No. 4
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1963
PRICE 15 CENTS
AMEs INTEGRATE CITY
Editor Nolen Proposes Pronouncement
Of Stand and Appeal on Racialism For
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
Images
In the light of the fact that
African Methodism was not born
accidently, but laid in the bosom
of God from eternity, and at the
proper time was called forth in
protest of all iniquitous sins
against God’s children of ebony
hue, and the founding fathers led
the peoples of color for a hundred
years into areas of racial and na-
VE
MINNEAPOLIS. STAR
tional development, invention and
progress, for citizenship and self-
reliance.
And in recognition of the great
opportunity to aid our sisters and
brothers of minority status in
America; and the African nations
in their struggle toward indepen-
dence of any surpression and
(Continued on Page 2)
“Here I Stand”—Birmingham Re-visited
By DR. L. SYLVESTER ODOM
Minister, Shorter Community A.M.E. Church, Denver, Colo.
DR. L. SYLVESTER ODOM
I have just returned from a
heart-breaking visit to my home-
town, Birmingham, Alabama. I
say heart-breaking, and yet, Iam
not certain that is the word I
want to use, or the mood I wish
to convey. While it was indeed
heart-breaking to see my home-
town torn by bitter racial strife,
and within the «virtual grip of
martial law, yet, on the other
hand, it was heartening to see
and feel for myself, the “new
spirit” of Birmingham. The new
determination on the part of the
Negro citizens to accept nothing
less than full citizenship, and to
accept it no later than NOW! As
I said to the members of my con-
gregation on my return from my
eye-opening “Mission to .Birm-
ingham,” the difference between
the Birmingham I visited last
week, and the Birmingham which
I left slightly over twenty years
ago, is the difference between
night and day. The spirit of the
Negro Birmingham of my child-
hood was the spirit of docility,
and quiet acceptance, the spirit
of contemporary Birmingham is
the spirit of firm resolve and
dogged determination. A single
generation has made the differ-
ence.
I went to Birmingham to carry
some two thousand odd dollars
(Continued on Page 2)
What To Do
With Bishop Gow
Some of us are becoming sick
and tired when reading time and
again of criticism labeled against
our Bishop Francis H. Gow in
the Voice of Missions by some of
our brothers. I am speaking for
a host of others who appreciate
what he has done for the 15th
Episcopal District during his
term.
Most of the finest churches that
have been built in the District,
e.g. West Arlando, Meadowlands,
Potchefstroom, Odendaals-
rust, Springs, Van der Byl Park,
Kempton Park many others and
parsonages were built most from
conference funds. Our ministers
and conference dependents used
to receive a mere pittance but
he initiated a scheme by which
pastors’ dependents in rural areas
receive stipends, as well as them-
selves.
Some of the brothers write
groundless criticisms because the
Bishop has found it necessary to
\reprove them for failing to do
their duty, but if the Bishop does
not do so our Zion would not
live up to the present day require-
ment. We are the only denomina-
tion in the Republic of South
Africa composed of a common
multi-racial membership.
BISHOP FRANCIS H. GOW
We know how extensively
Bishop Gow travels in his en-
tire District. He answers every
call that comes to him. He has
worked under humble conditions
as pastor and can always be ap-
proached in that manner. I know
our Bishops, officers and mem-
bers of the entire church who
(Continued on Page 3)
Life Begins Where
NOTICE
The Judicial Council of the A.
M. E. Church will meet at 9:30
am. Daylight Savings Time —
Saturday, June 29 and 30, 1963,
at Hotel Statler-Hilton, Cleve-
land, Ohio, for the consideration
of petitions for Declaratory Judg-
ments and such other business as
may properly come before it.
Judge Perry B. Jackson,
President
3296 East 137th St.
Cleveland, Ohio
P. C. Porter, Secretary
Olathe, Kansas
Bold New Technique Integrates City;
Clarksville, Tennessee, An Open City
In Two Weeks; All Restaurants Integrated
By DR. PAUL L. DUMAS, D.D.S.
Lay Delegate To
Clarksville, Tennessee, whose
schools are still segregated but
not for long, has long been the
usual southern city of about 35,
000 with rigid segregated lines.
Race relations have been fairly
cordial but Jim Crow was very
evident.
Several weeks ago Rev. Carl C.
Liggin (Pastor of Ebenezer A. M.
E. Church) met with the mayor
of the city concerning a wide
variety of problems including seg-
regation and job opportunities.
Following his conversation a
meeting was called in which about
10 of the foremost leaders of the
Negro community were present.
The leaders banded themselves
together under the caption “Com-
mittee For Local Affairs” and
named Rev. Liggin as its chair-
‘man.
__A few. days later Rev. Liggin,
and Rey. Jehn H. Rouse, militant
young pastor of Fifth Ward Bap-
tist Church, went to the Chief of
Police and told him they intended
to eat at the Northern Bank res-
taurant and to be on hand to ar-
General Conference
REV. CARL C. LIGGIN
rest them. The Chief of Police
told them he did not want to ar-
rest anyone and evidently called
(Continued on Page 2)
Summer Council
Of Bishops and
General Board
The Council of Bishops, the
General Board, and Board of Edu-
cation convene:
June 18-21, 1963
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
Willis at Brush Street
Detroit 1, Michigan
TE 2-6943, Parsonage TR 4-1267
Bishop Joseph Gomez,
Host Bishop
(Continued on Page 2)
Art For Living
Quadrennial
Convention
Women’s Missionary Society
A. M. E. Church
Dr. Anne FE. Heath, President
KIEL AUDITORIUM
(Opera House)
14th and Market Streets
July 14-18, 1963
(Continued on Page 2)
Live The Good Life
SPECIAL DIRECTION
OPENING SESSION
BISHOPS’ COUNCIL
This comes to inform everyone
that the opening worship session
of the Council of Bishops will be
held at the New Ebenezer A.M.E.
Church, located at 5151 West
Chicago Blvd. Detroit, near
Grand Street, Tuesday, June 18th,
10:00 a.m. 1963. All other sessions
of the Council will be held at the
old Ebenezer site, 4225 Brush St.,
BROTHERHOOD
MEETING, DETROIT
The Brotherhood will meet
Tuesday evening June 18th, at
Ebenezer A. M. E. Church, seat
of the Council. All brothers are
importance.
S. M. Davis, President
Life Begins Where
Elect The Right Man
By DR. H. C. CARSWELL
Sonn Sep GET tee
REV. H. I. BEARDEN
I have reached the stage in
life in which I can be called an
Elder, because time and exper-
ience have seasoned me, I love
my Church, I love the brethren.
This is my opinion for the good
of the church. We must continue
Detroit, Michigan.
Pastor H. N. Robinson
(Continued on Page 2)
urged to attend, business of vital
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ang,
=
: Bates, and Mrs. Rosa Parks, are
but a few of the many A.M.E.s
- Church” (A. M. E. Christian Re-
Editor 1 Nolen Dine
(Continued from Page 1)
force in America and the acid.
ye editor proposes that we must|
Tecruit and amass, through every
conceivable means, material and
spiritual resources for our
brethren here at home and those|
of the father-land.
We suggest that African Meth-|
odism become the clearing house|
or depot in all communities for
material and financial resources,
appealing to government, private
foundations and business inter-
ests, to assist us in this under-
taking. As Bishop G. N. Collins
contends, we have not applied
our genius to the ingenuity that a
real mission responsibility dic-
tates, especially in Africa,
Lest this generation forget that
African Methodism has historical-
ly and traditionally sponsored the
cause of the Negro, and still
exerts itself, although does not
enjoy the limelight as some others
do at present; and lest we seem
to lose prestige in the eyes of the
world, on trouble spots of inte-
gration demonstrations and
struggle.
Your editor proposes that we
set about to underwrite bonds for
those imprisoned, to be done by
African Methodists paying one
dollar to be placed in a special
earmarked treasury. We propose
that garbed bishops, general of-
ficers, pastors, leaders, by the
thousands, would execute signi-
ficant marches in Washington,
New York, Chicago, West Coast,
Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia,
and other places of integration
significance. What an image if
our students of our schools, Sun-
day Schools, memberships, every
where would peacefully march in
these places, for the rights of
freedom! We must desist from be-
_ ing engrossed in battlement with
one another,
endangering our
ating in these demonstrations all
over the country, and being im-
risoned like others, but their
yarticipation is subordinated to
e frontline status of Dr. King
and his personal associates. In
- fact the whole situation was set
in motion by Dr. Joseph A. De-
_ Laine of South Carolina, who was
_ bombed, threatened and chased
~ to New York; resulting in the
Supreme Court’s decision of the
unconstitutionality of segregation
in education in 1954. Mrs. Daisy
who are immortalized for their
leadership and participation in
the integration struggle. Ye Edi-
tor will soon publish a true story
of A.M.E. Participation and con-
tribution to this world-wide fight
for freedom.
However, the “Voice of the
corder) calls on the 1.5 million
members to actively support the
Negro Movement for increased
civil rights. Present events today
reveal the possible imminence of
catastrophe. Countless people
both white and colored are rapid-
ly losing patience with the “slow
pace of response to the Negro’s
legitimate cry for human rights.”
It is not enough for the church
to exhort people to be good. Men,
women and children are daily
risking their lives everywhere
and risking their economic status,
protesting for their rights. The
leadership of African Methodism
cannot quietly or normally par-
ticipate, but must set about to
robustly take it’s place in the
leadership, for which it has been
known for nearly two centuries.
We must support and strength-
en the demonstrator’s protest in
every way possible, rather than
give seeming support to the
forces of resistance by our silence
‘Bold New Technique
(Continued from Page 1)
the restaurant while
ceeded t
they
were
pro-
served
i without incident. The same after-
noon they were joined by Dr.
Frederick D, Coleman, Jr., presid-
ing elder and prominent candi-
date for the Bishopric, and Dr.|
Paul L. Dumas, member of Ebe-| /
nezer and delegate to the General
Conference; this group had sup-
at the Royal York Hotel with-
out ineident.
per
This team for the next several
days tested several other restau-
rants and were served, On Thurs-
day night May 23 they were
joined by six others, including
Rev. G. W. Pettus, Baptist min-
ister; Rey. Lymell Carter, C.M.E.
minister; Mr, Thacker Irving,
Rey. G. C, Jenkins, presiding el-
der A.M.E, Church.
This group. proceeded to
Shoney’s, a large drive-in restau-
rant. The manager locked the
door and informed the group, in
no uncertain terms, that he would
never serve Negroes. Rev. Rouse
led in a word of prayer with the
manager, a church member, re-
fusing to bow his head. As the
group. left, Dr. Coleman _ in-
formed him that we would be
back with a legion.
A Mass Meeting was called for
Sunday night, May 26 and over
400 people attended. Dr. F. D.
Coleman delivered the Keynote
Address to this roaring applaud-
ing audience in his usual orator-
ical manner and closed his ad-
dress by saying:
“There is no turning back
for me and many others, we
ring no backing bells. Is life
so sweet that we must selfish-
ly and passively continue in
the shackles of second-class
citizenship? I know not what
course others might take, but
as for me, give me liberty or
~ give me death: If this be trea-—
son make the most of it.”
The conclusion of this address
brought 5 minutes applause, joy,
tears so much so that 50 people
volunteered their cars as the
group passionately sang the Bat-
tle Hymn of the Republic. Rev.
Liggin reminded the group to ex-
pect physical harm and violence
but so. liberated were their souls
and their quest for freedom that
when he asked how many would
join the demonstration on Tues-
day night, the whole audience of
400 stood.
Tuesday night, May 28, over
500 people strong gathered at
Wesley Chapel C.M.E. Church. We
did not send our children or stu-
dents ahead of us. This crowd
included businessmen, doctors,
teachers, working people, all in
short represented a revolt of the
Negroes of Clarksville willing to
die for their freedom. It should
be noted that the Negro popula-
tion of Clarksville is cnly 6,000.
This group in over 100 cars pro-
ceeded to Shoney’s according to
the plans and strategy mapped by
Rev. Liggin, Dr. Coleman, Rev.
Rouse, and Dr. Dumas. The ob-
jective was to block everyone of
the 84 parking places no matter
how long it took and to so con-
fuse the management that they
would have no other alternative
than to close down. The strategy
also called for only ten getting out
of their cars to block the door.
This ten included Wilma Rudolph
of World fame and Albert Rob-
erts, Negro millionaire, along
and the oppressed peoples every-
where are displaying a height-
ened sense of human dignity in
class citizenship any longer, and
African Methodism, who has al-
ways supported freedom causes,
must assume leadership again.
We are all men and we are all
citizens, and must have access to
every right and opportunity af-
ito put
‘|gro left the scene. Ir
their refusal to accept second-|*
or lack of robust leadership in
the struggle. The American Negro
forded human beings.
A. M, E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Elect The Right Man
(Continued from Page 1)
some new blood on the
bench of Bishops in the next Gen
}eral Conference of our church
The
under the
church must go forward
New System, The older
dead, A bishop is re-
jquired by law to visit every
church in his Episcopal District.
Think of the places in America
where a bishop has never paid one
visit in the history of the church,
order is
Bishops were never elected for
the purpose of just holding An-
nual Conferences. The important
place is the local church,
We need some preaching bish-
ops. We need some bishops to in-
spire and inform our people. We
need Missionary and Church Ex-
tension Bishops who will dedi-
cate their lives to rebuilding our
great church.
Since we are becoming a con-
nectional church in our operation
let us elect one from the South.
One from the East, One from the
North. One from the West.
One of the best men in the
A. M. E. Church, is Bearden of
Georgia.
The majority of the people in
Georgia want him elected as one
of the Bishops in the church in
1964.
Bearden is a good man. He is
seasoned.
When you vote for Bearden you
will be voting for a man with
thirty-six (36) years of experi-
ence as a pastor in our church.
He is not too young. He is not
too old.
with Mr. Foust a white man who
dared join us.
The strategy was effective.
Though tear gas was used and a
small bomb exploded not one ae
of the confusion Rev. v. Liggin ei
be seen walking close to white
hoodlums, attired with clerical
garb and cross of Jesus easily
seen on his chest and Bible in his
hand. Confusion existed; the man-
ager became a nervous wreck and
closed the business down.
Wednesday, May 29, the same
technique with over 600 people
departed and when the manage-
ment heard we were coming they
closed down the business even
before we arrived. By this time
tension was high on both sides.
Thursday, May 30 District At-
torney and the manager came to
Roberts Funeral Home, headquar-
ters of millionaire Albert Roberts
for a conference with Rev. Lig-
gin, Dr. Coleman, and Mr. Albert
Roberts. This meeting was con-
genial and concluded with a 5 day
truce pending negotiation of the
management with other stock-
holders of the chain.
Friday, May 31, Rev. Liggin
met with the Mayor, County
Judge, President of Chamber of
Commerce, Chief of Police, and
Manager of Shoney’s at their re-
quest. He was assured the place
would be open to all races with-
in a few days. He also was in-
formed that within 30 days all
recreation facilities would be open
and within 10 days they would
meet with our committee on job
opportunities.
This bold technique of revolt of
all walks of life, instead of send-
ing our children in front proved
effective here. Though many of us
have received threats, we have
proven that when a large segment
of the Negro population from
ministers, businessmen, profes-
sionals on down to workers re-
volt in mass, the ‘swift accom-
plishment is amazing.
Paul L. Dumas, D.D.S.
Member, Ebenezer A. M. E.
Church
Commander, American Legion
Delegate to General Confer-
ence
| Quadrennial
(Continued from Page 1)
ST. PAUL A.M_E, CHURCH
1260 Hamilton Avenue
PHONE: EVergreen 5-8900
Host Church
Bishop H. Thomas Primm,
Host Bishop
Dr. G. Wayman Blakely, Sr.,
Host Pastor
Residence Phone: FOrest 7-0669
HOUSING RATES
Hotel Rates:
From $6.00 Single up;
$11.00 Double up
Dormitory Rates for young
People:
$2.75 per person, up
Private Homes:
$2.50 per person; $5.00 per
room
Hotel Reservations should
be made by delegates and al-
ternates through your District
Supervisor and Bishop.
Registration for Rooms,
Souvenir Program, Tourist
Information—$3.00 each, pay-
able to St. Paul A. M. E,
Church.
Registration for persons
other than delegates — $2.00
each, which provides advance
housing, Souvenir Program,
ete.
Welcome Program, Monday
night, July 15th on Luxury
Steamer Admiral — $2.00 for
trip. Delegates, Complimen-
tary.
SOUVENIR PROGRAM
RATES
_ Full Page—$35.00
Half Page—$20.00
One-fourth Page—$12.00
One-eighth Page—$7.00
Compliments—$3.00
Ad—$3.25 for single column
cuts if we must ‘Provide t them;
~°$5.25 for groups.
Deadline—June 15, 963
(Make Checks Payable to
Paul A.M.E. Church) _
While It Is Day =
Summer Council
- (Continued from Page 1)
Rev. Hubert N. Robinson,
Host Pastor
Housing
Homes—$4.00 per night one or
two per bed.
Hotels—LELAND HOTEL: Flat
rate $7.00 Single; $12.00 Dou-
ble (twin beds). To obtain
this price, reservations must
be made through Pastor Rob-
inson, Outside rooms, T.V.,
Radio, free overnight park-
ing, air-conditioned.
SHERATON CADILLAC HO-
TEL — From $8.50 - $12.50,
Single; from $13.50-$15.50
Double.
Make reservation early, for
two large conventions make
hotel accommodations
crowded.
Allen-Anvil Awards Banquet
Tuesday, June 18, 7:00 p.m.
Cadillac Hotel; Citation and
Plaque Awards to Daisy Bates,
Rosa Parks, J. A. Delaine, Bish-
ops Emerick and Reed. Ex-Gov.
G. Mennen Williams, Under-
Secretary of African Affairs,
speaker. Reservations $6.00 per
person. Send reservations in
early, checks payable to H. N.
Robinson,
Life: Pursuit of Happiness
We're going through momen-
tous times now—times where
many of the important issues are],
being made known to people. And
those who make movies should
do things about these issues—
movies should be about some-
thing!
—Abby Mann.
stipe
Rey
a Tuesday, June 18, 1963
Here I Stand
(Continued from Page 1)
| which T had collected in a six-day
whirl-wind campaign from the
people of Denver to assist Drs.
King, Shuttleworth, et. al, in the
valiant struggle which they were
putting up for full freedom. I
went out of a deep feeling of at-
one-ness with the stirring events
taking place down there, I wanted
to see for myself the heroic stand
which the valiant freedom fight-
ers were putting on. The trip was
well worth the effort, It was both
regenerative and redemptive, I
returned to Denver confident that
when the “sound and fury” had
ended, the victory would be on
the side of right and decency,
and fair-play. m=
A part of the heart-break to
which I referred was attributable
to the fact that the leaders of
the Birmingham “movement” re-
ported to me that the voice of
African Methodism was almost
hushed in stillness throughout
this great social upheaval taking
place. It was reported that only
Rev. Sam Davis was a consistent
supporter of the movement, and
an active participant in the great
revolution in process there. This
is not intended as a blanket con- ’
demnation of the fine ministers
of our Methodism who are sta-
tioned in Birmingham, It may be
that their contributions have been
more of the silent type, and yet
effective. It may also be that they
have not felt “free” to accept a-
leading role in this movement,
Maybe there are reasons not —
easily apparent to the naked eye.
I do know ‘this, that history will —
judge us harshly if it must
ord that in this great momen’
SR ee
I wonder, church does. this
anything to us. I brought up
issue at Chicago in 1956.
“put in my place” by a recita’ rn
of the rich history of African
Methodism. I was reminded 5
the wonderful things for which
Richard Allen stood.
The world was wondering then,
and it is wondering now, where
do we stand? They know about
Allen; they are not sure about
us. They become more “unsure”
about us, when we are strangely
silent when all the world is
speaking, when we seem to desire —
the traditional “pat on the back”
from the white man, more than
the undying appreciation of ou:
own people. When we are plainly
seen running “pell-mell” from the
front lines in search of the pro-
tective safety of the rear ranks.
The rank and file of the Negro =
Ce
people have no where else to
Jook for leadership except to the —
clergy. They have a right to exes
pect us to speak where they can-
not speak. If we desert them now,
they will desert us tomorrow.
God grant, that in this moving
hour of social flux and change,
we will be seen as, “workmen,
who needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the Word of
truth”. :
Life: One Exit
Announcement
The Connectional Council will
convene in special session Tues-
day, June 18th at 3:00 o’clock, at —
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Detroit,
Michigan. Proposed legislation fo!
the General Conference will be
our major concern.
===== DSC04448.JPG =====
ee
i Le eee
SE eat
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
Bishop John D. Bright of The Twelfth
District Sponsors Evangelistic Institute
“OPERATION GOOD NEWS”
Bishop John D. Bright came to
the Twelfth Episcopal District the
first part of November, from the
17th Episcopal District.
The series of Annual Confer-
ences were in session when Bish-
op John Bright arrived in the
Twelfth District. He carried the
remaining conferences to a close
in a masterful way. In these brief |
closing weeks of the conference, |
he saw the great challenge of the
Twelfth Episcopal District. At the
first Episcopal District Council
last December, he pointed out
some of the needs of the district
and set in motion his program.
