Charles Colcock Jones 
The Religious Instruction of the Negroes in the United States 

In ‘The Religious Instruction of the Negroes in the United States’ by Charles Colcock Jones, the author delves into the complex history of religious education among African American slaves in the antebellum South. Jones presents a detailed analysis of how Christianity was used as a tool for social control and resistance, highlighting the nuances of slave religion and its impact on the broader religious landscape. The book is rich in primary source material, providing a glimpse into the daily religious practices and beliefs of enslaved African Americans. Jones’ writing style is academic yet accessible, making this work essential for scholars and general readers interested in the intersections of race, religion, and American history. His thorough research and nuanced approach shed light on a previously understudied aspect of African American religious history. Charles Colcock Jones, a prominent 19th-century Presbyterian minister and plantation owner, draws from his experiences to offer a unique perspective on the religious lives of African American slaves. His deep commitment to social reform and his firsthand knowledge of the Southern religious landscape give credibility to his analysis. I highly recommend ‘The Religious Instruction of the Negroes in the United States’ to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics of religious instruction among African American slaves and its lasting impact on American society.

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Charles Colcock Jones (1804-1863) was an influential American Presbyterian minister, educator, and advocate for the religious instruction of slaves in the Southern United States. His book ‘The Religious Instruction of the Negroes in the United States’ (1842) is considered a significant work in understanding the complexities of antebellum religious life and the intersection of Christianity with the institution of slavery. Jones was born in Liberty County, Georgia, and educated at Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as a minister in Savannah, Georgia, and later as a professor of ecclesiastical history and church government at Columbia Theological Seminary in South Carolina. His passion for missionary work among enslaves led him to assume a leading role in the efforts to evangelize and educate enslaved African Americans. While his works and views were formed in a period of deep racial prejudices and were based on the assumption of the acceptability of slavery as an institution, they also reflected a concern for the spiritual well-being of African Americans and the promotion of literacy and religious knowledge among them. Jones’s literary style is scholarly and compelling, picking through the ethical and theological implications of slavery and evangelism. His legacy remains a subject of scholarly debate, with some viewing him as a progressive figure in the context of his time and others as a product of the deeply rooted systemic racism of the era.