Thoughts on the Religious Instruction of the Negroes of this CountryPlumer, William S. (William Swan)
Religion
Thoughts on the Religious Instruction of the Negroes of this Country
Plumer, William S. (William Swan)
African Americans -- Religion
"6th. Of the classes of instruction, I would say that they are of
incalculable benefit. All that can be said in favour of Sabbath schools,
and Bible classes, can be said in favour of these classes: properly
conducted, they are nothing less or more, than Sabbath schools, and
Bible classes for coloured persons. Our main hope of permanently
improving this people lies just where it does with every other people:
in the instruction of children and youth. Be beforehand with their
parents, who can only, in the vast majority of cases, inculcate evil
both by word and deed; and if it were practicable, an entire separation
of children and adults (as is attempted by our missionaries at some of
the stations by boarding schools and the like,) would be the best thing
that could be done. Every effort therefore should be made to draw out
and attach children and youth to the schools opened on the Sabbath, at
stations, and to schools opened in plantations. Wherever these schools
are opened, if the missionary cannot be supported by good teachers, let
him instruct the whole school, on the infant school plan himself. His
instructions too should not be short, and imperfect, but embrace some
regular system of Christian doctrine and practice; so that after a
reasonable time, when the course is completed, a connected and
intelligent view of Christianity will have been communicated. Connected
with such a regular course of instruction, may be the use of scripture
cards, and the like; teaching them to sing hymns, &c. Every thing I may
say depends upon the teacher. If he is an interesting man, he will
behold increased interest and rapid improvement in his classes.
"With adult classes the improvement will generally be slower and the
interest perhaps less and not so easily kept up. Let the same general
course of instruction be pursued with them, for literally they are but
grown up children.
"7th. I must not omit to mention, that these efforts of regularly
appointed missionaries, must be seconded by pastors of churches, and
when they can, let them have in their own churches, coloured schools,
under the superintendance of elders and laymen. Is it not wonderful that
our churches have so long remained indifferent to this most interesting
field of labour? One-half or two-thirds of our members have nothing to
do. And why is it so? Because they will not labour for the coloured
population. Let pastors awake and bring the subject strongly and
repeatedly before their people.
"8th. The Missionary must be supported by Christian owners; they must
labour to improve the servants at home; having regular schools for the
children and meetings for the instruction of adults. They should
encourage their people to attend public worship, especially should they
send the children to Sabbath school; otherwise such schools, let the
missionary or teacher do what he may, will decline in all ordinary
cases.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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