I am not likely, I presume, to be suspected of any leaning toward Romanism.  But I think a Roman Catholic priest would have a right to a fair and respectful hearing, if he said:—­

’You have set these people free, without letting them go through that intermediate stage of feudalism, by which, and by which alone, the white races of Europe were educated into true freedom.  I do not blame you.  You could do no otherwise.  But will you hinder their passing through that process of religious education under a priesthood, by which, and by which alone, the white races of Europe were educated up to something like obedience, virtue, and purity?

’These last, you know, we teach in the interest of the State, as well as of the Negro:  and if we should ask the State for aid, in order that we may teach them, over and above a little reading and writing—­which will not be taught save by us, for we only shall be listened to—­are we asking too much, or anything which the State will not be wise in granting us?  We can have no temptation to abuse our power for political purposes.  It would not suit us—­to put the matter on its lowest ground—­to become demagogues.  For our congregations include persons of every rank and occupation; and therefore it is our interest, as much as that of the British Government, that all classes should be loyal, peaceable, and wealthy.

’As for our peculiar creed, with its vivid appeals to the senses:  is it not a question whether the utterly unimaginative and illogical Negro can be taught the facts of Christianity, or indeed any religion at all, save through his senses?  Is it not a question whether we do not, on the whole, give him a juster and clearer notion of the very truths which you hold in common with us, than an average Protestant missionary does?

’Your Church of England’—­it must be understood that the relations between the Anglican and the Romish clergy in Trinidad are, as far as I have seen, friendly and tolerant—­’ does good work among its coloured members.  But it does so by speaking, as we speak, with authority.  It, too, finds it prudent to keep up in its services somewhat at least of that dignity, even pomp, which is as necessary for the Negro as it was for the half-savage European of the early Middle Age, if he is to be raised above his mere natural dread of spells, witches, and other harmful powers, to somewhat of admiration and reverence.

’As for the merely dogmatic teaching of the Dissenters:  we do not believe that the mere Negro really comprehends one of those propositions, whether true or false, Catholic or Calvinist, which have been elaborated by the intellect and the emotions of races who have gone through a training unknown to the Negro.  With all respect for those who disseminate such books, we think that the Negro can no more conceive the true meaning of an average Dissenting Hymn-book, than a Sclavonian of the German Marches