Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/243

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AFRO-AMERICAN EDITORS.
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nature to secure compensation rather than to gain prominence, and in this he has succeeded admirably. His work has been constant, unceasing, and quietly done. He has brought dignity and position to Afro-American journalism by his efforts.

He has occupied excellent political positions, being now in the service of the government as special Lumber Agent of the General Land Office.


Rev. Wm. B. Johnson, D. D., Editor Wayland Alumni Journal.

Dr. William B. Johnson, the editor of The Wayland Alumni Journal, was born in the city of Toronto, December 11, 1856. He spent the major portion of his youthful days in the schools of Buffalo, New York, and in the city of his birth, subsequently attending Wayland Seminary, where he graduated with honors in the class of 1879.

In 1872 he was converted, and was baptized by the Rev. J. W. Mitchell, pastor of the Queen Street Baptist church, Toronto. In 1875, fired by a desire to work for God, he entered the ministry, choosing the South as his place of labor. Upon graduating from the Wayland Seminary, fully equipped as an expounder of divine truth, he was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist church of Frederick, Md. After serving the church successfully, and building a fine edifice, he left it, beloved by all who knew him, especially by this congregation. Immediately, he was appointed by the American Baptist Home Mission Society to be general missionary for the states of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

While young Johnson had a very good education on leaving the seminary, his ambition led him to continue his studies, and to a special course in mathematics, metaphysics,