The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-24
She DRAWS THE COLOR Line
Reason for Mrs. Fairfax's With
drawal From st. Marks.
Thinks That Colored People Should
Not he Admitted to the PRIV
ileges of the Church.

| The withdrawal of Mrs. Frederick Fair
fax and her daughter, Miss Fairfax, from
st. Marks Pro-Cathecral Church, it was
learned yesterday, is not likely 10 result in
any change in the administration of af-
fairs in that diocese. Mrs. Fairfax is
Southerner, and it s her personal an dpathy
to colored people and not any objection to
any of the doctrines of tie church which
determined her in taking this step.
When seen at her home yesterday, Mis-,
Fairfax expressed herself quite freely
ON the subject. The question of admitting
colored people to free and good fellowship
in the church, and the propIiety OF rcceiv-
ing them at the communion, was Brought
up at the Bible class meeting about thee
weeks ago The rector, Rev. Dl. Devri"s,
she said was very pronounced in his Upin-
on the subject. lie main tanned that
Christianity knew no race or color, ana
saw no reason why the colored people
should be debaTred from the church or COM
munon alter. He went further than this,
Mrs Fairfax stated, and ''berated' I'll 1se
who had shown lack Of respect for
cololed minister from New York. who
among others, visited the theological ,eni-
nary of Virginia.
This Mrs. Fairfax declared was disgrace
full an d outrageous, for nstead Of belabOring
the Yankees for bringing the colored minis
ter along he berated the n for want OF re-
spect. Knowing that the Rev. DR.. DevrieS
is also a Southener, a Baltimorean, Mrs.
Fairfax was surprised and decided, she
said, to sever her connection with the
church.
The feelings of both herself and daughter,
she said, were outraged on a previous oc-
casion, when the latter, who was member
of the choir, in the professional marched
into the church with colored minister who
preached at St Marks.
Mrs Fairfax also stated that she re-
GREETED very much havin TO take this step,
but under the circumstances she saw 70
other course open to her. She also said
that many Others had taken exceptions To
the views of DR.. DevTies and had left the
church. She, however, refused TO give the
names of any OF those who she said had
withdrawn from the congregation.
An effort was made to see the Rev Dr.
Devries last evening, but without success.
His assistant, Rev. Mr. Hayes, however,
was seen and discussed the matter freely
He was not inclined to look az the matter
very seriously, for il is not considered that
therei is any reas IN TO believe that the views
of Mrs. Fairfax are entertained by others
OF the congregation. 1t is understood that
the colored janitOr has communed at the
altar of st Marks for years, and there has
never been objection raised.
The Rev Dr. Devries, Mr.. Hayes said, is
very pronounced in his views on this sub
ject He knows no distinction OF race or
color and can see no reason why the OIL
ored parishioners should be debared from
any privileges accorded to the white breth-
rem.
Mr. H J. Wiley member of the vestry
and also chairman Of the pew committee,
was asked for an opinion on the subject
He regretted very much the action OF Mrs.
Fairfax. for he could see no excase what
ever for it, From Christian standpoint
it was simply absurd, he said, TO assume
any such position; and If the race qGes-
ton was really the cause Of Mrs. Fairfax
leaving the congregation, he did not see
where she could better the state OF az
fairs So far as the discussion of the race
question at the Bible class meeting was
concerned, Mr. Wiley said, it was not with
any special reference TO ST Marks, DuG
to the church in general. He Endorsed Mr..
Devries' views on the subject, and be-
lieves them to be the accepted teachings
of Christianity.
1t was also learned that the matter had
in an unofficial way been called to the at
tention of Bishop Satterlee, but that he dill
not deem il deserving of any serious con-
sideratoD.
1t was also stated that this is not the
first time that for some reason Mrs.
Fairfax has severed her connection with
the church.