He first saw the need for a
Spiritual Revival, and launched
an all District Soul-Saving Cru-
sade to extend from January 1st
until two weeks after Easter.
(1) Each minister in the District
was asked to put on an at-
tendance campaign beginning
the 1st Sunday in January
and follow through until
Easter.
Each Church to observe Uni-
versal Week of Prayer, Jan-
uary 6th-13th. (a) Organize
cottage prayer groups; (b)
Ask each family to set up
hours for daily devotion.
(2
VY
(3
Y-
Observe Youth Week, placing
emphasis on Christian Edu-
cation,
(4) Begin Lenten Season and con-
tinue until Easter. Visitation
Evangelistic Campaign.
(5) Two weeks before Easter, be-
gin with a Spring Revival.
(6) A mass meeting for the two
states, two weeks after
Easter.
—. You might ask why I write all
, this*that isin the past?-In order | those babies, chituren, and young
ou might understand the|people, from across the state as
s Meeting that just closed,
ou would need to know the
ps that were made, and all
pointing to the Mass Meet-
closed at Vernon A.M.E.
Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sun-
day, April 28th at 3:00 p.m. in a
cloud of glory with the Mass Bap-
tismal Service.
Operation “Good News” was
the general theme for the State-
Wide Institute on Evangelism
conducted at Vernon A, M, E.
Church, April 26th, 27th, and 28th
with Rev. Ben H. Hill, host pas~
tor and Rev. G. W. Pointer, host
presiding elder.
The Institute opened Friday
morning with a brief meditation
with Rev. Mr, Eugene McAshan,
Director of Evangelism for the
State, presiding. The Institute
Workshop was held Friday and
Saturday, 10:30 to 11:50 and af
ternoon from 3:00 to 4:45 p.m
The specialists serving in our
Institute Workshops were:
(1) Dr. G. H. J, Thibodeaux,
“Mass and Visitation Evan-
gelism,” Director of Evangel-
ism of the A.M.E, Church.
(2) “Stewardship Evangelism,” B
S. Roberts, pastor of St. John
A.M.E. Church, Tulsa, Okla-
homa,
“Youth Evangelism,” Mrs
Sarah J, Bell and Rev. E. E
McAghan, pastor of First A
M. E. Church, Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma,
“Educational Evangel-
ism,” Rev. R. H. Alexander,
pastor of Avery Chapel A. M
E. Church, Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma,
‘Ministerial Recruit
ment,” Rev. Z. 2. Dryver,
Dean of Jackson Seminary.
(3
~
(4)
(5)
Preaching services highlighted
each workshop session, with em
phasis on worship, Dr G. H.. J.
Thibodeaux, director of Evangel
A. M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
The Bishops of
The A. M. E. Church
By BISHOP R. R. WRIGHT, JR.
1 MA D.D), Ph.D. GL,D.
y This most interesting book
-'|presents the biographies of eighty
| bishops of one of the oldest reli-
'|gious organizations of America
‘land second largest Methodist
4{body in the world. It deals not
‘|only with individual men in their
\|struggle for individual success,
|| but also with how, with the crude,
unlettered people, of slaves and
former slaves, they helped mould
the African-American’s soul
Bishop Wright says the found-
ers of the A.M.E. Church lodged
the first protest against segrega-
tion when, in 1787, Richard Allen,
out of St. George Methodist
Free African Society, and later,
led by Richard Allen, Bethel Afri-
can Methodist Church. The A. M
BISHOP JOHN D. BRIGHT
Three
Bishop and Mrs. W. F. Ball Meet
Grass-roots Challenge in Florida
Public Relations Department, 11th Episcopal District, AME Chure!
Absalom Jones and others came}}
Church, Philadelphia, to start the| #4
ism of the A.M.E. Church brought
the noon message Friday, from
the theme, “Effective Evangel-
ism”.
E. Church was the first Christian
organization in America, or the
New World, to put into its law
a provision barring salveholders
from membership in the church
and Richard Allen called the first
convention of “Africans” to con-
Friday evening the message was
given by Rev. Mr. R. K. Young,
pastor of Bethel, Little Rock,
BISHOP W. F. BALL
The 4th Area Missionary Re-
treat and Ministers’ Clinic held in
Live Oak, Florida at Ebenezer A.
M. E. Church, May ist and 2nd
was stately entertained by the
Rev. M. C. Ross as host pastor;
Arkansas. Saturday noon, the
message was given by Rev. S.
C. Thornton, pastor of Union A.
M. E. Church, Little Rock, Ar-
kansas and also Episcopal Dis-
trict Director of Evangelism. Sun-
day morning at 11:00 a.m., Bishop
G. N. Collins, presiding bishop
of the 17th and 18th Episcopal
Districts brought the keynote ser-
mon,
At 3:00 p.m. Sunday Rev. Mr.
Luttrell G. Long, pastor of Union
Bethel A. M. E. Church, New
Orleans, Louisiana, brought the
closing sermon, Bishop John
Bright closed the Institute with
the Mass Baptismal Service. You
should have been there to
sider the condition of the blacks
in this country.
The meeting was held in 1831
in Bethel A. M. E. Church and
seven states were represented by
delegates. Bethel A. M. E. Church,
still on Sixth Street above Lom-
bard, purchased the first real
property ever purchased by a
they were giving their lives to
God.
As we closed Sunday afternoon
with people at Vernon from far
and near, we could hear the old-
timers say that they have never
seen it on this order in the his-
tory of the State. The impact of
this meeting, from both spiritual
and informational will be long
felt in the lives of those that at-
tended.
Bishop G. N. Collins was here
throughout the session and shared
his rich experiences, of Africa
and the work of the church in
those parts. He also challenged
the group as he referred to the
needs of our church to expand
in those parts
Rev. B. S. Roberts, Reporter
SOME OBSERVATIONS
By J. A. McQUEEN, ANDREWS, S Cc.
BISHOP R, R. WRIGHT, JR.
Negro-American organization
around 1794.
Richard Allen found other “Af-
ricans” who were discriminated
against in the regular houses of
worship and in 1816 in Phil-
adelphia, organized the A, M. E.
Church, the first venture in self-
government attempted by the
“Africans” of America, and called
(Continued on Page 7)
endeavors the ensuing General
Conference may engage itself, is
an outright Crusade for Christ.
It has been some time since I
have made a contribution to these
eolumns due to circumstances on
my part. Some of my friends|The church of Allen has become
seem to hav d my voice|so materialistic that it often
which has been silent for the| wants its ministers to make the
past few months. Thinking in| pockets of their parishioners hap-
py. Let our aims and efforts be
to make the hearts of men happy.
terms of African Methodism of
which we love and support, As
we the church it is beyond] We are not by any means trying
doubt a great institution but|to decry the of money for
there are times when it takes the}money should be thought of as
wisdom of Solomon to understand|a thing sacred. May be we have
, the fathers have left us misappropriated the meaning of
We should stop in so much that it has
Bee
use
us, Yé
money
become, the root of all evil, Our
a great heritage
and try to imagine how great
were the tolls, sweat and tears|trouble is, we have eliminated
of our predecessors, One won-j| too many practices in the church
ders if we are vrateful for] that heightened our spiritual zeal.
the leadership of the past as we|We are aware ef the fact, that
should be. They had to underge|the church never was ®& perfect
privations what we know not of institution and may be if it were
It seems that the former leaders| am some of us want it to be, it
of the church relished the God| would be more imperfect than
idea more than we of today. And| at present However, it is quite
may be, there was a greater man ‘bvious that there are phases in
ifestation of the Holy Spirit than|/our Zion that stand for correc~
of our day. tion or at least development. The
Perh aps one of the outstanding (Continued on Page 10)
Rev. I. D. Ford as host Presiding
Elder, Mrs. L. M. Hansberry as
host Conference Branch Presi-
dent; Mrs. Marie Blacknell Grim-
mage as host Y.P.D. Director, as-
sociated by West Florida Mission-
ary leadership, Mrs. Ruby Yates,
Conference Branch president; and
Mrs. Willie J. Hutchins, Y, P. D.
Director; Mrs. Agnes M. Ball,
supervisor, and the Rt. Rev. Wil-
liam F. Ball, Sr., presiding bishop
of the 11th Episcopal District.
The opening session was
marked by enthusiasm, sincerity,
and spiritual momentum built up
by the inspiration afforded by the
activity of the previously held
Retreat sessions. Many -
ties were notably present who had
been in attendance in the three
previous sessions.
Besides the usual desire to par-
a series of Area Sessions designed
to reach and up-lift the forgotten
members, organizations, and pro-
fessions of the church of Florida.
new era in missions in the state of
Florida, the Area Missionary Re-
treat and Ministers’ Clinie has|*
earned the significant title of
“The Grass-Roots Era”. Eternally
grateful is the crystalized senti-
ment of the 4th Area which is
representative of the agonizing
experience through participation
of the entire 11th Episcopal Dis-
trict.
The most amazing thing about
words is not what can be said
with them bit what can be vol-
untarily deduced from the various
inspired combinations, The first
dignified mile in the richly en-
dowed “Grass-Roots Era” in
Florida is marked by the beautt-
fully worded Resolution from the
heart of the 4th Area constitu-
ents, It is a star in the crown of
our local Jeadership and it is
significant not only of intelligent
leadership but also of a higher
level of understanding, coopera-
tion, and unity in the llth Epis-
copal District.
|
RESOLUTION
Whereas, for the first time in
the archives of Area IV (Florida,
Greater Florida Conferences) his-| 8re8
tory, the present Episcopate of the
| Eleventh Episcopal Distriet comes
Ito us with his queenly, amicable
helpmate and thelr warm-hearted
family as presiding bishop and
chancellor of Edward Waters Col-
lege, and
ticipate in grand affairs there was|nistrict an accelerat
a deep appreciation of the gentle comparable with these
effort of our Episcopal Leadership jet propulsion; streaked with
to do justice and honor to the] jtua) fervor and saturated
soul of our church by means of] .5u) of hallowed fire, and
Considering the coming of Bish-| monished all that the
op and Mrs. Ball ushering in 8] Jesus is high over all, and
Robert L. Morgan, Director é
MRS. W. F. BALL .
Whereas, this is the first meet- :
ing of this kind for African Meth-
odists in the confines of scintil-
lating, verdant, rolling clay hills
of good old West Florida, and
Whereas, in the vicinity of the
warm sun-kissed shores of the
splurging Gulf of Mexico shakes
the ebbing tide of the Atlantic
Ocean through the gentle, easy,
duleet flow of the Ochlockonee aa
River down the moss-laden banks
of many streams which come ;
back “down upon the Sewanee ‘ ¢
River” into the territory of the ;
malignant branches of the green,
live oaks here in this fair town,
and
Whereas, to this geographical
location has come the inpression-—
able influence of the indomitable ~
the forlorn, and
(Continued on Page 15) is
What ToDo
(Continued from Page et
have the church at heart will aly
ways look with a single eye to
the advancement of our ;
particularly in the Foreign Fields,
The church here .
the services of Bishop
the need arises the General
ference should assign
L
i
2
&
i=
*
zg
g
38
Py
adjacent District so ean id
always come in if ed to assist :
in the work of the Episcopal Dis- 2
trict, It is high time for us these
days to look entirely to the suc-—
Collins, “
letters, Bishop Gow is
District
===== DSC04449.JPG =====
3
4
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
Cigarettes and Teenagers
(Concluded in this issue)
Q. Does smoking make the
heart beat faster?
A. Yes. Smoking does increase}
the pulse rate.
Q. Why does smoking cause
coughing?
. A. The smoke contains irritat-
ing particles. Coughing is the
only way that the individual can
get rid of irritating substances
and mucus in the lungs.
Q. Will smoking stunt your
growth?
A. There is no clear-cut evi-
dence on this point.
SOCIAL ASPECTS
OF SMOKING
Q. Is there any connection be-
tween smoking habits of parents
and children?
A. Among high school age boys
and girls the number who smoke
cigarettes is twice as high if
their parents are cigarette smok-
ers as it is if their parents do not
smoke.
Q. Why is it bad for young
people to smoke?
A. Most states and local com-
munities have laws forbidding the |’
sale of cigarettes to those under
21, or in some instances, under
18. A few communities actually
have laws against smoking un-
_ der these ages, but such laws are
y do people start smok-
eral reasons.
n ae because
iends and associates
C try to express inde-
endence or maturity; or as a
orm of protest against parental
or school authority.
THE SMOKING HABIT
Q. Why does a person who has
. given up smoking go back to the
habit?
- A. A major reason is doubtless
the addictive factor. In addition,
a psychological need has been
established, based on the oral and
manual gratification of handling
a cigarette, lighting it, putting it
between lips, etc.
Q. What is the best way to stop
smoking?
_ A. Most people stop entirely,
all at once; others manaze first
by cutting down or switching to
low-nicotine, low-tar cigarettes.
Many people find the need of
some kind of substitute for smok-
ing—for example, chewing gum
or eating candy.
Q. If one has smoked for a
long time, is there any benefit in
quitting?
A. Yes. Stopping is beneficial)
even after long periods of smok-
ing.
Q. Isn’t city smog worse than
cigarettes?
A. No. Air pollution plays a
minor role in lung cancer; 75 per
cent or more of lung cancer could
be prevented if cigarette smoking
were eliminated.
Q. Why do doctors smoke?
A. Doctors smoke for the same
varied reasons as the public. But
a larger portion of doctors have
stopped smoking than members
of the general population. Today,
it is estimated that three out of
five doctors do not smoke.
Q. How many people smoke in
3103 Centre Avenue
As a Christian young person,
have you considered your plans
in the light of your Christian vo-
cation? If not, it is important to
ask yourself if your plans fulfill
your understanding of how a
Christian person ought to use his
skills, abilities, and time every
moment of his life,
Many young people will be at-
tending the Quadrennial Conven-
tion in St. Louis, Missouri, but
that is just one week. The ques-
tion is “What do you plan to do
‘|the other weeks in the summer?”
Here are a few suggestions for
your consideration,
GUIDELINES
1. Plan to use your summers to
the best advantage.
When you feel especially good
sometimes you say, “Tf I had a
million dollars I would...” Next
time you feel that way, say,
“When summer comes I am going
to use my time to. . .” Not just] 4
one but several summers will be
yours, and if you will plan them
well they will be priceless to you
and to many others as well.
mated two million teen-agers are
added to their ranks each year.
Q. How many people smoke
two packs of cigarettes a day?
A. It is estimated that there are
five million two-pack-a-day
smokers in the U. S.—about four
per cent of the adult population.
The proportion — varies. consider- Se
the longer a person anokes the ee
more he smokes per day.
Q. What does it cost a year to
smoke?
A. For one pack—$100 a year.
Americans spend more than $7
billion on tobacco products each
year.
Q. How does U. S. cigarette
consumption in ’31 compare with
61?
A. In the United States in 1931,
per capita consumption of cigar-
ettes was 1,288. Today it is 3,908.
Q. If cigarette smoking is dan-
gerous, why is it legal to adver-
tise suggesting that people smoke?
A. The manufacture and sale
of cigarettes is legal; advertising
of them is also legal. Interesting
is the fact that in Italy cigarette
advertising is reported banned.
Q. How mich do the tobacco
companies spend on advertising?
A. In 1959, the six largest U. S.
tobacco companies spent $207 mil-
lion in all forms of advertising.
Q. How much money do cigar-
ette companies spend on cancer
research? :
A. The Tobacco Industry Re-
search Committee reportedly re-
cently appropriating $4,650,000
since 1954 for grants-in-aid to
scientists for medical research.
Q. How much does the Ameri-
can Cancer Society spend on lung
cancer research?
A. From 1954 to 1962, the So-
ciety allocated almost $5 million
in grants for research on cancer
of the lung. During fiscal 1961-
1962, the ACS made national re-
search awards totaling $11,549,598,
and much of this research has a
bearing on lung cancer.
*We Suggest that you request
this pamphlet from the American
the U. S.?
Cancer Society, 521 West 57th
A. About 69 million. An esti- Street, New York 19, N. Y.
A. M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN’S PAGE
ALMA A. POLK, Editor
How Will You Spend Your Summer?
2. How do you start to plan the
use of your summers?
To the best of your ability look
ahead as many years as possible
and plan for a number of sum-
mers. Re-thinking and re-fine-
ment of plans will have to take
place as you move from year to
year, but, the broader perspective
gives you more opportunity to
share in a number of significant
things in your life.
3. Know yourself as fully as pos-
sible. P
a. What are your abilities?
b. What are your interests?
ec. What does your Christian
faith mean to you?
. What relationship does your
faith have to your summer
plans?
. What are your limitations—
skills, interests, opportun-
ities, finances, time, family
commitments?
4. Consider what you ought to do.
a. Study one or more summers
to adequately reach your in-
tellectual goals.
. Work for needed finances,
for experience, for testing
out your thoughts about fu-
ture vocations.
c. Vacation to share with the
family, to enjoy some
needed relaxation to have
fun and fellowship, to see
relatives.
. Engage ina planned Nyariety
= projects over a period of
ars in order to balance
‘some factors in your 1
which are too predominant.
Be a laborer if your family
primarily knows the work
day world of management,
or get into the out-of-doors
if you are a city dweller.
. Engage in a program of ser-
vice which grows out of
your concept of the Chris-
tian faith... . You can write
to one of our A.M.E. Schools
and see if they need vol-
-unteer help for the summer.
Write to Camp Baber or
Douglass Hospital and ask
if they need volunteers. Be
sure and state your skills.
AY.
5. Consider what you would like
to do.
a. Spend the summer in a
camp program or on a ranch.
b. Travel
c. Visit friends and relatives
. Work for the joy of working
in something which is a spe-
cialty of yours.
. Give yourself in a service
project where there is need.
. Plan ahead toward future sum-
mers.
Having considered all of your
interests and the many possibili-
ties available to you, try to devise
a pattern for yourself for as many
summers as you can. Probably
your pattern will not be detailed
and, of necessity, it will need to
be ‘flexible. But having looked
into your future and thought
about how you will spend your
time, you should be able to do
something constructive, rather
than ask “What shall I ever do
with my time?”
* * * *
BOOKS TO KNOW ABOUT
Invest Your Summer. This is a
complete listing of summer ser-
vice opportunities in this country
and abroad for people between
the ages of 15 and 30. Send to
ife| te
JUNE—Wedding bells. Bride and ih
Pittsburgh 19, Pennsylvania
Commission on Youth
Projects, 475 Riverside Drive,
New York 27, N. Y. Send 25c¢ for
each copy you want.
Your Faith and Your Life
Work. This book is offered in the
hope that it will aid you in mak-
ing right decisions. It has a two-
fold purpose, First, a desire to
develop an understanding of vo-
cation that is truly Christian and
at the same time meets your need
as a young person. Second, a de-
sire to set forth opportunities for
full-time employment in the
church with special attention to
missionary work. It is $1.00 a copy
and can be ordered from the Y.
P. D. Book-Nook, 3103 Centre
Avenue, Pittsburgh 19, Pa.
* * * *
Is this statement true? “The
average youth spends more on
hamburgers and milk shakes than
he gives to Sunday School and
Church.”
Write me your opinion—if you
agree or do not agree with this
statement. Send to Mrs. Alma A.
Polk.
Art For Living
Re-creating Time
TRY A BIRTHDAY BANQUET
JANUARY—White. Father Time.
_ White bell, snow, etc.
FEBRUARY — Heart decorations.
MARCH 7 Gteerec tous leaf clov-
ers, ete.
APRIL — Umbrella decorations 4
and crepe paper,
MANS Maypole ay Festi
Family month. ;
Groom. Roses. pits
JULY—Patriotic.
AUGUST—Tennis rackets, bath-
ing beach, vacation ideas.
SEPTEMBER — School, school
dolls. Back to school fashion
show.
OCTOBER—Halloween.
NOVEMBER — Football, turkey,
autum leaves.
DECEMBER — Red and green.
Christmas decorations.
STUNTS FOR EACH MONTH
January—Everyone sing “Jingle
Bells.”
February—Sing—‘“Let Me Call
You Sweetheart.”
March—“Wearing of the Green.”
April—‘T'm_ Always Chasing
Rainbows”—April Fool stunt.
May—Violin song. “Welcome
Sweet Springtime.” Solo—
‘Howdy Do, Miss Spring-
time.” Guion (Wetmark)
June— Short humorous debate:
“Resolved, That Married Men
Live Longer Than Single
Men.” (Speeches one minute
each.)
SOLO—“O Promise Me.”
July—July table should suddenly
produce light as all other
lights are turned out.
August—All sing “In the Good
Old Summertime.”
September—All Sing “School
Days.”
October—A short ghost story or
play with lights low. Candles
purning.
November—‘“Sweetheart of Sigma
Chi,” by all; tell story of
Thanksgiving.
December—Santa Claus arrives
with gifts to certain mem-
bers. Ten-cent store pur-
chases. Humorous. A “horn”
to someone so he can ok
his own, etc.
Sing—“Silent Night.”
