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The Methodists have hitherto been accused of dis- | difficulty, under the influence of this nonsense, in senting from the Church of England. This, as far as converting these simple creatures into active and relates to mere subscription to articles, is not true; mysterious fools, and making them your slaves for but they differ in their choice of the articles upon life? It is not possible to raise up any dangerous which they dilate and expand, and to which they enthusiasm, by telling men to be just, and good, and appear to give a preference, from the stress which charitable; but keep this part of Christianity cut of they place upon them. There is nothing heretical in sight, and talk long and enthusiastically before igno saying, that God sometimes intervenes with his special rant people, of the mysteries of our religion, and you providence; but these people differ from the Establish- will not fail to attract a crowd of followers: verily ed Church, in the degree in which they insist upon the Tabernaele loveth not that which is simple, inthis doctrine. In the hands of a man of sense and telligible, and leadeth to good sound practice. education, it is a safe doctrine; in the management of the Methodists, we have seen how ridiculous and degrading it becomes. In the same manner, a clergyman of the Church of England would not do his duty, if he did not insist upon the necessity of faith, as well as of good works; but as he believes that it is much more easy to give credit to doctrines than to live well, he labours most in those points where human nature is the most liable to prove defective. Because he does so, he is accused of giving up the articles of his faith, by men who have their partialities also in doctrine; but parties, not founded upon the same sound discretion, and knowledge of human nature.

Having endeavoured to point out the spirit which pervades these people, we shall say a few words upon the causes, the effects, and the cure of this calamity. The fanaticism so prevalent in the present day, is one of those evils trom which society is never wholly exempt; but which bursts out at different periods, with The last eruption took place peculiar violence, and sometimes overwhelms every thing in its course. about a century and a half ago, and destroyed both Church and Throne with its tremendous force. Though irresistible, it was short; enthusiasm spent its force; the usual reaction took place; and England was de luged with ribaldry and indecency, because it had 5. The Methodists are always desirous of making been worried with fanatical restrictions. By degrees, men more religious than it is possible, from the con- however, it was found out that orthodoxy and loyalty If they might be secured by other methods than licentious The public stitution of human nature, to make them. could succeed as much as they wish to succeed, there conduct and immodest conversation. would at once be an end of delving and spinning, and morals improved; and there appeared as much good of every exertion of human industry. Men must eat, sense and moderation upon the subject of religion as and drink, and work; and if you wish to fix upon them ever can be expected from mankind in large masses. high and elevated notions, as the ordinary furniture of Still, however, the mischief which the Puritans had their minds, you do these two things; you drive men done was not forgotten; a general suspicion prevailed of warm temperaments mad, and you introduce in the of the dangers of religious enthusiasm; and the farest of the world, a low and shocking familiarity with natical preacher wanted his accustomed power among words and images, which every real friend to religion a people recently recovered from a religious war, and would wish to keep sacred. The friends of the dear guarded by songs, proverbs, popular stories, and the About the middle of the last century, Redeemer, who are in the habit of visiting the Isle of general tide of humour and opinion, against all excesses Thanet (as in the extract we have quoted)-Is it of that nature. possible that this mixture of the most awful, with the however, the character of the genuine fanatic was a most familiar images, so common among Methodists good deal forgotten, and the memory of the civil wars now, and with the enthusiasts in the time of Crom- worn away; the field was clear for extravagance in well, must not, in the end, divest religion of all the piety; and causes, which must always produce an deep and soleinn impressions which it is calculated to immense infiuence upon the mind of man, were left to produce? In a man of common imagination (as we their own unimpeded operations. Religion is so noble have before observed,) the terror, and the feeling and powerful a consideration-it is so buoyent and so which it first excited, must necessarily be soon sepa- insubmergible-that it may be made, by fanatics, In this instance Messrs. Whitrated: but, where the fervour of impression is long to carry with it any degree of error and of per preserved, piety ends in Bedlam. Accordingly, there ilous absurdity. is not a mad-house in England, where a considerable field and Wesley happened to begin. They were part of the patients have not been driven to insanity men of considerable talents; they observed the comby the extravagance of these people. We cannot mon decorums of life; they did not run naked into the not committed to Newgate. enter such places without seeing a number of honest streets, or pretend to the prophetical character; and artisans, covered with blankets, and calling them- therefore they were selves angels and apostles, who, if they had remained They preached with great energy to weak people; contented with the instruction of men of learning and who first stared-then listened-then believed-then education, would have been sound masters of their felt the inward feeling of grace, and became as foolish and buman nature own trade, sober Christians, and useful members of as their teachers could possibly wish them to be; in short, folly ran its ancient course, society. evinced itself to be what it has always been under similar circumstances. The great and Lermanent cause, therefore, of the increase of Methodism, is the cause which has given birth to fanaticism in all ages-the facility of mingling human errors with the fundamental truths of religion. The formerly imperfect residence of the clergy may, perhaps, in some trifling degree, have aided this source of Methodism. But unless a man of education, and a gentleman, could stoop to such disingenuous arts as the Methodist preachers, unless he hears heavenly music all of a sudden, and enjoys sweet experiences, it is quite impossible that Le can contend against such artists as these. Move ac tive than they are at present the clergy might perhaps be: but the calmness and moderation of an Establish ment can never possibly be a match for sectarian activity. If the common people are ennui'd with the fine acting of Mrs. Siddons, they go to Sadler's Wells. The subject is too serious for ludicrous comparisons: There popularity is but the Tabernacle really is to the Church, what Sadler's Wells is to the Drama. gained by vaulting and tumbling-by low arts which the regular clergy are not too idle to have recourse to, but too dignified; their institutions are chaste and

