Robert W. Woodruff
Library
EMORY UNIVERSITY
Special Collections & Archives
preface.
We present the reading public as many of the Papers and
Addresses delivered on the occasion of the celebration of the
twenty-fifth anniversary of Livingstone College as we were able to
procure. Those obtained will repay careful reading. Though late
in appearance yet this volume representing as it does to the public
the spirit of the occasion cannot fail to interest those already in¬
terested in the self-education of the Negro.
A few errors have crept into the print for which we apolo¬
gize. Notably, is the statement credited to Governor Glenn that
North Corlina owes $600,000000 in bonds which should read 6
million. There are a few others not worth while pointing out.
We submit this endeavor to the reader every where who has
sympathy for the educational cause.
Editors.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Quarter-Centennial Sermon,
G. L. Blackwell
3
Baccalaureate Sermon,
I. N. Rendall
23
Address
A. Walters
24
The Origin of Livingstone College,
J. W. Hood
29
Livingstone as I Knew It,
Addie McKnight
39
Life of Dr. Price,
M. D. Lee
46
The Negro Church,
J. W. Smith
51
The Lay Woman
Sarah Janifer
60
The Negro Church Esther Carthey-Bingham
65
Price Memorial Session,
68
Address,
J. E. Mason
69
Poem, I Salute Thee, Price Beloved,
J. E. Aggrey
73
Address,
J. S. Caldwell
74
Address,
E. Moore
76
Alumni Session,
86
The Livingstone Alumni in the Ministry,
J. B. Colbert
87
Alumni in the Church,
R. A. Morrissey
80
Address,
W. P. Thirkield
93
Address,
John B. Rendall
96
Quarter-Centennial Poem,
W. B. Crittenden
104
Address, Booker T. Washington
107
Address,
R B. Glenn
111
Response to Governor's Address,
G. W. Clinton
118
The I,ate Dr. J. C. Price,
Founder and First President,
of Livingstone College.
Rev. W. H. Goler, LL. D., President of Livingstone College.
Rt. Rev. G. L. Blackwell, D. D.
The Twenty-filth Annual
Commencement and Quar¬
ter Centennial of Living¬
stone College.
BEING A COLLECTION OF
THE SPEECHES AND PA¬
PERS OR THAT OCCASION,
WITH PORTRAITS.
S. G. Atkins, Ph. D.
Thomas Walker Wallace, A. B.
Editors.
Livingstone Press, Salisbury,
North Carolina. 1910.
LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE QUARTER-CENTENNIAL.
From Mat 19, 1907—May 24, 1907.
The 25th Annual Commencement and Quarter-Centennial of
Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina, began on the morn¬
ing of Sunday, May 19, 1907 at 11 o'clock wtth the Quarter-Centen¬
nial Sermon by the Hev. G. L. Blackwell, DS.D., General Secretary
of the A. M. E. Zion (fchurch and Secretary of Missions, Philadel¬
phia, Pa. The sermon in its entirety was forceful, thoughtful, spir¬
itual and a masterpiece of eloquence. It was a.s follows:
QUARTER-CENTENNIAL SERMON
\ by
Rev, George Lincoln Blackwell, A, M,, S. T. D., General Secretary,
A. M. E; Zion Church,
Subject: A Wanted.
Text "Run ye, to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and
see now, and know, and seek in tilts broad places thereof, if ye
can find a man." Jer. 5:1.
n the city of Athens mauy years ago, Diogenes, the cynic, hav¬
ing lighted a lamp, ranged the streets peering about as if look¬
ing for something. On being ask what he was looking for, he re¬
plied, "A man/'
The host of Nola in Rome being ordered to summon the good
men of the town to appear before the Roman Censor, went to the
church yard, and there called at the grave of the dead; for said he,
I know not where to call for a good man alive.
At the time of the text, though it was in the reign of the good
king Josiah, Jerusalem, the chief city of the Jewish nation, repre¬
senting the best and most influential element of society had be¬
come indescribably corrupt, and this corruption had spread until
the whole nation had become affected with the contagion. It is ev¬
ident that Josiah's reforms were frtistrated by the immorality
3
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among the masses. The streets of the city, the by-streets, the alleys,
the lanes, the marts of trade, the outlying villages and surrounding
districts, were filled with iniquity of the deepest and most turbid
sort which existed not only among the mass of uninstructed so-
called vulgar element, but also among the wealthy and cultured who
constituted the highest ranks of society and enjoyed superior ad¬
vantages. Unbelief, profanity, idolatry and general indifference
prevailed. They denied the Divine government of human affairs:
ascribing God's judgments to chance or fortune. In fact, from the
description of wickedness as portrayed in the preceding chapter
and in the verses following the text, such a woeful state of affairs
existed until Jehovah whose eyes are ever upon the truth and who
is keen-visioned to discover his own people in the densest crowd
or in the most obscure abode, is represented by the prophet Jere¬
miah as having made a most thorough search for a man, one true
man, upon whom he might either base the claim to forgive the na¬
tion's sin or man upon whom he might depend to seek the truth
and execute judgment so as to effect a reformation among the peo¬
ple.
Since Jehovah himself had failed to find the kind of a man he
desired, and since he wanted the people to be convinced of the ex¬
treme wickedness of the whole nation, he challenges them through
the prophet to find a righteous, a true man. Says he: "Run ye, to
and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know,
and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man; if there
be any who execute judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will
pardon."
This challenge is made not in scorn nor in anger, but in disap¬
pointment and dismay, for where could such a person, a true man
be found, if not among God's own people and in the center of their
place of worship, Jerusalem.
The text intimates that if one true man can be found in the
city or within the limits of the kingdom, that the Lord would spare
the nation for his sake. Beloved if is a great thing to say that one
man by his holiness can save a city, Pliny relates the story of
King Demetrius who retired from the city of Rhodium bf.cause he
eoujd not take it on its accessible side without destroying some eel-
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ebrated painting of Protogenes. This one man's merits saved the
city. The spectacle of Abraham praying for the cities of the plains
is most impressive. Here Jehovah in order to thoroughly convince
Abraham that he was not anxious to destroy the city, said to him
"If ten righteous men can be found I will spare the city for their
sakes." But to the people referred to in the text he stretches his
mercy to the very limit and makes ths basis upon which to predi¬
cate his mercy one instead of ten. What a demonstration of Di¬
vine clemency and how clearly does Jehovah ofter to show the
need of a man. The presence of a single righteous man would
have been an appeal to God's justice and far more would it have
importuned his love. The hops of Israel would have been wrapped
up in a single saint. Time after time said God to the descend¬
ants and successors to the throne of David that he would spare
them for the sake of David, his servant, a man after his own heart.
So Jehovah wanted a man possessing all the qualities and hab¬
its of soul and body, whose life, whose words and courage would
enable him to undertake the reformation of society and the revolu¬
tion of conduct among the people. He not only needed such a man
then, but it does not require the sagacity of a philosopher nor the
foresight of a prophet to see that in all ages of the world it has re¬
quired such a man to lead the thought, to mould the sentiment and
to shape the character of the people. The man the Lord wants is
one to whom truth—that which is right, that which is in accordance
with the will of God—is the all important thing; the habit of his
mind, the purpose of his life, is to discover the truth—to know
what is right. And when that which is right comes before him he
will weigh it in the balance of his conscience, will test how it tallies
with the mind and will of God; and according to its agreement
thereto will approve or disapprove it, and when his judgment is
formed, his mind made up, he will not linger in the outer
courts of mere approbation, but will press on to the very sanctuary,
the holy of holies, of corresponding action—he will "execute judg¬
ment." Such a man having sought, seen, and approved the right,
will perform it, not now and then, but habitually. Such is the de¬
scription of the man after God's own heart.
1. But let us notice that man the Lord advertises for is not to
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be measured by physical strength.
The upright and erect carriage of man with corresponding in¬
telligence makes him at once physically superior to any other of
the animal creation, yet the casings exhibiting this physiological ex¬
cellence and anatomical composition should never be thought of as
the gauge of the man himself. The tinsel imitations of manhood
recognized and often worshipped by the world do not answer to
the description of the Divine ideal of a man. The number of peo¬
ple who glorify physical manhood—the Sampsonian type of man—
is not only alarming but indicates the perverseness of the human
mind and the far-reaching influences of the Adamic transgression.
We do not necessarily antagonize nor discredit the science of or¬
ganic functions nor hygienic laws nor athletic science when we
give them a secondary place in the organism of the real and true
man, for the possession of a physical frame capable of much toil,
much endurance, that shrinks not from hardships, and daring en¬
terprises before which other men quail; a body well organized, its
varied functions all working powerfully and smoothly like the sev¬
eral parts of a perfectly adjusted machine, is a great gift of God.
But to make man's physical excellence the measure of his manhood
is ancient and barbaric and should not be thought of for a moment.
Dr. E. Young, in his "Night Thoughts" sings out:
"Pigmies are pigmies still, though perched on the Alps;"
And pyramids are pyramids in vales.
Each man makes his own stature, builds himself;
Virtue alone outbuilds the pyramids:
His monuments shall last when Egypt's fall."
Yes, cultivate the physical, beautify, take care of and use the
body, grow bone, develop muscle and all the other organs of the
body, indeed, make it symmetrical, an ideal figure, but make it and
keep it subservient to the nobler qualities of soul and the higher
ideals of spirituality. Coliath of Gath, was possibly the largest man
of whom we have any authentic record. According to the Hebrew text
he was six cubits and a span in height or nine feet tall, and his
size correspondingly large if we are to judge his size and weight by
the armor he wore, and yet this giant, the descendant of Anak, the
Qst noted gf his day and count ry was an easy prey for the strip-
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7
ling David of superior qualities of mind and soul. Both he and
the Philistines rested their hope of victory in his noble stature
while David met him in the name of God. So physical strength, sym¬
metry and beauty are not the measurement of the man God wants.
2. We notice again that mere intellectual distinction falls
beneath the Divine ideal of the man wanted.
The intellect is far superior to the physical in the constitution
of a man; it is that power of man's organism that enables him
to acquire knowledge of men and things to a degree that at ©nee
places him in a sphere far superior to the other animal creation.
Through mental'culture men in a measure trace the hand of the
Creator in his plan and method of cosmological mechanism and
read his design and purpose in the creation of "the heavens
which declare the glory of God and the firmament which shows
his handywork." By intellectual culture man inquires into,
ascertains and appropriates the material be find3 at hand to his
own use and the advancement of civilization. He may by study
and inquiry ascertain a knowledge of principles, discover phe¬
nomena, and accurately differentiate between that which is true
and that which is falsa; reason from cause to effect, from well
defined premises to logical conclusions and from the specific to
the general. He may be able by scientific and psychological
research to put the whole world under tribute to him, and
though he may "understand all mysteries, and all knowledge/' as
St. Paul puts it, ypt he may not approach any nearer • to a per¬
sonal knowledge of the true God than Plato. He may become
celebrated as a linguist, or philosopher, or scientist, or an orator
and yet like Simon Magus he may be "in the gall of bitterness
and in the bonds of iniquity."
Intellectual knowledge, mind culture, is a great fortune to
any one, for to be willingly ignorant is a crime. Such culture is
an accomplishment after which we all should seek, and all things
being equal God can best use the man whose mental cuture will
parallel or surpass that of those whom he is to teach. But mere
mind power cannot be utilized to the best advantage unless sanctifi¬
ed by true obedience and devotion to him who "giveth wisdom to
glj tj??o liberally, and upbraideth not," It is true that God wants
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and can use the educated man to a great advantage, and he must
be trained if he is to be of much service in propagating the
principles of the kingdom of Christ, but unless he is guided by
the ethical and the spiritual—unless he possesses soul culture
he cannot in any complete sense answer to the description of the
man that God wants.
3. But let us notice that God inquires for a man of catholic
views.
One of the things responsible for the evils in the world is the
narrow conception of men,—passive illiberal and parsimonious
views, inhospitable and pessimistic attitudes and tendencies of
men to seek to dwarf the mind and soul power and hinder the diffus¬
ion of the spirit of Christ. The man whom God wants and for
whom he always reserves a place in his kingdom, is the broad-
minded individual, free from prejudice on the account of race,
unaffected in the meting out of justice by the color of one's skin,
holding to his creed yet charitable enough to believe that no one
has a corner on truth, living in pleasant surroundings yet believing
and acting upon bis convictions that every man is his brother.
Possessing such a catholicity of spirit he readily agrees with St.
Paul that "in Christ Jesus there is neither Greek nor Jew, circum¬
cision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, male nor female,
bond nor free," yea, he is willing to extend St. Paul's statement
and say there is neither exclusively, Buddhist, Mohammedan,
Christian, nor Jew, and that in the kingdom of Christ neither
Romanist, Eastern, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Congrega¬
tionalism Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist, nor any other sect or
creed whatsoever that has exclusive right to the truth as a sect
"for God is no respecter of persons" nor of creeds, nor of dogmas,
but as St. Peter well put it when he wanted to set the mind of
Cornelius the gentile, at ease, "In every nation he that feareth
God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him."
So the man that God can use best is a broad, liberal soul that
has risen up to the proper conception of the Fatherhood of God
and the universal brotherhood of man.
4. Let us notice once more that the description of the man
that God wants must aswer to a complete man. Our well-known
word, "Virtue", helps us here, for virtue properly belongs to the
Bird's Eye View o? Livingstone College
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9
idea of the vir, the grand old Roman name for man when he
is thought of in his noblest nature, as contrasted with the lower idea
of man in regard to those qualities he possesses in common with
the brute creation. Nor does the Latin word, "homo", signifying
merely a human being, express the meaning here, but man as
intelligent and moral, man in his nobler being the Latins desig¬
nated by that little word, "vir,'' from which our English word vir¬
tue is derived. Therefore the word virtue corresponds as closely
as possible with our word "manliness" and they are equivalent
terms. Then, if we know what virtue means, if in our conception of
that indispensable word which expresses the highest quality of
of moral excellence, then we have found out the very essence of
the highest and truest manhood, then we have found the man
answering to the definition and description that the Lord wants.
Indeed, virtue, true manliness, is the product of three highest
faculties God has given man— the intellect, the conscience, the
will. It therefore, embraces all that belongs and is becoming to the
vir, including in but subordinating to its realm all that is important
and useful growing out of and resulting from the sensibilities of
man. A man possessing virtue or manliness in the highest and
noblest sense is the complete man that God wants to effect a
change in the social, civil, moral and political life of the race
and nation.
Let us observe that in the development of the kingdom of
Grace, God has made the typa of man described in the text a
central figure.
1. Four hundred years after the flood when infidelity and
agnosticism had become wide-spread and a man was needed to
become the progenitor of a chosen race to preserve the principles
of his kingdom, God selected Abraham of Ur of the Chaldees.
That he might become thoroughly qualified to illustrate the character
of that gospel with which he was to be intrusted, he was summoned
to renounce the idolatries of his country, his native land, and
his kinsmen in Chaldea, and to venture forth upon an untried
journey in obedience to the call of heaven, to a land which he
should afterwards receive as an inheritance. After a series of
Divine manifestations, first in Ur of the Chaldees [Acts7;2]; then
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at Moreh in Canaan [Gen. 12; 7]; then neai* Bethel (12;8), then
at Mamre (13 16); and on Moriah (22), he was distinctly
promised three things—a land, a seed, and a blessing as a reward
for his compliance with the heavenly invitation.
Whether spoken in dream or distinctly articulated by a human
form, the voice which chose and summoned Abraham to emigrate
from Ur was reconized by the patriarch as Divine. Perhaps in
no period of the world did Heaven need a true man to represent
the Kingdom of Grace more than at this time. Men had forgot¬
ten the awful catastrophe of the deluge. Nimrod had built bis
tower, the sons of Mizriam had continued to build the pyramids of
Egypt, the Chaldeans had acquired the science of learning from
the Egyptians, the Canaanites had set up idols of worship, and
faith was well-nigh eliminated from the earth. Not only a man
was wanted but an extraordinary man whose vision was broad
enough to respond to the voice of God. Though seventy years
old when he was summoned, yet without question or complaint,
without the slighest shadow of reluctance, the Chaldean flock-
master puts Jehovah's order into immediate execution. While
delayed at Haran for a little while the pilgrim was not diverted
from his journey. Undaunted by prospective perils and uncon-
quered by hardships and trials, he halted not till he had set his
foot on the the promised land. This act upon the part of Abra¬
ham may be regarded as the genesis of the kingdom of God, and
he illustrates himself in a satisfactory way to be the man God
wanted to stand proudly at the head of the nation which for nearly
two thousand years was the custodian of oracle and revelation to
all the earth.
Unto a man like Abraham it must not have been a light-thing
to depart "from his country, and from his kindred, and from his
father's house. It must have been a trial to him to go forth from
places which were hallowed by precious and sacred memories,
to sever many tender and social associations, and without any
prospects of returning to these cherished friends and familiar
scenes again. Yet because his faith in God was mightier than
his strongest human feeling, he chose to obey the voice which
faith alone could hear and to be guided by hand which faith alone
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could see. And because he obeyed the historian ascribes to him
the appellation, "a friend of God" and "the father of all" the
faithful. And although during his whole life-time he never
came into actual possession of a foot of ground save his burying
plot at Machpeleh still with God's promises yet unfulfilled he
believed God, "for he looked for a city which hath fondations
whose builder and maker is God." His faith anticipated a more
glorious inheritance than the earthly Canaan, and a fairer, firmer
and diviner city than was ever designed by human skill or con¬
structed by human strength. And also because he measured up
so fully to the Divine ideal of man he proved himself in a preem¬
inent sense to be the man God wanted.
2. Again four hundred years after the descendants of Abraham
had served over two hundred years in Egyptian bondage and
this oppression was so heavy that it appealed to God's mercy
and justice, God wanted a man whose learning, whose experience
and whose character would fit him both for a leader and a law¬
giver, and he found such a man in the person of Moses. "By
means of his princely education," says Kitto, "He became most
accomplished in temper, demeanor, and intellect: he was also
trained in that largeness of view and generosity of spirit which
are supposed to result from such relations, and which qualified
him to sustain with dignity and authority the offices of ruler of a
people and general of armies, which eventually devolved upon
him. This education, also involving as it must have done, an in¬
timacy with the highest science and philosophy of the Egyptian
sages—was well calculated to secure for him the attention and
respect of the Egyptians when he stood forth to demand justice for
an.joppressed race."
But while he enjoyed advantages of royal education, when he
met the question which more or less meets every man at some
stage of his life, to decide between pleasure and industry, between
honor and sacrifice, and whether he would be a prince in
Egypt or a leader of an oppressed people—"he chose rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures
of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches
than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense
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of reward; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible."
Because of these eminent qualifications of mind and heart the
Hebrew prince, Jethro's son-in-law, the shepherd of Midian, and
the emancipator of the Israelites, was lifted up to the distinction of
prophet and law-giver, and in these two offices— the one plac¬
ing him the first in the list of the long line of prophets, the few men
in the Old Testament times to whom heaven intrusted Divine
oracles, whose minds were so illumined as to read the will of
God—the other exalting him as the only man upon whom Jehovah
bestowed such signal honor and privilege as to talk face to L ee.
So. sacred was the interview and so important the commission, that
the God of heaven called Moses aside from the congregation of
Israel upon Mt. Sinai where he was to receive the law. Perhaps
the world has never seen or known a more remarkable demon¬
stration of the personal and living God, except on Golgotha, than
when old Sinai shook at the tread of Jehovah. The elements
of nature out of respect to his approach leaped forth as with living
energies—fire, smoke, lightning, thunderings and earthquakes
attested his presence, while Moses, his honored servant, the man
that God wanted, stood veiled in celestial clouds to receive his
commission, lest the organs i f sense which have no fitness for
immediate dealing with the great verities of the spiritual realm,
might behold the face of God and die; for the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, "dwells in light unto which no man can approach; whom
no man hath seen, nor can see." Hence Moses by birth, by educa¬
tion, by experience and revelation, was fitted for the leadership
of an emancipated people, a people whose conception of God
was but a little above that of children and in him God found
the man he wanted and needed.
3. Again, when the Kingdom of Grace was in its infancy
- and the Apostolic Church was facing the problem of making Chris¬
tianity the universal religion, adapting and adjusiing the polity of
the Church, and interpreting the spirit of Jesus so as to subdue
and triumph over national prejudice and the difterent schools of
thought, and a man was needed, who by birth, learning, boldness,
and faith, could take the initiative, Saul of Tarsus, transformed by
grace into the Apostle Paul, came on the scene. This man, by
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descent, a Jew, by birth a Roman, by sect a Pharisee, a disciple
of Gamaliel, rose up and attacked Jewish monotheism, Greek
polytheism, Roman idolatry and made the platform of his doctrine
the "universality of salvation" and declared that God "hathjnade
of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth; and hath determined the times before appointed, and the
bounds of their habitition: that they should seek the Lord,
if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be
not far from every one of us, for in him we live, move and have
our being."
St. 'Paul with his vision sweeping the broad horizon of univer¬
sal brotherhood with Christ as the Central personality, dared to
hurl thunderbolts of truth and grace against Jewish exclusiveness
and Gentile superstitions and lay before the beggar and the
jeweled satrap alike the ofter of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.
Becoming "obedient to the heavenly vision", but he stopped not
to "confer with flesh and blood", but convinced of his mission,
he armed himself with "the spirit that was in Christ Jesus", went
forth "counting not his own life dear unto himself", but with a
spirit to "become an outcast and the ofiscouring of the world; to
the Jew he became a Jew and to the Greek he became a Greek—all
things to all men that by all means he might win some." And
pressing bis claim and prosecuting his work he attacked the
Goddess Diana at Ephesus,'encountered the Epicureans on Mar's
Hill, held Divine services in the Philipian jail, hypnotised Felix
on the judicial bench with ills" eKquTnceTnSecame his" own attor¬
ney in the court z,t Caesarea, defied both the sea and soldiers on
the "" Atexiacfrian™ ship,' and finally s.tood up and preached the
gospel in the imperial city itself, and having finished his course,
kept the faith, and run the race, he rejoiced that his life and
work entitled him to a crown. Evidently such a person meets
the description of the man God wants.
Again, when Roman Catholicism had transformed the power
of Christianity into lifeless formalism and belief in Church dogmas
was preferred to the doctrine of the Bible, and as a consequence
disaffection and general corruption had impeded the advancement
of Christianity and well-nigh sapped the life of the Church, then
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God called for a man and Martin Luther answered. A mail with
grace in his heart, with iron in his blood and determination in his
will, who contrary to the advice oFhis triendsr~ni the face of
ecclesiastical threats, in the face of papal bulls, and in the face of
penalty of death,—dared to nail his thesis of faith on the bulletin
of Wittenberg, in order to break the backbone of ecclesiasticism
and to give the world Protestantism, the conscience liberty, and
the people the truth, and thus proved himself to be just the man of
the hour to turn the tide that Christianity might have the right
of way.
5. Later when Protestants themselves had lost time in
quibbling over doctrines, creeds and church polity, and had fallen
into errors similar to those for which many of the pioneer fathers
had become martyrs and God needed another man to awaken the
conscience of the people to' the essentials in Christianity, John
Wesley appeared on the scene, and by the doctrine of "free
grace" and the advocacy of a "personal knowledge" of the new
birth, he led the movement of a great revival of faith which gave
Christianity a new setting in founding the Methodist Church. And
although there have been seasons of great dearths since the days
of the Wesleys theie has not yet been a time when the fire on her
altars has entirely gone out. Books of an iconoclastic nature and
treatises on dogmatic theology, defining the position of several
schools of theology, particularly the Calvinistic and Armenian, have
been wrtten, saying nothing of the hierarchical and congregational
forms of Church government and other theological vagaries such
as ordinances, the itinerant ana settled pastorates, by masters as
John Fletcher and Watson on one side, Jonathan Edwards and
Hodge on the other, but the growing tendencies • of the age to
relegate non-essentials and to emphasize the great verities in
God's word, has served to lessen the strife and to create a com¬
munity of interest little dreamed of even a century ago. And
Methodism amid all the adverse criticism alleged against her
doctrine, her polity and enthusiasm, has not only outweathered
the storm but has kept the fire of justification, adoption and
entire sanctification burning on her altars and thus become a
potential agency in extinguishing Satan's Kingdom, proving that
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John Wesley was evidently the man God wanted at the time.
6. Again when Methodism, with a platform broad and liberal,
with adherents who endeavored to make her creed as broad as
the gospel of Jesus Christ itself, and who joined with St. Paul
in saying that "There is no difference between us", but that God
"hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all
the face of the earth"—when the leaders of this great communion
decided to discriminate against one class of its members because
their skin was of a dark hue, then God called for a man to get in
the breach that a part of his children might not become discour¬
aged, and there were three who answered the call, in the person
of James Varick, Richard Allen and Peter Spencer.
It is particularly within the scope of the A. M. E. Zion Church's
interests we are gathered here to-day. James Varick, the founder,
was not only a man of faith and true to the ideals of Methodism as
he understood them, but was possessed of rare foresight and a
broad vision. Evidently he was the man for the occasion to lay
the foundation of a Church sufficiently broad and liberal as to
furnish opportunity for the development of Jhe social, material,
intellectual and spiritual powers of a race a part of which were in
slavery and the other part discriminated against. To say that he
encountered difficulties and almost insuperable barriers is but to
r epeat the disadvantages under which every great pioneer has had
to labor. As Bishop Hood observes in his One Hundred Years
of the Church: "Secession from Churches are generally the result
of differences of opinion on doctrines of Church government. But
it was neither of these which caused this movement." The pro¬
prietors of the Mother Church did not care to encourage a sepa¬
rate organization, nor were the founders of the African Method¬
ist Episcopal Zion Church anxious to leave, but the elements of
manhood in James Varick, his sense of justice, and his pardonable
ambition to become a free and untrammelled ambassador of the
gospel and to open the door of hope to the increasing multi¬
tudes of his race, urged him to press his claim, and in 1796 the
movement was begun, in 1800 the first church was built, in 1821
the first law making conference met which made him the official
spokesman and superintendent. The Christianity, believed in and
16
Quarter-Centennial of
preached by the white Methodist itinerant and which had fired
up and inspired his soul was burning' to a flame in the colored
brother's soul also; he too, had met and talked with Christ by
the way, had seen "the heavenly vision," had felt ''the power of his
resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering," and also to him
had been given the Divine commission, and he only wanted an
opportunity "to testify the gospel of grace of God." But this oppor¬
tunity came slow and while he was "musing the fire burned. " The
time however, v/as ripe for the black man to become a missionary
and a messenger to his brethren in black, and James Varick under
the blessing of God, paved the way for the formation and perpetu¬
ity of a Church, while distinctly colored in origin and designed
mainly for colored people, yet opens its doors and receives all
men alike whether they be "bond or free, Jew or gentile, barbar¬
ian or Scythian, male or female." It appears that a good Providence
left it to James Varick and his coadjutors to lead, not only
Methodist but Christian leaders of every communion, especially
in America, back to the simplicity of the faith of the fathers and
the liberal and cosmopolitan spirit of the early Christian Church
and to the last commission of our blessed Lord. Indeed, it may
yet be the fortune of the Church of Varick and the colored Church
generally, to lead Christanity back to the days when the charisma
of Pentecost caused the apostles to speak in cloven tongues and
usher in a new baptism of the Holy Ghost and a period in which
the Church shall again sustain the proper attitude to Jesus Christ
and '"the gospel shall run and be glorified."
