Omaha daily bee., 1908-03-05
"what shan We DO to ne saved"

OMAHA, March s.--To the Editor Of The
Bee; The present condition Of the negro in
Omaha is one that needs the consideration
OF the people in general.
Since my arrival in this city 1 have
watched his condition with intense interest
and find that the churches or the better
class of negroes have not given suf-
ficient attention to the condition of their
unfortunate brothers. believe that this
condition should be charged largely to the
leaders and the pulpit orators of our city.
What have the churches done to better
the conditioner practically nothing, to my
observation. 1t is not enough that our
churches open their doors once a week, for
there is a class of negroes that do not
frequent the churches, many of whom at
tend the houses of worship rarely, II at
all, and there must therefore be put into
operation some other effort in order to
reach this class. 1t must be borne in mind
that he is bone of our bone, and flesh Of
our flesh and that he needs our sympathy
and care. II we do not seek to save him he
will eventually destroy u.s. / believe that
II the proper interest had been manifested
by the intellectual men and women of our
city we might by this time have had some
institution in operation to which we could
have invited them from the red light dis
trict of our city to a respectable place,
where we could talk with them and teach
them better things. If our various denom-
nations would spend more time in dis
cussing such problems 1t would mean much
to the moral side of life as well as In
crease the membership OF our various
churches, and we would not have to regret
so often the unfortunate brother who falls
into the hands of the destructive element.
There are many institutions of vice in
Omaha that are offering all kinds of In
ducement to entrap both races. We have
dance halls, pool rooms, and other dens of
wickedness that are open day and night,
and that extend a cordial invitation to
whomsoever will come. The saloons of our
city give our young men a welcome greet
ing, and many OF the saloons place papers
where they may be easily read, and have
amusements in store. Why wouldn't they
frequent such places? On the other hand,
the churches have offered them no induce
ments whatever The young negro that
comes to our city has nowhere to go, unless
to the gambling room or the club house. Is
not the purpose Of Christianity to lift up
fallen humanity? II the pastors do not lead
their respective congregations to higher
ideals OF life, we cannot expect better re-
institutions as the Young Mems Christian
association, we'll equipped to furnish amuse-
ment you will always have trouble. The
association work has proven to be the only
medium by which the young men can be
reached. l believe that that will be the
only redeeming feature for the negro of
Omaha, and until the churches have pre-
pared such an institution for the young
people, they will have no right to crit,cise
the negroes in regard to where they spend
their idle time. In this intelligent age We
must learn to be up and moving, keeping
step with the moving spirit of the age. We
cannot afford to neglect anything that will
tend to morally, physically, intellectually
and spiritually elevate our race. The pull
pit orators must be dgnified and take a
firm stand for righteousness If they are to
be esteemed and respected in the city In
which they live.
The world is looking to the pulpits for
light, and II they do not truly represent
the lowly Nazarene, what other refuge have
we? A. D. LACEY.