2nd. That the friends of religion should labour to obtain unity of views, sentiments, and purposes amongst all the ministers and churches in our bounds; especially where this population is large.
3d. There must be exercised in the whole matter a sound discretion, and a careful examination of every step.
4th. Also unblenching intrepidity, and Christian firmness.
5th. Untiring perseverance and unceasing effort.
6th. That long patience, which the husbandman hath when he waiteth for the precious fruits of the earth.
7th. Undoubted love to God and to all men.
8th. Correct statistical information of the number of black members in our churches, and hearers in our congregations, should be obtained and published.
9th. A hearty and steady engagedness of private members in all our churches in continual and becoming labours for the salvation of those immediately dependant upon them, should be urged.
10th. Some years ago (in 1833) there was a proposal to organize a general Board or Missionary Society in the South, for the special purpose of conducting this work. At the time we were in favour of such an organization. But it failed from some cause. In the present state of our church, the Board of Missions, (Domestic,) acting as it does through the Presbyteries, and by their advice, is perhaps fully adequate to the work. We see not why they may not do it all, if the churches will but furnish the means, and if proper men can be found. We have spoken of a general Board. Local Associations are and will continue to be in many respects useful and important. Let such be formed, on correct principles wherever it may be useful. A form of a constitution for such an association "auxiliary to the Board of Domestic Missions" constitutes a valuable part of the Appendix to the pamphlet under review.
A friend of ours, who has long felt an interest, and who has through a course of years conducted an extensive correspondence on this subject, has shown us a large number of letters obtained by him for public use from clergymen of high standing in several different denominations, from lawyers, physicians, judges, members of Congress, intelligent planters, officers of public institutions, and others residing in Virginia and Texas, and States lying between them. We find in these letters from men residing far apart a remarkable agreement both in feeling and in judgment.