The Denver star., 1915-01-30

tinn convention. in which he in part
said:
AS president OF the Afro Christian con
vention have been chosen to bear greet
ings to you and also to assure YOU OF its
continued interest in the magnificent work
God Is blessing you to do. We are not
forgetful OF the kinship which exists be.
tween the two bodies. When we say kin
ship we have no alIusion to blood. but
spiritual relationship. with the teaching
OF the Scripture. God our Father. Christ
our Saviour: hence we are brethren We
not only take pleasure in the peculiar VIC
tories you have achieved but wish for
you the highest possible success in the
future. devoutly praying that as thy days
so shall thy strength be-
We recognize the Importance of the task
committed to your hands. the responsible
ity and standards OF duty you are called
to face. the amplItudes OF vision and OPP
portunities which lift themselves before
you. But your past achievements prove
TO US that you are equal 10 the task and
can grasp the vision OF the ultimate i'm
peratives and walk the path OF duty to un-
speakable attitudes. 1t is with no little
degree of JOY that look on this mighty
host, this galaxy OF great minds that are
here assembled to do business for Cod
take this opportunity In expressing our
profound appreciation for the help YOU
have been to US In making US what We
are today.
Shall the treachery OF memory or In .
gratitude cause us to forget those whose
names will be ilustrious? First. those
OF the south-Revs. William B. Welony
r. ii. Holland. Mills b Barrett. deceased
Rev j. w. Wellons. D. d. Rev. J. Press
ley Barrett. editor Of the Herald OF Cos
pei Liberty. but then the editor of the
Christian Sun: Rev. Daniel A. Long. d. d.,
and Rev. william s. Long. D. u. Of North
Carolina. whose names are In the home
of every coIored Christian family in North
Carolina, and DR. W. W. Staley of Suf-
folk. Va. who has been In our midst for
thirty years and has always been ready
to give sweet counsel whenever called
upon. We could not be so ungrateful as
not to mention some OF those OF the north
who came to our rescue also. They are as
follows: Rev. George Young OF Carlisle
N. T.. the first president Of the Freed
mans Literary and Theological Institute.
at Franklinton. N. c.. now known rs the
Franklfnton Christian college: Rev. Beck
Rev. Ulery. Rev. McReynolds and Rev. q
A. Poste who was twice elected president
and died at his post In 1918. superintend-
Ing the work Of building the greater
Franklinton.
cannot fail to mention Rev. John Blood
who IL doubtless making as great 4 sacri-
nee as any one above mentioned. Last,
but not least. wish to mention the saint
ed Rev. Josiah p. Watson. d. D.. of Day
ton, O.. who snid to me thirty years ago.
60 to Franklinton, N. c.: have made
arrangements for your education" These
are colossal figures in the history of our
church. They organized our churches.
preached Tor US and ordained our first
ministers. This IL clear demonstration
that that saying. 1.-THE Negro and the
white man of the south hate each other"
Is erroneous.
Then in 1868 we had about ten churches.
six or eight preachers and about 600 MEM
bers Today We have in tho United States.
the West Indies and South America about
5000 members. about 100 ministers nearly
400 churches. with well organized Sunday
schools. choirs, woman's home and for
eign missionary conventions and four
Sunday school conventions. Thus far we
have moved In forty-six years. This 10
too short time to leave liberated peo-
pie to stand alone In view of the cir
cumstances. we have done we'll. emanci-
pated, as we were. largely destitute Of
money. education and morals. and. while
we have made good showing in all the
above mentioned essentials Of religion AND
race development. We are by no means be-
yond the point where races Of superior I'd.
vantases should do other tiaH lend W .
helping hand.