Jackson advocate., 1942-06-27
5000 Witness
fCoptinaed from Page ~

V1ctOry. LIZ. ~. n. kAAAosOA, 1ASo -
Ia, president of the State Baptist
Convention, who was to represent
the Baptists of the state was un-
able to be present due to the serious
| illness of his wife. He sent mes
sage of welcome to the Congress.
CONGRESS CHORUS SINGS
The program was enlivened
greatly by the singing OF the Con.
gress chorus and a solo rendered
by Mrs. Ossie Belle Freeman. Rev.
H. E. Owens, Detroit, Mich, res
bonded to the welcome address on
behalf of the Congress.
Preceding the welcome program,
DR.. A. M. Townsend, director-gen-
eral of the Congress, introduced
officials and leaders of the Con-
gress. DR.. w. H. Jernagin, presl-
dent, and DR.. o. c. Maxwell, vice.
president, presided jointly.
DR.. E.. L. Harrison, Washington,
D. C.. conducted very impressive
devotional period at the beginning
of all sessions. A fine address was
made by Rev. K. d. Reddick, Sara
soto, Fla, at the opening session at
1890 o'clock noon.
Mary Mcleod Bethune left en-
couraging words ringing In the
ears of more than 1000 persons
Monday night at the City Auditorl-
UNI.
In that forceful Bethune style,
the prominent educator and Govern
ment official told her hearers that
America is concerned today about
what 100000 Negroes are think
ing.'
Considered one of the influential
spokesman for the colored race
Mrs. Bethune said on many occa-
sions she has told President Roo
sevelt:: Never doubt the black man
Mr.. President.
CONGRESS GUEST SPEAKER
Mrs. Bethune was the guest
speaker for the pre-Congress musi-
cal, an opening attraction to the
National Baptist Sunday School and
Baptist Training Union Congress.
which opens officially at noon to-
day.
A masterfu! orator and a great
Snowman. Mrs. Bethune called on
members of the audience to get
your dark faces in higher places
She went on to cite the many
jobs and positions now open to
Negroes, telling them that this is
your day; your greatest opportunity
to make real history for the Negro
race"
In a very timely introduction
Mrs. Ida F. Henderson, prominent
in local and national Baptist af-
fairs, called Mrs. Bethune "a Wo-
man Moses"
Mrs. Bethune wasn't all of the
show Monday night, but she was
great part of it.
4. Sharing the limelight was the
500-voice chorus, composed of At
lanta voices and directed by Law
renee c. Mann, of Atlanta, and
Cornelius V. Ford, of Buffalo.
Mesdames Florence M. Hogan
and Roseland Days served as ac-
companists.
Mann and Ford proved them
seves fancy directors and too much
can't be said about Mrs. K A. Hug
gins who appeared as soloist in
the featured number "Inflamma-
tus' by Rossini. Mrs. Higgins was
/ exceptionally good.
MASTERS OF SPIRITUALS
Members of the chorus proved
themselves master of the Spirituals.
The program started 40 minutes
late, but once under way, it salts
fled the entire gathering from
beginning to end.
The Rev. S. P. Pettagrue, chair
man of the music committee, pre-
sided. The Rev. G.. N. Ellis, presi-
dent of the Atlanta Baptist Minis
| ters' Union, served as general
chairman.
Miss Lucy Campbell, national di-
rector of Congress music, occupied
the platform along with Mrs.
Bethune, Mrs. Julia Pate Borders,
Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. L. L.
Craig, president of the Young
Peoples department of the National
Baptist Convention. Inc.
HELP DEMOCRACY
AT HOME
Beginning her address, Mrs. Be-
! thune said "We are here as great
| Americans; we are here with all
we have to fight for this America.
We women stand shoulder to
shoulder with other women of
the nation to help make democracy
at home.
"All we ask is full chance to
participate in every activity of
human life. America needs this
faith, this courage, this loyalty that
we possess and we are going to
give it to our fullest extent. But
while we do this, we ask that we
be given the full protection that
the American flag offers U.S."
r. M. R.