— / LIBRARY or THE Theological Seminary, PRINCETON, N. J. Case,' ih elf. w?' O / Shelf, Booh, Division . ectio i Mo„ , ^octets OF INQUIRY* ON MISSIONS AND THE STATE OF RELIGION. COLONIAL ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENT Kc. 8Cc. Printed by EHerton and Henderson, Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, London. Colonial \< -r the people of different dimates, nations, and languages; 2S MEANS OF EXTENDING CHRISTIANITY. whose languages, moreover, it is important to be acquainted with from political considerations, if we expect that our union with these nations should be permanent ! The honourable and im- portant office of translating the Scriptures seems to have passed into the hands of private indivi- duals, whose casual piety and learning may en- able them to accomplish the task. Let us, therefore, indulge an anxious hope, that these justly celebrated bodies, which possess the learning and all other means of making accu- rate translations, and printing new editions of the Scriptures, will duly appreciate the infinite importance of such an undertaking, and that they will consult their reputation in the discharge of it. Britain has, in particular, a long arrear of duty to discharge to her native subjects in the Western hemisphere. To this day we have not offered a Translation of the Holy Scriptures to our faithful Indians in Canada, or to our Slaves in the West Indies* ; although both look up to us with a ve- * The field negroes, in general, do not understand Eng- lish, but speak a dialect compounded of French, African, and English words, though with a great prepouderance of the latter." Longs History of Jamaica, Book iii. ch. 3. — The TRANSLATIONS, &C. OF SCRIPTURE. 29 neration due only to superior beings, and would receive with humility whatever instruction it might please us to impart. And yet, what is the obstacle which prevents our offering them the in- estimable gift? There is none. It is only neces- sary that his Majesty's Government should ex- press their will, and Translations would be pre- pared in a very short time. We ought to con- sider, that, until the Bible be translated into the vernacular language of a people, there can be no tracts circulated among that people, inculcating moral duties on Christian principles. Whereas, the translation of the Bible becomes, in various ways, a fountain of instruction. Let the Para- bles of the Gospels alone be distributed among a barbarous people, and they will arrest their at- tention in a degree in which the rabies of their own superstition never could. Where Christian Preachers do not abound, Tracts, containing ex- tracts from Scripture, or rather, " Portions of Scripture, with a few words of explanation,*' are the obvious and legitimate means of instructing the people. Moravians, in their account of the manner of instructing the negroes, which they furnished to the Committee of the Privy Council, represented this dialect as a foreign tongue, which they call the Creole language ; and they had found it necessary to translate into it many parts of the Old and New Testament, for the use of the negro converts.— IV/: v Council Report. Part III. App. No. 2. 30 MEANS OF EXTENDING CHRISTIANITY. But, chiefly in our ample dominions in the East, is an extensive field opened for the trans- lation of the Scriptures. In continental Asia, and in our insular possessions, there are languages of which as yet we scarcely know more than the names. But Providence hath so ordered it, that, at this day, almost every people, in this part of the world, can read and write (which was not the case in the first ages of the Church), as if to prepare them for receiving the instructions of Christianity. Extension of the National Church. The third measure above proposed, as a means of promoting Christianity, was the Extension of the National Church. Episcopal superintendance is required in remote regions, in order to ordain natives on the spot ; to dispense the ordinance of Confirmation ; to direct the labours of the Mis- sionaries ; to form and regulate the growing church ; and to preserve the unity of religion, as much as may be, within our own dominions. How, then, is our National Church to be ex- tended ? Is it by sending out a fe^v clergymen to our remote dominions? By no means. A few clergymen in an insulated country, without a Bishop, form either a Presbyterian or an Inde- EXTENSION OF THE NATIONAL CHURCH. 31 pendent Church; as is the case in India at this moment. Besides, how is it possible to extend our church in remote regions of the world, if there be not a power of ordination on the s^otr To conic, for example, from India for ordination, and to return again, would consume one whole year of a man's life, ami perhaps the best part of his property. For the existing Bishoprics in this kingdom, wc are solely indebted to the Romish Church. We preserved the dioceses in most cases, just as we found them. At the period of the Reformation we ! 1 but our two native islands, and we suddenly adopted nearly fifty bishopries. Two centuries and upward have revolved, and wc have instituted two more; viz. one in Canada, and one in Nova Scotia. During that period, we have added to our territorial dominion the greater part of the West Indies, containing an extent of country and population, of magnitude sufficient to form a kingdom of itself; we have added South Africa and West Africa; and, to say nothing of inferior conquests, we have ac- quired an Empire in the East, continental and insular, of more than eight or ten limes the local extent of Great Britain, and containing more than eight or ten times the number of its inhabitants; 52 MEANS OF EXTENDING CHRISTIANITY. amoncr whom, moreover, are some hundreds of thousands of Protestant Christians ; — and yet we have not given to any of these possessions one chief Presbyter to overlook the flock. While America was our own, we gave her no Bishops ; but, after she became independent, and had applied to our Church for Episcopal Conse- cration, an Act of Parliament was passed, em- powering the Archbishop of Canterbury or York, " to consecrate to the office of Bishop, persons " being subjects or citizens of countries out of " his Majesty's dominions." By virtue of this Act, two Bishops were consecrated for America: and the Episcopal Church in that country had increased, in 1799, to seven Bishops, and two hundred and eleven Presbyters*. The Romish Church, the Greek Church, and the Armenian Church, have Bishops, in coun- tries in the East, where they have not a foot of land. The English nation has no Bishops, in the same countries where the territory is entirely its own. This nation having become, by the providence of God, the chief guardian of Christianity in the * See "Journal of the Proceedings of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in the Convention in Philadelphia," 1799. EXTENSION OF THE NATIONAL CHURCH. world, the Established Church Ought to have u Representative in each of her principal Pro- vinces; a Bishop in sotae places; in others, an ecclesiastic of interior dignity, who should be in- vested with authority to protect the interests of Christianity in his province, to report otih iaily to Government on its state, and to suggest and superintend measures for its extension. The State has its Representatives in every quarter. The Church lias no Representative in the most conspicuous and important situations ; just as if she did not exist at all. Nor is it known by our native subjects in some parts of the world, that she does exist. We do honour to the interests of dbMMZBCE, by appointing persons to superintend and pro- mote it in different parts of the world. If the extension of Religion had been a subject of ge- neral and national interest (as it now begins to be) a similar honour would have been done to Christian [tv. Our Church would have had her representatives in all parts of the world, to watch over her intend; to translate the Scrip- tures into new languages ; to suggest plain for her enlargement; and to call forth labourers into the vineyard. An impediment to the F.stablishinent of Epi- 34 MEANS OF EXTENDING CHRISTIANITY. scopal Superintendance abroad, has probably been the impression arising from the state of Episcopacy in England ; viz. That a Bishop must necessarily be possessed of considerable revenues, and hold a very high dignity among his brethren. This idea of the Episcopal character is certainly at variance with that of the primitive institution, and is very injurious to the extension of Chris- tianity. It is surely sufficient, that the Bishop be in circumstances somewhat superior to those of the clergy of the place where he presides, and equal to those of the civil Magistracy of the same place. The apostolic representation of a Bishop is, That he be the chief or superintending Pres- byter. This state of superintendance may be considered as implying some superiority in tem- poral circumstances, as well as in spiritual qua- lification. The Church of Rome manifested a wisdom in this respect (derived from early ages) which is worthy of our imitation. Though her Bishops at home (in Europe) were possessed of great tempo- ralities, her Bishops abroad were ordained gene- rally on a very slender endowment. They were exhorted to look for further aid to the sanctity of personal character, and to its effects on the minds of the people among whom they exercised their spiritual office. 35 A Cr.NI.i: \\. < OLOlttAL IXCLF.SIASTI' ESTABLISH MIX V A ciinr object bf this Work, ifl tb BUggcfeVthe expediency of a General Colonial Ecclesiastical Establishment for Great Britain. Those por- tions of our dominions abroad, the condition of which, in regard to religious instruction, requires the attention of Parliament, and which seem to need Episcopal Buperintendance and the labours of a regular clergy, as much as any part of Eng land, are the seven following: 1. The West Indies. 2. Bengal ; or North Hindostan. .;. Madras; or South and East H'mdo-tui. 4. Bombay; or \V< St Hindostan. 5. Ceylon : the Insular Diocese, including Java, &c. 6. South Africa. 7. New South Wales. At the following places, a Representative of the Church (Archdeacon) is required, with a suit- able clergy : 1 . Java and dependencies. 2. [sl< is of Mauritius and Bourbon. 3. West Africa; (Sierra Leone, &c) b Malta. 36 COLONIAL ECCLES* ESTABLISHMENT. The only necessary expense on the part of Government, in the accomplishment of this scheme, will be the allotment of a suitable reve- nue for the seven Bishops and the Archdeacons. The subordinate clergy will, in most cases, be maintained by the Christian inhabitants of the place, at least in the Kings dominions : with the aid, during the first years, of the three Societies in Britain belonging to the Church * ; whose duty it * The support of clergymen by the Societies of the Church, here suggested, is strictly in conformity to the spirit and letter of the Charter, granted hy Government to one of the Societies. In the Charter of the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," his Majesty (King William III.) sets forth, as the ground on which the Charter was given, " That in many of the plantations, colo- " nies, and factories, beyond the seas, the provision for mi- " nisters was mean, and many colonies were wholly unpro- " vided of a maintenance for ministers and of the public " worship of God ; and that, for lack of the support and " maintenance of such, many of his loving subjects wanted " the administration of God's word and sacraments, and " seemed to be abandoned to atheism and infidelity, and «' others to popish superstition and idolatry." Apply this to the new Colonies and Possessions of Great Britain, instead of the old, and the representation will be perfectly correct. For such reasons, his Majesty was pleased " to erect .« and settle a Corporation, by the name of the * Society for COLONIAL ECCLES L ESTABLISHMENT. 27 will be, to investigate their wants, and supply thein with properly qualified instructors. Parliament having performed its part, in pro- viding for the permanent existence of a Christian ministry and the ordinances of religion; an ap- propriate body of clergy will afterward be gradu- ally formed (some of them natives of the country) as circumstances shall require. It is not politic to impose a body of clergy on a people. Nor is it favourable to the object of Christian instruc- tion, to oft'er strong inducements to go abroad, by the prospect of a lucrative cure. Hut it is just, ■ the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts;' for the " receiving, managing, and disposing of the contributions of " such persons as should he induced to extend their cha- *' rity towards the maintenance of a learned and •' orthodox clergy, and the making of such other provi- '* sion as might be necessary for the propagation of the Go- " spel in foreign parts." Wherever, then, there is no suitable provision made by Government for the administration of the word and sacra- ments in the King's dominions abroad, it is the province of the Societies of the Church to contribute to the " mainte- nance of a learned and orthodox clergy," according to their ability. This is the principle on which the above section has beeo written. 38 COLONIAL ECCLES^; ESTABLISHMENT. that the means of instruction should be placed within reach of the people ; -which, at present, is not the case. Only let fit instruments of their own communion be offered to their acceptance, and British Christians in the East will soon avail themselves of the benefit. A suitable number of clergy, possessing « the proper qualifications for the place and society, will be gradually fur- nished by the wants of the people, by the repre- sentations of the Bishop or his Representative, and by the inquiries of the Societies at home, who shall be in correspondence with them. In regard to the supply of clergymen for those settlements of the English abroad, for which Go- vernment can make no suitable "provision, the individual who offers himself must go out under the express patronage of one of the three Socie- ties of the Church, but under the implied expec- tation, that the Christian community among whom he is to officiate will eventually contribute to his maintenance, and exonerate the Society. In ge- neral cases, the Society can only engage for the support of the Clergyman for a limited time. He ought always to be a man of learning, good temper, and approved piety ; one, whose corre- spondence would interest the public, and throw light on the dark region which he inhabits. If his religious zeal produce no fruit either as a COLONIAL F.CCI.ES 1 ; ESTABLISH Ml ST. writer or practical pn the sooner the ! cicty dissolves their connection with him the betfc In cases when: Government appoints an inade- quate stipend for the Clergyman, representations may be made to his Majesty's Ministers on the subject*; or the stipend may be enlarged by the * When tli<' Societies bave established a clergyman in anj place, which appears to derive etidenj advantage from his labonrs, and there i-> tittle probability of lii-> obtaining ;< sufficient subsistence from the contribution of the inhabi- tants, it will be their dutj t<> represent the circumstances of the case t«. bis Majesty's Ministers, in th< li<>|" that Govern- ment will assign ■ small permanent stipend. Perhaps it ui.is not be generallj known, that; " besides 1 1 ■ ■ - salary M given bj the ' Socierj for the Propagation of the Gospel " in Foreign Parts/ which i> generally .">u/. per annum to. i " newlv-tiftJi ivcinment allows to thirteen "t" " tin' missionaries in Nova Scotia, 701. and 76/. per annum; " to sb in Net Brunswick, 100/. per annum ; and to four in " the Bahamas, 70/. each ; and the same bount} ma) be " expected, arhea another Missionary shall be tent to those " islands, which is now in contemplation.'' See 23 lisbury's Sermon before Seciety in IT'JJ. Note, p. IS. These gratuities for Christian Missionaries comma ; not long ago. The bounty thus displayed bj Government in mir Western possessions, will, we bope, be extended to the East, whenever a proper representation shall be m by the Societies <>t" the Church— the official patrons and 40 COLONIAL ECCLES 1 ; ESTABLISHMENT- Societies for specific purposes; as, for translating the Scriptures ; for printing new editions of the Scriptures, or of useful Tracts; for organising schools on the new plan of teaching; and for instructing the natives. To occupy the situation of Chaplain to a Factory or Military Station abroad, is, in general, a very dull and unprofit- able state of existence. But correspondence with literary characters at home, encouragement from superiors in the Church, and a commission from a public body to expend money for useful purposes, will greatly alter the scene, and will often alter the man himself. It remains, that we explain how the Societies should be able to bear so large an expense. A Representative of the Church in any part of the world, ought certainly to be supported by the Church ; that is, by the Societies belonging to the Church. The Church itself has but an inconsi- derable fund which could be applied to such pur- poses. But the Societies are dependent on the members of the Church in general, and it may always be expected " that the contributions will " ever bear a just proportion to the importance advocates of their fellow-subjects in remote lands, who arc destitute of the consolations of Christianity. COLONIAL ECCLESV ESTABLISHMENT. 41 •• and manifest utility of their undertakings, and " to the zeal, liberality, and public spirit of the " members of 1 ..« Society tnemselw To pre- sent the Word of God to a heathen, in his own language, or to a Christian in a heathen country, is a great blessing ; so great, in sonic cases, that it cannot be appreciated. 13ut to send forth a Preacher with it, who can say, M Hear the word of the Lord," is a blessing incalculably greater. The exertions of Missionary Societies, however, at this period, ought not, in general, to refer so much to the heathens, as to those multitudes who already profess to be Christians in various land*, hut know not what Christianity means ; who have heard of the Bible, but never >aw the 13ible. This seems to be the order of Provi- dence : but it is not so agreeable to the infirmity of the human teacher; who loves a novel scene, would seek an exclusive interest in the con- verted, and is scarcely content unless they be called by his own name. A$ THE OFFICE OF CONFIRMATION. The necessity of Episcopal Superintendance in the British Dominions abroad, will be evident from the following consideration alone. Through the whole of the West and East Indies, our Church's ordinance of confirmation, or " lay- " ing on of hands upon those that are baptised " and come to the years of discretion," is utterly unknown. That institution, which is so rational in its na- ture, and so necessary to young persons just en- tering into life, to recal their thoughts to their holy baptism, and to renew their purpose and vow to go forth " as soldiers of Jesus Christ, to " fight under his banner against the world, the " flesh, and the devil;" — that primitive institu- tion, in which our Church professes, that the lay- ing of hands on the young persons dedicated to God, is " after the example of the holy Apo- stles;" and which rite Christians of every name adopt, on the same principle, when they would consecrate any person to a holy service or life ; — that institution, which is plainly adopted in the spirit of it by those Christians who practise adult OFFICK OF COX' [RMATION. 43 baptism (which baptism corresponds accurately with " the confirmation <>t" baptism at mature i "); — that institution, which both Luther and Calvin agreed ought to be retained, aa being in undoubted conformity to primitive use; — that i- cred and salutary ordinance is utterly unknown in our foreign dominions, and appears to be re* bOunoed by the Church, as being an observance of slight import, compared to the trouble of ap- pointing B person to administer it. 41 LITERARY REPRESENTATIVES OF CHRISTIANITY IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. At a period when Christian nations have begun, as with one consent, to diffuse a knowledge of Divine Revelation ; when the Scriptures seek access into every region ; and Christianity shews signs of revival in places where it has been long dormant; it seems of importance that learned and zealous men should visit, or be occasionally resident at those places which once saw " a great light," and are famed in the annals of Christian Antiquity. Some of the following sta- tions will probably be thought the most eligible. 1. Greek Islands, or Lesser Asia. 2. Syria, or Egypt. 3. Abyssinia. 4. Erivan in Armenia. 5. Bagdad. 6. Ispahan, or Cabul. 7. Samarchand and Bucharia. 8. Hungary, and adjacent regions — in the vici- nity of the Jews. These Literary Representatives must be main- MTKRAKY REPRESENTATIVES. 45 taincd entirely at the expense of the Societies of the Church. — It will be proper to explain the ob- ject of the Literary Mission. The importance to the interests of Christianity, at the present period, of having a R< pn m nt.dive. of the Church resident at places contiguous to the scenes of Christian Antiquity, must be evident. His office would be, to correspond with the Church at home as a literary character, rather than to preach at his station, which would not often, per- haps, be practicable, though every proper oppor- tunity of preaching should be embraced by him ; to communicate with the Societies at home, in re- spect to the supply of Bibles and religious tracts suited to his country ; to superintend the distri- bution of the same j to collect manuscripts of the Scriptures; to elucidate Scripture history from his knowledge of Asiatic scenes ; to su merest new translations of the Scriptures, and measures for executing them ; to point out proper places for Christian missions ; and, generally, to interest himself in whatever might be serviceable to reli- gion, and the promotion of Christianity. It would always be expected, that the result of his observations should be given to the public, under the direction of the Society to which he belongs. 46* LITERARY REPRESENTATIVES. There is no difficulty in finding a proper station. Commerce has her Consuls at Aleppo, Tunis, Bagdad, Bussorah. Representatives of the Church might be stationed at the same places for a more important purpose. Government will give a passport to Commerce through the world. Can it be refused to Christianity? Some of the smaller denominations of Christians have found it practicable to establish missions in places, which, at first sight, appeared to be inaccessible ; and where they maintain the best understanding with the governments of the country. In general cases, the labour of learning a new language ought not to be imposed : though it may always be expected that no person will be select- ed for such a situation who is not a general scho- lar, and who has not studied the Oriental lan- guages*. If he be a learned man, and his mind * The Church Missionary Society has, in its last Report, invited young Clergymen to come forward under its pro- tection, and to enter on the promising spheres of labour which are opening before the Christian world. " The free and unlimited access," the Society remarks, " which Great Britain has acquired by her arms to all the " regions beyond the Cape of Good Hope, displays the " grandest theatre ever offered to Christian exertions. The " Missionary who devotes himself to the service of Christ LITERARY REPRESENTATIVE. 47 be embued by sentiments of genuine piety, be will employ his time, with more advantage to the in- terests of religion, by directing others, and by ge- " among uncivilized men, lias to encounter the slow and " arduous labour of fixing their language, and linn t« m h- " ing it to these tribes, before they can road llie vvoinler- " ful works of God : but, throughout the East, two-third-. " perhaps of the whole human race are already so far civi- " li/cd as to possess a written language, and yet remain "ignorant of the way of salvation ! Into many Off. these " languages the Word of God is alrcads translated, or is " actually in the course of translation. Here, indeed, the "fields are white unto the harvest! A young Clergyman, " master of the Ethiopic, Persian, Arabic, or Syriac, of the " Tamul, Cingalese, Bengalee, Hindostanee, or Malay, may " take the Scripture8 in his hand, and read them in their " own tongue to millions of his fellow-men perishing for " lack of that very knowledge! Or, if his h.art i> fixed on " extending the savour of Christ's name still more widely, " lei him go forth ami labour with those excellent nun who " devote their skill and their time to the transfusing the " Word of God into some of those languages — spoken and "written by almost countless multitudes — which are not " yet enriched by the Divine Word." In respect to the Levant, it is observed, " The revolu " tions on the Continent having mined the ancient Romish " Society, ' De propaganda Tide,' the Missions maintained " by that body are dwindling away. The Committee have " had such interesting communication on this subject with " Dr. Naudi from Malta, who Btrongljf urges ili<" ><>< n\\ to "send well-qualified men to carry tin- Qospd into the " LEVANT and THROUGHOUT THE ARCHIPELAGO — 48 LITERARY REPRESENTATIVES. neral Christian investigations, than by studying a new language himself. The whole expense to the Societies, of their " where there are the most promising openings for useful- " ness, in reviving decayed Christianity, and in instructing " the Mahometans in the faith of Christ. Two or three " zealous young Clergymen, willing to accommodate them- *' selves to the customs of the East in respect to manners " and dress, and who can speak the Greek or Arabic lan- " guage, or both, would be the honoured instruments of '* confirming and propagating the doctrine of the Cross in " countries dear to them as scholars from classical as- " sociations, and more dear to them as Christians from « sacred !" The Committee " invite such men to offer themselves " and cannot but hope that it may please God to raise up *' some suitable instruments of his glory in this quarter of " the world." — See Twelfth Report of the Church Missionari,' Society, 1812, pp. 407—412. The proposal made above of stationing Literary Repre- sentatives of the Church in the principal scenes of Christian Antiquity, fully agrees with the avowed wishes and purposes of this Society : and there can be no doubt, that it would willingly send, with the permission of Government, duly qualified men, would such offer themselves, under the cha- racter of Literary Representatives of the Church, for one, two, or more years, according to circumstances, to all the most promising stations ; and resident Clergymen, under tire same sanction, to Java, Mauritius the Cape, Ceylon, and Malta. LITERARY REPRESENTATIVES. 