The American Missionary — Volume 42, No. 10, October, 1888Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 42, No. 10, October, 1888
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
We present below two articles on this subject. The first is from a
London paper and the second is from one of the many able papers edited
by colored men. As to the facts alleged we have no definite
information. When the slaves were emancipated the Roman Catholics made
very decided efforts to win them. It was supposed by Protestants that
the grand ceremonials, the gaudy vestments, the music, and especially
the welcome which the Papal Church was said to give to all men
irrespective of riches, race or color, would attract the Freedmen. But
the expectation was not met; the Freedmen were not attracted, and soon
the special efforts seemed to cease. But Rome never surrenders, and
those efforts may now be resumed. We invite attention to the two
articles.
From "THE CHRISTIAN."
Romanism is spreading among the colored people of the American
Continent, and it is said that several Negroes are now in training in
Rome and elsewhere to become priests. The American Roman Catholic
papers say that the cause is not far to seek, the Roman Catholic
Church being 'the only one on this continent offering the Negro
communion on terms of equality.' If this is not true all round, it
certainly is the fact that outbreaks of the so-called
'color-prejudice' have been of but rare occurrence among the
Romanists, and that they are apparently reaping the result in a large
accession of numbers.
From "THE NEGRO AMERICAN."
Few persons are aware of the rapid spread of Catholicism among the
colored people of this country. From the American Catholic Tribune,
the organ of the colored Catholics of America, we obtain facts that
are truly startling. Young colored men are now in Rome and in the
Catholic schools and colleges of the United States, preparing for work
among their people in America, and Africa as well, while to-day
missionaries are everywhere busy, sowing the seeds of Catholic belief
and worship. These teachings are eagerly accepted by the colored
people. The cause of this success among them is not far to seek. The
Catholic Church, of all which are ruled by whites on this continent,
is the only one offering the Negro communion on terms of equality.
While the Southern Protestants are setting up separate synods,
councils, presbyteries and conferences for the Negro, and the
Y.M.C.A., with the same narrow spirit, is refusing colored men seats
in its councils, while Northern Protestants are either neutral in this
matter of caste or only half-hearted in crying down upon the
sin of it; the Catholics alone have accepted in a full and liberal
sense the command, "preach my gospel to every creature," and have
extended fellowship to all, regardless of race, color or condition. It
matters not what their motive is. The fact stands boldly out. True,
instances are occurring of outbreaks of color-prejudice among the
Catholics, but the policy of the church is openly and boldly against
discrimination of whatever sort among its members. The fear of "social
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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