f
Christians are fairly pledged to this work, so that they cannot
consistently retreat from it.

In making the foregoing statements nothing more than an introduction to
a great subject was intended. That great subject is our duty respecting
the eternal well being of negroes. A friend once inquired respecting
President Davies' practice as to the baptism of slave children. We know
not what that excellent man's practice was; but we are happy in stating
that the highest court in the Presbyterian church has determined in a
manner, that is thought satisfactory, all questions on this point. Thus
in the minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia for the year
1786, p. 413, it is said: "The following case of conscience from
Donnegal Presbytery was overtured, viz.: whether Christian masters or
mistresses ought in duty to have such children baptized, as are under
their care, though born of parents not in communion of any church? Upon
this overture, the Synod are of opinion, that Christian masters and
mistresses whose religious profession and conduct are such, as to give
them a right to the ordinance of baptism for their own children, may,
and ought to dedicate the children of their household to God, in that
ordinance, when they have no scruple of conscience to the contrary."

On the next page (414) of the same record, it is said that "It was
overtured, whether Christian slaves having children at the entire
discretion of unchristian masters, and not having it in their power to
instruct them in religion, are bound to have them baptised; and whether
a christian minister in this predicament ought to baptize them? The
Synod determined in the affirmative."

Again on the 315 page of vol. iii., containing the minutes of the
General Assembly for 1816, is this entry:

"The committee to which was referred the following question, viz.:
Ought baptism on the promise of the master, to be administered to the
children of slaves, reported, and their report being amended was
adopted, and is as follows, viz.:

"1st, That it is the duty of masters who are members of the church, to
present the children of parents in servitude, to the ordinance of
baptism, provided they are in a situation to train them up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord, thus securing them the rich
advantages which the gospel promises.

"2nd, That it is the duty of Christian ministers to inculcate this
doctrine; and to baptize all children of this description when