Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-06

'Pess1mlsm Is remedy TOT n0tnlng. ~
rights no wrongs, corrects no evils, leads
to no constructive results. 1t chiiis our
spirit and paralyzes our energies We
urge the. negro to maintain manly,
Christian courage and to preserve an OPP
tfnistic spirit. even amid conditions which
hattie and buffet him. God reigns, and
the negro Is an optimist.
The situation demands union OF aim and
effort among all those who are subject to
sci Of division is the counsel of death We
rejoice In the growing spirit OF harmony
and cooperation among negroes OF va
ricus beliefs and shades Of thought for the
endeavor we invite the cooperation of all
Americans who feel it human duty to
help bear the burden of those who are cast
down and overborne.
I'VE believe that our cause Is just and
therefore we confidently submit our APP
peal to the considerable judgment of our
feilow-men without regard to race or sec
tion.
Believing as we do in the efficacy Of
prayer, even as did our fathers and moth
ers in the darker days of slavery, we pro-
pose that the LIST day of January. which
marks the period OF our emancipation in
this land, be devoted to praise, prayer and
supplication touching conditions of our
race. We invite all our fellow-citizens who
believe in the influence and power OF pray
er to unite their prayers with ours in
behalf of this great human cause"
Earlier Exercises.
The earlier exercises of the farewell
meeting consisted of brief addresses and
songs. The musical program comprised sew
eral selections by the choir of LOCO voices.
solos and vocal and instrumental duets.
Parting addresses were delivered by Bishop
w. B. Derrick of New York, Bishop r. s.
Williams OF Augusta. Ga; Rev. ]. b. Rives
OF Philadelphia and Rev. ]. w. e. Bowen
of this city. The latter took for his theme
The Voice of the Negro The last fare
well address was delivered by Bishop
George W. Clinton. the new president OF
the congress.
Bishop Clinton's Address
G. W. Goode of Danville, Va, offered the
closing prayer of the congress.
Bishop Gaines presented his successor,
Bishop George w. Clinton. He also pre-
sented Bishop R. s. Williams of the c. NJ.
E. Church, the newly elected treasurer, and
stated that DR.. Bryan, who was elected
corresponding secretary, had gone home in
response to a telegram.
BISHOP Clinton said, in part: Il enter
upon the duties of the position to which
your board saw fit to elect me. The con-
gress is great movement among the col
ored people. Today we stand more united
than ever before in the history of the race.
More than twenty religious denominations
are here united. 1t has caused them to un-
derstand each other better. If no other
good had come out of this congress but
that which came out of the two great meet
ings today-one in this hall, composed Of
men, and the other at Metropolitan A. NJ.
E. Church. composed of women--the con-
gress would be great success in the eff
forts to uDlift the race. We may meet with
reverses at times all great move
ments have. The American colonies did.
American congresses and British parlia-
ments have. but they are a great success
today This race and this congress Is sue
ceeding.
Il rejoice with you because of the privi-
iege vouchsafed unto us in being permitted
to assemble again in such great and sig
nificant meeting. 1 congratulate the able
and self crificing men who inaugurated
and upon whose shoulders have been borne
the burden of managing and keeping intact
this most wonderful movement. The negro
has shown himself thoughtful and wise by
taking hold of and utilizing to his own BEN
eft the great religious and benevolent or
CARNATIONS which were set up and operated
by the caucasian. Through these he has
learned much and from some of them re-
ceived no little benefit. We are grateful for
everything of good we have received from
such sources. We should be especially CRATE
full to God and under lasting obligation to
Bishop Gaines, DR.. Penn and others who
were the promoters of this congress; that
we have been working In hearty and pleasant
union for one great, great purpose. toward
the task of pointing out the results of these
meetings. These congresses should be char
acter builders.
Then our thoughts must be noble and
upon subjects as to form in us proper
motives and proper characters. Proper
training will develop a race of noble men
and noble women who will make the world
better because they live in 1t. Our people
have made great strides educationally, in
dustrally. morally, materially and reltg-
iously. The future is full of hope and en-
enlargement for the race. Let 'us look up
ward and build up healthy homes, healthy
characters and a great and God-fearing
race, and one, too. that will be true and
loyal to our great American nation under
whose flag we must live
Mr.. Clark of Charlotte, N. c., was then
introduced and made brief address.
Among other things he said: Ever since
the fall of man God has been on the
lookout for a superior race. Egypt,
Greece and Rome failed because the foun-
dation of true greatness was lacking"
Prof. Kelly Miller, chairman of the COM
mittee on resolutions, read resolutions
thanking and commencing Bishop Gaines
and DIR. !. Garland the retiring officers, for
their services. DR.. Penn read a letter from
Richard T. Greener, inclosing s25. Recorder
of Deeds Dancy spoke of the great ar
ray of talent that had been brought to-
gether and the good that has come to the
race.
More than 1000 men gathered In Conven-
ton Hall in the afternoon and listened to
admonition and advice addressed particu-
larry 70 the male sex. The young men es-
pecially were urged to follow those courses
which tend to the conservation of moral
and physical forces and the improvement
of the mind
THE Conservation Of the Physical Man to
Christ" was the subject of an address by
Bishop ]. w. Smith of this city, and THE
Conservation of the Intellectual Man to
Christ" was the theme discussed by Rev.
e. J. Gregg, d. D., of Jacksonville, Fla.
Rev. D. W. Davis of Richmond, Va, spoke
on the subject of THE Conservation of the
Spiritual Man to Christ"
Attack Against Intoxicants.
In the course of his speech Bishop Smith
delivered a forceful attack against the habit
of drinking intoicants. Whisky is the
greatest curse of the age" ne declared.
The Christian Church cannot let 1t alone
until 1t lets our boys and girls and wives
alone 1t ic one of the evils that the Church
of God must fight. Wine drinking must be
gotten rid of at social functions"
Rev. DIR. Gregg, In his address, referred to
the educational advancement of the negro.
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