But the occasion which brings us together today gives special
opportunity to , emphasize a particular phase of this providential
movement—the organization of a colored Methodist Church. The
fathers like the early apostles were not educated men in the literal
sense of that term, yet in the absence of that blessing in any large
measure, they were possessed with a degree of intelligence, high
moral ideas and good common sense, all of which are indispensa¬
ble equipments to those who would lead in any great movement.
They were not only men that God wanted for the times to direct
the ideas and to shape the course of action, but they were veritable
seers who read the signs of the time and who saw the finger of
Rt. Rev. A. Walters, D. D.
Livingstone College.
17
- God pointing toward the day when not only a handful of their
brethren in the North would enjoy freedom of body and the privi¬
leges of the church, but when the increasing millions then held fast
in slavery, would have set before them also an open door. When
in the providence of God the bloody strife of four years, costing
millions of wealth and millions of souls had revolutionized the gov¬
ernment of our republic and the barriers which had prevented the
entrance of our Church into the Southland for nearly seventy years
had been removed, the credit of appointing the first missionary in¬
to this section belongs to the late Bishop Joseph J. Clinton, whose
far-sightedness enabled him to select the man that God wanted as
a direct instrument to plant the Church of Varick in the south, and
that man was Rev. James W. Hood, now our senior Bishop. Be¬
cause the time was ripe and because God was in the movement,
churches sprang up everywhere, as in a night, and the number of
souls brought into the Kingdom of Christ increased daily, so that it
was soon discovered that if the Church would keep abreast the
times and be prepared to take care of the future of the freedmen, in
making them intelligent Christian citizens, that institutions of learn¬
ing must be established. For such a providence as this the fathers
prayed, wrought and sacrificed, but the answer to their prayers
and the dream of their hope seemed locked up in the dim future.
The material out of which to develop men was at hand; there was
no lack of loyalty or interest, but the great need of the hour was a
man. Then it was that Joseph C. Price answered, a man, it would
appear, was born for the purpose of giving the Church of Varick
an intellectual quickening. From the time that Joseph C. Price
came upon the scene the Church may easily and very correctly
date the era of her educational movement. Few men of any race
or nation have been so richly endowed by nature to be a leader
and an inspiration to a people just out of slavery and thrown upon
their own responsibility to work out the problem of their citizen¬
ship, as was Joseph C. Price. From the founding of Livingstone
College in 1882 till he passed within the veil in 1893, Joseph C. Price
gave his Church and race ten years of perhaps the rarest efficient
service of any dark hued American citizen up to and including his
day. Well trained, he possessed the fine combinations of scholan
18
QuARTER-CENTENNrAL OF
leader, orator and devout churchman. All the faculties of his mind
and soul were modified and seasoned by fine Christian graces. The
great passion of his soul was to liberate his race from the bondage
of ignorance and sin, and for the principles he believed to be right,
he not only gave the bes-t years of his manhood, but for them he
laid down his life. For years the fathers of the Church hunted
for a man to head the educational movement; they thought they
bad found him in several other very excellent men—men of scholar¬
ship, character and of position, but none seemed to possess all the
qualities necessary to pioneer educational work—the ability both
to procure the means and to build the school until the North Caro¬
lina Conference and Lincoln University sent us Price.
It was a good providence that thus remembered Zion. The
kingdom of Christ as represented by the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Zion Church was suffering for just the service and the inspira¬
tion as it found in this great character—indeed, both the Church
and the race needed the deliverance that the founder of Livingstone
College brought to us. And if we are to judge the fitness and the
appropriateness of the providence by the results that have follow¬
ed then we decide that both the founder and the fathers planned
more wisely than they knew.
No one perhaps can give a just estimate of the far-reaching in¬
fluences that have been set in motion by Livingstone College, the
educational mecca of Zion, through the instrumentality of its founder
and his co-workers. In all parts of America, in Canada, in Cuba, in
Porto Rico, in the Phillipine Islands, in England, and in Africa
the sons and daughters of "My Livingstone" as sung by the elder
Fonvielle, have gone forth bearing the signs of culture and training
both of mind and heart which they received at this fountain of
knowledge.
When this prince, the founder, had fallen in the full bloom of
manhood, realizing only in a meager sense the fruition of his la¬
bors, God and the Church saw at once the need of another man to
catch the mantle as dropped in honor frora the skies. They found
that man in the present president of the College, Rev. Dr. William
Harvey Goler. Having been educated with the immortal Price and
associated with him in his life work, together with other excelling
Livingstone College
19
qualities of fitness he possessed, the Lord found the man he need¬
ed in him. Under his administration the material advancement of
the College has been wonderful and the literary work has been
gratifying. To stand at the head of an institution like this whose
object is to mould men and women who are to be the future leaders
of the race is an honor not to be despised, and who even with the
sagacity and and foresight of a prophet can give any adequate idea
what streams of influence shall yet emanate from this fountain of
knowledge to make glad the city of God.
But neither thi founder nor his successor could have been a
complete success without the excellent services of those whose
sacrifices have mingled freely with those of their chieftains. It ought
not to be forgotten that the Rev. Cr R. Harris, now Bishop, and Prof.
Edward Moore, together with the founder were the three jioneeis
that opened the doors of the institution in Oct. 1882, and that Mrs.
Maria E. Harris associated them as the first matron to control the
conduct of the student body.
It ought ever to be remembered that during the early years or
the so-called "dark days" of the institution when the Lord needed
persons of rugged character and sterling integrity to help put into
effect the well thought-out plans and policy of the institution as out¬
lined by their chieftain, that these three last named individuals
answered the call by giving their time and talents, making sacrifices
together with the founder went here and youder to collect means
for the support of the school. When, therefore, we include with
these a year or two later, the present head of the College, we have
the five persons to whom, perhaps, most credit belongs for the in¬
dustrial, moral and literary results of the institution during its for¬
mation period.
But schools like other institutions, as they develop need ire-en¬
forcement. So the trustees found a very happy selection in the
person of Professor Simon G. Atkins, whose keen and cultured in¬
tellect, whose consecration and high ideals, and adaptability to teach
both by precept and example eminently qualified him to become a
member of the teaching force. The names of Rev. Francis C. Pat¬
ter, Dr. "William A. Sinclair and James L. Battle also take high rank
in this connection. The brilliant and discriminative mind of Pro-
20
Quarter-Centennial of
fessor Frank H. Noble entitles him to a high place in the galaxy of
teachers, and he must always be classed among those, who, under
the providence of God, were well-nigh indispensable to the kind of
mental training needed in the earlier days of the institution. Also
among those who mingled freely their prayers, their tears and la¬
bors to give the school character and standing, must be mentioned
the names of Mrs. Marjr Morris-Walker, ex-matron, Miss Victoria
Richardson, Miss Mary Lynch, and Mrs. Annie C. Tucker, the pres¬
ent matron.
These we have named, include as we now remember nearly, if
not all, the teaching force of pioneer days, and the hand of God
has been seen more or less in the call of each one of these workers
to his or her post of duty.
It may not be too much to say that the later teaching force and
employees of the institution from Benjamin Anthony Johnson, the
first graduate of the College to be employed to teach, to the last,
have put the whole Church under tribute for faithful and praise-
viorthy services.
This discourse, cannot, we regret, include a personal tribute to
the loyal and active trustees and the long list of friends of the school
of both races, in America and in Europe, without whose unstinted
devotion and liberal donations the present results could not have
been attained—these are too numerous and must be left to others
who are to join us in mentioning reminiscences worthy of note.
Nor will time permit us to enlarge upon the work and worth of the
one thousand graduates of the school nor the thousands who at
one time or another drank liberally from this fountain of knowl¬
edge, from John A. D. Bloice, the first College graduate, to those
who made their debut at the last commencement; for as Jacob of
old said of his son, we may appropriately say now: "Joseph is a
fruitful bough: his branches have overleaped the walls." While
some have joined the teaching force here, others have founded
sohools; some have entered the legal profession; others the medi>
cal, others the industrial and commercial; others chaplains in the
army; some authors of bojks; others mistresses in happy homes;
still others holding eminent positions in Church and State, and one
a Bishop,
Li .ngstone Collegk.
21
Bat the years shall come and go and the sphere of dear old
Livingstone widens, and the problems of race and humanity gener¬
ally become more perplexing. God will need a man in each emer¬
gency to come to the front. And may we not suggest that the man to
lead the forces in the future educationally and racially must have
no less preparation thaa those of today: on the contrary he must
have a more adequate fitness to meet and direct the destinies of
the people. So that it may not be a strange thing if the voice of
God will again be heard, saying "Run ye, to and fro through the
streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad
places thereof, if ye can find a man."
Wanted: a man;
One who has moral might;
One who stands for the right,
Whose faith outsees his sight,
Whose vision can
See triumph in defeat,
See honor slay deceit,
See truth and mercy meet;
Wanted: a man.
Wanted: a man;
One who will dare to do
Whatever things are true,
Unswayed by errors new—
A figure grand:
One who will stxike the blow
For human kind laid low,
Whose heart is all aglow
For brother man.
Wanted; a man
Whose very heart is oak,
Whose back can take the stroke,
Whose neck can bear the yoke;
Yet lift his hand,
Invoking God to judge
If he do quail or budge
22
Quarter-Centenntal of
Before ignoble giudgc—1
God find this man.
Wanted: a man
With life an open book,
With face of upward looh,
Whose hand ne'er under to jh
To thwart God's plan;
Who cries to hosts of hell,
"Against thee, I rebel"
O Lord Jehovah, tell
Where is the man?
"Wanted: a man"
Old Livingstone proclaims,
To realize her aims,
And laud her leaders u;.raes,
Since she began:
Men of the ebon cl in,
Who enter life to win.
And bring the harvest in;
Wanted: a man.
Livingstone College.
23
t 3 p, m, the college auditorium was thronged to listen to the
Baccalaureate sermon by the Rev. I. N. Rendall. former
president of Lincoln University (Penn.) and one of the most noted
educator sin the country. The services were conducted by the pre¬
siding officer. The choir pealed forth that beautiful anthem, "Come
thou Almighty King," after which the choir and audience sang, "A
Charge to Keep I Have." President Goler then read the scripture
lesson from the 15th chapter of Genesis. The choir sang, "Zion
Stands With Hills Surrounded." Then President Goler introduced
to the audience Doctor Rendall in the following words:
"We are favored today in introducing to you one of the distin¬
guished educators of the country, and one especially interested in
the education of the black. Two years before the civil war the
speaker came to Ashman Institute, now Lincoln University. Dr.
Price was there for a iime during his admistration and Livingstone
College is the outgrowth of that great Institution. We have en¬
deavor to secure him on several occasions, but until recently his
duties were so laige that it is just now that we have the pleasure of
introducing him to you.
By way of introduction Doctor Rendall said:
Mr. President, Members of the Faculty, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It gives me pleasure to be here and attempt to say some words
to you. I recognize this institution as closely related to the institu¬
tion established at Oxford, about 47 miles from Philadelphia, found¬
ed in 1856. In 1S96 we celebrated our Semi-Centennial. We are
now to enter into the fruits of what you heard this morning and I
feel highly honored that the faculty has extended to me this honor
to come to the institution."
He announced his text from the 15th chapter of Genesis 15th-
•-18th verses.
After closing the sermon he made the following remarks to the
graduating classes: Members of the Senior Classes, the secret of
Joseph's life is not concealed. God hid it from his own eyes and
from his brethren, and what have you caught from the secret of
such a life? God does not change. He is the same in this genera¬
tion as he was when Joseph was youth. God was with Joseph.
How much do you think that means? Read the last verse of the 1st
24
Quarter-Centennial ojh
chapter of John, what does that mean about Christ? If he was w'th
God, he was wherever creation was— to be with God is to be with
him in whatever he is. His wisdom is not like that of man all the
ingenuity of this earth alone—the combination of things that make
the seas—that lnake the heights. His wisdom is in all life, because
life is placed before you to make your own way, to row your own
boat. If God is with you like he was with Joseph, you will be safe.
You will wait and put your confidence in him. I commend to
you a secret, believing in Jesus Christ. God was with Joseph in
prison. It taught him to be prepared for anything. You know lit¬
tle of the coming years. God knows it alL It was written of Dav¬
id and Jonathan, '"The Loi"d be between me and thee forever"—be¬
tween two friends—then you know tliere is no earthly friend so
near. It is dangerous for two friends to come so close together that
nothing can come between them. Let the picture of the life Joseph
be with you—let the life of Jesus be with you, and may God bless
you forever.
Benediction was pronounced by Dr. Rendall.
SERVICES OF MONDAY MAY 20th.
Histoircal Session.
On the morning of Monday, May 30th, began the historical ses¬
sion, with Bishop J. W. Hood, D. D., LL. D., presiding. The devo¬
tional exercises were conducted by the Rev. A. J. Warner, D. D., of
Charlotte, N. C. who was introduced by Bishop Alexander Walters,
of Jersey City, N. J., chairman of the General Committee. Dr. Warn¬
er lined hymn 136, "When All Thy Mercies O My God," which was
sung by the choir. The 19th Psalm was then read, after which Rev.
Wm. Sutton, D. D., of Newbern, N. C., offered prayer.
OPENING REMARKS AT THE QUARTER-GENTENIAL OF LIVING¬
STONE COLLEGE, SALISBURY, N. c.
fey
Bishop A, Waiters.
Hon. President, Members of the Faculty, Trustees, Students,
Friends—
Rt. Rev. J. W. Hood, LL. D., President Board of Trustees-
Livingstone College.
25
ib
assure you that it is with more than ordinary pleasure that
I appear here to-day to participate in the exercises of this
gala week.
V/e have come from all parts to join with you in Celebrating
the 25th anniversary of this our foremost institution of learning—
more—wc have come to talk of the life, and extol the achieve¬
ments of the gifted son of the Old North State, the large hearted,
big brained and peerless orator Dr. J. C. Price, and to commend
his associates in the work.
Br. Golcr and Committee of management on the grounds de¬
serve most hearty congi-atulations on the splendid work which
the have accomplished in the complete and most elaborate arrange¬
ments for this occasion. Let us give them a chautauqua salute.
The history of the A. M. E. Zion Church is marked with
several important epochs, the first of which was the formation of
the organization which occurred in New York City 1796,
It was on account of wicked discrimination on the part of the
white members of Old J )hn Street Methodist Episcopal Church,
the mother of American Methodism, that caused our forefathers
and mothers to separate from her and set up housekeeping for
themselves.
The pioneers in this movement were but a handful, sixty all
told—but they were religious, race loving, courageous and intensely
patriotic.
They laid the foundation of this good heritage which we now
enjoy. Like the Jamestown Colony and the pilgrim Fathers they
builded wiser than they knew.
"Our national history reads more like a romance than a history.
From small settlements scattered along the Atlantic Coast, we have
become forty-six sovereign States with posessions extending from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the pines of Maine to the orange
blossoms of Florida as if by magic the haunts of savages and wild
beasts have been transformed into cities of splendor and magnifi¬
cence. The sombre forests with their melancholy shade, which
then enveloped America have been succeeded by green meadows,
cultivated fields, rich orchards, fine farms, thriving towns and cities.
The trail of buftaloes, winding through dense forests, and even
26
Quarter-Centennial of
high mountains have been followed and laid with iron rails, carry¬
ing across the continent the greatest inland traffic ever posessed by
any people. Rivers have been bridged that the wildest imagina¬
tion of engineers never conceived possible. From petty and despis¬
ed dependents vainly petitioning parliament and Kings, we have
become a great power, most potential in the afiairs of the world,
courted and respected by all. A nation worthy of the name.
Doubtless it never dawned on the minds of the founders of
this great Republic that they were laying the foundation upon which
would be erected in a short time a superstructue that would daz¬
zle the eyes of the world, a nation that the historian would write
down as the greatest of all times. Great as were Washington,
Jeflerson, Madison, Adams, Hamilton, Randolph and Marshall they
never, dreamed of the future greatness of the American people.
They died not knowing that the document which they had given to
us known as the constitution and which John Marshall so ably
interpreted was to be considered the most remarkable political
work known to nan. It is to-day the universal charter of political
government the world over. Mr. Gladstone proclaims it the
greatest political work that was ever struck oft at one time by the
brain and purpose of man.
"It was designed for the millions of people occuppying the
fringe of the Atlantic seabord, it has been found capable of govern¬
ing the majority of the English speaking race," and by it and
through it the Negro is finally to obtain his complete civil and
political rights. Truly the fathers of the nation built wiser than
they knew.
And so with the fathers of the A. M. E. Zion Church, they
could not, environed as they were, have had any thing like a full
conception of what the Zion Church would be in 1907.
At first our development was slow. Our pioneers met with
many discouragements—the Alps of difficulties ahead of them
arose high defying their advance, but like Napoleon before the Alps
of Switzerland and Moses at the Red Sea they cried to their fol¬
lowers "Go forward" and they went forward until to-day have a
membership of 569,305, ministers, Local and otherwise 3,659
Churches and parsonages 3,161, Sunday School Scholars 136 871, Ten
Livingstone College.
27
Bishops when we have a full Board, two have died since our last
General Conference, General officers 25, Religious periodicals 6 and
further we have a tremendous following.
This institution through its President and Faculty has done
much to bi'ing about such results. It has given us a Bishop Cald¬
well, Drs. Blackwell, Colbert, Jones, McMullen, Stitt, Fenderson,
Morrisey, Bloice, Crook, Davenport, Smyer, Lee, Houston, Bolden
and many other ministers. Profesors Provender, Trent, Wallace f
Fonvielle, Aggrey and others. Drs. M. D. Fuller, Walker, Gar¬
land, Wilkerson and besides those a host of the brightest and
best young men of the land.
One of our greatest hindrances was our limited episcopacy.
When we started out our Superintendents (Bishops) were elected
to serve for four years, eligible to re-election, but the most of them
required considerable wire pulling to be re-elected and many of
them failed. The system lacked permanency iu leadership and
in addition to this there was a weakening of the authority of the
Bishop by the thought on the one hand that he must not be too
severe on the brethren lest he fail of re-election and the other hand
there was a constant intriguing of his ministers to get his place by
undermining his influence.
Under this system we did not make the progress that our Sister
denomination, the A. M. E. Church made, which started out by
electing their superintendents (Bishops) to serve during good be¬
havior. We overcame this difficulty in 1868 when we changed our
system and agreed to elect our Bishops for life or during good be¬
havior.
This action marked our second great epoch. After this enact¬
ment our church advanced by leaps and bounds.
Our next great epoch was the founding of this institution by
the illustrious Price and others whom I shall mention further on.
We have assembled to-day to commemorate that event which
means so much to our church, and to place laurel wreaths upon the
brow of our founders among whom are Bishops Hood, Harris and
Lomax, Drs. Goler, W. J. Moore and E. Moore, but the cen¬
tral figure of this galaxy is the renowned orator, the eninient race
leader, the educator, the immortal J. C Price.
28
Quarter-Centennial of
Twas chiefly through, his indefatigable labors, his brain power,
his magnetism that form and beauty were given to this institution
and through financial and executive ability of our present Presi¬
dent Dr, Goier that permanency has been given to this institution
Dr. Moore deserves to be mentioned in this connection.
The Necessity of our Educational Institution.
The A. M. E. Zion Church like other great religious bodies is
interested in the spiritual, moral, intellectual and financial devel¬
opment of all the people. And knowing that one of the chief
factors in the solution of the race problem is education; we felt it
our bounden duty to prepare to-day our part in helping to solve
the problem by educating cur leaders.
The church that is to lead the vanguard in the future is the
one that will do most to enlighten the people, the one that has the
most efficient leadership and the purest ministry. To have such
a leadership we must have first class educational institutions of
our own, without them; yet without trained men, we can only
hope to be a second class religious organization. An illiterate
ministry can only be a second or third rate leader, for the stream
will hardly rise higher than its source.
I started here to-day to proclaim to the world that the A. M.
E. Zion Church purposes to be a first class organization, is deter¬
mined to remain in the front ranks no matter what the sacrifice and
what amount is required to obtain that object. Our watch word is
Education! Education!! Education!!! I thank you for your atten¬
tion.
Livingstone College
29
Bishop Hood said that in taking the chair it will, perhaps, be
expected of me to make some remarks, but I am trying to reserve
myself-my strength and Bishop Haaris will kindly read my paper
for me on "The origin of Livingstone College" Bishop Harris came
forward and read with all the emphasis and personality as possible,
of the revered Senior Bishop. The paper, tracing the history of this
great institution read as follows:
THE ORIGIN OF LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
by
Bishop J. W, Hood,
We are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Livingstone Col¬
lege, of the beginning this Institution at Salisbury. This, however,
is the 30th year since the effort to establish this Institution began,
and the first session was opened in Concord the first Monday in
January 1380.
In the beginning of the Institution the first man mentioned in
the records is that of C. R. Harris, which will be found in the
minutes of the North Carolina Annual Conference, which met in
Salisbury N. C. at 1 o'clock a, m. Nov. 27th, 1898: that was before
the old North Carolina Conference was divided; hence before the
formation of the Central North Carolina Conference.
On the 22nd page of the minutes of that conference, the follow¬
ing record is found:
C. R. Harris presented a paper signed by Thixrber, Harris and
Rives on the establishment of a Theological Seminary in this State.
Adopted.
The plan substantially is this:
1. Provides for the election of Trustees, who, after incorporation
of the Seminary, are to devise the form, and have charge of the
building stock.
2. Shares to bs $10. 00 each; niuiiiirani limit to bs sold, 500;
church to be allowed at least one share.
1. Each share entitles iIs representative to a year's tuition in the
Seminary, and may be purchased by iadivduals.
4. Provides for the final returns of Elders, and the time and place
of Trustees annual meeting, to frame and present to the Annual
30
Quarter-Centennial of
Conference a report of the progress of the work.
Trustees were then elected, viz: C. R. Harris, W. H. Thurber,
Wm. J. Moore, Bishop J. W. Hood, R. H. Simmons, Bishop f. IT.
Lornax, Z. T. Pearsall, A. York and A. B. Smyer.
Bishop J. W. Hood, E. H. Hill and H. C. Phillips were elected
to attend to the incorporation of the Seminary.
The minutes of the 15th session of the North Carolina Con¬
ference, which assembled in Goldsboro at 10 o'clock a. m, on Nov.
27th, 1878, gives us further information on this subject. As the
Presiding Bishop of that Conference, I referred to this matter in
the following language:
At your last Conference you adopted a plan to establish a
Theological Institute. The Trustees you appointed, met and fixed
upon Concord as the point at which to establish the Institution,
and it was agreed that it should called, Zion Wesley Institue.
This can be a success if we so will.
I think Bishop Lomax was in the chair when this measure
passed the Conference. When I was spoken to about it, I gave it
no encouragement; but after it passed the Conference, I felt it my
duty to give the measure a fair trial. With this view I met the
Board of Trustees, and there for the first time learned exactly
what was proposed. The prospect for success appeared so much
beyond my expectations, that I finally fell in with the plan pro¬
posed. I, by the advice and consent of the Trustees, appointed
an agent who agreed to travel and lecture for sixty days, free of
cost, if I could secure him free tickets over the several railroads
Col A. S. Buford, President of the R. & D. railroad, granted him
a 2,000 mile ticket over the North Carolina division of that road.
Maj. John Hughes, granted him a free ticket over the Atlantic
Road, and Col. L. C. Jones granted him a free ticket over the
Western Road. The best the other Roads consented to do, was to
furnish tickets at clergymen's rates. In order to make use of the
tickets the agent received, it was necessary to raise a small amount
to pay expenses on other roads. I thought the church would be
willing to do this. To my surprise, I learned that so far from be¬
ing willing to raise anything on the traveling expenses, at some
places they demanded that the agent pay his board, notwithstand-
Livingstone College
31
ing he was giving the Connection 60 days of his precious time, free
of cost I confess I was disheartened; especially when I learned,
that men who sat here and voted for the measure, professed to
know nothing about it. I was charged with exercising authority
not vested in me, and the agent was charged with being an impos¬
tor. An impostor indeed! He asked not a cent, I asked the church¬
es to defray what little expense he incurred, in doing work for
nothing.
This business was to open the way for several postors to sell
the shares you had voted to issue. Were you in earnest when you
gave that vote? I suppose you were. If you were not, I hope you
will say so, and we shall know what to do. Let's not trifle any
longer.
In the minutes of the North Carolina Conference which met in
Lincolnton, N. C. Nov. 26th, 1879, on the 20th page of said minutes
the following report is found:
"To the Board of Trustees of Zion Wesley Institute, Bishops
and Conference:
Brethren:—I have no rose-colored report to ofter, but such as
I have, give I unto you.
In accordance with a resolution of the last Annual Conference,
Diplomas of honor were prepared by Prof A. S. Richardson. From
Jan. 13th to Feb. 21st, fifty ministers were supplied with them,
express charges being paid from the treasury. A few others were
supplied afterwards, the total number disfributed being five hun¬
dred. Nine hundred and thirty-five were printed, eleven sold by
the secretary, and three were returned by Deacon Vanderberg,
leaving a balance on hand of four hundred and twenty-seven.
Of sholarships, four hundred and seventy-six were printed,
two of them being sold last year by Elder Bonner atTarborc, ard
two this year by Elder Harris, at Salisbury.
In the later part of June, Elder Thurber made a suggestion that
we endeavor to raise funds at once to put up a temporary building,
so as to start the school on the first of December. It was thought
that, as much labor had been performed, and some timber could be
obtained on the ground, $250.00 cash would enable us to get the
building ready for occupancy by that time. Immediately I wrote
32
Quarter-Centennial of
an appeal for Zion Wesley Institute, and sent it to the Star, which
was published in the August number. In it, I urged all the preach¬
ers in charge of our churches to raise a collection Zion Wesley
Institute at once, and forward it to the Treasurer at Salisbury.
One or two ministers wrote saying they intended to comply!
but up to the assembling of Conference, none had responded to that
appeal, but Jerry M. McNeil, who sent two dollars from Swan's
station. All honor to him; Let this epitaph be written over his
grave, "He has done what he could."
As further aid in raising funds for the Institute, the Trustees
at an informal meeting held at Concord, in August, agreed that
the Diplomas might be sold on time, by paying one dollar yearly.
The Secretary was to inform the financial agents of the arrange¬
ment, and furnish them with blank due bills, to be signed by par¬
ties purchasing Diplomas. At the same time several brethren
present, agreed to advance certain sums, to supply demand while
the building was in process of erection, Of these Bishop J. W.
Hood forwarded to the Treasurer fifty dollars. Forty dollars be¬
ing the balance of the Educational fund of this Conference, then in
his hands, and ten dollars donated by himself.
No receipts yet from Scholarships or Diplomas.
On the 19th inst. the idea occured to me; that the apathy of the
ministers in regard to the collections of funds, might be due to the
fact that the deed to the land had not yet been placed in the hands of
the Trustees. Although it had been agreed that no improvements
should be made till this was done, and the Chairman of the build¬
ing Committee had been instructed to get the deed as soon as possi¬
ble.
I then thought I would try to secure a piece of land in Salis¬
bury and have it presented to the Institution. However, on the
21st I dropped a line to Warren Coleman, Esq. of Concord, one of
the most prominent of the Trustees who dedicated the land to
Zion Wesley, asking if there was any possibility of having a deed
for the land to be presented to this Annual Conference, and
requested an answer by return mail. Receiving no reply, on
Sunday night I called a meeting for Monday night, to see if the citi¬
zens would secure land and donate it to the Institution.
