364 
and Catholic religion, which gave the missionary an oppor¬ 
tunity, after an explanation on that head, of pointing 
out the principles on which the Missionary Society acted; 
whose agents used no other means to inculcate their prin¬ 
ciples, than persuasion and conviction, leaving it entirely 
to the understandings of their hearers to receive or reject 
their arguments, according to the light which is thrown 
into their minds, or the different effects produced thereby. 
We have now nearly completed our task, and feel peculi¬ 
arly happy in the thought of leaving this interesting people 
in such good hands. The British government, with a 
liberality which does them honour, have declined inter¬ 
fering with the views and proceedings of the Missionary 
Society: the care, therefore, of providing for the spiritual 
wants of these people, as well as of furnishing instructors 
in the various arts and manufactories, has wholly devolved 
upon that institution; and, if what has been effected by 
their exertions in other parts of the world*, be any guide 
to us in forming our opinion as to the success of their 
efforts in Madagascar, there is little doubt but that in a 
very few years we shall see that island in a state that will 
excite the admiration and astonishment of all the nations 
of Europe. That its people are prepared to receive instruc¬ 
tion, is the opinion of every one who has been amongst them, 
from the first moment of its discovery to the present time. 
There are no prejudices on their minds against revelation; 
no idolatry ; no false principles respecting the unity of God, 
* We are surprised that the operations of the society, in Africa, have not 
attracted the attention of the Society of Friends. Surely those who are so 
eminent for their love of peace , cannot look with indifference upon the 
many instances in which this society has so forcibly and so successfully 
inculcated that lovely principle! They surely cannot fail to rejoice at seeing 
the once blood-thirsty Africaner and the murdering Berend under the 
same tent, bending their knees at the same throne of grace, and imploring 
in artless language, the blessings of heaven upon those who have bee", the 
instruments of their conversion ! 
