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4:28 JAM A I C Ai 



Some good pevfons haveexprefled their wifheS', that the planta- 

 tion Negroes might be all converted to the Chriftian faith. The- 

 planters would be the laft to oppofe fuch a fcheme, if it were 

 thought pradicable ; well knowing, that their becoming trud 

 Chri(Uans would work no change of property, and might poflibly 

 amend their manners. But few, if any, of the African natives, 

 will liflen to any propofition tending to deprive tiiem of their fa-. 

 vourite fuperftitions and fenfual delights* The Portuguefe mif- 

 fionaries at Congo, perceiving, upon experience, that a. religion, in- 

 culcating rigid precepts of morality, felf-denial, honefty, and ab- 

 flinence from women and drunkennefs, was not at all relifhcd,, 

 contrived to form a medly of Paganifm and Cliriftianity } which 

 was more acceptable, and has gained them many converts," only 

 the exterior ceremonies and facraments being indifpenfably en* 

 forced ; while, in other refpeds, they are left to the antient modes 

 ef their country. 1 have known fome Creole flaves defire to be 

 baptized; but they had no other motive than to be prote£led from 

 the witchcraft of obeiah-men, or pretended forcerers ; which af- 

 fords a plain proof of the influence which fuperftition holds over 

 their minds. But the mere ceremony of baptifm would no more 

 make Chriflians of the Negroes, in the juft fenfe of the word, 

 than a found drubbing would convert an illiterate faggot-maker 

 into a regular phyfician. The Rev. Mr. Hughes fupports the flime 

 opinion. *' To bring them," fays he, " in general, to the know- 

 •' ledge of the Chriftian religion is undoubtedly a great and good 

 *' defign, in the intention laudable, and in fpeculation eafy ; yet, I 

 *♦ believe, for reafons too tedious to be mentioned, that the diffi- 

 *» culties attending it are, and I am afraid ever will be, infurmoun- 

 *• table." This will appear lefs extraordinary, when we confider, 

 that very few of the North-American Indians, who are far more 

 civilized and enlightened people, have as yet been perluaded to 

 embrace Chriftianity, notwithftanding the inceffant and indefati;- 

 gable labours of French- and Englifh miffionaries for fo many 

 years. Not many of thefe pious men have crowned their apoftle- 

 lliip with any other iflue than by becoming enrolled in the ho- 

 nourable lift of martyrs. No perfuafion, I am induced to think, 

 can wholly recall tliem from, putfuing the favourite bias of their 



minds 



