orship, or in what manner
God was to be served, or that their own idolatry, and worshipping they
knew not whom, was false and absurd. This he said was an unaccountable
neglect, and what God would certainly call them to account for, and
perhaps at last take the work out of their hands. He spoke this very
affectionately and warmly.

"I am persuaded," says he, "had those men lived in the savage country
whence their wives came, the savages would have taken more pains to have
brought them to be idolaters, and to worship the devil, than any of these
men, so far as I can see, have taken with them to teach the knowledge of
the true God. Now, sir," said he, "though I do not acknowledge your
religion, or you mine, yet we would be glad to see the devil's servants
and the subjects of his kingdom taught to know religion; and that they
might, at least, hear of God and a Redeemer, and the resurrection, and of
a future state--things which we all believe; that they might, at least,
be so much nearer coming into the bosom of the true Church than they are
now in the public profession of idolatry and devil-worship."

I could hold no longer: I took him in my arms and embraced him eagerly.
"How far," said I to him, "have I been from understanding the most
essential part of a Christian, viz. to love the interest of the Christian
Church, and the good of other men's souls! I scarce have known what
belongs to the being a Christian."--"Oh, sir! do not say so," replied he;
"this thing is not your fault."--"No," said I; "but why did I never lay
it to heart as well as you?"--"It is not too late yet," said he; "be not
too forward to condemn yourself."--"But what can be done now?" said I:
"you see I am going away."--"Will you give me leave to talk with these
poor men about it?"--"Yes, with all my heart," said I: "and oblige them
to give heed to what you say too."--"As to that," said he, "we must leave
them to the mercy of Christ; but it is your business to assist them,
encourage them, and instruct them; and if you give me leave, and God His
blessing, I do not doubt but the poor ignorant souls shall be brought
home to the great circle of Christianity, if not into the particular
faith we all embrace, and that even while you stay here." Upon this I
said, "I shall not only give you leave, but give you a thousand thanks
for it."

I now pressed him for the third article in which we were to blame. "Why,
really," says he, "it is of the same nature. I