Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. XVIL RELIGIOUS OPINIONS OF THE NEGROES THOUGHTS ON INSTRUCTING THEM IN THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. The African negroes of the West Indies, whatever superstitious notions they may bring with them from their native country, agree in believing the existence of an omnipotent Being, who will reward or punish us in a future life for our good or evil actions in this. But their ideas in other respects are peculiar and fanciful. They think that, for some unexpiated guilt, or through some unaccountable folly of the primitive blacks, servitude was the unfortunate lot assigned to them, while dominion was given to the more favoured whites. Their superstitious reverence for certain animals, common in their own country, they retain in some degree. Some tribes are far more rational than others in their religious opinions. By intercourse with each other, and with the Europeans, the absurdity of many of their native superstitions is gradually laid aside--at least in practice. One opinion they all agree in, and that is the expectation that, after death, they shall first return to their native country, and enjoy again the society of kindred and friends, from whom they have been torn away in an evil hour. This idea, combined with their terrors, used to prompt numbers, on their first arrival, to acts of suicide. As an example to deter others from this crime, the head of the unhappy wretch who thus, from a delusive hope, laid violent hands on his life, used to be cut off and fixed on a pole by the side of some public road, a dismal and disgusting spectacle, while the body was sometimes consumed by fire. This, it was thought by some, would induce a belief in the survivors, that the body, thus annihilated, could not again be restored to life and liberty, as...
