A Place Called Oakwood

9—Words of Counsel to Our Colored People

Sources: Manuscript 105, 1908, pp. 1, 3-5; Manuscript Releases 2:78-80

1908

I am instructed to say to our colored laborers: Be kind in your families. Do not bring into the home circle any of the spirit or the customs of slavery. Let no harsh words be heard in your homes. Overcome disorderly habits. Never indulge a harsh, authoritative manner. Never treat your wife as your slave. Remember that you are members of the Lord's family, and that in this world you are to give an example of what the Lord expects the members of His family to be. Your lips are to be sanctified to the Lord's service. You are to be Christlike in word and act. You may have witnessed much tyranny on the part of those who looked upon the Negro as their property, to be treated as they pleased, but because of this you are not yourself in your home to be a tyrant. God is the owner of all human beings. PCO 84.1

Those who feel at liberty to torture those over whom they have authority will be dealt with by the Creator as they have dealt with those under them.... PCO 84.2

Years ago the truth should have been proclaimed from city to city in those fields where there are many colored people. In these cities sanitariums and schools are to be established, in suitable locations, and these institutions are not to be left barren of much-needed facilities, as the Huntsville School was left for many years. Those who knew of the condition of things in this school, both white and black, should have helped to raise means for the placing of the school where it could do a more successful work. Industries should be started in connection with this school that will help it to be self-supporting. PCO 84.3

The hearts of the colored people are not to be left without hope or courage. They are to be filled with hope by those who have learned to believe that the colored people appreciate the efforts put forth in their behalf, and are ready to be co-workers with Christ, the Master Worker. PCO 84.4

To carry this work forward, helping the people, here a little and there a little, teaching them to live, not as if there were no hope of a change for the better in their condition, but as if there were something better for them, requires patient, earnest, judicious, persevering effort. But such effort is richly rewarded. PCO 84.5

For this work many men and women of the colored race are to be educated to work as missionaries for their own people. These workers are not to feel that their sphere of labor is to be among the white people. They are to be educated and trained to be missionaries within their own borders. PCO 84.6

Perseverance. To many of the colored people, the difficulties against which they have to contend seem insurmountable. But there are those who will not give up. All who are conscientiously and in the fear of God trying to acquire an education are to be encouraged. There is talent among the colored race, and this talent will be developed, sometimes where least expected. Every advantage possible is to be given to the colored youth who are capable of becoming useful workers in the Lord's vineyard. PCO 84.7

There are those who with proper training can be prepared to conduct sanitariums for colored people. In all cases they will need the assistance of white workers, but their talents will tell greatly for the success of the work. PCO 85.1

Schools for colored children and youth are to be established in many places. The teachers are to bring a softening, subduing influence into the school. In their habits and their dress they are always to be neat and tidy. They will find that the students need this example. And they will find also that they are very quick to imitate. When old or young show refinement of manner and taste in dress, this is never to be discouraged. PCO 85.2