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Christian prejudice below.”We have just heard of a case of color-phobia in this State which surpasses in barbarity the one alluded to above. We will relate it as briefly as possible. It is that of an old negro who has for a quarter of a century been a consistent member of the Congregational Church of the town in which he resides. No one ever complained of his deportment. He is always nea*. and clean and is always to be found at bis place at Church. But the negro is very old* and unusual'sor-rows and cares have shattered his frame.— About a year ago his wife died. Before her death ,the couple were in the habit of climbing the stairs to sit in the gallery—to humor the prejudice of the very pious and respectable audience. After his wife’s death, the negro being old and feeble, ventured to sit below in the body of the church with his Christian brethren. He was allowed to sit there for several months, but at last the co-lorphobia set in and many of the good Christians present became dissatisfied with the presence of a “nigger.” The Society’s Committee instructed the Sexton to inform said “nigger” that he could no longer sit below in the Church,and he was compelled to stay at home. A short time after, at the annual sale of slips, some white friend of his rented one for his (negro’s) use, but when his object was ascertained a violent effort was made to pass a resolution denying to any man the right to introduce a negro into his own slip. This failed, and the negro took his seat at church again. But there were some of the white Christians who were fillejl with the colorphobia and would not be contented and they warned a Society’s Meeting. The meeting (said to be illegal from the fact that the business was not specified,) was not fully attended, but a resolution was passed appointing a committee to inform the negro that he could no longer sit below in that church, save while the communion teas being administered! One half of the men who voted for that barbarous resolution were brother church membersflbf the negro. The Committee waited upon the old man and he burst into tears when their cruel errand was made known. His heart was almost broken to think that in the midst of his old age, his infirmities and his afflictions, that his brothers in Christ should - eject- him from the Lord’s Temple, and he has never since attempted to sit with them. The Church is now quiet again, and can go on singing hal-lelujahs to the Lord without the unpleasant presence of the “nigger!” Its members can shout and pray with special ^delight, for the old meeting house contains only white faces! but in contains some black souls and they will look black too, at the great trial day of the universe, by the side of the pious, humble negro’s spirit! Do they suppose that there they can vote the negro away off into some gallery pew? Will they dare in the presence of the great God—apologise for their hatred of the negro? Dare, make ..the excuse for their cruel persecutions that he was Hack? It were better for them that a millstone were hanged about their necks, and that they were cast into the sea.We had supposed that the day for “Jim Crow care” and “negro pews” was over in New England, but it seems we were mistaken. The monied corporations, though reputed to be soulless, have still a glimmering sense of right and have got over their colorphobia) but there are Christian churches yet, which have not. The railroads are ahead of the churches in decency—the steam engines in advance of the deacons! Let us live in hope. If the divinity that is dealt out from New England pulpits will not root out this wicked prejudice againt a color, perhaps that of the ledger will.
Newspaper Details
Indianapolis Gazette
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Thu, May 12, 1853
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 28 Oct 2023
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