Service
*lneeds without being overly pro-
Five
_ 2
A Child Is Waiting
A FILM ABOUT RETARDED
CHILDREN
This film looks at mentally re-
tarded children in a courageous
and most controversial manner,
The point of view is more that
of the institution rather than the
inner lives of individuals as in
“David and Lisa.” Dr. Matthew
Clark (Burt Lancaster) has some
definite, yet unproven, theories
about work with retarded chil- i
dren: for example, they must be :
given a chance to grow in an
environment best suited to their
ll ee
*
ae
tected; they must be accepted as of
they are and helped to feel a
sense of self-dignity; they must
know discipline as part of their
lives since all of our lives are
lived in some sense of discipline,
and freedom can only grow from
this basis.
A new staff member, Jean
Hanses (Judy Garland), becomes
overly concerned with Reuben
Widdicome (Bruce Ritchey), a
quiet, sensitive boy. The love here
is a “smother” love, and one of
the thoughts in “A Child Is Wait-
ing” is that love is not enough—
especially when it is based on
our own norms and expectations.
However, there is much evidence
in the film that love is important —
when coupled with the right in- 3
stitutional understandings. Again,
a
High and Missions ;
. Education for Mission... met
3. Your Faith and Your |
Life Work ......0
. When We Share
(Devotional material)...
5. Whose World? A
Handbook on Interna-
tional Relations
6. The Waiting People
(Young People’s es. 34
7. Youth Guide on the ©
“Rim of East Asia”.......-..
Fun and Festival from
the Rim of East Asia
The Fracture Zone
(¥.P. Aux.) .
. Youth Guide to “Persons —
of Special Need”)
. The Land of Silence
(Allen Stars)
_ Junior Teacher’s Guide :
on the “Rim of East Asia” 15
. Tiger Tail Village
(Allen Stars)
. Junior Teacher’s Guide on
“The Rim of East Asia.” 5
. The Teaching of tetas 1.00
. Missionary Year Book... 1.25 —
7, Listen Youth
- (¥.P.D. Guide Book)...... 1.0
. Original Plays and _
Pageants
Segregation and the
Bible
Planning For Church
Order from Y.P.D. Soe Ne
Make checks payable to Alma AS
Polk, 3103 Centre Avenue, Pitts-
burgh 19, Pa. Please add 10c for
every dollar order.
20.
===== DSC04450.JPG =====
St. James Church,
Atlantic City, N. J.,
Raises $6,117.09 in
Women’s Day Effort
A. M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Tuesday, J
18, 1963
LO Ok rN RS i ‘Windward Islands Confétenen: 16th
|T HIS WAY District, Held at Metropolitan Church
By JAMES DEBRO, SR,
The Almighty God of Heaven,|this committee: Rev. John W.
ee a : % i 4338 Cusetta Road has besto a sa ae oe ae =
Dr. H. A. Hildebrand, Pastor:| ine Federal Govennee wean ne Columbus 3, Georgia Un fo et Bieta open) Weeks (Cosine); ae
Mrs. J. A. Pilgrim, Chairm: the ederal Government until re- 4S for yet another Annual Con-jis, Rev, F, Joseph, Sister Ruby
: &M | tired at the age of 62 in July 1960.| Need I remind you that this is ference, when our eyes beheld} Weeks and Bro. McKenzie Carol.
By W. A. FISHER Of course 1 was covered under|an African Methodist Episcopal|‘®e Rt. Rev. R, R. Wright, Jr, New Churches were built by
Federal retirement and not un-/Church and for the time being nny pes our Bishop of the
der social security. I now have/let it be no other way. This Sth istrict, walking to the se p i y
“ opportunity to go to work un-| Church is not an African Metho- _— = ele over this well- oo eae
er social security coverage. How|dist Brotherhood (the unautho-|*!tended conference. The Pre-|) 4:4 Wri
ge tages a a ri many quarters of coverage will|rized body), but an African Meth- siding Elder, Rev. J. W. Weeks OF a eee
Hildebrand, Pastor and Mrs, I need to be entitled to a bene-|odist “Episcopal” Church, I am|Pened the preliminaries, by | rovonce is being held, on August
Poe ram Pilgrim hii tontins = fit? an African Methodist Episcopal eating out bam No, 295 “And 19, 1962 when nape Hon, Crowe
ptenaeeloenle Wetnnus Day. With ANSWER: At the present time|Church member first, foremost, re “* ip alive.” On presenting Alexander, Deputy Speaker of the
a work tn ali a man who was born in 1898}last, and forevermore. This is my oe “A aes to ; the conference, House of Representatives deliv-
a thas thane es needs the equivalent of three! desire, I will go where the AME eae er: J. W. ‘Weeks ered the main speech and un- a
Soaked Waites : » the) years work. A woman born in|Church goes, I will do what the |S hat. be bad plengure-In. eae veiled the dedication tablet, and
ety fadies began their record-|the same year needs nine quar-|AME Church says; and when I senting one ‘whom we have Fountai ich i mi
breaking activity at 9:00 am.|ters or about 2% years of work.|die in an African Methodist Epis-| learned to love and respect, and erinar tides oe S|
Atlantic City, N. J. — Sunday,
_ April 21, 1963 will live long in
the memory of the fair and
Revs. J. W. Weeks and Fleming
with a Women’s Fellowship J. M. Granb: : who has. travelled far and wide,|°! *he Conference seat on Suns
e ran .M. erry, Jr. |copal Church cemetery I will be ed far and wide,| 3.. a
Breakfast in the church dining While ie tet z as pecs be! not only in the 16th Episcopal pecs f 1 March. 1908/69 nes
Sides Marla Nereood Fow. J cea Wilale th ber ces es ! - oi District; but ‘also’ the: foreign cE hay cot very psa
ler, dynamic teacher of physical] Bish = ing an “Episcopal”—Foot-| fields of Africa, contributing |" 4) °° BAe ee
ideation “at the “Atlantic City B op Ball Praised note: Those who claims that the | cehavayetste nah Mere tithe fe of them. The old structures which
High School, was the speaker. She By Florida Council aes or an ho ae t ag time, the wealth of his learning iv oe ciate by bea tte
spoke in a forceful and effective urch was founded, started, or-| and experiences. PEO ETE. UM y
manner on the topic of the day. ur Churches Head ganized, or had its beginning in : 5s ? the tate Sev. Dr, Mayhew, kaa f
Mrs. Geneva Burroughs presided.| Department of Public Relations |the year 1787 need’ to..explain| The Bishop, in rising sald; that) siciig Ae .
= : 11th Episcopal District who was the Bishop in that year,|he was glad to be here, in this|in Trinidad. Two new churches
ei _The 11 o’clock message was| african Methodist Episcopal and why did the African Metho-| beautiful new church, and beau-| are in process of building by Revs.
Sy ce by ei aeaiee Keeys} church dist Episcopal Church pay con-|tiful Spiritual atmosphere. He} Phillip Thorne and Rita Burkett.
“ earse, i * : i i
ais , SS ely Fe ale Robert L. Morgan, Director ference claims unto the Metho-|then presented in glowing terms,| Now Parsonages were built by
AME . 2
0 ; e ‘ dist Episcopal Church, also paid the Rev. T. J. Hercules, the Pre- hoe 7 a
phia, Pa., who thrilled a capacity} The African Methodist Episco-| as high as $600.00 per year to the|Siding Elder of the Barbados- eet “Be oe Le
audience with an evangelistic in-|pal Church in the state of Flor- hodist Soci r rs,| Grenada District to. preach the
terpretation of “Women’s Work|ida was represented with honor wae isis Fe nee TT Annual Sermon. Rev. Hercules, trates teen An
in Partnership with God.” The]and pride at the United Chris-|piscopal Church wait on Bishop|0" taking his stand behind the|piniqad, who also built NEW
persuasive impact of the sermon|tian Youth Movement Spring]A sbury proposing taking a|Pulpit said in his preliminary re- PREPARATORY SCHOOL un-
was evidenced by the fact that|Council held recently at Avon|preacher to themselves and sup-|™arks, that he accepted the task| gerneath the Parsonage just be-
ene young woman joined the|Park, Fla. The Spring Council of|porting him in board and salary|1@id upon him, with the spirit of hing the church which is well on
church. Superb music was sung|the United Christian Youth|years after 1787? Why would the|Paul the Apostle. He read from|it; way for Government’s Regis- a
by the Women’s Choir, specially| Movement is the Youth arm of|Bethel people become dissatis-|4cts, chapter 20 verses 16-25, and pe
f
4 trained by Mrs. Lucy Hayes|the National Council of Churches,|fied induce the Trustees to pass|S@%g the hymn “Jesus Keep me
‘
-.
_ Thigpen, the paragon of church| and it is interdenominational and|a resolution to give but one hun- |¢@P the Cross,” as a solo, but the ee Committee on Social Action
choir directors. Miss Juanita High | interracial. dred dollars per year to the|Congregation joined everytime was organized by Bishop Wright
presided. Representing the 11th Episco-|Methodist preachers? Quotation|the chorus was sung. This crea- and this was headed by Brother
A coin us Lee : 8 £ iri i Anderson Burkett th of Re
_ The inspirational service at|pal District of the AME Church|in part from the Historical Pre-| td 4 Spiritual feeling, and the a One neee ate re
4:00 p.m. was featured by a |were Mrs. Marie Blacknell Grim-|face: “In November, 1787, the preacher called his text from the| Anderson and Rita urkett. An-
_ splendid address by Mrs. Sara C.|mage, Miss Marcheta Maddras,| colored people belonging to the|Same Acts chapter 20, verse 24. eon. enn a se ets ¢
_ Hildebrand, wife of the pastor,|and Miss Bettye Hardiman. Methodist Society of Philadel-|“But none of these things moved | DETSOCes ies ee ae
‘Dr. Hildebrand. Mrs. Hildebrand| ws Marie Blacknell Grim-|Phia convened together in order me.” This was a real heart-|*
spoke on forgiveness as it re-|mage is the Conference Branch|to take into consideration the|Searching message. _ ; :
lates to women’s work in partner-| Director of the YPD Department! evils under which: they labored, THE LORD'S SUPPER, was\the land s
th God. Mrs. Louisia C.lof the Greater Florida Confer- etc., etc.” The word belonging to! solemnly administered by His Mapes
RES ; ence, and: District Director of|the Methodist Society means|yordship, the Bishop and Pre-|
rs. Alexina W. Brown, Con-|Transportation for the Young that they were members of the|iqing Elders, Weeks and Her-
ce Branch Missionary Pres-| People’s Department. Miss Man-|S#me- They did not walkout as} cules, the Bishop being the chief
ent and a teacher in the New-|cheta Maddras is Conference members of the African Metho-| celebrant. Associating pastors Pets
ark, N. J. public schools, was the|Branch Director of the Young dist Episcopal Church, but as dis-| were: Revs. F. Joseph, F. Lewis,| Reports — c
perb speaker at the 8:00 o’clock | People’s Department of the Cen- satisfied members of St. George) + Burkett, P. Thorne, H. Wil-| The Presiding Elder
service. Mrs. Brown was at her|tral Florida Conference and a| Methodist Church. The record} jiams, C. Broomes, G. Thomas, G.| Rey, J. W. Weeks which was
: best in a challenging and thought-| student of Edward Waters Col- plainly states; “In the year 1793] Grimes and Tantsi Hercules. rather illuminating showed in- —
provoking message which, in allege in Jacksonville, Florida. Miss|@2 African Methodist meeting} 4. the end of this service, the| crease in membership and Budget ee
sense, summarized the brilliant|Bettye Hardiman is a student at|h0use (the word “meeting house ) Bishop caused the hymn “Break|Fund in most of the churches and
presentations of the day. Bethune-Cookman College, and is used and not the word Episco- eae ie Gebad ar mee to be sung, | also Rev. T. J. Hercules presented
Sensing a new record, the aud- Conference Branch President of|Pal, why? Because shore vee We and a few other appropriate cho-|a very good report on behalf of
fen ; the Young People’s Department|# Bishop in this meeting house. i his district in which he too showed
a ce sat with bated breath as : There was but one church named | ‘Uses were raised. Prior to organ- | 1S Gis 4 e
the beautifully and smartly be-|°f the Orlando Florida Confer- Bethel and one church does not| ization and elected were F. Lewis| both increase in Membership and
gowned ladies came forward to|&DC°: She is also retiring Secre- make an Episcopal, therefore, the (Secretary), Miss Monica Paul,| budget fund. All Pastors’ reports
make their reports. Shortly|taty of the U.C.Y.M. where she test ata : Secretary) G. Grimes|fully agree with this. :
ici Fathers would go no further in| (Asst. )
thereafter, Mrs. Catherine M. participated to the extent of con- ee pacts house.” The| (Marshal). Finance Committee:—| ‘This Finance Committee re-
te mire chairman, ERE a eae services in| 7 .¥. Robert Birch applied to the| Rev. J. W. Weeks (chairman); T-| ported a total of $1,659.91 re-
"nounced the fact that a total of/ complete ange: Supreme Court for a writ of J. Hercules, G. Thomas (secre-| ceived as follows: Budget Fund
slightly over $6,100.00 had been The purpose of the Spring} yandamus to know why the pul- tary); H. Burkett, F. Joseph/¢1 408.00, Roll Call $67.00, Offer-
ee aman an all time Pea was to plan Ele See pit was denied him, being an el- (Treasurer) ing $184.91.
Beers eS OES. or the coming year. The Rev.|qer (of the Methodist Society). 2
Pie 7 ; 7 ti Supervisor *s Missi
‘Top honors for the day went to| Richard Nevis Davis was the Te-|The law suit ended in favor of Introduction of Supervis __ | Women’s Missionary Conference
‘Miss E. Olivia Banks, $104.25; | Source speaker for the occasion.| Bethel. She is now independent| Mrs. Hinds Gordon of the Vir-| Branch Meeting
Miss Juanita High, $100.25; Mrs.|His discussions ranged from! put still without an Episcopal. In gin Islands Conference, of the| The Missionary Ladies who
Pearl C. Jones, $76.00, and Mrs.| “Christianity Compared with| april 9, 1816 it was resolved,|16th Episcopal District, was in-| were fully dressed in white with
Carrie H. Smith, $75.00. Needless | Other Religions” to “Youth and|«that the people of Philadelphia,| troduced by His Lordship the|yighted candles in their hands
to say all captains did well as His Relation to the Church.” Baltimore, and all other places Bishop as the appointed Super- displayed a real Evening in
the record total would indicate.| The Rev. Jack Davis, Execu-|who should eae wee Tee ee. ane eee White.
inanci ‘de.|tive Secretary of the Florida|should become get : : ‘S| hey marched around the
ee eevee y, Fastor Hilde ooo of ‘Churches commended | der the NAME and STYLE of the} alsa, introduced; By him as his| 5 nck dinging (Send the Tighe!
- prand was able to lead his St.|CU h H de that 8
,|Bishop Ball very highly for his AFRICAN METHODIST EPIS-|adopted daughter, He sat atlas they entered into the church —
intelligent cooperation and par- COPAL CHURCH.” Richard Al- she was the daughter of the late ‘t was a beautiful sight to nee
Jen was elected Bishop thus mak-| Rev. Hinds, Presiding Elder of], 14. Bible texts were recited by
the Jamaica Conference, and that many of the ladies, using thauleke
ference.
James’ delegation to the Annual
Conference, which was convened
: ticipation with the planning ef- , :
ee ey Acmey Ove forts of the Florida Council of|ing Bethel and others united with
in a manner that befits the pas- : she was given a scholarship by
pee rors church. cated then eg the beg and attended Morris ters of the a
Art For Living one hundred percent for their| Methodist Episcopal Church was Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia, Sister Ruby Weeks the branch
stewardship. Dr. Ricks spoke to|founded, started, organized, and| where she gained the B. A. de- President and Mrs. Hinds-Gor-
St. Paul Church, a capacity crowd at the morning|had its beginning in the year|gree, later she obtained her M. A. don: the. ‘supervisor joined #04 2
Charleston, W. Va service. He preached from Psalm|1816. Any other date is untrue at New York University, US.A., gether with these Missionary la-
E 2 if Y 91:2—“I will say of the Lord, He}and is given by irresponsible|and spoke in high terms of her) 7-4. do this great thing which
Raises $5,982.29 During is my refuge and my fortress; my | writers. Back unto being an Epis- studying for a Ph.D. Her address: vas never dotle helene,
Third Quarter God, in Him will I trust.” copal. It means that we are led| “the value of a single soul will The Baueeae Ene esTne ee
illi i i i St. Paul is making ready for the | by gate Bishops of pe Church | ever nee on . |attended and the preacher was
Dr. William Ricks held his third West Virginia Annual Conference (see Apostolic Succession, page New ‘Prajente School of Re ligion| the ‘Rev. Tents: Hereties ein a
quarterly conference at St. Paul which convenes here on Septem-|42 in our Discipline) “But as : fhe -Paediding “Elder. ie aeeee
Church, Charleston, West Vir-|per 17th. Under the leadership of |every body must have a head,| It was unanimously agreed by tran eiae (av 1b he ae
ginia on May 12th. The confer-| 54; most eminent Pastor Louden, | the Bishops among us are Primus standing votes that a Wright's Ted aaa seaie te ne
ence was an outstanding success|... are making a complete reno- | Inter Pares—“Chief among the}School of Religion be founded in OT ecmand” His there wae
with the pastor, Isaac R. Louden,|.tion of the church for this oc- | Elders.” There are those among] Trinidad with branches at Bar- = iN a ee dace eeaal
officers and members raising} casion. us who are trying to destroy the|bados, and Grenada and the fol- ject
nearly $6,000 for the quarter. iding Eld cael fact that we African Methodists|lowing persons were named by|®
ae Ties cee Bishi the members of (Continued on Page 15)
All of the auxiliaries reported (Continued on Page 9) (Continued on Page 12) the Bishop as
===== DSC04451.JPG =====
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
A, _M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Angels Of The
Church
Portrayal of Central!
Conference, Seventh
Episcopal District
By MRS. CORA B. BLACK
CAMERON, S. C.
TO THE EDITOR:
It is on the basis of the respect
we have for ourselves and the
regards we have for others that
we create our own likeness in
the minds of those who observe
us.
The Central Conference, South
Carolina’s smallest Conference in
the 7th Episcopal District has al-
ways taken high ground. It is a
eonference of quality and not
quantity. It takes no back seat
when it comes to holding up the
Arms of the AME Church under
the valiant loyal Ministers and
stalwart Christian leadership of
the following Presiding Elders:
Dr. E. A. Parker, Practicing
Attorney in Sumter, South Caro-
lina (Legal Profession). This po-
sition has always been second in
his career. Dr. W. J. Robinson,
the fine profound philosopher of
the church, who never lost a
battle. Dr. B. J. Sumpter, the
sleek speedy reindeer who capa-
tilizes all his facilities in a short
time. This conference is com-
| of excellent Christian pre-
dn
church. This eierence is one of
togetherness. The ministers and
the Presiding Elders seem to be
-a oneness with their church. The
_ churches are mostly 100% with
their obligations. The basis of
their success comes from respect
they have for themselves and the
regards they have for others. To-
getherness, this District glow and
Go.
While It Is Day
Worthy of Election
By MRS. CORA B. BLACK
CAMERON, S. C.
It gives me pleasure as a Lay-
man of the Great African Metho-
dist Episcopal Church to mention
the names of three (3) persons
who in my opinion are worthy
sons of the AME, Church; whom
I believe to be worthy of election
to the exalted position, the Bish-
opric. The persons to whom I
refer are: Rev. B. J. Nolen, the
prepared and efficient Editor of
the Christian Recorder, Nashville,
Tenn., Rev. J. A. Holmes, the
well-loved qualified pastor of
Historical Bethel Church, Colum-
bia, S. C., Rev. F. C. James, the
well-prepared efficient pastor of
the Great Mt. Pisgah Church,
Sumter, S. C. It is connectional-
ly true that these men have giv-
en good account of themselves,
as servants of God and the
church with which they are af-
filiated. These men are not only
prepared intelligently, but they
are God-fearing Christian
hearted men—not ‘only well-
trained but I believe they are
Christians from the standpoint of
intellectual training giving evi-
dence their ability to handle any-
thing entrusted in their hands
within the gift of the church con-
cerned. Not only intelligently
prepared, but are Christians, and
oe -second Wedding Anniver sary
Of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Moore
Mr. and Mrs. William T. Moore,
Bhs of Grant Memorial
Church, Chicago, Illinois, the
Reverend Harvey E. Walden, pas-
tor, celebrated their sixty-second
wedding anniversary on March
13, 1963.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore met in the
summer of 1898 in Atlanta, Ga.,
and were married on March 13,
1901. Mrs. Moore was a member
of Trinity AME Church when
they met, but after their mar-
riage, they both joined Bethel A.
M. E., remaining at Bethel until
1920, at which time they moved
to Chicago, Illinois. In 1921 they
joined Grant AME Church under
the pastorate of Rev. T. L. Scott.
They have been members, serv-
ing faithfully for forty-two years
—now worshipping under the
Rev. Harvey E. Walden.
