HOW TO RISE
By
SUTTON E. GRIGGS
Author of Wisdom's Call, otc.
Issued by the
NATIONAL PUBLIC WELFARE LEAGUE
658 South Lauderdale Street
Memphis, Tenn.
Copyrighted
E. J. GRIGGS
Memphir, Tennessee
1915
FOREWORD.
What you, kind reader, are about to peruse , is not
offered to you as something merely with which to
while away a few idle moments. The pleasure of en¬
tertaining, delightful though it be, has not been the
motive that has guided the hand that wrote the pages
that follow.
Truly, we have the feeling that the way pointed
out herein is the one way to rise, and all expecta¬
tions of enduring success in other and easier ways
are but idle dreams; beautiful, perhaps, while they
last, but empty of tangible results in the end.
May we beg that the principles herein laid down
shall be pondered deeply, and that they be converted
into action by all whose course in life heretofore has
not been in harmony therewith.
"We thus hope that each one who stands in the
need of counsel of the kind given may not look upon
what is here said as a message to the world, but may
regard it as a special message to himself. Let him
not ask the question: "Is my neighbor, or are my
fellowmen, living up to these things?" but let the
question be: "Are my neighbor and myself, my
fellowmen and myself, doing the things herein set
forth as needful?"
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How to Rise
Let each one reading these things become a mis¬
sionary to spread the principles abroad. This can
be done by example and by precept.
Oh, may the Negroes of the world grasp the truths
here unfolded, and bring to an end their long night
of sorrow.
SUTTON E. GRIGGS.
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5
A WORD OF WARNING.
Throughout the realm of nature, wherever there
is life, whether among plants, animals or groups of
men, there is in operation what is called the Dar¬
winian law of the survival of the fittest, the struggle
for existence. All life is subject to the test of strug¬
gle. Nature seems to value her space so highly that
none save the fit are to be permitted to abide and en¬
joy it. Many forms of life are called, but few are
ehosen. Whatever survives must do so by emerging
triumphant from a struggle.
No sort of truce can be arranged permanently by
anything that has life that will free it from the neces¬
sity of contest. The struggle sometimes takes on one
form, and sometimes another, but, in one form or an¬
other, it rages ever, everywhere and with reference to
everything.
Look about you, where the animals abound, and
observe the plucking process that all the while goes
on. The bug attacks the plant which, to live, must
withstand the assault. The bird attacks the bug, and
the huntsman, in turn, attacks the bird. Crouching
amid the bushes, hidden by the leaves, is the panther,
ready to spring upon the huntsman.
A microscope will reveal the same sort of struggle
going on in a glass of water. An insect swallows
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How to Rise
one that is smaller than itself, and before the process
of digestion is over, the two are swallowed at a gulp
by a third insect that is larger than they.
The air is not free from the univerasl struggle-
One bird attacks another and destroys it, and in turn
is itself destroyed by a stronger bird. The hawk
swoops down and catches the chicken, and the eagle
catches the hawk.
Thus it is that beneath the soil, upon the earth's
surface, in the water and in the air, the great strug¬
gle for existence goes on and on, leaving alive only
the things that have the judgment and the power to
escape.
The Negro race cannot hope to be an exception to
this universal law. Life is not to be a serious matter
with the insects and the birds, with the plants of the
field, and with other men and races, and at the sairs
time a pleasant joke with the Negroes. They, too,
must come under the law, and stand the test of holding
their own through struggle.
The contest in America is not to be of a physical
character, but the struggle is to be a strenuous one
just the same. It is not to be of man's origin, nor
can it be stopped by man.
A reading of the Negro literature of the day re¬
veals the fact that the race stands amazed at develop¬
ments taking place in America with reference to its
How to Rise
7
position in the body politic. The lot of the race seems
to be growing harder and harder. That which alarms
the race is but the coming of a condition long overdue,
American slavery and the Civil "VVar caused a tem¬
porary suspension of the operation of the law of the
survival of the fittest, both in the North and in the
South. The fact that the Negroes began life in Amer¬
ica as slaves brought to their aid the knowledge and
skill of their white owners, who helped them to adjust
themselves to the new climate and stood guard over
them, protecting them from many possible vices and
injurious habits. Thus slavery served as a sort of
shelter beneath which the Negro rested, temporarily
exempt from some forms of the struggle for existence
raging all around. Just as the farmer goes into the
field with his hoe and helps the corn in its battle with
the grass until it is far enough advanced to hold its
own unaided, just so slavery, as a matter of self-pro¬
tection, saw to it that the Negro race had aids in its
efforts to live and get a firm footing in the new home
of the race.
But slavery has been abolished, the shelter is gone,
and the Negroes have been summoned to the open
field of struggle on their own merits, where they must
compete and win, or go down in the great battle of life.
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How to Rise
The Civil War left a residue of pity in the North
for the Negroes, and the race in that section was ac¬
corded attentions not gained as a matter of pure merit-
But that feeling has died out largely in that section,
and there the race is being given just that that it is
able to win for itself by means of its own ability and
graces.
Slavery cast a sort of stigma on manual labor, but
time has erased that largely, and now fields of en¬
deavor that were once left uncontested to the Negro
race, henceforth must be contested for with all energy.
The little Negro bootblack has been summoned to con¬
test for his job with youths hailing from the land of
Socrates, Plato, Pericles and Demosthenes, the land of
Greece. The Negro washerwoman must enter the con¬
test for the bundles of soiled clothes with the white
owners of the modern laundry. Thus, on and on, cov¬
ering almost every field of industry in the South, com¬
petition has come or is in sight.
Thus the battle is. on. Not a shot is to be fired,
not a shout is to be heard, not a drop of blood is to
be spilled, not a harsh word is to be spoken, not a
frown is to be seen, not a sigh or groan is to escape.
It ia to be a simple determining of the question as
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9
to who is the best suited to do the world's work.
He that is able holds his own. He that cannot survive
goes down noiselessly to the sorrows of defeat.
=* # #
The philanthropic forces of the nation, North and
South, stand by to give whatever aid they may, but
the Negroes themselves must do the battling. The
helpers can act only as seconds do at the ringside.
They can shout suggestions; they can demand fair
play; they can dress wounds, but the brunt of the
battling must be borne by the Negroes themselves.
There is ample room for the Negro race in the economic
life of the country. There is no necessity for it to
go down. It is needed. Its success will not hurt
others. It will be to the interests of all for the race
to be efficient and to hold its own. The cost of sub¬
stitution for so great a force is far too heavy. Then,
too, the American people have no need of a dying
element in its midst, emitting from its soul the foul
odors that tell of its condition, sending forth crimes
born of a spirit of recklessness and despair.
If the Negroes lose in the struggle for a footing
in the economic life of the nation, they will prove
to be that element with a dying soul, and the long,
tedious and uncertain task of finding a factor to sub¬
stitute will be on hand with all of its new com¬
plications.
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How to Rise
The friends of the Negro race in all sections of our
country, in all races and all lands of the earth desire
that the race realize that this is no play life, that the
situation ealls for the best, and all of the best, that
there is in it at all times and everywhere, from the
highest to the lowest form of service.
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11
HOW TO RISE.
As the Negroes of the present day look abroad in
the earth and compare the condition of their race
as seen almost everywhere, with that of the advanced
races of this period, they are compelled to note the
existence of a wide gulf separating their unfortunate
position from the exalted station occupied by the high¬
ly successful races. Other races are seen standing
upon the mountain top of success, reaching for higher
worlds, while the Negro race is partly in the valley of
deepest trouble, and partly plodding its way wearily
amid the bushes, briars, and jagged stones of steep
mountain sides, casting upward many an anxious en¬
quiring look, searching for the path, the traveling
of which will bring it to the desired heights.
Neither individuals nor races rise as a result of
accidents. There are certain definite laws which the
God of the universe has laid down which must be
obeyed before the coming of success, and without
obedience to these laws, success will never come. If
men obey the laws of God, and rise, and then turn
against those laws, they fall. Men must make it up
in their minds to bring themselves into subjection to
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How to Rise
the laws of God, and thrive, or violate liis laws and
forever grovel in the dust of defeat and dishonor.
'' Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is
a reproach to any people."—Prov. 14:34.
Deeply in sympathy with those trying to rise, we
have decided to offer, in all humility, our suggestion
as to what are the laws of success, the things, the do¬
ing of which will cause us to rise, and the neglect of
which will guarantee our failure. "How to Rise" is
our theme. We shall discuss it under three general
heads:
1st. As Individuals.
2nd. As a Race.
3d. In the EsUem ©f Others.
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13
HOW TO RISE AS INDIVIDUALS.
