The Negro Laborer: A Word to Him

A series of addresses gathered into a single volume, this work speaks directly to the everyday worker, urging him to see labor as a sacred duty rather than a mere necessity. Drawing on biblical passages, the author frames work as a divine mandate that grants dignity to every hand that toils, whether on a farm, in a shop, or behind a desk. The tone is conversational yet earnest, aiming to reach those who cannot attend public lectures on the “Labor Question.”

The text distinguishes two broad kinds of labor—physical and intellectual—while insisting that both are essential to the moral uplift of the nation. It warns against idleness and the misuse of ambition, reminding listeners that true prosperity comes from honest effort that benefits the community. Throughout, the emphasis remains on personal responsibility, the value of honest toil, and the belief that every citizen, regardless of station, has a role in building a more fruitful society.