6. It is impossible not to observe how directly all the doctrine of the Methodists is calculated to gain power among the poor and ignorant. To say, that the Deity governs this world by general rules, and that we must wait for another and a final scene of existence, before vice meets with its merited punishment, and virtue with its merited reward; to preach this up daily, would not add a single votary to the Tabernacle, nor sell a Number of the Methodistical Magazine: but to publish an account of a man who was cured of scrofula by a single sermon-of Providence destroying the innkeeper at Garstang for appointing a cock-fight near the Tabernacle; this promptness of judgment and immediate execution is so much like human justice, and so much better adapted to vulgar capacities, that the system is at once adinitted as soon as any one can be found who is impudent or ignorant enough to teach it; and, being once admitted, it procuces too strong an effect upon the passions to be casily relinquished. The case is the same with the doctrine of inward impulse, or, as they term it, experience. If you preach up to ploughmen and artisans, that every singular feeling which comes across them is a visitation of the Divine Spirit, can there be any

severe, they endeavour to do that which upon the | clear, if they were done, they would do much good. chole, and for a great number of years, will be found Whatever happens, we are for common sense and orto be the most admirable and the most useful: it is thodoxy. Insolence, servile politics, and the spirit of no part of their plan to descend to small artifices for persecution, we condemn and attack, whenever we ob the sake of present popularity and effect. The re- serve them; but to the learning, the moderation, and ligion of the common people, under the government of the rational piety of the Establishment, we most earthe Church, may remain as it is forever; enthusiasm nestly wish a decided victory over the nonsense, the must be progressive, or it will expire. melancholy, and the madness of the Tabernacle. God send that our wishes be not in vain.

It is probable that the dreadful scenes which have lately been acted in the world, and the dangers to which we are exposed, have increased the numbers of the Methodists. To what degree will Method. ism extend in this country? This question is not easy to answer. That it has rapidly increased within these few years, we have no manner of doubt; and we confess we cannot see what is like. ly to impede its progress. The party which it has formed in the Legislature; and the artful neutrality with which they give respectability to their small number, the talents of some of this party, and the unimpeached excellence of their characters, all make it probable that fanaticism will increase rather than diminish. The Methodists have made an alarming inroad into the Church, and they are attacking the army and navy. The principality of Wales, and the East India Company, they have already acquired. All mines and subterraneous places belong to them; they creep into hospitals and small schools, and so work their way upwards. It is the custom of the religious neutrals to beg all the little livings, particularly in the north of England, from the minister for the time being; and from these fixed points they make incursions upon the happiness and common sense of the vicinage. We most sincerely deprecate such an event; but it will excite in us no manner of surprise, if a period arrives when the sober and orthodox part of the English clergy are completely deserted by the middling and lower classes of the community. We do not prophesy any such event; but we contend that it is not unpossible, hardly improbable. If such, in future, should be the situation of this country, it is impossible to say what political animosities may not be ingrafted upon this marked and dangerous division of mankind into the godly and ungodly. At all events, we are quite sure that happiness will be destroyed, reason degraded, sound religion banished from the world; and that when fanaticism becomes too foolish and too prurient to be endured (as is at last sure to be the case), it will be succeeded by a long period of the grossest immorality and debauchery.

