The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18

In the trueSt sense of the term, DR.. johnson is
race man, and in his audable desire to work good
for his people, he has done much on the lecture
platform, has travelled extensively in Alabama
and other states IN the interest Of the mental
moral, financial and spiritual uplift of his race
The desire to inspire men and women of the negro
race utterly possesses him, and he frequently ex-
presses it as his belief that if there is upon
the face of the globe that needs encouragement
and inspiration, it is the negro race of the United
States. To this end the constant preachment of
the doctrine of hope to his race encouraging its
members to work out their own salvation seems to
be his self allotted portion
Dr. Johnson eminent churchman and is perhaps the
foremost layman in the country He is of high
Christian ideals and couples his business with religion No
business worthy Of the if cannot invite God to take
part it, he and fully exempifes his belief by coup
ling with his business his religion practice He close to
the negro ministry possible for ayman
it that the spirit of Christ is infused into all his business and
personal affairs.
In this regard Dr. Johnson is a remarkable He has
taken the Laymen's Missionary Movement in the
state of Alabama under the auspices of the Baptist
venton and works constantly to have the take
constructive part in the work of spreading the gospel
the coored people of the south There much that is
wholesome in this matter of business religion Realizing
the acts Of the principal invariably reflect the lives of the
under him. DR. johnson has acquired the interesting habit
of writing monthly letters all his representatives the field
gold,
state "onson's philosophy" He seeks make his men
think straight in order that they may be straight exhibits
keen sight into the psychology of business all his let
ters bear carrying the of straightforward
business dealing
Trite and bromdc are many of his expressions in these
weekly letters and also of the books he has written
God man for failure In this land of oppor
ny it is disgrace for healthy live abiect pow
erty 1t is libel his character blot upon civilization
This truth expressed again and again by DIR. Johnson
SnarEc of ,vl1 /,
rbuon to Sparks negro magazine and in many of his
other magazine articles appear home bits of wisdom have
been reproduced often by such publications Fra the
Business Philosopher and other high periodicals. Such
eplgrams as these permeate his writings:
Cones sphere of usefulness NAV be limited but he who
makes himself necessary his employer advantage to
his associates clearing the path promotion and larger op
portunty."
"The who does his well that he requires no
supervision has already succeeded
"Men who exercise initiative are builders of the world
makers of empires All others merely tenants antors and
followers
The real test of strength lies not in dreaming dreams but
in beginning to act No philosophy will enable man to do that
which he believes he not do'
Verify, First Johnson preacher with a message for
his people, He delivers that message and out of sea-
SON. These egrams part of the man. part of his daily
lfe OF his daily work His method of doing business is shown
IN these bromide expressions and doing business way
with the people of the race than any other single
factor ne has built wall of confidence on the part Of tho
negro IN oher negroes that has much the success of
their banks, their professional and business men.
There no in the SOUTH with exception of those
ehsaseo oecty IN educational work. who has done to-
wards starting other young negroes out into life in varod
capacities than C. First johnson His work has been aroe
for his peoples much Of construction upbudng and his in
uence nationwide lie has achieved his greatest as
negro working Tor negroesand has desire anything
else tie has recognized all along that successful negro
meant more TO him than form Of recognition and he has
always been content remain their life taking part in all
her acves sharing with them all of their good things and
their misfortunes
surely III the life of the people the south there is
place for many such men, will work for their
people, accomplishing much planning more are content to