The Negro's church,.

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The Negro's Church

education is a panacea for all ills came from the Negro pastors. Mostly illiterate, and greatly lacking in formal training
himself, he has continually urged the parents of his congregation to sacrifice much in order that their children might
enjoy a better day. Many a country boy or girl would never
have had the chance to attend college if the pastor of his
or her church had not urged it. Even in cases where Negro
education was graciously supported by white people who were
kindly and justly disposed toward the Negro, the Negro minister was often needed, and relied upon, to give sanction to
and boost education. The parents did not always see the
light; but the pastor insisted on it, and somehow the parents
believed that the preacher knew. The existence of a large
number of weak denominational schools as well as some
strong ones is testimony to the fact that the Negro church has
greatly encouraged education. Not only has the church urged
Negroes to secure an education, but the church has nurtured
and still nurtures Negro business. The great medium for
the advertisement of Negro business is the church. Not only
in sermons but in other ways, the authors were impressed
with the way Negro pastors advise their people to help make
strong Negro business such as insurance, banking, privately
owned Negro enterprises and the like.
Democratic Fellowship
In the main, there are no social classes in the Negro church.
In one or two city churches of the 609, there was evidence
that some of the members were particular about the people
who joined and wanted a "certain brand" for members. In
a few cases there was a natural development whereby people
of supposedly similar cultural levels assembled. But even in
these churches, there are members who represent all grades
of culture and varying occupational levels.