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Rodwell.

Vindication of the Hindoos. By a Bengal Officer. London.
Letter to John Scott Waring. London. Hatchard.
Cunningham's Christianity in India. London. Hatchard.
Answer to Major Scott Waring. Extracted from the Chris
tian Observer.
Observations on the Present State of the East India Company.
By Major Scott Waring. Ridgeway. London.

the European barracks, at Vellore, containing then four
Ar two o'clock in the morning, July the 10th, 1806,
complete companies of the 69th regiment, were sur-
rounded by two battalions of Sepoys in the Company's
service, who poured in an heavy fire of musketry, at
every door and window, upon the soldiers: at the
main-guard, and the sick in the hospital, were put to
same time the European sentries, the soldiers at the
death; the officers' houses were ransacked, and every
body found in them murdered. Upon the arrival of
Sepoys were immediately attacked; 600 cut down
the 19th Light Dragoons under Colonel Gillespie, the
upon the spot; and 200 taken from their hiding places,
and shot. There perished, of the four European com
panies, about 164, besides officers; and many British
officers of the native troops were murdered by the in-

surgents.

Nundydroog; and, in one day, 450 Mahomedan SeSubsequent to this explosion, there was a mutiny at poys were disarmed, and turned out of the fort, on the ground of an intended massacre. It appeared, also, from the information of the commanding officer at Tritchinopoly, that, at that period, a spirit of disaffection had manifested itself at Bangalore, and other places; and seemed to gain ground in every direction. On the 3rd of December, 1806, the government of Madras issued the following proclamation :

'A PROCLAMATION.

The Right Hon. the Governor in Council, having ob

We are not sure that this evil admits of any cure, or of any considerable palliation. We most sincerely hope that the government of this country will never be guilty of such indiscretion as to tamper with the Toleration Act, or to attempt to put down these follies by the intervention of the law." If experience has taught us anything, it is the absurdity of controlling men's notions of eternity by acts of Parliament. Something may perhaps be done, in the way of ridicule, towards turning the popular opinion. It may as well to extend the privileges of the dissenters to the members of the Church of England; for as the law now stands, any man who dissents from the Established Church may open a place of worship where served that, in some late instances, an extraordinary dehe pleases. No orthodox clergyman can do so with gree of agitation has prevailed among several corps of the native army of this coast, it has been his Lordship's particout the consent of the parson of the parish, who al ular endeavour to ascertain the motives which may have ways refuses, because he does not choose to have his led to conduct so different from that which formerly distinmonopoly disturbed; and refuses in parishes where guished the native army. From this inquiry, it has appearthere are not accommodations for one half of the per-ed that many persons of evil intention have endeavoured, sons who wish to frequent the Church of England, and in instances where he knows that the chapels from which he excludes the established worship, will be immediately occupied by sectaries. It may be as well to encourage in the early education of the clergy, a better and more animated method of preaching; and it may be necessary hereafter, if the evil gets to a great height, to relax the articles of the English church, and to admit a greater variety of Christians within the pale. The greatest and best of all remedies is perhaps the education of the poor; we are astonished, that the Established Church of England is not awake to this mean of arresting the progress of Methodism. Of course none of these things will be done; nor is it

C

for malicious purposes, to impress upon the native troops a bellef that it is the wish of the British government to convert them by forcible means to Christianity; and his Lordship in Council has observed with concern, that such malicious reports have been believed by many of the native troops.

The Right Hon. the Governor in Council, therefore, deems it proper, in this public manner, to repeat to the na

*There is one circumstance to which we have neglected to advert in the proper place-the dreadful pillage of the earnings of the poor which is made by the Methodists. A case is mentioned in one of the numbers of these two magazines for 1807, of a poor man with a family, earning only twenty-eight shillings a week, who has made two donations of ten guineas each to the missionary fund!

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ceremonies.

