OCR Text |
Show the result of our intercourse with them), but to exercise a guardian care over them, extending to them all the sympathy which is due their fallen and dependent conditions, and to bestow upon them the blessings of a civilized and Christian education. In executing this policy, it is the duty of those who are sent among them to adopt such course as would be most likely to accomplish their objects. Among the missionary enterprises of the various Chr/sr/otn Sects, perhaps now can boast of that degree of success which has attended the Catholic missionary System. I have no partialities to express for the particular tenets of the denomination but it is a fact too obvious for contradiction, that they have done more towards civilizing the Indians throughout the Pacific slopes of North America from the Russian possessions to the Gulf of California than all other denominations with the government to aid them, have been able to accomplish. It becomes our duty then to examine their policy, and assertain (sic) upon what their success depends. This in my opinion is referable to their constant residence among them, and the fraternal authority which they assurance over them, together with their strict adherance to a kind of ceremonious form of worship (?) well suited to the narrow and visionary view of the untutored Indian. But though we may profit by the examples afforded us in the history of that sect, we would not be justified in adopting these Indians processes which displayed in all their |