The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-08
THE CAIN THEORY.

HE CAiN
The origin of the negro is a much dis
puted question. Here are some OF the
theories advanced by biblical students:
Some affirm that CAIN was the first
negro, and the father of the negro race.
Their whole argument is based on Gene
sis iv:15. which says and the Lord
set mark upon Cain" They claim
that this means that the mark changed
him into negro.
This theory cannot be true for the
following reasons:
l. This Interpretation is evidently far
fetched: a makeshift to wriggle out of
a difficulty.
2 The Hebrew word translated MARI
does not mean a physical mark or brand.
In the Bible it occurs over seventy tunes,
and only in this one place is it translated
mark
8. Even if Cain was a negro, his chll-
dren would be mulattoes unless his Wi1e
was negress. Where is the slightest
hint in the Bible that God ever thus de
graded daughter OF Adam?
This Cain theory IS built upon fodI
suggestions:
First, that the Hebrew word 10Th
means a physical mark or brand Next.
that Cain was miraculously changed from
e white man into n negro. Then, that
Cain married his full sister. Lastly, thai
God cursed one of Adams daughters by
making her Il negress. Where Is there
any Scripture foundation Tor any one OF
these four suggestions? AS wei! hunt tof
a needle in haystack.
THE HAM THEORY.
Some affirm that Ham was a negro, and
the father of the negro race. Their whCre
argument * based upon the assertion that
God cursed Ham, and that this curse
changed him into a negro.
This theory cannot be true, because
l. God never pronounced curse upon
Ham, nor did Noah ever do so. Those
who say that God cursed Ham clearly
prove that they are grossly ignorant of
the Bible.
2. Both the Bible and secular history
testify that the descendants of Ham were
not negroes, but very highly civilized peo-
pies.
g. Even if Ham had been negro, his
children would not have been full ne
groes but mulattoes, unless his wife was
a negress Where is any Bible proof, Oh
any other kind of proof that Mrs Han,
was black-skinned, or kinky-headed, OF
malodorous?
The Ham theory has less foundation
(if that be possible) than the Cain theory
THE CANAAN THEORY.
Some affirm that Canaan was negro
and the father of the negro race. Theil
whole argument is based on Genesis ix:2J
where Noah said, Cursed be Canaan, 6
servant of servants shall he be unto his
brethren" 1t is claimed that this curse
transmitted Canaan into a negro, and i!
divine warrant for negro slavery.
This theory cannot be true because:
l. There is not an iota of Bible proc
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 lx:29 is uset
in Deuteronomy vii:15-23, yet the guilt.
Israelite did not become a negro. So Ii
Joshua ix:23, in Malachi iii;9, and othe
places; yet those cursed of God did nc
and could not become negroes.
2. Both the Bible and secular histor.
testify that the descendants OF Canaan
were a highly civilized and cultured PEG
pie. The negro has no history and in hi
own land has been, and now is. a savage
3. Even if Canaan had been negro
his children could not be full negroes un
less their mother was a negress. To as
sert that she was a full negro is to asser
that she had both a negro father ant
mother. Then, how came her parents t
be negroes? Also what about their parents
the grandfathers and grandmothers OF
Mrs. Canaan
4. The Hebrew word for "Canaanite'
never designates a negro in the Bible
1t is never translated Ethiopian tn;
word supposed to refer to the negro
The Canaan theory, like the Cain an
Ham theories, is contradcted by all tn,
facts in the case. 1t was invented to ex-
cuse negro slavery. 1t was concocted t.
prop up the doctrines of the unity o
mankind The Canaanites were probabl.
cursed; because, though white people
they were willing to mix with negroes. l
so. then they ought to have been curse'
and accursed also-both of God and man
THE NON-ADAMIC THEORY.
This theory is held by some Bible stu
dents, and is based upon comparison o
Genesis i'll with Genesis i:24.
Genesis liz reads. And the Lord CO.
formed man of the dust of the ground
and breathed into his nostrils the breath
of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis ia reads, And God said let tn'
earth bring forth the living creature afte
his kind
The two Hebrew words, Translates
Giving soul in Genesis ii:7, are IN ever!
letter identically the same as the TIVE
Hebrew words translated living creature
in Genesis i:24.
If Giving soul in Genesis iii is the pc
culiar designation of human being
then surely it is such in Genesis l:24 on'
gives the origin of single man tnamee
ADAM who is the ancestor OF the white
race-the other gives the origin OF man
kind in general, of the non Adamc ane
inferior races.
There are two things in Genesis H.:
which are peculiar, and are claimed al
proving this theory.