The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-04


SPECIAL REPORT FOR EVENING TELEGRAPH.
The Rev. William J. Aston, the Rector Of ST.
Thomas Protestant Episcopal Church (colored)
Is aman Of thorough culture and considerable
pulpit eloquence. short time since he
delivered an able sermon on The Equality OF
the Races" taking for his text the folio wing
passage
'GOd hath sheoed me hat / should not cou am man
,omHOn or ,tcieon.'-Acis K ql.
Within the past two weeks our attention was
attracted by the following words on a bulletin
board on Chestnut sTeet:-"Negroes in the
CaIs-lmpOrtant Decision OF the supreme Court
The Rights of Public Cdrriers-The Impious
Doctrine of Social Equality Condemned
Opinion of Judge Agnew-The Judgment of the
Lower Courts Reversed" Tue case in point was
that OF Christian lady, a widow by name
Mrs. Miles-a member OF the Protestant Episco-
pal Church-Of education and refinement Her
zeal for the cause OF her Saviour may be IN
ferred from the fact that for some years she
lsbored as a missionary to the heather on the
coast Of Africa, aud that she is now engage in
teaching the freedmen of the south, under the
auspices OF the Episcopal Church in PennsyL
vania. She having occasion to travel on
the West Chester Railroad line, was
81 she took passage on elected from the car.
The case was tried in one OF the lower courts
aud decided in her favor. Thence on writ of
error II was carried TO the Supreme ourt OF
this State, and there the decision was TeuerSed,
as noticed above, by Judge Agnew. The case
was decided accordance with the laws of the
State on matters OF this kind, as expo inded by
high judicial authority, previous to the Legisld-
tive enactment of March, 1867, viz. :-"Declaring
it an ofense for railroad companies to make any
distinction between passengers on account of
race or COOr" In which the ground taken by
the Court, and endorsed by the Judge, is:-(a),
That the carrier has right to coutrol his own
property for the protection OF his interests aud
the proper performance OF his duty. (b), Upon
the ground of public interest, viz.:-That there
should be aseparation of passengers according
to color (c), N. B. The JUDGES statement
that the tohlte and black races are distinct natu-
ray-that God has made them dissimiar, and
globe.
may ask, viz, What have these legal matters to
do with the clearly defined work of the preacher
OF the Gospel? We answer they are, or should
be, actuated by the folio wing Divine command,
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like
trumpet, and show my people their trausgres
sion, and the house OF Jacob their sins" Also,
Ezekiel 80, 7, 20 son OF man, have set thee
watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore
thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and
warn them from me- Thus, respecting the
spirit of the words of the Judge in his COM
ments in the decision OF the case under con
sideratton, we feel bound by our ministerial
position as also from the fact that we are iden-
tilted with the oppressed and despised race of
our land 10 brand it as a base and glaring mis-
representation of the Divine character respect
ing HIS rational creatures; for we're we in
huenced by the argument of the Judge, touch
ing the disposition of that great, wise, merciful
omnipotent and Just Being in whom "We live,
and move, and have our beiug," we should from
conscientious scruples be compelled to give up
preaching the Gospel
say, viz. That we find very important part
OF the work of the Christian ministry 10 be, to
explain to the children of men the attributes
and character of their Creator, Preserver, and
Benefacter; and their relations to Him in time
and throughout eternity. And chiefly to inform
them how He loves them-as seen In the gift
and voluntary suferlngs and death of His
only begotten Son. And further, in His com
missionng His apostles 10 go into all the
world and preach the Gospel TO every creature.
And further, in that this great and best of
Beings has made OF one blood all nations that
dwell on the face of the earth" Thus, being of
one common origin, they have one common
means of salvation, viz :--One talth one bap-
tism, one God and Father of all, and that
1it:s He our all kPd He9SeRy SeeR Em Hhiner while
He is rear, and to call upon Him while He may
be found" Further to show from His own
conduct towards the worlds populaCe, that God
is an afectionate and an impartial Father, Re-
deener, and Sancti6er. And that all men might
thus con6dentially approach Him st. Peter was
Dvinely spired TO write (after his own mind
had been miracuously Illuminated, aud hence
his hitherto deeply rooted preiudices oanished),
for the consolation and enlightenment of the
peoples of the world viz, THAT God is no re-
specter of persons; but IN every nation, He that
feareth Him and worketh righteousness is
accepted with Him." Also, that He is rightly
denominated righteous and the Judge OF the
whole earth.
And this brings to the more immediate con-
sideration of the words of the text, viz.:-"God
hath showed me that shonld not call any man
common unclean." ST. Peter being a Jew
with all of the cherished preudces OF his nation
towards the Gentle world-was, by the Saviour,
taken away from his nets and constituted "a
fisher of men," And God miraculoUsly prepared
him as an effective message bearer of these glad
tidings to the Gentle world And also mlracu-
lousy prepared the Gentle world, through Cor.
nelius the Roman centurion, for the reception
of the same.
The effect upon PeteT-he was led to see that
God was not partial as he had hitherto sup
posed to owards any one of the nations of men in
the promulgating of His plans for their re-
demption and salvation. For while endeavoring
TO solve the problem OF the vision, behold, the
men that came from Cornelius had made in.
qury for Smon's house, and stood before the
gate, and called and asked whether Simon,
which was suTnamed Peter, was lodged there
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit
said unto hm-"Behold, three men seek thee.
Arise therefore, get thee down and go with
them.n Having reached the house
of Cornelius, che went in, and found many that
were come together. And he said unto them,
Ye know no that it is an unlawful thing for a
man that Is a Jew TO keep company with or
come unto one of another nation.n Then fol-
low the words OF the teXt-"But God hath showed
unclean.p He then preached the gospel unto
mouth and said, Off truth perceive that God
is no respecter of persons, but in every nation,
ne that feareth Him and worketh righteous.
ness is accepted with Him."
Therefore, we embrace this opportunity to
state with becoming Difference to the Judge
whose decision and comments we are consider
ing) that in this matter he has iniuriously
DETAINED the Almighty, who Will hold hun ac'