Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-07-14

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control. forbearance and perseverance,
and the like, which have rendered tho
achievements OF the negro OF the Uni
ted States a wonder of the world.
What Is said OF the blacks OF South
America may be applied with some
to the black people of the
West Indies and other parts Of the
world. II is fact that the negroes
OF the United States have become the
vogical leaders OF the black people Of
the whole world and are today giving
the Gospel Of the Son of God to those
Of their own race who were free many
years before they were.
AS further evidence on this point,
and to strengthen the proposition that
the negro Is the most acceptable and
successful ambassador to bear the
message Of redeeming grace to the
people Of his race. submit you an
official reference to the great work
OF the foreign mission board of the
National Baptist convention. The
secretary Of that board in speaking of
the glorious achievements Of the me-
gro Baptist among the dark races Of
the earth, says: AS negro Baptists
we have more than sixty churches and
missions in Africa. eight in the West
Indies. five in South America, with
between 1900 and 10000 baptized
believers enrolled on the books
1t should be borne in mind that
the negro Baptists have only been or
ganized for foreign mission work
SO years, and when these facts are
laid alongside the earnest, devout,
persistent efforts of the boards among
out white brethren to accomplish re-
suits among these same people. 1t
will be clearly seen that it swould
have been far better If it had always
been recognized that the foreign mis-
sion board Of the National Baptist
convention is the best medium
through which to make contributions
towards fostering this particular
work, or to have employed negro min
listers as missionaries for this work.
In making this suggestion we do not
assume to advise the missionary
boards among our white brethren,
but to earnestly invite them to con-
slider first of all the adaptability Of
the agents to bear the message in the
light Of the distinctive characteristics
to those whom the message is sent.
think 1t will be readily admitted
that one Of the most effectual ways of
spreading the gospel is found In the
house to house work, and to be able
to do this house to house preaching
the preacher must be taken into the
full confidence of the people and must
be willing to put himself on race
equality with the people, or they
spurn the message that he brings. So
long as there are any to say he has
gone to be with man that Is sim
ner, SO long win it be necessary to
employ great[ E 1t In delivering the
gospel OF JEST -hrist to the different
types Of the | Ian family.
But, my friends, would have you
know that conditions warrant what
have here said. For firmly believe
that the time will come when there
will be neither Jew nor Greek, bond
nor free" white or black, European
nor American, Asiatic or African, In
the kingdom Of God, but all will be
one in Christ Jesus. But until that
time shall come, We should work
along, recognizing the "metes and
bounds" set by an All-Wise Creator,
who will in his own time and way
level the hills and mountains; and
raise up the valleys, until this divi-
sion of labor and distribution Of tasks
shall unite to promote the oneness
Of Christ and his cause the world
over.
The system of religion which we
profess should be prompted by Chris
than patience and evangelical diplo-
macy and not by person or racial self
ishness or prejudice. 1t was said in
effect by distinguished southern
churchman some years ago that If
he who Is called the Prince of Peace
cannot rid the gospel of every faint
of selfishness, if he Is not able to
make all his followers one in him,
and save to the uttermost all who
trust in him, then he is unable to
save a single being. | would add to
this significant statement, that If he
who is presented in Holy Writ as one
going forth conquering and to con-
quer should pause in his triumphant
march, to draw a line Of distinction
between his loyal followers because
Of race or color, then his kingdom Is
unfit for the habitation of men or an
gels, and he would be unworthy Of
the worship Of the humblest creature
on earth
But we lay no charge at his door,
for he is the same Lord over all and
to all the people, and will In his own
time and way bring about that time
when there will be no lines Of caste
among the children Of the great King,
but all shall be one in him. But until
that time shall come, when these lines
shall be broken down and the mon
ster, race prejudice, has been de-
throned and there shall be but one
family recognized among men, and
that, tho human family. It seems to
me that the logical man, the accept
able ambassador to bear the message
of redeeming grace to the negro peo-
pie, 10 the negro. IS
In conclusion, allow me to say, us
Ing the words Of distinguished ne
gro preacher. that, when the day OF
anai reckoning shall como, and when
the three sons of Noah who were sep
arated on the plains Of shinar, shall
again meet as one family to render