The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-13
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Ecclesiastical Relations of Freedmen.

UnreasOnably protracted as this series
Of articles may appear to many readers
of the Central Presbyterian, it is certain
that something has been lost in the at
tempt to compress within too narrow lin
its the discussion of subject of such
magnitude and Importance. In what re-
mains to be said, however, shall study
brevity more than ever, and thus viii en-
tirely pass by some objections to the
course previously proposed, which if time
allowed, it might be worth while to antic-
ipate and remove.
Still, one more obstacle to the adop-
ton of this measure which | have advo
Gated, must receive passing notice 1t
is the supposed dissatisfossion with-NA,cR'
such measure would be regarded by
many of the white communicates of our
Church. Some, it is suggested, are so
bitterly opposed to such a procedure
that their attachment to the Presby-
terian Church would be greatly weak
ened, perhaps entirely destroyed by its
occurrence.
Now it is asked, ought the hope Of
increasing the number of colored people
on the roll of our Church, to induce us
to risk the loss of greater number Of
the superior race?
But it is hard to think that any who
truly love the Presbyterian Church, could
really be brought to forsake her commu-
Mon on such grounds. What is the
grievanceof which they would complain? !?
Not the compulsory establishment of a
colored minister as pastor in any congre-
CATION to which they might belong; not
even the requirement to hear a single
sermon from a colored preacher. But
simply that congregations which might
prefer such officers should be permitted to
have them.
1t may be said, however, that accord
ing to the scheme proposed, colored min
listers and elders would have the rig ght to
sit with whites in the Presbytery, and in
deed in all courts above the church ses-
sion. Admit it; but does this constitute
very heavy grievance grievance so
intolerable as to justify secession from
the Church? Worldly men, impelled by
worldly motives are willing enough to
meet with cOlored people in the transac-
ton of secular business. The merchant
sells to them, the consumer buys of them,
the banker receives their deposites. Now
why should the Christian feel humilated
when associated with these same persons
in the transaction of the business of the
Church of Christ? That Church in
which we are told that there is to be no
barbarian, Scythian, bond or free
Itwould be no unprecedented triumph Of
the Gospel, did it lead men of the white
and black races, to join as brethren In
the administration of the affairs of the
Church. That Gospel caused Jew and
Gentile-notwithstanding their mutual
hatred and contemplate sit together al
the table of their common Lord, aud to
rule and serve together in the same
Church of Jesus Christ. Just so far as
it has prevailed in India, that Gospe
has triumphed over caste, consecrated
though it has been by the memories Of
two thousand years, and has brought the
Christian Drahmin to acknowledge the
credentials of the Pariah minister of Je
sus Christ.
But it may still be urged that though
the concurrence of the Church should b.
secured, little good would result from tht
measure proposed. The blacks, it may
be thought, have been so ahenated from
US, they have been taught so studiously
to regard US with distrust and aversion
that nothing we may do can ever induce
them to connect themselves with oul
churches, or to receive our instruction
These views, it is earnestly hoped, are
mistaken. The great motive of the Sc
cession of the blacks from our churches
has not been, l think, any want of con
fdence in us as men. Unceasing as have
been the efforts of our enemies to insti
this feeling into their bosoms, their sue
cess has been wonderfully limited.