It is always wise to consider facts. The first fact is that this color distinction is the most potent factor, politically, socially and religiously, in Southern society. This should dominate every plan for Christian effort at the South as much as the existence of the rebel army dominated plans for the “On to Richmond” during the war.
In the ultimate solution of Southern problems, natural race lines of cleavage may largely prevail; but it lies within the realms of reasonable expectancy, and not fancy, to believe that the time will come when color will not be thought of in the admission of a person to any hotel, railway car, school, or church. We have no right yet to let go of this Christian and patriotic hope; but for the present at the South color places upon a man a more damning and ineffaceable stain than does murder or political treason, and the present establishment of white churches as above described would seem to be an obeisance to this most potent and evil influence.
The Independent.
THE TENDENCY IS TO RELAX.
EDITORIAL IN INDEPENDENT.
The natural bent of Southern whites is to separation from colored members, and white congregations willing to open their doors to all alike will not spring up in great numbers. The tendency, the temptation is to relax a little on the principle, under trying circumstances, for the sake of immediate results. We have pointed out how signally some of the Friends’ schools in the South have failed to keep their first principles intact. The same lowering influence has been at work among the Northern Methodists. It is worth a generation of endeavor, and perhaps it will require it, to establish an influential constituency on the solid basis of true Christian Brotherhood.
THE SOUTHEAST.
SEC. BARROWS’ REPORT AT SARATOGA.
How soon shall the Society have a superintendent in this region? It is for you to decide. The executive officers are convinced that the time has already come for this forward movement. During the past winter we have had a general missionary at work in Florida, with encouraging results. At our next anniversary there will doubtless be present a representative from the Florida Association of Congregational Churches. The Society also has missionaries in Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia—and appeals are constantly received urging us to enlarge this work.
It is not the purpose of this society to foster the spirit of caste. It was to remove all suspicions on this score that a friendly conference was lately had with our brethren of the American Missionary Association, and with the results of that conference you are all familiar. It is our idea to form churches at the South, like Dr. Rankin’s in Washington, and Dr. Goodell’s in St. Louis, churches open to the colored people and to which they will be made welcome if they see fit to join. The only difficulty will be to find enough colored people willing to join to save the principle—the uniform experience hitherto having been that they prefer to be in churches of their own.