The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-01
APPEAL 10 cnEIsrlAN NnGRors
Rev.J. Wesley johnson Of 81. Philip. Col
ored Church on Prevailing immortality

Last sunday The Rev j. Wesley john
son lcolored) who IS the minister in charge
OF 81. Philips C0lored Episcopal church
preached 10 his congregation from Eccles-
tastes. u chapter l3 verse. Fear God
and Keep His Commandments for This is
the Whole Duty Of Man" lie said:
III the members Of my race would learn
to keep their hands from picking and
stealing, their tongues from evil Speaking
lying and slandering. 10 keep their bodies
in temperance, sOberness and chastity
not to covet no. desire other mems goods.
mt to learn and labor truly get their own
living" they would not figure so often i'm
the courts and thereby bring the race into
such general disfavor. We may say that
the race is not guilty Of half the crimes
with which 1t is charged. BE this as il
may. there is by far to- much lawlessness
among u.s. We can hardly have a church
service, 4 concert an entertainment
without an interruption or AN excursion
without a row, without meeting with an
element Of our peOple.h some of whom
belong to our best families. who think it
smart 10 bee as rOwdy as possible, who
boast OF the fact that they are not afraid
10 do anything and that none Of their
own race is able 10 control them. These
same rOwdies YOU allow 10 come into your
houses. with what direful results. WitEess
the frequency with which the affairs OF
your homes are aired in the Police Court.
And because these lawless parties arc
sometimes connected with Our best people,
we condemn and seek TO explain away
their wicked conduct. until II we ere not
careful. we find ourselves literally in
sympathy. with the brutal and debased
beings who are continually bringing dis
grace on the whole-race. Indeed I am
fr,f l.rf . r..
Christians among Us. are so goddess that
they I'm their heart Of hearts sympathize
with this lawless element Now it is our
duty to take our religion and 10 turn the
light on the evil doors among ms. Let
us as Christians sanctifying God I'm our
hearts let us fear Him. let MS honor with
all our might His commandments and in
this and other ways let MS constantly soel,
to reDrOve those who fear not God nor
respect either themselves or the rights Of
their neighbors. Let MS give the lawless
class among us, TO understand that not
only have we no sympathy with them
when they so covet their neighbors' wives
and daughters as TO outrage and rob
them OF their virtue. I say let MS give
this element among us 10 understand that
We not only do not sympathize with them
hut that We intend 10 lend orr aid and
influence in helping to convict them so
that according TO law they may Justly
suffer for their infamous crimes. In so
doing, dear brethren. we shall not only
nroye that we fear God. bot putting our
selves on the side OF law. OF order Of
charitable and fair dealing toward our
white brethren. we shall have our con-
duct so honest among these whom we
live that our life will day by day.
strengthen the bond Of friendship which
has existed. does now and I trust shall
ever exist between the whites and blacks
in our South Land. Not only this. but
through faith in Jesus Christ. the power
coming TO you through the Holy Ghost,
fearing God and keeping yourselves pure
by obeying His commandments, you will
uphold Gods laws you will do your whole
duty and Cod Will bless you"