The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-06-16


committee, go far towards solving III,
Vrxcd problem OF our relations to them
and our operations among then. ],
Tins way, moreover, may be realized, i
at all. ,h" hope that from their numb.
men may arise who wonld carry In,
gospel to lhc.r bcnighLrd kin n.mrn il
Africa. ln conformity to this lcadn.
idea, the committee woulh, with grca
dclcrcucc, submit 10 the Assembly III,
following plan for It's consideration, an,
1t the way be deemed clear, for it
adoption:
| That separate colorcd churcLc
may be established, the same to be uni
ted with adjacent white churches, unde
Il common pastorate to be allowed tt
elect deacons and ruling elders. and t,
be represented in the upper courts b,
the pastors in charge Of them, and b,
the ruling elders Of the white churche.
with which they would thus be assoc,a
ted, until they are sufficiently educated
to warrant becoming independent. Pro
rtdel, that the colored people them
selves do not oppose change in thei
existing relations and that they con
sent to The foregoing arrangement.
2. That where no white church, arc
accessible, Evan3elists may establish
colored missionary churches, and presd,
over their sessions in admitting mem
bers and exercising discipline.
That churches in cities with which
colored churches would on this plan be-
united, may secure. if praclicablc two
pastors each in order to compass the
work contemplated.
4. That committee (say Of two min
Isters and one, ruling clder), may be
appointed by each Synod, to carry, in
cooperation with pastofsand prcsbytcri
a'a evangellsts, this scheme into effect,
as lar as practicable, in its bounds; on
member Of each committee to act az
evangelist among the colored people,
and to receive his support, in part, from,
th" Ass"mhly's committee on sustcnta-
ton.
5. That suitable colored men may be
employed to speak he word of cXhor.
'aton to their people, under the dice
ton of pastors or evangelists. -
That when colorcd candidates for
the ministry are able to stand the usual
examination, Prcsbyteries may proceed
to license them and in the event oi
these hcentiaties being qualified and de-
sI'ad to take charge OF colorcd churches,
Presbytcrirs may either ordain and in
stall them over such churches, still hold
ing their connection with W. or ordain
and install them over such churches,
with the understanding that they shall
thencclorth Ic enthusiastically separated
lron us
8. That such Of or ministers as arc
willing to discharge tha. Office, are en-
conragcd to assist trustworthy colored
men who seek the gospel ministry, ii
their preparation for the same.
8. That our people be encouraged tc
give the colored people instruction in
Sabbath Schools.
8. That the Assembly recommends
the adoption Of the foregoing plan o.
operations among the colorcd people
ofSynOds, Presbyteries and Churches
SO far rs it Is practicable.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN l.. GIRARDEAU,
Chairman on behalf of Committee.
After the presentation Of q minority
report, the Rev. Mr. Girardeau addrc.s
the Assembly as follows:
speak TO this question with diff
dence, and profess no superior kuowl
edge Oh this subject, though I have
spent many years in labors among the
colorcd people, bul l have q strong con
vicLion Of the necessity Of adopting a
policy by which we may fecli liauihorizcd
in acting. This is no pet question o.
mine. | feel that there arc others ot
greater importance. such as the exam
nation Of the constitution OF the church
| am not disposed to lionize the negro
| feel that he has an immortal soul, and
tor that and its salvation l wish 10
labor.
The great John Howe, when lie was
in high position at worldly court
thought of his country church where
there was deep feeling Of picty, and
he returned from the court to his quiet
country charge, with the remark that
"lf | can only save ono SOUL I shall not
have lived in vain"
Now, the question recurs to us wheth.
er 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.
AS regards their interests, we cannot
let them 60 without sending them to the
vast sea of rnin. I live upon the coast
among vast numbers of them, whose
numbers are beng increased by those
rctreating before immigration in the
upland country. ! would reveal facts
TO astonish the Assembly concerning
the tendencies. The father Of the Rev.
DR.. Palmer has told me Of their orgies.
They fill q table with candles, and
dance around it, saying that they are
the angels Of God around the throne,
and one of their number; who breaches
to them. tells the Gospel of Julius. He
cannot even correctly pronounce the