Page:Twelfth annual report of the Association for the Religious Instruction of the Negroes, in Liberty County, Georgia.djvu/14

14 Too many grow weary in a good work, because they see no fruit; or because the work has its ebbs and flows. This is wrong.

If we decide that it is our duty from the word and Providence of God, that such a work should be done, and done by us, we have nothing further left us than the attempt to do it: relying upon the precious and upholding promise of God: in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. The promise is to them that faint not. There will be causes enough in every good work to make men faint, but the promise is to them that persevere. Perseverance is the true test of sincerity of principle and confidence in God. He who faints, loses the reward of both. Nor must we be weary when the work seems to decline or come to a stand; or even when it wears the appearance of hopelessness. At such seasons we must gird up our loins and quit ourselves like men: the Lord may be putting our faith and Jove and zeal to the proof. He may be visiting us for our shortearnings and sins: the fault may be all our own. If the winds and waves impede our way, we must toil the harder in rowing. The Master is looking upon us and will presently appear for our comfort and relief. What a glorious commendation is that bestowed upon the church of Ephesus by the Lord Jesus! "And hast borne and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured and hast not fainted?"

IMPROVEMENT OF TSE PHYSICAI CONDITION OF THE NEGROES.

I think it my duty in this report to bring before you, the physical condition of the negroes in our county, and the necessity of its further improvement, in order to insure greater success in our attempts towards their moral and religious improvement. This subject has been touched upon in previous reports, but it has not been presented with that prominence which its importance demands.

No one conversant with the state of this particular district of our county for ten or twelve years past, can fail to perceive, and candidly acknowledge, the very great advance which our planters have made in the improvement of the physical condition of their people. Greater attention is paid to their clothing, their food, their houses, their comforts, their family relations, and morality at at home ; and the appearance of the people themselves, both at