Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE ATHENAEUM 37 Four words, “the walls of China,” bring to mind the wasted centuries of a people who persisted in standing still while the'world passed by with all of its inventions and improvements brought on by freedom of thought and the expansion of ideas. China stood still and guarded her walls and kept as much information as possible on the outside. Enlightenment was offered and China refused it. Knowledge was forced and China repelled it with arms. And she suffered, for when the walls were finally broken and the outside world went in, how woeful was her condition. That was centuries ago, but there are still walls similar to the walls of China. There is ONE wall that I know of at least, and its shadow is cast over us. Spelman is standing still in vital spots and the other institutions are going on, absorbing all the good things from the outside world in order that they might be given out again and multiplied in usefulness. Great men come to Atlanta, speak to the people and fill them' with new ideas thereby giving them new spirit and fresh ambition to go on and accomplish things. Inspiring meet ings are held, current subjects discussed, and new plans made for the advancement of mankind. The youth of Atlanta, as the youth of other places all over the country, marches on in the world of activity, but Spelman remains in her shell and sees nothing, hears nothing, and says nothing. Instead of praying so much for the heathen of Africa we need to look more closely into our own condition and see if something cannot be done to tear the wall down and let in more light. For how can we distribute light when we are ourselves in the dark? THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF NEGRO LIFE AND HISTORY. By T. Harvey Burris, ’26. The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History has for its purpose the collection and publication of historical data and the promotion of the study of Negro Life. To arouse the people to an interest in the work of the Association, in themselves, and in their history, a meeting has been held each year since its organization in 1915. The eighth annual meeting of the association was held on Oct. 24th, 25th, and 26th at Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Clark University. Wednesday morning at Atlanta University, Dr. Carter G. Wood- son, the director of the association and editor of the journal of Ne gro History, after presentation of the work of the association, made a very lucid survey of the history of mankind’s progress and the annals of the Negro in connection therewith. U e said that prior to the Commercial revolution the Negro in Africa had founded empires and contributed much to the progress of civilization as evinced in the writings of the Greek historians who had travelled in Africa. When it was desired to open trade routes through Africa to India l*!l i !i Suppose Nobody Cared! I Care! Do You!