Item 02: Kamilaroi, and other Australian Languages, by Rev. William Ridley, 2nd ed. (Sydney, 1875) - Page 12

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vi PREFATORY NOTE.

to Mr. Petrie, of Brisbane, for instruction in Turrubul. Both before and after receiving his help, the author communicated with the Aborigines in the districts where these three languages are spoken; and verified and extended, by his own observation, the information thus supplied. Limited as is the author's acquaintance with the several languages referred to, he has met with abundant evidence of their remarkable regularity, and of the exactness with which they express various shades of thought. The inflections of verbs and nouns, the derivation and composition of words, the arrangement of sentences, and the methods of imparting emphasis, surpassing all that is commonly supposed to be attainable by a savage race.

Their tradition concerning Baia-me (the Maker of All) as a ray of true light which has passed down through many generations, may well suggest to their Christian fellow-countrymen that this branch of the family of Man has been from the beginning an object of our Heavenly Father's preserving mercy. And for what purpose have they been thus preserved?

A practical answer to that question, as far as regards a small number of the race, has been given by the unequivocal success of the Christian missions at Poonindi and at Port Macleay in South Australia, at Coranderrk, Ramahyuk, and Wimmera in Victoria. At those and other places, where Australian Aborigines have been instructed by word and example in the Gospel which was designed for all mankind, some of them have by consistent adherence to the rule of Christian life, and by the words of rejoicing hope in death, proved the reality of their conversion to God.