The Indianapolis leader., 1882-01-28

open war on the gospel itself trodden exclu-
sively by Negroes
If it be said that the attitude OF the white
church on questions vital to the happiness of
the Negro, and the lamentable ignorance of
the black church have launched the Negro
on the shoreless ocean of skepticism, it can
be said with equal propriety that white
skeptics have uniformly inveighed against
the church indiscriminately, on account of
what they have regarded as its criminal in
difference to the claims of humanity.
The skeptics of Europe, especially, have
always charged that their church establish
ments were the enemies of human liberty
and progress, and in this country everybody
knows that the anti-slavery army of the last
generatlan was made up largely of skeptics
who were fierce and fiery in their denuncia-
tions of pro-slavery church and of minis
try that they claimed were afraid to take a
step in advance OF their people. | think it
safe, therefore, to say that If the Negro who
rejects the Bible can throw the responsibility
for his skepticism on the church, white men
OF similar views can do the same. The SIM
ilarity between them of which here speak,
however, relates to only one thing-the fact
that both criticise the church alike In some
other direction white and black skeptics NAV
be steadily unlike each other, and some one
better qualified for the task than myself NAV
be able to point out permanent distinction
between them; but with my present light on
the subject, find it difficult to speak of them
as separate classes, seeing, as | do no uniform
difference between them except the color OF
their skin, the texture OF their hair, and pos
| sibly the average ability with which they
| defend their opinions.
1t Is not the purpose of this paper, as |
have understood it, to meet the arguments
OF skeptics, either black or white, vet it may
not be out OF place to make this one remark:
that skepticlsm can never Justify itself in
mistaking the church as an organization for
the Gospel itself. Church organizations
have at times been as bad and as rotten and
as detestable as il was possible for anything
human 10 be; but meanwhile the Gospel
shone with undimmed lustre, and no man.
could mistake the darkness of the one fol
the brilliancy OF the other. Let men who
have skeptical tendency keep this distinc
tlOn clearly before them and it NAV prove
beacon light in the tempest of doubt.
1t Is In harmony with the objects of this
discussion to say in conclusion, that / be
lieve the true battle-ground against skepti
cism Is within the walls of the church. Ii
proportion a. the church becomes the living
embodiment of the Gospel, skepticism i
crowded ont of the arena.
The highest idea of social happiness will
be reached only in the fullest realization O
the gospel OF Jesus Christ. The gospel ha
for its central figure the perfect man-per
feet mentally, morally, spiritnall, and al
of its teachings lead OH and up To the sam
supreme idea of manhood. Just as tn
church, by word or creed, falls short of thi
| of Ire mnrly Il
its opportunity; for skepticism always ap
pears as the professed champion of human
progress and development
But occupying its true place, the churc
becomes the leader in every good thing an
the opposer of every evil thing, and then tn
, occupation of the skeptic is gone.
The Negro church in its battle with Ncgr
J skepticism in those forms that confront i
can fight the battle nowhere else than within
; 1t must have an enlightened ministry,
: must raise the character of its worship: i
all OF Its appointments it must keep pac
: with the demands of the hour. The oil
| time high pressure, midnight style of VOL
r ship must give place to a worship suited I
| these times and this higher civilization thu
, We have reached. The startling, extravs
CANT and unnatural experiences that have S
long taxed our credulity to the utmost, mu.
r give place to the dignifed, earnest and pow
erful teachings of the New Testament
say these things must be echanged, and | wal
to say further to the skeptical world tha
they will be changed. The gospel itse
will change these things by its silent, bu
irresistible influences, for it is a gospel ,
. intelligence and progress and it brings int
S It's service every means necessary to carr
out its high designs. | go a step further an
, say that the change is going on now Ever
, Negro preacher in the land feels the rsin
; tide and is looking forward to possibiliti,
' of which a few years ago he did not dream
} AS these possibilities are realized, that kin
t of unbelief which has found its excuse
the mental and social poverty of the Negl
church will be left without support and wi
t be forced to confess its error, or take i
, place in the ranks of open hostility to Il
D gospel, where it will go down before Il
march of the Nazarene, toward the victor
e that finally awaits Him.