The Denver star., 1914-07-18
Calls on His People to Sup
port Own Schools.
HEADS COMING CONVENTION
Rev. Or. johnson Will Preside Over
Meeting Of Mississippi 6aptists-Hs
Has Worked Hard For Church and
Education For Thirty Years
Pleads Cause Of hatcher College.

Natchez, Miss.-The annual meeting
Of the Mississippi Baptist state conven-
ton will be held in this city beginning
on Tuesday morning. July 81. 1t will
be attended by some of the most noted
ministers and laymen In the stnte who
are struggling to make the race better.
At the head Of the convention is one
of the leading pastors and preachers in
America. Rev. A. NJ. johnson, d. D..
pastor of the Jackson Street Baptist
church, Vicksburg. Miss. who is fore
most in the educational work. The
Baptists of Mississippi are doing some
splendid educational work.
Dr. Johnson started from the ground.
20 to speak. and worked his way TO the
top. For the past ten years the conven-
ton has honOred him with the position
Of president because Of his ability as
presiding officer. worker and
preacher. He lives in the hearts Of his
people. During his administration
many improvements have been made
at Natchez college. the leading school
operated by the members OF the race ia
the state This school was started by
the Baptists. was erected by the Bap-
lists and is now supported by the Mis-
sissippi Baptists. A dOrmitory for girls
has been erected during the admtnistra-
ton Of DIR. johnson at cost of So. 800
Ii is OF interest to know that he has
been In the pastorate for the past
thirty years. and during this time has
erected three churches, the first at
cost of 5000. the second for 5000
and the last one for $4,000. He has
served as general missionary OF the
state for four years, and educational
secretary for six years. Not only has
he been at the head of the convention.
but DIR. johnson has served as trustee
of Natchez college for the past eight
cen years; trustee of jackson college
four years. and for the past i've years
has been one OF the trustees Of the
National Training school. Washington.
u. e.
When 1t comes to racial matters. you
can always count on DIR. Johnson He
has been always found in the front
rank Of anything that meant the de
velopment Of his race. He Il now
looking forward and planning to do
great things in the convention and In
the state There is an Indebtedness
on Natche1 college which he hopes to
pay on during this year and will pre-
sent plans at the convention this year.
I'VE have 1t In our power to do great
work." said DR.. johnson In discussing
the plans for the coming session of
the state convention. ''and to accom-
ut ~
and complain. but use that time. en-
ergy and strength in doing something
that win count Why depend on mem
bers Of other races to do for us what
we can do for ourselves? We are not
the pauper race Of the country. We
are earning money and throw away
enough in a good time every year to
build a dozen colleges.
"Our future In this country depends
more on what we do for ourselves than
on what others may do for us. II We
class ourselves as the baby race in
civilization We may expect to be treat
ed as babies. We have passed the
period Of babyhood, because We have
passed the tiftieth anniversary Of our
freedom, and now comes the time
when we must do q little more work
and less talk.
I'VE have been building churches
since our emancipation and we have
looked to the white people largely to
educate our children. The people of
the north have opened schools and sent
white men and women to teach them.
and they are doing this today. Here
and there you will find a school sup
ported by the white people OF the
north with some of our men and wom-
en- In charge. but these cases are rare
yet 1t is up to us to make places for
our own children. The Baptist state
convention Of Mississippi stands for
the highest possible manhood and
womanhood for our people"