Rt. Rev. C. R. Harris, D. D,
Livingstone College.
33
On Monday Mr. Joseph Ballard, an honorary Trustee of Zion
Wesley Institute, made inquiries concerning places which might
be bought. At night he reported that four acres were offered
free of cost by Mr. D. L. Bringle, Postmaster, but that a more de¬
sirable tract, containg forty acres could be obtained for two hun¬
dred dollars. It was decided to secure said tract, sell thirty acres
and donate the other ten acres to Zion Wesley Institute, if the
building would be placed upon it. The thirty acres were soon
disposed of, and a subscripton amounting to sixty dollars, was then
received for the ten acres to be given Zion Wesley, the money to
be paid by January 15th 1880. J. B. Ballard was made treasurer,
and agreed to place in the hands of another, a deed for twenty
acres of land as security for the trust reposed in his hands.
Salisbury is undoubtedly the better location for the Institution,
both because it is easier of access from the western part of the
State, and because there being no high school in the place, it offers
a fairer prospect of academical students. But as the location
has once been fixed at Concord, and it has become evident that the
delay in securing a title to land is not wholly due to the Trustees of
the camp ground—assurance being given that the land donated will
at once be placed in possession of the Trustess of Zion Wesley
Institute I will not press application for Salisbury.
I have said I have no rose-colored report to ofter; but as some
cloudy days end with a golden sun-set, so may this repoit close
with a cheering statement. Since coming to the Conference, the
following brethren have paid $55.25 into the treasury, which they
have raised during the year, viz:
W. J. Moore, A. York, W. H. Thurber, J. C. Dancy, R. S. Rives,
A. J. Kesler, John Hooper, A. B. Smyer, Z. T. Pearsall and J. H.
Mattocks, with a donation of ten dollars from Bishop Lomax. Be¬
sides this, owing to a happy fore-sight of our silver-tongued orator,
Prof. A. S. Richardson, and the generosity of the Conference, and
the congregation of this church, $36. 11 have been received as the
proceeds of thanksgiving collection.
I now offer my report as Treasurer of the Institution:
Balance on hand at last Conference $23. 13
Receipts on Scholarships 37. 87
34
Quarter-Centennial of
Receipts on Diplomas * ' "
Collections from churches ^ 00
Thanksgiving collection ^6. ^
North Carolina Educational Fund 00
Donation from Bishop J. W. Hood 10 00
Donation from Bishop T. H. Lomax 10* 00
Total 193. 36
Expended for printing and distributing Diplomas $27 82
" " one hundred copies of the "Star" sent Trustees. 3. 70
" Circulars and bills 3.60
" " Lecturer's board at Wilson 2. 75
" envelopes and postage 35
Total $38. 32
Balance in the Treasury $155. 04
Zion Wesley Institute, as an institution of learning, conceived
in, and thus far fostered and sustained alone by the North Carolina
Conference, appeals to your warmest sympathies and most ener¬
getic labor. I trust that though divided in name, we are not in
heart, and that every member, both ministerial and lay-delegate will
push forward the roll of Diplomas and Scholarships, and by no
means neglect the public collection, provided for at this session of
Conference.
Respectfully submitted,
C. R. Harris.
Secretary aDd Treasurer Zion Wesley Inst.
The Trustees of Zion Wesley Institute were instructed to open
the school on the first Monday in January 1880."
I regret that I could not lay my hands on the minutes of the
North Carolina Conference of 1880-1881, with them in hand I think
I could have a pretty complete account of the affairs of Zion Wesley
Institute for the two years preceeding its removal to Salisbury. I
can only give you a few facts from memory.
In the year 1881 the first "Ecumenical Conference," Methodism
met in London Egland. As the presiding Bishop of what was
then known as the "Third Episcopal District," I was permitted to
Livin gstone College
35
name one man as a delegate to represent the Connection, in that
body. There was a young man who had been admitted on trial in
the North Carolina Conference, admitted into full connection, ordain¬
ed a Deacon, and Elder, and finaly elected a delegate to the
General Conference, all without his ever having attended a session
of the Conference of which he had been made member. The
excuse for this irregular action was, that he was a student in Lin¬
coln Unversity, and the conference always met when that school
was in session, and the Bishop with some prominent members of
the Conference,thought they saw in him a coming man, one who
would be great in Zion if he had a chance. This was Rev. J. C.
Price. He attended the General Conference in 1880 and made a
wonderful impression on that body.
For some years I had been asking the Lord to open the way
for us to raise ten thousand dollars ($10, 000} in the interest of Ed¬
ucation. When I was authorized to select a man as a delegate to
the Ecumenical Conference, it seemed to me a good time to do a
little practical praying, it seemed to me if I could get Price with
his oratory, before the English people, I would be able to accom¬
plish that for which I had long prayed, and notwithstanding the
severe criticism that I knew would come upon me from men who
thought they had better claims, I selected what they called "The
boy Price," hoping that the results would vindicate my course.
We were half way across the ocean before I explained to him
my purpose for selecting him. The good Lord favored our plans.
Soon after we arrived in England, on the acconnt of the sudden
illness of a very distinguished minister who was to preach the
Anniversary Sermon, at the finest Wesley church in the old town
of Hastening, I was asked to take his place, and Price was invited
to accompany me, and deliver an address on Monday night, this
exactly suited our plans. We got the opportunity we wanted. I
have heard Price on many occasions during his life-time, but never
to better advantage than on that night. Rev. George Penman, who
had charge, and his people were enraptured. That night settled
the question about the ten thousand dollars.
For a man to raise money in England, he must not take the
money himself, but have a Treasurer to receive it. I therefore
36
Qu arter-Centennial of
appointed a board of managers, composed of President, Secretary
Treasurer, of which Rev. George Penman was Secretary and
Managing factor. He arranged all the schedules and planned the
meetings to entire success and the ten thousand was raised. I saw
a statement some where the other day lie raised nine thousand one
hundred dollars ($9,100), whoever made that statement, just
told what he knew about it It must be remembered that the
Connection had no money to send a delegate at that time, the
expenses for his round trip had to be paid from some source. Peo¬
ple who go to England on such occasions are expected to travel
on the Continent and elsewhere, and Price had to travel through
England in the interest of the Educational Fund. It was necessary
for him to travel as a gentlemen, in first-class cars, and when not
privately entertained, to put up at first-class hotels. I therefore
authorized the Board of Management to furnish him without stint
whatever he needed to travel as a first-class gentlemen. I pledged
my honor for his behavior, and the President of that Board, Dr.
Bouden, wrote me that Price had fully vindicated my pledge. He
said he was not an orator of the American type, but that of a distin¬
guished Englishman. Mr. Penman sent me an account of the mon¬
ey raised, and expenses, and the total was ten thousand dollars
($10,000).
When the report of the success Price was having came to this
country, the Mayor of Salisbury was authorized to ofier one thous¬
and dollars ($1,000) for the Institute if it was moved to Salisbury,
and we were authorized by the Conference in 1881, to do what¬
ever was best for the interest of the school. At an appointed time
I came here from home and met several others of the Trustees,
and with them, was driven around town to see several places which
had been offered for sale. We had spenl nearly the whole day
going from place to place, but the night before I left home, whether
in a dream or awake, I am not able to say, I saw this place in my
mind, almost as plainly as I see it with my eyes to-day: and when
I arrived in Salisbury and was driven to a house to breakfast,
from the front porch I could see the house which is called Hunting¬
ton Hall, and I said to myself, that is the place. I settled in my
mind I would buy that place if possible. It happened this was the
Livingstone College.
37
last point visited; I got out of the carriage and walked with Mayor
Holmes up to about where the remains of Hopkins Hall now are,
taking good care to get him off to himself. We turned round fac¬
ing to the onrth-west, I said to him, this is the place I want, and
he answered, I've been living right here for many years, and I've
never seen the beauty of this place before, I fully endorse your idea,
but don't say a word. I was pretty well on my guard before, but
when he gave me that caution that sealed my lips. I concealed
even from the other Trustees the fact that, I wanted this place. I
knew as the Mayor had intimated, that if it got out this was the
place we had settled upon, we would have to pay a very high
price for it. I have never before explained to my brethren why
I did not take them into my confidence at that time. But I think
the results have vindicated my course. Mayor Holmes took his
carriage and drove home, and I drove to my lodging place: we had
not spent five minutes on the ground, nor shown any interest in it
Perhaps the most remarkable thing is that while no one else came
to see me, that night, not even the brethren, yet at 8 o'clock p. m.
sharp, the owner of this place, "Mr. Gray" came to my room and
introduced himself, and told me he had come to sell me his place.
At the end of four hours which brought us to midnight, we had
closed the bargain at $900.00 less than he had first asked for it, and
he thought he was pushing it on me at that price.
The bargain was closed subject to the appoval of Mayor Holmes,
who on behalf of the citizens of Salisbury, was to pay one half of
the purchase price. The Mayor appoved on condition that Mr.
Gray should contribute $100.00 which another man had subscribed
on condition that we should buy from him.
Thus you will see why we came to Salisbury,
As I have been connected with the Institution from the begin-
ing as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and have kept closely in
touch with the movement, I feel justified in making the following
remarks:
I look upon the establisment of the Institution as providential.
I think it has been specially distinguished by several very com¬
mendable characteristics, and several persons connected with it
have especially impressed themselves upon it
38
Quarter-Centennial of
The first thing I note, is the very high religious power and
influence, by which it has been distinguished from the beginning.
It has never been possible for sudents to come here without being
affected, by religious influences that surround them. This I think
is largely the result of the special impress of Bishop Harris, who
was the first Principal of Zion Wesley Institute, and continued in
association with Dr. Price, until he was set apart to the episcopal
office, eight years later. While Dr. Price was out on the field, open¬
ing the way for the advancement of the school, "Harris" was here
impressing his own religious character upon it and nothing has
happened to change this deep religious impression. As the
school grows, its religious power increases.
The second thing is, its unsurpassed eloquence, every one who
has attended our Commencements has been enraptured by the
eloquence of the students, this is the special impress which Dr
Price has left upon the school. May it never grow less. Respect¬
ing Dr. Price, I may also add, that he was a splendid disciplinarian
and thereby gave force to the religious culture the school was
receiving, and compelling the practical demonstration of the profes¬
sion of faith.
The third thing I note, is the untiring energy, snap, push,
bustle: this is the special impression Dr. Goler is making on the
students. This accounts for the almost marvelous stride the
school is making under his administration.
Fourth thing I note, is the unassuming, quiet christian dignity
which largely prevails here, this I think is the impress which Dr.
Moore has made upon the school. I believe he is regarded as the
great scholar of the school
The fifth thing I note, is the high degree of moral, mental and
physical purity, especially among the female students, but what
less could have been expected with such matrons as, Mrs. Bishop
C. R. Harris and Mrs, A. C. V. Tucker, with their long-time associ¬
ates Miss Richardson and Miss Lynch, with such instructors noth¬
ing but the highest development would be looked for.
In fact the Institution has been blessed with a faculty which
has taken pride in the accomplishment of the best results.
Not to weary you with a long speech, I h?r$ gonslutfe,
Livingstone College
39
After the reading of Bishop Hood's paper the following per¬
sons by very excellent papers responded to their names:
Miss Addie McKnight of Charlotte read the following paper:
LIVINGSTONE AS I KNEW IT-
Rt. Rev. J. W. Hood, Master of Ceremonies, The Honored
President, Members of the Faculty, The Board of Trustees,
Patrons and friends of our Dear Old Livingstone: On this hap¬
py, this memorable occasion we greet you.
Joy inexpressible fills our hearts today as we gather on these
grounds to celebrate this twenty-fifth anniversary of the found¬
ing of Livingstone College.
As I look about me, and see here erected upon these grounds
such stately buildings, and everywhere indications of the steady
improvements that have been made, when I recall the conditions
which prevailed when I first came here,—there was only one
building on the grounds then, the Huntington Hall for girls,
and that a frame—and compare our Livingstone of those days
with our Livingstone of 1907 with her handsome brick structures
beside the Huntington Hall of the "dark days", I am filled with
a joy which simply can not be expressed.
To one and all this must be a joyful day; and yet there is, at
least to me, as I come upon these grounds, the revival of a feeling
of sadness which attends an ever present memory of the depart¬
ed founder of this institution who was so dear to all of our hearts,
the late Dr. Joseph C. Price whdse dust peacefully sleeps 'ne&th
the boughs of the proud oaks and maples of this campus.
Then too, I can't help thinking of the very considerable num¬
ber of class and schoolmates of the "dark days" who, during the
course of passing years have gone down to the Mystic River
never to return to us again.
We are not depressed, neither are we distressed nor discour¬
aged by the thought that death has made such inroads upon those
youthful lives; for no good life fails of its purpose, however brief
the time during which it reaches its fullness, and then, like the
petals of the full blown rose drops silently to the earth.
I come before you today as a representative of the student
40
Quarter-Centennial of
body in the "dark days" of Livingstone; and I am to tell you some
of my recollections of the persons and the events connected with
the College in those days, and the impressions made upon me
during the years I was a student here.
I have always regarded it as a good fortune that it fell to my
lot to ever become a student in what was then known as Zion
Wesley College.
As I remember, Dr. R. S. Rives who had been appointed pastor
of Clinton Chapel in Charlotte had a number of conferences with
my parents during vacation season prior to my coming to this
school, in which he urged them to send me to Zion Wesley College
in Salisbury, N. C.
He was deeply interested in the welfare of the institution, and
as there were a great many young people in his church, I among
them, he always appeared to be very anxious to influence as
many of them as he could to attend this new school which was
founded and fostered by our Connection. It so happened, that in
the Fall of 1885 I, in company with several other young people
from Charlotte, found my way to Zion Wesley College.
Arriving in Salisbury about 9 oclock at night, we were met
at the station by a "committee" from the student-body which had
been appointed to meet the new arrivals. We walked all the way
from the station to the College and were ushered into the presence
of Mrs. M. E. Harris who was, at that time, the Matron. I recall,
even now, how kindly and how motherly an interest she took in
me, and in fact, in all the girls under her care. Mrs. Harris made
us feel to be at home with her in the college as much as it was
possible for girls to feel who had never been away from home
before. As I look back to those days and recall the motherly
interest and supervision of Mrs. Harris,—her counsel and advico
her pleasant but positive maner of dealing with the girls in all
matters of privilege desired or discipline, the value of such a
matron in an institution of learning where young girls are being
trained, can not be ©verestimated.
If there is any one thing which has contributed in the past,
and even now is contributing to the popularity of our dear old
Livingstone, it is this one great care that is taken by the Board of
Grv-UP of i rusTEES, Officers and Graduating Cla_,s.
Livingstone College.
41
Trustees and the Faculty to secure a Matron whose care for and
supervision over the girls and whose interest in their moral and
religious training shall recommend the Institution to the favorable
consideration of those parents who are desirous of placing their
children, especially their girls, where these most important and
necessary safeguards shall be thrown around them while away
from home and a mother's care. To a far greater extent than
many think the results of such training and discipline are seen
in the lives of the girls after they have gone from college back
to their home or into the activites of some chosen profession
or life relationship.
It is important that our Livingstone should have good
teachers in her recitation and lecture rooms;—it is important
that the teachers be lovers of their professions and do their
work well; it is equally as important that our Livingstone should
have, also (and especially for the moral and religious influence that
should be exerted upon our girls) a Matron such as I found
in Mrs. M. E. Harris when I was here, and such as those, since
my days in the institution have found in Mrs. Annie C. Vance
Tucker the present Matron.
The morning after my arrival at the College, the rising bell
awoke me at 6 o'clock, and such a scampering as there was among
the girls to get into their apparel and be down to breakfast by
seven. If one should be so unfortunate as to arrive after seven
when the doors were locked, he would be minus a breakfast.
During my student days, I had the misfortune to be late to
breakfast on two or three occasions; but I had managed to secure
a good standing with the cook—Dear Old Mother Guion—and
a visit to the kitchen would afford some physical support until the
dinner bell rang.
The formalities of my entering Zion Wesley College were over,
I was assigned to the Junior (Normal) class. The instructors, at
time were the following: Rev. (now B'siiop) C. R. Harris, profes¬
sor of Mathematics and Biblical Literature; Edward Moore, A. M„
Professor of Greek and Latin; Rev. W. H. Goler, Professor of
Rhetoric and History, and who was also Superintendent of Indus¬
tries; F. H. Noble, A. B., Professor of Natural Science; Professor
42
Quarter-Centennial of
S. G. Atkins, Instructor in Grammar; Miss Ellen Dade; Student
teacher of Vocal Music. These were the teachers from whom I
received instruction in the class room during the period that I
attended this institution.
I intended to have remarked above, that thename of the
college changed, during the second year I was here, from Zion
Wesley to Livingstone College,— in honor of the great African
explorer, David Livingstone whose son lies buried in the National
cemetery in this city.
It has always proven a source of pleasure to me to recall in
memory, the manner of teaching and the disposition of my teachers
in the class room. I think it is more or less true, in almost every
instance that those of us who have gone forth from the school¬
room where we received instruction, into the school-room where
we are required to impart it, especially, during the early days of
our teaching profession, are inclined to shape our course, and to
be guided in our manner and method of conducting our schools, by
the manner and method which we observed in those who impart¬
ed instruction to us from day to day. I thought a great deal of my
teachers. In fact, I thought they were the best men I ever saw.
Bishop Harris, as we all know, was perfectly at home in the class¬
room; and especially so, as teacher of mathematics. He loved
his profession, and his pupils could not fail to see it He had the
happy faculty of so instructing a class in mathematics that the
members of the class grew, rather, to love this branch of study
In disposition, Bishop Harris is naturally gentle; but in the class¬
room he insisted on thoroughness in work, even to sternness.
At times I wonder, as, doubtless many of the students use to
wonder, why our teachers so strenuously insisted upon the
mastery of every little detail; many of which, we thought at the
time unimporlant; but experience has fully shown to me, and
doubtless to all who have gone forth from college and entered
upon careers that has proven successful in any appreciable degree,
that the little and apparently insignificant things, which we would
have passed over, but which our teachers required us to thoroughly
master, were the things which have made our lives more full and
and complete, and our service, in whatever capacity more com-
Livingstone College.
43
mendable and useful.
Looking back over the period years; during which I hare
been rendering service in the school room as teacher, it gives me
pleasure to stand here to-day to yield my tribute of thanks to those
teachers, who during my student days, were so attentive, so
desirous of bringing me into the same state or principles as them¬
selves; and by thus transfusing their spirit into the spirit of the
pupil, I, more and more was developed by the light and heat of
their intelligence.
Of those teachers whom I knew and loved, and from whom
I recieved such valuable instruction, the greater number of them
remain till this day, laboring in some capacity for the upbuilding
of our dear old Livingstone.
Prof. C. R. Harris now Bishop Harris; Prof. Edward
Moore still occupies the chair of Languages and is also the College
Physician; Rev. Prof. William Harvey Goler is now the honored
President of Livingstone Colege. Prof. F. H. Noble (may his mem¬
ory ever be kept green in Livingstone) is no more. Prof. S. G.
Atkins, from a chair in Livingstone, and late as President of
Slater Normal and Industrial School has been called to the high
honor of superintending the entire Educational work of the A. M.
E. Zion Connection, and now occupies the position of Educational
Secretary. Miss Ellen Dade our instructor in music, like our lament¬
ed Prof. Noble, has passed to the beyond. Any reference to
the"dark days" of Livingstone or to the experience of the student
would be sadly incomplete, I think, if there was not included a bit of
information relative to the administration of our Industrial
Superintendent at that time, Prof W. H. Goler.
Prof. Goler's supervision included the care of the campus
wood cutting, whitewashing fences, brick-making etc.; and being
a practical brick mason he was well qualified to "put the boys
through. When he came out on Saturdays, and every afternoon
after the close of school, and gave that peculiar call which all the
boys soon recognized,' they knew it was lining up time to go to
work. In those days the boys worked and were happy at it.
We had a few bad boys too, whom the Superintendent actu¬
ally whipped; but they have grown tP poble men, since, and I
44
Quarter-Centennial of
guess the licking helped them on. Bat they all loved Dr. Goler
and love him to this day.
After the departure of our beloved Dr. Price, at the unanimous
petition of student body; Dr. Goler was elected F resident of the
institution; and how well he has filled this position, and how mar¬
vellous has been tl e development and success of our Livingstone
since he has been at the head of it, we the students of the "dark
days" can testify.
Although a studentof the "dark days", I have happy recollec¬
tions of friendships formed during those days which will never
fade away.
Most of the young men who were in school with me then
are husbands and fathers now; and most of the young women are
wives and mothers now;—scattered here, and there, everywhere:
some still live; some have passed away: few of the number have
failed in life.
But there are many who have made splendid records for
themselves, and by lives of usefulness and eminent service heve
reflected great credit on their Alma Mater. Of my classmates—
there were ten of us, five boys and five gMs—of the boys, one is
a lawyer, one physician, three are prominent clergymen in our
Connection; of the girls, three are married, one is dead, and I alone
am escaped to tell the story.
So far as comforts and conveniences of the students were
concerned, our condition during the "dark days" was very differ¬
ent from present conditions. The girls enjoyed all the comforts
and conveniences that had been provided inside, the college
grounds. The boys found rest outside, and in what was known as
the "Black House" and in "Bibb's Hotel. Neither of these hostelries
were ample or comfortable; still the boys were all happy and
cheerful under these conditions. There was very little complaining
from any source, and we all lived as one big family, As I gaze
upon these stately buildings, these magnificent dormitories for
young men aud young women,—Hood Theological Seminary— Car¬
negie Library—the immense industrial building, and see, every¬
where comforts provided for the seekers after wisdom in this
grand old institution, now in the midst of her silver or twentyfifth
Livingstone College.
45
anniversary celebration,—when I think upon the enlarged faculty
and carefully extended curiculum, including so many more useful
departments of study than were listed when I was a student here,
—I experience a deep feeling of gratitude to Almighty God for
what He has enabled our Zion to accomplish. All this represents,
among other things, a great sacrifice on the part of our A. M. E.
Zion Church membership for the cause of Education; and that
they are willing to make this sacrifice, fills me with hope that
is full of brightness both for the Church and our Race. The young
men and young women who come here now find conditions vastly
different from what thy were when I was a student here. And
still another building is to go on these spacious grounds,— the
Price Memorial Building. It is going up, and the "dark day"
students are going to help erect it here.
It is fitting that a building,—a splendid piece of architecture—
should be erected upon these grouds to perpetuate the memory
of that very splendid man, the illustrious founder of Livingstone
College, the lamented Dr. Joseph Charles Price who faded away
like a passing shadow chased by the sunbeams of a brighter
glory, causing a dark pall of sorrow to settle upon this school,
the community and the outside world, as far as his name and his
work were known. It is hard to imagine a greater calamity to any
cause than the loss of its dominant spirit; yet from the ashes of
leaders, such as Dr. Joseph C. Price has grown works greater,
perhaps, than they had ever planned or their fancy pictured.
Of some men it may be said that they accomplish more in
their death than in their life; for in their death they give impulse
to movements which the world will augment by force of love
fcr the leader; and thus it is, and for this purpose that we are
here today.
46
Quarter-Centennial of
Prof. M. D. Lee, of Lancaster Normal and Industrial
School, Lancaster, S. C. read the following paper:
LIFE OF DR. PRICE.
by
Prof. M. D. Lee.
Fifty-three years ago February 10th, a remarkable bud ap¬
peared on the wondrous tree of life.
Long after it blossomed into beauty and ripened into glory.
Long since the delicious exhalation filled the chambers of many
minds and sweetened the labyrinths of many hearts. Since that
date the rich perfume widened from placid waters of the seaboard
to the golden gate of the west, and from the snow-capped moun¬
tains and chilling breezes of the Great Lakes to the warm and sun¬
ny shores of the Gulf and ever-glades of Florida; thence across the
Atlantic to the old world and the islands of the sea: and now bids
fair to lengthen to the length of all the centuries of recorded histo¬
ry, the name of the immortal Price, the first president of Living¬
stone College.
As the water when disturbed goes rippling on and on in ever
widening undulation, so the influence of Price in his work waxed
more and more. He easily outclassed in oratory and leadership,
the leading performers in that glorious choir whose music was and
is gladness of the world. He was not born in a home of culture,
refinement and glittering wealth; but like the poor Nazarene from
humble birth in the age of log huts. Poor in this world's goods but
rich in intellect. The dormant soul's energies were soon quickened
into activity, thus a craving of education; very soon the advantages
of the public school opened its doors to the young man, thence to
Lincoln University where the longing appetite for learning brought
young Price to the Mecca, Penn., where he could walk the flowery
meads of literature and enjoy the gardens of epic and lyric song,
and breathe freely the sweet zephyr of oratory. What a rapid
transition from a lowly birth. He then stepped upon the ladder
that leads to fame and honor, soon to be lapped in luxury and
fed on nectar and ambrosia.
Young Price's bed however was not a bed of roses but rather
Livingstone College
47
like that of the Indian Shyka a bed of spikes. He soon found that
there was no royal road to fame, no fight, no victory.
He who would wear the crown must bear the cross. Yet
while lying on that bed he had his dream as did the son of Jacob
when the sceptered blazing of heaven made obeisance to his sheep.
The A. M. E. Zion Church soon discovered the elements of
greatness in him and seized the toga.
Born in the dark days of slavery he was in the position to dem¬
onstrate the highest posibillity of ths Negro race. He broke the
shackles of ignorance and superstition, enlarged his horizon with
some of the greatest achievements of science of thought to the young
generation of his day and bade them look and live; he ushered
in a new epoch in the world's history by establishing the fact that
the Negro could be his own educator.
The founding of Livingstone College by Price gave to the
Negro race a Calendar which has set this southland on fire educa¬
tionally and marks an era compared with which the Golden Age
of Pericles, Augustus, Leo X and England's Virgin Queen might
feel proud of.
Dr. Price's greatness was in his soul. He had upon him the
spirit of God sent forth to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the ptisons to them that were bound. His chief
ambition was not how much of this world's goods he could hoard
up for personal use or the promotion of self aggrandizement, but he
always said, to do the most good to the largest number.
Price was not ambitious for promotion. He was an untiring
worker. He did not set himself up as something great He was
great in intellect, courage, aftection and integrity. He was aftable
with all men.
His very soul could bz touched by the poverty of the students.
He was their friend. He believed in being a man. With his col¬
leagues in church and state he stood like an Alpine mountain peak
whose greatness could be seen by all men white and black and this
was in demand by alL
Verify this statement on his first visit to Great Britain before
the English Queen and her subjects. Go to the late Henry Ward
Beecher's church where he was the first Negro ever invited into
48
Quarter-Centennial of
that pulpit, thence to Wofford College in Spartanburg where he
addressed white students on the spot where Negro slaves were
sold years before, also the 19th century Club of New York, where
white ladies said it was a pity that one so great as he was a Negro.
He was a spiritual hero and prophet. He long talked of the new
conditions that now confront us as a race in this southland sound¬
ed the alarm. Many did not believe that the solid south should be
broken but you now see it
He was called a Democrat because he urged the dividing of
the Negro vote but how many thousands of Negroes would be
glad to be even able to vote a Democratic ticket As a preach¬
er he was profound, moving his hearers easily at will. His words
in the pulpit or on the stage came from his soul.
