Evening star., 1895-10-17
DIR. BLYDEN ON THE NEGRO.
He Talks to the Bethel AssOciatfOn
About the Future of the Race.

He Talks to the Bethel AssOcintfOn
About the Future of the Race.
Rev. DIR. Blyden. the Liberian minister to
England, lectured Tuesday night before the
Bethel Literary Historical Association at
the Metropolitan A. M. E. Church upon the
subject of 'The Future of the Negro" Dr.
Blyden chose for his text the prophecy of
Noah.
l consider 1t one of the most striking
features of American social life," said DR..
Blyden, land no doubt something of a
drawback to literary and scientific free
dom in this country. that the question Of
race forms so prominent an element in
nearly all thoughts and nearly all actions
1t seems to have colored the whole life Of
what may be called distinctively Ameri-
can literature. 1t is forced on the ccnsid-
rives in the country. In the north it is
discussed from the standpoint Of theory
and hypothesis; in the south it is forced
upon the people as fact intimately asso-
ciated with their daily life, having it's
menacing as well as its hopeful aspects.
To the negro traveller from abroad the SUBJ
1ect presents many painful aspects, and he,
far more than the European visitor, is
confronted with the necessity of studying
1T in all its bearings, since he observes
that the difficulties which beset the path
way OF members Of his race arise largely
from the conviction of the dominant class
that the negro belongs TO an essentially
and perpetually inferior race"
The Curse of Ham.
DR.. Blyden then proceeded into q
discussion Of the chapter in Genesis where
Noah pronounces a curse upon Ham, and
according to the Latin translation, dooms
him to be the servant of his brethren. DR..
Blyden quoted other translations of this
chapter, which, he said, threw a different
light upon the matter. ut may be that
Moan, In his momentary Indignation and
III his human weakness and inf1rmity.
from which the narrative shows he was not
free, intended in his heart some sort of
sub1ection as punishment to Ham for
Els want OF flial respect; some sort of in
feriorty or degradation; and all through
the ages human interpreters of the pas
scge have expounded 1t in sympathy with
short-sighted feeling of the mortified and
hum lated patriarch, and in modern times
have seen in 1t justification for the en-
saVement and oppression of the African.
But the higher and improved conception
of mankind as to the character of God and
His relation to the creatures has rejected
such Interpretation of the passage and has
sought, in the spirit Of really higher criti-
bond and let the oppressed go free. Still
there is somehow lingering feeling among
Christians. and it may be Jews. and un-
fortunately among some negroes, that per-
haps after all the present condition of the
African in his ancestral country and in the
lands of his exile is to he attributed to the
curse Of Noah.
There are visions in some of the ne
groes of this country of a great temporal
empire to be established in Africa. / be-
lieve in a future negro empire in Africa.
but it will not be political. 1t Will be OF
that higher kind which will be more last
ing than the great temporal kingdoms OF
the past whose names are forgotten.
A COnsolntorS Truth.
There is this consolatory truth for the
race whose lot is not to WELD a scepter Of
empire, that 1t is to those who serve that
belongs the blessing of ultimate precedence.
He who would be chief let him become
your servant, but he that takes the sword
shall perish by the sword The qualities
that have distinguished Japhet are tenn
porary, that is great faith in himself and
in his destiny. The quality that has mark
ed the history of Shem is hope, that Is more
enduring. But the quality which Ham has
exhibited in the work that is assigned him
is the most enduring of all-love. The great
apostle of the Gentiles, after enumerating
various gifts and talents, says: And yet
show unto you more excellent way.
Though l speak with the tongues of man
and of angels and have not love, am be-
come as sounding brass or a tfnkling Gym
bal. And though have the gift Of proph-
ecy and understand all mystery and all
knowledge, and though / have all faith, SO
that 1 could remove mountains, and have
not love, l am nothing.
Those who object to the idea of race
environments ana race work. are those VINO
have not studied Gods work in the light Of
His providence. or Gods providence in the
light of His word. The negro is here to
exemplify that side of Gods being which
the Anglo-Saxon, with the terrible destiny
of rule and conquest upon him. cannot do.
He, from his very circumstances, his call
ing. his work, Is incapable of continuous
and irrepressible love. He can only for
give seven times. The negro's spirit is a
boundless one in that direction. He can
afford to forgive not only seven times. but
seventy times seven. So he can understand
that large teaching of love which Christ so
impressively taught and exemplified in His
life"