The national forum., 1910-06-04

him longer life for the influence
that life might have upon the rest
of the preachers of that branch Of
ing tribute to Bishop Smith, on the
account of his power with the pen,
DR.. Corrothers next introduced eX-
Recorder of Deeds Hon. j. G. Dancy |
MIR. Dancy spoke of his early knowl- |
edge OF Bishop Hood. Told OF how
Bishop Hood was one OF the MEM
bers OF the First Constitutional Con-
vention in North Carolina. Spoke /
Of how fearlessly the Bishop had
championed the rights Of the Negro
in that State, Mr., Dancy's speech
was rather Teplete with historic facts
in reference to the life OF Bishop
Hood. He stated that the Bishop
had been largely instrumental in the
organization of the fourteen schools
in that State for the purpose OF high
er attainments; that he organized
the first Masonic Lodge In the State;
that it was through Bishop Hood
the the first Methodist Conference
gave women the right to act as dele
sates to General Conferences and
that during the 81 years of his SER
vice as Bishop, not one year had
passed in which he had not inaugu-
rated some new move for the ad-
vancement Of the race. Mr.. Dancy
created quite a ripple of laughter
when he announced that because he
| happened to be contemporaneous
with all of these happenings it must
not be supposed that he was old, as
when these things were happening
he was only lad in kits. Presid-
ing Elder B. G. Shaw OF the Chicago
District was next introduced, and
while his address was short 1t was
to the point and much appreciated
by the audience. Mrs. Julia Mason
Leighton next addressed the meeting
and in her inimitable and character
| lstic way carried her audience with
her. She spoke feelingly of the
womens place in the church work
| and Congratulated the Zion Church
upon its policy Of opening it's doors
to the women of the race tor active
service, She paid pleasing tributes
| to the wives of the two bishops and
! wished them future success Mrs
Leightons address took we'll. DR..
4 Corrothers next introduced Rev.
Logan johnson as the real senior
preacher in the District Of that de-
nomination Rev. Johnson said he
had been commissioned by Bishop
Hood and therefore had warm
spot in his heart for him. He said
that Bishop Hood both found and
dragged from obscurity into the
limelight Messrs Dancy and Smith
and that was why they felt so CRATE
/ full to him. He laid claim to the fact
that the Zion Church has the best
organized preachers association In
the city. DR.. Corrothers next intro
I auteG We central figure Of the oc-
lcasiop, Bishop j. WI Hood Bishop
Hood. lowed by the weight OF his
3eigGtS. ears and with manner erave,
4 esly9 tiY sstvn aFnes and In tpness
il3t IGtl but penetrating delivered
! tila gGllaW ling remarks ad literaun
/ verbatim as we took them from his
1 lips: I'VE have listened to all the
good things you have said, we have
fully appreciated your hieh wi '@
to us tonight. We extend to you the
gratitude of a heart full of love.
Our heart is full Of joy on this oc-
casion. We feel grateful for your
presence here and We thank you"
This response on the part Of TIE
bishop was short, but it had the Of
fAct Of electrifying his audience for
they felt that out of the strength he
had left, he had contributed largely
Of what energy he had in store by
wav Of that heartfelt response.
Bishop Smith was nayt introdNc-
ed and spoke Interestingly for some
fifteen minutes. He spoke Of his cav
ly acquaintance with Bishop Hood,
OF how he used to run under the
house and hide when the Bishop
came around, and how in after years
he had seen the Bishop face mobs
and Klu Klux Clans, but never fall
tered he, nor compromised the rights
of his people. Mr.. Layton was next
introduced and rer dered selection
entitled ''To Horse" to good effect.
A banquet was served after the
exercises. and the evening was end
ed mid fluctuations to Bishop Hood
and words Of good cheer to him and
his good wife for safe journey to
New York, for which place they de-
parted the early part Of this week.