The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-08-27
SLAVES AND MISSIONS.

The following article from the Charles
ton Courier" illustrates the character of
the religious doctrines incnlcated in the ex-
treme Southern States of the Union, and
is very well adapted to the rice swamps OF
the Carolinas, the sugar plantations OF
Georgia, and the cotton fields OF Alabama.
The planters are urged to contribute ibe-
rally for the support of missions, to keep
the slaves in ignorance, and teach them
that submission to all their notions is the
will of God. 1t is this cursed doctrine
that our enemies have deceived us with for
the last two hundred years, in this country:
submit, for it is the will of God; and we
have become so accustomed to it that it has
become almost second nature to us. Our
own colored ministers have fallen into this
error and urged it from the pulpit. White
ministers who preach for colored congrega-
tions almost invariably proclaim this senti-
ment, teaching us that it is religious duty
to submit to all kinds Of wrong and oppres-
sion for Christ's sake. Southern planters
have found it to be more efectual in crush
ing out the manly spirit among the slaves
than any system. that can be brought to
bear upon them-have introduced missions
for the purpose of making them believe all
their punishments are inflicted upon them
by the hand of the Almighty through his
agents, their masters, thus inducing these
poor, miserable wretches to comply with
every wish of the master, with the hope
of future happiness hereafter.
The moral character of the slaves is spo-
ken of as comparing favorably with that
of many Of the poor white men, and re-
greet expressed that the means of religious
instruction cannot be generally diffused
among this class. Now we know some
thing of the character Of slaveholding re-
ligion; it forbids teaching to read the BIZ
Bile under the most severe penalties, and
without this of what use is such religious
teaching7 1t is such spiritual consolation
as the wolf would give to lambs in order
to make his prey the more certain. We
have frequently heard of these religious
shareholders purchasing Bibles for then
slaves, some of whom were represented as
being very pious, yet of what use is
Bible to one who cannot read, or to whole
community of illiterate persons. 1t is tc
them, as it was to the Inca of Peru wher
the Spaniards ordered him to obey thu
teachings of that book. Wien placed il
his hands he threw it from him in disgust
after placing it to his ear, saying, Thi
book tells me nothing"
These gentlemen, says this religious
writer, owe the negroes debt of gratitude
which can only be cancelled by givin.
them the gospel. We believe these gen
tlemen can only cancel the debt they ow'
by giving the negroes their liberty ant
paying them for their services. Whel
this shall take place we shall see prope
fields open for the service of missionaries
who shall teach some other doctrines be
sides Servants, obey your masters"
coLoRED MISSIONS.
MFssRs. EDIToRs missions to tn,
colored people on our river deltas and SCI
island plantations, l consider as among tn
most important connected with the South
ern church. While there are thousand
expended for foreign missions, it is remark
able how small sum is annually given b.
the patrons of those missions for their sup