On this plantation there are from 150 to 200 slaves, the
finest looking body that I have seen on any estate. Their
master and mistress have felt for years how solemn are the
responsibilities connected with such a charge; and they have
not shrunk from meeting them. The means used for their
spiritual good, are abundant. They enjoy the constant
preaching of the gospel. A young minister of the Presbyterian
church, who has received a regular collegiate and theological
education, is laboring among them, and derives his entire
support from the master, with the exception of a trifling sum
which he receives for preaching one Sabbath in each month for
a neighboring church. On the Sabbath, and during the week,
you may see them filling the place of worship, from the man
of grey hairs to the small child, all neatly and comfortably
clothed, listening with respectful, and in many cases, eager
attention to the truth as it is in Jesus, delivered in terms
adapted to their capacities, and in a manner suited to their
peculiar habits, feelings and circumstances; engaging with
solemnity and propriety in the solemn exercise of prayer, and
mingling their melodious voices in the hymn of praise.
Sitting among them are the white members of the family
encouraging them by their attendance, manifesting their
interest in the exercises, and their anxiety for the eternal
well-being of their people. Of the whole number, forty-five
or fifty have made a profession of religion, and others are
evidently deeply concerned.
Let me now conduct you to a Bible class of ten or twelve
adults who can read, met with their Bibles to study and have
explained to them the word of God. They give unequivocal
demonstrations of much interest in their employment, and of
an earnest desire to understand and remember what they read.
From hence we will go to another room, where are assembled
eighteen to twenty lads, attending upon catechetical
instruction, conducted by their young master. Here you will
notice many intelligent countenances, and will be struck with
the promptitude and correctness of their answers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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