The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1922-11-11
Rev. John R. White Of New York, Chairman Of Com
mittee on Segregation, The PeTp|exing Question
which arose at The National Spiritual Association
Convention in Detroit, Michigan, Reports to the
Convention in Chicago, Illinois, October II, 1922.
Mr.. President, Officers, Delegates of
the National Association Assem-

Mr.. President, Officers, Delegates of
the National Association Assem-
bled:
II wish to thank you for the honor
that you have conferred upon me. I
realize the great responsibility con-
nected, and trust that I may render
some assistance in solving this all
important question as it has i'm
posed itself upon this convention.
The subject to be considered is the
racial question, especially the ques-
ton of color. I have listened to
several personal expressions and
some public addresses. They differ
as to what they believe to be fair
to all concerned. &.".
There are two factions in this con-
vention and they are not agreed as
to the method to be applied. One fac
ton is very confident greater sue
cess would come to this organization
If the colored brother could be elm
mated or made to feel that he was
not wanted or that his presence was
a hardship upon the National Spir-
'+-elists Association rather than a
help.
Our colored brother does not take
kindly to this viewpoint. The word
segregation is distasteful to him.
because it shadows his ambition. He
believes in himself that he is a real
man. capable Of developing into an
ardent spiritualist or psychic.
The other faction advocates a con.
tlnued cooperation of interest, SET
ting precedent that might be help
full to the world at large, that it
may prove in reality the FEATHER
hood of God and the brotherhood OF
man."
There are many religious organi-
cations that do segregate; namely
Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterians
Epjscopalians and others, while thew
believe in the divine leadership OF
Jesus Christ the lowly Nazarine anG
crv, "a mans man (for ali that) >
Yet they segregate. Spiritualists
believe not only in the Christ leader.
ship but in myriads of spirit friends
who communicate, guide and protect
This faction believes in extending
it's hand and heart in a settlement
to obtain a permanent peace. Mel
Their faction would object to the COL
ored brother going out and estab
fishing a new organization upon hi:
own initiative effort and each factor
no doubt would agree. to bind them
selves to policy of helpfulness.
The colored brother will not agree
pit this time to such a proposition
Thew are lova1 and earnest to this
National Sniritnalist Association tt
such an extent that they believe it {
crime to impose any form of segre
cation upon them.
Mr.. President. with your appoint
ment and yonr instruction to go fortl
end gather this information, with n,
financial consideration for expense
involved. placed this committee at .
disadvantage. I was unable to hav,
meeting of the members largely
+he account. ! wrote to gather sen
timent from the various members O,
the committee through the Rev
Va. I received replies from Mrs
Bertha Grear of Columbus, Ohio. in
vltlng US to her city. One from
Mrs. Addie Bristo Hall of Chicago
the other members did not reply
therefore no agreement could be
reached with the members of this
committee.
Last year a few of the colorec
Sniritualists got together in the cit,
of New York and tried to find some
method to interest the National AS.
ISOLATION and keep the two races If
perfect harmony. At Detroit in the
last National Spiritualist convention
a general misunderstanding arose
with a great deal of wild discussion
INDUCED in, and harsh words were
EXPRESSED and dissatisfaction pre-.
vailed until the Angel of Peace en-.
tered and counseled-wait. Since
then we've had time to think and by
gning into the silence and holdine
communion with the spirit we have
heen guided again into the paths OF
harmony. There are no questions
80 difficult or perp]exing but what
the spirit can find the answer. The
frHuh'e NAV be with us. Are We
prepared to obey? It is positively
true that we must have a clearer anc
better understanding between botf
races and only through the higher
snirit''al development can we Obtain
this knowledge. I beg you, Mr.
president and delegates, to permi,
ma to tell YOU something about ou1
co'ored brother. There have beer
men N the colored race who have
'had high ideals. Booker T. Wash
lneton was a good example. But
who made this possible? Who fur.
n'shed him with the means to build
hot lasting monument. Tuskegee In.
s :, Not his own race fol-
thev were poor. 1t was with the CO.
ooneration of the white race. II
stands as lasting monument to his
fame and glcrv and will act as q
beacon lieht pointing the way for the
Unborn black millions that are vet to
mass from ignorance to Intelligence
:, Fiske University at Nashville
Tenn: is maonificent institution
for the education of the colored
youth and was honored bv the late
o''eer Victoria cf England. after She
had listened to some of it's early