As an educator he had few equals. He established Living¬
stone College under very embarrassing circumstances it was an
experiment and sacrifice without money and a very few friends.
The government and other churches oflered him inducements
but like the Apostle Paul he could say "None of these things move
me." He was a true Zionite. In the dark days of of the College
he was a wall of fire around this new enterprise, he piloted the
vessel through the tempestuous and maddened sea to the port of
peace.
He had some of the most bitter opposition, fears without and
fighting within, many a restless night he put over grieved at bitter
onslaughts made upon his character and good name. Yet he stood
to his post like Job of old crying out to his fellow associates in
his own church, "Though you slay me, yet will I serve you." He
had promised God and man to build a college for Negroes.
He lived however to see the storm gradually lull and sweetly
subside until a serenity enwreathed the deep like smiles dropped
from the face of God.
Dr. J. C. Price was a providential man called of God to do a
great work and to play an important part on the central stage of
the world's great theater.
His labors encircled the A. M. E. Zion Church with wonder
and crowned it with glory. He championed the cause of temper¬
ance, girded himself and stepped into the arena of battle against
Mrs. Esther-Carthey Bingham,
Livingstone College.
49
that most dreaded scourge and evil to Christianity and civilization.
When the battle was over and the mists were cleared away,
men saw that with a union of such forces, the temple of intemper¬
ance would fall with a resouding crash, like the temple of the
Philistines burying its advocates and idolatrous worshipers in the
one family vault of merited oblivion. Price did not live to see the
old monster driven out of many of our towns, but the seed
then sown has produced an abundant fruit.
During that most famous campaign! Dr. Price made an envia¬
ble record for insight and foresight and in grappling momentous
problems in a unique and startling way. He soon won the ears of
the world.
The natural strength of his analytical and constructive faculties
the sensitiveness of his conscience and soundness of his moral
nature together with his ability to put into clear succinct and lumi¬
nous speech the mumblings of the hour all contributed to his suc¬
cess and fame.
Dr. Price in Zion Church and the nation grew as the cedars of
Lebanon their branches higher and wider in the circumnambient
air and when selected as standard bearer of the educational forces
of Zion Church, and to establish an institution of learning, then
the infant of a span, it was with reluctance that he acquiesced. He
did not seek us, we sought him, all was the work of God. For
where could we have found his equal?
Did he succeed? Then; Zion had no school, now Livingstone
College made possible by Price, a giant clad in mail and today his
name outshines and overtops every other name in the great
Zion Church.
He was recognized and was in demand by both races. And
when he stood in the Ecumenical Conference at City Roads Chapel
England before that noted body and delivered an address worthy
of the hour he was transfigured. He was in the spirit and the
people listened to the sound of a new trumpet He touched the
summits of sublimity and the depth of pathos. It was the eloquent
breathing of what Lowell called "The grand simplicities of oratory."
This was demonstrated on most all occasions. And after he
poured out the treasures of his mind like an undulation sweet, he
50
Quarter-Centennial of
gave no signs of intellectual exhaustion.
Great as he was he sometime entered the contest with his
colleagues with fear and trembling but always came off garlanded
and laurelled.
He was president of Livingstone College, but his Church de¬
cided that this did not give the full measure of his capacity, there¬
fore he was urged for the Bishopric.
His friends plead that he was capable of greater things than he
had achieved, his thoughts and visions widening with the process of
the suns until there was nothing left for him but the exalted seat
on the board of Bishops. This he humbly declined that he might
make Livingstone what she now is.
He was a heroic figure in the center of a heroic church. Great
and useful as he was that grand man, he did not escape the damp
and sullen shadows of Gethsemane. Like another Son of man hid"
den in the cypress, he was prostrated on the ground while others
slept and still others wagged their heads and tongues like malefac.
tors on the cross. He was maligned, misrepresented, distrusted and
misunderstood. Bishops, ministers, and laymen criticized him.
Many forsook him and fled. Intellectually taller than the tallest of his
advisers he was sometimes isolated like a separate star with seas
of silence around him. He was at times refused a place on the
programmes of the ministers to preach in the annual conferences.
Nothing moved him. with his ears ever toward the ground and
his eyes open to the prosperity and integrity of his church; the
education of Zion's youths he drank the vinegar and galL
His position at times was stripes, scourge, the wounds and
a conspiracy to deeply disgrace him. But God watched over him
and in every battle he came out more than conqueror, a plumed
Knight with banners flying.
But alas when prospects of tranquil years loomed large and
splendid on his sight, the foul mist of the enemy was no more when
our hearts were tied to his heart by a cord not to be broken, but
alas, the dreaded monster death came for him. Is he really dead?
Oh* no, not till the last vestige of Livingstone College and Zion
Church is no more. And then as the ages of eternity roll on in
that land of of perfect happiness, Dr. Price will just begin to live-
Livingstone College
51
In his life he struck the chord that vibrates not only to the
music of humanity but to creations unending song. And as the
seasons come and go and the anniversary days are celebrated on
this old historic spot with choral and symphonic music with lofty
poetry and melodious prose, no cloud should ever rise to dim the
lustre of his name.
The monument will not crumble for it is the heart of Living¬
stone.
.Ater this point the Rev. Dr. Clement offered the following
resolution,
Resolved that the General Committee, in connection with
the faculty preserve the records of these meeting as a fitting and
lasting memorial."
Benediction by the Reverend Doctor Rendall.
THE SESSION OF MONDAY MAY 20TH.
Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock the congregation met in the
College Chapel. The session was presided over by the Rt. Rev, T.
H. Lomax, D. D., of Charlotte, N. C. Professor Atkins in a fitting
style introduced the Bishop who then took charge of the proceed¬
ings.
Accoding to the program Rev. P. A. McCorkle, of Salisbury
conducted the devotional exercises. He lined nymu No. 92, "Jesus
our Lord we look to Thee," Dr. Hazel, of New Jerey oftered the
invocation.
Bishop Lomax then introduced Bishop J. W. Smith, D. D., of
Washington, D. C. who read a historical and very interesting paper
as follows
THE NEGRO CHURCH.
BISHOP J. W. SMITH, D. D.
We have not seen a more concise history of the origin of the
Negro Church than that found in "One Hundred Years of the Afri¬
can Methodist Episcopal Zion Church" written by Bishop
J.W. Hood D. D., LL. D. It reads as follows:
"About the close of the eighteenth century there was a general
restlessness among the colored members of all denominations
52
Quarter-Centennial of
which resulted in a movement unparalleled in the history of the
Christian Church; a movement which resulted in the establish,
ment of the Negro Church, not of one denomination only, but of
all denominations to which any considerable number of colored
people belonged. We trace the origin of every important branch
of the Afro-American Church back to the latter part of the
eighteenth or beginning of the nineteenth century. The move¬
ment was widespread and nearly simultaneous.
In 1796 the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was or¬
ganized in New York; in 1804 the Abyssinian Baptist Church was
organized in New York; the Joy Street Baptist Church was organ¬
ized in Boston in 1805; in 1806 the Colored Methodist Church
was organized in Wilmington, Delaware; which resulted seven
years later in the organization of the African Union (Methodist)
Church in the same city; the First African Presbyterian Church
was organized in Philadelphia in 1807; about 1809 the First Meth¬
odist Church was also organized in Philadelphia, which resulted
seven years later in the formation of the (Bethel) African Method¬
ist Episcopal Church. This was a most remarkable movement, and.
we repeat, unparalelled in the history of the Christian Church. It
was a general exodus of the colored members out of the white
Churches for reasons nevar known. Secessions from Churches
are generally the result of differences of opinion on doctrine or
Church government. But it was neither of these which caused this
movement. The seceders in every case formed Churches of the
same faith and order, and the form of Church government as
that from which they separated.
"Nothing but the desire for freedom says Bishop Hood," which
was denied them in the white Churches, could have produced this
general exodus. Like causes produce like effects wherever they
operate, and the disposition to cramp and proscribe the black broth¬
er operating in all denominations, had the same general effect.
The oppression being general, the desire to escape it became
general. There has been a disposition on the part of several
branches of the Negro Church to claim priority in the movement;
at least five denominations claim to have moved first. We shall
not at this point enter into the controversy of that question; th$
Livingstone College.
53
mind's eye rests upon a higher and grander view: the general
movement towers up with such inexpressible grandeur that in com¬
parison with it the consideration of any one branch dwindles into
insignificance. Besides this, we have concluded that in one sense
each may have been first; that is, in its inception the movement
was one. God moved at once upon the hearts of the race, and
from that time there was a restlessness which resulted in the
establishment of the Afro-American Church in general.
"How else can we account for the conflicting claims? asks
Bishop Hood. He answers; We desire to be strictly fair, and to
our mind this was not a Presbyterian or Baptist movement; it was
not a Bethel, Union, orZion movement; but it was a grand united
Negro movement. It was the race that was oppressed; it was the
race that moved. It was a movement by which a race, hampered,
proscribed, regulated, and oppressed, gave a grand united exhibi¬
tion of its determinaton to find in its own organization that relig¬
ious liberty which was denied it in the white Church."
After the interesting bit of history by Bishop J. W. Hood
relative to the origin of the Negro church, we wish to give a brief
retrospect of our history, The African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, which is the oldest and one of the strongest denominations
of the Negro race. The history of our Zion in the dark days of its
founding drips with the tears and strenuous sacrifices of our pio¬
neers who like brave lions endured persecution and opposition
when they tried men's souls to preach the Gospel of Jesus under
the banner of Negro Methodism; in those dreary days, when slavery
like a pall of midnight, hung over this American nation, when
4, 000, 000 despised, rejected, dow-trodden black people were
under the heels of oppression, when manhood, that which is
truest and noblest and best in man, was almost crushed out, be it
remembered to the honor and glory of Africa's sable sons that
111 years ago, in the city of New York, there arose from among
this enslaved people a black man, James Varick, who was so in¬
spired by the Almighty God that he founded a Negro Church, ths
A. M. E. Zion Church, which has ever proved a refuge and bless¬
ing to our race and to mankind generally.
Without the remotest desire or wish to reflect upon or inter-
54
Quarter-Centennial of
fer with much less to disparage any other Christian organization)
it seems eminently fitting and proper for us to relate briefly the
history of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America,
Africa and the Isles of the sea. This is all the more needful now
for two reasons, first; our Zion in New York City which started
in an old stable which later was used as a cabinet maker's shop on
Cross Street, between Mulberry and Orange Streets, by William
Miller, who afterwards became a Bishop, was disposed of, and a
church was built on two lots 25X75 feet deep on the corner of
Church and Leonard Streets completed September 1800, and called
Zion church, which was the mother church of our organization. Our
original name after withdrawing from the white Methodist
Church in New York was A. M. E. Church, but to distinguish it
from the A. M. E. Church in Philadelphia which also withdrew
from the white Methodist Church in Philadelphia we added the
suffix "Zion" in honor of our first church, the same as the A. M. E.
Church added the suftix "Bethel" in honor of their first church and
went by that name for years in order to diitinguish themselves
from us. After several years the A. M. E. Zion denomination moved
from that locality and built a large church on the corner of West
Tenth and Bleecker Streets in New York City and about three
years ago sold it and built a hansome church at a cost of over
$100,000 on West 89th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam
Avenues.
The A. M. E. Zion organization, which started out in New
York, though widely spread and well known in the Eastern and
Middle States, never had much of an existence in the South until
after the late civil war, because of well-known persistent and
uncompromising opposition to slavery. No organization that was
true to the best interest of the Negro race could live South before
the Proclamation of Freedom by President Abraham Lincoln.
And Secondly, because of this fact, our people who cast their lot
with our Zion love Zion for her liberal Republican principles,
yet knowing but little about her history, are often deceived and
misled and oftener disheartened by the misrepresentaions of
designing and unprincipled persons of other denominations of
the race who are almost insanely jealuos of her rapid progress
Livingstone College
55
and are devilishly but fruitlessly seeking to impede it.
In the language of an able and interesting report on "The
State of the A. M. E. Zion Church in America" made by the com¬
mittee on that subject in our General Conference at Washing¬
ton, D. C., in 1868, it is clearly evident that those who are
acquainted with the history of Methodism tn this country are
fully aware that a white Methodist society was organized in New
York City about the year 1765: and that the John Street Method¬
ist church was created by that organization, which society is still
recognized as the parent society of Methodism in this country, as
here the seed of Methodism was first planted on this side of the
the Atlantic Ocean. Among others, a few colored persons were
included m the membership of that church at a very early stage
of its existence or commencement. Its colored members who
formed the nucleus of what is now known as the A M. E. Zion
Church in America, Africa and the Isles of the sea had been
regular communing members of this first white Methodist organiza¬
tion in America, (some for thirty years) for five persons who com¬
posed the first Methodist society in New York, two were colored.
Thus Methodism commenced on the Western continent two-fifths
colored, and for a number of years in religious worship mingled
without distinction in class and prayer meetings, love feast and at
the sacramental table without fear of contamination by contact.
Somtime between the years of 1791 and 1795, be it remember¬
ed distinctly, when caste distinction and hellish prejudice began to
formidably exert a painfully humiliating influence against the
Negroes because of their color, and those called by Jehovah to
preach the gospel were not allowed to share the higher functions
of the ministry, (being told that they could be Levites but not
Priests; that they could exercise their gifts and graces, if they had
any, in the lower offices) and when in the administration of the
Lord's Supper they were obliged to wait until the white mem¬
bers were served before they could taste the body and the blood
of Christ our Father, well-knowing that God had no respect of
persons or color, they, under the leadership of James Varick, who
believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of Man,
politely but respectfully left the communion and membership of
56
Quarter-Centennial of
John Street Methodist church and were compelled to seek relig¬
ious liberty by organizing a separate society among themselves.
James Varick and his followers had read and also heard the white
ministers on the Sabbath day read from the Bible these words
For if there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and ye have
respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him
'Sit thou here in a good place, and say to the poor man "Stand thou
there, or sit thou here under my footstool, are ye not partial in
yourselves and are become judges of evil thoughts?" James Varick
and his little band also read and even beard this white minister
with seemingly holy countenance and almost angelic voice pathetic¬
ally take as a text and fervently preached from these scriptural
words, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I preceive
that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that
feareth him, worketh righteousness, is accepted of him." Yes, James
Varick and his few followers of the meek and lowly Nazarine not
only read but also heard that white divine preach from the pulpit
these ringing and trumpet words of the learned Apostle Paul utter¬
ed to a handful of so-called philosophers of Athens on Mar's Hill,
"God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on
the face of the earth."
Seeing that the influence of American slavery and hell-born
prejudice had forced American Methodism to cowardly depart
from the subject of human bondage and caused these and other
scripture teachings to be trampled with impunity under foot and
had created and fostered American jim crow arrangements against
the Negro in the white Church no less than in the Nation, Varick
and his followers who had cast their lot with the followers of John
Wesley, not any more on the account of the peculiar fitness and
adaptation of Methodism to the spiritual needs of the lowly than
to the pronounced views of the founder who was also antagonistic
to human slavery and every species of evil,found it necessary in the
year of our Lord 1796 to the assertion of their manhood to with¬
draw from a church .in which they were no longer accorded that
dignity to enjoy at least the freedom of Christianity for which the
Puritan Fathers had hazarded their lives on the deck of the May¬
flower. The withdrawal was also just, because the special capac-
Prof. J. E. Aggri:y, A. B.
Livingstone College.
57
ity necessary to leadership had little if any opportunity for de¬
velopment under the religious serfdom from which they emerged
and the crisis called for stalwart and skillful mangement, determin¬
ed and unyielding purpose. Varick, a young man of intellect and
character, was placed in the lead and gave spirit, animation and
hopefulness for the time. It was both fortunate and providential
that James Variclc was in the North, in the metropolis of this nation
at that time, for the environments were highly pregnant and au¬
spicious to the development of courageous, manly and independent
feeling. The very heavens above him were electrically ablaze
with the heavenly spirit of freedom, while the presiding genius of
universal liberty, gallantly agitated and championed by the Pilgrim
Fathers and their adherents of the North, has already whipped and
slaughtered by war the best troops of the mother country across
tjie Atlantic and baptized and bestowed its choice benediction
upon this young Republic for its noble and wonderful act of 1776
and dedicated to all oppressed from every claim as "Immanuel's
land." The battles of the Wesleys, Luther, Whitfield, Roger
Williams and others for a pure Church and religious freedom had
stirred Varick to action, and throwing his scanty means with
those of his followers, he purchased a lot, erected a church in which
he and they could worship God under their own vine and fig
tree unmolested and not frightened by anybody, and dedicated it
to God under the name of "Zion." This church was incorporated
by the the Legislature of New York March 9th, 1801. See record
in the offices of the clerk of the City and County of New York in
library number 1, Record of incorporations of Religious denomina¬
tion, page 28, Robert Benson, clerk. This was the first Negro
Church ever incorporated by the Legislature of any State.
Thus firmly established, the A. M. E. Zion denomination con¬
tinued in friendly relations with the mother (white) organiza¬
tion unti 1820, when, in connection with several other church
societies in New Englajid and Pennsylvania, she formed a traveling
or an itinerant connection under the original title of the African
M. E. Zion church. God was with them in shaping their organi¬
zation, So far however, from the manifestations or even the
existence of a spirit of rebellion on the part of Zion, the separa-
58
Quarter-Centennial of
tion was a peaceful and mutual arrangement as is manifest from
the historical fact that the colored society was presided over by
the elders of the parent or mother church several years after the
beginning of the present century under the name of "Zion and
and Asbury churches of New York." Our history as a separate col¬
ored church therefore, dates back to 1796, while our connectional
existence dates from 1820 under our present name, In forming
our connectional plan, we had the assistance, endorsement and
wise counsel of the late distinguished prelate of the M. E. Church
South, Bishop Joshua Soule, then a young man and zealous min¬
ister of the mother church, who kindly and readily acted as secre¬
tary of our first several annual conferences. We also had the fath¬
erly advice and Godspeed of the venerable Bishop George o£ the
parent church, and we are to-day officially and fraternally reconiz-
ed by all shades of Protestanism on the continent.
Organizing as an itinerate or traveling denomination in 1820
[for amid various changes of fortune its advancement from 1796
to 1820 was very slow, and after that year became rapidjthe A.M. E,
Zion Church took as a model the English Methodist as established
and maintained by John Wesley, its great founder, until the day of
his death. For years then our denomination had a limited
Episcopacy, our Bishops then being elected every four years, if
they were popular to get a majority vote for re-election, and called
General Superintendents. They were consecrated and installed in
their office without the third ordination. This mode of election
is still adhered to by the English Methodist. But in 1868, in a
spirit of accommodation and fraternal regard, the A. M, E,
Zion Church placed herself in happy accord with the great body of
American Methodists by electing and consecrating with the third
ordination her Bishop for life. It may be proper to add that
all her Bishops have been and are tNegroes, it never having been
thought necessary to the existence and management af tiiis par¬
ticular branch of God's Church that they should be otherwise.
The A. M. E. Zion Church also has a full-fledged presiding
elder system which is an important factor in Methodism. The
wisdom and foresight of the fathers of Zion are not only seen
in adopting a wonderful system of Methodist government, simple.
Livingstone College,
59
and unostentatious, but also in in subsequent adoption by the
General Conference of lay represenitation as an organic law of
our Church which fifteen years later was overwhelmingly adopted
by the learned, progressive and powerful M. E. Church, white.
This lay representation, limited somewhat in certain contingencies
in the annual conference, but unlimited in the law-making body
of the Church,(the General Conference) happily, is the superior
judgment and forecast of the black sons of Ham who under
God shaped and controlled the destiny ©f our much beloved A.
M. E. Zion Church and indorsed by the wise and great M. E.
Church of the land. God be praised.
As a Negro denomination, which has been settled beyond
all doubt that it is the oldest Negro religious body in this country
if not in the world, we are not foolish enough to believe that we
are the sole repository and disseminators of Christian truth in
Christendom, and neither are we too wise to be gulled into the
persuasion that God has vested this high prerogative in any sect
or denomination to the exclusion of all others; yet, in a spirit
of Christian liberality, "with charity toward all and malice to¬
ward none, "we seek to glorify God by doing good to man.
Miss Sarah J. Janifer, of Washinton, D. C. then came forward to
present her paper on the "Lay Woman." She said that her
paper had been left at home but that she had written a paper on
the train. Before entering into the paper, Miss Janifer, who is
herself a representative woman congratulated the students of Liv¬
ingstone on their advantages, said that she. envied them and wish¬
ed lhat she could claim Livinstone as her Alma Mater that she was
educated in the city schools of her native city, Washington and had
been teaching there for quite a while. She remarked that Mrs.
Tucker had under her keeping 90 girls. She advised them to
make of themselves strong women—Zion women, quoting that
beautiful hyrcn, "Zion stands with hills surrounded."
Miss Janifer said that Washington people could learn a great
deal from Livingstone College. She the read her excellent and
inspiring paper,
After which a quartette composed of two young men and two
young women sang, May Tim?,
60
Quarter-Centennial of
THE LAY WOMAN.
MISS SARAH J, JANIFER.
Mr. Presiding Officer, President and Faculty, Honored Bishops,
Ladies and Gentleman:
I deem it an exceptional priviJege and high honor to be select¬
ed from among the many thousands of lay women of Zion to speak
at an institution made sacred and hallowed by the life work of a
sainted Price and backed by the untiring efforts of the energetic
and tireless President Goler.
For the laity to come and see this great educational plant of
Zion is but to compel them to turn their faces homeward more de¬
termined then ever to help Livingstone, Zion's Livingstone, our
Livingstone, my Livingstone.
Woman from the earlest ages, before the birth of the Man of
sorrows has been the confidant, adviser and best friend of man.
Now, she is his best and truest self. She can measure the
heightto which she has attained by the depth from which she has
come.
For ages denied the right of co-education and enlightenment
freely given to man, she has by matcheless courage untold energy
and an indominatable will surmounted every difficulty and to day she
stands, m^n's equal, his firm and loyal supporter, swaying philoso¬
phers and sages, even in the early ages being a born diplomat, a
successful lobbyist.
In the early age of Greece, Aspasia, the wife cf Pericles could
hold her own with Socrates, the philosopher, Phidias the great¬
est sculptor the world has ever known, Sophocles, whose dramas
have stood through ages as almost sublime were all captives to her
genius and wit. Indeed, her influence has been felt in every land,
by every tongue. That power used for good or evil has been the
means of building empires or destroying thrones.
Catharine De Medici, Portia, Madame De Stael, Cleopatra, Joan
of Arc, Queen Elizabeth Mary, Queen of Scots and the immortal
Queen Victoria are illustrious examples. As sister, daughter,
wife, mother let the testimony of the thousands of successful men
in every walk of life, who sing praise to her unselfish devotion,
Livingstone College.
61
loyal support and earnest prayers be taken.
Their thousand voices with one acclaim say, when weighed in
the balance she was not found wanting.
The secret of woman's success is her soul culture, for says Da¬
vidson, soul culture must manage the intellect, the affection and the
will.
It remained for the humble Marys at the tomb of our risen
Redeemer to show the value of soul culture. Selected as messen¬
gers, receiving the divine commission in the dew of early morning
when the purple glow had tingled with crimson the white entrance
to Joseph's new tomb and the Master of Life with his countenance
beaming with the triumph He had gained over death hell and the
grave, with a voice tuned with tender compassion said: Tell my
disciples to meet me in Gallilee. Again, when having completed his
work, he stood with one foot on the cloud and another in the char¬
iot to take His triumphal flight to His Father, He said, ye are my
witnesses. The lay women witness for Him.
Later in the crusades when the knights crossing the sands of
the burning desert, their eyes ever turned toward the east left a
host of praying daughters and princesses to spur them on by
thoughts of love to greater deeds of valor.
Through the devoted lay women, the Pilgrim Fathers were
urged to make a trip for the faith in a new land untrammelled, un¬
fettered, free. Rose Standish, Priscilla and Mrs. Annie Hutchinson
in those early days showed the influence of the lay women.
History tells us that a regiment refused to march unless Mrs.
Hutchinson was allowed to go as their chaplain.
The lay women have been leaders in all social reforms.
A Susan B. Anthony could call forth a mighty organization in
thesuffaragist movement. A Clara Barton in the Red Cross society
could alleviate the suffering of the thousands of soldiers and sail¬
ors.
A Florence Nightingale and a Jennie Lind could sing their
melodies into aching hearts and attune to the music of the stars.
Frances Willard brought forth the temperance movement to
help mandkind to higher ideals.
Sentiment was so molded through the literary effort of Harriet
62
Quarter-Centennial of
Beecher Stowe, that one of the foulest blots on American civili¬
zation was eradicated.
In the early struggles of our beloved Zion we see a Harriet,
Tubman as one of the principal engineers on the underground rail¬
road. A sainted M. E, Jones together with Miss S. Gardiner and
Mrs. K. P. Hood and Mrs. M. E. Harris bravely waving the Mis¬
sionary standard bring Carolina's rugged shores the hight of the
Gospel under Elders Hood and Clinton. Now our Senior Bishop
Hood and our first Bishop Clinton who has long since departed to.
the silent shades.
All honor to the lay women throughout the length and breadth
of Zion, v\ho have helped broaden her institution and make her
the most distinguished and best known Negro Church in the world.
This means sacrifice untold and yet the lay woman's task is not
completed, she must lead husband, father, brother back to the
church. Teach that the Sunday newspaper with the lazy chair at
home must not take the place of the church of God. That read¬
ing the sermon no matter how classic and scholarly is not a sub¬
stitute for God's sanctuary where he has promised to meet his peo¬
ple. That the Sunday School, the Y. M. C. A. and other religious
help's are only accessories and not substitutes for God's Holy
Church where a blessing for even one or two who gather in His
Name awaits.
The Lay Woman must be true to her trust, she must not let
fashion or a false idea of religion blind her to her true duty and
power. Men have hitherto beencon tent to let women carry on
the religion of the family, we must by our lives and examples
compel the Jonas to go to Ninevah.
Rise Lay Worna, rise in your beauty and courage and strength
use your beauty and intellect and faith to made our world better
and brighter and holier. Let the influence cf your lives quicken
and beautify and purify all with whom we come in contact. Let
us by culture, refinement, true charity and an intelligent conception
of every day religion, live lives acceptible to man and God.
Who first a firm foundation laid on which has been for Zion
made of Carolina's rugged coast
In deeds and men her strongest post?
Livingstone College
63
The lay woman whose hands have raised the hands to spread
The Zion s faith and which have fed the aged and tender youth
the message of eternal truth?
The Lay Woman who holding up the pastor's hands unmoved
like faithful Aaron stands when tempests rage and storms arise
which overspread the beaming skies?
The Lay woman
Who is the first for Christ to give
And who the last His cause to leave
Who is it in the Master's cause
In Christian work will know no pause?
The Lay Woman
Who in good works will never stop
until enthorned on Pisgah's top
She at the Saviour's feet will fall
And help to crown him Lord of all.
The Lay Woman.
