Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-16

The CoLoRED FEsTIvAL-We have
received the following communication
from a lady in reference to the festival
now being held for the benefit of the col
ored people of the First Presbyterian
Church:
Mr.. EpIroR: Having heard some re-
n ks in relation to the festival being
given this week for the benefit of the
black people attached to the First Pres
byterian Church, ] beg that you will
allow me the use of your columns to ex-
plain the matter, and to make it under
stood that though given by and for the
benefit of colored people, this festival by
no means merits the title some bestow
upon it, "a black affair." nor is it
anything like the celebrations" given
by many Of the latter-doy darkies
throughout our country. Let me explain
as briefly as possible all that | under
stand in relation To this festival BY the
earnest efforts Of the members of DR..
Steadman's Church, large number
of black people have been trained
and instructed in their religious duties
in such thorough manner that maUy OF
them would pass AN examination as
creditably as the majority Of the white
pupils of our Sunday schools, showing a
knowledge of the Scriptures perfectly
surprising to all who have heard them
repeat entire psalms, and whole chapters
from the Bible, and giving evidence not
only Of the excellent instruction they
have received, but also proving that the
labors of these true Christians have not
been thrown away upon these descend
ants of Ham, who were once ignorant,
but are now band of enlightened and
educated Christians, taught by those
who, in many instances, were their own
ers, and who have instructed them and
their children up TO the present time in
all that is necessary for them to know
namely, their whole duty 10 God and to
man.
1t is true, that in one respect, their ed
ucation has been neglected, and they do
not exactly keep up with the times-they
cannot be made to understand that they
have been a down-trodden people, newly
raised to the light of civilization. They
do not sing The Flag of our I'm
ion, in Sabbath school, and have, prob
ably, not learned any of the fashionable
songs relating TO Mr. John Brown aud
his soul For these, and other de6cien-
cies, in their education, they have, per
haps, been denied an admittance into
aristocratic society; being called, | am
told, poor secesh darkies," by some of
their own color, in the city.
These black people, tAen, have been
cared for by the First Presbyterian
Chu,ch-bave always been encour-
aged to get up fair, and for
many years their annual fair for the ben
eft of their church and Sabbath school
has been a great success, and none but
good results have sprung from the Gus
tom. The white members Of the church
have always superintendent and assisted
in their yearly fair, and nothing has ever
occurred to cause any change in their
feelings towards the colored portion OF
their congregation. These being the
facts, why should a custom which has
the sanction of time and experience be
done away with, simply because some
things have undergone change since
1861? Shall we no longer take an in
terest in our former servants, who still
love aud reverence those who have cared
for them for so many years2 Shall We
now abandon them to the isms" Of the
day, and show our Indifference to their
welfare here and hereafter2 mol we
cannot, wiH not give them up As far
as zoe are concerned, we will continue to
bear the same relation TO them which we
bore in happier days
Respectfully
A BAPTIST FRIEND
a." |H
A SETTLEMENT. -When Memphis was