592 History of Methodism 



only sudh as they may fashion for themselves? Would it be too 

 much to allow them — ought it not rather to be cheerfully afforded 

 — that where they have not the opportunity of public worship on 

 the Sabbath-day, they might attend our circuit preaching in the 

 week? Might not the improvement of their morals compensate 

 fully for the loss of the time from their daily labor? And might not 

 such a sacrifice prove acceptable to God, and much to the comfort 

 of your own souls? 



We have observed with pain that in most of our country churches 

 there is not room to admit the slaves, or not in proportion to their 

 numbers. And this, we have been told, is owing to their indiffer- 

 ence toward public worship unless conducted in their own way. 

 "They will not attend, and therefore more room need not be pro- 

 vided for them." Is this conclusion positively just? May not 

 their absenting themselves from the public worship be rather owing 

 to the lack of room for them in the churches than the indifference 

 which has been so commonly assigned as the cause? Is it not cer- 

 tain, and do they not know it, that if they were generally to attend 

 they could not find seats in the church? And is it not likely that 

 a knowledge of this may discourage many who would otherwise at- 

 tend, but not at the present disadvantage? As things now are, 

 what shall bring them to the church ? We know not what. Shall 

 they worship wholly by themselves — "the blind leading the blind?" 

 This, we all admit, would not be for the better. What then shall 

 be done? Will we abandon them altogether? God forbid! They 

 have souls in their bodies, and Ave are their masters. We beseech 

 you, brethren, acquit your consciences in this matter. If your 

 negroes will not share the benefit of public worship, let the guilt be 

 wholly on themselves. Provide for their attendance, encourage 

 them to go, and then if still they absent themselves, you at least 

 may feel yourselves at peace. 



The Cause of Missions. — We recommend this great interest, 

 brethren, to your more general and zealous support. We are sorry 

 to state that during the past year there has been a diminution, and 

 not an increase, of your contributions. We pray you to renew your 

 efforts; and for the time to come let there be no cause of complaint 

 on this score. We advise the immediate institution of a missionary 

 society in every circuit and station where there is none. And we 

 submit to your discretion whether it might not be well to hold the 

 annual meeting of each circuit society at ths time and place of 

 the last quarterly-meeting. By this arrangement the subscribers 



