The broad ax., 1915-11-20
Charles E. Stump Con-
tinues His Travels
Throughout the South
Land. He is AWAY
Down In the Lower Part
Of Mississippi, the Rot
tie n State Of Senator
James K. Vardaman

wagon, and I got out, and waited in
the street until my wagon pulled up
and I got singing "Praise God From
Whom All Blessings Flow" did not
get out of my seat until we pulled right
into Nashville. 1 got on there ant
rode to Birmingham.
For Birmingham, I found Ira T
Bryant, Secretary of the A. NJ. E
Sunday school Union, and a man OF
worth and ability. That young man i:
rendering good service to his church
and it is fortunate that the A. NJ. E.
Church has such strong young man.
L talked with Mr.. Bryant, and he told
me many things about the Lord and
heaven and the church, and the Sun
day School. 1 just looked and lis
tened.
Birmingham was reached, and il
found me right there. 1 had to have
my things toted over to the other
stable to get on the Frisco to bring
me here. So I went out in town. Biz
mingham is some city. Now 1 have
been talking about street cars, but this
takes the rag off of the bush. I found
two seats in front and on the back
was marked "For Negroes" 1 got
on one of them, but 1 felt like laying
my religion on the shelf long enough to
say a few damns, but did not want to
be excluded from the church hence re-
Trained from doing so, but I just
thought them. But why should 1 do
these things7 No man shall belittle
me by making me say bad words with
his prejudice. .saN
Now there are some things in Biz
mingham worth while and don't you
forget it. For instance went up the
street, and the First thing to claim my
attention was Diff's barbershop and it
is one of the finest in the country. In
the chair there was W. T. Vernon, the
national baby, and you are going to
agree with me when 1 tell you how
he is the national baby, but will not
do so this time. He is now in the
arms of Bishop Joshua II. Jones, who
is toting him around.
DR.. Vernon has lost his job as presi-
dent of Campbell college and is now
out of work. He is looking around.
Bishop Jones thought at one time he
could land him in Avery chapel, Mem
phis, but could not. He asked the
conference to elect him one of the dele
gates, but they did not see it that
way. DR.. Vernon thinks that the gen.
eral conference is going to elect him
a bishop. If it should then 1 will not
think much of their judgment for bish-
op material. He has never been a real
full fledged pastor. Perhaps has never
held a real official board meeting,
knows nothing about the life of min
lister by experience, and why should he
be made a bishop over the men who
have given their lives in actual serv
ice.
1 know when he came to Kansas. 1
was in Lawrence when he visited
conference there presided over by
Bishop Tanner. I remember when he
was in Morgan college, in Baltimore,
and 1 have recorded in my book when
he got that big job in Washington. 1
am not a member of the A. NJ. E.
Church and if it wants Vernon it is
none of my business.
He was in Birmingham to be with
Bishop Jones in his conference. He
was president of Campbell college, but
the trustees saw fit to change him or
to not elect him, and he held the
Bishop responsible for this. If he gets
to be a bishop he will find out few
things. But with as many able pas
tors, general officers, it would seem to
me that the A. NJ. E. church has ex-
perienced men enough for that bust
ness.
Just up the street was DR.. U. G.
Mason, and he is the leading physician
and surgeon, of our race in town. DR..
Mason has gotten his standing through
hard study, and preparation. He has
been in the doctor business I am told
for a long time. He shook hands with
me, and assured me that he was de-
lighted to meet me, and carried me
over to his home in his fast horseless
carriage, also to Enon Ridge. DR.. Ma
SON has a lovely home. His wife died
3 few years ago and left him with
several children. he is devoted to his
home and children. Was delighted to
.ee him. I had heard of him before.