New-York tribune., 1901-03-03
SO-62 West 23d Street,
TO UPLIFT THE NEGRO RACE
WHAT PROMISES TO BE A GREAT MOVE
MENT STARTED IN WASHINGTON.

Washington. March 2-What is perhaps the
largest movement ever begun among the colored
people of the United States has just taken shape
here In Washington at the Asbury Methodist Epis-
copal Church. where twenty designated official
representatives of religious denominations and
agencies engaged IN religious work among the
negroes have gathered 10 consider the spiritual.
moral intellectual and social progress of the race
and to make arrangements for a monster gathering
of the enlightened young negro men and women in
the summer of 1902 This meeting will be known
the Negro Young Peoples Christian Congress.
Bishop Wesley ]. Gaines of Atlanta. was elected
president of the movement; the Rev DR. ". d.
Isaacs. of Nashville. vice-presdent; Professor l.
Garland Penn. Of Atlanta corresponding secretary:
the Rev T.. W Arnett Of Springfield. ILL., as
sistant secretary. and the Rev. W. NJ Alexander
OF Baltimore, treasurer An executive committee
to nave charge of all arrangements has been ap-
pointed consisting of the officers the following
members: Bishop r. s Williams OF Augusta Ga:
Bishop u W. Clinton. of Charlotte, y. c; the
Rev DR.. ). y. Vass. of Raleigh. n. c.: Bishop c.
T. ShaeGer of Topeka. Kan; the Rev. DR. D. ].
Saunders. of Charlotte, y c.; the Rev Or. 1. L.
Thomas OF Washington, and the Rev. L. G. Davis.
of Pratt city. Ala
At the preliminary session here greeting to the
negro drafted. which after congratulating
him the progress he has made since emancipa-
tIon. says:
Wisdom sussests that in this first year Of new
Of his race as well as emphasize the marvellous
Helped have been by the good people of the
North and the South, encouraged by friends every
velIous character in wellnigh every OF life
as we'll as stimulated to succeed by the 'hrusts of
enemies rather than discouraged find ourselves
unreached members of tbe race wfTb an aiarr1in~-
indifferent class OF young people TO their
spiritual moral social and intellectual awakening,
with stin more alarming class of criminal
character whose deeds are deplorabIe and the
ports of which surprise and shock every true
hghtened man and woman OF the race.
The unreached negro of little culture of no prac-
teal piety and loaded with evil appetites which
have their origin in former conditions. and which
heredty has given him, is the criminal negro. and
help 10 reach him But the most conspicuous and
far reaching work must be done by the thousands
schools and reared in good families, and to this
work we must and hope hope to In tnis eiort speedily
this character be begun. the undersigned. by Off
ciaI appointment. representing every church and
moral and intellectual lines, issue this call for
racs cSS TO be known as the Negro 9oung Peoples
Christian Congress, with view TO general awak-
ening of the negro youth OF the race TO the i'm
portauce OF the vast missionary work 10 >be done
The negro has no idea of leaving America-that
may he understood once for all If he is TO stay
suit of vicious appetites and idIeness which
forces itself to the front II should be understood
that ynchinc and mobs will not stop IL any more
than courts OF justice can fully prevent crime or
entirely put down the Ino6, .-.u.,,o,,...
deplorable, the remedy TO be applied is Christian
tbis Ind every enightened negro man and woman
should speedily address himself. Hence this gem
eraI call for the Negro Young Peoples Christian
Congress for the summer of 1902. The place 70
hold such monster meeting will depenh upon
liberality of the people, ability entertain the
hosts and other conditions
The general theme of the programme will be
Reaching the Unreached Negro-the Race for
Christ.
synods presbyteries, councils, young peoples soci
eties Sunday schools. Young Mems Christian as
sociatons literary societies and student bodies OF
institutions of learning, temperance organizations
and all agencies and boards doing Christian work
of spiritual. moral, intellectual social char
acter, indorse OF approve of the general proposed
movement as expressed in this call at the next
meeting after the publication of the same.