The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-10-14

six hundred local preachers, and u member
ship of about seventy thousand. lie op-
poses mixed schools, mixed membership,
and fayors IN organization confined to his own
people-not in any spirit of antagonism or
unkindness, for he eXhorts them to cultivate
the most amicable relations with the whites,
and to identify themselves with the interests
Of the communities in which they reside.
1 E(Besiles this there are two other divisions OF
1.-THE Methodist Church in the South.) Nor
are our Baptist churches less active and eifl-
cient in their labors for the colored people.
They have missionary societies, whose busl-
ness it is to set the blacks to doing some
thing for themselves, and the whites to help
Ing them. They find the Sunday school to
be an instrumentality admirably adapted for
giving them just the training they most
need, because of the opportunity it affords OF
imparting such instruction as informs the un-
dcrstandlng and enligbtenS the conscience.
These are springing up all over the South,
and those which are maintained during the
! winter as well as the summer mouths are
called by the significant name OF Ever
green's"
WHAT TIE FREEDMEN NEED.
But, after all, the paramount necessity of
the southern African churches is "a thor
oughy educated ministry Of their own.
Nothing can be substituted for this. nor can
the complete development of their ccclesi-
aslcal life ever be attained without it. The
negroes are constitutionally imaginative and
mercurial, with strong inclination to Su-
pcrstition and fanatciSm. and what they
most require to countcract these tcnden-
cies is systematic instruction in divine truth
hot the tcchnica! systems of the schools,
not metaphysical subtlctiCS or scctarlan po-
lemicS, but grounding Ill fundamental
principles such grounding as comes from
illustrating these principles so simply, and re-
telsltng them so patiently, as to insure true
and clear comprehension ofthcm. Ifignorant
enthusiasts and fiery fanatics are their spiri-
tual guides, their religion will be the intoXi-
cation of excited animal sen>ibiitics, full of
the chimcras OF diStempcred fancy instead
of the calm sObriety of rational faith, and
the salutary convictions Of conscience en-
lghtened by the Spirit of Truth. The
Church, therefore, which secures this kind
of instruction for them is their greatest bene-
factor. The American Baptist Home Mis-
sionary Society is doing noble work in this
direction. 1t has established seven schools,
one in Washington city, and the others in
the southern States at well-selected points,
viz, Richmond, Raleigh, Columbia, Au-
gusta, New Orleans, and Nashville--tor the
education Of young men Of color for the
Gospel ministry.
TYPE OF CIVILIZATION AND CHRISTIANITY AMONG
| THE FREEDMEN.
Let us hope that these various instrumen-
talities will be blessed by the great Head OF
the Church to the highest good of the Afri-
can people in this country. Nothing but the
conservative power of Christianity can Sc
cure them against the evil influences which
threaten them. Nothing else can bring them
a happy future. There is much to hinder
their attainment of a high degree of ciyiliZa-
ton. They are mentally and physically un,
fitted to cope with the superior energy Of
the white races. 1t is no disparagement to
the African, and no reflection on the wisdom
and goodness of the Creator, that these in
| cuualites exist. The trueSt friend of the
African is not the man who inspects him
through the rose-colored lenses oil j Senti-
mental philanthropy, but who looks at him
in the light of truth, recognizing his weak
nesses that he may guard him against their
| Influences, and appreciatins his good qualities
| that he may encourage him in their develop
ment. ...
| There is before him the hope of moral
and spiritual progression Of greater worth
| than any that is merely mental and though
| his type of civilization and Christianity may
be different from that of the Caucasian, it need
not be necessarily an inferior one; though he
NAV never be distinguished in the walks of
philosophic or scientific rcSearch, or Of broad
craftsmanship. or of original discovery, yet
he may attain TO spiritual development OF
the gentlest and most attractive character.
The very traits so prominent in his nature
his freedom from ambition and avarce. his
humble, docile, forgiying, contentcd. pa
tient, loving, submissive spirit-may, under
the cherisbing and sanctilying influence OF
Divine grace, prepare him for type OF
Christian civilization, softer, kindller, fuller
| of the virtues of the Sermon on the Mount,
more sef-sacrifcing, and richer in the sweet
charities OF the Gospel than any yet en-
| hibited by the more aggressive and doml-
nunt white races.
| THE INDIANS.
In conclusion, DR.. Hoge glanced at another
race thrown upon our Christian Church in
the providence of God-yiz., the Indians.
OF these he remarks that
The IMPROVED condition of the Indians of
the Southwest territory illustrates the happy
results of Christian effort in their behalf.
They are civilized communities. They
! wear the dress and live in houses built
and furnished as among the humber classes
in the States. They till their fields and have
herds of domestic animals. They have print
ing presses, newspapers, and books in the
English language and in their own tongues.
They have more schools, more churches in
proportion to population, and larger at
tendance Oh religious services, and contribute
more money for benevolent objects than the
people of any territory in the United States.
Life and property are more safe among them,
and there are fewer violations of law among
them, than in the territories occupied by the
whites. Fourth Annual Report OF Board
of Indian Commissioners
The Southern Methodis.s and Baptists are
doing faithful work among them. SO, too,
is the Northern Presbyterian Board, espa-
cially among the Greeks and Seminoles.
But the most extensive missionary opera
tions in the Territory are conducted by the
Southern Presbyterian Church. We have
seven missionaries, three female missionary
assistants, and number OF native helpers,
together with an important institution
Spencer Academy-under the care of three
| able instructors, and with judicious man.
aeement destined to become power for
| good in advancing the educational and rell-
gious interests of the Indian people"
| The DoXology was then sung, followed by
a benediction by DR.. Hoge.
| . SALT. ~ a. Ls.--.-.
/