The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-05-24
Herald.
THURSDAY, MAY "a, 1894.
RELIGION AND COLOR.

against a Bishop and the rector of an
Episcopal church in approved Texan style.
"If Bishop Kinsolving and Rector AYES"
il declares, want to mix niggers and
white people in religion, or any other
kind Of social equality, they have come
to the wrong place. Such John Brownism
will not be tolerated, and for the sake of
peace they are advised to leave Texas.
The best plan is to fire them both out Of
the community" This lurid and impass
stoned proclamation has had the natural
effect OF exciting "the best people, of the
town and diocese, who are now threaten
ing to tar and feather both the Bishop
and the rector
The cause Of this social disturbance and |
uproar may be briefly explained. Dr..
Aves, who is the rector Of the principal
church in the diocese invited the Rev.
Mr.. Thompson to place in the chancel
one Sunday during evening service. The
Rev. Mr.. Thompson had not committed
any crime, nor had he been guilty Of
heresy, nor had he been implicated in any
church scandal. He had been born with
a black face and pair Of black hands.
That was all, but it sufiiced to infuriate
the congregation which had gathered in
the church. When the black face ap
peared in front of the altar, and the
of the gilt-edged prayer-book, loud muir
murs Of dsapproval were heard and
the church in anger and disgust. During
the next two days large number Of
families announced their determination
to withdraw from a church where mig
ger" was allowed TO read the lessons and
to take part in the services. Bishop
Kinsolving, who had learned liberality
and liberation in the city Of William
Penn, was shocked by these demonstra"
tions OF rancorous race hatred. In order
70 express his approval OF Or. Aves's con-
duct he invited the Rev. Mr.. Thompson
and another colored minister to dine with
him. The color line was at once drawn
against him. The Bishop and the rector
were denounced as enemies OF social peace,
and threatened with tar and feathers.
The best people of the diocese do not
object theoretically either to the evangel-
ization Of negroes or to the ordination Of
black men to the priesthood; but they in
sist upon having them keep their proper
place in Texas-that is to say, in the
back pew with the sexton, but not
In the chancel; and not in seats
OF honor at the Bishops table, but
behind the chairs and waiting upon
the white clergymen. They do not want
to have white people linked up with
niggers" in religion, whatever may have
been the teaching Of the Sermon on the
Mount, or the apostolic example set by
Peter or Philip the Deacon. The Rev.
Mr.. Thompson's soul may be as white al
any angel round the throne, but II his
face be black he must not be allowed tc
stand before the altar and read the Bible
or church prayers to a white congregs
ton. Whoever thinks otherwise Il
preaching John IBrownism, and is ready
to be measured for scoat OF tar ant
feathers preparatory to being fired out
of a moral and Christian community
Bishop Kinsolying is a big, stalwart
muscular Christian, who is we'll able t,
take care Of himself, and who will proba
bly, finish his useful career in Southern
Texas without a visitation Of wrath from
vigilance committees and social reoI
ganizers We do not apprehend that h
bin any danger from Houston mot
nor that he will ever show the whit
feather in dealing with this execrabl
race intolerance, for he has the courage q
his convictions. The anathemas hurle
at the good Bishop and against the rector
who recognized in the colored minister
oonsecrated priest Of the temple, whethe
his hands and face were white or black
are unerring indications of the res
quality Of the religion now prevailing
Southern Texas. 1t was a gospel Of socil
equality that was taught by the GslileaI
who talked with the Samaritan woma
at the well, washed the Disciples feet o
the last night of His life, and commi
i stoned them to preach, not to Jews alon