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was labouring in these distant regions to establish their 
belief in that faith which, had they properly accepted, 
would have placed them in that social state and happy 
association with each other, that would have made them 
“ beings progressive,” and not (i retrograde, 5 ’— beings of 
light, of peace, of happiness ; by which their brutish idols 
would have been broken, the horrors of their sanguinary 
wars mitigated, and some limit placed to their shocking 
depravities, many of which have greatly increased since 
their first connexion with Europeans. But to give them 
those blessings, Mr, Platt had struggled with the hydra 
of the darkest ignorance; not only had he inculcated 
the precept, but he had demonstrated the virtue of his 
creed by the example of his own acts, and yet he had 
only succeeded with a few, whom he thought he could 
claim as faithful followers. 
This want of success cannot, however, be attributed 
altogether to want of capacity to receive instruction in 
the natives among whom these endeavours have been 
made. But the goodly example and virtuous teaching 
of one man, can hardly countervail the evil effects pro- 
duced in the minds of these people by the opposite 
sights of many pretenders to the character of Christian 
apostles ; but who pursue rather the manner of gain, 
and self-indulgence, than the worthier objects of their 
mission. It is indeed grievous, that the well-meaning 
intentions of charitable and religious persons in this 
country should be in so many instances frustrated by 
the cupidity, and sometimes criminality, of the agents 
they have employed ; and although I am far, very far 
