The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-09

their movements among the blacks, promises were
made, collections taken up, false reports were
made of ga great salary" received by me from the
North, from which failed to return due share
to the colored people, etc., ect. We have at pres.
ent an efficient Sunday school, but how long 1t
may continue unmoested is highly predetermined.
Our efforts have been so hindered that any oppor'
tunty for extensive influence at present is exceed
ingly small.
But let us not confound the whole body of Chris
tians at the North with those who would approve
such mistaken efforts, or place loyalty to Caesar
above loyalty to Christ There are many who
have been misled by misrepresentation. There
are many noble hearts who know the true state OF
things, and sympathize with us deeply. There are
many in Northern churches of Southern BIRTH who
have not lost affection for the land of their natv
ty. Thus. believe, that multitudes at the North
are to be found who would rejoice if some benef-
cial plan for evangelsing the colored man could be
devised. and would lend to it willing and liberal
aid There are many in the Old School Church
who regret the loss of the conservative influence Of
these Southern brethren, and it is not Impossible
that this very resolution is token OF their lnllu'
ence, and the harbinger of better state OF feeling
on their part towards those whom they formerly
regarded as brethren.
us. Can we say that no plan of cooperation can
be devised? Because two gentlemen, fettered in
their correspondence by lack OF authority to COM
NIT any one except themselves, could devise no
binding scheme, is the thing impossible? Anynum'
Der of plans may be suggested. We may. appoint
committee and commit this work especially to their
care. Our Presbyteries can appoint Evangellstss
to the freedmen. The committee may receive and
apply funds for their support One ,Presbytery
L IL. 1,vo pfaI ,oh Euonn
full of faith and zeal, and in the prime Of life
Among our youth, while there are those who con-
secrate themselves to go to the far distant heather,
there will be found also those who would conse-.
crate themselves to 60 missionaries to the coored
race at home.
Let us meet this proposal in the spirit of Christ.
IF no way is open now, it may be hereafter. Sir,
| is noble work. We preached to them and la
bored for them when they were slaves, let us not
abandon or diminish our efforts now. The present
is an important period. The colored people are
beginning to turn away from those who have mis-
led them, and to acknowledge their true friends.
There is danger, if timely efforts and wise ones
are not made that they may even relapse into
kind of heathensm. When [ was in South Caro-
lima last year, heard in several places that they
had actually introduced into their worship dance
around witch kettle, in which they were boiling
snakes and toads.
We are greatly impoverished. For this very
reason l desire that special channel should be
opened for the influx of assistance from other
sources, and even from abroad across the waters.
The eyes of the Christian world are turned upon
| the Churches of the South to see how they will
acquit themselves in this great emergency Let
no man say that he can set at naught the opinion
| of the world. Sir, good man scarce approves OF
himself until he has secured the approval OF the
-. Il / - fnrr
resentation, also, of views and sentiments which
we all hold. Let US open door for the advances
made to US in the name of Christ
| DR.. Girardeau. report is only partial re
port, on the subject of cooperation. The report
on evangezation of the colored people will be pre-
sented subsequently
Rev. Mr.. Richardson offered the following as
substitute:
Whereas, 1t has come to the knowledge of this
Assembly, through the correspondence between
Rev. Mr.. Logan and Rev. j. L. Wilson, D. d.,
that the General Assembly Of the Presbyterian
| Church of the United States of America did pass
resolution expressing desire to cooperate with
our Church in the work of the moral and religious
instruction of the freedmen,
| RESOLVED, That we receive information of this
action with pleasure, as indicating disposition
on the part Of said Assembly to pursue better
| policy in this matter, and also Of kindly and
Christian feeling towards us, and which we recip-
rocate. Yet, nasmuch as no practical mode Of
cooperation has been suggested, by which the two
churches can unite in this work, this Assembly is
not prepared to initiate any steps contemplating
the proposed concert of action.
DR.. Waddel-I do not rise to make speech,
but to say in as few words as possible what think
on this matter. hoped that the Chairman of
the Committee (Dr. Girardeaul would have given
full expression to his views. The discussion has
taken wide range-a general debate about en-
ploying freedmen as laborers in the field. concur
with DR.. McPhail as to the duty of showing all
proper courtesy towards the Northern Presbyte
rian Church. Our difference of opinion is, in
part at least, as to what courtesy requires. The
question is, shall we adopt the report of the Com.
mittee2 If you look at the correspondence be-
tween DR.. Wilson, our Secretary of Sustentation,
and Rev. Mr.. Logan, the Secretary Of the Com
mittee of the Northern Assembly on Freedmen,
fore this Assembly. This requires an answer, and
our Committee have brought in report which
says that inasmuch as the correspondence deveopes
no practical proposal on the part of that Assembly,
we do not deem it expedent to take any initiative
action on the subject. | took the ground in the
Committee that it is here implied, distinctly, that
if practicable plan is at any time presented by
we must necessarily 60 into plan because it is
merely practicable. Suppose they should say to
you, Il do not mean that they are likely to do so
use it as an illustration) that they will give you
the money, will support your missionaries literally,
but will expect you to hand over the churches and
the members to them; that is practicable, but
would you consent? Would it be satisfactory? |
would be courteous certainly, and say that we
have always been in everything, at least as cour-
teous to that Church as they have been to u.s.
But when question is presented, one side of
oh 10 cofo ho MI 1ouh | fota
the safe side. Let us be economical of our words.
IF any modification of the report is proposed it
will have to be very carefully guarded to receive
my vote.
Mr.. Quigg offered an amendment to the effect
that the Assembly would agree to cooperation,
provided terms could be arranged that were "mu-
tually satisfactory. He had stood with Mr.:
Richardson in the Committee. He was pleased
to hear the remarks of DR.. McPhail We could
on the question, and it was one of very grandest
magnitude.
Rev. Mr.. Bartlett-The language used in the
report is sufficiently courteous, at least when
measured by that of the Church at the North to U.S.
1t is firm and dignifed. The language of Rev.
Mr.. Logan, the Secretary of the Northern Pres
byterian Assembly, is indicative of their tone
We have had no little experience Of what has
seemed to be their policy towards us, and we can
not commend lt. III Wnat Lney nave repeatedly
done-if the line of policy they have begun is to
be pursued we cannot cooperate.
Mr.. Gray.-The facts which are known to us
Justify the report of the Committee. The North
ern General Assembly never approached us direct
y. They only went so far as to direct their Sc
cretary. | think the report of our Committee
goes far enough The history of the Northern
Presbyterans in this matter admonishes us to be
cautious. They have tried heretofore to put us to
disadvantage. Why did not. their Assembly
come to US with direct proposition? Here the
speaker noticed the correspondence between the
two Secretaries. Dr. Wilson states, as his private
Presbyterians to be practical and useful, must be
Al. l. xl;ah hann tha