Transcriber's Note:
Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.
PRICE 25 CENTS.
The Negro Laborer:
A WORD TO HIM
—BY—
WILLIAM H. COUNCILL.
PREFACE.
Many friends have invited me to deliver addresses at various pointsupon the Labour Question. Being unable to attend all theappointments, I have concluded to reach them through the followingpages. The Labour Question is one of vast importance to allgood citizens, and continues to increase in magnitude with the growthof population.
I claim no superior foresight or wisdom, and ask only a careful readingand that appreciation which the following remarks merit.
W. H. COUNCILL.
Huntsville, Ala.,
December, 1887.
R F Dickson, Job Printer. Huntsville, Ala
I. THE LABORER.
1. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.—Gen.iii-19.
2. Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdueit.—Gen i-28.
3. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, thatthey may not understand one another's speech.—Gen. xi-7.
Nothing in the Holy Scriptures is more prominently set forth andpersistently impressed than the duty of man to labor. In the quotationsabove made, it is clearly seen,
1. That labor is ordained by God, and therefore dignified. There isnothing dishonorable about labor. The man who is ashamed to put hishand to any kind of work which will bring a support to his family, hasthe wrong idea of labor, and will soon or late come to poverty or theprison. None are exempt. All are commanded to work, and the idler is anenemy to the state, a burden upon society, and a dishonor to his God.
2. That the labor of man is to be methodical—with an object in view,viz: building up the earth for pleasant abode of man, increasing bothanimal and vegetable life, and reducing wild nature—animal, aerial,mineral and plant life—to useful and comfortable forms for thechildren of men. This is a grand work! He is to be a constant builder!No where is he told to be destructive and cruel. But he must befruitful, and multiply, replenish and subdue the things on and in theearth. The great God never gives a command to do without conferringthe ability to do. The command is to every man, from the lowest to thehighest—not to lawyers, doctors, philosophers and great men only, butto all men, and God has given every man the power of performing hispart in this great work of multiplying, replenishing,[Pg 4] subduing andmaking the earth more fruitful. And that great, wise and good God willhold each of you as much responsible for the exercise of your physicalpowers, your working powers, as for the exercise of your intellectualand moral capacities in the replenishing and subduing the earth. Howmany will make up your m