Vernon Jordan, Jr. at Rankin Chapel

OK we'll call her today. I'm going to ask Dr. Compton Hayden to come forward this time for the passing of the piece. My sisters and brothers change the sign of law reconciliation and peace. The Lord be always with you. For. Those who are standing in the vestibule there is there are seats in the basement.

We. Know. That. Those who wish to. Not stand in the hall you are invited to the lower level. You now hear from Miss Tashi Gibson

the president of the chapel assistance. Please pardon the delay. I think I had a little bit too much fun over the spring break. I'm a little tired but I'm just I really want to take this time to thank all the supporters of that I'm assistance and the Newman club. I we travel to New Orleans over the spring break to help to your kids at a Catholic school and do minor repairs and we had an awesome time mean I am just so thankful to the people that supported us We were able to get. We we worked hard and we had a lot of fun. So thank you very much. We appreciate your prayers and your financial support I cannot wait to see what we can do next year. We're talking about traveling out of the country so I'm really thankful for that experience an opportunity to go and help others. Thank you very much. Have a wonderful morning. I'm so proud of our students. What's so amazing about their trip. They have all of the media

following them around and interviewing them on television. But what brought them the greatest joy was seeing the tears of the children and the love and the laughter that it was just unbelievable the experience that they had children are running up to them hugging them and they felt like rock stars. Teachers were crying and the community came out to support them. What a marvelous trip and we hope that many more students will join us next year and our spring break. It is my privilege now to bring before you the person who makes all of this possible. The one who supports the Ministry of this chapel and religious life. Not just with words but with a real commitment. And we are truly blessed at Howard University to have a president who is truly

committed to building the spiritual lives of students. Mrs. Swygert is here with us also I'm going to ask that she stand that we can acknowledge her before her husband comes a man and. We often take for granted. All too often the extra work that the President and Mrs. Swaggart does for this university they come out to support students when they don't have to come. They truly love this university and I think we ought to acknowledge them for the extra work that they do. Amen. Good morning. This is

Championship season. As many of us know and it seems to me that in bringing greetings on behalf of the university we should pause I should pause to acknowledge each of you as a champion and not just for a season but for all seasons. This morning our sermon will be delivered delivered by a true champion. And again not for. Just this season but for all seasons and not just this year but for so many many many years. The sermon will be delivered today by a man who is no stranger to Rankin Chapel. He did not require directions as to the location or where to

park. As we all know frequently we look out and there sits Mr. Jordan as a member of this congregation. We are delighted and indeed privileged that this morning we will have him to deliver the word for us again. A true champion indeed through his example we too have sought and tried to emulate his championship ways and there are so many here this morning. We've already heard reference to the friends of the chapel the stalwarts of this great chapel. The chapel assistants and our sexton and staff and of course are students and faculty and alumni and alumni who are

not here for a season. But again here for all times and a special. Word about our Dean. Dean Bernard Richardson is a true champion a man. He has brought a commitment and energy and enthusiasm and a tenderness and love that has given new life to this great chapel. And so many of you this morning want and deserve acknowledgement and I won't commit. One of the great sins by acknowledging some and not acknowledging all. But we're all champions and we all acknowledge you as

such the friends of the chapel again. They do so much and they do so much for that not only the chapel but for the president. I stand here today closed in a gift of a member of the friends of the chapel. Tim Jenkins is with us today. And Tim I do appreciate this robe. And I didn't know but very much appreciate that. One of the benefits of being president of this greatest situation is that you're also clothed. And I do appreciate that. Just as we all especially the students appreciate the support that you provide for them. Again it is my delight and my privilege privilege to be here this

morning to extend along with you greetings to a true champion and a champion for all seasons. Vernon Jordan thank you. Thank you Mr. President. I'd like for everyone to do me a big favor and I'd like for you to pull out the biographical information that we have on our speaker. And I did not say to anyone who does not have this biol what's on there. But I want you to take a handout. Please do this for me. And after that little word at

the first sentence I want you to put capital L A Z A R D Lazard Capital f r e r e s Freire in New York City saying man. Thank you. We don't want to start. A panic on Wall Street. Amen. We are indeed happy and

