The Denver star., 1915-08-21

men mat u was oorh For OSn-
mite and Laudabis Purpose.
Holly Springs. Miss.-Bishop Elias
Cottrell Of this place is life member
Of the National Negro Business league.
He Is what many Of us are pleased to
call one Of the "Old Guards" both as a
minister and worker along other
helpful lines making for the progress
Of the colOred Americana. Bishop Cot
trell Is very enthusiastic in all of his
work. He has issued to the race press
Of the country the following article
bearing on the efforts and achieve
ments of the National Negro Business
league.
Bishop COttrell says:
There are many reasons why the en-
suing convention to be held in Boston
should be the greatest in its history.
many of which are set forth in the lit
erature that Is being circulated very
extensively throughout the country.
but wish here to emphasize two rea-
sons particularly-hrst, business has
seldom experienced such paralysis as
now Affects the commercial life Of the
country.
We are confronted with conditions
In every phase OF life that try mems
souls. What we need most in such
crisis Is that inspiration which comes
from contact with men Of business
who are successful under these condi-
tions There is no need Of allowing
our institutions to lag. The cry of
hard times is calculated to destroy
confidence. When confidence is gone
we fail to utilize the opportunities at
our immediate command The prime
and ultimate object Of the National
Negro Business league is to inspire and
encourage Negro business enterprises.
The resourceful mind Of the founder
of the league saw the possibilities OF
the race and conceived the idea Of an
organization composed of business men
from every walk of life to allow them
In their humble way to tell the sim
pie story of their struggles in life. with
varied experiences of how they sue
ceeded in business. This exchange OF
thoughts and ideas permeating the
heart of the vast throng Of men and
women tend to inspire each to q nobler
endeavor.
Prior to my becoming a member OF
the National Negro Business league 1t
was a question In my mind as to how
such an organization could materially
benefit our people. but the first meet
ing l attended I heard the stories of
struggling men aud women in every
avenue of business endeavor; how
some of them started without a dollar
or with very small capital and in a
few years by thrift. industry and econ
omy had massed handsome little for
tune Then | said deep down in my
soul that this league is just the thing
to inspire our people. and DIR. Booker
T. Washington. the founder. could not
out OF his resurceful mind have con-
ceived a better scheme to inspire our
people to more successful achieve
ments than to meet once every year
to tell Of their progress in business.
have said and say now that the
clergy. to whom the people look for
counsel and advice affecting every
phase of the social. civic. religious and
economic life OF our people, should lend
liberal hand In advancing the inter
ests Of the Business league. 1t would
greatly aid our religious institutions II
the clergy by the use of their good Of
fees and great offices and great intu-
ence should encourage our business
men.
1t would furthermore tend to reduce
crime among our people II more OF our
young peolNe were given more lucra-
tive employment. and this condition
the Business league seeks indirectly to
bring about The accomplishment of
this great idea will substantially aid
the moral and religious phase of the
minister's work. As ministers we dab
BILE perhaps too much in politics and
many other activities of life not d.
rectly connected with our religious
work. Therefore 1t appears that more
attention to the material development
of our young people is vitality impor-
tant and essential. Let us. therefore.
encourage the largest attendance at the
ensuing meeting in Boston that we
have ever had.
Second to those who misunderstood
the big and deeper purposes OF the
league and regard 1t purely as mon
ey making scheme. wish to disabuse
their mind. The league is not a money
making scheme to help any man or
set Of men. The membership fees, sale
Of badges and entrance fees are the
only sources OF income. and they are
insufficient to bear legitimate expenses.
All OF Its officers nrc men holding other
positions and are doing the work at
great sacrifice.
minutes Of the session held nt Musko
gee, Okla. In iAti. that the league has
III life members Let cach member