Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-05-28
COlOurphObia.

We have just heard of a case of colourpho-
bia in this State, which we will relate as briefly
as possible. 1t is that of an old negro, who
has for quarter of century been consistent
member of the Congregational Church Of tho
town in which he resides. No one ever COM
planned Of his department. He is always neat
and clean, and is always To be found at his place
at ehuch. But the negro is very old, and uau-
sual sorrows and cares have shattered his frame.
About a year ago his wife died. Before her
death, tho couple were in the habit of climbing
the stairs to sit in the gallcry--to humour tho
prejudice Of the very pous and respectable au-
dience. After his wiGe's death, the negro, being
old and foeble, venturcd to sit below, in tho
body of the church. with his Christian brethren.
lie was allowed to sit there for several months,
but at last the colourphobia set in, and many
OF the good Christians present became dissatis-
fed with the presence Of a 'nigger.' The So
ciety's Committee instructed the Sexton to in
form said Niger that he could no longer sit
below in the church, and he was compelled to
stay at home. a short time after, at tho annual
meeting for tho sale OF slips, some white friend
of his rented one for his (negro's) use, but
when his object was asccrtained, violent at
tempt was made to pass resolution denying
any man the right to introduce negro into his
own slip This failed, and the negro took his
scat at church again. But there were some Of
the white Christians who wcic filed with the
colourphobiu, and would not be contentented,
and they warned Socicty's Meeting. The
meeting (said to be illegal from the fact that the
business was not spceife,D was not fully attend
cd, but a resolution was passed appointing q
committee to inform the negro that he could no
longer sit below in that church, sare while the
communion tcas being administered! One half
OF the mcE who voted for this barbarous reso-
luton were brother church members of the me-
gro. The Committee waited upon the old man,
and he burst into tears when their cruel GRAND
was made known. His heart was almost bro
ken TO think that in the midst of his old age,
his infrmatics and his affections, his brothers in
| Christ should attempt to eject him from the
Lords Temple, aid he has mover since attcmpt-
ed 10 sit with them. The church is now quiet
again, and can go on singing hallelujahs to tho
Lord, without the unpleasant presence of the
'nigger Its members can shout and pray
with special delight, for the old meeting house
contains only rhite faces But it contains somo
black souls and they will look black too, at tho
trial. day of the universe, by the side of the pi-
Gus, humble negro's spirit DO they suppose
that there they can vote the negro away, OF into
some gallery-pew' VIII they dare-in tho
presence of the great God-apologizc for their
hatred of the negro; Dare they make the ex-
cuse for rheir cruel persecution that he ras
black 1t were better for them that mill -stone
were hanged about their nccks, and that they
were cast into the sea.
We had supposed that the day for Jim Crow
cars and 'negro pews' was over in New Eng
land, but it seems we were mistaken. Tho
monicd corporations, though reputed to be soul
less, have still glimmcring sense of right, and
have got over their colourphobia, but there are
Christian churches yet which have not. The
railroads are ahead of the churches in decency
the steam engines in advance of the deacons
Let us livein hope. II the divinity that is dealt
out from New England pulpits will not root out
this wicked prejudice against colour, perhaps
that of ledger wiH.-Ha1ford Republican.