prominent at the dedication the broad
principles on which our mission rested. Some said they were sorry to
hear such things proclaimed; others said nothing, but feared; while a
few said, That is right. It is just as it ought to be.

The school started off with bright skies above and a broad distant
view around. The bell rung out its pealing calls, and bright-eyed,
rosy-cheeked children and youth clambered up the hill side to enjoy
such educational privileges as that country had never known. All was
peace and prosperity. School was crowded, and everybody was happy.
But suddenly the whole heavens were overcast. From horizon to horizon
a deathly pall enshrouded the entire sky--and the cloud large enough
to do all this was only the size of a black child's face! _Whosoever
will may come_, we had said. Did we _mean_ it? Oh, yes, _but_ it is
hardly right to sacrifice the feelings of that whole school merely to
gratify the wish of--_a nigger_. Did we mean it? Oh, yes, but it is
hardly right to imperil the very existence of the school merely to
take in that one poor, despised and uninfluential colored child! Did
we mean it? Oh, yes, but is it right, is it wise, to receive _one_
when you know that by so doing you will lose twenty--perhaps more--to
receive one whom you will have to help, and lose twenty--or perhaps
more--who can help you? Did we mean it? Oh, yes, certainly, but would
it not be better to reason with the applicant and show her that while
we ourselves have no objection, yet things being as they are, she
would really do more for her people by staying away than by insisting
that she should be received? Why not take some such position as that?
We will have peace and harmony and prosperity. We shall be able to
tell our friends in the distance we are getting along swimmingly. We
are true to our principles. _Whosoever will may come._ We have no
trouble with the negro question. We simply let it alone. Our dear
brethren down South are perfectly delighted to receive us. We have no
trouble with them whatever, and the cause is going forward
triumphantly.

_Is_ that the way to meet the responsibility? Imagine the Lord Jesus
Christ at the door of that school when that black child came asking
admission. What would have been His answer? Say, reader, imagine what
_would_ have been His answer. Put on your thinking cap. Summon to
your aid all the help that quibbling and dodging and sophistry can
give, and after you have gone throug