Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/159

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ed Sunday School in Canada among the coloured people. I had the pleasure of addressing 300 children in this school, which is considered a large number to be in attendance. It is certainly conducted in such a manner as to perpetuate a lively interest among the scholars, which is an essential element to the prosperity of any school. The other school is well conducted but not so large. The reciting of passages by the pupils from both the Old and New Testament Scriptures, was a sufficient evidence of their aptitude for learning; as the Negro race has ever evinced when surrounded by favorable circumstances.

There are two chapels in Chatham, Methodist and Baptist, the former has quite an intelligent coloured Minister. The latter has no regular Pastor, (I have occasionally preached for them). The Press is conducted by a coloured gentleman, well adapted to the business, the continuance of which up to the present time, is owing to his industry and economy; though it is not at present in a very encouraging condition, but that is no fault of his. Newspapers usually depend on voluntary subscription for support, it is therefore a very difficult matter to keep one in existence among an uneducated people, as this class is in Canada, when its support entirely or in part is to be derived from them. Parents do not see the necessity of taking papers for the benefit of their children, who can and are learning to read; in