MARTIN RATTLER. 105

a mockery and a shame; such as, if it were better
known, would make the heathen laugh in scorn. The
priests are a curse to the land, not a blessing. Per-
haps they are better in other lands—I know not;
but well I know they are many of them false and
wicked here. No truth is taught to the people—no
Bible is read in their ears; religion is not taught—_
even morality is not taught; men follow the devices
and desires of their own hearts, and there is no voice
raised to say, ‘You are doing wrong” My country is
sunk very low, and she cannot hope to rise, for the
word of her Maker is not in her hand. True, there
are a few, a very few Bibles in the great cities; but
that is all—that cannot save her hundreds of towns

and villages. Thousands of her people are slaves in

 

body—all, all are slaves in soul; and yet you ask me
what she wants. Ha! she wants ¢ruth—she wants
to be purged of falsehood. She has bones and muscles,
and arteries and veins—everything to make a strong
and healthy nation; but she wants blood—she has
no vital stream; yes, Brazil, my country, wants the

Bible!”