49 share in the proposed establishment, including a resident Clergj and Literary Representatives, need not exceed (,000/. or 7onn/. p* annum, at least for a fel vcars. The three Church Societies expended in the last year (of which they have printed the account.,) on Missionary objects, in- dependently of incidental expenses, the sum of 7088/. 14v. 7W.«— vix. the "Society forPropagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts," 2920/. Mr, \od. ; the m Society for Promoting Christian Know- ledge," 1379/. 7s. 4d.; and the « Church Mis- sionary Society," 2788/. Br. Sid It is not too much to say, that these exertions of our Societies might be increased ten-fold. The only question is, whether the occasion de- mand, it. If it docs, and the Societies of the Church do not fully recognize the object of Mis- sions, and endeavour to increase their funds with a spirit proportioned to the occasion, and to the new circumstances of the Church and of Great Britain, their names, as Missionary Institutions, will ere long be lost in the greater celebrity and more extended undertakings of other denomi- nations. " Printed by miitake, iu the first Edition, 5288/. M* ~,\J. 50 EXISTING MISSIONS, OF ALL DENOMINATIONS, IN THE BRITISH DOMINIONS ABROAD. If the state of the British Dominions abroad be accurately examined, it will be found, that, in the old Colonies of North America, there is ample provision for Christian instruction; but, in regard to the West Indies and our new possessions, it may be justly said, " That not the Church of England, but other denominations of Christians, are forming the religion of the natives*." 1. In the British North American Provinces, the Church has forty-three Missionaries and thirty- six Catechists and Schoolmasters ; all belonging to the " Society for the Propagation of the Go- spel in Foreign Parts." Other denominations have seventeen Missionaries ; viz. Wesleyan Methodists .... 14 Missionary Society 3 — 17 2. In the West Indies the Church of England has six Missionaries ; viz. those belonging to the * For the statements made in this section, see the last Reports of the respective Societies. EXISTING BRITISH MISSION'S. 51 " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts;'" whereas the Missionaries belong- ing to other denominations are ninety-two in number ; viz. The United Brethren 3 C 2* The Wesleyan Methodists ... 25 The Missionary Society .... 3 —60 • In the first Edition, the number of the Missionaries belonging to the United Brethren in the Wert Indies wu stated at G4, and those in South A trie a at ML In this enu- meration, some of the females belonging to the Missions were inadvertently included. The 11. v. Mr. Latrobe, Se- cretary to the Brethren's Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel, has since furnished the Author with the following official document : — " MALE MISSIONARIES IN THE SERVICE OF THE MIS SIONS OF THE UNITED BRETHREN, END OF 1812. Males. With u In Danisli Islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Jan (West Indies) ... 17 35 Antigua 7 14 St. Kitts a Cape of Good Hope 9 M — DO —157 " Official. (Signed) " C. Ig. Latrobe." 1 2 5% EXISTING BRITISH MISSIONS. It will be seen hereafter that the parochial Clergy in the West Indies do not, in general, take an active part in the instruction of the Negroes. 3. In Hindostan, the number of Missionaries supported by the Church of England is nine ; viz. those belonging to the Society " for Promoting Christian Knowledge." Those belonging to other denominations are thirty-five; viz. The Baptists , If The Missionary Society 10 The American Missionary Society . 7 The Scotch Presbyterians ..... 1 —55 The remark made respecting the parochial Clergy of the West Indies, is applicable to the Chaplains in India. They do not generally preach to the natives. 4. In the Island of Ceylon the Church has no Missionaries. The Missionary Society has three. 5. In South Africa the Church has no Missionaries. Other denominations have twenty- eight; yiz. The United Brethren 9 The Missionary Society 19 —28 EXISTING BRITISH MISSION'S. 53 6. Jii WhST Africa the Church of England has seven Missionaries ; of which six belong to to the " Church Missionary Society," and one to the " Society tor the Propagation of the Go- spel in Foreign Parts." 'Die Weslevan Metho- dists lately sent four Missionaries to this coast ; but one of them died shortly after his arrival, and (lie rest, as it is understood, have been recalled. On a view of the above lists, it will not be denied, that, not the Church of England, but other denominations of Christians, art chiefly employed in forming the religion of the nativ< | in the new Colonics of Cheat Britain, and in her Asiatic Empire. It is not our wish to impede the efforts of these Christian teachers, who labour as our substitute-. The Church of England, we will confidently Say, will never acknowledge such a wish, directly or in- directly. A\u\ when the Imperial Parliament shall take a review of the good which has 1 n already done by their means, in various parts of the British Dominions, it will, we doubt not, be Father disposed to thank them, than to contemn rheir services. We would not, by any exposition of ours, interrupt the labours of Missionaries in any part df the uncivilized world. No! Chris- tianity is their debtor., And who is there, but 54 EXISTING BRITISH MISSIONS. must rejoice to behold the light of Christianity carried into the regions of darkness ! We would rather promote the designs and encourage the zeal of such labourers ; for there must be some general principles of common operation for dis- seminating the Christian Religion, otherwise that religion zvould not be intended for all rnankind. What Christian is there, who, if he had it in his power, would attempt to obstruct the free course of the word of salvation, that it may run and be glorified in the earth ! For the system of preaching the Gospel as far excels the preaching it not, as the light of knowledge, pure morals, and the certain favour of Heaven, excel the darkness of ignorance, a state of vice, and consequent uncer- tainty and despair. — But the object of this appeal is, to endeavour, by some delineation of the efforts now making on every side, to extend Christianity in our possessions abroad, " to provoke to emu- lation" the Established Church, and to shew to the Imperial Parliament the importance of giving the British Constitution to British Colonies. The greatest blessing, certainly, which the Na- tion could impart to her children throughout the world, would be, to give them a simple Eccle- siastical Establishment, with full toleration to all who dissent from it. While such a constitution would be replete with advantages to ourselves, it EXISTING BRITISH MISS1> 55 would "ive to the religion of denominations difl ing from us, a degree of order and stability, which, at present, they do not possess. Indeed, they arc at this moment in circumstances syno- niinous with a state of persecution. THE WEST INDIES. When we speak of extending Christianity among the nations of the earth, we do not mean that our Church should visit other nations, before she has acknowledged the subjects of the British Empire. The two great branches of that Empire, in fo- reign climes, are the West Indies, and the East Indies. Of these, our native subjects in the West Indies stand in a closer relation to us than those in the East, and claim a prior regard. Let us examine their claim. Great Britain has abolished the Slave Trade ; and, so far, has done her duty to Africa and to humanity. But she has not yet discharged her obligations to the Africans in the West Indies. By successive importations of that race of people during the last century, and by our recent con- quests, we have accumulated a population of Slaves, which is supposed to amount now to nearly one million of souls. Our native subjects in Hindostan remain on their native soil; but these our African subjects are in different cir- cumstances. We have dragged^ 1 them by force WEST IN DIES from their native country, and appropriated their bodily services to our use. Justice, therefore, requires that we should afford them some cultiva- tion of mind, and faithfully acquit ourselves of every moral obligation toward them. Although the subject of the Slave Trade was so long before the nation, it does not appear that the moral and religious state of the Negroes oc- cupied much of our attention. The minds of men were so much engrossed with the simple question, Whether it were lawful to make Slaves at all? that they seemed to overlook the no less import- ant inquiry, What is our duty to the Slaves which we have made : This latter interrogatory is now to be the sub- ject of our consideration. At that time, we be- held the poor African in a chain, kneeling for freedom. We now behold him supplicating for a higher boon, "The Word of Life." It would be proper to exhibit to the view of the Legislature the actual state of our African subjects, in religion and morals at this time; for the nation, in general, to have a very im- perfect idea of the kind of n ligion which they pro- fess, of the sensuality in Which they are imn* 58 WEST INDIES. ed, or of the pernicious and destructive supersti- tion that enslaves them # . It would be necessary, on the other hand, to shew the admirable effects of Christianity on those Slaves who have enjoyed the means of instruction (calculated to amount to nearly 40,000), de- duced from unquestionable authorities ; that the nation may distinctly see what is practicable on the subject. Both these particulars are to be derived from unexceptionable sources ; viz. The first, from the work of the late Bryan Edwards, Esq., who passed most of his life in the West Indies, and was afterwards a Member of the British Par- liament; — and the second, from the "Report of the Lords of Committee of Council on the Slave Trade," respecting the effects of the Mission of the United Brethren. We shall advert briefly to the latter subject ; but it will be proper first to examine the " state " of our Established Church in the West Indies, " in regard to its efficiency as an instrument of " instructing the people." * See Edwards's West Indies, Vol. II. p. 90. STATE OF THE CHURCH. THE STATE 01 THX < I in THE WEST WD] Ouk West India Islands may be divided into two classes; the old, and the new. The new islands, Trinidad excepted, were acquired by Treaty of Peaee in i7o'J: the old were settled by, or ceded to, Great Britain, a century antecedent to that pe- riod. In all the old islands there is some, though a taint and highly inadequate, imitation of the Ec- clesiastical Establishments of England. Parochial Churches are built, and Rectors are maintained, JlOt indeed by tithes, but by a Small compulsory contribution, in lieu of them, which is charged on the landholders in their respective parishes. But in the new islands, such vestiges of Christianity were, till lately, no where to be found ; and in three of them, there is not, we believe, at t.ii- moment, a clergyman or a place of worship. It might have been expected, that the new is- lands would have been far more fortunate in their religious establishments than the old. The power of making laws for the ceded islan I to his Majesty alone ; but, unfortunately, his Mini- sters did not advise him to exer< ise tin- power roi the purpose of planting religious establishments, 6*0 WEST INDIES. until after he had constituted the Colonial Legis- lative Assemblies ; who alleged that they would take care of the interests of religion*. This fact may be admitted as some proof of the general decline of religious principle in the king- dom, about the period alluded to ; for, certainly, under the administration of the Ministers of Charles II., the interests of religion in the settle- ments which they planted, were not forgotten. In the recently acquired island of Trinidad, the legislative power has rested and still remains with his Majesty. We hope to see Trinidad become a model, in its civil and religious institutions, for our Western Islands in general. Let us now advert to the old islands, and see to what their Ecclesiastical Establishments amount. In Jamaica, there are twenty parishes. Sup- posing that there are also twenty Rectors (in some islands there are many Pluralists), we shall then have twenty Clergymen in an island which is 150 * An example of this care is stated by Mr. Edwards, in his account of the flourishing Colony of St. Vincents. — " This island is divided into five parishes, of which only one '* was provided with a church, and that was blown down in ** the hurricane of 1780. Whether it is rebuilt, I am not " informed." — Edwards'* West Indies, Vol. I. Book iii. ch.3. STATE OF THE CHURCH. g] miles long, and forty in a medium broad; which gives a district of 300 iqmm miles fof the labours of each Clergyman. r J he population of the island is stated by -Mr. ildwanU to amount to 30,000 Whites, 10,000 five 1'er-ons of Colour, and 210,*i)i Slaus*; which, when divided among twenty Clergymen, will give to each a cure of |&££4 souls. It will hardly be necessary to say more, of the utter inadequacy of the public means of religious instruction in Jamaica. This island is a favourable specimen of the state of the Esta- blished Church in the old islands. On the w hole, it may be safely affirmed, that no human zeal could be equal to a tenth part of the duties of the parochial Clergy, were the Slaves practically regarded as belonging to their flock. But the truth is, that this unfortunate mass of the population has, with very h u exceptions, never been so regarded, either by the Government or the Clergy f . It will be proper next to advert to the disci- pline of the Church in the West Indies.— For want of episcopal superinteinlaiu . . some \< rv lin- gular anomalies and irregularities exist, in regard * The number has since been very OOOudenbl} increased. t " The State called Slavery delineated, pp. '244—253. 62 WEST INDIES. to discipline and church government. A Layman inducts the Priest into his living. A Layman has power to suspend the Priest ab officio. The Governor or Commander in Chief is reputed u Supreme Head of the Provincial Church." Of these facts we have the evidence of the writer be- fore mentioned. " The Bishop of London is said to claim this " island (Jamaica) as part of his diocese : but his "jurisdiction is renounced and barred by the laws "of the country; and the Governor or Com- " mander in Chief, as Supreme Head of the Pro- " vincial Church, not only inducts into the seve- " ral Rectories, &c, but he is likewise vested " with the power of suspending a clergyman ab " officio, &c." — Edzvards, Vol. I. p. 265. Here we see, that, in a portion of the British Empire, the Church is entirely subject to the secular authority. This system is not paralleled by that of any sect among us, which may be the most remote from primitive discipline ; and cer- tainly its continuance can only be justified by im- perious necessity. But in the West Indies, the neglect of Christian ordinances, and the relaxation of morals, are the most serious evils. One most evident cause of the ueglect of religious ordinances, is the want of per-* STATE OF THE C HU1U.H. C>3 sons of episcopal rank and 'authority in the Church, who would came the customary obser- vances of Christianity to be honoured, make re- gular visitation* of the churches throughout the islands, and report to the Government at home dn the inadequacy of the means of instruction. What possible amelioration of morals can be expected among bond or free in the West Indies, if the old system continues the same? What avails our abuse of the Planter : Will the Planter begin to instruct his Slaves in Christianity, because we make eloquent speeches in England ow the duties Of humanity? Both the Planter and the Slave need the paternal interference of the Imperial Parliament. And the first duty is to appoint to both a Spiritual Head, through whom Govern- ment may concert and execute measure j, from time to time, for the general improvement of people. The great family of Africans, in parti- cular, want a GENERAL GUARDIAN in the.-c islands, whom they should know to have been appointed by the nation to superintend their spi- ritual state, and through whom thev might know- that they were Subjects of the A'/7/; r . We have given a Bishop to Canada, where there are only eleven Clergymen of the Church of England In the Wett Indies there are more than twenty islands, of wiiich one, Jamaica, has twenty pa- rishes; Barbadoei has eleven parishes; Granada, 64 WEST INDIES. six ; St. Vincents, five ; Dominica, ten ; St. Kitts, nine ; Nevis, five ; Antigua, six, &c* But in what manner Christianity exists, or is honoured, in these islands, is altogether another question. It is an important question. But how is it to be answered, if there be no general superintendant of these scattered provinces, to whom the nation can refer ? * SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST INDIES SUBJECT TO GREAT BRITAIN. 1. Jamaica. 2. Baibadoes. 3. Trinidad. 4. Tobago. 5. Curazoa. 6. Grenada. 7. St. Vincents. 8. St. Lucia. 9. Martinique. 10. Dominica. 11. Guadaloupe. 12. Antigua. 13. Nevis. 14. St. Kitts. 15. St Croix. 16. St. Jan. 17. St. Bartholomew. 18. Montserrat. 19. St. Eustatia. 20. Tortola. 21. St. Thomas. 22. Bahama Isles. 23. Bermudas. ON THE CONTINENT. 24. Surinam. 25. Berbice. 26. Demarara. Ml ! \ I Mir. MULATTOS. ()i the genera] morals of the People of Colour gome idee may be obtained from the following repress station : " The accusation generally broaghl against the '• People of Colour (of Mulattos) is the incon- n tinency of their women, of which such "young arc universally maintained by White " men of all ranks and conditions. The net is "too notorious to be concealed. Not one In "fifty of them is taught to write or read. Pro- '• fitable instruction, therefore, by those who are " capable of giving it, is withheld from them." — Edward;. V..!. II. p. 8& The degradation of the male Mulattos is, ii uble, gre at er than that of the women " By " at) Att of Assembly, a .Mulatto nut bom in " wedlock cannot inherit, by the t< Stamenf • ■• tovise ol a White man. more than 200O£ cwr- " miK "There is this mischief," addsth< md ihor. "arising from the system ut rigoarostt f 66 WEST INDIES. " sibly maintained by the laws against this un- " fortunate race of people, that it tends to de- " grade them in their own eyes, and in the eyes of " the community to which they belong." u That this system ought to be utterly abolish- " ed t I most readily admit. But by whom is " such a reform to be begun and accomplished ? " The enfranchisement of such as are enslaved, " Christian instruction to the whole, and encou- " ragement to their industry, would, in time, " make them an useful and valuable class " of citizens, induce them to intermarry with each " other, and render their present relaxed and " vicious system of life as odious in appearance, 11 as it is baneful to society." — Edwards, Vol. II. p. 30. The state of the Mulattos in the West Indies, and of the Half-casts in the East, is a subject which must, ere long, engage the attention of the British Parliament. The local governments, in either country, are utterly incompetent to provide a remedy for the evil. Nor will any remedy be ever found, but that which the above judicious writer has proposed ; and which Parliament only can, by its enactments, provide; viz. " Instruc- tion in the Christian religion," to raise them by education above the contempt of their species : MULATTOS. 67 and, a system of " encouragement to their in- dustry." This unhappy race is of English descent ; but it is a proscribed race in both hemispheres ; a curse still following the immoral connection. So great is the degradation of this cast, that in the West Indies the Mulatto is, generally speaking more despicable in the eyes of the English * than • " The NegM works, and is therefore good for some- " thing: but the Mulatto," nys the Planter, " is good for " nothing." Otherwise it can hardly be said that the Mu- latto is more despicable than the Negro. In fact, there is not perhaps an animal in the creation, which is more despi- cable in the eyes of the Planter, than the unhapp\ Negro This is exemplified by Ins rites of sepultur. . Among the Ro- mans, slaves were decently interred, ind their burial places religiously respected (see GrtBvius. Rom. Antiq. Vol. xii. p. 1266). Far different is the case in the West Indies, at least in the British islands. By an article of the Code Nob in the French islands, it was humanely directed, that the deceased Negro should have Christian burial, and be interred in ton secrated ground. But we should search, in vain, in the laws or practices of any of the British Colonies, for equal hu ruanity. There " The MCred 'hist " Of this bemn-Ubomed iunn, er<-cr, t! when no longer animated with that soul which groaned under a merciless oppression, and no longer fil for the pur- poses erf avarice, is abandoned, with the most unfeeling con- tempt, to the care of kindred wretches, to be interred, like £8 WEST INDIES. the native African; and, in the East, the Half- cast is counted inferior to the Hindoo. the carcase of a dead mule or dog, in the nearest vacant soil. It was believed by the Greeks and Romans, that the rites of sepulture were necessary to the repose of the departed spirit. What they could do, therefore, in a religious way, they did, to provide in another world for the happiness of those fellow-beings, who, in the present, were devoted to their service. Let West-India masters contemplate, and shudder at, their own very opposite conduct. And let not charac- teristics, like these, be esteemed of little moment. Our treatment of the dead not only indicates but influences our feelings towards the living. " The State called Slavery delineated," p. 3 J 5. MISSIONARIES. fi#) INSTRUCTION OP THE NtiGBOES BY MISSIONARIES That the Christian instruction of the Negroes has been hitherto almost entirely neglected by the local governments in the West [ndies, is fully at- tested by the statute books of almost every inland, Which teem with laws concerning the labour, Jincs, and punishments of the slaves, but have little re- ference to them as being rational creatines. This fact appeared in full evidence before the British Parliament*. It will be a satisfaction to thr • " Q. What has been, and ifl now, the situation of the jlaves in Jamaica, as to religions instruction 1 " A. There ;ire a vers few properties 00 which there arc Moravian parsons ; hut, in general, there is no attention paid to any religious instruction.'' - John WBDDBBB1 B N l:. Es«. Evidence of 1790, House of Commons, p. 331. " Q Are Negro slaves or their children in general bap tized ? *' A. It i> not anoonunon for Negro slaves to be baptised by the Romish priests; but this depends entirety On then own inclinations, as there are no religious institutions establish- id by few for the benefit of slaves in the island. GftVBBl SBTON. /'. C. Report on Slave Trade, p. :]. " Q. What religious Institutions are there roi the benefit of Negro slaves in each of the islands in the West Indies > 70 WEST INDIES. feeling mind, to see, from the title to this section, that teachers of Christianity have J visited this unhappy race. The two principal bodies which have engaged in this laudable undertaking, are the United Brethren or Moravians, and the Wesleyan Methodists, The number of converts belonging to the Moravians, who have laboured in this good work, with success continually augmenting, ever since the year 1 732, is, by the last returns, nearly 25,000 ; those belonging to the Methodists, who followed their example about the year 1785, amount to 13,042*. It will be proper to say something here, of the A. (By Mr. Roberton). " None established, in either the Windward or Leeward Islands." — Same Report : Title^ Dominica. Q. Same as preceding. " A. We kuow of none such in Jamaica." By Mr. Ful- ler, Agent of Jamaica, Mr. Chisholme, and Mr. Long. -—Same Report : Title, Jamaica. " In the old English Islands, and even the ceded Islands of St. Vincent and Dominique, the Negroes, in respect to religion, are very shamefully neglected." — James Bail- lie, Esq. Evidence of 1790, House of Commons, p. 201. * See Minutes of Conference of Wesleyan Methodists for J812, p. 43. MISSIONARIES. 