Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-28
SEPARATION OF RACES
Question to BE Decided by Pro-
testant Episcopal Convention
INDEPENDENT CHURCHES
Colored Organizations Within Bound
aries of White Parishes
DISCUSSED BY THE CLERGY
Missionary Districts Favored as Sub
stitute for Original Proposition.
No Race Prejudice.
DISCUSSED BY THE CLERGY

In connection with the convention oi
the Brotherhood of st. Andrew In this
city and the presence in the capital OF
almost all the bishops Of the Episcopal
Church, as we'll as scores of presbyters and
laymen prominent in the conduct of AFFAIRS
of the church, there has come to light an
interesting forecast Of the Episcopal con-
vention. which is scheduled to convene In
Richmond next week The proposition. II
such 1t may be called. contemplates moth
ing less than a division within the church.
the formation of two parishes of coexten-
sive boundaries in many sections, where
one parish now exists, or the separation Oh
the white and colored Episcopalians into
Independent dioceses Prominent church.
men have declared In interviews that the
plan Is not the outgrowth Of race preJu-
dice, but is being put forward solely In
the idea that better results can be at
tanned by at least a nominal segregation
Of the races.
Tentative suggestions to this end have
been under consideration at Episcopalian
gatherings for several years, but not I'M
til the convention in Boston a year ago
did the discussion take definite shape in
a plan of action A large committee was
appointed at the Boston convention. con-
sisting of bishops. presbyters and laymen.
and this committee has devoted all the
year to investigation. Its report Will pc
submitted to the convention next week
and upon 1t, probably, the final action of
the Episcopal Church will be based.
Discussed by Clergy.
A clergyman, who did not wish his name
used in connection with the subject, said
This question is most delicate and one in
which it is possible easily to be misled by
sympathy. When a colored preacher gets
and a m
judgment is apt to De warped, momentarily,
and the conclusions of calm and deliberate
reasoning made to appear as the result of
race prejudice. YET think that II the
matter Is settled at the Richmond conven-
ton it will be settled wisely. for the church
has given much thought to 1t, and the rea-
sons for various forms of action have been
weighed.
lone thing must be borne in mind and
that is that a convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church represents wider range
of theological thought than does gather
ing of any other Protestant communion.
I'VE shall have among us at Richmond
clergymen who, in their beliefs, are vir-
tually Presbyterians or Methodists. and
from them through all degrees OF conviction
to virtual Roman Catholicism. Thus the
personnel of the convention Will In a great
degree influence the decision. For my part,
l consider that the establishment of sepa-
rate dioceses for colored people. with indie
pendent colored bishops. coordinate with
a deplorable and fatal error, but 1t would
also be Numerically opposed to the usage
of the church and contrary to Its principles,
since it would result in having two bishops
with equal authority over the same terri
tory
Substitute Proposition.
at would not matter that the flock of
one would be white and of the other col
ored The principle would still be wrong.
Yet a division seems to me wise, and 1t
may be made by the establishment of mis-
sionary districts, either coextensive with
existing dioceses or including the colored
communicates of two or more existing
dioceses. And, l think, the bishop should
be white There is an insistent demand on
men, who are apparently unfamiliar with
the limitations of their colored brethren,
for absolute independence of the proposed
colored dioceses, with cOlored bishops, while,
of course, these demands are loudly echoed
by the colored people themselves.
But this plan | am certain-and / share
the conviction with many of our clearest
thinkers-Would result, in no long time, in
a schism the colored dioceses divorcing
themselves absolutely from the body of
the church. The harm would be all to
themselves, for without the guidance of
the entire body of the church, which would
be it's balance wheel, the colored schis-
mates would find that their organization
would deteriorate rapidly, schism following
schism, until little was left
Avoidance of Schism.
with the establishment of missionary
districts for the colored people, with
bishops who should be merely suffragan,
this would not happen. But, by the other
method, with a complete hierarchy of COL
ored bishops, these people would be able
to make bishops for themselves having all
the requisites of the apostolic succession,
and would be able to continue a church of
their own, technically. canonical, though
with the spirit torn from it..
Brief discussion Of the question was also
secured from Bishop Johnson. Bishop of
West Texas. He said
West Texas favors the organization of a
missionary district for the colored work
with bishop Of their own reporting to the
general convention. and in full communion
with that body, and SO not making a sepa-
rate and independent church"
SHANGHAI. September 2S.-The British
American Tobacco Company is suing Chi
nese cigarette makers for infringement Of
trade marks. 1t has come out in the evil