The Pulpit Speaks: February 22, 1964

An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” — Luke 10:33-34

BLESSINGS

This parable brings out one of the great expectations of Christians as laid down by Jesus. In an hour of potential, Jesus expects each of us to be instrumental in bringing out the best in these trying moments. It is my firm belief that God has blessed us that we may be a blessing for someone else. The man who is blessed and never thinks in terms of being a blessing to someone else is very much akin to that man who goes out and buries his talent.

UNSELFISHNESS

A few hours ago I saw Langston Hughes appear on the stage of Ogden Hall at Hampton Institute. Already Mr. Hughes is tall timber in the thinking of all sober-minded people. His works have etched a place for him among the greats that time will never erase. But after the program had gone on a piece, I saw a new Langston Hughes — a Langston Hughes who was willing to jeopardize all that he had on the production of a young man who was unknown in this part of the country.

Gilbert Price, one of the stars of “Jericho-Jim Crow,” came out on the stage and startled the audience in such a way that will long be remembered by his hearers in Hampton.

The one thing that kept running through my mind was that here was truly the story of the “Good Samaritan” in action. Maybe Mr. Price was not in a ditch and physically wounded, but I am sure that, by this time, he realized within himself that he had unusual talent and no one would give him a hand.

He was being passed by daily by people who could have helped him but no one heard his longing to want to be a great singer. Then along came Langston Hughes, the Samaritan, who saw something in him and went all out to give him a chance.

Somewhere in my innermost thinking, I believe that this is the type of spirit God would have each of us have. Somewhere still I believe that this is the kind of spirit God-touched people will always have.

MORE THAN A BOOK

Contrary to much of our popular thinking, the Bible is not some old-fashioned book that has no meaning for people today. Actually, it has more meaning today than it has ever had. The man who wants to do good can find more justification and motivation in the Bible than anywhere else.

Today we need people who are going to take the spirit of those nobler characters in the Bible and make them a part of their lives, to the extent that they are willing to help someone else.

Only to the extent that our spirits take on a kinship to the noble spirits of the Bible will our lives down here justify our existence on this earth. We can never be satisfied with merely receiving blessings. We should strive to use these blessings to make other people better people.

Langston Hughes is a poet, lecturer, columnist and author of the first magnitude. He is now at a place in life where he could sit down, but he would rather be going from place to place, inspiring others. His soul has taken its place with those of the greats of all ages.

So it should be with each of us.

View the entire archive of “The Pulpit Speaks” here.