The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-03-13


again and again. For example, in this paper
of February 18th, where we formally entered
upon the terrible facts drawn from sources and
admissions around its own doors, the truth of
which the Observer dares not pretend to deny,
the whole is prefaced with these sentences
"Do they" Northern churches) ''act upon
their own creed2 We are well aware that the
argumentum ad hominem cannot decide lohether
the principles involced are righteous or unr1ghte-
Gus; that question loiU come up hereafter. Bat
though not test of truth itself, at may be
good test of naen-ot directors; Of their consas-
tency, sometimes Of their sincerity
What will the Observer say to being caught
again?
8. VIII the reader please notice what is said
about the Central Presbyterian quoting mo
documents to establish its position" Tin re-
gard to the policy of the Methodist, the Epis-
copal and Baptist Churches South except
a single sentence from the journal of the Epis-
copal Church of Virginia in 1866, &c.
There is reckless hardihood in all the %
Seruer says in this connection which shows the
shifts to which it is driven. 1t cannot escape
exposure, except among the many who Will
never know the severe but just correction
which the plainest facts administer. This will
be seen by all who will note the following;
Q.) 1t declares it will stand by its position,
which position it knows to be in substance this,
viz: that the Southern Presbyterian Church
presents the only Instance of race being
cut off from their rights and privileges in the
Church on account of the color of their skin.
To what extent this is true OF our Church
need not be considered now; that is not the
question, but whether the allegation against
us, as standing alone, is true.
(2.) The Observer intends to be understood
as denying that we have adduced anything to
establish the contrary. Now let US see.
In the Central Presbyterian of February
18th we referred to the we'll known work of
the late DIR. Robert Baird, called Religion in
America, "a standard authority in such mat
ters-from which we made the following quo
tation concerning two secessions of colored men,
bers from the Northern Methodist Church,
in the years 1916 and 1919, viz: that the sepa-
ration in both cases arose from their preach
ers not being admitted IN the itneracy, and
consequently having no share IN the government
of the Church, nor a right to receire salaries,
being only local preachers.
Now, will the Observer venture to deny either
that we adduced this fact, or the correctness
of the fact itself? 1t will not, because, how
ever reckless, it simply dares not. Then what
becomes of its position ?" Here it stands
proved-(to which other evidence could be
added without end that one Church at least,
and that Church the very largest Protestant
Church on this continent, and with its chief
seat of operations Just by the doors Of the
| Observer, has done precisely what that paper
asserts has not been done an all ecclesiastical
history" except by the Southern Presbyterian
Church. Let it meet the plain issue of fact
between us squarely, and not continue the
abortive effort to shift it before the public in
way that is enough to pull doson even "any
newspaper that was not struggling for exis-
tence.
Next we asserted that all the other denomi-
nations of Christians at the North had practi-
cally, and very efectually, repealed this popu-
| lation from their churches; that they would
not tolerate their presence promiscuousy with
the whites. We thought it enough to assert
pretty fully general state of facts perfectly no
torious, without much specification. Nothing
stated is denied, because it cannot .be. We
again aver that the condition Of the negro an
all the Churches at the North, so far as a
practical equality of ecclesiastical rights and
privileges with the whites is concerned, does
not exist. Will the Observer deny this
Here also what becomes of its confident decla-
ration2
Again; we instanced the course of the
Methodist Church South. We referred to
section 5th of its new Book of Discipline, re-
vised in 1866, the whole of which, (about two
pages, and therefore inconvenient to quote in
full, J is occupied in laying down very COM
pletely their plan of ecclesiastical polity for
this class We then asserted that mot in the
slightest degree do they admit colored preach
ers to share in the government over white peo-
ple." This was written with the provisions of
that section before our eyes.
Here too was plain issue Of fact, and as
we gave book, section, and page, the Observer
could easily have obtained.a copy and covered
us with confusion by merited exposure, had
we falsi6ed the record. Not being at all able
to do so, nor to meet the demands of the issue,
it would not have offended the sense of propri-
ETY. among its readers, however deep their
sympathy in its modification, had 1t succeeded
in rising up to the manly, not to say the mag
unanimous, resolution of candidly admitting its
fundamental error and injustice. Failing to do
this, and vainly trying to hide itself in the ar
ticle we have printed above, by few awkward
lodges, and large draft upon the credulity of
the public, the necessity has been imposed up
on us of giving it little wholesome expert
ence in the school of affection
In regard to the Episcopal Church in Vir-
ginia, land let it be remembered that in all
such matters each diocese is independent, and
governed by its own laws)-the Observer is
forced to admit substantially what it could not
deny, namely: that the Convention does ex-
clude colored ministers and churches from
sharing in its government. Then here too
comes back the cry" What becomes of the
O6Seruer?"
When it comes to the Baptist Church the
attempt to twist ont of difficulty is study
for the curious. We are told that the Gen.
trail Presbyterian adduces no other evidence
than "Ae ignorance Of a single Baptist min
iSter," &c.
The Rev. DR.. Jeter, pastor of the Grace
Street Baptist Church in this city, and one of
the Editors of the Religious Herald, will of
course feel deeply mortified at being pro-