71 character of the Missionaries, and of their con- verts, derived from unexceptionable evidence. Mr. Edwards, in his History of the West In- dies, has borne testimony to the merits of the United Brethren, in the following terms : " It is to the honour of Antigua, that its inha- " bitants have encouraged, in a particular man- u ner, the laudable endeavours of certain pious " men, who have undertaken, from the purest " and best motives, to enlighten the minds of the " Negroes, and lead them into the knowledge of " religious truth. In the Report of the Lords of " Committee of Council on the Slave Trade, is an " account of the labours of the Society known by " the name of the Unitas Fratrum (commonly " called Moravians), in this truly glorious pur- 11 suit; from which it appears, that their conduct " in this business displays such sound judgment, " breathes such a spirit of genuine Christianity, " and has been attended by such eminent sue- u cess, as to entitle its brethren and missionaries " to the most favourable reception from every " man whom the accidents of fortune have invest- " ed with power over the Africans; and who be- " lieves (as I hope every Planter believes) that " they are his fellow-creatures, and of equal im- " portance with himself, in the eyes of an all- 1 72 WEST INDIES. " seeing and impartial Governor of the Uni- " verse*." Vol. I. p. 488. ■ From the Evidence in the Privy Council Reports, we extract the following: " Q. Have the Moravians and Methodists applied them- selves to the conversion of the Negro slaves in the Island of Antigua ? ' ; A. Both the Moravian and Methodist preachers have applied themselves very strenuously, and with great success, in the conversion of the Ne sroes in that island ; and as they have built proper places to hold their meetings in, all the slaves are encouraged by their masters to attend. " Q. What has been the general effect on the slaves who are converted ? " A. A more decent deportment in their behaviour and religious attendance : and most of them are become Chris- tians." — Commons Eepon, i7§o. Evidence of Thomas Nor- bury Kerby, Esq. " In addition to what I had the honour to mention to your Grace on the subject of the Negroes in these Colonies, I beg leave to observe, that, besides the established Clergy of the islands, there are Moravian and Methodist Ministers settled in all of them: for the purpose of affording moral and reli- gious instruction to the Negroes ; and their congregations are very nunu: "To evince to vour Grace how successful these Mission- aries have been in their labours among the Leeward Islands. I will endeavour to procure an exact account of the number of Negroes who have been admitted into their con- gregations, and transmit it to your Grace as soon as it can be obtained. MISSIONARIES. 73 There is another testimony on this subject which will be received with deep respect by the British nation. It is extracted from the " In- structions" drawn Up by the late Dr. Poiteus, Bishop of London, lor the Missionarie* belonging to the Church of England, going out to the M India Islands, under patronage of the " Society for the Conversion of the Negro Slaves," incorpo- " I have, for some years past, ordered some sugar or ruiu to be given annually, b\ ever? estate under my directioa in this island, to the Missionaries, a> a Mttll u-ratuitN for their attendance upou the Negroes; and the practice has been followed by many others, though it has not yet beconx neral." — House of Commons' Papers, 1804. Letter/, . V . dent Thompson, of St. Christopher, then Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Didc of Portland. We shall dose this decisive evidence with what might have been singly sufficient; an extract from tin- Minutes of the General Council and Assembly of all the Leeward Maud*, in 1790. " Resolved, -That the slaves in these islands may be brought gradually to a considerable degree of religions knowledge, bj attention OB the part of their masters and the clergy ; as evidently appears from the great success thai has attended the pious exertions of the Moravian and other -Missionaries in the several islands of this Government, whose mode of instruction and discipline seems to be par- ticularly adapted to the minds and capacities of the h.arers." — Papers, House of Commons, 1804; 63. II. 74 WEST INDIES. rated by Royal Charter in 1794; of which the Bishop of London is President " The harvest before you is a plentiful one; the " work you are engaged in is a glorious one. " It is nothing less than the opening a new " school of morality and religion in the Western " world ; laying the foundation of a new Chris- V tian Church within the confines of the Atlantic " Ocean ; and diffusing the blessings of the Go- " spel to more than 500,000 human beings, with " all their numberless descendants, to the remotest " periods of time." " This surely is a prospect sufficient to animate " your zeal. One thing we know with certainty ; " we know from fact, and from experience, from " the example of the Moravians above mentioned, " that the Negroes are capable of being made real " Christians; and that they give the most un- " equivocal proofs of this, by the visible influence " which the Gospel actually has upon their hearts " and lives. The Society trusts, therefore, that " the Missionaries of the Church of England will " not manifest less piety, less zeal, less activity, " less diligence, than those of the United Bre- " thren; and that, of course, their labours will, " under Providence, be at least equally success- " ful." — Instructions for Missionaries to the West India Islands, p. \5. JAMAICA EDICT. 75 EDICT CONCERNING CHRISTIAN ITV IN JAMAICA. Lv the West Indies, there are honourable charac- ters and respectable families, who are entitled to as high estimation as those of any country ; par- ticularly among the higher classes, and among the learned professions. The virtues of benevolence, humanity, generosity, courage, and love of coun- try, are, no doubt, frequently to be found, to the honour of individuals. But it is well known, that these popular virtues are perfectly compatible with a spirit hostile to Christianity. Intidelitv generally arrogates to itself high personal virtues : and in- difference to Christianity (the sum of the charge in this chapter) makes the same pretensions. The legislative acts of a people are undoubt- edly the best evidence of their general spirit and temper. Whether the acts of the legislative body in Jamaica*, which we are about to recite, * The legislative body of Jamaica, consists of the Gover- nor ; a Council of twelve gentlemen, appointed by his Ma- jesty ; and an Assembly, or House of Common*, consisting of forty-three members, generally planters. 76 WEST INDIES. are to be attributed to that contempt of the Slaves, which, it is alleged, prevail among the Planters, and which would naturally lead them to view with indignation the attempt to instruct them in that religion which would seem to raise them to a level with their masters ; or whether it arise from a fear, lest the Slaves should really suffer a moral injury from the Teachers of Christianity, and be excited, in some future time, to insurrection ; we shall not presume to determine. The following statement shall be merely a transcript, with little comment of our own, from the official Records of Jamaica, and from the printed Accounts of the Missionaries. After the Methodist Missionaries had been about ten years in the Island of Jamaica ; and had built a chapel at Kingston, which was attended by some Whites, and by many People of Colour and Negroes ; the Colonial Legislature passed an Act, on the 17th December, 1802, by which they prohibited, and made penal, " preaching or teach- " ing in a meeting of Negroes, or People of Co- " lour, by a person not duly qualified." There had hitherto been no law in Jamaica for Dissenters to qualify at all ; and the Legislature thought fit to determine, that a person regularly and legally qualified in England, under the Toleration Act, was not duly qualified for Jamaica. In conse- JAMAICA EDICT. 77 quence of this law, two of the Missionaries u< re thrown into prison. The penalty for die first offence vras " one month's imprisonment; and " hard labour in the common workhouse. 1 The penalty for the second offence was, " imprison- " ment and hard labour for six: months," <>r such farther punishment u not extending to life, " as the Court should see fit to inflict" — Such a law, in relation to a white man, had never been heard of before in Jamaica; for the laws there are highly respectful to the privileged order. If, again, a black man should " teach or preach in a M meeting of Negroes, not being duly qualified," be was " to be sentenced to receive, for the ■• cond offence, a public flogging, not exceeding •• thirty-nine lashes.'" By the operation of this law, the places of worship of other denominations of Christians be- • ides the Methodists, were shut up. The preachers wett silenced; and, among the rest, a regularly ordained minister of the Church of Scotland \ The Missionaries, in the extremity of their suffer- ings, compared this legal opposition, and its ef- fects, to the persecution of Dioclesian : only that the punishments were not, as the law expressed it, " to extend to life." 'The Rev. Mr 78 WEST INDIES. The alleged ground for passing this Edict m Jamaica, whatever the truth of the case might be, was certainly similar to that of the Edicts of Dio- clesian. It was stated in the preamble, That the Slaves, by being permitted to assemble at these meetings to hear Christian instruction, were in danger of being " perverted with fanatical no- " tions ; and that opportunity was afforded them " of concerting schemes of much public and pri- " vate mischief.'* On an application made by the different religi- ous societies in England, whose Missionaries had been silenced, the Committee of the Privy Coun- cil for matters of Trade, examined the merits of the new Act ; and, upon their Report, it was disallowed by his Majesty, and consequently ceased to have any force in Jamaica. His Majesty, however, being desirous to pro- mote every fair object which the Colonial Le- gislature could have in view, transmitted to them an amended draft of an Act, founded on the principle, that possibly the public safety might require the regulation of Missionary efforts. This Act was such, as the Governor mi "lit be em- powered to give the Royal Assent to, if adopted by the Council and Assembly. But, upon its being presented to the Assembly, they indignant- JAMAICA EDICT. 79 ly rejected it. They " Resolved, Tliat any at- " tempt by that Board" (Lords of Trade and Plantations), " or any other, to direct or influence 11 the proceedings of this House in matters of 11 internal regulation, by any previous proposi- " tion or decision on what is referred to, or under " their consideration and deliberation, is an in- " terference with the appropriate functions of * the House, which it is their bounden duty never " to submit to." If it had been doubtful before, whether the Act above-mentioned had been founded on a sincere apprehension of public evils, the proceed- ing of the Assembly must have decided the ques- tion. If they had been really apprehensive that the Slaves, by meeting in Christian assemblies, would have " an opportunity of concerting " schemes of public and private mischief," they would not have rejected a preventive law, from a mere punctilio as to the mode of its introduction. But the Jamaica Assembly, since they could not have a law of their own making, would have no law at all. 8Q WEST INDIES. THE SECOND EDICT. The Churches of the Slaves had rest for nearly three years; but, in 1807, a second persecution (so named by the Missionaries) broke out with the violence of a hurricane. The ground of it was not alleged to be " danger to the public peace." It was of a quite different nature. An Ordinance was passed on the 15th June, 1807, by the Common Council of Kingston, " for pre- " venting the profanation of religious rites and " false worshipping of God, under the pretence " of teaching and preaching by illiterate persons." The preamble set forth, " That preaching, teach- " ing, and expounding the Word of God," ought not to be exercised " by uneducated, illiterate, " and ignorant persons, and false enthusiasts;" that the practice of such pretended " preaching " and expounding the Holy Scriptures by such " persons, to large numbers of persons of Colour " and Negroes of free condition, had increased to " an alarming degree; and during such pretended " preaching and pretended worshipping of God, " divers indecent and unseemly noises, gesticu- " lations, and behaviour, often are used and " take place, to the great annoyance of the neigh- JAMAICA SECOND EDICT. 81 " bours," &c. It was therefore enacted, That if any person, under pretence of being a minister of religion or expounder of Scripture, should " pre- " sume to preach or teach, or oiler up public " prayer, or sing psalms, in any meeting or " assembly of Negroes,*' who was not " duly au- " thorised and qualified " for the same, he should be punished; if a White man, by line and impri- sonment. But if a Slave should, under such pre- tence, presume " to preach, or offer up public "prayer, or sing psalms" (in doing which latter he would be in danger of the unseemly noises and gesticulations aforesaid*), he should be punished by " imprisonment for six months, or by whip- ping not exceeding thirty-nine stripes, or by both, as shall be in those cases respectively ad- 11 judged." It was further enacted, That no person should M use public worship earlier than the hour of six " o'clock in the morning, or later than sun-set in " the evening." Nothing could be more effectual for preventing the Slaves from receiving instruction six days out of seven; "for before the sun rises " they are compelled to be at their labour; wad H they are not suffered to quit it till it sets') ." * This parenthesis is not in the original law. t Coke'* Hiifory of the West Indies, Vol. ii. p. 17. 82 WEST INDIES. But still the Sunday remained. In the month of November, of the same year, 1807, an Act was passed by the Legislature of the Island, prohibiting the Missionaries from teaching at all — even on Sunday. It consisted of two enactments, the second of which declared, " That " no Methodist Missionary, or other sectary, or " preacher, shall presume to instruct our Slaves, " or to receive them into their houses, chapels, " or conventicles; under the penalty of 20/. for " every Slave proved to have been there" (that is, 20,000/. for a congregation of 1000 Slaves), " to " be recovered in a summary manner, before any " three justices of the peace; and, on refusal of " payment, to commit the offender to gaol until " payment should be made." One of the principal Missionaries was thrown into Kingston gaol. The others continued to preach to the Whites, and to the free People of Colour; but no slave was permitted to * " Frequently, while men of free condition entered to " hear preaching, the Slaves crowded about the doors, which " the Edict forbad them to enter, with looks of the most " expressive sorrow, and words of the most penetrating " eloquence. ' Massa, me no go to heaven now.' ' White v man keep black man from serving God.' ' Black man JAMAICA SECOND EDICT. 85 We observed that this Law consisted of twe enactments, the second of which is recited above, It is time to notice the first enactment, which is exceedingly curious. It contained the ground or reason for the second enactment. It was not the ground of the Law of 1802, viz. " danger to the " public peace ;" neither that of the Ordinance of June 1807, namely, " the unseemly noises and " gesticulations of the preachers" and " false wor- " shipping of God ;" but it was " That masters " and mistresses" (the established clergy are over- looked) " shall teach the Slaves themselves in the " doctrines of the Established Church, and so " prevent the necessity of the Missionaries teach- 11 ing them at all.'" This enactment greatly astonished " the mas- ters and mistresses," particularly when they re- flected on the extent of their charge. But their alarm subsided, when they found that it was an enactment ivitlwut a penalty. On hearing of the Second Edict in Jamaica " got no soul.' ' Nobody teach black man now.' — If ever " the words of Sterne hud a meaning, ' I heard his chains, " and the iron entered into my soul,' it mu->t have beta " on such an occasion as this." Coke's History, Vol* it ft Si. G 2 84 WEST INDIES. the friends of the Mission in England presented a Petition to the King's Majesty in Council, in which they humbly represented, " That the be- " neficed and regular Clergy of that Colony " confine their ministerial instructions almost " wholly, if not entirely, to the white and " other free inhabitants. That the Right Re- u verend the Lord Bishop of London, in behalf "of ' the Society for the Propagation of the " Gospel in Foreign Parts,' a few years ago sent " a Missionary to instruct the Negroes in the said " island of Jamaica, but that the said Missionary " soon after died of the yellow fever ; since which " time, as they are informed and believe, there " has been no Missionary for the instruction of " the Negroes in that island, who had been " ordained by any Bishop of the Established " Church." The Petition then proceeds : "It is therefore a melancholy truth, as youi '■' Petitioners humbly beg leave further to repre- " sent to your Majesty, that, about four hundred " thousand of the human race are effectually ex- " eluded, by this law, from all public worship, "and from all public and private instruction; " and that it amounts to a prohibition, by a " Christian Legislature, not of any particular 11 doctrines or modes of worship, but of the pro- JAMAICA SFCONI) EDK ■ " negation of the Gospel itself among your Ma- " jesty's Subjects above meotioni d. In tin- new " it is a measure ol persecution ui \ampied in M the Christian world." — Coke 1 11 tory. Vol. ii. I>. 89. In April, 1805), the merits of the Act were duly considered at the Board of Trade, and an \ ' at from Jamaica attended to explain and en- force its clauses* On the !J6th of the same * \Y< have In aril, that it Sjas alleged, in « 1 « feiire of tlic Vet, That a certain Preacher m Preachers "t the Metho- dist- had been guilty of indiscretion* and of i flagrant seal, and that one of then had preached against slavery. If an) preacher acted thus seditiously, which we d<> nol be- lieve, he ought t«« have been proseevted t«>r the crime, and expelled from the island, or sentenced to soch other punishment as the Court sight adjudge, " not < Ktending to life." Hut his individual crime »;h not a reason for i ■sg a law against Christianity, and forbidding the Negroes " N mn<. PSALMS" and pffjJte their Maker! If sedi- tions COadact 00 the part <>t' the Preachers was the ground of the Act, why was nol thai ground inserted in the preamble. A> to the allegation that ■ certain Missionary preached ■garnet slavery, in the ears of persona who were s la\e-, ami ii i place where they are Slaves l»\ law, it is credible, supposing tin man trece state. The doetria the Apostle Paul i> just the contrary: ;» doitiim, which, we doubt nut, has ever been aealoasJj inculcated on the Hav es in the West Indses, bj every Missionary who was worthy of that naiue : 86 WEST INDIES. month, a notification was sent to the Petitioners, informing them, that the Act passed in Jamaica, in November 1 807, had been that day disallowed by his Majesty in Council, We are concerned to state, that the spirit of opposition to the instruction of the Slaves in Ja- maica still continues *, notwithstanding the re- peated interference of his Majesty's Government. Had there been any hope that hostility would cease, the above details would not now have been given to the public. But as we apprehend public dishonour has been put upon Christianity in a part of the British Empire ; and as the in- terests of more than 360,000 hapless Africans are concerned in the event ; it appeared to be a case which ought to be submitted, in its full dimen- sions, to the Imperial Parliament. " Art thou called, being a servant, care not for it; but " if thou mayest be made free, use it rather; for he that is " called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free.- " man." — 1 Cor. vii. 21. * In an official Report of the Missionary Committee at the New Chapel, City Road, dated 27th January, 1813, is the following paragraph : " Last August, Mr. Wiggins, one of our Missionaries in " Jamaica, was sent to prison for a month for preaching " twice in our Chapel on the Lord's-day. And the Magi- " strates appear to be determined that Missionaries shall w not be permitted to- preach in any part of the island." 87 THE EAST INDIE*. Thk claim of the East Indies, like that of the West Indies, is two-fold. A religious establish- ment is wanted to perpetuate Christianity among our own countrymen; and our native subjects have a claim on us for Christian instruction, a9 circumstances shall permit us to afford it. We shall notice, in the first place, those natives who profess our own religion ; for we consider, that the attention of the Legislature is first due to the Christians, or nominal Christians, who are subject to our dominion, but who are destitute of the privileges and institutions of a Christian people. By this rule, our regards will be prima- rily directed to the Christian* of Ceylon. 88 EAST INDIES. CEYLON. Our first measures in supplying instruction, are claimed by the Protestant Christians of the Island of Ceylon. And a more urgent case could scarcely have presented itself to an Assembly meditating designs for the honour of Christianity. There is this further encouragement, that the subject may be entered upon with facility. The country is the King's. The difficulties of a mixed government do not present themselves. It will appear to the Imperial Parliament, by reference to the Ceylon Government ; That Ceylon contained, by computation in 1801, "three hundred and forty-two thousand Protestant Christians ;" and that there are only three English Chaplains and three Protestant Missionaries in the whole island ; — That the old Protestant Churches (some of them spacious buildings), of which there were formerly thirty-two in one province alone*, have mostly fallen into ruins; and that those * Jaffhapatam. CEYLON. 