The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-09-30
From the n. Y. Observer.l
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION 0F
SLAVES,


! The Presbvterv OF Roanoke, Virginia, %. S.
has addressed Pastoral letter, on the instruction
| of the coored people, to the churches under It's
care, and ordered the same TO be read in all the
churches of the PresbyteTy, in those that are va
cant, as well as where there are pastors or sta
ted supplies. 1t commences by saying "A
mong the important interests OF the kingdom OF
our Lord Jesns Christ, which have claimed our
special attention since the organization OF the
Presbytery in April last,--that the work OF the
Lord may be vigorously and efficiently carried
forward within our bounds,-the religious in
struct,on of the c0lored people, IS hardly to be
placed second to any other" Alter speaking OF
the obstacles and encouragements to the work, It
gives the following statistics
In the Presbytery of Charleston, s. c., 1857
out of 1889 members, or considerably over one
half, are coIored. In the whole Synod OF 5.
Carolina, 5,009 out of Is, ,074, are colored mem
bers. The Presbyterles of Mississippi and Cen
tra Mississippi, of Tuscaloosa and South Ala
bama. of Georgia, of Concord, and Fayetteville,
also show many churches with large proportions
of colored communicates, from one-third TO one
seventh of the whole. Our own Presbytery
reports 276 out of 1877 members. In the
whole of the above mentioned bodies, there are
9,O76 colored, out of 33,667 communicates.
Among the churches fthese PresbyteriCs, we
find twenty with an aggregate colored member
ship of $500, or an average Of 130 to each.
We'ind also, such large figures as these, 290,
333, 356, 525 These facts speak for themselves
and forbid Encouragement.
Speaking OF the obligations to instruct this
class, the letter says:
But these people are among US, at our doors,
in our own fields, and around our iEesides Ii
they need instruction, then the command OF our
LORD, and every obligation of benevoence, call
us to the work of teaching them, with all in
dusry, the doctrines OF Christ. The first and
| kindest outgoings OF our Christian compassion
should be towards them. They are not only
near us, bus are also entirely dependent nPon us.
for themselves, and as to energy and self-direc-
ting power, they are but children,-forced to
look TO their masters for every supply. From
this arises an obligation, at once imperative, and
momentous significance TO US, 10 make thorough
provisions for their religious instruction, to the
full extent that we are able TO provide it for
selves. This obligation acquires great addition
| al force when it is further considered, that be-
sides proximity and dependence, they are in-
! deed members of our ShouSeholdS" AS the three
| hundred and eighteen strained servants" of
| Abraham were ''born in his own house." i. e.,
were born and bred as members OF his household,
so are our servants. OF course no argument is
| needed, to show that every man is bound by high
and sacred obligations for the discharge of which
he must give account, TO provide his family suit
ably, or to the extent of his ability, with the
means of grace and salvation.
| luz he If he try
| the letter goes on
But the work Of ChTistianizing our colored
| population can never be accomplished by the
Iahors of the ministry alone, unaided by the
| hearty cooperation of families, by carrying,on
a system of home instruction. We must begin
NTH tie Children For if the children OF our SER
wants be left to themselves during their eaIly
years, this neglect must of necessity beget two
enormous evils. Evil habits will be rapidly ac-
quired and strengthened since if children are
not learning good, they will be learning what is
bad. And having thus grown up both ignorant
and vicious, they will have no inclination 10 90
to the Lords house or il they should go. their
minds will be found SO dark, so entirely unac-
quaihted with The rudImenal language and
truths OF the gospel. that much OF the preaching
must at first prove unntelligible, improbable al
the time, and so unnteresting as TO discourage
further attendance. In every regard, therefore,
masters are bound TO see that religious nstruc
ton is provided at home for their people, espe-
cialy for the young.
If there be no other to undertake the work,
fthe mistress, or the children of the family,)
the master is bound to deny himself and dis
charge the duty. 1t is for HIM to see that
The thing is properly done tor the whole
responsibility rests on him at last. 1t usually,
however, devolves upon the mistress, or upon
the young members OF the family, where there
are children qualified for it, 10 perform thus
service. Some of our young men, and, 10 their
praise be t spoken, still more of our young
women, have willingly given themselves TO this
set-denytng labor ; in aid OF their parents, or
as a duty they owe to Christ their Re-
deemer, and to their fellow creatures. We
take this occasion, gladly, 10 bid all these "Good
speed in their work of love. Co-workers
together with US, we praise you for this. We
bid you take courage. Let no dullness, IN
difference, or neglect, weary out your patience. !
You are aborIng for Christ, and for precious
souls. You are doing work the importance
of which eternity will fully reveal. You will
be blessed, too, in your deed even now. This
labor will prove to you an important means OF
grace. You will have something 10 pray for
and will enjoy the pleasing consciousness, that
yog are not idlprs IN the Lords vineyard. You
will BE winning stars for your crowns of re- |