The Omaha guide., 1936-01-25
KELLY MILLER
SAYS
HOWARD. OF HOWARD

~ A1OHdih, lnC IdI1ou5 OnI1SlldH
soldier and philanthropist who
gave his name to the premier Ne
gro University, but rather one of
his early pupils who caught a full
measure of his spirit of sacrifice
and devotion.
On last Saturday we buried in
Washington, James H. Howard,
who was born in Montgomery
county, Md, in 1861. Young How
ard entered Howard University at
nine years of age and was gradu-
ated with the Bachelors degree at
the age of Is, in the class of 1879.
He was not only the youngest
graduate that Howard University
has ever turned out before or
since his time, but his record of
scholarship constitute an all-time
high in the hitory of the institu-
tion.
Immediately upon graduation, he
entered upon the study of medi-
cine and maintained the same high
standard of scholarship which had
characterized his college course. Up
to this time the medical students
of Howard University were drawn
mainly from the white race.
Young Howard was the first col
ored mar to lead his class in the
Medical Department.
Immediately upon graduation
from college young Howard enter
ed the clerical service of the gov
eminent where he continued not
only throughout his medical course
but throughout his entire career.
He never engaged actively in the
practice of medicine for which he
was prepared under such promis-
ing auspices. Shortly after re-
ceiving his doctors degree, young
Howard embraced the faith and
tenets of the Seventh Day Ad-
yentists. At that time this relig-
ious cult was all but unknown
among colored people. His new
found religious affiliation created
q sensation among the faculty,
student body and alumni who, in
their own mind, had marked out
2 brilliant career for this young
alumnus who had started out so
brilliantly. By becoming a Sew
enth Day Adventist he caused the
same sort of a shock and disa-
pointment among his friends and
admirers as would happen today if
g well known Methodist should
suddenly turn Mormon. Needless
to say, DR.. Howard became a
marked man among his erstwhile
friends and admirers who shook
their heads at what they regarded
as the folly of so promising a
(. young mar needlessly throwing
away his
But none of those things daunt-
ed young Howard. He embraced
his new religion with all of the ar
!, dor and devotion of his nature. He
lived and labored for it during the
rest of his days. His whole life
was devoted to the propagation of
the gospel after the manner of his
sect whose tenets he had espoused.
He was never conscious of making
any sacrifice for his new found
faith but enjoyed unalloyed hap
piness in doing the Lords work in
what he regarded as the Lords
way.
The Seventh Day Adventists
literally observe the 4th Command
ment which enjoins: "The seventh
day Saturday. is the Sabbath of
the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt
not do any work" AS a govern
ment clerk DR.. Howard showed
such efficiency and evinced such
moral earnestness and enthusiasm
for his peculiar faith that the de-
partn't was willing to allow him
his Saturdays as an offset to the
usual thirty days annual leave.
DIR. Howard served as a clerk in
the old Ford Theatre where Lin
coin was assassinated. When the
walls of this building gave way
suddenly killing 26 of his fellow
clerks, he found himself buriedun-
der the timbers and debris of the
collapsed building but miraculously
escaped unseathed. In the midst
of it all, he found himself recit-
ing a of the Scripture with
the assurance that the Lord will
preserve those who trust Him.
Such faith could not fail to i'm
press the entire office with the
sincerity and e%arnestness of his
belief in God a a ready help in
the time of trouble.