The Denver star., 1917-08-04

the members Of the church and iiS
friends to celebrate this anniversary In
appropriate fashion.
The Christian Recorder 10 the oldest
race journal now in existence. 1t was
founded in 1852 in Philadelphia.
where it has existed ever since. Ii b
the only race newspaper which helped
to fight for the abolition Of slavery
which is now in existence. Some Of
the most brilliant men of the race have
filed its editorial chair. Its first editor
was Rev. Marcellus NJ. Clark, who
WAS one of the very few Negroes -
graduate from college during the firsa
half Of the nineteenth century; thea
followed Rev. (afterward bishop Jahes
P. Campbell. Rev. Elisha Weaver, Rev.
now bishop B. T. Tanner, Rev. NOV
bishop b. F. Lee and Rev. n. T. Jobn-
son.
The present editor 10 Rev. r. r.
Wright. Phi. D.. who serves in the lou-
ble capacity of editor Of the Christian
Recorder and manager of the Beoa
Concern. When DR.. Wright was made
editor at the age Of thirty he was the
youngest man ever 50 hOnored by the
church. though from the point of view
Of education he was one Of the best
prepared. having made for AhiAseh
quite an enviable record as 4 writer On
sociological TOPICS prior to his election
to this position. He is q doctor OF phi
losophy from the University Of Penn
sylvania and studied in the univerxi
ties Of Berlin and Leipzig, Germany.
The Christian Recorder is the M
tional organ OF the A. NJ E. church
and is circulated in all parts Of the
United States. in South America and
the West Indies and South Africa and
numbers among its contributors some
of the ablest men and women Of the
race. According to the bishops prOcia-
nation every one of the 7.OOo African
Methodist churches is called upon te
celebrate this anniversary in q very
tangible and helpful way by helping 10
pay or the debt Of $4,000. Indications
are that this debt will he paid eff On
the day named. the fifth Sunday in
July. Already many have subscribed
many of the bishops themselves lead
ing on with 500 or more.
General officers have subscribed. and
leading men, both ministers and lay
men Of the church, in Georgia, Texas.
Florida. Kentucky. Tennessee. South
and North Carolina and other states
have subscribed from IS to 500. The
purpose is to pay OF the debt so TINT
it will give DR.. Wright opportunity to
develop Il paper in keeping with the
greatness of the A. NJ. E. church and
give ii subscription list of 100000
On July % there win be special
program In all Of the 6,OOO African
Methodist Episcopal churches Of
America. On that day it is expected
Of debt. A book will be printed later Oh
giving the history OF the Book Con
Germ and the name of every person who
contributed 81 to help liQuidate the
debt. A beautiful two color certificate
with historic pictures will also be
given to those subscribing certain
amounts. This is expected to be
great day In the African NJ. E. church
Subscriptions are coming In rapidly.
and over $1,000 has already been sut-
scribed. Bishops Coppin. johnson,
Hurst and Connor have subsc ribbed
500 each and others smaller aHnOuBtA
DR.. Wright makes II clear that none
of the money asked for Is for current
expenses Tie business is self sup.
porting. and the debt Is being slowly
cut down ard improvements mate. byt
opportunities are 20 large that DE
Wf1ght has asked that The debt vhlcb
Vaa - u businsse Whan ~ eAms -
J AannnA