Have Courage.

HAVE COURAGE.

Copyright By R2C2H2

If any race of people on this earth need to have courage, it is the Negro.

Have the courage to say "No" when you are tempted to drink.

Have the courage to wear the old suit of clothes, rather than go in debt for a new suit.

Have the courage to acknowledge your ignorance when asked about something of which you do not know.

Have the courage to pay a debt when you need the money for something else.

Have the courage to be polite, though your character may be assailed.

Have the courage to speak the truth, remembering the command: "Thou shalt not lie."

Have the courage to own that you are poor, and thus disarm poverty of its sharpest sting.

Have the courage to own that you are wrong, when convinced that such is the case.

Have the courage to be good and true, and you will always find work to do.

Have the courage to say your prayers, though you may be ridiculed by man.

Have the courage to tell a man why you will not lend him money instead of whipping the devil around the stump by telling him that you haven't a cent "in the world," calling one of your pockets "the world."

Have the courage of your convictions. "According to a man's faith, so be it unto him." This is true on every plane of life, from the lowest to the highest. A man's power in everything is measured by his convictions. The statesman who has the profoundest convictions is surest of bringing others to see as he sees on any question which he discusses before the public. The minister who can most completely identify himself with his people, if he has the courage of his convictions, is the one who is most likely to be successful. (Afro-American Encyclopedia.)

Note: Poem Is From 'Sparkling Gems of Race Knowledge Worth Reading
A compendium of valuable information and wise suggestions
that will inspire noble effort at the hands of every
race-loving man, woman, and child.'

COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY
JAMES T. HALEY.
Nashville, Tenn.:
J. T. Haley & Company, Publishers.
1897.

You can find the book at the following link:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22256/22256-h/22256-h.htm