O.R.

p. 490 Series 1 - Volume 14

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 2, 1862.
General PEMBERTON:

DEAR SIR: As it is reported that martial law will likely be proclaimed over the city I desire most respectfully to call your attention to an important matter touching the quiet and loyalty of our colored population. There are of this class in the city about 20,000, of whom 10,000 are members of the church, 6,000 being in communion with the Methodist denomination alone. This accounts for the unprecedented quiet, good behavior, and loyalty which have hitherto characterized this numerous class of domestics. From a pastorate of more than six years in this my native city I am convinced that religion creates the strongest tie between servant and master, and that the ministry thereby constitute the strongest police of municipal and domestic order. So long therefore as the subduing restraints of Christianity are kept vigorously at play among the colored people we may expect to check insubordination that must ensue should they be thrown on the community inflamed with false hopes of liberation, or left to congregate in idleness, or to seek employment in villainy. My mind was profoundly called to this subject, and I have made extraordinary exertions to keep this religious element at work in my charge, composed of about 2,000 colored members, who worship in the same church with a very large white communion. A most gracious work is now progressing among them; many have been converted and many added to the church. The same work is going on in two other large Methodist churches in the city. Our meetings begin at 8 o’clock p. m. and continue to 9.30 o’clock, and I suppose 2,000 or 3,000 worship every night in our churches under the supervision of white persons.

Without presuming to counsel one in whom the custody of our beloved city is so well reposed, permit me respectfully to suggest, should martial law be proclaimed, no action be taken to curtail the religious privileges of our colored population. Allow them to meet as usual, and I think they will be more contented, quiet, and loyal. We must trust God, who can overrule the storm and subdue the proud waves beneath our feet.

I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your humble servant and co-laborer in the cause of our bleeding country,

JOHN T. WIGHTMAN,
Pastor of Trinity Church.