Or, A Colored Maris Reply to Bishop Foster. 21
;andj women of the race. Our loyalty has been a' conspicuous
feature in our religious life. We love the r spirit of the church
Tjecause it is the spirit of Christianity. Its past record, at least,
■shows that. We have never spoken unless in favor of the
church of our choice. We have re arded the church as greater
friend as .we can find among the other branches of the Chris¬
tian Church. Our endurance, amid great persecution from some
-without, as well as some within, is an evidence of our fidelity to
the Old Mother of American Methodism. We presented our-
-selves for membership in the church when it was in its infancy.
We have been as loyal as Black Harry, Bishop Asbury's travel¬
ing companion. We have never betrayed our trust, but have
"been as true as steel. Many inducements have been offered us
to leave the old church; but we have stood our ground like true
-and tried soldiers.
We have not been slow to acknowledge the Christian philan¬
thropy of our benefactors. We have praised the old Church
which has helped us spiritually, intellectually, financially and
socially. We have shown our love for and fidelity to the church
by being diligent in helping to add to its membership every
year. We have prevailed with some of the most intelligent men
and women of the race to join the church of many colors, but in
its law no color. The colored members generally felt at home
-In the Methodist Episcopal Church because they were born
therein.
We have taken the advice of our white friends East, West,
North and South, when given in the direction of our elevation.
Surely we have used every means and seized every opportunity
offered us in order that we might grow and develop into the
Uiigbest type of Christian manhood.
No intelligent person, if he is sane, would dare regard us dis-
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