89 which stand, arc occupied, at pleasure, by Ro- mish priests from Goa, who arc assuming undis- puted possession of the island ; — and That, from want of Protestant instruction, the secession to the Romish communion, and to the idolatry of the Idol Buodha, is, as might be ex- pected, very great, every successive year. 90 EAST INDIES. JAVA. Besides the Christians of Ceylon, our late con- quests have placed under our dominion and super- intendance the Protestant Christians of Java, and of the other isles of the Malayan Archipe- lago. Their number is so great, that they cannot too soon engage the attention of the Legislature, particularly as they may become, by our means, useful instruments of confirming and extending a pure Christianity in the Pacific Ocean. The honour of religion demands, that these our new subjects should not be so long forgotten, as the Christians of Ceylon. The native Christians of the Archipelago were first Roman Catholics. They afterwards became Protestants of the Dutch Church. But, for many years, they have been almost entirely neg- lected by either communion. In some islands, there is no minister of Christianit yat all ; so that it may be expected, that, like the Protestants of Ceylon, they would be willing to submit them- selves, for their spiritual benefit, to any form of Ecclesiastical Regulation, which the English Go- vernment should choose to appoint. NATIVE CUHJ fT IAN I IN inuia. J) I THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS IN INDIA Of ALL DEN MLVUU J' K i native Christians in India, including Pro- tants, Syrians, arid Roman Catholics, are very numerous. The i tmber of those in Ceylon and Hindustan alone (excluding Java and the other Isles) lias been lately announced to as* by M An " Appeal/' which was made at the seat of the Su- preme Government in Bengal, k> in BehahTofNine " Hundred Thousand Xaiiw ( Ihristians who want " the Bible ■'-." Thejustioe of this Appeal was acknowledged, and a liberal contribution was promptly made, by the inhabitants i f that gene" runs settlement ; but the supply was, ss might be expected, in DO way adequate to the demand, which requires a fond both extensive and perma- nent. The same Appeal is now humbly preferred to I tun lmli.i; 01 an Appeal <>u Behalf "t •■ 000,000 Christians in India who wan! the Bible." Bj Henrj Wartyn, B. D. Fellow of St John'i College, Cam- bridge, an. I Chaplain to the Honourable the Ka-t India ('..nipaiiv in Bengal. Calcutta: printed. Sold by Cadell ami l>.i\i< i, s iiaml, Laadai 92 EAST INDIES. the Imperial Parliament. That the Parent State, having subjected 900,000 Christians to her do- minion, and finding them generally destitute of the Charter of their Faith, will consider it a duty to promote measures for supplying it, we may reasonably expect. If, indeed, we were about to dissolve our connection with them, and to transfer them to some other power, there might be some ground for the delay. But Government has no intention, we presume, of resigning its authority over these Christians. If, then, we expect a long and happy union with them, and if Ave look for loyalty and allegiance from a knowledge of moral duly, let us make some provision for supplying them with the Code of Christianity. We speak not now of the duty of affording Christian in- struction by teachers and preachers ; but of that simple, primary, and more obvious duty, easy .of execution, and not liable to objection, the dis- tribution of the Holy Scriptures among our Chris- tian children. That they ought to be supplied from some quarter, we think there is no man in this kingdom will deny. But it may, perhaps, be said, u The object is good, the measure is entirely unobjectionable ; but there may probably be some other means of accomplishing it, than by enactments of the Le- gislature." But, by what other means can it be NA'IIVI CHRISTIANA IN INDIA. accomplish^ (I : Shall we leave this national duty to the casual exertions of individuals, end oi pri- vate societies.? Or is it of no consequence, what kind, of Bible is offered to India 1 [sit thus that we treat our Christian subjects at hornet The State undertakes to supply her children at home with the Holy Scriptures. The State takes cha of the Bible : guards the accuracy of its printing; commits the .sale ot it to proper authorities, and takes care that the supply shall be always equal to the demand, This i-; doing honour to the Word of God. But are not these Protestant Christians in the East, the children ot* the State also? And docs not the Bacredness of the Bible extend beyond our own shores? On what prinei- ple then is it, that this privilege is to Ik denied to. them? lla^ the subject ever been considered t Ought there not to be some mode of reporting, on the character of the various Translations of the Scriptures which are now in progress within the British dominions, that the translators may have their due reward in the thanks of the nation : and that the nation may have confidence in the fidelity of the translations? There is one principal reason why Parliament should sanction the distribution of the Bible among our Christian subjects: namely. That Go- vejrnors <>f districts in India, unless they be BSen 94 EAST INDIES. who are friendly to Christianity, will not give themselves any trouble on the subject ; and the hostility of a single public officer may stop the distribution of Bibles, and shut out the heavenlv gift from a whole Province. The Roman Catholics in the South of India T will have no objection to receive the Bible. At present, even their priests are in general destitute of it. Hence it has come to pass, that, .under a Christian name, the people are on the brink of Paganism. A general hope is frequently expressed in Eng- land, That the people of India will, in some way or other, attain to civilization, under the auspices of our nation. The Legislature can certainly devise no more efficacious means of accomplish- ing this hope, than by making provision for the supply of the Holy Scriptures in every Province where they may be wanted. Thus would our Christian nation " open the fountain of the wa- ters of life" to the nations of the East. We observed above, that the Roman Catholic in India has no objection to receive the Bible. There are other Christians who implore it. Among the Christians in the East, the Syrian RATI VI I HBI8VIABS IN INDIA. Church <|»1<\ when it waf shut to our own nation and to all r.uio[>< ; — a Church, which retains to this day, in ill mcied leiwii it same language which our bleated Sawiaui spake in th« streets of Jeruaalesn ; — a Church, in fine, which now seefa the alli- ance of a respectable nation, that it may be de- fended against the power and solicitation of the Romish commuoioi * Tin- ci'rt.iiii dcgCBl ri. > of .1 Church, iii cons< quonrr ■ •: tli»- loss of ihe Bible, r.uiimt be mi -t r< ti - ! \ . \. in|>lili< -.1, tii.m in tlic nu "i some "t tin- Syrian Christians, wbowi proselyted to ili<- Romish coaununiosi aboul i In « < baadrcd years I " In pass qsj through li"' Uosaish pvoviacei ■ lbs L.m. " though the Ami;.., bad befon lu-ar.l much < a" tin- Papal rupl • I " ban it) in tin- d tat< m wliii li lit I Oi " ill. j.ni ^iv il mi. ii, ,K bs - ...I, ili.it IS rjl. 96 EAST INDIES. It ought not to be objected to such a people, that they do not hold all our Articles. We ought " better acquainted with the Veda of Brahmah, than with the u Gospel of Christ. In some places, the doctrines of both " are blended. At Aughoor, situated between Trichinopoly *' and Madura, he witnessed (in October 180G) a tower of " Juggernaut, which was employed to solemnize Christian " festivals. The old priest, Josephus, accompanied him, " when he surveyed the idolatrous car and its painted " figures, and gave him a particular account of the various " ceremonies which are performed, seemingly unconscious " himself of any impropriety in them. The Author went " afterwards with him into the church, and seeing a book " lying on the altar, opened it ; but the reader may judge ** of his surprise, when he found it was a Syriac volume, " and was informed, that the priest himself was a descen- " dant of the Syrian Christians, and belonged to what is now " called the Syro-Roman Church, the whole service of which " is in Syriac. Thus, by the intervention of the Papal " power, are the ceremonies of Moloch consecrated, in a u manner, by the sacred Syriac language." — Christian Re. searches, p. 126. First Edition. These are the Syrian Christians who are chiefly intended, in an account of the Syrian Church published last year, by " the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge." The Syro-Romish Churches are to be found in different districts in the South of India ; some in Malay-ala, and others in the adjoining provinces. They vary much in their appearance and character, according to the circumstances of their situation, since their separation from the ancient Church ; some being very decent in their ritual, and others declining (like those above-mentioned) to the practices of NATIVE CHRISTIAN" IN INI-IA. to reflect, that although thc\ h in the course ol i ice to N< sfc riar tin- li' .ii thai whal ii true of tin- inha I one district, maj be just the reverse in re ird to tho i tll.T. The Roma Catholics in oar lister island m u->« tul lesson, from the above example of tin fatal i «|uriici i resulting to s Church, from the l'>ss of the Bible, — It i- < • > 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 > 1 1 1 \ said, among the Romish priesthood i I l.iml, " It" the priests have gol the Bible, the Church bi " the Bible." This fbraa i~ well calculated to delude the simple Binds "t the ignorant people. Wb< the rerj reven* is the truth; "When the people have l"-t *• the Bible, the Church has lost it." -This i> .i pnu maxim, fully confirmed b) the experience I and illu*.- truted in several couattries .it tln> time, and particularli in Irtl.nnl. It i- .i truth, whsch, nm- luppoee, do intelli Roaaan Catholic, "i bbj education oertainl) none ia I mad will deny; for " to confine the Church of Ood t.» " the priests," i> .i sentiment which was onlj worth) of the dark .. II.nl * the Book containing Divine instruction, intet ■• \>\ Ood (or .ill mankind," been given lo the common i pie in Ireland, as to those in Elngland, .it the era of the R< formation, tin re would not now be the t-< >i 1 1 <■- 1 which Light .mil Darkness. \ nation, which I not the Bible, can never understand "i coincide with the principles of a people whose minds bave been i bj tin knowledge of Ike Bible. To allege thai thej can, il « » serj little honour t.» the Revelation of G I emancipation which the roasmon people "t lr-laml need, it 98 EAST INDIES. and since to Eutychian Bishops, the name by which they are known over India, the St. Tho- mas Christians, imports an origin which reaches far beyond either of these sects ; and we may justly wonder, that, under the influence of such disadvantages, they should not now be charge- able with some vital and radical error in Chris- tianity ; which certainly is not the case ; though some of them may hold, like some in our coun- try, metaphysical errors in doctrine. No sooner shall our Church begin to enlarge her pale, and to open her maternal arms to re- ceive the outcasts of the visible Church in the British dominions throughout the world, than her affections will be powerfully attracted by the circumstances, wants, and character of the Sy- rian Church of Malay-ala*. is that from ignorance. And those Catholic Lords, who shall have spirit enough to urge the diffusion of the Bible, and establishment of schools, notwithstanding the resistance of the priests, (for who will allege, tbat the Romish priests in Ireland are an enlightened body, or that their judgment is to be consulted on subjects referring to the peace of the United Kingdom ?) will do most for the intellectual im- provement, the loyal demeanour, and the best interests of the people. * There is no room, however, on the part of other Churches in Europe, to reflect on the Church of England VATIVF. CHRISTIANS IX INDIA. 99 The region of this people will be contiguous to the boundary of the proposed bishoprics of .Madras and Bombay. for want <>f zo:tl in extending the boundary <>f the Church of Christ in the world. The Cliurrli of Scot land baa been as deficient in Ihii raapeot .1- 1 1 1 « - Church <>f England. N 1 is this an argumeal for the Dissenter against National Esta- blishments, as though their zeal mu-t necessarily degene- rate. By ao means. The Church of Rome prosecuted tin- object of evangelizing nations according t<> her tenets, with ardour and perseverance. As ii> the smaller denominations in England and Scotland, we have before seen, that, iu re- gard to the evangelization of the world, they seemed not, till lately, to consider that it concerned them at all. 100 EAST INDIES. CIVILIZATION OF IIINDOSTAN. The civilization of Hindostan ought to be the chief and ultimate object of our maintaining em- pire in that country. It is lawful for our nation to enrich herself with its products, and to make it a source of dignity and power ; but if she lose sight of the good of the people, that is, the Chris- tian Civilization of her heathen subjects, as her ultimate object in the subjugation and future dominion of that country, she loses sight of her character as a Christian nation. It has been so often asserted, that the tranquil enjoyment of commerce alone is a justifiable ulti- mate object in maintaining dominion by the sword in India, that many persons really believe it. The young race of men who go out to direct the com- merce of the East receive the opinion from their fathers, and, after a long residence there, it is firmly fixed in their minds, and becomes in a man- ner constitutional. If they return to direct the same commerce in this country, they are exceed- ingly astonished to hear the truth of the maxim called into question, particularly as it constitutes the principle on which large volumes have been CIVILIZAtfOX OF hiv i osta.v. 10] mitten; the reasoning of Which, indeed, they allow iinoi much disturbed I | ,,;._ n.ui positions; But, if the sanction arid aothori- &i '" iti i b thousand times gn Am tbej ire, the proposition, ; ■ • . ,„„- " f:it »"" (| i wealth ifl t j .,i, ;m( j " ,llti,li;lt itico an. I perma- H w "t dominion of Indie I • Britain/ 1 ii utterly repugnant to the princn>k i of n reeled refagion, n charity, and to humanit' l! lv nI little consequence irhal our country usowgbl of this •object, in the gradual *1 cooqnest and of acquisition. 'J I \g ,„ )U '" 1,i: ' ''■•' nation, m fa ml! dimensions, firat tunc, ir H thk A Christi who... the world look* foe , lanjpk ha bm of thai power which Providence ha n, subjected to their dominion certain b natiooi ; and they look to maintain that dominion for man; hundn The ultima! the adventurers who obtained the una on *pwtol this Empire, was-— the commerce oi the country. \\ hatought to be tbeultimati I oi the Christian people, who p the whole Empi It may >imly I, . . , , . ^ 102 EAST INDIES. Parliament will decide, " That, while our aggran- " disement by commerce is lawful, and may be u prosecuted as a source of prosperity and great- " ness, the ultimate object of the nation, in the " subjection and permanent dominion of Hin- u dostan, is to be found in the injunctions of " Christianity." It is painful to reflect, that the laws respect- ing India (saving the pious and obsolete clauses in the first Charters) have, in general, the ap- pearance of being made under the supposition that Christianity was not true. For what recogni- tion is there of the solemn injunctions contained in the Old and New Testament ? Let the nation stand in the room of the individual (for her re- sponsibility is yet greater than that of the indi- vidual), and hear the precepts addressed to her. 1. u Love thy neighbour as thyself" — Do we consider the Hindoo as our neighbour ? And if we do, has the nation acted toward him as the Good Samaritan ? 2. " As ye would that others should do unto "you y do ye also unto them." — Have we done unto the Hindoo that, which the first Christian people did unto us, when they found us immersed CIVILIZATION" OK HIXDOSTAN. 103 in barbarity and superstition, and our altars pol- luttd with luuiKin Mood ?* 3. " Preach the Qeepei unto every creature* 1 — Hath one puncher, belonging bo our Church I, Im (.11 Miit forth by the national Church to " preach the Gospel" to the Hindoo"- A father bean the Divine precept, and teaches his children. I our nation considered her Hindoo subjects &fl her children- \ixvc owe them not paternal regard* who does? Is Brahma tin ir lather : 4. " AIL nations zehom thou hast made shal* " conic and worship before thee, O Lord ; and * Before tin- preaching <>f the Gospel of ( ' hri>t in thil kingdom, no church existed ba1 the temple <>t a bid* Idol: who, like tin' Mnlm-li nf tin- Last, had his rtL.Mil.ir libations of human blood. T<> the cruel rites of the Dnndi- cal superstition lucceeded tin Roman Idolatry. In Cora* w;ill, stood the Temple of Mercurj •. in Bangor, the Temple of UinerTa; .it Maiden, the Temple of Victoria j at Lev in, the Temple of Janus; at York, where St. Peter*a now stands, the Temple of Bellona; in London, on the nte of St« Paul's, the Temple of Diana; and at Westminster, where tin- abbey rean its venerable pile, a Temple of Apollo. See s Survey of ancient British Idolatry, ■ a Sermon of Dr. Plarfcre, preached, in 1 . • 7 J . before the University of Camhrid \ The fbui iC m io nari es supported by our Church in India are Danes or Hermans of the Lutheran Communion. 104 EAST INDIES. " shall glorify thy name"" — Do we believe this Divine record ? Or does the event seem so im- probable, that we absolutely despair of its ac- complishment; so that we no more expect it than the heathens themselves ? And is this de- spair the reason why we have not sent one torch amidst the darkness ?* * So long ago as 1762, the following eloquent and evan- gelic Appeal was made to Britain by the Bishop of Oxford, in consequence of her extensive conquests. With how much more justice may it be urged now! " A new field is now open to our labour. By the bless- ing of God on his Majesty's arms, it stretches itself to the uttermost parts of the globe. Our armies have gone be- fore us'; they have made the most distant countries acces- sible to our Missionaries, and brought multitudes innumer- able within the reach of our instruction. But where, in this ' wilderness,' can be found, ' bread from heaven' sufficient to satisfy their wants? Their wild untoward minds remain in the same savage state of ignorance in which they were formed. Their superstition, their prejudices, their brutal habits and inclinations, remain still unconquered. Our sword carried no instruction with it. It made them own and obey a superior upon earth; but it could not force their intel- lects; it could not open their hearts to receive and obey a higher faster in heaven, ' the one true God, and Jesus ' Christ whom he hath sent.' This victory over their hearts can be gained only by the force of Truth, ' by the Word of ' God.' But truth has no force where it is not perceived ; nor ' the Word of God,' where it is not published. Teachers must therefore be sent to explain and enforce it; and these in some proportion to the number who want it. New schools CIVILIZATION OF HIM DOI I a n . Hut it may possibly be alleged in i i these neglects, t:..' 1 the minds of the Hindoo- are "not accessible to reason and argument; that •• their superstitions ar< impregnable and tht far u prejudices invincible.' We ask tbeoj has the nation fulfilled her Christian obligation to thosa of virtue must be founded BCU Mininaries of religion planted ut u churches for Divine worship erected. The plenteousnesi of the harvest exceeda tin- powei of our hv bour tit gather it We most ' praj the I."r«l of the harvest * that he will send forth labourers.' The same good I *ri . \ i deuce, which, beyond all human expectation, has opened this extent of country to oar victorious forces, can equally open it for the entrance of Hia Word, ind auty, reason, have already opened it to our anas, in ordei to make a wa) t"i His Truth to follou them. 'The Sowers,' therefore, must ' go forth to sow 1 1 • « - seed;' and however mil ill it^ success ma) tt 6ra1 appear, u<- have no reason to despair of it* future growth. We knew to what oar Sai ioor has likened the kingdom of heaven: 'The kingdom of ' heaven i^ like unto a grain of Mustard Seed, which a man ' took and sowed in his field; which indeed is the least of all I . but when it is grown it i> the greatest among b< • ami becometh a rai i , so that the birds of the air come ' ami Itnl^e 111 the branches thereof.'" See Sermon bj Dr. Hume, Lou I Bishop of Oxfoad, preached besore the "Society fir the Propa* gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, oa Feb. in, 1762, p. n;. iiit above ■» ikaariptiw ef HaadeaSnn, 4.- it i-, or a- it will be. 10(5 EAST INDIES. orphans and outcasts, whose minds are pliant, who have yet no religion and seek a Faith ? Or, have we fulfilled " the new commandment " to- ward those natives who already profess Chris- tianity, but who are destitute of its institutions, and are wandering like sheep without a shepherd? ■ — " A new commandment I give unto you, that " ye love one another.''' Have we yet regarded these as " brothers," as " neighbours," as " par- " takers of the benefit" and of " the heavenly 4i calling r" What apology shall be offered for these omis- sions? It is this. The British nation, during the progress of conquest by a private Company, scarcely recognised the Hindoo people as he r charge. Her right in them, or her dominion over them, was not ascertained. Her relation to them was dubious. She did not (that is, the nation at large did not) view them directly as her children. This was literally the case. But she will acknowledge, we trust, that she views them as her children note. Besides the motives for giving Christian instruc- tian to India, which are purely Evangelical, and are common to all our possessions ; there are some considerations which refer to Hindostan exclu- sively ; and these are, Political and Moral. POLITICAL CONSIDERATE 107 POLITICAL CONSIDER A1 : The Diffusion of Christ iani'u favourable to tlie Perpetuity of our Empire in India. ()[ a Indian Empire bee been called an Empire of Opinion ; by which expression is intended, Thai our Becuritj is dependent, in a great mea- sure, on the opinion of the people; and that this opinion m;iv be easily changed. And it is believed that the opinion may he easily changed, because the natives are of one religion, and are of another. It they were of the same religioo with oorselves, we should understand their principle-, and might, by degrees, repose confidence in them, as we do* in our subjects at home. In time there would be a common interest, and some reciprocal af- fection, between us. But these cordial .senti- ments cannot exist in any great degree, where the principles of each are not fully understood. Even between- the religion of England and the prevailing religion of Ireland, there e\i~t want of harmony and want of confidence. How much ter must be the dissonance between i hrifl oanity and Paganism I 108 EAST INDIES. What, then, is the expectation of intelligent minds on this subject, founded on the maxims of wisdom and experience? Is it to be expected that we shall continue to awe the minds of sixty millions of Hindoos and Mahometans for ages to come, by a force of thirty thousand men ? Can we reasonably expect that this empire of opinion will never be dissolved ? And even if we did, is it right (to anticipate a moral consideration) for a Christian nation to subjugate a people for no other purpose than to export their wealth ? But, to return to the political consideration. We know that this empire of opinion is in danger of receiving a concussion from time to time. What is the cause of that anxiety about the fate of India, manifested on every arrival of tidings from that country ? What occasions in our breasts that continual dread of conspiracy and massacre? The cause of it is evident. It is owing to our want of confidence in the people. We are con- scious that we do not understand their principles ; and we think it perfectly natural that Pagans should wish to liberate themselves from the yoke of Christians. Is, then, the nation to remain in this state of conscious alarm and trepidation for ever? But, again : Is not this alarm heightened, in POLITICAL CONS! dkka i [OJi B. log v.mc degree bj in apprehension-, That we have been deficient in duty to that people? Let nation bonestlv examine itself on this point And thai ire may do justice to the examination, let aa Bappose ■ possible ease. Let ns suppo that, in the course d event-, \w should be BUO% denlv expelled from India. What then would be our reflections, on the occasion of lUCh an event : It we had faithfully performed our dut\ Christian people to the natives, mid off red th so far a> circumstances would permit, that i blessing which Heaven hath conferred on man- kind; we might be able to submit with >ome fortitude to the dispensation, and say, " God '•'was pleased to employ Great Britain as bia •' instrument to restore the Light of Truth to the Eastern World; and that service being per- ' formed, lie withdraws her from the scene." Hut if, a- i- the case, we had done little 01 nothing for India, what would be our reflection* on such an event a- that we have BUpposed : Hoh poignant would be the national reinor And now opprobrious the fact, in the record oJ history, tor au r es to come! That great philo pher and statu unan, Edmund Burke, made the following observation in Parliament marly thi rears ago: M It' the English should be suddenly 110 EAST INDIES. " driven from India by an angry and retributive " Providence, no trace would be left that a " civilized people had set their foot on it, ex- " cept," he indignantly adds, " by the desola- " tion of war," This sentiment was repeated very lately in India, on an occasion which natu- rally called it forth, by a person who had better opportunities of knowing the actual state of the country than Mr. Burke could have possessed. After witnessing the troops marching against each other, and not knowing, for a time, what would be the fate of the Empire, he made the following remark when the danger was over : " It cannot but have occurred to every reflect- " ing mind, in looking back on past scenes, if it " had pleased God, in his Providence, to dis- " possess us of our dominions, how little would " have remained to shew, That a people, blessed " with the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, " had once borne sway in this land ! But now," he adds, in allusion to the translation of the Scriptures, " the Word of God, in all the lan- " guages of India, will be an enduring Monu- " ment of British Piety and Liberality, for which " the sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving will " ascend to the Most High to the latest gene- " ration *." Christian Researches, p. 290, 4to. POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS. Ill It lias lollg been the reproach of Great Britain, that she extends her Territories far her Com- merce alone. ^ tiiis true, or is it not? If it be true in any degree, what better opportunity can oiler than the present, for inking away the re- proach for ewer? Nothing exists, at this mo- ment, to prevent her meditating measures of grand importance to the human race. We would here repel an argument against the civilization of India, and particularly against giving it a religious establishment, deduced from the ex- ample of America. English India, it is alleged, it' wed taught, will, by and by, revolt and fall off, like America, from the parent -tatc Now \vc i that the fote Of America ifl the mOSl powerful instance mat i an l> adduo d, of the expediency and necessity of establishing the Church of Eng- land in India. What then was me case of America : America, at the time of the Revolution, was peopled with Indians and Dissenters. Almost every religious m ct bad, in the progress of time, acquired a w< and celt brity in the country superior to that of me Church of England. That Church bad not an authorised representative m the whole land. It had not the constituent privilege of the smallest sect It was properly no visibU Church. When, therefore, a commotio.! took place, there Wl re but lie EAST INDUS. few persons to vote for the Church of England, or for Che constitution to which she belonged. And she fell. Had a majority of the Americana been attached to the Church of England, ami had that Church maintained its osH oriole rank among the other denominations as at home, would tin Ann - rican Revolution have taken place : We have no warrant to believe that it would, judging from the ordinary event- in the common course of human affairs. Prom the fete of America, then, do we derive, or not. an argument in favour of giving an Eccle- siastical Establishment to the West Indies, to Hindostan, to South Africa, and t-» New South WaU- : * * The Remonstrance o( Bishop Lowth, in 1771, in ra- v.Hir of giving an Ecclesiastical Establishment to Vmerica in tiim . seem! almosl to haw been written as prospective of the state ofoui Church in India, and of the tartly attention to its claim : "The proper and oolj remedy hath long since been " pointed out;— the appointment of one or more resident « Bishops, for the exercise of offia b purely Episcopal in the " American Church of England; for admhristring tlie so- « Ion and edifying Rite of Coni •■ii;m.