The Scriptures, translated into the Tamulic language, tive troops his assurance, that the same respect which has been invariably shown by the British government for their which is vernacular in the southern parts of the pen. religion and for their customs, will be always continued; insula, have, for more than half a century, been print. and that no interruption will be given to any native, wheth-ed at the Tranquebar press, for the use of Danish er Hindoo or Mussulman, in the practice of his religious missionaries and their converts. A printing press, His Lordship in Council desires that the native troops indeed, was established at that place by the two first will not give belief to the idle rumours which are circulated Danish missionaries; and, in 1714, the Gospel of St. by enemies of their happiness, who endeavour, with the ba- Matthew, translated into the dialect of Malabar, was sest designs, to weaken the confidence of the troops in the printed there. Not a line of the Scriptures, in any of British government. His Lordship in Council desires that the languages current on the coast, had issued from the native troops will remember the constant attention and the Bengal press on September 13, 1806. humanity which have been shown by the British government, in providing for their comfort, by augmenting the pay of the native officers and Sepoys; by allowing liberal pensions to those who have done their duty faithfully; by making ample provision for the families of those who may have died in bottle; and by receiving their children into the service of the donourable Company, to be treated with the same care and bounty as their fathers had experienced.

The Right Hon. the Governor in Council trusts, that the native troops, remembering these circumstances, will be sensible of the happiness of their situation, which is greater than what the troops of any other part of the world enjoy; and that they will continue to observe the same good conduct for which they were distinguished in the days of Gen. Lawrence, of Sir Eyre Coote, and of other renowned he

roes.

The native troops must at the same time be sensible, that if they should fail in the duties of their allegiance, and should show themselves disobedient to their officers, their conduct will not fail to receive merited punishment, as the British government is not less prepared to punish the guilty, than to protect and distinguish those who are deserving of its favour.

It is directed that this paper be translated with care into the Tamul, Telinga, and Hindoostany languages; and that copies of it be circulated to each native battalion, of which the European officers are enjoined and ordered to be careful in making it known to every native officer and Sepoy

under his command.

It is also directed, that copies of the paper be circulated to all the magistrates and collectors under this government, for the purpose of being fully understood in all parts of the

country.

Published by order of the Right Hon. the Governor in

Council.

G. BUCHAN, Chief Secretary to Government. 'Dated in Fort St. George, 3d Dec. 1806.'

Scott Waring's Preface, iii.-Y.

It does appear, however, about the period of the mutiny at Vellore, and a few years previous to it, that the number of the missionaries on the coast had been increased. In 1804, the Missionary Society, a recent institution, sent a new mission to the coast of Coromandel; from whose papers, we think it right to lay before our readers the following extracts.*

We

'March 31st, 1805.-Waited on A. B. He says, Governernment seems to be very willing to forward our views. may stay at Madras as long as we please; and when we intend to go into the country, on our application to the governor by letter, he would issue orders for granting us passports, which would supersede the necessity of a public petition.-Lord's Day.'-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. p. 365.

In a letter from Brother Ringletaube to Brother Cran, he thus expresses himself:

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The passports Government has promised you are so valuable, that I should not think a journey too troublesome to obtain one for myself, if I could not get it through your interference. In hopes that your application will suffice to obtain one for me, I enclose you my Gravesend passport, that will give you the particulars concerning my person.'Trans. of Miss. Society, II. p. 369.

They obtain their passports from Government; and the plan and objects of their mission are printed, free of expense, at the Government press.

1805, June 27, Dr.

sent for one of us to consult

with him on particular business. He accordingly went. The Doctor told him, that he had read the publications which the brethren lately brought from England, and was so much delighted with the report of the Directors, that he wished 200 or more copies of it were printed, together with So late as March 1807, three months after the date an introduction, giving an account of the rise and progress of this proclamation, so universal was the dread of a of the Missionary Society, in order to be distributed in the general revolt among the native troops, that the different settlements in India. He offered to print them at British officers attached to the native troops con- the Government press free of expense. On his return, we consulted with our two brethren on the subject, and resolvstantly slept with loaded pistols under their pillows. It appears that an attempt had been made by the ed to accept the Doctor's favour. We have begun to premilitary men at Madras, to change the shape of the Se-pare it for the press.'-Trans. of Miss. Society. II. p. 394. In page 89th of the 18th Number, Vol. III., the poy turban into something resembling the helmet of the fight infantry of Europe, and to prevent the native Missionaries write thus to the Society in London, troops from wearing, on their foreheads, the marks cha-about a fortnight before the massacre at Vellore. racteristic of their various castes. The sons of the late 'Every encouragement is offered us by the established Tippoo, with many noble Mussulmen deprived of office at that time, resided in the fortress of Vellore, government of the country. Hitherto they have granted Their permission to come to this place; their allowing us and in all probability contributed very materially to us every request, whether solicited by ourselves or others. excite, or to infiame those suspicions of designs an acknowledgment for preaching in the fort, which sancagainst their religion, which are mentioned in the tions us in our work; together with the grant which they proclamation of the Madras government, and gener- have lately given us to hold a large spot of ground every ally known to have been a principal cause of the in-way suited for missionary labours, are objects of the last surrection at Vellore. It was this insurrection which importance, and remove every impediment which might be first gave birth to the question upon missions to India; apprehended from this source. We trust not to an arm of and before we deliver any opinion upon the subject flesh; but when we reflect on these things, we cannot but itself, it will be necessary to state what had been behold the loving kindness of the Lord." done in former periods towards disseminating the truths of the gospel in India, and what new exertions had been made about the period at which this event took place.

