13
Such a house as is here recommended, may be put up at a trifling expense, and may be advantageously used for other purposes, particularly as a house for the accommodation of a day or Sabbath school for the children.
3. It is suggested again, that plantation meetings be held exclusively for residents on the plantation; and that negroes on surrounding plantations be discouraged from attending.
4. Also, that the members of the Association would commence some regular system of instruction for the negro children.
The great hope of benefitting permanently the morals of servants, lies in commencing early with them. It is folly to expect any good from those who are left to the mercy of unhallowed passions and influences during the early years of life; nor will there be any comfort or peace in the management of those thus abandoned. They must be trained as moral and accountable beings from their infancy; and as their fathers and mothers are both without leisure or qualifications for the task, it devolves under Providence, upon the master.
We know that there is a great want of suitable books for their instruction. There are none in existence, so far as my knowledge extends. But they must be composed and put into circulation to meet the demand for them. Begin on your respective plantations, and the books will be forthcoming, and not only instruct the children, but also the adults, and take the oversight of all religious meetings held on your places.
5. I would also suggest the propriety of spending occasionally Sabbath at home with your own people, assembling both old and young for instruction; and also holding private conversation with them on the subject of Religion.
It is strange that this is never done. When the Sabbath comes, to Church, as a matter of course, the Christian master goes, and gives himself little trouble for the fate of his servants on that day. He never thinks for a moment that he should deny himself some privileges, to impart blessings to his servants. He possesses no spirit of self-denial for their good.
6. I would suggest again, that the discipline of plantations be strictly continued and perfected.
Some there are who relax discipline as soon as they begin to give religious instruction. Others suppose, that the fact of giving religious instruction, obliges a relaxation of discipline; and knowing that all success in planting would consequently be destroyed, discard such instruction altogether. We believe both to be in the wrong. You do not relax the proper discipline of your families, because you train them up religiously.
