Adventures in Odyssey

Guest (Male): Previously, on Adventures in Odyssey.

To tell you about the Jubilee Singers, I'll have to take you back to the time after the Civil War. At that time, most former slaves weren't educated until a school named Fisk University opened. But life wasn't easy at the school. The students faced threats of violence, cold and crumbling buildings, and a severe lack of funds. The treasurer of the school, George Leonard White, had an idea.

George Leonard White: I believe it would do much for morale if we were to create a choir.

Guest (Male): Mr. White soon found that many of the students had learned songs they called spirituals while they were slaves. He tried to convince his students to perform them in a cantata.

Guest (Female): Well, I'm sorry, Mr. White, but we aren't going to sing our plantation songs for any crowd.

George Leonard White: Why in heaven's name not?

Guest (Female): Those are our songs, Mr. White. They're personal.

Guest (Male): But even while the choir improved, the school fell deeper and deeper into financial crisis.

Guest (Male): Well, I've just received a notice from the bank holding our mortgage. They're giving us six months to pay off our loan, or we'll be evicted come next spring.

Guest (Male): Mr. White became convinced that a tour with his choir would be the only way to generate the money necessary to save the school.

Guest (Male): Very well, Mr. White. Take your company of evangelist singers to the north.

Guest (Male): Once the tour began, their difficulties only increased.

Guest (Male): Now you can ride in the caboose or you can walk.

Guest (Male): Well, we can eat a meal or get a few rooms tonight.

Guest (Male): I'm so hungry my ribs are sticking to my backbone.

Guest (Male): You just said all of your rooms are open.

Guest (Male): Not for them, they ain't. No rooms.

Guest (Male): Still, they pressed on faithfully, committing themselves to Him who would not fail them.

George Leonard White: I believe that the Lord sent us on this mission, and where He calls, He always provides.

Douglas: In the months to come, the choir's burdens grew. Their strength failed due to ill treatment at hotels and on railroads, poorly attended concerts, and the intimidation and ridicule of racists.

Guest (Female): That's terrible.

Guest (Male): Shameful.

Douglas: It is. However, I believe that a gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me.

Guest (Male): Whoa, I'm going to have to ponder that line a bit.

Guest (Female): Yeah.

Douglas: Anyway, as time went by, one would expect things to improve. They did not. The greatest difficulty was that in making just enough to pay their expenses, the group began to lose hope. What was the point of their mission if every penny only paid for their travel expenses and did nothing to help their school?

Guest (Female): I would have given up.

Guest (Male): Not me.

Guest (Female): No, Mr. White wouldn't allow it.

Douglas: One particular Sunday, the group was invited to sing at a Black church.

Guest (Male): It's a true pleasure to have you all here to sing for us. I've heard good things about you.

George Leonard White: When does the service start, Reverend?

Guest (Male): We begin promptly at 10:00. You'll sing for us directly after.

George Leonard White: After? After what?

Guest (Male): After the service.

George Leonard White: But if we wait until after the service, won't most of the folks leave?

Guest (Male): Maybe, but I can't forego the sermon, and we need to take our own offering first.

George Leonard White: In other words, you're afraid that if your congregation gives us an offering, they won't give any to you?

Guest (Male): We do have poor folk, and giving is down. The Lord's work is always the first priority.

George Leonard White: Are you suggesting, Reverend, that we aren't doing the Lord's work?

Guest (Male): Oh, I've no doubt you're very entertaining, but the word must be preached.

George Leonard White: Yes, it must. All right, everyone, gather your things. We're leaving.

Guest (Male): Leaving? Why? I've gone out of my way to make time for you.

George Leonard White: And we appreciate it, too, but you can have it back. More time for you to preach the word.

Guest (Male): As you wish.

Guest (Male): Here we go again. Lord, you need to cut us a break. We've hit 10 miles of bad road and now the horse has come up lame.

George Leonard White: That's enough, Mr. Holmes. Every beast of the forest is His, as well as the cattle on a thousand hills.

