The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-05
MUST AVOID SCH|SM|
AT ANY SACRIFICE !I / | |! i
So Declares Bishop Ferguson,
Discussing Negro Question
Now Before Church.

Discussing Negro question
Now Before Church.
PLEASED = With RECEPTION /.
The Rt Rev. Samuel Davis Ferguson.
D. d., Bishop Of Cape Palmas and
Parts Adjacent. the only colored mem
Der OF the House of Bishops, Is moro
than pleased with the reception given
to him in Richmond. II am agreeabiy
surprised said he, ito find things In
Richmond quite different from what
they have been represented to me- me-
meeting of the Episcopal Convention
three years ago In Boston, says that
while there q Boston newspaper took
occasion to comment on the cordial
way in which he had been treated Inv
that city. fand ventured to assert that
the attitude OF the people of Richmond
would be quite different. With this In
mind he could not but be surprised
when on arriving in this city he was
most cordially received by both the
white and colored citizens. Bishop
Ferguson mentions with great deal
OF feeling the Kindness andsconsidera-s
ton with which he has been treated
by all OF the people of Richmond,
among the clergy and the lalty OF both
races. He Is very much impressed
with the progress and enterprise OF
as whole thinks 1t greater than, or
certainly equal to. that of the North.
Must Avoid Sclisrl,.
Concerning the proposition before
the convention that the two races ba
separate and distinct In the Church.
Bishop Ferguson was rather retlcent,
AS he says. his fields of labor are far
removed from the scene OF the dis
cussion. and 1t cannot In the sna Hest
waN affect his work. which is being
prosecuted among people OF his own
race. He thinks. however, that this
colored race is reasonable LIN It's res.
quest that the bishops of It's color
be equal in authority with those OF the
Anglo-Saxon race. and that they should;
have a chance to try what they think
they ave able to accomplish, and un-3
less very clear argument is brought
out to the contrary. eSwillt use the
weight OF his influence to the end
l,that the representation of fhe two
races shall be equal Should, however,,
the matter tend to cause IA split in
the church, he will without hesitation
advise his people to submit without
dissension to the ruling of the church
and to avoid schsm DIT any sacritlce.
Bishop Ferguson was taken to tht8
Republic Of Liberia at the age Of Bsil
years. He started work among tht
people of the republic I'M the Yeai3
preacher and was consecrated bishop
OF the diocese in the year 1SS IiS
is very enthusiastic concerning the
results accomplished In his diocese,
which is a large one, embracing, as ~
does. the entire republic OF Liberia,
having an area OF 1850 square miles
and about 100000 Inhabitants. Tho
Board OF Missions appropriates to tllss
district s52,139.5O, $4,000 Of which goea
to the support and travelling expenseli
Y of the bishop and the rest to the work
among the Liberians and natives. This.
diocease maintains TWEEN y- seven.
preachers and a. number OF lay wor F's
ers and teachers.
Most Of tho citizens Of the aepublids
speak the English Language. but min
listers and teachers who speak the na.
tive languages are SAINT out to wo 'r,l
among the native heather tribes.
Work In District.
The missionary work in this sectioni
lsis making very notable advances which5
are evidenced by the HI sition Of thu
people to help themselves and to ass
simulate the teachings Of the Chris
ltians. which tends to brigt en- this
prospects Of those who are endeavor.l1
ling Il to civilize and Christianize the
heather OF South Africa. lie M
Besides the work In this diocese fol
the propa cation OF civilization and
CHRISTIANITY. 1t is Interesting to note
the fact that a monument has bee1
erected to tho memory Of the deceased.
missionaries who did pioneer work y
| tho district. The movement to erect
Ithis monument started In the county
! OF MARYLAND and gained impetp y 9,
1.-THE interest taken in other parts of thu
! diocese. The fact that the monument!
|is the work Of persons reared In thu
mission not only shows the progress
OF the people from d material view
point, but gives evtd nee of their graft.
Itude to the people " 10, by theft self
sacrifice and #devot ton, brought their
out Of heathsnism and showed them TIT
pat towards q better and clean L; en-
! istence. s5 9 n ss SIS
bishop Ferguson will sail from New
York November 10th. returning Y e
Liberia by way OF ngland