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 jphavy of (Eangtw 
 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
MEMOIRS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE AND WRITINGS 
 
 OF THE 
 LATE VICE-PROVOST OF THE COLLEGE OF FORT WILLIAM: 
 
 BY THE REV. HUGH PEARSON, D. D. 
 
 DEAN OF SALISBURY. 
 WITH NOTES RELATIVE TO THE 
 
 ^ AND 
 
 AN INTRODUCTION, 
 
 BY 
 
 CASPAR MORRIS, M. D. 
 
 "Octis <T £7T t neyicTois to e.Tri<p$ovov \a^/3dv£L 6p$-&s fiovAeverai' ixlcog pilv yap 
 ovk iTwro'Xv dvrixt 1 -' ') & irapavriKa rt AajLnrpdrT??, nal i$ to s-rreira £6%a dti^.vricrog 
 Kara^tirrtrai. Thucyd. 
 
 GEORGE & BYINGTON, AND WM. STAVELY. 
 
 NEW-YORK : SWORDS, STANFORD AND CO. 
 
 1837. 
 

 Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1S37, by William 
 Stavely, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Eastern 
 District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 J/f/O 
 
o 
 
 
 TO 
 
 WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ. M. P. 
 
 TO WHOSE EFFORTS IX PARLIAMENT 
 
 THE TRIUMPH OF THE CAUSE 
 
 TO WHICH THE LIFE OF DR. BUCHANAN WAS DEVOTED. 
 
 IS EMINENTLY TO BE ATTRIBUTED \ 
 
 AND BY WHOSE PRIVATE FRIENDSHIP, AND PUBLIC SUPPORT, 
 
 HE WAS HONOURED ; 
 
 THE FOLLOWING MEMOIRS 
 
 ARE, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST RESPECT AND ESTEEM, 
 
 INSCRIBED BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR 
 

PREFACE 
 
 ENGLISH EDITION 
 
 The observation of Lord Bacon, as to the deficiency in the 
 biographical department of literature in his day, is certainly not 
 applicable to the present times. We have rather to complain 
 of excess than of defect. While ample justice has been done to 
 the lives of eminent persons, it must be confessed that ac- 
 counts of obscure individuals have been unnecessarily mul- 
 tiplied. 
 
 The author of the following memoirs trusts that he will not 
 be deemed liable to this charge. The person to whose life 
 and writings they relate is already well known to the world, 
 and has established an undoubted claim to posthumous regard. 
 The prominent station which Dr. Buchanan occupied in India, 
 and the zeal and ability with which he laboured to promote the 
 interests of Christianity in that country and throughout the east- 
 ern world, seem to demand some commemoration of his cha- 
 racter and exertions ; and, unless the writer of these pages is 
 much mistaken in his judgment, they describe "a person in 
 whom," to use the language of the celebrated author just al- 
 luded to, " actions, both great and small, public and private, are 
 so blended together," as to secure that " genuine, native, and 
 lively representation," which forms the peculiar excellence and 
 use of biography. 
 
 There is this additional reason for giving to the public some 
 account of Dr. Buchanan, that, from the nature of the subjects 
 to which his attention was directed, he unavoidably incurred a 
 considerable degree of displeasure on the part of those whose 
 opinions or prejudices he felt it to be his duty to oppose. It is but 
 reasonable, therefore, that his views and motives should be fully 
 and fairly developed, that the world may have an opportunity 
 of forming a just estimate of his character and labours. 
 
 How far the author of the following memoirs may have sne-% 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 ceeded in this object, must be left to the public to determine. 
 He is fully aware of the difficulty pointed out by a consum- 
 mate judge of human nature,* of representing impartially sen- 
 timents or actions, respecting which much difference of opin- 
 ion and feeling will necessarily exist, according to the know- 
 ledge and the dispositions of the reader upon the subject in 
 question. It has undoubtedly been his aim to exhibit the cha- 
 racter and conduct of Dr. Buchanan in their true light, and to 
 enable the world to determine the degree of merit to which he 
 may be justly entitled. 
 
