Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-11-18
Protestant Episcopal Church - The
Church and tho Ereedmens

Church and tho Freedmen
In the Diocesan Council of North
Carolina, September 18th, the following
report and resolutions were introduced.
We commend them to the careful peru
sal of our readers. They certainly
ought to be satisfactory to the most
radical minds in the country.
The committee to whom was referred
that part of the Bishops address re-
lating to the present condition and reli-
gious culture of the colored population
submitted, through its chairman, Rev
George NJ. Everhart, the following re-
port:
WHEREAS, BY the changed relation hitherto ex-
listing between the black and white races o new
and to some extent confused. condition of things.
obtaius; and as this revolution in society neces-
sarily tends to create alienation amounting to
at least indifference the part of the former
owners OF slaves, and dstrust and suspicion on
l the part Of the freedmen towards their for ner
masters; and the religious education OF the
/ freedmen hos been thereby already greatly him
/ dered and in Fome defeated; and as the
present civil status of the freedmen, notwith-
! Standing these things, for many reasons, seems
clearly providential, and should be accepted BY us
/ sucD therefore,
| .EPesoIved. That the Church in this Diocese ad-
dress herself with all the energy and wisdom at
her command, to reduce this confusion to order,
and to elevate the colored race fast as 1t may
come within her sphere of action. In order to
| accomplish this end, be it further
| Resolved, 1. that this Council commend the
people of color to the continued and unabated for
bearauce, kindness ind good Will OF the white
population of this Dioceoe
Resolved, 2, That in view Of the radical
changes wrought in the coloTed mans political
! = 4 nUdf fa nd
visable that there shouId be radical charges also
brought 1bout in his religious and ecclesias teal
that his former ard subordinate place in the
Sunday school, ia the congregation, and at tha
Communion, will not now answer-thas to reach
him with the teachings and blessings Of the
Church ii is the sense Of this Council, that sep
arate houses Of worship should be provided az
soon as practicable, 1.-THE white people, in this,
aiding the colored,) that colored vestries should
and afford counsel-that there should be sepa-
rate Sunday Schools-that colored super.
intendents aud catechists should be secured and
appointed VII ,..or at least shou be
chosen as assistants 70 head catechists or superin
tendents-thst all colored congregations, when
competent 10 form parish, should have power
throu b their stries of electing their own pas
tors, and that the pastors may be either white Of
coiored clergymen, and that when colored, with
relations 10 this Council to be determined here
after.
Rssoired, 3. That the atten ton of the cIerg,
OF this Diocese be directed to the Importance of al
once seeking out suitable colored. men for cate
chists and Sunday School teachers, and to give
them, as far as possible, personal instructions Il
fit them for these posts
Resolved, That the Council extend AZ iuvita
tion to caIored clergymen Of the Church to conn
among their own people in this Diocese. AM
labor in their sh pere with Us, in building up tn
Kingdom of Christ. y gf,
Resolved, 5. That this Council recommend step
to be taken soon as pr acticable, for the educa
tion Of cClored young men for the ministry of tn
Church TO their own people in cur midst.
RESOLVED, 6. That whenever 1t is practicable ehcl
parish should make provision for the menta
training of the colored children, in such a man
ner and to such degree as the condition Of affair
: may justify and by every other legitimate mean
= to impress upon the freedmen's mind the SINGER
. interest felt in, and cherished for him, by tn
1 | Church
: The total change in our political an,
: domestic relations, as regards the color
ed man, and the rapid and almos
/ universal deterioration in his mora
$ condition since his emancipation from
. slavery, demand, as it appears to you
. committee, bold, decisive, and defnit
y action in his behalf In elevating hi
7 character, we shall make him NOR
3 faithful and competent in his sphere
I and discharge thereby more perfectl
9 our religious Obligations to his race
/; Moreover, your committee is of tn
! opinion that the path pointed out is Tia
2 most direct way of carrying to th
! colored man the blessings of our hol
{ Christianity, through the instrument
It alities of the Church. And as we Ds
r lieve the Church to be Apostolic an
: Catholic, we fesl bound to do all in GU
= power to convey its holy teachings a
e rapidly and potently as possible, t
9 every soul committed to our care
I whether its casket be Anglican or AFR
: can.
. Deeply impressed with the great in
r portance of this matter, we respectful
q submit the above report for your consic
3 Grafton. g. M. EvEREART.
!, ALBERT SMEDEs
i +, P. BUXTON.