Newspaper Page Text
Page Four
THE MAROON TIGER
keeping his balance and his vision in a
confused and confusing time; while not
forgetting the things that are behind in
the life of his people, reaching ever to
ward the things that are before; con
stantly planning and striving for the dis
covery of Negro leadership; wise and
sane counsellor to the leaders of both
races and trusted by them all; fine
scholar and genial personality; one of the
most potent factors among twilight
millions struggling toward their promis
ed land—”
Surely these words picture the type of man Dr.
Hope was as he lived among us.
There is this said of a man named Peter in the
early church. He came to be known as an upright,
downright, outright sort of Christian. He had done
so many good deeds; he had spoken so many true
and timely words; he was so simple, unaffected
and genuine in his whole make-up that the people
came to believe that his very shadow would do
them good. The humility o f the man was so warm
and real that they vested it with a certain mirac
ulous quality.
The humility of Dr. Hope may be likened unto
that of this Peter,-warm, genuine, unaffected,
simple. A greater lover of men that Dr. Hope was
none save Jesus himself. As he lived here on these
red hills, looking down into “Beaverslide” at the
squalor, the shame, the wretchedness and seem
ing incorrigibleness of the inhabitants there, his
soul, like Jesus’, was moved with compassion on
them for Dr. Hope loved people. He saw worth in
human personality, even in its shame. It has been
said of him that often he would say, “I would en
joy pastoring a small church where I could be
close to people, and talk with them about the
struggle of life.” It seemed that he f elt life was a
hard struggle, especially for his people and that
he was obligated to give his best to help them
win in this struggle.
How he might help those suffering and under
privileged people in “Beaverslide” for sometime
burdened him, when at last his desire to help was
crystallized into the University Housing Project.
His love and benediction went out to the humblest
man regardless of his station in life.
In the spring of the school term of 1934-1935,
my first year at Morehouse, as I was leaving Sale
Hall going toward the library by the way of the
Science Building, I met Dr. Hope, who was tak
ing a walk seemingly for its pleasure and at the
same time getting a check on the appearance of
things. As I approached him, when in speaking
distance, he began to smile, tipped his hat and
spoke. He did not know who I was nor from where
I came, but on me he let shine forth that noble
soul of his. I can never forget that smile. It was a
smile of benediction. A smile which seemed to be
possessed of simplicity of something magnetic and
redemptive. There I was just a sophomore in col
lege and he, a university president, tipping his
hat and speaking to me before I did to him. The
force of his personality, struck me—aspiration
and determination to be like him engulfed me
from that moment.
Of the great sages of all ages, men have named
three—Socrates, Buddha, and Jesus. But as for a
man of virtue, a teacher of and builder of men,
the list is incomplete without the name of Dr.
John Hope inscribed thereon.
The soundness of his educational philosophy is
attested by the host of Morehouse men scatter
ed throughout America, who are Christian lead
ers and builders of men after the fashion of John
Hope.
When others were troubled about theory and
method, Dr. Hope was settled on one thing—that
Negroes need trained Christian leaders, leaders
whose souls could be touched by the people whom
they led. Thus for twenty-five years as president
of Morehouse College, he worked to build an in
stitution for character building for Negro youth.
I remember his saying at an all-university as
sembly in this hall one morning that except a
teacher gave himself to the student, that teach
er had not taught, regardless of the amount of
book information which may have been given out.
In the field of education, Dr. Hope was a leader.
He proved himself a leader by leading. He was
always at home with whatever group he found
himself—be it around the council table or at any
place. In whatever group he was, he always gave
the impression of being a part of that group and
yet a step ahead.
Men of Morehouse, as we sit here in one body,
let us affirm anew our faith in the ideals which
were such a characteristic part of our leader, Dr.
John Hope. May his spirit of love, loyalty, cour
age and patience bind us in one band of love, and
may we strive for that good life which Dr. Hope
was ever anxious that each Morehouse man live.
As I think of Dr. Hope as a man, a loyal citizen,
a disciple of Jesus, I find no better words to de-
(Continued on Page 8)