Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-06-07
Our Cnurcfes and the coloret People.

their recent Conventions We daily see
and hear of political harangues to the ne
nroes by itinelant preachers from the
North-we see upon the political stand
Northern preachers who have recently set
tied in our midst-we read high sounding
resolutions and platforms from their pen'
evidently more interested III the temporal
than the eternal welfare OF the poor blacks.
This may all be very well, but Is so differ
ent from the conduct of the holy men OF
God. from whom we have been accustomed
from boyhood to hear the beautiful truths OF
the Manager and the Crosse foreign to
all our ideas of the duties OF Ministers OF the
Gospel, that distrust of their Judgment,
if not of their heart, may readily be excused
in us. Whether it is SO or not, we do have
such feeling, and we honestly confess a
belief that their labors, whether so intend
ed, will have the certain effect of leading
estray this class of our people, and while
not improving their moral character, Will
destroy their value as citizens.
How different is the conduct OF our own
ministers and religious bodies During the
past month two religious conventions were
held in our city-the Eplscopallan and
Baptist-and in both the moral and intel
lectual welfare of the colored people was
the subject of the grayest consideration
and action. We listened to most of the de-
bates in each, and VIC could not help but
compare the purpose which marked the
interest in the welfare of these people and
the genuine and pious feeling which con-
trolled their action from the interestedmo-
tives of those whose object begins at the
ballot box-centers at the pocket-and will
end in the moral and social sacrifice of this
race.
The venerable Bishop of this Diocese, in
his address before the late Convention of
his Church, in speaking of the relations of
the colored people to the Episcopal Church,
says
SCI feel ii to be my duty TO riterate to this Con-
Vention the expression of the convictions which
declared to the last, concerning tho obligation
resting on US to do what can for the educa ton
and religious instruction CT our cOlored popula-
tion and, for that purpose, to admit into the min
istrv such persons of African descent as may
otherwise appear well qualified to serve in that
holy Office to the glory OF God and the edifcation
of the people,"
The Committee on Religious Instruction
subsequently reported fayorably upon this
matter, as one requiring the prompt and
earnest attention of the Church. The COM
rnittee were fully convinced that in the new
relations OF this race they should possess
such qualifications as will enable them the
better to perform the new duties of their
position. Intellectual training being re-
garded as one Of the most important means
to accomplish this end, Christian emula-
ton, if for no other reason, should prevent
others from surprising them in so proper
and necessary work. but" say the
Committee, the acquisition Of knowledge,
&c like every other power, may, unless under
&" the control Of well directed principle, be
60 employed for evil as well rs for good
q The education Of the mind should, there
- fore, III all cases, and certainly not least
{. in the present case, be accompanied by
g the education of the heart Now, the in
% tellectuai training Of the freedmen by
q others may either be without the incul-
&c cation of religious and moral principles,
g or such as we must necessarily consider
g defective and erroneous, or both plain
"ly, then, it is our duty to enter on the
g work with prompt and earnest action. y
The able report concludes with the re-
commentator of the adoption of the fol
lowing resolutions, which we're agreed to
upon a vote by orders
ReSOLued That it is the sense OF the Convention
that the intellectual well as the moral instruc-
ton of the colored 0ple be attended to in every
Parish, by the establishment OF regular schools,
as we'll as Sunday schools in which the principles
of the Church shall be taught or, where the for
mer cannot be effected, by the establishment of
Sunday schools; and that it be commended to the
members of the Church who are suitable for cate
chists and teachers, the christian duty Of engag-
ing in this work, without delay.
Resolved, That wherever the Constitution and
Canons of this Church are complied with, colored
men should be received into the ministry az splr-
itual teachers and pastors of their race.
ReSOlced, That for the purpose OF erecting
Churches and School Houses for colored people,
this Church is willing to receive aid from all sour
ceS.
The same subject was referred to a spe-
cial committee in the Baptist Convention
An able report WAS made manifesting the
spirit of charity and christian concern oi
this denomination toward the colorcd peo-
pie. They declared that while our Heav,
emily Father had crowned and blessed their
former efforts in behalf of these people, the
greatness of the labor yet to be accom-
plished was acknowledged, and the duty OF
preparing for this work WAS confessed
The committee say:
"Your committee are of the opinion that
60 a manifestation of the spirit Of the Cos
"pel toward our brethren in Christ Of this
g race is the solemn duty of this Conyen-
ton. 1t remains for as to mould their
& future character and give direction to
their future labors for the salvation of
" souls. It also remains for us to extend
I" to them manifestation of the christian
sympathy which we now feel and have
ever felt toward them, and thus help
them to rise to higher usefulness in the
cause of Christ To this end we most
" earnestly recommend our brethren
throughout the State to use all christian
f@,r IL I