24. Mexico and Central Amet-ica. — These countries Avere favorite fields of the Spanish Koman Catholic mis- sionaries, and by them were pronounced Christianized at a comparatively early period in the settlement of America. The intermediate history of those countries, however, illustrates in a striking manner the defective- ness of tliat form of Christianization which contents it- self with ceremonious conversion, and the exclusion of the Word of God from the peojile. Within a recent pe- riod, and more particularly since the extinction of the empire of Maximilian, there has been a reaction in favor of religious liberty, in conseijuence of which Prot- estant missions have been established in the city of ilexico, and in several of the more important provinces. The Scriptures in the Spanish language are now freely circidated throughout Mexico, and to some extent i)i the republics of Central America. The greatest obsta- cles to their influence on the public mind are found in the prevailing ignorance and superstition of the ])eople. It may be hoped, however, that these will gradually pass away. See liobertson. History of Ameiica ; I'res- cott, (.'onqiicst of J/ptico ; History of the British and J-'ortii/n and American Bible Societies; Bishop Haven, Letters from ^fex^co ; recent Reports of the American Christian Union, the Presbyterian Poard, the American Hoard, and the Missionary Society of the Methodist I'^piscopal Church; Crowe, Gospel in Central America, J/oiidiiras, and (liiatemala.
2'). South A merica. — With the exception of Brazil, wliich was settled by the Portuguese, the several coun- tries of South America were populated by colonies from S|)ain. The entire continent was long ago Christian- ized after the Koman Catholic type. It was in Para- guay, the centre of the continent, that the Jesuits lilanted and developed the most remarkal)le mission known to their history, and yet by Koman Catholic power they were summarily expelled both from Para- guay and Mrazil. The aboriginal races of South Amer- ica liave to some extent become mingled with the Eu- ro|)ean and African races that have come to be occupants of their territory, but to a large extent they have de- clined in numbers, giving omen of nltimate extinction. The tribes that have been pronounced Ciiristianized resemble in superstition and their low grade of intelli- gence the native races of Mexico, and their relii,'ious aspirations are cciually hopeless. Most of the Soutli American governments maintain a limited toleration, under which Protestant missions have been established
in Guiana, Guatemala, Brazil, Montevideo, Buenos Ayres, Peru, and Chili. Most of these missions have met with encouraging success, which, although as yet on a lim- ited scale, may prove the beginning of great results hereafter, especially in elevating the standard of Christi- anity hitherto prevailing in those vast regions. Pata- gonia is still wholly abandoned to a sparse population of cruel savages. An unsuccessful mission to them was attempted in 1848 by captain Allen Gardiner, of the English navy, and several associates. Nevertheless etforts for the evangelization of the Patagonians are still kept up by English Christians. See Kobertson, History ofAinerica; Prescott, Conquest of Peru ; Southey, His- tory of Brazil; Kohl, Travels in Peru; Muratori, Mis- sions in Paraguay ; Bernan, Missionary Labors in Brit- ish Guiana ; Brett, Indian Missions in Guiana ; Kidder, Sketches of Brazil; Reports of the Presbyterian Board and of the Methodist Episcopal Missionary Society; Marsh, Memoir of Captain Gardiner; Hamilton, Life of R, Williams.
26. West Indies.— The West India Islands are divided into three principal groups: 1, the Bahamas; 2, the Greater Antilles; 3, the Lesser Antilles. The popula- tion is estimated at about 3,400,000. Of these, about two thirds are negroes, one fifth white men, and the re- mainder mixed races. Through cruel oppression on the part of the early European emigrants to these islands, the native races, with a few exceptions, have long been extinct. To sujiply their place as laborers, African slaves were imported. The religion of the negroes was a mixture of idolatry, superstition, and fanaticism. Obe- ism and myalism, species of witchcraft, were commonly practiced. The first missionari- efforts among the ne- groes were made by the IMoravian Brethren in 1732. Since then the following missionary societies have en- tered the field: the Wesleyan, American Free Bajitist, Propagation, Baptist, American Missionarv, London, Church, and United Presbyterian. Since the abolition of slavery in 1838 the negroes have given increasing heed to the precepts and practices of Christianity, and thus secured a higher degree of moral improvement and social elevation. The most prosperous society, the Wes- lej'an, numbers 44,446 Church members. See Coke, History of the West Indies; Duncan, Wesleyan Mission to Jamaica ; Phillippo, Jamaica, Past and Present ; Samuel, Missions in Jamaica and Honduras ; Horsford, Voice from the West Indies ; CaiuWer, Hayfi ; KmhY), Me- moirs ; Memoirs of Jenkins, Bradnack, and Mrs, Wilson ; TroUope, West Indies.
27. Greettland and Labrador. — The arrival of Hans Egcde on the shores of Greenland in 1721 marked an epoch in the history of modern missions, and the whole subsequent history' of Jloravian missionary effort among the inhabitants of tireenland and the coasts of Labrador is full of intense though sometimes of melancholy inter- est. In several instances both the missionaries and tlie people for whom they labored were decimated alike by disease and famine. But, notwithstanding all discour- agements, the missionaries toiled on. By them it was effectually demonstrated that the one agency adapted to elevating degraded savages was the preaching of Christ and him crucified. By this appointed agency, first one and subsequently many of the (ireenlanders were awakened and converted, after which civilization and education followed. From the original nucleus of Christian effort at Disco, Christianity has been effec-