New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-07

movement is not the result of a desire 10
get rid of openly and fairly admitting that
the negro is just as truly a man ecclesiasIi-
cally as he has proved himself to be elvlily.
In the action of these two general confor-
ences, we have the positions OF the two
great bodies of Methodsm in the United
States as to what church relations are TO be
offered to the colored people. The policy of
one is to recognize the colored churches and
people as part Of the church family. and
to receive the colored ministers into confer
ence relations on terms of equality. The
policy of the other is division and perma-
nent separation, on the ground of color.
1t will be remarked that the question of
"mixing" congregations is not at issue.
This is question not to be settled by direct
church law, any more than is the State to
interfere and choose our social companions.
1t is the duty of the State to provide that
no distinction shall be made between per-
sons socially for any reasons save those
crime: but how or with whom a man As to
form his social alliances can only be ar
ranged by individual tastes and interests.
just 30 in the church, as an ecclesiastical
organization composing different eOngrega-
tiOns and natiOnalities. Equality rs to
privileges should be given to all. but the
formation of each particular congregation
can only be left to those OF whom it is COM
posed. Thus far, in the South. the coiored
people have preferred their own churches.
and to hear pastors from among themselves.
So Of the whites. While these preferences
on either hansl remain, let them be regarded.
At present there is no conflict on thus point
in our city churches. ColOred people at
tend all the white churches, more or less,
but practically the churches are separate.
But the question is shall these churches
and ministers be upon an equality as
churches and ministers by mutual recogni-
ton. assistance and defense in the struggle
against sin Shall the African be ecclesi-
astically man just as he is civilly The
position of the Methodist Episcopal Church
on this point is well defined. In the South.
however, abe stands comparatively alone.
In this city, she has about three thousand
five hundred members and eleven settled
pastors. besides presiding elders and local
ministers. Her membership represents
three classes-Germans and white and col
ored Americans While there 10 no distinct
rule OF separation, each class has churches
as they are needed: but enthusiastically the
churches are one i'll interest and fact. The
Congregational and some other churches
are pursuing similar course in the South.
After the action of the general conference
ing for the organization of the "Coiored
Church South" the New Orleans Preach
ers Meeting" of the Methodist Episcopal
Church issued a circular letter signed by
ive white and twelve colored ministers of
that church. in which the action of the
Southern church was criticised. and the
position of the . Northern church de
T., 4 r.af
of the work of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in the South since the war, and
states that this church has for years given
to her colored members what the new or
ganization proposed now to offer TO. the
colored people, and that the Southern
Church has persistently protested, hereto
fore. against granting these church rela-
tiOns until compelled to by force OF circlm-
stances.
1t also states that ..in 1853, Francis Burns
d. D.. colored man, was ordained a Mis-
sionary Bishop Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church for Africa. He is now a member of
the church triumphant in heaven.
After his death John Wright Roberts. in
1866, was ordained to succeed him III office.
Christmas day. 1865, in Wesley Chapel.
Bishop Thompson organized the Mississippi
Mission Conference, which included Louis
lana. At that conference Rev. Anthony
Ross, Rev. John Campbell. Rev. Scott
Chinn. Rev. Henry Green, Rev. Emperor
Williams, Rev. William Murrell, and eight
others (colored), were elected to holy orders,
and ordained, and most of them were adj
mitted to the travelling ministry
In the Methodist Episcopal Church. IAN
equality of rights is enjoyed by all. And
the preachers meet in annual conferences,
without distinction of race or color. Amer
leans. Africans, Germans, are all one Chris
tian brotherhood"
The circular closes by saying: . The plan
of forming a 'cOlOred church for the
South has our hearty condemnation. Be
cause Qj its unchristian color Is the
badge of heathenish caste. Because ~ its
South line of boundary is an unnatural,
anti-American and unchristian division,
which originated with slavery, and is full OF
future mischief to the nation and the Church
of Christ. Because ~ such a church is at
enmity with the fundamental principle of
republican government, as that is most per-
fectly set forth in the fifteenth amendment
to the Constitution of the United States OF
America. Because, finally. it is, in fact,
only building small back kitchen church,
so as TO prevent "cOlored' Methodists
from getting into the front parlOr of the
House of God"
This circular has, within few days.
called forth a spirited and lengthy reply
from Bishop keener, of the Southern
Church. The main point of interest in this
article. is the clearness with which the
Bishop states the position of his church
relative to the cOlOred people. There are
some Misrepresentation as to what the
''circular" stated that must have been ac-
cidental. But these are unimportant. The
following quotations will indicate the tenor
Of the article:
:'The plea that all men sprang from
Adam, that God is no respecter of per-
nd hot (hpiSf
neither bond nor free, male nor female.
etc. does not extenuate an act, that out of
respect to popular sentiment, puts incom-
petent, inexperienced men in high position,
and falsely affects to take low seat.
Neither can it soften the wickedness OF at
tempting to break down that social distinc-
ton between the white and black races
which nature, God and the best interests of
mankind have so far preserved.
"We can conceive of no political good that
would, for an instant, flow from such
wreck of self-reSQect in the Anglo-SaXon
race nor can W. conceive of any political
evil that would not sooner or later flow from
such a disrespect to the deeply I'M
planted instincts and wholesome repulslons
of nature. just here we plant our foot.
And whether it be politicians disguised as
churchmen, or politicians naked in their
baseness, whether of Northern or OF Southern
origin, we have no compromise to make
with them. We condemn and abhor
their efforts to mix up white men and
negroes enthusiastically, politically and So
cially."
These remarks mean precisely the same
in church matters concerning the cOlOred
man as similar words from Southern
chivalry concerning him in politics have
meant for years. If he is not a slave now,
these words would indicate that he ought