The couple has five sons—
James, Nathaniel, Edwin C., of
Chicago, Illinois; Melvin of Los
Angeles, California; and Harry of
Pasadena, California; and one
daughter, Mrs. Izetta Clay, 7425
MR. and MRS. MOORE
S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois. They also have six
grandchildren and nine great
grandchildren.
Mr. Moore retired just three
years ago, after having worked
as a sign painter for sixty-some
years.
We wish for them many more
happy years together.
Rev. Harvey E. Walden
The Bishops of
(Continued from Page 3)
the church the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, but added the
section against slave-holding.
Bishop Allen, who was born a
slave in Philadelphia. in 1760,
bought his own freedom, educated
himself, was a farm boy, shoe-
maker, horse trader—spent most
of his time as a preacher. Though
unordained, he drew such great
crowds that Bishop Asbury in-
vited him to travel with him
through the South, which Allen
refused to do because he was told
he was not to preach to the
slaves. Bishop Allen served as a
teamster in the Revolutionary
War, and recruited soldiers for
the War of 1812.
Bishop Wright gives in detail
the biographies of the seventy-
nine other bishops. 13 of
them were born in Georgia; 12
in South Carolina; 8 in Maryland;
7 in Tennessee; 6 in Florida; 5 in
Pennsylvania; 4 in West Indies.
Other states in which 4 or
less were born are Missouri,
Texas, Virginia, New Jersey,
Ar-
Ken-
Alabama,
Kansas,
Ohio, Mississippi,
kansas, Delaware,
tucky and Indiana.
There were 80 Bishops, but
115 wives; 26 Bishops were mar-
ried twice; 3 married 3
times; and one four times. The
age at election ranged from 36
to 65; in education they ranged
from the self-educated to the
Ph.D. from a Northern University
and graduate student in a Ger-
man University. They were all
good pastors, and men who
served their communities.
Among them were poets, hymn
writers, orators, businessmen. One
had been a U. S. Congressman;
another, U. S. Ambassador to a
foreign country; another, Regis-
trar of the U. S. Treasury. One
was State Senator from Georgia;
others, members of State legis-
latures. Four had been members
of Constitutional Conventions.
(Continued on Page 15)
One was the first colored chaplain
in the U.S. Army, appointed by
President Lincoln. One was jailed
for preaching to slaves; several
were university presidents, au-
thors. The son of one was, in his
day, hailed as “the greatest Ne-
gro artist”—Pittsburgh born Hen-
ry O. Tanner, who for forty years
lived in Paris, because of Ameri-
can race prejudice.
The first Negro-American wo-
man to receive a Ph.D. and an
LL.D. from the University of
Pennsylvania is the granddaugh-
ter of one of these bishops, the
wife of a Philadelphia Common
Pleas Judge, and the only wo-
man of African descent who was
ever a public high school prin-
cipal and a Ph.D. from Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania, is the
daughter of one of those bishops,
himself a Penn, Ph.D.
One bishop’s wife, Fannie Jack-
son Coppin, received the A.B.
from Oberlin College nearly a
hundred years ago and served as
principal of the Institute for
Colored Youth. One _ bishop’s
daughter was the first woman
licensed to practice medicine in
Alabama; another bishop’s daugh-
ter was named as one of the
“Distinguished Daughters of
Pennsylvania”.
In honor of the bishops there
are thousands of children named,
well over a thousand churches,
schools, colleges, and other insti-
tutions in America, Africa and the
West Indies. Many have gone to
Jerusalem and around the world.
The first Negro-American publi-
cation to be made stable was the
CHRISTIAN RECORDER of Phil-
adelphia, now 111 years old.
The book is full of interest. It
contains 398 pages and the pic-
tures of the eighty bishops. Its
Appendix contains a summary of
the episcopal careers of all the
A. M. E. Bishops, a Table of the
Bishops of the A. M. E. Zion,
Christian Methodist Episcopal
Church, Union Church of Afri-
cans, Union A.M.E. Church, and
Methodist Church.
The book may be purchased for
ALL THESE TENDER SAPLINGS
Tourists will drive long round-
about miles out West in order to
stare at a certain curiously
twisted tree.
“Well, did you ever?” they ask.
“No, I never!” they reply.
For apparently somebody had
tied the tree into a loop when it
was still a small sapling; and
somehow or other it had man-
aged to grow up warped in this
tortured state. Quite different
from Dr. Moffatt translating
Psalm 144 where we hear David
praying that our sons may be
straight and strong as saplings,
our daughters like cornices carved
in a palace,
On CHILDREN’S DAY this is
now every church’s prayer. Yet
there always seems to be some
malicious enemy in town secretly
mutilating tiny trees. Just as the
Nazis did when they occupied
Holland. For after Queen Ju-
liana’s first baby had been born,
the Dutch people at the Hague
planted a special sapling in the
little princess’ honor, calling it
the “Beatrix Tree.” One of the
first Nazi acts, however had. been
to hack this sapling to pieces,
lopping off. its branches, leaving
it on the sidewalk wns and
apparently dead.
But when the ‘chief a schon :
in the park system saw it, secret-
ly he bundled up the roots in|
damp earth, taking the tree into|
an isolated greenhouse and nurs-
ing it slowly back into health and
vigor. So that now people at the
Hague point it out with pride:
“See, we saved it for Trix!”
Juvenile Delinquency is our
own nation’s crooked sapling. We
read each new F.B.I. report with
sinking hearts, noticing how the
age level grows younger and
younger each year for incredible
crimes. Every idle gang on ev-
ery sidewalk in town creates for
every church member a new
“Children’s Day”—for the Chief
Gardener knows that our church
could become the greenhouse
where enough care could restore
torn roots and straighten out
twisted lives.
Trustees, of course, often think
otherwise: “Too hard on the
furniture.”
But that, of course, is what
Grand Rapids is for: FURNi-
TURE! Whereas what factory on
earth can salvage crookedness? It
might mean that the best busi-
nessmen in the church would
need to club together one even-
ing a week to become Big
Brothers. It might mean that the
best cooks and interior decorators
would need to bake endless
cookies and do over dingy rooms
and provide endless games, It
might mean that the church staff
would need to cater less to com-
fortable members and to center
more on uncomfortable com-
never to light candles and hide
them under pews; but on lamp-
stands in doorways and lobbies
to give light to everybody out-
side and inside.
CHILDREN’S DAY let us see
what light has been shining “on
our own,” inside. But outside,
these others? One church has
been trying a very skillful plan
in the use of any high school and
college graduates directly after
commencement, for just such
salvaging. The superintendent
and the pastor work together on
munity casualties out on the side-
walk.
All this our Lord himself en-
couraged his followers to do:
$4.50 from the:
Bureau of Research and
History
A. M. E. Church
554 North 58th Street
Philadelphia 31, Pennsylvania
a letter introducing the idea and
inviting volunteers. One year the
superintendent reminded his
readers of the college whose mot-
to in French said, “Nous Finis-
sens Pour Commencer” — “We
Finish ‘to Begin.” To begin
WHAT? Each graduate was giv-
en the name of a boy or a girl
to whom he or she was to be a
Big Brother, Big Sister. There
was to be a row of planning ses-
sions, to learn both pitfalls and
patterns: “This is actually a sort
of -internship, for we have a
church in a neighborhood badly
‘in need of the best you have in —
you! This is a new kind of doc
toring, a new kind of nursing
Oren tat HOPE.” ge
year when CHILDREN’S» DA’
came around:
are not just showing off our boys
and girls who are good at MEM-
ORIZING! For now we have these
new ones good at RE-MAKING |
life!”
Another school has reported to
me saying that for CHILDREN’S
DAY every class had reported on
what they had “adopted” as a
group project. Among them were —
one class of boys who had been
collecting from _ stenographers
stubs of abandoned office pencils
to be sent to Africa. A thousand
of them! And the girls collected
spools of thread, needles and pins. ‘
The party, when the box to
Africa was packed, was a joint
one, the girls wrapping the ar-
ticles and listing them, the boys
doing a shipshape job of packing.
As the prophet said, “saplings
shall take reet- downward, and
bear fruit upward.” (Isa. 37:31.)
Life: One Exit
Eleventh Episcopal
District, State of Florida
Bishop William F. Ball, D.D.,
LL.D., Presiding Prelate
Payne Chapel AME Church—
Dr. H. McNeal Harris, minister.
Bishop Ball dedicated the new
parsonage Sunday, May 5th.
Bishop Sherman L, Greene,
assigned to the pastorate of
Payne Chapel, November 31, 1961,
the Rev. H. McNeal Harris, one
of the distinguished ministers
of the state with proven oo
to get things done.
He immediately set in motion
an inspiring and workable pro-
gram, the officers and members >
responded beautifully. Payne
Chapel is one of the most impos-
(Continued on Page 14) :
Seven
“At least now we
===== DSC04452.JPG =====
ir
a
P
femties «
A. M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
sevens AsSOClate Editor
ae Circulation Editor
Gsisultant’ Columnist
ons Olumn:
Rev. Emory Davis . -in~
Mrs. Wilda Robinso. wanton ¢ a aiet
Mr Carl Wallace tase Technet
ar ce Western Re, Director
Rev, H. A. Central Re Director
Cc, James .. Director of Soctal Action
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
A. J. Carey, J. L. Roberts, R. A. Hildebrand, E. M. Johnson, B DeLy!
L. Dudley, John Adams, Fred A. Hughes Howard Gregg, W. DB ateeete ton
arene. vonne Walker, Rembert Stokes, H. H. Brookins, L, S. Odom, Hill,
G. H. J. Thibodeaux, Willard Leake, Alma Polk, Frank Cunningham, C, S.
eplvey, Jr., Fred James, Anne Heath, Frank Whitlock, Vinton ag ee E
Paul Beavers, Mason Deverreaux, J. W. P. Collier, Laura Little, H. A. Reddick,
Donald Jacobs, R. C. Eberhart, S. S. Morris, Jr., James C, Dixon, Carl Fuqua,
Alvia A. Shaw, Jonathan A. Dames, W. H. Hall, Russell Brown, Charles Stewart,
Edward J. Odom, J. g Chandler III, William Hodge, Charles Jenkins, A.
B. liams, A. B. Lynem, Frank C. Lowery, S. E. Churchstone Lord, Thelma
ills, H, A’ Belin, Jr,, W. D. Johnson, Emory Davis, A. Lewis Williams, M.
s , J. R. Coan, T. J. ome oo POUE. L. T. Robinson, John D, Silvera,
Yancy Lee Sims, E. W. Jackson, Therion Cobbs, A. Wayman Ward, C. Baker
le, ‘M. Jones, D. H. Harris, Frank R. weeks R. T, Godwin, J. M.
Granberry, Jr., Sadie Belle Barrow, William Miller and Jesse L. Glover.
ie)
Bayes
E
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Please address all news matter to the Editor B. J. Nolen, 414 8th Avenue,
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THE GENERAL BOARD OF THE A. M. E.
CHURCH
We are not dealing with criticism or commendations at
this time, just addressing ourselves to facts as we see them,
The world and the nation-at-large are now passing through
great changes that affect every facet of human life. The
A. M. E. Church cannot be indifferent to these changes. Our
leaders are expected to give directions in specific areas of
life and the church, so that the members will know the
policy, the opinion and the attitude of Church leadership re-
garding these great changes. We are standing at the point of
critical involvement and the question in the minds of the
great membership at the moment is, What does my church
have to say about these great general problems, and par-
ticularly the problems of the church; and to what extent are
we involved in these problems or changes?
Not only does the financial status and condition of the
Church justify the existence of the General Board, and even
the Council of Bishops; but the significant problem of race
relation is on the agenda of most every denominational and
interdenominational group in the world today. It does not
suffice that our Council of Bishops, General Boards, Connec-
tional Council, and other annual or regular meetings, spend
all or most of the time discussing only finances.
This matter is critical to our times. We cannot escape
the question (Why?) when other denominations are expand-
ing and concerning themselves with the effectiveness of their
work to build the Kingdom of God. All of our forces and
facilities should be employed to keep abreast of ecumenicity,
which we should confront with open minds and with long-
range planning.
Our long-range program is a significant step and chal-
lenges our total energy, but to make our program more effec-
tive in our church it needs great publicity and successfully
sold to our membership. This requires special pamphlets and
publications to be given to the membership of our local
churches, so that intelligent participation may be secured.
The basic machinery for effective publication and news re-
lease stems from an adequate and well-staffed publishing
department. We have a tremendous responsibility in this
regard, we cannot meet modern demands with less than ade-
quate facilities and funds:
The General Board is a vital area of our Church life.
It is with the Board and its leadership the progress in
finances and other areas of Church life depends. The Board
must be so staffed and composed and equipped to penetrate
new frontiers and produce greater returns of the invest-
ments of the Church.
Addressing ourselves to wider areas of Church concern,
we say that the Foreign Mission Program of any denomina-
ism in foreign lands requires not only special, but expert
leadership. Bishop G. N. Collins has appraised us of many
very vital facts of information relating to our Missionary
The General Board of the A. M. E. Church is the clearing| problems in Africa. Nations that for a long time suffered
house of the church in the interval of the General Confer-] the impact of colonialism are now emerging as independent
ence. It is one of the recent year’s legislative set-ups. It serves| and sovereign nations. We, as a church cannot be of much
somewhat as a sort of Supreme Court of the church as it
relates to the state of the church annually from a financial
standpoint of view. Its composition should consist of men
and women who have the very best interest of the church
at heart. Favoritism, concessions, flesh and stone attitudes
have no place in the General Board of the Church. Monies
accrued over the connection come not only from certain
flush quarters, but they come from every area of the church
inclusive of the widows,-and.in. some instances, poverty-
stricken sections and people. Therefore those blessed with
membership on the General Board should be the fairest and
most competent persons available.
Our General Boards since organization and operation
have been presided over and guided by Godly and competent
chairmen; and the members have been conscientious workers.
Every bishop, general agency, and persons of the church
should have similar and equal status in and before the Gen-
eral Board.
The General Board, as well as the Council of Bishops
offer opportunity for constructive and critical appraisal of
the work of the church from every possible angle. The Bishops
in Council and the Board in meeting will or should be con-
cerned with momentous questions and problems which will
challenge both their energy and ability. The meeting of the
General Board, and the Council of Bishops likewise carry
with them far-reaching consequences, for they affect the
total life of the church.
Individual reports of the various agencies are fine, but
there are those who would like to see a public report re-
leased to the church after each meeting so the Church would
know what was accomplished, realizing however, that there!Draw in Thy robes lest we should
help apart from adequate machinery that will meet the total
needs of semi-primitive people who are striving for new liv-
ing standards and scientific methods of achieving the good
life. Unless our Board, in fact our Church maps out a program
for this purpose we will fall far behind other denominations
in the Foreign Fields.
Our Mission field and our home land require sane super-
vision and concentration of time, energy and know-how, to
be effective. We must have an education of leadership within
our church, to dissiminate our traditions, endoctrination and
polity. We should confront these needs with money, skill,
and dedicated workers.
eek ee Se ee
come too nigh;
We see no scorn in Thin J1-
MEDITATION ee ae
THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT There Fe ue shrinking even from
our touch;
0 Gad.ot Calvary, and Bethlehem, Thy tenderness to us is ever such,
Thou yes didst suffer rather than Tecan cndurevand stkersmuch:
condemn,
Grant me to touch Thy garment’s
healing hem!
Thou trailest Thy fair robes of | OLD SONGS
seamless light
his dark world of!
ae acter NONE BUT THE RIGHTEOUS
Its blackness cannot mar Thy 1
spotless white. Come thou fount of every bless-
ing,
Thou dost not, Master, as we pass Tune my heart to sing thy praise,
Thee by, Streams of mercy never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Life: One Exit
Ends
There is in reality no end to
anything. What seems to be an
end is just a change, a turn in
the road, a new post, a fresh
handclasp—a beginning.
The very fact that you feel you
have lost all, is evidence that you
have all to work toward. Just
put the end and the beginning
together, and then go right ahead.
We sleep—to wake. We finish
one task that another may be the
sooner started. How important it
is to give an efficient and happy
ending to all that we do. Even
this little round of breath, which
we sometimes take so seriously,
is but an evening’s walk along
the path of eternity!
Worry not about how this par-
ticular day has ended. Maybe it
has been all too filled with that
which has caused the heart to
weep and the mind and body to
lag and wonder. Remember this—
this day shall never dawn again.
But tomorrow will. The n st f)
are the Baths a g v
rections for another journey. 4
Ends should inspire, teach, hel,
you rebuild. Who is wise enoug!
to tell exactly where this little
life of ours really began? From
how many hundreds of' years
have we drawn these tendencies
and characteristics? Is mere birth
our beginning? If it were, what
have these tendencies and char-
acteristics been doing all the
time? If there has been such a
long beginning—so very far from
our feeblest conception — then
why worry about a mere end?
Try to make each end a begin-
ning, and each beginning the part
of a splendid end.
Art For Living
Paul Powell, boy legislator, told
of a farmer who went to the de-
pot to greet his daughter return-
ing from Southern Illinois Uni-
versity at Carbondale.
“Pa,” she said, “I ain’t a stu-
dent any more. I have been dis-
missed for drunkenness and
theft.”
Her father burst into tears, and
said, “My goodness, daughter.
Three years at SIU, and you still
say ‘aint’.”
CHORUS
None but the righteous, none but
the righteous,
None but the righteous, shall see
God.
Well, it’s none but the righteous,
Well, it’s none but the righteous,
None but the righteous, none but
the righteous shall see God.
2
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God,
(Continued on Page 12)
ce jn
===== DSC04453.JPG =====
i oe
- religious life of the World.”
Sai Praise the Lord!
_ Psalm 146
_ worship may be rich and varied,|The Psalms may become search-
_ but praise should always be the] lights for youth to circle earth
- most important element.
_ hungry, the prisoner,
Tuosday. Juno 18. 1983
SUNDAY SCHOOL!
LESSON
By EDGAR L. MACK
Frankfort, Ky.
“Across The Miles”
The Church for all...
All for the Church...
The church is the greatest fac-
tor on earth for the building of
character and good citizenship. It
is a storehouse of Spiritual Values.
Lesson XIII June 30, 1963
PRAISE THE LORD!
Background Scripture — Psalms Without a strong church, neither
146; 147; 150 democracy nor civilization can
Print—Psalm 146 survive. There are four sound
reasons why every person should
Memory SELEcTION—Let every- ;
: ttend services regularly a -
thing that breathes praise the si aepelpimiben ig esti Ameria
port the church, They are:
Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm (1) For his own sake,
150: 6. (2) For his Children’s sake.
INTRODUCTION (3) For the sake of his Com-
The Psalms form the Bible’s munity.
(4) For the sake of the Church
hymnal. These hymns came from
many periods and from many oc-
casions. They aided men in their
worship together. Here are hymns
of praise, of confession, of sup-
plication and obedience.
The influence of the Psalms is
great in Christian history. Their} us throughont life as no pages
language became a part of Chris-] of a book can stay.
tian thought and speech. Their] ‘Then, too, once the Psalms are
ideas strengthened the idea that| safe in our hearts, they begin to
Jesus was the Christ, who was Or-| work as leaven works in dough.
dained from the foundation of the) They set in motion noble thoughts
acc to be the Saviour of man-|anq great deeds. They do things
d. The wide range of human) {9 our spiritual sight and hear-
emotions in the Psalms touches|ing They lay hold of our af-
all the chords of the heart. The) sections and seize our obediences.
Psalms contain faith, trust in di- :
vine protection, courage in dan-| These memorized Psalms will
ger, and a sense of being the attract kindred ideas, as one
singer attracts the song of an-
chosen people for whom heaven .
is in store. The Psalms is “truly| ther. They organize themselves
into little clusters of fellowship.
a magnificent contribution to the
Soon flames of devotion and love
are kindled in our hearts. Then
we are on fire for the cause of
Christ and his church.
The Psalms was the book that
_All worship begins with praise. | nourished the inner life of Christ.
Worship closes with praise. There] They formed an armory of spir-
ve : other elements of worship,|itual weapons. They gave him
praise is central. A service of| guiding lights for the way ahead.
itself, which needs his mor-
al and material support.
Plan to go to church regularly
and pray and read your Bible
daily.
Editor B. J. Nolen
THE LESSON
and earth. The Psalms may be-
‘Why worship? We worship to;come mirror-lights to show the
express our joy to God and our| glory and majesty of God.
gratitude for what God has done.| The words that Jesus uttered
There are many reasons for ex-]on the Cross were from the
pressing our joy. We praise God| Psalms. The Psalms speak of God
for the wonders of earth, his}as being “merciful, gracious,
goodness, his gift of salvation in}slow to anger and of great
Jesus Christ, his truth in the Word} mercy.” These words become
and his eternal presence. flesh in Christ and dwell amongst
All of us have been blessed |¥US- :
Tichly at the hands of God. We John Milton’s use of the Psalms
should be thankful to God as long is just another instance of how
as we live. In the world are the} ™en through all ages have looked
the blind, | to the Bible for hope and in-
spiration, and to God for the es-
those whom disease, distress, or -
tablishment of freedom and jus-
other troubles have humbled to
the dust, the stranger, the help- tice throughout the world. He
less widow, the orphan, the home- wrote, “The Lord will come and
less. All of these lie heavy upon|20t be slow,” which is based on
the heart of God. It is possible] Psalm 82 and Psalm 85.
that some who read these words} “All people that on earth do
may be one of these. Yet the dwell” in the tune called “Old
thing that causes the Psalmist to Hundredth” is in the A. M. E.
be thankful is that deep in the|Hymnal. It was so popular that
heart of God, he knows there is|it was in the Sternhold and Hop-
love for the poor and needy chil-|kins (1562) and the Scottish
dren of the earth. Psalter (1564).
