school-room and the newspaper. He occupies a prominent place in the affairs of his church, and his people. At present he is the honored Secretary of the Southern District of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, President of the National Press Convention, and President of the State University, Louisville, Ky. He has edited, in his time, several newspapers,—a prominent one being The American Baptist.
Dr. Simmons' capacity for thought is an unusual one. His literary efforts are such, we feel that the world of journalism is becoming so great a power through him, that men yet unborn will regard him as of superior mind.
We clip two tributes to Dr. Simmons as a writer, and leave the reader to think about the man: "As an editorial writer he has obtained a national reputation for a pungent and aggressive style. He is an unremitting champion of right as against wrong of any kind, and has a bluff straightforward way of expressing himself on all occasions, that is as refreshing as it is startling at times."—Ind. Freeman.
A writer in the North pays the following: "Rev. Wm. J. Simmons, D. D., President of the State University of Louisville, Ky., and the chief Baptist scholar on this continent, is one of the race's big coming men. He has seen much of the world and men, and is a versatile, luminous thinker and writer. His chief work, 'Men of Mark,' brought him into immediate and famous notice, and is a book of priceless value to all who desire to know and learn of the magnates, 'chief scribes' and orators of the Negro race. He is President of the Colored Press Association and has always been looked upon as a Nestor in its different councils."
Howard's Negro American, published at Harrisburg, Pa., is another creditable feature of magazine literature among the Afro-Americans. It is an octavo of at least sixty pages of reading matter of the best kind. The first number was issued by its proprietor, Jas. H. W. Howard, July 1st, 1889. It
