The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-29
Coming to their Senses.

| We noticed few weeks ago some remarks from
the New York Methodist. which indicated q sensi
bic view concerning the question of mixing whites
and negroes in the same church. As this is very
practical subject, and one which has to be met all
over the South, we give here another article from
the same paper just OF hand:
1.-THE subject of color is viewed in the same
light by nearly all the people in both churches,
and by the people in both sections of the Uoion
There is just as much caste to use the cant
phrase-in one section as in the other because the
same cause produces it. Race lines are, so far a,
this generation is concerned, matters Of Provi-
dence; we did not make them, but something
within us prompts US to respect them. We do not
associate with the Chinese and they do not asso-
ciate with US. This fact in no way impeaches the
sincerity of our efforts to evangeze either race.
| We have lived in town where nearly everybody
voted and talked the most radical politics; but i
colored man moved into a street property fell
twenty FIVE per cent The people who are put
ting down caste" differ from their fellows only in
having rather more of this color. phobia
The truth is that wherever there are few col
ored people to be accommodated with church
privileges no trouble is experienced in associating
them with white congregation. A score of blacks
among five hundred whites make no impression
But increase the blacks to two hundred, and one
race or the other will leave that church anywhere
in the land 1t the majority of the congregation
is colored the whites would be sure to fall eff A
few white people would stay 10 lead meeting or
to oountepsnce movement but the moment that
considerable numbers of colored people have to be
handled 10 church evangezation, they are set off
BY themselves through pure force of the common
sense of both coors.
Our church is doing more FIR the colored people
than the Church South, because it has mare to do
with; more money and available men, We have
had more faith in the capacities of the race, and
for some years the spirit of our work was more
hearty and jealous; but we believe that even these
differences are passing away. If we do not recko
holding colored political caucuses q part of our
work, we are doing exactly the same kind of work
as the other church and our methods diff r SO
little that one way is probably good as the other.
We have indeed mixed conferences; but, as in the
few mixed churches, there are either few whites
to lead, or few blacks geographically cut off from
their colored brethren Even our conferences are
mainly of one color
The work of both churches is to evangelze and
civilize. The theory that zoe have something else
to do is dangerous. On the one hand, there is
the peril of getting mixed up with parties and po-
litea combinations; on the other OF fancying that
it is our business to demolish race lines. As
churches, we have nothing to do with either.
We believe our ministers In the South have
wisely followed the Southern customs, in so far as
these regulate the social relations of the two coors
Sporadic efforts to introduce the customs of Utopia
have only done us harm; and Southern Methodists
ought to recognize the fact that we are in such
cases the victims of misplaced confidence"