|«to ?,f*!|;:pw» (?:;, s <$ ti Af "£• *&$?$. »'»,r»«3?>as3^ws«B», ^ as .&?*<■• &•if'- ;/ .->*J'.»r»wv a >j)!S-i fotrmtraLfl svA.s >; '* 4^:v ?- »i /}? J*-* o (S^inr^ iJ't-ASXstSLA* Ot^iv §-L^vK- S^CX^J lo-lfC . .^—^V *«-*& vsciu v~Xl»*4~ ^J)CiJ~r^ h/H oA~ 3 Q CL#l £-^2/0 fyhuL. l&utk jjcjUx** ZU+aMj, CcJUajl. T£jJL yj^try © S^&,<*/£ tr-i^ju &~ef CAT^L© ^-y O-QA J<5 Q-^LsQjtjasC) ^ ^ l$~br c^T , IsAfCsO (vut-QS^-ftA2sj j£t o£f txc*su*- ~n*y xjLs^^jiJxJ%M@z^ cxAsGASla^. \y$ivJLx, JL Cswdisv &~tfs t*j ccfiJ^. y- (X^^y (dvvt^ J /3-C4W &-—j\r /0/9 ' T" t I (jj *"*"*- C^sh*As^Asi- Qaa-cxvO^ ^ _ T/>. (•Vv/iiX^TlX- ^V/IXA^. An APP£A£ €0 S©rt5 ©5 A5K3CA. A number of poems, readings, orations and lectures, designed especially to inspire youth of African blood with sentiments of hope and true no= bility as well as to entertain and instruct all classes of readers and lovers of re¬ deemed humanity. by P/\STOF( CHARLES P. JOjMES, OF-— Cbdst's Uemple, 3ack6ont flDiss. WITH jAJM !JMTF(ODUCTIOJ\ (3IVIJMG y\ SHORT HIS¬ TORY OF THE y\UTHOF^'S LIFE, ETC. BY PROF. J. H. GREEN, OF Monrovia, ^Liberia, Bfrica. TRUTH PUBLISHING COMPANY* Jackson, Miss.. U. S. A. dedicated to Jfcim *U)hose & jrfm and llJhotti Jp serve and to the Tfoble 2/outh of the jtffrican 5frace» fy the jfuthor* PREFACE. PRIME PURPOSE. This volume is designed to be an inspiration to the youth and aged especially of the rising race of this coun¬ try,—that distinct part of heterogeneous American citizen¬ ship, the despised, honored, feared, petted,loved, hated and, sometimes, too-much-noticed black people. Its trend will be found to be religious; for true religion is the foundation of all true morality, and morality is the foundation of all character, and character is the foundation of all true social order, and social order is the foundation of all tem¬ poral human happiness. I regard this statement as true from any point of view, and am sure that all thoughtful persons, and especially all pious ones, will agree with me. A WORD TO PEDAGOGUES. But this book has also a secondary purpose. It is to be hoped that such articles as "Don't Do It, Tom," "Buckle Down," "Looking Ahead," "Kindness," "Honor the Old Man" and choice selections from other pieces will be found useful by patriotic and Godfearing teachers as de¬ clamations for young minds and for somewhat mature ones as well. The songs "Wanted Men" and "Stretch Out Your Hands to God" may be both sung and declaimed. I am sure that most teachers and parents will agree with me when I say that it is a mistake to assume that in school concerts the sober and religious must be eliminated and only the frivolous and foolish given in declamation, dialogue and song. I myself have been as profoundly moved in imagination or moral feeling when some sober piece was spoken by some school child as ever under the ordinary sermon. I scarcely overstate myself when I say iv Preface. this. I am sure that I have heard many fairly intelligent sermons that did me far less good than some good peice well declaimed. We may, then, without cant, elevate the moral tone of the people by bringing"-much of the profound, the sober, yea, the deeply religious into our school concerts. A Christian teacher could not afford but to pray and strive to that end. It will take the co-operation of all to build character, God graciously supervising in all. SOMETHING FOR PARENTS. It is also hoped that parents will make this book 4 fireside companion and have their children to read the pieces over aloud till they are familiar with them and can understand what they teach. Parents ought not to let a good book lie about unread while the time around the fireside is thrown away in gossipping, or quarieling". or otherwise—ofteni in disastrous thinking, scheming and planning. Crowd and occupy the children's minds with good, or the devil will occupy them with evil imaginations and unwise plans. This is why so many go astray. PECULIARITIES. The iwrds "'Though" and "Through" drop the "ougli" hi thi* volume, {and the word "woe" drops the "e") merely to encourage in this age of progress, reformation in English spelling. See Errata for typographical errors of importance. Let the errata be wel' noticed for sometimes a misspelled word ob¬ scures much of tlie sense of a thought or production. THE AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTORY. Tlie articles of tliis work—the poems, lectures and the rest—are all fully pregnant with the religious idea. And why should literature ignore God? Is He not in everything? Did not all Grecian philosophy, of which we make so much, teacli us that we are His offspring? Can the rain fall, the suit do his shining or the corn grow without'Him? Is He such an old fogy of a parent, or so uncouth and uncultured a friend that we should be ashamed to mention Him in polite circles? Is He such an enemy to mankind that any should take insult at the mention of His name? Have not the wisest men found true piety the safest mainstay of human prosperity, the surest promoter of human progress, and the largest con¬ servator of human happiness? Has that nation prospered which ignored the supreme claims of Deity? Has that gen¬ eration covered itself with lasting glory which has ignored the existence and fear of the Almighty? The Savior's words, "Without Me ye can do nothing," may apply to His relation to all human races and affairs, as well as to strictly religious people and matters. I have not been ashamed,therefore,in my didactic address¬ es to exhort childhood, youth and age to the fear of God and to His spiritual service—tlio I be not writing either a book of sermons or hymns. God is the hope of all men. He is pecu¬ liarly the only hope of the black man under present conditions. No people can be great without nobility and integrity of char¬ acter. These have ever among all races of men been most happily and surely promoted by the fear and knowledge of God. But my aim has been to encourage the heart of youth in fidelity to the true, to the lovely, the honest, the pure; to in¬ spire noble and sober thought in our people. vi The Author's Introductory. To meet the social problems of our day there must be a pronounced swing back from the light and frivolous, with which we have surfeited ourselves, to the strong moral-toned, heart culturing literature which impresses eveu children with the deepest feelings of honor and awakes their noblest sens-r ibilities. It is a mistake to think that the purest religious teaching or the strongest moral advice is too heavy for chil¬ dren. When I was a small child the deepest and most lasting made impressions of truthfulness,honesty and piety were upon me. My heart seemed peculiarly fitted for them. Virtue, honor and love did not seem mere verbal abstractions to me but appealed to my whole young being as the source and es¬ sence of life's happiness. These impressions have never en¬ tirely faded; though contact with a sinful, sordid and sorrow¬ ful world has at times almost blasted my hope of reaching my early ideals. And the before-mentioned impressions were made by reading wholesome literature; though I had taste enough for folly .to tempt me to frivolous writings after a while. May God bless this book to the saving of many lives, the construction and preservation of many fortunes of spiritual, mental and material weal. C. P. J. Jackson, Miss., October 28, 1902. INTRODUCTION, The author of this volume is, in my mind, a versatile, not to say wonderful, character. I write this sketch of his life partly from what he has told me of his early life and partly from what I know of him thro' years of close friendship. EJlderCharles Price Jones was born December^ 1865, itt North Georgia; feared principally about Kingston. His mother was Mary Jones, who died July 13, 1882; ske was at that time the wife of Berry l«atimen She was a slave of William Jones of Floyd County, Ga. A PRAYING MOTHER. His mother was a dear woman who loved God; she was a praying woman, to whose strictness, love and prayers, by God's grace, our beloved brother Jones confesses that he owes his success in his life's Work. While yet a boy she ofteft awoke him at night by her prayers and wrestlings with God for him. Many a tiine she broke his little heart by her for¬ cible and impressive pleadings to him to be a Christian. EARLY SCHOOL ADVANTAGES, He first learned letters in North Georgia where he had some public school advantages at first from a young than of Talledega College, uamed J. E. Bush, (in 1874), Who loVed him and took much interest in him. Afterward, in 1876, he went to school six months to a Miss Ada F. Dawson, afterward a Mrs. Davis. He went to a night school to her in 1875. He was favored by the white people with whom he came in con¬ tact; they lent him books from time to time> for he was early a lover of books. His mother and teachers taught him to be mannerly to all old people whether white or black. His profound respect for his own people was sometimes criticised sarcastically by white people whom he served> viii Introduction. after mother's death. But the sacred care of mother's love is now gone, for mother has been summoned to her God, leaving this youth now an orphan. So he leaves the home of his boyhood and goes to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he worked for a con¬ tractor, Nolan who jumped his debts, and young Jones lost part of his money, but he then went to work for Montague &Co. and then for a Steam Tannery. Young Jones bv his diligence al¬ ways found favor with his employers before he stayed with them a great while. He went West in 1884 and worked 011 the Kansas City road building dumps. Leaving this work lie went to work for the government 011 one of its boats above Memphis, laying willow mats. He then went to Cat Island picking cotton; at this he was above average. He believed in excellency in whatever he attempted to co. When a school boy he usually got the prize, when one was offered, for excel¬ lency in memorizing, declamation, etc. converted to christ. Young Jones was converted on Cat Island in October^ 1884. He afterward became sick and much reduced therefrom and was at last cared for by a man named Devereaux Diggsi On the first Sunday in May 1885 he joined Locust Grove Baptist Church 011 Cat Island and was baptized by Elder J. D. Pi*tty'. He began teaching S. S. the very day of his baptism, and in the fall of the same year he went to preaching the gospel of Christ. An impression now comes upon ' brother Jones to go to Africa and teach the Africans the way of God, and preach" to them the gospel of the kingdom of God. Concerning this he goes to Helena, Arkansas, for the counsel of Elder El C. Mor¬ ris, whose counsel was that brother Jones should first go to school. Accordingly brother Jones went to Little Rock, Jan1. 3, 1888 and entered the Arkansas Baptist College; he worked his way most of the time. In the summer of that year he taught school in Grant County and paid back aid kindly ren¬ dered him by Prof. Jos. A. Booker the president of the college caued to pastoratte. Now it is that the ministry of brother Jones is becoming apparent. He was called to the pastorate of Pope Creek, a Introduction, ix new church in Grant County. This caused liitn to be or¬ dained to take charge of the work. So he was ordained that autumu in Mt. Zion Baptist church, Elder C. L. Fisher, B. D., pastor. It was done by a presbytery of reputable men, white and colored, before whom his examination was very excel¬ lent. He was highly commended by white and colored brethren and by their newspapers. In the fall of the year Elder Jones was called to the pas¬ torate of St. Paul church, in Little Rock, which he accepted. *ie is now a very popular young preacher. He is called to the church at Forrest City, where he worked and preached in 1887, but he declined; was subsequently called to Malvern, which lie also declined. In 1891 he was called to the church at Searcy, Ark., which he accepted over the protests and flat¬ tering pecuniary persuasions of his Little Rock church. The Searcy church, like the other churches he had pastored, prospered under his ministry. \ DENOMINATIONAL OFFICER. Elder Jones is now ranked among the first preachers of the State. He is corresponding Secretary of the Baptist State convention and a trustee and auditor of the Arkansas Baptist College in which he graduated in 1891. There was much talk of making this young elder a rival candidate for the pres¬ idency of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. For he had already been elected editor of the Baptist Vanguard, the college aiul State organ. As an editor he was a success. Possibly the Vanguard was 110 more fruitful under any of his predecessors than it was under him. called To Selma. This young elder's fame has now extended beyond the coufines of the State of Arkansas Some of the leading men of the State of Alabama received intelligence of this man of God, as a preacher of power, and thereupon extended him a call to the Tabernacle Baptist church, of Selma, Alabama, which he accepted, the church at Searcy to the contrary not¬ withstanding. The State Convention was in session at Little Rock before which elder Jones gave his parting words before taking his leave for theState of Alabama. It was not until X Introduction. now that the writer .understood or had the proper conception of this young man's rare attainments and power as a preacher although they were classmates in school. In these words he did not attempt to preach but simply to say a few parting words for God to the brethren among whom lie had done good work and spent prosperous days and years, for no preach¬ er made greater progress in so short a time. His words seemed to fall upon the hearts of strong mf n as it were a ham¬ mer. In a few minutes tears were falling from the eyes of the strong men composing that convention, and as obstinate as the heart of the writer wa$ at that time it might be that he too dropped a tear. He was a wonder to the men of the con¬ vention. They knew pot what to make of it; they surely thought he was getting out of the ordinary conditions of man for with tears in their eyes men said, all over that great house, 1lStop him! Stop him!" So some one ascended the rostrum and took the powerful and eloquent young preacher by the arm and set him down amid the divine and thrilling emotion that filled that great auditorium. Thus ended the pastoral work in Arkansas, for a season, of one of the fastest growing of ministerial lights ever formed in that Stale, no doubt. SPIRITUALLY LED. Being impressed that it is God's will that he do so, he now goes to Seltna, Alabama, and takes charge of one of the most important churches, in many ways, in the state. This is a very cultured congregation—a kind of a college church. Ma¬ ny preachers under such circumstances would be inclined to feed the intellectual man at the expense of the spiritual, but the fear and love of God caused him to constantly feed the •souls of that congregation on spiritual food, for his piety fainted not, but God was leading him more and more into the tjeep things of the Spirit. Yet being somewhat an intellectus himself he did not need to trouble himself about feeding their intellect as that wonld follow as a natural consequence of his acquired intellectual storehouse. He sought that which was most needed, namely, spiritual power with which God blessed hirp. According to the character of the preacher God blessed him in this place as He had in other places; and his fame in¬ creased accordingly. Introductioh. xi Elder Jones did much traveling from time; tq time, and he saw the destitute condition of the churches, and this grieved him, concerning which he prayed much. He found the ministry unconverted and unreliable, proud, selfish and even profligate; of course there were a few exceptions. He desired a better life for himself and began early to pray for it. He met our dear sister J. P. Moore in 1891. They prayed to¬ gether. Sister Moore said to him, "God is going to fill j'ou with the Holy Ghost." He ever yearned for apostolic life and power. A NEW EXPERIENCE. He was called to Jackson, Mississippi, to Mt: Helm church in 1893, after holding a revival there shortly sifter the "split,'*' but he dM not accept. In the following year he was called again. This call he accepted and took charge in 1895. He had then consecrated himself to God for higher living.' Was baptized in the Holy Ghost after coming here, a northern evangelist. Elder A. N. Kelly, being sent by to help him into* this higher experience. A HIGHER MINISTRY. Elder Jones has now begun, a new career in preaching the gospel of the Son of God. He now preaches a,gospel that overcomes, Self and sin—a gospel of holiness in Christ which saves from sin and which heals our diseases; a gospel consist¬ ent with the word of God. At first in their general meetings, suqh as associations, etc. ministers a,nd people with few ex¬ ceptions crowded to him for prayer, heard him and di. My son,. a ttend unto my wisdom, aud bow thine ear t^o my understanding: That thou m^yst \*egard discretion, and that thy lips may keep .knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as a houeycomb, and liermouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bil ter as wormwood, shafp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. L,est thou sliouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are movable that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, Oye children, and "depart not from the words of my month. