Another document is the "Pastoral letter of the Rt. Rev. Wm. Meade, Assistant Bishop of Virginia, to the ministers, members, and friends, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Virginia, on the duty of affording religious instruction to those in bondage," and published at the request of the Convention of Virginia. This manly and Christian publication shows it to be our duty to seek the salvation of these people because: "The providence of God in sending these people among us in a state of dependence points out to us this duty: The word of God is particular and emphatic on this subject: The benevolence and mercy of the gospel require this of us: Consistency requires this of us." The conclusion urges the performance of this duty from success already had in the work. In the Appendix are to be found some letters and documents of great worth on this great subject. But Dr. Jones seems to be in this department more "abundant in labours" than any other man. We have now his excellent and practical pamphlet on the religious instruction of slaves. We are glad to see it sent forth by our Board of Publication, and in its present form too. We trust it will have an extensive circulation. No man will fail to be better informed who reads it with care. It can for a few cents be transmitted by mail to any part of the United States. Our advice concerning it is given in four words: buy, read, circulate, practice it. The statistics of the negro race in the slave-holding States of this nation are of the most interesting kind. Their increase is prodigious. We cannot go into this matter now, farther than to say that the next census will probably show that the number of negroes and mulattoes in the United States is more than four millions. What an object for Christian love and wisdom and effort! Who will not pray for the salvation of these people? From what has been already said, our minds are fully satisfied of the correctness of the following positions: I. It is the duty of Christians generally, and of Presbyterians particularly, earnestly to seek the salvation of all the destitute, and especially of the negroes of this country, by such methods as the laws of God require, and in conformity with every proper law of the land, relating to these people. A good police is nowhere adverse to the spread of the gospel. II. On account of the incalculable benefits resulting to the teacher of the plan of salvation, and to him who is taught as well as to masters and the community generally, it is expedient to do this thing and that speedily. III. It is entirely safe to do this. No facts can be established to the contrary, and many can be established in support of this assertion.