The Phoenix index., 1940-10-05
From Ny Study Window
By REV. JOHN CLARENCE WRIGHT

A most laudable objective, as
anyone only fairly acquainted with
the present comparatively low pro-
fessional standing of the Negro
ministry will readily agree. Church
leaders from a remarkably wide
spread area responded to the call.
Many of the various denominations
al "big-wigs" were present in per-
son or sent impressive representa-
tives. 1t looked as If something had
been found which would actually
bring us "brethern of the cloth"
together.
It soon developed, however, that
We had assembled, not so much to
hit upon workable program OF
united action in a field where 1t
was vitally needed, CO to defend,
literally to the last breath, any lit
tie accomplishment our denomina-
ton or sect had made. against the
unholy hands of covetous invaders.
Here and there in the two days
of seminar and full group discus
sions, a ray of hope broke through,
in whose flickering light we
thought we discerned an inclina-
tion to, at least, subordinate de-
nominational pride and interests In
human needs. Such hope, however,
was destined not to burn for long.
The little in the way of construc-
tive achievement which will adorn
the records of the conference, was
gained in spite of the noisy and
belligerent forensic antics of some
of the leaders whenever a sugges-
ton, even as to a name for the
movement, seemed to. any way, en-
croach upon what their church was
doing, or to remotely threaten what
they rightly or wrongly considered
their already existing denomina-
tional supremacy in the field under
discussion.
DISCOURAGING NOTE
1t was discouraging, indeed, when
one of these denominational zeal
OTIS, gaining the floor towards the
end of the conference, in f<cnzy
of oratory reaffirmed his loyalty to
his sect and creed and prophesied
the utter futility of church leeSers
ever getting together.
close as I began. If I know
anything about words and verify
there is magic in them-when lead
ers confer it means not only ply
sical assembling. but a mental and
spiritual fellowship of purpose and
effort. The church to be worthy Of
its place of leadership must prove
that underneath the variety Of
sects and creeds and denominations
through which our religious con-
victions seek to become articulate,
there is an eternal unity in the
great essentials. which transcend
all the differences for which man
alone is responsible.
heard a fellow minister say re-
Gently, that the voice of the relig-
ious leader is still the most respon-
sible and the most widely listened
to in the community. If that is true.
then all the more should 1t speak
in autho-it itative tones of tolerence,
fellowship in service, mutual un'
derstanding. cooperation and
brotherlv love in all that concerns
the welfare and uplift of humans
kind.
God speed the day. when we re-
1igious leaders shall be servants Of
thet living God who Is the
"Ch,Tch's foundation" messengers
of his son, our Saviour, who died
that "thev all might be one:" loyal
first to Him and His mission to
suffering and needy world When
that day comes. church leaders"
may confer without the obstruc-
ton of denominationa1 bias and
the divisive Influence Of ecclesiaS~
teal arrogance and pride, 4,