The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-21
A SEPARATE AFRICAN CHURCH.

A SEPARATE AFRICAN CHURCH.
At the recent meeting of Montgomery
Presbytery, the Rev. Mr.. Shepperson intro,
duced the following overture on this subject,
to be sent up to the General Assembly:
1. That Presbyteries appoint evangelists
to organize African congregations, to be
represented at the discretion of the Presby-
teres.
2. A system to educate African preachers.
3. That Presbyteries have entire control
as to the admission of such ministers on their
floor.
4. That Synods have the same discretion
as Presbyteries.
5. That African Presbyteries and Synods
be formed.
6. That future Assemblies perfect the plan
herein indicated.
Z. Nothing herein contained to discourage
the connection of Africans, as heretofore,
with our churches.
In the remarks in support Of his plan, Mr..
Shepperson argued if it be duty to make
special efforts in behalf of the colored peo-
pie, nothing would be gained by waiting
He contended that there was no human being
from whom we are permitted to withhold the
gospel.
From what direction are they to be taught
To this there are three answers: Their own
agency; ourselves and our sister churches /;
or those who come from distance. Left to
themselves they sink lower, lower, lower
unless God works miracles-into absolute
heathenism and barbarianism. If we leave
them to religious teachers, who are to come
from distance, why may we not as well
leave our white people? The blacks are our
next door neighbors. Upon what ground
are they to be excluded from the commission
to preach the gospel that does not equally
apply to the whole country? While guard
ed, we must avoid false prudence. A good
deal of aid is expected from the North
Many men coming from that quarter are to
be cordially welcomed. Mr.. S., however,
warned his hearers of certain men who would
make war upon us and preach political re.
ligion. The blacks are members of our COM
munity, and upon what their character shall
be, morally and religiously, our interest and
peace depend. Every man, whether he cares
for religion or not, must feel that we have a
stake in improving that character.
| He claimed to be Virginia by birth and
education; in every principle and feeling a
Virginian--a Virginian of tho Old School.
He claimed to have been the warm friend of
the black man from infancy. In that affec-
tion he would yield to no man. Not one
feeling towards them is cooled. If we shut
up our bowels of compassion now we convict
ourselves of hypocrisy.
Mr.. Shepperson then proceeded to show
the advantages of separate organization for
the blacks. On this question he had no
more doubt than on the other. There is a
difference in other respects between the white
and black man as marked as the difference
in color. Suppose we could do away with
past relations, would colored pastor be &C.
ceptable to white people? Is there any pas
sage in the Word of God that would forbid
black man preaching the Gospel? The
only ISOLATION is separate organizations for
the two classes. They hear us now more
willingly when we preach to them separately.
He closed by saying that his mind and
heart were full, but he would not further
trespass on the Presbytery.
The subject was referred to a committee of
five, viz: Revs. A. Hart, T. W. Hooper, P.
T. Penick, and Elders J. B. I. Logan and R.
G. Mcclure.
The report of this committee was adopted
which was in substance as follows:
"The Presbyterys Committee of Susten-
tation to have in charge the matter of evan
gelistic labors among the African popula-
tion; and there shall be Committee or Cor
respondence to correspond with such eccle-
siastical bodies and such persons as they
may choose to correspond with, on the
ultimate establishment of Southern African
Presbyterian Church, under the control of
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
fChurch in the United States. Said commit
tee shall have authority to employ Rev. j.
G. Shepperson, or other minister, as an
evangelist, for the whole or part of his
time, to labor among the African population
in our bounds-the committee to apply to
the General Assembly's Committee of Sus.
tentation to aid in making up salary for
the evangelist. The committee shall more
over have authority to employ Rev. T. w.
Hooper and Rev. PIT. Penick, to labor in
the same department for three weeks each
in the interval between this and the next
Presbytery. - &fA
And it shall be the duty of the Presby-
tery's Committee of Sustentation to make
full reports on this matter to every stated
meeting of Presbytery.
KEEN REBUKE.-General Rawling recent
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