New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-07
MEETING OF METHODIST FRHACH-
@AtA - ~ Frs So


.,CoA0Fed People.
The Cincinnati Times reports a meeting
| of preachers of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in that city. The report SAYS
Rev. Lucius G. Matlack, a pioneer in the
cause Of freedom and an efficient minister
| in the cause of Christ, direct from the city
| OF New Orleans was introduced to the
| meeting
The question for discussion
Resotced That it is ineXpedIent for minis
tiers to vacate their pulpits during the sum
mer months.
Was then taken up.
Rev. Mr.. Williams moved that the sub
ject be indefinitely postponed. Carried.
On motion. it was voted that Rev. Mr..
Matlacx.a and Rev Mr. Boring be invited to
address the meeting.
Rev. Mr.. MatlacIl then said he had no
special topic to discuss, and was not on a
particular mission. He was very happy to
meet with bis brethren in the North. 1t
was, indeed. great satisfaction to him to
have this opportunity.
He stated that the membership of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in the State
OF Louisiana, was greater than the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South in that State
In New Orleans there were eleven
churches, eight Of which were colOred. and
two German, and all in prosperous condi-
ton.
His district he said, extended about one
hundred miles up the river, TO what Is
called Bayou Teche After three years
labor at the termination of his district they
had organized church, built neat chapel.
established school, obtained good
teacher and faithful preacher.
The place was remarkably moral; the
state of morals was indeed, higher than i'll
any place with which he was acquainted in
the State
The influence of the church and educa-
ton had been such for the last five years i'll
that vicinity; the colored preachers and
teachers had done more to elevate this class
than had been effected among the same
class of whites in fifty years.
As to working, there were more bales of
cotton piled up on the levees, and other pro-
duce was more abundantly raised than
ever before. And as the whites did not
work, and the 'niggers wouldn't as was
repeatedly said, how came this about :, II
a great miracle was not performed, then of
course the negroes did work.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, he said.
will absorb the entire colored element
South. The condition of the colored people
prior to the war was deplOrable. indeed. and
no colOred man could be ordained to the
ministry.
Now there is no distinction in regard to
color in their church. for it included every
one OF whatever nationality. The result,
therefore, is perfect refutation Of every
argument which had been made against
their movement. They were progressing
rapidly, and becoming. under Gods bless
ing. highly prosperous. The reverend
gentleman spoke at considerable length,
the above being only a meagre synopsis of
his excellent and highly interesting re
marks.
DR.. Rust asked Rev. DR.. Matlack: what
would be the result of suspending the col
Ored schools in Louisanae
Dr. Matlack. in response, said ale be-
lieved that the suspension would be detri-
mental in the extreme"
He said the Normal school in New Or
leans, which has been established and be-
gins to show its advantages, if now sus-
pended, would be a calamity indeed. He
trusted no such proposition would be made,
for their benefits We're inestimable.
Mr.. Matlaks remarks generally. and in
reply to questions, were of the utmost in
terest. and went to prove that the colored
people. both materially and spiritually.
during the last five years in the South. had
been very great. and were beyond estina-
ton.
On the adjournment of the meeting. Mr.
Matlack pronounced the benediction.