DEVOTIONAL
The Fifteenth Episcopal District
..... A Catastrophe?
“When wilt thou teach the peo-
There are many Psalms in the
Book of Psalms that invite the
growing Christian, either young
or old, to commit to memory.
They are meant to be living
parts of your life. Take them and
make them a part of memory.
“O God, our help in ages past,”
(1714) by Isaac Watts, is the
grandest of English Hymnody. It
is based on Psalm 90. The old
phrases and the majesty of the
Psalm and the faith of Israel as
God’s chosen people are pre-
served:
Someone may ask, “Why g0 to] «sufficient is Thine arm alone,
the trouble of memorizing the
Psalms?” “They are always here,
and we can read them. They are
always available to us.”
The answer is that no great}1.
words like these are ever so pres-
ent or so near and so available} 2.
at all times and in all places as
And our defence is sure.”
Tuincs To THInK AsouT AND
Discuss
Give thought to the personal
reasons for praise. :
Why should our trust in man
be limited?
those words that we have made|3. What is the glory of trusting
our own by giving them over
into the tender care and keeping | 4.
of memory. When we commit the
Psalms to memory they stay with
in God?
How are we to praise God?
How did the Psalmist praise
God?
ple,
God of justice, to
selves?
save them-
They have been saved so often
and sold,
O God of justice, send no more
saviours of the people!
They say: We are saved, but we
are starving.
He says: The sooner will you eat
imaginary cake in the man-
sions of my Father,
They say: Can’t we have a loaf of
common bread?
He says: No, you must go to
heaven, and eat the most mar-
vellous cakes.”
(D. H. Lawrence)
* * * *
Much has been said mismanage-
ment in the 15th Episcopal Dis-
trict, but the root of the trouble
still remains unearthed. The root
is in the Mother Church, right in
America. They have showered a
pestilence upon us, and they
can wash their hands and point
fingers at other people. Our
Mother Church behaves in a step-
motherly way towards us. They
(with our consultation) frame
laws which they subsequently
violate flagrantly, without the
slightest fear that we can react
to breaches of faith.
Who gave the Treasurer of the
A. M. E. Church in America the
right to make the bold statement
that appeared in the A.M. E.
Christian Recorder of 21 June,
1960, and how does the Compila-
tion Committee come to incor-
porate the statement in the 1960
edition of the A.M.E. Discipline on
page 487: “The Bishop of the 15th
Episcopal District receives only
salary from the budget. All other
expenses and allowances are re-
“A Tribute To Father”
June, in all its grandeur, has
come again to bless the earth.
The sun, in his majesty, rides high
in the heavens. The trees, which
only a few weeks ago were put-
ting forth their tender buds, are
now arrayed in stately robes of
green. The rose, with renewed
strength is giving her perfume to
every passerby. The lowly grass
bends under the foot of man and
rises again, undaunted to answer
duty’s call. Birds, in the pride
of parenthood, are filling all the
air with melody.
An appropriate time is this to
pay tribute to you, our ‘fathers,
to you whom we expect to guide
our footsteps with kingly grace;
to you upon whom we depend for
strength and support; to you,
whose courage and compassionate
care mould our childhood into a
glorious symphony.
Faithful guardians of our youth,
in all its material and spiritual
interests, we come today to ex-
press our sincere love and ap-
preciation. We, perhaps, do not
understand the struggle you have
made that our pathway might be
smoother. We can never know the
heartaches you have suffered
over our disappointments and
failures. Neither can we realize
(Continued on Page 13)
Life: Pursuit of Happiness
St. Paul Church
(Continued from Page 6) ;
from the mountain filled with joy
and praise for the fine work be-
ing accomplished by the pastor,
officers and members of St. Paul,
the leading church of the Charles-
ton District.
Attorney William Lonesome,
Reporter.
PAGE
M. BOYDE PATRICK
PRESCHU BD Ra
ceived from the Contingent Fund
of the Conferences over which he
presides.” When did the Treas-
urer consult us that he can place
such burdensome assessments up-
on us, When we can hardly man-| Godliness with contentment is
age to maintain our starving min-| great gain.—I Timothy 6;6. 1
isters, or does he not respect our TODAY’S MESSAGE
opinion, or is this a new form i
of democracy? I want to chal- Joseph Addison once said, “A
lenge the Treasurer to defend this|°°ntented mind is the greatest
statement truthfully; I further| P!¢ssing a man can enjoy in this
want to extend the challenge to|Wr!d.” That this is true we are
the Compilation Committee of the| Wite ready to believe, but the
A. M. E, Discipline, 1960, and to|S@4 fact is that there are many
the whole Church in America|Pe°P!e who never attain that
through its representatives who much-to-be-desired state of mind
attended the 36th General Confer-|@ll¢d_ peace and contentment.
ence held in Los Angeles, Cali- What is to be done about it? What
fornia, in May, 1960. 1 want to| +8 the way to find genuine peace
challenge ALL and sundry, in and contentment in life? I have
their diverse ranks, high and low, noticed that those who have found
who have been condoning this| the most abiding peace and con-
breech? of faith: tentment acquired it through re- :
Just to indicate how much you ates ae amazing thing
underrate us, you don’feven a8 about these people is that even in
how much of the Contingent the ese of adversity and
Fund (I dread to say it against hardship they have managed to
Dibciplinueyeulinpenta ats eae preserve within their hearts a i.
shall any part of the Annual Con- a ove and unquenchable de-
ference Contingent Fund be used Dapper tg |
as expense or honorarium for any|_ When you live close to God,
Bishop . A.M.E. Discipline, believing He watches over you
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS,
falth-Hope-Love>Truth-Potleace Widow
Covroge+ Humility: Kladnenss Mercy
1960, page 456), the Bishop of the|@nd guides you, and when you
15th Episcopal District should| earnestly try to do His will, you
help himself to; the matter is| Will get a deep and profound
stated so vaguely as if those who| Conviction that “whatever hap-—
gave the directive did not really| Pens, happens for the best.” You
know what they were about.Jhave no fear nor anxiety, no
Hence out of his benevolence the| Petulance with incorrigible con-
generous prelate of the said dis-| ditions, no deep dark pessimism
trict, a son of the soil, relieves| about the future. You simply have
the other sons of the soil of only|? sublime and trusting faith tha
10% of their public funds, despite] in His own way, if yo
the raging storm of dissatisfac-| Part earn ind Si
tion. To justify this evil, we are| Will tak
told that the ‘Negro Bishops’ took] My crown is in m;
20% of our funds, and we never| my head; Leet
lifted a finger at so big an evil—|Not decked with diamonds,
as if we don’t know that the pres-| Indian stones, © ey
ent legislation came into force in|Nor to be seen: my crown
1956, after their time. called content: Pie: sik
One can only remark that it is| A crown it is that seldom Kings
only in mathematics where the] enjoy. ;
product of two negatives is a posi- —William Shakespeare —
tive. In human relations, and TODAY’S PRAYER
Christian relations at that, the : ‘ A
z 3 Thi l; ma
product of two negatives is a neg- na tere d ae pa ei a
ative squared. Even so, excep-| .. :
: eR. ‘ still—be the days few or many,
tions to Disciplinary ruling on good or ill. A ;
Episcopal Fund as at page 450, zd
1960 Discipline, appear on page So live that...
453. The exception for the 15th A
Episcopal District is MIS-|Significant Quotations
PLACED! Just like a school-boy :
playing truant, appearing where Saul tried to be a “buddy” with
God. It is always the man who
he should not be. : P
While pecuinary acrobatics are}’® really far Se eee wae
in session, on the highest level, a ae is ae ae Eee
my local pastor is living below ae ve eae hese auueeat
the bread-line. (Who can chal- ae pine tie Almighty peer=
tenes wk Beene: ae, Lge t lasting, Creator, Sustainer of the
wee — come tage ae ner entire universe. There is no flip-
wore only Kee Bear ae pancy or easy intimacy with God
tie pevatond 2 eae Right| oy the man close to God. Instead,
ew ue revard is Dele ey there is a sense of God’s greatness
rected into the wrong channel. and man’s unworthiness.
Why don’t the well-fed prefer = ee
their reward in heaven? It is the William P. Barker in_
fellow that has enough cake to
live on who robs the hungry man E
of his loaf of common bread, who reports to no one, In fact,
deniesshin une Gog iven pice Seas ects seen a miracle—
and pleasure of a dignified patente a report on some of the conditions
existence. How can a _ hoboish prevailing in South Africa, some
looking pastor command dignity); 4m of statistics, and a vague :
and status in a modern commun-|_ ention of an audited statement
ity? His job, his ignoble job, if of Church Finances for whose
he must qualify for a better ap- publication I am_ still waiting.
pointment, is to bleed his con- What, may I ask, has the Council
gregations for more money ace of Bishops been doing about the
succeeding year to pour into al +jiture of Bishop Gow to acquaint
bottomless pit where to retrieve them with the South African
it is a feat that not many can} ..one? How often has he sat in
accomplish. His kids can forget) Qouncil with them? Surely if
a decent education. That is Chris- they cared for the fate ‘of the |
tianity as it is practiced in the Church in this land they would —
A. M. E. Church, with special ref- have searched out quite a lot of =
erence to South Africa. things, most of which they would ee
We have been told that Bishop (Continued on Page 16)
KINGS IN SHIRTSLEEVES ©
(Fleming H. Revell Co.)
===== DSC04454.JPG =====
Ten
Laymen Hold
Electoral College
North Carolina Conf.
FAYETTEVILLE, N. C.
a The Laymen of the North Car-
olina Conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church at a
recent meeting of the Electoral
College held in Fayetteville, N.
Cc. at St. Luke A.M.E. Church,
elected delegates and alternates
i to the General Conference to be
, held in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1964.
The meeting was called to or-
der by the host pastor, Dr. W. T.
Holland, who proceeded with
short devotions.
The highlight of the meeting
a was the election. Preceding bal-
_ ___ Toting, each candidate expressed
:. reasons for his candidacy.
> Balloting resulted in the elec-
_ tion of Mr. S. W. Moore of Castle
Hayne, N. C.; Mr. M. C. Ashe,
Rich Square, N. C.; Mrs. Celya G.
Trent, Wilmington, N. C., and
Mr. Joseph Joe of Wilmington,
Nee.
: Alternates were: Mr. W. H.
_ Marsh, Wilmington, N. C.; Mrs.
Mary Leonard, Wrightsboro, N.
C.; Mr. B. J. Holloman, Selma, N.
C. and Mrs. Dovie Anderson,
Rocky Mount, N. C.
The Pastor and members of St.
Luke Church served a delicious
_Tepast or dinner to all visitors.
elya Grady Trent, Reporter
- Life: Pursuit of Happiness
ow Will Future A.M.E.s
udge Our Acts?
By HERBERT L. FELIX
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
- History declares that man must
_ judge his brother in good or bad
light! I have read the history of
_ the AME Church over and over
again, and have been impressed
_ at times and a little let down at
other times. Yet I understand
_ fully that no organization is per-
- fect! — :
Because we are human, mis-
_ takes are inevitable. Erasers are
_- on pencils in order to take care
of errors or mistakes. But for the
sake of history, we should at least
try to make as few mistakes as
possible. We can learn a great
deal from our own AME history
_ if we would only read it sincerely.
As a young man in the A. M. E.
Church in the year 1963, I can
see many many problems in our
A. M. E. School System. In short,
we have too many schools for the
budget! This is not a criticism
concerning the founders of our
great A. M. E. Schools, but rather
an observation concerhing the
small budget!
‘I don’t care what we do or how
well we do it, future A. M. Es
will still judge our acts pro or
con. In their remarks concerning
our MERITS and DEMERITS, let
them say that the General Con-
ference of 1964 was the best in
ae A.M.E. History! If we keep the
DEVIL out of the General Con-
ference of 1964, we will be able
to solve many of our problems!
Let’s join forces and stop being
so JEALOUS of each other my
fellow A.M.E.s!
My closing remarks are as fol-
lows: LET’S GET SOME QUAL-
IFIED LAYMEN WITH Ph.D.
DEGREES, AND LET THEM
RUN OUR A.ME. SCHOOLS
WITH FREEDOM AND WITH-
OUT PRESSURE!!! Amen.
‘
5
-
A. M. E, CHRISTIAN RECORDER
STEWARDESSES OF
CHURCH
A board of women from three
to nineteen, may be nominated by
the pastor, and confirmed by the
stewards as “Stewardesses”. They
assist the pastor and stewards in
looking after the pulpit, prepar-
ing for baptism and the Lord’s
Supper, taking collections for the
poor, visiting the sick, advising
the young, helping to care for the
pastor and his family, and being
useful in general in regard to
spiritual affairs of the church.
Where practicable there may be
a junior board and other Stew-
ardess boards. Stewards and
Stewardesses should be persons
of irreproachable character who
have the confidence of the peo-
ple. =
TEMPORAL ECONOMY
In order to carry on its spiritual
work, the church has a “temporal
economy,” that is the financial
arrangements, This includes sup-
port of pastors, presiding elders,
general officers, bishops, pensions
for superannuates, widows, or-
phans, and general claims. The
local church provides for the pas-
Historical and Chronological Material of the A. M. E.
Church Particularly For Benefit of Our Loyal Laymen
tor, the Annual Conference and
District Conference for the pre-
siding elders, the General Con-
ference for bishops, general of-
ficers, pensions and_ general
claims. See Discipline. A “temp-
oral economy committee” at the
General Conference makes rec-
ommendations for the finances of
the general church.
TIME LIMIT
In Methodism, the itinerant
system is common; that is preach-
ers are appointed for one year
only, and may be moved. In the
A. M. E, Church there was a
limit to the number of years a
pastor could stay on a charge. At
least 2 years was the limit, then
3, 5, and 8 years. At present the
time limit is abolished, and the
length-of time a pastor shall re-
main at a charge is left to the
judgment of the bishop.
THE A.M.E. TRANSFER
SYSTEM
Ministers of the church may be
transferred from one annual con-
ference to another upon their re-
quest and without previous notice
from the bishop without their
consent, Lay members removing
from one church to another,
should get letters of transfer from
their pastors. Preachers from
other Methodist churches (de-
nominations) may be transferred
to the A. M. E. Church: by their
bishops, but are put on the super-
numerary list unless prior provis-
ions have been made. No one can
transfer, however, under charges.
Preachers being transferred by
the bishop must have three
months’ notice. pre
147th Session of
The Philadelphia
Annual Conference Held by Bishop Baber
Once each year minds of con-
gregations and pastors are turned
towards that period known as
“The Annual Conference.” The
147th session of the Philadelphia
Conference opened at the mother
church of African Methodism on
May 15th. Here, where the mem-
ories of courageous men like
Richard Allen, once again walked
across the minds of many who
assembled for this meeting.
The sessions were attended by
many of our church leaders:
Bishops R. R. Wright, H. D. Sims,
J. D. Bright, I. H. Bonner, F.
Jordan, E. C. Hatcher. General
Officers: G. A. Singleton, B. J.
Nolen, A. C. Clark, A. G. Gaston,
J. E. Beard, G. H, J. Thibodeaux.
Others in attendance were: Hon.
A. Phillip Randolph, and the
Rev. D. Tucker.
Running throughout the con-
ference was the general theme:
“Pentecost.” The women on
Thursday unvieled, with feeling,
the role of women in both the
Old and New Testament as af-
fected by the Holy Spirit. On
Friday night the youth portrayed
the work of the Spirit inspiring
young people. At the academy of
music on Sunday a cast of twenty,
assisted by the Conference Young
Adult Choir of one hundred and
fifty voices and additional sup-
porting members of fifty por-
trayed most effectively the birth
of the Christian Church. More
than three thousand witnessed
and sat spellbound as the pag-
eantry of this tremendous event
unfolded on the stage.
Bishop George W. Baber and
Mrs. Elvira Baber deserve credit
and praise for their assistance and
work in making this celebration
throughout the Conference a re-
ality.
The theme of “Pentecost” has
prevailed throughout the confer-
ences and will continue until all
Annual Conferences have been
completed.
The Pageant Committee,
headed by Rev. T. S. Clements,
producer, worked for thirty-two
weeks to make this event a real-
ity.
(Continued on Page 13)
Life: One Exit
Every New Day Presents
A New Problem —
By HERBERT L. FELIX
CHICAGO, ILL.
Many people believe that they
will reach that point in their daily
lives, when they will be PROB-
LEM FREE. When they finally
WAKE UP or OPEN THEIR
EYES TO THE REAL OR TRUE
FACTS OF LIFE, they are OLD
and hate everybody around them
including man’s best friend the
DOG!
As a young man in this world
of UPS and DOWNS, I am trying
to ENJOY each day that GOD
has given to me. At a young age,
I am fully aware of the fact that
each new day presents or creates
a new PROBLEM! My reading of
history, personal experiences, and
observing others who have a few
years on me have taught me that
PROBLEMS ARE HERE TO
STAY.
In several of my articles for
the A.M.E. Christian Recorder, I
have referred to myself as a
young man. Well in short, I am
indeed happy to be a young man
in the great A.M.E, Church. Many
older A.M.E.s seem to be a bit
worried concerning the future of
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
(Continued from Page 3)
church needs to hear again the
voice from heaven saying: “Thus
saith the Lord”, Well, if you listen
to our various church meetings
the material side is stressed but
not so much about the spiritual
side.
We should not concentrate on
how many good men we may
elect to the Bishopric but how
much good we may do to achieve
some of the fundamental needs
for the church, There will always
be plenty of men for the Bishop-
ric, good ones, bad ones and other-
wise. We should try to visualize
some of the needs of the church
and bring them into reality as
much as possible, materially and
spiritually.
Well, some are saying: “Don’t
elect any new Bishops at the
next session of the General Con-
ference”. We could do that, if
we were sure none of these we
have wouldn’t die the next quad-
rennium. The A.M.E, Church has
elected two or more Bishops at
every regular session of the Gen-
eral Conference since 1908. And
I ask will the next General Con-
ference be smart enough to not
elect a Bishop or Bishops? Truly
the church needs active leader-
ship to help speed up the work
of the saving of souls for Christ.
Does the church need some of
these young and strong men that
are offering for the Bishopric?
not too much concerned about
records in our church, only in a
few cases. Our church member-
ship should be corrected. Some
one says: Oh, well, you can’t do
anything about that. Well, if we
are going to have a record we
should have an honest one, one
that is reliable and true, We are
fearful that if the church continues
to pressure Presiding Elders,
Pastors and Laymen to pay for
members that we do not have,
some where, sometime in the fu-
ture, we are likely to hear the
rumbling of the caterline’s tail in
our church. This is really a de-
testable thing. In some cases in
our churches if a member dies
he is not cut off the church roll.
Therefore, the membership rolls of
our churches in some instances
are null and void. And as a re-
sult, it causes too many ordinary fi
members to find fault with the
church. Again, this membership
business may seem quite passive
at present, but it is possible that
this same affair may become very
militant.
Our leaders should recommend
a change in this affair at the
next General Conference, Persons —
who go to other sections of the
country and join other chur
Is it best for the church to just] is
|let us stay in office until we can’t
stay any more? Yes, the Church
needs vision, vigor and power.
For in these times of scientific
and technological development
the Christian principles and ideals
may be just a little harder to
sustain than in former days.
We are approaching another
General Conference and there are
numerous folk scrambling to be
elected as delegates. What will
most of them do at General Con-
ference time? Well, just gallop
along with the gang. All who
attends this Conference should
have something in mind for the
good of the church in general
and not so much “Is there any-
thing in it for me?” The Church
needs a more oneness in action.
We find this to be true on the
local level very much. Some laws
are put forth in the local capacity
of the church that the church at
large knows nothing about. And
worse of all the execution of these
laws become a MUST. Our church
is still operated too loosely. Do
you agree? Tell the truth.
The management of church ac-
tivities should give the church
a good record. Apparently we are
nee
the A.M.E. Church. My aims in
the A.M.E. Church are as follows:
1. TO ENCOURAGE MORE
YOUNG A.M.E.s TO WRITE FOR
OUR VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS
AND TAKE A MORE ACTIVE
PART IN THEIR CHURCH
WORK. 2. TO ENCOURAGE
ALL AM.E.s TO MAKE UP IN
THEIR MINDS TO MAKE TT,
PROBLEMS OR NO PROB-
LEMS! ete.
