The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

sent, because 1T is important to discuss the ques
tons concerning Sustentation before the public
meeting tonight.
Mr.. Baxter-This is no new question 1t is one
on which the whole Church has reflected carefully,
and it is important to have it examined before any
members leave for home.
The subject was taken up at once.
Rev. Edward Martini move to adopt the min
ority report.
DR.. Girardeau-I speak to this question with
difidence, and profess no superior knowledge on
this subject, though have spent many years IN
labors among the colored people; but | have
strong conviction of.the necessity of adopting a
polcy by which we NAV feel authorized in acting.
This is no pet question OF mine. feel that there
are others of greater Importance, such as the ex-
animation of the constitution of the church.
am not disposed to lionize the negro. But, feel
that he has an immortal SOUL and the Importance
Of that soul no man can exaggerate.
The great John Howe, when he was in high po-
sition at worldly court thought Of his country
church where there was deep feeling OF plety,
and he returned from the court to his quiet coun-
try charge, with the remark that, "if can only
save one soul, shall not have lived in vain"
| Now, the question recurs to US whether we SHALL
in kindly spirit, try to retain this people, or turn
them off. With due regard to their interests,
or to our duty to God or ourselves we cannot turn
away from them.
We cannot let them go without sending them to
the vast sea of ruin. | live upon the coast among
large masses of them, whose numbers are in
creased by those retreatng to the coast before the
tide of immigration now setting into the upland
country. could reveal facts which would astonish
the Assembly concerning the tendencies of these
people when left to themselves. The father of the
Rev. DR.. Palmer has told me of their orgies.
They fill table with candles, and dance around It,
saving that they are the angels of God around the
throne | know of a certain preacher among them
who calls the Gospel the Gospel of julius he
does not even know the name of the Saviour OF
the souls to which he breaches. In some OF tnelT
meetings they are adopting the Romish system OF
penace In some instances, they break brick into
fragments, and then compel the penltents to walk
over these on their bare knees. Shall we turn
them off, ALLEVIATE them from us, and increase the
antipathy between the races?
When | returned from Northern prison, some
of the blacks asked me to preach to them l
agreed to meet few OF their leading men, but
found whole congregation gathered to meet me-
| asked them what had brought them thus s. to-
gether. Nothing but the love of Jesus. They
went. and | wept with them. Let US cultivate that
bond, the bond of the love of Jesus, and some OF
the roughness and asperities of our present rela-
tons to them may be worn away.
IF we retain them, what policy shall we adopt
towards them? | urge giving them formative
organization. Not to erect barrier, and say you
shall not take any part in the government OF your
churches: and usurp the prerogative OF God in
saying, " You have not been called 10 preach the
Gospel"
l would not be rash, but l would make pre-.
sent policy, and then in the future recede from it
or maintain it. according to its practical workings
Shall we then provide for them in our own
churches, or give them separate organization
DR.. Thornwell urged the latter. The style of in
structon given to the whites is above the capacity
of the blacks.
Say what you will about simplicity Of preaching,
we must conform our preaching to the capacity OF
our hearers. We do not address the same Ian
guage to children in Sabbath Schools and to adults
in church.
As to the special plan upon which We shall ope-
rate, there is great difficulty, and we entertain no
tendency to dogmatism.
First, we propose to keep them under capable
white ministry for the present. There are yet
none of them qualified to perform the delicate du-
ties of pastor. 1t will take years, and years Of
enlightened instruction to fit them for it.
The second point is to give them ruling elders
see the constitutional difficulties of the matter.
respect the constitution and would not needessly
| break over it. But on missionary ground we can
not demand the same amount Of knowledge as a
qualification for the Office Of ruling elder, as in
long established Churches. And further, the in
structon of the Spirit Of God is the best prepare
ton for holding office, and some of them have the
ability to make prayers that we would gladly learn
to make. So much as to their qualifications. And
as to their performance of the duties of ruling ed
ers, they have for years and years been virtually
and practically elders doing the work. visiting the
sick and miristering to the dying. Why not now
make them formally so?
The real constitutional difhculty is the introduc-
ton of distinction of color. But the constitution
was not framed with view to the present position
of the South. 1t has always been the case that
we have repressed the Presbyterian rights of these
people; we have not suffered them to be elected to
the eldership. If we were then justified in depart
ing so widely, why not nOeo depart less widely? 1t
will be said that we are setting a dangerous pre-
cedent but the case is so peculiar that have lit
tie fear Of any injury from it. Suppose we do
refuse ruling elder the privilege Of seat in Pres
bytery and he consents to it, we do him no violent
wrong, and refuse him one privilege only because
of peculiar difficulties.
The whole question turns on this first resolution
If we do not adopt that, then | abandon the rest
of the scheme. But should go home with heavy
heart. For without some plan Of this sort, [ can
see no prospect of retaining our influence over them
for good.
I sincerely trust our Church will throw her
skirts over these our poor kinsmen. Let us not
set them adrft upon the sea Of ignorance, supersti
ton and fanaticism.
Mr.. CRAY had not desired to say anything,
but my brethren say | ought to give my reasons
for Offering the substitute. The report of the
Committee seems to me to involve violation of
our Constitution and Form of Government. And
was surprised to hear the brother admit that the
first resolution neceSstates the open violation of
our Form of Government. 1t convinced me that
my views and the views Of my Presbytery are
right that we had better not legisate on the sub
iect. deny that we have been violating our con-
sttution. But this plan, according to the admis.
sion Of the Chairman, does violate their rights
1t leaves the Presbytery to say 1--WE will not admit
you to seat, and if you insist on your right we
will set you adrift" l trust the Assembly will
hesitate long before they endorse such violation
as this. DR.. Girardeau has said we must either
adopt this or turn them off. | deny it, All
through our land we have had Sabbath Schools
taught by white elders, and we ought to have the
same now 1t is not wise to change our plan of
operations toward them. Let us go and labor
among them as before. The only relief is to get
them to abandon their rights to a seat in Presby
terry, and not claim these rights But will they do
this2 They are very sensitive and more inclined
to demand their rights than we ourselves. And if
hey had not such disposition there are designing
men who will urge them to do it.
Rev. Edward Martini desire to say one word
| agree fully with the feelings expressed by Dr.
Girardeau, and his sympathy for the race. But
plan adopted for the whole Church, must be
plan suited for the whole Church. The plan
which would suit the Presbytery Of Charleston
would not suit US. believe that the General As
sembly had better remit this matter to the Pres
byteries. But when you have these two plans
before you, and | am obliged to choose between
them, prefer the minority report We are not
prepared for this thing. We cannot adopt it in
all parts of the Church, and we should have diff
ferent practices in different places think the
Presbytery may well set forth and use such plan.
l agree with Dr. Girardeau that the book of gov
eminent was made for man, not man for the book.
But do not let them ask the Assembly to send
plan down to Presbyteres which is impracticable,
with all the moral weight of an injunction. Ia
Winnhastar PreshYterY 1t is mnnssihle TO carry II