HISTORY OF ABYSSINIA. 
^57 
derision, from the slovenly manner in which they are performed, 
and the sacred character of the priesthood to fall into contempt, 
from the dubious authority by which the priests are now ordained 
to its duties. To this may be added, that the little learning they 
have among them will soon be exhausted, being cut off entirely from 
the source that supplied it. 
" It appears to me, that these circumstances call for the serious 
consideration of all Christians; forw^hen so much trouble is taken, 
and so much expence incurred, in endeavouring to convert infidels 
to the faith, might it not be of equal, or more consequence, to give 
relief to a nation, already professing, generally, the same faith with 
ourselves, who at so very early a period received the Christian reli- 
gion, cherished and defended it against its open and secret enemies, 
and who still maintain it ; not pure indeed, but as their established 
faith ; and to prove that they are a people not unworthy of our care, 
let us refer to what the Jesuits have said of them, at a time indeed 
when they were friends, but which, as Ludolf well observes, they 
never afterwards contradicted. In a letter from Fremona they write 
thus : ' Let it be particularly noted, that although the Abyssinians 
have fallen into many and great errors concerning the faith, yet, ex- 
cepting these, it is certain that they still preserve that excellent dis-^ 
position, and good natural inclination to all virtue and piety, which, 
from of old, they have possessed ; and that even now, according to 
what the Fathers have seen, much fewer sins are found among them, 
than in many other Christian countries in Europe, where our holy 
faith remains as yet uncorrupted.'* Again : ' They give with much 
willingness alms to the poor, and treat strangers with hospitality.' 
• Ludolf's Com, 194. Ek Epistolis de annis 1607-8. 
