INFLUENCE OF THE MALEMS. 
383 
faith in charms — M%oni — which they believe can 
“call up spirits from the vasty deep;” and some 
persons pretend to have the power of transforming 
themselves to any shape they choose. In fact, there is 
nothing too extravagant to find credence among the 
poor untutored natives. 
Mahomedanism has made rapid strides in Sudhn 
during the present century, and if the Filatahs continue 
their victorious career, they will easily engraft their 
religion on the vague creed of the Pagans ; but, 
while readily adopting that of their conquerors, they will 
still cling to the superstitions of their fathers ; which 
the Filatahs themselves mingle with the impeifectly 
understood doctrines of the Prophet. The out-posts 
have made considerable advance in preparing the way 
for a general conversion since, the Malems, or learned 
men, who, generally have no other claim to the title 
than the being able to mumble a prayer or a passage from 
the Koran, are much venerated everywhere ; their 
advice is taken on all occasions, and they already lead 
the minds of the people. It might be supposed 
that this pliability would render the diffusion of Chris- 
tianity very easy. It may, in some degree, have 
prepared the way to a better conversion, by presenting 
a more sublime idea than the Fetichism can afford ; but, 
it is to be feared, that the Mahomedanism which is 
practised, consisting merely in observances, enacted 
without any exertion of the mind, will render it more dif- 
ficult to make them comprehend the beautiful morality 
and the refined dogmas of our religion. At all 
