ABSTRACT
The business of transforming heathen society and reconstructing it on Christian principles is a great and protracted undertaking, and is to be commenced in all communities by working on individuals. The baptism of children and adults has ever been a very important work with the Roman Catholic missionaries, and especially the baptism of moribunds, or dying children of heathens. The Christians refuse to contribute to the erection or repair of temples, or subscribe to idolatrous feasts and superstitious rites; though, according to the Annales, they sometimes defray the charges of the theatrical exhibitions which follow, in order to avoid the malice of their adversaries. Christians refuse to have their deceased friends buried with the idolatrous ceremonies required by their relatives, upon which the latter occasionally carry the matter before the officers, or resort to petty annoyances. The worth and labors of many men comprised in the number of missionaries have long been known to the Christian public.
