The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-08-04
WHOLESOME ADVICE
 IS GIVEN NEGROES
Pettiford Birmingham Speaks
 in Montgomery
PROF. PATTERSON TALKS
"Glve Me Nothing Because Am Black, Deny Me Nothing Because l Am Black" Is the Tenor of
 the Meeting.

the Meeting.
 Montgomery. August s.-(speclal.)- Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone and All the World Go Free?" was the hymn used to open one of the most interesting sessions ever held in the history of the Negro Baptist Sunday School Workers in Alabama The convention opened this morning with impressive song and prayer service conducted by the Rev P. M. Noble of Avondale.
 Give me nothing because l am black and deny me nothing because am black, was the declaration made by President C. M. Wells, in calling the con- vention to order for business. And all want for my people Is an opportunity to work their way up in this world. and then if we fail let it be our failure. We are not asking for any special favors, we do not want any special legislation. The worst race prejudice which confronts us today is that prejudice which closes the door of work against me and thereby pre- vents me from making an honest living for my wife and children and forces me to steal. Give us the work. and we will do 1t. The south has been doing this ever since we were emancipated and we must continue in the same old way
 Negroes Must Work.
 Dr. L. L. Burwell of Selma, one of the trustees of Selma university. was pre- sented to the convention by President Wells and made a short address. T am glad to see the good advice which you leaders are giving our people. The negro must prepare himself to make his way up He must enter the professions, and in that way inspire the young men and women The way to help the negro boys and girls is to show them the men of their race who are doing something. We are making some progress In this coun- try 1 have never found my color in my way. I say this because 1t Is true As a physician, I am kept busy all the time. I am not to talk about myself, though. and you will pardon the personal refer ence'
 The Rev. s. M. Fisher of Mobile made an address in the opening. He said that he was proud of the work of the negro Baptists of this state He was followed by the Rev T. H. Belinger of Pensa- cola. who called attention to the illness  Rev T. H Smith. Dr. Bellinger was glad to say that in this age the men were taking an interest In the men who were doing something and the negro was having respect for their leaders.
 Birmingham Banker.
 The Rev. W R. Pettiford. president Of the Penny Savings bank, Birmingham, was introduced and made short ad- dress. He was the first negro banker to address the convention, and was given an ovation by the convention. In his address he said that in this country the negro was learning that to sit down and com plain would not make for him place in this country but he would have to go to work and do something. His address was full of good advice to the young negroes.
 The Rev E. P. Major. D. D. pastor of Old Ship, A. M. F. Zion church, was in troduced to the convention and made an address. He assured the delegates that he was glad to see them and to see what they were doing for their own elevation in this country He said that the influence of the convention would be lasting and would inspire all the negroes of Mont gomery to do better work in the future.
 we have enjoyed your proceedings" he said, "and I feel that you are doing something that will help all our people. Press on and continue to work for the 1lOIu duu IliS hiHbhOih
 Talk By Patterson.
 Prof. w. B. Patterson, president of the state normal college for negroes at Montgomery. a white man, was next in- troduced and made an address. He said that he was gratified with the reports of the meeting, which had been published in the daily press. and he gleaned that the negroes were working for their own salvation in this country.
 ''The progress you have made in this country is marvellous have been with your people for the past thirty-six years, striving to help you in the struggle to b. something, and I must say that you are making progress Being associated with YOU as am I think that there are some things which I can say to you and which will he helpful The best labor the south has ever had or ever will have IS the negro I have employed your people, and then I have taught them. l have some or them in my service right now. and nav them well. but I am sorry that I do not get to pay them more, because they only work three or four days in the week, and when it comes along a picnic or ex- cursion they must lay off
 .eThe negro must know himself He must know where he s He must work for his own elevation. He must do Tor himself If God is your father you
  see no reason for any man objectng to another man prospering in this country, whether he be black or white. There Is room enough for all.'
 Judkin's Advice.
 The Rev. R. c. Judkin, D. D., pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist church, said that the colored people were complaining because there were not delegates enough to go around we have many homes yet open. to be supplied with delegates, and they are entertaining them free or charge. We are proud to see you. and we reel that you are here to help us all Our many white people in this city appreciate this orderly crowd of well dressed, well behaved negro men and women. They like to see the educated negro, the negro who wants to be and do something. the negro who Is not insulting. but believes that inc home is the place to makek men and women I am indeed glad that we are here this week Ne will be here all the week. and the saloons will not reap any harvest. the people will not have any work to do. and we hope to exert good influence over the bad negroes here.
 The committee on enrolment made re-
 4ta ,acf af the morning session