New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-27
BLACR AND WHITE Oh URCHNEN

"The Churchman,n after urging members OF
its communion to keep quiet and to avoid
stirring up bad feeling over the South Carolina
controversy. is forced to publish two remon-
strapces against its own course. One Of these
bears the signature of the Rev. Calbraith b.
Perry. an earnest and successful worker among
colored people in Maryland and Rituallst IN
whom every faction, high, low, or broad,
in the Protestant Episcopal Church may take
honest pride He belongs to the same class
Of extremists of which Father Mackonochle,
In London, was the type-the class that 20
out among the poor and the outcasts and devote
their lives with noble enthusiasm in service
for those who are despised and rejected OF men,
His remarkable success in a field where the
laborers are fewest was recognized by the
last General Convention, which appointed him
as one of the leading members of the Commits
sion of Fifteen charged with conducting work
among the negroes While not assuming to
sneak for his colleagues, he denounces the con-
temptible compromise adopted in South Caro-
lima for having n white mans church with
high picket fence about it, and black mans
church at a safe distance in the rear. He con-
dennis the artificial creation Of colored
diocese within, yet separated from, WHITE
diocese as a wanton violation Of the funda-
mental divine law of the Church that God
ia no respecter Of persons.o The letter is an
eloouent protest against Intolerance in re-
loion. and raises the argument to the highest
ground in declaring that the Christian Church
cannot. without violation Of its divine consti-
tuition. recognize, countenance, or acquiesce
in any distinction of race which shall make an
exclusive organization.
The second protest comes from colored
clergyman, now employed in st. Philips Church
in this city but formerly an assistant minister
in st. Marks, Charleston. MIR. Bishop taxes
issue with "The Churchman'S" elastic policy
of clubbing, trimming and silence and calls
up0n Church journals TO speak with no I'M
| certain sound on this question of racial lines
| of division. He contends that If the doctrine
| Of the Incarnation means anything, it is that
| Christ took that nature which is the common
heritage Of men of every race, and that dis
ordinations against priest or layman based
ON the color Of the skin are subversive OF
fundamental doctrines Of faith. He refers to
the diocese of Fond du Lac as composed OF
three distinct nationalities, and asks what
there is in the South Carolina plan to prevent
the organization of three separate dioceses
each dominated by national or race prejudice
He makes strong, effective argument against
the compromise as the result of bitter and
unholy prejudice against negro blood, and as
not in any sense a missionary expedient de-
signed by the white churchmen of South Caro-
lima for promoting the spiritual welfare OF theil
black brethren.
These circumstances, we doubt not, repro
sent the real feeling of the Protestant Episcopa
communion on this question. The South CARO-
lima diocese does not deserve the sympathy
for which "The Churchman' feebly appeals
after reminding its readers that the late con
vention did not change its constitution o.
canons and took no action whatever beyond
passing resolution suggesting that colore'
congregations should form separate organ
ization. That resolution was complete dem
onstration Of the spirit of race intolerance
which sways the minds of protesting Christian
I'm that quarter. II was adopted becaus
public opinion in that State condemns tn
negro despised creature who has no right
any white man is bound to respect. Thi
informing spirit Of Southern politics has beef
carried into religion in that State. The negr
is denied the privilege Of equal membersh
in the Christian Church, which was once de
clared by an Apostle TO be |" neither barbarous
Scythian, bond, nor free.p The black church
man is reminded of his color and ordered I
keep out of the white mems church, building
il he chooses, a shed somewhere outside TO
himself and his infatuated Bishop. he ha
, no rights, neither on earth nor in heaven