Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/433

Rh Daily Journal referred to her as having been engaged upon a book "which is now in hand by the Publication Society, she being the first colored woman to be thus honored;" and The Baltimore Baptist said: "Mrs. Johnson is a fine writer." Thus was given to the public "Clarence and Corinne; or, God's Way." (12 mo. 187 pp.) Of this little book the press speak as follows: "This, we believe, is our first Sunday-school library book written by a colored author. Mrs. Johnson is the wife of a noted and successful Baltimore pastor, and in this book shows talent worthy of her husband. . . . . . The tale is healthy in tone, holds the attention, and is well adapted to the intermediate classes of Sunday-school readers." (The Missionary Visitor, Toulon, Ill.) "It is a pathetic little story." (National Baptist, Philadelphia, Pa.) "The interest of the reader is early excited, and held steadily to the close." (Baltimore Baptist.) " One feature of this book makes it of special interest,—it is the first Sunday-school book published from the pen of a colored writer." (The Baptist Teacher).

Rev. Dr. J. B. Simmons of New York, speaks of the "purity of style, and the delightful character of the story;" and a lady whom we do not feel at liberty to name, but who is well fitted to judge, and has been denominated as " scholarly, gifted, and a wide traveler," in a private letter to Mrs. Johnson says: "I hope you will still keep on, and let us have other books as graceful, as earnest, and as encouraging to young people, and, indeed, to all folks, young and old, as this first fledgling of your pen."

All of the foregoing expressions are from members of the white race, and have been thus quoted because they were unexpected tributes. The book was written from affection for the race, and loyalty to it, the author desiring to help demonstrate the fact that the colored people have thoughts of their own, and only need suitable opportunities to give