The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-11-10
THE CAIN

* " AFAA " N-Af 80 49, 49,
| puted question. Here are some OF the
theories advanced BY biblical students
some affirm that Cain was the first
negro, ana the father Of the negro race.
Their whole argument j. based on Gene
sis iy:l5. which says. And the Lord
set a mark upon Cain." They clam
that this means that the mark ehangol
hIm into a negro.
This theory cannot be true for 1he
J.. This Interpretation ! evidently far-
fetched; a makeshitt 10 ~wriggle out o.
i difficulty.
? T Hebrew word translated mar,
does not mean a physical mark or brand.
In the Bible 1t occurs over seventy times.
and only IN this one place IS Il translated
mark
9. Even if Cain was a negro, his chl-
dren would be mulattoe5 unless his vie
was a negress. Where is the slightest
hint IN the Bible that God ever thus de-
graded q daughter Of adam?
This Cain theory IS built upon fonI
suggestions:
First. that the Hebrew word 10Th
means a physical mark or brand. Next,
that Cain was miraculouaiy changed FROM
a white man into a negro. Then, that
Cain married his full sister. Lastly, thai
God cursed one of Adams daughters b.
! making her i negress. Where IS there
any Scripture foundation Tor any one OF
these four suggestions? As well hunt for
q needle IL q haystack.
THE HAM THEORY.
Some affirm that Ham was a negro, and
! the father OF the Negro race. Then whcic
=. ha-1J ,,var tho aSSQTt IN Z HOT
God cursed Ham, and that this curse
changed him into a negro.
This theory cannot be true, because
/. God never pronounced a curse upon
Ham. nor did Noah ever do 50. Those
who say that God cursed Ham clearly
prove that they are grossly ignorant Of
the Bible
?. Both the Bible and secular history
testify that the descendants Of Ham were
not negroes. but very highly civilized peo-
pies.
3. Even if Ham had been a negro, his
children would not nave been full ne
groes, but mulattoes, unless his wife YVES
4 negress. Where j. any Bible proof. or
any other kind Of proof that Mrs. Ham
was black-skinned, or kinky-headed, or
malodOrous?
The Ham theory has less foundation
MI lildt w pOSSIO41p lllcl nc ooliA
THE CANAAN THEORY.
Some affirm that Canaan was a negro,
and the father OF the negro race. Then
whole argument IS based on Genesis iX:2G,
where Noah said, Cursed be Canaan. q
servant Of servants shall he be unto his
brethren" 1t is claimed that this curse
transmitted Canaan into a negro, and Is
a divine warrant for negro slavery.
This theory cannot be true because:
l.. There is not an iota Of Bible proof
that Gods curse ever changed any person
into a negro. The Bible in many places,
teaches the very opposite. The Hebrew
word for Cursed" in Genesis X :29 IS used
in Deuteronomy xxvii:15-23, yet the guilty
Israelite did not become a negro. So II
Joshua ix:23, in Malachi iii;9, and other
places; yet those cursed Of God did not
and could not become negroes.
,. Both the Bible and secular history
testify that the descendants of Canaan
were q highly civilized and cultured peo-
pie. The negro has no history and in his
own land has been. and now is, q savage
8. Even if Canaan had been a negro,
his children could not be full negroes IN
less their mother was a negress. To as
sert that she was a full negro is to assert
that she had both a negro father and
mother. Then. how came her parents TO
be negroes? Also what about their parents.
the grandfathers and g~randmothers CT
Mrs. Canaan?
4. The Hebrew word for "Canaanite'
never designates a negro IN the Bible.
1t l. never translated ethiopian the
word supposed TO refer to the negro.
The Canaan theory, like the Cain and
Ham theories. IS contradicted by all the
facts II the case. 1t was invented to eX-
cuse negro slavery. It was concocted TO
Prop up the doctrines of the unity OF
mankind. The Canaanites were probably
cursed; because, though white people,
they were willing to mix with negroes. If
so. then they ought to nave been cursed