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door'of her' house* Lest thou give thine honour unto "others, a^rtd thy Proverbs. C O - years mi to tlie cruel; Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth: and thy labours be in the.house of a stranger: And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despise 1 reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly- Drink tvaters out of thine own cistern and running waters out of thine oirn well. Let thy fouhtains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers\ with 'thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: arid rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and, pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times: and be thou ravished always ivith her love. And why wilt thou, my sou, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and hepondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked him¬ self, and he shall beholden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in tlje greatness of his folly he shall go astray. Prov. 5:1-23. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." Turn you at my my reproof: behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known M)f words unto you. Because I have called, aiid ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded. But ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof. I also Proverbs. will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your "fear cometli. When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirldwiud; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord'. They would none of My counsel: they de¬ spised all My reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices. Pro. 1:10,22-31. "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devisenot evil against thy neighbor, Seeing hedwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but liis secret is with the righteous. The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but He blesseth the habita¬ tion of the just. Surely He scorneth the scorn- ers: but lie giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools." Pro. 3:27-35. Bow down thine ear, and hear the word of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my know¬ ledge. That I might make thee know the cer¬ tainty of the words of truth ; that thou mightest anwsertlie words of truth to them that send unto thee? ;^'N y\PPEAL Ho Hbe Sons of Bfrica 0 sons of African descent, Sons of the torrid Orient Of ancient Ethiopic blood, 1 greet you in the name of God. I have a word of love to say; Lend me your ears, I fain would pray. "'Tis of our present state I speak, To lift your hopes on high I'd seek, To lift them by a way most sure To gain those honors which endure. ^Tis true a thousand ills beset Our present way; but, brethren, yet Such chance as ours no race e^er knew-, If we the right would think and do. We are the hindmost in the race, Yet run w« fast and gain apace; "We are the lowliest class^ but then "God's nobles come from lowly men. The mountains tall and grand are bare, The lowlands rich in produce are. The wealth of heaven downward flows, The reflections of this production arose from reading an account of the lynching* of two colored men in the Middle West for murdering and robbing a barber, and of the sentiment aroused in that section against the entire jace on account thereof. AN APPEAL TO THE And mountain soil to valeward goes. The eagle in tlie crag may build, But gets lier food from lowly field; No acorn ever new life found Until it dropped into the ground. The miatletoe, a parasite, May find its root in trees of height, Lichen and moss and love-vine may Both spring and cling and live a day On others' strength and take delight In boasting in another's height ; But parasites are envied ne'er By those who hold true freedom dear. When falls the tree on which they live Come down they must, nor yet receive Consideration in the fall,— They're down and done, and that is all. The pessimistic one may say, u The tall oak saps the soil away.7' Aye, aye indeed, but let the shoot Industriously put forth its root And take up all the soil it may, The towering tree may fall some day. The timberman may mark it out; To make his purse a bit more stout; Or may be it a hollow has That hides the hunter's prize; in case Either of these might cut it down, The territory'd be your own. Perhaps it spreads but is not deep, Some day a hurricane may sweep Its proud head crashingl;o the ground Then all the place you want is found. SONS OF AFRICA. 7 But if it strong and perfect be, And stand full many a century, Reach out your roots and get YOUR share Of soil and moisture, since you're there, And spread your leaves to air and sun And rob the earth OF strength. Go Oil From strength to strength. Go on your way, Be humble,—you'll be great some day. Be not desirous rich to be, Unless that wealth come honestly. A Gooi> name we would better chooser And every chance of riches lose, Than reaeh out for dishonest gain, And lose the love of God and men. "Manners farther than money goes, And character outshines our clothes,'7" So often did the old folk say,— And I have found it much that way. Persistent, thoughtful industryT Truthfulness and sincerity Buy for us what our gold can't buyr The loving heart and pitying eye, The deep respect of men who love, And blessings true from God above. Faith in our true humanity Made others give us liberty, Paying their treasures and their bloody From hero-veins a mighty flood, That we might free and equal be With all men; that all men might see, That Afric's sons in this free land Would of the world respect demand For genius, bravery, industry, Gentleness and humility. A'JSTAPPEAL TO TKET O sons of Africa, can we A wicked class afford to be ? Sin is to any folk a sliame? It casts reproach on any name, It castetli down the rich and strong ? The proud and vicious Mve not long $: Their children'bear the curse of Cain. So blessing's on illgotten gain* Lust, unrestrained, but bseeds disease, Shortens man's daysr destroys his peace.- Proud, boasting hate of man begets And strews life's path with long regrets,. But virtue^ thor in vassaPs hutr With blessings fences life about, And lays today foundations strong^ For happiness both sure and long. It clothes the slaves with dignity, It crowns the poor with royalty r It beautifies the homely faeey And lends to awkwardness true grace, And even the unlettered find It gives a strong and prudent mind, With tenderness of heart and thought Which many a pleasant hour has brougbt- So tho' our present lot may be Far from the throne of vanity, And though the lowest callings mayy Alone hold open gates today j Tho' money yet be hard to get, And poverty inclined to fret Under the curling lip of pride, Or scorn's assumptions dignified; Yet we may kings and princes be, If honesty and purity SONS OF AFRICA, But move tlie inner life we live,. And to all men we honor give. The man who fills a menial's place With humble and with cheerful grace, With honest heart and pleasant facer Helps to exalt the human race, Confers distinction on his tribe, Saves it from many a jeer and jibe, Becomes a pillar men among, Bridges a thousand floods of wrong. Indeed the honest yeomanry Of any nation sets it free, While robbers and proud parasites A people's brightest prospects blights. They strew life's highway with debris Of virtue wrecked and enmity; They scatter thorns and broken glass To wound the virtuous as they pass j They spread the germ of discontent Which oft infect the innocent With its contagion, bringing death, Swift followed by eternal wrath. Moreover, they do viciously Set snares for weak humanity, Where unsuspecting feet may fall, Bequeathing misery to us all. They make the burden heavier On all the human race. To err Is human ; truly that is so; But is it humane on to go, Both selfishly and viciously Leading the weak to misery, Scattering firebrands in the field By others sown for virtue's yield, AIT APPEAL TOTHE" Setting" on fire with helFs bMie flamffj. Burning to^ ctsTrawcf s&o# «vud shame The- harvest fair ofTove and 11ghtr Of others7* hopes so clear and' bright T Is it hrnmme, m it manlike- To raise the arms of hatvens- poissr And happiness- keep eyebt? (1oo»~ But knowr dear Afric's sable sonsr Not pompons talk, not Gratlmg guns*. JTot lodges, politics nor ©reeds. Sot ^old, nor culture,. pottrer breeds So much as ruggedi hmtesty; With God and maiu Humanity Wnselftsl>r joined with industry, In wisdom filling' well cwir place, And doing witb a noble graeer Tbe menial task of gl^d today Will open yet a better way. The deeper takes the tree its rootr The higher may its- stature- shoot; The firmer hold it has below The less it fears tbe winds that blow. The pyramids with broadened base. Stand teachers of a thoughtful race, While empires built since then*, are gone? They stand in grandeur all alone, In silent eloquence to tell That ancient Egypt built full well In some things,- any way. May hap These stone-piles do a mystery keep. Historians of a golden day When Africa the world did sway, Perhaps they're standing yet to see The cycles of infinity Sweep on the wheel of fortune, till Africars sons shall gain the hill Of human prominence again. And in a higher culture reign. Perhaps the race antipathy SONS OF AFRICA. That so degrading seems to bey (Especially malignant here On this our school ground), doth but bear God's message to us of this truth; Preserving us, in this the youth Of our race culture from the snare Of self-existence, as in were j Lest in amalgamation we Lose our God-given identity* God's purposes are wise and deep, And He who makes them doth not sleepv If men will seek His face and find The purpose of His holy mind And diligently aid His cause, Conforming to His humane lawsr The quicker work they for the good Of all the human brotherhood. But if menr heedless,, selfish live Like brutes that perish, God doth give- To each and all their well-earned pay, And wait His good for man's wise dayf The chaff He blows awayr the grain He garners. And His ways are plain And true and right to all the good, Tho' awful to sin's hellish brood, When falls His strong avenging hand On heedless race or sinful land. But small in all my Father's house, I preach not. I would but arouse, Wisdom's own sons their heritage To draw upon, and serve their age. Each man his faculties to train 18 AIT APPEAL TO TJETE7 Each maid or matron to demeaip Herself so virtuously and true, As by the wise and holy few To save the many. O, tire note Of Afric's true success, is wrote Kigli on tlie treble clef of truth; The bass prof undo low, forsootli, On modest industry's sweet staff !: Africa's sons, let who will laugh, But wisdom is our only hope, We're doomed, if yet in self we gropes If vice alone we emulate*, Hell is our only present state, And liell and death our future lot. Africa, hear, despfse me not! Let's set a Fight of virtuous ways To all men. Let us spend our days- In the grand task of showing men How to be noble on the plain Of humbleness and diligence,— And God will be our sure defence. Each life to evil thrown away Doth honor's coming feast delay. Let no one think his talent, then, May not be used to usher in A better day. Africans sons Let each from vanity be gone, Let each his haughty self give way And humbly serve his God and day. Fool hardy he that speaks of guns North, south, east, west, blood to blood runs And God Who doth the iveak defend ' Resists the proud, but is the Friend 'SONS OF AFRICA. Of all the lowly and opprest. Work! work! Improve yourselves with zest /Forbearing and polite, serve well Your generation: this will tell; "-■■Respect your own, and do your best^ Trust God—.and He will do the rest I I speak not to condemn my blood I IForbid the task, almighty God! II know we have a noble race Of curled hair and ebon face, -And princes have from Egypt come;; Crod has in Etliiop's breast a home. cSome of itlie noblest sens of men Have et'this Afric descent been. But, Afric's sons, an era new Hath dawned today on me and you. Clod's great decree-is come to pass : The fittest od -the rest do press And drive them to the very edge Of mortal life. The only hedge Against the pressing hand of fate Is the right hand of God so great. Upon this entire God-kept ball, "Virtue and diligence rule all. Ood has declared that it should be: And none may say, ^Not so," when He Has set His seal to a decree, Nor earth, nor hell, nor land, nor sea, Nor angel, man or devil may «Cause Him to change or run away. The scoffing infidel may boast And talked philosophy; but just So sure as God decrees, 'tis so, AN APPEAL TO THE Whether proud man consent or no. Africa's sons, of Hiin let's learn, And to His face for favor turn, Like Noah, Abraham, and Lot, Not like the souls who Him forgot. Let's serve Him in sincerity In humblest faith and verity Unpuffed by self's dropsic disease, But sound and true in all our ways. In spite of poverty or gain, God doth for virtue peace ordain; In spite of deepest prejudice In many a heart; there's holy grace Yet regnant in the human soul The monster's ragings to control. So long as conscience holds its sway; So long as men fear God and pray; So long as mothers teach their youth Humility; so long as truth On printed page and loyal tongue Touch the heartstrings of old and young So long as men have not gone mad, And moral instinct is not dead; So long will virtue find a friend And the man-hating, murderous fiend Will find a check upon his lust For blood of life. Men true and just Will hazard life for the opprest To give their holy conscience rest And to themselves yet to preserve Their higher natures! These will serve By impulse of a noble soul, SONS OF AFRICA. The Lord who all things doth control, And placing spirit, flesh before, Standing for wlutt is just and pure Rather than fleshly kin and blood, They'll strike the evil for the good. 'Twas always so, 'twill always be While God instructs humanity. Then let us trust in God's strong arm And do the right, nor fear the harm. But if we s^ek not to excel, The fittest will survive. And well And true doth God discriminate, Leaving no detail to blind fate. He sees a thousand years ahead, And knows the path our child will tread. The weight of every present deed On future years He well doth heed: A mother mean He now may spare, Because a noble son she'll bear. Two sons may do iniquity, Yet one more capable may be, And more persistent in his work Than is the other, who may shirk Today's responsibility Yet proud and supercilious be. Which son of both would you prefer If one you had to use ? Why, sir, Tlio' not without his fault, you'd take The one which would the best use make Of things and opportunities! The proud yet shiftless one at ease, You'd make to serve the other one, And judge that ycu had justice done. AN APPEAL TO THE And so with God: He never errs, But ever excellence prefers. Afric's sons, tlie day is near Of crucial test; we'd best prepare The time of judgment true to meet, That we with cheer that day may greet Who in oppression trusts must fail, But so must they who don't prevail To grasp grand opportunities Because a few obstacles rise ;— Who turn themselves to theft and crime Hoping to find a?j easy time. Why, Craven Crime icill first go down, While yet Oppression holds the throne. Righteousness conquers all and wins Immunity from ignorant sins, While God's plain path it yet pursues, Shod with the gospel's peaceful shoes. Let's then fall down before our God, Repentant, trusting Christ's own blood, And, rising, walk a trustful way, Waiting, in patience, for our day. If pious gentlemen we be, If virtuous ladies, then shall we Be freemen, tho' oppression strong- Frown on our color ne'er so long. With wit in head and God in heart With tongue controled and hand of art No power the human soul can crush No force the life can downward push • For the eternal powers of right Lift and sustain with God's own might, SONS OF AFRICA. Such a pure soul; which well might scorn Oppresson of presumption born. The noxious weed of flower gay And odor sickening might display A haughty bearing o'er the pink Or violet, but do you think These modest flowers would bloom the less Or earth with perfume cease to bless? Let not thy soul, Afric's dear son. Forget thy God and dwell alone, Nor herd it with the vain and proud, The stubborn, vaunting, heedless, loud. All flesh is doomed to sure decay, And truth alone shall win—some day. The blighted flower shall fail and fall, And virtue shall rule over all; And where for nonce the cockle grew, Or where the fennel spread and blew, Gardens of moral paradise Shall greet the angels' joyful eyes, And they, whose lot was hard today, And yet in faith kept love's pure way, Shall up and down walk in God's name, Praising fore'er the holy Lamb. •In God, in God is till men's hope! He loves you, Africa, look up! 3osepb Cbe Son ®f 3acob. * H Xecture. God saves men by giving- them character. True character is in itself salvation. Whoever has an up¬ right way, a pure conscience and a good name, has wealth and happiness which no place nor circumstan¬ ces can take from him. God saves us and gives us character by teaching us. The Bible is a manual of in¬ struction. En order to teacli the minds of every bent He presents instruction in many different ways. Two general ways we may mention as the«&- stract and the concrete. That is by precept and ex¬ ample. Hence the Bible presents truth, to us both in mandatory precept, positive and negative, and in biographical description. The most eminently help- * Once before a young men's meeting in Selma University I deliv¬ er a lecture on the character of Joseph the Son of Jacob. "When the meeting was over Mrs. Alice powie. one of the teachers, came up to me and said, " Brother Jones, my son is now in Birmingham, (giving me his street and number) and I want you, when you go home, to write him the lesson you have given here this evening." I promised her that if I found time I would do so; which promise I endeavored several times to fulfil; but my labors were so heavy sub¬ sequent to that time that I could not. i resolved, however to do more than that and write out the lecture, which at that time was delivered extemporaheously, and send it to as many aspiring man¬ ly hearted young men as would take pleasure in reading it May God bless its lessons to the help of a thousand hearts as thev have helped mine. Of course this reproduction is not verbal]v exact but "t contains the spirit of the lesson then held forth n " iLu many of toe* statements, perhaps., verbally the same. SONS OF AFRICA. 