Guest (Male): You have to admit, Mr. White, the Lord hasn't exactly directed those cattle our way. Given the state of things, I'd say He pinned them up and locked the gate.

George Leonard White: Yes, things are dire, Thomas. But I believe God will not allow us to fail in so great a work. These are mere tests which all who seek to do His work must endure.

Guest (Female): I'm with you, Mr. White. I believe we're chosen by God to save our school. Things are bound to turn around.

Guest (Male): Right. Right on. Mr. White's been gone a long time.

Guest (Female): He'll be back when he finds a place for us.

Guest (Male): If he finds a place. I'm hungry. I'm tired.

Guest (Female): There's no point in dwelling on things we can't do anything about.

George Leonard White: Sorry I'm so late, my friends.

Guest (Male): Well, we were beginning to wonder if you took off with all our money.

George Leonard White: I was tempted, but decided I wouldn't get very far on one dollar.

Phoebe: Did you find a hotel?

George Leonard White: No, Phoebe. I'm afraid that no one would take us in.

Guest (Male): Another night sleeping on a hard bench.

Guest (Male): Well, at least we're in good company. The inns had no room for baby Jesus either.

Guest (Female): That's true. He knows our struggles.

George Leonard White: I'm afraid I have more bad news.

Guest (Female): Well, go on with it.

George Leonard White: I spoke with our sponsor for tomorrow's concert. It seems they'll accept nothing but minstrel songs.

Guest (Male): What? Minstrel songs? They want us to act like fools and sing their hateful, demeaning tunes? You have to be kidding.

George Leonard White: It's all their audience will settle for. I understand that it's a humiliation. I'll cancel the event.

Guest (Female): Will they pay?

George Leonard White: There is a guarantee of money, yes.

Guest (Female): That answers the question for me.

George Leonard White: It's a lot to ask.

Ella: We've been ridiculed our entire lives, Mr. White. Every time they did it, they took something from us. At least this time, they'll be giving us something. And we can make good use of that money. We'll do it.

Benjamin: And the Lord will keep us from sinking down.

Guest (Female): That's right, Benjamin.

Guest (Male): Amen, Jonathan.

Douglas: To perform minstrel songs was truly humiliating for the choir. They had to dress up like buffoons and sing songs that insulted their intelligence and everything they had endured as slaves. But they did it anyway, believing the income would help improve their circumstances.

It did not. They continued to suffer from hunger and the cold. Due to their threadbare clothing in the winter, many in the group became ill. The concerts were often met with indifference and even suspicion by the pastors in their congregations. Time was ticking away, and closing the university began to seem inevitable.

But the singers didn't give up. On November 16, 1871, they were scheduled to sing before the first National Council of Congregational Churches in Oberlin, Ohio. They expected a warm welcome, but they got just the opposite.

Dr. Wolcott: I hope you do realize that your singing here is rather inconvenient. We're much too busy to be bothered by a group that will surely embarrass the college.

George Leonard White: We're here by invitation, Dr. Wolcott.

Dr. Wolcott: Yes, yes, my predecessors. But I'm trying to build a respectable institution here, not one that dwells on the injustices of the past.

George Leonard White: That's hardly our desire, sir.

Dr. Wolcott: Desire or not, it is most inconvenient. Still, I suppose we must get it over with. Stay here. I'll introduce you.

Guest (Female): Oh dear, this should be interesting. They look half asleep already. I don't know that a cantata will wake them up.

Guest (Male): Here we go. Minstrels.

George Leonard White: No, wait. My friends, I'm going to ask you to do something I've not asked you to do since we began. I suggest we abandon our regular song list.

Ella: And do what, Mr. White?

George Leonard White: Remind them of their heritage. Oberlin strongly opposed slavery, and some of the people here are associated with Fisk University. How have they forgotten that? How dare they want to forget that?

Guest (Male): What do you suggest, Mr. White?

George Leonard White: They need to be reminded of God's work of redemption. They need to hear your spirituals.

Ella: Mr. White.

George Leonard White: I know, Ella. And I won't force you to do what I'm asking. But if ever we've met a group of people who need to hear the passion and power of your history, it is now. What do you say?

