The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-12
coples w.re printed and distEt buted among

copies were printed and distributed among
them. SSS55
me church registers up to the time Of
the Revolution are full of the baptlsms
OF negro chiIdren, giving their names and
parentage, and to wnom thy belonged
intermlngIed with the baptisms OF the
white cnlidrtn. Many simllar instances
I of the solicitude of the early settlers for.
the spiritual welfare OF the negroes
might be enumerated, but would occupy,
fear. too much Of your space
All this work was done for the most
part by. the much derided ministers of
tho church of England, which, indeed, for
more than a hundred years after the set
tlement, was the only church las:s We
commonly speak, though there has never
been but one Christian church, in Fir-
ginia,
After that period the Methodists and
Baptists came in, aud seem almost at
once to have taken possession Of the
.brother in black" and are vociferous
to this day in proclaiming their work
and their success. Their simple, but i'm
pressive; services seem to have a peculiar
attraction for his religious and excitable
nature. and since he has become a voter,
even the Catholic church is seeking to
effect his conversion and to bring him
into the true fold, as they say.
We know that within the memory of
living men the people, Of Virginia have
endeavored in many ways to civilize and
Christianize the negroes.
In every country church where was
born and reared a part was reserved for
them. and in many. neighborhoods Sun
day-scbools were formed for them and
taught by white teachers, and in many
families they were brought together in the
great house, on Sundays and instructed
in the old, old story and it was by no
means an uncommon occurrence to see
the house servants come in and reverently
take their places at family prayers. Many
of US know. and to this day, after the
violent upheaval of old customs and the
shock of the earthquake which ensulfed
them beyond the possibility Of resuErec-
ton, have an affectionate remembrance
of how those house servants We're regard
ed and treated almost as members of the
family.
General Jackson was superintendent or
a Sunday-school composed of colored peo-
pie, and the citizens, of Richmond. VIII
not soon forget how that wise and Sooo
man, the Rev. DR.. Ryland, rlinistered for
a great many years to, a congregation
of negroes in a building set apart for
their exclusive use, though I have seen
many riotous political meetings held in
it, and it was almost the only hail large
enough to accommodate the distinguished
singers and other musicians of the ia
nous lecturers and others who frequently
came to this city
1t seems to me. Mr.. Editor, from con-
sitleration of these facts. that you need
have no apprehension that the people of
Virginia will forget their ancient customs
and traditions, and seek to find in the
Bible a warrant and justification for.
contrary course and conduct.
Let me add, if you Please, that I have
obtained the facts recited in the earlier
part. Of this letter from an address de-
llyered before tho Episcopal Council by
the Rev DR.. Philip Slaughter. a devout
cf1urchman and eminent scholar. whose
memory is honored in !. the church and
who, having preached the cross for many
years, now, without Doubt, wears crown.
He has fought a good fight; he mas
kept the faith; he has finished his course,
being fully persuaded that what He has
promised He is able to perform"
-B. NJ. PAFaHAM- :.
Richmond, Va, January Sd.