\ti-»n r; for ordain- " ma Idrnktm immI superintending their, conduct -offices to « which the members of the Church of England have an •' undeniable claim, and from which they cannot he pre- " eluded without manifest injustice and oppression. The de- " sign hath been laid before the publie in the most unex- " ceptionable form: and it hath been supported again. t POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS. 113 The Di fusion of Christianity not obnoxious to the Natives. But, it we use means to convert the natives to Christianity, will they not rebel? This unfounded surmise seems to have been well calculated to impose on the minds of men at a distance from the scene. It was first sug- gested by very honest, probably, but certainly not well-informed minds; which, in their view of India, mistook a part for the whole ; and, in con- sidering a particular act of some native troops for which they could not account, thought of ascrib- ing it to motives which never entered into their minds. Prudent and peaceable means of extend- ing the Christian Religion will not be the cause of rebellion in India, while we have afoot of land in the country. The natives are entirely a di- vided people in religious sentiment. They differ " every objection, which unreasonable and indecent oppo- " sition hath raised, by arguments unanswered and unan- " swerable." See Sermon by Robert, Lord Bishop of Oxford, preached before the " Society for the Propa- gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts,'' on Feb. 15, 1771, p. 17. I 114 EAST INDIES. from one another, as well as from us. There arc numerous Casts of Religion, and differences of religious belief, amongst them. Missiona- ries of various sects, Christian, Mahometan, Brahminical, and Boodhist, have existed among them from time immemorial. There is no novel- ty, as some in England consider it, in the attempt to convert the Asiatics to Christianity. It began in Hindostan more than a thousand years ago. But such facilities as are now presented to us for influencing the minds of men throughout these extensive provinces, were never before possessed by any Christian people, Prudent and peaceable means of instruction, exercised on the multitudes of orphans who have no religion, on persons grown up who have lost their cast and seek a faith, and on Christians who scarcely know why they are called by that name, (for these are the three descriptions of persons who will chiefly engross the labours of Mission- aries for some time to come) will not excite to rebellion ; but will call forth, in a few years, a general expression of thankfulness from all parts of India, to the British nation. It is not intended, by the foregoing explana- tion, to urge the Legislature to adopt any direct POL IT I ( \ I CONSI Dl .... ] | j means, in the way of expensive establishment, fot proselyting the natives. This is, indeed* a dutyj but we have another duty which is oreati which will Ik.- noticed presently. All that is ex- pected at present, in regard to ti..- native . i . Thai the governing power would i ! hostile to the measure of instructing them ; which, certainly, with some exception, has hitherto been tlic case. It has been even attempted to jus ify this hostility: not indeed b\ the governing power, but by its avowed defenders. It has been at- tempted to justify it, on the plea of M danger to " the country," and on the plea of the " Buffi- u ciency ot' the BrahminicaJ faith;" two argu- ments which every man, who is competent to i an opinion on the subject, will consider to be of equal value. " Whatever," ther fore, "" was 11 the plea, the attempt has been made" we write it with shame) " to justify hostility to the Chris* 11 tian instruction of the natives of India. "' But the adoption of means for the instruction of the natives, is not the primary point of Eng- land's duty, in relation to her Indian Empire. She owes her primary obligations to her own chil* dren. This is her supreme doty. Let us first give religious advantages to our own countrym and the adoption of means for the more general and systematic instruction Of the natives may be 1 16 EAST INDIES. expected to follow, in due time. Let us first or- ganize our own Church in Asia, and then that Church will be the fittest instrument for carrying on the general conversion and civilization of the natives. Advantage of a Religious Establishment to the British Soldier in India. The political expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for India, is not less evident than its religious obligation. When our countrymen go forth thither, they go, in general, never to return. It has been calculated, on an average of forty years, that, of the number of English who enter into the India service, not a tenth part see again their native land. If this be the fact, ought not their religion to follow them to that inhospitable clime ? — to be their solace in their exile ? — 'to be the guardian of their morals ; and their defence against supersti- tion, or ultimate atheism ? And is not this a pro- per question to be submitted to the wisdom and justice of the British Parliament? Of a thousand soldiers in sickly India, there will generally be a hundred who are in a declining state of health ; POLITIC! L CONSIDEEATION8. 1 17 ifter a long struggle with the climate, and with totemperana fallen into a dejected hikI hopeleM state o| mind, and wear away their tine in painful reft on tin ir distant lion their absent families, and the indiscn tiona oi past life; but whose hearts would revive \% i t li iit tin m, on their entering < (ay nothing <>t t:..- 100,000, ami upward, of Halt'-ca^t de- scendants of the English, most <»t" whom are brought up, ml least aominally, as Protestant Christians, let ua reflect on the peculiar situation ot" tin' English inhabitants in India. These 30,000 persons are in circumstances w ry different from I 10,000 in England. They are dif- fused in small societies, in more than a hundred different stations, through various provinces of an extensive empire; and they arc necessarily w.'uicii and ehUdfen included, the} UBottnt, probably, to doable th.it anaber. in Episcopal Establithmeal i v given t-> Canade, ■lthoagli taere ire o»Jj twelve oleigynKB, including the Bishop, in tin. w\i>>\< Piovisfce. 118 FAST INDIES. thus distributed, in order to govern and retain the country. If, then, a clergyman be not appointed to each of these stations, tlie inhabitants of it must remain destitute of religious instruction ; for there is, probably, no place within reach whither they can go to obtain it*. But it may be asked, If these 30,000 English are diffused over the country in such a manner, how are they supplied with medical aid? — This aid, however, is supplied most abundantly ; and, we may add, most humanely, and in a manner reflecting the highest honour on the East-India Company. An English surgeon is appointed to almost every small society of English, military or civil, throughout the immense empire of llin- dostan ; although some of the stations are nearly 3000 miles asunder. A civil magistrate or com- mercial resident in Bengal, for example, it he live at a place remote from the chief towns, and * In the parish of St. Mary -le-bour, in London, there we 50,000 inhabitants (adults) and the churches will contain only '20,000. In this case, the 30,000 who cannot be ac- commodated in their own parish, may go into the parishes in the vicinity. But the 30,000 in India cannot go to pa- rishes in their vicinity. The British soldier may wander abroad indeed on the Sunday morning, and may possibly meet a Hindoo procession ; but he will not be likely to rind a Christian church. POLITICAL COy 8IDEBA1 i ) ]•> re only a few English families near him, will apply to Government for a surgeon. And would, no doubt, apply for a chaplain also, il could bop advanta , u< •• his small Then an . at this time, on the fodia 1 nt, according to the printed Lists oi . t-India Company for \&\3;four hundred and ' Burgi ons and assistant surgeons ; < ive of those belonging to the King's trooDS. The number of chaplains, in the same Lists, is thirty-Ji\ l } n ofthi Trto pi in India. disaffection of the British troops in [ndia is a moral phenomenon, t<> account for which, two bodies of writers in the nation are in ai inst i ach other. The facl its< It' is notori There has existed disturbance among the British diery (officers and privates in India, w an instance of it is to be beard of any where < be — The folio* ing states* nt is submitti d on this Bubj< ct The military m India arc under rery poculiai 1£0 EAST INDUS, circumstances They have scarcely any religious advantages. Whatever aid, therefore, religion may afford to loyalty and subordination (and ■who will deny that its aid is great?), they certainly possess it not. Further, their habits of thinking suffer a great change by long residence in a country so different from their own. After being many years absent from their native shores, which they never ex- pect to revisit ; living, moreover, in a state of comparative luxury and ease; seldom, perhaps never, witnessing the solemnities of the Christian Religion, yet daily beholding the superstitious rites of the natives ; they degenerate into a state of mind, which it is difficult for their country- men at home to understand. One general effect is a spirit of independence, and indifference to the opinion of the world. The Christian Education of the Persons sent, to govern India rarely perfected. Those of our countrymen, who administer the government of India in its civil and military departments, arc sent forth, in general, to that country, at so early an age. that their religious PO] IT ic \i COV8IDEKAT1 1-1 principi I-' bo means fixed. Ami if, daring the first yean < instnN tinn, | I i m ntiuit iit- i ticism; or, ;it l< I ing into ;i stafc oi absolute indifl about the ( 5hi istian R< ligion. I nil* e tuch i i:uiu>tai i the 1 n.ulish nation DC SUrplTft d. if the majority <>i persona \» !»u have had theif educatiofl in India (Whin- ■ Christian edm titjn i- m rarely pi rfi cted I, Bhouid 1 1 I inst our off I .1 isti uiity to th Th< ir prejudice ia ool properly their own fault, hot the fault of tin ir education, and o( tin if count which will send forth ■ number of youog men, in constant annual -nee. ssinn, to govern :> g empire, and then leavt their pliant minds at the up rev of Brahminical morals and theology, ol licentiousneM and infidelity. The establishm* nt of the College of Port William has certainly ar- te ited, in ■ degree, the progre s s of this evil : but i I institution is but 1 it oi i stem of amelioration for British India, which, it i> hoped, the National L gislature will no* compl< The establishment of Hertford ( i in Eng- land, promises also to be instrumental in I ition oi India; it having already sent forth young men, whose proficiency in Oriental learn" mg hi panied by principles which will sustain I nour of Christianity. I is in- \ C 2 C 2 LAST INDIF-. deed was to be expected from an Institution, the professed object of which was not only to inform the student in classical and Oriental lite- rature, but to Ji.v his principles of religion, and to fortify his mind with solid arguments and sound reasoning (imparted by a regular course of in- struction), by means of which be should be ena- bled to repel the sophistry of scepticism and infi- delity. Some of those persons, who have passed most of their lives in India, say, that they think it impracticable to convert a Hindoo ; and they really mean what they say. Living the whole pe- riod, while their principles werejurmiJig, in the midst of heathen domestics, and in a place where perhaps not a single act of Christian worship ever presented itself to their view, they considered it as impossible that a Hindoo should become a Chris- tian, as that they themselves should live to preach the Gospel. And when they come home, and arc- assailed by their friends for having been so in- different to the instruction of the natives, it be- comes an easy and short defence to allege, in one word — impracticability. But this objection can only be made by those, who, having resided but in a certain part ot India — for example, Bengal — have never seen a Hindoo Christian in their lives. Those of our coun- [TIC A 1 COW SI ( who livi I '. an o|> 01 tunit\ ( 'ii: and can ' unenf ol im- practicability ; l,,it the Ol < id tin-, inn ^t mi iii it ( Christians, until the British Parliament tkall be graciously plea to afford them the I 'hriitian fir/ intendance and instruction. trek and s dismembered in India* tion, iii a political point of view, is, »hm< nt •nr Indian Ian, i . ' QUTCh ami St llil tain longer dismembered. It will lunik alleged, that there ia any Chorcfa in tndi • ban in Jamaica. The Cm;: I DM m now all' ' "K ami as a «in< i portion <»t" tlic n country. I n I nl circumsl i I I most eminent men in ti both civil I military, v. mo an mosl lik< kub to aintry and to : il to In< an : nati\( - | orf tin* om i . It i K'4 EA8T txdif.s. tants, that they have no personal interest id the country. And thus it has come to pass, That, notwithstanding the beautiful system of law, justice, and humanity, which emanates from our Christian code, the whole scheme of our govern- ment and supcrintendance has, in their view, a mercenary character. But if the Church were established in India, something would be permanent. Some portion of British interest and respectability would remain, and be identified with the people and the country. In the old Romish Settlements, even where the political power is gone, the Bishop is generally found on the spot, acting as representative of the people, and as correspondent with the Government at home, his establishment having survived poli- tical revolutions: for it is agreeable to Asiatic principle, to respect religious men, and religious endowments. It must appear evident, we think, even to those who are not much acquainted with local circum- stances, That the establishment of our Church in India would be a constant source of respecta- bility to the national character; would supply a useful correspondence with the mother country ; and would establish a new ground of attachment and respect on the part of the natives. M'lK A I |&5 A •> appeal to the justice or humanity o\ I is na- liun, has seldom been made in vain. Jint it alwi I the public mind .should l»« in -t fully informed on the abject, ling which the appeal has been made. The question ui the A Trade n Pai li t for a considerable tune, whj I I ing i rick » unjusl ami inhuman nature of the traffic ; ssad the cause of the loi abolition seems to have been, that it t mini ut. to i ii'!' ' olition. omen! transmitted to the ( lourt of D the off* I of that Oft* r, das : the irh ul' which ha< hccn in a \oluinc tntit d " IIiihIu Intuit Phis disclosui to haw I by Provideno the British Parliament, uh< n deliberating on the moral obligations due from a Christian nation a heathen people whom it bafl BUDJ ' I to ltfl ■ r. The inhabitants poo- dance \\ ith < 'oloix 1 Walker, d tice «>i in irdi . ing th< C male children, on tin , laid, " were ibaken;* 1 and the Bombay ( vewweut could " look to tin- gradual accomplish* incut ot the object:" but it cannot be expect I that tlic practice ihould l>c abolished suddenly, or in t> short timti I ■ rone, who i acquainted with tlic character ot" the Hindoos, well too that they will not mu< I their engagement! on itch a subject, ii i ' British Government do not manifest a continual solicitude about performance. This will Mppatf mOTC evident from tiie practice which wf are t*» notice in next section. The Uonourable tb I I [ndia Company will, no doubt, he anxmi to aocompaisb a maai win npiciously begun : bul it H i dm due to its impoftano Solicitude of British mind-, that the u.ition -,'iuuld he informed, through tin' Iih}xm; I rtiament, wiiat diminution i> made from year t-> rear m | 130 EAST INDIES. number of three thousand female infants, our fellow-subjects, annually sacrificed (by the last calculation) in our provinces of Cutch and Gu- zerat. It is proper to add, that the practice of Infan- ticide is also prevalent in Provinces which are subject to the influence of the Government of Bengal. The Burning of Women. The custom of women burning themselves with the bodies of their deceased husbands, prevails, in a greater or less degree, over almost the whole of Hindostan ; but is most frequent in Bengal, and in the other Provinces contiguous to the Ganges. The number of females, thus sacrificed annually, has been computed at different times during the last fifty years, by persons possessing competent means of judging, and has been reckoned at many thousands. But an accurate statement of the number can never be expected, until the British Government shall order an annual Re- port of the sacrifices to be made from all the Provinces. In the year 3 304, an account was taken under MURA / ( ON |] Dl HA I I I v i ! the ■ intendance of the Shanscrit Pi in t I \\ illiam burnings n ithin tin. I I utta, in the l\ mOQthS, H ::!'!i .llli'illl dred aii uti- cularsofpli ifterwards published in( ami remains uncontradicted by any authority to this day *. h I'n !• had bo □ any doubt ol its I rovernmenl could nave din limilai Report to bo made, at any period during the last Beven yeai s. For the fa t ma) al any tin;- . I who made I first Report, or persona equally well qualifit on the spot to make a * < ond Bui I • truth is, the Bengal I orient had no wish to au- thenticate the document of blood \. Some persons in England, judging from the few instances which they themselves wil while in India, have alleged, that the number •• M. noil "it th. Ej i" dii dcj of to I Establishment f"i British ln«li.t." 1 ...ini..n. i r.\ .1 li it. it 3 i .-. ■ ' Pi tint his "|imii>ii is, lent <>t the 1 .rul.it* that I ni'ii tnouall) hum with the " l»...ii I busb*nd 5 / from Dr. I M January . \ • win. | 1 18. 132 EAST INDIES. of women annually burned cannot possibly be so great. But what is there gained to the question of humanity and national duty, by making some deduction? Suppose that, instead of the number contained in the Report, there were only fifty women burned alive annually, within thirty miles round Calcutta? Or, suppose that there were only twenty ? And who, that has been a single year in Bengal, will venture to deny this? Sup- pose even that there were only five in the year ? Yea, suppose there were only one human sacri- fice ? Is it possible that the British Parliament will permit even ONE innocent female, a British subject, to be solemnly devoted to d^ath, if it may be prevented ? But, CAN SLCH A SACUII1CE BE PREVENTED? — This is the question, which we trust the Le- gislature will propose to the East- India Company. We may just mention, that it has been prevent- ed at some places already. No deluded female is permitted to sacrifice herself at Bombay. The English Government at that place will not sutler it. And the natives, knowing the existence of the law, never think of asking permission. The fact is, the Mahomedan Government prohibited the burning of womrn in Bombay island ; and the English Government, which succeeded it, had courage and humanity enough to imitate the ex- ample. MORAL COW PERATIi US Now, that which was dou< be done at Calcutta. Some of the Brahmins themselves have pointed out in what —ram the ■ie sacrifice may b< eaariderably diminished, and gradually i I u^ an ind for our apertioos, the) have shewed h tnat the inhuman riu , M it H now commonly practised, i» not sanctioned by their .-acred boo.- Is there not, then, some ground for the inter- ference of the Legislature! T - first step toward accomplishing the humane object would be, to direct that the Bengal Government should report whether it may not be practicable to diminish the, j number of the female sacrifices annually made within their province?. We are confident, that the Bengal Government will never assert that it is impracticable to dimi;, B amber. The native inhabitants of Bengal are M accessible to and affectionate n -monstrance, M the inha- bitants of Guzcrat. "By dllCIIMIMJ the subject u frequently," Bay* Colonel Walker, "in the public " Cutcliery, and expoajpg t ■ •' I nonnity of the M practice, as contrary to the precepts of rel " and the dictates of nature, every Cast can 14 Wngth to express an abhorrence of Inlanti- •« Memoir" Ih-I'vit quoted. 134 EAST INDIES. " cide ; and the obstinate principles of the Jare- " jahs began to be shaken." What then, we would ask, is to prevent the officers of Government, who administer justice to the more civilized inhabitants of Bengal, from dis- cussing with them the practice of burning women alive, and endeavouring to convince them that it is " contrary to the precepts of religion and the dic- " tates of nature?" It is well known, that several instances have occurred, where the lives of females have been saved by the affectionate remonstrance and inter- ference of individuals. But the English Govern- ment preserves a profound silence on the subject. And it is to be feared, that this silence is con- strued, by the ignorant and superstitious people, into a moral indifference about the act. It has been alleged, that this practice will be gradually abolished by the Hindoos themselves, under the influence of English civilization. This would no doubt be the case, if the English Nation would be at pains to civilize the Hindoos. But we have the evidence of the fact to prove, that the existence of the English in Ilindostan has had little influence in diminishing the frequency of the female sacrifice. That small portion of the ixtfiw MORA I I 13 J ,»!<•. indeed, who arc brought up where I .■ I i their jwejudia - • lam .1 the matt ol (be |>u|»u- . n mains as ii u In ( SoIoim I Do ii iry of i [iodostan, w i •• All : in Bengal, i . |.t in the 1'i.u • inhuman custt " which the Mahomet ma i " m I. w e must not permit jo " widows, in their virtuous enthusiasm, to I pile with their «:■ lebanda; or the nek and aged t<> Ik- drawn ■• r . friends despoil VoL lii. |». 1 - How ii. 4 our subjects in I rished in tin- flames, and in the river, iince the p< nod when the afa written ' How mat emd lives would 1. . nad tii' if this a i iter b< « n ittended to b) the nation! But what u the i tati i .i ■ " burning of women, and drowningoftlx point of civil i« .- n ilif Mahomedani l( is Ukel) iu rernaia i 156 EAST INDIES. of the widow, and of " him that is ready to pe- rish," do not now reach the ear of the British Parliament. We say the " prayer of the widow;'* for it ought to be understood in England, that the burning of the widow is not always her own act. It is more properly the act of the Brahmin. No woman would go to the pile, unless the act was consecrated by the Brahmin, — by his presence, and by his prayers. It is not true that the woman al- ways goes to the pile voluntarily. By no means. She sometimes runs away in terror ; and towns are actually prepared for the residence of those unfortunate persons, who, by running away, dis- grace themselves and family, and lose their casts *. And it is well known, that sometimes the victim is held forcibly, that she may not bring dishonour on her house. No man will believe, that a young person of twelve or fourteen years will always go willingly to the flaming pile. No ! The act is, in many instances, murder; murder in the proper sense of that term ; murder deliberately perpe- trated f. The Mahometans would never allow • Nuddeah on the Ganges, and others. t " They shed innocent blood: even the blood of " their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed ** unto the idols of Canaan; and the land was POLLUTED • with blood." Psalm cvi. 38. m< i "7 air, woman among thtir subjeett to be ban « ithout Ibc oHi<»' the dtlfhti India which ii |>n — tmitj ihed, b inncm I li r blood ; tad th.it tli.-N IN vi. nii.rd t.. tin- \ 'In- land : t'-»r the its of the idol attend, tlit name of the idol is invoked, and the lit'.- uln. li o . UMgoltboi is a gift to tin- il-l. Not will it be lifitti bj Wj ( 'liri-.ti.in. that the lain! is " POL- " Lfll'.I) with blood," ]>.irtnvil.u In th. land >f Bengal. And yet, in the plenitude of wcrawl proeperity, and ofthat moral t<.i|...r which it too often inflicts, mm are capable of >a>iuj;, " India enjoys the perfection of British Haftdiniiu--.ti.iti. 'ii. The iM.i.