Benjamin: I'll do whatever you say, Mr. White. I reckon if we don't do something different, this may be our last concert.

Guest (Female): That's true, Benjamin. Ella?

Ella: How about "Steal Away"?

George Leonard White: My thoughts exactly. After you, my friends.

Guest (Male): Remarkable. Absolutely remarkable. Here's my address. Contact me about singing for my congregation as soon as possible, would you please?

George Leonard White: I will, sir. Thank you.

Guest (Male): I was transported, sir. Never before have I heard such heavenly voices.

George Leonard White: It was a pleasure to be here.

Dr. Wolcott: Mr. White.

George Leonard White: Dr. Wolcott.

Dr. Wolcott: It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I own up to it. I was mistaken out of fear that we might be embarrassed. I have been embarrassing. Please accept my apologies.

George Leonard White: I do.

Dr. Wolcott: And here is the collection. $130. Not as much as I would hope, but I believe it will assist you in your cause.

George Leonard White: Thank you, Dr. Wolcott. We'll have a nice bed and a good meal tonight.

Guest (Male): Mmhmm. You betcha.

Dr. Wolcott: Most you shall, but you'll not use one cent of that to pay for it. I have a large enough house. I hope you'll do me the honor of staying there to enjoy what hospitality I can provide as long as you're here in Oberlin.

George Leonard White: We'd be honored.

Reverend Thomas Beecher: Excuse me, may I interrupt?

Dr. Wolcott: Of course, Reverend Beecher. I'll find you later, Mr. White.

George Leonard White: Thank you, Dr. Wolcott. Reverend Beecher? As in the most popular preacher in all of these United States?

Reverend Thomas Beecher: Unfortunately, I'm not the Beecher you're thinking of, sir. I'm the much lesser Reverend Thomas. My brother is Henry Ward Beecher, the man whom you so admire.

George Leonard White: It's still a pleasure to meet you, Reverend.

Reverend Thomas Beecher: Well, I must tell you that I am quite taken with your music. Although a staunch abolitionist, I feel that only now can I begin to truly understand the trials of the Negro.

George Leonard White: Then we've served a good purpose, sir.

Reverend Thomas Beecher: And you must continue to serve that purpose. Keep on singing them to any and all with ears to hear. There is truth in those songs, and the truth should never be held back. It is our most powerful weapon against evil. You must sing at my church in New York. And I intend to write my brother about you. I'm confident he'll want you to sing at Plymouth Church.

George Leonard White: With respect, sir, I must ask you about your name.

Reverend Thomas Beecher: Our name? Surely you can't continue to call yourselves the Colored Singers from Fisk University.

George Leonard White: Well, now that you mention it, I do have a few thoughts about that. But I haven't spoken to the choir about it.

Guest (Female): You have a different name for us?

George Leonard White: Today has made it clear to me. Through music, each one of you powerfully proclaims your sorrowful experiences and memories. Yet you do so while looking forward with hope to a future filled with promise.

Guest (Female): That's true.

George Leonard White: You know of the year of Jubilee. It's the year set out in the Old Testament when slaves were made free and all debts were forgiven.

George Leonard White: Exactly. I can think of no expression that describes our purpose so perfectly. So, I suggest that from today onward, you shall be known as the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Olivia: And that's when they finally became successful?

Douglas: Actually, no, Olivia. Within days, they came very close to abandoning that tour.

Olivia: What? Why?

Douglas: Well, in spite of the success at Oberlin, the fortunes of the choir didn't change. Week after week performing with little rest, they pressed on and the tour took its toll. Rheumatism, bronchitis, and fatigue plagued the singers.

Discouraged, they prayed about whether the Lord would have them return home. But their only course seemed to be to keep moving forward on to New York. They pinned all their hopes on the success there.

Olivia: Why not just go home?

Douglas: Well, home to what? If they failed, the college would fail too. But don't forget, Olivia, they weren't just fighting for a school. They were fighting for the right to learn. If they couldn't learn, well, what sort of future could they have?

Olivia: So, what did they do?

