Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-03-15

anacmenls adopted the 10th OF March, 1852 and since fully
carried out, As we understand And il this cannot be done
hamonousy then desire their worship be conducted
aud carried out according to the laws OF The Sute
nGicI by any other authority.
S. GARLAND,
JAS. l.. CLAiTOR,
SAMUEL NOWLIN
MAURICE LANGHORNE, ia,
JOHN HOLLINS.
July 18th, 1852. Committee.
The undersigned, trustees OF the African Baptist Church.
o nchburg desire that the keys Of the meeting house Of
said church be delivered NOwin one OF the Trustees
p said church, to use it in The way he mag think proper
(" The benefit of said church and congregation.
MAURiCE LANGHoRNE, Ja
JAS l.. CLAYTOR
JOHN HOLLINS.
November 23d, 1882
Was there not In these instances very manifest nierer
and interest," and that too, US body
Again: hai portion OF the report which refers the ori
gna organization Of the African Church, does accord
With the in the She organized upon the
principles laid down in the constitution OF the African
Church in Richmond which was sent for and had at the
time Their original constitution placed the discipline of the
African Church tho hands Of ten cooed Deacons whose
action 10 be under the supervision OF committee ap
pointed By the white church.
The partial independence which alluded 10 in Ie report
granted BY the Bapis Church Fin spirit indulgence
owurs her members was given for the purpose Of heal
schism known exist in the white church among the
white members may BE- found By reference individuals
- we'll 20 the records OF The church.
the Ui the committee Which Iron
his trne" that is from the l0h OF March 1852, "iicul-
tics began arise, &c, ought 10 be altered stricken
ou. because makes false Impression public mind
on the mind of the Council Ii represents difficulties
as originating in the Of the l0h March, 1852; whereas
they known 10 have existed long before. And AIN
that it cannot be found either by witness record to
true that any collision has occurred in which the
African Church. body has set al defiance any ac. of the
white church.
The report that the supervisory committee len
had 10 be reduced five lin consequence of difficulty in
procuring suitable persons willing 10 serve Fact does
assertion. The reduction made, when
arrangement was Instituted for the government Of the Af
Church. BY that new arrangement, the committee
vested with power OF government whatsoever; and ,s
number reduced because It's duties made less
punsble. Besides the Of the committees service
brought down from y months 10 j. 50 Inat in fact under
arrangement, twice many persons would serve
upon The committee n the course OF year as served under
nrevicus arrangements.
The report is erroneous too representing that The
communication OF the African Church was alternative
BECAUSE found impossible 10 secure the
ger vices five competent persons 10 net committee
The preamble the o excommunicaton makes no
statement to this ecc; The Church rested her action
IN any such ground. When the appointment oi the
mii,ce came up before tie Church. the belren w, repre-
tnl the Church bound by pledge TO take the exclusive
tol and supervision Of the African Church. in tott-
rc Of that pledge avowed determination not TO act them
eIy.. and not 10 uots for Others doubt that
tive five competent persons could have been OBJ
aincd serve five twice five whom The Church. by ap
ponment previous committees hud hefseH declared 10
| &C competent. .
Again: The report creates impression that The Baptist
,hurc
nent the facts in the This impression is altogether
basr!ess paper purporing 10 be statement Of the facts
in tho case placed in the Mayors hands by certain
members OF the Baptist Church, but not under the sruc
lion or by the authority Of that Church. II The
authorized of individuals; act therefore, for which
The Baptist Church should not be censured.
arau: The sentence "the committee having been twice
ont Of the church By the coored sexton is ambiguous
Ii may mean that he did not open the Church al ali sl
that lime; that he and the coored people were withn ana
refused atmittance white committee observe mat
he or seems give It tho latter construction This Is
alsc construction The fact s there was no one in the
Church al The time The African Church has never held
nserno TENDED by white persons who called the aertng
and held themselves responsible for II to The community
Bu NJ to the locking out " The true state Of The case is as
oIlnws The supervisory committee appointed simply
anal o 10 attend e meetings Of the african Church for
hc transaction of Gns And hc authority 'i Bf"
Jos T. Nowin chairman of the cornnliier siae that on
erery Lors Day afternoon; SCI dFGr J0 ne transaction o.
bsinrss :ae conmiicc attended The african Church and
faupd he doors open Is there here any refusal to DC CON
rolled :" any sorganizng conduct! whatsoever AT that
time the African Church without pastor; ana heo no
mo- tin - worship on this account.
