The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-17

preach. He died in 1888 and the Pres
bytery continued to his widow the pen-
sion which it had formerly allowed to
him
His most important work was rs an
educator He taught classical schools
in Granville, Wake and Chatham coun-
ties. Among his pupils were Willie p.
Mangum, Priestly H. Mangum, his
brother, Archibald and John Henderson,
sons Of Chief Justice Henderson, Charles
Manly. afterwards Governor; DIR. James
l.. Workman Of oxford. and many other
excellent men. Mr.. j. H. Homer, one
Of the most distinguished educators the
State has had said Of him: my father
not only went to school to him. but
boarded in his family. The
school was the best at that time to be
found in the State" Mr. Paul G.. Cam
eron, son Of Judge Duncan Cameron.
said In my boyhood life at my
fathers home / often Saw John Chavis,
a venerable old negso man recognized as
a freeman and as a preacher
Of the Presbyterian church He
seemed familiar with the proprieiies OF
social life. yet modest and unassuming,
and sober in his language and opinions.
He was polite yes, cOurtly: but ii was
from his heart and not affected. / re-
member him as man without guile.
His conversation indicated that he lived
free from all evil or suspicion, seeking
the good opinion Of the public by the
simplicity Of his life and the integrity
of his conduct. If he had any vanity
he most successfully concealed it
/ write Of him as / remember bin
and as he was appreciated by my SUI
perors, whose respect he enjoyed"
From another source, but one equally as
reliable, / am informed that Chavis was
received as an equal socially, and asked
to the table by the most respectable peo-
pie. Of the neighborhood. Such a rela-
ton indicates how a really superior man
Of the negro race might be received in
the days before sectional and partisan
strife and most unwise course on the
part Of the government. planted disuust
and ill-wiH in the hearts Of the races,
the one for the other.
! cannot close this paper without a
mention of a moral THAT has been con-
stantly borne in on me as / have
studied the various phases Of the his
tory Of the negro in our State. 1t is
this: Are we as a people doing ALL we
ought to do to make the negro the best
member Of society? We are dong much
and / am not blind TO it. Eduoationally
we are giving him generous help. But
in general way do we accept this issue
of the past and go about the task of
making him the best that he can be?
| speak not of E.r citizenship. No good
could come of my discussing that here.
speak to You more particularly Of his
religious life. Do we, as church.
realize the responsibility we owe to God,
and to the future, for this brother in our
ways? / do not attempt TO answer the
question. I only venture to say that the
life Of an Evans lived as it was in
the face Of all the obstacles of slavery,
is evidence of what rich returns may he
nad if the Christian intelligence OF the
white Southemers We're directed in a
wise way to supervise and aid the in
ferior black man in his religious progress.
The negro is a child of religion His
only hope for the development Of his race
is religion. Without it he will be at sea.
lit Is the only force that can give him
centre Of life. in the name of Wesley.
who called the world his parish, in the
name Of the best interests of our So
ciety I'M the name Of the future which
viii hold us responsible for the progress
Of today, in the name Of my Master
who leaves me no choice on account of
social case, l submit to you, my brern-
rem. this, the most vital question of our
life: What shall we do with this
brother? In the words-almost the last
words-of Bishop Haygood, l declared
to you: God takes him; Man must"