The first dawn of civilization commences with a knowledge of our language.

The native immediately adopts some English customs and ideas, and drops a corresponding number of his own.

In fact, he is a soil fit to work up on, instead of being a barren rock as hitherto, firm in his own ignorance and prejudices.
In the education of the rising native generation lies the hope of ultimate conversion.

You may as well try to turn pitch into snow as to eradicate the dark stain of heathenism from the present race.

Nothing can be done with them; they must be abandoned like the barren fig-tree, and the more attention bestowed upon the young shoots.
But, unfortunately, this is a popular error, and, like all such, one full of prejudice.