hes of Mr. Thompson and others,
they might be led to believe that slaves in our Southern
States never read a Bible, hear a gospel sermon, or partake
of a gospel ordinance. It is to be hoped, however, that
little credit will be given to such misrepresentations,
notwithstanding the zeal and industry with which they are
disseminated.

What has been done on a single plantation.

I will now inform your readers what has been done, and is now
doing, for the moral and religious improvement of the slaves
on a single plantation, with which I am well acquainted, and
these few facts may serve as a commentary on the unsupported
assertions of Mr. Thompson and others. And here I could wish
that all who are so ready to denounce every man that is so
unfortunate as to be born to a heritage of slaves, could go
to that plantation, and see with their own eyes, and hear
with their own ears, the things which I despair of adequately
describing. Truly, I think they would be more inclined, and
better qualified to use those weapons of light and love which
have been so ably and justly commended to their hands.

On this plantation there are from 150 to 200 slaves, the
finest looking body that I have seen on any estate. Their
master and mistress have felt for years how solemn are the
responsibilities connected with such a charge; and they have
not shrunk from meeting them. The means used for their
spiritual good, are abundant. They enjoy the constant
preaching of the gospel. A young minister of the Presbyterian
church, who has received a regular collegiate and theological
education, is laboring among them, and derives his entire
support from the master, with the exception of a trifling sum
which he receives for preaching one Sabbath in each month for
a neighboring church. On the Sabbath, and during the week,
you may see them filling the place of worship, from the man
of grey hairs to the small child, all neatly and comfortably
clothed, listening with respectful, and in many cases, eager
attention to the truth as it is in Jesus, delivered in terms
adapted to their capacities, and in a manner suited to their
peculiar habits, feelings and circumstances; engaging with
solemnity and propriety in the solemn exercise of prayer, and
mingling their melodious voices in the hymn of praise.
Sitting