Many persons, even nations, misunderstand hospitality in its practice and/or meaning. To identify it as an important spiritual factor may seem silly or naïve in the discussion of great theological (sacred philosophy) themes that occupy those who give attention to ideas and conducts, their meaning and consequences. The following offers consideration, related to a large context of racial prejudice and justice from the last half of the twentieth century, the period of my life that included contacts with many cultures, groups and individuals – both in the silent majorities of each and the leaders of each. I drop my anchor into three specific accents in defense of peaceful activism for right seen in Lincoln, King, Graham . . . Jesus too. 1) My current reading of an excellent book, well documented, of the life of Billy Graham during the period. The author is straightforward, both interpreting favorably and unfavorably, about Graham’s beliefs and conduct, as he (the author) interpreted the facts and contexts – much related to the racial controversy of the period and its meaning that evolved from Graham’s childhood and influenced by the culture of the post-Civil War American south. 2) My own family experience includes the two cultures of south and north, with strong influence from both of the presumed North/South differentials. 3) My experience with Billy Graham from early 1948 through 1953, from his ministry popularity to world eminence. The story deserves Pages, but I am interested in only the understanding of one factor – hospitality, as it related the overriding motive of Graham’s evangelism. (This date next year may follow through with the theme.)
Analysts on racial prejudice tend to divide the public into groupings: 1- in activists for change that may involve confrontations of various intensities, some ending in death, to speed and/or force desired change; 2- in theorists supporting equality and rights standards through teaching and persuasion; 3- in persons and groups that don’t care about the issue; and, of course, 4- in persons and groups who are prejudiced whether in mild or confrontational ways that lead to denial of rights and sometimes death. (As a lad, I delivered newspapers reporting lynchings, lynchings that revulsed me occurring from both north and south.)
My mother, a person full of humble faith, stated that she thanked God that her move away from her family roots taught her to regard the equality of the races. My eldest son and family moved into my mother’s southern home to care for her in her last years. They extended hospitality to black neighbors. I invited one of them to enter the college in California where I served. (He is now a special leader in a major mission- focused denomination and the pastor of a church.) My half-sister, a daughter of the south grew out of the southern separate but equal illusion. It was clear in my public school experience in Ohio that all the students were treated as equal. One of my friends was Jewish, and our two most admired players on our West High School football team, on which I played, were black. I delivered newspapers to their homes. I lived in contexts of equality for all persons. I was well along in the course of my life before learning about the ugly culture of inequality. At Wheaton College I was an orator on the forensic team whose speech in 1945 was Black Gold, affirming the equality and rights of black people. It was well received. I saw incremental events, large and small, changing attitudes, shown in the increase of black students in the colleges, and professions. I was contracted by Billy Graham for Northwestern College in Minnesota, and saw him do various acts that showed his concern for all persons. I saw him give folding money to a beggar who appeared to be black. He was entirely devoted to winning persons of any race or language. On the side I was contracted to be his first writer. All he wanted from me were paragraphs that would fit his singular purpose. He would write the introductions and conclusions, perhaps amend my narratives for the national program over ABC. I was to write the body of the message on alternate Sundays.. By agreement, those messages were used to form his book: Peace With God. He accented that his message was for all not to be argued but declared. I saw Christian leaders calling fervently for improvements for personal life. It maintains a life of dignity that achieves change not only in the offering of God’s graces but change also for good in public conduct. For public peace, it is more effective than angry confrontation. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020