xt7jq23qvt9r https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7jq23qvt9r/data/mets.xml Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Synod of Kentucky. 1836  books b923264p9212009 English Charles Whipple : Newburyport, Ky. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Slavery --United States --Controversial literature --1836. Slavery --Kentucky. Slavery and the church --Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. An address to the Presbyterians of Kentucky :proposing a plan for the instruction and emancipation of their slaves / by a committee of the Synod of Kentucky. text An address to the Presbyterians of Kentucky :proposing a plan for the instruction and emancipation of their slaves / by a committee of the Synod of Kentucky. 1836 2009 true xt7jq23qvt9r section xt7jq23qvt9r 
  
F O R the purpose of promoting harmony and concert of action on this important subject, the Synod do Resolve, T h a t a committee of ten be appointed to consist of an equal number of ministers and elders, whose business it shall be to digest a nd prepare a plan for the moral and religious instruction of our^slaves, and for their future emancipation, and to report such plan te the several presbyteries within our bounds, for their consideration a nd a pproval.
JOHN BROWN, ESQ. P. SMITH, ESQ. BURCH, J. HALL, CUNNINGHAM, ESQ. JOHN J . R. G R E E N , ESQ. ALEXANDER, ESQ. L . BRECKENRIDGE, YOUNG, STEWART, THOMAS CHARLES JAMES It. NATHAN

REV. WII. ROBERT JOHN C.

Committee.

T h e committee w ould respectfully request every preacher to read this address to his congregation on some S abbath. T h e object o f tho Synod in appointing a committee to prepare a plan, is stated to be to " promote harmony and concert of action on this important subject ; " and this can only be effected b y presenting the plan with the reasons urging its adoption, before every member o f our C hurch.

  
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DEAR BRETHREN :   

T h e w i l l o f S y n o d has m a d e it o u r d u t y to l a y b efore y o u " a p l a n for the m o r a l a n d r e l i g i o u s i n s t r u c t i o n , as w e l l a s for the future e m a n c i p a t i o n , o f the s l a v e s " u n d e r y o u r c a r e . W e feel the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d d i f f i c u l t y o f the d u t y t o w h i c h the c h u r c h h a s c a l l e d us, y e t the c h a r a c t e r o f those w h o m w e address s t r o n g l y e n c o u r a g e s us to h ope t hat l a b o r w i l l n ot be in v a i n . Y o u profess to be g o v e r n e d b y the p r i n c i p l e s a n d precepts o f a h o l y r e l i g i o n ; y o u r e c o g n i s e t he fact that y o u h a v e y o u r s e l v e s " been made f r e e " b y the blood o f the S o n o f G o d ; a n d y o u believe t hat y o u h a v e been i m b u e d w i t h a p o r t i o n o f the s a m e s p i r i t w h i c h w a s i n " H i m w h o , t h o u g h he w a s r i c h , y e t f or o u r s a k e s b e c a m e p o o r . " W h e n w e point out to s u c h p ersons t h e i r d u t y , a n d c a l l u p o n t h e m to f ulfil i t , o u r a p p e a l c annot be a l t o g e t h e r f r u i t l e s s . B u t w e h a v e a s t i l l s t r o n g e r g r o u n d o f o u r e n c o u r a g e m e n t , i n o u r firm c o n v i c t i o n t hat, the cause w h i c h w e a d v o c a t e is the cause o f G o d , a n d that his assistance w i l l m a k e it finally p r e v a i l . M a y H e " w h o h e a r s the c r y o f the p o o r a n d n e e d y , " a n d w h o h a s c o m m a n d e d to let the " oppressed go f r e e , " g i v e t o e a c h one o f us w i s d o m to k n o w o u r d u t y , and s t r e n g t h t o f ulfil i t. W e e a r n e s t l y entreat y o u , b r e t h r e n , to r e c e i v e o u r c o m m u n i c a t i o n i n the s a m e s pirit o f k i n d n e s s in w h i c h it is m a d e ; a n d p e r m i t n e i t h e r p r e j u d i c e n o r interest to c lose y o u r m i n d s against the r e c e p t i o n o f t r u t h , o r steel y o u r h earts a g a i n s t the c o n v i c t i o n s o f c o n s c i e n c e . V e r y s oon i t w i l l b o a matter o f no m o m e n t w h e t h e r w e h a v e h a d l a r g e or s m a l l possessions on the e a r t h ; but it w i l l b e e f i nfinite i m p o r t a n c e w h e t h e r o r not w e h a v e c o n s c i e n t i o u s l y s ought out the w i l l o f G o d a n d d one i t . W e a l l a d m i t that the s y s t e m o f s l a v e r y , w h i c h exists a m o n g us, is not r i g h t . W h y , t h e n , do w e assist in p e r p e -

