The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-06-25
WORK AMONG THE COLoRED PEOPLE.
What the Episcopal Council Proposes to do for the
(Colorsd) Zion Union Apostolic Church In South
srn Virginia-an Interesting Question

What the Episcopal Council Proposes to DO Ior the
| (Colorsd) Zion Union Apostolic Church In South
srn virginia-an Interesting Question
At the recent session of the Episcopal
Council in Fredericksburg a committee was
appointed to consider memorial for aid and
council of the Church from the colOred or
gsuizstion known as ''The Zion Union Apos'
tolic Church" in Southern Virginia. The
committee was presided over by the Rev. DIR.
Hsnekel, of Charlottesville, but did not re-
port until the Council was about to adjourn.
We have been requested to publish the re-
port in full, so here it is:
The committee to whom was referred so
much of the Bishops address as relates to
the application for the aid and counsel Of
this Church from the colored organization
known as "The Zion Union Apostolic
Church" in Southern Virginia, respectfully
report: That while deeply impressed With
the grave Importance of said application and
With the weighty responsibility thereby i'm
posed upon the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the Diocese of Virginia that while they
sincerely desire to express the wsrmest sym
pathy and interest in the spiritual welfare OF
our colored brethren of Brunswick aud the
counties sdjoining-your committee do, new
ertbelesS, feel greatly embarrassed in the ex-
preston of such sympathy, whether by word
or deed, by the vsgueness of the application
made. After svsiling themselves as COM
mittee and as individuals of all the informs-
ton within their reach, they have failed to
eliminate this embarrassing element of incer-
titude from the case submitted to their con-
sideration. This uncertainty as to what and
how much our colored friends ask on our
part, and propose on their own, creates fur
ther embarrassment as to what can and what
should be done for their relief.
Of one thing your committee are con-
vinced, that st the present state of negotis-
tion aud development the work of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church among the colOred
people known as ''The Zion Union Apostolic
Church, in Southern Virginia, can only be
effective for good by disturbing in the small
est possible degree their existing Church re-
lations, and that the responsibility and duty
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
present aspect of affairs must be restricted
to teaching or " disciplining" that people
aiding them by every means in our power to
embrace pure Christian faith and to lead
godly and Christian lives
A reststement of the facts is needless, and
all that your committee feel called upon to
do in the premises is to suggest what, on our
part, may be done in compliance with the
application of our colored friends. They
therefore propose for adoption by this Coun-
Gil, if meeting their approval, the following
resolutions:
l. ResOlved, That the Bishop of the Dio-
cese be requested to appoint at least one
evangelist, whose time shall be devoted to
work among the colored people of Brunswick
and the counties adjoining, in connection
with the Rev. Messrs. R. White, r. A.
Goodwin. and E. B. Jones, and that for this
object 500 per annum be paid out of the
contingent fund of the Diocese.
2. ReSOlUed. That the reverend gentlemen
Just named aud J. R.Jones. Esq, do consti-
tute, and are hereby appointed, a special
committee to take charge of this entire work,
and to report from time to time for the in
formation of this Church.
3. Resolved, That whenever these breth'
rem ahsll deem it expedient, they shall be
empowered to employ as cstechists, under
their supervision, any of the colored preach
ers of ''The Zion Union Apostolic Church. "
4. Resolued, That fit persons of this class
be sought out aud encouraged to become
candidates for the sacred ministry, and that
when 80 disposed they be assured of aid IN
pursuing the necessary studies.
5. RESOLVED, That the Executive Commit
tee of the Diocesan Missionary Society and
the Committee on ColOred Congregations be,
and are hereby, charged with the duty Of
Supplying the books which may be needed
fer Sunday or for day schools among this
| people.
6 ResOlvsd, That as colored ministers
are ordained, they be received, as hereto
fore, to seats and to all the privileges o.
members of this Council, and that the status
of colored Episcopal congregations (if any
which may be formed, as to lay representa-
ton in the Council, be left for future con
sideration and decision.
Z. Res0tUed, That the Bishop and spe
cial committee of two be requested to address
a cordial letter of welcome and of Christian
sympathy to the colored preachers and peo
pie of ''The Zion Union Apostolic Church,
to be read to them by the reverend brethren
in charge of this work in Brunswick and tn
counties adjoining.
s. Resolved, lastly, That our deputies t,
the next General Convention be charged
with the duty of bringing before the Hous
of Clerical and Lay Deputies the question
the expediency of giving to the colOred peo
pie of Virginia and the other Southern
States, when desired, full and cOmplet
church organization of their own race, unde
such constitutional and canonical provision
as the General Convention in their wisdoI
NAV devise and ordain. ]. S. HANCKEL,
- for the Committee
II o.