New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-19
TIE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION.
AN INTERESTING REPORT UPON THE TIE RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION OF THE BLACKS,


INSTRUCTION OF THE BLACKS.
CHARLESTON, May 1.-The most important
subject before the Southern Baptist Convention the
present week has been that OF the method OF giving
religious instruction and education TO the cOlorcd race
Since the war the colored churches have been too
frequently used by Republican politicians to obtain the
colored mems In the conduct OF their worship
also many coiorcd churches have permitted excuses
very detrimental TO the progress OF true religion The
Homo Mission Board have had the task imposed upon them
of bringing about reform in these matters ~ the
present meeting through their Chairman, the Rev j. L.
NJ Curry. d. d., LID, of yirguia.made the following
noteworthy report
That the emancipation and enfranchisement OF the
coOrcd people without adequate eritpn iof tho re-
spOnsble duties of citizenship. dcyOlN ed imperative
litigation on those who prccptatcd this change To take
effective measures for preventing what WAS Intended as
boon from be 'oning curse. Northern Christians have
ami far.rcachilg plans and bcnehccnce lar beyond
what has yet been evoked for the elevation and saliva
ton of the cOloFed people
The duties Northern Christians should not be
pleaded excuse for our neglect Of personal duty
and love OF the Gospel should impe lis 20 energetic and
prudent FOR the religious instruction OF this
class Of people II unwisc and unreasonable to
look for early and conclusive results. While there
great acknowledgements in what has been attempted and
Divine OF success the whole subject ac
connt If its delicate complications, IA cnvrOned with pc
culiar difficulties. As prendces wear away and the col
Oref pc 1plo freed from the manipulation Of those
who for partisan purposes have persuaded them TO den-
thy politics and resion there VIII ne reler access on
Of the coorcd Churches oar people are deeply i'm
pressed with the duty and dcrablenes. of doing some
Thing effective and practicable for the spiritual and intel
lectIal welfare OF our cOOred citizens
In impoverished condition Of the South, and with
the need Of strengthening th' special WORK when the
son hern Baptist Convention is committed to prosecute.
there probability OF early endowment OF schools
under charge for the better education of cOloed
ministry. The Convention has adopted the policy OF ss-
tanning students at the institutes controlled by tho
American Baptist Home Mission Society. 1t is mach to
desired that larger contributions for this purpose may
be secured from both white and colorcd Baptiss.
In addition to this method OF instruction, the Commit
tee would recommend that ministers institutes be held
at convenient points in the different States under the dl
rection and by the appointment Of one Home Mission
Board These Institutes might give suitable instructions
c0ored ministers and more intelligent cOored brethren
the rndinenta doctrines OF the Gospel and m the
faith and practice OF the primitive churches Many OF
and labor O this needed work. IL systematic effort
devised. When the state Of the treasury shall JUS
pointcd 10 labor among the cOlored people The Com
mittee regard ID OF the first importance that aid should
be given 10 colorei churches in organizing ana con-
Quoting sunday schools. sad lack in colored Sunday
schools Is that Of competent teaching The Committee
are gratcd TO believe that more hopeful future dawns
upon us. and that in short time more open door OF
uterance Will DE afforded in this department Of Chris
tian labor to our Southern Baptist Zion.
The Rev. DIR. G.. W. Samson OF NewYOrk, the Rev.
Dr. H. L. Wayand Of Philadelphia, the Rev. Dr. LattrOp
OF Connecticut and the Rev. Dr. Cutting OF NewYOrk,
all expressed themselves heartily in favor OF the spirit
and sentiment Of the report The Rev. Dr. Samson said
that If the South would furnish the to do the work.
liberal laymen at the North would furnish all Of the
money necessary. The Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary, situated at present at Greenvile. C.. was
reported to have had 20 students last session. the largest
number IL has had 1t was thought that the number
could have easily doubled IL the Seminary had had
the money support deserving young men who have no
means OF meeting expenses. The institution lost the
whole OF its endowment by the war; and has had to rely
on annual contributions from the churches