Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-08-12
Antt- GIoprrp.
From The Charleston, IS, c. Mercury.
Religious instruction Of the COlOred Pop
ulatiOn,

1tClISIUttD IHDtluOtIVu vi lHG UUIUTGu lUU'
ulatiOn,
We have pcrused with much qualification, the ser.
mon of the Rev. John B. Adger late missionary at
Smyrna, on this very interesting and important sub
Ject preached at the Second Presbyterian church on
Sunday, May 9th, 1917. Mr. Adger having reason to-
believe that, from failing vision too severely tried as
translator and under the parched climate and brilliant
sun Of Syria, and from other reasons his usefulness
was likely to be diminished in the field Of foreign
missionary labor to which he has hitherto devoted the
prime of his existence, has now, in compliance with
early longngs and convictions of duty turned his at
tenton to his heart and at our very doors
the domestic missionary field, for the moral and re
gous instruction of the heather in our midst THE
slaves, who minister to comfort and luxuries and
are yet as a body, in than Egyptian darkness"
The subject is well and ably treated and is certainly
entitled to the serious consideration of the politician
and phlanthropst and the prayertu consideration of
the Christian. We certainly have not done the full
measure OF our duty to this class of our population
There upwards Of twenty thousand coored persons
IN Charleston aud on the Neck and there are but in
adequate accommodations and opportunities for their
attendance on the preached Word of God, by admis
sion to the galleries of some Of our churches-there be-
ing many that do not voucAsafe them that priv-
lege. Most clearly are bound as a Christian com
munity to provide for them in our churches or out of
our churches-tha is in churches expressly erected
and set apart for them We at first had doubts upon
the proprety of eparation-tounded on the principle
that God the Father of ALL was no respector of per-
sons and, white or black, bond free, should worship
God at one atar-and also, in the consideration that
the due subordnaon of the subject race REQUIRE that
the moster and the slave should meet for religious ser
vice IN the same temple, each in his marked and dis
tnctve place. And such would still be our preference
in both religion and policy, were not satisfied that,
in community SO populous ours, the galleries and
es OF our churches, the only places for the accom-
modatlon OF coored worshpers, under the existing
system, not, and cannot be made sufficiently spa
clous for that purpose. The only alternative left, is,
to build churches for their separate use where under
white pastors, and white deacons, or committees Of
trustworthy and properly insru tied colored class
leaders, their eternal interests may be properly cared
for, without prejudice to the general veal.
We find too, on reflection that this course will be
quite In conformity with the existing legislation and
policy of the State on the subject BY the Act of
2Oth December, 1900 (Gckhard's Digest of City Ordi-
nances, PIP. 376, Z and 81 slaves and free persons of
color are implicitly allowed to meet for religious wor
ship IN the company or presence of white persons at
any place. "not confined and secret" and at any time
after sunset or before sunset and such has been the
practice throughout the State After sunset by the
Act of December II, 1903 Ibid, p. 379) they cannot
lawfully meet, unless the majority of the assembly be
white persons, not at all after nine o'clock at night
Another controlling consideration in favor of sepa-
rate religious worship, by tie coored population is, the
notorious fact that sermons adapted to the intelligence
and taste Of white audiences are absolutely incomprc-
hcnsble by, and lost upon, slave auditors. We lately
heard an eloquent and pious clergyman, of the Meho
dist Episcopal denomination, tell the following lustra
tive anecdote on this subject. preacher, on some
occasion, had chosen the Craze his theme, and dis
coursed very eoqueny on it ''the repository of the
dead" Pompey. one of the ebon auditors, seemed
deeply attentive to and interested in the sermon, of
which SHE repository Of the dead" the catchword,
or burden. When Pompcy got home, his MASTER who
had himself highly enjoyed the fine display of pulpit
eoquence, and supposed, from Pompeys fixed atten-
ton, (which he had observed,) that it was case of
" like master, like man" said to him, "Well Pompey,
that was very fine sermon, suppose you understood
and enjoyed it very much" ooh, yes. massa" replied
he ''berry fine, berry fine" "You know" asked the
MASTER "what the repository of the dead, means
don't you, Pompey" "Oh yes, massa," promptly re-
Joined the slave, sit means de place where dey sell
carriages" This will serve as a specimen of the il
iterate Africans capacity to profit by the flowing pc
RODS and elevated thoughts of pulpit oratory which
are in their place acceptable to both God and man.
But most strkingy illustrates the necessity of hav-
ING preacher expressly for the slaveas much so as
pastor expressly for the marlner-to address him in
simple language, suited to his limited comprehenson
and his peculiar modes of thought feeling and action
and also to exercise over, and manifest towards him.
general pastoral charge and interest, in which au-
thority and affection will work together for his moral
reformation and everlasting good
Of even more Importance than preaching will be
catechetcal instruction, equally level with the nte
gence of the slave; and this occupies a prominent
place IN Mr.. Adgers judlcous plan OF this excel
lent plan, and its probable blessings, here permit
Mr.. A. TO speak for himself:
"Give them suitable church room and suitable mir
listers devoted entirely to their good. Let them be in
duced, by such allurements as these, to crowd the
place Of Worship yet be careful how they suffered
to crowd into the spiritual church. Invite them all to
hear the gospel, but receive them only after careful
and thorough examination into the membership. Let
those who are admitted bo built up in the faith, not
only by suitable preaching, but by the laborious and
persevering caecheca teaching of them in private.
Indoctrinate thoroughly their class leaders, till they
may communicate sound doctrine to the others. Pay
great attention to the youth; and, with reference to the
whole congregation aim not at exciting them, but at
nstructng them. Thoroughly imbue their minds with
the principles and precepts of the Bible, and store
them with the facts and narratives of its history AT
the same time, watch them, far as possible,
both directly and by means of their leaders, faith
full shepherd watches his sheep. Let the dsci-
pne of the church be firmly and faithfully administer
ed upon them. This is what we need Such a course
as this quietly and perseverngy pursued for ten years.
would show the most delightful results. Different,
alas very different is the present state and character
of our efforts to do them good Our poor have not the
f gospel preached to them"
The leading text chosen by Mr.. A. to enforce the
performance oil our christian "uy towards the CoIoed
race among us, was, And the poor have the Gospel
preached to them" Matt Xi; l6;-and he considers our
slave population peculiarly our poor, towards whom
this prediction and duty should be fulfilled He thus
beautifully develops and expands this idea.
The great reason for rousing ourselves to this
work is, that this is Our bOpaden dity To our poor
the Gospel ought to be preached Christ's command
! has been given We must answer to God if we neg
= ect il. There is no possible excuse. All things arc
ready, if your hearts ready. You have duty tc
do as a church. Your Presbytery and your Sessions
? urge it on YOU Good and wise men in this city u
UNANIMOUSLY approve For the performance of thu
work, on your behalf offer YOU my services, if tho