HOW TO TEACH THE NEGRO. 227 



true freedom. I do not blame you. You could do no other- 

 wise. But will you hinder their passing through that process 

 of religious education under a priesthood, by which, and by 

 which alone, the white races of Europe were educated up to 

 something like obedience, virtue, and purity ? 



" These last, you know, we teach in the interest of the State, 

 as well as of the Xegro : and if we should ask the State for aid, 

 in order that we may teach them, over and above a little read- 

 ing and writing which will not be taught save by us, for we 

 only shall be listened to are we asking too much, or anytliiag 

 wdiich the State will not be wise in crrantincf us ? We can 

 have no temptation to abuse our power for political purposes. 

 It would not suit us to put the matter on its lowest ground 

 to become demagogues. For our congregations include 

 persons of every rank and occupation ; and therefore it is our 

 interest, as much as that of the British Government, that all 

 classes should be loyal, peaceable, and wealthy. 



" As for our peculiar creed, with its vivid appeals to the 

 senses: is it not a question whether the utterly unimaginative 

 and illogical Negro can be taught the facts of Christianity, 

 or indeed any religion at all, save through his senses? Is 

 it not a cpiestion whether w^e do not, on the wliole, give 

 him a juster and clearer notion of the very tniths which 

 you hold in common with us, than an average Protestant 

 Missionary does? 



Q 2 