I don’t care how old or young
you are, or what you know or
where you have been or done,
kindly keep the following in mind
at all times; EVERY NEW DAY
PRESENTS A NEW PROBLEM!!!
affair :
the church ani
no
2,
Again it is tru a
can just stay the same t
in and year out. This record kee;
ing business may not be the same
in all Episcopal Districts, but one
instance is too many. Everything —
fluctuates at times. Again, this —
is one phase of our church life
that is driving members from
African Methodism. We as a
church should get down to facts
and business when it comes to
our membership, and stop using —
assumptions. How about it?
Now we A.M.E.s are about to
embark on the shores of Chris-
tian Stewardship. And how can
we have Christian Stewardship
without the elements of justice,
honesty and truth? We must cease
preaching one thing and practic-
ing another. If we continue to —
have to pay for memberships in
our local churches in access of
what we really have it will
eventually create problems in
our churches that will be so old
and stubborn that they will not ak
be solved without conflict. There = SOR
were problems that existed be- ee
tween capital and labor for many
years but they were finally
solved with duress. From what-
ever deviations that we have in
our local church activity in too
many instances much of it stems
from an_ inflated membership. —
And when our members go to
other sections of the country for
a great part, they do not join
AM.E. Churches because they
have enough of our church and 5
our way of doing. r
Lastly the $4.00 is not working,
it would be far better for the
next General Conference to raise
the budget to $5.00 per member
rather than to have so many
little “Intermediate free-will of-
ferings for our schools.” Amen.
===== DSC04455.JPG =====
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
A. M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
TREND OF THE TIMES =
By McCOY RANSOM
Prof. R. T. Butler,
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
PROF. R. T. BUTLER
The African Methodist Episco-
pal Church excels all Negro Chris-
tian institutions in thoroughly
developing leadership for the Ne-
gro race. Through the decades
the A. M. E. Church has produced
an unending stream of laymen
who have been outstanding lead-
_ ers in our church and in our na-
tion. The laymen who have been
_ the most outstanding are those
who have earnestly loved the A.
_M. E. Church in every respect.
i. The subject, Professor R. T.
Butler, a member of Allen Chapel
A. M. E. Church, Murfreesboro,
e ‘ s been blessed by
1 to have achieved honor and
in his career. He has proved
hee church has always found
ame ready and willing to shoulder
any responsibility placed upon
him by the church. Professor But-
ler is one of the many educated
men of America who prays in
morning worship services and
leads prayer meetings.
God has richly blessed this lay-
man for his Godly service unto
Him, The A.B. and M. A. de-
grees were earned from Fisk Uni-
versity, Nashville, Tennessee. A
Mason of high rank, holding the
33rd Degree, he was elevated to
Sovereign Grand Inspector Gen-
eral in 1961, making him one of
the two Active 33rd Degree Ma-
sons in Tennessee,
Recently he was honored with
an inyitation from Vice President
Lyndon B, Johnson inviting him
to attend a community conference
on Equal Employment Oppor-
tunities and Practices for minori-
ty groups. This conference was
sponsored by President Kennedy’s
Committee on Equal Employment
Opportunity on May 19, 1962. De-
partmental heads who were pres-
ent, to name a few, were: Secre-
tary of Labor, Arthur Goldberg;
Secretary of Health, Education
and Welfare, Abraham Ribicoff;
United States Attorney General,
Robert F. Kennedy.
May God continue to bless the
A. M. E. Church to make Chris-
tian leaders for the world.
While It Is Day
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of
love;
Teach me the wayward feet to
stay,
And guide them in the homeward
way. —Washington Gladden
OPEN LETTER
Rev. David J. Brown, Manager
B. J. Nolen-for-Bishop Committee
414 8th Avenue, South
Nashville, Tennessee
Dear Rev. Brown,
First, let me congratulate you
and through you, your magnifi-
cent Editor for the tremendous
job the A. M. E. Christian Re-
corder has done under his lead-
ership. There is no doubt that
the Recorder is far better today
than it has been for more than
twenty-five years. In my humble
opinion, the Recorder had only
one peer in modern history—the
administration of Bishop R. R.
Wright, Jr. There is no doubt
that there is room for improve-
ment. With better support from
the church generally, it is quite
possible that this journal could
fill a void for the Negro people
as much as the Christian Moni-
tor does for the Christian reli-
gion (Protestant). Its future could
easily prove to be the most pro-
ductive in the way of service,
prestige, and revenue, within the
A. M. E. family.
Shamefully, as a church, we
have not measured up to the chal-
lenge and vision of our founding
fathers: They made the A. M. E.
Church the strongest bastion; the
biggest asset the Negro race has
had in its struggle from slavery.
We are not only a failure in that
respect; we are continuing to fail
by refusing to face up to our
shortcomings. It would seem ob-
vious that we must today, right
now, set all else aside and cor-
rect our ills. If reformation is not
done, nothing lies before us but
steady decline.
Ours is not a hopeless task. We
have the minds in the church,
but they are mostly harnessed;
in the wrong place at the wrong
time, or else they go unrecog-
nized and unappreciated. We have
the resourees but we don’t seem
disposed toward using them, We
have the assets but apparently we
are afraid to commit them.
I would humbly submit that
we need first of all to draft a set
of priorities, Our church has
three (3) areas where we and we
alone can give yoeman service to
the glory of our God and the ad-
vancement of our race.
1st—Educationally
We think of keeping our
schools, as they have been, suc-
cessfully or not, or else we think
of terminating them. It is often
heard that we can’t compete with
the state in providing educational
facilities for our people, Why
compete? The A, M. E. Church
by creating these schools can
claim a major share for the prog-
ress of the Negro race. These
schools, each and every one of
redirect them. As your corre-
spondent, Rev, Frederick Divers,
suggests, we must explore the
possibility of merging some of our
schools with other denominations.
We must convert some to indus-
trial schools, others to remedial
schools, ete. Education is a ma-
jor field of service for us—a con-
tinuing and ever-expanding field
of service. Aid from foundations,
unions, educational associations as
well as governmental units will
aid us if we are in the right place
at the right time, Now is the
time,
2nd—Missions
We have the greatest oppor
tunity to aid the African nations
in their struggle towards inde
pendence of any force in this
them, still has value, but we must |
hemisphere. We must recruit and
amass through every means, ma-
terial and spiritual resources for
Africa. Our churches could serve
as depots in every community in
the nation for cast-off clothes,
books, medical supplies, furni-
ture, building equipment, ete.
The government, private founda-
tions and®# business interests,
would assist us in processing these
materials for use in Africa. Afri-
ca means much to the so-called
free world, and its success means
much to us as a race of people.
Money is necessary, but it is also
evident in materials as well as in
dollars. We have not applied our
genius to the ingenuity that a
real missions job dictates in Afri-
ea. Israel would not have been
possible without the aid of the
American Jew. Africa has what
Israel doesn’t have: land wealth.
She can and will repay us mani-
fold if we can help her to her
feet today.
3rd—Merger
Today, in this nation, we
have reached the _ saturation
point. We have too many busi-
ness enterprises competing with
each other: schools, social agen-
cies, unions, and certainly we
have too many churches doing
the same. We have the example
of Labor and Management under-
standing this, and they are con-
solidating their gains together, so
that they can move ahead. We
have the example of such diverse
religious orders as the Congrega-
tional and Baptist churches dis-
cussing merger. We have the
prospects of Presbyterians, Meth-
odists and Episcopalians merging.
We have some who will bet or
wager, as your choice, that the
Catholic Church, the Church of
England and the _ Episcopal
Chureh will merge within the
next ten years. There is absolute-
ly no reason why the A, M. E.,
A M. E. Z, C. M. E. and the
Central Jurisdiction of the M. E.
Church could not and should not
merge.
In spite of opinions to the con-
trary, we could merge with the
A. M. E. Zion Church in the year
1964. We don’t have name prob-
lems. Our structure and laws are
almost identical, Our history is
practically the same. We refer
to our church as the Ship of Zion
and they accept the designation
A. M. E. Their Bishop(s) could
easily be absorbed by our church,
the districts adjusted, would ac-
tually provide more opportunity
rather than less. The people of
|both churches are agreeable to
merger.
We need to go after the Church
of God and all the other indepen-
dents, anywhere they are found,
There are Baptists that could be
converted to the Episcopal form
of government; there are Pres-
byterians who are lost and would
welcome our form, Here is a new
mission field that is ripe for the
plucking.
4th—A Bonus Administration
Our Church is the most mis-
managed institution ef size in the
nation. The major reason is that
most preachers are not business
people. We have within the laity,
people with training, experience
and resources (knowledge of re-
sources) to make our church
completely independent without
raising another cent. In fact, we
lcould possibly provide revenue
for spiritual work, if properly or-
ganized, from our own assets
|\Some examples: the A. M, EB
Church could insure itself, With
a thousand churches paying hun-
dreds in insurance year after
year, and our schools doing the
same, we could quickly accumu-
late millions. Conservatively in-
vested, the income would pay our
insurance risks, plus administra-
-tive costs. In time, revenue could
be given over to subsidize spir-
itual work.
For The Sake ;
Of The Record a
By McCOY RANSOM
The quality of any journal of
proceedings depends upon accura-
ey of preception on the part of
the recorder, the skill of tran-
script elucidation, staff organiza-
tion and coordination, plus unim-
peachable integrity. What is said
expressly for the sake of the rec-
ord is usually important to the
author and for him, it means a -
stake for the future. If what is 3
read into the record is subject ;
to modification or elimination,
then no action by the body is in-
violate. The only sanctuary for
precious, hard-won achievements
of a legislative group is in the
sacred precincts of incorrupted
records. Therefore, along with
plans and progressive measures
for ‘64’ consider well, for the sake
of the record, wherein your real
strength lies; or for that matter
wherein your real weakness lies.
If, after we have saved others
and other things, the record it-
self might become the castaway.
So, for the sake of the record it
becomes absolutely necessary to
know whether or not complete
reliance upon the record is too
much to expect. If our own ju-
dicial council and the courts of
the land have no alternative but
Within our church there are
thousands who would and could
save their money in an A. M. E.
Savings and Loan Institution.
This institution could grant mort-
gages to churches, regardless of
denomination, homes, etc.—ulti-
mately earning millions.
Industrial needs: Our church
could easily manufacture right in
Nashville as a part of Mr. Selby’s
function, glass products, collection
trays, pulpit scarfs, Easter, Christ-
mas decorations, etc. If our
church dealt with itself we
would have the best customers
possible. Sure, there are legal
problems, but men like Herbert
Dudley and other A. M. E. law-
yers could provide us a legal de-
partment second to none.
Our Church has lost prestige
and continues to lose. All over
the world eyes are on Albany,
Georgia, Atlanta, Mississippi, Bir-
mingham and most recently your
own city, Nashville. Except for
Mr. Gaston’s personal participa-
tion as a Birmingham personali-
ty, the A. M. E. Church has not
been identified as a part of this
great strugggle. What a gain we
would have made if the A. M. E.
dilemma for our nation if our Every constituent :
students in the A. M. E. schools | piven body has a right to his o
and in the Sunday Schools
throughout the nation, had peace-
fully and orderly demonstrated
for the rights of freedom.
Our Church has lost prestige
because we have become so en-
grossed in battling with one an-
other that we have lost the im-
age of our destiny. Yes, a Bishop
is powerful; yes, it’s an honor to
be one—but nothing like it was.
Today being a Bishop doesn’t
compare too disproportionately
from being the pastor of many
churches throughout the nation.
These pastorates provide parson-
ages that compare, if not exceed,
any Bishop’s home. There are
charges that provide mileage, ex-
pense accounts, travel allowances,
clothes allowances; these charges
provide an opportunity for a role
in eur civie, community, social,
political and economic security.
We need outstanding pastors as
well as Bishops, Rev. Henry Hitt
Crane and his successor are bet-
ter known, more influential, in
Michigan, than their Bishop, Mar-
shall Reid—and that is as it
should be.
Our Church needs to seek the
men, not the men the office—just
ence. Select men for special needs
of ‘the church in the today. >
Board;
solute integrity in work of com-
pilation committee; (6) that Gen-
eral Board minutes be
not later than 30 days after meet-
ing closes.
Personally, and for the sake of
the record, let me say that T do
not want the present
job. I want that job that has not
been done, What has been dome
has been done, but I say there’s
much more to it than meets the aa
(Continued on Page 16) sit
The other Bishops may not like
it, but Bishop Gomez is possibly
our only Bishop who can hold us
up in ecumenical councils (grant-
ing that Bishop Wright is declin-
ing as an active)—and yet, in
Texas he couldn’t hold a candle
to Bishop Sherman. There Sher-
man speaks the language of the
masses. His knowledge of the
trades will enable him te build and
rebuild. The social worker train-
ing and experience of his wife will
(Continued on Page 15)
===== DSC04456.JPG =====
Twelve
COBBS CORNER
THE SOUND OF A DIFFERENT DRUMMER
Henry David Thoreau in his
literary work, “Walden,” has
aptly said: “If a man does not
keep pace with his companions
perhaps it is because he hears a
different drummer. Let him step
to the music which he hears, how-
ever measured or far away.”
C. A. Williams, son of Andrew
and Angeline (West) Williams,
born July 25, 1870 in Clarksville,
Tennessee and educated in the
public schools of Topeka, Kansas
and Kansas City, Mo., stepped
spryly, April 4, 1963 to the music
of a different drummer.
Licensed to preach at Allen
Chapel by Rev. F. J. Peck in
1898, admitted to the Missouri An-
nual Conference at St. Louis in
1899, ordained deacon by Bishop
Tanner at St. Louis in 1899, or-
dained elder by Bishop Shaffer
at Kansas City in 1902, C. A.
Williams, a temporary tenant of
Douglass Hospital cupped his
hand to his ear and heard the
music of a distant drummer re-
minding him that “the day of
march had come.” The old soldier,
in the words of General Douglass
McArthur, never died; “he just
faded away.”
I do not pretend that C. A.
Williams was a faultless paragon
of virtue; on the contrary, he was,
on more than one occasion, emo-
tional in his deliberations, vitu-
perative in his denunciations, and
‘prone to engage in bitter attack
A. M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
instead of concentrating his fire
upon the merits of an issue, But
nothing could sway him from
what he thought was right, from
his determination to help the A.
M. E. denomination and the peo-
Another Soldier of The
Cross Bids Adieu
ple of his parish, from his hope] —
to save them from listlessness and |}
laziness, from flimsiness and
frivolity. Always, in season and
out, he led those committed to his
pastoral charge, to the tune of a
distant drummer.
As a pastor, C. A. Williams was
an independent thinker, and in-
dividualist, a non-conformist, a
trail-blazer. He pastored churches,
high and low, rural and urban,
in Pleasant Hill, Mo.; Nevada,
Joplin, Mo.; Malta Bend, Quinn
Chapel, Springfield, Indepen-
dence, Ft. Scott, Wichita, Denver
(Shorter), St. Louis (St. Paul),
Omaha (St. John), and Kansas
City, Missouri and (Ward Chap-
el), He marched, breast forward,
to the tune of a distant drummer.
Among the churches he orga-
nized were: St. John, St. Louis,
1923; Grant Mission, Kansas City,
1909; built St. Paul, Wichita, 1916;
Paid mortgage of Shorter, Denver;
St. Paul, St. Louis; Ward, Kansas
City; received 1,000 members into
the church and had over 109 con-
versions.
The poet John Drinkwater
prayed the prayer that almost all
of us find the need for praying:
(Continued on Page 13)
The
Thou go not,
Scourged to his dungeon,
THE LATE
REV. W. CLARK WILLS
Nashville, Tennessee
So live that when thy summons
comes to join
innumerable caravan,
moves
that
To the pale realms of shade,
where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of
death,
like the quarry-
slave at night
but
sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach
the grave
Like one who wraps the drapery
of his couch
About him and lies down to pleas-
ant dreams.
(Continued on Page 16)
Look At It This Way
(Continued from Page 6)
out a vote by the General Con-
ference, which are as follows:
1. Special Appeals (we all
agree it was needful but
without a vote from G, C.)
. Stewardship Program from
the Minimum Salary Depart-
ment.
. Allen’s Foundation from the
Sunday School Union
. Dime Drive from W. Leake
(no department)
. Brotherhood (Unauthorized)
. Presiding Elder’s Council
(Unauthorized)
. Bishops of the AME Church
(Unauthorized)
. Presiding Elders Report Rec-
ords (in Georgia)
w
Ask yourself the questions, No.
1. who is it that will receive the
benefit from selling such books
as the Bishops of the A. M. E.
Church and the Presiding Elder
Report Records; the Church or
individual? Question No. 2 is the
Cc. A. WILLIAMS
‘
are led by our Bishops. They
are trying to undermind the au-
thority of our Bishops and trans-
ter the eutherity unte them-
selves. It seems that our Bishops
are falling for this action. They
are afraid of a few, forgetting the
many! May I remind them that
there is more for them than
against them. Take a look for
yourselves. The total member-
ship Budget-wise will eeme to
about seven hundred thousand
members, say one hundred thou-
sand of them are against you; will
not there be six hundred thou-
sand left, say again we have four
thousand preachers and one
thousand be against, there will
be three thousand preachers for
you! So, ‘Fathers in God’ who are
not against you are for you and
|\we are in the MAJORITY! Don't
doubt us, try us and you will see
This mad-house for power must
| stop and yoy are the ones to stop
it!
There is nome among us that is
lit before and will say it again
/ because the Bishopric
and again
Bishop’s Council a legislative
body and can it enact something
unto law? The General Confer-
ence is the only legislative body
and it alone can enact laws to
effect the whole Church! We
read, “The Bishop’s Council En-
dores Stewardship Program” and
it becomes law all over the
Church! The word “Law” means
“Program” all over the Church.
Do we really mean that the
Brotherhood or one of its mem-
ber proposed it and the Bishops
accepted the same? Is this the
why the Brotherhood is allowed
to be free of the laws of our Dis-
cipline? If you permit them and
the Presiding Elder’s Council go
free, why not all! If you turn
them a loose, turn the rest a loose.
The African Methodist Episcopal
Church cannot exist in the at-
mosphere of some free and some
slaves! I for ome, will not be
bound while others be free! I will
be your slave, if we all are
slaves—as one of Jesus” sheep,
you can have all of the wool that
1 produce; but I have promised
my soul unto another, my soul be-
longs unto God! Take me but
not my soul!
Have you noticed here of late
nobody within the Church seem
to have amy sense except some
member of the Brotherhoed? No-
body has a program for the
Church but them. Have we got-
ten so low until only one segment
ef the Church is the only one
| with brains? The rest of us only
have strong backs but no brains.
| Shall we let them hug all of the
road and at the same time expect
the rest of us to support the
greater than a Bishop. I have said |
|program? If they imsist on run~
{ning the Church by themselves,
let them pay the expense there-
oft If we must help to raise the
money, lets insist on helping run-
ning this Church! Be no party
to helping raise the money with
no voice! The African Methodist
;
aaeoail ania is the highest office bestowed up- | Episcopal Church is calling every
lon any single or growp among lmember to arm im order to com-
Bishop G. W. Baber Old Songs African Methodism, The Bishops|bat this mad foree within the
munued from Page 8) z — : ou is oh he time has —e
(Continued from Page 4) He to rescue me from danger are the head of the Church in the peers he pote: pan pos
: = rf Pee 7e w ~ | Sao OS ae y ‘
A j t resolution by |Interposed His precious blood | absence ef the General Confer b : st Tat one tek Cee
om eroquent rosctw ¥ : ence, therefore, every member of | Marmme y run
the Rev, Dr, J. H, Bailey voiced a - lthe Church should leok tee, ex- it, but the slogan is; “let us run
the conference’s appreciation for|Oh, to grace how great a debtor, sect from the Bishape $6 lel it’—all of us not just a few but
‘ s ed to { : A
the superb leadership of Bishop ay Te — chs ae after the business ef the Chureh; all!! How long shall we stand by
and Mrs. Baber and for che] Lay tay Eeoiae® — rw if need be, with their lives The | aad let this happen over and
wa ring hea ¢ 2e | 3
splendid entertainment given the Bind my w nae ne nbn chaonno linterest ef the Church has been /OVer again taken adv antage of
conference by Rev, Dr. J. J wa Ast For Living | neglected through carelessness or |9" Office to ° xploit the a
son, and his queenly wife, Mrs. | . | nar downeright refusal, The Bish-| Why these things were m
Jackson, and the fine members| The Allen Anvi = © ops have allowed @ small element | tste a proposal (Bill) te the Gan-
of Mt. Pisgah Church. Bishop fmrich was born in | of the Chureh to remain in ope- jeral Conference and let a vote
j si in. T ey, i ‘ ¢ mis-|ration, using the mame of the | bY the same be cast for oF
District visitors included; Bish-| Mardin, Turkey, in 1910, of mis . aa a lanai
= - ced frie an ethadis episcepa, $
. Wright, Jr. Presiding|sionary parents fle attended|A
- Barty the 16th Episcopal Die- Phillis s Andover Academy, | Church to raise monies using the} One does not take authority, it
trict; Dr, A. Chester Clark, See-| Brown University, the Kpiseopal|same as it pleases, ¢ ailing meet-| must be given, gt :
: } P ‘ fey 1 i sabeidee,|ing when they want, electing ef.| stewed. Before ane can preach im
retary of Missions; Dr, George Theological School in Cambridge: £ eth
; " q Mian Thee | ficers when and whom they want;|any church, the AME Chure
A, Singleton, Editor of The AME | Massachusetts, and Union Theoe~| . ; ~ a ay a Mees
i H 7 » D ey Con-|logical Seminar in New York| while the rest ef us must be th-/ Pp Cub . @ rece
eee Se ‘ : rgb ~ * yore versity f| der the law or laws ef the Dis- |these werds—“take thou author=
nectional Lay President; Dean|City; and later, the University o mens
™ : ’ ceiving the|cipline of the Church! You may lity te preach the word God,
C. 8, Spivey, Payne Seminary;| Marburg, Germany, receiving the | elt : : ; ee Pt Ga
r (c y Jersey |deeree of Doctor of Philosophy, | ask, what harm has cen done is € ns . »
ee ay ae i sy th a aiiad yeats he has re sived | tt all depends en how you loek | our Bishops and Elders. ff the
C Z Pi ie] ey ‘oc c 3 e as ec M ‘ |
— — ee: br vA bee 1 t rary degre from | at it in regards with The General | Bretherhoed can take authority
7 ie e s > : t onoarea Cegrees t ; 4 * -
—_— oe = Lag “e My _ We big , tiaiver. | Conference, Let me name @ few | let the layman alse take the au-
snefac j era f|/ American anc anadiat iver. | Confe ‘
Gna benefactor cf seve Titer lthings that have happened with- | thority to bury, perform marri-
churches, and others
ages and give the Lord’s Supper.
