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THE DISADVANTAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
--OF THE--
Colored Youth,
--BY--
REV. R. C. RANSOM, B. D.
CLEVELAND, OHIO.
THOMAS & MATTILL, Printers.
1894.
Preface.
The first four chapters of this booklet comprise a series of Sunday
evening lecture sermons delivered in St. John's A. M. E. Church,
Cleveland, Ohio, in the month of April, 1894. They are published at
the urgent request of scores of persons who heard them delivered.
They were delivered extemporaneously, as all my sermons are, and
appear here as they were taken down by the stenographers. No revision
has been attempted. The intelligent reader will readily detect many
imperfections both in matter and style. They were not given with a
view to exhaustive treatment or literary excellence, but for the
encouragement and inspiration of the young people of my congregation.
If, appearing in this form, these lectures reach a larger audience
and strengthen the faith of any who are loosing confidence in the
future progress of my race, I shall be abundantly repaid for the small
labor they have cost me. The last chapter of this book, entitled "The
Fifteenth Amendment," was delivered in response to a toast at the
Lincoln Banquet, held at Columbus, Ohio, February 14, 1893, under the
auspices of The Ohio Republican League. It is given here because it
harmonizes with the subject which gives title to this book. We have not
sought in these pages to give a solution to the "race problem," for
after all attempts at solution it remains the great unsettled question
of our times. But we believe that our youth, by "taking advantage of
their disadvantages," and improving the opportunities at hand, can do
much to overcome the impediments by which our pathway has been so long
beset.
R. C. R.
Race Soil.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises
of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous
light."
_1 Peter 2:9._
I begin this evening a series of Sunday evening lecture sermons, with a
definite purpose in view, which I hope to develop and make more clear,
as I shall proceed with their delivery. The subject to-night is "Race
Soil." As a basis or foundation upon which to stand, we call your
attention to the first epistle of Peter, second chapter and the ninth
verse: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him
who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light."
The history of races and nations proves that some peoples are
especially endowed for the germination and production of certain
great ideas. Viewed in this light, do the nations of the past possess
historic value and interest to succeeding generations of mankind.
The value of an idea, the truth of a dogma, the greatness of an
achievement, do not receive their permanent value by the estimate
which the present places upon them. Proud and boastful nations have
proclaimed by the trumpet's blast, by columns of marble, by the poet's
song and the painter's brush, deeds that they thought to be immortal,
but the trumpet's blast has been unable to reach posterity, the poets
muse is found to have been uninspired, men smile at the sculptured and
painted dreams whose spectered faces look upon a new born time.
Let no man, or race or nation fear that posterity will fail to place
the proper estimate upon the greatness and value of their achievements.
The final verdict of history cannot be bought, posterity cannot be
bribed, neither predjudice, jealousy nor envy can hide from future ages
a truth or an achievement that is worthy to survive; nor can wealth or
power or boasting pride give immortality to that which is unable to
survive.
The verdict of the ages is the high court from which men and nations
cannot appeal; it is also the court to which those who are not time
servers, but who act as though conscious that the eternities will
review their lives, may confidently appeal.
We have said that the history of races proves that some peoples are
especially endowed for the germination and production of certain great
ideas. This truth will be more clearly seen by taking a passing glance
at the contributions which the historic nations of antiquity have made
to the civilization and progress of mankind.