m better things, for the
absence of religious instruction immediately furnishes an excuse for
disregard of the day of rest, and renders that neglect which was before
inexcusable, in some measure unavoidable. According to Dr. Lang,
religion is but seldom taken into account by the majority of the
colonists in their dealings with their convict-servants. In at least as
many as four cases out of five, he says, that no attention to the day
is paid, but frequently it is spent in weighing out rations, settling
accounts, or paying and receiving visits; while the men, whom it is
contrary to law to set to work on a Sunday, are often allowed to
cultivate ground for themselves, upon the plea that, if they were not so
occupied, they would be doing worse. In the opinion of Judge Burton, the
want of occupation on the Sunday was a cause of many robberies being
committed, and some of the worst crimes that had been brought under his
notice had taken place upon that day. Mr. Barnes says, speaking of the
men at the penal settlement of Macquarie Harbour, "I believe more crime
or wickedness was committed on Sunday, when they were ringing the bell
for church-service, than on any other day of the week." These opinions
are confirmed and strengthened by men of various parties, and different
plans have been proposed. That of increasing the number of churches and
of the clergy is obviously one of the most likely to succeed, but its
success must, in the nature of things, not be very speedy. It was stated
by one witness before the Committee upon Transportation, that, when the
means of public worship have been provided, the convicts should be
regularly mustered and taken to church, which, he thinks, would have a
good effect; but what is really wanted is that they should _come_ to
church, and not merely be _taken_ thither. One member of the Committee
inquired whether all the present churches were filled, and the witness
replied that they were not; but this is rather a proof of the need of
additional religious instruction than an argument against furnishing it.
If among so many souls the few existing places of divine worship are not
all fully occupied, is not this a proof of the desolate state of the
Lord's vineyard in that country? Is not this a sufficient reason for
earnestly endeavouring to increase the number of the labourers in the
vineyard? The heathenism of a considerable portion of a population
nominally christian, manifestly tends to thin the con