privileged to have one of our own Speaking from this pulpit this morning. Before we say a few words about Mr. Joyner I'd like to introduce his wife and his daughter Vicki who were present with us this morning. I'm trying to find out where they are. Would you please stand a man. Please remain standing. Please remain standing and we have other family members of Mr. Jordan present with us. I'm going to ask that all of you stand that we can acknowledge you this morning. Other family members a man. We were coming up the stairs. Mr. Jordan said to me Dean How did you get me into this again. It's been said that you can tell what's in a person

not in times of comfort and convenience but in times of trial and tribulation. That you can truly tell what kind of faith a person has. Not when things are going well but when that person may be going through a storm not long ago I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Jordan during a difficult period in his life. And he shared with me something that I will never forget. He had an opportunity to preach in this chapel. Uncensored and he chose not to do it.

And he explained to me why now in a time when people use religion for political gains and hide behind the church that is the spirit of our times. Mr. Jordan had a different spirit and he said to me he said Dean I love this chapel too much. I love this university too much to put. Our students through anything that might hurt them. And he started to talk about faith then the role of prayer. And he mentioned Dr. Gordon Taylor who had supported him. And it came to me at a very deep level. That we can never understand the faith and

commitment of a person. Until one goes through the trials and tribulations of life. Mr. Jordan with all of his accomplishments all that he has achieved in this life has a deep faith and a commitment to our Lord and He loves this chapel. I must admit I used to just take it very lightly when he would send students to me and insist that they attend chapel and they would tell me they to please don't let Mr. Jordan know that I came to chapel please. But it wasn't just talk. He truly understands the role of faith and how important it is in the lives of our young people. And so we thank God for this privilege again to have Mr. Jordan. Vernon Jordan speak from this pulpit words of hope

faith and encouragement pray for him as he comes to bring us a word. Following the hymn of preparation down at the cross we will hear from Mr. Vernon Jordan Jr. Howard University alumnus and trustee. May God bless. Stand. The. The.

The. To. The. Go to.

The. The. President's WEIGERT being repeated on

pulpit associates members of the faculty and administration sisters from Zeta Bayda students of Howard University. I think Dr. Richardson. Why haven't you scratched out Goldman Sachs. And entering that which is correct. Those are Freyr like my job. And I want to keep it. That the words of my mouth. And the meditations of my heart be acceptable and I. Oh Lord our strength and

our redeemer you honor me once again by allowing me to stand in this hallowed pulpit on this historic campus to share my thoughts with you. The future leaders of black people of this nation Yea the world. When I was a student here and law school no matter how ruckus my Saturday evening activity and there were some ruckus even. No matter how ruckus I always made my way to this place. Rankin Chapel Even now from time to time you'll find me cutting class from my

own church and slipping quietly in the back to share. And your worship churchgoing was mandatory in my youth and I hardly missed a Sunday at St. Paul's Church in Atlanta so Rankin Chapel like St. Paul is a part of me. Rankin is my home church and my. Church away from home like St. Paul Rankin Chapel helped shape who I am and what I believe. And it sustains me in dark moments. Lifts my spirits and inspires me to keep on keepin on. Indeed that is the calling and the legacy of the black church and its

great black preachers who shepherd. Its flock. The black church has been the place of sustenance for so is the place that mobilized us to fight for justice and the place that taught us the rules of righteous living the moral principles that allow us to stand tall and proud to do right and to act right and to think right. Throughout our history. The black church and our black preachers have been like a mighty river cursing through Rocky Mountains and verdant valleys existing on many levels fertilizing all of blocked thought and blocked life. To me the legacy of the black church is inseparable from its great preachers for black preaching

is minute thing and exalted art form whose foremost practitioners hold the place among the greatest of singers and artists and musicians. Those great preachers are virtuosos of the spoken word masters of verbal nuances and rhythms that touch the soul. Black preaching is a spiritual endeavor whose greatest exemplar is unite their flock with God and shine a bright light into the dark corners of the soul. Historically the black church has been a unifying force uniting black people behind ancient true blues and contemporary struggles. The black church has traditionally been a change agent inspiring a thirst for social justice igniting the spirit