No man anywhere in any age of the world's history
has been able to attain large results and rise in the
scale of life without the aid of some other man or
men. Sacred and profane history abound in illustra¬
tions of this fact. Joseph rose to eminence in Egypt
through the aid of a liberated companion of his days
in jail. Great in head and heart, yet he needed some
one to make this fact known where it would do good.
Moses had the help of Aaron, and Elijah that of
Elisha. Jesus the Christ stood in need of a forerunner.
John the Baptist, while his great disciple, Paul, de¬
pended for a time upon Barnabas, and later turned to
Luke and Timothy. Napoleon Bonaparte, a man of
wonderful intellectual power, began his sudden upward
journey through the aid of Josephine, whose influence
secured for him the assignment that gave him the op¬
portunity to draw men's minds toward him by the
character of his achievements. A factor in his final loss
of power was his failure to get expected help from one
of his generals upon the occasion of the battle of
Waterloo.
The man that cannot inspire someone to help him,
that cannot grip somebody by his qualities, cannot rise.
And success will come in proportion to the number and
kind of people a man can inspire to lend him their
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Haw to Rise
aid. Success, then, in a sense, may be termed the art
of winning and holding co-operation.
The successful school teacher must be able to win
and hold the affections of his pupils; the successful
merchant, those of his patrons; the successful states¬
man, those of his constituents. A survey of life in gen¬
eral will reveal the fact that winning and holding co¬
operation is the great essential. The acceptance oE
this view reduces our discussion to the unfolding of the
qualities needed to beget the co-operation so necessary
for success in life.
"Two are better than one: because they
have a good reward for their labor. For if
they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but
woe to him that is alone when he falleth:
for he hath not another to help him up."
—Ecc. 9:4,10.
Self Reliance.
We place at the bottom of the foundation which
we are about to lay, self reliance. Men are willing
to help a man who is seen trying bravely to help him¬
self. While a man is to hope and look for co-operation,
and should realize that his life will fall far short cf
its possibilities without it, still let him bear in mind
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15
that he will sooner get that co-operation by showing
that he is relying upon himself for the accomplishment
of the main portion of his chosen life's work.
"For every man shall bear his own bur
den."—Gal. 6:5.
Truthfulness.
There is implanted in every bosom an instinctive
love of the truth. A tendency toward falsehood is not
nature's original creation, but a perversion thereof.
An untruthful man can, through other qualities,
attain a certain measure of success, but as he seeks to
enter the larger spheres of life he will find the great
men there opposing his progress and beating him back
because of their contempt for him as one who will not
respect the truth. Moreover, whatever success is his
on a small scale, is likely at any time to crumble, as
men will fall away from him as his true nature more
and more reveals itself.
Shrewdness cannot take the place of truth telling,
for a falsehood, however cunningly devised, has in it
a fatal weakness which is likely to be revealed at any
time, and in an unexpected manner. Moreover, it is
exceedingly difficult to remember a lie, and in the
process of time the liar will contradict himself. He,
then, who would have the respect, the permanent
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How to Rise
and unlimited support of his fellows, must be truthfuL
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak ev¬
ery man the truth with his neighbor."—Eph.
4:25.
Respect for the Possessions of Others.
Men everywhere gather about themselves that which
they call their own, and to which they attach a value.
A man who fails to recognize the rights of ownership
on the part of his fellows, and seeks to appropriate
to himself that which belongs to them, is regarded as
a dangerous character, and men draw back from him.
"With reference to the possessions of other men, one
should be strictly honest in every way, whether
watched or unwatched, whether it is easy or hard to
escape detection. A thief is shunned as a dangerous
character. When found out men will not extend him
co-operation.
"Let him that stole steal no more."—Eph.
4:25.
Reliability.
A very desirable quality is reliability. Men like
to feel that they can rest securely upon what a man
says he is going to do. The failure of a man to per¬
form a» he promises often upsets the affairs of many
How to Rise
17
others. An uncertain man is tolerated only so long
as a man more certain cannot be found. If a man
would succeed in life, let him be reliable. Let him
weigh his words carefully, consider all of the circum¬
stances likely to arise, and when a promise is made,
keep it at all hazards.
An uncertain man, a man upon whose word you
cannot depend as to the keeping of a pledge or an
appointment, is a double abomination. First, there
is a contempt for him because of his untruthfulness;
next, there is a feeling of vexation because of his
carelessness' as to the amount of time and trouble he
may put others to. Thus an unreliable man goes about
a community with a double load of the contempt of his
fellows. Men should be reliable, should put forth every
possible eirort to carry out their word.
"A double-minded man is unstable in all
his ways."—James 1:8.
Thoroughness.
A man who lacks thoroughness in his work cannot
secure the warm endorsement of his fellowmen. It
is a source of irritation to an employer to find a task
poorly done. Men have a feeling of being cheated
when they have to pay out their money for work that is
lacking in thoroughness.
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Hoiv to Rise
The thorough man has every advantage of the maa
who is not thorough, and is likely to displace him at
any time. A man who is not thorough is never secure
in his position, nor need he entertain great hopes of
rising. Lack of thoroughness will cause men to try
to push him back rather than forward.
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it
with thy might.''—Ecc. 9:10.
Promptness.
Lack of regard for time is a great evil, and operates
against the interests of any man thus guilty. Men of
power usually are concerned in many affairs, and can
only properly attend to them by having a strict regard
for time. A man who has no regard for time is there¬
fore unfit to deal with the men who do the large things
of life. The strong men of the world, the "on time"
men, will be found opposing ever the rise of a man who
has no regard for time. It is well to be on time to
every engagement, whether of a private of public char¬
acter.
"Not slothful in business."—Rom. 12:11.
Politeness.
Politeness is an invitation to people to draw near
and have more to do with'one, whereas, gruffness is
a warning for people to stand their distance. The
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19
polite person therefore wins friends and co-operation,
whereas the gruff man repels men and begets oppo¬
sition. Politeness, then, is a needed quality.
'' A man that hath friends must shew him¬
self friendly."—Prov. 18:24.
Cheerfulness.
He who has a cheerful disposition has that which
causes his company to be agreeable. A man lacking
in cheerfulness is sought only when badly needed.
Whatever your burdens, whatever your difficulties or
disappointments, keep a cheerful spirit and it will in
the end draw to you those who can help you.
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful counte¬
nance."—Prov. 13:15.
Control of the Appetites.
Nature has endowed men with appetites that are
needed for nature's purposes. Unwise men feed these
appetites for the animal pleasure found therein, re¬
gardless of the higher purposes of nature. The ap¬
petites grow stronger and stronger as they are fed,
and finally become the masters of those to whom they
were given to serve. Blind and unreasoning, they
trample under foot all of the nobler things of life,
and work toward the ruin of the minda and bodies of
those that indulge them.
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IIow to Rise
Men who cannot control their appetites are un¬
worthy of trust. They are watched suspiciously, and
the world is on the alert to circumvent them, rather
than to advance their interests. The control of the
appetites is a highly necessary quality for everyone
who seeks to rise, and therefore needs the good will and
co-operation of his fellows.
" Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:
and whosoever is deceived thereby is not
wise."—Prov. 20:1.
Industry.
The disposition to apply one's self procures co¬
operation, the basis of all success on a large scale, in
a two-fold way. Industry is what is needed in every
walk of life, and the man who possesses the quality
attracts people to him. Men of consequence them¬
selves are industrious, and like their kind and their
kind only. In addition to attracting strength of it¬
self, industry brings financial resources which can also
be used to invite co-operation. The man who has
money can get help, and the man who is industrious
can get money.
"Let him labor, working with his hands
the thing which is good."—Eph. 5:28.
Persistence.
Success in life is not easily won. Defeat after
defeat, disappointment after disappointment, is likely
How to Rise
21
to overtake anyone in pursuit of success. Whoever
does not know how to ignore defeat and rise above dis¬
aster will hardly succeed, for the world hesitates to
reward such a character. But every one admires per¬
sistence, and when directed in the right way it is sure
to bring to one's side those who can help greatly in the
battle of life.
"And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap if we faint
not."—Gal. 6:9.
Habit of Saving.
There is to every life a sure period of decline, a
time when one's productive powers fail. During the
period of strength there should be a careful prepara¬
tion for the oncoming period of decline. This should
be done through systematic saving.
Disease also makes its appearance at some time in
almost every home and every life. The habit of sav¬
ing will prepare for this unfortunate period.
The possesion of some of this world's goods is an
evidence of industry, foresight and self-control, and
makes a direct and irresistible appeal for the respect
of men. "To him that hath shall be given"; shall
be given the co-operation necessary for rising higher.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her
ways and be wise;: which having no guide, over¬
seer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer,
and gathereth her food in the harvest."
—Prov. 6:6-9.
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How to Rise
Economy.
A practice that should go hand in hand with that
of systematically laying by a portion of one's earn¬
ings is that of economy. The man who economizes,
who does not make extravagant purchases, who does
not buy useless things, will have all the more to save.
