OSTSCRIPT ix
_Credo_ 1

I. THE SHADOW OF YEARS 3
_A Litany at Atlanta_ 14

II. THE SOULS OF WHITE FOLK 17
_The Riddle of the Sphinx_ 30

III. THE HANDS OF ETHIOPIA 32
_The Princess of the Hither Isles_ 43

IV. OF WORK AND WEALTH 47
_The Second Coming_ 60

V. "THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE" 63
_Jesus Christ in Texas_ 70

VI. OF THE RULING OF MEN 78
_The Call_ 93

VII. THE DAMNATION OF WOMEN 95
_Children of the Moon_ 109

VIII. THE IMMORTAL CHILD 114
_Almighty Death_ 128

IX. OF BEAUTY AND DEATH 130
_The Prayers of God_ 145

X. THE COMET 149
_A Hymn to the Peoples_ 161

_Credo_

I believe in God, who made of one blood all nations that on earth do
dwell. I believe that all men, black and brown and white, are brothers,
varying through time and opportunity, in form and gift and feature, but
differing in no essential particular, and alike in soul and the
possibility of infinite development.

Especially do I believe in the Negro Race: in the beauty of its genius,
the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness which shall
yet inherit this turbulent earth.

I believe in Pride of race and lineage and self: in pride of self so
deep as to scorn injustice to other selves; in pride of lineage so great
as to despise no man's father; in pride of race so chivalrous as neither
to offer bastardy to the weak nor beg wedlock of the strong, knowing
that men may be brothers in Christ, even though they be not
brothers-in-law.

I believe in Service--humble, reverent service, from the blackening of
boots to the whitening of souls; for Work is Heaven, Idleness Hell, and
Wage is the "Well done!" of the Master, who summoned all them that labor
and are heavy laden, making no distinction between the black, sweating
cotton hands of Georgia and the first families of Virginia, since all
distinction not based on deed is devilish and not divine.

I believe in the Devil and his angels, who wantonly work to n