of activism to secure a more just and a more equal society. It was black preachers on later on today working people who helped break the chains of slavery and oppression. It was black preachers who mobilized us to win the struggle for civil rights. It was the eloquence and unrelenting passion for liberty. Bob Black peaches that. Helped America look deeply into its own soul. To recognize that awful gap between what it is and what ought to be between the dictates of the Constitution and the reality of Jim Crow. Between the bright promise of democracy and the ugly fact. Of segregation the preaching the prayer

and the songs of the black church strengthen the resolve of the poorest among us to be free to walk with dignity to act with courage that exalted tradition has left its mark on me. It has inspired me and inspires me still. I have heard country preachers in one room backroad churches ministering to poor rural black people and I have heard preachers in the world's most Brecht's prestigious cathedrals exhorting presidents and. But of all of those hundreds of preachers I have heard five. Have Left. An indelible mark on me. The first was William Holmes bought it as I shall never forget his sermon in August of

1948 right after the national political conventions met and nominated their candidates. I was 13 years old and had listened to those conventions on the radio with my father the following Sunday. Wheat Street Baptist Church on sweet Alben Avenue in Atlanta. I heard Reverend boarder's resplendent in a double breasted white suit preach a sermon entitled planks in God's platform. He spoke of love faith hope and charity. And then at the crescendo of his sermon he read back and said for my party I nominate a man who was born in a manger. I nominate a man who split time between B C and A D. And he went on to claim Jesus as his candidate.

In 1948 the Democrats nominated Truman the Republicans nominated do it but Rev. borders nominated Jesus. He made irrelevant True's to the current political realities. I shall never forget that Sunday morning or than many other Sunday mornings. When I listened to his radio sermons that always concluded with the words. The doors of Wheat Street Baptist Church swing back on welcome hinges. The second great preacher who left his mark on me was Martin Luther King Jr. I remember his address to the Atlanta NAACP Emancipation Proclamation program January 1st 1956. This young preacher electrified Bethel Church with a

moral ethical and religious dimensions of the Montgomery bus boycott. When Martin concluded this thundering oration my aspiration to be a soldier and the civil rights army was reaffirmed my commitment to service irrevocable. A third preacher was Benjamin Elijah Mays the beloved President. Of Morehouse College. I had seen and heard him many times as a youngster but only got to know him when I became involved in how what university and Morehouse College alumni affair is. One day Dr. Mays called. He wanted me to substitute for him in Buffalo New York. A call from Benjamin Elijah Mays was like a call from God. I

couldn't believe what I was hearing and he asked if I could take his place and I said How do you want me to take your place when you've never heard me talk. He said Oh yes I was there at Morehouse chapel I was late sat upstairs. He said go to Buffalo young man you will do fine. And then he said something that has stayed with me all my life and I pass it on to you. He said son whenever you're speaking always do your best because you never know who's listening. The fourth great preacher in my experience was Dr. Howard Thurman who taught here. He was an insightful philosopher a brilliant speaker and did a mistake. When I was gravely wounded in 1980 Dr. Thurmond shared his tape sermons and

meditation. The day before ending my nine to nine days day in the hospital I called Howard to say that doctors were letting me go home and Howard said Well God's going to be mine. It really did. And I said why. Dr. Thurman he said because he's tired of hearing me talk about you three times a day. I was blessed to be included in that small group of civil rights leaders who individually journeyed to Dr. Thurman's home in San Francisco for a three hour session. For that he counseled us about matters personal political and spiritual and he was always there with pastoral counseling and intellectual. Guidance is the fifth of these magnificent preachers. And the one he occupies a very special place in my life is Dr. Gardner. Calvin

Taylor Gardner tale is perhaps our greatest preacher the poet laureate of the pulpit the bringer of passion and eloquence that stirs the heart and stimulates the mind. Gardner Taylor lights a fire hose with his preaching fires sparked by the power of his words and the force of his logic. And let me add one note that has great meaning for me. I was an unwilling participant in an well publicized legal process here in Washington not long ago. Five times I testified before the grand jury and once before the United States Senate. Each night before I was get you to testify. Gardner Taylor. Was on the phone about 10:00 at night calling. To pray with me.

Gardner Taylor would talk to the Lord telling him. What to do. And I can still hear Gartner's marvelous voice saying on that telephone Lord tomorrow morning. Vernon has to go into the grand jury room and I want you Lord to go with them. Stand by them and prop him up on every week. And lean inside. That meant everything to me. My friend Gordon a tale of pleading with the Lord to put his long arms of protection around me. His powerful personal faith was for me like a tree planted by the rivers of water. And it gave me strength.

