Genre:

Extract, Letter

Subjects:

Christianity, Publishing, Education, Creation, Astronomy, Physical Geography, Instruments, Race

    The extract reports that a tract the missionaries have published on the creation, 'containing the first three chapters of the book of Genesis', is popular, and that they have recently published a small work on astronomy, which they expect 'will soon become popular among the better informed natives'. Relates that a 'native reader' came with friends to ask a number of questions 'concerning the form of the earth; the cause of day and night, &c.', and that they were shown a terrestrial globe. Observes: 'Any thing which indicates thought in a Malay is encouraging; their apathy is so great, that to interest them on any subject of information, seems almost beyond the power of man. Science will not make them Christians, but it will assist in dispelling the mists of Mahomedanism, and teach them to use their mental powers'. (199)