Modesty in dress, the eating of wholesome yet simple
meals, and the avoidance of needless pleasure jaunts
are necessary to a life of economy. Men respect
a spirit of self-denial, and will go to the aid of those
who practice it.
"Gather up the fragments that remain,
that nothing be lost."—Matt. 6:12.
Proper Behavior Toward the Other Sex.
The greatest form of co-operation that can come
to a man in the course of a whole lifetime is that
that comes from some good woman. She can aid a
man by means of her power to inspire, by her intuition
that enables her to grasp clearly a situation that man's
reasoning powers fail to grasp, by her sharpened sense
of danger, and by the sustaining fortitude which she
exhibits in the almost inevitable hours of darkness
that at some time overtake almost every life.
The right kind of woman will rear the right kind
of children, who in turn will co-operate with the
father to crown his life with success.
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A proper attitude on the part of a man toward the
female sex will go far toward bringing to his side
the helpmeet that will give him the most valuable
form of co-operation that he can secure.
On the other hand, the young woman who is cir¬
cumspect in her conduct toward men < has the best
chance of drawing to herself the devotion of the man
of mental strength and moral character that will aid
in securing for her a place in life to be coveted.
Through virtuous conduct she will win co-operation.
"Who can find a virtuous wife? for her
price is far above rubies. The heart of her
husband doth safely trust her. * * * Her
children rise up and call her blessed; her
husband also, and he praiseth her."—Prov.
30:10, 11, 28.
Mind Improvement.
Man is not given his mind in a fully developed
state. It is capable of being improved. The greater
the improvement of the mind, the greater its range,
and the greater its power to draw to its possessor co¬
operation. One man has a mind of suffiient range
to tie to himself the people of a county, and another
the people of a state, and another the people of a na¬
tion, another the people of all civilized lands. He,
then, who would have co-operation upon the largest
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How to Rise
possible scale should give to his mind the largest pos¬
sible degree of improvement. A man should seize,
therefore, every possible opportunity for the broad¬
ening and strengthening of the mind. Lectures, news¬
papers, magazines and books should be a man's con¬
stant companions in leisure moments.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; there¬
fore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get
understanding.''—Prov. 4:7.
The Habit of Reading.
In the beginning of this discussion as to how to rise
in life, we set forth the absolute necessity of securing
co-operation if one's life is to bear large fruit, and
it has been evident that the securing of this co-opera¬
tion has been the guiding star of this production thus
far. "We now come to the climax of the qualities needed
to secure the very highest and best form of co-opera¬
tion. This climax is the habit of reading.
The individual that has developed the habit of read¬
ing to the point where the mind thirsts for that sort
of employment, has developed that which can bring
to him the co-operation of the great men of all the
ages, of all the races, of all the climes. Pericles, whose
dust is tossed about in the land of Greece; Julius
Caesar, of ancient Rome; Confucius, the long departed
guide of the Chinese; Sir Francis Bacon, the great
How to Rise
25
English philosopher, and other noted characters of
antiquity can lend the powers of their great minds to
those that have the habit of reading. Through reading
one can have the co-operation of the meekness and
wisdom of Moses, the candor and trust and sweetness
of David, and the light of the perfect life of Christ.
All that men have ever thought or felt or done that is
recorded can become the help of him who has the habit
of reading, can become a part of his life's equipment.
Not only is one able to enlist the co-operation of the
past through the habit of reading, but he is also able
to make use of living forces that would not be reached
without the habit. There may be living in the same
age, or country, or village with a person an individual
with great mental, moral and spiritual strength that is
far removed, for one reason or another, from the pos¬
sibility of direct personal contact, yet through what
may be written of or by the individual who cannot
be reached personally, the life and mind of this in¬
dividual may be utilized as an aid through the habit of
reading. The above mentioned facts go to show that
the opportunities for securing co-operation are bound¬
less for those who have the habit of reading.
Bearing in mind the great, indispensable need of
co-operation, and noting the great aid of the habit of
reading in securing co-operation from the master
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How to Rise
minds, there should be a diligent, unfaltering cultiva¬
tion of the habit. Let this be done throughout all the
years of one's life, and let it not be neglected, it mat¬
ters not how busy, how very busy, that life may be.
"Till I come, give attendance to reading,
to exhortation."—1 Tim. 4:13.
The individual who will take himself in hand and
cultivate and steadily practice the things which have
been set forth herein is sure to rise in life. And should
success not show up in the form of material prosperity
it will be in evidence in the esteem in which one is held
by his fellowman and the good wrought in the lives
of others.
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HOW TO RISE AS A RACE.
Every man in the world is affected not only by
his own reputation, but by that of the race to which
he belongs. If a race has an evil name, each member
of that race becomes an heir to his portion of this dis¬
favor, which is handed out to him before he gets a
hearing on his own individual score. Thus his in¬
dividual case is handicapped by the evil name of his
race, and the rising above this evil name is an addi¬
tional obstacle that must be overcome.
Whenever the regard for a race is very low, woe
unto that individual who happens to be caught in
any situation where his action or attitude is displeas¬
ing, and is supposed to represent the attitude of his
race. For the contempt felt for a race, which is
the multiplied contempt for individuals—a highly in¬
tensified feeling will descend upon his head, and
terrible will be his load. This is the reason for the
great difference between the actions of people toward
a member of a despised race, and a member of a re¬
spected race, even when their respective offenses are the
same in character.
On the other hand, if a race is held in high esteem,
each member of that race draws a dividend of esteem.
The member of a respected race starts out with a pre¬
sumption in his favor, and escapes the handicap that
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How to Rise
always accompanies the man that belongs to a race that
is not highly esteemed.
That individual that has personal success and draws
off from his race, content with what he has accom¬
plished personally, sins against himself, for the sus¬
picion will abide that he has not wholly escaped the
taint regarded as belonging to his race. His complete
salvation as an individual would come only by remov¬
ing the taint of suspicion from the race, rather than
by vainly trying to be regarded as wholly beyond the
taint, though of the race regarded as tainted.
The foregoing truths should lead all to see, not only
the necessity for individual success, but the great,
the crying, the overwhelming need of racial success
as well.
In view of these considerations, it is the part of
wisdom for each member of a race to be deeply con¬
cerned, not only about his own personal welfare, but
about that of his race as well.
With the necessity of racial success deeply grooved
in our minds, we are now prepared to consider what is
required to cause us to rise as a race.
Worthy Individuals.
A race is nothing more than an aggregation of in¬
dividuals. Unless there are worthy individuals to com¬
pose it, there will be no worthy race. It is an idle dream
How to Rise
29
for anyone to hope for a race to rise as a lump without
regard to what the units of the race are in themselves.
If you give a race the outward forms of success, and
have not worthy individuals it will not be able to hold
what it has been given. Whoever, therefore, desires
to make his race strong must start by trying to make
individual members of that race strong, beginning with
himself. In proportion as a man strengthens himself
and helps to strengthen his neighbor in every possible
way, he helps forward racial success.
Co-operative Effort.
The great tasks of life, while requiring worthy in¬
dividuals, are not performed by individuals working
singly, but in combinations. What the world stands
most in need of is co-operation. It was this note in
the message of Christ to the world that has made the
Christian nations the advanced nations of the world.
It was not enough in his eyes that men should be good
individually. They must also be a unit in their col¬
lective capacity, and must strive ever in that direction.
" That they may all be one."—John 17:21.
The overshadowing importance of the co-operative
trait has been set forth most clearly by the world's
greatest thinkers. Prince Kropotkin, the eminent Rus¬
sian naturalist, in discussing co-operation as found
among lower animals, says:
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"If we * * * ask Nature, "Who are the fittest,
those who are continually at war with each other, or
those who support one another ?' we at once see
that those animals which acquire habits of mutual aid
are undoubtedly the fittest. They have more chances
to survive, and they attain, in their respective classes,
the highest development of intelligence and bodily or¬
ganization. ''
Charles Darwin, the great expounder of the doctrine
of evolution, one of the master minds of all the ages,
speaks as follows of the effects of the spirit of co¬
operation as observed by him in the course of his in¬
timate studies of animal life: 4' Those communities
(of animals) which included the greatest number of
the most sympathetic members would flourish best."
The great religious philosopher, the late Prof. Henry
Drummond, says: ' To create units in indefinite quan¬
tities and scatter them over the world is not even to
take one single step in progress. Before any higher
evolution can take place these units must by some
means be brought into relation so as not only to act to¬
gether, but to react upon each other. According to
well known biological laws, it is only in combinations,
whether of atoms, cells, animals, or human beings
that individual units can make any progress, and to
create such combinations is in every case the first con-
Hoiu to Rise
31
dition of development. Hence the first commandment
of evolution everywhere is: 'Thou shalt mass, segre¬
gate, combine, grow large.' "
Another writer has expressed the thought that "nei¬
ther material prosperity, nor happiness, nor physical
vigor, nor high intelligence," constitute the difference
between the "higher" and "lower" races, but that
"those are higher in which broad social instincts and
the habit of co-operation exist.''
