New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-25
WORK OF THE FINAL SESSION.

N
suggestive thoughts and pure principles
WORK OF THE FINAL SESSION.
rBE DEBATE ON THE RACE oUEsTIoN-PoINTs
: FROM THE BISHOPS PASTORAL LETTER
Morning Prayer was read In ST. Georges Church oy
the Rev. John W. Sellwood, OF Oregon. Bishop
.poape Of Albany, pronounced the bcnediction
IL was the busiest day Of all the session In the
House OF Deputies The members applied themselves
with real and energy to the great amount of work
that still remained 10 be DONE and disposed OF most
of IL In one way or another.
The most important and interesting matter that
engaged their attention In the forenoon was the con-
sderson Of the reports of the committee on the Pc
tition OF the colored clergy The report of the ma
,orty of the committee was follows:
The Joint committee to whom was referred the ped
ou Of eooIcd clergy and lay asking the General Conven-
zion ~ define the relations people OF color this Church.
respectfully report;
That this Church accepts the declarations OF the Word
q, God written by Divine inspiration, that God hath
made blood all nations of men for 70 dwell Oh all the
face OF the earth" all who baptized care
bspsed into Christi that in Him "there is neither Jew nor
Greek neither bond nor We are al OF one
IN Chris, Jesus"
The Church Of Christ knows difference in the renew
ING and sancufying influence Of the Holy Spirit in the
grace Of divine sacraments in the privileges and oohga-
tons Of the Christian Efe, for by one Spirit we are all
baptized into one body, whether we be Jew or Dentes
and have been all made TO drink into one Spirit
The grace OF Holy Orders and the authority and response
bnty Of ministers of Christ is the same for oil who are
ordained IN the Church Of God.
The Bishops OF this Church have consecrsted to the
highest once OF Christian ministry the Rt Rev. Samuel
d. Ferguson clothed OF this with ell the
prerogaives and dignities Of the Epscopate
This General Convention has received eoored clergy
man OF the Diocese Of Texas as one of Its members and
thereby made him. in its privileges the peer Of every
clergyman Of this body.
These facts declare TO the whole world the position OF
Ibis Church, following as she does the example OF the
Catholic Church in all ages and show that this General
Convention has by law admitted or implied that
difference Of color affords ground for dlstinc-
ton in legislative rights privileges.
Questions OF urisls,tion and representation In the sew.
docese have constitution been committed
10 them and they are questions which the Scheia
Convention such. has no control
H. y. whipple william c. Gray.
W. Il. w. Howe John II. Stotsenburg.
q. d. Huntingdon J. PerpOnt Morgan.
H. Q. Potter. J. Mcconnell
Francis NJ. White. Skpwith Wilmer.
ii. StriDgfeow, f. 7. Wilder
The following the minority report:
The joint committee whom referred the me-
mortal of certain colored clergyman with reference to the
position Of persons OF their in the ministry OF our
Church beg leave to report:
That they recognize the condition Of things which has
produced anxiety tn minds OF the memcrsss. and be-
eye to be only right in view of that condition OF things
and Of appeal which has been made TO the Convention
that simple statement OF the ChurcRs position the
subject should be forth.
They considered also the resolutions referred 10
by Of Clerical and Lay Deputies and find
that the adoption Of those resolutions would involve the
Of principe which they believe 1t impossible for
the Church g. adopt or entertain.
That principle Is the legitimacy OF difference In the
Churchs treatment OF its members and ministers, recog
nznr and based these differences in and color
That principle is foreign and hostile the whole spirit
Of our Church. All men who are admitted to the same
order OF her ministry alike in her sight have
the possibilities and rights. She knows nothing
h the color of skins. Every ecclesiastical law
InI0S The blafx h
the white. Every ecclesiastical privilege given TO tn,
white must be given also to the black Any legsa-
tive action which makes race or color ground
elimination causes the Church 10 be false TO her mission
Of her Master, who is the Saviour and the
Lord OF all men.
There can be thing African Church within
her borders
application Of these truths the committee recommend
the passage Of tho following resolutions:
Resolved l. That this Church recognizes distinction
etvcn her ministry having relation to their race or
color.
Resolved .. That all legislation involving such ds.
anc'on IS contrary 10 the spirit Of the Church 0;
Christ.
Il solved. 3. That the legislation proposed in tho
resolutions referred to this committee being based upon
the difference Of race ana color ought be adopted
by the Convention.
Phillips Brooks. VIM H. yibbeat
b. NJ. Bird.
The reports were eloquently debated
PHILLIPS BRooKS's PLEA FOR HIS REPORT
The Rev. DR. Philips Brooks was a powerful
advocate for the minority report and resolutions
In his speech he said
In the first place report OF the majority does pot
distinctly aud cordially recognize the right aud necessity
Of the petition the condition Of things which makes
tudn action UNSUITABLE On the cCnGaEy IL inpiies
Throughout thai II is entirely unnecessary and that the
Chufh has already taken her stand this question.
Tho minority do not believe that The report Of the
majority appeals TO the history OF the Church. but
majority absolutely decline to orwau the historical
statement In the first pace into the statement Of dis
uhet Proposition the second place, into the dccara-
uon OF what ought be done Now, II is because this
church does stand clear upon this question because
uAe eooed elergym have tAer right to doubt because
any man Of color would have the profound
0' DOUBLING as 70 whether he could occupy position
"a "Heh priest could respect himself, that
minority ask this convention 10 say Ia the fist
$50 'lat there Is good ground for the asking OF this
bIs,~' Ia the second place, that IL is not simply
-. TACT upon which may res, but that there
So, oe In this branch Of the Church Of Christ,
vbs,-.So1 al the Church OF Christ, distinction,
tine, 80 - "hasoeNar. Of or color and dis
,o,hin =, Necessary consequence OF that the Chush has
,~hao. ~ mas not declaration that legislation Of
49,, Aiha in whatever place that is based on race
We al ooasy TO the spirit Of the Church OF Christ
buttons in OF this report and these ie'-
are true FIRST place because they
A. ,., - Is impossible for
wave me facing Of question whether thew ace true
ana MIA CO.. "1e' lei the Church be brave enough
eoDseoueoces ,slo Ye uem am quite willing 10 let
"at mink that the tFues no,,cv -, r. csh a. g. ,,o
N7 pioiouhuest duty Of The Cbu,e4 We c,nnot appeaI
~ 1e eoloreo race unti we have p,op,npeed on this
o.. o1u psiaiy<ed before the whole negro race
""o' " were hgio, would never enter into the |
Ip'seopal ministry unn this oues,ion 80 as,ya, w |
sns"ef the question In terms les saaouato ana
Of s,ese ,, embraced In the first and third
e resolutions believe that orr roIs.ons .o the |
'oi0fei people will be paralyzed unn NO 90 10 ., -,
1cn GEAR statement But IL is not IN view ~ ,bese
'' meishehoI a. they may be- but it is in view |