Thoughts on the Religious Instruction of the Negroes of this Country

by William S. Plumer

The second document is styled "Practical considerations founded on the Scriptures relative to the slave population of South Carolina," respectfully dedicated to the "South Carolina Association," by a South Carolinian, understood to be the Rev. Dr. Dalcho of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Charleston. The concluding sentence is in these words: "If we are the owners of slaves, our duty to God, to our country, and to ourselves, all urge the necessity of affording them instruction in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the souls of men." pp. 37, 38.

Another of these documents, whose author is the Rev. Chas. Colcock Jones, D.D., establishes these principles: That the negroes need the gospel: That God has put it in our power to give them the gospel: That we are bound by humanity, consistency, by the spirit of our religion, and by the express command of God to give them the gospel: That we cannot be excused from this work by pleading that they already and sufficiently have the light of life: Nor by pleading that they are incapable of receiving it: Nor by pleading the little success that has been had in this department: Nor by pleading the great and peculiar difficulties of the case.

The next documents are the twelve Annual Reports of the Missionary to the negroes in Liberty County, Georgia, presented to the Association from year to year, and published by order of the Association. These are the most practical and therefore to us the most useful documents in the collection. Passing by the practical matters, we present but one sentence taken from the report of 1833. "The religious instruction of servants is as much a duty as that of children. You are labouring therefore to discharge a duty; and are to account for the manner in which you discharge it at the bar of God." p. 15.

The next document is: "Report of the committee to whom was referred the subject of the Religious instruction of the colored population, of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, at its sessions in Columbia, South Carolina, December 5th-9th, 1833, and published by order of the Synod." This able document thus enumerates the benefits which will flow from the religious instruction of the negroes, and clearly shows that it will be to our interest. It specifies these things: "There will be a better understanding of the relation of master and servant and of their reciprocal duties: The pecuniary interests of the masters will be advanced as a necessary consequence: The religious instruction of the negroes will contribute to safety: Another benefit is, we shall thus promote our own morality and religion: Much unpleasant discipline will be saved to the churches: The last benefit mentioned is one that we thus convey to the servants instrumentally: It is the salvation of their souls."

Another document is the "Pastoral letter of the Rt. Rev. Wm. Meade, Assistant Bishop of Virginia, to the ministers, members, and friends, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Virginia, on the duty of affording religious instruction to those in bondage," and published at the request of the Convention of Virginia. This manly and Christian publication shows it to be our duty to seek the salvation of these people because: "The providence of God in sending these people among us in a state of dependence points out to us this duty: The word of God is particular and emphatic on this subject: The benevolence and mercy of the gospel require this of us: Consistency requires this of us." The conclusion urges the performance of this duty from success already had in the work. In the Appendix are to be found some letters and documents of great worth on this great subject.

But Dr. Jones seems to be in this department more "abundant in labours" than any other man. We have now his excellent and practical pamphlet on the religious instruction of slaves. We are glad to see it sent forth by our Board of Publication, and in its present form too. We trust it will have an extensive circulation. No man will fail to be better informed who reads it with care. It can for a few cents be transmitted by mail to any part of the United States. Our advice concerning it is given in four words: buy, read, circulate, practice it.

The statistics of the negro race in the slave-holding States of this nation are of the most interesting kind. Their increase is prodigious. We cannot go into this matter now, farther than to say that the next census will probably show that the number of negroes and mulattoes in the United States is more than four millions. What an object for Christian love and wisdom and effort! Who will not pray for the salvation of these people?

From what has been already said, our minds are fully satisfied of the correctness of the following positions:

I. It is the duty of Christians generally, and of Presbyterians particularly, earnestly to seek the salvation of all the destitute, and especially of the negroes of this country, by such methods as the laws of God require, and in conformity with every proper law of the land, relating to these people. A good police is nowhere adverse to the spread of the gospel.

II. On account of the incalculable benefits resulting to the teacher of the plan of salvation, and to him who is taught as well as to masters and the community generally, it is expedient to do this thing and that speedily.