The colored Tennessean., 1866-03-24

schools to this F" Truth as ii is' IN
Phonetic Science that the writer is in
Nashville, and | respectfully ask a free
exchange Of ideas on the subject, with
all teachers both white and colored.
Letters Of enquiry, enclosing stamp
for return postage, will be promptly
answered Address Mrs. E. V. Burns,
Phonetic Teacher, Nashville, Tenn.
The following clipping was handed
to us by a kind friend Of our race,
with request to publish it, which we
submit to our readers for considera-
tion.-ED.
ADMISSION OF COLORED MEMBERS.
When the recommendation of Han
som Talbot for reception on trial was
presented, it was stated that he was a
colored man. Upon this Bishop
Clark stated that probably word of
explanation was needed. The last
General Conference, for the accommo-
dation of the colored members and
preachers in the East, and at their
special request, organized two Annual
Conference Of colored ministers-the
Washington and the Delaware Now
our work among the colored people
is opening in this State and in Ten
nessee. They want pastors of their
own color. The region is too remote
from the Washington and Delaware
Conferences to be connected with
them. Under these circumstances,
and to meet the wants of the colored
membership Of the Church, it is pro-
posed to admit, on trial, in this Com
ference such colored preachers as are
suitable for the work, and to organize
them into district under white pre-
siding elder. BY this means we shall,
by and by, have suitable men on the
ground to form the nucleus of an An
nual Conference for Kentucky and
Tennessee, should the General Con
ference so order. This course has
been recommended by the entire Epis-.
copal Board, and is desired by the
colored people themselves. The mat
ter is now with the conference, 1t is
for them to determine the question
of the admission Of members to their
body.
DR.. Parsons followed in a ten min
utes speech, in which he said
We have come to the banks of the
Jordan in the history of the Confer
ence; it is now for US to say whether
we shall cross over to the Promised
Land, or beat q retreat to the wilder
ness of sin. Shall we cross, or shall
we retrograde? One or the other we
must do.
The colored man is now plainly be-
fore us. He comes poor, without so
cial orpolitical status, without friends
or money, without education-naked
and alone. He is simply with his
shackles off. The white man has the
advantage Of education, Of means, Of
social and political position, Of every
thing Shall we fear the colored man ?
and if so, why? If, with all his disa-
bilities, he should outstrip his white
b1ethren-if he should become more
cultured or wealthy, or acquire higher
social, religious, or political power,
who is to complain? ? From my heart
bid him Godspeed in all the way
before him. 1t is not for the Meth
odist Episcopal Church to go back
ward, but to lead in the work of ele-
waiting the African race. But | for
bear further remarks. | should be
glad to hear our venerable senior
bishop speak on the subject.
Bishop Morris said:
I was born in Virginia. | have re-
sided in Kentucky. | have been a
citizen of Tennessee; and | have
travelled very extensively through all
the Southern States, and, of course,
know something of the people and of
the old slave system, and of the gene
raj bearing it has had upon the inter
ests of the Church in general, and
upon Methodism in particular. |
know in common with you all Of the
changed state of affairs, and of the
difficulties that come upon US in meet
ing this novel condition of cirellm-
stances: but am glad it is written,
q The earth shall help the woman,
which means, suppose, the outside
world shall be made subservient to the
interests Of the kingdom of Christ.
The bondmen have become free,
and | will venture to say there is not
a man but will respond, 81 am glad,'
as is perfectly natural, and, as is to
my mind perfectly right, the coiored
of our Church desire col
ored pastors. The General Confer
ence has settled this question, by or