Two

More than a century has elapsed since the first Protestant missionaries appeared in India. young divines, selected by the University of Halle, were sent out in this capacity by the King of Denmark, and arrived at the Danish settlement of Tranquebar in 1706. The mission thus begun, has been ever since continued, and has been assisted by the Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge established in this country. The same Society has, for many years, employed German missionaries, of the Lutheran persuasion, for propagating the doctrines of Christianity among the natives of India. In 1799, their number was six; it is now reduced to five.

In a letter of the same date, we learn from Brother Ringletaube, the following fact :

"The Dewan of Travancore sent me word, that if I deleave to build a church at Magilandy. Accordingly, I shall spatched one of our Christians to him, he would give me send in a short time. For this important service, our society without whose deteris indebted alone to Colonelmined and fearless interposition, none of their missionaries would have been able to set a foot in that country.'

*There are six societies in England for converting Heathens to the Christian religion. 1. Society for Missions to Africa and the East; of which Messrs. Wilberforce, Grant, Parry, and Thorntons, are the principal encouragers. 2. Methodist Society for Missions. 3. Anabaptist Society for Missions. 4. Missionary Society. 5. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 6. Moravian Missions They all publish their proceedings.

In page 381, Vol. II., Dr. Kerr, one of the chaplains on the Madras establishment, baptizes a Mussulman who had applied to him for that purpose; upon the first application, it appears that Dr. Kerr hesitated; but upon the Mussulman threatening to rise against him on the day of judgment, Dr. Kerr complies.

It appears that in Tinevelly district, about a year before the massacre of Vellore, not only riots, but very serious persecutions of the converted natives had taken place, from the jealousy evinced by the Hindoos and Mussulmen at the progress of the gospel.

they may succeed in depriving the Brahmins of their power, and let you have it."

'November 16th.-Received a letter from the Rev. Dr. Taylor; we are happy to find he is safely arrived at Calcutta, and that our Baptist brethren are labouring with increasing success. The natives around us are astonished to hear this news. It is bad news to the Brahmins, who seem unable to account for it; they say the world is going to ruin.'-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. 442 and 446.

While living in the town, our house was watched by the natives from morning to night, to see if any person came to converse about religion. This prevented many from coming, who have been very desirous of hearing of the good way.'-Trans. of Miss. Society, No. 18, p. 87. If Heathen, of great indiuence and connections, or Brahmins, were inclined to join the Christian church, it would probably cause commotions and even rebellions, either to prevent them from it, or to endanger their life. In former years, we had some instances of this kind at Tranquebar; where they were protected by the assistance of government. If such instances should happen now in our present times, we don't know what the consequences would be.'-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. 185.

This last extract is contained in a letter from Danish Missionaries at Tranquebar to the Directors of the Missionary Society at London.

