rs, and
Africa is still in darkness because led by blind, superstitious, religious
teachers.

In a larger sense than many people are willing to give credit the Negro
minister has been responsible for the progress of our race and is also
responsible for much that cannot be counted as progress, for no other
single class of individuals has had, and still has, so large and
far-reaching an influence as our ministers. You have only to go to a
community where there is a well-trained, honorable, upright, and efficient
minister to see the marked improvement among the people along every line.
On the other hand, when you find a community where there is an immoral,
ignorant minister, wielding a large influence, you will find a community
that is full of despair.

It is pleasant to read the short story written by Paul Laurence Dunbar
some years ago, entitled "The Ordeal at Mt. Hope." This story possibly
gives one of the most vivid pictures of real, genuine service rendered by
a man of splendid parts in a needy section of the South, bearing out the
practical demonstration of the power the minister has over a community.

It is one thing to lay down principles; it is another thing to show that
these principles are correct and true by the practical work which is based
upon these principles. It is no hard thing to see how true it is that of
all men throughout the history of the world, none have had greater
influence than the religious teachers of a people, and it is just as true
to-day, and it is a waste of time to argue that a race or nation can be
lifted any higher than the religious principles of that race or nation
will allow it to go. History fails to record an instance of this sort, and
it is very evident there never will be an instance of the kind. Man is
bound by his religion. He may not profess it, but he has a belief; even
though he may declare that he believes nothing, the very fact of his
declaration proves him to have a dogma. You had as well expect to find
lions without courage as to find men without some form of religious
conviction. It is a something in man that has to be reckoned with, and
where it is most wisely directed and cultivated, there we find the highest
culture and development along every line. Hence the great importance to a
new race like ours in America that the most careful attention be given to
this very important phase of our development.

This is no time for mere fault-finding. It is a time, however, fo