Or, A Colored Afan's Reply to Bishop Foster. 67
tion, they will not affirm nor deny, what the bishop has said in
his book. What the Church has affirmed in the past is no rea¬
son that she remain silent at present. There has been no oc¬
casion since 1868 demanding an expression as to the future
status of the colored man in the Church. The great Metho.
dist Episcopal Church cannot stand halting, yea, dumb before
the present condition of things. We know that it has only been
very recently since we have had colored men who are the peers
of not a few of the generals officers of the Church. Men whose
qualifications have not been called in question even to fill the
high office of bishop. If it is expedient for the good of all
concerned that the Church acknowledge a color-line then let it
appear in the Discipline. The little recognition that colored
men have received in the Church has only extended to the col¬
ored work. The Editors of The "Christian Educator" say in
the April number 1893, Page in after speaking of very near
positions, coming to some colored men, at the General Confer¬
ence of 1892, and the honorary votes some received perhaps to
keep them cheerful, then they say as to the successor of Bishop
Taylor that he is likely to be a colored man. We quote the
following; "It is a thousand times more probable that a black
man will be selected than a white man. The white is afraid
to go. The office of bishop great as it is, is scarcely sufficent
inducement." These our many friends never hint, nor imply
once that it is probable even, one thousandth of a time that a
colored man will be elected bishop in the United States under
the rule now existing. We are not seeking consolation against
impossibility, but simply request the Church to affirm or deny
the statement of the bishop concerning our future. We do not
desire the Church to affirm and deny ; that is to say, affirm the
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