REIIOIOUS WARS. 
219 
the incursions of the Caribs : it was employed also m an 
offensive war, or, as they say here, in the conquest of souls 
(conquista de almas). The soldiers, excited by the allure- 
ment of gain, made military incursions (entradas) into the 
muds of the independent "Indians. They lulled all those 
who dared to make any resistance, burnt their huts, de- 
coyed their plantations, and carried away the women, 
children, and old men, as prisoners. These prisoners were 
divided among the Missions of the Meta, the Eio Negro, 
au d the Upper Orinoco. The most distant places were 
chosen, that they might not be tempted to return to their 
native country. This violent manner of conquering souls, 
though prohibited by the Spanish laws, was tolerated by the 
Clv il governors, and Vaunted by the superiors of the society, 
^beneficial to religion, and the aggrandizement of the 
-Missions. “The voice of the Gospel is heard only,” said 
Jesuit of the Orinoco, very candidly, in the ‘ Cartas 
hdifi antes,’ “ where the Indians have heard also the sound 
°t fire-arms (el eeo de la polvora). Mildness is a very slow 
,llf 'asure. By chastising the natives, we facilitate their con- 
Ve rsion.” These principles, which degrade humanity, were 
P e rtainly not common to all the members of a society which, 
ln the New World, and wherever education has remained 
P^dusively in the hands of monks, has rendered service to 
^tiers and civilization. But the entradas, the spiritual con 
firsts with the assistance of bayonets, was an inherent vice 
T\r- a astern, that tended to the 'rapid aggrandizement of the 
tissions. It is pleasing to find that the same system is not 
flowed by the Franciscan, Dominican, and Augustinian 
, 'mffis who* now govern a vast portion of South America ; and 
' “ 0 i by the mildness or harshness of their manners, exert a 
Powerful influence over the fate of so many thousands of 
‘Wives. Military incursions are almost entirely abolished; 
•r.u when they do take place, they are disavowed by the 
openers of the orders. We will not decide at present, 
, ether this amelioration of the monachal system be owing 
a m ; uit of activity and cold indolence ; or whether it must be 
, ' Abated, as we would wish to believe, to the progress of 
jwowledge, and to feelings more elevated, and more conform- 
O to the true srvirit of flViristianitv. 
the Orinoco again 
s to the true spirit of Christianity, 
beyond the mouth of the Bio Paruasi, 