25 ful mode of presenting truth to the human mind is the biographical, that is through the lives of persons who live it out. We are to take the prophets as an example of suffering affliction, so James the Just tells us. The apostle Paul says, "Be ye followers of me," and, "The things which ye have seen and heard in me, do." He tells Timothy, his son in the gospel ministry, to " he a pattern of good works." Christ came to be a pattern for us all, and says, "Follow Me.-" Hence the Bible teaches us thro the exam¬ ple of the lives of men of faith. It is a book of biographies as well as a book of laws and poetry and prophecy and drama and history. We will now attend to the individual from whose beautiful career we hope to draw some useful les¬ sons for the present occasion, Joseph the Son of Jacob. No more illustrious or beautiful character may be found in all human history, sacred or profane, with the single exception of Jesus Christ, than this man, the beloved Joseph. Moses, however, in some respects, may be said to eclipse him. Next to the youngest son of his nomadic father, petted by him and consequently hated by his breth ren; treacherously sold into slavery by them and car¬ ried into Egypt; gaining favor in the eyes of Poti- phar who there purchased him ; becoming head ser¬ vant in his master's house; tempted by his mistress; maliciously lied upon by her because he would not respond to her unlawful affection; put into jail by his master, becoming eveu there a favorite with the jail¬ er and placed over the other prisoners; interpreting dreams; brought out of prison and made ruler in the land; meeting his brethren who are at length com- .id AN APPEAL TO THE pel led to fulfill his dreams and do him homage; the grand coming uf his father's family into liig.vpt to e under Lis protectionall these incidents described with all the straightforward "beauty and simplicity of theBible make his life more really romantic and Ins name more beautifully illustrious than meie human history or Action ever produced. What I like about it is that his life is not the creatjon of a human mind, not ev^n the life of some personage embellished by the partiality of some hu¬ man biographer, but it is a real life lived oat by a man, a young man. and told by Him who does not cover the faults of men to help the cause of virtue, but honestly reveals their faults to help the cause of truth and love. I. The fikst thing i want to notice is that Joseph lived his life and rose to emi¬ nence as a young man. God needs young men. ITe has ever needed them. He will ever need them; especially in crucial times, in times of great crises. If God can get the young men He can gloriously save a race, a nation, a generation, a world; tie can destroy the enslaving traditions of men; He can loose the cable of man fear; And despite the storms of clashing interests and opinions, successfully sail the ship of truth across the dangerous high ^eas of human history carrying forward to temporal and eternal happiness all her human cargo. If God can get young men He can meet and defeat to His glory and man's weal the myriad and subtle forces of sin and establish truth and righteousness among men, preserving social or¬ der, revolutionizing oppressive institutions and en¬ nobling the entire human race. By the young man SONS OF AFRICA. 21 Jesus He saved the world. By tlie young' man Paul HesentHis salvation to the Gentile nations and broke tlie back of Paganism forever. By tlie young- man Jeremiah He brought the Jewish nation to punish¬ ment. By the young man Daniel and his compan¬ ions He gave Himself a mighty name in Babylon, ef¬ fecting deliverances by faith which have cheered the hearts of the righteous in all ages. By the young- man Cyrus H<* founded the Persian empire and de¬ livered nis people. By the young" man Alexander He unified the world in a marvelous manner, prepar¬ ing it for the coming of the young" Messiah. The hope of our generation is the young" men. God wants us while we have our strength, while we are full of vigor and aspiration. By the Psalmist- God says to us, "Give unto the Lord glory and strength." He wants the strength of our vigorous, youthful lives. He wishes to exalt our ideals, in¬ struct our vivid imaginations, correctly found our hopes, control and direct our unsquandered energies, preserve us from the irremediable regrets of future years, guide our feet in safe paths; indeed save our lives from present and future dishonor, that our lives, according" to the very law of things, may save the livt'S of others. The task of human salvation is stupendous. It embraces an infinitude of interests. It covers the whole ground of human well-being. And the execu¬ tion thereof calls for the entire consecration of talent, genius and energy of the Sage of the Ages, Je¬ sus Christ our Lord. Young man, God wants you ; God needs you ; God is calling for you, before you have squandered the inherited riches of human talent and blasted life's idealistic hopes. 28 AN APPEAL TO THE Joseph was a young man. His piety w as youth fill piety. His fidelity was youthful fidelity. His glory was youthful glory. When age is tome, (tho God can and delights to give the remnant of life for our own happiness,) in most cases, oui hope of eminent usefulness is passed. This generation is passing thro a crucial ]>eriod. Our times are times of deciding the destinies of races and nations. Young men, God needs Josephs! II. Let us now examine the life of Jo¬ seph and see by what steps he rose to emi¬ nence, what trials of character fitted him for his glorious career. 1. He ivas a pious youth. His father taught him the fear of God. He did not spurn that fear, but prayerfully sought the will of God^so that God could, in dreams by night, encourage him regarding his future. I love the religious lad. It is not wrong to be radically religious while young. Satan would tempt us into believing that we lose something by it, that others get something that we lose. But Joseph was wise enough in heart to see better than that. 2. Again, I observe that Joseph possessed great filial love and respect. He was a parents' child. Ac¬ cording to God's law length of days and possession of the land depend upon honoring the father and moth¬ er: " Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with promise," said Paul The fact that the penitentiaries are filled up with our youth, and that their lives are not valued at a dog's price, that human justice scarcely regards their blood as human blood, is due largely to the disposi¬ tion of the younger people of our day not to respect SONS OF AFRICA. 29 their parentage and not to give due homage to all old poeple. Perhaps the fact that China has outlived all heathen nations, has built and preserved a better civilization than they all and presents a formidable ap¬ pearance to Christendom today is due to the fact that her religion contained the redeeming feature of pa¬ rent worship. The honor of the son descends to the parent, si) to speak. God loves young people who love their parents and respect the aged. The Jewish law commanded the youth to "rise up before the hoa¬ ry head and to honor the face of the old man." Jo¬ seph possessed to a pleasing, wholesome degree this regard for parental authority, so that he did not hes¬ itate to inform on his br ethren when they failed to do likewise, and he kne.w of their failure. 3. Again, I observe that Joseph would not col¬ lude with his disobedient, impious brethren, preferring their enmity for the right to their friendship in the wrong. He would rather be right and have his brethren hate him than be wrong and be popular with them. He " loved the truth and peace," not peace without the truth. These are the kind of persons God's reform¬ ers and heroes are made of. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellow¬ ship hath righteousness with unrighteousness f and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? * * Come out from among them and be ye separate," said the holy and zealous Paul. Said the Spiritfilled prophet Amos, Can two walk together except they be agreed ? " Joseph had none of the men-pleasing, crowdfear- ing spirit which characterizes our day, and which is «o fast destroying the loftiness and strength of splen- 30 AN APPEAL TO THE -did, unique, individual manhood. Everybody is join ing a combination, a brotherhood, a social or religions trust, a mutual help and mutual admiration society. The grand man of stalwart convictions like Enoch and Noah, the Daniel Boone of moral conviction and spiritual knowledge is almost extinct. Every man is closing his eyes and lips to the faults of his particu¬ lar brotherhood, denominational, masonic or other¬ wise, lest if he let conscience make him censorious he must needs be ostracised by his brethren, perhaps persecuted or sold. Amid the widespread and world- acknowledged ministerial depravity of our day, where is the Joseph who dares to stand censoriously among them, not joining in with them, but merely contend¬ ing for and looking after the interests of our Father in heaven ? Where is the man who, not merely sat¬ isfied in being a little more than the rest, stands as an uncompromising foe to every form of church and ministerial infidelity T Where is the hero who dares to stand alone for God and truth ? How God needs them now! He that compromising with men and colluding with the apparently strong and proud, seeks to save his life shall Jose it. Who daring to stand alone with truth and Christ loses his life as Joseph did, shall find it. (Matt 10, John 12:24-26.) God bade Israel when entering Canaan, to make no league with the inhabitants of the land. This looked to them like an impolitic, unsocial need¬ less command. They disregarded it. And 'we are informed in the second chapter of Judges that God sent an angel to reprove them, and tell them that those nations would be thorns in their side till thev perished off the good land God gave them. Thev wept, and the place was called Bochim, but, as in E SONS OF AFRICA. 31 sail's sad case, tlie decree was not changed. Walk alone with God. Be the companion only of those who fear His name, or else you may not walk with. Him at all, nor be eminently serviceable to Him. 4 Again, we are struck with the fact that cir¬ cumstances did not change the piety of Joseph. He did not believe in the ignoble, timeserving, God dis honoring principle, " When you are in Rome, do as liome does." He did not forsake his God because adversity overtook him ; but young as he was, stood yet more firmly. iJ onor to him. Sold from home into a strange land, he did not say, ''My God has permit¬ ted all this to come upon nie, why not do as others who seem to prosper1?" No. May be hisfatherhad told him the story of Abel, and he was willing to be an Abel. Perhaps his father had told him the story of Enoch, and he was willing to be an Enoch. Hi& father had doubtless told him of the wrestling at Peniel and why he was called Israel, and Joseph was resolved to make a worthy son of Israel. At any rate- liis religion stood the test of prosperity and adversity. 5. I am peculiarly impressed ivith the temptation ivhich came to him thro Potiphar's wife. He would not betray a trust. There is Joseph in a strange land, a slave in Potiphar's house. He has reached the estate of manhood. The time when so many youth barter their precious lives away, or sell the noblest talents for just such pleasure as is offered him here. Mrs. Potiphar is a princess, rich and fair; Joseph is only a domestic slave. But when tempted by his mistress to a life which a less honest and less wise youth would have coveted, he says to her, "Be¬ hold my master wotteth not what is with me in the. house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my 32 [AN APPEAL TO THE hand; there is none greater in this house than I; nei¬ ther hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God ? ' See, he would not betray a trust. It seemed to him an enor¬ mous wickedness, a sin impossible for a person with any sense of responsibility to commit. How God loved him for that. He had conscience, sense of res¬ ponsibility, love of the just and true. He had moral apprehension and impressibility. Joseph would do. Young men, I need not moralize. This example itself could not fail to fire your hearts to the loftiest moral purposes. But there is another thing in connection with this temptation. It was the peculiar trial which comes just before grtat honor. As one tries t he cord b )fore he suspends that: which is valuable upon itr so God, before He exalts men to high positions or confers upon them great blessings tries them to see if they are strong enough to bear them. You and I have had our blessing near us and were tried to see if we would take something lower, to see how tit we were for the high, noble, great benefit of God. Hid we stand our test? If this peculiar trial before a pe¬ culiar blessing has not come, it will come. Beware of the temptation! Yield not to it. Perhaps the coveted honor of your life is just behind it. Who knows ? Who knows? Let not I he noble opportuni¬ ty of exalted manhood, or honored and useful lead¬ ership, or worldly or spiritual affluence come and find yon closeted with sin ! Joseph might have reasoned himself into com¬ mitting this sin speciously and easily enough He might have said, "I am a slave; I si,all always be a slave; I am lield wrongfully; lny ,„.lstei. js SONS OF AFRICA. S3 to hold uie as a slave; I will do him another wrong in return," But no. tie looked at how his master had honored him as a slave. He consulted his bless¬ ings instead of his misfortunes. He looked at the pleasure of God. He resisted. He resisted repeat¬ edly, for the lustful woman urged her suit. He re¬ sisted even to the peril of his life; for the thwarted woman became angered and took vengeance, and men believe their wives against their slaves. But Joseph stood to the right, trusted in God and became eventu¬ ally as a meritorious consequence, master of his mas¬ ter Young men, hear! By persistence in virtue Jo¬ seph became master of his master. So may we. And God is doing all He can in every way to instil this virtue in us. 6. I will conclude by saying that all the rigidity of Joseph's piety and justice was clothed in the beau¬ tiful garments of tenderness and love. How glorious¬ ly this displays itself in after years ! How magnan¬ imous he is ! How affectionate even to kisses and tears, to floods of joyful weeping! How forgiving and free from the last stains of resentment! What is such a character worth? Who can begin to tell! And yet thro Jesus Christ we all can be the sons of God and led by the same Spirit Who led Joseph, and all may have the same mind which was in him; for we may have the mind of Christ. (I Cor. 2:16.) His was not self goodness, but the goodness derived from knowing God; which goodness all may have. Shall we not take the instruction of our heavenly Father, re¬ ceive His Spirit, seek His mind and trust His provi¬ dence and become, too, eminently serviceable to our generation t God bless you. God teach you and me forever. Amen. III. * Buckle 2>o\xm* { O do not be discouraged, Jolmr Because yon cannot wear The fine tilings other folks pat ony Or don a dandy airj Or if yon do not hap to be So cultured atfthey seem, Don't envy, Johnr nor sullenly Give np to ill esteem. But buckle down without a frown, Study and work and pray, Bo what is right with all your mightf They'll honor you some day. 2 Don't give it up and be a dolt Because you others tind Who quicker seem to take h hold And brighter seem in mind; Don't throw your precious life away In desperation wild 'r But do your best and wait your day, You too are fortune's child. • I was sitting in a waiting room at West Point, Miss. There came in several? persons, male and female. Some were well clad and seemed to possess a higher degree of culture. Some were poor and uncouth and i!lcl»d. 1 saw thes. less fa¬ vored ones st.ire upon the others with looks not unmixed with envy. I began to- eflect upon these feel'ngs and the unhappiness they produce in life, and upon the~ fust dealings of God and th-e sure re-ward of virtue and goodwill, however despUed: in the present they may be. These lines are born of those reflection*. SONS OF AFRICA. Just buckle down without a frown, And to your God be true; Be lionest, John, and labor on, Your day is coming, too. 3 If sinners should entice you, John, Consent you not with them; An honest heart and good name, John, Are a rare diadem. Remember, John, that the respect Of men when you are old, When you have but lived circumspect, Is worth far more than gold. So buckle down without a frown, Study and work and pray, Keep in God's fear, keep conscience clear, They'll honor you some day. 4 Perhaps the ones who scorn you now, If you them humbly meet, Shall then before you meekly bow And of your bounty eat. Wait, John, be kind to every one, Thej>roud are sure to fall; Virtue and diligence alone Shall overcome them all. So buckle down without a frown, And work and wait and pray, Improve your mind, true wisdom find,— They'll honor you some day. 86 AN APPEAL TO THE IV. 2>on't £om. B plea Bgainst IRevenge. 