The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-05-19
Christianity and Color.

Rbner for December
h recent conversation with an in
~ ir.nt clergyman, who has spent many
h at the South-though a Northern
D-we heard him declare, without
erve. that he did not know a negro in
whole Southern country whom he
arded as thoroughly trustworthy in
tters of practical morality. More
r. he declared that the worst men, as
lass, among them, were the preachers
|Rmselves. BY these latter he intended
indicate specially the self-appointed
eachers-ignorapt, but bright men
In had secured the admiration and sup
h of the masses. We asked him if
could not except from his very sweep
ID condemnation such among them as
u been educated at the North. He
box his head, and replied that he knew
b. among those, whose superb intel
etual culture would grace the proudest
Ia in the world, but never knew one of
lem whom he could trust-particular "
Nth bis neighbours wife. Now, this man
N abundant opportunities of observa-
An, and spoke with candor and con-
hence On one of the bright September
.lndays Of the present year, the writer
fened to the outdoor preaching, on
bston Common, of one of the finest
ID most amiable-looking specimens of
Ae African race he ever saw, and what
b. he preaching about? Not purity of
haracter and life, not love of God and
r. Of man, not duty to family and
eighbor, but the theological machinery
salvation. 1t was the natural reaction
pm the emotional religion of his race,
b it had no more in it for his race, in
! moralities, than the fiery nonsense of
less educated brethren.
Let Us allow something for mistakes in
d judgment and observation of the
lan whom We have quoted, and still we
Pail have sufficient ground for the de-
|nratlon that the negro in America, as a
lie, holds his religion independent OF
lorality, as something which either takes
p place Of it, or has nothing whatever
do with it in his practical, everyday
lie. The fact Is one full OF grave sug-
stlon, not only as it regards the future
eltare of the race, but as regards the
tuntry IN whose political fortunes he has
eeome so important a factor. Much as
e negro needs intellectual education.
+ needs moral education more. To learn
read will do little for him if, at the
fme time, his sense Of right and wrong
+ personal purity, his regard for the
.ghtS OF others, his conscience, are no
Improved. If he cannot more fully per
eve than he does to-day the relation:
! Christianity TO character and conduct
y Christianity Will rather debase thar
levate him. In an enormous multitude
! instances, all over the South, hi
5ehglous rites are travesty of Christian
oseryances, and libel on Christianit,
tselt-a travesty and libel that bring re
lgion INTO contempt among thousands o
bServers.
1t will be said that the loose notion
marriage that prevailed during tn
legro's bondage, and the thefts in whicl
e then justified himself, have a grea
eal to do with his present lack of mora
ense. 1t is claimed that his education
I'LL lift him above his present religion
eeaehlng. Granted, and still we hay
ne emotional nature of the negro left
n hls natural tendency to emotions
1t is one of the great pro
Aems with which we have to dealt
lucate the conscience of the negro. T
'lVe HIM intelligence without this, is t
make him more dangerous to himself an
Is than he is. Either a white man or
,laek man, with rights and no sense {
lghteousness, is a dangerous man. Hi
'oiltIcal power is easily bought and read
sold in the market, he is led wit
IWful facility into unlawful ombination.
lie becomes a social curse in every con
aHunlty. The first special aim, in all on
norts to raise the negro from his degri
Ilaatlon, should be directed to his moral.
his must be mainly done among th
'0ung, and in schools; and any teache
Sno is not competent to this work has L
'aillng among the Africans, and, if
belongs to the North, he had better CON
lone.