  
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t u a t i n g i t ? W h y do w e m a k e no serious efforts to t e r m i nate i t ? Is it not because o u r p e r c e p t i o n o f its sinfulness i s v e r y feeble a n d i n d i s t i n c t , w h i l e o u r p e r c e p t i o n o f the d ifficulties o f i n s t r u c t i n g a n d e m a n c i p a t i n g o u r s l a v e s is strong and clear? A s l o n g as w e believe that s l a v e r y , as i t e xists a m o n g us, is a light evil i n the s i g h t o f G o d , so l o n g w i l l w e feel i n c l i n e d to p r o n o u n c e e v e r y p l a n that c a n b e devised for its t e r m i n a t i o n , i n e x p e d i e n t o r i m practicable. B e f o r e , t h e n , w e unfold o u r p l a n , w e w i s h t o e x a m i n e the s y s t e m , a n d t r y it b y the p r i n c i p l e s w h i c h r e l i g i o n t eaches. I f it s h a l l n ot be thus p r o v e d to be a n a b o m i n a t i o n in the sight o f a just a n d h o l y G o d , w e s h a l l n ot solicit y o u r c o n c u r r e n c e i n a n y p l a n for its a b o lition. B u t if, w h e n f a i r l y e x a m i n e d , it s h a l l b e seen to b e a t h i n g w h i c h G o d a b h o r s , w e m a y s u r e l y e x p e c t that n o t r i f l i n g a m o u n t o f t r o u b l e o r loss w i l l d eter y o u f r o m l e n d i n g y o u r efforts to its e x t e r m i n a t i o n . S l a v e r y i s not the s a m e a l l the w o r l d o v e r ; a n d to a s c e r t a i n i ts c h a r a c t e r i n a n y p a r t i c u l a r state o r c o u n t r y , w e must e x a m i n e the constituents a n d e ffects o f the kind of slavery which there exists. T h e s y s t e m as it exists a m o n g us, a n d is constituted b y o u r l a w s , consists of three distinct parts   a deprivation of the right of property, a deprivation of personal liberty, a nd a deprivation of personal security. I n a l l its p a r t s it i s , m a n i f e s t l y , a v i o l a t i o n o f t he l a w s o f G o d , as r e v e a l e d b y the l i g h t o f n a t u r e , as w e l l a s the l i g h t o f r e v e l a t i o n . 1 st. A part of our system of slavery consists in depriving human beings of the right to acquire and hold property. D o e s it need a n y p r o o f to s h o w that G o d has g i v e n to a l l h u m a n b eings a r i g h t to the p roceeds o f t h e i r o w n l a b o r ? T h e h e a t h e n a c k n o w l e d g e i t     e v e r y m a n feels i t . The B i b l e i s f ull o f d e n u n c i a t i o n s a g a i n s t those w h o w i t h h o l d f r o m others the fruits o f t h e i r e x e r t i o n s . " W o unto h i m t hat b u i l d e t h his house b y u n r i g h t e o u s n e s s , a n d his c h a m bers b y w r o n g ; that useth his n e i g h b o r ' s s e r v i c e w i t h o u t w a g e s , a n d g i v o t h h i m not for his w o r k . " * D o e s an act w h i c h i s w r o n g , w h e n d one o n c e a n d t o w a r d one i n d i v i d u a l , b e c o m e r i g h t because it is p r a c t i s e d d a i l y a n d h o u r l y , a n d t o w a r d s thousands ? D o e s the j u s t a n d h o l y O n e f r o w n
* J eremiah, x x i i , 13. See also James, v, 4 ; L e v . xix, 13 ; D e u t . x x i v , 14,15

