FOURTH PAPER.

WILL IT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE NEGRO TO ATTAIN, IN THIS COUNTRY, UNTO THE
AMERICAN TYPE OF CIVILIZATION?

BY BISHOP J. W. HOOD, D. D., LL. D.

[Illustration: Bishop J. W. Hood, D. D.]

BISHOP J. W. HOOD, D. D., LL. D.

The subject of this sketch was born in Kennett Township,
Chester County, Pa., May 30, 1831. His father's house being
near the line between freedom and slavery was a station of
the Underground Railroad. Hence, the boy was very early
impressed with the evils of slavery and imbibed an intense
hatred toward that institution, and an intense love for his
afflicted race. This sentiment has been a great factor in
shaping his conduct through life. His moral and religious
convictions were fixed in early life. He was sensible of a
call to the ministry, but hesitated a long time because he
felt a lack of necessary qualification. He was licensed to
preach in 1856; ordained a deacon in 1860; elder in 1862,
and bishop in 1872. He entered upon a course of studies soon
after he was licensed, and has been a hard student ever
since.

His first appointment was to a mission in Nova Scotia. In