The American Missionary — Volume 32, No. 12, December, 1878Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 32, No. 12, December, 1878
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
Sunday was my most busy day; besides attending church and
Sabbath-school, I went out to read the Bible to those who were not at
home during the week. I seemed to find no rest days; indeed, there
was so much for one pair of hands to do, that many times I could not
sleep as much as needed. Another meeting was held weekly. I gave
Bible readings on those subjects which were of the most interest and
importance to mothers, after which we had a prayer-meeting, which was
often very interesting.
Near the end of the year, a temperance movement was started in our
church and Sabbath-school; many signed the pledge, among whom were
about thirty from my class. The colored people are very intemperate,
and nearly all the women use snuff and tobacco. One, who was
complaining of her poverty, upon being told she could ill afford to
use snuff and tobacco, said she only paid ten cents a box, and was
astonished to find that in a year it amounted to half as much as her
rent. She seemed to try to live an honest Christian life, and before I
left had given up all her bad habits, and was very proud and happy.
Although these people are naturally religious, still their religion
consists in going to meeting, where they sing, pray, and relate
imaginary experiences, and get wrought up to such a pitch that they
scream, roll on the floor, and often remain until the small hours of
the night. They go home, thinking they are very holy, but have no idea
of showing it by a well-ordered life; on the contrary, they continue to
live with unlawful companions, steal and lie with impunity; in fact, in
many respects, they will compare with their heathen forefathers, from
whom they have inherited their superstitions and forms of worship. The
bonds of slavery have prevented them from becoming enlightened.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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