"_Answer_. This objection seems to have little or no truth in it, with respect to the bulk of them.--Their ignorance, indeed, about matters of religion, is not to be disputed;--they are sunk in it to a sad and lamentable degree, which has been shown to be chiefly owing to the negligence of their owners.--But that they are so stupid and unteachable, as that they cannot be brought to any competent knowledge in these matters, is false, and contrary to fact and experience. In regard to their work, they learn it, and grow dexterous enough in a short time. Many of them have learned trades and manufactures, which they perform well, and with sufficient ingenuity:--whence it is plain they are not unteachable; do not want natural parts and capacities.--Most masters and mistresses will complain of their art and cunning in contriving to deceive them.--Is it reasonable to deny then they can learn what is good, when it is owned at the same time they can be so artful in what is bad?--Their ignorance, therefore, if born in the country, must absolutely be the fault of their owners:--and such as are brought here from Africa may, surely, be taught something of advantage to their own future state, as well as to work for their masters' present gain.--The difference plainly consists in this;--that a good deal of pains is taken to shew them how to labour, and they are punished if they neglect it.--This sort of instruction their owners take care to give them every day, and look well to it that it be duly followed.--But no such pains are taken in the other case.--They are generally left to themselves, whether they will serve God, or worship Devils--whether they become christians, or remain heathens as long as they live: as if either their souls were not worth the saving, or as if we were under no obligation of giving them any instruction:--which is the true reason why so many of them who are grown up, and lived many years among us, are as entirely ignorant of the principles of religion, as if they had never come into a christian country:--at least, as to any good or practical purposes. * * * * * "I have dwelt the longer upon this head, because it is of the utmost importance, and seems to be but little considered among us.--For there is too much reason to fear, that the many vices and immoralities so common among white people;--the lewdness, drunkenness, quarrelling, abusiveness, swearing, lying, pride, backbiting, overreaching, idleness, and sabbath-breaking, everywhere to be seen among us, are a great encouragement to our Negroes to do the like, and help strongly to confirm them in the habits of wickedness and impiety. "We ought not only to avoid giving them bad examples, and abstain from all appearance of evil, but also strive to set a daily good example before their eyes, that seeing us lead the way in our own person, they may more readily be persuaded to follow us in the wholesome paths of religion and virtue.