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66 THE CRISIS
[[IMAGE]] THE LATE DR. E. D. BROWN.
sylvania, and took his doctor's degree from Harvard. He settled in Chicago and became an ambulance surgeon of the city health department, but was compelled to resign on account of color prejudice.
From that time he practised in the city and was well thought of by his fellow and the public.

A SUCCESSFUL CLERGYMAN.
THE Rev. John Albert Williams was born in London, Ont., February 28, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of Canada and Detroit, Mich., and received his theological training at the Seabury Divinity School, graduating in 1899, and taking up his work as deacon in St. Barnabas' Church, Omaha, Neb.
Eventually he became priest of the Church of St. Philip the Deacon, of Omaha, Neb., and has remained there ever since. In 1892 he was elected assistant secretary of the diocese of Nebraska and has served continuously in that office. In 1906 he was appointed historiographer of the diocese. In 1910 he was made one of the bishop's examining chaplains; in 1909 he was associate editor of The Crozier, of which Bishop Williams was editor-in-chief. Finally, in 1912, Mr. Williams was made editor-in-chief of this official organ of the diocese.
He was married to Miss L. W. Gamble in 1901 and they have three children.
Under ordinary circumstances and in an ordinary country one would end this biography here, simply noting that a well-equipped man has become editor of an influential paper. But in America to-day we must call attention to two facts: First, that a colored man can edit a paper; and secondly, that no matter what a colored man can do he so seldom gets a chance to try that where he does it is worth a column in the newspaper. How wretched a situation, and how pitiable a cause that needs such weapons! The one damning thing in race prejudice is the deeds it feels itself compelled to do in the name of humanity.
Moreover, what goes as a matter of course in this case might lead to rots and lynching in others. Suppose the bishop of this diocese had been a coward and afraid of race prejudice? Or suppose Mr. Williams had shirked his task and chance for fear of offending some prejudiced white brother? But why suppose? Let us rather thank God that now and then things go right even in America.
[[IMAGE]] REV. JOHN A. WILLIAMS
[[IMAGE]] "MAMMY'S LI'L BABY BOY."