144 CAUSES OF CONVERSION. 



right and wrong, entirely by the leading minds 

 that circumstances have made their superiors. 

 The doctrine that " the king can do no wrong," 

 appears to be a traditional continuance of this blind 

 confidence in the ruling powers which charac- 

 terized the state of society in Europe, at an early 

 date ; and which is still, to this day, the universal 

 principle of government in all native African 

 states. In that Continent, sagacious and intelligent 

 princes, concentrate the energies of extensive 

 empires, but at their decease, revolutions occur to 

 re-adjust the limits of power again, according to 

 the capabilities of the various ambitious claimants 

 that may spring up. The greatest minds obtain the 

 largest dominion, and when these appear among the 

 professors of superstitious religions, soon feel a con- 

 tempt for the absurd pretensions and the moral 

 falsehoods their superior mental powers instinctively 

 detect. Too frequently, having no idea of a rational 

 system of theology, but aware of the value of religion 

 as an engine of state policy, they wisely profess and 

 encourage the ancient faith. Let, however, a doc- 

 trine be preached that is more adapted to reason 

 and common sense, and which promises equal 

 security to the continuance of social order and of 

 kingly rule : its professors in that case are always 

 found to be received into the highest favour by 

 wise and sagacious princes, who perceive in the 

 new opinions upon an important subject, that satis- 

 faction of the reason which the absurd representa- 



