Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-13
slsAoPs Of AFRICAN peseelr.

There must be several new Bish-
ops elected at our next General Con-
ference. They win all doubtless be
chosen on account of fitness for the
Office, but will be selected as well in
view of locality, and to meet new
exigencies in the Church, which
may demand special confederation.
Do not the peculiar relations OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church and
the people of African descent de-
mand such special consideration
and would not the interests OF our
Church, and the cause Of Christ
generally. be greatly promoted by
the election of one or more Bishops
of that racer
Millions of Africo- -Americans who
were inaccessible to us ten years ago
are now within the territories Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. How
most effectually to reach these peo-
pie and to do them good is a mat
ter worthy of special attention, and
one that cannot be lightly disposed
Lof.
A multitude of these people have
already welcomed the "old Church" "
and rallied under her banners with
shouts Of Joy and gladnesa Veter-
an preachers among them led the
way, and adhered faithfully to US
through evil as we'll as good report.
And their sons in the Gospel by
hundreds are now ministeriug at
our affairs, and feeding the flock OF
Christ as his under-shepherds. They
deserve honorable recognition by
the General Conference.
Three rival denominations OF Me-
thodists dispute with us the posses
of this field. They are ''the African
N. E. Church." the .'Zion A. N. E
Church" and the "Colored Amer.
can NJ. E. Church" Each of these
Churches have Bishops, whose pre-
sence and influence constantly an
tagonize our Church, and provoke
the objection to it that only white
men can be Bishops among us.
Now, the Methodist Episcopa
Church actually leads the Protestan
world by professor and usage. q
the representative OF the unity o
the races, and as the champion o
their equal rights, natural, civil ant
ecclesiastical. The interests of on
Church are inseparably indenti6e'
, with the triumph Of this principle
all rights for all men. And no ez
hibition of that principle would b
more demonstrative of our sincerit
nor more powerful to develop AIR
can manhvod, than the fact that th
highest ecclesiastical dignity is a.
cessable to qualified ministers
African descent.
al The uni6cation of all colore
q American Methodist's would natu,
q ally and necessarily follow such
:, great fact, because it would forev'
= destroy the only serious barrier
: union. And the consequent ardel
~ devotion of an entire race, tn,
;, made welcome as brothers all,
- the mother church" would add
a element of moral power, a mes
It sure of generous support to o
nr financial interests, and q resistle
IN force to our world wide movemer
,p for saving men, which no Chur
ar has had since the day Of Pen,
" cost. 2 4s-aff r.-.o
IN Finally, Judging from the inf
IL ence of our example already up
ID other denominations who have be
to provoked to holy emulation by I
o. labors in be half of this people,
p should further succeed in securi
an ultimate universal recognition
in the ecclesiastical equality of CHI
hit tians of African descent. The
en- plication of the argument Il
al stated to the assured pr
|, L perity Of our work IN
slp South, to the success Of the Nj
re- odist Episcopal Church, and to
M advancement Of the cause Of Coz
rst the whole earth, need not be m
in detail. That is left to the rea'
mt And the question is submitted
are full confidence to the sober thou
ay, and prsyful action Of I'll whom
the may conoern.-L C. HAILAcl
'ots | Christier Advocae n :.