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River. Under the old system, this class of people were reduced to a more degraded and hopeless condition than even the negro slaves themselves.— They were more despised and worse treated; and their indolence, improvidence, and drunkenness were proverbial. By the exertions, however, of a few friends of humanity, the British Government was prevailed upon to order the immediate total and unconditional emancipation of this race of The execution of this decree, by which 30,000 souls were in one day released from thraldom, was accompanied by a great clamour throughout the colony. The ruin of the community, and more especially of the Hottentots themselves, was predicted as the inevitable result. Five years have since elapsed; and every account that has been published, proves the effect of rational freedom in elevating the human character. The improvement of the Hottentot nation during these years has been surprising. But above all, surprising has been the effect of new and higher stimulants upon a portion of this race, from four to five thousand in number, who were placed by Captain Stockenstorm, (the intelligent officer who first suggested this measure,) in the valley of the Kat River, in 1829. We cannot make room for the full details; but must content ourselves with extracting the following interesting facts from Mr. Kay's account:

"Their numbers in the settlement are about five thousand. They came from different parts of this immense Colony. No assistance was promised or given to them, except firearms for self-defence; no preparations were made for their reception; no rations, no implements, no sums of money. The Boors showed no kindness to them. But to these negations I have to add that there have been no strifes, divisions, or discontents among them; no peculiar sufferings. No case of crime has come from the Kat River before the Circuit Court. Their success has been equal to their industry and good conduct, and neither have ever been surpassed. By patient and judicious labour, with manly moderation and Christian temperance, they have converted the desert into a fruitful field. "Hitherto," says the Graham's Town Journal (a paper generally unfriendly to the native race,) "great activity has been displayed, and the incipient marks of civilization are observable in every direction. During the last season, 1831, were produced on the settlement 450 muids of wheat, 1500 muids of barley, and 400 muids of Indian corn, besides large quantities of caffer corn, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet cane, and many other provisions. Independently of the labour required in the cultivation of the soil, instances of uncommon exertion are manifested in the construction of canals which convey water to irrigate their fields and gardens. In some places these have been carried through the solid rock, in others it has been necessary to cut to the depth of twelve feet to preserve the level; while their entire length throughout all the locations is upwards of 20,000 yards."-(Graham's Town Journal, June, 1832.) The Hottentot, escaped from bonds, stood erect in his new territory; and the feeling of being restored to the level of humanity and the simple rights of nature, 'softened and enlarged his heart, and diffused vigour through every limb. He is no longer the timid wretch, submitting to the violence, and yielding to the injustice of the proud with apparent insensibility.-P. 490.

In conclusion we thank Mr. Kay for his 'Researches,' and hope many of his brother Missionaries will follow the example that has been set in the present work, and in the publications of Dr. Philip and Mr. Ellis, in communicating information respecting the tribes among whom they have been resident. We cannot, however, place Mr. Kay's Book on a level with the two we have just mentioned. It contains a good deal of valuable information, but it is ill-digested and confusedly arranged. A large portion of the work is inere repetition. Whole chapters consist almost entirely of extracts from recent and well known publications on the Cape, and what is more reprehensible, many of the quotations are not duly acknowledged. Should a second edition be required, the author ought to revise the whole work carefully, to introduce a stricter uniformity and correctness in and to retrench and condense what he has borrowed from others. proper names

REPORT

Of the Committee to whom was referred the subject of the Religious Instruction of the Colored population, of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, at its late Session in Columbia, S. C-Published by order of Synod.

(CONTINUED FROM P. 177.)

The benefits which will flow from the religious instruction of the negroes, clearly show that it will be to our interest.

