Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-17
BY REV. JOEL T. DAWES.

all conditions are supposed to be favor
able. and where at least there is READY
sympathy for his racial ambitions the ne
gro has made comparatively less progress
than in the south with its reputed indiner-
ence TO his moral and social welfare. me
problem we have TO face is one quite apart
from sectional differences or partisan
nate. -.
wish I could quote more at length
from Mr.. Warmers sane and wholesome
discussion of this important phase OF
the negro question. 1t will be found IN
a posthumous volume recently puohsheu
under the title Fashions in Literature
IT Is with these words that he concludes
"IIet US admit that we have mace ms
take. We seem to have expected Nlna'
we could accomplish suddenly and by aru-
fcial contrivances a development which,
historicallv. has always taken long
time. without abatement OF effort or loss
of patience. let us put ourselves IN the
common sense the scientific, the hlstor-
&c line. 1t is a gigantic task, only to De
accomplished by long labor In accofo
with the divine purpose.
The sentences quoted above are hot
used to express in the slightest degree
pleasure at the failure to which reference
is made. That would be unworthy OF US
both as men and citizens. We cannot
desire. either from the standpoint OF
statesmen or humanitarians, that race
dwelling in our midst should not oeVeiOp
In all the qualities which make noble ana
useful manhood and womannooo'
Every incentive urges us to accept the
friendly challenge of the last words quo
ted and without abatement Of effort or
loss OF patience to undertake the task
OF lifting an inferior race into intellectual,
moral and religious freedom
Reference to the condition of the negro
TODAY recalls examples of his capacities
and requirements In a former time. Inc
slave of the old regime had countless de-
fects. but wfthal many sterling quahtless
some of which are wanting IN the mass
of his descendants today. By the neces-
stiles of the case he was forced to toll,
and in addition to the moral value OF
fruitful labor, many became emclent II
the various useful handicrafts. He was
frequently brought into affectionate rela-
tions with the best OF the old southern
aristocracy In the midst Of which ne
lived. He was taught, orally, 1t is rrues
but with much effect, the substance OF
the gospel, not as interpreted by one as
ignorant as himself, but as expounded
by some OF the best men In the southern
pulpit. Many Of them were genuinely
pious, exemplifying their faith by their
upright conduct, and having deep foun-
tains of religious feeling. Scarcely one
of readers QuL mas 6Ccn cCAAC AeA0S
survivor of these former days. or known
the type as pictured by the genius OF
Joel Chandler Harris or a Thomas Nell
son Page.
recall an incident in my ministry which
brings into vivid contract present ana
former conditions. A servant died in the
home Of one of my friends. She had orig
inaIly been given to her mistress as
maid at the time of her marriage, and
had staid with her during all of her mar
ried life. She had seen the children and
then the grandchildren grow up, had min
istered to their childish wants, and had
been quite an important parsonage in the
family circle. She refused to leave the
home that was dear to her at the close
OF the war, and remained in it for the bal
ance of her life--a servant, indeed, but
with a service into which there entered no
thought of hire or personal advantage.
What she needed. or desired she had as a
member OF the family. Her room was one
of the most comfortable in the house.
and from gifts made to her she had ac-
cumulated pleasant and valuable furnish
ings for it. At her death was requested
to conduct the funeral service which was
held in the parlor of the home. There
the white friends Of the family came to-
gether to do honor to her memory. The
sons Of the family acted as pallbearers.