The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-04-26

being paid for their services in visiting hos
pitals> and burying the dead, or attending
the spiritual needs of the sick and poor as
chaplains, ours should be paid also. He
further said that he was acquainted with
the work being done by Rev. Mr.. Thour-
bourne, but had not clearly understood real
conditions
ministers (white) that were not very popu-
lar with the public; that he did not care to
attempt to explain the reasons why, or the
conditions existing, but that when this mat
ter was taken up in the future he, with
others, would give it careful consideration.
When told that there was a proposition to
have us give up our work on the Zone; he
was ready in moment to advise us not to
do so. He thought the work most
profitable among the Negroes. He told
us that he was an American citizen and
Southerner, being a Kentuckian, and that
we must know by this, that he believed that
Negroes could best serve the spiritual needs
of Negroes The Governor uttered that
curious phrase which we heard from all
others, 81 do not care to be quoted" Then
he began to tell us some things which it is
not lawful to utter. After spending a
pleasant hour with the Governor, we shook
hands with him, telling him that we would
spend Tuesday afternoon and evening and
Wednesday at Empire, looking at the work
of the Canal and that Thursday we would
sail for the States. He asked to be re-
membered kindly to his many friends, and
then shook hands with us again.
We had now seen all of the officials that
it was necessary to see and we then set
out to look for some curiosities in the Zone.
We looked over the mouth of the Canal, and
Do
points of interest, watched the general work
and returned home, or to the pastors home.
After fine dinner, we packed up and made
ready for Empire At four o'clock we were
on the train for Empire. Here while rid
ing, we met Rev. Mr.. Nellis again and re-
newed our conversation with him. We rode
together all the way to Empire. We had
the pleasure of meeting several other min
listers (white), and were introduced to Of
fcials of various grades who had been up
to Panama enjoying the fiesta. We also
saw Rev. Mr.. Lovridge but he was in an
other coach, and just as we were making
to the coach to impose our acquaintance
upon him, we saw he had reached Culebra
Station and was leaving the train, hence
we did not get to have personal acquaint-
ance with the reverend gentleman.
After spending some time in Empire, we
found our way to the church. This was
the night that the Chinese citizens were
celebrating their new republic. We had
heard fire crackers in all forms, we thought;
we had heard the shooting of Roman
candles and every other fire celebrating in
strument, but the climax was reached and
capped on that night. When they had ex-
hausted their money, or burnt up all the
fireworks in Empire matters quieted down,
and we entered into religious services. Mr..
Wise, according to promise, was on hand.
He was with us in the meeting and took
part in the services. He brought one of the
deacons of the First Baptist Church (white)
who took part in the services and sang
a solo, When Mr.. Thourbourne had opened
the services, we did not attempt to preach
a sermon, but did some very plain, straight
forward talking to the members of the En-
pire church. This was not a public meet
ing, but meeting exclusively for the mem
bers of the church, and we insisted upor
Mr.. Wise being present to hear what we haC
to say.
Here we again repeated our story, say
ing as plainly and emphatically as possible
that the National Baptist Convention never
hoisted it's banner on any territory and thel
pulled it down; that the banner staff nigh
give way and the banner might fall, but thu
members and officials of the Convention
have never hauled it down themselves. W.
then talked over the conditions Of thu
church, told the members how and by whom
the bell had been obtained, and who raiseC
a collection of $1,000 to assist in hanging
the bell and putting in baptistry. We in
formed the members that the Board O
Health had objected to persons being hap
tiled in the lakes or pools around the city
on account of black oil, and, therefore, w
must put in pool. We informed them tina
it would cost $50 gold to put in the pool an
$25 to hang the bell, making $75. w
handed over our part of the money an
urged the church to raise it's part.
After services, Mr.. Wise walked with u
up into the city We stopped at the rooms o
Lawyer Darlington, which were right on tn
way to Mr.. Wises home. Rev. DR.. Wis
and the deacon chatted with us very pleas
antly all the way to where we had to stoI
We Informed DR.. Wise that it was highl
/ probable that we would return to the cit