1. There will be a better understanding of the relation of Masters and servants, and of their reciprocal duties.

There are but few masters who have given themselves the trouble of solemn, prayerful inquiry into the number and nature of those duties, which they owe to their servants, and are in reason and conscience bound to perform, and but few servants who have been instructed as to the number and nature of their duties to masters. Great ignorance and indifference exist both on the one hand and on the other. Conscience sleeps. And although the reciprocal duties of master and servant are so important, and are so particularly defined in the Scriptures, we do not recollect to have heard a sermon from the pulpit concerning them. The reason for this neglect on the part of the Ministry, we cannot assign, unless it be, that they have partaken of the spirit of silence and forgetfulness, prevalent in our country on the general subject. It is a glaring and culpable neglect of duty, and we take occasion here to urge upon ourselves, and upon every minister connected with this Synod, repentance and reformation.

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The principle which regulates duty in slavery, on the part of the master, has been thus defined:--"Get all you can, and give back as little as you can;" and on the part of the servants the reverse:-"Give as little as you can, and get back all you can." remember what human nature is, and when we observe the conduct of masters and servants, we fear that there is too much truth as to the existence of this principle.

Wherever such a principle prevails, even in a slight degree, there remains little room for an inquiry into and discharge of duty on Gospel principles. We feel that something is needed to unfold the reciprocal duties of master and servant, and to effect a change so that they may stand upon some common ground, and not act so entirely by contraries. That something, is, the introduction of Religion. Religion will tell the master, that his servants are his fellow-creatures; and he has a Master in Heaven to whom he shall account for his treatment of them. Religion will tell the servant, "to be obedient to masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart as unto Christ. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."

The master will be led to inquiries of this sort:-In what kind of houses do I permit them to live; what clothes do I give them to wear? What food, to eat? What privileges to enjoy? In what temper and manner, and proportion to their crimes, are they punished? What am I doing for their souls' salvation? In fine, what does God require me to do to, and for them and their children, in view of their happiness here and hereafter? Light will insensibly break into his mind. Conscience will be quickened, and before he is aware, his servants will be greatly elevated in his regards, and he is compelled to do more for them. The government of the plantation will not be so purely selfish as formerly. His interest will not be the sole object of pursuit, and offences against that visited with sorer punishment, than offences against God himself. He will have an eye to the comfort, the interest of his people, and endeavor actually to identify their interest with his, and also to make them see and feel it to be so. It will be a delight to him, to see them enjoy the blessings of the Providence and grace of God.

Such attempts at a discharge of duty, will produce favourable influences upon the feelings and conduct of servants. Their duties will be understood, and better and more cheerfully performed.

2. The pecuniary interests of masters will be advanced as a necessary consequence; and in many particulars, increased attention to their temporal comforts, will contribute to the improvement of health; and the expense of lost labor by sickness, and of physicians' bills, will be saved. Their wants being more liberally supplied, and sharing more largely in the fruit of their labors, many temptations to which they are now exposed, will be removed; they will become more industrious and saving, and less addicted to crime. Their work will be more faithfully done; their obedience more universal, and more cheerfully rendered. Religious instruction we view as the strongest auxiliary to governments of all kinds, even where it fails to transform characters; and its genuine effects upon servants will be, 'with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not unto men.'

And who can tell what the pleasurable feelings of a humane master will be in view of a moral reformation of his servants? He will thank God that he is, if not wholly, yet measurably relieved from perpetual watching, from fault-finding and threatening and he rtsickening severity, and that he can govern to some good extent by the law of love.

206

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. [September,

3. The religious instruction of the negroes, will contribute to safety.

Many affect, or in reality despise all fears from our colored population, and the universal habit is, never to think of the subject, or to dismiss it as soon as it may be suggested. We cannot believe this to be the part of sound wisdom. What has happened may happen again; and such means should be set in operation, as may promise deliverance from danger. It is very true, that we are differently situated, in many respects, from any other slave-holding country, and that at the present time, so far as we can see, the hope of success on the part of the negroes, is forlorn. But no enemy should be despised, however weak, and no danger unprovided for, however apparently remote. Though success may not now crown any attempt, yet incalculable sufferings may ensue both to the one party and the other. What means, therefore, will secure the country against danger such as we have intimated?

