34 INTRODUCTION. 



Of Judaism I will say nothing ; but look at Mohammedanism ; 

 though its doctrines of fatalism must tend to stifle the feelings 

 of responsibility, yet its precepts of charity and devotion, and 

 its promises of an after-life remuneration tend to create a dis- 

 position to mutual support which makes its votaries more civil- 

 ised ; and proofs of that beneficial influence we may find in 

 those tribes of African, Hindoo, and Malay races which follow 

 that religion, in opposition to the ridiculous and cruel super- 

 stitions of Buddhism, Brahminism, or Fetichism. The influence 

 of religious institutions is,' perhaps, still better illustrated in the 

 various Christian sects. Roman Catholics, being especially at- 

 tached to the principle of supremacy, seem to be better fitted 

 for the monarchical form of government, whilst to Protestants, 

 who have adopted the principle of individualism, the system of 

 self-government appears best suited. 



I would not be understood to say, that our laws should be 

 framed rigidly in accordance with the above considerations, as upon 

 unvarying principles ; but I maintain, that they ought to be taken 

 into account, whenever laws are being prepared for the govern- 

 ment of these colonies. Legislation improves, and is improved 

 by, civilisation ; but civilisation cannot spring in full maturity 

 and vigour from legislation, as an armed Minerva out of a Jupiter's 

 head. It is the privilege of Christianity to educe it from any ma- 

 terial ; this is the grand and only agent which can with certainty 

 be brought into operation, in all cases, and under every form of 

 government. 



It may be well for those who have imbibed the truths of the 

 Gospel, who bask in the sunshine of Christian civilisation, and who 

 relish the savoury fruits of the tree planted by their forefathers, to 

 pretend or assume that Christianity has done its work, and must 

 now give precedence to other systems or institutions resulting 

 from the progress of ages ; but, those who pause to consider hu- 

 manity in general, under the reign of idolatry and Paganism, or 

 even of Mohammedanism who witness the supernatural results of 

 Christianity, particularly in its taming and civilising influence on 

 the wildest and the most ignorant tribes, are induced to regard 

 it as the chief, because the most powerful and the surest, agent in 

 procuring tranquillity for nations and rendering them prosperous 

 and happy. The fruits of Christianity are not like those of hu- 

 man institutions; they derive their savour from a supernatural 

 sap. I am bound to state, that all the agencies which impart life 

 and grandeur to the social agglomerations of modern times 

 natural justice, mutual assistance, equality in the advantages and 

 burdens of civil society, individual freedom, the steady progress 

 of man, &c. all are the fruits of Christianity. For, it cannot be 

 denied that Christianity has snatched the world from under the 

 baneful yoke of paganism, wherever it has made its appearance ; 



