The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-06

Presbyterian Church, in session at
Memphis, on Monday after the
transaction Of some routine business,
the discussion of the subject of s'The
relations of the Church to the freed
men" was resumed. DR.. Baird sub
mltted series c. resolutions by way
of a substitute for the resolutions
already before the Assembly. After
discussion, the whole subject, toge-
ther with both series of resolutions,
was recommitted to the committee,
with instructions to report at the
ensuing session.
At the evening session, the com
mittee reported the following, which
were adopted:
l. That this Assembly entertains
for the freed people the sincerest SEN
tlments of good will and affection;
that it earnestly desires and prays for
their salvation, and would encourage
the carrying out of every legitimate
means for the promotion of their
spiritual good. That this Assembly
believe the present condition of the
colored race in this country to be
one OF alarming spiritual jeopardy,
and that it is binding on us as Chris
tlans to do all that lies In our power
to save them from the calamities by
which they are threatened, and to
L r
the Gospel.
2. That it be recommended to all
ministers and churches to exert
themselves to the extent of their
ability to continue to give the Cos
pei to these people; to church ses-
s1ons to urge upon parents among
them Of presenting their children for
baptism, and of bringing them up in
the nurture and admonition of the
Lord; and especially to pastors,
evangelists and missionaries, to de
vote portion Of their labors to the
promotion Of the salvation of the
freed people
3. That in the judgment of the
Assembly, it is highly yinexpedient that
there should be an ecclesiastical
separation of the white and colored
races; that such a measure would
threaten evil to both races, and espe-
clally to the colored, and that, there
fore, it is desirable that every war
rantable effort should be made affec
tlonately to dissuade the freed people
from sevcring their connection with
our churches, and to retain them with
us as of old. Should they decline the
fellowship of ordinances, and desire
a separate organization, then our
Sessions are authorized to organize
them into branch congregations. In
such cases, the Assembly recommends
that such congregations shall be al
lowed, under the sanction of the Ses-
'slons, to elect from among themselves
every year, such number of superin-
tendents. or watchmen, as the Ses-
sions may advise, who shall be charg-
ed with the oversight of such con
gregations. These superintendent
shall report to the Sessions for their
action all matters relating to the vel
fare of said congregations.
(. Whenever Prcsbyteries may find
1t necessary to organize separate
colored congregations, they shall ap-
point q commission Of elders, who
shall discharge the functions com
mitted to the Sessions in the prece6-
ing resolution.
5. That nothing in or standards
OF in the Word of God prohibits the
introduction into the Gospel ministry
of duly qualified persons of any
races, yet difficulties arise in the gen
eral structure of society and from
providential causes, which may and
should restrain the application of
causes in the church of this abstract
principle. Holding this in view, the
Assembly recommends that whenever
Session or Presbytery shall find
colored person who possesses suitable
qualifications, they are authorized to
license him to labor as an exhorter
among the colored people under the
supervision of the body appointing
him.
6. That the Assembly recommends
that wherever it is practicable, Sab
bath schools for the benefit of the
freed people, especially the young,
be established in connection with our
churches; and that the sessions Of the
churches take these schools into their
charge and provide suitable teachers
for them.
7. That the heads of families are
exhorted to encourage the freed peo-
pie in their households to attend
family and Dub1ic Uorcbip opI 4bo+