"I am able from authentic information to say, that of the _five hundred and eighty thousand_, which compose the entire population of this State, about _sixty-seven thousand_ are members in the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian churches. _Of these communicants more than forty thousand are slaves._ The whole slave population is 315,000. It is easily seen, therefore, that of the white population about _one-seventh_ are church members. It is proper these facts should come into the estimate of the religious condition and prospects of our slaves. In New-England there are _twenty thousand_, and in the free states _a hundred and twenty-thousand_ blacks. I should be glad to see a comparison of their religious condition with that of our slaves in this one item. Do you believe that _one-twentieth_ of them are communicants? And do you believe that in New-England, _as here_, there is a _larger proportion_ of black than white communicants? And what is doing _there_ to improve the moral condition of the blacks?" * * * * * "I might multiply proofs of a disposition prevailing extensively at the South in all the States to give to the slaves religious instruction, and all practicable religious privileges. I think the general feeling on this subject is greatly misapprehended in the non-slave-holding States. The evils of slavery are great, but they ought not to be magnified either by representing the slaves as deprived of all religious privileges, or their masters as destitute of christian benevolence and the feelings of humanity." CHAPTER VI. COLONIZATION PRINCIPLES VINDICATED--CALUMNIES REFUTED--THE GOOD COLONIZATION HAS ALREADY DONE--IS DOING--AND THE INCALCULABLE GOOD IT WILL DO, IF DULY PATRONISED. _The Colonization Society_ was formed in Washington, December 21st, 1816; and not in Virginia, as Abolitionists falsely assert. Amongst its most prominent promoters and founders, were, FINLAY--CALDWELL--and MILLS; than whom none were more excellent and pious: they were not slave-holders, as Abolitionists falsely assert.