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to discuss the question whether it was necessary to form a separate Church for the use of colored worshippers; that is a question I take as not forming any part of a Church history proper, unless there arose some circumstance by which a separation would be forced upon the receding party. Let it suffice the reader for me to say, there was no cause of ill-treatment upon the part of existing organizations or Churches, to drive the colored membership to seek a separation; they could have remained in connection, no doubt, with the churches, and been respected as members of it. Presbyterians are remarkable for their regard to each other, without respect to distinctions—it is a characteristic of God's people. In the case, then, of raising a colored church, the prevailing opinion seemed to be, an organization of colored people where church government could be committed to, and governed by them, and that without separating from Presbyterian bodies, or alienating themselves from their fellow Christians. A church was accordingly formed, and measures adopted to supply it with preaching, which will be stated in its proper place. There seems to be a providence in these movements sometimes very remarkable, and it proved so in this case. God often "works in a mysterious way His wonders to perform"—for at this particular and interesting time, Dr. Gideon Blackburn, a Presbyterian clergyman, arrived in Philadelphia, bringing with him a body servant or slave called John Gloucester, and about whom much will be said during our notice of the history of the Church. This man was of deep piety, and well instructed in the doctrines of the Presbyterian faith. Seeing that his servant was a man of no ordinary character, that he possessed gifts and graces that evidently qualified him for the ministry, Dr. Blackburn, it will be seen in the
