Page:The religious instruction of the colored population.djvu/20

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more effectual religious instruction to the colored population of that city.

2. That while the Presbytery recommends the formation of separate colored congregations, it is not prepared to advise that they be organized into separate Churches, but rather that they be placed under the discipline and spiritual jurisdiction of existing sessions, or treated as missionary Churches under the care of an Evangelist.

3. That this Presbytery is persuaded, under all the circumstances of the case, there is a call of Providence to Brother Adger, to abandon his mission in the East and enter upon the field which is whitening to the harvest at his very doors.

4 That in giving this opinion, the Presbytery would not be understood to disparage the Foreign Missionary work, but simply to inculcate the imperative obligation of the Southern Church, to give the Gospel to the negro and the slave."




III.—Extract from the Richmond Times and Compiler, of June 2d, 1847, with reference to the late meeting, in that city, of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

"This ecclesiastical assembly is one of great dignity and ability. It was gathered from every section, almost, of the United States. From Northern New-York to Texas—from the Atlantic to the farthest civilized bounds of the West, it was represented; and, in view of this fact, the harmony, courtesy and concession which characterized its deliberations—especially on the most exciting topic which can agitate the councils of our country—excite alike admiration and praise. Its session here will be remembered by the Church in this city with gratification, and its rlrst convocation in this city, we hope, will not be without national benefits."

On the last day of their meeting, Monday, May 31, the Rev. Mr. Pryor of Virginia, submitted the following resolutions:

1. Resolved, That this Assembly has heard, with satisfaction, the sermon preached by the Rev. C.C. Jones, D.D. , of Georgia, according to their appointment, on the subject of the religious instruction of the colored population.

2. Resolved, That the Assembly regard the subject as one of very great interest and importance, and recognize the good hand of God in opening this field to our ministers and missionaries, to so large an extent, and with such cordial approbation of the community.

3. Resolved, That the Board of Missions be directed, if it appears to them advisable, to appoint a Secretary or General Agent from and for the South and South-west, who shall superintend the collection of funds and the location of missionaries, and attend to the other duties of this department, in co-operation with the Presbyteries and Churches in that section of the country.

Mr. Pryor said this was the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church which was ever held in Virginia. During its session the exciting subject of slavery had engaged their attention; and he would here say, that, as a Southern man, devoted to Southern feelings, Southern rights, and Southern principles, he recognized, with high satisfaction, the spirit of liberality and Christian courtesy, which had been manifested by the body during the consideration of that subject. No General Assembly, he