Question, would you accept a
Bishop who has not been sent by
the proper authority, a Presid-
ing Elder who has not been ap-
pointed by a Bishop, a Pastor
who has not been assigned by an
Annual Conference or Presiding
Elder; would a member pay his
money unto a person who has
not been appointed Class-leader
by the Pastor? Well, you have
accepted an organization without
the proper authority in accepting
the Brotherhood and Presiding
Elder’s Council!!! The General
Conference has not spoken nor
voted on either of these. I wish
to make my positien very clear
at this point. I am not against any
individual, personal or otherwise.
I am only against unauthorized
body or bodies that seek to move
about within the church disre-
garding its rules and doctrine. I
stand for the Church and against
all who disregards its orders,
whether it be Bishop, Pastor,
Presiding Elder, or Layman. I
believe the power belongs unto
the Bishops of the Church who
were elected to perform ecclesi-
astic government which is a part
of our Church.
The so-called Brotherhood has
been through two General Con-
ferences without getting autho-
rized by the Conference. Don’t
try to take an authority! Be nice
and give up until the Church tells
you that you are needed and
wanted. This is a chance to do
something on your own and if
you won’t do it voluntary it
to show that you do not
to do right. You are
asked to give up your nor
to give up what you believe in.
for
g
a
i
E
z
:
gSg ERE
g
gf
|
2!
-
be
:
i
g
’
:
i
E
:
.
TL
i
5
i
fit
1
ii
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st
i
z
i
Houston? It was called to meet
om one day and the Brotherhood
was called to meet a day before,
Would you call that religion?
NO! NO! How would you like
it, calling your official beard
meeting for one night and some
of the members call a meeting &
night before? Would it make
sense?
ff this unauthorized organiza-
tien is allowed to maintain its
present power, they will elect all
ef the Bishops and you will do
seething but “‘Buddy-Buddy’ in
High Places. Then nobody
nobedy will be able to get a
shake in this great Church of
Their interpretation of
Brotherhood means for
er and net fer the African
dist Episcopal Chureh,
lesophy is, whats yours
it, whats ours we will
whats the chureh’s we
it!
zee
Fei5ez
i
if
BE
===== DSC04457.JPG =====
e:
bes :
3
_ tion. And now under the capable
_ the charming mistress of cere-
Fourteen
Highlights of Natchez
District Conference
By REV. FRED WILLIAMS
Secretary of the District
First, I must say that this was
the most inspiring District Con-
ference that has ever been held
on the Natchez District.
Dr. J. D, Watkins, Presiding El-
der, was at his best at all times,
and all sermons were very chal-
lenging. On the second day, our
Bishop D. H. Sims was accom-
panied by our visiting Bishop G.
N. Collins, Presiding Bishop of
the 17th and 18th Episcopal Dis-
tricts in Africa, Bishop Sims
spoke as never before. He spe-
cifically pointed out the growth
of Campbell College and the
widespread for the future. Bish-
op Collins brought greetings from
Africa and also designated the
many improvements that had
been made since he was there.
Everyone was very elated be-
cause this was the first time that
two Bishops had ever visited a
District Conference in the Mis-
sissippi Conference. A superb
dinner was served.
Among our other visiting guests
were Drs. E. W. Whitfield and J.
R. Powe, from Louisiana, who
rendered special services in the
District Conference. Presiding El-
ders L. A. Carpenter, Brookhaven
: District, and J. W. Hilton, Port
Gibson District, were also guests.
The missionary sisters rendered
service the last night of the meet-
ing. The chosen subject for the
evening was “Facing The Future.”
This meeting was held at Zion
Chapel No. 2 of Natchez, Miss.,
Rev. Robert Harris, pastor.
Let us give God the praise for
the growth of the Natchez Dis-
trict.
Art For Living
Eleventh Episcopal
5 __ (Continued from Page 7) = |
ing church edifices in the connec-
leadership of its pastor, a long
desired dream has come to fru-
ition. This congregation of twelve
hundred and eighty-five mem-
bers is happy and moving for-
ward to other areas of kingdom
building. e
The beautiful new parsonage,
split level design, at top photo was
impressively dedicated by Bishop
William F. Ball, at 3:15 p.m.
Bishop Ball delivered a masterly
sermon at the 11:00 a.m. service.
The officers and members had
prepared dinner in the church
dining room that all might dine
with the bishop. :
Mrs. George P. Coleman was
monies: Bishop Ball is shown
dedicating the parsonage assisted
by Presiding Elders, F. A. Allen,
A. A. Williams (at right) of the
West Palm Beach District, and
pastor Harris (at left) of the
bishop.
In the center photo Trustee
Board Chairman C. G. Dyson,
thanks the pastor for able lead-
ership, the Silent Workers Club
and all members and friends in
_ helping. Special thanks to Mrs.
Lula B. Williams, Chairman of
the Silent Workers Club, who
completely furnished the Par-
sonage, with more than seven
thousand dollars ($7,000.00)
worth of furniture, cash. The to-
tal cost of the parsonage, forty-
six thousand dollars ($46,000.00).
Photo four shows Mrs. Fannie A.
Moses, church secretary, present-
ing a plaque of appreciation and
a bouquet of roses to Mrs. Lula
B. Williams dedicated Chairman
of the Silent Workers Club.
Mrs. Rosetta H. Harris wife of
our minister, is president of the
Missionary Society and member
of Choir No. 1, she renders val-
uable service in assisting her hus-
band carry forward the work in
kingdom building.
Noah Wilson, Reporter
ee Poa :
“IT Was There” )
}
By REV. R. J. PAUL, D.D., Pastor
Payne Chapel AME Church
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Eastern Area Convoca-
tion of the 5th Episcopal District)
was called into session by his
| Grace, Bishop H. Thomas Primm,
in Gregg Tabernacle A, M, E.
Chureh, Kansas City, Mo., April
23 and 24, at which time the men
of the conference reported in
grand style, as was to be ex-
pected.
Many outstanding churchmen
were there, among them were,
Bishop Joseph Gomez, prelate of
the 4th Episcopal District, Dean
Spivey of Wilberforce University
and Circulation Editor Brown,
Nashville, Tennessee,
The stage was set with the
very inspiring message delivered
by Dr. Harley Akers, Pastor of
Historic St. John AME Church,
Topeka, Kansas, followed by Dr.
L. Sylvester Odom, lovingly
known as (Larry), Pastor of
Shorter Community AME Church,
Denver, Colorado and climaxed
| tribute
sermon-wise by his Grace, Bishop
Joseph Gomez.
To mention the subject of only
one, Dr. Akers, as space will not
allow me to mention all that I
would like to say, whose subject
was, “WHY ENCUMBERETH a
THE GROUND?” This seem to
have set the stage for a more
dedicated approach to the prob-
lems ef the church. Men seem to
lose their unholy fears and be-
gan to express themselves more
like men who are dedicated to
the task of actually doing the
things that God require of those
who are expected of him to furn-
ish leadership for his church.
This is some of the thinking
of this the mighty 5th Episcopal
-|District. Please take notice my
brethren. ist .total..and.uncom-_
promising support for the re-
turn of Bishop and Mrs. Primm
to the 5th District. 2nd total and
undivided support to the program
of Bishop Primm and the ap-
proved wishes of the 5th Episco-
pal District. This includes the el-
evation of Dr. Henry Murph to
the Bishopric, the support of B.
J. Nolen along with Dr. Murph.
This seems to me the thinking of
many that we talked with while
there. Also the support of Dr.
Therion Cobb for the Department
of Education.
We returned to Denver, Colo.,
where many met in the office of
Dr. Odom and discussed the above
mentioned things. Present were
Revs. E. D. Chappelle, E. Hugh
Warley, D. C. Coleman, Sr., A. A.
Morgan, our host (Larry) and
myself. The challenge that Dr.
Akers had given at the convoca-
tion was most heavily weighing
on our minds, as the Electoral
College was to be held a short
time hence in Colorado Springs,
Payne Chapel.
We were happy to be the host
to the many that came because
of their interest in the church
that we so dearly love.
This briefly is the results of
the election of laymen that were
elected to share in the crusade
that we must share in. The names
will indicate that men and wo-
men are not afraid anymore to
stand up and be counted. This
brethren, calls attention to the
handwriting on the wall for
those that were afraid to face
that challenge, the new persons
are simply saying, if you are
afraid, “GIVE ME THIS MOUN-
TAIN.” This is the order of elec-
tion:
1 Mrs. Helen Jones, St. Paul A.
M. E. Church, Pueblo, Colo.
2. Mrs. Gladys Woods, Embry
Chapel AME Church, Ogden,
Utah.
3. Mr. F. C. Johnson, Prince
Member of a Pioneer
Family Funeralized
In Los Angeles, Calif.
A capacity
mourning throng
}gathered in the beauteous Ange-
lus Funeral Home Chapel (cre-
ation of one of his famous broth-
ers-in-law) at one o’clock Thurs-
day afternoon, to pay fond, final
to Walter Givens, 74,
member of a pioneer and dis-
tinguished Los Angeles family,
who succumbed in California
Hospital after being in a coma
five days.
Born in Neeshee, Missouri, Aug.
18, 1888, he was brought by his
parents, the late Philip and Cor-
delia Perry Givens, to Los Ange-
les nearly sixty years ago. He
spent practically all his adult life
here except for a brief period of
residence in Seattle. Attending
the Sunday School while a boy,
later he joined historic Taber-
nacle Baptist Church during the
pastorate of the late Dr, John D.
Gordon. Studying in the local
public schols, he was known for
his unusually studious habits.
Thrice married, his widow, Mrs.
Emma Adams Givens, survives,
to whom he was united October
11, 1961, after the death of his
wife, Lillian in 1960, to whom he
was married 38 years. His first
wife was Mrs. Dorothy Flem-
mings Givens, mother of two sur-
viving daughters, Mrs. Wilda
Smith and Mrs. Ruth Givens Dau-
phine. Four grandchildren and
twelve great-grandchildren are
left. He leaves three brothers,
Philip Gordon and William; four
sisters, Mrs. Addie Lowery of
Bakersfield, Mrs. Jane Lee, Mrs.
Charles Satchell Morris II, presi-
dent of the Links, and business
manager of the Wilfandel Club,
and Mrs. Paul R. Williams, noted
church, civic and social leader,
wife of the internationally fa-
mous architect, also survive. Six
-of-his~many~nephews-w'
bearers; a score of nieces also
survive. ; :
Drs. Brookins, Hawes and Morris
Participate in Final Obsequies
Dr. H. H. Brookins, minister of
renowned Eighth and Towne A.
M. E. Church, presided, also read-
ing the Scripture and offering
prayer. Dr. E. B. Hawes, venera-
ble minister emeritus of West-
minster Presbyterian Church and
life-long family friend, delivered
the touching and comforting eulo-
gy. He recounted in eloquent
words the numerous benefactions
of the deceased, declaring that
God required His followers to
love mercy, deal justly and walk
humbly with Him.
Dr. Charles Satchell Morris II,
read the family obituary. Inter-
ment was in Evergreen Cemetery.
Chapel AME Church, Tucson,
Arizona.
. Mr. S. C. Hunter, Payne Chap-
el A.M.E. Church, Colorado
Springs, Colorado.
ALTERNATES
Mrs. Carrie Roberts, Tanner
Chapel AME Church, Phoenix,
Arizona.
1,
2 and 3 who tied with the same
number of votes were: Mr. A. R.
Slack, Shorter AME Church, Den-
ver, Colorado and Mrs. Zenobia
Collins, Grant Chapel A. M. E.
Church, Albuquerque, N. M.
The challenge is great, the task
enormous, the need to dedicate
ALL that we have is of the ut-
most importance, let us not fail.
I have tried to give you.a slight
peep into what has meant so
much to us here in the 5th. That
is why, brethren, we are praying
your Godly consideration in re-
taining our Episcopal Leader,
Bishop Primm, to complete the
task. And when that is done, we
shall be happy to share him with
you, as we know that you will
be blessed under his leadership
as we have been.
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
\‘‘Here A Little
There A Little”
By W. H. HALL
VALDOSTA, GA.
The Electoral College of the
South Georgia Conference was
held at Nelson Chapel A. M. E.
Church, Bainbridge, Ga,, Wednes-
day, April 10, 1963, Rev. J. W.
Judge, pastor, and Rey. TT. J,
Isom, presiding elder,
and
Following the devotional ser-
vice by the presiding elders and
pastors, and the temporary or-
ganization, the College was per-
manently organized with the
election of the following officers:
Chairman, L. L. Chisholm, Secre-
tary, Mrs, Sarah Hamilton; two
tellers and two clerks whose
names we failed to get.
The following named persons
were elected on the first ballot:
St. Peter’s AME Church
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN,
Second Quarterly Conference
The Presiding Elder, Dr. C. W,
Ellison, held the second quarter-
ly conference at St. Peter’s A, M.
KE. Church, April 16, 1963. Reports
were in good order and the com
ference well attended,
St. Peter’s is looking forward to
the mortgage-burning ceremonies
to be held May 21, 1963.
There will be two services that
day. The Rev. Martin Luther
Simmons, pastor of St. Stephen
in Detroit, who built St. Peter's
new edifice in 1952, will speak
at the morning service. At this
+ a
date we have the promise of our ~
beloved Bishop, The Right Rev-
erend Joseph Gomez, that he will
speak at the evening service, a
The present pastor, Rev. Lovell
L. L. Chisholm, Bethel Church, | Johnson, came to us two and one-
Quitman; Eugene Guyton, Nelson | half years ago, faced with an in-
Chapel, Bainbridge; P. B. Screen,|Gebtedness on the building of
St. Paul Church, Valdosta; J. C,|over $42,000.00. Through his fine
Williams, Bethel and Randall,|Jeadership and the display of
Richland; Mrs. Sarah Hamilton, |Stewardship of the members, the
Jones Chapel Church, Sylvester. |entire debt was paid in full May
Alternates: Nathaniel Abram,
St. Thomas Church, Thomasville;
Mrs. Idella Harrell, St. Timothy
Church, Valdosta; A. F. Shaw,
Grant Chapel Church, Moultrie;
Julius Glover, Bethel Church, Al-
bany; E. W. Langston, Bethle-
15, 1963. Truly God honors dedi-
cated ministers and people!
Everyone is invited to join us
in this great event.
Rey. C. W. Ellison, P. E.
Rev. Lovell Johnson, Pastor
Rev. Noah Smith, Reporter
hem Church, Cairo. Eee ee
The College passed resolutions|# Play on words, suggests Baby-
endorsing the administration of | lon, the proud city . “3 The people
Bishop W. R. Wilkes, presiding|Who set out to build “the city
bishop of the Sixth Episcopal Dis- |@nd the tower” of Babel said, “Let
trict, and went on record to use|¥S make a name for ourselves!”
every honorable means to influ-| In Babel man was putting him-
ence the 1964 General Conference | self in the place of God . . . Over
to return him as presiding bishop | against this Babel, which comes —
of the Sixth. Episcopal District|from man’s ignoring God and re-
for another quadrennium., belling against His v x¢
Resolutions were offered and|the reality of
adopted endorsing Dr. W. H. Hall | ;
for Editor and Manager of the A.|is a
‘ isti ecorder,..and-| which c
pledged themselves to stay in the | centeredness
fight until he is elected at the|estrange
forthcoming General Conference, |his fellow
May, 1964; and Dr. J. R. Hurley | TECOST b
for the Secretary-Treasurer of} kind of con
Missions. which is centered
The delegates were loud in|sion of the living Chr
their praise of the pastor, mem- community, the Church,
bers and friends for the splendid|something merely of aan.
entertainment of the visitors.|Vising, like Babel, but is a way
Thus closed one of the best Elec-|of fulfilling the will of God |
toral Colleges I have ever wit-|KOINONIA in the New Testa-
nessed. ment is the experience of tho:
who know themselves bound to-
gether not by their own gregari-
ous impulses, but by their com- —
mon relation to Christ.
As Dietric Bonhoeffer . . . put.
in our community with each oth- ©
er as Christians “consists solely
Pentecost in what Christ has done for both
In thinking of PENTECOST we | of us.” This means that the fel-
naturally turn to the Book of the |lowship which the Spirit creates
:
W. H. Hall
415 South Ashley St. -
Valdosta, Georgia
Live The Good Life
Pentecost Sunday, June 2nd
ment of the Spirit that led to the | With whom, on the level of mere- —
emergence of the Christian|!y human preferences, we might
Church. But we shall appreciate|prefer not to have any fellow- —
its significance more fully as we|Ship at all. é .
first turn to the story of Babel} It is only as we find, in our
(Genesis 11:1-9) as a picture of |common relation to Christ, a one-
the human condition that the|ness so deep that the natural
Acts where we read of the move-|may be a fellowship with people
spirit of Pentecost overcomes.
The account of the tower
Babel is a fascinating illustration
of . . . man’s proud assumption
that he can, without any ref-
erence to God and His will, build
a civilization that shall “reach to
heaven.” It drives home the
point that all such self-assertive
and self-centered efforts end at
last in chaos...
tower” of Babel, but the narra-
tive in Genesis speaks of men as
building “a city and a tower.”
The “city” is a symbol of their
a symbol of their vaulting am-
modern metropolis with its sky-
scrapers. ;
The word “Babel,” of course, is
of [Faces
We usually refer to the Bibli-|ppy7ECOST never allows us to
cal story only in terms of “the forget. =
associated life, as the “tower” is Christ.
bition. The Babel of the story |the Kingdom of God is demo!
was the primitive parallel of our |strated.
difference of culture, class, sect,
and nation no longer di-
vide... So PENTECOST marks
not only the. beginning of the -&
church as an organized society, =
but also the recognition of its ee
unity. Since there is only one ~
Lord, from whom the Spirit
comes, there is only one Body of ~
Christ’s people . . . that there is”
a basic oneness of the Christian —
community is a reality which
I am the Church. oS
I am the institutional embodi-
ment of the gospel, the body of
I am a social group in which
I am the organized guardian
over personalities seeking to dis-
(Continued on Page 15)
===== DSC04458.JPG =====
eer eee 30 1
Open Letter
(Continued from Page 11)
permit her to fashion out a role
more in keeping with the needs
of the people of Texas today.
Jordan! Here is an apt, able
man, a man out of place—out-
standing pastor, great leader—
poor Bishop. We must utilize men
sy, according to their ability. Today
we need men who can first of all
ae bring prestige to the church.
Here appearance does leave a
first impression, Bishop Gregg
= was influential and effective be-
wee, eause he looked like a Bishop.
= Walker and Ransom, because
2 they were great orators—spell-
m binders. We need that type to-
; day. A. Wayman Ward, Russell
S. Brown, Archibald Carey, to
mention a few, for prestige. There
are many more; I only name
these because their names come
‘ig readily to my mind.
— We need prestige; prestige to
£ influence people, people in gov-
ate ernment, in other churches, the
A masses. You may rightfully label
it showmanship, but that’s what
made this church in the begin-
ning. Men in the right place at
the right time. Of course, they
SS must be men of character and re-
- ligious capability.
We need to elect administra-
tors, hard-nosed administrators.
"I Bishop Sims, in his prime, was
the best administrator in the his-
tory of the A. M. E. Church, and
his work demonstrated it. We
need to elect politically astute
men. Bishop Greene at his age
is far, far ahead of the church as
a politically astute man. Search
out the church, let’s find a man
or men who have any combina-
tion of these talents and yet has
_ compassion, common sense, a
man.who has the proper founda-
tion in Christian fellowship, that’s
the man we need today.
