The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-27

eulucS was ereCIeu III dUOuC uiie vi Iue
other, and, as | suppose, at considerable
expense to your Committee. An addi
tional minister must be provided and
maintained at the expense of your
Church, and 1 have no doubt for an in
definite period But what has been
gained by this change in their church
relationship? 1t is much easier to tell
what has been lost. They have lost the
care and kind sympathy of that white
congregation who had always been so
considerate of their spiritual welfare, and
who, 1 know, would have been glad to
have done anything in their power to
promote their future well-being. They
have turned their backs upon faithful
minister of the gospel, who had not only
spent the greater part of bis ministerial
life in labors among the blacks, but who
had a remarkable facility for adapting his
instructions to their comprehension
They have placed themselves under the
guidance of one who, whatever other ex-
cellences of character he may possess,
knows but little of African character,
and is still less qualified to adapt himself
to their understanding. The conse-
quence is, that the little light which these
people formerly possessed has been OBJ
scured rather than frightened by listen
ing to instructions that were beyond their
intellectual reach and | can assure you
that there are not wanting painful evil
dences, on the part of many of these
people, of a speedy relapse into ignorance
and superstition, if not into downright
heathenism.S
But have these people improved in
their moral character in consequence of
their separation from us? Common hon.
esty constrains me to say that they have
sadly deteriorated. Formerly they were
noted all over the country for their
upright department, for their industrious
habits, for the neatness and cleanliness
of their personal apparel, especially on
the Sabbath day; for their honest up
right dealings, for regularity in atten.
dance upon public worship, for the COM
parative sacredness of the marital rela-
ton; theft was of rare occurrence, and,
taken altogether, l do not know that you
could have found anywhere in this broad
land more quiet, peaceable, and order
ly community. But what is the state of
the case now? The scales are complete
ly reversed. The air of frankness and
honesty which once lighted up their coun-
tenances has, as it seems to me, been
sadly marred their attendance upon the
sanctuary, as learn from reliable author
ity, is constantly becoming more irregu'
lar; the marital relation is frequently
violated and theft has become so CON-
mon-I had almost said universal-that
few persons in the neighborhood now at
tempt to raise poultry or live stock of
any kind. Within few days past, a
large number of these people have been
arrested and put on trial for cotton steal
ing, one or more of whom, as have been
informed, were prominent members of the
Goodwill Church. Now, do not under
stand me as ascribing all this demoraliza-
tion to the simple change in their eccle-
siastical relationship. Other causes have
contributed their share to bring about
this sad state of things. The sudden
ushering of the people into all the rights
and immunities of freedom, without the
necessary preparation for maintaining
that condition; the evil counsels and
reckless advice of unprincipled white
men; the disappointment consequent up
on their extravagant expectations of the
kind of benefits that freedom was to
bring along with it; the pinching want
resulting from their idleness and improvi
dence, have all contributed to bring about
this sad state of Generalization. But
at the same time, [ confidently believe
that if these people had remained with
their former friends and spiritual guide;
those who alone were able and dis
posed to give them wise counsels-they
would not only have been saved from al
this sad deterioration, but would, at thi:
present moment, have been in the enjoy
ment of richer spiritual privileges thar
they can reasonably expect to find any
where else.
There is another view of this matter
that ought not to be overlooked: it il
whether you will be able to retain these
, people under your influence for any con
siderable length of time, Vacillation anc
instability are we'll known characteristics
t of the race. They have undoubtedly lef
, our Church to join yours from the simpl,
expectation that you can confer greater
outward favors on them than we can
This is the only argument used in thu
case. They expect you, for example, t.
build their churches and school houses
. with little or no cost or trouble to them
, selves; not only to educate their children