The presiding officer gave an opportunity for expressions for
ministers. Twenty minutes was the time given. There were calls
for Dr. Warner, of Charlotte. He came forward and spoke on the
"Negro Church;" He said, "I am totaly unprepared. I don't
know where to begin and where to stop. It seems that there is
nothing left to be said on the subject—everything has been exhaust¬
ed. Every effort has been tried and all have failed to lift the
Negro but the church, and if it were not for the church and its
ministers the race would be without a leader. The Politician has
lost his leadership—the lawyer must face twelve white men. It is
only those schools universities that are headed by the church of God
that truly lift up the heart. I say this with all respect to other
institutions, tf we would save our people, we must foster the
schools under our church, we must see to it that our schools live
in comfort.
I said to a certain white gentleman in Charlotte, "I fear that
you white people are not acquainted with Livingstone College. I
fear you are classing it with other institutions of learning—it is
the only colored institution of its kind run by colored people.
This statement was made to the Ex-Mayor of Charlotte. I said
64
Quarter-Centennial of
futher to him that we had nothing behind us but the bone and
sinew of the Negro—he has laid the corner-stone, built her columns
around which angels chant
Price toiled here, giving his life to this worthy cause. Hood
and Lomax have labored for forty years and when the financial
difficulties were perplexing, yes, when there was nothing in the
treasury, they™, have run their hands down in their pockets and
come to her rescue, for at that time it was only Bishops that could.
Suffice it to say the Mayor said to me, "I will give you a check to
help this great institution." The ministers are called everything
but a child of God but in the time of truble, there is no one to
look to but the Negro church and her lowly ministers. He has
stood like the boy on the buring deck whence all but him had
fled.
I a just beginnig to feel like talking. I am warming up, so I
must stop. Let me say to the young men of to-day, stick to the
church and as you go back to your homes stick to the old church
of your father and mother for fear you may not be successful
in life.
Benediction was pronounced by Bishop Lomax.
On Monday night at 7:30 the following program, consisting ol
the Freshman Contest and the Graduating Exercises of the Normal
Department took place.
Three Freshmen contested in oratory for the Trent-Walker
Gold medal—a medal given annually by W. J. Trent and Dr. J. W.
Walker, both of Asheville, and of the class of '98—themselves
speakers of no mean ability, graduates whose loyalty and interest
in their Alma Mater is unsurpassed by any. The quartette Ga-
breil's "Onward" by Carrie Abner, Julia Love, Harrison Horrington
and Fenanders Nelms opened the way, and]William Franklin Gaines
of Concord, N. C., with "Benefits of Economy," William Harvey
Goler Reeves, of Salisbury, N. C., with "Qualification, the Demand
of the Age," and Maxwell Charles Whitehead with "The Man With
a Purpose," went after the medal with a vim.
Then followed the Normal Commencement. The boys in blue
and the girls in plain white linen under the soft rays of the electric;
Rt. Rev. J. S. Caldwell, D. D.
Livingstone College.
65
lights, presented a picture worthy of a poet's pen. There were 18
graduates representing Virginia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North and
South Carolina. And every speaker received an ovation. Here
they are the subjects they so well discussed, and themselves.
'Commerce, the Harbinger of Civilization," Arthur Davis Browne,
Salisbury, N. C., "Heart and Intellect," Martha Rebecca Douglass,
Portsmouth, Va., "Unity Marks the Progress of a Nation," Alonzo
Albert Holdbrooks, China Grove, N. G, "The Responsibility of a
Teacher," Corrine Overna Gaines, St. Louis, Mo., "Day Conceals
What Night Reveals," James Edward McCorkle, Mooresville, N. C.,
and "Success the Result of Energy," by Ernest Augustus Robinson,
Pee Dee, N. C. Prof. W. H. Hannum, who presided, called upon Dr.
G, L. Blackwell, who in choice language presented the diplomas to
the graduates. At the close of the exercises as it was the case in
all the others, the students sang the College Song, "My Livingstone,"
composed by W. F. Fonvielle, [deceased] of the class of '94, and
set to music by Miss Victoria Richardson, who was at that time the
musical director.
THE NEGRO CHURCH
MRS. ESTHER CARTHEY-BINGHAM.
Mr. President, Honorable Committee:
The attentive hearers; the noted appearance of this vast
audience; the dignity I behold of so many in the grand assembly:
the solemnity of the occasion upon which we have met together,
joined to a consideration of the part I am to take in this all impor¬
tant duty of this day, fill me with an awe hitherto unknown, and
heighten the sense which I have ever had of my unworthiness to
fill the required task. But, charmed by the request of your noble
Committee, at whose call it is my greatest pleasure to comply,
I almost forgot my want of ability to perform what they required.
Considering this I find my only prop in assuring myself that a
kind people will not criticise what they know was well intended
though its want of merit should prevent their being able to ap¬
plaud it. I pray that my sincere love for, and attachment to the
interest of the Negro Church, and the hearty detestation of every
form against her growth and power may be admitted as some
apology for my being here.
66
Quarter-Centennial of
The subject now under consideration of the hearers is of such
vast extent, of such vital importance to oar Race, and involves so
many thoughts which demand the most minute investigation, that
I wish, at starting out, to be understood as not pretending to
bringf up all the ideas that may be applicable to its circumstances,
as endeavoring to present it in a mere general view, feeling that
the omission, I shall make will be amply supplied by other
speakers who are to follow in the discussion.
The Church is the highest and noblest institution of earth.
It was originated by God. The Negro seeing his condition
and feeling that there must be a higher goal of life to which he
should reach; observing the surrounding of nature; and becoming
more acquainted with the same, turns about himself, acknowledging
that lie was created in the image of God. Since being thus created,
there arose an innate spirit which taught him that he was made
for something.
Now what must that something be? Was it to be an animal
of the lower order or something greater? Was it to be disintegra¬
tion or formation? Alas! he decides within himself that he is
an animal of the highest order, and that for promotion and
advancement.
While becoming civilized as other nations and people, he has
beg'tin to plan as others having the more civilized views. While
being under this class of people, he was brought more in touch
with his God." He accepted God. Having acquainted himself with
the Allwise Spirit, his mind was made to broaden or to expand,
therefore there came a thirst for knowledge.
While under his owner, he was taught to attend the church of
his own, in a precribed circle. After so long a time he got tired of
being confined in so limited a sphere, that he could not serve God
according to the dictates of his own conscience. He felt that all
Christians should be treated alike, as brethren. Therefore he be¬
gan to think and plan for himself.
Thus the "Negro Church" sprang into existence.
Since its creation, much and lasting good has been accomplish¬
ed. The Church has brought about better civilization, by the
Schools that have been fostered; by the purchasing of property;
Livingstone College
67
[he establishing of homes; and honoring of God through their
fireside devotion. The Church has not only brought about or
made more perfect the civilization of America, but the Negro's
own country Africa and other heathen climes.
It has given to the world men of God to preach the gospel;
Teachers to instruct in the knowledge of books; Physicians, that
they may heal the sick; Lawyers, that they may protect or defend
through law,those that violate, and those that are innocent, Soldiers
that they may fight for their country; Citizens, that they might be
the more able to protect their homes and families, and not to tres¬
pass upon the rights of others. The Church has produced men
and women of all professions and occupations of life. There is
much chance for greater acchievments.
For instance, let the church, now, begin to look forward, in
the production of the different industries, that will better prepare
the future generation for combats that they may have to encounter.
Such as manufacturing, mining, telegraph, and all industries that
other nations have established. If the church would renounce
so many secret organizations, and take the money spent in these,
and put into R. R. Stocks, Banks, Trolley Lines, Marine pursuits,
better Schools, more Churches, and purer ministry, we would
then be better able to cope with the more civilized nations.
There would not be so many of the strong pulpiteers seeking other
offices, saving the one to which God has called them.
To fuller accomplish this end, all Negro Churches having the
same faith, should be united as one Church, also have fraternal
union with all other Negro Churches of different faiths.
The Church through Christ is able to solve the most vexed
problems.
Thousands of souls have been brought into the light of every
thing that is just and good, through this insurmountable power.
As the Church grows more into the knowledge of God, greater
avenues for the good of the race and humanity, open up to them.
In reading the Star of Feb. 21, 1907. I chanced to read or
notice carefully the statistics of 1907, "The growth of Christianity
as laid down by Dr. H. K. Carroll.
The three Negro Methodists Communicants number 1,634,869
68
Quarter-Centennial of
Negro Baptist 1,779,661
making a total of the four Negro Denominations 3,414,530.
Suppose these denominations would lay down their envious
warfare upon each other, and turn it against sin of all kind, then
there would be a greater blessing for good in the world and a
more glorious reward in heaven.
Let these three Negro Denominations of one faith, as I have
previously stated, unite. The consequences would be a heaven on
earth, because the churches would not have the time to cross
swords with each other, but would direct them toward every thing
that would elevate them. Then there would be no need of so
many leaving one church to join another of the same faith.
It would better their condition or the church's condition, it
might be good to so do.
Instead of elevating the church or themselves by so doing, in
many instances to the contrary. Therfore in a sense, a more seri¬
ous one, all are doomed.
Suppose this point, be thoroughly ventilated by the church,
not for envy, but for the safety and perpetuity of the future church
and future ministry, then and not till then, can the church sing
with one accord "Glory be to God in the highest, peace on earth
and good will toward men."
TUESDAY MORNING'S EXERCISES, PRICE MEMORIAL SESSION.
10:30 o'clock Dr. J. E. Mason, of Rochester, N. Y., presided
Dr. McMullen of New York City lined hymn, "All Hail the power
of Jesus' name " after which the Rev. J. C. Anderson, of Newbern
N. C. invoked the blessings of God. A quartette then sang, "'Lift up
your heads." Dr. Mason by way of introductory remarks said, "I
feel deeply grateful to the Committee for the honor conferred and
the confidence implied in selecting me as the presiding officer this
morning. Of the many features of the interesting programs
forming a harmonious part of this memorable celebration, none is
invested with deeper interest for the thousands here, and tens of
thousands absent, than what is said or done relative to the found¬
er of Livingstone College. But whatever eloquent words have
been expressed, or may be uttered, appreciative of his work and
Livingstone College.
69
worth, there is one name inseparably associated with his in
making this hour possible. Zion Methodism will soon forget
what we say here, but Zion Methodism, and the representatives
of Negro education will never for get what President Goler did
here.
No other land or other country has aftorded such opportun¬
ity for the development of heterogeneous nationalities as Ameri¬
ca. Here as never before in the history of nations we behold
the rich fruitage of man's extremity and God's opportunity. Tru¬
ly glorious for situation is America among the sisterhood of gov¬
ernments. Combining the climate of the frigid zone and the
tropics conduces to the symmetrical development of the head,
heart and hand. We have here not only an asylum for the op¬
pressed of other lands, but the brightest intelligencies, the greatest
financiers, and the most stupendous undertakings. It was high¬
ly providential that here should occur the the successful experi¬
ment of a government "of the people, for the people, and by the
people." No privileged class was to be allowed. Under equal
and impartial law every man, whether Englishman, Scotchman or
Irishman, whether Norwegian, Spaniard, Ethiopian, Chinaman,
Arab, Tartar, or Indian, should be under the protection of impartial
law, should be entitled to all the money he could earn, to
all the comforts he could attain.
One of the earlest encouraging manifestations of the recently
emancipated Afro-American, was his earnest desire for an educa¬
tion. Col. Saxon tells us journeying the rounds of his camp, he
frequently found many colored soldiers by lighted candle with
a bible or spelling book in their hands." In concluding he said
"It was not soldierly, but it was hopeful" Livingstone College is
an answer to this hopeful aspiration. From its inception, it has
stood amid the wilderness of illiteracy in this section, as a beacon
light in the midnight darkness, as a grove of palm trees waving
over a spring in the midst of a desert. The career of its late
president, Prof. Joseph Charles Price, was one of the most re¬
markable of American history. Within a decade, he arose from
comparative obscurity and stamped the impress of his genius on
two continents. Like a brilliant meteor he flashed upon us and
70
Quarter-Centennial of
then disappeared below the horizon, but like the eternal stars
he still shines on. Physically and intellectually he was a fini
specimen of the splendid posibilities of the Afro'American.
Entering upon life's work, his unusual devotion to duty, excep
tional intellectuality, and rare oratorical power, soon commanded
widespread attention. His fame leaped beyond the boundaries oj
his church, and the great Educational Conventions were swayed
and delighted with the rising race champion. His views on the
perplexing Racial Problems were broad and comprehensive. He
believed most thoroughly in the Constitution, and that marvelous
instrument, in it equitable application, included all classes of
American citizens. For, said he in substance, "What avail the
plow or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?"
Like the late Henry Ward Beecher, of precious memory, on
special occasions he was often carried away by spiritual premoni¬
tions. In such mental processes, often like that peerless pulpit
orator, he possessed the vision of a prophet or seer, and his
eloquence was as overwhelming as his logic was irresistible.
In the year 1881, the great Ecumenical Conference of Method¬
ism convened in the city of London. The most eminent theolo¬
gians, distinguished clergymen, and eloquent orators of the different
branches of the great denomination were gathered from all parts
of the world. Many of them were of international fame as authors,
zealous workers, men who had changed the course of public
thought and lifted society to a higher plain of spiritual activity.
There stood Dr. J. M. Buckley, Editor, the greatest of religious
controversalists, Dr. Pope, whose theological disquisitions had
enriched ecclesiastical knowledge, and especially endeared him to
the great branch of Wesleyism, Dr. Arthur, whose tongue of fire
had belted the Christian world and brought the day of Pentecost
into thousands of hearts and homes, Bishop Simpson, whose
pathetic and stirring eloquence so over-awed vast assemblages
that often many unconsciously left their seats and stood encir¬
cling the pulpit: the Chrysostom of modern ministry.
Naturally questions of great importance afiecting the present
and future success of Methodism were interestingly and thought¬
fully considered. The eminent speakers vied with each other in
Livingstone Collece
71
their forceful presentation. A special telegram to the New York
Tribune, speaking of tlie gifted and eloquent debaters, said, For
impromtu address and eloquence par excellence, there is a genuine
Negro orator who surpassed all white delegates." As the conven¬
tion continued, among other questions, that of Africa naturally
came up for review. Glowing and inspiring remarks had been
made during the early morning for consideration. Ten
minutes were assigned to each speaker. Later on in the discussion,
a voice of unusual clearness commanded the ear of the chairman,
the special attention of all the delegates and the great audience, as
his massive form arose, and he commenced the speech of the day
ia a plea for Africa. His silvery voice and luminous sentences
so stirred and animated his hearers, that at the end of ten minutes,
in the midst of remarkable enthusiasm, a motion prevailed that the
time limit be extended, and with marvelous felicity of expres"
sion, President Price continued to speak for forty minutes. Such an
occurrence had not taken place in a deliberative assemblage in one
hundred and seventeen years. It was an oratorical triumph.
Here was a genuine Afro-American, born during the dark and
starless night of slavery, yet rising superior to his enviornments,
and with the Christian intellectual world focused upon him speak¬
ing immortal truth as inbreathed by the Almighty.
Dr. Price, regardless of his great attainments, kept in touch
with the masses of his race eve»-y wnere. With a scholarship that
made him at home in company with the learned and philosphical,
with tastes that might revel in the refinement of the select few, he
still remained in his convictions, in his habit, in his home, in his
sympathies, and in his affections a true brother and abiding friend.
His nature, like a mirror, reflected everything around it; the
grass by the wayside, the clouds of the sky, the sunset and the
stars.
Young in years, but full of good works and gloriotis achieve¬
ments, he left us where manhood's morning kisses noon, and while
the shadows were falling toward the west. Yonder upon the cam¬
pus rest all that is mortal of the mighty dead. Dead did I say? Is
Martin Luther, is John Calvin, is John Knox dead. True, centuries
have elapsed since their demise, and their dust long since has
72
Quarter-Centennial of
been gathered in earth's golden urn, but they live in the hearts of
thousands who read their works and adore their transcendant
achievements. And, so, notwithstanding the years that have inter¬
vened since Dr. Price stood within these classic halls or walked
across the campus, inspiring all with his magnetic personality, he
is with us still. He was, and is, and shall forever be.
"By daring hands the world's great tasks are done.
There is a call for leaders;—he was one."
It is eminently fitting that on this auspicious occasion we
should have as orator of the hour a distinguished trustee of this in¬
stitution. In early development of the work, in private life, as
well as at many public functions, he was intimately associated
with Dr. Price. North and South, East and West, they journeyed
together. Upward and onward, o'er the rugged path of life, rejoic¬
ing in its sunshine, and sorrowing in its shade, the speaker was
often to Dr. Price, as Jonathan to David. He, like his illustrious
subject, knows something of the upward striving in the night.
Whether upon the American platform or addressing thousands
in lands beyond the sea, or thrilling a great audience in the Crys¬
tal Palace of London, he has done honor to himself, and reflected
credit upon the Afro-American. His unprecedented Editorial
record of the Star of Zion and Church Quarterly for over a
quarter of a century, places him in the front rank among religious
Journalists.
I take great pleasure therefore in presenting to you, as the
speaker, as the Orator, Editor, Recorder of Deeds of the District
of Columbia, the Hon. J. C. Dancy, LLD.
A personal friend of the first president, his address on the
"Life of Price," delivered that morning was acknowledged the best
he ever delivered on Price. Dr. Dancy drew many wholesome
lessons from the life of Dr. J. C. Price, founder and first president
of Livingstone College, beginning from his birth in Elizabeth City,
N. C., 53 years ago to the day of his death in 1893. Dr. Price's love
for his race and his sacrifices therefor, his work in the interest of
temperance, his endeavors in harmonizing the two races, pleading
for the uplift of Negro manhood and womanhood, his great heart,
his Chesterfield bearing and love for truth were delineated with
Prof. E. Mooke, M. D., Ph. D.
Livingstone College.
73
the skill of a master speaker. And here the writer begs leave to
say that Dr. Dancy's vivid description of Dr. Price's oratory com¬
paring it with a gathering storm, the clouding and its bursting was
the best picture he had ever received of the great man's eloquence.
The orator sat down amid thunderous applause. After the speech,
Prof. J. E. Aggrey read an original poem, "Price Beloved."
I SALUTE THEE, PRICE BELOVED.
Price immortal, thou that wakest
Aeolian sweeps on trembling strings anew;
Consolation, to the hopeless,
falling on the heart like morning dew;
Sweet Arcadia's pregnant summers
never breathed a nobler son than thou:
Muses nine—their parents only,
God divine Himself did thee endow;
Wondrous speaker, love compelling,
leaping ages in one stride for right,
Playing organ universal—
human hearts the keys—the black and white;
Beauteous star that gleamed the darkness,
rainbow—dread of deluge and the storm;
Prophet wrapped in visions glorious,
thou that told'st the vexing bruise its balm;
Warrior of the knightly order
treading with the tread of Caesar bold,
Crossing Rubicons of wailing,
doing deeds as yet unsung, untold;
Thou that fought 'st; tho not with weapons
carnal, wresting palms from worlds renowned,
Linking depths to highest heights, of
lowly birth, yet died a victor crowned;
I, who hail from ancient country,
74
Quarter-Centennial of
born where Phoebus' burnished mansions near,
Where the bamboo and the shadow
woo and wed by sunny fountains clear—
Where the fan-palm and the mango
chant, in lays melodious tuned to joy,
Dusky Sappho, Eurybates
sable hero at the walls of Troy—
I salute thee, Price beloved,
leader of a race immortal, thee,
Pleading equal freedom for the
hand, the head, and heart—the rounding three;
Thine is fame without a blemish,
thine a kingdom filled wiih hearts that ring
Homage clear that lasts for ever—
I salute thee, Price beloved, king!
—J. E. Kwegyir-Aggrey.
A trio then sang, "Spring Time."
On the afternoon of Tuesday at 3 o'clock there took place the
Educational Session, Bishop J. S. Caldwell, D. D., Presiding Officer.
Dr. W. H. Chambers led the devotional exercises, announcing as a
hymn "Jesus the name high over all." Dr. H, J. Callis, of Boston
then led in prayer. Bishop Caldwell then read the following intro¬
ductory remarks:
Ladies and gentlemen:—
Permit me, before introducing the program, to ac$d a few words
of tribute to what has been said upon the occasion which calls us
together.
Livingstone College, our chief educational institution, has
reached its twenty-fifth milestone. We have been called by the
trustees and faculty to assemble here to recount her past achieve¬
ments, with a view of taking fresh courage in the onward march of
the college Ex-students, alumni, men who have been honored by
her, together with our invited guests, have come from every sec¬
tion of our great church and country to advise, counsel, rejoice and
to catch the inspiration of the hour.
Livingstone College.
75
A historian for this occasion has been named and will do jus¬
tice, I have no doubt, to the occasion. Hence, I will not dwell at
length upon this phase of the celebration.
Dubbed as I, and all who were with me, as "dark day students,"
I simply wish to relate a little of my early experience with the
institution. Coming here to pursue a course of study under most
dicouraging circumstances so early in the life of the institution, I
am in a position to apreciate the advance which the institution has
made.
Rising from two small buildings on the campus twenty-five years
ago, we count our possessions today by the dozen. Instead of two
professors, we have five times the number. Instead of muddy lanes
and an unsightly campus, we have beautiful lawns and streets.
The A. M. E. Zion church can never forget the martyr to her
educational cause, Dr. J. C. Price. He looks down from the gallery
of the sky upon us today and bids us Godspeed.
His immediate successors have wrought well. Dr. Goler, on
whom his mantle fell, has striven arduously to present to the trus¬
tees, ex-students and the alumni, this heritage which was be¬
queathed him by the late Joseph Charles Price.
Dr. Price and Bishop Hood in England made it possible
through their efforts to start an educational boom in the A. M. E.
Zion Church which shall never die. The men who have been
trained in these classic walls will bear the ensign of this grand old
institution wherever they go.
If we were permitted to call the roll some of our number
would answer the call from the shades of the tomb, many of whom
were eminent for their scholarly attainments, pious deeds and en¬
ergetic work.
Among those of the clergy who would answer would be
Stitt, Fenderson, Sides, Bibb and other. Among those from the
professor's chair would be Johnson, Provender, Howard and
others. We thank God today notwithstanding that our ranks have
been broken, a remnant of the old guard still remains whose
loyalty to the institution is ever true.
This brings us to the introduction of the program of the hour
Education is the general subject. Profesor E. Moore, whose
76
Quarter-Centennial of
connection with the institution dates back many years, is the first
speaker to be introduced. In this connection permit me to say that
the cause of education, especially as it is carried forward by the A.
M. E. Zion Church at Livingstone College, has never had a better,
truer and more loyal advocate than the gentleman whom I now
have the pleasure and honor to present, Prof. Edward Moore.
Dr. E. Moore, for about a quarter of a century Professor of
Ancient Languages of the instiution read the following deep, elo¬
quent and thoughful paper:
In response to the committee's invitation to me to make a state
ment of the kind of education for which we of Livingstone Col
lege stand, I may be permitted to say at the out-set that our
position on Education has been well defined from the beginning of
our work here a quarter of a century ago. The first President
J. C. Price took hold of this work at that time with a definite
idea and a well defined plan of the Education of the Head, the
Heart and the Hand. In the opinion of the first President and his
Faculty a judicious combination of these three would afiord the
best kind of training for the youth of our race in preparation for
the high duties of citizenship and manhood. Dr. Goler the wor¬
thy successor of the lamented Price has unswervingly maintained
and promoted this same policy during all the years of his emi¬
nently successful administration.
The peculiar conditions by which we are confronted make it
necessary for almost all our schools to give a place in their curricu¬
la to industrial education. But we however at Livingstone College
started out with the belief that tbe greater emphasis should be
placed on the education of the head and the heart except in the
case of schools of technical education. And our twenty five years
of experience have afforded us no occasion to doubt the sound¬
ness of the faith within us.
Livingstone College was formed primarily to furnish minis¬
ters for our Churches and teachers for our schools. But the exam¬
ple of Paul, who although he had drunk deeply at the feet of a
Gamaliel found that his trade of tent-making stood him well in
hand for enhancing his usefulness was not lost on us. We have
Livingstone College.
77
sent out many Pauls, but we are not going to hasten to say that
they all drank so deeply as the great Apostle to the Gentiles but
whether this has come about from a disinclination on their part to
drink or the inability to find a Gamaliel at whose feet to drink,
they certainly have found in a vast majority of cases their know¬
ledge of tent-making an advantage to them.
While the very nature of our work here makes it impractica¬
ble to lay greater stress on the adjective industrial yet on the other
hand we find it absolutely necessary to lay the greatest possible
stress on that other kindred adjective industrious in oui work.
The distinguished Ex-President of Lincoln University that
greatest of all schools established and maintained especially for the
education of colored young men once said "Lincoln is not an
Industrial but an Industrious School." In this he uttered a
great truth. Livingstone College is a daughter of that famous insti¬
tution, and what is perfectly natural to expect, the daughter by the
law of heredity is an Industrious School. By that other law of
acquirement she is in a less degree an Industrial School.
Livingstone however does not believe in fostering manual train¬
ing to the detriment of intellectual culture, and she has very little
respect for any scheme of education which minifies the importance
of the education of the heart. Livingstone College stands for an all-
round, full-orbed, symmetrical man-hood and woman-hood. She has
no patience with the utilitarian idea stretched beyond the bounds
of reason and soberness. She has no. patience with the spirit of
commercialism run mad. She respects Paul the tent-maker; she
admires Paul the scholar and orator; she venerates Paul the
minister and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
No apology is needed for bringing this subject before you who
are votaries al the shrine of learning; you who are the friends and
guardians of her temple; you from whom so much is to be hoped
for the elevation and advancement of the race. Certainly no apol¬
ogy is needed when we remember the great amount of talk in the
school-room and on the hustings, from the pulpit and press as to
the quality and quantity of education the Negro should receive; not
simply that which he should receive at the hands of the state nor
of the philanthropist, but even that by his own self-sacrifice and
78
Quarter-Centennial of
untiring industry, I will occupy, then, a short portion of your time
in stating some reasons why we should have better and more
education. These statements are to apply alike to the Negroes and
Whites; for I am throughly convinced that our interests are so in¬
separably intertwined that what will elevate the one will elevate
the other, and what will degrade the one will degrade the other.
We must rise or fall together. We are brethren. And this whole
race problem grows out of our inability to see clearly, and to re¬
cognize unqualifiedly this great truth. We need more light in
our minds and more love in our hearts.
I contend, therefore, that the first step is accurate thinking;
then, the way being paved, right feeling, then right action naturally
follows. Right feeling is dependent on right thinking and right
action is dependent on both. That teacher who would teach that
two and two are five would be considered incompetent; yet that
same teacher might go on year in and year out teaching the broth¬
erhood under a skin of a little different hue is no brotherhood
without evoking the least suspicion bf incompetency. In this way
we start wrong to get the proper preparation for citizenship.
In the providence of God we have been placed in this land
together, and in spite of the schemes and agitations of demagogues
and cranks we are here to stay. Inasmuch as we are to remain
here as next door neighbors, to come in contact with each other
on the farm, in the workshop, and in all places of business, it is
best for us to be trained in the school and the family, in the, church
and the other places where men learn and teach by every look
every word and every deed something which makes for their weal
or woe: not simply to know the color of the skin or the texture of
his hair, his property, his rank, but each to recognize the other as
his brother possessing rights that are as sacred as their own.
From a rather abnormal prevalence of utilitarian ideas and
notions two questions confront us today. First, Does it pay to
educate the masses in even the common school branches? The
Second, What is the use of higher education? In a general way
these questions migh be answered indirectly by asking, Does good
intelligent peaceable citizenship pay? does good society pay?
do good prosperous, living, growing churches pay? does good and
Livingstone College
79
wise government pay?