1 Don't do it, Tom, your passion may be-great, Perhaps your foe deserves an awful fate 5 He may be cruel, treacherous and low, He may have done something quite mean to you, Something perhaps you would not do to him ; The more you think the worse the thing may seem; But don't strike back, vengeance belongs to God. He never has placed in your hands the rod. If you strike back will it your own wound heal f I venture you would none the better feel, Nor will you be the richer for your deed. 'Tis best always to pay but little heed To insults offered by the vile and low, And noble people 110 such insults show. Don't do it, Tom; reflect, ignore, forgive; You will the happier and the longer live. 'Tis nobler far to bear and seek for peace, Than imitate your foeman's viciousness; Or if in weakness he has done the deed, He's now ashamed, revenge you do not need. Courage to pardon calls for greatest grace, 'Tis braver to ignore a wrong than face A loaded cannon ready to explode: This moral courage is like that of God. Don't do it, Tom, your foe himself has done Himself worse wrong than to you he has shown. SONS OF AFRICA. 37 3 Have faith in God; 'tis no dishonor, Tom ; God loves us, and from His good hand must come Every true blessing of our varied life. He counsels peace, He bids us cease from strife. He'll pay us well for every ill we bear; And He'll avenge, if we our foe will spare. He may seem long, but if we patient be, We'll yet enjoy a mighty victory. Don't do it, Tom, but be a noble man, Ignore, forgive, forgive him, Tom,—you can ! In future years you'll bless your noble, deed, As length of days and truth shall crown your head. V. ©ur Evictions, Like as the gold into the furnace goes With dross corrupt and comes out free and pure, So they who have their share of earthly woes, Shall purer be—if they will but endure. Pleasures of earth are sweet and much desired, But countless millions use them to their hurt! Indulged in pleasure, mind is soon impaired, Becomes imbecile and remains inert. That the loud laugh bespeaks the vacant mind, May not be true—in fact I think not so; But he who oft in pleasures low you find, Will ne'er in wisdom deep and useful grow. 'Tis discipline that makes the human strong, And discipline is seldom pleasant found; But while it lasts, though it be short or long, It burns the dross—it breaks the fallow ground 38 AN APPEAL TO THE For wisdom's crop wliicli may luxuriant grow, Wliere once the rankest ignorance did .abound, And fit us for our mission here below, VI, flDemon> ant) Conscience. Written in Selma, Ala., December 1894, as God was teaching me t!he exceed ing sinfulness of sin, and bringing me to the knowledge that it was my privilege •and duty to "Walk before Him and be perfect." Gen. 17: 1. This morn in distant lands are loved ones dear; Alone I sit without a soul to cheer. The cat such dreadful lonliness has fled And on the door mat outside makes his bed. December rains have chilled the outdoor's air, The roads are muddy and the commons sear, The sullen clouds that speak of gloom, not rain, Oome mocking at me through the window pane. The chickens crow, but 'tis a lonesome noise, Added to this anon a neighbor's voice Comes with a melancholy sound to me, And adds to gloom a deep intensity. I sit beside my grate where burns a fire, And of my books and papers early tire. 'Twere pleasanter in death to find a part, Than be alone with but a human heart. What feelings surge against the beaten shore! What fears arise ! What storms of doubt outpour,' Imagination finds a dark abyss With whir of batwing and with satyr's hiss • Like Noah's dove nowhere its feet to rest Around it wanders in an anxious quest. ' SONS OF AFRICA. 39 Doctrines and axioms, poetry and creeds Appear but quagmires filled with marshy weeds. Faith, that blest guardian with her torch of light Has put it out and left the soul in night. No angel comes the ladder dreams upon: No warning voice, nor yet a soothing one;. No torchlight from the windows of the sky Relieve the muscles of a strained eye. Behold! thou skeptic and thou infidel, Shut both worlds out, and lo! thou hast thy hellt rTwere better far in death to have a partr Than be alone with but a human heart. Butlo! thank God these gloomy thoughts are gone; I look about me, I am not alone; These hideous phantoms from my visions flee ! In comes a friend—her name is Memory. Welcome, dear Memory, yea, thrice welcome here. You find a very gloomy host, I fear. MEMORY. "Indeed, let's hoper your sadness #hall not last, We'll chase it off: with pictures of the past. Forget you all the joys of by-gone days! Of parents' doting and of teacher's praise ? How hard you fought to master every book 1 How well you did in all you undertook ? How every prize was yours by all's consent, However hard the other students bent ? How many days of routing, childish joy When yet you were the merest strip of boy, Th ©n when you older grew how hard you toiled f ¥> AN APPEAL TO THE myself. "Aye, and a many good days work I spoiled. memory. " Tliink of the Lopes that fired your youthful breast, That gave your life a eh arm and toil a zest. Think of the castles in the air you built; Think of your good deeds'7— myself. "And, alas! my guilt! Great God! dear Memory, what is this you've brought ? 'Tis but the goods that in the past I bought. Of all the good that heaven has seen me do, A few bad deeds its beauty hides from view. Each cup of wisdom has its hurtsome flies; Just as 1 reach it something takes the prize. Satan has not forbade my doing good, Only I have not done it as I should. One day I trusted God and did the right, The next I did an evil in His sight. 'Tis true I trusted, and for pardon prayed; And heaven's voice said, "Do not be dismayed.,r But for each deed of sin I find a scar On Memory's gate post, and they will stay there! Either there's something I should not have doner Or something I have left neglected, one. My dreams of goodness all have been but dreams,. My dreams of greatness even less, it seems; My hopes of wisdom, perfect and complete, Have ne'er been realized the case to meet, SONS OF AFRICA. Why is it thus ? I see tliat very well, Though with great shame the reasons I do tell: When wisdom taught, sometimes I heeded her, But often still I did not care confer With such a rigid, unrelenting friend,— Though well I knew 'twere better in tlie end. She never failed to warn me day by day, Whenever evil influence led astray; No deed of sin by me was ever done, But that her Spirit cried, "Beware, my son/' But while I loved and in 1i«t did rejoice, Sometimes I would not heed her warning voice, I thought of Mercy, and on her presumed, And thus by evil all my good consumed. God's Spirit taught me ways of heavenly lightt, But, tempted frequently His voice to slight, I left unheeded "just for once" you know, His heavenly mandate—would it were not sol This I have learned, that all God's words are true, What He forbids 'tis never safe to do. Tho siren tempters charm the heart and ear, When conscience whispers, it is safe to hear. " There is forgiveness," says the tempting one: But he will mock you when the deed is done. God takes His vengeance on the ill we do— There is forgiveness but there's justice too. There is forgiveness from the God of heaven, Not that we might presume on being forgiven And evil do-, but that we might Him fear: He takes His vengeance; though He turns us clear. Think you that God meant else than what He said When He forbad that sinful ways we tread? AN APPEAL TO THE God is not mocked, be wise; tlie secret keep. What e'er thou sowest thou must surely reap. Though still He sits upon His mercy seat. He never will the wicked man acquit. "Why, others do such things, and prosper well," Argues tlie tempter, who would woo to hell. God oft allows the wicked man his way, And lets him go for many years astray. And lets him prosper in the thing he does, Because his portion is eternal woes. Think not because the wicked seem to win, That God has ceased to punish every sin. "Do it this once, then you can leave it off But just that once seldom gives sin enough. One sinful act makes way for other sin; Be-ware, my brother, better not begin! But just that once, though you no more repeat, Will leave a shame that you cau ne'er forget. How many persons went their whole lives through Slaves to the sins they meant but once to do! Adam but once transgr essed the law of God, And all his race must bear the afflicting rod. If Jesus Christ but once the law had broke The world could ne'er have thrown off Satan's yoke, "Go on, go on, indulge your grieving lust, All men are sinners, none are true and just, Just liide yourself, don't let the people know Keep undercover all the sin you do; Keep a bold face, respectability Is the great thing; what means hypocrisy?" Thus by one sin w e lose the love of truth SONS OF AFRICA. And innocence, the fragrant flower of youth. Our self respect we sell to gratify The evil tempter, and our God defy. We then begin to lose in other men What in ourselves we lost by that one sin. At first we think of all we are the worst; To look men in the face we hardly durst; But afterward as on in sin we go We magnify the weaknesses they show, Until at length we get ourselves to feel That though our life has much we would conceal Yet spite of all that we have done and been, We'er not so bad as many other men. Then to be censured for the wrong we're in Uather insults us than disgusts with sin. Pity the man who quite this far has gone! Pity the man who thus in sin has run! For now has God grown weary with His case, Consigned him to the evil of his ways. Conscience has cried and seen her cries defied Until to further work she has denied. Seared with the iron of a sated life, She grew aweary and left off the strife. No can she longer fill the soul with dread, No longer can she make of sin afraid, Her deep reproaches make him shed no tear, Her warning whisper makes him feel no fear. Intrenched about with arguments, forsooth, Forged by the devil to combat the truth, With false philosophy his mind hedged in, Unheeding the deceitfulness of sin, He calls good evil and calls evil good. AN APPEAL TO THE His poor sonl poisoned witli deceitful food, His vision blighted with a double sight, At last he loses consciousness of right. Oh it is dreadful when one goes so far, Till God awakes us with some mighty jar; Till some great thunder from Mt. Sinai's rock, Awakes dead, conscience with a frightening shock, To find that memory, faithful as is need, Slily recorded every evil deed, Every intention to the wrong pursue, And every sinful wish the bad heart knew! How faithful memory is to her brave task! She winks at nothing—it is vain to ask. Upon her tablet faithful to its hue, She has recorded every deed we do It needs but conscience to awake and show Whether the action evil was or no. And conscience! gracious! with what accurate grace She puts the picture of them to our face! No bribing conscience to call evil good! Truth is her mirror, and her every mood Finds her the servant of the Truth alone: We cannot bribe her evil to condone. She is God's witness in the human breast, To warn us, friends, that life is not a jest. She'll stop and listen while our selflove tries To put a bandage on her faithful eyes; She'll hear us argue to excuse our sin, And wait with patience till our speech is in; Then with unerring voice, like that of heaven, SONS OF AFRICA. She'll show us that in vaiu, alas! we've striven. Our deeds are painted in their colors true. And naked stood up to our trembling view, 'Tis doubly awful when thus conscience dread Awakes to haunt us on our dying bed. Where is the scoffer or the infidel Who laugh at preachers and denies a hell? That man, who, knowing, wilful walks in sin, Upon his death bed has a hell within. To mend his doings it is now too late, And just before him lies an unknown state. When conscience wakes and to his spirit cries, 'Tis like the gnawing worm that never dies; Or like the burning of a ceaseless flame Upon some unconsumed but tender frame. Already he in outer darkness dwells As black and hopeless as a thousand hells! But some men die who've sinned for many a ye; And on their death beds seem to feel no fear. Conscience long silenced, never more rose up To put her quinine in tlieir coffee cup. Sometimes by false love and by great deceit, Memory and conscience are not 'lowed to meet. Is such a person happy that 'tis so? Then let's fight conscience till in death we go. What think you, friend, has God giv'n to us all Like powers of mind with which to rise or fall? If conscience be not given her chance in this Sad life, think you her sacred work she'll miss! I tell you nay, but in the lowest hell, Like seven trumpets she'll awake and tell Us of our sins, while surging billows roll AN APPEAL TO THE The torments of damnation on our- soul. And at the general judgment-when we stand Before the Judge of all, sh&'ll be 011 hand. When angels clothed in light about the throne. Bring out earth's sinful culprits one by one, And God (he Judge eternal reads their doom To all who unrepentant meet the tomb;, In tones that shake the mountains earth and sky? Whfen demons will descend with frightful cry, When sinners, with despair upon their face, Upon the left hand side shall take their place; Conscience will then begin her awful task Then 'twill be all too late to respite ask. Conscience and Memory, what an awful pair O mortal man, on their account, beware! Conscience is. good unless our deeds appear; Memory can't harm, if Conscience be not there. Indeed is Memory kind to us disposed, She gives the rock the color of the rose She adds enchantment to the times gone by And makes us think of them with many a sigh. We come through what we call a rugged way, But when 'tis past it all seems but as play, And straggling wildernesses gardens seem, And mighty conflicts past are naught but dreams Memory and hope are pleasant when 4#ar friends, They are two wings on which the soul ascends. But when from Hope sweet Memory turns away And weds offended Conscience, wo the day! Pity the man whose heart's their dwelling place For sad and awful is his hopeless case! SONS OF AFRICA,. 