Question

i found they account after death to go into an other world pointing eastward to the element, and when they saw us at prayer they observed us with great silence and respect, especially those to whom i had imparted the meaning of our reverence. to conclude, they are a very witty and ingenious people, apt both to understand and speak our language, so that i hope in god as he hath miraculously preserved us hither from all dangers both of sea and land & their fury so he will make us authors of his holy will in converting them to our true christian faith by his own inspiring grace and knowledge of his deity. which line from the journal best explains why the author believes the europeans can convert the american indians? o they account after death to go into an other world pointing eastward. o when they saw us at prayer they observed us with great silence. o they are ... apt both to understand and speak our language. o god hath ... preserved us hither from all dangers both of sea and land.

Explanation:

The ability to understand and speak the European - speakers' language implies a potential for communication and thus conversion, which is the key factor for the author's belief in conversion possibility.

Answer:

C. "They are ..., apt both to understand and speak our language."