2010 Jan/Feb - Lest We Forget
Last summer I had the honor to be a guest speaker for a revival in Huntington, West Virginia, home of the late Carter G. Woodson. A beautiful statue of Woodson, author, educator, and historian, stands tall in a quaint park at the corner of Hal Greer and 9th avenues. History records that he was the second Black to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1912. However, he is most renowned as “The Father of Black History,” since he is credited with initiating the celebration of Negro history week which later became Black History month. Woodson is cited by numerous historians for helping to preserve the history of Blacks in America from slavery to freedom and points beyond.
Chronicling Black history for future generations also reminds me of Joshua, who called a sacred convocation in Joshua 24: “And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.” Joshua asked all the officials of Israel to be present because he sensed this would be his final assembly. He used this occasion to rehearse the history of Israel for posterity’s sake. He emphasized that it was God’s almighty hands that had delivered them from Egypt’s pharaoh and parted the Red Sea. They were reminded that it was God who had miraculously fought their battles, led them into the Promised Land, and made them into a great nation. After his speech he made another covenant with Israel and wrote their history in a book. He then took a large stone that was nearby and placed it at the bottom of an oak tree, proclaiming: “Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God” (Joshua 24:27).
Joshua and Woodson deserve much of the credit for helping to preserve the history of both Jews and Blacks, respectively. One common thread that runs through their experiences is the presence of God and His power to rescue and de-liver His children from extreme adversities. Unquestionably, both races have prevailed because of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
As we celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black History month, we must remember the past, lest we forget how far God has brought us. In the words of Ellen White: “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”* As you read the articles in this issue, may you be encouraged to know that we all have a common history in the blood of Jesus, and that we must never forget! WJ2
*E. G. White, Life Sketches (1915), p. 196.
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