The Negro Laborer: A Word to Him

The pamphlet presents labor as a moral and religious duty, distinguishing manual and intellectual work and citing census statistics to examine how occupations are distributed. It defines ethical obligations between workers and employers, then gives practical counsel—choose and train for a suitable trade, agree on wages and hours, be punctual, honest, sober, and respectful of employer property and colleagues. It situates labor alongside capital and wealth, argues for reciprocity and industry as avenues to self-improvement, and addresses African American laborers directly, urging Christian conduct and practical strategies for economic advancement.