The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-10-18
LOCAL NEWS.
DEDICATION OF THE NEGRO CHURCH.

NADDRESS BY MAJoR-GENERAL mitchell.
On Sunday last the little Church, which Gen
Hunter authorized to be built near the negro quar-
ters for the use of that part of population, was
formally dedicated as a place of Divine worship.
The Rev. II. n. Hudson, Chaplain of the New
York Volunteer Eng. Reg't, conduct d the exer-
cises, making brief adlress in which he clearly
impre. sed upon his hearers the sanctty OF build
ing which is appropriated to Gods s>rvict. Gen.
Mitchell was present, accompanied by members of
his Staff, and after the dedication, upon the nvi-
tation of Mr.. Hudson he sp~ ke to the colored
people in nearly the following language:
have been requested to say 4 few words to you
by your teacher, who is good man. Any good
man lkt, regardless of color. | respect him as
much whether he is lack or white If he be
bad man T shall treat him as such whether he is
white or bl OK Most Of YOU know that have
talked to all my S ldiers since came here, and
now am talking to You who are anothvr set Of
soldiers, who have not yet arms in their hands,
ut who are under my protection and guidance,
and in whom take deep inter- ST. With oth past
life fully sympathizc. know and understand it
H. | was reared in the midst of slavery, born in
Kentucky md know all a out it. While there are
many things connected with it that are pleasant, to
which you will testify, there are vast many other
things viii h are not pleasant, and think that God
intends all men shall be free because he intends
that all men shall serve him with their whole heart
| think this is true / am not certain. | don't
know But in any condition we can al love and
serve God. That privilege canno. be taken away.
| care not how savage and whked the ma ter may
be he cannot prevent you from praying in the
midst of the night, and God hears and answers
the p aver of all, slave or free.
hut it seems to lne that there is new time COM
ing FIR YOU colored people, better day is dawn
ing for you oppressed and down-trodden blacks.
don't know that this is true, but | hope that the
door is being o; ened for your deliveranee. And
now, how deeply you sould ponder these words.
If now YOU are unwilling to help yourselves
nobody will be willing to help you. You must
trust yourselves to the guidance of those who have
h better opportunities and have acquired supe-
ror wisdom, if YOU would be carried through this
crisis successfully. And believe the good God
will bless their efforts and # you up to higher
level than You have y,t occup d, so that you and
your children may become educated and industri-
GUS citizens Yen must organize yOurscl. eS into
families. Husbands must love their wives and
children, clingng' to them and turning from all
others and feeling that their highest object in life,
next to serving the good God is to do all they
for their fami les, working for them continually.
Good colorcd friends, you have great work to
do and You are in position of ofresponsib lity The
whole North, IL the people in the Free States, are
looking at YOU and the experiment now being tried
in Your behalf with the deepest interest. This ex
pertinent is to give YOU freedom, position, home
and your Uwu fa.njlI"s:-wivcs property, your