with the principles of Congregationalism, which do not discriminate against men because of caste or color, we are prepared to welcome them heartily.  That Conference has already published its Articles of Faith and of Church Government, and these have assured us of its adherence to the general principles of the Congregational faith and 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.