Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-08
THE CHURCH or SOUTH CAROLINA
AND THE NEGRO RACE.

Attheir recent meeting, the General Coun
Gil Of the Episcopal Diocese of South Caro-
lima adopted the following enlightened, able
and truly philanthrophic report respecting
the unfortunate people in their midst, who's,
further abasement is inevitable if the spirit
of Christian philanthropy in the Soutl
should continue to rest under the cruel and
unnatural aspersion Of hypocrisy and hos
tility toward negroes, bred in their families
and hence objects Of their favor and sym
pathy:
The committee to whom so much of the
Bishops address on the relations of the col
ored people was referred, beg leave respect
fully TO report that they find the subject be
set with difficulties and so novel in many OF
its aspects that they can only hope to make a
few suggestions 20 which they ask the indul-
gent consideration Of this body.
From colonial times this class of our pop
ulation were commended by the society for
the propagation Of the Gospel TO the special
attention of its missionaries. Our Bishops,
in their council addresses and upon their
visitations, did all in their power TO keep
alive the interest Of the diocese i'm their
spiritual welfare. Our parochial clergy and
missionaries zealously co-operated with our
chief pastors, while the laity contributed
literally of their substance, and in many
cases added their personal labors TO for
ward the work Of evangelizing these hea-
thens, who, in the providence of God and by
the agency Of Others, were committed TO our
care. The result of these Jealous and har-
monious efforts is exhibited by the paro-
chial reports published in the journals OF
1861. At the breaking ont of the wal
there were Of this class 1913 in full commu-
Mon with our church in this dioccse-only
six less than white communicates.
Ac the effect of the war and their consc-
quent emancipation, this work, in the form
and under the conditions upon which it had
been heretofore prosecuted, has been almost
wholly suspended. But your committee
hope and believe that this suspension will
prove only temporary, and that the Church
will be prepared TO take il up with renewed
zeal and diligence under its new conditions
and form. From the special obligations
heretofore resting upon us as owners 10 pro-
vide for the spiritual as well as physical
wants Of our servants" and after the ex-
ample of faithful Abraham, commanding
our households after us, we are indeed re-
leased But as partakers with them of a
common redemption, and fellow-members of
the same household of faith, we still cheer
fully acknowledge ourselves debtors to
"bond and free" 20 wise and unwise, being
all one in Christ Jesus.
The. calamitous change wrought in the
physical condition Of the colored people as
a class is calculated to excite our pity, and
appeals loudly 10 our Christian sympathy,
especially when we recall their past faithful
services. and reflect that so far from this
change being wrought by any agency Of
theirs, they steadfastly resisted all instiga-
tons TO revolt and instruction, and with
rare exceptions, remained true to their for
mer owners and their families throughout
the entire war. That they should have been
intoxicated by their newly acquired freedom,
Of which and its effects they had been led to
indulge vague and eXtravagant expectations,
is in no degree surprising. The cause for
wonder rather is that they have not been
guilty Of far greater excuses. To their own
natural docility; 10 the leniency Of the svs-
tenn rs IL existed among us TO the kindly
feeling il engendered, 20 the influence of the
Gospel preached among them, and to the
everything providence of God, is this TO be
ascribed.
Elevated 20 new and untried political
and social status, for which they had receiv-
dno direct previous training, it remains to
be seen what will be the effect produced
upon the religious state and character OF
the freedmen. Released from the whole
some restraints Of their former condition,
their is imminent danger Of their abusing
their newly acquired liberty 20 license, in
dolonce, and vice and unless the influences
of the Gospel, truly preached" truly re-
ooived, and truly followed, can be brought
10 bear upon them in their future as in their
past, a relapse into fragrant heathenism must
Cnsue.
As those whose destiny aud the destiny
OF whose children is most closely identified
with that Of the colored people Of the do
oese, we have the deepest interest in their
moral and spiritual elevation. The sooner
they can be aroused Thy the motives Of the
Gospel 10 appreciate and perform their do
nestle duties, aud become intelligent and
industrious members Of society, the better
for US and for themselves. II the motives OF
the Gospel fail TO accomplish this, then all
other agencies must be powerless.
As those who have been longest aSsocia-
ted with the race, We OF the South best I'M
derstand their peculiar traits, habits, and
character, and are, therefore, best fitted to
minister to their physical, mental, and spir'
itual waits.
II wholesome religious instruction be not
provided by Us, they must be left 10 the in
judicious teaching Of Others or TO the blind
guidance Of selfconstituted, confident and
ignorant guides Of their own condition aud
class. Duty, interest humanity, and reli-
gion, these all urge us TO prompt and vigor-
Gus exertion TO keep or 10 reclaim 70 the
wholesome teaching OF the Church this nu-
merous and important class Of our popula-
ton.
Your committee cannot but painfully feel
and acknowledge that in several important
particulars, physical and moral, our capaci-
~ for usefulness among the freedmen has
been greatly curtailed. First those who
formerly contributed most freely Of their
substance TO support missionaries 10 the coli
cred people Of the diocese are greatly
straitened or reduced 10 absolute poverty.