The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-11-19

inaugurated, will by the law of afinit,
eventually draw into itself the entire Afrcal
' element that is disposed to Presbyterianisn
It at all; and it will be no small gain to re
d move this source of collision betwixt two
Christian bodies, seeking to work for the Re
deemer on the same territory.
WORKING OF THE PLAN.
We must not overlook the fact that there
already exists among them measure o.
Christian knowledge and life They are mo-
Heathens but possess an elementary ac
qunintance with, and experience of, the gos
pei Let us no longer assume that they
must be held in a state of pupilage before
they are ready for independent organization
Let us begin with the training they have al
ready had at our hands, whilst in bondage
to US /: and trust to time and grace to remove
by degrees the imperfectiOns which cling tC
them at the outset. We must 90 to then
and announce the idea of an immediate in.
dependent existence as an African Church,
and stimulate them to begin at once the
forming processes, counselling and fostering
their efforts until they result in complete
eccesiastical development. We will be bet
ter understood by entering here little into
details.
1. There are already six colOred churches,
known to exist among US; one in the Presby-
terry of South Alabama, one in that of North
Alabama, and four in that of Charleston
Suppose these to be organized into the First
African Pfesbytery and a beginning is made.
1t is an inchOate Presbytery if you please,
for there may not be an ordained minister in
it; but true Presbytery, for all that it does
not come under the technical definition of our
Book. 1t will be made up of regularly or
dained elders, and it will have sprung into
existence from the expansion of the church
sessions. AS to the absence of ministers,
Irregularities must be expected at the be.
ginning of things, if needed irregularities
may be predicted when there is not as yet
any positive law. At any rate the anomaly
will shortly disappear.
2. Let the 81 PreSbyteries of our Church,
in any way that may seem best to their wis
dom, look up the Presbyterian Colored ell
ement within their bounds, persuading it to
come together in one or more church organ
izations; in which ruling elders duly chosen
shall be regularly ordained and installed;
and let those churches in due time, be in
duced to form into PreSbyteries as conven-
ience may dictate.
3. Let those Presbyteries as soon as two
of them shall exist, be united into Synod:
which may remain for time their highest
court, as was the case in our history, until
by the increase of churches and Presbyteries,
this Synod may see fit to divide, and then
combine in General Assembly.
4. Let these infant churches, supposed in
the first instance to be without pastors,
though under the immediate government of
their own Presbyteries, be nourished and
taught by our ministers and Presbyteries,
until native preachers can be had. 1t will
be labor of love cheerfully rendered at the
request of the parties benefited, and under
the sanction of our own courts, and yielding
AZ early aud abundant harvest.
.. WITH the view Of supplying the first
great want of a cOlored ministry, let our
Presbyteries cooperate heartily with their
Presbyteries in looking out for men of ap,
proved piety amongst them, whether old or
young, who are wiling to give themselves to
this work; and institute such measures as
shall seem to them best to train them for an
early entrance upon the work of the minis
try. Laying aside the standards we adopt
for ourselves, and without pausing at Col
legeS or Seminaries for the present, let these
noVitiates be instructed in the doctrines of
Grace and principles of Church Order, as set
forth in the Holy Scriptures and in our stan
dardS: and as soon as practicable let them
be sent forth to minister in the word. When
few of them shall have been ordained the
necessity for obtrusive assistance on our part
will cease. The machinery will have been
set in motion, and will 90 forward by the life
that resides within ITSELF and though the
first generation of ministers will be imper-
fectly furnished, each succeeding generation
may be trained with increasing care.
6. Let our churches and people be exhort-
ed to assist these infant organizations, whilst
they are struggling toward complete devel-
opment; aiding in the establishment and in
struction of Sabbath Schools; and contr-
buting to the erection of plain and modest
houses in which to assemble for the worship
of God.
7. Should these broad suggestions COM
mend themselves to the judgment of the
Church at large, our General Assembly
might adopt and perfect plan, of which
only the projecting features are given here
in coarse outline. In which case, that ven
cradle Court would determine for itself what
part it would bear in its execution as
sstence, moral or pecuniary, it would render
and whether through its Committee of
Domestic Missions, or some special agency
Synods and Pre8byterieS also would exercise
their own discretion as to the methods by
which the minute details Of the plan should
be executed. Your committee has not felt
itself justified in attempting anything beyond
a general exhibition of views which seem to
spring naturally out of the circumstances of
the case; the mere delineation of policy
which appears to be simple, natural and hex-
ible. If it should be found to be imprac
ticable, or should the judgment of the Church
turn against it, then so far as we can see is
the colored race escaped hopelesSly, beyond
the reach of our influence and control.
ChriSt's Epistles.