The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-08
Friend of Law and Order, Neither
Socialist Nor Anarchist.
ROOSEVELT SENDS LETTER OF REGRET
Unable, He Says. TO Attend the Congress.
Pegues of Raleigh and Sanders of
Charlotte Speak. lhrongsO Of
Delegates increase.
Delegates Increase,
(By the Associated Press

Atlanta, Ga, Aug. 7-Strong addresses
delivered by prominent leaders of the
race made interesting today's session of
the Negro Young Peoples Christian and
Educational Congress. and from the sun
rise prayer meetings until the close OF
the grand concert at night, in which fve
hundred voices took part, the days pro-
gramme was complete
The following letter of regret from
President Roosevelt was read:
Corresponding Secretary, Negro Young
Peoples Christian and Educational
Congress.
my Dear Sir: Your letter of recent
date referring to the proposed Negro
Young Peoples Congress to be held in
Atlanta, August to 18th, 1902, has been
received. 1 very much regret that it will
not be possible for me to attend, but I
take pleasure in sending to the -ongress,
through you, greetings and best wishes
for it's success in inculcating in the young
people of your race principles of right
thinking of answering integrity, and
of thoroughness in whatever part they
may take in the worlds work
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Rev. DR.. ]. w. e. Bowen, of the Gam
mon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, pre-
sided over the morning session, and eight
thousand delegates were present when
the gathering was called to order.
The general subject for discussion dur
ing the morning was the religious life of
the race. The first paper read was on
the religious status of the negro race
in the United States, by Rev. Ernest
Lyon, of Baltimore. DR.. Lyon claimed
for the negro what he termed the six
elements of religion: Humility, patience
endurance, forgiveness, charity and
brotherly love. Measured by these
standards the negro was religious.
Speaking of lynchings he said:
THE negro has been lynched and his
body used as fagots for bonfires, but
there is no record in the courts of the
law charging the negro with leading a
mob against his prosecutors, or with put
ting a torch even to the homes of his
enemies. The negro" he said, sis a
friend of law and order. He is neither a
striker, socialist nor an anarchist"
In an original poem, Dr. Webster
Davis, of Richmond, Va, declared that
the negro must fight his own ignorance
and sin more than the hate and prejudice
without.
In paper on "True and false in revi-
val methods of the race" Rev. c. A.
Gardner, of Washington, D. c., stated
that most of the negroes troubles grew
out of emotionalism. Emotionalism has
some virtue, but it must not be the only
result of a revival.
I'm some of our churches the chief evil
dence of conversion is found in excite
ments, Visions strange phenomena and
great physical agitation. The tempera-
ment and mental calibre of pastor and
people make this both possible and
agreeable, but this is not spiritual
power"
THE need Of a properly trained min
istry," was explained by President d. J.
Sanders, of Biddle University, Charlotte.
N. c. Prof. A. w. Pegues, of Shaw Uni
versity, Raleigh, N. c., talked on the
same subject.
The evening session of the Congress
was devoted to music and elocution. The
musical program included selections from
Handel, Rossini, Verdi and others. Prof.
Charles G. Harris, of Tuskegee, led the
chorus of five hundred voices.
Delegates are still arriving in the city
ana the attendance is expected to reach
lO,OOO by tomorrow night