James Morris Webb (born 1874) was a Christian preacher from USA who was active ca 1910-1930, related to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which is considered the first African-American denomination in the United States. He was one of several preachers from this denomination who agitated for a black nationalism and a social and kristensyn which highlighted African Americans' role in history. In 1919 he published the book The Black Man, The Father Of Civilization, Proven By Biblical History. He wrote other pamphlets and charged in November 1913 an advertisement in The Chicago Defender with a picture of Jesus as a black man. Webb's intention was to "show love for their race" and "show that the Bible is all about black." Webb later became one of Marcus Garvey employees Universal Negro Improvement Association.
A BIBLE-BASED ARGUMENT FOR THE ORIGIN OF CIVILIZATION
James Morris Webb (born 1874; died ???) was a Christian preacher who was active in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, as well as in Marcus Garvey’s movement.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1910 book, “I have many objects in presenting this book to the public. First: I love my race regardless of the prejudice against her, the unenviable position she holds, and the things she is falsely said to be guilty of… [I wrote] this book … as somewhat of a defense against the prejudice of ancient, as well as historical writers and lecturers, who have misrepresented her, and took from her the good deeds and honors that are justly due her. Secondly: … I am simply presenting this book … in connection with the body of race defenders, and if my theory in this book is accepted as one of the little fingers of this splendid body, I will feel that I have accomplished some results… Thirdly: To appreciate my argument, the reader had best have a Bible at his fingertips so as to examine my references and compare them with my statements, which I make wholly and solely upon the authorities found in the Bible, which in turn is the real and only authority on ancient history.”
In the Introduction, he outlines, “The Bible gives the first and only true account of the origin of mankind. It is the only book containing an accurate record of the progress of man toward civilization, and it is the indispensable reference of all searchers after the real facts of the birth of humanity and its progress toward the civilization of today… It would not be a complete record if it did not show … the origin of the black man and … it shows that he… is the ‘father of civilization.’”
He continues, “It… is now quoted that Ham, the father of the black man, was cursed by his father, Noah… [Noah] could not curse Ham, although he did in a fit of intoxication pronounce a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham. In passing, I might mention that Canaan was never inconvenienced by the curse of Noah, because he was the father of seven prosperous nations… Solomon knew the black race was a superior, not an inferior race. He married Pharaoh’s daughter [1 Ki 7:8]… Solomon’s wife might have been of as dark skin or even as black as he was… This naturally increased the proportion of Negro blood in the veins of the future King of the Jews… the greatest brain work and wisdom ever given to this world was given by man of black skins, or at least in whose veins the greatest portion of blood was Ethiopian or Negro blood.”
He goes on, “As to the woolly hair, Jesus… will have His head covered with woolly hair when he comes to judge the world (Dan 7:9-10)… Now, if Daniel’s prophecy is true that when Christ left this earth he had woolly hair, he naturally will return with woolly hair… the Bible, does not show that God ever turned a man black to disgrace him because of his sins, or anything else, but this same Bible does show that God’s power did turn a man white to disgrace him because of his sins, and said that his seed would be likewise forever.”
He adds, “Virgin Mary… was beyond all doubt a woman out of the tribe of Judah, and … Jesus was to spring from this tribe… St. Paul tells us… that Jesus was of the seed of David… David is the 10th man named from Judah in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Mt. 1:3-6)… Added to this David’s great, great grandfather ‘Booz’ was born of the woman Rahab, who was a direct descendant of Ham (Mt 1:5). This also shows that David, one of God’s greatest soldiers, was one who most successfully led his people and one who had Negro blood in his veins.”
