Another says, "May I entreat you to be zealous, as you value the welfare of your country, the prosperity of our church, your own reputation as a minister of the gospel, and the approbation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am assured that nothing under God, will ever give motion to our Southern Zion in this most momentous of all causes of Christian benevolence before us, but the united, determined and protracted effort of God's ministers."
Another says, "Under present circumstances it is evident that they who engage in the delicate business of instructing our slaves, must confine themselves to the method of oral communication. But this limitation should not produce the slightest discouragement. Written documents bore but a small part in the early propagation of Christianity. Until the present age, indeed the mass of the people have received by far the greater part of their religious knowledge and impressions from the mouth of the living teacher. Even now perhaps the majority in our own country have their religious principles and character formed mainly by oral instruction.
"Respecting the method best adapted to the negroes, experience must decide. A few remarks will develop the general principles on which I would act if called to this high and holy duty.
"1st. To study to make the instructions given both pleasant and profitable to the instructed. The whole carcass of modern technical theology—its metaphysics—its subtle distinctions—its mystical dogmas—its sectarian polemics—its technical phrases, &c. &c.—should be cast away by him who goes to this simple and ignorant people as a Christian teacher. He should know nothing among them but the plain facts, and practical precepts, and the devotional sentiments of the Bible; and these he should set forth in the most simple, intelligible, and animated language, abounding in illustrations drawn from objects familiar to his auditors. But let him avoid negroism and vulgarity of all sorts—they would detract from his respectability, and be offensive to the understanding, and native taste of the negroes themselves, who are ignorant indeed, and to a degree stupid—but they are not fools.
"2d. To study maturely, and to digest in a lucid order, a systematic course of instruction—not the technical system of the schools—but a system of plain, practical truth, adapted to the peculiar state of the people to be instructed—illustrating, inculcating, repeating fundamental truths, and scriptural maxims, till they are well understood: aiming first to lay the foundation of a rational faith and an intelligent conviction—before the feelings and fancies of a blind enthusiasm are stirred up. It is peculiarly dangerous, to set fire to the combustible heap of crude and fanatical fancies that occupy the brain of an ignorant person, such as are most of the uninstructed negroes. It is no hard thing to guide a well instructed mind, in which reason and conscience have their due influence—but what can be done with a full blown enthusiast, or a furious fanatic, who is maddened by the chimeras of a diseased fancy? They will disdain sober instruction and set up for themselves. They will be your rivals, and have the advantage of you too, when once the flame of blind enthusiasm is kindled in the congregation.
"3d. To avoid cramming an unprepared mind with too much at once. A few ideas at one time should be clearly expressed and deeply impressed. Do not hurry matters; but let the weak stomach digest one bit, before another is administered; relieve the wearied attention, and quicken pure devotional feeling, by sweet hymns and simple fervent prayers, and short affectionate exhortations.
"4th. To combine various modes of instruction; now a short sermon, methodically exhibiting a single point of truth or duty; now a suitable passage of scripture with a pithy commentary; now a catechetical exercise, either on the last sermon or by lecturing at the time, propounding a point clearly, and then examining the auditor to see if he remember and understand. This will quicken attention, fix what is understood, and detect what is wanting.
To carry on this course, meet them twice on Sabbath and once in the week if possible. But do not claim too much of their Sunday leisure, or they will shun you.
"5th. To gain their confidence and love, sympathize with their innocent feelings, talk to them privately, preserve a mild dignity without contemning their ignorance and degradation. Have all patience with them.
"6th. Do nothing without the master's consent. Teach them what Paul directed slaves to do and be; but beware of pressing these duties too strongly and frequently, lest you beget the fatal suspicion that you are but executing a selfish scheme of the white man to make them better slaves, rather than to make them Christ's freemen. If they suspect this, you labour in vain."