The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-21


which, standing alone, cannot support a
minister, but which can be grouped with
churches connected with the other assem-
bly, SO as to form one ministerial charge,
the presbyteries having jurisdiction are dd-
vised TO allow such churches to be grouped
under minister from either body to
whom their respective presbyteries are
willing to give them in charge, and TO have
their contributions to the general benevo-
lent funds pass through the channels APP
pointed by their respective assemblies,
and, where such churches are sufficiently
near they are recommended, majority
OF each congregation agreeing TO CONSOLE
date and form one congregation, with such
preshyterlal connection as may bo most
agreeable to the membership
). That persons connected with churches
under the care Of one of these assemblies
who may remove into the bounds OF
churches under the care Of the other
assembly, be advised TO unite with those
churches, and to seek their peace and
prosperity. And where such persons are
found IN sufficient numbers TO organize
church lthere being no other Presbyterian
church in that immediate vicinity they
should form such organization under the
care OF the prcsbytery with which the con
tiguous Presbyterian churches are united;
provided said presbytery belongs TO either
OF these assemblies.
4. Within the bounds of presbytery
connected with one assembly, there may
be communities, composed largely OF per-
sons who are members Of churches con-
nected with the other assembly, whose ai-
hllatlons and preferences are too strong TO
permit them TO sever their connection. In
such cases, when these persons shall have
been organized into church under the
care OF the nearest presbylery connected
with that assembly 10 which they prefer
TO belong, they should receive from the
presbytery within whose bounds they re.
side that sympathy and good will which
are implied In tho iraternal relations es-
tablished between the two assemblies.
g. AS TO COOPERATION IN THE EyANGEIlzA.
TIoN or THE CoLoRED PEOPLE.
The conference committee of the two
Presbyterian assemblies, in joint session in
Atlanta, recognize that no subject likely TO
come under their consideration among the
topics regarding cooperation are lraught
with proiounder interest. or touch gr.lyer
issues than the ovangclization OF the col
ored people within our bounds, as well as
the settlement OF their wisest and most
profitable ecclesiastical relations among us
Whatever diiierenceo OF opinion may pre-
vail on other points, happily all good men
agree IN the earnest wiuh 10 bring the col
orcd race 10 q saving knowledge OF Gods
truth. and to secure the best practicable
development Of Christian life and effort,
Many OF the colored people are now
| members Of our respective churches
| AL Of
| isters OF their own race are ia trimming ia
the schools belonging TO one or the other
assembly, or are members OF p:esbytcries
in connection with these bodies. They
are now receiving our fostering care. and
require our unremitiing efforts TO instruct
them, not only In the fundamental clc.
ments OF Christian faith. but in the prac-
tica, duties OF church life, that grounded
In the truth, aud guarded from the dan
ger OF mere emotional religion, and from
the superstition and ianaticisn 10 which
impressible natures are especially liable,
they may become intelligent. consistent
and faithful followers OF Jesus Christ.
In the van Of all discussions upon
methods OF corporation TO this end, We
| find ourselves confronted by difference
OF opinion between the two assemblies. 80
Tar as We can gather from their deliver.
anccs, ~ 10 the theory upon which such
I concerted efforts are 10 ho undertaken,
and the distinct aim OF their accomplish.
mCnt.
In the Southern Assembly the policy
was adop.ed many years since OF entire
/ independence for the colorcd people in
their church organizations, rs the ultimate
issue OF the cordial efforts oi that assembly
| In behalf Of their colorcd brethren. tSee
minutes OF Southern Assembly, 1885 u.
| IjS)
Tho Northern Assembly, on the other
| hand, has pronounced itself rs not in favor
OF setting off its colorcd members into a
separate Independent organization, while
10y conccding the existing situation il ap-
proves the policy OF separate church pres
| bytcfics and synods, subject 10 the choice
OF the oolorcd people themselves
IL believes that our great work among
/ the colored people, for their moral and
religious development, Is 10 le done by
recognizing those who arc In the church.
rs entitled TO all rights aud privileges that
are involved In church membership and
ordination. (Seo minutes Northern As.
sembly, 1883, p. 00.)
However. since the status OF both
| churches finds them practically employing
the same methods, ut present, In their 70.
spcctiyc bodies rs regards the education Of
colorcd ministers; the progressive cyan-
gclization Of that race, and the organza.
ton Of their churches into prcsbytcrics,
We do not believe that two great denomi.
nations like ours, 20 near akin, should be
prevented from cordial corporation, 80 far
Ms may be thought wise, by any differing
preferences Of opinion as 10 final policy.
which might be safely left 10 settle itself
In the providence OF God; either By the
formal decision Of the colorcd people
themselves eventually, or by the clearer
and more decided conviction Of these co.
operation assemblies
Hence, this joint committee, waving
the consideration Of these differences here.
tolorc stated, agree 10 recommend 10 the
two assemblies
/. That the relations Of the colorcd peo.
pie In the two churches be allowed 10 70.
main in siatu quo, tho work among them
10 proceed on the same lines as heretofore.
2. That all proper aid, comfort and en-.
couagement In spirit Of kindly Christian
sympathy, brotherhood aud confidence
shall be extended by each church to the
educational and oyangelizing efforts Of the
other for the colored race, with Wow 10
tho encouragement Of every laudablo Of.
fort 20 this end on both Sides
3. The schools and churche1 under the
care OF the board OF missions for the freed
men and any corresponding work under.
taken by the Southern Assembly. espe-
cially its Tuscaloosa Institute, for Jho Cd
ucation OF colOrcd ministers, shall be
heartily recommended TO the giyers Of our
respective churches for practical aid, as
mutually concerned In the same great