I shall therefore venture to submit my thoughts upon a point, that I
have long consider'd, to better judgments, in hopes that any expedient
will be favourably hearkned to, which is proposed for the remedy of
these evils. Now in order to effect this, it should seem the natural
proper method, to provide, in the first place, a constant supply of
worthy clergy-men for the English churches in those parts; and in the
second place, a like constant supply of zealous missionaries well
fitted for propagating Christianity among the savages.

For though the surest means to reform the morals, and soften the
behaviour of men, be, to preach to them the pure uncorrupt doctrine of
the gospel, yet it cannot be denied that the success of preaching
dependeth in good measure on the character and skill of the preacher:
Forasmuch as mankind are more apt to copy characters than to practise
precepts, and forasmuch as argument, to attain its full strength, doth
not less require the life of zeal, than the weight of reason; and the
same doctrine, which maketh great impression, when delivered with
decency and address, loseth very much of its force by passing through
aukward or unskilful hands.

Now the clergy sent over to America have proved, too many of them, very
meanly qualified both in learning and morals for the discharge of their
office. And indeed little can be expected from the example or
instruction of those, who quit their native country on no other motive,
than that they are not able to procure a livelihood in it, which is
known to be often the case.

To this may be imputed the small care that hath been taken to convert
the negroes of our plantations, who, to the infamy of England, and
scandal of the world, continue Heathen under Christian masters, and in
Christian countries. Which cou'd never be, if our planters were rightly
instructed and made sensible, that they disappointed their own baptism
by denying it to those who belong to them: That it would be of
advantage to their affairs, to have slaves who should _obey in all
things their masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service as
men-pleasers, but, in singleness of heart as fearing God_: That gospel
liberty consists with temporal servitude: and that their slaves would
only become better slaves by being Christian.

And though it be allowed that some of the clergy in our colonies have
approved themselves men of merit, it will at the same time be allowed,
that the most ze