  
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t he less upon injustice, b e c a u s e i t is s y s t e m a t i c a l l y p r a c tised, a nd is s a n c t i o n e d b y the l a w s o f the l a n d ? I f t h e c h i c a n e r y o f l a w s h o u l d e n a b l e us to e scape t he p a y m e n t o f o u r debts, or i f a h u m a n l e g i s l a t u r e s h o u l d d i s c h a r g e u s f r o m o u r o b l i g a t i o n s to o u r c r e d i t o r s , c o u l d w e , w i t h o u t d eep g u i l t , w i t h h o l d f r o m o u r n e i g h b o r s that w h i c h is t h e i r d ue ? N o : w e a l l r e c o g n i s e the p r i n c i p l e , that the l a w s o f the G o d o f n a t u r e c a n n e v e r be r e p l a c e d b y a n y l e g i s lature under heaven. T h e s e l a w s w i l l e n d u r e , w h e n the s tatutes o f e a r t h s h a l l h a v e c r u m b l e d w i t h t he p a r c h m e n t s o n w h i c h t h e y a r e e n r o l l e d     a n d b3>- these l a w s we k n o w t hat w e must be j u d g e d , i n the d a y i n w h i c h the destinies o f o u r souls s h a l l b e d e t e r m i n e d . 2 d . The deprivation of personal liberty forms another part of our system of slavery. N o t o n l y h a s the s l a v e n o r i g h t t o h i s w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n , he h a s n o r i g h t e v e n to himself. H i s v e r y b o d y , h is m u s c l e s , his b ones, h is flesh, a r e a l l the p r o p e r t y o f a n o t h e r . T h e movements of his l i m b s a re r e g u l a t e d b y the w i l l o f a m a s t e r . H e m a y be s o l d , l i k e a b east o f the field   he m a y be t r a n s p o r t e d , i n chains, like a felon. W a s the blood o f o u r R e v o l u t i o n s hed to establish a false p r i n c i p l e , w h e n it w a s p o u r e d out i n d efence o f the a s s e r t i o n , that " a l l m e n a r e c r e a t e d e q u a l ; " t hat " t h e y a r e e n d o w e d b y t h e i r C r e a t o r w i t h c e r t a i n i n a l i e n a b l e r i g h t s ; t h a t a m o n g these a r e l ife, l i b e r t y , a n d the p u r s u i t o f happiness ?" I f it be a v i o l a t i o n o f the r i g h t s o f n a t u r e to d e p r i v e m e n o f t h e i r political freedom, t he injustice is s u r e l y m u c h m o r e flagrant w h e n w e r o b t h e m o f personal liberty. T h e condition o f a s u b j e c t i s e n v i a b l e c o m p a r e d w i t h t he c o n d i t i o n o f a s l a v e . W e a r e s h o c k e d at the despotism e x e r c i s e d o v e r the P o l e s . B u t t h e i r s is a p o l i t i c a l y o k e , a n d is l i g h t c o m p a r e d w i t h t he h e a v y p e r s o n a l y o k e that b ows d o w n the t w o m i l l i o n s of our colored countrymen. D o e s E u r o p e a n injustice l ose i ts foul c h a r a c t e r , w h e n p r a c t i s e d w i t h a g g r a v a t i o n s in A m e r i c a 1 S t i l l f u r t h e r , the d e p r i v a t i o n o f p e r s o n a l l i b e r t y is se c o m p l e t e that it d e s t r o y s the r i g h t s o f conscience. Our s y s t e m , as established b y l a w , a r m s the master w i t h p o w e r t o prevent his s l a v e f r o m w o r s h i p p i n g G o d a c c o r d i n g to t he dictates o f his o w n c o n s c i e n c e . T h e owner of human
I*

  
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b eings a m o n g us m a y l e g a l l y r e s t r a i n t h e m f r o m a s s e m b l i n g t o h e a r the i n s t r u c t i o n s o f d i v i n e t r u t h , o r e v e n from ever uniting their hearts and voices i n social p r a y e r and p r a i s e to H i m w h o c r e a t e d t h e m . G o d alone is L o r d o v e r the c o n s c i e n c e . Y e t our system, defrauding alike o u r C r e a t o r a n d o u r s l a v e s , confers upon m e n this prerogative of D e i t y . A r g u m e n t is u n n e c e s s a r y , to s h o w t he g u i l t a n d madness o f s u c h a s y s t e m . A n d do we not p a r t i c i p a t e i n its c r i m i n a l i t y , i f w e u p h o l d i t ? 3 d . The deprivation of personal security is the remaining constituent of our system of slavery. T h e time was, i n o u r o w n as w e l l as in other c o u n t r i e s , w h e n e v e n the l i f e o f the s l a v e w a s a b s o l u t e l y i n the hands o f the m a s t e r . I t i s not so n o w a m o n g us. T h e life o f a b o n d m a n c a n not be t a k e n w i t h i m p u n i t y . B u t the l a w extends its p r o tection n o f u r t h e r . C r u e l t y m a y be c a r r i e d to a n y extent, p r o v i d e d life be s p a r e d . M a n g l i n g , imprisonment, starvat i o n , e v e r y species o f t o r t u r e , m a y bo inflicted upon h i m , a n d h e has no redress. B u t , not content w i t h t hus l a y i n g t he b o d y o f the s l a v e d efenceless a t the f oot o f the m a s t e r , o u r s y s t e m p r o c e e d s s till f u r t h e r , a n d strips h i m i n a g r e a t m e a s u r e o f a l l p r o t e c t i o n a g a i n s t the i n h u m a n i t y o f a n y other w hite m a n w h o m a y c hoose t o m a l t r e a t h i m . T h e l a w s p r o h i b i t the evidence o f a s l a v e a g a i n s t a w h i t e m a n from being received i n a court of justice. S o that w antonness a n d c r u e l t y m a y be e x e r c i s e d b y a n y m a n w i t h i m p u n i t y , u p o n these unfortunate people, p r o v i d e d n one w itness it but those o f t h e i r o w n c o l o r . In describi n g s u c h a c o n d i t i o n , we m a y w e l l adopt the l a n g u a g e o f s a c r e d w r i t : " J u d g m e n t is turned a w a y b a c k w a r d , a n d j u s t i c e standeth afar off; for t r u t h i s f a l l e n i n the street, a n d e q u i t y cannot enter. A n d the L o r d s a w i t , a n d it d ispleased h i m that there w a s no j u d g m e n t . " S u c h i s the essential c h a r a c t e r o f o u r s l a v e r y . Without a n y c r i m e on the part o f its unfortunate subjects, t h e y a r e deprived for l ife, a n d t h e i r p o s t e r i t y after t h e m , o f the r i g h t t o p r o p e r t y , o f the r i g h t to l i b e r t y , a n d o f the r i g h t to p e r s o n a l s e c u r i t y . T h e s e odious features a r e not the e x c r e s c e n c e s u p o n the s y s t e m     t h e y a r e the system itself     t h e y a r e its essential constituent p a r t s . A n d c a n a n y m a n b elieve that s u c h a t h i n g as this is not s i n f u l     t h a t it

