The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-17
DUTY OF CHRISTIANS TO NEGROES.

Ing the negro problem, an effort in the
congress is on foot to punish the white
race in the south for trying to unoo
the infamy and wrongs perpetrated by
the north in giving the franchise to a
million Of blacks who were utterly IN
fitted for it's use because of ignorance.
want of training, race incapacity Tor
government and moral qualities, there
is one question that does not receive
the attention it should receiveS 1t Is a
most important question and is basic
TO all genuine and permanent advance
ment on the part of the negro race. Ii
is their religious discipline and moral
training. You may fill their heads with
the three RS and technical education
but if their moral nature remains as 1t
has remained since their freedom by the
result of war, they VIII be no better
off in a century in character and use
fulness as citizens than they were tho
day Lincoln violated the constitution
and issued his proclamation freeing
them.
The white race in the south under the
very trying circumstances and the
severe ordeal to which they were sub
jected, have done greater things. more
municificent and magnificent acts in
behalf of an il~literate race than was
ever thought Of or attempted in all his
toric records extant. But the kindness
the forebearance. the sympathy. the
money contributed for The education Of
the minds Of the young negroes did not
and do not exhaust all that must be
done, do not now meet all the obliga-
lions that rest upon the superior. the
dominant race-the race hat has con-
qucred and builded and civilized the
peoples OF the globe through the elaps-
irg centuries. A puissant, regnant
mastesful race must endeavor to ele-
vate an inferior ace with which it
comes In contact. Some times the
whites have carried into new lands
their vices, and the lower races nave
betn denoralized and seriously lowered
by the contact. Out in Alaska the
Esauimau and other tribes nave been
much injured by the introduction Of
white mems vices. particularly their
drinks.
The whites must 90 more towards
Smparting moral teachings and bring
ing TO bear more of rue Christian ex-
ample and influence uIon the negroes
It Is necessary to have them taught the
plain, pure, comforting. elevating
spiritual truths of Gods Word. The
lower class must be looked after more
faithfully, earnestly. constantly, and
the religious people are the ones to do
this. What are the white churches do
ing for the negro race surrounding
Them? How much money is raised n
expended annually in having sacred
truths of God preached to them? Tho
Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of love,
Of b~eneVolnce, of s~elf-sacrifice, of peace
If it is preached wisely, earnestly. reg
ularly to the negro race by educated.
trained ministers we'll equipped for its
faithful and efficient proclamation,
much good must follaw. 1t will show
the negroes that their white neighbors
and the protesting followers of the
Lord are in earnest in promoting their
present and eternal interests. There
are great opportunities offered for do
ing good. for enlarging the benevolence
pf the white race, for extending the be-
nignant offerings Of the Gospel Of
Hope and Promise and for bringing
more OF the African race into the safe
fold of the Christian faith and living.
The. able Presbyterian Standard in
its issue of h 9th ultimo, put this
as a fact, and ali must admit that there
is much of truth in it.
And while industrial antagonists
are beginning to spring up even in
southern cities, between the two races.
yet the great part of the manual labor
of the south is done by negroes. And
surely no man can read the book OF
human history and fail to see that this
fact is without parallel, that two such
widely different races should live side
by SIDE in peace. When we recall that
there are eight millions of negroes in
the south. the sporadic instances of
race conflict are few enough. Surely it
is by the blessing of God hat a con-
quered people at the mercy of their
former slaves. oppressed for years by
their conquerors who had given the
slaves their freedom, should have
zsmerged from their defeat. and with
THE aid of these former slaves have
builded the new south, and that the
children of former master and former
slave should he dwelling together. with
no possibility of intermingling, with no
eonstraint row Of external force, yet in
safety and peace. The failure of the
white people to recognize now, at this
~opportune time, its obligation to the
black people. can be nothing less than
ingratitude to God. God has given US
the means and the opportunity for their
evangeliZation."
1t is not probable that there will ever
be a deportation of the negro race to
Africa or elsewhere. 1t is altogether
probable hat the major part Of the
negroes now in the southland will re-
main and that in 1910, the number will
nave increased. We believe that the
Jest labor possible for the south is ne
gro labor-improved, elevated, better
taught. more really Cnristianized. and,
therefore, more upright. honest. truth
ful. yirtuous and reliable. Improve the