National Republican., 1883-05-21
THE EPIsCoPALIANs.
Last Day OF the Virginia Convention
The Report on tho Question OF the
Church and the CoIored Race.
Special Letter

Gil of the Episcopal church: of Virginia re-
this morning at $3.50 o'clock.
The resolution of Mr.. Scott, as finally
amended, was that tho bishop appoint com
mittee TO consider the subject of the division
of the diocese and report to the next meeting
Of the council, which was adopted.
Rev. DIR. Peterkin in a brief and appro-
pirate speech, presenteda a written testimonial
of the clergy to the bishop, wishing him q
pleasant voyage across the ocean and express
ing wishes for return of health to him.
Bish op whittle with emotion made brief
speech of thanks. q
The finance committee reported in favor of
appropriating $500 for the expenses Of
Bishop Whittle in his trip to Europe, and
recommended that the salary Of the assistant
bishop be $500 per annum, the payment of
all his travelling expenses, and tho payment
of his house rent.
Rev. DIR. Gibson was elected as fourth cleri-,
cal delegate to the general convention, and
the council proceeded to elect two more lay
delegates. "a
THE CHURCH AND coLoRED RACE.
The following was read:
The committee to whom was referred so much OF
the bishops address as makes mention OF the con-
ference TO be held at Sewanee in July next, con-
cerning our church relations to the colored people
in the United states, beg leave to report as fol-
lows:
1t seems unnecessary TO your committee TO say
anything to impress upon this council the serious
ness of the question that il TO be discussed in the
conference referred to. This diocese, we believe,
is as fully alive as any In the land to the great
duty which God has put upon the church In this
country because of the great spiritual needs Of the
colored people. In the action OF our councils for
several years past, in the remarkable efforts and
successes Of Christian men and women In the IN
aIr nc ad In anI rh N
of the diocese, in the important work carried on
at Petersburg, we can see that our
people sgTa feel and .os are
But as the great question Of our whole churche's
duty will come before the general convention, and
our diocese will be called upon To contribute
something OF suggestion to the conference in July,
we would give as the result of your cammittee's
consideration the following opinion we bolleye
that the true, the only solution of our churches
relation TO the colored race will be found in CIV
ing them the right, and encouraging them 10 tho
exercise Of the right, TO a separate organization;
They have asked, as we know, and 1t is natural
that they should request separate congregational
organization. The race difficulty, In social point
real one Toe so0rsd lore people .ecGT
act accordingly. white pastor to u Coored con-
gregation is not and cannot be such pastor as
congregation demands and really needs. lie may
visit the homes Of the people; he may go in and
out of their families but there Is no such free, un
restrained recognition of their families by MS
The barrier between his family and the families
Of the congregation renders that intercourse un.
real 1t is by no means mutual recognition. our
white congregations have no intention OF ask
spiritio resentment, but a desire for more than
the semblance of church relationship that the
coored people Will ask that their PasstSrs snail Se
cations is In Its principle true OF the larger con-
gregations. The intercourse between the whlte
and the colored ministers aud laymen IN councils
and conventions is not, and while they are so
fow In number and their churches are so feeble as
not to have lay representation, t very surely VIII
not be real as 1t ought TO be between Christian
men of the same church. There is brotherly kind
ness, genuine-unfegned. There Is cordial well
come to every colored man who enters our coull'
cls but all of us know that tunder the present con-
dition ofthings our coored brethren, though they
have every right upon this floor with the rest Of
u.s. do not feel that they have the same measure OF
influence which we would all desire for them.
However much this or any other diocese might
need a bishop. and however qualified inteuect-
we could find, we know that we would never
make choice Of any other than white
bishop TO- 60 In and out among our ns
white men for the same reason that the other race
would take q colored man rather than anindian'
We submit that in order to have this work thor
and such an organization as will not make this
large body Of our population feel that they ar, are
agree with us that our deputies to the general con-
vention will use their best efforts TO have the coll
ored people encouraged TO prepare for an organza.
the general convention, but independent and sep.
arate and under the fostering care OF the general
church. TO devise and execute for themselves such
plans az shall conduce to their moral andspritual
r q. Dashiell Walter @. Hullihen.
Thomas W. Cain, IL, NJ Pollard,
Mann Page, J, kanSehcroH Jones,
| W. H. TaYlor.
This report is signed by the three colored
ministers on the committee, the committed
stating that special regard was had to carry
ing out tho views of the colored members
| The report was unanimously adopted.
The committee on observing the Sabbath
day submitted q report accompanied by q
| resolution to the effect that tho sense of the
council was that legal measures should bt
taken to stop the running of the freight train:
and distribution of local trains and recon
mending the diocese to take steps so as tC
secure legislation in this behalf. 1t wa
| adopted.
The selection Of lay delegates to the gen.
eral convention was completed by the election
of Messrs. P. L. Withers and b. Johnson Bar.
| bour.
Rev. DR.. Grammer submitted an interest
| ing and important report on the state of the
church, which want of space prevents pub
fishing.
TESTIMONIAL TO BISHOP .wHITTLE.
The testimonial to Bishop Whittle is as fol
lows:
| we, the members oil the elgnty-clgnti
council of the diocese of Virginia. in Rich
mond assembled, have learned with groa
pleasure that our beloved bishop contem
plates voyage to Europe for the restoration
of his health, impaired by labors beyond hi
strength in the service of the diocese. W.
take occasion to express our high apprecia
tion of his fidelity to his duties as bishop
and our warm personal regard and affection
for him. We feel that we are thus acting n!
faithful representatives of the congregation
throughout the length and breadth of tht
diocese, to which he has given his labors and
his strength, and which he has SO constantly
borne in his heart and in his prayers. Tht
people who love him so loyalty will join will
us in their homes and in the church in com
mending him and his family to the protection
of Him who holds the waters in the hollow
Of His hand, and we earnestly pray that ht
may be restored to us in renewed health anC
strength
1t was signed by about 225 members, cler
ical and lay.
Among other important matters the coun
Gil indorsed motion for Sunday schoo
hymnal ~
Christ church, Winchester, was selected a
the next place Of meeting.
After religious services the council ad
journed sine die.
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FACTS ABOUT FIGHTERS.