Booker T. Washington, Builder o - African American History

Booker T. Washington, Builder of a Civilization. 57
when the eyes of the world are not likely to look upon what has been done. The
cleaning of rooms and the washing of dishes have much to do with forming
characters."*
*"Sowing and Reaping," by Booker T. Washington. L. C. Page Co., Boston,
Publishers.
This recalls Booker Washington's own experience when as a ragged and
penniless youth he applied for admission to Hampton and was given a room to
sweep by way of an entrance examination. Indeed, one of Booker Washington's
greatest sources of strength as a teacher lay in the fact that his own life not only
illustrated the truth of his assertions, but illustrated it in a striking and dramatic
manner. His life was, in fact, an epitome of the hardships, struggles, and
triumphs of the successful members of his race from the days of slavery to the
present time. A great believer in the power of example he lived a life which
gave him that power in its highest degree. Because of his inherent modesty and
good taste he never referred to himself or his achievements as examples to be
emulated, and this merely further enhanced their power.
In concluding another Sunday night talk he said: "As a race we are inclined, I
fear, to make too much of the day of judgment. We have the idea that in some
far-off period there is going to be a great and final day of judgment, when every
individual will be called up, and all his bad deeds will be read out before him
and all his good deeds made known. I believe that every day is a day of
judgment, that we reap
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our rewards daily, and that whenever we sin we are punished by mental and
physical anxiety and by a weakened character that separates us from God. Every
day is, I take it, a day of judgment, and as we learn God's laws and grow into
His likeness we shall find our reward in this world in a life of usefulness and
honor. To do this is to have found the kingdom of God, which is the kingdom of
character and righteousness and peace."*
*From "Putting the Most Into Life," by Booker T. Washington. Thomas Y.
Crowell Co., Publishers.
To quote once more from these Sunday night talks, in another he said: "There is,
then, opportunity for the colored people to enrich the material life of their
adopted country by doing what their hands find to do, minor duties though they
24.03.2006