Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-06-21

crowd heard DR.. Marshall l..
Washington, deliver the Foun
the 80th anniversary celebrate
DR.. Shepard, who Is the pastor
Of the Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Bap-
tist church, Philadelphia, and the
Recorder Of Deeds Of the District
Of Columbia, stressed the impOr-
lance Of the work Of the Negro
preacher and the Negro church. He
said Il was regrettable that we have
10 have NEGRO" church, but
since we have, he pointed out It's
value.
DIR. Shepard attributed much Of
the success Of the Negro IN profess
sions, and the establishment ~ Ne
gro colleges and secondary board
Ing schools 10 the fact that the "un-
educated" Negro ministers had
vision, and came North to appeal
10 white church people TO 90 South
10 establish schools for the freed
men. He paid n glowing tribute TO
the founders Of the Pilgrim church
and urged the members TO carry
on the great work 80 humbly and
nobly begun 30 years ago,
Rev. Massey Commended
DIR. Shepard spoke briefly at the
annual presentation Of the l., W.
Harris chorus at 4 p. m, hOn0TinR
the late DR.. l.. w. Harris, under
whose pastOrhte the present cdifice
was built. lie commended the pres
ent pastor Of the church, the Rev.
Floyd Massey, Jr,, for being broad
enough Ia do honor Ia his predeces-
sors." "Fsw ministers have sense
enough 10 realize that the church
Is not just succeeding because Of
their labor, hut rather because Of
the work and sacrifices Of others
who have gone on before"
Rev. II. W. Bolts, pastor Of the
Zion Baptist church, Minneapolis,
who also spoke briefly, joined with
DR.. Shepard In recognizing this
fact. A busload Of members Of the
Zion church accompanied their pas
tor 10 this service.
Miss J. Arlce Harris, n daughter
Of the late DR.. l.. W. Harris, d.
rected the large chorus Of more
than 30 voices that bears her faith
er's name.
Old Subject. New Idea
was pleased 10 have had the
opportunity with my family. Of
hearing DR.. Shepard at the eve
ming service when he preached
great sermon from n very familiar
story, that Of the so-cRlied "Prodi-
gal Son" II was very helpful 10
hear one Of Americas great and
outstanding pulpiteers take an old
story and give Il new and siRnih.
cant Interpretation.
DR.. Shepard did not follow the
usual trend In criticiElng the Prod
igal Son." hut spoke we'll Of him
~ no pointed out that Jesus did not
call him n "pTodigal." In his own
inlmltable way, DR. Shepard pointed
out that this hoy asked only for
what belonged to him and he wasn't
afraid 10 make an adventure into
life. To he sure he had u mistaken
idea and thought, like many people
today. that money could and would
buy happiness. hut he had the
good sense to recognize his plight
whom he had lost all IN 'Tiotous liV-
ing and returned To his father,
who not only forgaVs him, hut re-
stored him TO full sonship without
even mentioning the mistakes tho
boy had made"
DR.. Shepard. with his innate hu-
NOR. had his congregation hrst
laughing, and then catching the
full Significance Of what the preach
or was saying.
4 Great Step Ahead
II was interesting 10 hear Or
Shepard tell " the time whom he,
a. the Recorder 81 Deeds Of the
District Of Columbia, had President
Truman NJ his special guest and
speaker at the unwilling Of u plaque
IN the building whore his office IL
located, with 80 people, white and
Negro, who worked under him. II
was u long step forward for bare.
foot hoy from North Carolina, 20
the place and time when he could
have NJ his guest the successor Of
the man who appointed him to u
high governmental Office.
! was naturally quite pleased
when heard DIR. Shepard urge the
young people 10 prepare themselves
FOR jobs not ordinarily given 10 Ne.
grocs, and 20 venture into new and
untried fields In this post war
period. Mrs. Nelson said To me,
THAT IL just what you told the
graduates this morning"
After the evening service, Dir.
Shepard was the guest ~ honor at
an informal reception given by
Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi
Phi fraternities at the Sterling club.