The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-03-17

In the brief remarks that propose to
make on the present occasion, desire to
offer few thoughts on "Selflmprove-
ment' On bordering over how | might
say something for the encouragement and
profit of those who are in the habit OF COM
ing here from time to time for instruction,
| could think of no other subject so beft-
ting the occasion as the one have selected.
1t is a subject in which / have felt deep
interest; it is one in which every colored
man should feel deep interst, especially
young colored men and women.
Too much pains cannot be taken by the
unimproved to gain improvement; nor can
too much pains be taken by the improved
to aid and encourage the unimproved, for
the man or woman without education, is
but poorly calculated to Fill satisfactorily
the humblest calling in life, no matter how
much physical strength he may possess.
Some may ask what benefit will education
be to me2 What benefit is learning to
any colored man in this country In what
direction can he make it available, ham,
pered withsprejudice and slavery, as he is
by the laws and customs of the great ma
jority of the American people These
questions may seem to be hard to answer.
In regarding the colored mans condition in
this light, it is not wonderful that many
are found sitting down with their minds
made up to give themselves no trouble to
seek learning under such discouragements;
to remain in ignorance all their days: to be
the "hewers of wood and drawers of water"
for the benefit of others. While aware of
the many hindrances in the way of many,
from infancy to mature years, for whom
much allowance should be made, of course,
nevertheless, reasonable excuses can hard
ly be found for those who live for years,
unable to read or write, under the advan-
tages offered in this state, especially when
having access to an excellent evening
school like this, conducted on philanthropic
principles.
Hence, to prepare the mind for hunger
ing and thirsting after learning, the idea
must never be entertained that it will not
be worth the pains required to secure it, in
other words, that it will not pay. But let
such rather reflect frequently upon The
great value of education. Let them think
how necessary it is simply to know how to
count their hard-earned wages, how to pur-
chase in the market, store, &c, to the best
advantage, to meet their every day wants.
Perhaps with very Lar 5e majority among
the ignorant, in purchasing clothing. &c, il
they could reckon as readily as the tailor
with whom they deal, twenty dollars would
60 as far as thirty; in the family require
ments a half years wages would go equally
as far as a whole years. Instead of work.
ing hard all the year round without saving
dollar, though they may have lived stin-
teddy, they might have had many comforts,
and something laid up, besides, towards pro-
curing home, to aid their cause or to
meet the wants of old age. Many times,
instead of being refused even poor situa-
ton at starvation wages, a good situation
might be embraced at fair wages. Instead
of having to remain in ignorance without
regard to almost everything in the world,
past, present, or to come, how much graft
fcation and pleasure, profit and good,
might be shared from innumerable sources.
Indeed, it requires no extraordinary dis
cernment to perceive the countless blessings
of education, to make it a matter of no
marvel why so many may be found who
have determinedly acquired it almost en-
tirely by their own efforts; the only won
der is that SO many can be found who treat
the subject indifferently and content them
selves to know nothing, when so little time
and pains is actually required to procure
knowledge. When once man or woman
heartily Graves improvement, the labor of
learning is not SO difficult as many suppose
when the actual need of it is felt half the
work is accomplished. He need only to
apply his mind faithfully to his task DUR
ing his leisure hours, weekly gaining
here a little and there little, to convince
him that no great sacrifice of any kind is
required to make him, if not scholar, an
intelligent man-to make him capable OF
taking an interest in the things of the
world around him, whether pertaining to
religion or politics, to nature or art.
In view of having to suffer so many
hardships at the hands of the dominant
race, every colored man should be ambi-
tious to place himself in an attitude OF de-
Tense, where he could successfully repel
the oft-repeated taunt, that the negro is
naturally inferior to the other races of
men. Every colored man is made to feel
this reproach Every colored man, there
fore, should use all diligence to find the
remedy. Nothing but higher intelligence,
greater decision of character, keener
sense of the manifold wrongs to be endured,
an answering love of truth, with single
eye to the all-important object to be gain
ed, on the part of colored men, will ever
SO effect the prejudice of the white race in
this country as to cause the rights of the
black man to be fully respected. How
ever indisputable his claims, and however
faithfully his cause may be advocated on
the score of sympathy and philanthropy
by white men, nevertheless, At cannot be
denied that the main part Of eteuatiom
must be performed By colored men them
selves, and that by self-improvenent. By
adopting this plan, he is sure to rise-by
neglecting it, he is sure to remain degraded.
How should every colored man in the free
n II IL