Passing by the different means that have been suggested, we unhesitatingly affirm, that no means will compete with that of religious instruction.

The tendency of the preaching of the Gospel, even where its transforming influence on character is not realized, is to soften down and curb the passions of the man, to make him more solicitous of his favor: and to enhance infinitely in his estimation the value of human life. His conscience is enlightened, and his soul is awed. He knows, God reigns to execute judgment, and it will require great effort to excite him to unhallowed deeds.

But in those cases where character is transformed, we may repose confidence. The servant now recognizes a superintending Providence, who disposes of men and things according to his pleasure. He learns, that every man should abide in the same calling wherein he was called. That christianity comes not with reckless efforts to wrench apart human society; but to put into operation those principles of moral conduct, which will secure its happiness, and peaceably remove every kind of evil and injustice. To God therefore, he commits the ordering of his lot, and in his station renders to all their dues, obedience to whom obedience, and honor to whom honor. He dares not wrest from the hand of God his own case and protection. While he sees a preference in the various conditions of men, he remembers the words of the Apostle:-"Art thou called being a servant? Care not for it; but if thou mayest be free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise, also he that is called being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God."

It is to the operations of these principles in the hearts of servants, that we look for safety; and we look with confidence no where else. We see nothing in the natural character of man upon which we can rest with satisfaction, nor can we rest with satisfaction in any measures that may be proposed to the exclusion of religious instruction. Include this means, yea make it a primary one.

We are aware that a large number, who have no knowledge of religion in their own experience, and who have not been careful to notice its genuine effects upon servants, will place little or no confidence at all in what we have now advanced. Men naturally walk by sight. They can place more reliance upon visible preventives of their own invention, than upon principles, wrought in the soul and maintained in supremacy by Divine power, whose nature they do not understand, and whose influence, however good, is invisible, and for that very reason cannot be trusted. They know practically no superintending Providence. They glory in their wisdom and in their riches and in their strength.Whatever may be the decision of such persons, Christians have no choice left them. Experience of what religion is, and what it can effect for man, obliges them to embrace it as the only safe ground of confidence. We shall never forget the remark of a venerable colored preacher, made during a period of some excitement. With his eyes filled with tears, and his whole manner indicating the deepest emotion, said he "Sir, it is the Gospel that we ignorant and wicked people need. If you will give us the Gospel, it will do more for the obedience of servants, and the peace of community, than all your guards and guns and bayonets." One such man is of more value to the community, than a thousand stand of arms and men to bear them.

Besides the general and special influences of the Gospel now adverted to, safety will be connected with its dispensation in two particulars, which we may not omit.

The first is, that the constant presence of white men in their religious assemblies, and free intercourse with them, will draw out their kindly feelings to masters, exert a restraining influence upon any spirit of insubordination that may exist, and at the same time, give opportunity for its detection.

And the second that the negroes will be disabused of their superstition and ignorance, and thus be placed beyond the reach of designing men, wherever they may be. The most direct way to expose them to acts of insubordination, is to leave them in ignorance, and superstition, to the care of their own religion. Then may they be made the easy and willing instruments of avarice, of lust, of power or revenge. "Keep them in ignorance” is the dreadful sentiment frequently uttered, and not more dreadful than dangerous. Ignorance -religious ignorance, so far from being any safety, as many suppose, is the very marrow of our sin against this people, and the very rock of our danger. Religion and religious teachers, they will have; and if they are not furnished with the true, they will embrace the false.

From the Kentucky Commonwealth.

