--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The severest charge that can be brought…" description: "\"The severest charge that can be brought against the Christian education of the Negro in the South during the last thirty years is the reckless way in w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/w-e-b-du-bois-2240_ability_the-severest-charge-that-can-be-brought_1765515.png" --- # The severest charge that can be brought against the… ![“The severest charge that can be brought against the Christian education of the Negro in the South during the last thirty years is the reckless way in which sap-headed young fellows, without ability, and, in some cases, without character, have been urged and pushed into the ministry.” quote by W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/w-e-b-du-bois-2240_ability_the-severest-charge-that-can-be-brought_1765515.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/w-e-b-du-bois-2240_ability_the-severest-charge-that-can-be-brought_1765515.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/w-e-b-du-bois-2240_ability_the-severest-charge-that-can-be-brought_1765515.png) > “The severest charge that can be brought against the Christian education of the Negro in the South during the last thirty years is the reckless way in which sap-headed young fellows, without ability, and, in some cases, without character, have been urged and pushed into the ministry.” [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote criticizes the rapid promotion of unqualified, inexperienced individuals into religious leadership within Southern Black Christian schools, highlighting a lack of ability and character. **In simple terms:** Unqualified people are being pushed into ministry. Key Takeaway Demand higher standards for religious leaders. Themes education leadership race religion Mood critical concerned Type analytical advocacy When to use this quote - seminary admissions - church hiring - community mentorship - policy reform Key Concepts Meritocracy institutional critique character development Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions balance urgency with quality? - What safeguards ensure character in leadership? A Different Perspective It may overlook systemic barriers that limit the pool of qualified candidates. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-education/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Ministry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ministry/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Reckless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reckless/) ## Related quotes > [I admit to being a bit reckless, but that's the way I express myself on the pitch. I don't know how to take it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-aurier/i-admit-to-being-a-bit-reckless-but-that-s-the-way-i-express-myself/) [Serge Aurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-aurier/) > [The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism, but February… Spring is too far away to comfort even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/the-most-serious-charge-which-can-be-brought-against-new-england-is-2/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism but February.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/the-most-serious-charge-which-can-be-brought-against-new-england-is/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [Not one criminal charge has ever been brought to any bank executive associated with the 2008 crisis. And in fact, it gets worse. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bannon/not-one-criminal-charge-has-ever-been-brought-to-any-bank-executive/) [Steve Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bannon/) > [“When we downshift Christian education from the paradigm of expertise to a paradigm of love, we do not dilute the importance of rigorous theological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenda-creasy-dean/when-we-downshift-christian-education-from-the-paradigm-of-expertise/) [Kenda Creasy Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenda-creasy-dean/) > [“Neither parenting, Christian education, heritage, nor fine church involvement can alter anyone’s essential sin nature. To lie, make self-centered choices, be destructive, or be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-horne/neither-parenting-christian-education-heritage-nor-fine-church/) Rick Horne > [It is a fact that unless children are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, they, and the society which they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/it-is-a-fact-that-unless-children-are-brought-up-in-the-nurture-and/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [The life of a Christian is an education for higher service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/the-life-of-a-christian-is-an-education-for-higher-service/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [Let us not fool ourselves - without Christianity, without Christian education, without the principles of Christ inculcated into young life, we are simply rearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/let-us-not-fool-ourselves-without-christianity-without-christian/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [“Seen at Liberty University: "I hope the Rapture happens before my student loans are due.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-roose/seen-at-liberty-university-i-hope-the-rapture-happens-before-my/) [Kevin Roose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-roose/) > [I am frivolous. But sometimes, that's the problem of my Christian education, when I know I've been frivolous, and I know I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-deneuve/i-am-frivolous-but-sometimes-that-s-the-problem-of-my-christian/) [Catherine Deneuve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-deneuve/) > [The purpose of a Christian education would not be merely to make men and women pious Christians: a system which aimed too rigidly at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-s-eliot/the-purpose-of-a-christian-education-would-not-be-merely-to-make-men/) [T. S. Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-s-eliot/) > [“There is only one Education, and it has only one goal: the freedom of the mind. Anything that needs an adjective, be it civics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mitchell/there-is-only-one-education-and-it-has-only-one-goal-the-freedom-of/) [Richard Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mitchell/) > [“2:20 are from the New International Version. All other Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-garlough-brown/2-20-are-from-the-new-international-version-all-other-scripture/) [Sharon Garlough Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-garlough-brown/) > [“2. Christian education places its emphasis on “unity” in relationships between people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-dobson/2-christian-education-places-its-emphasis-on-unity-in-relationships/) [James C. Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-dobson/) ## More by W. E. B. Du Bois > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [As a race, the Negroes are not lazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/as-a-race-the-negroes-are-not-lazy/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [If there is anybody in this land who thoroughly believes that the meek shall inherit the earth they have not often let their presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/if-there-is-anybody-in-this-land-who-thoroughly-believes-that-the/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Men we shall have only as we make manhood the object of the work of the schools - intelligence, broad sympathy, knowledge of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/men-we-shall-have-only-as-we-make-manhood-the-object-of-the-work-of/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Had it not been for the race problem early thrust upon me and enveloping me, I should have probably been an unquestioning worshipper at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/had-it-not-been-for-the-race-problem-early-thrust-upon-me-and/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Before and after emancipation, the Negro, in self-defense, was propelled toward the white employer. The endowments of wealthy white men have developed great institutions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/before-and-after-emancipation-the-negro-in-self-defense-was-propelled/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [The use of slave women as day workers naturally broke up or made impossible the normal Negro home, and this and the slave code…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/the-use-of-slave-women-as-day-workers-naturally-broke-up-or-made/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Before the Civil War, the Negro was certainly as efficient a workman as the raw immigrant from Ireland or Germany. But, whereas the Irishmen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/before-the-civil-war-the-negro-was-certainly-as-efficient-a-workman/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [All art is propaganda, and ever must be, despite the wailing of the purists. I stand in utter shamelessness and say that whatever art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/all-art-is-propaganda-and-ever-must-be-despite-the-wailing-of-the/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [The ruling of men is the effort to direct the individual actions of many persons toward some end. This end theoretically should be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/the-ruling-of-men-is-the-effort-to-direct-the-individual-actions-of/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Education is that whole system of human training within and without the school house walls, which molds and develops men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/education-is-that-whole-system-of-human-training-within-and-without/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [As Negro voting increased, Congress got an improved sense of hearing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/as-negro-voting-increased-congress-got-an-improved-sense-of-hearing/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [From the day of its birth, the anomaly of slavery plagued a nation which asserted the equality of all men, and sought to derive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/from-the-day-of-its-birth-the-anomaly-of-slavery-plagued-a-nation/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [It is the stars, it is the ancient stars, it is the young and everlasting stars!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/it-is-the-stars-it-is-the-ancient-stars-it-is-the-young-and/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/it-is-a-peculiar-sensation-this-double-consciousness-this-sense-of/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) [Explore all 177 W. E. B. Du Bois quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The severest charge that can be brought against the Christian education of the Negro in the South during the last thirty years is the reckless way in which sap-headed young fellows, without ability, and, in some cases, without character, have been urged and pushed into the ministry.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "W. 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