New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1913-01-25
Written for the Enterprise
LECTURE BY DR.. MASON.


termpnt of the coIored race, de
livercd ut the st. James Metho-
dist Church last Monday night,
one Of those attractive addresses
on "Africa in America y and
Africa over the Seas that held
the large congregation and the
distinguished visitors present
spellbound for over one hour.
DR.. Mason seems to be born
orator. With large and varied
vocabulary commanding III d
masteriul way concise clear ana
impressive English dlctlon, at
some periods and special climax
es. he thrilled and gendereu
with an unbounded enthusiasm
the attentive audience before
him. Ills subject dealt primarily
wlth the possibilities OF The early
eyangeIlzation and Renaissance
of the Africa Negro by those
more fortunately situated colored
brothers Of the United States.
The secpnd part Of hs lecture
was largely devoted TO the dellV-
cry of an earnest message Tor lie
moral regeneration Of the c0lorcd
race of the United States. DR..
Mason seems to have Il keen per
ception of the falls and weak :
nesses of the colored man, due
perhaps to the forced march oi
progress imposed upon him by his
environment before he was able
to absorb the full force OF the
cisillzIne influence OF his white
neighbors and strong enough
morally and intellectually to
bear the burden of the duties and
responsibilities of full fedged
American citizenship. lie stated
with great emphasis and with
studied deIiberation that neither
the Constitution Of the United
States or the Fourteenth or Fiji
teenth Amendments have imposed
one degree of character and man
hood into the Negro. lie also
stirred the audience to high
pitch Of enthusiasm by definite
declaration that character and
manhood must come from within
ard must bear the test and exac-
tions Of a progressive civilization.
DR.. Mason seems to be imbued
with the earnestness, the devo~
tion. the fire of the genuine
crusader. Ills mission is his
every day religion. His services
are dedicated to the amellara-
ton of the Negro race. Ills
shrine has been constructed BY
humanity s noiee, pains and
needs.
Rev. j. M. Paradis delivered
the invocation after which Rev.
Seals, the pastor OF st. james
church presided aud in few well
chosen words introduced Prof.
Gilbert of Gilbert Academy oil
Baldwin, who in turn introduced
the lecturer of the night. Prof.
Gilbert, having been ward and
protege Of Dir. Mason in most
happy and felicitous speech re-
ferred to him as one OF the great.
est benefact0rs and samarltans
of the race. Mayor Power de-
liyered the address Of welcome
for the City of New Iberia and
Rev. Whitt for the ministers.
DR.. Pemilton, the pharmacist, To-
ratcd opposite the Electric Light
Il Water Works Plant delivered
the answer to the address of wei
come couched in the finest Eng
lish possible and keyed to a
heighth of the loftiest and most
inspiring thoughts. In fact 1t
was considered one OF the notable
features Of the program Judge
James Simon, one of the dis
tinguished white visitors adj
dressed the audience upon the
value of the virtue and integrity
Of human nature. Hon. Walter
j. Burke, State Senator, another
one of the distinguished white
guests made few remarks about
character building and the pro-
cess of acquiring standing and
individuality. Jules Dreyfus,
of the Board of Trade
discussing values and knowing
values as part of his experience
in commercial life spoke about
the value of man no matter OF
what color, religion or country
based on service rendered to So
ciety. Mans reputation as q
leader of thought or leader OF
man is measured largely by the
utility his life has effected his
neighbor. his country and the
world. Mans individuality Is
stamped on his deeds, his soul is
in his work, his con-
science is the currency of his re-
ward. Happiness based on
and victories over
difficulties is the work produced
by the highest type of citizenship
expressed by a lofty idealism
practically in use by human SO
ciety. The entertainment was re
lieved off and on BY an orchestra
and songs. Among the white in
vited guests were Mayor Power,
Senator Burke. Judge Simon,
jules Dreyfus, Prof. Harrington.
Rnv porud,s and Rnaon zwoiu a