The Colored Girl Beautiful Part 11

He should be warned of pitfalls and how vicious girls and women play upon men's physical weaknesses for selfish purposes. Any abuse or excess may ruin his health and happiness.

He should be taught to appreciate the qualities in a girl which will make congeniality during the long married life which has trials of which courts.h.i.+p never dreams.

He should be taught to seek and appreciate good, respectable girls and to a.s.sociate with the best people.

If the day should come to the colored Mother Beautiful when after years of patient sacrifice and toil, all her hopes and dreams are cruelly dashed to earth and the child so carefully nurtured refuses to do her duty to parent and race and will not help to make the race and world better by having lived in it, or, when perhaps, the child is a disgrace to her parents and the race, the mother must conceal her agony and grief and still keep a serene countenance.

In silent meditation she looks back over all the years in which she has tried to rear a creditable member of the race and society. If, after honest review, down in her heart she can truthfully say, "I have raised my child to the best of my knowledge," then she may leave the rest in the hands of the "Creator." Perhaps he will reward her efforts, in a future generation, while she is yet on earth.

A disappointed colored Mother Beautiful does not envy other Mothers nor does she criticise their daughters.

Suffering opens the door to a wider vision in life and if she looks around she will find forgetfulness in helping others. It is never too late to begin.

Perhaps the Colored Mother Beautiful will be spared to see the day when her children leave the home honorably. Although it almost breaks her heart because she is no more to be the guiding light and comforter, she yields the sceptre of authority gracefully and willingly and steps into the background. She may see a rough voyage ahead for the young life travelers, but she may not interfere nor advise these loved ones unless asked. Even then she remembers that experience is the greatest teacher and strengthener and that it is best for them to walk life's journey alone.

The peace and contentment that comes from having done her whole duty gives her a spiritual beauty of countenance that comes from the other world; the habit of right living through right thought, reflects in her face and gives her a physical beauty that comes in no other way.

At the last, the Still Small Voice Whispers, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant of a persecuted race. You have done what you could. No one can do more. Receive your eternal reward," and the face is illumined with the beauty that shall endure forever.