The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-03-05
(By R. s. JENKINs)
FELLOW CHRISTIANS.
MIEN AND WOMEN.


tlncliOn shown me by Doctor ABB
IngtOn and his associates In desig-
mating me to welcome upon behalf
q all citizens OF Texas. the A. M.
=. Bishops Council leagalized for
Che greatest Christian Church organ
izztfon with centralized power
among COIored people on Earth.
This is a time that tries mems
sOuls II is time when civil gov
cruments as well as ecclesiastical are
being tried by the acid test OF the
ages and the Christian profession
itself Is exposed and thrown under
che white lights Of eternal truth.
Amidst 81 this confusion. hate and
chaos II Is fitting that the great
heads OF African Meth0dism meet
and take Council together. The
good people OF Texas are so closely
allied with the work, mission, OBJ
tscts and aims OF the great African
Methodist Episcopal church, fun
ctf0ned through It's learned and pow
crful Bishops; coupled with its
splendid laymen, cultured and re-
fined women. until we come out to
greet you and extend TO you all a
sincere Christian welcome!
For the moment, Bishops and my
Christian Friends. we are glad to
call your attention 30 few of the
serious problems confronting the
citizens of Texas. as well as 10 re-
call a few historical facts, touch
ing the great Church you have the
honor to represent II there be any
one present perturbed by secret
thought or doubt as to the proprle-
ty OF my bringing this subject:
1.-THE EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
OF THE A. M. r. CHURCH and
OUR PROBLEMS OF LIFE" for
discussion forward on this occasion,
let me hasten to allay his or her
fears with the assurance that I shall
carefully refrain from all offensive
personal illusions TO any section of
State. gentleman or collection OF
gentlemen. who might think or
ycu may think responsible for the
false and malicious standards Of
moral ethics or evil sentiment and
unjust laws affecting any Of the
many phases OF our PROBLEMS OF
LIFE and our CIVIL, ECONOMI-
CAL, RELIGIOUS and EDUCA-
TTONAL advancement
No public issue Is more deserving
Of thoughtful consideration by the
people both black and white and no
occasion could be more fitting for
its discussion than the present one.
This audience Is qualified in head
and heart to appreciate at its true
value every historical fact presented
and every argument that may be adj
vanced. Words spoken here may be
heard In all parts OF our great TN
ion and In this state; echoing
amongst the Pine Hills OF the Sa-
blne OF East Texas, to the Rio
Grande on the West and from the
Red River on the North to the wa
tiers Of the Gulf on the South.
At the outset we should realize
that II we are TO make any genuine
progress towards right solution Of
che problem OF life, we must APP
preach Il In spirit OF utmost can
dor. and with. an eye single to the
ascertaInment OF truth.
The Pessimist, sailing the Vesu-
Wan Bay. listens for the rumblings
Of the dreaded mountain--blind to
che Wonderous beauties of Earth and
sky about him. The Optimist, float
ing down the placid upper stream,
pictures to himself an endless pano-
rama OF peaceful landscapes, deaf
20 the laundering cataract of the
NEagra, Just below him. But bet
Ter than PessimIsm and better than
Optimism Is that philosophy which
faces facts as they are, and cour-
ageously interprest their meaning.
In the early days OF civilization,
Ignorance was the rule. not the ex-
eeptIon. But with the advent Of
Chria and his teachings, silent,
gentlr. yet all compelling force be-
gan It's work on the universal hearts
Of humanity.
In those days religion and educa-
tiOn adjusted themselves to the ex-
fsting governmental institutions, In
Guiding slavery. But Il inculcated
such lofty doctrines Of Love and
Duty, and created such vivid con-
ceptlons OF universal liberty, and
humanity for us all. that It was
only a question OF time when edu-
Gated people could cling TO the doc
f1ne. that ignorance and slavery
were beneficial for certain classes
OF human beings. and that religion,
education. culture. refinement, and
enlightenment. were the Inherited
possessions Of the otEer classes OF
human beings on the globe.
The gowth OF education scienti-
~ education put an end TO
white slavery, but Negro slavery
still flouriyhed, chiefly because the
Negro was of different race blood
from his masteis. OnOdess in
thought and blood, had grown to
mean freedom and culture for the
white man. But oneness in thought,
without oneness In blood, stlll meant
slavery and Ignorance for the Ne
gro
II Is not my purpose TO discuss
slavery. nor any nf its blighting ef-
fects upon civilization, only where
a. In ~ Judgment. acts as q hight
Of dark dispasr 20 our religious aud
educational advancement, and as al
barrier to q happy solution OF our
LEFE'S PROBLEM. which we must,
rsapple with today.
The Negro 81 a Citizen.
wish to advance this hypothe-
sfs, and from II adluce what have
~ say this evening on this phase OF
The subject. that the Negro Is a Cit
Hxen OF the United States.
THIS statement cannot be con-
arOFerted. nor will any man or wo-
man, North or South. regardless Of
what his peraonal predictions may
" with respect 70 the Negro, con-
tend that the Negro is not citi-
zen OF this Republic. II should
admit that tts Negro Is an inferior
citizen compared with the other cit