The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-10-19
SYNOD OF VIRGINIA.

for convenient reference. We hope the 4" Re
port on the State of the Church, and other
kindred documents viii be carefully read by all
our people, and the great matters presented be
most prayerfully pondered. No detailed report
Of interesting discussions viii be attempted and
some Of the speakers are omitted altogether;
but very brief sketches of remarks made by a
number of brethren on certain subjects brought
up, will serve as specimens Of the sentiments
and spirit pervading the Christian mind Of the
country at this time.
ON THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTIONS OF THE
NEGROES.
lr. Kirkpatrick, ruling elder from the LIST
church, Lynehburg, earnestly cOmbatted the
idea suggested by previous speaker, that be-
cause the negro was about to be driven TO the
wall, it might be most prudent for US TO keep
our hands off, and let those who have initiated
the present fearful experiment bear the re-
sponsibiity before the world. Many, he re-
marked, think the negro Is going to the wall,
and the sooner the better. 1t was a sentiment
he abhorred He di0 no, a...S .haj Was the
destiny of this race; he sometimes had the
darkest forebodings concerning it, But no mat
ter; if they are to perish, the sooner we stretch
forth the hand of sympathy and help, the bet
ter. The negroes We're brought TO this country
BY Us; they have been our playmates, they
have been with us in our fields of labor, waited
upon us mt our firesideS nursed Us, as we them,
in sickness. They were neither enSlaved nor
emancipated by their own act. Though some
of them have behaved very badly, yet 1t is the
testimony on every side that, taking them
together aud making reasonable allowance for
the circumstances Of peculiar temptation in
which they have been placed, they have be-
haved themselves wonderfully we'll And now
shall we cruelty desert them? Shall We wait
for frost and cold to pinch them, and teach
them industry and economy, or whatever else
they may? Because others have used them as
an instrument of torture to US, shall We, even
BY neglect, visit this wrong upon those who are
innocently only the occasion and not It's cause
No, let US not postpone this matter another
year, as has been proposed, but begin at once
and work with all our might. | know they
ought to be taught the Word of God in every
way in which Its holy truth can by the Holy
Spirit be made effectual to their salvation.
.Judge W,ttsOn of Charlottesville, introduced
his remarks by speaking of the immense i'm
portance Of this subject, and of the action
taken by our church judicatolies and Christian
people The question is not whether this peo-
pie are to be educated or not, but by whom
Be assured they will be taught; the response
biity of determining by whom and what, de-
ponds upon Us. Missionaries have been sent,
and will be sent; he did not undertake to say
whether they were of an improper character or
not, but did mean to say we ought to take this
work into our own hands. Must We wait till
sad experience had finished its work and given
US its lesson? 1t has been said that our defence
used to be that they were not allowed to be
taught; and practically it was so.
Here some explanation among members OF
the Synod took place rs TO the provision Of the
former laws Of Virginia on this subject The
substance was that slaves could be taught by
their owner, or those under him, to any extent,
on his own premises; but they were not allowed
to be taught in the public schools
Judge UatSon, reSuming, said, that however
this might be, the way was now certainly open;
no one could plead any excuse Of that kind,
and we have the strongest motives TO under
take this work He had of late frequently
seen citizens coming into his court to have
negro children bound out to them, and it was
done precisely as in the case Of white children.
But under the law they cannot be thus bound,
without a contract to teach them to read, and
write, and cipher.
That is not all. The negro will exercise i'm
portaut civil rights He did not refer to the
question of suffrage; but they will be witnesses
in our civil courts, and you can't prevent 1t if
YOU would The prevailing policy now else
where is 10 throw open the door for testimony
as wide as possible, and then let it be weighed
for what it is worth Recent legislation in
Virginia allows man sued to testify in his
own lehalf Negroes will sue and be sued;
and, if so, the Legislature viii be under the
absolute necessity of admitting their testimony
This time is not far off, And now the question
we have to look at is whether they shall, III
future years be brought into our courts ignO-
rant and degraded, as 80 many of them are, or
intelligent and more elevated VIII YOU bring
them into court-to the great source Of truth
taking their oath upon it, and yet not able TO
read what that truth is?
He had heard many prophecies as to what
we had TO apprehend from this class now set
free among us, and he shared those apprehen-
sions in part The only light he got was in the
plain path of duty towards them, in the new
circumstances in which we are placed He
would have the kindest feelings shown them
If they can be called the cause Of any troubles
we experience, they are an innocent cause
Let US treat Them as far as possible, with the
kindness we would show 70 children.
William UT6t Henry, ruling elder from the
church at Charlotte Court House, said he had
only one objection to this part of the report of
the Committee ON the State of the Church,
namely, that which recommends separate
church organizations for negroes. This would
involve separate officers, and this again their
admission into our church courts; a step he
judged inexpedient. Besides this ignorant and
Objectionable preachers from the North would
often FIJI these pulpits Keep them as close to us
as possible. In illustration of this idea he re-
fsrred to the successful course pursued by his
pastor, the Rev Henry C. Alexander, at
Charlotte Court House
Rer Hereunder hartia-The negroes great |
" prefer separate organizations, and most as
suredly they will have them. We are merely |
anticipating what is inevitable. The question of
officers need not be agitated now; let that be /
disposed Of under the lights of the future, as
they may arise according to the exigency
Rsr. -Nr. anderson bad been much in the /
hahit of -nrnnchinn 20 cnlnrnI ranrle and rraa |