But to be more specific, we will answer both these questions
in part by asking a consideration of sections of country where
the greatest recognition has been g i v e n to education. New Eng¬
land is the section on which I will call for the answer. Men of
other sections passing through New England and observing her
barren rocky soil used to taunt her people with the question—"What
do you people raise?" The ready reply of the Yankee was, "We
raise MEN." And what grows out of this great fact? Why is North
Carolina with her salubrious climate, her fertile soil capable of yield¬
ing a great variety of agricultural products, North Carolina with
her beautiful hills and mountains, in whose bosom lie millions of
gold and silver and tons of iron and coal is a mere pigmy along¬
side of Massachusetts whose numerous scientific and cultured lead¬
ers with her vast army of intelligent yeomanry have converted
her rock-bound coast, her barren soil and her frozen streams into
a great network of wealth-producing industries. New England
and other sections of the North when compared with North Caroli¬
na and other sections of our southland completely answers the
question whether it pays to educate or not. And these Northern
states have benefited us also by their example as well as by their
sympathy and their philanthropy. While it is true that they gave
us some unprincipled carpet-bag politicians, the South has not
been as ready as we should wish to acknowlegde their great
gift in the inauguration of the free school system in the South.
And before I leave finally this point I must trespass long enough
on your time to view what I consider a very great injustice done to
that noble, faithful, and God-inspired band of Yankee school teach¬
ers who bravely labored among us and for us right in the teeth
of the grim-spectre of social ostracism, and sometimes violence
and even death? I refer to utterances recently made by persons
high in educational circles in the South to the effect that these early
northern teachers taught the Negro false ideas and false notions—
gave him a false education which the South must now set to work
to undo. These charges are unfair in the extreme. Almost all of
the middle-age teachers, preachers, and leaders of our people in the
South are the product In part of that early teaching. I make this
80
Quarter-Centennial of
protest in the name of hundreds of the best men and women of our
race—living and dead. I ask the authors of those reckless words
what will they do with Booker T. Washington the most popu¬
lar leader of the race, a man whose work and worth are known in
all lands. I ask will they blot out of the memories and affections
of teeming millions the name of the noblest Roman of them all,
the scholar, the sound educator, the peerless orator, the greatest
leader the race has ever produced. I refer to the matchless Price,
the influence of whose life and echoes of whose eloquence still
linger among us and will continue to linger among us as long
as we have the Joneses, the Caldwells, the Bloices, the Clements,
the McMullens, the Smyers and the host of others whose great
privilege it was to sit at the feet of our modern Gamaliel.
The second question which we said confronts us—namely
What is the use of the higher education, must now claim our atten¬
tion. I note with pleasure the great revival of interest in the com¬
mon schools of our state. We certainly need more education and
better education to meet the requirements of our new citizenship.
We need better teachers, longer school terms, and more money
and therefore, we are glad that there is an educational campaign
on in North Carolina. But let us turn more directly to this second
question. This subject of the higher education, especially as it
pertains to the Negro is the rock cf offence and stone of stumbling
among us. Some contend that the higher education is not needed
for the Negro. But, don't you know that there are also some
who say that a common school education in the case of a Negro
spoils a good farm hand? This lias not been my observation. It
is not in harmony with my experience. My observation has been
the reverse. According to my observation education instead of
spoiling as is charged a good hand makes a better hand for any¬
thing. This charge is promoted either by ignorance or prejudice.
And neither ignorance nor prejudice is a very safe thing to rely
on for the truth of any matter.
Governor Candler of Georgia thought that the extent of the
Negro education should be a knowledge of how to use the hoe
and spade. A knowledge of how to use the hoe and spade is
not to be despised, as little as it is. But yet it seems to me that
Rev. R. A. Morrissey, D. D.
Livingstone College.
81
the Negro's would show up as a very dull pupil, if after studying
the lesson of the hoe and the spade for nearly three centuries,
he is not now ready for another lesson. It ought not, therefore, to
be surprising, if after so long a practice study of how to use the
hoe and the spade the Negro now begins to have a little hank¬
ering after knowledge of how to make the hoe and the spade.
And I can see no harm, in the Negro's aspiring for mind-power
and practical education sufficient to sell hoes and spades, if he
sees he can, by doing so, make more money and do more good
than by using them with his own hand.
There is a great deal being said about the Booker T. Washing¬
ton idea which I think is doing great injustice to Mr. Washington
and which I know is doing great harm to the race. It is my opin¬
ion that a great many misunderstand Mr. Washington. They
make it appear because he bends all his energies in the direction of
industrial education that he is an enemy of the higher education*
A white citizen of our county here came to me, sometime ago
and said, why don't you all conform your educational course to
Booker Washington's idea. He is the the recognized leader of
your people and he does not believe in educating your people
so highly! He simply believes in teaching them to work. I replied
I think you misunderstand Mr. Washington, sir, there are many
phases of this educational work, and Mr. Washington is partic¬
ularly emphasizing one phase of the work. He is making his school
the champion of the industrial feature of our educational work, and
leaving the higher literary and scientific features for other institu¬
tions. For, if Mr. Washington is opposed to higher education
why does he go to the higher institutions of learning to secure his
teachers to carry on that great work which he founded and is
managing with such phenomenal success at Tuskegee? We are
all alike honestly and earnestly at work to carry out the same
general plan. Fisk and Atlanta, Hampton and Tuskegee, Shaw, and
Howard, Biddle and Livingstone, are all engaged on sections of
the same great work. They are all laboring for the same great end,
the rearing of a grand and glorious structure of a strong, symmet¬
rical Negro manhood and womanhood.
There is no antagonism between the education of the few in
the colleges and the education of the many in the industrial
82
Quarter-Centennial of
schools, the academy and common school. They are all parts of
the same great system. That state or community that has the best
colleges has the best common schools. Education like everything
else must have a head. Common schools and academies, industrial
schools and normal schools must have teachers, text books and ap¬
paratus. And the persons who are to do this must be thoroughly
educated and disciplined in all their faculties—masters of all litera1
tura and science; well acquainted with their own minds and the
minds of others, as well as with the structure of the human body
and the constitution of the universe. So far-reaching and univer¬
sal are the relations of things that no one thing can be fully known
without a knowledge of many other things. One can teach anything
to better advantage by knowing not only that particular thing, but
everything else to which it is related. A clear and comprehen¬
sive teaching of the most insgnificant letter of the alphabet in¬
volves the profound principles of mental philosophy and philology.
As simple a thing as a spelling book seems to be it requires great
scholarship and philosophy of education to make it. To make a
good reading-book requires correct taste, wide acquaintance with
literature and the philosophy of education,
It requires great learning to make an English Grammar. It re¬
quires a thorough knowledge of other languages besides the
English and among them Latin is especially needed.
What is true of the text-book is also true of the teacher. Other
things being equal the more a man knows of everything, the better
he can teach anything. The more thorough and complete his dis¬
cipline of mind the better he can impart discipline to the minds of
others.
There is a good deal of energy unnecessarily spent in objecting
to the higher education for the Negro because, say the objectors, it
does not furnish a sufficiently direct preparation for the active du¬
ties of life. There has been so much of that kind of stuff diffused
among the people that I very often come across a young gentle¬
man or young lady who is in great trouble lest by some mischance
they should learn too much; cases not a little distressing and dis¬
gusting to me because this trouble is usually by far the greatest
where there is the least ground for it. Can we admit that the time
spent on higher mathematics and the ancient languages or the
Livingstone College
83
sciences, as some tell us, is squandered? that these studies are
worthless as respects intellectual culture, worthless as respects
the knowledge which they furnish?
This war by the same class of assailants is waged especially
against the languages of Greece and Rome. But in all candor I do
not think we can leave these languages out of our colleges without
great detriment to the cause of education.
The student provided with the requisite apparatus of grammar,
dictionaries etc, sits down to a sentence of Greek or Latin. Now
comes the examination of each word in its general and particular
significations; a close inspection of the sentence in its parts, and as
a whole, and finally the attempt to give vocally or by writing an
English expression to the same idea. Here then is a process in¬
volving a careful consideration of the nicest shade of meaning in
several English words, and often a complete reconstruction of the
original sentence on account of the dissimilar laws by which the
two language are governed. If it be considered further what a
number of the words in our own language comes to us from the
Greek and the Latin, and that it is with a word just as with a man
somebody has said we can scarcely feel that we really know till we
see him at his home, and around his fireside, the truth becomes
obvious that no other process can compare with that just referred
to in its adaptation, at the same time to cultivate the reasoning
powers and to impart facility, taste and precision in the use of the
English language. The cry dead language has been sounded so long
and loud that to many a youth about to enter classic land the very
air has seemed to come loaded with sepulchral odors and he has
shrunk back affrighted from the ghastly forms and grinning skulls
conjured up by that potent word. But are they dead? Is the
matchless eloquence of Demosthenes dead? Iam looking into faces
here today who would say with me that when Greece the land of
scholars and the cradle of science, after chanting her peans of lib¬
erty to the stars went down under the iron heel of oppresson,
she did not carry down with her the undying eloquence of her
peerless orator. I am looking into the faces of those who with me
know that although Rome the mistress of tho world whose impe¬
rial eagle glanced into the rising and setting sun, as punishment for
Violation of the laws of God went down under the iron heel of op-
84
Quarter-Centennial of
pression, yet the eloquence of her Cicero did not go down with her
forum. Is Homer dead? You whose privilege it has been to hear
in classic hall his inimitable strains as he describes the angry God
in his descent from the snow-capped Olympus to avenge the
wrong of his insulted priest, will answer with me no. A thousand
times no. The time allotted for this talk would not permit me to
enter into a discussion of the importance of studying the natural
sciences as is required in the college course. Their value is too ob¬
vious to need, it seems to me, any long and labored defence, and
yet these objectors would cut oft all but the mere elements of these
branches. The thorough and exhaustive study of the natural
sciences which our colleges alone in their well equipped laborato¬
ries can give, Is indispensable to the attainment of the end at which
the race is aiming. Science, we all know has done wonders for us
already, and surely destined to do still greater wonders. By its
magic wand it has touched the innocent drops of water with which
wj quence our thirst from time to time, and giant power has come
forth and dragged our coal and our iron over creeks and rivers,
through rocks and hills from mountain to sea-board, linked in traffic
and commerce not only our entire country from lake to gulf and
from ocean to ocean, but like-wise all the countries of the civilized
world. It has snatched the lightning from the heavens and har¬
nessed it up not only to pull our cars and light up our streets
and our homes but also to carry our messages across the broad
seas with incredible rapidity. And as the handmaid of the religion
she is playing well her part reclaiming millions from ignorance and
and superstition and making them happy participants of the rich
legacies of a Christian civilization. Livingstone College therefore,
exhorts you to be the friends of all education from the lowest to
the highest.
All who have the proper idea of education will support and
honor it whether in the graded school, the industrial school, the col¬
lege or the university. If the white man with all of his boasted su¬
premacy needs it, certainly we with all of our reputed inferiority
need it to grapple with the knotty problems that confront us. The
white man is not abandoning the higher education which he is
advising us to do, neither will we.
For two hundred and fifty years we were forced to engage in
Livingstone College.
85
the unprofitable and curse-ridden business of raising slaves; by
God's help let us for the next two hundred and fifty years put forth
such efforts to raise men that will astonish the world. Throw pessi¬
mism to the winds. Though clouds dark and lowering encircle
us let us remember that God is behind the clouds, and by one
breath of his nostril they will fade away like mist before the morn¬
ing sun. We need to study God in His dealings with nations and
individuals. The individual or race that forgets God will go down,
let that individual or race be black or white. The law is immut¬
able and applies to all alike: .Above all other subjects Livingstone
College stands for God's word— God's truth. If we keep our
hands in God's hand even in a death grapple with the enemy the
Negro is not going down. The facts show that there is an element
of invincibility in the Negroes. The Negro is strong in his religious
proclivities. You find very little infidelity and agnosticism among
Negroes. They are quick to imitate the waite man in everything
the else but that sort of thing. I have heard some ridicule of
the old Negro that sings "You may have all this world, but give me
Jesus." I attribute that ridicule to the sad lack of insight of the
sublimity of the sentiment that breathes through those words.
The old Negro means that if it comes to a choice between Christ and
riches, he will choose Christ. Is not that sound Bible doctrine? Is
not that a safe religion?
Young colored men and women, what does your presence here
•mean, if it does not mean that you are sooner or later tc go out to
lead your people? You are here in preparation for leadership of
a race, struggling from ignorance and oppression to light and liber¬
ty, from poverty to wealth from weakness to strength, from obscur¬
ity to a proud rank of uuiversal respect and recognition.
Livingstone in the instruction of her students magnifies the
importance of the study and imitation of the life of Moses in fitting
themselves for the great work of race leadership. Moses loved his
race. He left the pleasures and luxuries of the palace of the Phar¬
aohs for the lowly habitation of his people in order to help them in¬
to a condition of better things. He loved his God. He trusted Him
and followed where He led. And every diploma or certificate grant¬
ed to her students is intended by Livingstone to mean that they
go out at least determined to be as faithful to their God and their
86
Quarter-Centennial of
people as was Moses. And, if like Moses, in the interest of their
r ace, they are called to climb up the dark craggy sides of a smoking
Sinai to stand upon her summit surrounded with mantle of gloom
amid playing lightnings and crashing thunders, to maintain the
heart of Moses, feeling sure that the pillar of fire by night and the
pillar of cloud by day will be with them in the great march of our
people to the highest plain of Christian man-hood and woman-hood-
A female chorus then rendered a beautiful chorus " The sweet¬
est flower that blows. Dr, Weaver, of Atlanta, Ga. the personal
friend and classmate of the late Dr. Price read an interesting and
excellently constructed paper; "Education Necessary for Success¬
ful Leadership."
A sweet solo was then sung by Juanita Washington.
TUESDAY EVENING MAY 21 ST, ALUMNI SESSION.
Tuesday evening, May 21st, was the statee time for the Alumni
Session and an excellent program was rendered which marked
the progress and success made by those who have gone forth from
their Alma Mater and whe still cherish the "Modest black and
blue."
Dr. Bloice of the class of '87— the first graduate of the institu¬
tion was to preside over the session, but in his absence the Rev.
Dr. Blackwell of the class of '88 presided. Dr. McMullen of New
York City oftered prayer after which the choir rendered a beauti¬
ful Anthem.
Dr. Blackwell came forward and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen;
Having been asked to preside over the meeting in the absence of
Dr. Bloice who is at present in England. I regret very much he
is not here, as I happened to be in the committee room when he
was selected for this occasion. Just twenty years ago he was
graduated from Livingstone College. I regret very much that some
of the Alumni who have been scheduled to speak will not be here.
It is on the account of the poor schedule of trains that Dr. Jones
the orator for the occasion is not here, yet, while waiting for
the train, we will proceed with the program. "Auld Lang Sine"
that dear old reminiscent song that always kindles fond memories
was sung by the alumni.
The members of the Alumni oftered the following papers and
Livingstone College
87
selections:
Journalism—George C. Clement, '98
Ministry—J. B. Colbert, '88
Solo, Mrs. Emma Williams—Clement, '98
The Ministry—R. A. Morrisey, '91
Solo, W. J. Trent, 98
History of students—J. E. Aggrey, '02
THE LIVINGSTONE ALIMNI IN THE MINISTRY.
by rev. j. b. colbert.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,-Permit me to state in the
brief time allotted me to say in connection with the subject assign¬
ed, that the members of the Alumni, who have been chosen and
called, of God to the Christian Ministry have for the most part, not
mistaken their calling, for verily they are doing and have done yeo¬
man service in the field of labor for the Master.
If there is any one thing which the founders and promoters of
Livingstone College emphasize more than anything else, it, is to fit
and fully prepare men for ths great and important work of the
Christian Minsitry. In fact, this has been its purpose from its very
inception, the idea of an efficient and fully qualified ministry, has
always obtained in our church. You may be more interested in
knowing, more minutely, as to what has been accomplished along
this line by the many young men who have gone out from this
school prepared and amply qualified for the work of the ministry.
It is a conceded fact, and one that is obvious to every close ob¬
server, that the largest and most influential pulpits of our Zion are
or have been filled by men who tho they did not complete a course
of study in this institution, received such valuable preparation by
special studies or attending such lectures as have greatly assisted
them in preparing for the work of the church. In corroboration of
this fact, I need only to refer you to such important points as; New
York city, N, Y.- Boston, Mass.- Philadelphia, Pa.-Providence, R. I.
Washington, D. G-St. Louis, Mo.-Chicago, 111. Mobile, Ala.-Knoxville,
Tenn.-Asheville and Charlotte, N. C.- Norfolk, Va. and other places
which time and space will not permit mentioning; while others
have passed through the pastorate into useful and important offices
in the church, such as; The General Missionary Secretary, Editor of
83
Quarter-Centennial of
the Star of Zion, President and Principals of several schools
throughout the country, one has been promoted to the high and
responsible office of the Bishopric, besides several others are
now efficient Presiding Elders and distinguished authors.
It is a noticeable fact, and one that we can point to with becom¬
ing modesty, that in every instance without a possible exception
those places have been filled with marked acceptability bringing the
most flattering results. Nothing should give the race more hopeful¬
ness and the church greater determination for a more rigid
requirement for a prepared ministry in the future, than what
has been accomplished by those whom the church has prepared
in the past. This very, fact should be a source of encouragement
to the authorities of this school to continue the good begun
work of sending out more strong, stalwart characters to proclaim
the truths and doctrines of the Christian religion.
While it is a fact that many of our young ministers have
had to reform and in many instances transform many of the
customs and usages consequent upon a less prepared ministry
yet it is needless to say, they have succeeded in a most admirable
degree to an almost universal approval of their constituencies.
For the future we have much to hope for and nothing to
deter or despair.
The times are auspicious for a larger increase in our ministerial
ranks. There is a growing demand, coming up from the people,
for a better qualifed ministry, such as is the product of our own
Livingstone. We rejoice more and more in the fact that the
men who have been sent out from here to preach the gospel,
as a rule are imbued with the spirit of Christ coupled with
the Livingstone motto, living and verifying in all of their deeds
and actions, "excelsior in all things."
NOT FOR REVENUE ONLY.
It cannot be said of the young men who have been trained
and prepared for the special work of the ministry in this College,
that they have worked for "revenue only," nay verily, for some
of these men have made untold sacrifice and served for a meager
compensation, while others who were their college mates have
received lucrative remuneration from other professions, which
have far excelled that which was received by the ministers and
■<J 'a 'nVGNH^T -g C Nf
Livingstone College.
89
still they are toiling on with much hopefulness amidst personal
sacrifice and many abject discouragements, believing in the divine
injunction to go forth on their journey taking neither gold nor silver
in their purses, believing that the workman is worthy of his meat.
Be it said to the eternal credit of the fathers, who have left us
this glorious heritage really they built more wisely than they knew.
I am sure it is a source of unbounded pleasure to them to know
that their sons have taken up where they left off, with a grim
determination to carry the work so gloriously begun to a success¬
ful completion.
NOT SATISFIED.
Some of the young men who have been sent from this insti¬
tution not fully satisfied with the preparation aud training which
they received here, but having the laudable ambition to gratify
the insatiable desire for a better equipment for their life's work,
have matriculated at such famous theological seminaries as Gam¬
mon, Yale and Boston Universty, thereby receiving the inspira¬
tion and fuller preparation which these renowned institutions so
amply imparted.
HONORABLE MENTION,
All honor to such Boanerges of whom this grand educational
mecca of our Zion Methodism is justly proud, in the persons of
her,—Clinton, Caldwell, Blackwell, Bloice, Crook, Jones, Gorham,
Lee, Smyer, McMullen, Morrissey, Davenport, Madison, Hannum
Bingham, Douglass, Clement, Aggrey, Bolden, Hamilton, Wallace,
Arthur, (In Africa) Covington Boger, McCorkle, Battle, Hous¬
ton, Cummings, Carter, Bibb, Fenderson, Stitt, and Sides, of pre¬
cious memory, Allen, Foot, Howard, these and a host of others
of whom it may be said, "These men, are the servants of the most
high God, which, show us the way of salvation."
THE ALUMNI IN THE CHURCH.
by k. a. morrissey.
A quarter of a century has produced a wonderful change in the
thought and sentiment in the A. M. E. Zion Church. It has been a
distinct period of its greatest prosperity along all lines.
But no agency has contributed more largely to the splendid
achievements which the church has made during this period that
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Quarter-Centennial of
Livingstone College.
The founding of this -Institution of learning as a chief denomi¬
national school marked a crucial period in African Episcopal Zion
Methodism-
Today, the potential uplifting and inspiring influence of Liv¬
ingstone College has increased and grown with the growth of
years, until it is permeating our entire church life.
The church, like other progessive denominations, has always
placed a high premium upon education,—upon a well trained and
thoroughly qualified ministry, and accordingly, those who have
been trained at Livinstone, have found open to them ample field of
usefulness commensurate with their training and ability, where the
very best interests af the church might be conserved.
Thus, the Alumni and those who have been students of Liv.
mgstone who have elected to engage in Christian work in Zion
occupy a unique place in the history of the church. To-day, they
are among the most loyal and active workers in the promotion of
every interest looking toward the upbuilding of the church. They
are educators in our denominational schools, doing efficient ser¬
vice in disseminating the light of intelligence and dispelling the
gloom of ignorance which has so long hung like a pall over the race.
In the Christian ministry, they are to be found among the
foremost in constructive ability, and in aggressive work that Zion
has to day. They are pastors in charge of some of the largest
churches in the connection, located in the largest centers of popu¬
lation in this country. In these strategic points, where Zion has
had so much at stake, they have served with acceptability to the
people and with entire satisfaction to the denomination, having
had marked success both in the financial and spiritual work of the
church.
Their names are enrolled among the best preachers, financiers,
church builders, revivalists and soul winners for Christ in Zion.
The magnificent record which they have made as church work¬
ers is such that has not only been conducive to the advancement
of the church along all lines, but has reflected great credit upon
themselves and their Alma Mater.
But the church has not been derelict in promoting the sons of
Livingstone to positions of greater usefulness and honor in due
Livingstone College.
91
recognition of of their work and worth. We may point to Rev. G.
L. Black well D. D. General Secretary of the church and Cor. Sec. of
Mission; to Rev. George C. Clement, D. D., Editor of the Star of
Zion and with special pride we may point to that able and invinci¬
ble leader of men the Rt. Rev. J. S. Caldwell, D. D. whom the church
by its suftrage at the last General Conference elevated to the Bish¬
opric, he now fills with signal ability, marked success and with
honor to the church and the race.
Thus, wherever the Livingstone men have been placed; how¬
ever difficult the situation they have been called upon to assume in
the church, they have measured up fully to the requirements and
contributed their quota to the common welfare of the A. M. E. Zion
Church.
In the midst of the financial, intellectual and spiritual growth
v*hich we see today manifested everywhere in the church, and
such as the church has never witnessed before, the grand old A.
M. E. Zion Church, which has come down to us from the fathers,
Varick, Miller, Rush and led on by such distinguished Episcopates
as Bishops J, W. Hood, D. D„ T. H. Lomax, D. D., C. R. Harris, D. D.,
Alexander Walters, D. D., G. W. Clinton, D. D., J. W. Alstork, D. D.
J. W. Smith, D. D., J. S. Caldwell, D. D.,—led on by Dr. W. H. Goler,
the eminent scholar and educator and his able corps of teachers,
led on by the General Officers composed of such able and repre¬
sentative men as Drs. G. L. Black well, F. M. Jacobs, M. R. Franklin,
W. H. Coffey, Hon. J. C. Dancy, George C. Clement, Prof. S. G.
Atkins, Drs. J. F. Moreland, R. B. Bruce, James E. Mason, J. T. Mc¬
Millan and E. George Biddle, with the loyal and aggresive host of
Zion, comprising the laity and other recognized leaders and preach- '
ers who have distinguished themselves for work and worth who
are not graduates and students of Livingstone,—the continued and
onward march of the church in the complete fulfillment of her
God-sent mission in the world is assured.
Is Dr. J. C. Price really dead? No. That master mind, that
greatest of race orators and educators, that humanitarian, Dr. J. C.
Price still lives. When we say he is dead, we speak in symbol¬
isms; for he lives in the thoughts, in the aspirations, in all those
that who have received training within the walls of Livingstone
have contributed in any way to the prosperity of the church, to
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Quarter-Centennial of
say nothing of the tremendous influence which he exerted in the
elevation of the race, but because of the high ideals which he
exemplified in his religious and church life because of what he has
contributed toward the upbuilding of the church through the relig¬
ious inspiration which he gave to those who have been trained in
Livingstone College which stands to-day as a living monument to
his memory, his name and fame, will continue to shine brighter
a nd brighter in the galaxy of the world's greatest men, and genera-
tions to come will rise up and call him blessed.
But when we think of what has been accomplished for the
good of the church in the brief period of 25 years through Living¬
stone's influence and through those whom she has trained and
given to the church, the future for Zion grows brighter and en¬
couraging. Twenty five years is but a very short time by which
to form any thing like a correct estimate of the present value of
the school and its capacity of usefulness to the church as indica¬
ted by any thing which has been accomplished in the church by
any of its graduates or former students. Rome was not built in
a day. According to the scriptures God himself took six days to
create the world, which some Theologians think was equal to six
thousand of our calendar years. Livingstone has but barely begun
to demonstrate what it is to the church and what it is destined to
be as an indispensable factor in the development of the church. If
already the church has been so greatly benefited to the extent
which it has, what will be the result towards the advancement of
the church in the next twenty five years? With the mighty agen¬
cies and influences now in operation for the continued onward
march of the church, with incresed forces of intellegence coming
into the church, we see a new day dawning for Zion, a day when
she will be a still greater force, a still greater agency in ushering in
the time when the Kingdoms of this world will become the King¬
doms of our God.
At this point Dr. Jones arrived and was called on for a. speech,
but replied as follows: "Ladies and Gentlemen: I presume that
you have already received a telegram from me. On account of the
death of one of our bright young graduates, John H. Foster of the
class of '02 I was unable to reach here until to-night So you'll
please pardon me and I'll see you tomorrow.
Livingstone College.
93
Just before the benediction was pronounced the large rostrum
was crowded with the Alumni present to lift their voices in those
fond and reminiscent words so dear to every Livingstonian's heart,
"My Livingstone."
WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION, MAY 22ND,
On the iribrning of Wednesday at 10:30 o'clock the Junior con¬
test for the Price Medal took place in the auditorum. The gradu¬
ating exercises of of the College department and delivering of
diplomas were to have taken place, but were postponed to Wed«
nesday afternoon. The following members of the Junior class
entered the contest for the beautiful medal: The orations were as
follows: "True Nation's Glory" —Fannie Clay, Memphis, Tenn
"Man's Inhumanity to Man"—Henry P. Hargrave, Lexington, N. C.
"The Evolution of Thought," Wm. J. Walls. Asheville N. C. The
medal was won by Mr. Walls.
President Goler introduced Dr. W. P. Thirkield in the follow¬
ing words:
Fifteen years ago Dr. Thirkield of Atlanta, Ga. made the ad¬
dress at the Commencement Exercises of Livingstone College and I
hope that when we celebrate our golden anniversary twenty five
years hence I will be here to introduce him. I now take great
pleasure in introducing to you Dr. W. P. Thirkield of Howard Uni¬
versity, Washington, D. C. who is President of that Institution.
