The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-27
DIR. WHITE breaches SERMON
TO TUSKEEGEE GRADUATES
Nv THE REV. A. f. OWENS

oughly adjusted to all cooperative su-
perior forces. They yield willing SUBJ
mission to the powers that are above
them and identify themselves with en-
ereies which lend helping hand to
all who abide in them.
..The message which these principles
of Christianity brings to the large
company of men and women who so
out today from Tusk egee institute is
pointed and powerful. The gospel of
the kingdom of God on earth Is your
guarantee of courage and 1t must
therefore be the inspiration of your
careers Francis Willard as she died
sent this last message of man The
golden rule is not a rule of defense,
but a rule of aggression. NO man has
the right to plead 1t in favor of him
self unless he has first practiced 1t in
favor of others. Whoever would have
men perform kindness and Justice to-
ward himself must give before he re-
ceives
1T is one of the miracles of history
that the colored people of this country
have received SO much gain and growth
under conditions of outward hardships.
The explanation of 1t has been their
meekness; their readiness to run pa
tiently in providential paths; their un-
impeachable fidelity to tasks which
seem menial and subordinate, and their
un bounded response of kindliness to
kindness. They have come along the
great highway of progress.
".with the stoop of the soul
Which in bending upraises 1t too
you have learned through the geniu us
of this institution that the guarantee
of successful self reliance Is by the
way of successful co-operaton with SUI
perior forces. This is wisdom to be
trusted. 1t had within 1t essentially the
principle of the beatitude. blessed are
the meek for they shall inherit the
earth
1.-The diplomas you receive. here today
binds you to abide another great prin-
ciple. 1t is the principle that labor IS
loyalty to God. Whoever will do the
worlds work the best will deserve the
worlds best:
"It is not in mortals to command sue
cess.
We will do better, Sempronius-we will
deserve it."
ut is recokned by those who observe
the times and who know how to dis
count the apparent at the bank of the
real that for the co1ored man who is
prepared for his life there was never
the nation than today. Let nothing
di discourage you. We are not living In an
ideal world. but the kingdom of God
Is coming. The characters of men are
bound to be appraised by their moral
specific gravity in any world over
which rules the Father of Spirits.
my final word to you is this: Fear
God and work, Believe In the past, be-
cause its lessons of warning are les
sons of truth; believe in the present,
because God is in His heavens and His
task is at our hands; believe In the
future, because the movement OF the
whole creation Is movement up. And
above all things, keep faith with duty.
" Keep me from turning back:
NV hand is on the plough, my fall
tering hand.
But all in front of me Is untitled land,
The wilderness and solitary place
The lonely desert and its inter space
What harvest have I? But this paltry'
grain,
These dwindling husks, handful of
dry corn,
These poor lean stalks? My courage/is
outwork.
Keep me from turning back?
The handles of my plough with tears
are wet:
The shares with rust are spoiled and
yet-and yet
Ny God! Ny God. Keep me from turn-
ing back"