  
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i s n ot h a t e d b y G o d     a n d o u g h t not to be a b h o r r e d a n d abolished b y m a n ? B u t t h e r e a r e c e r t a i n effects, s p r i n g i n g n a t u r a l l y a n d n e c e s s a r i l y out o f s u c h a s y s t e m , w h i c h must also be c o n s i d e r e d i n f o r m i n g a p r o p e r estimate o f its c h a r a c t e r . 1 . Its most s t r i k i n g e ffect i s, to deprave and degrade its subjects by removing from them the strongest natural checks to human corruption. A s there a r e c e r t a i n l a w s impressed u pon the elements, b y w h i c h G o d w o r k s to p r e s e r v e the b e a u t y a n d o r d e r o f the m a t e r i a l c r e a t i o n ; so t h e r e a r e c e r t a i n p r i n c i p l e s o f h u m a n n a t u r e , b y w h i c h he w o r k s to s a v e the m o r a l w o r l d f r o m r u i n . T h e s e p r i n c i p l e s o perate on e v e r y m a n i n his natural condition of f r e e d o m     r e s t r a i n i n g h is v i c i o u s propensities, and r e g u l a t i n g his deportment. T h e fires o f innate d e p r a v i t y , w h i c h , i f p e r mitted t o burst f o r t h , w o u l d d e s t r o y the i n d i v i d u a l a n d d esolate s o c i e t y , a r e t h u s , m e a s u r a b l y , repressed ; a n d t he d ecencies a n d e n j o y m e n t s o f life a r e p r e s e r v e d . The w i s d o m and g oodness o f G o d a r e thus seen i n i m p l a n t i n g i n m a n a s ense o f c h a r a c t e r , a desire for p r o p e r t y , a l o v e f or d i s t i n c t i o n , a t hirst f or p o w e r , a n d a z e a l for familyadvancement. A l l these f e e l i n g s , w o r k i n g i n the m i n d o f i n d i v i d u a l s , ( t h o u g h not u n m i x e d w i t h e v i l , ) c o m b i n e to p romote t h e i r o w n happiness, a n d the w e l f a r e o f comrrutn i t i e s ; a n d t h e y a r e i n f e r i o r i n the g ood w h i c h t h e y p r o duce, o n l y to those h i g h r e l i g i o u s p r i n c i p l e s w h i c h c o n s t i tute the i m a g e o f G o d i n the soul o f m a n . T h e presence o f these p r i n c i p l e s o n l y c a n compensate for t h e i r absence. W h e n e v e r , t h e n , these n a t u r a l f eelings are c r u s h e d o r e r a d i c a t e d i n a n y h u m a n b e i n g , he is s t r i p p e d o f the n o b l e r attributes o f h u m a n i t y , a n d is d e g r a d e d into a c r e a t u r e o f m e r e appetite a n d passion. H i s s e n s u a l i t y is t he o n l y c o r d b y w h i c h y o u c a n d r a w h i m . H i s h opes a n d f ears a l l c o n c e n t r a t e u p o n the o bjects o f his appetites. H e s i n k s f a r d o w n t o w a r d a l e v e l w i t h t he beast o f the f ield, a n d c a n be m o v e d to a c t i o n o n l y b y s u c h appeals as i nfluence the l u n a t i c a n d the b r u t e . T h i s is the c o n d i t i o n t o w h i c h s l a v e r y reduces the g r e a t mass o f those w h o w e a r its b r u t a l i z i n g y o k e . Its e ffects u pon their souls a r e f ar w o r s e t h a n its e ffects u p o n t h e i r bodies. Character, p r o p e r t y , destination, p o w e r , a n d f a m i l y r e s p e c t a b i l i t y ,

