110
A CHAPTER ON SLAVERY.
as it was in itself, thousands, and tens of thousands, have been brought out of the darkness of heathenism to a knowledge of the true God and Savior. Among the slaves. of the United States, for instance, it is stated by Dr. Baird,[1] that there are no fewer than 300,000 church members — one-tenth of the whole number, children included (a larger proportion of religious professors, we suspect, than would be found in most countries of Christian Europe); and in the State of South Carolina alone, as stated by Freeman, there are upwards of 40,000 communicants belonging to the slave populations.[2] Is not here manifest the hand of Divine Goodness and Wisdom, bringing light out of darkness and peace out of pain?[3]
- ↑ The Progress and Prospects of Christianity in the United States, with Remarks on Slavery in America, p. 33. By R. Baird, D.D., London, 1851. This Pamphlet contains some very just observations on the subject of slavery.
- ↑ Plea, Conversation XVI
- ↑ Much misconception has prevailed in reference to the religious condition of the slaves, in the United States. "I have before me," says Mr. Freeman, "a letter from Georgia, written by a distinguished gentleman to his friend, on this subject. ‘With regard to your inquiries,’ he says, ‘about the religious instruction of the negroes at the south, I would state, that while there is far less interest on this subject among slave-holders than there should be, still we have much reason to be grateful for what is doing, and for what in prospect may be done. — I visited Bryan County, Georgia, a few weeks since, for the exlusive purpose of seeing what was doing there for the negroes. — 0n one plantation, there is a chapel, where the master meets the adults every night at the ringing of the bell. Reading a portion of Scripture, and explaining it, with singing and prayer, constitute the regular exercises of every night in the week. On the Sabbath they have different and more protracted exercises. A day-school is taught by two young ladies — embracing all the children under twelve or fifteen years of age. The instruction in this and other schools in the county
