Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-02-16
icy REQUEST.
By REQUESI.J
From tie Religions Herald q Dec. 2""' l9'c
Religious Condition OF siaves-;.n a
ricnu Rnutisf Church.

In common with your many rtal ffs' wa
much interested few days since, III ne S'a''
ments made in your letters from Virginia res
pecfinp the religious privileges and cohdllII"
uftfe color,d population OF Richmond n'
general subject IS one OF interest 10 e'e.
Christina heart, and there IS more o. gfd'e,u'
interest connected with it than Is generally
supposed. The religious instruction OF slaves
ha, Teen awakening the more CONSCIENTIOUS
regard of Chrislian masters, and Of others "no
foc for their spiritual welfare, and WITHIN me
asst few years great advance has been maze
In furnishing them with gospel privileges an
advance which every principle OF Out rehg'on
impels US 10 hope is only indicative OF the more
general diffusion among them OF the means oil
grace, in which they have a common interest,"
"a ith their masters. On many oil the large
plantations in various parts OF tne south, the
ordinances Of the gospel are as regularly main
tanned by competent ministers, as IN any ON
cr communities North or South. Christians
oflarge aud warm hearts have devoted their
energies 10 awaken the public mind to the du
~ of outstanding those children OF Africa
who are .ound In Their midst and OF labo'Ing
for their conversion through the regularly es-
tablished privileges Of the gospel.
In The cities, provision has long been made
to secure these ends, and to much greater eX-
rent than is generally known While soDourn
ing at Augusta, Georgia, | made this matter
one Of special observation and inquiry, the re
suit of which do not doubt will give you and
your readers pleasure. In many ltnot all the
churches, colored members are numbered and
surround The same communion table with Their
masters and provision IS also made for their
enjoying the ordinary privileges as the house
of God in the same place; but this class OF the
population ofthis city, as Of other cities, pre-
fer to have their own places Of worship, and
their own church organizations, with which
they are ahundantIy favored. The largest
church in this city or State. and SO far my
knowledge extends, The largest church in the
U. States, is the LIST African Baptist church
Of Augusta, called the Springfield church,from
its being within The limits of a settlement once
hearing that name, but now absorbed by the
extension Of the boundaries of the city. Ii for
merly numbered 1900 members, but was re
duced by the formation of another, in another
quarter of the town, and the list OF its mem
bers, am informed by one intimately acquaint
ed with its history and present condition, now
embraces 1899 names. The building occupied
by the congregation is a large and neat edlhce
erected by their own contributions with the
aid of the citizens of the place, and everything
connected with the buildings and its grounds,
reflects the highest credit upon the congrega
ton by which ii is occupied, the entire man
agement OF its concerns being In their own
hands. Many wealthy congregation has made
far less honorable and suitable provisions for
the public worship Of God. The Rev. DR.. S
> DAVIS, by virtue Of an appointment from the
civil authorities has general supervision of
the religious services of the congregation, and
aids them with his instructions and counsel but
the regular pastor is a colored man, who is
maintained by the contributions of his flock,
and Is furnished by them with the means of
purchasing from his master his whole time.
which devoted to his spiritual charge Under.
him are several coIored men who have author
lly to preach,an WHO supply different stations
within the city and its immediate vicinity
Their previous pastor, Jacob Walker left be
hnd him a name which is cherished by all
classes IN Augusta He was man of rare
good sense. of uncommon exec Hence Of char
acter, and although having hfte learning. his
natural faculties Of mind with limited cn',iva
ton, qualified him to make an instructive and
useful preacher. Although the pastor of this
church tor more than quarter Of a Century. he
was slave, and remained such until the time
on his death, but not without the opportunity
Of having his freedom had he so DESIRED
HIS congregation at one time. without consult
Iog hun, raised sufficient sum to purchase
his freedom, in order that lhcv might regard
mm as more fully their own pastor, or that he
might feel more liberty in the relation; but
While he acknowledged their kind intentions
ne refused the offer, declining to elevate him
sell above his flock; thus initiating the exam
pie OF HIM who "took ON Him the form Of a
servant that he might b. made Ike unto hi.
brethren A notice Of his life and character
Pno4shed shortly ofler his DEATH says. "lnl
al the relations of life he Was rema kahle for
the tideh'y with which he performed his DIN
"es, As a serranthc was exemplary, and enjoy.
edthe att cnonale confidence ofbis owners. As
man, he VAS remarkable for his integrity A.
i. 0n .r he was consistent, humble thooch
oIgnlhed, and won the regards OF our vb6raj
community toy good profession of 50 ,e,r,
AS PASTOR he VAS of;crionatc and diligcnr
and was loved by very large communal I'D
l., L.