  
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a r e a l l w i t h d r a w n f r o m the r e a c h o f the s l a v e . N o o bject i s p resented to e x c i t e a n d c u l t i v a t e those h i g h e r feelings, w h o s e e x e r c i s e w o u l d repress his passions a n d r e g u l a t e h is a ppetites. T h u s s l a v e r y d e r a n g e s a n d ruins the m o r a l m a c h i n e r y o f m a n     i t cuts the s i n e w s o f the s o u l     i t e x t r a c t s f r o m h u m a n n a t u r e the salt that purifies a n d p reserves i t , a n d leaves it a c o r r u p t i n g mass o f appetite a n d p assion. 2 . It dooms thousands of human beings to hopeless ignorance. T h e acquisition of knowledge requires exertion ; a nd t he m a n w h o is to c o n t i n u e t h r o u g h life in b o n d a g e , h a s no s t r o n g m o t i v e o f interest to i n d u c e s u c h e x e r t i o n ; f or k n o w l e d g e is not v a l u a b l e to h i m , as to one w h o eats t he fruits o f his o w n l a b o r s . T h e acquisition of k n o w l edge r e q u i r e s also f a c i l i t i e s of b o o k s , t e a c h e r s , a n d t i m e , w h i c h c a n be o n l y a d e q u a t e l y f u r n i s h e d b y m a s t e r s ; a n d t hose w h o desire, to perpetuate s l a v e r y w i l l n e v e r f u r n i s h t hese f a c i l i t i e s . I f s l a v e s a r e e d u c a t e d , it must i n v o l v e s o m e o u t l a y on the p a r t o f the m a s t e r . A n d what r e l i a n c e for s u c h a s a c r i f i c e c a n be p l a c e d on the g e n e r o s i t y a n d v i r t u e o f one, w h o l o o k s o n t h e m as h i s p r o p e r t y , and w h o has been t r a i n e d to c o n s i d e r e v e r y d o l l a r e x p e n d e d on t h e m as lost, unless it c o n t r i b u t e s to i n c r e a s e t h e i r c a p a c i t y for y i e l d i n g h i m v a l u a b l e s e r v i c e ? He w i l l h a v e t h e m t a u g h t to w o r k , a n d w i l l o r d i n a r i l y feed a nd c lothe t h e m so as to enable t h e m to p e r f o r m t h e i r w o r k to a d v a n t a g e . B u t m o r e t h a n t his, i t is inconsistent w i t h o u r k n o w l e d g e of h u m a n n a t u r e to e x p e c t t hat he w i l l d o for t h e m . T h e present state o f i n s t r u c t i o n a m o n g t his r ace^answers e x a c t l y to what wo m i g h t thus n a t u r a l l y anticipate. T h r o u g h o u t o u r w h o k l a n d , so f a r as w e c a n l e a r n , t here is but one s c h o o l i n w h i c h , d u r i n g the w e e k , s laves c a n be t a u g h t . T h e l i g h t o f three o r four S a b b a t h s c h o o l s i s seen, g l i m m e r i n g t h r o u g h the d a r k n e s s that c o v e r s t he b l a c k p o p u l a t i o n o f a w h o l e state. H e r e and t h e r e a f a m i l y is found, w h e r e h u m a n i t y and r e l i g i o n i m p e l t he m a s t e r , mistress, o r c h i l d r e n , to the laborious t ask o f - p r i v a t e i n s t r u c t i o n . G r e a t honor is due to those e n g a g e d i n this p h i l a n t h r o p i c a n d s s l f - d e n y i n g c o u r s e ; a nd t h e i r r e w a r d s h a l l b e r e c e i v e d in the clay when even a c up o f c o l d w a t e r , g i v e n f r o m C h r i s t i a n m otives, s h a l l

