The Twin City star., 1912-01-13
OUR CIVIC CONDITION.
Address of Rev. D. e. BeasIey, before
the Pastors Club.

Address Of Rev. D. {. BeasIey, before
the Pastors Club.
When I speak of the civic condi-
ton of our people in public life as
whole, I touch upon one Of the most
tender yet most important and per-
picking conditions that confronts the
Negro of our age. The destiny of a
people depends upon the righteous
ness Of that people. Our success or
failures in private and public life, de-
pends upon these same perpetual
and eternal principles which upholp
the grandeur of nations and individ-
uals.
Our civic conditions are contain
mated by the vices Of politics which
shield and court the favor of the less
conservative Negroes. In private
life the privilege of the home are not
limited, or the sacred ordinances of
that home held in obeyance; conse-
quently there has crept into our fam
lily circle people who are not lawfully
married, and they mingle with the
best and are secret agents for all
that tends to pollute and corrupt the
morals of a home. Brothers, we
want to win people by our love, and
give them the hand of help; but
there must be no compromise with
sin and vice. I do not mean to stone
them to death but in some way as
Paul said BE ye separated fom them
and come out from among them. We
realize the conditions of our city now
since the Red Light District" was
struck by that thunderbolt of civic
righteousness. To separate and come
out from among them, brings about
another one of these perpleXing con-
ditions of things. We are to do the
next best thing, which is the right
thing. Mans extremities are but
Gods opportunities. The scarlet flag
of the harlot may in Gods way be-
come the olive branch of peace and
mercy. But we have in our church
today many who are but base de-
ceivers, and their reputation and
character is so questionable that they
are the greatest enemy to our church.
also to society, and an impediment to
the moral progress Of our race. Shall
we allow these conditions to 60 on
unnoticed and unhindered? Let us
take view Of the past present and
future Turning to the past. and lay
ing back the pages of history we find
many things which are not considered
manly or wise at this age. But has
the substitution of the present con-
dition caused any improvement? Yes
claim financially, but morally it has
failed to keep pace with the blessings
of our Creator. To the young man
of yesterday-marriage was a sacred
command Of God, home an altar Of
devotion but today two-thirjs of them
are living lives Of adultery, with girls
who come out of some of the best
families. Shall we spare other places
kept for the prostitution of our girls
supported by our men, who make the
laws? Some of them are persuaded
to come here from time to time under
the promise of good situation and
stay for few weeks at time and
then return home robbed of their
womanhood.
The young girls and boys of our
homes are ruined by attending the
private and public balls before they
reach the age of womanhood and
manhood. If the individual character
Of people Is to be the basis Of it's
integrity frugality and achievement I
fear this whirlpool Of destruction.
What plans shall we adopt to rem
edy some Of these things? appeal to
Church and Pastors to turn their at
tention in this direction, and halt
these evils and when we have ac-
complished that. there will open up
to us as people avenues which God
has promised the people OF his pas
ture. We need not wonder at race
prejudice and opposition so long as
certain conditions Is avoidable on our
own part continued to exist. would
suggest an organization composed Of
every denomination of Negroes in the
city to cooperate along this line for
race uplift. Let us speak more of our
faults less of our achievement, pray
for more knowledge and better
understanding and God will direct our
pathway and give us our reward as
a people
The above address was delivered
before the Pastors Club which meets
every End Wednesday at 5O3k Henne-
pin Ave., in the study Of Rev. r. M.
Toombs.