The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
SIXTH DAY-WEDNEsDAY, MAY 81.

The Assembly met nine clock and was opened
with prayer.
The minutes of yesterday were read and approved.
The Committee on Revision of the Form OF Gov
ernment concluded their report, which was accept
ed and made the order of the day for this morning.
and the Committee was discharged.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS AMONG CoLoRED PEOPLE
The Committee on Evangelization of the Blacks
reported through DR.. Girardeau:
The Special Committee to whom was referred
the overture of several ministers and ruling elders
asking, the Assembly, in view OF the great deSira-
bleneSS Of such action to adopt some definite plan
of operations among the cOlored people, and to
recommend the same to the Presbyterles and
churches in connection with it, would respectfully
present the following report
/ Our Church, through her General, Assemblies
since the year 1866, has expressed her kindly feel
ings for the freed people, and deprecated their
alienation from her fold. The developments of
Providence, however, have not hitherto appeared
to be sufhc emily clear to warrant the adoption Of
any definite scheme of operations among them,
designed to be uniform and general in its applica
ton. The time would seem to have arrived for
pronOuncing such policy. our committee con-
cur in the opinion of the petitioners, that it is high
" desirable that some such action be taken by this
Assembly as is suggested by the overture, The
want of recognized and general plan is tending to
policy in different parts of0ur church. The result
will be that our relations to the colored race, and
our schemes Of labor among them, will become
ueedlessy complicated and confused
The prominent view which has impressed itself
on the minds of the committee, and which they
respectfully propose for the consideration Of the
Assembly, is, that the colored people who adhere
to us be allowed formative organization, sort
Of gradually maturing process, to be arrested at
certain point, until under proper training, it is
prepared to pass on towards completion. 10 be
more explicit, what they need is, for the present,
separate, particular churches, with their own
deacons and elders, and at the same time, instruc-
ton by an educated white ministry, until they can
prove their ability to produce competent ministry
of their own. To combine these requirements into
q practical scheme would, in the judgment of the
committee. go far towards solving the vexed
problem of our relations to them, and our opera.
tonS among them. In this way moreover, may
alone be realized, if at all the hope that from their
number men may arise who would carry the gospel
to their benighted kinsmen in Africa. In con-
formity to this leading idea, the committee would
with great Difference, submit to the Assembly the
following plan for its consideration and ii the way
be deemed clear, for its adoption:
l. That separate eolored churches may be estab
Hshed, the same to be united with adjacent white
churches under common paStorate; to be allowed
to elect deaeons and ruling elders; and to be re-
presented in the upper courts by the pastors In
charge of them, and by the ruling elders OF the
white churches with which they would thus be
associated, until they are sufficiently educated to
warrant their becoming independent; proUided,
that colored people themselves do not oppose
change in their existing relations and that they
consent to the foregoing arrangement,
?. That where no white churches are accessible,
Evangelists may establish colored missionary
Il, o,,1 in
ting members and exercising discipline.
3. That churches In cities with which colored
churches would, on this plan, be united may Sc
cure, If practicable, two pastors each, In order to
compass the work contemplated
f. That committee (say of two ministers and
one ruling elder, may be appointed by each Synod
to carry, in cooperation with pastors and presby-
eral evangelSts this scheme into effect as far as
practicable, in its bounds; one member OF each
committee to act as evangelist among the coiored
people, and TO receive his support, IN part, from
the Assembly's Committee of Sustentation.
). That suitable colored men may be employed
to speak the word of exhortation to their people,
under the direction Of pastors or evangelists.
6. That when colored candidates for the ministry
are able to stand the usual examination, Presby-
teries may proceed to license them; and, in the
event of these licentates being qualified and de-
sired to take charge of eolored churches, Presby-
OlLAlC1 OlNdlu OfSI SuOn
churches still holding their connexion with us, or
ordain and install them over such churches, with
the understanding that they shall 'thenceforward
be enthusiastically separated from US.
7. That such of our ministers, as are willing to
discharge that Office are encouraged to assist trust
worthy colored men to seek the gospel ministry,
in their preparations for the same.
s. That our people be encouraged to give the
colored people instruction in Sabbath Schools.
g. That the Assembly recommends the adoption
Of the foregoing plan of operations among the
colored people Of Synods, Presbyteries and church
es, so far as it is praehbe.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. GIRARDEAU,
Chairman on behalf of Committee
DIR. Gray-It is with regret that | feel obliged
to present minority report. do 1t because my
Judgment calls for it.
This substitute says in substance that the obi
CATION of our church to the colored people are
neitherincreased nor diminished by political events
that this Assembly sees no reason for changing It's
plan of operations; and that the Assembly urges
its ministers to renewed diligence in efforts for their
moral Improvement.
Mr. Gailhard-(On motion to accept these re-
ports, aud make them the order for tomorrow |
mOrningl move to amend so as to take up the
subject now.
Mr. DickinsOn--The importance of the subject