JFrom out of the life of lowly insects and animals,
and from the records of the doings o| men in all the
ages of human existence under all known conditions,
comes the great outstanding lesson that the richest re¬
wards of life are denied to all men and things that do
not acquire the high art of working in unison for the
attainment of the purposes of life. They who will not
or cannot acquire the art of working together will
be forever shut out from the higher joys of life, must
forever move upon the lower planes of existence; must
stand doomed to gaze in hopeless sorrow at the heights
attained by others yet firmly denied to them.
Every group has its unfortunates, its sick, its poor,
its criminals," its morally delinquent ones. In the very
nature of things these people cannot save themselves.
Nor is it to be expected that individuals will be found
to bear singly these burdens. Such problems can be
32
How to Rise
aolved only by collective effort, and wherever co-opera¬
tion is ineffective these problems go unsolved to breed
myriads of attendant evils. In the case of the Negroes
of the United States there is the further problem of
providing an outlet for the individuals of special tal¬
ents who are granted unto groups by nature to keep
heart and hope in the bosoms of the masses of men.
These needed places of distinction must come, can only
come, through co-operative effort.
Those who hope that in some way or another time
or accident may grant the blessings enjoyed by the
groups that obey the laws of co-operative life are but
chasing a ghost. Time, instead of being the friend of
non-co-operating groups, will simply pile up evidence
of the superiority of co-operating groups over those
that fail to heed the very first law of national or racial
success.
In view of the vast, and vital, absolutely inescapable
need of co-operation, the working of men together, we
know of no greater service than can be rendered man¬
kind than that of trying to reveal the exact nature of
the requirements for effective co-operation. We there¬
fore offer our conception of the qualities needed.
Possession of Firmness Amid Unfavorable Sur¬
roundings.
Oo-operative effort along any line and for any pur¬
pose will find great lethargy, great doubt, and some¬
times tremendous opposition in its way. Sometimes it
How to Rise
33
may suffer what seems to be crushing, overwhelming
and final defeat. Men with timid hearts, who do not
knoAV how to posness their souls in patience while pass¬
ing through. the dark periods of life interfere greatly
with the development of co-operative effort, as men of
vision, men who see success after struggle, hesitate
about embarking upon enterprises with men whose
spirits wither in the face of obstacles. Yet co-operative
effort can hardly come unless leaders arise with the
power to face this timidity, and with the patience to
overcome it.
Freedom from Excessive Emotionalism.
There is a tendency on the part of some men to act
only when their emotions are aroused. They seem
to give themselves up to that mode of life. In great
co-operative enterprises men cannot be spared for the
mere purpose of keeping spirit pumped into the hearts
of the various co-operating units. Men who resolve
upon a course, and then allow their interest to cool off
and die down merely because there is not a personal
agent to keep it alive are great hindrances to co¬
operative life. That is what may be termed excessive
emotionalism. It is a weakness in temperament which
causes men to be enthusiastic over a matter one day,
and cool the next, with no change whatever in the sur¬
rounding conditions. This embarrasses leadership, as
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How to Rise
men, led on by the outbursts of enthusiasm, soon find
themselves unsupported by the excessively emotional
people upon whose promised co-operation they had re¬
lied for success.
To be worthy factors in co-operative undertakings
men should weigh well whatever is put before them,
and when a course is entered upon should not allow
a mere lapse of time or the absence of the arousing in¬
fluence to cause them to lose their zeal. They should
have an internal battery to keep themselves awake in
their enthusiasm. Individuals who do not flare up to¬
day and die down in enthusiasm tomorrow, that are
moved by the steady pull of conviction, have a quality
essential for co-operation.
Courage.
It is sometimes the case that a multitude is wrong
and is headed in a direction that will result in serious
misfortune. Some one person standing apart in mind
from the popular drift may see the error that the
multitude is making. Such a man, if lacking in cour¬
age, will fail to proclaim his views, fearing to fly in
the face of the multitude. Yet, since large bodies can
make such large mistakes, they should have the full
benefit of the thoughts of all. It is only thus that they
can be saved from great blunders or rescued from dan¬
gerous positions. A group composed of cowardly men,
How to Rise
35
fearing to express their sober thoughts, regardless as
to the views held by others, may expect to commit
blunder after blunder.
Whenever a course is decided upon that one feels
sure is wrong he should unhesitatingly state his viewa.
Vjrood co-operating units stand ready to lend their judg¬
ment to their respective groups, however much they
may excite the displeasure of those that disagree with
them.
Minds Open to Conviction.
While a man must have the courage to proclaim
his own views, he must likewise keep an open mind,
ready to accept the truth when it comes from another.
It is indeed harmful for co-operation to have men
with closed minds, indisposed to listen, unmindful of
the fact that we rarely know when we have reached
the true bottom of a thing. While it is a man's duty
to act in keeping with whatever light he has, it is also
his duty to move along ready to receive all the new
light possible. An army of men each with a closed
mind cannot be brought into that state of unity of
thought that is absolutely essential for co-operative
effort. Open-mindedness is a great virtue when found
in those due to co-operate. The narrow closed mind
that does not bear in mind that it may be wrong, is a
menace to co-operation, and should be disregarded.
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How to Rise
Courtesy.
In order that men may work together in combina¬
tions they should be uniformly courteous toward each
other, thoroughly honest in their dealings with each
other, and firmly wedded to the principle of choosing
for service only such individuals as can best perform
the tasks before them. "While there must be courtesy
and kindliness always, yet this must not be stretched
to the point of favoring persons for positions who are
not the best qualified for the service demanded.
The Placing of Right Above Courtesy or
Friendship.
Nor must courtesy, nor friendship, be allowed to
influence a man to take any position in any manner
that is not in keeping with what is best. Co-operative
effort, in order to be a success, must have the benefit
of the test thciirht cf the minds interested, and noth¬
ing should be allowed to sway or keep back that best
thought. Each member of a body of any kind should
concede to every other member the right to have and
freely and vigorously express any opinion that he may
have, without the loss of any measure whatsoever of
kindly feeling.
Honesty That Can Withstand a Temptation of
Any Strength.
The essence of co-operation is a concentration of
strength, rs.nd in order to have concentration, the re¬
sources of all must sometimes be placed in the hnii&a
How to Rise
37
of one. It is hard to have co-operation wherever it
is hard to find a man who is so firmly honest that
nothing can tempt him to betray his trust. Men who
desire to see co-operative effort succeed should re¬
solve to be honest at all hazards, honest in every way,
honest when there seems to be no likelihood of the
detection of dishonesty. Whoever is dishonest with
entrusted power commits a high crime of treason
against co-operative effort, sins against the deepest
need of humanity.
Discriminating Trust.
There are two courses of action, either of which will
break down absolutely co-operative endeavors. One
of these is universal distrust, and the other is universal
trust. It is to be noted that co-operative effort is far
less developed in Africa than in either of the other
continents. It bears the reputation of being the land
of universal distrust. Missionaries report that dis¬
trust reaches even to the matter of dining. It is said
that a man who offers food to another is expected to
eat first of it himself as evidence that it does not con¬
tain poison. A land so permeated with the spirit of
distrust hardly could be expected to develop along co¬
operative lines.
The value of faith as a factor in the upbuilding of
a race is set forth tersely in the following sentence
38
Horn to Rise
from the eminent writer and scientist, the late Pro¬
fessor Nathaniel S. Shaler: "In our own Aryan race,
as well as in the Semitic, there is an element of con¬
fidence of man in his fellows that leads to the associa¬
tion of endeavor in business."
If the Negroes are to succeed they must destroy the
tendency toward universal distrust.
But care must be taken not to go to the other ex¬
treme, a policy of universal trust. Not everyone is
worthy of trust. Promiscuous trusting will have no
effect other than to break down all trust, and hurl
the race back into the baneful slough of universal
distrust. The proper thing to do is to trust discrim¬
inatingly. A man with an evil heart usually hangs
out somewhere very plaim signs of the state of.his
heart. "Wherever there is evidence that a man is dis¬
honest, withhold from him your confidence.
But judge not all men by the dishonest ones. Be
vigilant, keep ears and eyes open, and so long as men
give evidence of worthiness of trust, then trust them.
"Without discriminating trust there can be no success
on a larg3 scale.
Fidelity Toward Representatives.