-ht. M not tin- C.in.ianitcs) arc MjCWtd ii the above quotation 1 1 • in HoJj & lipturc; ami. in thi following verses, it is said that (io own inheritance" for such enormities, and, as a punishment, " pave them into " the hands of the heathen,' -tho»e verv heathen at whoee iiiu). | tin \ iciun>id. 138 EAST INDIES. Women are led to death, who have committed no crime: lives are lost to the state: Christianity is dishonoured : and the mild and humane princi- ples of English law, saving irom personal wrongs and protecting human life, are exercised in that country in vain. The legislative measures, as before observed, for arresting the progress of this destructive super- stition, are simple and obvious. It is only ne- cessary to direct, that the Indian Administration make an annual return of the number of Burnings in their Provinces ; and report on the means that have been used for lessening their frequency. When the English Government in Hindostan rind that the attention of the nation is directed to the object, it will be seen that means will soon be found to accomplish the end. Whatever be the number of sacrifices in the report of the first year, it will diffuse a lively satisfaction through the nation, to see that the number of these de- voted females is reduced the year following, and decreasing every successive year. The progress of civilization will thus be evident to the world ; and all men will acknowledge, That Britain occu- pies India for the advantage of its inhabitants. MOM • •■ / fairy. [Tie fact, n;ili ■ ii □ I k idolatrous Natives •l a practice can be j I pi inciple hi • 1 1*.-< I by in Hindostan, for man] . and it has !><■» ii i I and al home, on thr iund ot" it- being l rmiu nt- It i ta count • viin not justifiabh ; and th< p isdoni i I t. At I J at 1)1:1. I rnment levj Pi'. .1 _!i»h ( >ffici i is appoint* d to rei J n. to colli ct th< i .. and a sum is Ated towards defraying tl.< Mol Now, n i- vrell known, : •iii:- s ] olluted I • • tin ( it rnal bcu!| I temple marking I 140 EAST INDIES. therefore, to Christian minds is this, That money taken from the Idolaters for sufferance to engage in these horrid solemnities, should be brought immediately into the national treasury*. * In justice to the Court of Directors, as to the part which they have taken in this matter, we subjoin the fol- lowing statement : The first law enacted by the Bengal Government on this subject was entitled, " A Regulation for levying a Tax " from Pilgrims resorting to the Temple of Juggernaut, and " for the Superintendance and Management of the Temple • —passed 3d April, 180G." This is the law which Mar- quis Wellesley did not approve ; and he actually left the Government without giving his sanction to it. Mr. Udny, a Member of Council, also protested against it. — The second law was passed in Bengal, in April 1809, rescinding so much of the first as related to the " interior management and con- u troul " of the temple ; but sanctioning '* the levying a " Tax from Pilgrims for admission to the Temple ; allotting " a Sum towards the expenses of the Idol ; and appointing " an Officer of Government to collect the Tax." — The Ben- gal Government had announced to the Court of Directors their intention of enacting this second law, before they pass- ed it. When the subject came under the notice of the Court of Directors in the year 1808, they thought it proper to propose a distinct statement of their opinions upon it to the Bengal Government ; and they prepared a letter, in which they en- joined, That the Government should not elect the priests who were to superintend the affairs of the Temple, or exer- cise a controul over its ministers or officers, or take the management of its funds ; and that the exercise of the au- MOK A I. COVSIDZBAT1 N I When the Jewish Sanhedrim n thirty piecea of BuVer firov Judas, thee isd, " It •• is not lawful for to pet them into the treasury, f'm.ntN if Otininminl ihoold extend ooij to objects Mhng direct)] within the provim e of flic Magistrate ; ai the i in of tke police, die edatfnistration of jnstke, and the <-.,l!ec- fi..ii of okI ••» tax, pjofceeedrv fur bV m ends, m nnoeld be laaniinl aw the dne attainment ofthei 1 1 sol nbjeeting the Himloos t<» any tax fee access to th.ir place of devotion, or naderthe aotioa of panting them t religions privilege, or of tolerating Idolatry, in consideration of money. The Court of Directon, however, were over-rnled h thai pre inii,' ii\ i in perior ealhority, which thought it mmcient loacoaaMec aaneieJIv ■ what the Bengal Geveinaaent ha% mbatitttted, in which it «a> itati d, That, u the Tea on Til grhns retorting to Aflahabad ind Jnggernaul wasestabhshed daviag the Nawaab'i end the Mahratta Govenrment, there did n<>t a p p ear to be toy objection to ha » oaannani - sweat tlic British Government Thii inbetitnted «li-piw h went, as r 1 1«- law directs, in the name of the Court of Directors, althou»h it was in opposi- tion to tli' n tenements. But, before il irrived in Bengal, lac Qovemmenl there had patted, bj their own snthority, Hi.- Regulation of April I::"!', being the i< recited, and which we rappo* bow <\m>, mnctJoniag Uie 1. ryatg "t i Tax from pilgrim', ' allotting •» nam toward the nvpeatete/ *'«• I I .•pp" 111 ' ing an O'ficcr of (ioxcrnment to COQl I I li" ' I | Court of Director* will !>• tbfc tO inform tin- I httarc whether Urn Ooveraatenl hi I ' "• lead to make, any fsttbei alteration in the i« 142 EAST IN'DI£S. " because it is the price of blood."' The Sanhe- drim had not themselves been guilty of the deed : but they did not think it lawful, or decorous, that the price of blood (a sum given for another man's sin) should be brought into tne national treasury. This is the light in which many will consider the Tribute levied on the Idol-worship. It cannot but be called '• the price of idolatry," and of an idolatry, too. stained with blood ; and the\ will not think it decorous to bring it immediately into the public treasury. The English Government is not itself guilty of idolatry : but, to receive money from the Native? for permission to worship the idol, aid to apportion a certain sum for the expenses and decoration of the idol, is certainly to countenance, in some degree, the act of idolatry in others. In what degree need not be determined. Xo man will allege mat it is to discountenance it. — This then is the offence to minds imbued by Christian principles. The transaction is not decorous in a Christian Government. It has " the appearance of evil/' us CON CI TflEftl urc other subject?, besides those contained in this Brief View, which will be thought wor- thy of the attention of the Legislature, whenever it shall be pleased to enter on the ii tion of the moral and religious state of our Colonial Possessions and Asiatic Empire, Nor will it practicable, perhaps, in one Session, to do all winch may be thought necessary tor the honour of Christianity, and for the advantage of our coun- trymen and native subjects in our foreign domi- nions. The subjects of commerce, of revenue, and of extension of local dominion, are entitled to the serious and frequent attention of the Legislature: but the extension of truth in the world, and of happiness, its attendant, is not inferior in import- ance to these; and the consideration of subject upward of two centuries ago, laid the foundation of our pn nation. It is certain, that a large proportion of the learn- ed and enlightened individuals in this kingdom are of opiniui, M That more ought to - fbf 144 CONCLUSION. "Christianity, than has been done;'' and they look forward, with solicitude, to the measures which Parliament shall in its wisdom adopt, in regard to the future state of the people of dif- ferent countries, climates, and languages, con- cerning whom it is about to deliberate*. * We are happy to see congenial sentiments expressed by members of the American Legislature. One of them, deprecating the continuance of the war between Britain and America, makes the following evangelic appeal: " Shall the only two nations upon earth, who worship the *' only and true God in purity; the two nations, who are " conjoined in their exertions to send the word of life — the " word of the only and true God — to the heathen of " the east; shall these two nations imbrue themselves in " each other's blood, and sacrifice themselves as victims " on the altars of Moloch ? "See Mr. Randolph's Speech in Congress, at Washington, on the 13 th of January, 1813. These are auspicious sounds in the legislative discussions of a nation, in regard to the evangelization of the East. May we hear voices in the British Parliament respond to them ! To send " the Word of Life to the Heathen of the " East," is indeed an undertaking worthy the united ex- ertions of our enlightened countries. But a nation cannot be said to have engaged in such a work, until it shall have been sanctioned by the national council. When that is done — when nations shall have publicly and solemnly devoted themselves to such a labour of love toward their fellow-crea- tures abroad, they will not long fight with each other at home. And then would be realised those promised scenes CONCLUSION". 1 15 May God direct our measures ! May He, the God of our Fathers, who hath led this nation on- ward for many ages in a course of continued suc- cess and increasing fame, inspire her counsels; that sbe ni.iv not fell, at last, by her prosperity! And, remembering the Divine dispensation, that " Righteousni 99 exalteth a nation;" and that a people are necessarily rewarded or punished, as a nation, in this world, since they cannot be re- warded or punished, as a nation, in the world to come; may the righteous decrees of our Legisla- ture make it evident to the world, that this nation u hath chosen righteousness:" and that she doth not ascribe her present eminence to CHANCE or to the fate of empire, to the strength other fleets of to the valour of h< i -armies; bill that she belicveth '• there ia a (iod who judgeth in the earth," and who giveth to nations a recompense in this life, " according to their works ;"' of which works this is the chief, " To confess the name of the Son of God before men;" — while, on the other hand, an empire, which is founded in impiety, and exalted of the Gospel alreadj rtfli is ;i dream,* and •/ink to the grave i" unby the constant exhibi- tion of miracles ? Certainly not. A miracle may eouvinee the judgment, and demonstrate the power of a present Deity : but the mere view of a supernatural art cannot convert tin soul to righteousness of life, inspire love to God, charity l2 148 CONCLUSION. to man, and purity of heart. These are the effects of the Grace of God alone, accompanying his preached word. The miracles of the first age were merely the credentials of the Teachers (like the miracles of Egypt, to confirm the Divine mission of Moses), and were given as a solemn con- firmation, once for all, of the Divinity of the New Dispensa tion. But miracles were not the ordained and ordinary means of conversion. The Apostle Paul performed miracle3 but sel- dom ; and when he did perform them, they had not always a salutary effect on those who beheld them. When he wrought a public miracle in Lycaonia, the people first worshipped him, and called him Mercury; and then they proceeded to stone him ; and " they drew him out of the city, supposing " he was dead." Acts xiv. 19. Thousands beheld the . mi- racles of the Messiah in vain. What then were the ordained means of conversion in the first age? The same that are appointed in this age — the preaching of the cross. " Faith corneth by hearing." The Apostles declared the faces; that is, " they preached the word;" and God accom- panied the truth with his grace. This is the miracle to which St. Paul almost constantly refers in his Epistles to his con- verts, even " the grace of God, through which they had believed." He informed the judgment with facts, addressed the conscience with moral reasoning, and " the Holy Spirit guided their minds into all truth." This influence of the Holy Spirit was the miracle which produced the conversion of the heathen world in the first ages ; and the influence of the same grace (restricted to ordinary operation) exists now, agreeably to the promise that it should " abide for ever ;" and waits to accompany the word of those teachers, who khall faithfully preach the Gospel to the heathens of this day ; that is, who shall inform the understanding with the historic record, authenticate it with the legitimate proof, address the conscience with moral suasion, illustrate the COM 1 I BII )>Vj doctrine by their lives, and look to ■ superior Power both for conviction of the ondentBuding ind conversion of the heart . • See this subject ably illustrated in s diacou •■ I the Archbishop ot York, Dr. Vernon. 1 be position derived from the words oi c brisl is thus Btated i "A genuine faith in the Gospel end s sincere reception of " Christianity must originate from God alone, and from the " blessed influence of his Holy Spirit. N S >>\it. " i. in come to me, except the Pather* who hath sent me, draw " him." rmon before " The Society for the Propagation of the 1 pel in Pon ' m the year i7'.>!(, p. 12. SKETCH or as ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENT BRITISH INDIA. SKETCH OF AN ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISH. M KM Fon BRITISH INDIA. THE HONOURABLE COMPANY"" PRESENT ESTABLISH- MENT OF CLEK«.\ IN I\1)I \. 35 Chaplains, at a salary, on an average, of 800/. per annum L. 08,000 Station* 1 1 as follows : In Bengal 15 Chaplains* Madras 1:5 Bombay 5 Bencoolcn 1 Prince of Walo's Island . 1 — 33* * Se< ' Fast India Register for 1818," p. 28. The sii|n-nil in Bengal ia rather iftore than BOO/. In tlu • •tin i Presidenciei, it i- OOOt, and 700/. 154 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT. 3 Bishops. — Bengal, Madras, and Bombay. 3 Archdeacons. 40 European Chaplains; answering to Rectors in England. 60 Country Chaplains; synonirnous with Cu- rates in England; to be chiefly Natives and Europeans ordained in India. 100 Catechists and Schoolmasters ; Europeans and Natives. 3 Colleges for the instruction of Natives and Europeans intended for the Church. One in each Diocese. Estimate. Bishop of Bengal, or Archbishop of India. Residence in Calcutta. Sa- lary equal to that of Chief Justice in Bengal; about Z.8,000 Bishop of Madras. Salary equal to that of Judge at that Presidency . 6,000 Bishop of Bombay. Salary equal to Recorder at that Presidency; about 5,000 3 Archdeacons, at 3,000/. each .... 9,000 CEYLON'. 155 40 En-zlUh Chaplains at 1,000/ 40,000 60 Country Chaplain-; of whom 80 it 400/' each, an.1 40 at tOtt each. 16,000 loo Catechisfe and Bchookntatenj ol whom 50 at lOOt each, and .50 at 60/. each «» 000 S College* fof clerical instruction, at 9000& per annum, each 6,000 L. 98,000 Deduct present Establiahment . . • 88,000 Total Eccles 1 . Estab 1 . for Hindoataii . . £70,000 N. B. The whole expense of this Est.iWMimeiit would uot he required for MM JCtTf, MjOfl IB« in^tnu tioii and ordination of tin n.itue Teaih can uhU be accomplished by slou ilt i^reeS. CEYLON. The Ecclesiastical Estal>li>hment for Ceylon may, in general, be analogoui to thai of Hindostan ; only that there being but l< m European- in that island, a smaller number of European Chaplain! is required; and there being, on the other hand, a large population of 1\ it natures, a much greater Dumber of Country Chaplains, Catechiata, end Schoobnaatari aiust !»•■ appointed. — The 155 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. whole European Establishment which is required, in present circumstances, is, a Bishop, an Arch- deacon, and seven Chaplains ; there being seven principal stations in Ceylon. — The new Establish- ment to harmonise with the existing religious in- stitutions on the island. The insular Diocese of Ceylon to comprehend Java, Mauritius, and other islands. REMARKS. 1. The principle on which this Establishment is offered to the consideration of the Legislature, and of the East-India Company, is, That, by a system of gradual native instruction, India should be able, in the lapse of time, to teach itself. This prin- ciple will be more fully explained hereafter. 2. The present number of European Chaplains, is not (in the proposed Establishment) much in- creased ; for the increase of European Chaplains would not add much to the instruction of the na- tives. Provision, however, is made for Divine Service at the smaller stations, by Country Chap- lains. 3. An Ecclesiastical Establishment of a verv REMARKS. 157 simple nature is required in India. There is no place for Deans, Prebendaries, and Canons. Even the Romish Church has them not. There must, however, be an intermediate dignity between Bishops and Chaplains ; not only for the perform- ance of essential and appropriate duties, but to preserve some harmony of gradation in the Esta- blishment. The office of Archdeacon will be ex- plained hereafter. 4. The European Chaplains to be appointed, as at present, to the principal Civil and Military stations. 5. The Country Chaplains to be appointed to the subordinate stations, civil and military ; and, in some cases, to be assistants to the European Chap- lains ; as at Cawnpore and Berhampore, where there are large bodies of English troops. 6. The Schoolmasters to be placed at all the principal and subordinate stations ; and, particu- larly, in the vicinity of the Hindoo cities and great towns. In these places there are always some na- tives, who desire to learn the English language, and are ambitious to obtain a little European knowledge and Christian learning. 158 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA* EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED DIOCESES IN INDIA. 1. The local extent of each of the proposed Dioceses, supposing them to be defined by the limits of the present Presidencies, will be not less than that of the island of Great Britain. 2. The number of Protestant Christians in each Diocese will appear, from a calculation sub- joined to this Sketch, to be as follows : Protestants in Bengal. Civil and Military Officers, and Eu- ropean Inhabitants (men only) 4,108 King's Troops 7,200 Company's European Troops . . . 2,000 Half-cast Protestants * 50,000 63,308 Protestants at Madras. Civil and Military Officers, and Eu- ropean Inhabitants 2,455 King's Troops 8,100 Company's European Troops . . . 2,000 * See page 181. EXTENT OF DIOCESES. 159 Half-cast Protestants 40,000 Native Protestant Christians at Tanjore and the adjoining Provinces, from the Report of the Missionaries be- longing to " Society for promoting Christian Knowledge* " 15,000 65,555 Protestants at Bombay. Civi' Military, and Marine Officers, and European Inhabitants 1,283 King's Troops 4,500 Company's European Troops 2,000 Half-cast Protestantsf 20,000 27,783 * See " Seventh Report of Bible Society," p. 22. App. t The following List of Christians (Protestant and Roman Catholic) under the Presidency of Bombay, was made out in 1811, by the late Governor Duncan, and delivered to the Rev. Henry Martyn. — See his Letter, dated Bombay, 26th February, mil, in Calcutta Bible Society s Report for that year. From Basseen to Tarrapore 22,000 In Bombay 19,000 In Salsette 21,000 In Surat, Poona, and Coera 2,200 In Caranga 900 Christians under the Presidency of Bombay ... 65,100 In not ascertained by Mr. Duncan. Daman, 1 Diu, V Canara, ) 160 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. Abstract. Protestants in Bengal . .... 63,308 Protestants at Madras .... 65,555 Protestants at Bombay .... 27,783 At the three Presidencies . . 156,646 Protestants in Diocese of Ceylon. Civil and Military Officers, and Euro- pean Inhabitants 2,000 King's Troops 3,000 Native Protestants in Ceylon, by com- putation in 1801 (See Cor diner's Hist.Vo\.\.ipA63) 342,000 Protestants (Native and European) in Java, Mauritius, Bourbon, Am- boyna, Ternate, Banda, Malacca, Prince of Wales's Island, Canton, Sumatra, &c. taken at one half of the number in Ceylon * 173,500 Total Protestants in Diocese of Ceylon 520,500 * This is the only item in these Lists which is not offered on certain data. Some accounts make the Protestants in these Islands greatly to exceed those of Ceylon. EXTENT OF DIOCESES. 161 Total Protestants in Diocese of Ceylon 520,500 Add Protestants of three Presidencies 156,646 Total Protestants under the British > ^ ^ Government in Asia J N. B. The Roman Catholics are not included, as not being Protestants. The Syrian Christians are not included, as not being; under the British Government. M 162 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. OBSERVATIONS PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS OF THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT. I. THE BISHOP. Expediency of the Appointment. 1. A great impulse has been given, of late, to religion in India, from causes which we cannot controul ; and it will, no doubt, proceed, for the Scriptures are going forth in various languages at the same time. It is expedient, therefore, that this spirit should be properly directed, and kept, so far as may be practicable, within the channel of the Established Church. If there be not a Bishop of our Church to ordain native Priests for the people in India, it may be expected that teachers of other denomi- nations will pervade the country in a few years. 2. In the progress of the Christian civilization of the Natives of India, it is proper that they should have before their eyes the nature and form of our Church, and be witnesses themselves that EXPEDIENCY OF BISHOPS. 163 we do it honour, and do not despise it. When a native inclines to embrace the Christian religion, if he see that its ministers are respected by the State, and that Christianity in a Hindoo is recog- nised by Government, he knows that he shall have protection. At present, he sees nothing in Christianity but reproach and ruin. He sees no native Christian recognised, as such, by Govern- ment : he sees no native Christian raised to of- fices of trust or honour. Nay, the ignorance of the people is so great (particularly in Bengal, where there is no community of native Christians enjoying political consequence, as in the South), that "they doubt whether their civil liberties are equally secure to them under the denomination of Christian, as under that of Hindoo and Mnssul- mann. Ought we then directly to encourage the pro- fession of Christianity? Most undoubtedly, if it be from Heaven. We ought to encourage it, not in a mercenary, but in a moral manner; by recognising the principles of truth and justice inculcated in the New Testament; and con- fiding to natives, professing Christianity, such offices of trust and confidence as they may be qualified to fill. 3. If the formation of an Ecclesiastical Esta- blishment would operate in any -degree to coun- m 2 164 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. teract the system of discouragement above no- ticed, it would alone be an important benefit to India, and to Christianity. But the principal and immediate advantage of Episcopal superintend- ance in India, refers not to the natives, but to the Europeans. It is objected, that the Europeans are few in number (as if they were scarcely worthy of so much attention) ; that Bombay, for example, is a small Presidency to have a Bishop. Bombay i3 a small Presidency, but it is nevertheless an epi- tome of the English Government, and ought faithfully to represent that Government in Church and State. The Christian religion must be ac- knowledged at Bombay : I mean, the English religion, for the Roman Catholics have a Bishop at Bombay already. Let us recollect, moreover, that this small settlement has 7,783 Euro- peans ; of whom 842, being civil, military, and marine officers, are, it is to be presumed, men of liberal education, and of good connections in their own country. There are bishoprics in England and Ireland, which do not contain a greater num- ber of persons, of equal consideration, than there are in the settlement of Bombay. In Bengal there are 13,308 European Protest- ants (men); of whom, 2,589 are civil and military officers, most of them allied to the first families in CHARACTER AND DUTIES OF THE BISHOP. 1 65 this kingdom. Of these 13,308 men, a tenth part do not return to England. Their children, by English mothers, are generally sent home ; but their children, by native mothers, remain generally in the country. The parents desire, of course, to educate their children in the Piotestant faith; and to bring them., at the proper age, to the Bishop for confirmation, to renew the vows of baptism. But, as circumstances are, they must die in the country, and leave their offspring to select such a religion, among the various casts, as they shall choose. The expression which Bishop Lowth used, in respect to this conduct of the Church to- ward her sons, may be seen in another place* : it will not be here repeated. Character and Duties of the Bishop. 1. The Bishop ought to be himself a preacher. The natives will naturally look for the most per- fect example of the ministerial character in the Bishop. himself. A Bishop in India ought to be one, who shall maintain, in some degree, a pri- mitive and apostolical character, and devote himself much to preaching and episcopal visita- tion. No where in the world do the clergy more * See pafe 112, - 166 ECCLESV ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA, require the occasional admonition and encourage- ment of a superior, than in India; where the climate and the example conspire to throw them into a torpid state, as preachers of Christianity. 