Basic HTML Version
184
Testimonies for the Church Volume 9
reach the higher class. Every opportunity for reaching this class is
to be improved.
Let colored laborers do what they can to keep abreast, working
earnestly for their own people. I thank God that among the colored
believers there are men of talent who can work efficiently for their
own people, presenting the truth in clear lines. There are many
colored people of precious talent who will be converted to the truth
if our colored ministers are wise in devising ways of training teachers
for the schools and other laborers for the field.
The colored people should not urge that they be placed on an
equality with white people. The relation of the two races has been a
matter hard to deal with, and I fear that it will ever remain a most
perplexing problem. So far as possible, everything that would stir
up the race prejudice of the white people should be avoided. There
is danger of closing the door so that our white laborers will not be
able to work in some places in the South.
I know that if we attempt to meet the ideas and preferences of
some of the colored people, we shall find our way blocked com-
pletely. The work of proclaiming the truth for this time is not to be
hindered by an effort to adjust the position of the Negro race. Should
we attempt to do this we should find that barriers like mountains
would be raised to hinder the work that God desires to have done. If
we move quietly and judiciously, laboring in the way that God has
[215]
marked out, both white and colored people will be benefited by our
labors.
The time has not come for us to work as if there were no preju-
dice. Christ said: “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless
as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
. If you see that by doing certain things
which you have a perfect right to do, you hinder the advancement of
God’s work, refrain from doing those things. Do nothing that will
close the minds of others against the truth. There is a world to save,
and we shall gain nothing by cutting loose from those we are trying
to help. All things may be lawful, but all things are not expedient.
The wise course is the best. As laborers together with God, we
are to work in the way that will enable us to accomplish the most
for Him. Let none go to extremes. We need wisdom from above;
for we have a difficult problem to solve. If rash moves are made
now, great mischief will be done. The matter is to be presented in