_ As an Editor, Rev. Nolen can
_ do the job. As a Bishop let us
any men may meet the mini-
: lum requirements. Of course,
= ‘we may personally benefit if one
or another is elected; of course,
our district or our region will be
honored if one of our own is
elected, but is this truly the time
when we can afford the luxury
of electing our friends and allies,
or, is this the time to truly save
the church?
~ Somehow I seem to feel that
your candidate can start the ball
rolling. We need a man who
really wants to be Bishop; a man
everyone knows wants to be
Bishop, who will stand up and
say to the church: “Now is not
the time for me and others to
seek the office; we must seek
men.”
Let us as a church take time
: out before the next General Con-
ference and set into motion some
apply the same rule to him.
A. M. E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Fifteen
Windward Islands
(Continued from Page 6)
received by this conference. The}
committee on Education chaired}
by Rev. F. Joseph reported that}
Gaines Normal School a state-aid
school at Port au Spain is now
managed by Rev. J. W. Weeks
and himself, is getting on well
and that Bethesda private school
at Chaguanas is the second best
conducted school after the one
at Port of Spain.
The report of committee on
Evangelism revealed that Rev.
Philip Thorne the appointed lo-
eal Conference Evangelist has
been successful in evangelizing
here in Trinidad and that he and
his team will go to Grenada and
Barbados sometime this year.
The Committee on Memoirs
held a memorial service for the
late Bishop F. M. Reid and Dr.
Churchstone Lord an ex-Presid-
ing Elder of this conference and
in this service Rev. Sister Rita
Burkett said that Rev. Lord was
instrumental in getting six
churches and six ministers which
were attached to the Nazareth
Holiness Church of the West In-
dies into the AME Church. She
said the Rev. Lord’s mind was
always on Trinidad.
The highlights of the Young
People’s evening were: The chal-
lenging address of Bro. C. Hus-
bands the son of one of our
deceased ministers of this confer-
ence. The speech of conference
superintendent of Sunday Schools
Rey. F. Joseph who among other
things said that as we have not
reached the stage where we can
send the cash for the Sunday
School quarterlies we are to
highly thank Dr. Selby the Sec-
retary-Treasurer of the Sunday
School Union for such valuable
gifts. The brilliant speech of Rev.
Dr. Miller a visitor from U. S.
A. who spoke of the beautiful
new Metropolitan church and al-
so the grave need of a new
church-parsonage since the pres-
ent one is dilapidated, and last
ee
priorities. Priorities that will per-
mit us to fully utilize our talents,
lay and ministerial, to their best
advantage. And let us do this in
the service of the Lord for his
glorification. Let us catch up
with yesterday and re-draft our
service today so that we can ade-
quately meet the challenge of to-
morrow.
If Nolen be such a man, a man
to make such a choice—church
first, then I’m sure that at the
most opportune time he shall
have his honor—to be listed as
one of the great men of this de-
nomination; a Bishop in the eyes,
minds and hearts of the people.
Sincerely,
Elvin S. Caldwell
ee
THE REVISED EDITION OF
“The Handbook of The A. M. E. Church”
: Some of the enlightening Chapters are:
SS The Pastor as PCouiselor — Children in The Church
eee - Duties, Powers and Limitations of Bishops
Giving as a Part of Christian Obligation
When To Call the Pastor Ss
What Are Your Problems and Opportunities
A. M. E. Pastors
Orders are now being taken. You may order direct from the Author:
REV. CHARLES C. BLAKE
150 Fairfield Avenue
Prices: $1.00 per copy
Cash with each order—We pay postage.
Amount enclosed $.....czsssesersee fe
Stamford, Connecticut
12 or more, 75c per copy
—]|78e we we ww = =
but by no means least, the sweet
voice of Mrs. Hinds-Gordon that
thrilled the audience the major-
ity of which were youths, when
she spoke to them on the words
Inspiration, Aspiration and Per-
spiration,
It was a great joy deep down
in the hearts of these Missionary
Ministers when they received
cheques from Dr. Ralph Jackson
(Director of Minimum Salary
Department) through Bishop
Wright, and a motion was made
by Rev. J. W. Weeks, P. E. sec-
onded by Rev. T. J. Hercules, P.
E. that this conference send let-
ter of thanks to Bishop R. R.
Wright and Dr. Ralph Jackson
and this was unanimously passed.
Land
Under the pastorship of Rev.
Walter Clarence the A. M. E.
Church can own land at the Is-
land of Grenada another West
Indian Island where we never
had a church building before.
This minister started negotiations
to buy land for our church and
he is working sacrificially in
charge at Bethel and Hickman
AME. All pastors were appointed
back to former charges.
God bless Bishop Wright who
guided this conference in perfect
harmony and peace.
This conference which is now
history will long live in the
minds of the attendants.
DELEGATES ELECTED TO
GENERAL CONFERENCE OHIO
U. S. A, May 1964
Ministerial Delegates
1. Rev. John Wesley Weeks, 20
Woodford Street, Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad W. I.
2. Rev. Frederick Lewis, Beth-
esda AME Church, Montrose,
Chaguanas, Trinidad W. I.
3. Rev. Henderson Burkett, Sun-
shine Avenue, Hunt Road, San
Juan, Trinidad W. I.
Alternates
1, Rev. T. J. Hercules, Sealy Me-
morial Manse, Upper Colly-
moore Rock, St. Michael, Bar-
bados W. I.
2. Rev. Flemming Joseph, 10
Main Road, Chaguanas, Trini-
dad W. I.
Lay Delegates
1. Mrs. Ruby L. Weeks, 20 Wood-
ford Street, Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad W. I.
2. Mrs. Carmen Edwards, 6 Peli-
can Street, Movant, Trinidad
W. I.
3. Mrs. Vida Lewis, Bethesda A.
M.E. Manse, Montrose, Chagu-
anas, Trinidad W.I.
Alternates
1, Mrs. Sylvia Thomas, Marc
Street, Montrose. Chaguanas,
Trinidad W. I.
2. Mrs. Emelda Thorne, 56-10th
Street, Barataria, Trinidad, W.
x
3. Mrs. Gwendolyn Alexander,
Maraj Street, San Juan, Trini-
dad W. I.
Rev. Frederick Lewis
Reporter
Life: One Exit
Worthy of Election
(Continued from Page 7)
these are the things we must take
under consideration in the elec-
tion of Bishops. These are men
of great qualifications and they
are Christians and well-qualified
intelligent men with Christian
spirits. We have watched with
delight the rise of these men in
the church in the connection with
glowing success. I have no hesi-
tation in saying they should be
elevated to that high and hon-
orable office of the Bishopric.
They are worthy to be honored
in our Great Church.
| Bishop and Mrs, W. F.
(Continued from Page 3)
to promote better Christian Rela-
tions, and
Whereas, she is doughty in her
convictions, she remains steadfast
and like one of the wonders of the
world, her anchor holds fast, and
Whereas, the Missionary Re-
treat, the first of its kind to be
formulated in the District and we
are recipients of good planning
and legislation, and
Whereas, General Officer, A.
Beatrice Williams shared her in-
genuity with us and gave spir-
itual tid-bits by the way, and
Whereas, Mrs. E. L. Richardson
added dignity to the meeting with
words of aspiration and inspira-
tion, which is synonymous with
her name, and
Whereas, the Ministerial Clinic
and the Women’s Workshops have
provoked thought for Christian
action towards a more functional
staff of our church leaders for
better performances in various
roles, and
Whereas, the host pastor, his
wife, the members and citizens-
at-large of Live Oak have re-
ceived us warmly and entertained
us with their talents, their energy
and their possessions.
Be it Resolved that we render
a rising vote of thanks to the
Episcopate, the Supervisor, State
Conference and local officers for
information shared and blessings
received;
Be it further Resolved that the
electees to the forthcoming Gen-
eral Conference know here and
now that we will settle for noth-
ing less than the return of Bishop
and Mrs. William F. Ball to the
11th Episcopal District to continue
the intensified program of ad-
vancement for God’s Kingdom,
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that it be hereby known that we
go as an organized, united front|
Pentecost
(Continued from Page 14)
cover and to do the will of God.
I make possible the exchange
of pleasant and character-build-
ing social experiences.
I am the corporate witness to
the truth that points out for every
man and community the true way
of life,
I stimulate and purify cultural
interests,
I conserve the achievements of
prophets, mystics, and social re-
formers.
I am the home base of the far-
flung missionary endeavors.
I safeguard the use of the holy
sacraments and the exposition of
the Word of God.
I teach old and young the lan-
guage with which they can ex-
press religious sentiments and
aspirations.
I guarantee the integrity and
historic continuity of the religion
of Jesus Christ.
I enlarge the spiritual horizons
of knowledge, devotion, and ser-
vice.
I maintain sanctuaries of wor-
ship. . :
I generate courage to resist un-
righteousness in industry, poli-
tics and social relations.
solidarity under our Supervisor,
Mrs. Agnes M. Ball who is multi-
farious in talents and ideas for
the supremacy of Christian ideals:
Charity, the greatest of these for
“He who giveth to the poor lend- |
eth to the Lord”. We are justly
proud and deeply grateful for the
instructions which were never
penurious and our coming here to
this wonderful “spot on th
ates Satan’s forces for
e :
(you know the adage: Together] —
we stand: divided we fall) and so]
remain at the General Conference
under our matchless leader, Bish-
op William F, Ball, and that we
go to the Quadrennium a wall of
ANNOUNCEMENT
Eighth Biennial Meeting
Laymen’s Organization, A. M. E. Church
The Eighth Biennial Meeting of the Connectional Laymen’s :
Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit, —
of The Connectional —
Michigan, August 5th thru 10th, 1963. s
The host church will be the St. Stephen A.M.E. Church, 6000 —
Stanford Street, Detroit, Michigan, of which Reverend Martin Luther .
Simmons is pastor. Mr. William Entzminger is general chairman; Mr.
D. D. Adams, Fourth Episcopal District President; Rt. Rev. Joseph
Gomez, presiding bishop. All communications regarding
vention should be addressed to Mr. William Entzminger,
the con-
chairman, at 2660 Fullerton Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, Telephone
number 867-3899, or to Mr. D. D.
Adams, president of the Fourth
Episcopal District Laymen’s Organization, 3146 Concord Street, De-
troit, Michigan, Telephone number
WA 1-2692.
All hotel reservations are being made at the Pick-Fort Shelby
Hotel, 525 West Lafayette Street,
are as follows:
Single (1) person ........ 6.00 $ 6.50 $ 7.00 $ 7.50 $ 8.00 $ 8.50 $ 9.00
eee oon +600 10.50 11.00 11.50 12.00 13.00
Double (2 persons—.... 10.00 10.50 11.00 11.50 12.00 12.50
Double Bed) “73.00 13.50 14.00 14.50 15.00 16.00 :
Double (2 persons... 11,00 11.50, 12.50 13.00 13.50 14.00 14.50
Twin Beds) ........... 15.00 -15.50 16.00 16.50 17.00
SUITES 16.50 27.00 35.00 45.00
16.50 25.00
(Extra Rollaway bed $3.00—Subject
All laymen are urged to make
Detroit 26, Michigan. The rates
3 F
to 4% State Tax)
arrangements to attend this im-
portant convention. Names of all delegates and credentials are to
be sent to Mr. Malcolm Grayson,
Ohio.
12007 Beulah Avenue, Cleveland 6,
Herbert L. Dudley,
Connectional President
4256 Russell Street
Detroit 7, Michigan
OFF THE PRESS SOON!
“History of The Connectional Departments
Of The A. M.
E. Church”
By DR. J. W. YANCY I, Author
116 Elm Avenue
Waco, Texas
Church Critics Pronounce It “A Best Seller”
$1.00 Per Copy For Subscription Price
$1.50 Per Copy for Regular Price
(When Off the Press)
ORDER YOUR COPY
NOW AND SAVE!
general |
===== DSC04459.JPG =====
FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
RT. REV. GEORGE W. BABER,
D.D., LL.D., Presiding Bishop
Youth Congress
August 7-8-9, 1963
St. James A‘M-E. Church, New oa
and Artic Aves., Atlantic City, N.
Rev. H. A. Hildebrand, Pastor
1253 Monroe Ave., Atlantic City, N. J.
Phones: Church 345-0783;
Pastor 345-3465
Rt. Rev. George W. Baber, D.D.,
L.L.D., Presiding Bishop
Rev. A. H. Armster, D.D., Host P. E.
FOR SPECIAL ATTENTION
Our Good Missionary Conference
Branches will render services one night
during each Conference with emphasis
= the Women of the Bible Sain
the time of iceman Mrs. Elvira M
Baber, superviso:
SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
BISHOP S. L. GREENE, Presiding
North Carolina aoe
St. Stephens A.M.E. Church
Wilmington, North Carolina
eedbecday. 10:00 a.m.—November 13,
Rev. I. J. Miller, Pastor
516 N. Sixth Street
rn North peer Sone.
‘ham, North Carolina
Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.—November 20,
Rev. M. C. Swann, eas
806 Fayettville Street
Live The Good Life
Another Soldier of The
(Continued from Page 12)
The greatest of all things is
space, for it comprehends all
things; the most rapid is the
mind, for it travels through the
universe in a single instant; the
most powerful is necessity, for it
conquers all things; the most wise
is time, for it discovers all things.
So was the philosophy of the
likeness above of him who recent-
ly bid life and African Methodism
adieu, and took his flight to re-
_ gions beyond these vale of tears.
The Rev. Walter Clark Wills,
having lived an abundant and
fruitful life and ministry, de-
parted this temporal life on Fri-
day, May 17, 1963, in his home
at Nashville, Tennessee, while he
slept. He had been slightly ill for
several months, ‘but had con-
tinued his pastorate at Ebenezer
A. M. E. Church, where he was
beloved and revered. At his last
Annual Conference he requested
that he be allowed to go to Ebene-
zer, where he hoped to spend his
closing years of the pastorate.
This request was granted, and]. . .
after one or two years there, he
quietly yielded up the ghost and
went home to his father in heav-
en.
Dr. Wills was one of the most
likable presiding elders, pastor
and friend known in the ministry.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio,
For The Sake
(Continued from Page 11)
eye. What hasn’t been done still
He was converted and joined the
church at a very early age in
Cleveland. He finished the public
schools of Cleveland, and later
graduated from Beloit College in
Wisconsin, still later, the Garrett
Seminary of Northwestern Uni-
versity of Chicago.
His first wife, Miss Lily Mae
Gray of Ravenna, Ohio, preceded
him in death some years ago, and
leaves to mourn his demise, the
present wife Mrs, Thelma Ander-
son Wills, one of the proficient
church leaders of the 13th Epis-
copal District.
Dr. Wills was licensed to preach
in the A.M.E. Church in 1919 at
J-| Keokuk, Iowa and he served suc-
cessfully as pastor of churches in
the Chicago area, Wisconsin,
Iowa, Arkansas and Tennessee.
He moved to the 13th Episcopal
District in 1946 and pastored St.
Paul A. M. E. Church, Nashville,
then presiding elder for eight
years, following this served as
pastor —St. Luke for four years;
Salem A. M. E. Church for two
years, and finished up his work
at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church.
Dr. Wills was kind and loved
by all the members of his charges.
He was always busy building
churches and parsonages; re-
modeling others, and _ retiring
mortgages and indebtednesses. He
was a great soul-winner. Most
every preacher in the Thir-
teenth District came to Nash-
ville to attend his funeral,
which Bishop E. L. Hickman
preached. Remarks were made
from every segment of the church
and community. Besides Mrs.
Wills, he leaves a sister, Mrs.
Harriet G. Reed, and many other
relatives, and a host of friends.
Life: One, Exit
The Fifteenth Episcopal
(Continued from Page 9)
have condemned or amended
hurriedly.
Bishop Gow tells us (in 1958)
that he as Bishop does not get
the allowances for administration
incorporated in his salary: that is
why he takes (without consulta-
tion) 10% (of our funds) for ad-
ministration or maladministration
—as others see it.
The Bishops before him had
taken 20% for administration, but
he felt that 10% would meet the
situation. Rev. N. B. Tantsi is re-
ported to have thanked the Bish-
op for having given light to the
question of 10% for administra-
tion, because his explanation
cleared the air so that we all
know now what the position is
Journal of Proceedings of
Annual Conferences 15th Episco-
pal District, 1958. NOTE: Novem-
ber, 1958 is 1% years prior to
June 21, 1960. Can it be possible
that the Treasurer received his
instructions for that notorious
statement from Bishop Gow? Even
so, the Discipline now gives Bish-
“BROWN WILL BE AROUND”
With Everything A. M. E.
Representing
All Our Publication Interests
Whatever You Need or Want
Your Circulation Department
Will Get It For You
REV. DAVID J. BROWN
Circulation Manager
414 8th Avenue, South
Nashville 3, Tennessee
For Choir Wear
Clerical Garb
Church Interiors
Ready to Wear Clothing for Clergymen,
Each National garment is designed for
comfort, wear and appearance. Ready to
wear two piece suits of 100% wool
Worsted, Tropicals, Serges, in black, ox-
ford or bankers grey, All wool, ready
made topcoats,
Custom Made Suits, Topcoats. Fine im-
pee and domestic fabrics — grays,
lacks, blues, browns, Send for sample
swatches and prices,
Cassocks, Cloaks, Robes, Reasonably
priced all wool fabrics, Cassocks, cloaks
and robes ready to wear or tailor made.
Vestments, Unlimited selection of beauti-
ful materials. Samples or prices on
request.
Accessories, Shirts, rabats, birettas, cinc-
tures, girdles, Schoble hats,
Cholr Gowns in 20 Different Styles. Many
fabrics, many colors, Special discount on
quantity purchases. Gowns or robes
specially created for any particular re-
quirement. Sample swatches on request.
Quadruple Silver & Aluminum Communion
needs to be done and more. To if
execute the execution, let McCoy
Ransom have a try. I know him.
It’s really in his blood,
—Mack Ransom.
April 6, 1887, and was the son
of John and Mary Spencer Wills.
and candlesti
labra, Missal
mings. Bil
and pictures,
pulpits, pew:
signed, care!
lumber.
Ware. Beautifully crafted. Long lastin,
Priced for every budget. f A
A Large Selection of Church Appointments,
Artistically engraved and chased vases
Altar hangings, yard goods and trim-
les, statuary, religious jewelry
Furniture for Every Church Interior. Chairs,
S abies distinctively de-
u.
specially selecte:
. Finely crafted cande-
stands, collection plates,
4 proportioned from
thoroughly seasoned
Write for free cofiy of Uattonal Catalog.
| ational CHURCH GOODS
SUPPLY COMPANY
Tuesday, June 18, 1963
CHURCH
FURNITURE
Pews
Lecterns
Communion
Tables
Altar Sets
Folding Chairs
Juvenile
. Furniture
Sunday School
Furniture
Buy Your
Furniture
on the
Budget Plan
SEND FOR
FULL
PARTICULARS
Write Dept. 61
Headquarters
for
CHOIR
ROBES —
op Gow the right to take what
he feels is adequate for his needs.
Can his needs always be met by
that arbitrary 10%, do they never
rise to 95%? If so, then what?
The Discipline tactily says he can
take more, and take all. How ri-
diculous!
It should be quite obvious
now, that on this whole thorny
issue there was never any con-
sultation between any of the
parties concerned, The fabrica-
tion was born from a vacuum,
and came to dwell amongst us.
And now, to make amends, the
Mother Church is trying to force
us to swallow the luscious pill of
autonomy that is extremely poi-
sonous at the core. This is prob-
ably another of those stunts that
have been engineered by oppor-
tunists desirous of entrenching
themselves in lucrative positions
to the detriment of the common
good. We have suffered enough
from that type of person, and we
don’t want to do more plodding
than we have thus far done. We
want our house cleaned of its
infestation.
The Mother Church has sold us
in a misguided attempt to save
the situation in South Africa. We
want no more saviours, we want
the common run of assignments
that everybody else enjoys. If the
Mother Church can’t save us
now, it will have failed to accom-
plish its mission in this land, be-
cause there is impending disaster;
while there are also avenues of
service and co-ordination waiting
for the right sort of people to
explore them.
Edward R. W. Makhene
4490 Block M
Mamelodi
Pretoria, South Africa
P.S.—My copy of “Voice of Mis-
sions” reaches me after the com-
pletion of this article:
Could Rev. A. Lewis Williams
please explain fully why he says
“Under our form of Discipline it
is impossible for any Bishop to
be brought to trial for any pur-
pose anywhere in the connection.”
Voice of Missions, January, 1963.
E. R. W. Makhene
THE BISHOPS
Of The
Church
By
A.B., A.M., D.D., Ph.D., LL.D.,
Historiographer of the A. M. E.
Church, Author
414 8th Avenue, South
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ORDER NOW!
THE BOOK YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR
African Methodist Episcopal
BISHOP R. R. WRIGHT, JR.
ORDER FROM
A.M. E. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION
E. A. SELBY, Secretary-Treasurer
The Sunday School Union takes pleasure in announc-
ing that this long-expected book, by one of America’s
foremost Scholars, is off the press. It is the first book
of its kind to appear during the last quarter of a cen-
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EE ee
Nashville 3, Tennessee
-
Date
-
1963-6-18
