The state journal. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1883-1885, 1884-03-22
SOUTHERN OPINION.
A High Tribute Paid to Former
Pastor of Wesley Church.

PaSCOr OF wesley Cnurcn.
MARCH 10, 1884.-Ata convention
held In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the
Hon. Jacob Thompson said:
cit were needless, Mr.. President,
to say here that our church is the
Church Catholic--the universal church
the church that should extend its
arms in every direction, and take in
its folds all nations and tongues, and
principalities and powers--the church
that has preserved for nearly two
thousand years the same prayers, the
same usages, the same creed, the same
ordinances, amid the multifarious
changes that have marked nations,
has remained Interchangeable. This
system, so durable, is the one best
adapted for the instruction of the col
ored race. When once they have
become accustomed to the use Of the
Prayer Book, they learn the elements
of Christian faith, and are taught to
repeat the creed which the Apostles,
and good men from the crucifxion Of
Christ to the present time have re-
peated and regulated their lives by,
The Prayer Book contains the prayers
of the most devout Christians since
that time. 1t fixes religious princi-
pies; it anchors religious hope; it
gives, in a condensed form, what they
must believe to become Christians !;
and however much men may preach
on ordinary texts, the reader Of the
Prayer Book could receive or reject
whatever did not conform to the es
tablished faith. This book gives them
something to stand upon, and around
which they can rally, and not be sub,
ject to be tossed about by every wind
of doctrine or tossed upon every sea
CT doubt. When once they have be
come familiar with its forms, it serves
as a beacon.light to direct them
through the world of darkness, and
it serves to reform them morally, So
cially and rciigiously. No other Fro
testant sect or community furnishes
such advantages to the colored man,
and | believe that the church will be
very derelct in her duty if it does
not take this opportunity of bringing
this race within its control
In speaking of the Orphan Asylum
10 Memphis, the honorable gentleman
also said: Gas it could no longer be
used for its original purpose efforts
were made to secure an efficient
teacher, which was found in a man
sent out by the Bishop of Florida.
This man, Rev. Thomas G. Thomp
son, is native of St. Croix, we'll edu.
Gated, fluent, discreet, polite, and
brought up under the wing of the
English Church. Sir: | intend no
disrespect 10 the white race, when l
say, he is the best teacher | have ever
seen. His aptnes8 for teaching, and
his executive, ability are remark
able While attending an exam
nation on arithmetic, geography,
reading, sacred history, and other
things, l was forcibly struck with the
proficiency of the scholars and the gift
for imparting knowledge, which char
acterized their teacher. The building
on the grounds is admirably adapted
for graded school, and applications
have been made to the educational
board CT visitors for an appropriation
sufficient to support the primary de-
partment and employ Rev. Thompson
as the teacher ofa high school to pre-
pare more colored youths for useful
'ness in the church and in life. l APP
peal to the clergy, and especially to
the clergy of Memphis, to give to this
institution their earliest consideration
and support, to visit it; to preach in
rotation for it; to sustain and encour.
age this man, Rev. Thompson, who
to his praise be it said, though
tempted by corrupt politicians, and
sought to be made an agent while in
Florida, for the elevation Of men
vastly his interiors, has never swerved
from his line of duty, but pursued the
even tenor of his way, resolutely fol-
lowing his convictions Of duty, which
he conceives to be the elevation and
enlightenment and mental cultivation
of his race. T. G..
We Give it for What it is Worth.
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