Douglas: They had become so committed to their calling that they were willing to wait as long as it took until the good time come in come. Mr. White, though exhausted and overwhelmed with the pressure he faced daily, believed that they were wrestling with the devil for the future of Fisk.

The pivotal event came three days before Christmas. Henry Ward Beecher, who truly was the most famous preacher in America, received his brother Thomas's letter and invited the group to sing at his weekly prayer meeting. Beecher's church included some of America's richest and most influential families. It was their best chance to receive the financial help they needed. If they failed, it was over.

Henry Ward Beecher: Brothers and sisters, I have a treat for you today. You're about to hear songs that have been sung by generations of uneducated slaves. These songs have helped many captives to endure their chains, helped mothers to hope against hope and keep their souls up when all looked bleak and dark because the ones they loved were stolen from them.

I hope you may be stimulated in your sympathies and gladly help this group raise funds to pursue their studies. I believe that you will. Please welcome to Plymouth Church, the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Friends, this money cannot stay in my pocket any longer, and neither should yours. Though they sing like nightingales, these young men and women can't eat like them. Give! Give as the Lord has given to you!

Olivia: So what happened?

Douglas: Beecher's church gave them $250 that night, and $600 more at a second concert. But more importantly, they spread the word about the Jubilee Singers, so much so that every church wanted to host them. In fact, over the next year, they raised over $40,000 from their concerts.

Guest (Male): That's a lot of money in them days.

Olivia: That's a lot of money today. What happened to the school?

Douglas: Oh, I thought you didn't care about the school.

Olivia: I do!

Douglas: The singers paid off all the school's debts and in fact raised enough money to build a whole new campus.

Olivia: That's amazing.

Douglas: Oh yeah. Later, they sang for the Queen of England, performed at the White House for President Ulysses Grant, and a concert hall filled with congressmen and diplomats. And they sang for notable people of the day, like Mark Twain.

Olivia: Did you ever meet them, Mr. Douglas?

Douglas: I did. In fact, I gave a song to the Jubilee Singers when I was privileged to meet them.

Olivia: Really? What was the song?

Douglas: A haunting tune named "Run to Jesus". Run to Jesus, shun the danger, I don't expect to stay much longer here. It was through that spiritual I was able to think of escaping from my slavery. I tell you, if the great book were destroyed today, it could be recreated out of the fabric of those plantation songs.

Olivia: What an amazing story.

Guest (Male): Sure is.

Olivia: I haven't even gone to a fundraiser for my school, let alone risked my life for it like they did.

Guest (Male): Yeah, makes me wish I'd have gone to college instead of settling for that mail-order high school diploma.

Olivia: Well, I'd like to stay and talk some more, but I have to go.

Douglas: To do what, if I may ask?

Olivia: Well, first I think I'll do my homework.

Guest (Male): Good for you. Good idea.

Olivia: And well, then I think I'll see if I can find some of their music. It rocks. Bye!

Chris: You know, I hope the story of the Jubilee Singers is as inspiring to you as it was to me. By using their talent and working faithfully, even going on when a lot of us might have given up, they touched the hearts of thousands of people, saved their school, and introduced the world to a powerful form of music that brought listeners closer to God.

And it's more incredible when you think that they did it to save their school. How many of you would be willing to do that? I think Olivia might, now that she understands the value of learning. Isn't it amazing what God can do with His people when they're willing to follow Him?

Romans 8 asks, "If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution?" No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. The Jubilee Singers certainly were conquerors, using music to conquer the hearts and minds of people for God.

If you want to learn more about the Jubilee Singers, be sure to check out our website at whitsend.org. There you can find discussion questions about today's show and more. You can also find other Adventures in Odyssey episodes that tell the stories of men and women throughout history who have lived incredible lives.

Today's adventure, The Jubilee Singers, is included in album 51, Take It From The Top. You can write to us at Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. And in Canada, you can write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family.

The Jubilee Singers was written by Dave Arnold with sound design by Nathan Jones and music by John Campbell. Our cast included Michael Gough, Nico Posey, Scott Lawrence, and OG Banks. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.