47 There is no heaven to his sin-cursed soul; Tho' waves of music all celestial roll. In thrilling volumes, on his quickened ear, It could but quicken his remorse and fear, And glorious visions butintenser make The hell within him which no spring can slake. Eternal horrors ! let me live today., To God obedient, let me turn away, With prayer prevailing, hell's disguised voice, 'Make Christ and virtue daily my good choice. Let me treat Conscience as I wish that she In the great future shall repay to me. VII, Xooktng Bbeab, Look ahead! Live not as lives the grunting swine, looking only for today's acorns, resting in to¬ day's mudhole or bed of leaves. So live today that tomorrow's life will larger, sweeter, nobler be. Put to exchange your great endowments, your time and talents. Enrich yourself-. Envy not the opportun¬ ity of another. Believe me, yours is as good as his; may be better. Has he wealth? The greater priv¬ ilege is that of accumulating wealth. Or better still, may be you are called to those higher stations in life where wealth would be a cumbrance. Perhaps your poverty is your glorious opportunity. The world's greatest.teachers, the world's wisest sages have been men who were born and lived in utter or AN APPEAL TO THE comparative poverty. Wealth has cursed many a youth. Do you wait and mope and dream of some sudden good luck to befall you, some large inherit¬ ance strangely to revert to you 1 Do no longer so foolishly. I read some years ago of a young Irish¬ man who fell heir to a fortune in the fatherland, his lawyer® sending him five thousand dollars with which to prepare and come home in proper style. He took the money, went 011 a spree .with his friends, and in a few days died with delirium tremens. His fortune was to him a sad and eternal misfortune. Charac¬ ter is a fortune. Such men as Joseph, Moses, and Daniel knew this. Moses when lie was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter, choosing rather to endure affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasurse of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Clnist greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Heb. 11:24-26. Here was a man fit to be the lawgiver not only of his own nation but of the earth. . All legis¬ lators and jurists bow to Moses. Be a man, brother. Use well thy time. If thou hast not at present a paying occupation be not found with fools and idlers, the words of whom are as briars and their laughter as the crackling of thorns under a pot. Be alone with some good book, or a- lone with God or alone experimenting some useful device or invention. Enrich thy mind, educate thy liand to do many things. Think out the problems of life. Live in holy thought and useful deed and irre¬ proachable conduct, Improve thy home, thy farm, thy mind, thy heart. Silently enrich thyself in wis¬ dom and stability of character. Mind not high SONS OF AFRICA, things. Climb the mountain step by step, hav¬ ing a solid foundation of truth, knowledge, dis¬ cretion, honesty, honor, integrity under thee as tlion dost ascend. Climb the mountain. Be not as the tortoise which had the eagle to tjarry him high and then turn him loose thinking he could by that means fly. Stand not around, fawning and obsequious, ex- pectingothers to boast you into theworld'sestimation. Make your own money. Pay your own fare. Then you will have your own liberty when you get there. "In the world's great field of battle, In the bivouac of life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle, Be a hero in the strife," Live a day at a time. Let every day tell. Lay up in store some useful knowledge in the mind, some good thought in the soul and some good deed in heaven, and, where thou canst, without theft or parsimony, lay up some material substance that thou mayest have to give to him that needeth. But get rich toward God. Let Him dwell in thee. One thought helped to ennoble the ancient Greeks. They conceived the idea that they were a superior race of beings descended oil the fathers' side from the gods. This may be a reality with every man, we may all be.the sons of God, indwelt, led, kept, taught, quickened, body and soul, by His Spirit There can be no order superior to that—sons of God> O young man, be not a brute, caring only to gratify today's lust. Be an Alladin of faith, a giant killer in truth, a son of God, superior even to the angels of light in the eventual possibilities of thine existence. Seek the Lord, believe in the power of His blood and tli« indwelling of His Spirit. Be an holy creature. 60 AN APPEAL TO THE Better this than millions of wealth or a world of fleet¬ ing fame. Thy life is within; thy vanity may come from ©utward conditions, but thy peace and abiding (satisfaction must proceed from within. Thine ease must come from health of mind and soul. Millions cannot x>roduce a night's sound sleep or a day's con¬ tent if the inner witnesses be constantly crying- to God against us. Let Memory and Conscience be orar frieads and let not Opportunity be against us. Amen. VIII. H Xtttle ffilacft (Let two boys speak part one and two Goming on the stage one immediately following th e other.) 1 All little and black and all kinky of hair, All hatless and ragged, feet dirty and bare, Bright, black, staring ryes looking at you in awe— A little black boy, that was all that I saw. 2 As I looked in the depth of the little black eye, And studied the soul that behind it did lie, I wondered, "Whatever on earth will he be 1 "No telling; no telling; the living will see. 3 He may be a good man, high holding a light io many a soul in this sad world of night; H© may be a sinner destroying much good, SONS OF AFRICA. 51 Not worthy of shelter nor clothing nor food. He may b© an earnest, industrious lad, He may be a dude and may go to the bad, He may turn out into an excellent man, lieapected and }oved—May he d® so: he can! 5 He may be be a governor, a president, or, He may be a colonel or general in war, He maybe a minister, faithful to God, He may be a doctor, or lawyer—or fraud. 6 He may be a farmer, a builder, a cook, He may be an author and write him a book; Or yet a hod carrier or barber, or clerk, An engineer, fireman, or brakernan, or work— 7 At something original, planning it all, Or just a poor laborer, waitn g the call Of some one (who, wiser, doth earn larger pay) To hire him to do little jobs by the day. 8 Whatever he works at small matter that be, He has a poor soul, that, unless 'tis set free From sin and from passion, from self and the world, Will one day to agonies endless be hurled. 9 A life-loving soul, full of hope and romance, A joy-loving- soul—may he give it a chanee 1 5% AN APPEAL TO THE Long ages of sorrow or seasons of joy Lie yon in tbe path of the little black boy, m Who'll guide Iiim and teaeh him and show him the way ? Who'll love and instruct him and teaeh him to pray? Who'll pray for him daily that Jesus may guide Hia wandering feet, keeping him at His side? 11 Who'll watch and be true and hoTd tip a good light That our little black boy may see how to do right? Said one of our statesmen, on righteousness bent7 "I'd rather be right than to be president/' 12 God grant that our black boy may always be right, For then he'll be rich and be wise and be bright, A help to his people, a prop to his land— Who'll notice the black boy and lend him a hand! IX, THE LITTLE BLACK BOY. PART II. 1 A part of this great common country is he Progressive America, land of the free, Where changes stupendous occur every day, And yesterday's state passes swiftly away. 2 Push up, little boy, you are part of the crowd, SONS Of AFRICA. 5$ You need not be insolent, knavish nor loud; Just hunt the best place and lie low at the trough Our Father is watching—they sha'n't drive you off 3 Fear not if they scorn at you, all will be right If you will hold on with your heart and your might, And do like a man what your hand finds to do, There's a place, my black boy, in this country for you. 4 There's a God yet in heaven who swept the sea dry To let a weak people who trusted Him by, Who wrought mighty miracles, all to protect The captive who from Him did succor expect. 5 He'll help you, my black boy, your fathers can tell,. How, tho but poor chattels,their prayers did prevail; He shook the whole world and their children set free— He loved them, my lad, and He loves you and me. 6 Be truthful and honest, God-fearing and brave, B© any men's servant, but no villain's knave; Remember your mother and honor her name, Fulfil her ambition, her motherly dream. 7 ]S"o mother a son of her womb ever bore But hoped that the future had for him in store A pure life of industry, honor and peace, Goodwill from his fellows,from God endless grace. 8 So, little black boy, look above yon and see, 5# AN APPMAL TO THE That God is as good to us all as can be; Just push for your chanc«,(being modes# and brave,) With faith and goodwill— and your chetnee you shall have. X. Ibonor tbe ©l£> flfcan. £This' &• lw»t hy mi or tw# little (krk with good 1. * Rise up, my boys, rise up! And honor the old man; Life's darkest days are on him nowy Brighten them all you can. 2. Respect the hoary head, Honor the wrinkled brow; Remember what you do to him Others shall do to you. Chide not his feebleness; And tho' he boast, forbear; He knows he's not the man h© was And that the end is near. 4. His spirit, born to power, Accustomed long to rule; Hates to be slighted by a youth. Or chidden by a fool. 5. He is a father, boys, Great deference to hiin's due; * "Thou sha.lt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy Ged: I am the L<*d." L«t. 19:32. SSOm OF AFRICA 5i Hemember that wlien yoa are old You'll look for honor, too. 6. Honor-him gravely, boys, His raee is nearly run; His trials nearly all are met, And yours have just begun. 7. That folk shall long endure, And strong and wealthy be, Whose children do their elders treat With much humility. 8. Never a saucy word To older people gay, If you would not at some day have Children treat you that way. 9. The kindness you would have Others your parents give Take heed that others' parents shall At your own hands receive. 10. If older folk you find Who donot seem to be Worthy of honor, give it yet; Their rudeness do not see. 11. Ood will repay each word And every kindly deed; You shall not lack for food and drink Nor for a home have need. 36 AW APPEAL TO TMS 12. Rise ui> '• 10J boys, rise up ! Honor the hoary bead ! "Soon they'll be gone and soon shall yo* Be standing in their stead. 13. Honor the old man, boys, Honor his hoary head; His mortal race is nearly run, He soon will join the dead. 14. He may lack gravity, And may not know his plaee; But honor him. God bids you to; Display your manly grace. 15. llespect the careworn face, Honor the wrinkled br*w; Some day the same you show t© him Others to you will show. ©nil? ftbts ©nee. How subtile is tlie enemy of souli ! With wbat an art the simple lie controls ! How wise to bind the favored and well taught When once h e hath their minds' atfceation caugh t! He asks thee not to choose the ro*td to hell; He asks thee not in sin and shame to dwell; He would not seek that pure girl to betray Into the vile and loud and stubborn way; does not ask that son to cho*ftb SOWS OF AFRICA. 57 A drunkard and a general debauchee; He does not cisk tlie lionest minded man To be a thief—that would destroy his plan. For such in horror would resent tlie thought And gird his loins for virtue, as he ouglit. 2 But contrawise lie works upon the mind And baser psssion till at length he find The wavering will inclined with him to go, A liltle distance. Now he well doth know That one sin done for other sins makes way; So to the soul that he would make his prey He subtly says: "I ask not that you choose This way for life; you'd do wise to refuse To think of such. I onty ask that once You go my way. Come, try it for the nonce. Only one time; one time can never do So much dread harm; then you may right pursue Just once ! Just once ! I donot ask for more, Once will not hurt you, I am very sure. That's not so bad as others have been known In your own time and circle to have done." 3 The will on:# weakened, conscience loses power And passion takes the sceptre—wo the hour! Reason then blinded doth true wisdom hide. And bring the judgment onstrong passion'sside; Conscience, assaulte d and her strength now g"one Becomes exhausted leaving thee alone, Remorse says nothing—it is not her day, She'll see thee later—if thou go astray. But, "Just tkis once, " the powers 3f sin yet eryj AM APPEAL TO THE "Just once, " says passion, with her voice on high, "Just once" say others, all in sin's employ, Yield to thy passion and thy life enjoy. It is unlawful but 'twill pleasure give; Why be so prudish.?—live as others live. Yet thou needst not pursue this way to death, Only this once, then back to virtue's path. " But, O my friend, if thou but yield this time A*id stain thy character with sin or crime, Thou art sin's slave; the single act will bind Resistance next time thou wilt harder find. 4 Only this oncet O friend, that will not do ! When once thou'st tasted thou wilt sin pursue. Sin is deceitful; it will promise rest After this once, but if tliou lose the test!— Why de it once, if thou couldst then refrain, And never do the frightful deed again 1 The wound may heal, and disappear the stain, On memory's face the scar will yet remain, To give thee shame of face in after years And wash thy cheeks with penitential tears. 5 Only this once ! Millions before have said The same, and now are with the sinful dead. Soul-hating demons of a hopeless land Around the soul at such a moment stand And urge it on and breathless push the plea That at this moment sin has given thee— "Only this once" ! All heaven is waiting, too, With drooping wings to see w&fcfc tlimi wilt do. All wait to hear thee make for help the crj7 SONS OF AFRICA. 59 To God thy Savior standing" ever nigh. Ready He stands when He shall hear thee pray To drive temptation from thy soul away. Pray ! pray, my friend ! Have faith in God and pray ! All heaven waits to help thee win the day! Thou canst not pray 1 The Dragon has thee charmed ? Groan then; show Jesus thou art now alarmed. He knows thy groan; thy strug-gle He doth see— Only resist the devil: he will flee. 6 Only this once ! Thy will is on sin's sider Thou art not willing" sinless to abide ! Only this once f Listen awhile to me: I would that thou some parables shouldst see: Put thou a pistol to thy mortal brain And shoot it once; thou needst not do '£ again. A dangerous gulf before thy feet doth lie Leap down it once: no more, remember,—die! A train of cars stands on a long" steep grade, Locked by the brake for that one purpose made; Go turn them off—just only once ! no more Give them oneshove—they move! now getbefore And hold them back ! Get help! they faster g"ol Stop them ! Stop them ! They'll jump the track below! Stop them ! O see how faster yet they run! Put on the breaks! undo what thou hast done! Stop them, I say ! at yonder curve they'll go Over the bank and crushing down below.- At such a spsed destruction waits the train: Thou shovedst them once: they need itnct again. Throw on the track a crosstie or a stone ! 60 AW APPEAL TO THE All I It but hastens what was coming" on. A crash, a plunge, a rattling", roaring" break: There lies thy train a wasted, broken wreck J 7 No ! 110 ! my friend, not once, not once nor twice, For then a dozen times will not suffice. Please don't! please don't! I'm senttotheeof God To keep thee in the safe and narrow road; Wilt thou a rebel yet persist to be Because our foe suggested it to thee ? There is no good God will from thee withhold Of social pleasure or of fame or gold If thou wilt only wait and keep His way. Live in the present for a future day. Sreat Cbe ipouna men Well. Do not discourage theyeung man, We all were young once, you knowj He may seem a simple upstart, And most too much self may show,— 2 But most of us passed that period, And that which was oft put down As stubbornness, conceit, selfwill, Has some of us brought renown. 3 In every one there's a future, Not a copy of your life or mme; But that which a wise Creator In making him did design. SONS OF AFRICA. 61 4 Be careful about the young- man, He may be a prince some day, And tho we may now despise him, The world may yet come his way. 5 And tho we may try to crush him, Because we may not him like There's danger that all unknowing, Dame Fortune's loved son we may strike. 6 And if it be so, we can't hurt him, But later will feel our shame, When he has displayed his manhood And come to a well earned fame. 7 Encourage the young man, help liim, Advise him and with him bear; You may yet be proud in future That you in his aid did share. XIII. IRinbness. (A sermon in verse). <(Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love."—Rom. 12:10. "Charity sufliereth. long",and is kind."—I Cor. 12:4. AN A PPEA L TO THE 1 * Kever mind if pride ignore, you, never mind if self- esteem '■Cause tliq fortunate to scorn yon, nor upon you deign to beam Just one smile of recognition or one nod of brother¬ hood, Keep for all a heart of kindness, brother, it will do you good. 2 Keep a smile upon your features and pure kindness in your eye, Tho at first some may rebuff you, it will pay von by and by; For the eagle soaring upward must return to earth to eat; All at last will need your goodwill,—wait and keep your temper sweet. 3 There are ever hearts about you hungering for a look of cheer. There are ever latent sorrows cheerful words will help to bear; Earth is full of human burdens, and of lonely hearts who feel They are in the way of others—yon can help them if yon will. * Written in the depot at Vicksburg while observing the hard looks of pride that certain people were casting upon their supposedly less fortuuate neighbors, and re¬ flecting- upon the feeling's of resentment or discourage¬ ment that such looks are apt to awaken in the less fortu¬ nate. SONS OF AFRICA. And perhaps your kind, "Good-morning/' with a cheerful nod and smile, .May ma !ce some poor heart: desponding feel that life is worth the while, If may keep some grave from filling- and some soul from going- down, And the, Lord, who loves His creatures, for a smile may give a crown. 5 Do you not yourself like kindness from all men and everywhere 1 Have not others hearts just like you, who contempt like not to bear 1 Oft the brutal look so scornful wounds a tender, fragile heart Frightfully—and hours of anguish may attend your brutal smart.