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6 GOV. NORTHEN THE CHRISTIAN FRIEND OF THE NEGRO HIS LAST PUBLIC UTTERANCE BEFORE GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION WAS AN EARNEST APPEAL FOR THE EVAN GELIZATION AND SPIRITUAL TRAINING OF THE NEGROES AT OUR DOOR. TOUCHING LETTER FROM A LEARER OF THE RACE. HERE was no more beautiful note sound ed at the funeral of ex-Governor Wil liam J. Northen than that which was produced by a message of sympathy T from a prominent negro leader of Savannah. It was addressed to Mrs. Northen, and coming from a negro of education and evident Chris tian character, it rang with a touching sense of gratitude for what the great and good man had done in love and kindness for the spirit ual betterment of the negro race. Dr. J. J. Bennett, secretary of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, as he read the letter referred to the fact that the last public utter ance of Governor Northen before the Georgia Baptist Convention was an earnest plea for consecrated activity on the part of his brethren in behalf of Christian work among the ne groes. Dr. Bennett strikingly declared that he believed if Gov. Northen could speak he would testify that no feature of that memorial hour had more deeply touched his heart. The mes sage follows: Ever since childhood I have heard his name associated with so many kind acts toward my peop’e, and as a result I can only picture him as one who tried to do only that which was right, only that which was Christ-like. May I ask that you accept the humble pray ers and sympathy of a son of an ex-slave — of one >who believes that the fourth genera tion should bow their heads in reverence and sorrow, in recognition of service rendered by your illustrous husband. In prayerful sym pathy, A. R. FEREBEE. Savannah, Ga. Prof. R. D. Stinson, the sensible and success ful principal of the Atlanta Normal and In dustrial Institute for colored youths, publish ed the following: “Ex-Governor Northen, who died at his res- A MOVEMENT FOR THE COUNTRY CHURCH “CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH, ’’RICHMOND, APRIL 16-18—MAKES NOTABLE EFFORT TO QUICKEN LIFE IN RURAL DISTRICTS. E iPossibly never before in the history of this country has there been such a se | ries of meetings as will be in held in Richmond, Va., April 16-18, 1913. Thoughtful men everywhere are awakening to the urgency of developing a country life that will be satisfying as well as wholesome. Intent upon this the farmers of the South are coming together to work out marketing plans, aiming to provide an ample economic basis. Business men, realizing that the best asset of the usual town is the country around it, will meet at the same time in Richmond to take steps for aiding in this farm life development. With increased income will come comforts for farm households; but country life must have deeper satisfactions. In undertaking to increase the productive power of the farm, both school and church can aid effectively. How ever, their special opportunity lies in creating social conditions that will make the country a delightful and satisfying place in which to live. The schools workers have their part well planned and under way. Therefore there has arisen a spontaneous call for a conference of country preachers dealing with the problems of The Golden Age for April 3, 1913 idence Tuesday, was one of the best friends of the Atlanta Normal and Industrial Institute (colored). His speeches, letters and other en couragements proved him to be an unselfish friend for the proper education of the negro youth. I could mention a score of instances when the ex-governor rendered good services, both as governor and as a private citizen, in pleading for peace, good will and friendship between the races. “Every intelligent man and woman of the negro race knows of his incalculable services. Had the sane members of my race been per mitted to drop a flower on his grave he would have slept last night beneath a wilderness of flowers. A good man of large and unselfish service to humanity has departed this life to enter into a larger and happier abode with his Creator. “RICHARD D. STINSON, Principal.” These testimonials from leaders of the race whom Gov. Northen sought so earnestly to help brings afresh the memory of how, immediately following the deplorable Atlanta riot, this great, unselfish Christian statesman went wide ly over Georgia at his own charges preaching the application of Christian principles to the race problem and seeking to organize the citi zens of every community in such away as to keep alive these principles of love and kind ness and put them into everyday contact be tween the whites and blacks. Criticism Did Not Daunt Him. We remember, also, how some of the politi cal press, lashed into harshness and blindness by extreme political leadership, visited bitter criticism on Gov. Northen’s head because of this humane, constructive work. But William J. Northen was nothing daunt ed. He knew he was dealing with basic prin- the country church. The following programs have resulted. An earnest invitation is extend ed to all interested to come to Richmond and to take part in these and in the other meetings. The plan is to have real conferences. The lead ers are to take but a few minutes in putting facts and propositions before the different bod ies, giving abundant time for everybody to take part. The purpose is to work out definite plans and get the means of carrying these out. Conference of Virginia Preachers, Richmond, April 16, 1913. Dr. D. C. Lilly, president of Richmond Min isterial Union, Chairman. The Social Service Ideal for the Country Church in Virginia—Dr. Robert Frazer, La hore, Va. Co-operation Among Country Churches in Social Service—Rev. B. M. Beckham, Danville, Virginia. The Country Church and the Country School—Mr. T. S. Settle, Richmond, Va. The Country Church and Health—Dr. En nion Williams, state health commissioner, Richmond, Va. The Country Church and Recreation—Rev. J. J. Gravatt, Rapidan, Va. ciples in our complex civilization; he knew that if putting these principles of God’s truth into the heart of the negro did not save him for this world and the world to come, then nothing wou’d; he knew that his Christian, as well as his patriotic duty to the white man, called to him with trumpet voice to make the negro a better member of society; and he knew what some putrid politicians have never learned — that if kindness will not make the negro a better neighbor to the white man then “cuss ing” and abuse will never do it. In the thrilling speech of Dr. E. C. Dargan, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, on Gov. Northen as a denominational leader, special emphasis was laid on that reigning quality of unfailing courtesy and kindness which showed itself always, whether in his rul ings as president of the Georgia Baptist Con vention, the Southern Baptist Convention, gov ernor of Georgia or practical friend of the hum blest and most unfortunate negro. In an address by Dr. John E. White, which was a literary and spiritual classic, Dr. White found the key to Gov. Northen’s greatness as a public and private citizen when he declared in the words of Lord Salisbury concerning Gladstone: “Gov. Northen was a great Chris tian.” And Dr. Arthur Hale Gordon, pastor of Ponce de Leon church, of which Gov. Northen was a devoted member, found the mainspring of the great man’s rare and beautiful life in his home religion, his family altar, his prayer meeting regularity and his general church loyalty. Verily, such a Christian man will always rejoice to do his duty to everybody who needs him, whether the man of need be white or black. In such a life as Gov. Northen’s is found the solution of the race problem—and every other problem. The Country Church and Community Morals —Rev. W. S. Noye, Louisa, Va. Conference on the Country Church, April 17- 18, 2:30 P. M. E. C. Bronson, professioner of rural econo mics, State Normal College, Athens, Ga., chair man. How can the country church aid in devel oping a stable and productive farm-life ? Three minute answers led by S. C. Mitchell, president of the University of South Carolina, Columbia. What part has the church in movements for the betterment of community conditions? Rev. George P. Mayo, founder and superintendent of the Blue Ridge Industrial School for Moun tain Boys and Girls, Dyke, Greene county, Virginia. Is it possible for the country church to pro mote home and neighborhood industries? D. H. Hill, president A. & M. College, Raleigh, N. C. How can the country church promote co operation enterprises among farmers and what will the social and ethical results be? E. M. Tousley, secretary of the Right Relation ship League, Minneapolis, Minn.; the Apostle of Co-operation. “The Story of Clark’s