Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-01-19

Pastor and Race ChamplOn-JOh Ohm
Comes, Formerly Of Tuskegee,
Takes Up Here--Urban League To
Hold Md-year CONFERENCE.-THE.
otto Security League Formed.
(Allcns National News Bureau)
Among the stroag forces in the
"A. NJ. e. Church. and Clergyman of
which that connection may we'll point
with pride, Is the Rev. w. Spencer
Carpenter, the pastor Of tho Bridge
Street A. M. T.. Church in Brooklyn.
He has long been regarded as one Of
tho most dependable men Of the coll
nection, and has made a fine record
in tho pastoratc and as q public man.
Your correspondent covering his
rounds and in keeping with his pol
icy Of interviewing the men OF the
racQ on the firing line, called OIL tho
Rev. Carpenter, recently, and from
tho start got direct insight into
tho character Of the men Ho hates
shams, but Is n stickler for merit and
ability. IIe refused to allow your
correspondent to greet him as Doctor,
ana gave an incident where tho use
OF Doctor In many cases was unmer-
tied.
Rev. Carpenter comes to the Bridge
Street Church from tho Allen Temple
A. M. e. Church in Philadelphia,
where he remained for eight years,
and where he did telling service.
While at this church he doubled tho
membership, repaired the property,
and made tho church one Of the most
noted centers in tho city. He made
the church one OF the greatest OF the
outposts Of the connection, and won
tho highest praise from tho bishops
Of tho church. Already since his
coming to the Bridge Street Church
1t is taking on new life. and
seems that he will repeat his former
record In Philadelphia. He is intro
ducing several new features that will
make for tho enlargement Of the
work and add to his prestige as pas
tor. His sermons which take high
..ground arc attracting wide attention
'&t only at the church but through
out the city, In fact, II was the stir
that these sermons were creating that
caused your correspondent to seek an
interview from This noted man.
Rev Carpenter has had varied
experience and was reared In Cam
bridge, Mass. where no learned the
printers trade, and was for many
years a printer at the University
Press at Cambridge. While here he
studied under professors from Har-
ward University and fitted himself
for tho ministry. In 1906 no was
converted under tho Rev. DR.. RAM
son and that incident marked turn
ing point In his career. His first pas.
torate was In that city after which
no was sent to Philadelphia. Prior
to his entering tho ministry he
served with distinction in tho Span
sh-Amcr!can war and rose to tho rank
of captain. He is one Of tho most
prominent Of the Spanish-American
War soldiers, and had the distinction
OF being elected Chaplain OF tho Penn
sylvania encampment which Is made
exclusively OF Caucasians. IIo Is a
noted figure at all Of tho encamp-
.ments. He IS also prominent in fra
ternal circles and stands high In this
direction. Rev. Carpenter Is a man
OF fine attainments and culture. This
was readily seen by the we'll equipped
library In his homo. Ho is the typo
0i man to inspire confidence, and
his coming to the Bridge Street
Church will mark new epoch in it's
history. Ho is in short a fine clergy
man and race man who Is uncomprO-
missing and fearless.
One Of the new workers of Tho
Urban League Of this city, which Is
q splendid addition to its Office staff,
is John Comes, who was formerly
secretary to Prof. Jesse o. Thomas
OF The Voorhees, Industrial at Den
mark, and clerk at tho Tuskagee In
stitute. He will be known az Office
Secretary, and will have charge Of
tho detail work Of the league. He
comes to his new post with fine rec
concentrations and in tho many exact
ing positions that he has held he
brought to then the best and highest
service. After he graduated from the
high schools In Indiana, he entered
Tuskegce, from which no graduated,
and where he served as assistant
cashier In the purchasing department.
1T was while working here that he
attracted the attention Of the faculty,
and opened up finer possibilities for
him. He later was appointed to the
Interior department and served for
two years In this post.
He then went to the Voorhees,
School. Mr.. Comes is ono Of the
bost equipped Office workers Of the
race, and has q remarkable knoWl.
edge Of detail work. He is prof.
cicnt accountant and his coming to
this city will mean much to the race
While at Tuskegee he rose to the
rank Of one OF the Cadet captains.
and was known rs one Ct the most
proficient school officers at Tuskegee
He has large experience and is we'll
fitted for the work that he has como
to this city to do.
PATRIOTIC SECURITY LEAGUE
FORMED.
The| Rev. r. M. Bolden, tho pastor