Nannie Helen Burroughs

A Documentary Portrait of an Early Civil Rights Pioneer, 1900–1959

Nannie Helen Burroughs, Kelisha B. Graves

• Verlag: University of Notre Dame Press
• Jahr: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780268105556
• Thema: Storia
• Thema: Storia afroamericana

This volume brings together the writings of Nannie Helen Burroughs, an educator, civil rights activist, and leading voice in the African American community during the first half of the twentieth century.

Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879–1961) is just one of the many African American intellectuals whose work has long been excluded from the literary canon. In her time, Burroughs was a celebrated African American (or, in her era, a "race woman") female activist, educator, and intellectual. This book represents a landmark contribution to the African American intellectual historical project by allowing readers to experience Burroughs in her own words. This anthology of her works written between 1900 and 1959 encapsulates Burroughs's work as a theologian, philosopher, activist, educator, intellectual, and evangelist, as well as the myriad of ways that her career resisted definition. Burroughs rubbed elbows with such African American historical icons as W. E. B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, Anna Julia Cooper, Mary Church Terrell, and Mary McLeod Bethune, and these interactions represent much of the existing, easily available literature on Burroughs's life. This book aims to spark a conversation surrounding Burroughs's life and work by making available her own tracts on God, sin, the intersections of church and society, black womanhood, education, and social justice. Moreover, the volume is an important piece of the growing movement toward excavating African American intellectual and philosophical thought and reformulating the literary canon to bring a diverse array of voices to the table.

PART ONE

THINGS
OF
THE SPIRIT

Religious Thought

REFLECTIONS ON BAPTIST THEOLOGY, THE BIBLE, AND PAGANISM

As her essays “What the Bible Is and What It Does for the Human Race” and “Woman’s Day” make clear, Burroughs’s belief in Christian living as the highest form of civilization and the Bible as the indisputable justification for the oneness of humanity was the foundation upon which she established her life’s work. The religious writings she produced flowed out of the relationship she saw between theology proper (the study of God and His will) and missiology (the commission given through God’s Word to evangelize and proselytize the world). The pieces contained here demonstrate her thinking specifically on Baptist doctrine, the Bible, and the peril of paganism. In her essay “What Baptists Believe,” Burroughs outlines the denominational doctrine that formed the core of her theology. This documentary reader begins with Burroughs’s articulation of Baptist theology because it establishes how she would weave theological discourses into her social and political thought featured in part 2. These works also demonstrate her engagement and familiarity with earlier nineteenth-century texts, namely, Beacon Lights of History, vol. 3, Ancient Achievements (ca. 1885) by John Lord and the missiological treatise, Crisis of Missions, Or, the Voice of the Cloud (1886) by Arthur T. Pierson. Although she does not give credit to these writers, in “Woman’s Day,” Burroughs quotes extensively from Lord’s essay, “Cleopatra: The Woman of Paganism” and Pierson’s chapter, “Removal of Barriers.”¹ Burroughs believed that whereas paganism’s emphasis on vanity and carnality led women toward degradation and immorality, Christianity served as the enlightenment by which woman was elevated to “proud equality with man in mind, heart and spirit” (“Woman’s Day”). Burroughs’s 1950 woman’s day missive championing the uplift of Christian womanhood should be understood as carrying forward the creed concretized by Frances E. W. Harper at the 1893 World’s Congress of Representative Women. In her speech, Harper declared that the nation stood “at the threshold of woman’s era, and woman’s work is grandly constructive. In her hand are possibilities whose use or abuse . . . [will] send their influence for good or evil across the track of unborn generations.”² Like many women of her time, Burroughs founded her ideal of womanhood on the example of biblical women. In “Woman’s Day,” she regards as the paragon of Christian service the Samaritan woman at the well whose testimony of her encounter with Jesus empowered her to transform her town and community. Burroughs saw Christianity as empowerment for service. Together, these essays are expressive of Burroughs’s belief that zeal alone is insufficient without knowledge. She believed that faith was impossible to quantify without a clearly articulated doctrine that outlined the fundamentals of salvation, transformation, and identity. She maintained that all Christian workers should know what to believe and why.

What Baptists Believe

From Nannie Helen Burroughs, Handbook for Red Circles, Young Matrons, Young Women’s Leagues, and Crusaders (Washington, DC: Women’s Convention Auxiliary, National Baptist Convention, 1933), 82–84.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

—II Timothy 1:13

BIBLE

Baptists believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

GOD

Baptists believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth: inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love, that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

MAN

Baptists believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners: not by constraint, but choice: being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil: and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

SALVATION AND THE FREENESS OF JUSTIFICATION

Baptists believe that, the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet: without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour.

Baptists believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

Baptists believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

REGENERATION

Baptists believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected, in a manner above our comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

FAITH

Baptists believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Baptists believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, unto the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation, and to the Lord’s Supper; in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

SABBATH

Baptists believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

What the Bible Is and What It Does for the Human Race

From Nannie Helen Burroughs, What Do You Think? (Washington, DC, n.p., 1950), 41–45.

