Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-11
ATTENDS HONOR BANQUET
Methodists of City Greet Bishops
Cranston and Thirkield.
GATHER AT FOUNDRY CHURCH
Farewell to DR.. Thirkield, Who Will
Leave Soon for His
New Field.

New Field.
At reception rendered last night by
the Methodists of the District in Foun-
dry Church in honor of Bishops Earl
Cranston and Wilbur p Thirkield, the
first named the senior bishop of the NJ
f. Church. and the latter the junior
President Taft. who was guest of
honor made an address in tribute to the
distinguished prelates. He called atten-
ton to the fact that both hail from Ohio
and in his mind the general conference
of the church which selected them showed
especially good judgment.
The President also discussed missions.
with his observations in journeys around
the world as the basis. and declared that
great good has been done by mission
aries in China as evidenced by the fact
that in the recent revolution there re-
sulting in the overturning of the form
OF government. practically no foreigners
were injured. The foreign traders of the
orient, the President said. are in in
stances not the sort of men who should
be there in order to preserve the good
will Of the natives toward the white
ton Of the negro was also discussed and
the declaration made that not enough
money is being spent for this purpose
even though many are against the eff
fort.
Seated on the platform with the Presi-
dent were Bishops Cranston and Thr-
kield, Rev DR.. William r. Wedderspoon
pastor of Foundry Church and chairman
of the special committee in charge of the
event; Rev. DR.. John w. r. Sumwalt.
a i1f tor Of hi.
Methodist Episcopal churches: Rev Sam
uel w. Grafflin pastor Of the Anacostia
NJ. E. Church and president of the Meth
odist Preachers Meeting: Justice Thomas
H. Anderson. delegate to the recent
general conference of Methodists which
selected Bishop Thirkield for the epsco-
pacy, and George w. +. SwartZeil, presi-
dent of the Methodist Union and Church
Extension Society of the District.
President Taft's Address.
Ladies and gentlemen" the President
said. when / heard that my friend
President Thrilled. now Bishop Thir-
kield. was to meet his friends here, to-
gether with Bishop Cranston, an old
friend of mine. l could not, if | would,
avoid coming here to give my felicia
tons to Bishop Thirkield for his promo
tion-his deserved promotion TO a high
congratulations to the church that
through its proper chosen authorities,
should have had the good sense to pro-
mote such a man. | don't know why it
is, but | suppose il is an evidence of the
great good common sense of the Meth
odist Church that it. too. turns to Ohio
when it wants real good men.
Bishop Cranston. the senior bishop.
and Bishop Thirkield. the most Junior
bishop. make both ends. and that is a
Mt nf no hiShOnric
can remember meeting in Cincinnati other
bishops, Bishop Walden and Bishop
Moore. The truth is. in going around the
world in my capacity | have had good
ops and other bishops. and / may be per-
mtted to say just at this moment that
there is another bishop who was selected
who did not hail from Ohio, who has done
good work in a place with which l have
had a good deal of familiarity the Phil
Compliments DR.. Thirkield.
1T has been my good fortune to come
bishops of the Methodist Church. more.
perhaps, WI those engaged in mission
airy work Of different kinds than with
those Immediately engaged in the carry
ing on of the church in this country.
With Bishop Thirkield | came closely into
common action through our common SYM
pathy with the problem of educating the
negro race. Bishop Thirkield has done
great work at the head of Howard l'ni-
versity. Howard University is one of a
few institutions for the higher education
of the negro that are carrying on a work
essential in the development of the race.
1T is frequently said that the negroes
ought to be educated in primary educa-
ton and in industrial education. but that
money spent in higher education is
thrown away. That only shows that the
person who says so has not studied the
problem. There Is not the slightest dan
ger that any too much money will be
thrown away in the higher education of
the negroes The foundation, the money
now devoted to the higher education of
the negro is exceedingly small as COM
pared with that used for the higher edu-
cation of other races, and Is exceedingly
small as compared with the money used
in the primary and the industrial educa-
ton of the negro. and We must have, as
Bishop Thirkield has said, leaders in that
have physicians: we must have lawyers,
and we must have teachers. and those
who carry on those professions well
must have a higher education in order
that they may successful lead on their
people,
Men Who Solve Problems.
odist Church you number men who are
meeting these problems. Bishop Thirkield
here, in the education of the negro: Bish-
op Bashford of China is a statesman.
He bears out the view that | think most
men now take who are at all familiar
with the progress of Christian civiliZa-
ton, that the Christian missionaries in
those countries that need development
through Christian civilization are the
leaders, the pioneers, the men through
whom those of US engaged in govern
mental work and in trying to help along
the world as best we can must look as
our leaders, and as men who exercise an
influence among the pagan peoples ac-
the character they display
Now, the present movement in China
is wonderful. when you consider the fact
that the rebellion was carried to a sue
cessful revolution, and practically no for
eisners were injured. That was due. ]
doubt not. and l have had much evidence
to show, to the beneficent influence of the
missionaries, of the men who. while the
Chinese did not always follow in religion
and become Christians, nevertheless re-
yered them for the men they were and
accepted their advice because they be-
lieyed in them and found them trust
worthy.
One Objectionable Element.
..,rbo truth is nv friends that as we