Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-03-19

talned there is a moral and religious
tenaesoy exerted upon the Negroes
mind caused by the high tension of the
circumstances under which we live.
THE RELIGIOUS BEARING.
Irefer to the religious bearing such
intense prejudice is now producing IN
che minds of the young people Of our
race 1t was published in one Of our pa
pere not long since that Christianity was
a failure in its bearing upon the Negro
Problem and in everything else when
1t is a question of color. This is surely
the tacit principle upon which the young
minds OF our race are acting, and though
an outward conformity to come sect is
held, relief from that source is expect
ed to benefit the race as a whole. In
differentism TO religion as the founda
ton OF all success, whether social, poll
tical. or spiritual. is taking hold on their
minds; it Is considered a failnre for such
purposes, though maintained by the So
cial nature of man this pleasure of So
ciety being the real secret motive power
OF church going, real worship being
meaRre.
no FAILURE IN CHRISTIANITY.
But let God be true and every man
lie" there is no failure in Christianitv
to solve the Negro Problem, If there is
problem-when the word is properly
defined. Thers is, however, a great
failure in this multitudinoas COM
plexity OF indefinable isms, and contra
dictory sects Possessed by the oppress-
ers OF the race and transmitted TO our
ancestors under the name OF Chris
tianity. This professionalism, in which
we have millions Of dollars investc d in
church property, Is a delusion which we
must see sooner or later, but not perhaps
before we pay dear price for it. To
say Christianity is no clearly defined sys-
tenn of doctrines professed by a visible
institution or church existing intact
from its founding by Christ, but a GER
tain invisible, spiritual Christianity
whose adherents come from all sects and
are known only to God,i self i'm posed
delusion, contradiction Of Revelation
and history. Such a superstition is an
attempt TO justify the belief in a true
Christianity without giving mp the par
ficular sect to which we belong and con-
corning which we have secret doubt
OF Its divine establishment exclusive OF
all others
THR!ULTIMATE HOPE OF THE NEGRO.
ne@S eiLo uAeihhIS nope OF the Negro
race IN all aspects lies in true Christian
1ty or Cathoiicity, let me quote from the
high authority of Archbishop Ireland
IN sermon delivered on a great occa
sion
"fhe glory of the Catholic Church is
that 1t recognizes prejudice only to alb
nor lt. The characteristic of the church
is seen IN that all nationalities. all Ian
gauges, all coiors, are at her altar rail
on absolute equality. Even the Ohineman
Is being brought in Wherever the
catholic Church has full sway, there is
no color or race prejudice; there is none
IN south America, and there was none
IN our new possessions when we assum-
ed control. Preju lice grows up only in
protestant countries. Catholics who
are affected by it get it from the enyiro.
ment and are influenced despite their
principles, and must be ever on guard
SO as not to entertain any prejudices
ana when they find they nave any. thew
muss get rid of it.
NO cAsTEN THAT CHURCH
10 my colOred brothers, 1 saw the
spirit OF caste Is not of our church and
no Where can there be so fully re.
cognlZed the spirit of equality as in the
O9shollc Church. Before Her altars ALI
are equaI. Here you can look ont nnon
ehs outside world and pity it for its mis-
suioeo ways. There is no distinction in
ner family; and if there is any. thev
ncs truly and IN no sense renresent
-. wien the world scorns Won. cnme
knsei and feel your dignity and