He points out, “some knowledge of the true origin of mankind exists, and it is this knowledge that causes the falsifying and hiding as much as possible the true historical records, especially of the black man. It cannot be said that the learned historical writers, the great Divines, theological students and lecturers of today are ignorant of the history of Ham…” (Ch. 1)
He explains, “An early Queen of Egypt was a descendant of the Ethiopian of Negro race. This is conceded by some of the modern writers; some of them going so far as to say that her skin was very black… [They] are satisfied that she was descended in a direct lineal line from Zipporah, the black and Ethiopian wife of Moses. We read very little of these two women, because modern writers seek to obscure them… WHY? Because, if they do they must give credit to black people.” (Ch. 1)
He notes, “Ham the father of the black man, located in Africa. Africa was his homestead, so to speak. David, the Psalmist, credited Ham with this territory (Ps 105:23,27; 106:22)… Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan were the first sons of Ham… and these four sons … were the first to start work on the problem of civilization; in a word they were the pioneers and the very pillars of civilized governments… According to the Bible the above is the exact location of the first sons of Ham, and the question which naturally follows is, ‘Was civilization born in their land and given birth by Ham’s first offspring?’ It is conceded by John Clark Ridpath and a few other writers on ancient history that the Egyptians were the fathers of civilization.” (Ch. 2)
He states, “We learn from the Bible that Ham is the father of the African family; the Ethiopian is the darkest or blackest tribe of the Hamites. Cush was the founder or father of this tribe… and I CAN and will PROVE by [the Bible] that the Egyptian---Hamite---sprang from Mizraim… the word ‘Egypt’ is derived from the word Mizraim, and … ‘Mizraim’ was the name of one of the first sons of Ham… [which] strengthens my contention that the Egyptian was descended from the black man… not a Shemite, or white man, originally located in Africa. All of the white men located in Asia, and according to the Bible white men never began to travel in African until Abraham’s time… Shortly after Abraham’s visit, the Shemitic or white travellers began to pour into Egypt to such an extent that the Egyptians began inter-marrying with them, and of course, this … had its effect of contaminating the pure Negro blood, and this… was the cause of the black man, or full-blooded Egyptian losing the power of control in the Kingdom…. This is the loop through which the … Shemitic kings slipped through and took possession of the Egyptian kingdom.” (Ch. 2)
He acknowledges, “The black man’s power, as the first power among the nations had now begun to decay, and as the black race began to die, as a power among nations, the white race began to rise to where it had never been before, but this was 2,500 years after the black man had worked out all the problems of civilization… So, since it is true that the black man is the father of civilization, it is just as true that the white man is now at the helm… But the fact remains that he took his civilization and his position after the black man had created it, and passed from the stage of action, just as the white man must do at God’s own appointed time.” (Ch. 3)
He points out, “It is impossible for God to forget that the black man and his land (Egypt) was the cradle of rescue that rocked and nursed the Son of God in his first two years of life, when Herod’s decree to destroy all children under two years of age was issued. It was known that the decree was issued for the express and only purpose of destroying the infant Christ, but God chose Egypt, the black man’s land, as a haven of rest and safety during the life of the displeased and would-be infant murderer, Herod.” (Ch. 3)
This book will be of great interest to those studying the history of African peoples---particularly those who accept the authority of the Bible.
It gives us a breakdown of where we all really do cuter from
After reading this book, it makes one realize that accepting your real roots are important to understand who you are and where you come from. What I loved about this book is that it used biblical history to prove where we come from.
A very interesting and eye opening piece of literature. Mr. Web does well with filling in the holes of biblical history, as well as man's "history." It took me a while to read because I wanted to learn and read about all of the information he shares in his thesis. Very compelling and makes one eager to dig deeper and learn more of this topic.
I am very proud of the author. I learn a great deal about my ancestors. This reading helps me as writer. This is a real good book. Not only black people, but for everyone. Thanks to the author.
feels like the missing link...that challenges our white washed histories.
If one thing is most apparent to the majority of people today, that is the mental image of a white man in the greatest victories in history. This is by far the most successful historical revision to date. And this includes the obscuring of the black man.
This booklet is written briefly and concisely while being well-referenced (biblically).
Where it could be improved: It could have been longer with scientific/historical references to balance it out.
Must include counter argument to be more convincing.
This should be a must read for all Africans across the planet. Though I feel it was too short, it is very informative, and a great starting place for young minds to begin their sear for truth. Thank you and hoping that the well has not run dry!
This isn't long enough for today's reader. Webb's contemporaries shared a base of knowledge that we do not possess, leaving much of our understanding to conjecture.