There come times when races cannot, as a whole,
perform certain tasks, but stand in need of agents
or representatives to act for them. "Whenever a man
IIow to Rise
39
serves in a representative capacity, labors in the in¬
terest of the common good, he should not fail of sup¬
port on the part of all the people. It is as dishon¬
orable in a race to accept the services of a representa¬
tive and neglect the representative as it is for an in¬
dividual to neglect one who renders personal service.
If there is no spirit in the people to stand by the man
that serves in a representative capacity, there will
come to be a dearth of those willing to labor and sac¬
rifice for the common good.
A Disposition to Follow.
It is the possesion of great followers that makes a
great race. Unless a race has men who in their re¬
spective spheres will put into operation good ideas
that are offered, there can be no great measure of racial
success. Find a race where men who have acquired
influence sit still and push only such ideas as they,
perchance, may father, there failure is inevitable. And
in such a case the failure will come, not from bad lead¬
ership, but from bad following. If great men are need¬
ed to make motions, there is also needed greatness of
soul on the part of the people to second motions.
No man should become so great in his own eyes that
he feels that he is above being a follower. Good
following is as much a necessity as wise leadership,
and all members of a race should strive to lead wisely
40
How to Rise
where they are leaders, and follow faithfully where
they are due to follow. ,
Subordination of Personal Feelings.
It is to be expected that men will differ, and so long
as men are imperfect, differences may develop of a
personal nature. But whatever may be men's personal
relations toward each other, they must have the ability
to put those things aside and work harmoniously to¬
gether for the common good. Under no circumstances
should personal differences be dragged into public af¬
fairs. In considering things pertaining to the common
good, men should be careful to prune their hearts to
see that personal feelings are not swaying their judg¬
ment.
The Elimination of Opposition Born of Jealousy.
Wherever you have a race permeated with a spirit
of jealousy great loss is sustained, in two ways. There
are natural obstacles to be overcome in every under¬
taking, obstacles due to the very nature of things. But
jealousy begets artificial obstacles, adds new and un¬
necessary burdens. "Wherever the jealous spirit ex¬
ists, a great deal of energy must be expended overcom¬
ing the hindrances which it has thrown up. Thus the
person anxious to accomplish good must utilize precious
time and energy that could be employed in a productive
How to Rise
41
way, in clearing away the artificial obstructions thrown
up by jealous opponents.
In the second place, the jealous individuals who
spend time and energy trying to impede the progress
of others subtract that much time and energy needed
to more fully develop their own affairs.
Fill a race with the spirit of jealousy, have this
double waste on a widespread scale, and it is at once
apparent how much is lost, how much a race is kept
back.
Races composed of members guilty of the sin of
jealousy toward each other, anxious to prevent each
other from succeeding, need no outside forces to hold
them down. They may be relied upon to hold them¬
selves down.
Let each man view his neighbor's success with feel¬
ings of delight. If there is a desire to shine brighter,
let it be done by superior merit on the part of the de¬
siring one, and not by trying to prevent someone else
from having the largest possible measure of succeaa
when obtained in the right way.
So long as men are serving the common interests in
the highest and broadest way possible, they should be
allowed to continue their service. Jealousy, or the
mere desire for personal preferment at the expense of
the public should not be allowed to arise in the heart.
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How to Rise
The eye should be kept fixed upon the common good.
Jealousy should be slain and no personal ambition
should be gratified except such ambition as finds its
chief satisfaction in the good done for the co-operative
group or body.
That person is worthy of elevation who performs a
wedding between his ambition and the best good of
the group of which he forms a part. Such an individ¬
ual will not disturb needlessly good men rendering
service, nor will he inject his personal ambition when
and where he sees it will be a disturbing factor for the
group or body, even though it might advance his own
personal interests.
But care must be taken not to confound rightful
opposition to those who are not serving the public
interest in the highest and best way with the feeling of
jealousy. The one attitude is as high as the other at¬
titude is low.
A Spirit of Universal Helpfulness.
A thing that will add zest and power to group life
or co-operative endeavor is for the various units to
have proof that the other units are concerned about
their welfare and are anxious to help them. If a man
is made to feel that he is alone in the world, that no
one cares for him, this is calculated to breed selfishness
and destroy patriotism. But love for the group and
Hoiv to Rise
43
a disposition to sacrifice for it is begotten where one is
made to feel the warm co-operation of his fellows. Let
no man tread the wine press alone if he is doing a good
work. Let all throw their strength behind him and
help him forward. '' Let all help each'' should be the
motto of every community, of every group. Develop¬
ment will be marvelous when men learn to seek earnest¬
ly the good of their fellows.
"Let no man seek his own, but every man
another's wealth."—Cor. 10:24.
Capability cf Being Ir?f5i?.ei?ced to Act by Other
Than Direct Appeals Made in Person.
A race of people composed of individuals that are
not capable of being influenced to action by printed
or written matter is woefully handicapped. Wherever
a human messenger must be sent to perform that which
ought to be performed by a piece of paper on which
type has placed a message, there is just that much of
needless waste of energy and added expense. The ob¬
taining of results under such conditions is so very ex¬
pensive as to greatly hinder rapid development. Ex¬
hibit a race composed of individuals that are moved
only when a human being comes along, and you will
behold a people doomed to lag behind other races of
men that can feel >and respond to matters not thus
brought. Such a state of affairs reduces the possibil-
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How to Rise
ities of leadership, begets an air of uncertainty, and a
total lack of knowledge of the state of men's minds.
Corresponding races, or races moved by written or
printed appeals, are more than a thousand per cent,
more efficient than those that cannot absorb what is
written or printed without being moved to action. To
succeed as a race we must move up out of the age of
the voice, the age of the direct personal appeal, and
live in an age where an idea can influence to action
by whatever route it drifts one's way.
When the time arrives that the Negroes are capable
of being moved to action on a large scale by what
they read, a marked change in the condition of the
race will begin instantly and will be marvelous in its
proportions.
The Ability to Feel Keen Personal Responsibil¬
ity Where Large Numbers are Equally In¬
volved.
Every organization, group or combination of men
has its opportunities, its possibilities, its responsibil-
ites. These exist in proportion to its size. The larger
it is, the more are the opportunities that knock at it*
door, the greater are its possibilities, and the heavier
its responsibilities. Before whom are these things to
be placed? Before the membership. And if the va-
Hoiv to Rise
45
rious members cannot feel a keen personal responsibil¬
ity simply because so many are involved they make
poor members of a group, and are sorry material for co¬
operative life. A member should do all in his power to
take care of the honor of a body of which he forms a
part.
A large group composed of men who are lacking in
what may be termed community shame, who do not feel
personally the sting of a group's disgrace will but in¬
vite the disgust of men. One should cultivate the pow¬
er to feel personally ashamed of all remissness of duty
on the part of organizations in which he claims mem¬
bership.
Patriotism.
Every unit of a race should feel a personal re¬
sponsibility for the good name and welfare of the race.
That which concerns the welfare of all should not be
allowed by any individual to rest lightly on his shoul¬
ders merely because others are involved to an equal
degree. The motto of each individual should be:
"Let me feel in this matter, and let me act, as I would
if the whole responsibility of this affair rested upon me
alone." Such a feeling should possess all, and all
should act accordingly. But while doing his utmost
to help take care of the interests of the race, let no one
fail to do what he honorably can for the protection of
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How to Rise
himself and those immediately depending on him.
However, if the time comes when a man must make
choice between his own personal welfare and the wel¬
fare of his kind, let him not hesitate to sacrifice him¬
self in the interest of the common good.
'' It was expedient that one man should die
for the people."—John 18:14.
* * *
A Proper Attitude on the Part of the Strong
Toward the Weak.
All weakness is a source of some kind of danger, not
only to the persons possessing the weakness, but also to
the most remote parts of any system with which the
weak are in any degree connected. Because of this
close, but often unappreciated, connection between the
strong and the weak, wherever you find the strong in¬
different to the welfare of the weak, or find the strong
believing that weakness is a thing to be taken ad¬
vantage of by strength, there you will find a situation
doomed to grow worse for all concerned. An illustra¬
tion of the manner in which the fate of the strong is
bound up with that of the weak may be found in a sit¬
uation that confronted the English people and their
allies at one period during the great modern European
war. The drink habit on the part of a minority of
English workingmen was said to have endangered the
How to Rise
47
cause of England and her allies, who suffered greatly
from the lack of ammunition, which the drinking work¬
men could have supplied easily had they lived soberly.
Observe, then, the destiny of the modern world in
danger of being decided by the weakness of a very
small group!
There should be no weak. All elements should be
made and kept strong. To this end the strong should
feel keenly their duty of aiding the weak. If this
policy is not pursued, as has been indicated, the weak,
some day, and in some way, will assuredly cause the
loss of much that the strong have built up.
It is simply indispensable for success as a race that
there shall be persistent, organized, systematic, and,
at the same time, personal efforts to save those who
lag behind in any sphere of life, whether boys or girls,
or men or women. Beware, beware, beware of any
other course!
