order. The only question still open is as to the readiness of that body
to unite with the Congregational churches already existing in that State
in the practical recognition of the broad Christian and Congregational
principles in the fellowship of all churches irrespective of caste
distinctions.

The second resolution quoted above rejoices in the effort now making to
unite the two Congregational bodies in Georgia on that basis. We trust
that effort may be successful, for we believe that such a union is
essential to recognition by the National Council and to the cordial
fellowship of the Congregational churches. The Georgia Association, ever
since its organization in 1878, has been recognized and represented in
every subsequent meeting of the National Council, and we cannot see how
the Council can consistently welcome another organization, covering the
same State, that is kept separate from the older body by the line of
race or color; nor do we believe that the Congregational churches of
this country will fellowship both organizations thus held apart. We are
confirmed in the correctness of this impression from the decided and
independent utterances of the influential religious papers which so
largely represent the sentiments of the Congregational churches of this
country.

We present below some extracts from such of these papers published since
the Saratoga meeting as have come to hand before the MISSIONARY goes to
press, while in another portion of our pages we give more at length the
prior utterances of these journals on the same general subject. We deem
the question to be so important that we wish to lay it fully before our
readers.

_From The Independent._

We have nothing but satisfaction to express with this action. It would
be absurd to imagine that Congregationalists could forget their spotless
record, and could now, for the pride of the addition of fifty or a
hundred churches, consent to help a movement that should put colored
brothers in a separate fellowship by themselves. This they will never
do. They will hold out a warm hand of welcome to all comers, and warmest
to those who come to them from the South, white and black: but they want
them to come together, not apart.

_From The Congregationalist._

This, we are confident, was the proper attitude for the Society to
assume. No one wanted to grieve or irritate the Southern brethren, by
clauses in the resolutions, which might seem uncalled for, or a