The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1910-02-25

A house that is built on founda-
tion of rock, it is said in the Scrip
lures, will stand the fiercest winds Of
the storm and the surging waves of
the mighty deep. This can truly be
said of man in public life. Recently
the people of Nashville were stirred
to the height of excitement by the an
nouncement that committee was
coming to this city to investigate the
workings of the National Baptist Pub
fishing House. The impression was
created in some way that matters
were in a precarious condition and
that that great institution might ex-
perience serious embarrassments. The
rumor spread like wild-fire and 1t
was on the lips of the people on every
corner. 1t was the household word
at every fireside and it caused no lit
tie alarm among the people in general.
AS the time drew near for the meet
ing of the committee the excitement
on the part of the people reached a
greater height. The papers were full
of insinuating remarks about the in
stitution and the people were made to
believe that the greatest printing and
publishing concern that Negroes have
now or have ever had would soon be
torn asunder and scattered to the
winds. The one hundred and fifty
skilled and professional employees, 1t
was believed, would be set adrift, sent
out into an unsympathetic world to
start life anew.
These rumors grew until they
reached every section of the country
and scores of people in Nashville re-
ceived letters from their personal
friends and those acquaintances living
in other parts of the country, but who
keep vigilant watch on the progress Of
the Negro race along these lines,
were asking the people in Nashville
what about the National Baptist Pub
fishing House? The people here could
give little information aside from
what they had read in the papers.
Everyone connected with the institu-
tion was questioned at every turn, but
they were not able to say anything
that would throw any light on the sub
ject But, amid all Of this storm and
excitement, there was one figure who
moved calmly about his daily business,
paying no attention to the wild rum
ors and showing no alarm. He ap-
peared to be the embodiment of con-
tentment. The man referred to is DR..
r. H. Boyd, whose name is the pass
word in every home in Nashville and
whose fame reaches to every quarter
of the globe.
Dr. Boyd's closest friends who dared
to approach him on the subject could
only say after they had talked with
him that from what they could CLEAN
they were convinced that everything
was all right at the Publishing House,
But this did not satisfy the people and
they were restless until after the com
mittee had made its visit and
given a statement. The people were
not surprised at the verdict, for they
had learned to put implicit confidence
in R. H. Boyd in Nashville and all
over the country, They know too well
how humbly he started that great en-
terprise and they are thoroughly ac-
quainted with its progress.
DIR. Boyd has always been strong
advocate Of the the "open door policy"
and the people have been urged to Wis
it his plant from time to time, and he
has always made 1t special point to
acquaint them with its workings. He
is man who is liberal enough to tell
the dark sides of his business as we'll
as the bright sides, and so the people
know him intimately, But, despite all
this, they could not help but be appre-
hensive of the outcome Of the commit