v1 PREFACE. 
their moral debasement and attendant misery, 
have excited his liveliest concern: and to the 
melioration of human wretchedness thus mduced, 
and the extension of true religion, as the only 
solid basis of virtue and happiness, his energies 
are directed, and his resources consecrated.-~ 
Animated by the predictions of inspiration which 
refer to the moral renovation of the world, and 
cheered by ‘‘ the signs of the times,”. his antici- 
pations of ultimate success are strengthened by 
the effects that already reward his exertions. 
The results of efforts combined for the accom- 
plishment of these objects, though various, have 
been such as materially to affect some of the most 
interesting portions of the human race. Their 
influence is at the present moment felt among 
the aborigines of Africa, the victims of colonial 
slavery, the millions of civilized China and India, 
the population of the inhospitable regions of 
Siberia and Greenland, and the inhabitants of the 
distant islands of the South Sea. 
In this latter part of the world the author spent 
a number of years, endeavouring to promote 
the knowledge of Christianity among the natives ; 
and while engaged in this pursuit, he regarded 
it as perfectly consistent with his office, and com- 
patible with its duties, to collect, as opportunity 
