Final answer:
The term 'charges under one preacher's appointment' refers to the responsibilities a preacher had in their religious capacity, which during the period of American slavery often included the inhumane and contradictory practice of owning or mistreating slaves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the historical context of how religious leaders managed their charges or roles within their congregations, especially during the period of American slavery. The passages given touch on various aspects of religious figures in society, contrasting their moral teachings with their practical actions, particularly in regards to slavery. The accounts describe instances of hypocrisy and cruelty among those who professed strong religious beliefs but acted contrary to those beliefs in the treatment of slaves. This includes references to preachers who, while advocating for the values of Christianity, still participated in the slave trade or upheld slavery and the subjugation of African-Americans.
One example is the mention of Reverend Burroughs who, despite his religious standing, was implicated in witch trials. Another refers to the Rev. Daniel Weeden and the Rev. Rigby Hopkins who, despite their positions in the Reformed Methodist Church, were known for their brutal treatment of slaves. These contradictions indicate that the practice of 'putting multiple charges under one preacher's appointment' during this time could result in a leader who held both religious authority and participated in societal norms that were antithetical to the teachings of their faith, such as slavery.
The phrase 'charges under one preacher's appointment' refers to the tasks, responsibilities, or roles assigned to a religious leader within their appointment in the church. In the provided passages, it is clear that these charges involved both spiritual guidance and, regrettably, the inhumane treatment of slaves.