  
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secure a recompense. B u t , after a l l , w h a t is the utmost a m o u n t o f i n s t r u c t i o n g i v e n to s l a v e s ? T h o s e who enjoy t he most o f i t , a r e fed w i t h b ut the c r u m b s o f k n o w l e d g e w h i c h f all f r o m t h e i r m a s t e r ' s t a b l e     t h e y a r e c l o t h e d w i t h t he m e r e s h r e d s a n d tatters o f l e a r n i n g . N o r i s it to be e x p e c t e d that this state o f t h i n g s w i l l b e c o m e b etter, unless it is determined that slavery shall cease. T h e i m p r e s s i o n is almost u n i v e r s a l , t h a t i n t e l l e c t u a l e l e v a t i o n unfits m e n for s e r v i t u d e , a n d r e n d e r s it i m p o s s i b l e to r e t a i n t h e m i n this c o n d i t i o n . T h i s impress i o n is u n q u e s t i o n a b l y c o r r e c t . T h e weakness and ignor a n c e o f t h e i r v i c t i m s is the o n l y safe f o u n d a t i o n on w h i c h i njustice a n d oppression c a n rest. A n d the effort to k e e p ' i n b o n d a g e m e n to w h o m k n o w l e d g e h a s i m p a r t e d p o w e r , w o u l d be l i k e t he insane attempt o f the P e r s i a n t y r a n t , to c h a i n t he w a v e s o f the s e a , a n d w h i p its boisterous w a t e r s i nto s u b m i s s i o n . W e m a y as s oon e x p e c t t o fetter the w i n d s , s e a l up the c l o u d s , or e x t i n g u i s h the fires o f the v o l c a n o , as to p r e v e n t e n l i g h t e n e d m i n d s f r o m r e c o v e r i n g their natural condition of freedom. H e n c e , i n some of o u r states, l a w s h a v e been e n a c t e d , p r o h i b i t i n g , u n d e r s e v e r e penalties, the i n s t r u c t i o n o f the b l a c k s ; a n d e v e n w h e r e s u c h l a w s do not e x i s t , t h e r e a r e f o r m i d a b l e n u m b e r s w h o o ppose, w i t h d eep h o s t i l i t y , e v e r y effort to e n l i g h t e n t he m i n d o f the n e g r o . T h e s e m e n a r e determ i n e d t hat s l a v e r y s h a l l b e perpetuated ; a n d t h e y k n o w t h a t t h e i r u n i v e r s a l e d u c a t i o n must be followed b y t h e i r universal emancipation. T h e y are then acting w i s e l y , a c c o r d i n g to the w i s d o m o f this w o r l d , w h e n t h e y d e n y e d u c a t i o n to s l a v e s     t h e y a r e a d o p t i n g a m e a s u r e nec e s s a r y to s e c u r e t h e i r d e t e r m i n e d p u r p o s e . It i s , h o w e v e r , p o l i c y a k i n t o that w h i c h o nce i n d u c e d the r u f f i a n v i o l a t o r s o f f e m a l e c h a s t i t y to cut out the t o n g u e , a n d c ut off the h a n d s o f t h e i r v i c t i m , to disable h e r f r o m uttering or w r i t i n g their names. S h e h a d to be m a i m e d , o r t h e y w o u l d be b r o u g h t to j u s t i c e . It is s u c h p o l i c y as t he r o b b e r e x h i b i t s , w h o s i l e n c e s i n death the v o i c e s t hat m i g h t a c c u s e h i m , a n d b u r i e s i n the g r a v e the witnesses o f his crimes. H e is d e t e r m i n e d to p u r s u e his o c c u p a t i o n , a n d h is safety i n it r e q u i r e s that he s h o u l d not i n d u l g e i n t he w e a k n e s s o f k e e p i n g a c o n s c i e n c e . H o w horrible