- 6 You may~not so need men's kindness, money may inflate your pride, Self esteem keep yon from needing what to others you've denied, Friends in plenty give you flattery and your bur¬ dens help to bear, But the life of others round yon stoop beneath full many a care. 7 Your sharp words and looks will only help to heap the burdens high, When you might have helped the weary as on earth you passed them by, ; AN APPEAL TO THE You were thoughtless, heartless, brutal, throw >our pride yet on the pile And your fellow creatures'burden kept increasing all the while. 8 But some day you're going to meet it, man may not a dog mistreat, But 'tis written there against him, tho his judg¬ ment long may wait; So, tho kindness unrequited may a long time seem to go, God is judge of all our actions and our motives He doth know. 9 You may meet a dog who'll bite you as you pat him with your hand, • And a spitting cat may scratch you when to stroke her you Lave planned, But to help the yearning needy whom you may with kindness cheer, . It is worth while that a rebuff now and then you well may bear. 10 Hungry, hungry for your kindness daily thou¬ sands burdened go, Keep your s wee test "Good - d ay s" f or th em, h el p dis¬ perse their night of wo; It will come back to your children, it will brighten your own days,. Tho it may not help in dollars, it will help a thou¬ sand ways. SONS OF AFRICA. 11 O the man vrlio worships dollars, and who bows at •self's footstool! 0 tiie human heart-oppressor! O the puffed, un natural fool! Wealth and fiesh must some day banish! Heart and conscience only left, Will a gainst him rise and leave him of all happi¬ ness bereft. 12 Life consists in love and feeling', justice watching over all, And who murders these for money, pride, or self, shall surely fall. 1 can only say, Shed kindness: be you rich in goodness, too; Cheer the world with your ''Good morning" and your brotherly "Adieu." XIV. (Bctrbert ©f Cfye Soul 1 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my be¬ loved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits. Song of Solomon 4:10. In the garden of the soul blooms full many a flower rare Of a delicate perfume, richest tint and beauty fair, With sweet generosity spreading fragrance every¬ where In the garden of the soul. 66 AN APPEAL TO THE 2 Time bloom kindness and good-will rich and fra¬ grant side by side, All opposed by selfishness and the bolder weeds of pride. But wirh culture and with care wo must let the flowers abide In the garden of the sonl. 3 Here are piety and truth springing up where virtue grows As the modest violet lings the rootlets of tlie rose, Tho Ihe weeds of sin do try thei*- dominion to op¬ pose, In the garden of tlie soul. 4 But the Gardener with care must, the bold weeds cut away, And his flower lots refresh diligently every day, That the flowers may flourish well and' their fra¬ grance all bewray In the garden of the soul. XV. Ibow Zo flOafce Ht. — H » iptwi The zeal and strength of our endeavors must be superior to the difficulties to be surmounted. Discouragement should have no place where industry, persistency and in¬ genuity or faith eternal may at last bring the required result. Let our difficulties determine the arduousness of our la¬ bors, but not the cessation of our endeavors. SONS OF AFRICA. 67 Eternal vigilance" is the price of lasting" success as veil as liberty. "There is no excellency without great abor." The following- verses express the poet's ideas as to HOW TO MaKE IT. 1 * Tiio harder grows tlie crusty earth, flie finer must we break the soil; Tlio Ihicker in the field the grass, the harder must the farmer toil. 2 The colder "rows the winter day,- the holler must I lie fire be; The rougher is the pilgrim's way, travel he must more carefully. 3 The fiercer is the maddened foe, the braver must the soldier stand, As thicker dangers crowd the way, watch but the more on every hand. 4 The more debris upon the stones as we rebuild Je¬ rusalem, More patience must tlie workers show and build ahead for God's great name. (Neh. 4.) * This poem is intended^to teach that we must not let hardship discourage us but oppose force with stronger force and arduous difficulties with indomitable persever¬ ance; that is, labor to win any how and stop not till we win. "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, bin the slothful shall be under tribute."—Solomon. '•He that overcou:etli shall inherit all tilings."—Rev. 21:7. 68 AN APPEAL TO THE 5 The more the foe discourage us, the more the need that we should build; The more thejr hate the noble work the less we must unto them yield. 6 The deeper is tlie gloom of night the brighter light the world doth need; The greater liatli the famine Ix^en, the higher is the price of bread. 7 The wider spread the pestilence, the more strong nurses needed are; The farther hid the shining sun, the brighter seems the morning star. 8 The more the foulest gases fly, the more the need of pure fresh air; The colder is the changeful spring, the greater need of sunshine fair, 9 'So, Christian, if the night be dark, more brightly then our light must shine; If sin display tremendous power, the more we must have x>ower divine. 10 If Satan also busily do souls in unbelief deceive, The harder we must for them pray, more strong¬ ly yet must ive believe. SONS OF AFRICA. 69 11 The more ill will t he world display, t he more we must be filled with love; The more it abhor holiness, we must just yet more faithful prove. (Eph. 6:10 IS.) 12 The more the world forget to ]>r:ty, the more must we beseech the throne; 'I he more the wavering turn from God, the firmer stand with Him alone. 13 The fast-r run they oft' from Eim, the faster we must them pursue; The more a trial is the task, the more our strength we must renew. (Rom. 12:1,2.) 14 ''l is wisdom tenches us this way,—there's greater need that we should hear As men grow deafer to the word and judgmentday is drawing near. 15 We have a, mission here to fill, let's (ill it with de¬ termined Jove, And show that wisdom in it all that God and heav¬ en shall approve. 16 O God of love, 'tis unto Thee our hearts appeal for strength each hour; Forsake us not, but graciously renew our zeal and gi ve us power. 70 AN APPEAL TO TT1K 17 Power of heart and courage true; power to do out- duty well; Power to love the Sayioi^aname and in.His service to excel. XVI. Slay Self's forces All. * ^It is a faithful saying-: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him; If ,we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us." X Like the accursed Amalekiles Against whom Saul was sent, The last of Self must be destroyed Before we rest content. 2 Not e'en Self's king1, Selfwill, must live To see the holy land; Those qualities men most admire Must join the slaughtered baud. 3 The love of honor, praise or gold; The holiest self desire To be esteemed for brain or brawn Or goodness, must expire. * Reading the fifteenth chapter of I Samuel will make the lesson of this poem clear. Yet only those who have been at least some degree, spiritually illuminated may understand well its teachings. SONS OF AFRICA. 71 4 . . Nothing- must lire hut love of Godr A spirit Him to pleasej The last self-way must feel the swotd Before the soul takes ease. 5 A single man of Self's whole host Will hut a traitor prove; He may profess much Holiness, But God he run not love. (Bom. 8:1-10.) C At some unwatehful .season, when We think J hat all is well, He'll rise and ope the city gates To all the powers of hell. 7 As Grecians in the wooden horse Unbarred the ancient gate Of trustful Troy unto the foe Who all outside did wait— 8 So will the least of worldliness, The trusting heart kft in, In some sad hour of restf illness Unbar the gate to sin. 9 The carnal man we may not trust, Not in the least degree, If victory lives in the soul, THE CHRIST OUR ALL MUST BE. (I Cor. 12:1-7. Col. 3:11. Rom. 6.) AN APPEAL TO THE 10 All Self innst die nor pityaught,— Self-culture nor self-good; Curst lie who dotli deceitfully Keepback his sword from l>lood!(«Ter. 48:10.) 11 Self-hopes, self-plans, must, all know death, Self-friends, self-enemies: All must) be given up to God ' Before the life lias peace. 12 Be sober then, watch unto prayer, And allot* Self expel, Then, armed with holy diligence, Guard e'er thy city w< II. (Luke 21:34-30.) 13 Our way must be no more our way, But, God's will must be done By us and in us upon earth As round the heavenly throne. 11 Our souls must love His holy way, Nor want, aught else beside, Death to the Agag of Selfwill And the fat beasts of pride! 15 Howe'er unreasonable may seem The ways of God's command, Both pride and human sense must bow And God must rule the land ! SONS OF AFRICA. 10 This is the way of holiness, Salvation's only pljm, I>*»iitli to j lie lenstiwirnality,. God only ruling man. XVII. B Selfben^trig Xtfc. * TO MISS S. A. D. A life of service for thy Lord, Of happy self denial, A life of faith whioli gives God's word A fjtir imparlial trial; A life which takes the better part Of Christ and holy duty, Perfiimed with' love from a pure heart And clothed with moral bejiuty; Such has been thine these many years Unto this people given, In hope and anguish, joy and tears, A precious gift from heaven. 'Twas God alone that moved tlieei thus, To Him belongs the glory, He gave thy precious life to us— 'Tis but the gospel story * Written of Miss Sarah A. Dickey, founder and principal of Mt. Hermon Seminary, Clinton, Miss. This scholl has for many years help saveed and ennoble Negro Womanhood. It is a work of faith and perseverance—a beautiful work. AN APPEAL TOT UK Enacted in a human lift*, Chris! t :i kinii full possession And throwing thee into the strife Against sin's sad oppression. Robbing thy I if o of selfishness And wijt.li His faith thee filling, He showed to thee His shining face And led thee to he willing. Glory to oiir Redeemer, then; To thee all peace and pleasure, Who has, thro Hini, for other men Devoted all life's treasure. Thou hast attained the high degree. And of thy sonls great travail Thon shalt some day rich fruitage see So that thy heart shall marvel. I do not say go to the end, For Be shall onward press thee, I only beg to be thy friend Till heaven shall embrace thee. And as thon standest high with Him, Mention my case for favor, That I, „too, may the time redeem. And magnify the Savior. SONS OF A FRIO A 75 XVIII. Che Black youtfy's Cbartce. * "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but theslow- ful shall be under tribute.*' Pro. 12:24. "Whatsoever thy hand iindeth to do, do it with thy mig-ht; tor there is no work, nor device, ndr knowledge, nor wisdom, in the jjrave whither thou g'oest." Ec. 9:10. 1 Yours is the greatest, elm nee of all, Let. nothing, then. your heart. appall; Do with yoitr might what e'er yon do, The work is great, the laborers few. 2 Yours is rhe greatest, chance of all, A mighty race on yon dotli call, Seeking for aid, for strength, for light,— Answer the call with all your might. 3 Yours to nphnild the church and home, Yours to hring hack the feet that roam; * Happy is that youth who sees the value and beauty of a moral life and determines, Joseph-like, to live it. He is like a pillar to a building-. The stability of the social structure depends on such as he. He shall be the lig-ht of a nation* the strength of a people, the servant of God. He may be poor in goods, but he is rich in character, in a good conscience and a good name. His presence will add dignity to any gathering-, Ms words have weight in any community. God give the people, especially the com¬ ing" race, m?iny such. Will not you, dear friend, by God's g race, be one ? 76 AN APPEAL TO THE Let not the weak ones drag yon down. Stand for the right and keep your crown. 4 Yonrs is the greatest chance of all, Listen to duty's instant call, Never yonr solemn trust betray. Lean on yonr God and win the day. xrx. flfoartfn Hutber. "And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and liis rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider: with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young-; and with the will I break in pieces the young- man and the maid; I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock: and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers." Jer. 51:21-23. 1 "Man could not do what tlion hast done, Himself alone; Only a God could so with fire Men's hearts inspire. 2 Without, a cannon or a gun Thy work Avas done,- SONS OF AFRICA 77 No 111 re at of (Ifnth iiuii^ o'er their head The peo,.le led. * 3 But by the simple word of truth Old age and youth V\ ere led against all threats • little things and tilling me¬ nial places well. God loves that. Read Luke 1(5:1- 16 and Col. 3:17-25. 12. Be scrupulously honest. Toneh nothing- but what is yours without the consent of its owner. No thief can respect himself, all men despise him and God excludes him from the kingdom. 13. Keep your promises. People at last delight to l)e led by and to honor a reliable person. If you make a promise you can not keep, go to the trouble to render a prompt reason. Be careful about mak¬ ing a promise; if you are not certain put in a pro- SONS, OF AFRICA. 81 viso—"I win d0 yo jf j]1(i Lord will or circumstances permit." 14. If others are suffering- imagine yourself in their condition, feel toward tliem as you would have tliein feel for you were you in tlieir condition; then act. accordingly. 1;>. An act is as nice in another person as it is in yourself. Do therefore unto others as you would have them do unto you, and what you like not to see in them carefully avoid in your own life. 1G. Do not persist in a needless course if it seem a, source of annoyance to another. 17. Be a, free man. Do not have to be bound by oath to treat your feilowman as a gentleman. Do good for the sake of good and for the pleasure it affords tlie conscience and for the glory God may get out of it. 18. "If you make a bad bargain stick the closer to it." Providence is watching over men's affairs and will see that every one eventually gets his dues. Col. 3:23-25. 19. Never make fun of the unfortunate; you know not what will befall you yourself or your rel¬ atives in some future day. 20. Beware of a high opinion of yourself or your qualities; men will soon find it out and you will, I assure you, be much less in their opinion for your self esteem. Do not think every one who smiles at you is carried away with you, or that every one who does not smile at you hates you. People have often other reasons for smiling or being serious. 21. Behave yourself in public with all respect to others. 82 AN APPEAL TO THE 22. Do not spit in ears or wailing rooms when traveling or at any time. l>e clean every where. 23. Do not stand in waiting room doors. Doors are made Cor people to pass t hi o, not to In? stood in. Let, others bv without being pushed. 24. Do not smoke at all; but if you sire so poor si Christian as to smoke at all, be, gent lemsin enough not. to smoke in the presence of others wit hunt, their permission. 25. Do nothing because others (hut: first ask, "Is it ri^ht"? Go not with the multitude to do in¬ iquity. Ex. 23:2. 26. Do not abet the wicked conduct of smother by laughing freely sit his folly, ttather rebuke him by your silently and soberly attending to your own business—unless you seetlisita rebuke in words will do good or relieve the oppressed. 27. He not quick to answer siny matter before you have heard and thoroughly judged it. in wisdom. Fools speak before they understand. 28. Consider also wh ther it is the season to speak. Words out of season do harm even tlio they be- right words. 29. Be quick to apologize if you lmvc committed an error or mistresited smother. Wisesmd strong people are quick to acknowledge sin error or apolo¬ gize for an injury. Fools seek to justify themselves and thus destroy neighborly love and good will. 30. Finally, as said si wise man thousands of years ago, "Fear God and keep Flis commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." SONS OF AFRICA. XXI. Proverbs For Women. Many daughters have done virtuously but thou excel- lest them all. Pro. 31:29. A. virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottonness in his bones. Pro* 12:4. A gracious woman retaiuetli honor and strong- men retain riches. Pro. 12:16. Keep thyself pure; it will make thee happy in after years. Thou knowest not the misery of the guilty till thou becomest so. Why shouldst thou with them wish thou hadst never been born? Help another to be true. Then art thon strong. Oft the rebuke of another's strength in an hour of temptation has saved a life from disgrace and a soul from hell. TEbe Divtuous Woman. Who can find a virtuous woman ? for her price is far above rubies. Pro. 31:10. 1 The vii nu? of si daughter is the blessing- of her mother, The honor of a sister is the honor of her brother, The virtue of its women is the mainstay of a nation, 'Sb AN APPEAL TO THE And sucli lias been tlie rule e'er since the dawning of creation. 