The following is a stenographic report of the excellent exte m-
pore address of Doctor Thirkield:-
Mr. President Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the gradua¬
ting class and friends: I have been thinking of what I found here
on my visit fifteen years ago and I am glad to see the great changes
made. I was more than glad to see in the audience many of the
distinguished bishops and leaders in the church who have now
passed away. Then we had the eloquent and almost matchless
Price, and I trust that such a realization of this mighty work of
twenty-five years you may build a structure to the worth and charac
ter of that noble man.
I am still in the same work at Howard University. I don't
know whether Washington is below or above the Mason and Dix-
94
Quarter-Centennial of
on's line. The surveyors who set it off marked the line they found
but those stones have been transformed into churches and those
lines of blood and fratricidal strife are for the uplifting of the peo¬
ple, thus you stand for the right and peace and the nobility of this
great commonwealth. I only wish that your governor had been
here to have heard these orations full of peace and good will—I
wish that all the statesmen and educators of the commonwealth
might have been here. I shall speak to you on education and man¬
hood—I mean a manhood a sun-crown manhood. The crown of
creation is a man—not Plato's man, for when asked what was a
man—the answer came, "A featherless biped." A fowl was picked
and thrown into his lap with the command, "Here take your man!'1
If a man were nothing more than a featherless animal his creation
would have been without a purpose. God by his simple work
causes a star to shoot forth from the heavens with a purpose.
Manhood does not come from mere environment. It must come
from the growth within. Environment and heredity do not count
far a man, certainly not, judging from the excellent productions
heard here this morning which cannot be eclipsed by any institu¬
tion in the north.
I want to impress upon you that every man through his own
agency must work out his own destiny and manhood. The creat¬
ing of a fine soul in man or woman is not mere brain, but a spirit—
some one born for a specific purpose, and thus man is radiaing
from the finite into the infinite—urging his way from below the
spiritual life.
The baby new to earth and sky etc, etc.
Your baby always says me--itdoes not distinguish itself from doll
or dog, ah! but when the soul awakened comes, he not only looks
through a blanket, but through the window of the soul, for the soul
is the basis of all you do. It is made up of God—a soul endowed
of God that will go on to its God—given destiny. You have a soul
yourself to find your man and it must come through the soul awak¬
ening. It is not mere learning or knowledge—it is something larg¬
er—it is the quickening of the soul, if the divine torch is applied it
will never stop. I think of the illustration that comes to me fr^om
the coal mines of West Viriginia where there was nothing heard
but the clink of the pick as it dug its way into the coal, but way
Livingstone College
95
down beneath those mines there was calling out of a higher life.
I wonder how Richmond would have felt if they knew who it was
when Washington entered that city that morning—I wonder if
they knew that they were making! Wake up man! Wake up his
brain and he'll make books as well as boxes—such works as Book¬
er Washington's life and Dubois' Souls of Black Folk—of the suf¬
fering, aspiring, bleeding soul—a fact laid bare. Wake up man and
he will make books. Paris awoke to the knowledge of that great
artist whose soul was touched with a divine inspiration—who
bought fifteen cents worth of paint and spread it out on canvas.
Paris bought that great picture and hung it on her walls. It was
the product of the boy Tanner who once walked around Atlanta.
Reforms are being started that are wiping out saloons. There
is a large life-awakening in Livingstone College and among the peo¬
ple of North Carolina. There are 75,000 whites who cannot read
their names or the Bible. If they could be educated they would
build a new sky. Of the graduates from Atlanta and carried across
the sea with a missionary spirit for their Fatherland, fifteen are
helping in the redemption of Africa, and finally that black continent
will be bound with a golden chain at the feet of God.
Young men and women, have a definite purpose. There are
only two animals that reach the summit of the mountain: the snail
and the eagle. I believe in a purpose even if you are a slow man.
Like the good old southern preacher; if you can't fly, run; if you
can't run, walk; and if you can't walk; worm it along. Do not be
discouraged if you lack the ability of another man, but in God's
name have a purpose. Horace Maynard as he went to college went
there with a purpose, on entering he marked in the center of the
door the letter "V." All the students wondered what it meant
But years after when Horace Maynard was the valedictorian of his
class they saw it—they saw what the "V" meant—they saw his defi¬
nite purpose,
By inspired and lofty ideals you may build castles in the air,
but have a foundation—the foundation of Jesus Christ. Take the
life of an American President: When a boy ploughing he desired
a life on the ocean waves—a home on the deep. He employed
himself to a canal man, but he was cut out for bigger things. He
fell xnio the canal fourteen times in one month. Thrown into the
96
Quarter-Centennial of
canal he found an honorable release. He find him going to the
home of his mother. It was nightfall. He saw his dear mother on
her knees with the Bible as she prayed, "God have mercy on thy
servant." He dedicated himself to a higher life—he entered Hiram
College with one pair of breaches—he went out during vacation
and cut one-hundred cords of wood—he continues and graduates
with the highest honors—We see him filling a chair in Col-
ege—he rises on and on,—up to the presidency, —I need not
outline the history of that life. The life that has a baptism of
power is the life that will have its moral conviction. The bal¬
lot of power will never be taken from that race that does not
fail to think. All of these things will cause you to cast your
eyes to the stars and exclaim, "I am a man!"
Is that man that education has produced to be a preacher? If so,
you must lift up the standard of manhood. I wish we might
sing again that old sweet strain,
"Some will love thee, some will hate thee,
Some will flatter, Some will smite.
Trust in God and look above thee—
Trust in God and do the right."
As a final word: May I ask that in this address in which
I have simply felt the way, take this life that you have found—
let it be devoted to the service of your fellow man, realizing
that he who would be great, let him serve, and through God ben¬
efit man—God does it all for love. He who does this receives
a name, not only great but good.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION MAY 23RD,
On Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 thousands of people from
far and near were on the campus and crowded into the Auditorium
to listen to the crowning services of the occasion when addresses
were to be made by President Randall of Lincoln University and
Dr. Booker T. Washington, of Tuskegee, Alabama.
After a selection by the orchestra the invocation was asked by
Rev. F. M. Jacobs, D. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y. A Chorus was then
rendered, after which Doctor Goler introduced the Rev. John B.
Trof. W. B. Crittenden, A. M
Livingstone College.
97
Rendall President of Lincoln University who delivered the follow¬
ing address, as he remarked, by way of reminiscences:
Mr. President, Members of the Faculty, Ladies and Gentlemen;
I am glad to be with you on this grand occasion and help you to do
honor to the founder of this work. A few days before I left home
I looked up the record of Price during the four years in Lin¬
coln University.
In the Fall of 1875. there knocked at the door of Lincoln Uni¬
versity a tall strongly built, kindly faced, rich voiced, man who
said his name was Joseph C. Price, and that his home was North
Carolina. The examinations, the recommendations and other
preliminaries were satisfactory, and his name appears on our
records for 6 years. In Denominational relations he was a Meth¬
odist of the Zion wing, and his purpose in life was the Ministry.
An examination of the Registrar's Records shew that in each of the
4 years in College he ranked 1st and was assigned the Valedictory
at Graduation. Some valedictories are forgotten almost as soon as
they are spoken. This one left a long lingering memory. The spirit
of good will it breathed, the genuine christian character of the
man enhancing the value of the words he spoke, the friendly
modulated rich toned voice, the manifest sympathy he felt with
his classmates and fellows, the evident gratitude for counsel and
guidance in the way of truth and for the moulding and shaping
of character, all made a deep and abiding impression,. When the
Theological Seminary was reached the three years were taken in
two, and the same fidelity to study, the same relations and the same
success in his studies were exhibited throughout this course as in
the earlier one. Occasionally early indifference or failure is made
good by subsequent dilligence and integrity, b*t usually the boy
is father of the man, the student and scholar is prophecy of the
teacher or leader of men. The reaping is according to the sowing
both in kind and in measure. This was never more true than in
the case of Dr. Joseph C. Price.
We knew that when he went forth from our walls, not a
selfish worthless drone was sent forth in the world but an honest
earnest, God-fearing, man-loving heart and hand was released to
exercise a helpful, wholesome moral influence on his fellows.
Just as Dr. John G. Paton the great apostle to the New Hebrides
98
Quarter-Centennial of
went among the Cannibals of the South Sea Islands. And lo as the
years wore on the cruel became gentle, the false became true, the
vile became pure, and the idle became industrious.
So we knew that the principles of the Decalogue and the
Sermon on the Mount must spring up and bear fruit from this
man's teaching and life.
A year before the name of Joseph C. Price appears on our
rolls a man came from Nova Scotia and was admitted by the
name of Wm. H. Goler. Some men perform the tasks assigned
them, obey the rules specially laid down. This and nothing
more. Good men and true, and the world needs such men. But
there are others who read more than their lessons, who think
broadly and deeply and generously, who know and obey the
spirit as well as the letter of the law, who ask not how much
ought I or must I do but how much may I do.
Such a spirit did the Nova Scotian have. Of course the
lessons were learned, and rules were obeyed. But we found him
ready and thinking besides. Was there a fallen stick or loose
stone in the path, his hand would remove it; was there fallen
plaster or a loosened brick from the walls, on his own invitation he
would bring into play his former trade and the repair would be
made. Equally skilful in the handling of bricks and mortar he
would handle the men, smoothing out rough places, allaying fric¬
tion and strife. You always felt that things were running better
and more smoothly with the Nova Scotian or the Noth Carolinian
around. At the end of his course the Faculty placed Valedictory
opposite the name of Wm. H. Goler.
Mr. Goler taking the usual 3 years course in the Theological
Seminary and Mr. Price taking the 3 years in two meant that they
both graduated together from the Siminary in 1881. And we knew
that two splendid men were going out into the world to do their
share in the Master's work.
School day friendships are often interesting. Why are two
spirits drawn together? My special friend in Princeton College back
in the days from 1866 to 1870 was Shorty Willis a tali Texan who
had been a cavalry officer in the confederate army. My son's chum
in Princeton Seminary was Cornwell Jenning of South Carolina
and we both went down to his funeral in February of this year.
Livingstone College
99
And so we saw the bond of friendship being knit between
J. C. Price and W. H. Goler who came from homes 1500 miles apart
and it was after the pattern of Jonathan and David life long iD
its duration. One other name I must mention in this address
Edward Moore. He was one of my best students, one of the
retiring modest kind, but on whom you could always depend. If
visitors happen to drop in and you wanted to put your best foot
forward I always called on Edward Moore and would keep him
up for a good long recitation.
I remember one day calling on him either in Cicero or Virgil
and instead of reading the Latin he kept the book closed and just
recited without a falter or mistake. These three men have had
much to do with the history and character of Livingstone College.
While a student, large generous thoughts were welling up in
Dr. Price's heart.
The outgrowth of a thought is often fascinating. Lincoln Uni¬
versity had its origin in an ordination of a foreign missionary to
Africa.
During the ordination prayer, Dr. John Miller Dickney cove¬
nanted with his God that he would found an Institution that
would train a qualified ministry to carry the gospel to the shores
of Africa. 7 years passed by before that vow took material form
in a modest building from what has gone, as time passed on, not
only missionaries to Africa and the Isles of the Sea but also to our
own land. Dr. Grenfell a Physician of means and good practice in
London went to hear Dwight L. Moody when he was preaching in
London. He only heard him two or three times but that chang¬
ed the whole course of his life.
He thought, and how that thought grew into magnificent fruit¬
age. He thought, am I using my powers for the best purpose to
glorify my Master? Here I have plenty and pleasure but is that
the hightest object of life? I am an expert sailor and yatchman, I
am independent in means, and a physician, and in far away bleak
Labrador there is much sickness and suffering, no physician there,
only the bold and daring can sail these wild waters with their
dangerous rocks and reefs. Is there not the call of duty theie, and
the more he thought the clearer the call and the pathway of duty
became. How that thought has expanded! What a wonderful
100
Quarter-Centennial of
blessing he has been to these toilers of the sea. What John
G. Paton was to the South Sea Islands, What Livingstone was to
Africa, what McKay was to Uganda, what Adoniram Judson was
to Burmah, this has Dr. Grenfell been to Labrador.
My father gave 40 years to India, and the cry of the perishing
first came to his ears as a boy. And Joseph C. Price when a
student, first as a Christian and second, as Methodist, with an unal¬
terable faith in the power of the Gospel to purify life, and con¬
vinced that an intelligent and consecrated ministry would
more really guide men into moral and religious truth than mere
emotion, had a mental picture where especially his Denomina¬
tion could realize this idea. In 25 years this little seed thought
has grown into the leading Institution of the A. M. E. Zion
Church. He who planted has since fallen asleep, but the seed
has gone on growing,
Perhaps many thought it was an untimely death. Night at
noon. A broken shaft. We would not however rear any brok¬
en shaft over the memory of him who laid these foundations.
Jesus Christ the great master lived only 33 years and his face is
fadeless throughout the ages. He came to this world on a definite
mission, to reveal to the world His Father's love, its ocean depths, its
boundless duration. And more years could not have done it more
completely. He came to live a life of perfect obedience, and by his
death to pay the uttermost farthing of debt, and everlasting Life
full and free was offered to the dying who accepted and followed
Him. With his last breath He said" it is finished." No though
only 33 years it was a finished completed life.
And so in the great scheme of Redemption and in the number
of the Redeemed I believe in finished lives. I had a little son
scarcely more than a year old, and many of you may have faces
that are fadeless and whom you will meet with a thrill of joy on
the other shore. They were sent here on a misson and that
mission fleeting though it was, was accomplished.
Our friend's mission was accomplished, and though dead his
works follow him. How his eloquence could hold and sway an
audience! How wise and prudent he was in business. When I
learned that in England instead of receiving the gift in his own
hand he was having them forward to some one on this side in
Livingstone College.
101
responsible position who would command the confidence of all
concerned, I said to myself, how wise and how like the young
man I used to know and teach. To be honest is of course fun¬
damental, but to be honest in the sight of men, shows the pru¬
dent man who can safely be trusted with responsibilities.
And what shall be the name of this institution. A name is
often the expression of an idea, the projection into the future of
a hope. We realize that often they are perhaps only a glittering
ambition. The Caesars and Pompeys that have been prefixed to
many a boy's name may not show much intelligence or desire for
real worth and character.
But mark the name a devout christian selects. He who
founded this Institution gave it the name of Livingstone the
greatest missionary perhaps since the days of the Apostle Paul.
Many men have gone to Africa. The great dark, dangerous,
mysterious continent, with its Congo the mightiest river in the
world except the Amazon, its Nile ihe longest except the Missis¬
sippi, its Zambezi Falls the grandest except Niagara; its wonder¬
ful Plateau Lake; its animals the largest in the world; its gold
mines grinding out more of this precious metal than any other
gold field in the world; its diamond mines yielding more of these
gems than all the rest of the world put together; while this address
is in our mind comes the word of the discovery by Tom Culliman
of the largest diamond ever found, as large as your fist, more than
10 time as large as the Kohinoor weighing nearly 1 1-2 lbs and
for which he will not take $3,000,000. Wonderful continent.
And Livingstone went there, and for what? A mighty hunter to
hunt for elephant and ivory and the lion and the leopard, no,
but for human souls.
A mighty . prospector searching for gold and silver and pre¬
cious stones, no, but for what is of infinitely greater value immor¬
tal spirits, Rhodes and DeBeers are Empire builders, Livingstone
a builder of the Kingdom of God, a discoverer of treasures out¬
weighing worlds. That daring self denying hunger for souls, to
fit them for heaven and by fitting them for heaven to best fit
them for earth. That was the spirit that David Livingstone had.
Is that tUe spirit cherished by the Institution that bears his
me? Fitted by intellect and by attainment and by training
na
102
Quarter-Centennial of
to sit in the highest seats of power along side of Gladstone and
Disraeli, to acquire wealth as a captain of industry; and foregoing
all and buring himself among the lowest and the poorest that he
might bring them to the meek and lowly Jesus. That is self
denial grand and Christ-like. Surely his Lord and Master must
have walked with his servant along these long perilous journeys,
and must have been with him when on that 4th, of May 1873 in
Chitambos village in Ilala, he kneeled down by his cot in the
posture and act of prayer, the silent chariot and horsemen of the
skies caught his struggling spirit and bore it home. Will not it
all seem worth while bye and bye when the Master says "Inas¬
much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren ye
have done it unto me." The world may say 30 years of buried,
wasted life, But wait for heaven's verdict. As I asked before
is the yearning hunger for souls the spirit that characterizes this
Institution, so now I ask further is the spirit of utter self denial
cherished and cultivated.
Once more never man breathed a gentler spirit. Oppressed,
thwarted, misunderstood, the only weapon and armour he used
was love.
And yet again what patience he exercised. 30 long full years
he labored and results often seemed few and far away, and yet
bravely, grandly he labored on leaving results to God where they
belong.
And yet again no man had a more absolute faith and a bright¬
er hope in the future and in the power of the Gospel to regenerate
souls and quicken them into a true and pure life. And so I ask
are gentleness and patience and faith and hope flowers that are
planted and bloom in this garden?
David Livingstone states that his Grandfather told him that
he knew 4 generations of Livingstones before him and not one had
been charged with dishonesty. Honesty is a homely virtue but it is
fundamental to character. The world needs a courageous honesty.
Not only is the student here honest but as he goes forth as teacher
or preacher does he stamp and impress this honesty on others.
Honesty in the full meaning, not only in the paynlent of a money
debt, but in the faithful performance of all service and all con¬
tracts, The word as good as the bond. The service the clearest
Livingstone College
103
and best that can be rendered. Does the trained man who goes
forth from here into a community at once realize a moral sani¬
tation, A better and safer place in which to live. Lives purer,
soberness instead of drunkardness, orderliness and courtesy in¬
stead of rudeness and boisterousness, truthfulness and honesty
instead of falsehood and fraud.
That is real and practical religion. Such men are needed.
Are these the characteristics of the stream of men who issue each
year from this fountain? I have no faith in the value of an
education that has for its object simply the training of men in
science and literature. If I could be assured for Lincoln of $1,000,
000. tomorrow from the Carnegie Foundation or the Rockefeller
Fund with the proviso that the Bible should be stricken from the
course and the distinctly Christian features should be eliminated,
I would refuse it without a moment's hesitation.
Does it mean that the Alumni who go from these walls are an
influence for good in the community in which they go, more
potent for morals than officers of the law? Then she will be a
blessing. Is the name Livingstone only sounding brass and tink¬
ling cymbals, or does it mean the radiation of the spirit of the man
whose heart lies buried in Ilala?
Twenty-five years of history and life, we are proud to claim
Livingstone as the daughter of Lincoln. The daughter just half the
age of the mother.
We forget the names Methodist and Presbyterian, Arminius
and Calvin, but we glory in the higher larger name Christianity
and Christ. The one glorious banner floats over all the marching
hosts.
Ever green may be the memory of him whose thought floated
this seed and named the tree in the garden of the Lord, and
whose prayers and labors nourished and cherished its growth.
May this indeed be a Living Stone in God s great temple.
May the double portion of God's spirit be upon him who
stands at the helm, and these who are associated with him in
administering its affairs.
And may God's abiding blessing be upon this school of the
Prophets, and may its future be safe folded in the hollow of His
hand.
104
Quarter-Centennial of
Solo, "For the Sake of the Past" was then sung by the sweet
student-singer, Maiy Farley.
Prof. W. B. Crittenden read the following Poem.
QUARTER-CENTENNIAL POEM
I sat, one. day, beneath the quiet shade
Which an old oak with out stretched arm shad made;
Long had it stood upon this campus wide
Full many a winter's blast its strength had tried,
And ere the acorn formed this mighty tree
The years had grown into a century.
This spot I sought from noises to retire
That I might string and tune my lyric lyre
To the rippling music of a noble lay
In honor of our Quarter-Century's day.
And though I strove with all my might to sing,
And sought what fitting message I could bring,
No inspiration came upon the air,
And so, I gave up hopeless, in despair.
When lo! a gentle zephyr stirred the limbs
Which sounded much like distant vesper hymns,4
The whispering leaves took up the treble part.
A deeped-toned voice came from the oaken heart.
What's its song and what's its message true,
Listen, while I sing it o'er to you.
"Ye sons and daughters, scattered far and wide,
Your Alma Mater's glory and her pride,
Ye who control afiairs in Church and State,
And on whose counsels all your people wait,
Come, leave your cares and turn your footsteps here
These hallowed precincts, filled with mem'riesdear
Bid you be young and live again, today,
Your happy school days, long since passed away.
'Twas here ye lisped your A B C's of power,
And drank in useful knowledge every hour,
'Twas here ye forged your bolts of eloquence
With which ye strike in Liberty's defence,
Here, too, your lessons first in love ye took,
Not learned from books, but in some quiet nook,
No physiology told how 'twas done,
But yet ye knew two hearts could beat as one.
Ah me! as ye recall the past to view,
I find I'm growing reminiscent too,
Long, long ago, when young acorns did lie
Rev. H. J. Callis, D. D.
Livingstone College.
105
First at my feet, and I was young and spry,
The scenes I looked on then were different quite
From these on which I am feasting with delight
A cringing race of slaves was serving then
Where now I see a race of noble men;
And on this spot where reading was a crime,
The college spire lifts its head sublime.
What were the conflicts, what the struggles sore
How much of wealth, how much of human gore
It took to prove that in slave as well
High aspiration and the virtues dwell!
While others, ere the smoke of battle cleared
Were fortune seeking and new homes had reared,
The Freedman builded first a house for God,
He, though no home possessed and not a rod
Of ground that he could really call his own,
Like Jacob, raised a Bethel out of stone.
And thus the church in poverty was born
And in the lap of ignorance forlorn
Was slowly nurtured 'till it grew at length
The bulwark of a struggling people's strength.
And that it might its strongholds fortify
It made of learning too its strong ally,
Great Zion fights beneath this banner true:
The School house and the Church 'gainst any two.'
But you have come to pass in view today
The twenty-five full years now passed away
Since first upon this sacred place there stood
The Nestor of Old Zion, Bishop Hood.
Like Joshua, came he to possess the land,
Whereon a college of the Church shall stand,
And as he measured with his feet the space,
His eagle eye e'en then did seem to trace
The graceful outlines of the future walls
And caught a glimpse by faith of Classic Halls.
His plans conceived, just one thing more he needs,
A. man to crystalize these ideas into deeds,
A man in stature, of heroic mould
In wisdom great, courageous, fearless, bold,
Yet tender hearted, loving, mirthful, bright,
Concealing all of his burdens out of sight,
No thought of self—lost in his people's cause
He pleads for justice 'gainst unrighteous laws.
Such was the man he needed, such he found.
In J. C. Price these virtues all abound,
Nor shrink he from the task he was assigned
106
Quarter-Centennial of
But pressed he onward, looking not behind
'Till by his strength and eloquence alone
He gave to Zion's Faith Great Livingstone,
And so the Church from all its labors turn
To place today on his immortal urn
No fading wreaths, no chaplets of the dead,
A Price Memorial Building will instead
Stand as her mead of honor to the man
In whom the blood of heroes, only, ran.
Nor think ye that to praise him is too late
Such everlasting fame as his could wait,
His life, his labors and his deeds sublime
Are only greater with succeeding time.
And what of him on whom the mantle fell
Of Noble Price? Great Goler wears it well,
His head is bending with the weight of cares
And whitening with the harvest of the years
Of useful service—all his vigor spent
In one life's work, to which God him had sent.
Not many buildings he has reared since then.
Has been too busy making useful men
Who in their turn with wealth and labor vie
To fill this campus with greit structures high
These were his methods ye will understand:
He used his head, his heart, likewise his hand—
His hand I said? Ah yes! he used it well,
If ye don't think so ask "Ed" Jones, he'll tell,
Beside the book, his hand he'd recommend
To make some men he turned them end for end,
Had you seen young Caldwell in the rough,
You'd wonder how he used such meagre stuff
To make a Bishop, able great and good
As any who have worn the priestly hood.
Young Clement too he started from afar
And sat him down to Editing the Star.
And Blackwell, Fonvielle, Walker, Davenport,
And Trent and Aggrey, Wallace—every sort
Of raw material's represented here,
But oh, the finished products that appear!
These lawyers, doctors, preachers, teachers —all
Were moulded here within this College wall.
Oh happy thou who work'st on human mind
A nobler, better life thou wilt not find.
"Who sets the captive thought in young minds free
Lives not in years, but in eternity."
Thus from its wisdom and its knowledge spoke
Livingstone College.
107
In accent sweet and low the ancient oak.
I would that time might let me tell you all
It said and all the things that did befall
The founding of the work, the sacrifice
Of teachers and of students, each device [bright"
By means of which they made those "dark days,
Accomplishing each duty with delight.
When in the passing of the future years
A newer grander Livinstone appears,
Her sons and daughters will again relate
The story of the lives that made it great,
At each rehearsal of the story old
New graces and new beauties will unfold
Like opening buds of fragrant flowers rare
By God's hand planted, nurtured by His care.
At this point the thousands present sat to listen to Doctor
Washington's address:
The Tuskegee Institute extends most hearty congratulations
and good wishes to Livingstone College on the occasion of the cele¬
bration of its twenty-fifth anniversary. These two institutions were
founded at about the same time and are therefore practically of the
same age. There is however another connection between Tuskegee
Institute and Livingstone College, and the great church which stands
behind Livingstone, which makes Tuskegee feel very near to the
African M. E. Zion Church, for Tuskegee Institute had its birth in
a church of your denomination in 1881. Mr. Lewis Adams, one of
the most prominent members of your race, had begun to lay the
foundation of the Tuskegee Institute before I went into Alabama,
and it was in the church of which he was a member that Tuskegee
Institute was born, and, I might add, that during all the years of
this life I never found a wiser counsellor, in all the aflairs of the
institution, than I did in Mr. Adams.
On an occasion like this the name of a great man, J. C. Price, is
in the minds and on the lips of every individual present. This
institution owes much to the energy, forethought and race loyalty of
such a man as Price. Livingstone also owes much to his successor,
the Rev. Dr. Goler, who has been faithful to the church, faithful to
Livingstone, and faithful to the race to which he belongs. The names
of these two great men, Price and Goler, will live in this college as
108
Quarter-Ckntennial of
long as it exists. There is a host of others whom I could name and
to whom much credit is due, among them is your senior bishop. J.
W. Hood.
The African M. E. Zion Church has made wonderful progress in
the past and in my opinion will still make greater progress in the
future.
Starling in the days of slavery wtih practically nothing, this
organization now has over 3,000 churches with property valued at
over $2,000,000, has over 3,000 ministers. Not only this, I find that
your church has 10 colleges and other institutions of learning, with
a property valuation of over $150,000, and that you raised annually
for the support of education and other church work not far from
$150,000 All this is a wonderful stride in the direction of creative
and constructive work.
Since I live in a state, where with one exception, you have the
largest membership, you will permit me to make one suggestion
pertaining to your church and the institution which it represents,
in my opinion, cannot make much greater progress, in the future,
unless it gives more attention to the training of ministers. As I
have said, you have over 3,000 churches, you have but one theologi¬
cal seminary and that needs much in the way of strengthening.
