The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-12


Atlanta, Ga, August 7--Strong ad-
dresses delivered by prominent leaders
of the race made interesting today's
session of the Negro Young Peoples
Christian and Educational Congress,
and from the sunrise prayer meetings
until the close of the grand concert at
night, in which 500 voices took part,
the days programme 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 9Th to 18th. 1902, has
been received. 1 very much regret that
it will not be possible for me to attend,
but / take pleasure in sending to the
congress through you, greetings and
best wishes for it's success in inculcat-
ing in the young people of our race
principles of right thinking, of unswerv-
ing integrity and of ~thoroughness in
whatever part they may take in the
worlds work.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
In addition to the morning and even
ing exercises, prayer meetings were held
in the early morning at the various
theological seminaries. and during the
afternoon many delegates gathered at
the different city churches to discuss
problems in regard to the future of the
negro race.
Rev. DIR. j. w. E. Bowen, of the Gam
mon Theological Seminary, Atlanta,
presided over the morning session, and
5000 delegates were present when the
gathering was called to order.
An interesting feature of today's ses-
sion was the farewell talk of the dele
gates of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Bishops John NJ. Walden, of
Cincinnati, and Isaac w. Joyce, of Min
neapOlis.
The general subject for discussion
during the morning was the religious
life of the race.
The first paper read was on the re1ig-
ious status of the negro race in the
United States. by Rev. Ernest Lyon, of
Baltimore.
He Indignantly refuted the statement
that the negro had not religious status.
Being a man., he is a religious being.
Dr.. Lyon claimed for the negro what
he termed the six elements of religion:
Humility, patience, endurance, for
giveless, charity and brotherly love.
~ ANS
was religious.
Speaking of lynchings he said:
The negro has been lynched and his
body used as fagots for bon fires, but
there is no record in the courts of the
law charging the negro with leading a
mob against his prosecutors. or with
putting a torch even to the homes of
his enemies"
THE negro" he said. lis a friend of
law and order. He is neither a striker,
a socialist nor an anarchist"
He referred to the work of the negro
troops in Cuba during the Spanish
American war and spoke of his position
in the various churches.
Rev. George E. Morris. of MOrristOWn,
N. j., the next speaker, talked on the
"ante-bellum religious life of the race"
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 pre-
JUDGE without.
In a 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.
E~motionalism has some virtue, but it
must not be the only result Of a revival.
In some of our churches the chief
evidence of conversion is found in eX-
elements, visions, strange phenomena
and great physical agitation. The tenn
permanent n mental calibre of pastor
and people make this both possible and
agreeable, but this is not spiritual
power"
The subject of r~evivals was further
discussed in the speech of A. L. Gaines,
of Norfolk, Va.
1.-THE need of a properly trained min
istry,' was explained by President D..
J. Sanders, of Biddle University, Char
lotte, N. c.
-.a -s- = $500
sary," he said. THE negro is dispropor-
tionately dependent on their ministry
for religious leadership. He is also in
jured by caste distinction"
Many intelligent negroes are deferred
from entering the ministry by the man
ifest influence of weak men in the min
istry.
Professor A. W. Pegues. of Shaw Uni
Versity, Raleigh, n. c., talked on the
same subject.
Ministers should be we'll educated.
Men in other lines find it necessary.
Why SHOULD not ministers? With too
many of us religion is emotion"
The evening session of the congress
was devoted to music and e%locution.
Prominent in the programme were Pro-
fessor d. Webster Davis, of Chicago;
Liattah B. Marshall, of New Orleans,
and Laura Anderson of Cincinnati.
The musical programme included Sc
lections from Handel, Rossini. Verdi
and other classical composers.
Professor Charles G.. Harris, of Tus-
kagee, led the chorus OF five hundred
voices.
Delegates are still arriving in the
city, and the attendance is expected 10
reach 10000 by tomorrow night.
---
Awful Conditions of Laborers Life.
Vienna, August AFTER a special in
VQStigafi0u among the agricultural Ia