2 A wife of truth and honor is a very crown of glory Unto her chosen husband; but 'tis quite another story If she be one that shames him by her lack of mod¬ est kindness, She rots his bones within him and she smiles hjs eyes with blindness. 3 The virtue ot' our daughters, too, exaltsour youth's ambition, Del ermines them to better by industry their con¬ dition, Conserves their noble feelings and inspires to strength and bravery, While the lack of virtue leads them into indolence and slavery. 4 May God inspire our daughters to the lives of highest honor That each will draw the very highest praise of men upon her, May love thro God's true Spirit make us value what is purest, And make our moral blessings the most vnlued and securest. 5 Thou pure and good Creator Thou hast formed and Thou canst guide us, SONS OF AFRICA. For Thy Son's sake keep our souls so tliat our vir tues will abide us, We fail to give Thee credit, and oft take ourselves the glory, But let us notwithstanding- live in virtuous strength before Thee. 6 Give hearts to take instruction in the early days of childhood, Teach to up prove the noblest in the city street or wild wood, Make naturally noble, full of all good will and kindness, Keep from the snares of disgrace, bnt to truth and virtue bind us. xxir. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things that do appear. Heb. 11:1-3. When all was darkness and when nought Which now appears was to be seen; When the Great Spirit all alone In one grand silence did exist , In.elligent yet unadored; Before a meteor blazed across The awful and unfathomed deepj 8'i AN APPEAL TO THE Before the comet spread its light Or bright Aurora ever shone; Before Orion knew its place Or Pleaides kept company With constellations numerous In the blue region of the sky;, Before the blazing sun arose To rule the earth with brightest day, Or e'er the moon a light was hung To dissipate the gloom of night; Before the mighty hills were, piled Or rock based mountains reared their heads, Or bathed their foreheads in the cloud; Before the vast deep knew its bed In the low bosom of the earth; Before the forest grand came forth, God's cities of myriad life; I. Faith, dwelt, in the mighty breast Of Holiest Infinitude As solilai ily He dwelt Un-manifest and unadored. His holy interest I aroused Unto His possibilities And told Him that His very word Could change in6nite vaccaum Into a boundless universe Of matter and intelligence. I taught 11 is wisdom to aspire And lo! creation vast was born Out of my womb, begotten there Bj the great power of His truth. Infinite glories heavenly, Unbounded force material, SONS OF AFRICA. The hid Jen energies that lie All buried yet in the unknown, The force and power of varied life With hope and fear and passion strong, Energies sinking into death Rekindling into newer life, Adoring creatures, capable Of deep emotionalities, From angel form with mind of light Unto the creeping thing of earth Instinctively obeying all, The curious laws by which it Jives, Thus giving glory unto God,— These all sprang from the womb of Faith Begot by the creative Word. And so they are upheld today In all their vastness and their power. By me was man, an under-god, Placed on the earth its face to rule And glory give unto his God. And when he sinned and fell away And plunged himself into despair; When death had claimed him as his prey And daily with relentlessness Pursued him with the howling dogs Of accident, disease and war; When mail run down and bayed by these Found no asylum anywhere, But fought his foes without avail With club of reason desperate, Or superstition or what else, Falling at last a conquered prey; His children oft snatched from his arm AN APPEAL TO THE In cruelest malignity Expiring- in deep agony, He but. in slunt to follow on;— 1, faith, then came npon tin* scene, Parted the dark clouds with a rift. And bad the race look heavenward. I let a ladder from the sky, And calling- to the sons of men Bade them ascend to endless joy. 1 took the sting" from monstrous death And changed his haughty countenanci Into the calmness of a slave. [ took the terror from the grave And made it but a feather bed For one calm night of blessed rest From which the son of faith awakes Refreshed some resurrection morn. I saw man in hislostness, all Surrounded by perplexity: Incarnate in tho Son of Man, And in His body, God's true church. I undertook to help man out. I made death sweet when he must die I taught lu'm to endure life's ills Witli wisdom and with fortitude Looking for an adjustment sure Of all things in the judgment day. I taught him how to tight his foes, The foes of his immortal soul And of his earthly interests. I made one man a thousand slay, I taught them liow to ride the flood, How to ascend the heights of fame SONS OF AFRICA And rule the princes of the blood. 1 taught him how to cross the sea With him I went thro flood and tire, Stopped nature in her very course To show tlieni the concern of God For his welfare. I've helped him change The face of earth time after time, Advancing in the good and true. I've reunited God and m;in Thro the atoning- blood of Christ. Heaven is coming1 back to earth And earth is conquering1 loving1 heaven. I've given glory unto man Also in every temporal sense, Inspiring- hearts to dare and do, (Ag-ainst the earth's opprobrium) And scoff impossibility. Nor shall I rest till 1 have set The highest glory of the Lord, Thro Christ, in all the hearts of men, And earth shall blossom as a rose And deserts bloom with flowers fair, And joy unbounded celebrate, Unmixed prosperity for all; While all the miasmatic pools Of public immorality Shall drain into oblivions sea And leave the earth a righteous globe, Clothed in unmarred felicity. Glory to God! Have faith in Him And all things shall be possible. 90 AN APPEAL TO THE XXIII. (Sentle TWloibs jfov BU. Learn to keep tliy moiitli shut. Only be good and thou wilt of necessity do good'. "The fool's voice is known by the multitude of words." The unlearned serve the wise, and the weak pay tribute to the strong. Carry with thee the strength of helpfulness and the sunshine of good cheer. lie who can endure a jibe withont a retort is strong indeed and (it to be a. king. Industry in body, soul and spirit underlies all lasting happiness and all true greatness. Never spend thy time in vain or impure thoughts or idle conversation. Leave that for fools. "Trust, in the Lord and do good. So shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. Treat all politely. The beggar of today may be the prince of tomorrow. Strange things sometimes happen. Give not away to every tired feeling or to every SONS OF AFRICA. 91 passion or inclination. ''1'esist the devil and lie will flee from yon."—Peter Whoever admits that he cannot be pious find carry on his business admits that lie is overbearing, or st thief, or both. Vile language is degrading to man and dishonor¬ ing to God. We owe both God and the world a clean conversation. Do not so behave thyself as to lose the friend¬ ship of Mm* good and cause thy kindred to wish thee out of the way. If a man will keep a horse well groomed and well fed God will give him another horse so surely as such shall be his need. "Remember that the true gentleman or lady culti¬ vates helpful and gentle habits everywhere and that CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. Neglect not the best of books, thy Bible, nor the best of exereisas, prayer and thou shalt as¬ suredly live long and see good days. John 1:9. God is no respecter of persons, but all in all nations who fear Him and work righteousness are accepted of Him.—The Apostle Peter. Be not vain of thyself, yet neglect not thy per¬ sonal appearance. Be cleanly and tidy. Use fre¬ quently soap and water and the comb. Seek not to see how little you can do. He who 92 AN APPEAL TO THE does most is most beloved by God, most blessid of Him, and most eminently honored by men. He wlio is faithful in that which is another man's will assuredly have something of his own, and will be made the employer of other men. Luke 1G:10-J2. Be kind to thy dog-, but be kinder to tlx* mem¬ bers of thy household. They are human like thy¬ self, and perhaps their feelings are more lender than even the dog's. Be large hear ted, magnanimous, gentle, courteous, yet firm and fearless in the right. Thy beautiful and true character will help the world as the green and fruitful.tree. Do an honest day's work. It will pay thee in self-development even if thou shouldest receive 110 wages at all otherwise. "Do nothing by halves," said a wise one. Do all things well. Be cleanly in public places as you would be in the home parlor. Be not a boor or a bore. The kind feelings and respect of all are worth working for, so long as there needs be no sacrifice of good principle to get them. When thou art not at manual laborthou mayest, by reading or writing or profitable- conversation, be improving thy mind. This improvement is worth more than can be computed in gold or silver. Tlie price of wisdom is far above rubies.—Proverbs. SONS OF AFIUCA. 93 Lmigh not at the misfortunes or deformities of others; tliou knowesfc not what is before thee. The noblehearted never despise or scorn any of God's creatures, especially a human creature. ''Ilethat de- ^piseth the poor reproacheth his Maker."—Solomon- When at the depot stand not in the waiting room doors; people want to get past you, and will judge you as sadly lacking in good breeding. Make friends and admirers of strangers by good behavior in public places. Showing the hog-spirit in your¬ self begets the hog-spirit in other lowbred people and excites toward you the disgust of respectable people. XXIV. Ibevoes. Who are the heroes of the earth, The characters of praise and worth Who noblest deeds of praise have done And most have merited renown t To Whose great lives does earth most owe Its great deliverances from wo ? Whose,names suppose you, have been 'graved Among those who the earth have saved Upon the honor roll of heaven Where only true reward is given— And only honor here is found For those who really are renownedt AN APPEAL TO THE If I were left reward to give. To such as did the noblest live, I'd often pass the genius by, The poet oft I'd not espy, The warrior would not mentioned be Unless lie fought for liberty To noble live. Statemen and kings I'd often rank with underlines, Scientists and philosophers, Bishops and priests and orators, Bookwriters, plutocrats and such, But few of them I'd rate at. much. They are but fortune's favorites, Along with princes, kings* and knights; Born unto fortune and renown, What wonder they have something done! But should some certain poor boy find Himself possessed of such a mind As to out-trade liis fellow men. And rake a billion dollars in, I'd rate him as not wortli a cent Unless his wealth to God he lent. Some ticks get in a fatter place And suck more blood than is the case With millions of their hungry kind, And larger grow by what they find. Here are my heroes, they all have A heart pure, tender, generous, brave And full of love. The brave, good boy, Who makes obedience his joy, Who loves to work and something do, Who loves his books and nature too, Who loves his parents and obeys SONS OF AFRICA. 96 With readiness; the boy who prays And lias no shame before the proud That he believes and honors God, The boy who honors all at home, Also the strangers who there come; The boy who treats his sister well, And who will not a falsehood tel|; Who treats all others as he would That they should treat him—kind anil good. The boy that has a noble heart, Nor with the cruel take a part, Who has respect for mother wise, And hears when father gives advice, Takes heed his mother not to pain, And, when reproved, errs not again In that same maimer. Such a boy Is father's hope and mother's joy. The girl, longsuft'eriiig and kind, Modest of meine and pure of mind, Bearing with grace the ills of life, Seeking fpp peace, allaying strife, Adorned with,beauty, more of grace Than trusting^ handsomeness of face. Whose hands lietp lift ameUkei's care, Who r^dy is to take & Tn every burden of the tiopie Or carry >t all, if needshouj^ come; Who sacrifices oft a heart To play at l«W»ie a noble part; The girl whose heart is fffee from scorn For those who are beneath her bornr Or more unfortunate than she,. AN APPEAL TO THE Endure the lot of poverty; Tlie yi11 who values diameter Far above dress: JL'dvote for lier, She, she would be my heroine I'd write lier high Tip in the line. Say, would not you ? So many hearts She comforts by her noble arts; .No angel could do more than she To happy make humanity. Again, I'd take I he humble man Who makes the best of life he can, The plodding father toiling on From day to day, from sun to sun, With hardened hands and weary frame To make and keep an honest name For self andchildren. He who toils Amid ihe earth's tempting turmoils; In calmest mood of love and fait.li, Treading in hope life's weary path, Bringing to wife and children dear Their daily bread thro work and care. A strong kind fat her, lord of home, Where all delight to see him come, Who takes his children on his knee And happy Jit their childish glee Breathes unto G4>d his daily prayer That they come up in godfy feat; ^Vlio buys the children shoes and clothes Sends them to school—and much else does Both kind and grand aiid rnohle too;— I vote for fathjyr,,would not you 1 lie is a hero, let him be— With all his hospitality, SONS OF AFRICA. His kindness and parental care, Tlis patience and liis godly fear— Let, hi mi be written high upon The scroll of honor number one. And mother,—patient, gentle kind, And toiling mother,—who csm find, Her like in all the wide, wide land f She tends the sick with kindly hand, Divides her good things with the poor, Takes blessings to her neighbor's door, Makes home so happy for us all An e'er she can. Jf she should fall lino the j-old siill arms of death How would we Jive? Get us a wreath Let's crown her now; she is a queen Nor better e'er on throne hath been, These all are noble; then there are The waifs who have no home or care, Who must so many things forego That we are blessed with, yet they do, Out of a kind and tender heart, Often the hero's noble part. All who, unselfish, fill their place With faithful commonsense and grace Are heroes of the mortal race. These do sail o'er more stormy seas And win more splendid victories Than Lee or Grant, Dewey or Schley;: And more, they ivin them every day. These are my heroes, them I love! They have a record grand above, They have a kingdom, never movedr 98 AN APPEAL TO THE They sire by God and angel loved, Tbeir conscience crowns them king- of peace— Give us more heroes such as these! XXV. <3ob Mants /lien. WRITTEN IN TERRY, MISS., MARCH 1899. God wants men; men! not just one man alone; The Work is large and shortly must be done; The war is raging, the invasion strong, Well armed and tierce I he pitted hosls of wrong, Good men have slumbered w hile the powers of hell, Were building ramparts and entrenching well. Indeed unguarded in their many a plan They've helped the devil build his ships and man His armed cruisers 'gainst the hosts of life And stronger be in his well-planned Mrife. By vote, by influence and l>j' silent nod Good men betray their families and their God. Never an Arnold bartered for a prize Of gold and good-will in the aliens' eyes Merited heavier ignominious shame Than he deserves who does the very sam« To buy the present ease or good-will of his day; Who barters all the safeguards of his land away And sells the future welfare of his land His children's safety for a dime in hand. We scorn the soldier, spitting on his name Covering his memory with reproach and sham® Who sells the secrets of his unifarm, SONS OF A FBI OA. 99 Betrays his cause info Hie alien's arm> For selfish reasons; ami he well desires Eternal shame who thus Lis conn fry serves. How of the strong' men who stand still and s6e Their children mock their countries liberty By lawless conduct and by vicious course ? Kacli generation seeking to be worse Than were their fathers wicked gone before, Heaping the sin already at the door? How of the man who treats Lis neighbor ill So that than take it he Lis friend would kill ? Who heaps upon his neighbor such a care As he would even rather die than bear; Forgetting that Eternal Justice stands To repay all the labor of their hands Well having said the measure that we mete We shall receive, good, evil, small or gieat f Who knowing too that on his child shall come The sin he visits on his neighbors home? How of the man who wrecks the simple life Of some dear daughter or some son or wife? How of the brute, in human garb arrayed, Who steals from ragged children daily bread, Who curses widows and his heart makes hard Against the begging tear and pleading word These, these betray the country unto harm More drear than e'er was meant by wars alarm. But when our liberties are guarded well, And prosperous laws our countries glories swell, And institutions planted for our good Stand silent up to preach of noble blood When every safeguard may be thrown around The sacred homes that stand on sacred ground— 100 AN APPEAL TO THE How of the traitor who by wicked way Upon these blessings heaven's curse doth lay? How of theman who lets the wicked come And tie a viper at the gate of home ? Or plant a rampart on the very street Where his dear children other's children meet? :How of the man whose sordid love of gold Makes him bot h th if and liar sly and bold ? How of the Aliab whose bad Jezebel • ,?Is given reign to make the land a hell! How of the man who truth and God defy And teach his children proud to trust a lief How of the Ahaz who, despitiug God "Who would correct him with the Syrian rod, ' liows to their idols, gold and stone and wood, Vainly supposing they can do him i:ood ? "How of the highpriest who the Christ denies And Nazareth's humble prophet doth despise ' For very envy of His power with men, And on his children calls the curse of sin ? These shut the heavens and hold back the rain; These ope the gate to pestilence and pain; These drive the angel from thevity gate; These roll the heavy tax upon the state; These cause our God to frown upon the land; 'These draw the angry lightning from His hand They play the wizard while tire neighbors sleep They join the demon host the land to sweep Of honor, glory, love, knowledge and peace* AH that their |>ile of greenbacks may increase, •"Or their fierce dogs of lust to gratify, To sate their heart and set their nest on high. vGo11 yet the strong* bear with the weak and help him on to l>e A citizen intelligent, industrious and free? 10 Will prejudice intensify 7—May God forbid it so! Or will we each to each adapt his ways and forward go? Can goodwill, prejudice o'crride and things tor good adjustt Can yet the white help on the black and God in all things trust? 