W. now com. To le closing Of the report that
dangerous dogma had been asserted III that CHURCH. ia
is due the Church in preference to tie Master
ru, nc, in The case Ear as remember !Ie are these
In i7l5 Jack Averert brought 10 aI before The deacons
of the Ac,n Church and the Whit" committee Tor gong 10
r,rr ri. ~ ya- that h. sent by.Is master with the
his masters Children Some OF the white committee ar
gucd in ck behalf that ii they exci'inrd nun he would oe
for uueyiB. his Fr ms thry did not cX
cnic him But upon further investigation II was In proof
h h, was ,u! The Theatre without his masters chlld
He
hence cuted 1t has bee" now ionr or h'e years
since this occurrence; but is my candid conviction ana
has been a along that he was excluded Tor gong 10 e
Thea The direction al his master ia Tue uah
p,rons dogma pi. vailed in the African church. II was he
r Of the white curch H' 10 hav" acted with PromptncsS
aod yrmresst Ard w do the white church The lsce 10
snv that if she had known even suspected the prevalence
nj such dogma The snaT chnrch at any e PRIOR 10
the cycummunicaiion, believe that she would nave oeen
.yilt 10 rebusc and exact in furnishing VIII urthcr
saw in justice to The white church, that IL at the time OF
Tho eycumnunicu0n she had regarded such dogma as
nrevaIing the African church, believe mat her cens1es
wond nave been vigorously directed aganst Bui sie has
maintained silence this point She has preferred no such
rharoe Is il fair, ,hcn 10 conclude ina she mas hot
rivcn credit 10 :he accusation
hoIe sincerely that the Counc will bng 10 iehl those
sbcous declarations which the committee refrain rom re-
nornq ha; their authors may BE- crfled out and meet
with punishment Far be it from me- and from al my
fellow citizens, up wrong oil titS hInc
MY remarks have already gone beyond the imi's pre-
scribed for myself; but there Gne Or "o points upon
which you suffer 10 speak ssa! co 20 orieEY.
Es; In permitting the African Church. under certain
,s,ctiuns 10 transact business The Lynchbure bap'ls
Churcn has only followed the usage 9f Tic DENOMINATIONS
Where large numbers oil slaves profess "ur views mas
been found necessary grant them narst'
Such is The in Rirhmond-in Petersourg-!h Noolk
in William. ourg-in Charles City county IN none OF
hrse instances been found necessary nr N" cV a
horitcs 10 nerlrre and they have nteeEed IN none AS
denomination bapiists claim the righ! 10 regulate 1her
iateraa policy; aud where lhey Vioiae no ID" ShS
this right be denied them
Secondly: 1t i. not the intention OF myself or OF any
other Baptiss who dsscn! from the action OF The white
Church here authorize "independent gatherings OF the
African Church Since her e1eommuuicaton she has not
assumed for herself power business We have
no, assumed for her. Her members, with other slaves
have met only as congregation for worship they have held
no meeting as Chucn for business The African Church
belongs 10 ,he Strawberry Association, which is COMPOSED
The pastors and delegates of 80 Baptist Churches in ad-
Joining counties That Association has enthusiastically
power 10 decide whether the African Church shall continue
in existence; and II So what denominaonal restrictions
shall bs imposed upon it, Whatever The decision may oe
sure that the African Church will cheerfuy submit 10
liz, And less that ts decision will eaVe no
ground Of complaint ~ this community. Meanwhie, ano
until that Association convenes Trustees OF the African
Church who names have appeared above) pledge mem
Selves personally that in all meetings oi worship ~
saii Church. law shall be faithfully obeYed ana .ne
orer observed May the community saiey eP~Se
ht nee in such men7 JAS. Y. CLor iON'
asn,on Of Printers and Publishers ia called TO the sd