The Missionary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 9, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 35.

The Missionary.

THE COLOR LINE.

In speaking of "color among Christians," the Rev. H. S. De Forest, president of Talladega College, says in the New York Independent of June 6:—

"Slavery is dead and buried without chance of a resurrection, but caste based on color survives as its heir and undisputed successor. The father was a notable disturber of Church and State and so is the son, who has succeeded to the kingdom and occupies about the same territory. . . . The old dictum was, that a man, if a negro, was fit only to be a slave. It is now affirmed with equal confidence that a Christian, if a negro, is not fit to be with other Christians. The former doctrine was not sound enough to justify secession, nor is the present opinion so clearly an axiom as to vindicate disruption. The latter error might well profit by the experience of the first. If politicians do not know what to do with the negro as a voter, it certainly ought not to be difficult to tell how to treat him as a believer. It is simply to accept the Pauline doctrine that in Christ Jesus neither white availeth anything nor black, but a new creature. Wherever this rational and scriptural teaching has been adopted, all trouble has ceased and nothing but good resulted.

"For instance, the Alabama Congregational Association has never known any color line. From the first it has welcomed members of white, African, and to some extent Indian blood, pure and mixed; and in some cases so mixed as to defy all efforts at classification. At the recent meeting in Mobile, a Yale alumnus was succeeded as moderator by a graduate of Talladega, born a slave and as black as the black belt usually affords. A negro and Caucasian were elected delegates to the National Council. Black and white, with no regard 'to race, color, or previous condition,' are gathered in the same body, serve on the same committees, and officiate at the same sacramental board, without objection, remark, or apparent thought; and it has been so from the beginning.

"The results have been manifest and manifold good. Pastors, teachers, wives and missionaries of the more favored race, have been giving their larger learning and experience to a receptive, but untaught and needy people. The returns from this outpouring, like the perfume of an alabaster box, have filled the house. None can compare the discussions, the proceedings, the records, the papers and the sermons of this body, with the doings of corresponding assemblies schooled only by slavery, emancipation their diploma, and for now twenty years wandering in ecclesiastical orphanage, and not feel the duty and the blessfulness of thus helping the seven millions of Africa lying at our door. The Ethiopian will

not be apt to go on his way rejoicing, if Philip must establish a color line before unfolding the prophet. He is an awkward Samaritan who touches the wounded man only with a ten-foot pole. It discredits Christianity for the church to be more intolerant than the saloon, and for men who journey together in the downward road to be separated if they turn their steps toward heaven."