Other institutions will educate your ministers in literary and aca¬
demic branches, but upon yourselves must depend to have them
trained in the polity and doctrine of your church. The crying need
of our churches in the far Southland, especially in the rural district
is for trained ministers, and endowment where you should to bend
its energies more strongly in this direction. You should have at
least one great theological seminary, fully equipped with buildings,
apparatus, professors and endowment where you should be teaching
each year at least 150 students in theology. I repeat that you have
made magnificent strides in the past in religious and educational
directions and what I suggest will enable you to make still greater
strides in the future.
I am free to speak frankly on this subject because such a
church organization as you have is a matter of interest and pride
to the entire race. Your church has created itself and become
strong not by dwelling on the defensive, not by complaining about
the treatment of others, but by continually going forward in con-
Livingstone College.
109
structive effort. This same policy must be pursued in order to
build a race. I believe that while the world may pity a crying,
whining race, it seldom respects it. I feel that the race can make
progress and secure the greatest protection by its efforts in pro¬
gressive, constructive directions, by constantly representing to the
world tangible and risible evidences of our worth as a race. I be¬
lieve that the- influence of one great success in really accomplish¬
ing something that the world respects will go farthest in promoting
our interests. Let constructive progress be the dominant note
among us in every section of America. An inch of progress is
worth more than a yard of faultfinding. The races that have grown
strong and useful have not done so by depending upon faultfinding
of others, but by presenting to the world evidence of their progress
of agriculture, industrial and business life, as well as through re¬
ligious, education and civic growth.
Let us not make the mistake of keeping the dark and disappoint¬
ing side of life before the youth of our race. Just now what the
race wants is not a vision of despair, but a vision of triumph; not
a picture of oppression, but an inspiration to overcome difficulties.
The race is not losing friends in America, nor will we do so as long
as we continue to prove ourselves worthy.
Further we must frankly face the fact that the great body of
our people are to dwell in the South, and any policy that does not
seek to harmonize the two races and cement them is unwise and
dangerous. The Negro, the Irishman, the Jew, the German, the
Italian, residing in the North and West put forth every effort to cul¬
tivate and retain the friendship of their neighbors, and the Negro
in the South should pursue the same policy.
There is much that the brave, intelligent, patriotic, white men
of the South can do for us; there is much we can do for ourselves.
The executive authorities should see to it that every law is enforced,
regardless of race or color, that the weak are protected against in¬
justice from the strong. We have evidences in several Southern
States that this is being done in an encouraging degree. Without
the encouragement and protection of the law, it is not possible for
the Negro to succeed as a laborer, or in any line of business.
This indiscriminate condemnation of all the white people on
the part of apy member of our race is a suicidal and dangerous pol-
110
Quarter-Centennial of
icy. We must learn to discriminate. We have strong friends both
in the South and the North, and we should emphasize and magnify
the efforts of our friends more than that of those who wish us evil.
No effort will prove helpful and wise that does not teach the in¬
telligence and conscience of the best element of the white race and
the same element of the black race. The co-operation of these two
groups will in the end bring success.
We are making tremendous progress materially, educationally,
morally, and religiously. We own today, mainly in the South, an
acreage that is equal to the combined acreage of the kingdom of
Belgium and Holland. The Negro today throughout this country,
owns more land, more houses, more stores, more drug stores, more
banks, has more school houses, more colleges, more teachers, more
churches, more ministers, more professional men than has ever
been true in the history of our race.
Don't be afraid to face difficulties. For myself I would not care
to live in an age where there was no weak portion of the human
race to be helped and lifted up. I would not care to live in an age
when there was no serious, hard, and perplexing problems to be
met and solved.
Wednesday evening 8 o'clock Bishop Alstork, of Montgomery,
Alabama, presided. The Rev. Mr. Hamilton, of Washington, N. C.
announced hymn, "The Lord our God is clothed with might." Af¬
ter which Dr. J. A. Barner of Wilmington led in prayer. After the
choir rendered a sweet selection, the graduating exercises of the
College Department took place. The members of the graduating
class were Ernest O. Cowan, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Benj. B.
Church, of Boston, Mass.
After they spoke a quartette sweetly sang. Then Bishop Al¬
stork introduced Bishop R. S. Williams of Augusta, Ga., and of the
C. M. E. Church who delivered an inspiring address.
After the address of Bishop Williams some excellent remarks
were made by Dr. H. J. Callis of Boston, Mass.
Benediction by Bishop Williams.
THURSDAY NIGHT MAY 23rd,
On Thursday night May 23rd the exercises of the Young Wo¬
men's Temperance Union were held in the auditorium. The exer¬
cises consisted of the contests, a silver medal and a gold medal con-
Livingstone College
111
test for the best delivery in oratory and a silver medal for the sing¬
ing contest. The contestants deported themselves in the loftiest
style, and by the convincing oratory and the sweet-soul stiring
singing the cause of temperance was broadened to a great extent
as its influence for good now in the college and community is far
reaching.
EXERCISE OF FRIDAY MAY 24th,
CLOSING DAY.
Wednesday and Friday apparently vied with each other as to
which would be the greatest day of the occasion. On Wednesday
the "Wizard of Tuskegee" was the cynosure of all eyes, while on
Friday the center of attraction was his Excellency, the Hon. R. B.
Glenn, Governor of North Carolina. About two thousand people
greeted him, and perhaps the greatest ovation of the week was giv¬
en the governor. His speech was a great one,—timely, interesting
and filled with a deep intensity as can come only from one inter¬
ested in the welfare of the whole people.
After the choral union sang "Dixie" and as the college orchestra
picked up the sweet strains, and after great demonstration of ap¬
proval by the vast audience, Doctor Goler came forward and in¬
troduced His Excellency in the following words.
We have been quite fortunate in securing the services of His
Excellency, the Governor of our state to be with us here to-day.
It is his first visit to any colored denominational school in the
state and we feel justly proud in having him here. Before Gov.
Glenn's elevation to his office, he lived in Winston. I am glad for
more reasons than one. He himself has been a lawyer—he has
been permitted to see some of our people in their worst
state—he has seen something of the Winston Negro, now we want
him to see something of the Salisbury Negro. We can't get that
criminal class to come to our gatherings here. They keep out of
these places. We think they and we ought to be given what is de¬
serving.
Governor Glenn is a governor of all the people. He is not go-
ing to Charlotte this morning as he stated in his message, so he's
going to take his own time and talk to us as long as he please.
112
Quarter-Centennial of
There must be something attractive about black. Governor Glenn
likes Salisbury, and the more he sees of us here, the more he likes
the blacks.
We have a great many friends among the white people, among
them is Mayor Boyden who has attended our exercises during the
week and also Lawyer Clement now on the platform. I now take
pleasure in introducing to you the Hon. Robt. B. Glenn, Governor
of North Carolina.
Governor Glena arose amid a thunder of applause and the
unfurling of flags and handkerchiefs. Said he,
Mr. President, officers, teachers and students:
If you knew what I have gone through to be
with you this morning, you would appreciate my coming here. I
have, during, the last week, averaged not over four hours sleep per
week. This is the first time I have been here with you and it is be¬
cause it is the first time that you have asked me. I have never
declined to speak to the colored people. I have filled the place of
some of the preachers of your people The same obligations rest
upon you as rest upon the white people of this country. You are
citizens of this state and are entitled to the same consideration that
all the citizens of the state are. Doctor Goler, I don't like your
reflection upon Winston colored people. They are some of my best
friends. I am glad to own this man Professor Atkins who sits here
by my side as my friend, and I notice that in spite of your super¬
iority you had to send to Winston to get some of our citizens to
help you out [applause and laughter]—to get a good man to be the
leaven to the lump.
I remember when Professor Dudley of Greensboro who sits some¬
where in the hall came to me and asked me if I would speak at the
A. & M. College he had a regular stage fright as he asked me if I
would come and talk to the colored people. So surprised was he
when I told him that I would. How could I help being the friend
of the colored people? My father never owned a slave. I lived
on the plantation of my uncle who owned a hundred. He was
kind and good to them. I have never known one of them that he did
not treat kindly, and the friendliest relation existing between them
and me, so my feeling for the colored race must be very kind.
When we meet we still are friends. I would be the last person on
Livingstone College.
113
earth to do them injury. There have heen two bills that have
come to me since I have been governor that have gotten all they
ask for. One was President Venable's of the State University, and
the other Professor Dudley's of the colored A. & M. college.
There were two little boys in the rank of slaves owned by my
uncle, It was said, "I have a presentiment that on this day that I
will be killed, and here is my watch and my money and the care
of these three little boys. Go back to my mistress and take these
to her. In a minute he was by his side and had him upon his
shoulders. He dug his grave upon the mountain side and there he
sleeps till the great God will call him to the resurrection morn.
That servant over four hundred miles came and gave the watch and
every dollar of the money 1o his mistress and took care of these
three little boys to whom his master had committed. That man
was my father and I was one of the little boys, (applause) Could
I forget them? God forbid. I remember well my good old black
mammy. We clothed and fed her until God took her in his arms to
that great beyond.
Whatever I say to you is for your own good and for the good
of the state of North Carolina. I came to speak to you as citizens
of North Carolina and to tell you that a great responsibility rests
upon you. Some of you criticise some of the southern white people
who owned slaves. The colored people of North Carolina ought to
be the last to say anything against slavery, for there are some things
in the providence of God, for '"God moves in a mysterious way, His
wonders to perform." God allowed it to be so in order to .take you
out of the jungles of Africa, to enable you to get power and knowl¬
edge— to grow and increase.
While some who owned slaves were brutal and Uocle Tom's
Cabin in many instances is true, the majority of the men who
owned slaves were kind and loving and it is indicated by the gsteat
love existing today- When the time came for you to receive free¬
dom your contact with the white man enabled you to become in¬
telligent.
Since you have these advantages of education, christian spirit
and love, you caught them in which you have had your freedom,
during the forty years. There was one pleasure in the history of
the past. The servants vied with one another to see who could be
114
Quarter-Centennial of
the first on Christmas morning to catch ole' Massa and ole' Missus
Christmas gift.
The men that spurn you most are often your best friends. Si nee
I have had the power of governor of JNorth Carolina, I have never
done anything to turn you down. There are a great many of you
who have done a great amount of good and there are a great num¬
ber of trifling ones among you as well as among my race. In these
forty years you have worked marvelously.
I want to tell you some things that I doubt if you yourselves
know: one-third of all the population of the South are Negroes.
We cannot strike, injure or destroy you without destroying
ourselves. You know how many carpenters you have? There are
21,000, 20,000 barbers, 15,000 masons, 12,000 dressmakers, 10,000 en¬
gineers, 15,000 farmers, 5,000 shoemakers, 4,000 musicians 1,000, law¬
yers, and 16,000 ministers of the gospel. I think that this is a litttle
out' of proportion for the ministers. Many of them should be
plowing and working in the shops, though Professor Atkins tells me
that you are weeding them out (laughter). 7 per cent of the race
are farmers, cultivating 7046 acres of land; one-fifth of the farms
they cultivate. There are 500 inventions by Negroes and 400,000 in
gainful occupations, which is 45 per cent of the race and the white
emigrants that come to this country only 37 per cent.
My colored friends, I have shown you what you have done. I
appeal to you good mothers and fathers and teachers and leaders
to appeal to those who are lazy to go to work, or at least to leave
North Carolina. There is no such thing as a race standing still.
What is the character of the young man and woman of the race
today who are to take the places—who are to be your carpenters»
mechanics, lawyers, doctors and ministers? Tell me and I will
read your destiny. If these boys and girls are impure and vaga¬
bonds, if they care nothing for the laws of God and man, then I
will read your race: It is a future of shame and death. If these
boys and girls are trying to develop mentally, morally and physical¬
ly, if they are pure and honest, then I will read the history of your
race, you will go forward and North Carolina and the United States
will never do anything to get rid of you. You are either sowing
for good or for evil.
I will start with the minister of the gospel: Go into your pul-
Livingstone College
115
pits and tell them to be honest and tell them that a man with a
black skin can be as good as a man with a white skin, and practice
what you preach. Don't declaim against impurity when you have
got one-half dozen wives all over the state, don't preach dishon¬
esty, preach temperance when you have a corn liquor breath that
would knock a man down. Preach honesty, industry, morality and
patriotism and reverence! Don't teach superstition in your Sun¬
day Schools for religion (applause). The public schools should
teach something else besides the A B C's. Teach patriotism, hon¬
esty and truth, holding up the principle of truth. If you love your
neighbor as your self, you will love your white neighbor also. What
I am talking to you I have talked to the white people of the state.
It is a good thing to get your muscles right and strong and ac¬
quire mental strength. It is the beauty of the soul that the Almigh¬
ty God has placed in you. Be industrious, we have no time for
drones and vagabonds. If you are too tired to work we don't need
you. We need our money to take care of those who do work.
Some of you get a little learning and it proves to be a danger¬
ous thing. They want to be a lawyer, doctor or preacher and dis¬
dain the toil of the hand. If education is going to help you, theri
get " all the education you can. It there is any boy here who
is working his way through school, here is my hand. If there is
any girl here who is working her way through school here is my
hand. The boy who makes the boots shine, the boy who cleans
and curries the horse till he shines. It is not the kind of work, but
the way that you do that work. If you are to be farmers study the
kind of education that would make you good farmers, mechanics
or cotton mill employers, study that kind of education. "Hie, Haec,
Hoc" won't make you scour the floor or cut up tobacco. I advise you
to be industrious, be true, be honest in your dealing, in your han¬
diwork. I came here to ask you in your Sunday Schools, in your
public school to teach your children to be honest and to keep their
tongues fiom lying and slandering and speaking evil. Don't live
beyond your means by forging some note or borrowing some
money from your employer. There are today twenty-five white
and colored men in the penitentiary at Raleigh imploring me for
pardon. I had rather see the old poke bonnet, the home-spun
dress honestly come by. I am trying to build up the character of
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these young men and women. They are to go a bow farther than
you. Their souls ought to be more honest and truer. If you break
down the home ties you break down everything else (prolonged ap¬
plause). To rear our children pure you must be pure yourselves
(applause). I say in kindness that a great many of your people
have too often overlooked the little things of dishonesty. There
ought to be such a spirit against it. Your race will never be what
it should if you place the smile of approval on those who are
dishonest. A colored man who came from the State penitentiary
to Winston was met at the depot with a brass band by your peo¬
ple. I never expect to show any great favor to any white man or
woman or to any colored man or woman who disgraces the race to
which they belong. It becomes you to go out and bring the per¬
petrators to law.
There have been only two lynchings in the state since I have
been governor and you colored people know that I have been there
on the scene a friend. Whether a black man or a white man, I
would stand between him and the mob. While that is true let us
go a step back of that. . Let nothing happen that will be guilty of the
law. Let us stand together and see the perpetrators brought to
law. I have the same right to appeal to you to help me as
I have to the white men.
I don't object of you having an education. Read my inaugu¬
ral address. To give you everything you need for your conditions
as necessity demands and if you want more education and more
to show to the world that your education is helping you. We are
not going to educate vagabonds and drones. There are a great
many white people in North Carolina who don't believe in educa-
tj$n. They say we pay 95 per cent of all the taxes. They forget
tl^jthey have had a long time ahead of you.
lori to beg all to lay up for the future. Don't think that you
|q leave the farms. The cotton field and corn field are
cjiJ^ng ^j^ beting to you to work. I appeal to you to put your
f°* work tliat will make you live. The great race
f^^^em^^yp^t^ jWQrk out is to do your duty in the sphere that God
h#^ g^c^y^^d^^mine, and there will be no race problem.
JPfPPef plfce black man is in the South. Thenorthern-
caps jV^ftanc| ^^agd^ call you Bob and Ann, while they
Livingstone College.
117
give you no bread and we hand you out provisions. The conven¬
tionalities count for nothing. Stay in the South where you can
work. More people die from consumption and liquor than any
other cause and liquor generally causes consumption, I tell
you what to do: You stay in North Carolina and help me to
drive liquor and consumption out of the state (applause and laugh¬
ter.)
85 per cent of the people in our penitentiary are there on account
of whiskey and 65 per cent of these are your people. Give me the
money that you are throwing away and I will give you good roads.
O, women and men, you like to hear of North Carolina's patri¬
otism as well as any oth^r people. Lit mz tell you of what kind
state you live in. What a difference in North Carolina from that
we found thirty-six years ago. I came to tell you of new glory and
of new opportunities and of new life. 18,000,000 men and women
where there are 2000,000,000. North Carolina doesn't owe a single
dollar on the face of the earth. Some of you who are well posted
and intelligent would ask if she doesn't owe 600,000,000 in bonds.
Yes, but our credit is so good that the creditors don't want to take
them up and we have money in the treasury to cover every cent.
In 1870 North Carolina was the most illiterate state in union, in
1900 South Carolina, so Governor Aycock could boast that North
Carolina was not so in 1804, and in 365 days he built 369 school
houses in the state, and 470 in 480 days since I have been Govern¬
or.' Why cant you join me in singing,
"North Carolina, heaven's blessing defend her,
While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her."
Do your duty and you'll have my respect and if I do my duty.
I'll have yours. I have done all kinds of work. My father died
when I was yosng and I had to assist my mother. We can all do
if we pull together. Let us stand together—let us work together.
I have only the kindest feeling for the colored people and the white
people alike. I have not but one object, and that is to take any
man or woman by the hand and lift them up. I have tried my
best to do my best for North Carolina. I have made an appeal to
every white audience where I have spoken, to help me in lifting
others up. I haven't anything against anybody. I just love every¬
body. I appeal to you to work with your mind and your hands
118
Quarter-Centennial of
for the uplifting of your people.
May God's blessings be with you—on the highest and the low¬
est, the blackest and the whitest. May God's peace go with you be¬
yond life's fitful storm. This is my prayer for each and every one
of you.
His excellency sat down amid thunderous applause. Every¬
body arose with their kerchiefs and flags ready for the chautauqua
salute. Praises came from all corners of the spacious auditorium
and there was a perfect knowledge that in the Governor of North
Carolina the Negro had a true friend.
Bishop Geo. W. Clinton, LL. D. responded in an excellent ad¬
dress to Governor Glenn. His addres follows:
QUARTER CENTENNIAL ADDRESS.
RESPONSE TO HIS EXCELLENCY,
The Hon. R. B. Glenn, Gov. of North Carolina.
Bishop Geo. W. Clinton.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I count myself fortunate and happy to have the privilege of
being here upon the occasion of rounding out of the twenty-five
years in the history of this splendid institution of learning.
To the man who has desires, thoughts and hopes as to the
future of the Negro race in this country, and who has wishes as
to the sphere and usefulness which the race is to occupy in the
aftairs of this great nation, and the part it shall take in fitting
itself for the place it is to fill; to the man who seeks an encourag¬
ing and substantial basis for his desire, thoughts and hope, this
occasion is both inspiring and epoch making
To have been permitted to be here as a silent witness of what
has been going on during the eventful days since these exercises
began, and to behold what mine eyes have seen and to enjoy what
mine ears have heard would have been more than ample compen¬
sation for the time I have spent here.
To be given such a conspicuous and highly favored place upon
the program graced by so many distinguished names, and to be
Livingstone College
119
asked to follow the governor of our great common wealth, Hon. R
B. Glenn, is an honor to which I would not have aspired of my
own accord.
I need not tell the first citizen and chief magistrate of the
Grand Old North State" that the anthorities of Livingstone Col¬
lege here assembled and the Church of which this college is the
chief educational exponent, and the race for whose intellectual,
moral and manual training it was conceived and brought into exis¬
tence, that we, one and all, fee/exceedingly grateful to him for the
honor he has conferred upon us, by turning aside from the mani¬
fold, multiform and exacting duties of his high office, that he might
grace this occasion with his presence, and give this significant
testimonial of his interest and good will toward that part of his
constituents represented in this gathering.
When we call to mind the fact that in addition to the onerous
responsibilities which are incumbent upon the governor because
of the high place which he fills so ably, is added the noble task
which he has voluntarily and willingly undertaken and which he
is performing with signal success,—the task of helping to forward
the great moral movement of ridding our state, and as far as
posible, our nation, from that baneful and giant evil which has
ever proven degrading and a curse to our common humanity, we
can the better appreciate and feel the more grateful for the sac¬
rifice the he has made in our behalf.
In the name of the faculty, trustees and students of Living¬
stone College, in the name of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, in the name of this vast audience which has heard
your eloquent and encouraging words, in the entire race I thank
you ten times. I thank you not only for the reason not, but for
the further reason that you have given us an opportunity to show
you that we are striving to help you in your great and good work
of endeavoring to make better and more useful citizens of all the
people of the state which we all love, and of which we are all
proud.
If we ever had any doubts or fearful forebodings as to
whether your administration as governor of all the people, these
doubts and forebodings have been dispelled by what you have
done in upholding the law and by your firm attitude and determin-
120
Quarter-Centennial of
cd purpose to make the lawless of all classes and f epretrator of
every class of crime feel the force of the stern arm oi the law.
We shall pray that you may be spared to round out your ad¬
ministration, and earnestly hope since the constitution will not
permit you to succeed yourself, the reigns of government that
pass from your hand in 1908 may fall into hands equally determin¬
ed to carry on the good work that you have done and may do.
Governor, we are glad to have you here that we may show
to you our method of solving the race problem. For years the
speakers of our race were wont to refer to soma past achievement
as a testimonial and evidence of what our future would be.
We rejoice in the achievements of the past, such as they have
been, but we rejoice more in what we are doing now and the prep¬
aration we are making for tasks that confronts us in the future.
When the stranger goes to Mount Vernon, the former home and
aud final resting place of all that is mortal of the Father of his
Country, he may be disappointed that he does not see a towering
marble shaft; but when he reads the classic language of ancient
Rome, if you seek his monument, look around; stop not there but
at Mount Vernon, which at most is but a limited spot, but look
far away to the snow covered mountains of the North, and from
there turn your eyes to the sunny land that is warmed by the
gulf stream; stop not there but look out and look on until you have
s irveyed all that lies between two of the mightiest seas of the
earth and when you have seen all that come within your view, ycu
have seen but a part of the monument that looms up and as,
merited and enduring memorial of all that has resulted from the
£reat valor and mighty deeds of the man who was "First in war,"
"First in peace," and "First in the hearts of his countrymen."
We invite you, Governor, to look around upon the fifty acres
which make up the campus of this college, look around upon the
buildings which dot this campus. If you will look across from this
campus northward and behold what a few members of the Negro
race present to your gaze as a testimonial of what the race can
and may do, when conditions are favorable, and the door of op¬
portunity stands ajar. I know that you will be pleased to learn
that this institution is one of the best conservators of peace in all
our commonwealth. His Honor, Mayor Boyden, who is loved by
Livingstone College.
121
every Negro citizen and inhabitant of Salisbury with as much sin¬
cerity as by the whitest citizen within the municipality, will cor¬
rect me if I am wrong, for his personal interest in substantial
help and personal presence at the annual commencements of this
school, as well as his occasional visit at intervals, have enabled
him to get first handed knowledge. He will tell you that during
the twenty-five years this institution has been in this community,
it has stood for everything that makes for peace, integrity and the
respect for the powers that be, good citizenship and all else that
tends to uplift and that makes for the betterment of a struggling
people.
One and half thousand young men have forth from these
grounds into almost every state of the union. Some have crossed
the sea and made their way to the home of our ancestors in Africa,
but all have gone out with lighted torches to make the world
brighter and help their fellows to become better and more useful.
The work which has been done is but a foregleam of the work
preparing to do. These new and but complete buildings,—all the
work of Negro hands, are but prophecies of what we mean to do.
Each of these buildings stands for two things: First, as a shelter
for students who come here to receive training; Second as forts
which have been erected in which are to be kept the weapons
which are to be employed to wage an incessant warfare upon the
forces of ignorance, vice and all else that tends to degrade and
retard the progress of a race striving to march forward.
Our work comprehends the three-fold task of cultivating the
mind to think out things as well as take in the thoughts which have
been handed down through the art preservative: to train the hand
to become skilful so that it can bring thing to pass as well as
handle what others have brought forth; influence the heart and soul
and have the real man understand his relations to his creator, and
to his fellowmen.
It is our endeavor to teach boys and girls, young men and
young women that they have been created to be something and to
help In whatsoever good work their hands find to do. Governor,
men and women thus trained seldom ever prove to be dangerous
citizens whether they be black or white.
J take the time to tell you these things because we realize that
122
Quarter-Centennial of
you wish only to know that our aim, our endeavors and our
achievements are worthy to have your encouragements,—your help.
W3 are not training men and women to go forth with the idea
that we are either the equal or superiors of other men and women
fo rwe are convinced that such matters always regulate themselves-
We especially endeavor to keep these vain thoughts far from their
heads, since such thoughts taint the soul and never help the mind.
I hint at these things not as a winner, certainly not because I
would have the white race less than it is. I rejoice that our lot <is
a race has been cast among a people of superior advantages, a
race of such great achievements, a race of immeasurable possibilities.
It is because we have been in close proximity to such a race for
three centuries that we are what we are, that we have accomplish¬
ed what I have endeavored to set before you. Blame us not, if
we profit by your examples, don't think strange of us if we light
our torches by your burning lamps.
In other days, your people took pleasure in teaching us how to
use our hands, to tickle the soil and make it blossom with the
fleecy lint and wave with the golden grain.
To-day we take delight in learning of jou the things which
enabled you to be leaders of the world in thought and achieve¬
ment. We seek to learn these things that we may be better and
do better things.
I think, you, honored Governor will agree that we made good
as slaves, in building up the material wealth of the nation. I
think that this fact coupled with the achievements since our disen-
thrallment. will warrant me in saying that the time, oppor¬
tunity and encouragement from the great people from whom we
have received so much in the past, and from whom benefits con¬
tinue to come now will enable us to make good in doing our
part in developing men and women, in making citizens of whom
the whole state will be proud.
We are living in the hope of seeing the day come when not
only the door of hope shall open to us for a brief season, but
when the doors of hope and opportunity leading to avenues of use¬
ful employment, noble achievement and merited honor shall be
kept ajar. We hope to see the day come, when character, rather
than color, when merit rather than favoritism shall be the keys
Livingstone College.
that shall unlock those doors to every individual who can possess
them.
When that glorious day shall come, and come we believe it
will, the Negroes who shall then be living will desire no other
favor than such as may be given to all men.
While we are waiting for the coming of the full noon-tide of
that day which has already faintly dawned upon our land, we ask
to be to be allowed to live in this heaven-favored land where the
providence of our common Father has caused our lot to be cast.
We appeal to the powers that be and to those who make law
and mold sentiment to give us such encouragement and protec¬
tion as will enable us to continue our endeavors in peace and
enable us to press forward unhampered. If we can have these
favors, we pledge you, Governor, and those whom you repre¬
sent, that you shall have no more faithful subjects, nor grateful
constituents, nor earnest helpers, to the extent of our ability, than
the better class of Negroes who can be counted by the thousands
within the borders of your jurisdiction.
As a parting word, I entreat you, distinguished and honored
sir, to speak a good word for us as you get an opportunity, and
as far as possible, use your great influence to change such senti¬
ment as is likely to work to our detriment.
Believing that you will do us this favor, we thank you again
for what you have done forus as a conservator for the peace, as a
defender of the law, by your visit and words and sober and safe
counsel which you have brought to us today. We thank you in
advance for what we believe you are going to do for us in the fu¬
ture, and we pray that the God, whose servant you are, may keep
you unto the the perfect day, and give you a home with the blest.