"We, then, that are strong, ought to bear
the infirmities of the weak, and not to please
ourselves.''—Rom. 15:1.
Regard for the Welfare of Coming Generations.
It has been clearly demonstrated that those nations
are the most successful that most largely include future
generations in their plannings. Those who look far
48
Hoiv to Rise
ahead, and plan, for the welfare of the distant future,
develop a soberness of spirit, a soundness of judgment,
a habitual cautiousness, and an ability for self-denial
that unite to cause them to plan well for themselves,
along with their wise plannings for the future. A
nation can do nothing better for itself than to include
the unborn in all of its calculations. Those who plan
only for their own day life to learn that in making
their plans short, they made them too short, and they
some day find themselves called upon to eat of the
bitter fruit which their short-sightedness had planned
for future generations.
Men and women enrich the life of a nation when
they live with a view to giving their own untarnished
names as inspiring forces for the boys and girls of
the future. They likewise develop powers that help
their own day and generation when they nurture in¬
stitutions designed to take care of the interests of the
future.
Due Regard for Womankind.
Inasmuch as the shaping of the destiny of children
is in the hands of mothers to such a large extent, a due
regard for the welfare of coming generations demands
that the women of the race shall be surrounded with
an atmosphere of protection, respect, deference and
kindliness. Out of hearts made strong and lifted up
How to Rise
49
by the homage of mankind, the women will impart to
their children the qualities of manliness and woman¬
liness that should be inbred in the individuals if they
are expected to have the spirit and character needed
for the stern issues of life. Therefore every man who
treats well his wife, every man who acts honorably
and nobly toward any woman, is aiding the life of
the race just that much. Likewise the mistreatment
of any woman is just that much of a load weighting
down a race. Let every man accept as binding the
example of Christ, who was sympathetic, gentle and
thoroughly appreciative toward women, and from the
souls of the women thus regarded will come the flower
of inspiration that will make a race glorious in the
eyes of all mankind.
Morality.
It is universally conceded that the home is the
foundation upon which the greatness of a nation is
builded. In the home the father has the strength,
and the mother the love needed for the successful rear¬
ing of children so that they will prove to be good
citizens. This form of co-operation known as marriage
ia made possible only by belief in the possibility of
exclusive devotion of men and women to each other.
Destroy faith in the possibility of the existence of such
devotion, and you destroy the very foundation of the
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How to Rise
home, which., in turn, is the foundation of national or
racial greatness. Every act of immorality is an attack
on this faith, tends toward the loosening of family ties,
the disruption of homes, and the casting adrift of chil¬
dren, so that they will fail of the joint care of their
parents. The man or woman who lives a moral life
and sets an example of purity, may have the satis¬
faction of knowing that he or she is not only doing
that which is right and best for himself or herself, but
that which is necessary for the welfare of humankind.
On the other hand, let everyone lacking morality
regard himself as one of an army attacking with might
and main the very foundations of society.
It requires but a moment's reflection to perceive that
the various virtues herein set forth as necessary for in¬
dividual and racial success are the Christian virtues.
Christianity not only teaches co-operation, but incul¬
cates such qualities in individuals that they are fit
units for co-operative life. It is for this reason that the
Christian nations are the most highly successful na¬
tions. Finally, therefore, we commend to all who
would succeed, who would build up strong co-operating
groups, the practice of the virtues of Christianity as
set forth in the teachings of the life of Christ and in
the lives of those who have followed in his steps.
How to Rise
51
HOW TO RISE IN THE ESTEEM OF OTHERS.
At the present time the Negroes of the United
States are outnumbered by other races in this country
in the ratio of 9 to 1, approximately. The intelligence,
wealth and all that goes to constitute power are vastly
superior in the rest of the population to what may be
credited to the Negroes.
In addition to the gulf of differing conditions sep¬
arating the Negroes from the rest of the population,
they are of widely different race with the physical
features that prominently mark the fact of difference
as to race.
In view of these considerations, it is of the utmost
importance to the Negroes that they enjoy the esteem
and good will of the rest of the population. The
peaceful enjoyment of the comforts of life and the
privileges incident to citizenship depend almost wholly
upon the esteem in which the race is held.
Reliance cannot be solely placed upon statutes, con¬
stitutions and court decisions. Statutes can be changed,
sections of constitutions can remain unenforced, and
courts will be found to be very slow to hold govern¬
ments, state or national, to laws that are not sustained
by an enlightened public sentiment
52
How to Rise
The fact that the welfare of the Negro race must
rely upon the good will of the people of the nation,
is illustrated clearly by experiences since the close
of the Civil War. The first reliance of the Negroes
was upon the military power of the North. Northern
soldiers were quartered in the South to give protection
to them. But in the very nature of things, this sort
of protection could not be of long duration, as our
government is not military in character. It was only
a matter of time before the soldiers were to be with¬
drawn. The Negroes therefore soon found that such
a reliance, from the standpoint of permanent protec¬
tion, was vain indeed.
As a means of defense, the Negroes were given the
ballot, but it was not long before that, in large meas¬
ure, was wrested from them. The Negroes allied them¬
selves en masse with one political party, and pinned
their faith to it, but this party finally grew quiet con¬
cerning the giving of political priviliges to the race, so
far as an active forward programme is concerned.
This party, avowedly friendly toward the Negroes, was
given control of Congress for a long period of years,
but failed to meet their expectations. Men who pro¬
tested their great friendship for the Negro race have
been elevated to the presidency of the United States,
but no marked results have followed from this source.
How to Rise
53
The Supreme Court of the United States has been ap¬
pealed to, time and again, but in some way has left
matters about as they were before the appeals were
made.
This brief review shows the Negroes as having relied
upon the military, legislative, executive and judicial
departments of the national government, but largely in
vain. The problems are all back in the hands of the
people for adjustment. It cannot be insisted too
strong'y, therefore, that a great problem before the
Negro race is that of growing up in the esteem of
the American people, of winning the good will of their
neighbors.
In the South a golden opportunity knocks at the door
of the Negro race, because so many of its members are
en gag." d in domestic service in the homes of white
people. If the Negroes in the homes of the white peo¬
ple of the South are moral, industrious, thoroughly
efficient and sensible, they will make a good .impression
for the race. The Negro who is engaged in service
among the white people should regard himself or her¬
self in the light of a keyhole through which others feel
that they are looking into the real inner life of the
race.
An example of what a true man can do for his own
race while serving another race is found in the labor*
54
Eotv to Rise
of Nehemiah, the Jew. He was cup-bearer to the king.
His life was circumspect. He won the full confidence
of the man he served. The faith which the king had
in him, and the affection that accompanied that faith,
enabled Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of his native
city, Jerusalem, at that time a conquered province.
The forces that are at work for the advancement of
the Negro race hardly can find a more important field
than that of trying to aid the Negroes who are to serve,
to do their work well, and to demean themselves
properly. Just as a country takes great pains to train
its diplomats for service in foreign lands, leading
Negro men and women should show a like interest in
increasing the efficiency of the negroes who are to serve
the white people and help shape their attitud toward
the Negro race.
It is said that on one occasion the president of one of
the great Northern colleges for young women visited
the South and was asked to address one of the best
Negro colleges in this section. His discourse was said
to be concerning the efficiency of the Negro servant
class in the South. The students in this particular
school were all planning for careers more profitable
than that of domestic service, and for that reason may
have regarded the talk as being out of place. How
lacking in thought is such an attitude! The opinion
How to Rise
55
of the Negro race, fashioned by the servant class, will
have an effect upon the destinies of all. Whatever
one's station in life or field of labor, let there be deep
concern about the Negro servant.
Domestic service schools should be conducted in
every city, and those who know the ways of service that
are correct should see that others also know. The wo¬
men of the Negro race who, in the cities, are forming
themselves into clubs, would do well to direct the
activities of the clubs toward this matter. Homes for
working girls should be founded into which the young
women who are to serve should be gathered and given
the training needed to enable them to play well their
part.
The complaint has been made that the white people
of the South are not coming in contact with the better
class of Negroes. In view of the social separation of
the two races, the best way to get the white people in
touch with Negroes who can make a better impression
for the race, is to increase the efficiency of such Negroes
as they do come in contact with.
Keeping is mind these things, we now shall name the
things that will pave the way for rising in the esteem
of others.
The qualities which we set forth as necessary for the
rise of individuals and those which we named as consti-
56
IIoiv to Rise
tuting the foundation stones for rising as a race, are
now cited again as necessary to rising in the esteem of
others. In addition to those things named, which in
safety cannot be ignored, we wish now to discuss other
needed virtues.
There are two directions in which rising in the es¬
teem of others should be considered. Let us consider
how as individuals to rise is the esteem of others, and
how to rise in their esteem as a race.
