""The ideas of God in Negro literature are developed along three principal lines: (1) Ideas of God that are used to support or give adherence to traditional, compensatory patterns; (2) Ideas, whether traditional or otherwise, that are developed and interpreted to support a growing consciousness of social and psychological adjustment needed; (3) Ideas of God that show a tendency or threat to abandon the idea of God as a 'useful instrument' in perfecting social change."" From Chapter IX, Summation Benjamin E. Mays (1894-1984) was President and Professor Emeritus of Morehouse College. He is co-author with Joseph William Nicholson of The Negro's Church.