Southern Christian Advocate

For the Southern Christian Advocate.

CONGAREE MISSION, SO. CA. CONF.

To Rev. W. Capers, Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society of the Methodist E. Church, for the Southern Conferences,

Dear Brother,

My report from this mission should not have been as late appearing as this, if I had not been constantly enlarging it; and was desirous of making as favorable a report as possible, (it being the first,) without any exaggeration whatever.

As far as I am able to judge, a missionary was cordially received by the planters of this river, and as an evidence of it I have not applied to one individual, for the privilege of preaching to his servants that has shown the least disposition to refuse. Had I more help, I am satisfied the mission might yet be much more enlarged. It embraces at this time fourteen plantations, which meet at seven appointments, at which we preach, catechise, and meet class every three weeks, on the Sabbath. There are about fourteen hundred hearers that attend at these appointments, we have at this time 201 adult members, some 80 or 90 of whom were members before, belonging to the Columbia circuit. I have baptised 8 adults and 14 children, and catechise as often as practicable on the week and Sabbath 250 children. This mission, thus far, has been easily established, comparatively, but I apprehend that the word, in its further progress, will meet with difficulty and opposition from the corruption, ignorance, and prejudice of the heart. The most of the colored people had hitherto but little preaching or religious instruction, except from ignorant persons of their own colour, beside this many of them have seldom or never heard a Methodist preacher before, consequently they have formed religious opinions and notions, every way different from ours, and not a little deleterious to their morals; prejudices also, against our modes and usages have been formed, all of which will require time and pains to remove.

They have, at least many of them, to be unlearned, and then correctly taught; unconverted, (if I may so speak) and re-converted, so that the full benefits of the missionary enterprise will hardly be realized, until the present generation, in a great measure, shall have passed away, and the young people shall have arrived at mature years. The principles now inculcated will then have their due influence upon the mind and morals. I am happy to say that, as far as I can learn and see, the planters use every reasonable means to render their servants comfortable, they have good houses and are well fed and clothed, and to all appearance are, physically speaking, as happy a race of beings as are among us. Particularly now they consider themselves highly privileged; they can stay at home and rest on the Sabbath, and yet hear the good word of the Lord, which makes them wise unto salvation. Pray for us, dear brother, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified.

Your friend, and brother in Christ,

S. TOWNSEND.

July 18, 1843.