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NUMBER I.

JULY, MDCCCLIV.

ARTICLE I.

REPORT OF A CONFERENCE BY PRESBYTERY, ON THE SUBJECT OF "THE ORGANIZATION, INSTRUCTION AND DISCIPLINE OF THE COLOURED PEOPLE."*

At the last meeting of Presbytery the subject of the evangelization of the coloured people was discussed in conference, under the several heads of organization, instruction and discipline. The present report is the result of a motion, by which a committee was appointed to embody the views presented, and the various intelligence furnished during that conference.

The question of the segregation of the blacks from the whites in public worship, was not at that time considered, simply because the policy of Presbytery in that matter had already been settled and openly adopted. It has been the almost universal practice of our ministers for many years, to convene the coloured people into separate congregations and dispense to them instruction suited to their exigencies: and at the meeting of this Presbytery at Barnwell, in April, 1847, a formal sanction was afforded to this practice by the extension of its approval and patronage to a scheme contemplating the establishment of a separate congregation of the blacks of the 2d Presbyterian Church in Charleston.

The reasons for the collection of the coloured people

*This article is an abstract of a conference had in the Presbytery of Charleston, on the methods to be pursued for the religious instruction of our coloured population. It embraces no authorized deliverance of that ecclesiastical body on this subject, but gives the individual views of the speakers, some of whom have large experience in the matters discussed. VOL. VIII. No. 1.

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into distinct congregations have been ably stated by Rev. J. B. Adger, in a sermon preached in Charleston, May 9th, 1847, and by Rev. Dr. Thornwell, in a critical notice of this discourse, published shortly after its delivery, in the Southern Presbyterian Review. The want of room in all our church edifices, the necessity of a style of instruction adapted to the capacities and attainments of the coloured population, and their destitute and neglected condition under the pressure of powerful temptations, constitute cogent arguments in favour of the erection of separate congregations for their benefit. It cannot be denied that there are great advantages resulting from the union of masters and servants in the solemn offices of religion,-advantages secured by the conviction produced by this association, of a common origin, a common relation to God, and a common interest in the great scheme of redemption through the blood of Christ. "But the question," as has been observed, "was soon found to be partial separation or a partial diffusion of the Gospel among the slaves, and an enlarged philanthropy prevailed over sentiment." It ought to be kept in mind that this separation into distinct congregations does not amount to a compulsory or total exclusion of the servants from access to the churches in which their masters worship. They are at liberty to associate with them in worship whenever they will, while these edifices and religious services, intended especially for their benefit, are standing invitations to those among them for whose welfare no man cares, to participate in the blessings provided by the Gospel. It is also to be remembered that a complete separation cannot, and in fact, does not, take place under this plan, inasmuch as it contemplates the presence of some persons, a measure indeed, made necessary by our civil statutes. As, therefore, servants are not debarred from worshipping at pleasure, with their masters; as it is expected that in all their assemblages, white persons should be present, and as these congregations are served by white ministers, themselves responsible to ecclesiastical courts representing respectively, large sections of the community, it is next to impossible that a class worship,-as is frequently objected, should be the result of the enforcement of

this scheme, or that it should tend to foster feelings of insubordination, and to aggravate the prejudices of caste, by connecting them with the institutions of religion.

1. The topic first in order in the conference, was the best method of organizing the coloured people, so as to secure their spiritual welfare. This subject did not assume the form of a discussion as to the constitutionality of organizing them into distinct churches, containing within themselves, the elements of self-government. It was, however, assumed that such organizations would be unconstitutional, and the opinion was advanced that it was a principle recognised, even in the ancient church, that no slave could be allowed to sustain the position of a church-officer, whatever progress he might have made in godliness, and in Christian knowledge. His social position was regarded as a disqualification for the exercise of the functions of government as well in the church as in the State. It is obvious, that even were it constitutional to elevate the slave to office in the church, the introduction of such a measure would scarcely be practicable. The want of social sympathy between the two races, the horror of any step which looks to their amalgamation, and the establishment of ecclesiastical relations between them utterly inconsistent with their social habits, which such a measure implies, constitute difficulties which cannot be removed, and the removal of which, even were it possible, it would not be expedient to ef fect.

At this stage of the discussion, a question was suggested as to the propriety of permitting informal organizations among the coloured members of the church, and of recognising in any way, officers elected by themselves. On the one hand, if such privileges were granted, the danger arises of their arrogating rights which do not belong to them, and of choosing, through lack of judg ment, incompetent spiritual advisers. On the other, if not granted, too rigid a system might be adopted, the effect of which might be to impair the interest of the blacks in our communion, and to drive them into other denominations in which greater license and more immunities are enjoyed.

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