The broad ax., 1923-06-30
COMMISSION ON INTER
RACIAL COOPERATION
400 Palmer Building
Atlanta, Ga
WEEK DAY SERMONETTES
BY DIR. II. It. S. Johnson, Interracial
Secretary for Oklahoma

"A COMMAND AND A PROMISE
Matt. 7:7-S-"Aslx and it will be
given you; seek and you viii find;
knock and the door will be opened to
you"
The Lord Jesus meant these words
not only for the people to whom He
spoke in that matchless sermon on the
Mount, but also for all people every
where for all time. They seem 10 Be
especially applicable to the Negro in
the United States because to him so
many privileges are denied, advan-
tages hidden and doors closed, that he
must continually ask, seek and knock
in order to throw of the handicaps Of
slavery, ignorance and superstition
that stand in the way OF his coming
into his own. Therefore. my prayer is
that the Negro in this country will
think Of the scripture which we con-
slider this week, as coming from the
burning heart Of Jesus direct to him.
ASK" is the first command. followed
by the promise, lit will be given you"
If as race, we would regard this
command and promise as meant for
us, personally, we should not have to
get along without so many things that
would be ours for the asking. With
out intending to overlook or make any
excuse for the white mans prejudice
against the Negro, II is but fair to say
that il we would ask for them, many
things denied us now would be given.
White men arc ready to help us get
better accommodations on the rail-
roads. But we are not asking for
them. The masses of our colored peo-
pie, many 81 them Negroes OF wealth
and education, suffer the humiliation
Of the present Jim crow regulations
without word Of complaint This is
SO generally true that when an oc-
casional Negro protests and asks for
better accommodations, he is looked
upon by some as an agitator. Too
many of our big men stand in with
the conductor and ride at reduced
rates. Those who do obligate them
selves TO the extent that they cannot
protest against anything. They are
paying too much for the little rebate
they get. II is costing them self-re-
spect and the freedom to ask for bet
ter treatment on public carriers,
The Corporation Commission is sup
ported BY public taxation. Tbs Negro,
therefore. contributes to its mainte-
nance. That Commission, | know
from personal experience, will invest
igate every complaint brought before
il, without reference to the complexion
or race 81 the complainant. Much
could be done toward making better
conditions if, in appreciable numbers,
we would ask that it be done.
We suffer is race in many respects
because we fail to use our asker. In
the matter Of parks. play grounds.
water, lights, sewer, better school
facilities. etc. we lack. NOT only be-
cause Of the white mans prejudice
but also because we do not ask Tor
relief along these lines. Ii We ask and
in the interest Of The Negro child for
the things which rightly belong to us.
fairminded white men and women win
Join as Ia the appeal until il Is granted.
We know this because OF past ex-
periences and because Gods word
says. ASK and It win Be given you."
Seek and you win 6nd." il the
second command. succeeded BY q
promise. For some Times II Is only
necessary to ask. But for Others We
must seek. We must seek opportuni-
ties. advantages and friendships.