Thoughtfulness of Others.
He who would have the esteem of others must give
careful thought to others, must study their traits,
tastes, opinions, and must try to understand their view¬
point, the angle from which they are looking at things.
Cleanliness.
The Anglo-Saxon race is a great believer in the bath,
in the power of soap and water. The bath removes im¬
purities from the body, invigorates the system, and
contributes to the vigor and alertness of the mind. It
reduces the strength of the natural odors of the body,
and contributes to the pleasure of social intercourse.
The bath counts for so much in the life of the white
people that they have a very poor opinion of all who do
not believe therein.
IIow to Rise
57
Just as an individual is more sensitive to the odors
emanating from the flesh and clothing of others than to
those of his own body and clothing, thus it is that one
race can detect more readily the odors of the bodies of
members of another race than they can those of the
bodies of members of their own race. There is what the
white people term the '' Negro odor.'' For a long time
they supposed themselves to be free from a racial odor,
but the Japanese claim that the white people have
an odor, but state that they themselves are odorless.
Since the white people are more sensitive to possible
odors from Negro bodies than the Negroes under the
circumstances are able to be, the latter should make
it a point to give special attention to the question of
eliminating or reducing to a minimum the odors of the
body. Cleanliness is a great thing in itself, but it has a
double value when it contributes to the spirit of good
will between two races living side by side and having
constant business intercourse with each other.
As a matter of simple justice, it should be stated
here that there are Negroes by the thousands who bathe
frequently, who, in every way, practice cleanliness.
Yet if there are large numbers of others who are lack¬
ing in the virtue of cleanliness, and pass in and out
among their white neighbors in such a condition, they
can mould a sentiment against the race as a whole,
58
How to Rise
which sentiment each individual will have the task of
overcoming for himself in his own case.
The leaders of the Negro race should set up as one
of their standards the making of a thoroughly clean
and odorless race throughout its entire ranks, as far
as possible. Of course, it is to be borne in mind that
many of the Negroes are poor, and lack proper bathing
facilities, and spend long hours in labor, going to
work early, and returning late, yet in spite of all
this, time should be found for the daily bath. It is
said that the English soldiers fighting in France and
Belgium daily sought streams in which they might
bathe.
Regardless of the obstacles in the way, a daily bath
should be taken by every member of every Negro
family.
Tidiness.
The appearance of a race counts for a great deal. A
good appearance creates a presumption in one's favor,
whereas an untidy appearance creates a sort of feeling
against the untidy one. When we speak of tidiness we
do not refer to gaudiness of dress, which is likewise
very offensive, but to the manner in which one's clothes
are put on and kept, and one's appearance in general
is looked after. Clothes, to fit, should be worn, rents
How to Rise
59
m clothes should be mended by means of patches that
are neat and appropriate in character, the hair should
be combed, the shoes tied, and all items of dress should
be properly adjusted. This should be practiced in pub-
lie, in the neighborhood and in the home.
Whenever possible clothes purely for working pur¬
poses should be used while engaged in labor, to be laid
aside for neater and cleaner garments to be worn to
and from work.
Good Taste.
There are but few things, perhaps, that create a
feeling of distance like wretched taste in dressing.
When cne locks upon another abominably dressed and
yet thinking that he is finely dressed, it raises the ques¬
tion as to what sort of a person the strange dresser
can possibly be. Take note of the dress of refined peo¬
ple. Avoid loud, garish colors. Steer clear of over-
ornamentation.
It may seem a minor matter, yet we are quite sure
good taste and a display of common sense in dressing
will go a long way toward developing for the race a
more kindly feeling. Good taste should be cultivated
throughout the whole race. Those who have acquired
it should in some way seek to impart it to others,
60
How to Rise
The Suppression of Loudness.
Loud guffaws, loud conversations in public places,
loud talking on the streets and in conveyances, and
in homes, the loud calling of persons, the wild, loud
night orgies are things that we come across at times
which mould a terribly bad sentiment against the Ne¬
gro race. The persons who thus act seem to forget
that others have ears and may hear but not relish what
is going on. Utterly oblivious of their neighbors, they
proceed with their noises.
It is held by some that the Negro race is a younger
race than the white race, that its spirit is now passing
through stages that have been passed by the white race.
The Negro race is said to be in its vocal period, the pe¬
riod of song and noise, whereas the white race is said
to have advanced out of the vocal stage. In coming in
contact with white people, Negroes should bear in mind
that noise that is not offensive at all to themselves may
be thoroughly offensive to those older in spirit who are
forced to endure it. This difference should be kept ever
in mind, thus removing a frequent cause of irritation.
The breaking up of the loudness of the Negro race is
one of its greatest needs.
Home Tidiness.
Like the body, the home, both within and without,
should be tidily kept. The absence of a paling here
IIow to Rise
61
and there, the gate off of the hinges, window panes
broken, and their places filled with pillows or bundles
of rags, trash and jnrk lying around the yard, the
house unpainted, the week's washing stretched on a line
on the front porch—these are too often the character¬
istics of homes to be found among our people. A home
may be humble, yet it can be kept tidily. There
should be a movement within the race of widespread
proportions looking toward the making of houses and
premises belonging to our people tidy.
Kindliness.
"Whatever the situation, let the Negro's kindness of
heart shine. Be kind to children, kind to women,
courteous to nen, polite at all times, but not of the
cringing, fawning kind, which really brings contempt,
if not disgust. The kindness of the Negro women to
the children cf the white people of the South before
the Civil Yfar is drawing a dividend of blessings for
the Negro race even until now.
Language.
Inability to use properly the language that we
converse in will do much to hold down esteem. Each
individual should be a careful observer of speech,
should take note of the language of those who know,
and should strive to speak as correctly as any-
62
Horn to Rise
one. But to speak correctly one must be guided. Un-
guided attempts to speak properly only serve to make
bad matters worse. Let each, person whose education
is limited seek help in the matter of speech. The
brogue should be thrown away. Carelessness in calling
words should cease. The tendency to call a word any¬
thing that sounds like it should be laid aside, and only
such words should be used as one fully knows can be
called correctly.
The qualities which we have cited latterly are need¬
ed under any circumstances, but their absence is doubly
damaging where there is another race involved.
Having discussed how to rise in the esteem of others
as individuals, we shall now consider the qualities need¬
ed to rise in the esteem of others as a race.
The Exhibition of Social Efficiency.
This is pre-eminently the age of mass movements,
the age for the accomplishment of things through the
gripping and welding of thousands and millions of
men.
If a chemist is trying to secure a certain compound
he wishes no element that does not blend into what he
is making. The great social mind, the cosmic forces,
the influence running through all of the affairs of
men, when constructing a group or nation wlisre effi¬
ciency as a group is demanded, like the chemist, does
How to Rise
63
not desire to have present as an important factor
m that group any element whose qualities, or lack of
qualities, will make against its effectiveness as a group.
The Negroes should bear well in mind the fact that
the world has passed into an era in which social effi¬
ciency, and not the mere question of human rights, is
the test applied. Many of the privileges which they
now enjoy came to them at a time and during a pe¬
riod when great importance was attached to what
were called the rights of men. The world has come to
regard a man as having no rights beyond those which
he can exercise with efficiency. To illustrate the point
which we seek to make we cite the case of the Philip¬
pine Islands now under the control of the United
States. In considering the question of granting to
them their independence, the question of their right to
be free is being held subject to the other question as
to whether they are prepared to exercise properly their
freedom. It is being held more and more that power
should be put only into the hands of those who are
efficient, regardless of questions of abstract right.
Another illustration of the point here at issue is the
manner in which the world is approaching the ques¬
tion of woman's suffrage. The debate is not revolving
around the question as to whether woman, because of
her presence in the human family, is entitled to the
61
How to Rise
right of suffrage, but the matter is being made to
hinge largely upon the question as to whether she will
or will not add to the excellence of government by her
presence. It is largely a question of efficiency, not of
abstract right. If the world comes to the conclusion
that it will help the world for women to vote, they will
be allowed to vote. On the other hand, if their pres¬
ence as a voting power is regarded as a menace to
the welfare of mankind, the vote will be withheld in all
likelihood, even if woman's abstract right to the suf¬
frage is not denied.
This represents the predominant thought of the age
in which we live, the epoch into which we have passed.
If the Negroes are to make any advances in this epoch,
it is to be by the process of demonstrated efficiency. In
all of their activities they should strive for the highest
degree of efficiency. "Whatever is to be done should
be done well. The world is not going to invite its Ne¬
groes to higher ground solely because of any discus¬
sion of rights, however plausible in theory, but only
over the highways of demonstrated efficiency.
