Smyrna times., 1883-09-26
Negro Bishops.
BY REV. T. 0. AYREs.

| Ihls is coming question and one
that must be met in the near future
We take the position that we will
not nave negro bishops in the NJ. Z
Church and we ought not to have
them. The negroes should set up for
themselves and they will 1t was well
Tor them to remain in the NJ. f. Church
1or awhile, as learners. They were
not ready for self-government at the
close OF the war, but they are about
ready now. Their destiny has shaped
and is shaping their ends.
10 our way Of looking at the cues.
ton, the true interest of the colorsd
church lies in their separation from all
white organizations and the forming of
one NJ. +. Church, colored. The Afri-
can NJ. E. Church should drop ito
african and be simply the NJ. r.
Church, CoIored. At the same time
our colored branch of the M. E. Church
should join the movement and the two
compose to new NJ. +. Church, Colored.
why should the colored people be
SUBJECT to the control of our white
bishops? They are now able to govern
themselves and should do so. Leading
strings are helpful for a time. after
which they become a hindrance. II
was well for the colored Methodist 10
be IN the leading strings of the white
church for time, but not for all time.
1hey nave now been in long enough
ana should get out and set up for
themselves. Let them have the honor
and its responsibility thrust upon them
and they will rise to the grandeur of
the situation and perform well the
work of self-government.
Why should they be subject to white
bishops? They have enough of heart
and brain to fill that place and have
the honor of it. They may stay in the
white church and wait for the coming
OF the day of elevation if they choose
Dut they will have n long time to wait
ana they will wait to their own hurt.
For, while they are waiting for the
growth of sentiment, they might be far
ahead on the road to success ON their
own account. The colored man must
demonstrate his capability for selfgoy-
eminent in church and State or fall be-
hlnd IN the race of life. This one
thing he may set down, that if the
white man must take care of him and
think for him, he in turn will have to
serve the white man. White men
nave one trait in common with all
other men and it is this: They don't
work for nothing and if they have to
do the head work for the colored man.
then the cOlOred man will have to do
the hand and foot work for the white
man. But we will be told that the col
ored man proposes joint work and that
they ask for cOlored bishop or bishops
and that these colored and white
bishops are to preside over the confer
enceS Ill common. We answer: Yes
we know all of that, and have heard
men say that they would not object TO
IL and yet they do and they will object.
ana In such way as to kill the cues
ton when it comes up. There is but
one way in which colOred bishops can
be had and that is to elect them. and
that will require enough votes to do it.
and they can't be had now nor for n
long time to cOme-if ever.
We predict that the outcome of this |
case will be about as follows: The COL |
ored people will push for colored bishops |
and will get them nominated in the |
General Conference, but when the |
votes are counted it will be found that |
the colored candidates are left behind,
This sort of thing will go on for one or
two General Conferences, the colored
members will be disguised with the
game and bolt in body, set up for
themselves and they will do right.
What do we want to hold them for
They are now able to set mp for them
selves. They are no use to us and we
are no use to them. What do thew
want to stay for; They are gaining
lothing by holding on to the white
church. If they would set up for
themselves all the General Conference
offices would be open to them. As it is
now, they are closed, and are likely to
'emain so for long time. We believe
hat it would be better for our colored
'rethern to set up for themselves and
ldvise them to do so.