The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-20

men And Just after, the same question III
substance is asked concerning the preacher.
From this and great deal more that might
be cited, we find the point made clear, that
the demand upon us is to go the whole length
of absolute equality Of the t'eo races, 4" the
Church. Aud because we have failed to see
our duty just in that Hght-lor that was really
the main difhculty-we are modestly informed
that the action of this General Assembly Is
a blot upon the record Of the Presbyterian
Church az the South, and is in striking con-
trast with the recent action of other branches
of the Church in the same section. But this
is only small part of our terrible condition;
we are Informed that the Southern Presby-
terrain Church alone, so far as we have any
knowledge, has taken step back to'oard Die
dark ages" And again-"We do not know
where, in all ecclesiastical history, there Is
another record of race being CIT of from
their rights and prici7eges IN the Church. on
account of the color of their skin. - And final
1--WE do not entertain doubt with regard
to the verdict of Christendom upon such pro-
ceedings, now and in all future time.
Very well it will be seen after little, who
comes in for the verdict, We are now ready
for direct issue upon this most grave ques-
ton of fact. For we do positively assert that,
while the policy of other Protestant Churches
in the South-having been more completely
developed than OG.= has yet been-goes be-
vond the action of our Assembly in certain I'M
portant particulars, yet upon this fundamental
question of the ecclesiastical equality of the teo
races then stand together. Let us take first
Tie Methodist Church We have before us
while writing their new book of Discipline,
revised at the General Conference in 1866 The
whole of section 9Th treats "of colored mem
bers," and defines fully their relation to the
Church, and the provisions made for them.
| Not in the slightest degree do they admit
eolored preachers to share in the government
over white people.
The Episcopal Church. We have in hand
the Journal of the Annual Council of this
Church in Virginia, for 1866 Their action in
relation to this subject is on pages &c, sc, SO,
40, where it will be found that on this point,
admitting colored churches or ministers in
to the Counci,-it is provided that, They
shall be considered under the care Of this Coun-
ell, and their interests as represented In 1t by
the Standing Committee on Colored Congrega-
tons" This is the more significant inasmuch
as 1t is action taken in answer to applications
from two colored churches "for admission to
the Council.
We are informed by u minister of that Church
in this city, and one peculiarly well informed,
that he does not know a Diocese in the South
where colored preachers are admitted as rulers
! in their Conventions. The cases cited by DR..
| Atkinson and the New York Observer, go nc
further than to show that in a few instances
men of this class have been admitted to dea.
cons orders. e. have been allowed to preach,
but not to bear rule over the whites.
The Baptist Chuch.-One of the most
thoroughly informed ministers of that large
denomination, gentleman whose sympathie:
for the negroes are peculiarly kind, states, IL
reply to our inquiry, that he does not know {
single Association in this State, or in the
South, where he believes they would be admit
ted as members. This is the more worthy o.
attention when it is considered that the form
of their Church government is Independency;
no one congregation having any power over
another, and the acts of the Association being
not those of government, but Of advice only
As to other churches in the South we can
not speak positively, but believe that with the
exception, perhaps, of the United Brethren,
their course is the same.
Here then we have certainly these four large
denominations, the Methodist, Baptist, Epis-
copal and Presbyterian We shall, at later
stage of this discussion, show that the Presby-
terrain Church cannot be said to have eStab-
Eshed, as yet, any special policy on this sub
iect, since the action of the Assembly can have
no other proper effect than recommendations
10 the PreSbyteries, with whom the CoaStitt-
ton has lodged the whole power of organizing
churches, and ordaining ministers. But sup
posing otherwise, it is proved to stand on this
question Just where the others Go.
If, then, to bear rule in our Churches be
one of the rights of the colored ministry as
well as to preach, what becomes of the adven-
turous assertion of the New York Observer in
regard to us:-"We do not know where, in
ecclesiastical history, there is another record OF
a race being cat off from their rights and privi-
leges in the Church, on account of the color
of their skin. From the facts just given the
reader will be apt to conclude that, as the
writer sweeps the wide field of ecclesiastical
history in his condemnation of others, there
was peculiar propriety in his modestly throw
ing in that saving clauSe-",ce do notkno,U. "
Very true; and we now propose to call the
ObSerrer'S attention to some facts nearer home
of which its memory seems to be strangely
obliviOus Let us bespeak from it a faithful
perusal and consideration of the article from
its near neighbOr, the AdrOcate What will it
say to the words of burning shame in which
the guilt of the Northern Methodist Church
towards the negro is admitted? Look at it as
reported by one of themselves =" Has done
nothing, and does not propose to do anything"
for about halfa million Of colored people at
the North RemorScleSSly IepelledP Cast
out LIKE DOGS IN EASTERN CITIES ~ Z" Fak
len among THIEVES Jobo hare stripped HIM OF
his rain,eat, and ,eouaded him, and departed
earring him half dead'
What record to be made up under tie Oh
serrer's Eye, Now be it remembered that this
Church, vastly the largest in that section, and
boasting its care for the poor generally, and its
love for the black man in particular-this
Church has from the very first, and uniformly,
and absolutely refused him particle of share
in its government by excluding him from the
itiueraey. This fact cannot be denied And
- - -LL--. :. L.. -, l.. =. Il. ID