1. It reveals God as no respecter of person.

2. It stands for a fair chance for every man.

3. It reasons with man.

4. It reveals God eternally at work in this world.

5. It warns against sin and promises eternal life.

6. It teachers the way to Christ and to abundant life through Him.

The Bible teaches the truth about race and race relations. It does not quibble. It is the one book that teaches from the beginning to the end, that humanity is one. “God is the Father of all.” —Matthew 23:9. “God made of one blood all nations of men.” —Acts 17:26.

“He saw me ruined by the fall,

Yet loved me, notwithstanding all,

He saved me from my lost estate;

His loving kindness, O how great.”

The Bible gives an elevated conception of mankind. It does not put the stigma of inferiority on any race. It declares that in His sight “there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision, nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free.” It shows by human conduct and character, that all mankind is alike in all essentials, regardless of superficial differences. All mankind is born alike, sin alike (sin is sin), suffer alike, crave for creature needs alike, die alike, and receive Heaven’s just rewards alike.

It is the specific purpose of Christianity to teach the fact of the oneness of the human race and work for the salvation and unification of mankind the world over—to practice Christ’s way of life.

The Bible makes it clear that no race is put on this earth to dominate any other race. It teaches that it is the duty, and it should be regarded as a high privilege of individuals, groups, or races that are blessed above others with education, the religion of Christ Jesus, or with things material to share their gifts and advantages in a constructive, practical way with those who have not. By this we mean, that it is the business of the fortunate not to put any stumbling blocks or barriers in the way of the less fortunate—it is their business to point the way to opportunities for self-help and development without the spirit or semblance of condescension.

“The Bible stands alone in human literature in its elevated conception of mankind.” God made man “a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.” —Psalm 8:5. We touch heaven when we lay our hands on a human body. “It is the miracle of miracles—the great inscrutable mystery of God”—“Man is fearfully and wonderfully made.” —Psalm 139:14.

The Bible tells and shows us how sinners may become saints. It exalts man’s mind, making him his own free agent. No one can be highly educated without a working knowledge and genuine appreciation of the Bible. Only by the application of its teachings can social and civil ideals receive the breath of life, and enduring power. Only the application of the teachings of the Bible can change the moral and social state of the world.

It imparts to the souls of men new enlightenment and new powers. It is the only book that provides one way of life for all classes, and for all human conditions.

It teaches us how to bring human liberty into a working relationship with the Divine law, and thus bring peace on earth. It offers an effectual remedy for all the evils that drag mankind down.

Man’s highest faculties and noblest views are developed and refined by its benign light of revelation. It makes of each human being a flower in the garden of humanity. It drops into each soul the dew of heaven—sympathy, kindness, love, so that when that soul is shaken (moved) by the wind, it lets fall some dew drops to the roots of others in the garden of humanity and each soul thereby, becomes a nourisher of others.

There is no hope for the world unless humanity as a whole is educated in the spirit and principles of the Bible.

Woman’s Day

From Nannie Helen Burroughs, What Do You Think? (Washington, DC, n.p., 1950), 1–4.

Woman has had two days. One pagan—one Christian. In her pagan day, woman bewitched by vile indulgences, studied bewitching charm and many lewd vices. Cleopatra, of Egypt, represents the pagan type.

Egyptian and African blood flowed through her veins. She was dark, transcendently beautiful and absolutely irresistible. She attracted and ensnared Caesar in the midst of his triumphs. After Caesar’s death, Anthony could have ruled the world had he not become so madly infatuated with Cleopatra. She held him in her grip, and deceived and ruined him. Under paganism, woman pulled man down. Cleopatra was only a type. There were hundreds like her. They had cultivated intellects—they were brilliant, and attractive; but, as immoral as they come. They sat in high places. Men sought their society and left their virtuous wives at home while they indulged in pleasures that were grossly demoralizing.

In Pagan days, the women who wanted to attract men appeared in public places with braided, decorated hair and loud dress. They talked loudly and displayed their jewels. That is why Paul advised the women of Corinth who found the “New Way” to dress soberly and keep silent. He did not want the new converts to Christianity to be mistaken for the dissolute class. Do not blame Paul and call him an old bachelor. Blame the lewd women of that day and thank Paul for trying to protect the decent women from improper advances and encroachments.

In Pagan days, wives were not the companions of their husbands. They were their menials and domestic slaves. Men were under the influence and control of outside women who appealed to their lower un...

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Half Title
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction. “God Will Give Us Credit for Trying:” Toward an Intellectual History of Nannie Helen Burroughs
• PART ONE. Things of the Spirit: Religious Thought
• PART TWO. The Way Up and Out: Social, Political, and Race-Centered Thought
• PART THREE. The Figure of Nannie Helen Burroughs in Popular Thought
• Appendix. Chronology of the Life and Times of Nannie Helen Burroughs
• Notes
• Further Reading
• Index