The Baptist headlight., 1894-05-30
Concluded from First page.

iii it, that we may do itjust1ce. Boys
and girls, the days are gliding by
and We are growing older and long
ere we have had time to realize it,
We will have grown from children
into men, and women, and we, to do
Justice to our race, must begin now
III our youth to train our hearts, for
it is our hearts, which make US
what we are. Men and women are
only boys and girls grown tall.
Hearts do not change much after
all. If we, in our youth cultivate
the goodness that must live in every
heart, we will not find it hard to be
noble and honorable IN our age.
But if we allow ourselves to do little
dishonorable acts in Our youth, we
will find it easy to be dishonest
and sinful when we are grown.
The time is past when our race
Shall be looked down upon. We
have every advantage, every oppor-
tunity to build our race up. Are
We not given every opportunity to
educate ourselves, and are we not
free to cast Our own votes, which
help make the laws Of our country?
Haven't we churches, and Sabbath
schools of our own, where we are
taught to be good and the blessed
road to heaven? 'Tis very true that
many of our race are driven to do
many cruel and desperate deeds for
the cruelty, which they receive at
the hands of the American people.
But though it may seem slowly
surely the prejudice is dying out
and our race is rising, surely rising
to the top. We who have had to
stand back for so many years, must
not expect to ascend to the level at
once, but climb the ladder, round by
round, and as surely as the rising of
the sun. the day will come when we
shall have gained the top round Of
the ladder of success; but to gain
that top round, we will have to i'm
prove our every opportunity.
The young negro who now at
tracts the attention oftwo continents
i'll his efforts to benefit his race,
was once boy; he surely improv-
ed his every opportunity, and made
of himself a man for his race to be
proud Of. It was young negro
who was instructor III the conserva-
tory Of musioiu, New York city,
and Sings III ore of its best choirs.
He was most certainly man Of in
tellect and honor to have been hon
ored with a position so elevating.
One ofyoung negros is now study
ing in Germany, because Of a scho1-
arship won at Harvard. Does the
future not look bright and fair for
him, is he not striving to educate
and enlighten himself, and thus
gain another honor for his race?
1t was young negro who loved
the Southland in spite Of the cruel
prosecutions, loved the land that
gave him birth, and her success is
very near and dear to his heart.
Our fathers and mothers have
served their day and time. They
did the best their circumstances
would permit. and if we achieve
anything in this world, boys and
girls, it is due to them. Let us
strive to be credit to their unself-
ishness and self de 1et us
prove to the world, that though our
skins are black, our hearts are
white and our aims are pure.
Let us be brave and face the bat
tie oflife with out fear and with faith
in Christ. Our race is known for its
bravery. We needn't go out the city
ofTopeka, to find bravery among our
own color. The colored fire deDart-
ment for instance, is considered the
bravest department in the city
.Nl,.- 40 ,c n.,ntLnr honor &C l,;cl,