Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-07
NEGRO CONGRESS IS
NOW IN SESSION
Thousands of NegroesHere
To Attend the Greatest
Meeting of Its Kind
Ever Held in u. S.

The great negro Young Peoples Chris
tan and Educational congress. perhaps
the largest gathering of negroes ever held
in America. convened yesterday afternoon
at o'clock in the auditorium at Pied
mont park, with an attendance estimated
al 1000, and the most praiseworthy move
ment ever headed by negroes was begun.
The immense agricultural building was
packed to its utmost capacity. and scores
stood about the doors and windows
At 2 o'clock the great song service. un-
der the direction Of William Roseborough,
Of Nashville, Tenn, was begun, every ne
gro in the building taking part in the
singing. After the song service the vast
audience was led in prayer by Rector c.
H. Parrish.
Bishop Wesley ]. Gaines. of the African
Methodist Episcopal church. and presi-
dent of the congress, then delivered an adj
dress, outlining the objects of the con-
gress. Its aim, he said, is not to institute
any new departures from the established
agencies. but TO quicken and invigorate the
churches, Sunday schools and auxiliary
societies, and other organizati tons whose
efforts are directed toward the moral ele-
walton Of the negro race. 1t was to urge
aggressive work among the youth of the
negro race; to consider the growing indif-
ference of the youth toward the church:
10 Cu0SiuGT Lle question OF crime among
the negro race and what system of train
ing should be used TO prevent crime: to
urge the negro to morality. and to en-
deavor to make for the negro race a name
among the peoples of the earth.
The program for the afternoon was as
follows;
Addresses of Welcome.
On behalf of the state-The governor.
Hon. Allen D. Gambler.
On behalf of the city-The mayor. Hon
Livingston Minis.
On behalf of the city churches-Rev. P.
]. Bryan, pastor Wheat Street Baptist
church.
On behalf of the schools and colleges
Prof. W. H. Crogman. Clark university.
On behalf Of the people-WiIliam o. Muir
ply, Atlanta
On behalf Of the young peoples socie-
ties of the city-R. 7. Weatherby, colored
Y. NJ. G. A.
Original poem. written for the congress
Rev. d. Webster Davis, Richmond, Va.
Music-"The Educational Congress-
written by Anna G. Goodwin. Atlanta.
Responses.
On behalf of the board of directors
Prof. I. Garland Penn, Atlanta
On behalf of 1.-The denominations in the
congress-Rev. Z. w. d. Isaac, Nashville,
and Rev. z. w. J. Jones, Charlotte, N. c.
On behalf Of the young peoples societies
In the congress-Rev. B. w. Arnett, Jr., OF
Springfield. o.
-0n behalf4of agencies at work. among
the race-Rev. w. II. Weaver. Pittsburg.
Pa
Fraternal representa- tfves Of the Method
ist Episc opal church-Bishop John NJ Wall
den. Cincinnati, o., and Bishop Isaac w.
Joyce, Minneapolis. Mimi
FraternaI greetings-Bishop John NJ.
Walden. Cincinnati, o.
Announcements.
Adjournment.
The program for the congress last night
was as follows:
General Theme-Young people and the
church.
Devotions lead by ]. D. Gordon. pastor
Of the Mt. Olive Baptist church. Atlanta.
Address-"The Duty OF the Church to
the Young" Rev. ]. A. Whitfield. Raleigh.
N G.
Address-The Young Peoples Societies
as a Religious Force in the Church, Rev.
]. S. Caldwell. Philadelphia, Pa
Address-The Baptist Young Peoples
Union. Rev. E. w. ID. Isaac, Nashville
Address-Epworth League, Bishop Isaac
w. Joyce. Minneapolis. MINI.
Address-Young Peoples Societies In
Christian Endeavor, Rev. w. B. Johnson.
Montgomery. Ala.
Address-The Necessity of Seeking the
Early Conversion of Children, Rev. J. W.
LucKett. Hopkinsville, KY
Aodress-Good Literature IN the Home
as an Aid to Christian Piety. Rev. w. D.
Chappelle. Nashville, Tenn.
Announcements.
Adjournment.
Great Gathering.
It is probable that there has never been
such a great gathering of ne groes at any
place in this country as that which oc-
CURED yesterday at Piedmont Park
Every car going there was packed 10 the
running boards with negro delegates to
the congress, and there is deep interest
among the race in these meetings.
Ever s.nce Monday every train coming
into this city has brought large number
of negroes to attend the congress, and
the trains which came In this morning
were every one crowded with negroes.
The scenes on Wall street and about the
car shed yesterday have never been
equaled in the history IN Atlanta. Every
train coming into Atlanta was crowded
with members OF the congress. They were
met at the train by a large committee OF
Atlanta negroes, each whom wore a white
cap, on which was printed Registration
Committee, n. Y. p. c. c." and were con-
Quoted to the registration headquarters
Of the congress-. at "A Wall street. where
they were registered and assigned to
boarding places in the city. large num-
bers being sent to the dormitories of each
of the negro colleges about Atlanta.
where they viii be entertained during their
stay in Atlanta. All of Wall street was
packed with negroes and the passage OF
wagons and carriages through the street
was almost impossible.
The sessions of the congress viii last
until next Sunday night, being held in all
Of the negro churches in the city.
On Monday there win be an excursion to
Tuskegee, where the negroes viii be taken
through the great school Of Booker Wash
ington.