The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-05-16
HIS MANHOOD.
TIE NEGRO IN THE CHURCH.
a Statement from Those Who Seeded
from the Episcopal Convention.

THE NEGRO IN The ChUhCa.
A Statement from Those WHO Seeded
from the Episcopal Convention.
Messrs. Edward McCrsdy, Jr., Chas,
Richardson Miles and W. G. Benet, rep
resenting those who took no part IN the
Diocesan Convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church In South Carolina, re.
Gently held at Anderson, have published
statement of their position IN the pres
ent aspect of the controversy.
The statement sets forth the wish OF
the seceders for settlement on the basis
arranged at the conference in Charleston
on the 21st March, believing that such
settlement would have been generally
approved by clergy as well as laity.
The statement then recltes the resolu-
lions offered respectively by the Rev.
Ellison Capers and the Rev. A. T. Por-
ter, and discusses them as follows:
Mr.. Capers, being satisfied, as We are
assured, that the resolutions introduced
by him to carry out the agreement at the
conference In Charleston would be re-
iected, Withdrew them, and those Of Dr..
Potter were adopted on Wednesday
afternoon.
On Wednesday night the Rev. DR..
Pinckney, Rev. Mr. Capers ana Rev.
DR.. Wilson communicated to the above
mentioned deputies, who were In attend
ance awaiting the action of the clergy,
and Of the laymen cooperating with
them, the adoption of DR.. Porter's reso-
Jutions in substitution for those of Mr..
Capers.
These gentlemen did not constitute q
committee of any body, nor was the
adoption of these resolutions commuol-
Gated to us by any authority Of those
acting as the Convention, nor did these
gentlemen urge or even request Us to
attend or enter that body; but, on the
contrary, disclaimed any intention OF
doing so, although they expressed a
hope that we might see our way clear to
enter the Convention. No formal action
or resolution was adopted by the dep0-
ties thus assembled, but after full Goa
ference, the individuals present esch an
nounced his decision that the resolutions
of Dr.. Porter, which had been substl-
tuted for those of the Charleston Con-
ference, were unsatisfactory and incon-
sequential. The preamble, it was agreed,
: was strong enough; the resolution I'M
potent. Separate organisation had been
declared an absolute necessity; the
means of efecting it had not been pro-
Svi6ed.
Mr. E. A. Bell. delegate from Grace
Church, Anderson, considered himself
INSTRUCTED by his parish to take nus seat
I'm the Convention, and the two delegates
fruun Trinity, Columbia, Messrs. Des-
porses snd Seibels, while holding thst
the adoption of DR.. Porter's resolutions
did not Justify orr going into that body
asa Convention, felt that they were e2-
pected to do so to counteract the action
of their two colleagues Of opposing views
who had taken their seats.
The undersigned were requested by
the deputies who determined not to go
into that body to prepare and publish
statement of the reasons which lnt1u-
enced them.
In doing this let us say we recognize
the great advance Of opinion which the
resolutions show. The separate and
distinct organization Of the colored race
: and their entire exclusion from the leg
islation of the Church, which has been
hitherto urged as permissible, expedlent
and desirable, is now declared to be ab.
soIutely necessary to the wel-being OF
the Church in the diocese. And this,
too, by those some of whom have hlth-
erto persistently opposed such separate
organization as unchurchhke, uncathollc
and even unchristian.
We gratefully recognize this advance,
-whsather it be due or not to the action as
-wellsss arguments Of those whose views
,swe represent, and we accept the declare
:tiaosei the resolutions as sincere and as
INTENDED to be carried out In good faith,
But at the same time We are constrained
20 regard the rejection of the resolution
oSered by the Rev. Mr.. Capers to in
struct the commission to provide the
necessary changes In the constitution as
an indication of an unwilEngness on The
part of the clergy to commit themselve!
to the only action by which such separa
ton can be lawfully accomplished.
The committee appointed under th'
resolutions adopted are not charged tx
provide the changes in the constitution
by which only such action can b.
definitely and finally taken, but ar
charged with the duty of comforting witt
certain congregations Of colored person
not in union with the Convention no
hitherto in any manner oficiall..
recognized, and to endeayor to Obtain
their assent to the legislation requisit.
to carry into effect the separate organi
zation. The assent of those whose assen
is not necessary is made 8 condition
precedent of any action, and if sucl
assent is obtained no action is after al
guaranteed to Us. The refusal of suc]
assent-which refusal is already by som
announced in advsnce-renders th
scheme of the resolutions adopted I'm
practicable.
The resolutions offered by Mr.. Caper
in pursuance of the plan proposed b.
the Charleston conference, and Whlc!
we were present ready to carry out, pro
yided for revision of the constitution
canons and rules of order so as to pre-
vent the recurrence Of the question as t
Hhs osgsuizaton Of the Convention