 For this purpose he has endeavoured to render him, as much 
 as possible, his own biographer, and has accordingly inter- 
 woven with the narrative of his life a series of extracts from 
 letters to many of his friends and correspondents. Indepen- 
 dently of the authentic and interesting nature of the informa- 
 tion thus conveyed, where, as was eminently the case with Dr. 
 Buchanan, the writer is upright in his general views, and sim- 
 ple in the expression of them, his correspondence formed one 
 of the principal sources of the memoirs here presented to the 
 public ; some valuable private documents having been unfor- 
 tunately lost. Other materials were derived from certain papers 
 and memoranda referred to in the memoirs, from the more pub- 
 lic events of Dr. Buchanan's life, and from his printed works. 
 In the use of these various materials, relating to many dif- 
 ferent persons, events, and circumstances, the author camiot 
 flatter himself that he has been invariably accurate. He can only 
 say that upon every occasion this has been his intention and 
 aim. 
 
 One part of the following memoirs will, it is presumed, be 
 read with considerable interest, that which relates to the insti- 
 tution, progress, and effects of the College of Fort William, in 
 Bengal ; in the establishment, conduct, and superintendence of 
 which Dr. Buchanan was intimately concerned during the period 
 of its most extensive and effective operation. The proceedings 
 of this institution are, it is believed, but little known in Eng- 
 land, and deserve particular attention at the present moment.t 
 
 The account also of the journey of Dr. Buchanan to the 
 
 * Thucyd. Hist. ii. 35. 
 
 t It is remarkable that Professor Malthus, in stating as one of the principal 
 reasons for the preference due to the East India Company's College in England, 
 its superior adaptation Yq preserve regularity in the conduct, and economy in 
 the personal expenses of l\e students, seems not to have been aware, that these 
 were the very points in which the College of Fort William, during its first four 
 years, peculiarly excelled. It is but just to the latter institution, that its origi- 
 nal merits in both these important respects should be generally known. 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 coast of Malabar, and of his visit to the Syrian churches in 
 the interior of Travancore, notwithstanding his own introduc- 
 tion of it to the public, will probably prove acceptable to the 
 reader. More might easily have been added to this, and, in- 
 deed, to every part of the memoirs ; but it may, perhaps, be 
 thought by some that they have already exceeded their just 
 limits. 
 
 It may not be unnecessary to observe, that these volumes 
 contain the history of a man, whose leading characteristic was 
 a sincere and devoted attachment to the gospel of Christ, as a 
 living principle of faith and practice. While, therefore, it is 
 hoped that those whose sentiments are substantially similar, 
 will derive peculiar gratification from the perusal of the follow- 
 ing memoirs, they may tend, as far as others are concerned, 
 both to explain the nature of those painciples, and to illustrate 
 and recommend their excellence and value. Whatever is wor- 
 thy, either of being admired or imitated, and there is much 
 which is deserving of both in the character of Dr. Buchanan, 
 is chiefly to be ascribed to his views and feelings as a chris- 
 tian ; and though, as the author himself would avow, it is by 
 no means necessary to coincide in every opinion expressed by 
 Dr. Buchanan in these volumes, he is deeply persuaded, that the 
 leading principles of his life and conduct are alone capable of 
 producing genuine and exalted virtue, peace of conscience, and 
 a well-grounded hope of eternal happiness. 
 
 With respect to his own undertaking, the author has only to 
 state that he engaged in it at the request of the family and 
 friends of Dr. Buchanan. They were, doubtless, induced to 
 place this task in his hands from the circumstance of his having 
 some years since had occasion to consider the great subject to 
 which the life of that excellent man was devoted, which led to 
 a subsequent acquaintance with him. And though he has to 
 regret that his intercourse with Dr. Buchanan was less frequent 
 and intimate than he wished, it tended greatly to increase that 
 lively interest in his character, which the previous knowledge 
 of his history had excited. He felt also that he owed a debt 
 of gratitude and service to his memory, which he was anxious 
 to have an opportunity of discharging ; and however inade- 
 quately he may have acquitted himself of this obligation, he 
 trusts that his intention will be approved ; and that the follow- 
 ing work, thus designed to record the excellencies of a bene- 
 factor and a friend, to adopt the affectionate apology of a Roman 
 biographer, " Professione pietatis aut laudatus erit, aut excu- 
 satus."* 
 
