Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-08-01
A GOSPEL oFcLs.s snINEss.



Rev. w. w. Lucas, negro min
lister, seems to belong to the Booker
Washington school of reformers
among his people. There is a sug-
gestion of Sam Jones in his direct
ness. He does not mince words, bat
calls spade spade. 1t is easy to
comprehend and doubtless appeals
to those whom he seeks to reach. In
a sermon recently delivered by him,
he is quoted as comparing the aver
age specimen of that great unwashed
throng among the colored population
to "the mule which ate the shipping
tag from his leg. An Old negro ex-
claimed: Gee, dat mule dun eat mp
his whas he's gwinep" The aptness
of this illustration is undeniable.
Adrift in the world and no intima-
ton as to whence he came or whittier
he is tending. A model child of
destiny. He might have been nour-
lshed, like Romulus and Remus, by
she wolf and so far as daily sup
plies are concerned, he must be fed
by ravens that fly in the night. Comes
from nowhere AMI moves about with
90 special destination in view. He
drifts with the tide of time like a
cork upon boundless expanse of
water. No ambition, not even a
vague aspiration, no fixed purpose in
life. He believes in the philosophy
which teaches that all things come
to him who waits. He is sure that
something will turn up, but is al
ways iii danger of missing it, when
it does turn up, because he is not
looking for any particular develop
ment. Like the dumb denizen of
some vast wilderness, be relies upon
what the storm may shake from the
trees above him. AS the preacher in
question is reported as saying else
where IN the same discourse: "Lazy,
ragged, barefeet fellows, longing for
silver slippers and long white robes
aud counting themselves worthy;
neg'ccing to provide home for
their families on earth, aud yet claim
ing home not made with their
hands in Gods heaven. The white
man is trying to make this earth
blossom as rose, aud the negro is
getting ready to die. The white
man is organizing business en- ter
prises and the negroes organizing
societies to turn out at their funerals. {"
The preacher says he objects to a
$40 funeral for fifty-cent negro.
This is plain talk. 1t is gospel
that there may be a call to some one
to preach. If so, it is well that there
is negro imbued with such a spirit,
that he has the truth that needs to
be spoken and the courage of his
convictions. 1t may be permissible
for him to say what would be
ascribed to periudice, if uttered by a
white man.
1t may be proper to observe, how
ever, that there are exceptions to this
rule, If, indeed, it be rule among
negroes. What is said applies to a
class, but it is large class. What
is said of the whites may apply as a
rule, but that also has options.
They are not all striving TO make
this earth blossom as rose, though
that is one of the great missions of
humanity. A liberal use of soap and
a gospel of work are being preached
to the blacks. 1t devolyes upor the
whites tosee to it that they main tain
their rightful places as worthy ex-
amplars to the inferior races about
them. They can do far more by ex-
ample than by precept. The best of
these races, like children, are seeking
to follow in their footsteps. The
greatest menance to society is from
that element that drifts aimlessly,
Needless of any but the worst example.