The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-07-31
The Gospel In Kemsucky.

head Of "lnhuence of Slavery in retarding the
progress of the Gospel publishes quite NUM-
Der of extracts from missionaries in the slave
holding States. We deemed these extracts too
important to be passed without notice. we
published them, consequently, last week. on
our first page, and We hope the religious men OF
Kentucky may read them.
In our first number, we gave il as our oPin- |
ion, that slaves all over the South were obtain |
ing and more Of religious knowledge, |
because of the general increase ofreigious oppor-
tunties. We are satisfied that this is so. Oi
course, this knowledge and these opportunities, |
vary essentially in different slave States: in
some of them, both are very limited; in others,
they are more extended; ihey are, in none OF
them, what they should be; but there IS pro-
gress in all. Still, nowhere (and we are fami-
liar with the SOUTH have anything to
Justify the strong language Of Southern mis-
sionary. He writes, we presume, from the far
South, and says:
There are many slaves in the families of
those connected with the churches here, as there
are white members in those families; and not a
single Of them, that ! have heard Of, can
read the Bible; and there are not half dozen
of them that make any pretensions TO Piety
They are almost never called in to be present al
family worship; but while the white family are
bowling before God in the parlor, the slave is
preparing the morning meal IN the kitchen.
have felt INV heart almost sink within me, a.
| addressed the throne of grace with the family,
when my thoughts wandered to that kitchen
where the slave must remain. To him, no
| Bible is opened; for him, no prayer is heard.
Very few ever attend preaching where | am.
| and ! know of no way i'll which they are in
| struc,ed. do not know of single master or
| mistress that ever teaches them any systematic
| religious truth. Sad, sad indeed is their lot.
| and DO not see cloud as big mans hand,
| that portends their emancipation
We there is exaggeration, or some
| error here. We cannot believe this statement.
If it were true, that Slavery was demoralizing,
| or that Southern piety was of this character,
| there is not woman, or child, within civilized
| influences. who would not cry aloud and I'M
sparingly against system which could produce,
| or tolerate, such enormty, such false results.
The State, or the section of the State. of which
the above remarks are true ought, at least, to be
known.
| Our purpose, however, is not TO discuss the
general subject, but TO inquire what is doing for
| the religious improvement of slaves in kentuc-
| ky what should be done and 10 defend this
people and State against mistaken judgments
| formed of them abroad.
| What is dong
Very generally the churches here are seeking
to extend the religious opportunities and know
ledge of slaves. They admit often, TO its fullest
extent, their responsibility on the subject They
| do not meet il always as it ought to be met; nor
could they DO SO, did they try ever SO hard,
der any system of servitude. But we know of
no part of Kentucky. and no place, in any part
of il. where the colored people are not encour-
| aged in attending religious worship, and where
they do not possess means of religious improve
ment The Church Goes its duty, TO great ex-
tent. in this particular; and masters, whether
religious or not, hep them in their efforts.
Public opinion, indeed, is decided this point.
| II we were 10 take Louisville, or Frankfort
| or Maysville, as test we should speak stronger
than we do. Our city is nearest. and We select
/ seven tDufCnt> mere, lfieN
are fully attended; they have Sunday schools,
prayer meetings, every accompaniment of holy
places; and, what is more. excellent dscour-
| SEES As we will often hear in the country in most
parts of the South The Rev. Mr.. Adams, the
pastor of one of these churches, is man of re-
markable caution, wisdom. purity. and force of
character: he has "A wide influence over the
blacks, and. while beloved by them, is as much
| respected by the whites, as any man in Louis
vile. Could all this be, if anything like the
view prevailed. which the missionary talks of
Could these results happen, if the gospel, invar-
ably and always. was retarded by slavery to the
hundredth part of what he supposes' His phil
osophy is wrong. Truth will displace Error in
elevate the lowest. Only plant it among the
people, and it will eventually save the people
II is Gods word, and will command, even where
not cloud is seen big rs a mans hand. tina,
portcnds emancipation.
We want the truth, the whole truth, abou,
Slavery and its effects, without gloss or color
But distinctions should be observed, when they
exist, and where progress is made. or is making
that progress should he readily cheerfully ac-
knowledged. Especially should justice be done
TO religious men and churches in the South
who, amid trying difficulties, are doing what
they can for the religious improvement of the
colored people, and who are really anxious to
put their religious instruction upon a right ba-
sis, as soon il can be done. The voice of en-
Encouragement. TO the toiling man, comes like a
favoring breeze to the Storm beaten sailor, after
hard and rough sea struggle. He feels, when
full justice is done afar off. as if he could bear
the brunt of the fight afresh and battle on with
new vigor and brighter hope. Let all who merit
it in the South. hear this voice in its fullest
roundest sweep, and receive this justice with
the livei:est. most cheering promptness
=. What should he done further for the
colored people
Many Of the churches-and some of the ables,
divines in them-aver, that the first step is Ia
teach co.ored people to read the word of God
There is much diversity of opinion on this sub
Ject. Some, looking to interior consequences
oppose it vehemently; others, with an eye upon
these consequences, defend it, as our true policy
earnestly. Yet, another class stand upon the
right. and affirm that we must do it. Dr. JOHN
L. YOUNG, President of Danville College
preached sermon 1--WE commenced it in No. g.
| and finish il this week on the first page,) ..ON