How we cite our quotes: Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #1
Many of the slaves believe such stories, and think it is not worth while to exchange slavery for such a hard kind of freedom. It is difficult to persuade such that freedom could make them useful men, and enable them to protect their wives and children. If those heathen in our Christian land had as much teaching as some Hindoos, they would think otherwise. They would know that liberty is more valuable than life. They would begin to understand their own capabilities, and exert themselves to become men and women. (8.2)
If one goal of Christianity is to spread the word, then Christians are missing a huge opportunity in not educating their slaves. Of course, educated slaves might begin to value their lives and believe in their capabilities. Yep, that'd be a problem.
Quote #2
They seem to satisfy their consciences with the doctrine that God created the Africans to be slaves. What a libel upon the heavenly Father, who "made of one blood all nations of men!" (8.6)
At several points in the text, Jacobs shows how slaveholders manipulate the Bible and religion to their own ends. This has the extra effect of revealing Jacobs's intelligence and authority by doing the same thing.
Quote #3
The slaves begged the privilege of again meeting at their little church in the woods, with their burying ground around it. It was built by the colored people, and they had no higher happiness than to meet there and sing hymns together, and pour out their hearts in spontaneous prayer. Their request was denied, and the church was demolished. They were permitted to attend the white churches, a certain portion of the galleries being appropriated to their use. (12.14)
After the Nat Turner rebellion, the very practice of African-Americans gathering together started to look awfully suspicious. Black churches in particular were seen as potential birthplaces of rebellion.
Quote #4
After the alarm caused by Nat Turner's insurrection had subsided, the slaveholders came to the conclusion that it would be well to give the slaves enough of religious instruction to keep them from murdering their masters. (13.1)
Religion was an important source of joy for many slaves, but sermons were also used to keep slaves in their place—or at least to try to.
Quote #5
“Although your masters may not find you out, God sees you; and he will punish you. You must forsake your sinful ways, and be faithful servants. Obey your old master and your young master--your old mistress and your young mistress. If you disobey your earthly master, you offend your heavenly Master. You must obey God's commandments. When you go from here, don't stop at the corners of the streets to talk, but go directly home, and let your master and mistress see that you have come." (13.4)
This is ironic: a free black man is hired to instruct the slaves to obey their masters. His sermon reflects white fears about slaves actually, you know, talking to each other. It's much better when your property keeps its mouth shut.
Quote #6
They never seem so happy as when shouting and singing at religious meetings. Many of them are sincere, and nearer to the gate of heaven than sanctimonious Mr. Pike, and other long-faced Christians, who see wounded Samaritans, and pass by on the other side. (13.6)
Jacobs wants to let her Northern readers know that black people are capable of being pious and devout worshippers. We also get the sense that religion provided an occasion for joyous release for slaves.
Quote #7
There is a great difference between Christianity and religion at the south. If a man goes to the communion table, and pays money into the treasury of the church, no matter if it be the price of blood, he is called religious. If a pastor has offspring by a woman not his wife, the church dismiss him, if she is a white woman; but if she is colored, it does not hinder his continuing to be their good shepherd. (13.10)
Slavery corrupts all major institutions—especially religion. Jacobs suggests that it is impossible to be a good Christian and to endorse slavery at the same time.
Quote #8
There are thousands, who, like good uncle Fred, are thirsting for the water of life; but the law forbids it, and the churches withhold it. They send the Bible to heathen abroad, and neglect the heathen at home. I am glad that missionaries go out to the dark corners of the earth; but I ask them not to overlook the dark corners at home. Talk to American slaveholders as you talk to savages in Africa. Tell them it was wrong to traffic in men. (13.17)
Jacobs points out American hypocrisy here—it's totally ridiculous that American religious leaders teach the Bible in Africa, but slaves in America are not allowed to learn to read it.