Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-05-20
The Negro Ouenlion.

1Ue Negro StucbtlOH.
Ia recent interview with q correspond
ent OF the New York Tribune on the subject
of the proposed union of the Northern AID
Southern Associations of the Presbyteriad
Church. Rev. DR.. Bullock, formerly of this
city, said "The Southern Assembly holds
that the Scriptures are the sufficient and sole
statute book of the church. 1t was de.
parture from this view that led to the di
vision of the church In 1861. The Southern
church has now Its own autonomy, and
many think 1t would not be wise to place
our endowments, seminaries, colleges and
churches in the hands OF body which feels
at liberty to make political deliverances snG
to handle secular matters. We have perfect
confidence in the integrity, orthodoxy aud
piety of our northern bretarsn. but times of
excitement may come again, and our only
safety would be in the strict Interpretation
of the spirituality of the church. Another
serious difficulty in the way is the oppoai-
ton of the Southern Presbytefians to mixed
churches of whites snd blacks. This quess
ton can never be any serious menace to the
peace, prosperity and social life of the north
ern people, or in the southern States where
the white population greatly preponderates;
but ia some of the southern communities the
superior nunlbarg Of the coIored people
would give them The constitutional control
of the church, il organized on the principle
of mixed church, which would be followed
by certain amount of social mixture, and
then n the lapse of time by m;scegenation
with its debaspg consequences. The great
body of Southern Presbyterians are unwil
ling to place our relations to the negro race
ia the hands of onr northern brethren.
II have felt q great interest in the negro
race ali my life. ! have been their council
lcr and trusted friend. In joyuer gears,
dnring the days of slavery in my native
State of Kentucky, looked upon them as
wards of their Christian masters. Nc class
of men has done more for them than South
ern Presbyterians; they have been and are
their best friends and wisest advisers. In
connection with other Christian churches
in the south they have been instrumental
in the conversion or thousands OF them to
Christianity, and in improving their condi-
ton. Up to the period of the civil war and
during the war the most friendly relations
existed between the two races, and especial
Iy between Christian masters and their SER
wants. They willingly attended the preach.
ing of white ministers, and received the gos-
pei without prejudice at their hands. 1t
was my habit to preach to them at stated
times, and always to large congregations. l
have also preached to them in Baltimore,
Alexandria and in Washington. [ have al-
ways felt the deepest interest in their tenn
pora and spiritual welfare.
"As an evidence of their confidence in me
I held the relation of master two colored
ministers In Lexington, KY, by their own
request. Frederick Brayton, q man of un-
usual strength of mind and of irreproachable
character, was the pastor of colored Bap-
tist church of between two and three thou
sand members, and received from them
good salary. The celebrated abolitionist,
Gerrit Smith, visited his church, and wrote
long and interesting account of him to
the New York Observer. Brsyton urged me
to stand iu the relation of hie master. When
in 1861 I moved to Baltimore 1 proposed to
him to get one of his Baptist brethren to
take my place. He besought me to continue
in that relation, assigning as his reason his
great confidence in me and his affection. l
consented, and remained his master until
he was made free by the emancipation PROF.
lamation by President Lincoln. Until the
day of his death he considered me his best
friend
"When removed to Baltimore the Rev.
Mr.. Reyell, who was then the pastor of the
Madison Street Colored Church, and man
of excellent sense and unblemished charac-
ter, requested me to teach him one hour IN
the week. He gave his reason for coming
to me as his instructor that he felt more at
his ease with me, as l was southern man,
and had always lived among colored people;
that knew them better, and he could ap.
proach me without embarrassment.
taught him until he left the city, aud tre-
ouently preached for him. He was the first
colored Senator in the Congress of the
United States. mention these things to
show that know whereof affirm, and that
have been the lifelong friend of the color
ed race. I am sorry to say that sad change
has taken place in these last years in the re-
lations of the two races in the South. By
some malgu influence they are now disin.
clined to hearken to the advice of their
white friends. Anew generation has sprung
up who are not bound by the ties oflove and
gratitude to those who raised and, IN meas
ure, educated them.
"The Southern Presby yteriaos have not
lost our interest in them. Our hearts de.
sire and PRAYER to God is that they may be
enlightened to know the truth and be saved.
If onr Northern brethren can reach them
and do them good. we say to them God
sneed. We are willing to cooperate with
them them in every practical way. We wish to
say nothing about the political situation. 1t
Vo would be we'll if our Northern brethren
could be brought to feel that we have as
deen an interest in the welfare of the ne
sroes as they have. I might truthfully say
q deeper interest, as we have always lived
among them, and We know them better.
Demagogues have done them great injury
by flatteripg tEeir vanity and holding out
expectations of political promotion, turning
their heads towards politics instead OF intiu-
an o;no thar, to habits of industry, economy