"Charity to Negroes:" Rev. George Hunter's reflections on the treatment of slaves, 1749

"Charity to Negroes:" Rev. George Hunter's reflections on the treatment of slaves, 1749

Slavery--Religious aspects; Slavery--Justification; Slavery and the church--Catholic Church; Master and Servant; Jesuits--History--18th century

In this reflection from 1749, Rev. George Hunter, the resident Superior of the Maryland Mission, contemplates the Jesuits' catechizing mission toward their slaves.

Maryland Province Archives

Georgetown Slavery Archive

1749-12-20

Tom Foley, Elsa Barraza Mendoza. Transcribed by Susan Brynne Long and Julia Greenwood (AMST272 Spring 2018).

Maryland Province Jesuits

PDF

English

Manuscript

GSA223

To the Greater Glory of God.

Charity to Negroes is Due from all particularly their masters.  As they are members of Jesus Christ, redeemed by his precious blood, they are to be Dealt with in a charitable, Christian, paternal manner, which is at the same time a great means to bring them to do their Duty to God, & therefore to gain their Souls.  

Much talk of temporals shews the mind too much bent upon such things, & therefore must be disedifying in persons of our calling. Our discourse ought to be chiefly of the progress of our Missions, how to make greater progress; how to serve God in a more decent, handsome, pompous manner as a thing that helps to the interiour, by striking an awe; respect & reverence; where & how greater good may be done, more conversions be made, what methods to be taken for the catechising of children & Negroes, as well as instructions for others by more familiar Discourses in lieu of formal Sermons, which generally are not so beneficial as more familiar instructions.

            Rev^d Father George Hunter, Soc. Jes., of Venerable memory, in his Spiritual Retreat, at Portobacco,

            December 20. A. D. 1749.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manuscript