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The religion most generally followed in the colony of New South
Wales, is that established according to the usage of the Church of
England; and it is a subject of satisfaction to observe that the
churches are, generally speaking, well attended. A great part of the
military corps, with their officers, uniformly attend divine
service.--A Roman Catholic priest (the Rev. Mr. Dixon) was formerly
allowed by government to preach in public, but this indulgence has
been subsequently withdrawn from some cause or other; and I am
somewhat inclined to attribute this alteration to the seditious
conduct of the Irish prisoners, some years since, in which it was
proved that another priest (Mr. Harold) bore a conspicuous part,
upholding and encouraging the designs of those who entertained
schemes inimical to the existing government, and subversive of the
welfare of the colony.
Some of the Missionary Society preach at the out-settlements,
frequently on a Sunday, with various success; and it is much to be
lamented, that in the selection of these men, who are sent out to
enlighten and instruct the ignorant, greater attention is not paid
to their qualifications; and the abuses which are practiced under
the cloak of religion, in these remote parts of the world, call
loudly for a close investigation, and a total reformation of the
system. That there are amongst these Missionaries men of strict
fidelity, whose hearts are engaged in the task they have undertaken,
and whose conduct has justly gained them the esteem and veneration
of all classes, is a fact which no dispassionate observer can deny;
but it is also equally notorious, that there are too many of an
opposite description, who practice every vice, and do the most
serious injury to that sacred cause to which they have been
delegated, and have engaged to support. If greater pains were taken
in the choice of servants, the Missionary institution might tend to
the more rapid promotion of the knowledge of religion; but the work
will be retarded while improper instruments are used. A Missionary,
of irreproachable character, was unhappily murdered a few years
since, by some persons whom he had served, and who adopted this new
and inhuman method of repaying the obligation which had been
conferred upon him.
The natives are in general very superstitious, and entertain some
singular notions respecting their deceased friends and countrymen,
of which very ample accounts are given in Lieutenant-Governor
Collins's interesting publication. Their funeral ceremonies are
extremely impressive, and every mark of respect, which suggests
itself to their untaught minds, is paid to the body of the deceased.
A barbarous custom, however, prevails, which is sanctioned by their
rude ideas of religion:--When a mother dies, while giving suck to an
infant, the living babe is uniformly thrown into the grave of the
parent, and the father having cast a stone upon it, the earth is
cast into the pit, and thus the innocent offspring is immolated to
an erroneous and superstitious prejudice.
Amongst the convicts the influence of superstition is less
prevalent, although, amongst many of the lower orders of Irish, the
traces of it are to be discovered; it leads, however, to no
injurious consequences, and deserves encouragement, in preference to
those totally irreligious principles which might naturally be
expected to shew themselves amidst a body of men, of characters and
dispositions so hostile to every thing which is virtuous,
dignifying, and good.
The Present Picture Of New South Wales, 1811 |