"Rev. Sir, I thought you sufficiently acquainted with the late vexations of the Christians in those parts, arising from the blind zeal of the Heathen and Mahometans; the latter viewing with a jealous eye the progress of the gospel, and trying to destroy, or at least to clog it, by all the crafty means in their power. I therefore did not choose to trouble you; but as no stop has been put to these grievances, things go on from bad to worse, as you will see from what has happened at Hickadoe. The Catechist has providentially escaped from that outrageous attempt, by the assistance of ten or twelve of our Christians, and has made good his fight to Palamcotta; whilst the exasperated mob, coming from Padeckcpalloe, hovered round the village, plundering the houses of the Christians, and ill-treating their families, by kicking, flogging, and other bad usage; these monsters It is hardly fair to contend, after these extracts, not even forbearing to attack, strip, rob, and miserably that no symptoms of jealousy upon the subject of rebeat the Catechist Jesuadian, who, partly from illness and ligion had been evinced on the coast, except in the partly through fear, had shut himself up in his house. I case of the insurrection at Vellore; or that no greater have heard various accounts of this sad event; but yester-activity than common had prevailed among the misday the Catechist himself called on me, and told me the truth of it. From what he says, it is plain that the Manikar of Wayrom (a Black peace-officer of that place) has contrived the whole affair, with a view to vex the Christians. I doubt not that these facts have been reported to the Rev. Mr. K. by the country priest; and if I mention them to you, it is with a view to show in what a forlorn state the poor Christians hereabouts are, and how desirable a thing it would be, if the Rev. Mr. Ringletaube were to come hither as soon as possible; then tranquillity would be restored, and future molestations prevented. request you to communicate this letter to him with my compliments. I am, sir, &c. Manapaar, June 8, 1805."

sionaries. We are very far, however, from attributing that insurrection exclusively, or even principally, to any apprehensions from the zeal of the missionaries. The rumour of that zeal might probably have more readily disposed the minds of the troops for the cot. rupt influence exercised upon them; but we have no doubt that the massacre was principally owing to an adroit use made by the sons of Tippoo, and the high Mussulmen living in the fortress, of the abominable military foppery of our own people.

After this short sketch of what has been lately pass

account of missionary proceedings in Bengal; and it appears to us, it will be more satisfactory to do so as much as possible in the words of the missionaries themselves. In our extracts from their publications, we shall endeavour to show the character and style of the men employed in these missions, the extent of their success, or rather of their failure, and the general impression made upon the people by their efforts for the dissemination of the gospel.

This letter left a deep impression on my mind, especi-ing on the coast, we shall attempt to give a similar ally when I received a fuller account of the troubles of the Christians. By the Black underlings of the Collectors, they are frequently driven from their homes, put in the stocks, and exposed for a fortnight together to the heat of the raging sun, and the chilling dews of the night, all because there is no European missionary to bring their complaints to the ear of Government, who, I am happy to add, have never been deficient in their duty of procuring redress, where the Christians have had to complain of real injuries. One of the most trying cases, mentioned in a postscript of the above letter, is that of Christians being flogged till they consent to hold the torches to the Heathen idols. The letter says, "the Catechist of Collesigrapatuam has informed me, that the above Manikar has forced a Christian, of the Villally caste, who attends at our church, to sweep the temple of the idol. A severe flogging was given on this occasion."-From such facts, the postscript continues, "You may guess at the deplorable situation of our fellowbelievers, as long as every Manikar thinks he has a right to

do them what violence he pleases."

It must be observed, to the glory of that Saviour who is strong in weakness, that many of the Neophytes in that district have withstood all these fiery trials with firmness, Many also, it is to be lamented, have fallen off in the evil day, and at least so far yielded to the importunity of their persecutors, as again to daub their faces with paint and ashes, after the manner of the Heathen. How great this falling off has been I am not yet able to judge. But I am happy to add, that the Board of Revenue has issued the strictest orders against all unprovoked persecution.' Trans. of Miss. Society, II. 431-433.

The following quotations evince how far from indif. ferent the natives are to the progress of the Christian religion in the East.

1805. Oct. 10.-A respectable Brahmin in the Company's employ called on us. We endeavoured to point out to him the important object of our coming to India, and mentioned some of the great and glorious truths of the gospel, which we wished to impart in the native language.He seemed much hurt, and told us the Gentoo religion was of a divine origin as well as the Christian ;-that heaven was like a palace which had many doors, at which people may enter;-that variety is pleasing to God, &c.and a number of other arguments which we hear every day. On taking leave, he said, "the Company has got the country, (for the English are very clever,) and, perhaps,

It will be necessary to plemise, that the missions in Bengal, of which the public have heard so much of late years, are the missions of Anabaptist dissenters, whose peculiar and distinguishing tenet it is, to tap. tize the members of their church by plunging thera into the water when they are grown up, instead of sprinkling them with water when they are young. Among the subscribers to this society, we perceive the respectable name of the Deputy Chairman of the East India Company, who, in the common routine of office, will succeed to the Chair of that Company at the ensu ing election. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company, are also both of them trus. tees to another religious society for missions to Africa

and the East.

