In Pennsylvania the missionary movement found less obstacles to the conversion of Negroes than to that of the Indians.  In fact, the proselyting of Negroes in the colony was less difficult than in some other parts of America.  The reports of the missionaries show that slaves were being baptized there as early as 1712.[21] About this time a Mr. Yeates, of Chester, was commended by the Rev. G. Ross “for his endeavors to train up the Negroes in the knowledge of religion."[22] Moved by the appeal of the Bishop of London, other masters permitted the indoctrination of their slaves in the principles of Christianity.  At Philadelphia the Rev. G. Ross baptized on one occasion 12 adult Negroes, “who were examined before the congregation and answered to the admiration of all who heard them....  The like sight had never been seen before in that church."[23] Rev. Mr. Beckett, minister in Sussex County, Pennsylvania, said in 1723 that he had admitted two Negro slaves and that many Negroes constantly attended his services.[24] The same year Rev. Mr. Bartow baptized a Negro at West Chester.[25] Rev. Mr. Pugh, a missionary at Appoquinimmick, Pennsylvania, said, in a letter written to the Society in 1737, that he had received a few blacks and that the masters of the Negroes were prejudiced against their being Christians.[26] Rev. Richard Locke christened eight Negroes in one family at Lancaster in 1747 and another Negro there the following year.[26a] In 1774 the Rev. Mr. Jenney reported that there was “a great and daily increase of Negroes in this city who would with joy attend upon a catechist for instruction”; that he had baptized several, but was unable to add to his other duties; and the Society, ever ready to lend a helping hand to such pious undertakings, appointed the Rev. W. Sturgeon as catechist for the Negroes at Philadelphia.[27] The next to show diligence in the branch of the work of the Society was Mr. Neill of Dover.  He baptized as many as 162 within 18 months.[28]

The operations of the Society did not seem to cover a large part of New Jersey.  The Rev. Mr. Lindsay wrote of the baptizing of a Negro at Allerton in 1736.[29] The reports from the missions of New Brunswick show that a large number of Negroes had attached themselves to the church.  This condition, however, did not obtain in all parts of that colony.  Yet subsequent reports show that the missionary spirit was not wanting in that section.  The baptism of black children and the accession of Negro adults to the church were from time to time reported from that field.[30]

The most effective work of the Society among Negroes of the Northern colonies was accomplished in New York.  In that colony, the instruction of the Negro and Indian slaves to prepare them for conversion, baptism, and communion was a primary charge oft repeated to every missionary and schoolmaster of the Society.  In addition to the general efforts put forth in the colonies, there was in New York a special provision for the