The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-27

Gated? by those who are able to do so
by precept and example. The ministers
who advertised excursions, base ball
games and beer drlnlxings to raise money
to purchase themselves clothes are unfit
to undertake the work. The negro must
have confidence in the superiority of his
tutors. Those entitled to teach are the
good white Christian people and the ne
gro men and women who have been ed
ucated by the white people.
WEAK AND IGNORANT.
Negroes are weak and ignorant and
need the guidance of the strong white
people am not In a great hurry to
break away from the mother church and
gain doubtful independence"
The room was again filed with har-
mony when the assembled ministers and
church members Joined in singing TASK
the Savior to help you"
DIR. A. L. Phillips, of Tuscaloosa, sec
rotary of the colored evangelization, was
introduced. He spoke of the hesitancy
of the negroes to take upon themselves
the responsibility of government. He
compared them to people often sorely
beset and knowing net which way to
turn. 1t was a pressing and important
question that had to be decided by the
present convention.
1.-THE scheme for government" he
said, "has been the great religious move
ment among the negroes for the past
thirty years. During slavery they were
converted. Then came the desire to
hear the word of God from preachers of
their own color. This desire was prompt
ed by the laws of nature.
"The old-time preachers have evolved
into the new-time pastors. They have
their own churches, their own congre-
cations, their own ministers, and now
they naturally long for religious indie
pendence. For the past thirty years
the negro has sat restlessly unless he
sat under the influence of negro guild
ance. His movements must be unre-
stricted.
This desire has resulted In grand
achievements. Great institutions have
been founded that are, in the main, well
managed. Where there is one negro
now in a church with white oongrega-
ton there are six in churches managed
by their own race.
SHOULD ORGANIZE.
"The real question at issue is: Are the
negroes of the Southern assembly ready
to take part in this great movement for
independence? The very people who
have spent hundreds of thousands of dol
lars in their behalf urge that it is best
for them to organize by thems lives.
"The negroes profess profound con-
fidence in the Southern assembly. 1t
has promised a continuance of moral
and material support. 1t will continue
to educate the ministers and protect the
weak churches.
''The negro in the south has his posi-
ton in society in his own hands. The
recognition of this has made Booker T.
Washington what he is. He must be
what he makes himself Lst the negro
go to school and learn how, to drive the
plane Let no man do it better. Let
him learn to run the steam engine and
do 1t b:tter than his competitors.
"On account of negroes being unable
to do good work only white labor was
employed on THE big church in Atlanta.
Thousands of dollars of negroes money
was spent but not one skilled negro la
borer earned any of it.
DEPEND ON THEMSELVES.
"The negro churches must depend up
on the negro his position in society de-
ponds on himself and the negroes edu-
cation depends upon the negro.
'eTVhe church of God is one for all time
in arl ages. Its teachings are such that
they can be adopted and adjusted to
every condition of society, save the So
ciety of HILL. The scripturalness of the
matter cuts but little figure.
"The real trouble here is money. Put
all the objections in a bag. Boil them,
scrub them, shake the bag and money
will be all that's left If the question
of support was definitely settled the ne
groes would welcome tn. organization
of an Independent church"
After another hymn and prayer, aid
journment was had until this morning at
9 o'clock.
THE CONVENTION.
The colored Presbyterians met yester-
day according to appointment. The
meeting was called to order by Rev. DR..
G. T. Goetchius, of Rome, Ga, who read
the action of the white assembly in re-
gard to the convention. The action of
the Independent Colored Presbyterians
ON this subject was also read.
Rev. l.. J. Washington, of Tuscaloosa,
was elected temporary moderator, and
Rev. e. w. benjamin, of Vicksburg.
Miss, was elected clerk.
The moderator, In taking the chair,
said impress.vely that the meeting was
of the utmost Importance, and all should
enter upon the work with great serious
ness.
The convention was led In devotional
exercises by the moderator
The following members were enrolled:
Revs L. J. Washington, J. C. H.
Champney, S. w. Hudson, G. w. Covfng-
ton, and Ruling Elder G w. Erwin, of
Central Alabama presbytery; Rev. e. w.
Benjamin, of Ethel presbytery; Rev. J.
A. Turner, of Texas presbytery; Rev.
G. S. Afford of presbytery of North and
South Carolina; Rev. A. T. Reed, Of
Chester presbytery.
The following committee on resolutions
was appointed: Revs Champney, Benz
jamfn, Turner, Reed and Ruling Elder
Erwin.