The first Number of the Anabaptist Missions informs us that the origin of the Society will be found in the workings of Brother Carey's mind, whose heart appears to have been set upon the conversion of the Heathen in 1786, before he came to reside at Moulton. (No. I. p. 1.) These workings produced a sermon at Northampton, and the sermon a subscription to convert 420 millions of Pagans. Of the subscription, we have the following account: "Information is come from Brother Carey, that a gentleman from Northumberland had promised to send him 201. for the Society, and to subscribe four guineas annually.

At this meeting at Northampton two other friends subscribed, and paid two guineas a-piece, two more one guinea each, and another half a guinea, making six guineas and a half in all. And such members as were present of the first subscribers, paid their subscriptions into the hands of the treasurer; who proposed to put the sum now received into

the hands of a banker, who will pay interest for the same.' -Bapt. Miss. Soc. No Í. p. 5.

In their first proceedings they are a good deal guided by Brother Thomas, who has been in Bengal Lefore, and who lays before the Society an history of his life and adventures, from which we make the following extract:

On my arrival in Calcutta, I sought for religious people, but found none. At last, how was I rejoiced to hear that a very religious man was coming to dine with me at a house in Calcutta; a man who would not omit his closet hours, of a morning or evening, at sea or on land, for all the world. I concealed my impatience as well as I could, till the joyful moment came: and a moment it was, for I soon heard him take the Lord's name in vain, and it was like a cold dagger, with which I received repeated stabs in the course of half an hour's conversation: and he was ready to kick me when I spoke of some things commonly believed by other hypocrites, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ; and with fury put an end to our conversation, by saying I was a mad enthusiast, to suppose that Jesus Christ had anything to do in the creation of the world, who was born only seventeen hundred years ago. When I returned, he went home in the same ship, and I found him a strict observer of devotional hours, but an enemy to all religion, and horribly loose, vain, and intemperate in his life and conversation.

After this I advertised for a Christian; and that I may not be misunderstood, I shall subjoin a copy of the advertisement, from the Indian Gazette of November 1, 1783, which now lies before me.'-Bapt. Miss. Soc. No I. p. 14, 15.

Brother Thomas relates the Conversion of an Hindoo on the Malabar Coast to the Society.

Brother Carey's Piety at Sea.

'Brother Carey, while very sea-sick, and leaning over the ship to relieve his stomach from that very oppressive complaint, said his mind was even then filled with consolation in contemplating the wonderful goodness of God.'— Ibid. p. 76.

Extract from Brother Carey's and Brother Thomas's
Journals, at sea and by land.

1793. June 16. Lord's Day. A little recovered from my sickness; met for prayer and exhortation in my cabin; had a dispute with a French deist.'-Ibid. p. 158.

30. Lord' Day. A pleasant and profitable day: our congregation composed of ten persons.'-Ibid. p. 159. July 7. Another pleasant and profitable Lord's Day; Had much sweet enour congregation increased with one. joyment with God.'-Ibid.

1794. Jan. 26. Lord's Day. Found much pleasure in reading Edwards' Sermon on the Justice of God in the damnation of Sinners.'-Ibid. p. 165. April 6. Had some sweetness to-day, especially in reading Edwards' Sermon.'-Ibid. p. 171.

June 8. This evening reached Bowles, where we lay to for the Sabbath. Feit thankful that God had preserved us, and wondered at his regard for so mean a creature. I was unable to wrestle with God in prayer for many of my dear friends in England.'-Ibid. p. 179.

16. This day I preached twice at Malda, where Mr. Thomas met me. Had much enjoyment; and though our congregation did not exceed sixteen, yet the pleasure I felt in having my tongue once more set at liberty, I can Was enabled to be faithful, and felt a hardly describe. sweet affection for immortal souls.-Ibid. p. 180. 1796. Feb. 6. I am now in my study; and oh, it is a sweet place, because of the presence of God with the vilest of men. It is at the top of the house; I have but one window in it.'-Ibid. p. 295.

The work to which God has set his hand will infallibly prosper. Christ has begun to bombard this strong and ancient fortress, and will assuredly carry it.'-Bapt. Miss Vol. P. 328.

I.

