Activities Among Negroes
Among the blessings the colored citizens of Oakland had reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving Day was of a real active Colored Women's Christian Association. The program for the coming year just sent out by the Linden street branch Y. W. C. A. is one as complete as any similar organization in the country. It comprises activities in health, education and general educational classes. The last named will appeal to all women. These classes will be in dressmaking, millinery, gift and lamp shade making, hygiene and beauty culture, culinary classes, and a community course for both men and women. This class will specialize in Negro history, and will be under the supervision of Rev. Albert Scott. The slogan of the association is "Expansion is the very life blood of modern enterprise. This is your golden opportunity. Be ready for it. Take hold of it, for opportunity will not linger when later on you tardily decide to start a belated education."
The executive board, Northern California State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, will hold a public meeting on the afternoon of December 3 in the parlors of the Linden street branch Y.W.C.A. Prominent speakers will be present. The public will be welcome.
The Eta chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, located in New York City, is making extensive preparations for the entertainment of the national body, which will hold its seventeenth annual convention in that city the last week of December. Norman L. McGhee, the national secretary of the organization, has been quoted in the "Negro World" as having said:
"Each year negro college fraternities and sororities are proving definite forces for good in student life, and in their relations to their communities. During the past few years important movements have been inaugurated and promoted with great success. Among these movements are 'Go to high school,' 'Go to college' campaigns by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, which received the high commendation of the late President Harding, and a large number of college presidents and other important leaders. The movements to encourage reading of literature of negro authors are fostered by the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and the Guide Right' movement of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the educational movements promoted by the Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Delta Sigma Theta sororities. In addition various scholarships have been provided for worthy students by these organizations."
The University of California has active chapters of these fraternities and sororities. Last year they were honored by having delegates to the national conventions return with national offices of importance. These officers, together with others, will attend the coming meeting in New York City.
The eighth annual convocation of the Howard University School of Religion was recently held in Washington, D. C. The three days were devoted to "Christian Ministry" according to the "Negro World," which said: "The African field was presented by an eminent educator, Dr. James H. Dillard of Charlottesville, Va., who is a member of the General Education Board: by a leading scientist, Dr. H. L. Shantz, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and by a missionary bishop, the Rt. Rev. Matthew W. Clair, of the Methodist Episcopal church, each of whom has recently visited Africa. The vast natural resources and the great possibilities of the people were set forth as challenges to America to provide leadership of the right sort.
"The home field was the subject of three addresses by Bishop George C. Clement, of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church. The practical problems confronting the minister in the rural and urban church were considered with sympathetic insight, and candid criticism, so that all were made to feel that the function of the ministry is the most important, most challenging and the most rewarding of all. Great emphasis was placed on the necessity for the proper intellectual training. Great interest was aroused at the round table discussions conducted by Dr. Robert L. Kelly, of New York, director of the recent survey of the fifty-two Negro theological seminaries in this country. The convocation sermon was preached by Rev. W. S. Abernethy, D. D., of the Calvary Baptist church, pastor of the late President Harding. The splendid addresses given at the University chapel by Colonel John T. Axton, chief of chaplains of the U. S. Army, by Dr. Williams Pickens of the N. A. A. C. P., New York, and by Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom of the African Methodist Episcopal church, were received by students
