A black man gets whiter....
Watchtower-(10/01/1900) p 2706
CAN RESTITUTION CHANGE THE ETHIOPIAN'S SKIN?
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The following, from the New York World, is the
third we have seen reported. These suggest and illustrate
the process of restitution soon due. The item
reads,--
"FROM BLACK TO WHITE HE SLOWLY TURNED."
"PARKERSBURG, W. VA., Sept. 8.--It has fallen
to the lot of the Rev. Wm. H. Draper, pastor of the
Logan Memorial Church, of Washington Conference,
A.M.E. Church, of this town, to give a living affirmative
answer to the famous Biblical question, "Can
the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his
spots?" Though once as black as charcoal, the
Rev. Mr. Draper is now white. His people say that
his color was changed in answer to prayer. Many
years ago Draper was employed by a fair-skinned man,
and he was often heard to remark that if he could
only be white like his employer he would be happy.
While in the white man's service Draper 'experienced'
religion.
"From that day forward he prayed constantly
and fervently that he might become white. Thirty
years ago his prayer began to be answered. He first
experienced a prickling sensation on his face, and upon
close investigation found a number of small white
spots scarcely larger than the point of a pin. He became
alarmed, thinking he had some peculiar disease,
but he did not suffer, and aside from the prickling
sensation felt nothing unusual. Gradually the white
spots became larger and extended themselves, until
now, after the change has been in progress for over
thirty years, Draper has not a single dark spot on his
body.
"Many years ago, before this strange metamorphosis
took place, Mr. Draper was in charge of the
same church he has now. He was popular with his
flock and his departure was a source of great regret.
When he recently returned to Parkersburg there was
great rejoicing among the churchmen because their
favorite pastor was coming back. When, however,
Draper appeared in the pulpit the first Sunday, not
one of the congregation recognized him. In fact, it
was all he could do to convince them that he, a white
man, was the same old black preacher they had years
before."
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*The word in this text (John 5:29) rendered "damnation"
is very improperly translated. It should be "judgment," as in
the Revised Version, and in verses 22,27 and 30 of this same
chapter and many other places in the Scriptures where this
word krisis occurs.