The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-07-14
Dr.. K. K. Downs A. NJ. E. E. Editor,
Is Veteran Fighter For Race
Venerable Editor of "VOice of
Missions" Has Stood Un-
f1inchingly for Rights of His
People; Candidate for Mis-
Sions Post
BY ]. A. ROGERS
Special Reporter for X. N. F. Service.

Special Reporter for X. N. F. Service.
DR.. R. R. Downs, D. D., editor of
"The Voice of Missions" organ of
the A. M. E. church, is veteran in
the cause of the advancement of his
race. Born in Vicksburg, Miss, dur
ing the days of slavery, he has la
bored long, faithfully and intelligent
ly throughout the passing decades.
During the stirring times of the Re-
construction period, when it was
much more dangerous than now to
oppose disfranchisement, segregation
and injustice, he stood up unfiinch-
ingly for the rights of his people at
all times, and once narrowly escaped
the lynchers' mob in Columbia, Ca,
because of his views on colored mans
education.
DIR. Downs entered the A. M. E.
church in 1880, and has been in con-
slant service ever since. He has
filled many pulpits in various parts
of the United States, having served,
among other places, in Atlanta, Ca;
Savannah, Ga; Columbus, Ca; Lima,
O., and Columbus, o. Several
churches have owed their erection to
his inspiration and energy, among
which is the splendid A. M. E. edi-
flee in Lima.
He has served as presiding elder
in the Savannah and other districts
and has long been familiar figure
at the national conferences, where he
speaks on behalf of missionary work.
Today he still stands eminently
one of the leading ministers of the
A. M. E. church..
Like most men who have served
we'll and nobly, DR.. Downs is very
reticent on the subject of his accom-
plishments. Quiet and unassuming to
degree, it is evident that he, be-
lieves in doing his duty, and doing
it without display. He is the re-
cipient of many letters of congrat-
ulation for the excellent manner in
which he did his work. Among the
number is one from the editor of the
Christian Recorder, R. R. Wright,
Jr., who said: ~ congratulate you
upon your appointment to the mis-
sionary department. l am sure it is
good one and that the work will
be taken care of by a religious as
we'll as a consecrated man."
DR.. Downs is a firm believer in
practical Christianity. 81 believe" !"
he said. Gin the common origin of
mankind-in common humanity.
Of one blood God made all the races
of the earth. I believe in practical
religion-in the kind Of religion that
will create a better and kindlier un-
derstanding among men of all creeds,
color and classes; not the kind of re-
ligion that is a mere display of the
emotions"
Serving at Sacrifice.
At the present time DR.. Downs is
serving at a personal sacrifice. He
is filling the position because Of the
illness of the Rev. j. w. Rankin, d.
D., who has been suffering for some
time from nervous breakdown and
overwork. DR.. Downs hopes to be
elected permanently to the position
of the secretary of missions, which
includes, also, that Of the editorship
of "The Voice of Missions," at the
1924 general conference, to be held
at Louisville, Ky. He is one of the
outstanding candidates.
81 am no stranger to the readers
of our church periodicals." he said
"For many years I have been asso'
ciate editor and a regular contrib
utor to The Voice Of Missions with
out pay.
-"T can do the work. The work tc
me is as play, and it is as play be-
cause I like the work.
"I am not making a claim fol
honors; but 1 would be happy to be
thus honored by the church next May
at Louisville, KY. There is no great
er office in the church for service
and 1 wish to be in a position where
can at all times render the maxi
mum services to the Church of Coz
and my people"
DIR. Downs, who, with Mrs. Downs
is a resident of this city. has reared
a large family. Six of his children
all of whom are married, are living