126 



MEXICO. 



race of priests — so much and no more has been effected 

 for the Indians. 



The change was easily made. The ancient supersti- 

 tion abounded with fasts, feasts, and penances ; so did 

 the new. The whole system of the aboriginal religious 

 hierarchy bears a singular resemblance to that which 

 took its place under the domination of Spain. Even the 

 monk found his vocation excite no surprise ; the exist- 

 ence of regular orders of celibates of both sexes 3 whose 

 lives were devoted to the service of certain among their 

 gods, seems indisputable. 



With the Indians, Teotl, the unknown God— { he by 

 whom ive live" as he was termed — he whom they 

 never represented in idol form — is still the Supreme Be- 

 ing under the name of Dios. They continue to adore 

 ihe god Quetzalcoatl — the Feathered Serpent, under the 

 name of San Thomas. It is indifferent to them, whether 

 the evil spirit is called Diablo, or Tlacatecolototl. They 

 retain their superstition, their talismans, their charms ; 

 and as they were priest led under the old system, so they 

 are kept in adherence to the church of Rome, by the 

 continual bustle of the festivals, and ceremonials, and 

 processions of the church. But as to change of heart 

 and purpose — a knowledge of the true God as "a Spirit, 

 who is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth f a sense 

 of their degraded and fallen state as men, and an ac- 

 quaintance with the truths of the true gospel ; its appli- 

 cation to their individual state, and its influence upon 

 their lives and characters, they are as blind and ignorant 

 as their forefathers. 



I should not think I was hazarding much, were I to 

 say that all classes, high and low, participate in this dark- 

 ness, to a degree which is truly almost incredible ; and 

 the proofs are the countenance and support given to the 

 degrading system, with its revolting, childish, and super- 

 stitious ceremonies ; the low state of public and private 

 morals; and the supine and contented ignorance, which 

 they cherish with a jealousy that would be ludicrous* 

 were it not lamentable. 



