The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-13
A Model Christianity and Model Churches


particularly bright specimens In futare num-
Der.
Our present purpose is TO give due notoriety
to the fact, that the inventive genius Of pro-
slavery philosophy has infected the Divines 81
well as the politicians. And as the realities Of
eternity are of far more Importance than the
fieeting interests of time--and the soul worth
more than the body, so do the sanctiiying and
elevsting influences of hu man slavery upon the
human soul far transcend in importance, Its i'm
proving and ameiorating influences upon man /
mere physical happiness and prosperity.
We are always in favor Of "rendsring unto
Cesar the things that are Cesar's," and would
therefore place our pro-slavery ehristiaH editors
and divines in the highest niche of the Calen.
dar of saints.
We confess ourselves still somewhat in the
dark as TO the modus operandi by W hich human
slavery can be made an instrument in trans
forming the human soul "fron the darkness OF
sin into the glorious freedom ana light Of the
Gospels" but We suppose that this is owing to
our not having yet received the true faith which
has recently been delivered to our pro-slavery
saints" We have always thought that free
circulation of the Scriptures, an educated min
istry and people, and an enlightened and pro-
gressive public sentiment, were very necessary
rand proper adjuncts for the success and unver-
sal prevalence of the Gospel OF Jesus Christ
These cannot co-exist with human slavery, the
essence of which is gross ignorance and conse-
quent degradation. There are individual ex-
ceptons to this statement, but all must admit,
that gross ignorance is the necessary condition
for the continuance and indefinite perpetuation
of our '.pseuliar iNStitutiOn. For the high and
ennObing purposes of intelligent Christian free
men, knowledge is power" but in its relations
to human slavery, knowledge is death.
Foremost among those who seem to have Ia.
ken the institution of slavery under their pious
guardianship, stand the worthy editors OF the
baptist Banner" with portion of its large
land We freely ADMIT able list of contr. butors.
The alledged ado !itioRism of the Examiner
and the Emsncipationists generally, has sever
al times been source of deep trouble and anx-
ious soicitude TO the gentlemen who edit the
Banner" and We are sorely afraid that even
in this article, in which we intend 10 be mild
as possible, We may have the misfortune 10
wound the tender pro-slaverT sensibilities of an
esteemed contemporary.
In the "Bsnner" of August %, We find a
very characteristic letter from the Rev A. d.
Sears, late Pastor of LIST Baptist church In this
oil ~ xrhi L. "a of -,
cutting the pro-slavery men as we'll as the
Enamel pationsts quite deep enough for our
taste, We here quote entire:
| To the Editors Of The Baptist Banner:
DEAR BRETHREN---Not expecting to pass an.
other Sabbath In Louisville for some time,
| though incapable from weak ness, Of perform
ing any service, | accepted the invitation OF
Bro. Adams, pastor Of the first African church,
10 be with him atcommunion. At eight o'clock
| | went to the meeting honse, it Is spacious and
comfortable; i endeavored to count the commu-
nicants, and think there was more than four
hu ndred present, and more than three hundred
spectators. No church among the whites in
this or any other city, conduct their meetings
with more order and solemnity, and indeed the
congregation was comfortably, and indeed,
may say that some Of them were elegantly
dressed. But that which interested me most
was their internal condition--four years ago
they purchased their house for which they gave
S5OOO-one thousand in hand, and the re main
der in four annual instalments. l preached the
dedication sermon when they opened the house
for worship. Last Sabbath Bro. Adams inform
ed me that last instalment had been paid, and
that the church was now free from debt.
What Baptist church in all Kentucky has
raised four thousand dollars in the last four
years-kept up public worship-paid their pas
tor 500 per year, and contributed literally TO
the missionary enterprize7 Indeed, the first
African Baptist church in Louisville, may be
properly regarded as model colored church.
Being inferior in its energy, pletv, inf fence,
and in its organization, TO no colcred church in
the world. The boastful and philanthropic
free-soilers, abolitionists of Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Buffalo and Cincinnati, and indeed,
OF all the free States, can they produce the shs-
dow Of such a church? Nav they continue to
prosper and labor in every good work. After
communion, Elder Adams informed the church
that at a proper time he would expect them to
give part Of the missionary fund to the Cen
eral Association of which / had accepted the
agency.
He then impressively, and eloquently sole mn
ized the marriage of a couple who came for
ward, after which the audience was dismissed.
Yours, A. ID. SEAss.
In this letter are statements which may fur |
nish abundant matter for a running commen-
tary. This 'frst African church may be pro-
perly regarded as a model eolored church," and |
as there cannot be "model church" without
"model Christians" we are naturally led to |
ask, of what description Of persons Ia this "mo-
lei church" composed7 The answer is, patty
of free negroes and partly of slaves; 80 that It
seems that thOso lazy, worthless, differing free
1iggers," Of which we have heard SO much in
he late discussions on Emancipation, may, IN.
Ter proper instruction and care, become such
'minent "mcdel Christians" as to merit the soe-
nal commentator Of the pastor of the First
angio-sdIOn Baptist church of this city. More
ver, these African "model Christians'' seem
o have something of worldly thrift and econo-
ny, for our witness testi6es that they have paid
:, 900 in four years, supported their pastor re-
pectably, are out of debt, and have a mission.
ry fund.
We shrewdly suspect that some of the Anglo
axon "model churches" of this city cannot ex-
ibit as satisfactory a statement Of their affairs
8 is here presented by gentleman well quail
ed to judge Of such matters, and who is doubt
,ss authorised to speak "by authority"
The prosperous state of this "model African
hurch," will appear the more remarkable
7hen we remember that the slaves can acquire !
othing except by consent Of their owners, and
nat the free negroes are Intentionally and sys-
excluded from nearly all of the more
rOftable employments And here we nay 10.
lark, in passing, that the facts stated in Mr..