  
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m ust be that s y s t e m , w h i c h , in the o p i n i o n o f e v e n its s trongest advocates, demands as the n e c e s s a r y c o n d i t i o n o f its e x i s t e n c e , that k n o w l e d g e s h o u l d be shut out f r o m t he m i n d s o f those w h o l i v e u n d e r i t     t h a t t h e y s h o u l d be r e d u c e d as n e a r l y as possible to the l e v e l o f brutes o r l i v i n g m a c h i n e s     t h a t the p o w e r s o f t h e i r souls s h o u l d be c r u s h e d ! L e t e a c h one o f us a s k , c a n s u c h a s y s t e m be a ided o r e v e n t o l e r a t e d w i t h o u t d eep c r i m i n a l i t y ? 3 . It deprives its subjects, in a great measure, of the privileges of the gospel. Y o u m a y be s t a r t l e d at this s tatement, and feel disposed to e x c l a i m , " o u r s l a v e s a r c a l w a y s permitted and e v e n e n c o u r a g e d to attend u p o n the ordinances of w o r s h i p . " B u t a c a n d i d a n d c lose e x a m i n a t i o n w i l l s h o w the c o r r e c t n e s s o f o u r c h a r g e . The p r i v i l e g e s o f the g o s p e l , as e n j o y e d b y the w h i t e p o p u l a tion i n this l a n d , consist i n free access to the scriptures, a regular gospel ministry, and domestic means of grace. N e i t h e r o f these is, to a n y extent w o r t h n a m i n g , e n j o y e d b y s l a v e s , as a m o m e n t ' s c o n s i d e r a t i o n w i l l s a t i s f a c t o r i l y show. T h e l a w , as it is h e r e , d oes n ot p r e v e n t free access to the scriptures   but i g n o r a n c e , the n a t u r a l r e s u l t o f t h e i r c o n d i t i o n , d oes. T h e B i b l e is b efore t h e m , but i t i s to t h e m a s e a l e d b o o k . " T h e l i g h t s h i n e t h i n the d a r k n e s s , but the d a r k n e s s c o m p r e h e n d e t h it n o t . " Like t he p a r a l y t i c , w h o l a y for y e a r s b y the pool o f B e t h e s d a , t he w a t e r s o f h e a l i n g a r e n e a r t h e m , but no k i n d h a n d e n a b l e s t h e m to t r y t h e i r e f f i c a c y . V e r y few e n j o y t he a d v a n t a g e s o f a regular gospel ministry. T h e y a r e , it is t r u e , p e r m i t t e d g e n e r a l l y , a n d often e n c o u r a g e d , to a t t e n d u p o n the m i n i s t r a t i o n s s p e c i a l l y designed for t h e i r m a s t e r s . B u t t he i n s t r u c t i o n s c o m m u n i c a t e d on s u c h o c c a s i o n s a r e a b o v e t he l e v e l o f t h e i r c a p a c i t i e s . T h e y listen as to prophesyings in an u n k n o w n tongue. T h e preachers of t h e i r o w n c o l o r a r e s till f a r t h e r f r o m m i n i s t e r i n g to t h e i r s p i r i t u a l w a n t s     a s these i m p a r t to t h e m , not o f t h e i r k n o w l e d g e , but t h e i r i g n o r a n c e : t h e y heat t h e i r a n i m a l f e e l i n g s , but do not k i n d l e the flame o f i n t e l l i g e n t d e v o tion. I t has been proposed b y s ome z e a l o u s a n d devoted f riends o f the c o l o r e d r a c e , to s u p p l y the d e f i c i e n c y o f g ospel m i n i s t r a t i o n s a m o n g t h e m , b y the e m p l o y m e n t o f suitable missionaries, who m a y labor exclusively a m o n g

