Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-06-05

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RELtGIoUs INSTRUCTIONS or NEGRnEs.--Nfe give
place to the following from correspondent:
This is the age Of electricity and ,steam-of
progress and improvement t-and has been styled
emphaticalIy the age of resolutions The IN
spired penman left noiT here on record book
called the B9okCt ResoEntioRss. yet in the sa-
cred volume there is book called the sActs of
the Apostles The second Sabbath School Con
yention of Virginia commenced It's sessions in
Richmond on the Sd Of April, and without one
dissenting voice they passed the following reso.
lution:
RssoEeed, As the sense of this Convention,
that, in accordance with the humane Split of
our laws IN regard to the oral Christian instrue-
ton of our colorcd population, 1t be earnestly
recommends to masters, pastors, congreg ations,
and all good people amongst us to exert them
selves faithfully towards securing. according to
law. oral Sabbath School instruction for the coli
orel people throughout the State.
tits not the object of this resolution to change
the civil condition of the negro, or effect the
lations of masters and servants. or to teach them
to read The sole object is to promote their mo-
raj ond scriptural instruction orallyor, in other
words, to furnish them scripture instruction ac-
tcording to law; or yet in more comprehensive
terms, the only object Of the Convention in pass
ing this resolution was TO secure to the cclored
part Of our population. throughout the State the
preached gospel. $50 sc into all the world and
preach my gospel to every creature, teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever | have
commanded YOU The negro population in
Richmond is about 10000, and there are four
African churches, one Ofwhich samong the larg-
est churches in the world, and Lowell's Mason
SAYS its choiris not equaled by any in America.
They sing by. note the most difficult and scien-
tife music, and with the spirit and with the un-
derstanding, making melody in their hearts
AT the time the resolution was adopted, there
was an African Sabbath School IN 81. James
church of some 200 to $50 scholars, and Bible
class of colored men varying from forty to sixty,
and very successful school in one Of the
African Methodist churches, and another i'll
Walkers tobacco factory. Eight days after
the resolution was adopted; two schools COM
menced one of which had been suspended
through the winter-the other entirely new
Others have since commenced; and the church,
es Of the city generally are taking steps to es-
tablish similar schools. 1t has heretofore been
| stated in different newspapers, that there was a
paper before the Convention, signed by the Go
vernon and other distinguished gentlemen, which
gave their servants permission to attend a Sum
day school. This instrument recognizes the ne
gro as property, and shows the masters willing
ness to do what the law OF the land will allow
| for his moral and intellectual improvement
| The paper read as follows: "Our negroes have
permission to attend a Sabbath School, at any
suitable place in Richmond, and to receive mo
trai and religious instruction orally. Signed by
Henry a; Wise, Richard 2. Morris, Robert g.
mitted and signed in Iynchburg by Chiswcll
Dabncy, John G. H0sn, John Hollins, Seth
Woodruff, John r. 1IcDanicl, ETC., etc.; and
wherever it has been submitted it has been
signed by the leading men in both Eastern and
Western Virginia.
Gov. Wise believes this effort will takezhom
Northern fanaticisln its sharpest weapon. His
sxcellency is not alone in this opinion, nor yet
in thinking there should be great care in the Sc
rights of man have been, and are still, fearfully,
shamefully and disgracefully distorted under this
cloak; yet there is not the slightest danger from
such schools established in churches, and taught
tby those who have the confidence of the com
munity. The harvest truly is plenteOus; bnt
the labor cannot be performed by Strangers
The first African sold in America was sold on
James river, August goth, 1920; and may not
the Virginia master unite in some organization
to perfect the only object of the Virginia Sab
bath School Convention, expressed in the fore
going resolution. Shall Ethiopia stretch forth
her hands in yains