The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-13
AN ADDRESS

10 the Pres6yteriGn Church IN the United States
on Christian Work among the Negroes of the
South. By Richard Mc[l1Cai,e, b. d.
The writer's apology for calling prom
inent attention to this subj is, that be-
sides being Southerner by birth and
lifelong residence, and being personally
and officially deeply interested in it. he
has been deputed to this service by the
Executive Committee of Home Missions
to whose care it is entrusted by our
General Assembly.
Our Church has always been much
concerned in regard to this matter, and
our ecclesiastical courts have repeatedly
urged its supreme Importance. So lately
as last May, our highest judicatory ear
nestly considered it and invoked the re-
newed attention of Presbyteries to it.
Statement of the Case.
That there is need of effort, none, ac-
quainted with the circumstances and
religious condition of the race, will aues-
ton. There may be, and doubtless is.
room Tor difference Of opinion in regard
to what is best; but that much needs to be
done will scarcely be denied. 1t is true
that they not only live in a Christian
land, but that many of them, perhaps the
majority of the adults, are members of
some church that they generally have
the opportunity of attending Divine SER
wee with our congregations if so dis
posed, and that among them there are
individuals of intelligent piety and ex-
cellence of character 1t may also be
SAID that In some sections there are
churches and communities, especially in
towns and cities, whose members have
attained a good degree of scriptural
knowledge and practice 1t may also
be stated that there are found among
them intelligent, godly, and active min
listers OF the gospel, who are doing what
they can for the elevation and proper
guidance Of their people. This much is
cheertully granted, and the fact is a
valuable testimony to the Christian
tdellty Of the masters and mistresses.
who in former days conscientiouslv
labored for their enlightenment and
salvation A great work has been done
In raising them from savageism and in
intoxicating Christian knowledge and
truth, so that it is perhaps true that no
people IN the history of the world has
1850 Nun ~ 1OW 10 so llQl q
level in the same length of time. But
when this has been conceded, candor also
compels the acknowledgment that to a
lamentable extent, they are still ignor-
ant, immoral, and superstitious. Their
religious services are oftentimes ADAPTED
to excite rather than edify. In their
belief and worship they retain some
strongly marked features of their orioi-
nal religion. Their ministers and spirit
ual guides are not infrequently blind
leaders of the blind" Multitudes of
them are in great weakness and error
and sin, and sadly need the sympathy
guidance, and help Of their more highly
favored brethren
We Must Do More for Them.
A call to work among them comes to
the Church Of Christ everywhere, but it
is imperative on Southern churches and
Christians and those who sympathize
with and have means to aid them.
1t must not be lost sight Of, however
that there has heretofore been no back
wardness among us in the discharge of
this duty. While it is freely admitted
that our people never fully met their re-
sponsbilities, it is doubtless true thatthev
discharged this part Of their moral obi
cation as thoroughly as they did any
other, and as well as Christians else