  
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them. W e n e e d not h e r e s p e c u l a t e o n the p r o b a b l e r e sults o f s u c h a s c h e m e i f c a r r i e d into effect, i n a c o m m u n i t y w h e r e t h e r e is n o i n t e n t i o n to e m a n c i p a t e ; for b efore t here is found a m o n g us b e n e v o l e n c e e n o u g h to a dopt a n d e x e c u t e i t , o n a s c a l e l a r g e e n o u g h to e ffect a n y h i g h l y v a l u a b l e p u r p o s e , the c o m m u n i t y w i l l b e a l r e a d y r i p e for m e a s u r e s o f e m a n c i p a t i o n . S u c h a spirit o f k i n d n e s s t o w a r d s t h i s u n f o r t u n a t e r a c e as this s c h e m e p resupposes, c a n n e v e r c o - e x i s t w i t h a d e t e r m i n a t i o n to k e e p t h e m i n hopeless b o n d a g e . F u r t h e r , t h e r e a r e no h ouses o f w o r s h i p e x c l u s i v e l y devoted to the c o l o r e d population. T h e galleries of our o w n churches, w h i c h a r e set a p a r t to t h e i r use, w o u l d not h o l d the tenth p a r t o f t h e i r n u m b e r s     a n d e v e n these few seats a r e , i n gener a l , thinly occupied. S o t h a t , as a b o d y , it is e v i d e n t t h a t o u r s l a v e s do not e n j o y the p u b l i e o r d i n a n c e s o f r e l i g i o n . Domestic means of grace a r e s t i l l m o r e r a r e a m o n g t h e m . H e r e a n d t h e r e a f a m i l y is found, w h o s e s urTants a r e t a u g h t t o b o w w i t h t h e i r masters a r o u n d the fireside a l t a r . B u t their p e c u l i a r l y adverse circumstances, combined w i t h t he n a t u r a l a l i e n a t i o n o f t h e i r h e a r t s f r o m G o d , r e n d e r a b o r t i v e the s l i g h t efForts o f most m a s t e r s to i n d u c e t h e i r a t t e n d a n c e o n the domestic s e r v i c e s o f r e l i g i o n . A n d i f w e v isit t he cottages o f those s l a v e s w h o l i v e a p a r t f r o m t h e i r m a s t e r s , w h e r e do w e find t h e m r e a d i n g t h e i r B i b l e s a nd k n e e l i n g t o g e t h e r b efore a t h r o n e o f m e r c y ? Family o r d i n a n c e s o f r e l i g i o n a r e almost u n k n o w n a m o n g t h e blacks. W e do not w i s h to e x a g g e r a t e the d e s c r i p t i o n o f this deplorable religious condition of our colored population. W e k n o w that i n s t a n c e s o f t r u e p i e t y a r e f r e q u e n t l y found a m o n g t h e m ; but these i n s t a n c e s w e a l l k n o w to be a w f u l l y d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e to t h e i r n u m b e r s , a n d to the e xtent o f those m e a n s o f g r a c e w h i c h exist a r o u n d t h e m . W h e n t he m i s s i o n a r i e s o f the cross e n t e r a h e a t h e n l a n d , t h e i r h ope o f f u l l y c h r i s t i a n i z i n g i t rests u p o n the fact t hat t h e y c a n a r r a y and b r i n g to b e a r upon the m i n d s o f t hese c h i l d r e n o f i g n o r a n c e a nd s i n , a l l those v a r i e d m e a n s w h i c h G o d h a s a p p o i n t e d for t he r e f o r m a t i o n o f m a n . B u t w h i l e t h e s y s t e m o f s l a v e r y continues a m o n g u s , t hese m e a n s c a n n e v e r be e f f i c i e n t l y a n d f u l l y e m p l o y e d f or the c o n v e r s i o n o f the d e g r a d e d sons o f A f r i c a . Yet

  
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" G o d h a t h m a d e t h e m o f one b l o o d " w i t h o u r s e l v e s ; h a t h p r o v i d e d for t h e m the s a m e r e d e m p t i o n ; h a t h i n his p r o v i d e n c e cast souls u p o n o u r c a r e ; a n d h a t h c l e a r l y i n t i m a t e d t o us the d o o m o f him, w h o " s c e t h his b r o t h e r h a v e n e e d , and shutteth up h i s b o w e l s o f c o m p a s s i o n f r o m him." If by our example, our silence, or our sloth, we p erpetuate a s y s t e m w h i c h p a r a l y z e s o u r hands w h e n w e a ttempt to c o n v e y t o t h e m the b r e a d o f l i f e , a n d w h i c h i n e v i t a b l y c onsigns the g r e a t mass o f t h e m to u n e n d i n g p e r d i t i o n , c a n w e be g u i l t l e s s i n the s i g h t o f H i m w h o h a t h m a d e us s t e w a r d s o f his g r a c e ? 4 . This system licenses and produces great cruelty. T h e l a w p l a c e s the w h i p i n the h a n d s o f the m a s t e r , a n d i ts u se, p r o v i d e d he a v o i d d e s t r o y i n g l ife, i s l i m i t e d o n l y b y his o w n p l e a s u r e . C o n s i d e r i n g the absolute p o w e r w i t h w h i c h o u r p eople a r e a r m e d , it must be a c k n o w l e d g e d t hat t he treatment o f t h e i r dependants is, i n g e n e r a l , s i n gularly humane. M a n y c i r c u m s t a n c e s operate h e r e to m i t i g a t e t he r i g o r s o f p e r p e t u a l s e r v i t u d e ; a n d it is p r o b a b l y the fact, that no b o d y o f s l a v e s h a v e been e v e r b etter fed, better c l o t h e d , a n d less a b u s e d , t h a n the s l a v e s o f K e n t u c k y . S t i l l t h e y h a v e no s e c u r i t y l or t h e i r c o m fort but the h u m a n i t y a n d g e n e r o s i t y o f r .k.'i), w h o h a v e b e e n t r a i n e d to r e g a r d t h e m not as b r e t h r e n , but as m e r e property. H u m a n i t y a n d g e n e r o s i t y a r e , at best, p o o r g u a r a n t e e s for the p r o t e c t i o n o f those w h o c a n n o t assert t h e i r r i g h t s , a n d o v e r w h o m l a w t h r o w s