The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12

ana superstition and lawlessness will stand
abashed before the efrulgent light OF the
Gospel Of Christ"
GREAT INTEREST IN THE NEGRO RACE.
What about the negro question:
nave felt a great interest in the negro
race all my life. have been their coun-
sellor and trusted friend. In former years,
during the days OF slavery in my native
State OF Kentucky, looked upon them as
the wards OF their Christian masters. No
class OF men has done more for them than
southern Presbyterians; they have been,
and are, their best friends and wisest adj
vlsers. In connection with other Christian
churches in the South they have been in
strumenta in the conversion OF thousands
OF them to Christianity, and In improving
their condition. Up TO the period OF the
civil war, and during the war, the most
friendly relations existed between the two
races, and especially between Christian
masters and their servants. They willing
ly attended the preaching OF white minis
tiers. and received the gospel without pref
udice at their hands. II was my habit 10
preach TO them at stated times, and always
to large congregations. / have also
preached TO them in Baltimore, Alexen-
dria and in Washington. l have always
felt the deepest interest in their temporal
and spiritual welfare.
"As an evidence OF their confidence in
me | held the relation of master OF two
colored ministers in Lexington, KY, by
their own request. Frederick Brayton, a
man o. unusual strength OF mind and Of
| irreproachable character, was the pastor OF
a colorcd Baptist church OF between 1000
and 5000 members, aud received from
them good salary. The celebrated abo-
litionist, Gerrit Smith, visited his church,
and wrote Icing and interesting account
OF him to the New York Observer. Brayton
urged me to stand in the relation OF his
master. When, in 1861, moved to Bal
timore, | proposed to him to get one OF his
Baptist brethren 10 take my place. lie
besought me TO continue in that relation,
assigning as his reason his great confidence
in me and his affection. / consented, and
remained his master until he was made
free by the Emancipation Proclamation by
President Lincoln. Until the day OF his
death he considered mo his best friend.
TEACHING A CoLoRED PREACHER.
"When | removed TO Baltimore the Rev.
Mr. Revell, who was then pastor OF the
Madison Street Colored Church, and a man
OF excellent sense and unblemished char
acter, requested me TO teach him one hour
In the week. lie gave me as his reason
for coming TO me as his instructor that he
felt more at his ease with me, as / was n
| Southern man, and had always lived
among colored people; that knew them
better, and he could approach me without
embarrassment. taught him until he
left the city, and frequently preached for
him. He was the first colored Senator in
| the Congress Of the United States. / men
ton these things TO show that | know
whereof affirm, and that have been the
lifelong friend OF the colored race. am
sorry 10 say that sad change has taken
| place in these last years in the relations of
the two races in the South. BY some ma
| lign influence they are now disinclined TO
hearken to the advice OF their white
friends. A new generation has sprung up
who are not bound by the ties of love and
| gratitude 10 those who raised and, in a
measure, educated them.
"We Southern Prcsbytcrians have not
lost our interest in them. Our hearts
desire and prayer TO God is that they may
he enlightened 10 know tho truth and be
saved. II our Northern brethren can
reach thom and DO them good, We say 10
them: 'God-speed.' Wo arc willing 10
cooperate with them in every practical
way. We wish TO say nothing abou, the
political situation. II would be well II
our Northern brethren could be brought
TO feel that We have as deep an interest
in the welfare Of the negroes as they
haye-l might truthiuly say deeper in
terest, rs we have always lived among
them, and we know them better. Dema-
gogues have done them great injury by
ilattenng their vanity and holding out
expectations OF political promotion, turn
ing their heads toward politics, instead Of
influencing them TO habits Of industry,
economyand sobriety."