w from the
religious instruction of the negroes, and clearly shows that it will be
to our interest. It specifies these things: "There will be a better
understanding of the relation of master and servant and of their
reciprocal duties: The pecuniary interests of the masters will be
advanced as a necessary consequence: The religious instruction of the
negroes will contribute to safety: Another benefit is, we shall thus
promote our own morality and religion: Much unpleasant discipline will
be saved to the churches: The last benefit mentioned is one that we thus
convey to the servants instrumentally: It is the salvation of their
souls."

Another document is the "Pastoral letter of the Rt. Rev. Wm. Meade,
Assistant Bishop of Virginia, to the ministers, members, and friends, of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Virginia, on the duty
of affording religious instruction to those in bondage," and published
at the request of the Convention of Virginia. This manly and Christian
publication shows it to be our duty to seek the salvation of these
people because: "The providence of God in sending these people among us
in a state of dependence points out to us this duty: The word of God is
particular and emphatic on this subject: The benevolence and mercy of
the gospel require this of us: Consistency requires this of us." The
conclusion urges the performance of this duty from success already had
in the work. In the Appendix are to be found some letters and documents
of great worth on this great subject.

But Dr. Jones seems to be in this department more "abundant in labours"
than any other man. We have now his excellent and practical pamphlet on
the religious instruction of slaves. We are glad to see it sent forth by
our Board of Publication, and in its present form too. We trust it will
have an extensive circulation. No man will fail to be better informed
who reads it with care. It can for a few cents be transmitted by mail to
any part of the United States. Our advice concerning it is given in four
words: buy, read, circulate, practice it.

The statistics of the negro race in the slave-holding States of this
nation are of the most interesting kind. Their increase is prodigious.
We cannot go into this matter now, farther than to say that the next
census will probably show that the number of negroes and mulattoes in
the United States is more than four millions. What an object for
Christian love and wisdom and effort!