Now these five very different preachers all of whom have stood right here and Rankin Chapel. Had different styles and strengths but they all shared a zeal for social justice and a passion for responsible behavior. Those attributes have always been at the core of the black churches teachings. And they instruct us to ask Spier to do things far beyond what we thought were the limits of our possibilities. That is why in this age of technology this world of vast new possibilities. We need those teachings to prepare us for life every bit as much as we need. Math and Science. Today it is easy to mock what might be called old fashioned values. I hear people say that voting

is a waste of time. I hear people say it doesn't matter if you come to class or go to work dressed sloppy. Or that it's uncool. To hold the door open. For a lady. So I'll confess today that I'm old fashioned about some things because they reflect a person's attitude toward oneself. To other people and to the rules that help create a civilized environment of mutual respect. Indeed there is great value in those simple guidelines taught us by our preachers and our parents say your prayers at night and the morning make up your bed as soon as you get up because you never know. Who's coming. Brush your teeth wash your

face and behind your ears. Bless the food you are about to receive. Whoever you are eating. Be sure to wear clean underwear in case you get hit by a car. And remember there are three kinds of clothes school clothes play clothes and Sunday go to meeting clothes. And they instructed us to take off our hat in the house and to frontwards not backwards so they could see which way we're headed. To stand up when grownups enter the room to say yes sir or Yes Ma'am and thank you. And if you go to someone's house for dinner and the table is set with all kinds of China crystal and silver and you don't know which to touch first watch. The host is my mom motto.

And do what she does and you'll have it right. Simple old fashioned way. All I can tell you is that they have worked. For me and I believe they can work. For you. For in the old economy and in the new economy whether in brick saw clicks when the job competition is neck and neck when all other things are equal. Manners adequate dress behavior can give you the edge in an age when so many have forgotten how to say thank you. The person who remembers to say thank you all right. Thank you note. Is likely to get the job. So the teachings of the black church and its great preachers and the teachings of our parents

represent guidelines for responsible living. We have a responsibility to act right and do right to ourselves and to others and we have a responsibility to make our communities and our nation better but to act responsibly we must understand the environment around us and environment in America. That is still blighted by fairness and equity and racism. Last month the jury acquitted four New York Undercover cops who killed an innocent African immigrant on a Bronx street. They were looking for criminals and they wound up killing an innocent man. The racism that permeates our society conditioned those cops to think that a black man on a dark street is a dangerous criminal.

The racism that permeates our society makes some cops shoot first and asks questions later. And the racism that permeates our society lets judges and juries acquit white defendants who put 41 bullets into a black man's body. What happened in New York is not new. We remember similar outrages outrages like forever in our memory. The Scottsboro Boys Emmett Till Medgar Evers Vernon Damer Sherman sheriff Schwerner Goodman and Chaney Martin Luther King and all of those instances justice hate our face. The difference is that we expected it in Mississippi and Alabama but we didn't expect that in New York but the South my friends has no geographical monopoly on

racism and violence the the disease has no bounds or limits in this nation and we must be about the chool. If we are to live responsible lives and we must recognize that and work. To eliminate it. So when I speak of responsibility I also mean responsible activism. Becoming personally involved in efforts to make our communities safer and better place to begin I believe is by participating in the electoral process. College students and especially black college students cannot distance themselves from that responsibility. You must make your voices heard you must participate assuming that you have no interest in politics. Don't like the parties or the candidates and on moved about the issues. Get involved in a way because like it or not.

Politics determine the meets and bounds of our law. It is not a perfect process and since perfection is unattainable. Ask yourself. Which candidate or party comes closer to what you believe. Let me tell you about a friend of mine Reverend primeness King. Of Columbus Georgia. He was a barber during the week and an itinerant Baptist preacher on Sunday and every Sunday morning. Primus came dressed up in his black cutaway coat and gamma bright bitches and spats and patent leather shoes. And he would go into the countryside Muskogee and surrounding counties to preach the word and he would preach to his church and to his congregations shout on Sunday

but register on Monday on July 4th 1944 primary election day promise King presented himself. At the Buskirk go get county courthouse and expressed a desire. To vote. He was advised that solely on the basis of race he was not qualified to vote in the White primary promise. King told the clerk. That he was a good citizen that he could read and write. That he owned property that he paid his taxes and that he had not committed a crime of moral turpitude. He was denied the right to vote and the white primary. July 4th 1944.

