Year: 1860

Mr.. EDIToR:-In your issue of the 10th
inst. find the following query: "Why is
there so much prejudice among colored
people who attend colored churches, against
those of their own color who choose (per-
haps for reasons better known to them
selves) to attend white churches 2" l do
not now propose to answer the inquiry in
full, nor do / expect to answer it to the
satisfaction of the fair querist, and others
who may sustain similar church relations.
l will, however, make the proposed inquiry
the basis of few thoughts that occurred
to my mind as | read it.


In the first place, as no specification in
regard to churches is made, we are at lib
erty to suppose that the inquiry is gener-
al, and refers to any association of evan
gelical Christians, whatever may be their
theory or practice in regard to slavery.
Taking the question thus, it applies alike
to churches in Massachusetts and Mississ-
ippi, to pro-slavery and anti-slavery church
es. But still | cannot for moment think
that the inquiry is made in regard to pro-
slavery churches North or South, for sure
ly it would be rank injustice to suppose
that one whose "heart bleeds for the poor
oppressed" would be connected with a
church that was pro-slavery in its head or
members, however exalted the spiritual
(2) to be attained thereby If there are
any among us, who, from choice, connect
themselves with such churches, and thus
strengthen the oppressor, it is easy to see
why prejudice against them is excited in
the minds of the oppressed. But yourcor-
respondent asks again, care we not all
children of the same Father?" In one
sense we most assuredly are children of
one common Parent, but, in another sense,
/ hope and trust we are not, for, while all
oppressors, together with their aiders, abet-
tors, and apologists, are of their father, the
Devil, l fain wouldbelieve that some of the
oppressed are the children of God. Again
the inquiry is made, "Are we not all trav-
cling to the same haven of rest2" If we
are, this is reason why we should insist
on equality along the road. If we are not,
if as the martyr John Brown said to the
pro-slavery clergyman, eve do not wor-
ship the same God,' perhaps it is a dim
perception of this truth, that the oppressed
and the oppressor do not and cannot wor-
ship the same Being-that leads to the
prejudice of which your correspondent
complains.


It is we'll to be humble, but there is a
difference between humility and servility,
and suffering for Christ's sake and for col
or's sake are two distinct passions AS for
the privileges to be enjoyed by colored
worshippers in white churches, it seems to
me that proper self-appreciation would
lead US to repudiate them, unless founded
on cordial recognition of our equal man
hood in every relation of life. What deny
my rights as a man and citizen, and yet
claim me as an equal brother in Christ
Out upon such an absurdity Give me
first the enjoyment of equal rights as
man, then, and not till then, can l consis-
tently claim equal privileges as Christian.
But this question of colored people attend
ing white churches, does not hinge upon
privileges granted or withheld. 1t is SIM
ply a question of right or wrong, to be de-
terrnined by other considerations than
those of personal interest and convenience.
Assuming slaveholding to be sin, and all
its aiders, abettors, and apologists to be
implicated in its guilt, we ask all Chris
tians, and especially all colored Christians,
to regard and treat all who practice it, and
all who directly or indirectly sustain or de-
fend it, just as they do other sinners. If a
white church can be found whose pastor
and membership are thoroughly anti-slav-
cry both in theory and practice, there is
perhaps no good reason why colored Chris
tians may not join it. And if, in addition
to anti-slatery, the church be anti-prejudice
and recognize the equal manhood of the
colored man in each and all the relations
of life, venture to predict that very little,





if any, prejudice will be excited among