2. It is incredible how much good may be done in India, both in a spiritual and temporal sense, by a Bishop of exemplary life and manners. In the first place, he sees a "great harvest" before him, and he is the chief labourer. His diocese is not less, in local magnitude, than his native country. His piety would give some impulse to the zeal of his Clergy, stationed through this vast extent, and there would be no limit to the progress of native instruction and civilization. Again, his funds being ample (and it is for this reason chiefly that it is proposed they shall be such), he would have it in his power to do acts of liberality ; — to feed the poor Hindoos during the seasons of scar- city, to provide an asylum for outcast Chris- tians, and to acquire a character creditable and honourable to the Christian name. But, further, he approaches near to the rank of the Governor. He is the proper represeHtative of Christianity, and of his country. The Governor is recalled in a few years, but the Bishop remains. For what has an Indian Bishop to do in England ' He may, indeed, return for a season, to visit his friends, and refresh his health and spirits ; but, CHARACTER AND DUTIES OF THE BISHOP. 1 67 when he receives consecration as a Bishop for India, it ought to be with the spirit of a man who is willing to live and die among the people com- mitted to his charge. Nor will there be a great sacrifice in this. It is agreeable to Eastern prin- ciple to reverence religious men. During the conflicts and wars of Hindostan, the Christian Bishops were in general respected. Even their endowments and territorial rites have, in some instances, survived the revolutions of Empire. It will be the duty of the Bishop to make an annual or biennial visit to the principal places in his diocese, for the purpose of Confirmation, and to acquaint himself with the character and circumstances of his clergy and people. 3. It will be the province of the Bishop, on his first arrival in India, First, To institute schools in the places where they may be chiefly required : that is to say, as many schools as can be supplied with properly qualified schoolmasters. Secondly, To institute the College for the in- struction of the natives and others in sacred learning ; and to select for education persons of approved character, native and European, whose views shall lead them to the sacred office, or to the humbler situations of Catechist and Schoolmaster. There are respectable families in India who de- • 168 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. sire to bring up their sons to the Church, but ar« deterred by the expense of sending them home and maintaining them at the University. The Bishop should have the liberty of attach- ing to his family one of the Clergy as his Chap- lain. 4. When the King's judges were first appoint- ed to India, the measure was opposed at home and abroad. " What! " it was exclaimed, " impose English law on a Hindoo ! Restrain the liberty of the Company's servants, by the presence of a King's judge ! " This was the language then. But what is the language now ? We suppose there is not a man in India who will not confess that no individual measure was ever fraught with greater blessings to the country. — It is not too much to predict, that the measure which intro- duced English Law into India, will not be more beneficial than that which introduces the Eng- lish Religion. II. THE ARCHDEACON. 1. The Archdeacon will perform certain duties of the Bishop, in his absence. His proper station will be that of chief minister of the Metropolitan Church at the Presidency ; and he ought to be, THE ARCHDEACON. ICQ In all respects, a man worthy of succeeding to the Episcopal office. His official business will be that of visitation of the Churches and Schools throughout the Diocese; and, as travelling is ex- pensive, his salary ought to be liberal. 2. It will be the further duty of the Arch- deacon, to ascertain the increase of Protestants in the different provinces of the Diocese, and to supply Chaplains and Schoolmasters where they are wanted. He will always have at hand re- lative Lists of Protestants and Roman Catholics, of Members of the Church of England and Dis- senters, for the information of Government. It will also be his province, to prepare, under direc- tion of the Bishop, an Annual Report of the State of the Diocese, for transmission to England. This Report will contain the above relative Lists, and also Returns from all the Clergy specifying the duties performed by them respectively, the number of Europeans and natives who generally attend Divine service, and the number of con- verts for the current year ; likewise Returns from the Schoolmasters, stating the number of their scholars and of what casts. This document to be transmitted to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, in order that it may be laid regu- larly before Parliament for the information of the 170 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. nation. It is from such authentic returns alone that Parliament can ever arrive at an adequate knowled Empire. knowledge of the actual state of our Indian III. EUROPEAN CHAPLAINS. The salary proposed is 1000/. per annum. The chief object in this increase, is, the advantage which it will give for selection at home. For a less sum than 1000/. a year there can be no selection of learned and respectable characters in England. It is well known, that an Indian Chaplaincy may be offered at this time to many Clergymen before one will accept of it ; and he who does accept of it is, generally, next to despon- dent in his expectations. For what man will relinquish a permanent situation of two or three hundred pounds a year, in his native country, for seven or eight hundred pounds in India ? The proposed stipend of 1000/. a year for European Chaplains and of 400/. and 200/. for Country Chaplains, is, all circumstances consi- dered, very nearly analogous to Livings of 500/. and 300/. a year, and to Curacies of 100/. a year and less, in England. COUNTRY CHAPLAINS. 171 It is usual, at present, in India, to remove the Chaplains at military stations, at the end of two years. But many advantages would accrue from building churches for them, and permitting the English Chaplains to be stationary. The Country Chaplains might change their place with less in- convenience. IV. COUNTRY CHAPLAINS. 1. It is manifest that the few English Preachers in India can never instruct the mass of the population. If Christianity ever pervade that country generally, it must be by the ministra- tions of the natives. 2. Duties. — The Country Chaplains will have to perform the same duties generally as the Eu- ropean Chaplains. They are especially intended to supply those stations throughout the Provinces, to which no Chaplain has been appointed ; to attend particular regiments in quarters ; to ac- company military detachments on service (a duty hitherto never enjoined) ; to superintend the schools in their vicinity ; and to visit the inland stations, viz. the residence of Judges, Collectors, and Commercial Residents ; some of whom pass 172 ECCLES 1 ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. half their lives in India without once hearing Divine service. 3, The epithet Country (perfectly familiar to an In an ear), as here applied, is merely intended to signify, that these Chaplains are, in general, natives of the country, or Europeans ordained in the country of India. It is to be understood, however, that Clergymen from England may be eligible to these inferior appointments, and be regularly appointed to them, if they choose to ac- cept of them ; as, no doubt, many will. 4. It may be expected also that some of the English Missionaries may be found qualified and •willing to receive Episcopal Ordination in India. The characteristic labours of a Missionary will be very little, if at all, diminished by his being attached to the Establishment. The different classes of Protestant Christians very soon lose cast (if we may use the expression) in India. Their views of things become more enlarged ; to a degree, indeed, which sometimes surprises their correspondents at home ; and, by frequent colli- sion with the natives and with other Christian sects, and even by the very influence of a relax- ing climate and a new state of existence in a strange country, they find less difficulty in re- nouncing any particular system (of which we CATECHISTS AND SCHOOLMASTERS. 175 have frequent examples*) which may oppose or abridge their usefulness as teachers of Chris- tianity. No national measure will better preserve unity in the Christian Church, and a harmony of ope- ration in the progressive illumination of the East, than a liberal Ecclesiastical Establishment, offer- ing eligible situations for life to the pious and in- dustrious Teachers of Christianity. 5. The most ample toleration to be granted to all classes of Christian Missionaries in the East; and so far as the Ecclesiastical Establishment has influence, the most cordial concurrence to be afforded to the Protestant Missionaries, in all their prudent operations for the extension of Christian learning. V- CATECHISTS AND SCHOOLMASTERS. All the Catechists and Schoolmasters to be members of the Church of England. Their chief * The late respected missionaries, Messrs. Cran and Des Granges (both Presbyterians), read prayers from the English Liturgy at Visagapatam ; and to this judicious compliance, they were indebted for tlioir English audience at that place, and for easier access to the natives. 174 ECCLES 1 : ESTABLIHMENT FOR INDIA. business will be to teach the English language and the elements of Christian learning. An in^ telligent and pious Schoolmaster amongst the Half-cast race and the Hindoos, is -but another term for a Chaplain or Missionary. Europeans in humble circumstances will be glad to accept these situations of 100/. and 60/. per annum ; such as Serjeants in the army who have served their time, decayed traders, and others. But it may be expected, that the greater number of Schoolmasters will be derived, in the course of time, from the community of Half- cast. Young men educated regularly at the schools of the Presidency, of known and ap- proved character, and whose latter studies have been conducted with a view to this profession, will probably form the chief body of School- masters ; and, eventually, of Country Chaplains in India, VI. COLLEGES FOR SACRED LEARNING. It is evident that the natives of India can never be qualified for ordination to the Mini- COLLEGES FOR SACRED LEARNING. 175 sterial Office, unless they be regularly educated for that purpose. The Hindoos have their sacred Colleges at Benares, Oujein, Trichoor, and other places. The Roman Catholics have a College at Vcrapoli in Travancorc, which is superintended by the Italian Bishop ; and there are similar in- stitutions in other provinces. 1. It would not be consistent to propose a Religious Establishment for India, without re- commending a College for religious learning. In- to © o o deed, a Theological Seminary must necessarily be a constituent part of an Ecclesiastical Establish- ment in a heathen country. 2. It is proposed that there shall be a College at each Presidency; to be under the general di- rection of the Bishop, who shall be Visitor ex officio i to consist only of three members at the commencement, viz. three of the English Chap- lains ; one of whom to be President of the Insti- tution and Professor of Theology ; and the other two to be Tutors. The President to have 1000/. per annum, and the Tutors 500/. each, in addition to the salary of Chaplain. The Pupils to con- tribute for their own instruction, when they are able to do so. 3. All persons whose views lead' them to the 176 EGCLES 1 : ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. Sacred Office, or who wish to acquire a know- ledge of Christian learning generally, to be ad- missible to the benefits of the institution, whether Europeans, Half-cast Christians, Mussulmans, or Hindoos. 4. In Bengal, the Theological College may be attached to the College of Fort William ; for, by the primary Regulation of that institution, the Provost (being a Clergyman of the Church of England) was appointed to instruct the Students in Theology. VII. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRO- POSED ESTABLISHMENT. 1. The two chief practical advantages of the proposed Establishment are to be expected from the Bishop and the Country Chaplains : from the influence of the Bishop, on the one hand, in giving its just ascendency to the Protestant Faith in India, which it has never yet had ; and from the salutary and effective labours of the subordi- nate teachers, on the other. 2. It is not to be concealed, that the services of the English Chaplains are almost entirely con- OBSERVATIONS. 177 fined to- those persons who understand the Eng- lish language ; and these, as we have seen, form an inconsiderable part of the Protestant body. Nor is it to be expected, that the Clergy from England should learn to preach in a new lan- guage, in advanced life. They may attain to some elementary knowledge of an Oriental language, and be able to direct others who preach in it ; but they will rarely attempt to preach in it themselves. 3. It is further to be observed, that the English Clergy do not mix with that class of per- sons. The Half-cast race are, in general, as will be shewn, in indigent circumstances, and in a degraded state of existence. They live remote from the English, and assimilate much with the Hindoo natives in their manners and customs. 4. It being ascertained, then, that the chief part of the Protestants in India speak the native languages, by what means are they to be pre- served in the profession of the Protestant Faith ? It is manifest, that, unless we ordain to the Sa- cred Office the Half-casts themselves, and Euro- pean teachers of humble condition who will be willing to accept a Cure amongst them, the mass ot the Protestant population must fall, in no long time, into the hands of the Roman Catnolics, or of N 178 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. other religious denominations, dissenting from the Church of England. 5. Each of the proposed Dioceses is of so great extent, that it is like a kingdom within itself. Its internal arrangements must therefore be directed by circumstances, which are peculiar and local, and which may differ totally from those of the other Dioceses. 6. The proposed Establishment is by no means fully adequate to the religious wants of British India. For example, the whole number of Chap- lains, European and Native, for Bengal, will be only about forty; whereas there are upwards of sixty stations, civil and military, dependent on that Presidency. But the present may suffice as a commencing Establishment, to be improved hereafter, both in extent and design. It is not to be expected, that an Institution of this nature can arrive at the practicable perfection, but by experience and repeated revision. On this ac- count, therefore, and on account of some colla- teral objects which shall be noticed immediately, it is highly expedient, that a review of the Eccle- siastical Establishment in India should be taken by Parliament every fifth year, during the conti- nuance of the Company's Charter. HALF-CASTS. 179 Having finished the Observations on the parti- cular departments of the proposed Establishment, we shall now notice some other matters, which relate immediately to the religious improvement of British India. And first, of the state of the Half-casts, a subject which is very imperfectly understood in England. VIII. OF THE HALF-CASTS IN INDIA. 1. It appears from the calculation in the Ap- pendix, that there are, in Bengal alone, 13,308 Europeans, men only, viz. : Civil and Military Officers, and European Inhabitants 4,108 King's Troops 7,-00 Company's European Troops 2,000 13,308 These 13,308 men have mostly families. Perhaps 2000 may be married to European wo- men. From those who have native women, mar- ried or unmarried, proceeds the race of Half-cast, or Hindoo-English Cast. The number has in- creased so greatly within the last forty years, that N 2. 180 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. the Indian Government have serious apprehen- sion in regard to the result. Many plans have been proposed to cheek the progress of the evil ; but nothing effective has been done. And we may add, that nothing can be done to arrest its progress, until India shall be laid open to the free admission of European women. Nothing can be done, until our Indian system shall encourage the natural and honourable union of English men with English women. — Observe the enormity of the case, as circumstances now stand. Thirty thousand men are sent to India, who absolutely govern the country, and have all things at com- mand. Of these 30,000 but few return. No English woman is permitted to go to India, but by express permission of the East-India Com- pany ; and even if there were no restriction, the difficulty and expense of conveyance amounts, in present circumstances (in regard to women not of the superior class), to nearly a prohibition. 2. The Half-cast children are generally brought up Protestant Christians : but there are many, who, for want of Protestant instruction, become Roman Catholics ; and some secede to the Cast of their mothers, and become Mahometans or Hindoos. 3. Some data for ascertaining the number of HALF-CASTS. 181 the Half-casts in Bengal, may be obtained from the following statement : Half-cast Children in the Schools of Calcutta, in the Year 1806. In the Free School, about ~ J ° In the Military Orphan Institution Upper School, for Officers' Children 250 In the Military Lower School, for Privates' Children, at Ilowrah 700 13 Private Schools in Calcutta, containing on an average, 50 each 650 Besides these children in the regular Schools, it appears from the Report of the Benevolent Society established in 1811, on the Madias System, "for " instructing the Children of indigent " Christians," that the children of the " various classes of Christians in the " city of Calcutta, for whose relief the " Benevolent Institution is intended, " include scarcely less than two thou- " sand persons *"' '2000 3850 If then there be 3850 Half-cast Children, at one * See Address of Benevolent Society, Calcutta, 14th August, 1811. 182 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. time, in Calcutta alone, the whole number of per- sons of that description, including adults, in all the cities and towns of the whole Province of Ben- gal, must be very considerable. They have been estimated at 100,000. In our general calculation of Protestants before mentioned, we have taken them at 50,000; and so, in proportion, at the other Presidencies of Madras and Bombay. 4. Moral State of the Half-casts. — Many of them succeed to respectable situations, the just reward of their ability and virtues. Many enjoy the benefits of a liberal education, and adorn so- ciety in India and in England. But, as to the state of the people in general, it is painful to de- scribe it. By a Regulation of the Honourable Company, this description of Protestant Christians is ex- cluded from all the higher situations in their ser- vice, civil or military. This prohibition of Go- vernment, and the circumstances of their birth, conspire to cast them into a state of the deepest degradation. Those of them who are taken in by the Military Schools, are generally appointed drummers and fifers in the army. Those who have not a claim on the schools, are thus de- scribed by the Benevolent Society : " These persons" (the 2000 above mentioned) " are not, in general, the children of European HALF-CASTS. 1S3 " Christians, but are, in some instances, remove d " three or tour descents from them, and approxi- " mate in the same degree to the habits and ideas " of their heathen neighbours; between whom " and themselves, however, the name of Chris- M tian draws a line of distinction, which effectu- u ally cuts them off from them; and, united with " their poverty and ignorance, places t leir chil- M dreu in a worse state than the Mussulman and " Hindoo children around them; as these are " instructed in the learning ot" their respective " casts, and fitted for situations in life, from " which the Christian name serves to exclude " theirs, without bestowing on them any equiva- " lent." — These children, previously to their ad- mission (2^0 were admitted) into the Benevolent Institution, " were under no kind of superintend- " ance ; but were wandering in the streets and •• lanes of Calcutta, in a state of the grossest ig- " norancc; and practising, uncontrouled, every " vice within their power." The managers of the Benevolent Institution submit, " That Chris- " tianity, and -even humanity, pleads for impart- " in<* to these children some degree of moral in- 11 struction ; or, at least, such a knowledge of the " Bengalee language as shall enable them to till " situations equally with the Hindoo youth*" * Address of Benevolent Society, before quoted. 184 ECCLES 1 ; ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. 5. Their employment by the State. — It was before observed, that the great increase of the race of Half-cast had been contemplated with much uneasiness by the India Government. Many expedients have been suggested, for giving them employment, and making their services useful to the State. But, as yet, every suggestion has been made in vain. People in England will perhaps wonder that it should never have been said, " educate them." But they will recol- lect, that this would be as much as to say (advert- ing to the number of the subjects), " Promote " Christianity in India — Give it a suitable re- i( ligious establishment." This is, indeed, the remedy, the only remedy : and, painful as it may appear to many, it is that to which we must at last come. If, then, the question be asked, " How shall these half descendants of the English become useful members of the state, and respectable members of society ? " — we answer, Let them be well instructed ; and they will soon be eligible to various important stations in British India ; and, among others, to academical and ecclesiastical employments. They will form good instructors for the Hindoos, and for their own community. If every man among them were a teacher, he would find pupils sufficient in Hindostan. They are by no means deficient in natural talents. On HALF-CASTS. 185 the contrary, they are generally quick in appre- hension ; and many instances occur, of extraordi- nary genius and ability. The chief complaint in the Calcutta schools, is, that they are prone to vice, and practise the arts of cunning and deceit at an early age. The truth is, we believe, they arrive sooner at manhood ; and various vices begin to develope themselves earlier, than in. European children. If, however, it be true, that they are more prone to vice than the Europeans, and if the arts of female fascination be dangerous to the English youth who are sent to govern India, the argument to be deduced from this fact is, that they should be raised from their debased state, and receive the advantages of a Christian education ; and that they should not be left any longer to corrupt others, and to sink themselves into a deeper degeneracy. 6. It will undoubtedly be a wise policy, as well as a Christian duty, to admit the Half-cast Christians into the service of their country, in departments for which they are qualified ; and, particularly, as Catechists and School-masters, in the various languages of Hindostan. And those of them, who shall obtain a reputation for learn- ing and religious knowledge, may receive Ordina- tion for the ministerial office. 186 ECCLES 1 : ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. 7. Upon the whole, it seems very probable. " That the sons of Englishmen by Hindoo mo- thers will be made the instruments, in the course of time, of instructing the Hindoos in the faith of Christ." This providential consequence we are encouraged, by circumstances, to expect. But first they themselves must be instructed. Hither- to, they have been accounted the reproach of the service, as they certainly are ; but this reproach, let us always remember, is derived from English oriein. It is, indtrtd, time for the British Le- ts ' 7 gislature to interpose, in behalf of the perishing Half-cast! It is time for the English nation to make some atonement for what is past, by be- stowing on these our sons and brethren the blessing; of Christian instruction and regard. It would be worth while to expend a sum, equal to that of five years of the proposed Ecclesiastical Establishment, to place the Half-cast Protestants in circumstances which will bear to be contem- plated, in relation to the British character and interests in India. STATIONS FOR CHAPLAINS. 187 IX. DISPOSITION OF CHAPLAINS AT THE STATIONS IN INDIA. A general view of the British Stations and Dis- tricts which require Chaplains, ought to be pre- sented to the Legislature, that the real state of circumstances in India may be known. The fol- lowing List of Stations in Bengal, and of the Chaplains appointed to them, will sufficiently exemplify the situation of the other Presidencies in regard to Christian instruction. The Stations having a Chaplain are marked with aC. — The List of Disposition is taken from the East-India Register for 1 S 13, corrected to the 31st December, 1812. [ILITARY STATIONS. CIVIL STATIONS. Fort William C. Calcutta C. 3. Barrackpore Benares C. Berhampore Dinapore. C.2. C. Patna Moorshedabad Chunar Bhaugulpore Allahabad Burdvvan Cawnpore C. Dinagepore Futtyghur Hooghly Agra C. Jessore Muttra Juanpore Meerut C. Mirzapore 188 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. ILITARY STATIONS. CIVIL STATIO Cuttack Nuddeah Balasore Purneah Midnapore Ramghur Gazeepore Rajashye Dacca Rungpore Chittagong Sarun Monghyr Shahabad Bundelcund Sylhet Tannah (Invalid Esta- Tipperah blishment.) Tirhoot Gyah and Bnrragong Bauleah Delhi. Keerpoy Luckipore Lucknow Bareilly • Etawah Goruckpore Moradabad. Military Stations .. 