A certain man, on the Malabar coast, had inquired of various devotees and priests, how he might make atonement for his sins; and at last he was directed to drive iron spikes, sufficiently blunted, through his sandals, and on these spikes he was to place his naked feet, and walk (if I mistake not) 250 coss, that is about 480 miles. If, through loss of blood, or weakness of body, he was obliged to halt, he might wait for healing and strength. He undertook the journey; and More missionaries I think absolutely necessary to the supwhile he halted under a large shady tree where the gospel port of the interest. Should any natives join us, they would was sometimes preached, one of the missionaries came, and become outcast immediately, and must be consequently sup preached in his hearing from these words, The blood of Je-ported by us. The missionaries on the coast are to this day sus Christ cleanseth from all sin. While he was preaching, obliged to provide for those who join them, as I learn from the man rose up, threw off his torturing sandals, and cried a letter sent to Brother Thomas by a son of one of the misout aloud, "This is what I want!"-Bapt. Miss. Soc. No. I. sionaries.'—Ibid. p. 334,

p. 29.

In the last extract our readers will perceive a new difficulty attendant upon the progress of Chistianity in the East. The convert must not only be subjected to degradation, but his degradation is so complete, and his means of providing for himself so entirely destroyed, that he must be fed by his instructor. The slightest success in Hindostan would eat up the revenues of the East India Company.

Three years after their arrival, these zealous and most active missionaries give the following account of

success.

On June 13, 1793, the missionaries set sail, carrying with them letters to three supposed converts of Brother Thomas, Parbotee, Ram Ram Boshoo and Mohun Chund. Upon their arrival in India, they found, to their inexpressible mortification, that Ram Ram had relapsed into Paganism: and we shall present our readers with a picture of the present and worldly misery to which an Hindoo is subjected, who becomes a convert to the Christian religion. Every body knows that the population of Hindostan is divided into castes, or classes of persons; and that when a man loses his caste, he is shunned by his wife, children, I bless God, our prospect is considerably brightened up, friends and relations; that it is considered an abomi- and our hopes are more enlarged than at any period since nation to lodge or eat with him; and that he is a wan- the commencement of the mission, owing to very leasing derer and an outcast upon the earth. Caste can be appearances of the gospel having been made effectual to lost by a variety of means, and the Protestant mis-FOUR poor labouring Mussulmen, who have been setting sionaries have always made the loss of it a previous last. I hope their baptism will not be much longer deferred; their faces towards Zion ever since the month of August requisite to admission into the Christian church. and that might encourage Mohun Chund, Parbotte, and Cassi Naut (who last year appeared to set out in the ways of God), to declare for the Lord Jesus Christ, by an open profession of their faith in him. Seven of the natives, we hope, are indeed converted.'-Bapt. Miss. Vol. I. p. 345, 346.

Effects of preaching to an Hindoo Congregation.

On our arrival at Calcutta, we found poor Ram Boshoo waiting for us: but to our great grief, he had been bowing down to idols again. When Mr. T. left India, he went from place to place; but, forsaken by the Hindoos, and neglected by the Europeans, he was seized with a flux and fever. In this state, he says, "I had nothing to support me or my family; a relation offered to save me from perishing for I then told them, that if they could not tell me, I would want of necessaries, on condition of my bowing down to the tell them; and that God, who had permitted the Hindoos to idol; I knew that the Roman Catholic Christians worship-sink into a sea of darkness, had at length commiserated ped idols; I thought they might be commanded to honour them; and sent me and my colleagues to preach life to images in some part of the Bible which I had not seen; I them. I then told them of Christ, his death, fiis person, his hesitated, and complied; but I love Christianity still."-love, his being the surety of sinners, his power to save, &c. Bapt. Miss. Soc. Vol. I. p. 64, 65. and exhorted them earnestly and affectionately to come to him. Effects were various; one man came before I had well done, and wanted to sell stockings to me.'-Bapt. Miss. Vol. I. p. 357.

Jan. 9, 1794. We thought to write you long before this, but our hearts have been burthened with cares and sorrows. It was very afflicting to hear of Ram Boshoo's great persecution and fall. Deserted by Englishmen, and persecuted by his own countrymen, he was nigh unto death. The natives gathered in bodies, and threw dust in the air as he passed along the streets in Calcutta. At last one of his relatives offered him an asylum on condition of his bowing down to their idols.'-Ibid. p, 78.

Extracts from Journals.

After worship, I received notice that the printing-press was just arrived at the Ghat from Calcutta. Retired and thanked God for furnishing us with a press.'-Ibid. p. 469,

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