But promis engaged to white local lawyers from Columbus and Macon Georgia. To work with Thurgood Marshall at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. A few days later the case of King vs. Chatman was found in the federal district court claiming that promised King had been denied his constitutional right to vote. In the white primary. The ruling elite of Muskogee County called The Promise came to a meeting at the courthouse. They told him he was starting trouble. Having called that comment his lawyer named Thurgood Marshall and was disturbing the quiet and peaceful relations between the colored people and the white people. And they asked King to withdraw the lawsuit. King refused and they said promise if you don't withdraw that lawsuit you could end up

in the Flint River. And. King drew himself up tall and straight. And he said well white people. If I get thrown in the river at least I'll get thrown in there for something cause all those other colored people got thrown in there for nothing. Picture this. Nineteen forty four in south west georgia a black preacher standing alone stood up. For you and me. His lawyers were not there. The media was not present but Primus King stood alone and he won his case. And I've come to say this morning that we stand on Primus

King's show. We stand on the shoulders of this unsung unheroic unappreciated unrewarded itinerate and learned that a black preacher to this very day in Columbus Georgia. There is no St. Paul library school or lamp post named for promis King. And yet they have to find here. Are they any other school. One thesis or one dissertation defining his strength and courage. But if you go over to the law library and go to the stacks you'll find 62. Federal supplement 6 39 1945 U.S. District Court Lexis 1941.

And there for all to see. For as long as there is American jurisprudence jurisprudence the case of King vs.. Check you we are the heirs of that legacy of bravery and perseverance. You we are the heirs of that legacy big queef Bob promised King and countless other humble black people who shared their fears got up their courage and fought the good fight for their cause was just. Finally the black church has and black preaching have taught us to keep uppermost in our hearts and minds past experiences that instruct and inspire our

life experiences that lift us up when we are down and bring us down when we get up to fall. Experiences that remind us from whence we came what life was like back then. Ruth Haddad when asked whether thou goest Paul had it on the road to Damascus John had it when God called them in the wilderness. Esau had it with his father chose Jacob Gardner Taylor headed when his church burned down Martin Luther King had it when he was stabbed so deeply had he but coughed. He could have died. For me it was the summer of

nineteen forty seven. As I sat on the porch with my grandpa Jim Greig's of his roadside shanty and Tarbert in Georgia where my grandpa was a sharecropper on Mr. Robert Kaya's place we rocked and those squeakier rocking chairs on a bright August day and I got up the nerve to ask my grandpa a question. PA at seventy years old way down here in Tarbert County on Mr. Robert. K. his place. What is it Paul that you want most.

Out of life. Pa thought for a serious moment then spit his tobacco all the way to the highway in a straight line. And pa answered by saying this junior. At 70 years old way down here in Tarbert County. On Mr. Robert Kaya's place. All I want out of life is to be able to go to the bathroom indoors in a warm place one time before I die. I have never. And will never forget my grandpa's words.

My grandpa didn't say he wanted to learn to read and write. He didn't say he wanted to learn to add and subtract. He didn't say he wanted to register to vote. To go to the library or to sit at the lunch counter. To have a business of his own or even to begin to be a good citizen. My grandpa's life was so brutalized by segregation and peonage by the meanness and callousness of his environment. His life was so defined by fear deprivation and hostility that his own vision his only hope his singular aspiration was a small. Creature comfort to be able to go to the

bathroom indoors in a warm place. One time before he died the shutters of Pa's life. Were so close that he could foresee for his 12 year old grandson. Absolutely no future. But thanks be to God the shutters of my life. Are sufficiently open that wherever I go and whatever I do with personal professional social or political I am forever reminded edified sanctified even tormented by my grandpas experience thusly. I say to you young people keep your shutters open keep

your shutters open to our history to our past to our ancestors and understand it. And forget it not. Let us pray. God about three years God of our silent tears thou who has brought us thus far on our way down who have might lead us into the light keep us forever in our path. We pray lest the stray from the place is our God where we met the Lesko heart drunk with the wind of the world we get the shadow beneath our hand. May we for ever stand

true to our God and true to our native land. A man a man. Oh. Oh.

Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh how. We thank God for what I have seen is heard and our hearts have felt.

We thank you Mr. Jordan for not only sharing the word but sharing yourselves with us this morning and we look forward to your next visit to Rangan chaplain. A man a man next week you will be Bishop John Bryant followed by Dr. Frederick Sampson in the April 16th of be the Reverend Billy Graham and on Easter Sunday the preacher that Vernon Jordan so eloquently spoke about the Rev. Dr. Gordon is C. Taylor the man assisting Mr. Jordan this morning with Mr. Nneka. Whew. The chapel assistant here at the chapel. Going to ask Troy cheel to come at this time. I was glad when they told me. Let us go into the house of the Lord.

Good morning Dr. Richardson. Honest speaker. Vernon Jordan President H. Patrick Swaggart and Vice-President Raymond Archer and all persons attending chapel to see. My name is Troy Toole I am the editor in chief of The John. The Morning Journal is an artistic compilation of poetry short stories essays photography and drawings published for the spring Black Arts Festival which is hailed from April 3rd through 8th. I am pleased to announce that The Journal is currently accepting all artistic submissions. The journal is open to all students faculty staff and alumni. The deadline for submissions is April 1st. Please be sure to submit your work as soon as possible. So you just say office and black burn center or you line at a moey that's o w o m e at 1 box dot com.

The journal needs your help in becoming one of the best publications here at Howard University. Thank you for all your great missions in advance. May God add a blessing to the Ministry of the chaplain. Thank you man. We're looking forward to your first issue. Your man Winston Miller. Howard University School of Divinity. Good afternoon everyone. As you know I'm not Winston Miller but I am Sheila Harvey the president for the school of divinity and thank God for with us and for submitting the paperwork.

I am here on behalf of the Student Government Council at the school of divinity to announce and welcome all of you to our first annual students and faculty academic conference as we heard from Vernon Jordan. We are standing on the shoulders of our ancestors and at this conference we will have scholastic presentations on the ministry as well as dialogue on how the church and the community as well as the scholars can work together to heal our community. And we will be able to talk and interact with one another and this will be the first time that we're doing this. So if you have any questions please call the school of divinity and we will love to have you there. Thank you very much.

Thank you. And finally Mr. Shannon Pettifor the graduate assistant here at the chapel. I'm excited to say that we're going to have our second Wednesday night service this Wednesday March 29th at 7:00 p.m. the first one was a great success and I greatly encourage everyone to please come out. That's this Wednesday March 29th at 7:00 p.m. sharp devotion starts at 6:45. OK good bye. Do me a favor and look at your neighbor and say neighbor. I'll see you on March 29. Be. Amen. I hope to see everybody there. We're truly going to be blessed because the rejoice choir of Ebenezer AME Church will be there and I speak it will be. Reverend Jamal Harrison Bryant the national youth director for the. Say please please come out and be blessed. Amen. OK. Yes. For those of you who are interested in attending the conference it will be this Friday March 30 first and Saturday on

April 1st there will be dinner served starting at 4:30. The actual presentations will start at 6:00 and we will have a theological conversation and dialogue thereafter. On Saturday morning. We will have the continental breakfast presentations and then have a roundtable luncheon. So I pray that all of you can attend. Thank you. How would students are so creative. Let us stand for our recessional him. Oh yes. I failed to acknowledge this morning Mr. Rodney Slater and his daughter who was with us. Secretary of Transportation I'm going to ask that you just raise your hand if we can acknowledge you this morning a man a man.

Let's stand together and sing the recession will him him. 28 love divine all loves excelling. I'm sorry it's going to be a change. Amen. Amen. Mr. Gatlin is a very creative man listens to the spirit. And in the spirit of this great sermon we will sing together lift every voice and sing Hymn number one Amen. Amen. And.

So you are. A. No a. No. No. No. Nono.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No for. Oh

no oh no. No not. Oh. No. And no. No. No. No. Not for.

A. Kid. And. A. A. A. At. It.

By. A. Or. Or. Or.

Or. Or. Or. Or.

Or. You're going. To.

Be