Page:Eleventh annual report of the Association for the Religious Instruction of the Negroes, in Liberty County, Georgia.djvu/15

 Mistresses in the instruction, the eternal well-being of their own people, and of prompting them to a more conscientious discharge of all their duties to them. I have not the most distant conception that the simple preaching of the Gospel on the Sabbath alone, at the Stations would have produced the impression upon this community, both white and black, which we have for some years past seen, had Plantation meetings never been resorted to. One of the earliest, most quiet and efficient means of awakening an interest in the religious instruction of the negroes in the bosom of owners, and of impressing the negroes themselyes with its importance and value, was Plantation preaching The average number at Midway has been eight: two belonging to the Pleasant Grove congregation have been received into that church. At Sunbury we have had scarcely any inquirers. The admissions to all the churches, of both white and colored persons, have been very few during the year. The proper instruction and management of persons professedly under serious impressions, is, in the circumstances in which the people are placed, one of the most difficult parts of our duty: and one upon which we are seeking for wisdom continually. It is not to be questioned that such persons are in great danger either of losing their impressions, or of entertaining a false hope. They see their Ministers, frequently not over once in three weeks; few have the opportunity of waiting on the instruction of intelligent white members. They consequently come under the influence of watchmen and colored members, who, however honest and sincere, are from want of knowledge, experience and discrimination inefficient guides. Moreover, these distressed souls, unable to read the Word of God and to search for themselves and receive light from the great fountain itself, pay implicit respect to their Teacher whoever he may be. He becomes their all and in all. They believe that he knows, that he can lead them in the way everlasting: from his authority they would not dissent: from his instructions they would not depart. They are disposed also to entire submissionto yield both mind and conscience to his will: for their inward peace of mind, and assurance of being in a state of salvation and their admission to the privileges of church membership, depend in large measure upon the approbation and recommendation of their instructer. For a time they are kept under a course of instruction, and taught to repeat questions