The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-12-08

We find In the asst number Of the Methodist
Ell positor, communication from our friend. f.
D. Hobbs, Esq, OF this county, who is record
ing steward Of the Methodist Ep iscOpal Church
Accompanying ,he communication is pream-
bic and a series OF resolutions which were
unanimously adopted at the late meeting Of the
Middletown Conference. We subjoin them:
Whersas, we recognize the high moral and
religious obligation resting on all slaveh olders,
TO have their servants Instructed in the great
truths Of the Bible, "a proper knowledge of
which IL as certainly Calculated to make them
better servants, as II is to make us better mas
ters;) and believing there is not that attention
given by US (sho in Gods providence occupy
the position toward them that we do) TO this
important srbject-and being well convinced,
that the present system, of religious instruc-
ton afforded them, In this circuit, Is not the
one ben calculated 10 benefit them here or here
after. Therefore,
Resolved, That there shall be preaching by
our preacher in charge, to the servants, at each
regular appointment within the Middletown
circuit, once in eech month
"RssoIted, That we believe Saturday after.
noon, will be the most appropriate time for
these appointments"
"Resoiued, That we recommend and earnest
ly request all persons having servants under
their control, to allow them time to attend one
or the other Of these appointments in every
month, believing an we do, that such course,
while II will prove great gain to the one, will
be no loss TO the othsr.
"Resoived, That we most earnestly and az
fectionately recommend this subject to the con.
sideration Of the various christian churches
throughout the slave states, and especially TO
In, .x,k oF -
having efficient white missionaries laboring
among the blacks.
Rssolped, That copy Of the foregoing pro-
ceedings be forwarded to the editors Of the
Nashville Christian Advocate, and Methodist
Exposition for publication, with the request that
all religious and other newspapers, deeming the
subject of sufficient Importance, will publish the
same"
copy from the minutes of Middletown
quarterly conference.
EDwARD d. HONS, Recording Stetoard.
This Is an important subject, and We are glad
that our neighbOrs In this county have taken
it. II is melancholy fact that too many slave
holders are very negligent in their attention 10
the religious culture of their slaves. Some of
them-and we are glad to say that we believe
the number Of this class Is small-throw OBJ
stacles in the way Of their servants receiving
any instruction beyond that which is needed to
enable them to 60 through the routine of their
daily duties as satisfactorily as q we'll trained
horse performs his labors. They think that
the less a colored man knows the more likely he
Is to be good servant. Other masters are very
sedulous in attending to the salvation of their
own souls, while they manifest but little care
or thought in regard to the souls of their SER
wants.
But there are many conscientious men and
women among our slaveholding population who
deeply and seriously feel the responsibility
which their relation to their colored people inn
poses on them. They seek to perform their
duties to their servants, but have to encounter
many obstacles which seem inseparable from
The slavery institution. They send their SER
wants to church and encourage among them
'very thing which they think calculated to i'm |
press their minds favorably in respect to relie.
on, and yet the experience Of all these persons
$ that 1t is almost impossible for Christian to
lold slaves and be guiltlsss before Heaven of
neglect. With such persons slavery is by no |
means welcome institution. Its duties are |
90 heavy for enjoyment. They grisve that
when they have done all that lies within their |
'owsr to advance the moral and religions well
are OF their servants. they have accomplished |