The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-04
ESPON NOE.
Two Colored Churches.
BY REV. ROBERT P. KERR.


In old Liberty county, Georgia, are
two large colored churches of the Presby-
terian and Congregational denominations,
having, respectively, memberships of FIVE
hundred, and two hundred and eighty
Having heard a great deal about these
congregations, it was with great pleasure
| accepted an invitation to visit them and
preach in the Congregational church, dur
ing recent meeting of Presbytery. Rev
F. Snelson, (colored), pastor Of the last
named church, called at an early hour
Sunday morning with his horse and
buggy to accompany me down to the
lower portion Of the county where the
colored people live. The land lies quite
low, and rice culture is the principal in
dustry. Passing among the rich fields,
he told me that nearly all the land be-
longs to colored people. They were on
the road, In their own vehicles, very re.
spectacle and decent, going to church
Many were walking, but more rode, and
all had an air Of thrifty industry seldom
noticed among their brethren of the cities
The pastor told me they were the most
respectable and moral colored people he
had seen anywhere. They have com
Portable homes, maintain family disci-
pline, and are accumulating considerable
property.
Before going into the church we went
through the Academy 1t is handsome
building, worth, | suppose, ten thousand
dollars, built by the American Mission
ary Association of Boston. Two white
ladies are supported there as teachers by
this institution, who are doing good work
educating the people. The rooms are
fitted up with many modern appliances
of education, and kept with the greatest
neatness.
The pastors house and garden are
worthy of high commentator. The air
of comfort and respectability Was quite
refreshing. While we were sitting in his
Bruss usseis-carpeted parlor, the church bell
called us to public worship A congre-
CATION OF about five hundred were present.
In one "amen corner were the organ and
a choir OF twenty young people who led
the singing The music was good the
attention, and solemn order, above criti-
clsm-Just as good as can be seen in any
white church. They showed an intelli-
gent appreciation Of all that was said,
"'N =" wac Plolh Cuey udQ DOG Dee0
accustomed to sensationalism and excite
ment. The pastor, who was for time
missionary to Africa, is man of great
dignity and reserve, commanding the re-
spect Of all classes.
That community, though given up to
the blacks, is not lapsing into ignorance,
but on the contrary, is developing and
improving all the time. Why is this?
The answer is found in two words-edu-
cation and religion. The Presbyterian
church is predominant and the effect is
most marked in the superior intelligence
and morals Of the people It. shows two
things-lst. That colored people can be
elevated into good citizens and good
Christians. End. That the PRESBYTERIAN
Church is the best agency to do it.
Let us be encouraged to put forth most
earnest and hopeful efforts to have Pres
byterlan churches established and sup
ported among the colored people. If we
do, God will crown our efforts with sue
cess
Savannah, Ga., April 10Th, 1881.