Page:Eleventh annual report of the Association for the Religious Instruction of the Negroes, in Liberty County, Georgia.djvu/23

19 —From the experience and observation of another year I am induced to lay before you,—what has been done in former Reports—the cooperation which we need that our work may be maintained and advanced.

Pastors may efficiently cooperate by the institution of meetings for watchmen-members of the Church-Inquirers-and children and youth and by affording some special instruction to their colored congregations, at such times and seasons as may be most convenient to them and if necessary call in the aid of prominent Christian men in the Churches.

Masters may cooperate by sending their children and youth regularly to the Sabbath Schools: and by instructing their people at home. If they cannot instruct the adults successfully, by all means let the children and youth be assembled and taught the Catechism, at least once a week, if not oftener. Again, by correcting Sabbath breaking, profane swearing and immorality and fanatica! extravagances in the conduct of religious meetings, when such tendency may be observed: and by promoting in a higher degree the physical improvement of their people. Can a man—can a Christian man, who derives his own support and that of his family from the labours of his dependent servants, yea more, who through them is made partaker of the comforts and luxuries of life, remain indifferent to and neglectful of their condition? Who will lavishly expend hundreds for these comforts and luxuries, and yet grudge a few dollars for the necessities of his servants? Who considers all he obtains from them gain and all he bestows upon them loss? Can such a man hope for acceptance with the great Master in Heaven? Can he even dream of the respect and confidence of his people or expect any influence from his instructions as a professor of Religion, while his practice demonstrates his infidelity? Let such an one know-if he will look no higher that every thing done for the physical comfort and improvement of his people, promotes health, cheerfulness, fidelity, cleanliness, morality, and thrift, and thereby advances his quiet and prosperity and interest in a high degree.

The physical condition of the negroes has improved in this County and is still improving. By the blessing of God upon the labour of their hands, owners are more able and I trust I may add, by the grace of God in their hearts, they are more willing to promote that improvement than in years