support I would like them to have. But there are several things to be considered in explanation. We have had only twenty-five years of training, in the matter of a taste for reading newspapers. Previous to that time we were not allowed to read the Bible, much less a newspaper. It is a very hard thing to overcome in manhood and old age, the habits of youth; so we have had to acquire the ability to read, and create a taste for it, within the short space of twenty years. It is marvelous, therefore, to perceive that we have done so well. There is no historical parallel to it. The people need to be congratulated rather than censured, for the manner in which they support newspapers.
Many of our people buy other than Afro-American newspapers; therefore we must not take the list of subscribers to Afro-American journals as the full representation of their support of newspapers. There is no class of persons who take as many newspapers and buy as many books as the Afro-American, North and South, according to population and wealth. There is a large number of agents for books and periodicals, entirely supported by the Afro-American. The Afro-American Press ought to utilize these men and make them contribute to the success of black as well as white enterprises. These people will take papers printed by white men, if they are brought to their door; but if the Afro-American newspaper was brought to the door in competition, nine times out of ten the Afro-American paper would be taken.
As to the fourth question, I say,—First: Let those who write do so from beneath the shadow of the Cross, and teach the people that the Gospel is more potential than dynamite; that men can do much, but God can do more; that it is better to trust in the Lord and their own individual efforts, than it is to trust in any political organization.
Secondly: The next good thing the Press can do, is to
