The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-09-13
HELPING TKE NEGRO RURAL
CHURCH.
Ey WIN. Anthony Aery.

and were causing the nation 10 De-
wall the fact of racial misunderstand-
ing and ill-will, a significant Negro
rural preachers institute. lasting four
days, was being quietly held at Bet
tbs Academy, which Is situated on a
sand-covered hill some miles from
Trenton, s. c., and about eQuidistant
from the cities of Aiken and Augusta.
DR.. James Hardy billiard Of Char
lottesville, Va, formerly dean OF I'u-
lane University and now president of
the Jeanes and Slater Boards, with
the assistance of group OF white
and Colored co-workers, conducted
a most helpful institute for The bene-
At of Negro rural preachers. who
are Enthusiastically the most infiuen-
tial OF all community leaders through
out the South.
Team-WOrk Brings Results.
In spite Of the torrential rains,
which fell steadily for nearly a week
and made travelling over the clay
roads and poorly constructed wooden
bridges almost prohibitive. except to
the fearless and determined. more
than one hundred and seventy-fve
preachers enrolled for the institute
work-and a large number remained
throughout the four days.
The credit for this large attendance
was due TO the splendid team work
of Alfred w. Nicholson. president Of
Belts Academy and his large COM
mittee of untiring, broadminded work
ers. Then, too, an inter-denomina-
tional appeal was made. christian
service" was the institute slogan.
The preachers enthusiasm for the
classroom lessons ran high. DR..
James e. Gregg, principal OF Hamp-
ton Institute, gave a course on How
to Make a Sermon; b. G. Caldwell,
who is associated with DR.. billiard
in the Jeanes and Slater Board work,
on ministerial Correspondence;
jackson Davis OF Richmond, Va. field
agent of the General Educational
Board, on THE Church and the
Neighborhood" w. T. b. Williams.
field agent OF Hampton Institute and
school visitor for several educational
boards, on Church Records and FL
nance; and DR.. billiard. on Bible
Interpretation"
NeighbOrhOOd Cooperation.
Not only did the local Colored pop
ulation house and feed many of the
visiting ministers, but they also sent
to President Nicholson very generous
supplies OF beef and live chickens,
Irish potatoes, beans, tomatoes, cab
bages. and watermelons.
White friends. realizing the signi-
hcance OF having such constructive
racial gathering under the auspices
Of Belts Acadmey which is deservedy
well-known for its good influence
among Colored people. also made
generous and unsolicited contribh-
tons.
The White SOuth's interest.
The State Superintendent Of Public
Inatruetion, Hon. John Il. Swearin-
gen, Columbia, s. c., who Is nephew
OF the late Senator Tillman, spent
two days at Belts In visiting the
summer school classes. which had
attracted about one hundred and
fifty South Carolina Colored teachers,
and In attending the meetings of the
ministers institute, Mr.. Swearingen
brought with him J. A. Brannon, who
has been for several years the white
state Supervisor OF Colored schools.
Other white visitors included James
L. Quimby. of Graiteville. s. c., who
is large store-keeper, bank presi
dent, and the chairman of the Belts
Academy board OF trustees; couple
" local white ministers( Messrs. Il.
!. Bailey and ]. r Lupo); and Presi-
lent A. ID. Belts OF Payne College,
augusta, Ga. The informal addresses
II these men showed clearly that Bet
IFS Academy Is thought Of highly by
local white Sout0erners. This is. Of
course, an invaluable asset and
should be more widely known.
Negro Preachers Give Thanks.
Perhaps the best evidence of the
preaf hars' belief In what Dr. billiard
tried 10 do for them through this
practical institute. may be found in
a portion of their Resolutions, in
which they ask for repetition in
these quaint words
I'VE request, we urge. we beseech,
we beg. we even pray, that DR.. Dill
lard. In the abundance of his re-
sourcefulness, should listen to and
heed our Macedonian cry to the ex-
tent that he should either find q way
or make one to have a similar con-
ference held next year at Belts
and thereafter annually"
The Resolutions also expressed a
fervent desire and sincere apprecia-
ton of Tits institute OF the Christ
like spiiti of the workers, and also
OF President Nlcholson's faithful ana
efficient service through nearly thirty
five years.
Nobody could read these Resolu-
lions carefully without feeling that
the Negro rural ministers, of South
Carolina In particular, men who are
torch-bearers to their fellows. are
we'll worth helping along many, many
lines Such an earnest plea and such
sincere thanks must be rewarded!
Negro Lenders Speak
Rev. G. I.ake lines, dean OF the
Phelps Bible Training School at
Tunkegee Institute. who has been
helping the General Wartime Com
mission on the churches. spoke help
fully on The Problem OF Improving
the Country Church" He has also made
q flrst-hand study of rural churches
In Macon ounty, Alabama, and offers
as q solution of many common prob
lens the introduction OF better or
ganization in ali departments of
church work in the form of a pas
tors council"
w. t. b. Williams. graduate of
Hampton and Harvard. who knows
more than any other single man in
this country about the inner work.
ings Of Negro schools from Maryland
10 Texas" 10 quote the late DR.. Book
er T. washington, spoke on the rare
opportunities for social service which
now come to the Negro preachers and
teachers.
'aThose countries" he said, which
had the largest average intelligence
were best able to stand the strain
OF the World War. Everywhere the
neglected classes brought some Sc