Nor is the Negro going to be considered purely upon
the ground of his ability or achievements as an in¬
dividual. He is going to be viewed according to his
social capacities, or, in other words, his ability to fit
into the great scheme of co-operative endeavor known
How to Rise
6&
as government. Rabbits, wolves, lions and horses have
no social capacities, have no qualities that permit ef¬
fective co-operation. Bees and ants have. Butterflies
are beautiful, and grasshoppers are comparatively
harmless, yet the bees and ants do not desire that they
form a part of their little governments, because they
lack the qualities needed for co-operative life. The
butterflies and the grasshoppers are not systematic
toilers, and they do not save, qualities needed in the
kingdoms of ants and bees. Before the Negroes are
freely absorbed into the governmental structice, they
will be asked for evidence that they have acquired, and
that their natures are permeated with, the great qual¬
ities needed for co-operative work. Within the spheres
left for them, even under present conditions, the Ne¬
groes have ample room to develop and manifest the
co-operativei faculty. The religious and fraternal or¬
ganizations offer a broad scope for their powers, and
the business world is an inviting field. It is hoped that
the true statesmanship within the race may make itself
felt mightily in these fields.
4. great handicap to the development of social effi¬
ciency is a tendency in the Negro race to divide, and
subdivide, to a degree wholly unnecessary, and harm¬
ful This tendency is manifested in almost all of the
activities in the life of the race. There are many re-
HIi
li^iojp l d,en,Qi|iip.ations within the- race ip, which, the
gTeatesXP0i^'0f^i^ercnce .seem, to betheir respective
iianies. ^ Essentially .one rin faith, one in r.practicer, pner
in ,all things, fundamental, .they,yet Remain apa£tr eausr
ing,f4jn.unnecessary duplication of operating machinery ,
aiid^exp^ipcsr f\Y^thin. the.- largest r£f, the religious de¬
nominations p£,the ..race thereF is- often a needless mul-
tipjyjpg of churches,, associations and other agencies
for, service rin the same territory to such, ail extent that
all fire £~ippledr and n.qne can .render efficient, service.
An4 - wjhfii.is here, saicf ..of .religious denominations is ■
] itk.cwise ..true, .of .& .great, Minority 'pf. fraternal organ¬
izations. e^pe^trpn. social efficiency should take
tha.tmie. t9f observe the needless duplication of agencies
and^coupt up. t^ie wholly unnecessary cost, the figures <
woijlcl b<3. startling. t , .. |
.There shqi^l<| arise within the Negppf r?ce.men with ,
tjie^true spirit.0^statesmanship]^ men, with unifying
t^ntjl^cies^mej^ al^le tp^i.nlJ.pGrsonalrambitions.out of
si^ht^ it} en who will set for-jthenjiselves, the, task of.
blending kindred denominations^ „o|, abolishing ib;»
neeessa,ry , davisiqns ,evep]whore;+ thus ^eliminating' a
gjreat was,t^ o3^ enprgv find jnoppyv and, presenting .a
t )y^at, seems to b.c r;ace prejudice.m.a^», in ,s^™e in-;
stances, be ^fpuij^tp be the instinc.tpf r^el^pr,eserv4-.
ELomtq \Rise\
67
tlon-jpresent in tba social . ta
G(ld4o.th€i .directing,and governing-power.offthe group
traits',-arttl tendencies that .would dn'ake, against social
e^iejiey'/
Interest iri the PrbbIciKS:t>f Others.
"There' are tiling^ which vitally concern the white
people of America and1 engage 'their deepest thought.
The Negroes should give' close attention I to .these prob-
lertLS-* s.hroujd; keep. • apace, .withj aUrofthe ^reat, move*
m ejita - in. .whichf(the ^7hite. people, are ^engaged, If the
Negroes prove to pe indifferent toward, matters that
others consider^ital, or if througii half-study they take
the wrong side of question :or*lfbthje$£ for-imy-;.r£asori ~*
trample under foot that which the whites regardf as
seriousj and perhaps sacred, such a course*will' wbrk
gt-eatly toward the alienation of the races! On l\ie other
hand)!if the Negroes wili manifest' intelligent concern
in,,th6i problems that eiigag© thfe- attention! of the?white
people, tJh^y will, the more r^a^ily, ppqcure the. sympa¬
thetic consideration of, their^oyn problem^ by,the r?vhite.
people!
\i la: VA^'r-l* ■ • ■ ■ m ■ • -
Efeveloprrient of Literature-
fwiU rhelprbf] a,b,le to,• talkvtor.the
,jta. .£$1^.;r$y e$l; the:.so^l o£the;
r^e.^ ^.hi^^be^t.d0^® thr/Oug^.literat^rej > This, then,
should be the Negro's voice, acquainting [$# w&ite
68
How to Rise
world with his condition, his real aspirations, his spirit¬
ual yearnings. Negro literature should be developed
as a racial voice, with the power to. reach the hearts of
the white people. The Negro race should develop an
ear, a crave for literature that it may read and imbibe
whatever message the soul of the white race has for it.
By intelligently speaking to the white race through
literature, and understandingly hearing from it
through a like medium, the esteem in which the race
is held will be materially advanced. Therefore let the
entire race rally around the printed page.
The Reaching of the People.
The world has entered upon an era of government by
public sentiment. Kings and courts, presidents and
law makers no longer register their own will, but re¬
flect the sentiment of the people. The cause of the
Negroes will be advanced in proportion as they direct
their attention more and more to the people as the
source of power, and strive to have the friendship and
backing of the people. The courts, law makers and
executive officers of the land will gladly fall in line.
Let the Negroes live such lives and foster such concep¬
tions among the people as to win their support, and all
will be well.
How to Rise
69
Civic Honesty.
A ballot is not a man's personal property. It is
something handed to him by society to be held in trust
for its good. "Whenever a man gets to the point where
he thinks that a ballot is his to use simply for his own
'benefit he is unfit to hold it. There should be instilled
in every Negro the fact that a ballot is a sacred trust,
and that the selling thereof is an abominable offense.
The ballot should be used to register an honest con¬
viction, unswayed by prejudice, and free from the
curse and blight of bribery. No matter what may be
a man's needs, nor what his views, under no circum¬
stances should he take as much as a penny from a
friend or foe for a vote. The misuse of the ballot
should be held up constantly as a heinous sin.
The Sunday school teachers, the preachers, the public
school teachers, those in charge of academies and
colleges, the lodges and women's clubs, and the young
women in social circles should all make it a point to
hammer away concerning the iniquity of bribery in the
matter of voting. Even when and where there seems
no immediate cause for the instruction, keep it up.
There are honest men in the Negro race—as honest
as the world affords. This class must carry the torch
df honesty into all the dark corners, and seek to clean
out the life of the race everywhere in this matter.
70 Row to Rise
FINALLY.
Let each Negro do his very best to make himself
worthy in every way. Let the Negroes become con¬
cerned in each other's welfare. If the course here out¬
lined is pursued there will come a marked softening of
the feelings of the,American white people toward the
Negro race. Many things which the Negroes now think
are due to color prejudice will be seen not to be such.
Many rights and privileges that now can hardly be
made secure by law will be freely granted without
law. Cure the inside. It will help the outside very
materially.
The white people, you say, have prejudices that are
unjust. If such is the case, the class of individuals
and the kind of race here pleaded for will greatly help
in getting rid of improper feelings. The wise man
Solomon evidently took this view of matters when he
said:
"When a man's ways please the Lord, he
maketh even his enemies to be at peace with
him.''—Prov. 16:7.
May the Negroes of the world apply themselves dil¬
igently to the task of acquiring the qualities herein set
forth, as a cur® for much of the ill feeling there
How to Rise
71
may be in the world toward them. May they not feel
that they are through with this message when curiosity
as to what it was to be, has been satisfied. May they
not feel that merely assenting to the propositions laid
down is sufficient. The great teacher, Christ, when
confronted by a throng, willing, perhaps, to give men¬
tal assent as to the correctness of his views, plainly
told them that assenting alone, unaccompanied by
deeds, would do no good.
''Not every one that sayeth unto me Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven."—Matt. 7:21.
It is not the knowing of the principles of success
that brings success. That only comes when men have
the power to transmute knowledge into action; when
they have the power to smother all of the voices call¬
ing them in a contrary direction, and actually pursue
that pathway which alone leads to success. It is
therefore prayed that this message may abide with the
reader, that he may realize the eternity of the prin¬
ciples laid down, and that he may be found ever walk¬
ing upon the highway cast up. Let him induce all of
his fellows within his reach to adopt this body of
principles.
72 Bow to Rise
When the things herein set forth have been done, but
not until that time, will the Negroes be able to look up
into their sky and see emblazoned upon their banner
the enchanting word, '' Success.''
We now have before us the pathway by means oi
which we may rise..
"This is the way, walk ye in it."—Isaiah
30:21.