“The evidence submitted by Elder Webb tending to prove that the Saviour of mankind was a black man seems to be sufficient to put those who oppose the proposition upon their proof. Now that the chain of evidence presented by Mr. Webb appears so complete, it is strange that none of the delvers in the Biblical records have not advanced the sensational proposition before. Not only was Christ a Negro, but it seems that Solomon, who has been held up through all of the ages as the personification of wisdom, had Ethiopian blood in his veins also.”—Seattle Daily Times.
HENRY O. TANNER
The World-Famous Afro-American Artist
Henry O. Tanner is the world famous Afro-American artist. He is the oldest son of Bishop Tanner of the A. M. E. Church. He was born in Pittsburg, Penn., but was trained in the public schools of Philadelphia, to which place his parents moved soon after his birth. His first steps in his life work were taken in the art schools of Philadelphia from which training he went to Paris where his genius developed and flowered in the studies of Benjamin Constant and Julien. In 1895 his “Sabot Maker,” was shown in the salon exhibit and received friendly treatment from the French critics. Frenchmen, as a rule, are not too favorably inclined to the works of foreigners and their appreciation of Tanner is truly significant of the real value this work—a merit which puts it beyond the limitations of race and country. In 1896 he exhibited “Daniel in the Lion’s Den,” the first of a line of religious works with which his fame has been since connected. This picture received Honorable mention from the French Jury and was bought by the Pennsylvania Academy.
Mr. Tanner’s picture, “The Two Disciples at the Tomb,” was purchased by the Chicago Art Institute for $1,600.
THE COLORED SOLDIERS
(From Dunbar’s “Lyrics of Lowly Life.”)
| If the muse were mine to tempt it And my feeble voice were strong, If my tongue were trained to measures, I would sing a stirring song. I would sing a song heroic Of those noble sons of Ham, Of the gallant colored soldiers Who fought for Uncle Sam! In the early days you scorned them, And with many a flip and flout Said “These battles are the white man’s. And the whites will fight them out.” Up the hills you fought and faltered, In the vales you strove and bled, While your ears still heard the thunder Of the foes’ advancing tread. Then distress fell on the nation, And the flag was drooping low; Should the dust pollute your banner? No! the nation shouted, No! So when War, in savage triumph, Spread abroad his funeral pall— Then you called the colored soldiers, And they answered to your call. And like hounds unleashed and eager For the life blood of the prey, Sprung they forth and bore them bravely In the thickest of the fray, And where’er the fight was hottest, Where the bullets fastest fell, There they pressed unblanched and fearless At the very mouth of hell. |
Below are written some of the comments on his poetry and prose:
Dr. Adams, editor of “The Advance,” says: “Dunbar was a genius bound in ebony.”
Former President Theodore Roosevelt said: “I was a great admirer of his poetry and his prose.”
P. KA ISAKA SEME
A NATIVE BORN AFRICAN
P. Ka Isaka Seme, who delivered such a wonderful oration on the subject, “The Regeneration of Africa,” which oration is reproduced from the Colored American Magazine of New York (June, 1906). This oration substantiates me in my article wherein I claim that the black man was the FATHER OF CIVILIZATION.
The Regeneration of Africa
Curtis Medals Oration, First Prize, April 5, 1906, Columbia University
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