The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-14
Activities Among
Memphis Negroes
eY REV. 7. o. FuLLER.

Wednesday was an important day
at the Baptist association, Papers were
read before the woman's auxiliary as
follows; "Woman's Work" 'Educa-
ton" Church Clutches and Temper
ance," The president, Florence p
Cooper, delivered her annual address,
which gave valuable information as to
the work accomplished during the year,
urging an increase In contributions for
education and missions. President
Cooper was reelected on her record.
This session was one of the best In
the history of the organization.
-
The Sunday school and B. Y. P. u.
departments had fine sessions Wednes-
day. The Introductory sermon for the
B. Y, P. U. was preached by Rev, V. N.
Rountree, Of Dyersburg. The president,
j. g. Parker, of Ripley, delivered his
annual address, which was listened to
with interest. A special rally for edu-
cation was conducted by the finance
committee. Parker was reelected pres
ident of the B. Y. p. u. department,
and Prof. r. H.. Fleming was reelected
president Of the Sunday school conven-
ton. Rev, o. S, Harrell, of Humboldt.
preached a strong sermon wednesday
night.
The Rev. Il. j. Echols, Of Buffalo, N.
Y, Is in the city shaking hands with
old friends. Rev. Echols is a graduate
of Howe institute and pastored success
fully at West Point, Columbus and other
points in Mississippi and Arkansas be-
fore going away from this section.
-
A most interesting sacred concert was
given at the First Baptist church, st.
Paul avenue, Wednesday night, by the
Junior B. Y, P. U. of the Metropolitan
church under the director of Lucy e..
Campbell. Education was the subject
fostered by the entertainment.
The Tabernacle Baptist church, DR..
Sutton L. Griggs, pastor, and The Gill
field church, Rev. j. w. Ribbens, pas
tor, furnished dinner for the big dele
| fation at the association at Howe
| Wednesday. The food was abundant
| and was well prepared. The st. John
church., Rev, w. j. McMichael, pastor,
and the Cane Creek church, Rev. r. Il.
Harshaw, pastor, are scheduled to fur
| nish dinner Thursday. The association
Baptist church, st. Paul n The
| educational sermon will be preached
Thursday night, Rev. A. Parr, Of
Brownsville, is presiding,
The plain, everyday citizen is the
backbone of the community. He is not
subject to fanatical brainStorms nor
is he swept off his feet by the fads and
fancies Of the times, He stands by
his town through storm and through
sunshine. Booms come and go, but he
remains firm and steady. May his tribe
increase.
The Rev. Harden Smith, of Browns
Vile, is one of the pioneer Baptist
preachers of this section. When he be-
gan we had no schools nor church
houses. We canle into freedom with
| .Onln nnL -. kaw4s,fa o., N ynC,tlf re tha
antebellum activity Of white Christians
among the negro people, We have to-
day more than 16, 1000 ministers and
churches, with nearly 5000, 900 men,
bers, most Of whom are in the South.
Those who are planning the commu-
nifty center for the negroes of Memphis
can not be too careful. The idea should
be to provide a point of helpful contact
between those who are already under
wholesome influences and those whc
live on the slippery incline of life, with
out permitting too many OF the thing'
that lure and weaken Care should bt
taken to make prominent the value o.
good association and clean, helpful en-,
yironments. 1t Is possible to compro
mise to tho point Of destroying the pros
pect OF redemption. Taking people GU
of one building and putting them IN an
other under new management. with IN
same kind of diversions is a very shor
; step forward, In my opinion.
+, Three Fairgrounds with park fea
features, located within easy reach Q
the residence sections Of our peopl'
seems to be the present program. Thi
will make our people feel that they ar
= regarded as a part Of the real LIE o
2 the community and should have som
] OF the comforts and advantages.
Good advice was never more yaluabl
than at present. when mistakes are 8
very costly. Leaders should weigh mat
II ters very carefully before laying on
a plans and policies for the guidance Q
y large groups Of people, Leadership to
: day is a great responsibility If not
real tragedy.