The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-05-28
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE IN
THE NORTHERN PRESBY-
TERRAIN ASSEMBLY.
PREACHING TO THE NEGRO.
Other Proceedings of the Assembly, In.
Guiding the Subject OF Vacant
Churches-TheologiGa Dis
cussiOns.

DETROIT, Mich, May 25.-At this
mornings session OF the Presbyterian
general assembly, after devotional
exercises and the references of few
overtures to the committee on theolog,
ical discussion, was taken but went
over for further consideration.
The standing committee on freed
men reported through DR.. Erskine of
Carlisle, Pa.
Rev. DR.. Allen, secretary of the
board, said that his interest in the
work had been growing ever since he
was boy on his fathers plantation,
and especially during the eleven years
of his secretaryship. The present gen.
Grafton of negroes will largely decide
the character of all the swarming gen.
erations who will come after
them, and who, for good or ill,
will SO gravely influence the future
of this country. The only solution is
Christian education for him. No man
can tell how much the negro can
learn. He has just started but twen-
ty-five years have proved q good ca
pacity. You will see tonight several
young colored fellows that look as
we'll and can preach as we'll as many of
you. Then they are coming to the
front in various lines Of business. One
of them in Kansas owns a street rail-
way and is just buying another. They
pay taxes ON 81, 900, 600 worth Of prop
self sustaining. There is encouraging
llotte, N. O., Concord, NO., Crockett,
Texas, Cotton Plant, Arkan-
( sas, Augusta, Georgia. Abbeyville,
s. c., Danville, Va, Chester, Charles
Eron and Beaufort, 8. c., and Pine
Bluff, Ark, aud we hope to have one
| in Mississippi. under the patronage of
| Ii inois ladies. We received from 1866
(our first year, to 1869 1926, ,298. .93, from
1879 TO 1880, $5l3, 326 80; from 1881 to
1881 to 1891, 81, 1856, ,490.S9. Total in
twenty six years, $l,S36, ,O26 81; total
for last year, $176,326 80. This does
not Include what the freedmen have
given in self support. The total num-
ber of missionaries was-white IA,
colored 100; catechists, white 4, colored
10; teachers-males, white 16, colore6
"a; females, white 80, colored s..
Churches organized in the year, z.
Total churches under our board,
269; missions, II, communicates
added during the year in certificate,
1893; examination, 1895; total commu-
nicants, IL, ,5S6; total Sabbath schools,
259; total pupils in said schools, 1922;
total schools, 83; total pupils, II 1,029;
total teachers, 147. Number of
churches contributing, 1891, Sunday
schools contributing, 1924; women's
missionaries and bands contributing,
1921.
The standing committee on bring
ing together vacant churches and un.
employed ministers reported through
Herrick johnson, d. D., of Chicago,
certain recommendations which
we're determined to strengthen the
episcopal power OF the presbytery.
After an animated discussion of its
provisions by DR.. Lowry of Philadel-
phia, who opposed the fourth section
as being a black list of ministers and
churches who for any reason decline to
come under the proposed arrangement
DIR. Johnson said no such list would be
published.
Elder Van Renssalur of New York,
thought there ought to be more black
lists of those who won't mind the as
sembly.
Elder Tyndall of California, thought
good advice was better than the list
un ess penalty was fixed.
Clerk Roberts thought the whole
matter must be sent down to the
Presbyteries. Another brother
thought this "black list" would soon
become roll of honor.
President Patton recommended that
before the final enlistment it be re-
ferred to special committee to report
to this assembly on the question of
the constutionality of the plan which
he much doubted, but offered to with
draw his motion till all the sections
had been acted upon.
Leave TO withdraw was, by a vote,
refused, and adjournment cut off
further debate.
1t was decided to employ secretary
on a salary for the educational com
mittee to devote all his time to raising
$3O, 900 this year for education.
The board of education made the
following reports: The officers remain
the same as last year; the number of
applicants for aid in preparing for the
ministry has considerably increased,
owing to pressure being brought upon
young men to enlist. Nine hundred
and fifty five were recommended by
the Ipresbytery, a considerable in
crease. Owing mainly to its scarcity
of funds, eightysix were declineda
Most of them are in their academic
Studies and this will cost us the loss of
some valuable recruits. There are