11 God grant the black his side may see and help the white man, too, For each needs help in such a case the very best to do: One thing is certain, all of us love Dixie's sunny shore, And hope that good will here shall dwell as long as days endure. 12 God grant the death cry of the weak shall not the strong condemn, And curse their seed In future years when God shall deal with them; For Christ's strict law is upon all that what to men we mete Shall measured be to us- again,—nor can we God de¬ feat. 13 One thing is sure, there's hope in God, the righteous shall not fall, SONS OF AFRICA. 105 Nor does God white or black respect, but justice waits for all. The time draws nigh, the premised time, when peace the world shall sway, And but the meek inherit it one long, age-lasting day. 14 'Tis well for white and black to hope, then, in our God alone, The temples of our human pride shall tumble stone from stone; The works of men, on which they trust, shall in one common flame Consume away and leave no page to give tlieni end¬ less fame. 15 Then let us live by faith: it has a promise sweet and sure; Assuring help for present time and joys which shall endure; All other helps are vanity and last but scarce a day, Then, like doomed Pompeii's balmy, morn forever,, pass away. XXVII. ttbe TOUcftet* . "And He cometh' and findeth them sleeping-, and saith unto Peter, Simon,, sleepeat thou? couldest not thou watcli one hour'-"' Alark 14:37. Who passes thro the briar patch must pick his way with care,. SONS OF AFRICA. 115 ^ ho triads the trapper's hunting place inu.st look out for Hie snare. The serpent oft across the path bedecked witli flow¬ ers lies, And often in the calmest day most awful storms a- rise. So he who walks earth's tangled maze must wend his way with care, For oft the briar patch is h«re, the trapper's snares are there. And oft the deepest dangers (tome in life's serenest time, The hardest trials follow on our pleasures most su¬ blime. Who would not perish in a day must take God as his friend And watchfully at every point press on to life's sure end. Happy the young", happy the old who scratches get but few Because they pick their way with care while Jesus guides them thro: And Jesus is God's Wisdom sent to show us life's true path, Or call us on with voice divine where we must walk by faith. Who trusts another guide, or walks in self-assurance bold, Is sure by briars to be torn, the snares are si're to hold. There is a Spirit and a Mind given to us by faith Who doth the true way fw us find and keep us in tbe path. 116 AN APPEAL TO THE Happy the human traveler who dotli himself com¬ mit Unto such Spirit and such Mind, he this will ne'er re¬ gret. The Holy Spirit sent from heaven the mind of God's own Son, Will guide the humble traveler as yet he journeys on; Will bring him safely to life's end 'mid heaven's per¬ fumed bowers Where stand the fruitful trees of life amid unfading flowers; Where flows the sparkling river by out from the Great White Throno; , Where light-clothed angels, standing nigh, praise Him who sits thereon; Where up and down the sparkling stream spirits re¬ deemed do walk And of the glories of their God and His creation talk; Where patriarchs and prophets meet and speak of by¬ gone hours; Where songs from heaven's treetops greet the fra¬ grance of the flowers; Where pain and death are strangers who may ne'er the border cross; Where princes revel in their wealth nor dream of care or loss; Where Christ is King of kings and men redeemed His kingdom share. Tho watchful we must tread the way, 'tis glory to be there. SONS OF AFRICA. 117 XXXIU. Be Tfdnfc Bnb polite. "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as "brethren, be pitiful.be courteous." I Pet. 3:8. I Be kiud to all yon meet, On road or crowded street, No one in pride despise, Under the sunlit skies. For seasons come and go And bring their cup of wo To high as well as low. With due politeness treat All you may chance to meet;. The beggar of today Be fore a decade may A prince of fortune be Far abo*e you or me A king on land and sea. 3 Politeness lore will gain, From every class of men. Tho some your manners spurn. Nor your "Goodday" return, You are the nobler far To look their rudeness o'er A nd treat them as before. 4 The Spirit of the I.ord In His inspired word Doth bid us courteous be And honor constantly All men, both high and low, And thus our wisdom show, To all, where'er we go. 5 'Tis well for all; for none Can tell what's coming on Our heads in future years, How we shall need men's prayers. What measure we mete out To others round about God will to us, too, mete From His great judgment seat ,Iu justice, soon, or late. 6 Be kiud, courteous, polite To red or black or white. To lady or to man, To rich or peoples plain; Some dark and ueedy day When troubles come your way Others will you repay. 118 AN APPEAL TO THE XXXIV. ftbe Blissuto ©f Misbom. Having your loins g"irt about with the truth.—Paul. 1 As rolls the ihooh in calmness 'cross Hie frky, As hangs the sun at midday heaven liigli; As flies the eagle thro etheral blue, As runs the ostrich when her foes pursue, So fly the thoughts of inexperienced $outh, Unweigh'tetl by the gravity of truth. 2 As grayish iijist before the orb Of day, Succiimbs to heat and pass'es swift away, As scud the Clouds before the winds of heaven, As dies the tree by lightning flashes riven, As fades the beauty of a sunset sky. So youth's ambitious hopes biit fade and die. 3 CJome, learn a lesson, fiery heart of clay, Come, learn it now, while yet 'tis called today, Ere Disappointment clips Ambition's wings. While Hope her song of morning beauty sings, While yet the halo of enchanted youth, Hovers your pathway—stop and learn the truth. XXXV. Ifoow Ho Hive Hong. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore auch a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye ,$QN8 OF AFRICA 119 one another's burdens* and so fulfil the law of Christ. For a hum think hiniself to be something, when'he is noth¬ ing. he deceiveth himself. Eptu'ti:l-3. self. * 1. Build thine own empire^ murmur not Because men do not pet thee, Or take thee on their shoulders strong And on the mountains set thee. * Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and run¬ ning- waters out of tbine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers'with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving- hind and pleasant roe: let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou rav¬ ished always with her love. Prov. 5:15-19. 128 AN APPEAL TO THE 2. Why should they build a country great Then sit and let thee run it? They snatched it from the savages And set their seal upon if. 3. Their social fabric is their own, Their genius did erect it; They will not lower it to thee, 'Twere folly to expect it. 4. Build for thyself, thou hast two hands, Two feet, two eyes—and gcniusl Win, win thy way by faith in God, And industry continuous! r>. Build for thy sons as they for theirs; Begin at the beginning; Let nothing daunt or hinder thee, E'en make thy loss a winning. 6. Build first in spotless character, All knowledge, too, acquire, Stop not where others stopt, but push Yet higher and yet higher. 7. Build thine own empire, mercantile, Social and literary; Show to the world that ye are men Whom hardships can't o'er-weary. SONS OF. AFRICA . J29 8. Lay the foundation deep and strong Inspired by God's own Spirit; Take from adversity your crown, And God will let you wear it. 5). Su no more down ro whine and weep. Leave that to women feeble; Make troubles stepping stoiws to power, And be a noble people. 10. Win, win thy way, nor be east do wit If others do reject thee, Make such improvements in thy lot As shall malcc u\en respect thee. XL. lillbat flftabe Ibim £tveb. I once heard a speech from a colored lawyer and' author which inspired me much. It was at a school closing and several of us had to speak. Became after a very eloquent physician who made-a beauti¬ ful speech, but the burden of his oration was what the Negro would do if they gave him a chance. This lawyer arose and spoke (evidentlv altogether extem¬ pore) somewhat as follow: "1 am tired of hearing- people always SMying, 'Give me something, give me something?' Men are not going to be always giv- in<» you. Every body in the world is looking out for himself *»iul his own. You must just reach out and 130 AN APPEAL TO THE take something. Even the kingdom of heaven must be taken by force. God will give you salva¬ tion, but you liave got to take it, and that by force." He made one of the most sensible arguments I ever heard, exhorting men not to wait for something to turn up but to go to work with brain and brawn and faith in God and just make things happen by taking hold, and in a gentlemanly or lady-like manner sticking witji the tenacity of the bulldog till some thing is done. As our college president used frequent¬ ly to say, "Sticking everlastingly to it brings success." And it will, even tho we be sticking to a bad bargain and poor and cannot see our way out. Too many want to lay their eggs in other people's; nests. The indus¬ trious build theirs. Like the rattle snake which do¬ miciles in the prairie dog's hole, or the moss on the tree, some people are content to be parasites, mere hangers on, not worthy of the place they occupy. But the true benefactor of man and servant of God brings something good to pass. We might till heed well the words of Joshua to to the children of Joseph: "And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but, one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto? And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the LVrizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Cauaanites that dwell in the land of the val¬ ley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Beth- SONS OF AFRICA 1.11 sheati and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art. a g reat people, and has great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: But the mountain shall be tliine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: arid the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong." Joslma 17: 14.-18. We must, by faith, indomitable will, dauntless courage, serpent-like wisdom, and dove-like dispos- position, so live as to make a place for ourselves in the world. Amen. Wanted—Men!* ■"And I nought for a man aiuoug them that should make up the hedge, an:i stand gap before Me for the laud." Ezek. 22: 30. C. P. J. - CHAS. P. Jonfs, =T 3=fe #4- 4-4 iz;i 1. Want - ed— men of strength and nerve! Men who will not 2. Want - ed— men! nor mind the race, Feat-ure's cut, nor 3. Want - ed— men! strong, mor - al men! Who will hear the P^=j=S= =T=E=i=gz -0- -0- * t * 3Z shrink nor swerve From plain du - ty's ard-uous task, Nor from tri - als hue of face, Nor the text - ure of the hair, Black and curled or truth, and then Con - se - crate to God the life, Throw themselves in- =t res - pite ask Till the work is brave-ly done, And the crown of straight and fair; The real man must dwell with - in! Friend of truth, and to the strife, Fight so - ci - e - ty to free From all im - mor- -l With strength. Want - ed— men! brave, daunt - less Want - ed— men! pure - heart - ed Want - ed— men! he - ro - ic men! men! men! 1 zsra-t- —* »— —0 1 i w— — — —p- • ± :— u >— —V- 0 I •Quartet, to be 6UUg With deliberation aiiu instinct exnrfissinn | Stretch ©ut l?our Ibanfcs Zo <5ofc. | * & g i • * Vk *> O sons of Afric's torrid clime, m Long trodden down and slain, ^ Do not despair but bide your time, $ For you shall rise again! * The God wlio hears the prisoners groan & & Benea th oppression's rod, ^ * Says Ethiopia shall soon $ £ Stretch out her hands to God. * 8 t fa Chorus. * HI Stretch out your hands to God, * He'll help you bear the load! ^ jfc Ye heirs of grace divine, % * Arise, arise and shine! * j Arise! now is your time! j| $ Stretch out your hands to God! ^ TO & ® 2 ^ (If „n. . , , I J ^1- - l.i 11" * «v 'Tis vain to look unto the hills, $ fa $ 4> iNo succor there is found; * & To mortal man vain j'our appeals, $ fa His words are oft but sound; X fa His arm will fall, his heart grow cold, 5 & He cannot lift your load: w % By grace divine, with courage bold, fa Stretch out your hands to God. w * / CONTENT S. Chapter. Pa£e_ I. AN APPEAL TO THE SONS OF AFRICA 5- II. JOSEPH THE SON OFJACOB. >. .1. . ,24 III. BUCKLE DOWN ■.v. ;.f 34 IV. DON'T TOM 36 V. OUR AFFLICTIONS.. j.,. i. 37 VI. MEMORY AND CONSCIENCE 38 VII. LOOKING AHEAD 47 VIII. A LITTLE BLACK BOY 50 IX. THE LITTLE BLACK BOY, Par^ II 52 X. HONOR THE OLD MAN 54 XI. ONLY THIS ONCE 56 XII. TREAT THE YOUNG MAN WELL 60 XIII. KINDNESS 61 XIY. THE GARDEN OF THE SOUL 65 XV. HOW TO MAKE IT 66 XVI. SLAY SELF'S FORCES ALL 70 XVII. A SELF DENYING LIFE 73 XVIII- THE BLACK YOUTH'S CHANCE 75 XIX. MARTIN LUTHER 7ft XX. THINGS TO REMEMBER 78 XXI- PROVERBS FOR WOMEN—THE VIRTU¬ OUS WOMAN 83 XXII. FAITH 8r> XXIII. GENTLE WORDS FOR ALL »<> XXIV. MY HEROES - XXV. GOD WANTS MEN 98 XXVI. THE BOD OF THE RACES 101 XXVII. THE WICKED GIRL 105 XXVIII. THE OLD MAN'S ADVICE 107 XXIX. WHAT WE ARE 110 XXX. THE USES OF HINDRANCES Ill . XXXI. THE OPPORTUNITIES OF OUR TIMES.. 112 XXXII. WATCH YOUR WAY 114 XXXIII. BE KIND AND POLITE 117 XXXIV. THE BLESSING OF WISDOM 118 XXXV. HOW TO LIVE LONG 118 XXXVI. SON, BE A HERO 120 XXXVII. ON TO HAMPTON 123 XXXV LII. LIBERIA 125 XXXIX. BUILD FOR THYSELF 127 XL. WHY HE GOT TIRED 129 ERRATA. Being typographical errors that have crept in that may mislead one as to the sense of what is said; notice the corrections. P. 43, We'er, we're. "No can she," Nor, etc. P. 49, "Others to boast," read boost. P. 50, Opportunity. P. 79, for depart¬ ment read deportment. P. 82, par. 22 read Be cleanly everywhere. P. 89, read oblivion's sea. P. 98, last line, uniform. P. 99, "Well desires" read "well deserves." P. 118, "ethereal." P. 118, wrong- words set. See Bible. Song Books For "all religious services. High sentiments; cutcljy tunes, popular songs. Jesus Only No. n ( Limp cloth bidding". 30 cts. $3-00 per dozen. Jesus Only Nos. I & 2. Board binding". 50 'cts. $5.00 per dozen* Choice full salvation songs. Liberal terms to agents. Select Songs. Songs and Anthems for Special Occasions. 10 cts each; $1.00 per doz. Music of Strecli Out Your Hands To God. TRUTH PUBLISHING CO., 109 Monument St., Jackson, Miss. \ Social Evils. Pastor C. L. Fisher B. D. Tells a story we,, all know to be true in several sermons. Address C. L. Fisher, 10th Street Bapt. Church, Birming¬ ham, Ala. The Everlasting Qospel. Pastor J. A. Jeter Editor, Little Rock, Ark., W. 9tli St. Journal of higher religion. Truth. A religious periodical. C. P. Jones, Editor. Advocated high Christian living', New Testament holiness. Send for terms to agents and for sam¬ ple copies. Tracts for sinners and believers—free for postage. .Strong Holds Cast down. By C. P. Jones. Answers to objections to holy living". 10 cts per copy, paper; cloth bind¬ ing 25 cts. Romans 7th chapter and I .John 1 :h< especially explained. Should.be read by every inquirer after truth, of whatever creed. How I Grew In Grace. Giving- the experiences of a Baptist pastor from his conversion to his entering upon the life of entire consecration aud his subsequent ex¬ periences of persecution, etc. A thrilling narra¬ tive giving account of a famous church case in the courts of Mississippi. C.P.Jones. 40 cts Cloth binding for library 75 cts. Robert W. Woodruff Library Gift of Randall K. Burkett EMORY UNIVERSITY Special Collections & Archives