340 
full liberty to practise the grossest of crimes, without 
suffering the infliction of self-condemnation: — on the 
contrary, we are inclined to think, that, so far from barba¬ 
rity, murder, and adultery, being standard virtues with 
them, as some have asserted,—in such actions, (however 
frequently they may occur,) they act contrary to the con¬ 
victions of conscience, and consequently are amenable to 
the just judgment of God. Their frequency only proves 
that the principles of evil in the human heart are so strong, 
as to get the better of conscience and judgment. 
Thus far, hut no farther , are we disposed to go with 
those who question or deny the propriety of missionary 
exertions: for it is not enough that the principle we refer 
to exists—there must also be a corresponding power in 
the moral constitution of man to obey its dictates, in order 
to insure his future happiness; which power the history 
of the world, in all ages, convinces us, does not exist in 
man in a state of nature, in a sufficient degree to over¬ 
come his corrupt propensities, which by a long course of 
indulgence so effectually gain the ascendency, as to blunt 
the power of conscience and render its dictates uncertain 
or erroneous. We know this to be the case, both from 
the word of God and the illustrations which every day’s 
experience presents to our notice, even amongst those 
who are supposed to be under the general influence of 
Christianity. 
Nor is this all:—the universal prevalence of moral evil 
is so clear, that even the heathens are sensible of the ne¬ 
cessity of some atonement; and mistaking the nature and 
attributes of Deity, believe that the more costly the sacri¬ 
fice, the more acceptable it will prove, and the more 
effectually will it atone for their sins; and to this principle 
may be ascribed the horrid sacrifices we read of in the 
history of barbarous nations. 
Before the introduction of Christianity into the world, 
the relative duties were not fully understood : the exercise 