22 20 51* * Charter, 10th William III. 5th Sept. 1G98. " And we do further will and appoint, That the said Com- pany hereby established, and their successors, shall con- stantly maintain one MINISTER in every garrison and supe- rior Factory, which the same Company or their successors shall have in the said East Indies, and shall also in such gar- rison and factories respectively, provide or set apart a de- cent and convenient place for divine service only " (i. c. a church.) STATIONS FOR CHAPLAINS. 189 1. There are more Stations, civil and military, than those above enumerated ; and some of the above are both civil and military. But accuracy is not required. The Stations often change their importance, by the accession or diminution of European residents. 2. From the above List it appears, that, of fifty-one Stations, only eight are supplied with Chaplains. It is true that the Register gives fifteen Chaplains to the Presidency of Bengal ; but it states that of these, four are assigned to Calcutta and Fort William ; two are not arrived in India, or not appointed ; one is on furlough ; one is absent from sickness ; and it ought to have added, one is dead. And it may be received as a general rule, that, in every India list, nearly one fourth is ineffective, from death, indisposition, furlough, length of voyage, or other causes. 3. All the above Civil Stations (without ex- ception, we believe) are accounted of sufficient importance, from the number or respectability of the English residents, to have one Surgeon or more attached to each. Some of the Military Sta- tions have many Surgeons. At each of the Civil Stations reside, in general, three descriptions of Protestants, viz. 1st, a Judge, Collector of Reve- nue, or Commercial Resident (which are the fa- 190 ECCLES 1 : ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. milies of chief consideration in the Company's service, and are the proper representatives of the British character in India) together with his As- sistants and their families; £dly, Indigo Planters, Traders, and other European inhabitants ; 3dly, Half-cast families. 4. Some of the above Stations are large, and contain a numerous Protestant population. Others are small. But the smallest is yet an official station of the British Empire ; far remote, it may be, from any other station, but yet of vast impor- tance in regard to the civilization of the country around it. 5. There being no clergymen in these societies, the offices of marriage and burial are generally performed by the civil magistrate, or by a mili- tary officer. Baptisms are commonly deferred (but not always) till the children grow up, and the parents come down to Calcutta, on their way to Europe. Marriages have been sometimes so- lemnized a second time, by a regular clergyman. It is possible, that some circumstance may arise which will make it necessary for an Act of Parlia- ment to pass, to give validity to the marriages in India, solemnized by laymen, for the last fifty years ; as was done in the reign of Charles the Second, after the Usurpation. BUILDING CHURCHES. 191 6. It will be admitted by every man who has visited the above stations (supposing that he has any respect for the religion of his country) that not one of them, however small, ought to remain longer destitute of the offices and instruction of Christianity. It must be equally evident, that not one of them ought to be without a School- master, if it were but for the advantage of the Half cast children alone. The appointment o f Schoolmasters (a measure so easily practicable), ought to be the first and immediate operation of the proposed Establishment. Almost all the above civil stations are in the neighbourhood of Hindoo towns;— the very places which it would be desirable to select for European teachers, in reference to the civilization of the natives. X. BUILDING CHURCHES IN INDIA. 1. Whether an Ecclesiastical Establishment shall be presented to India at this time or not, it is indispensable that Churches be erected at the principal stations ; in order that the services of the Clergy, who are already in the country, may be rendered, in some degree, efficient to the » people. 192 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. 2. Dean Prideaux, in his Account of the Eng- lish Settlements in India, dated 23d January, 1694, has the following passage: — "There is not " so much as a chapel in any of the English set- 1 tlements for the true religion, except at Fort ' St. George only (Madras), where lately a church " has been erected for the use of the English Fac- * tory, by the piety and care of Mr. Streynshain " Masters, then President, without any aid or " countenance from the Company in order there- " to. In other places, the room they eat in con- " tains their congregation*." After the revolution of a hundred years, the ex- pression of Dean Prideaux is yet nearly correct ; " the room they eat in contains their congrega- ' tion."— There are, however, two exceptions. There is now a church at Calcutta, and another at Bombay. The new church of Calcutta (for the old one was thrown down by the great storm of the 12th of October, 173/f), was erected about the year 1787, by the voluntary subscrip- tion of the inhabitants, and by a contribution from * See Hawkesworth's " Ecclesiastical, Chronological, and Historical Sketches respecting Bengal." p. 4. On the account of Dean Prideaux, the author makes the following remark : « When a community consists of a fleet- " ing body, which will not regularly colonize, little regard " is paid to the important concern of religion." t See Gentleman's Magazine for 1738-9. BUILDING CHURCHES. 195 two Hindoos. It is a fact worthy of record, that the erection of the chief Christian church in British India, was aided by the Hindoos them- selves. The Hindoo merchant, Omichimd, con- tributed about 3000/.; and the Rajah, Nobkissen, gave a parcel of ground on which the church stands, valued at a much larger sum*. 3. In the letter from the Chairman and De- puty Chairman of the Court of Directors, to Lord Melville, dated 4th of March, 1812, they state, " That the disbursements of the Company for " commerce, for stores, and for sums expended " in the acquirement of territory, with forts, &c. " has amounted to 51,182,127/."— It would have been satisfactory in this retrospect, if we could have seen that a small portion of these fifty-one millions had been laid out in building a church. But there is, perhaps, less room for crimination here, than may by some be apprehended. Any other commercial body of men from England, would have probably observed the same conduct in the same circumstances. But did not the Dutch and Portuguese promote Christianity, and organize religious establishments in the East? They did, in a liberal and princely manner. But Hawkeswotth's Sketches, p. 10. o 194 ECCLES^ ESTABLISHMENT FOR INDIA. it was properly the* State which acted ; and not a private Company. When the English East-India Company were first incorporated, they intended merely to exist in a private character, and to ex- tend commerce. They did not intend to become Sovereigns of an Empire. If they had, they would no doubt have given their royal pledge, that Christianity should flourish in their domi- nions in India, like the native palm tree. But they are now Sovereigns of an Empire; and it is only expected that, in accordance with the cir- cumstances in which Providence has placed them, they will concur with his Majesty's Government in doing what his Majesty would do in their place. 4. The Honourable Company are not them- selves insensible to the want of churches in their settlements abroad. They signified their wish, some years since, to the Bengal Government, that churches should be built. But we have not yet heard that the foundations have been laid *. * Small but commodious churches may be erected, of durable construction, in India, for 2000/., 3000/., and 4000/. each. Agreeably to the usage of Christian nations, they ought to have spires, pointing to the skies, that the natives may know their sacred purpose, and that the English sol- BUILDING CHURCHES. 195 To the natives of India, we appear like a people who do not mean to stay long in the country. We fail to erect monuments to our religion. We furnish no evidence that we are proud of our acquisitions, of the country, or of the people. It has been justly said, that if, by any sudden revolution, we were to lose our Empire in the East, there would not, in a few years, remain a trace of our having existed in the country. 5. If the Honourable Company be desirous to retain the government of the Indian Empire, (we consider it an awful responsibility), it will be proper to shew that this may be done without pre- judice to Christianity. It is of more consequence to the honour of our country, that the character of the Christian Religion be maintained inviolate in India, than that the trade be opened or shut. It is unquestionably true, " That the opening of the trade, and the permission of colonization, would be more favourable to the extension of Christianity, and of European civilization, than a system of exclusion.'" He, who shall deny this position, must be able to maintain propositions (as has been already shewn) repugnant to the dispen- sations of Providence, and to the Revelation of > 8th Light Dragoons; 24th ditto; 25th ditto; I 17th Regiment of Foot; 22d ditto; 53d [ 7 200 ditto; 67th ditto; 75th ditto In all, 8 regiments, 900 strong on an average J Madras; 1806. 19th Light Dragoons; 22d ditto ^ 12th Regiment of Foot; 33d ditto ; 34th ditto ; ! 59th ditto; 69th ditto; 80th ditto; 94th ditto', f 8 ' 100 In all, 9 regiments Bombay; 1808. 56th Regiment of Foot; 65th ditto; 78th f ditto; 84th ditto; 86th ditto.— 5 Regiments Total King's Regiments at the three Presidencies * 19,800 Ceylon ; 1806. 19th Regiment of Foot; 51st ditto; 66th ditto ; and 3 Companies Royal Artillery | 3,000 22,800 ■ In Letter from Chairman of Court of Directors to Lord Melville (Dec. 16, 1808) the King's Troop? at S | ie three Presidencies are estimated at up- ward of 20,000 men. APPENDIX. 203 EUROPEAN TROOPS BELONGING TO THE HONOURABLE COMPANY. Bengal; One European Regiment "1 One Artillery Reeimcnt ! One Engineer Corps, (the Engineer Corps I contains fewer nun than the Regiments) ... [ -> 000 N.B, Officers not included, they being before ' enumerated ; about J Madras ; the same 2,000 Bombay; the same 2,000 Nine Regiments and Corps C,000 abstract. Civil and Military Officers and Inhabitants ... 7,846 King's Troops 19,800 Company's European Troops G,000 Total Europeans (men only) at the 3 Presidencies 33,G4G King's Regiments at the three Presidencies 22 Company's European Regiments 9 Total European Regiments & Corps at 3 Presidencies 31 King's Regiments at Ceylon 3 Total European Regiments and Corps in India 34 204 APPENDIX. NATIVE TROOPS BELONGING TO THE HON. COMPANY; COMPOSED OF HINDOOS, MAHOMETANS, AND CHRISTIANS*. Regiment!. Bengal ; Regiments of Native Cavalry 8 Regiments of Native Infantry 27 35 Madras; Regiments of Native Cavalry 8 Regiments of Native Infantry 23 31 Bombay; Regiments of Native Infantry 9 ABSTRACT. Regiments* Bengal 35 Madras 32 Bombay 9 Native Regiments 75 Add European Regiments 31 Total Regiments at the three Presidencies f 106 Ceylon; 3 King's and 4 Native Regiments 7 Total Regiments in India officered by Europeans 113 * Some of the Native Troops in the Deccan have a proportion of Chris- tians. t The Troops in the service of the Company are estimated, in Letter from Chairman of Court of Directors to Lord Melville, at 140,000 men. 205 NOTE. The foregoing Prospectus of an Ecclesiastical Esta- blishment for British India was communicated to the East-India Mission Committee of the Society for Pro- moting Christian Knowledge, on the 1st of June, 1812. An Abstract of it was reported by that Com- mittee, to a General Meeting of the Society, held on the 23d of that month, when the following important Resolutions, grounded thereon, were adopted. They are here reprinted from the Appendix, No. 4, to the Annual Report of the Society for Promoting Chris- tian Knowledge for 1812. RESOLUTIONS OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRIS- TIAN KNOWLEDGE, MADE AT A GENERAL MEETING, HOLDEN AT BAiiTLETT'S BUILDINGS, LONDON, ON TUESDAY, JUNE 23, A. D. 1812. Resolved, I. That the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge are prompted, by the most pressing motives, to take part in the public solicitude, now more espe- cially excited for the welfare of the British Empire in the East : having, by the first enlargement of the bounty of their Patrons, and by funds created for that purpose, been engaged to exercise their efforts for extending the knowledge of revealed Truth in those regions* 206 NOTE. II. That the Society do, therefore, join the public voice, in imploring the attention of those who direct the councils of the nation, to the cause and interests of Christianity in the East, in which momentous topic of consideration the present and future welfare of so large a number of the subjects of this realm is involved. III. That the Society are fully sensible, that the claims which such a body, as the subjects of British India, have upon the wisdom, the justice, and the cha- ritable kindness of their rulers, must occupy the thoughts of those who have to consult and provide for their pros- perity, inducing them to enact such measures as may serve for the improvement of their wTiole existence as a people, and more particularly in their religious and moral character. The Societv for promoting Christian Knowledge do not therefore arrogate to themselves any other feeling, than that which is entertained, without doubt, by the Government of the Country : and in pre- senting their humble wishes and requests to those who are best able to give effect, under Providence, to what is so earnestly desired, the Society presume no farther than to hope, that they may hereby add another motive to those inducements, which the mere urgency of the case must press upon the Sovereign Ruler and the chief Councils of the nation *. The Society, therefore, most * " Mr. Bcuitfoy, according to order, reported from the Com- mittee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider further of the Government and Trade of India, the Resolutions which the Committee had directed him to report to the House: which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the NOTE. 207 humbly beg leave to advert to such means, for obtaining the object of their anxious wishes, as to them appear most likely to conduce to the great end in view. clerk's table : where the same were mid, and are as followeth, viz. :— " Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that it is the peculiar and bounden duty of the Legislature to promote, by all just and prudent means, the interests and happiness of the inhabitants of the British dominions in India; and that, for these ends, such measures ought to be adopted as may gradually tend to their advancement in useful knowledge, and to their reli- gious and moral improvement. " Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that suf- ficient means of religious worship and instruction be provided for all persons of the Protestant Communion, in the service or under the protection of the East-India Company in Asia, proper Ministers being, from time to time, sent out from Great Britain for those purposes; and that a Chaplain be maintained on board every ship of seven hundred tons burthen, and upwards, in the East-India Company's employ ; and, moreover, that no such Ministers or Chaplains shall be sent out, or appointed, until they shall first have been approved of by the Archbishop of Can- terbury, or the Bishop of London, for the time being. " The said Resolutions beinc; aezecallj read a second time, were, upon the question severally put thereon, agreed to by the House." — Vide Commons' Journal, 14th May, l?93, p. 778. On the 17th of the same month, " Another clause being offered to be added to the Bill, for empowering the Court of Directors to send out Schoolmasters, and persons approved by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Bishop of London, &:c. for the religious and moral improvement of the native inhabitants of the British dominions in India; " The House was moved, That the Resolutions which, upon Tuesday last, were reported from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to cgnsider further of the Govern- 208 NOTE. IV. Resolved, accordingly, That the Society are fully persuaded, that nothing short of such an establishment of pastoral superintendance, and such a supply for the ministry of the Word and Sacraments, throughout the British Empire in the East, as may correspond, in due measure, with that which constitutes the main ground of religious welfare in the realm of England, can serve to place the spiritual interests of the British subjects, in those parts, upon the best and most permanent founda- tions. V. That the Society beg leave, in the same conviction, and in the same spirit of dutiful respect, to observe, that more than a century has elapsed, since the most earnest wishes of many chief and excellent persons * in this nation were expressed for procuring such a form of Church Communion in India, as might serve to de- ment and Trade of India, and were then agreed to by the House, might be read. " And the same were, as agreed to by the House, read accord- ingly ; and are as followeth ; viz. [as above.] " Then the said clause was twice read; and, upon the question put thereupon, agreed rn hy the House, to be made part of the Bill. " Another clause was offered to be added to the Bill, requiring the Court of Directors to settle the destination, and provide for the decent maintenance of the said several persons. " And the said clause was twice read; and, upon the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House, to be made part of the Bill." — Ibid. p. 792. Which clauses were thrown out on the third reading, p. 803. * Vide Correspondence between Archbishop Tennison and Dean Prideaux, &c. &c. NOTE. 209 n.onstrate the religious character of the British nation ; to provide for me exigencies of our beloved country- men, u hen far severed from their friends and connec- tions' ; and, at the same time, to induce the natives, by the silent but persuasive pattern of religious fellowship, and the sober invitations of a settled ministry, to lift their eyes to the truth, and to take courage to this end from the prospect of countenance and shelter, which would thus be set before them. The appearance of per- sons in ecclesiastical functions, sufficiently exalted in character and power, both to furnish them the needful lessons of instruction, and to protect them from perse- cution in their change of sentiment and conduct, is most necessary to the natives, who are at present ex- posed to dreadful hardships in their conversion from error and idolatry, owing to the institutions and the prejudices of their country, and the certain forfeitures incurred by Christian Proselytes. VI. Resolved, That the Society, in common with all who enjoy the blessings of Communion in the Church of England, are deeply and thoroughly convinced, that no sufficient supply for the ministerial succession and the necessities of the extensive population of British India, can be furnished or continued without such an establishment of the ministry, as may be able to regulate and perpetuate itself; which will effectually be obtained by resort to episcopal hands in India, when, with the I) ■/, bl uig, such provision shall be settled there. It is thus only, in that land, that the increasing multi- tude of those who are born of Christian Parents, and entitled therefore to early baptism, may be trained for every other act and exercise of religious Communion, P 210 NOTE. according to the means of grace, and mode of fellow- ship, appointed by our Blessed Lord in his household. It is thus only that such candidates for God's everlast- ing favour may be encouraged and enabled to take upon them their own obligations, by the solemn pledge to be rendered by them at their Confirmation, that from thenceforth they may draw near to the table of the Lord. It is thus only that a regular succession of per- sons, qualified for the ministerial calling, can be raised and admitted in that country to the sacred functions, for the European and native congregations. Of the latter description, the Society must remark here, that there are many thousands of children born of Euro- pean parents by the father's side, but of native mothers, who are fast lapsing into the darkness and misery of heathen error and pollution ; unversed in the language and religion of their fathers, and therefore placed be- yond the reach of European Chaplains, ministering in English congregations ; and daily perverted to the va- nities and superstitions of their maternal parents. This vast and rapidly increasing multitude call loudly for the attention of those, who are responsible for the care of this unhappy race, born under insuperable disadvan- tages, which exclude them, even in their own country, by its present regulations, from nearly all the favour- able prospects of life, which are left open to others. VII. Resolved, That the Society do likewise embrace this opportunity of expressing their sense of obligation for many aids conferred by the Honourable East-India Company, toward their benevolent designs and public services, and for the favour shewn to their long esta- blished and justly venerated Missions, the recruit of NOTE. '211 which is now most lamentably reduced, and almost to- tally cut off. VHI. Resolved, therefore, That this Society most humbly entertain the hope, and offer most respectfully their suffrage, and their plea, that, in consideration of the pressing needs of the British subjects, European and Native, in India, the permanent foundations of the Christian Church, according to its best form, be laid among them ; and that the great ends of religious and moral culture may be secured to them, by the settle- ment of Bishops in the chief Presidencies; by the forming of seminaries; and by the building of churches, — the want of all which has been felt and acknow- ledged for more than a century, during which period, the exertions of other European nations have gone before us, and have proved successful in accomplishing many of those excellent purposes for which the British Go- vernment, in its public acts*, originally expressed its * " CHARTER, 10th William III. 5th September, 1698. " And we do hereby further will and appoint, That the said Company hereby established, and their successors, shall con- stantly maintain a Minister and Schoolman rr in the island of St. Helena, when the said island shall come into the hands or pos- session of the same Company; and also one Minister in every Garrison and superior Factory, which the same Company, or their successors, shall have in the said East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid; and shall also, in such Garrison and Factories, respectively provide, or set apart, a decent and convenient place for Divine service only, and shall also take a Chaplain on board every ship which shall be sent by the same Company to the said East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid, which shall be of the burthen of five hundred 212 NOTE. intentions to make adequate provision, but which pur- poses have not yet been carried into effect. IX. Resolved, That these Resolutions be respectfully- submitted to the first Lord of the Treasury; to the Chancellor of the Exchequer; to the Secretary of State for the Home Department ; to the President of" the Board t)f Controul for India Affairs ; and to the Directors of the Honourable East-India Company. tons or upwards, for such voyage, the salary of which Chaplain shall commence from the time that such ship shall depart from England ; and moreover, that no such Minister shall be sent by the same Company to the said East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid, until he shall have been first ap- proved of by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Bishop of Lon- don, for the time being; all which said Ministers, so to be sent, shall be entertained from time to time with all due respect. " And we further will and appoint, That all such Ministers as shall be sent to reside in India, as aforesaid, shall be obliged to learn, within one year after their arrival, the Portuguese lan- guage, and shall apply themselves to learn the native language of the country where they shall reside, the better to enable them to instruct the Gentoos, that shall be the servants or slaves of the same Company, or of their Agents, in the Protestant Religion; and that, in case of the death of any cf the said Ministers re- siding in the East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid, the place of such Minister, so dying, shall be supplied by one of the Chaplains out of the next ships, that shall arrive at or near the place where such Ministers shall happen to die." FINIS. EHerion and Henderson, lYuuei*, Johnson'* Court, London. » •