The subjoined communication concerning the proceeding tucky Colonization Society, will be read with particular inte sent time. In our paper before the last, we gave a brief s recent riots in the city of New York, which had their origin rantable conduct of a set of fanatics who have taken to thems of Abolitionists. In some senses of the term they have mu appelation, for they are for abolishing some of the fundamen man nature itself. Towards the accomplishment of the en have in view, there are obstacles, obvious to the eye of rea fanaticism cannot see. Prejudices of colour, prejudices of ha of physical conformation, inequalities arising from unequal in vation, a dissimilarity of moral sense- the inevitable result o dom and a state of bondage-all these, in the frenzied bra are to vanish in a twinkling of an eye, and, on the instant lation is to take place as would eclipse all recorded miracl with such men is vain; for, sheltered by an imaginary super attribute of intelligence, philanthropy, and virtue, they t upon any suggestions differing from their own schemes, an difference to the calculations of selfishness or innate huma plan rested solely on its own merits, its absurdity would in That it must fail, for all practical purposes, even the abol selves must now be in some degree convinced. But if they they are resolved to leave no effort untried by which they colony at Liberia. They have already denounced the Colon its past labors and its future designs. The good which that ready done is decried as an evil while its prospective ope nounced as criminal in motive and in end.

Following up this purpose, they have, from time to time most unblushing falsehoods, as to the actual condition of th the character of the country in which they are situated. T said by them to be abandoned in morals and habits, while the soil as a barren waste, or a steril desert. They publi which they usher forth these misrepresentations to the wor outward show of a high order of benevolence, but in realit diabolical intentions. Pure philanthropy rests on the imm truth, and scorns the aid of falsehood. In the eastern cities, tionists have made their greatest efforts, they have been me

porary indulgence of unreal sympathy. The Society have had in their favor the concurrent testimony of many of our most distinguished naval commauders, and of other gentlemen of high character for intelligence and candor, all going to prove that the Colonists enjoy a degree of freedom and happiness, such as they never could have experienced in this country; that the climate is congenial to the colored man's constitution, and that the soil is fertile to an almost unexampled degree.

As the opportunities for personal intercourse with individuals who have visited the colony are not frequent in the Western Country, the Board of Managers for Kentucky sent a special visiter to Liberia, with instructions to observe with minuteness every thing which it was material for an emigrant to know. The person selected was Joseph Jones of Winchester, a colored man, who proceeded upon his mission, and after a considerable absence has returned and made his report to the Board. We were present at this examination, and can say truly, that we have seldom been more gratified than we were at the narrative which Jones gave of his travels. He is a man of great observation, intelligence, and candor, and has amassed a large amount of useful information. The general inference from his statements as to the present condition of the Colony, is, that it is flourishingthat the settlers possess within themselves, the means of rendering their situation comfortable in every respect, and that the soil is eminently productive. He remarked that the principal drawback upon the advancement of the colony, seemed to be an inordinate desire for trade, which had operated injuriously to the agriculture of the country, but that this evil was correcting itself. So many embarking in the same business had rendered it unprofitable, and that the colonists were beginning to improve their farms as the most certain mode of attaining a comfortable independence.

He stated one fact which is of great importance to those wishing to emigrate who have any capital to employ. It was the great abundance of labouring men and the cheap rates at which it could be procured. The natives of the country he describes as being perfectly willing to work, and Jabouring with great industry. They can be procured for what here would be equivalent to five cents per day; but in Liberia is estimated at about twenty-five cents per day. Competition among the natives for employment is active, and they are faithful to their engagements. In point of personal appearance, he says, that, when similarly dressed, it is very difficult to tell a native from an American settler. The intercourse between the colonists and the tribes is of the most friendly character, and there have been intermarriages between several of them and the recaptured Africans. Many of the natives speak the English language: and a strong desire is manifested for the further extension of the settlements. As a proof of his own conviction of the many advantages which Liberia offers to the free colored man over any thing which he can ever expect to enjoy within the limits of the United States, he has determined to return and connect his destinies with those of his countrymen, now in the land which Providence intended they should inhabit.

One such man as Joseph Jones will do more actual good to his kind, than an army of abolitionists. He intends accompanying the agent to the different towns of Kentucky, for the purpose of giving a general diffusion of the knowledge he has acquired of an extremely interesting country; and we would recommend every person who takes any interest in the Colony of Liberia, who may have an opportunity of hearing his account of it, not to let the opportunity pass by unimproved.

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