Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-03-19
OOLoRED BAPTIsTs SHOULD Or
CAME.

oQAQAnO OAI l4ol0 0nVOlU IN
CAME.
The letter of General Z. }. MORGAN
published in our issue OF the 18th inst,
comedies all that we ask as colored
Bsptists. the right to establish distinc-
tive Negro enterprises without being
regarded as antaRonistic to this organ
ization or its work.
We may disguise the fact, but it is
true that we can never
come to full realization of our hopes
until we follow in the wake Of those
race leaders who are urging upon us
the necessity of setting up q liking
dom" of our own.
While Rev. HARVEY JOHNSON, d. D.,
was severe in his declarations aud ex-
treme in his statements, the premises |
which he laid down were the only ones !
which will secure for US that impor-
lance to which we are entitled as col
ored Baptists.
To those who would urge that this
course is not possible or even probable,
we would diAct their attention to the
Hebrews, commonly known as the Jews.
They are as separate and distinct from
the race OF .Gentiles as any people can
possibly be and have acquired wealth
and Importance which is as miracu
lous as it is surprising.
They support each other and the
world supports them. On the contra
ry, we are being constantly drained
for the support of others. We are
helped by white people and we turn
back to the white people this very help
before we have utilized it TO its fullest
advantage.
In building up race enterprises, we
prove ourselves worthy OF American
citizenship. We add to the material
values of the communities in which we
live. We become n help rather than a
drawback, and win the respect in
stead Of the disgust of our white neigh
bors.
We have one million, FIVE hundred
thousand colored Baptists in THU coun-
try to-day. What use are we making
OF them ? Their energies and money
are flowing unused in the rivers OF ex-
travsgance to the ocean of oblivion.
An average of one cent per month,
twelve cents per year would give US
one hundred and eighty thousand dol
lars per year, which in ten years would
be one million, eight hundred thous-
and dollars.
This is more than enough revenue to
run every colored institution in the
country, which would come under our
absolute control.
As Baptists. we are behind the times,
1t has been the A. M. E. Church's
knowledge of the value of the pennies,
which has given it pre-eminence in the
world of finance.
To be counting numbers, instead of
dollars is like the colored couple,
measuring their wealth in a rented log
c abin by the number of children which
had been born to them.
1t is no use to be ridiculing the effort
on our part to establish Negro Pub
fishing House. Its failure would be
more of reflection upon it's oppos-
ers than upon it's advocates.
1t is no use to point with derision to
the walls of our missionaries in Africa.
Then starvation upon the field of le-
Ultimate endeavor would be more Of a
curse upon those who did not give aid
than upon those who labored for their
support. We must DO true to our
selves.
The white man never tires and never
gives M. For more than two thous-
aud years, he has been endeavoring to
measure the stars and the distance of
the sun. He knows but little more
about it now than he did when he first
began, but he is at the task as yet.
Why not take courage Why not
harness our own people, and govern
ourselves? Why wait for other people
to employ US? Why not employ our
selves
There is enough money among the
colored Baptists, spent in frolic, dress
etc, to employ every educated divine
in the country at salaries, ranging
from three to five thousand dollars
per year.
And yet we sit down complaining
about the poverty of our people. We
need to build more fine churches. more
large schools and colleges, publish
more magazines and papers, establisb
more publishing houses, manufacture
more books and periodicals., encourage
more industrial institutions, confer
more titles upon our distinguished d.
vines and raise more money for all DUR
poses which tend to the material ele-
walton Of people.
Any white man, enterprise or organ
ization that opposes such q movement
is an enemy to our progress as a peo-
pie.
Certain liberal minded southern
white men will help US in such move
ments, and northern ones must be ev
en- more charitable.
We are a poorly paid class of people,
but are nevertheless speudthrift race.
Seventy per cent OF as believe in
regulating our expenditures only by
the amounts which we receive. We
spend all we get and want for more.
Colored Baptist leaders. 1.-The oppor.
tunity is before you.
Awake, arise or be forever falIenP