He was ready to lead them to
victory. But Dr. Jose heard no voice, felt no divine presence near him.
He arose, took his Bible and turned again to the wars of Joshua and the
terrible triumphs of Jehovah. Mrs. Jose, seeing that her husband
lingered longer than usual in his study that night, glided softly in to
see what so absorbed his attention. "Why do you sit up so late to-night,
my dear?" she asked, softly, laying a hand gently upon her husband's
shoulders. "I am exceedingly troubled to-night, Mary, darling," returned
the minister. "This question of Negro Domination is troubling us. We are
about to the point of desperation. Negroes are becoming so bold that our
white angels are no longer safe on our streets. We have made up our
minds to arm ourselves and shake off the yoke." Mrs. Jose gently closed
the book and laid her hand caressingly upon her husband's head. "Cease
to ponder over and keep before you the old Scripture, with its martial
spirit. Remember Christ and the doctrine He came to teach. He came to
teach the new commandment, to heal the broken hearted, to release the
captives. 'Verily, brethren, avenge not yourselves, for it is written
Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.' What would Jesus do
under such circumstances? His was the spirit of love. He would not break
the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. Come away, darling, and
leave the regulation of everything to God." "But Mary," persisted the
minister, "you don't understand the situation. We, the men of
Wilmington, see utter ruin in store for us unless something is done to
check the Negro. Our women can scarcely venture out alone after dark, so
ugly and bold has he become under our lenient treatment." "This is all
imaginary, my dear," interrupted Mrs. Jose. "I am afraid that you have
allowed yourself to be influenced by these designing politicians, whose
desire to gain power has stifled their love for truth. Rev. Dr. Jose is
a Christian. Dr. Jose is a minister of the Gospel, who should not be
enticed by sinners into evil. It matters not how justifiable the deed
may seem, you, my darling, cannot afford to lend either hand or voice in
this contemplated work. He that taketh the sword shall perish by the
sword.' Our homes, our firesides, our women are perfectly safe. The only
uneasy ones among us are those who want offices. Come away, my darling;
leave wickedness for the wicked to do; you cannot afford to take a hand
in it." Mrs. Jose took her h