Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-30
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF NEGROES.
We give place to the following from correspon

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION VI ->E"""
We give place to the following from corresPoh'
dent:
Tb;s ia the are of electricity and stenm-ot pro-
press and impruvement-snd has oeeh - 'eI .n
nbatically the age of resolutions ne inspTeo p zen
man left nowhere OH record book called the oo"h
of Rsolu,ions; yet in the sacred volume 'hcre IN u
hook called the "Acts Of the Apostles Inc seco"u
Sabbath School Convention OF Virginia coInmehceo
its sessions in this city on the 80 ot ApI'' on" "i.'
nt on, dissenting voice they passed The following
resolution: -. ,,.-,: IT,.
"Res.lved, Us the sense OF this Convention mat
in accordance with the humane spirit o our laws ~
regard 10 the oral christian instruction ct our c"oreu
rnnuIst;on i, n. earnestly recommended To masters,
pnstur. congregations, and all good pnopie amongst
u.s. 10 exert themselves faithfully towards securing
according To law oral Sabbath Scho" instruction Tor
the coored people throughout the STATE
is not the object OF this resolution To cha1e me
civil cordtiou of the negro, alter the relations oi
masters and servants, or to leach theIn 10 read' s
sole object is to promote their mora' anu scrptn'a'
instruction orally-or, in other words 10 iursh Iei
scripture instruction according TO law; or yet In
,nur. COMMUNICATIVE term, the Gully Object oi Inc
Convention in passing this resolution was 10 secure
TO the cnlured part of our population, thrnughou 'e
State the preached gospel $50 ye INTO AL me w"ri
them to observe all things whatsoever | have com.
mauded you" The negro population In TINS CITY Is
about 10000, and there are four African churchsS'
of which is among the largest churches III me
ed by any in America. They sing by note the most
difficult aud scientific music, aud we have no douo'
that many of them sing with the spirit ana win the u'
derstandlng, making melody IN their hearts, AZ Inc
time this resolution adopted, there was All African
Sabbath School in ST. James church OF some 2OO 10
$50 scholars, and B.b!e class OF colored men,
varying from forty to sixty, and very success.
full school in Of the African Methoais1
churches and another in Walkers tobacco factory
Eight DAYS after the resolution was adopted, two
schools commenced, OF which had been suspend
ed during the wint-r-th. other entirely new DINERS
have since commenced. and the churches OF the city
generally taking steps to establish snlar schools
t has heretofore been stated i'll different newspapers
that there was paper before the Convention signed
by the Governor and other distinguished gentlemen
which gave their servants PERMISSION To attend sun
lay School This instrument recognizes the negru
as property, aud shows tho matters Willingness t" d.
what the law of the land will allow for his moral aud
intellectual improvement. The paper reaos as to'
| lows: Our negroes have permission TO aitend
Sabbath School, at any suitable place IN Alchlonu
| Signed by Henry A. Wise. Richard Morris, k"nt
G. Stanard," ETC., etc. The same paper was submit
| red and signed in Lynchburg by ChSwell Daoney
John q. Meem John Ho!iins, Seth Woodruff, Joni
L. Mcdaniel etc, etc. aud wherever 1t has been SUD
mited it has been signed by the leading men III boil
| Eastern and Western Virginia.
Governor Wise believes this effort will take from
| Northern fanaticisn its sharpest weapon. His tx
cerency is alone in this opinion, nor yet Ill think
my there should BIZ great in the selection OF teach
ers for equity. justice and the rights of man have
been, and are still, fesrfuy, shnlnetuly aud dis
gracefully distorted under this couk; yet there Is no
he srhisst danger from such schools established IL
churches and taught by those who have the conf
d,nce of the community. The harvest truly is plen
teous; but this labor cannot be performed by siran
gers. May not the Virginia master unite III some or
aniz aon to perfect the only object OF the VirgnI'
| sabbath School Convention, expressed IN the fore
going resolution. Shall Ethiopia stretch forth he
hands in yain7 JAMES RIVER.