The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-17
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Missions for the Negroes.

Mr. Editor.-In your issue of the 3rd instant,
you have introduced an important, but neglected
subject, when you ask, "What can be done for the
negroes?" And we hope we shall hear something
more from you in regard to it, according to prom
ise But as have some experience in the matter
will offer a few suggestions
lst Let the elders and deacons in every church
where it is practicable, open Sunday Schools for
the colored children, and the good effect will soon
be seen. You say the old negroes are respectful,
but as class the rising generation is lawless tur
bulent, and rude in behavior Sunday Schools
we'll conducted will give us surprising power and
influence over that very class, and concate the
feelings of the parents This is so reasonable and
plain that argument is almost needless; and we
ought to 90 to work at once all over the South.
Let every member of the church. male and female,
take hold of the subject and do something, either
at home or abroad, and the American Sunday
School Union will aid in furnishing books gratis,
or at a cheap rate. Some may be jealous, and
others indolent, but we must not neglect our duty
and interest for difficulties we may expect in every
good work.
ID Besides the instruction which pastors give,
or should give from the pulpit, the elders could
hold night meetings among them at their cabins,
and encourage them to sing and pray. Some of
them can pray in public and exhort with good
sense and earnest zeal. And many of them are
truly pious. Some of our people may object to
night meetings as tending to the increase of depre-
dations; but this is mistake Besides the good
thoughts they have in worship, we should recollect
that thefts are seldom committed in crowds for
fear of detection Butthese intentions will inspire
them with hone.t and honorable feelings, and may
result in the salvation Of many souls And if the
Presbyteres had funds to a very limited extent,
it might be well to have lay preachers in every
county or district to preach on the Sabbath espe-
cialy for the colored people. These preachers,
having homes Of their own, might labor for one
fifth of what our regular clergy require, and after
the first year it is probable the colored people
would pay it. In destitute places not few white
people might attend, and thus we may suppose
foundation would be laid for the organization of
new churches. As the Presbyterian Church re-
ouires high standard of literary qualification for
her ministers, and her members are generally well
taught. we should be more in earnest in our de.
pressed condition to bring into requistion the
power of the laity. If we mistake not, the Synod
of Virginia. many years ago, recommended this
course to the Presbyteres.
3rd As the colored people are so numerous and
so much neglected, and we are likely to suffer so
much by the neglect would it not be well for every
Presbytery to have an evangelist devoted to this
special work? And may we not hope that the
Northern Assembly, through Mr., Logan, will aid
in supporting our own men? 1t will be under
stood, of course in all our efforts for the African