For this week’s submission, here’s some especially appropriate words from one of Founders. Although written nearly 86 years ago, this sermon by Founder Morse provides insight into the intellect and sensibilities of one of the greatest names in Sigma.
Thank you to Bro. Victor Cox for helping to uncover this long-forgotten document!
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1/13/1923
OUR WEEKLY SERMON
[This space is devoted to the use of ministers throughout the country who desire to send a message to our readers. These sermons are restricted to 250 words, and may be sent without official notice.]
A NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE
By The Rev. Leonard F. Morse
Dean Mobile County Training School
Plateau, Ala.
ANOTHER year in the life of my Race has come and gone. Our brightest hopes for it have either been happily realized or, like ashes, blow to the winds. Whether we have wrought well or ill, we must now turn out eyes to the rising sun of a new year and pray with Kipling:
“Lord, God of Hosts, he with us yest, Lest we forget, lest we forget.”
Eager as we are to press forward into the new year, we cannot forego the temptation to cast a backward glance and review our last twelve months’ course.
How far along life’s dreary way have we come since last we gave and received new year’s greetings? What strides has Civilization made? What victories has Love won? – Love for mankind; all mankind – and for God? Oh, Ethiopia, what is they report on this natal day of 1923? Are thy groans still heard ‘midst the crackling of the lynchers’ fires? Do the cries of thy innocent children continue to come up from the cruel chain gangs? Does Negrophobia still pollute American statesmanship in the halls of Congress made sacred by Jefferson, Adams
and Webster?
You and I, Oh, Ethiopia, stand hesistantly upon the threshold of the year 1923. Let us in the name of our forefathers whose prayers brought us out of the hell of our first bondage; in the name of our children whose lisping tongues and innocent laughter encourage us to lift ourselves out of our second bondage; and in the name of our God, the Giver of all we have, resolutely march forth determined to do or die.