Page:Twelfth annual report of the Association for the Religious Instruction of the Negroes, in Liberty County, Georgia.djvu/24

 sibilities of life, in consequence of a fall from his buggy, his horse having ran away with him.

In the commencement of the religious instruction of the negroes by this Association, he was not favourably impressed towards the work, in consequence of irregularities which he had years before known to occur in connection with some evening meetings, held by a minister of the Gospel for their benefit. But after a careful consideration of the plan pursued by the Association, and an observation of the effects of judicious religious instruction, he changed his mind and for a number of years was a true friend to the work in nearly all its details, and since his profession of religion in 1842, a prompt and efficient member of the Association. In his death this Association has not only lost a valuable member, but the county a valuable and influential citizen, who through a long life has been prominent in its history. A man of liberal and enlightened views, of public spirit, of many private and social virtues, and whose character commanded the confidence and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

The second was Joseph Camming, Esq. of Savannah. He was ever an advocate of the religious instruction of the negroes, and years ago engaged in the work and exerted himself with his natural energy and zeal in their behalf. Although he was not a resident of the county, yet having interests in it, his name was subscribed to the constitution of the Association and he was one of the most liberal contributors to its funds and no one took a greater interest in its doings and its success. After a life of over thirty years in the profession of the Gospel, marked by zeal, perseverance, integrity and consistency of principle and practice, he met death with a firm reliance upon the righteousness of Christ, which freed him in a wonderful manner from every fear, enabled him to set his house in order and calmly wait the moment of dissolution as the moment of his ascent to the presence and enjoyment of God in Heaven.

The third was the Rev. Peter Winn, a native of this county, a member of Midway church, and a graduate of Athens college* He spent two years in the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S. C. and was compelled to relinquish his studies on account of ill-health. He then undertook an agency for the American Tract Society in 1841, and continued in connection with that Society until 1845.

In July, 1842, he wrote me from Charlotte, N. Carolina.— "I have even felt that it was right in the Providence of God that I