 * Tac. in vit Agric. 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 The author cannot close this preface, without shortly advert- 
 ing to the subject which is so frequently brought under review 
 in the following memoirs, the promotion of Christianity in the 
 East. Much as Dr. Buchanan was permitted to effect towards 
 that great and important work, much yet remains to be accom- 
 plished. The foundation of our Episcopal establishment has 
 indeed been laid in India ; but it requires to be strengthened 
 and enlarged, and a more goodly and majestic superstructure to 
 be erected upon it. Churches are still wanting at the different 
 European stations, and a considerable increase in the number 
 of chaplains. The translation of the Scriptures and of useful 
 tracts into the orential languages, should be encouraged and 
 pursued. Schools should be instituted for the instruction of the 
 young, more particularly in the knowledge of the English lan- 
 guage ; and the native christians, instead of being, as hitherto, 
 neglected, and even repressed, should be accredited and sup- 
 ported. 
 
 These are but brief and imperfect suggestions, which it must 
 be left to others, better qualified for the task, to expand and 
 realize. The author would only, therefore, add, that it is for 
 those who survive the lamented subject of this volume, and who 
 deeply feel the value of his various labours, to study to repair 
 his loss, to rescue from neglect or failure the plans which he 
 conceived, and to continue that which he so successfully began. 
 
 In the meantime, may the following record of his pious 
 and disinterested exertions, excite the zeal and strengthen the 
 resolution of others to follow him in his benevolent career ; and 
 prove, under that divine blessing which its author fervently im- 
 plores, in some degree the means of confirming and extending 
 the kingdom of Christ, not only in India, but throughout the 
 world at large. 
 
 St. Giles's, Oxford, 
 March 8, 1817. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 CHAP. I.— Early life and education of Mr. Buchanan in Scotland. His jour- 
 ney to England. Employment in the law, and serious change in his reli- 
 gious views. Introduction to Mr. Newton. From 1766 to 1791. page 1. 
 
 CHAP. II.— Mr. Buchanan's wish to enter the Church. His introduction to 
 Mr. H. Thornton, and admission at Queen's College, Cambridge. From 
 February to September 1791. 18. 
 
 CHAP. III. — Commencement of Mr. Buchanan's residenee at Cambridge. 
 His studies and correspondence. His ordination and appointment to India. 
 From October, 1791, to March, 1795. ' 27. 
 
 PART II, 
 
 CHAP. I. — Mr. Buchanan's voyage to India. His arrival at Calcutta in March, 
 1797. Appointment as chaplain at Barrackpore, and residence there till 
 November, 1799. Marriage of Mr. Buchanan in the spring of that year. Ap- 
 pointment as one of the chaplains of the Presidency. Institution of the Col- 
 lege of Fort William, and appointment of Mr. Buchanan as Vice-Provost, 
 and Professor of classics, in the year 1800. 73 
 
 CHAP. II. — Progress of the College. Official and clerical engagements of 
 Mr. Buchanan. Voyage of Mrs. Buchanan to England. College disputa- 
 tions and examinations. Speeches of Governor General as Visitor. Orders 
 of the Court of Directors for its abolition. Defence of that institution by 
 the Marquis Wellesley ; and by Mr. Buchanan. Return of Mrs. Buchanan 
 to Bengal. Mr. Obeck. His character and death. First series of Prizes 
 offered by Mr. Buchanan to the Universities and public Schools of the 
 United Kingdom. Mr Buchanan's Sermon at the Presidency Church on 
 the Evidences of Christianity. From January, 1801, to December, 1803. 115, 
 
 CHAP. III. — Order from the Court of Directors for the continuance of the 
 College of Fort William. Annual disputations. Translation of the Scrip- 
 tures at the College. Prejudices against that measure resisted by Mr. 
 Buchanan. Circumstances relative to the institution of the Cival Fund 
 for Widows and Orphans. Salutary influence of the College. Second 
 voyage of Mrs. Buchanan to England. Composition of Mr. Buchanan's 
 " Memoir on the Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for India." 
 Determination of first series of Prizes. Grounds and analysis of Mr. Bu- 
 chanan's Memoir. Mr. Lassar, and his Chinese class at Serampore. Mr. 
 Buchanan's publication, entitled, " The College of Fort William." Li- 
 terary and moral excellence of that institution. Course of Sermons by Mr. 
 Buchanan on the leading doctrines of the gospel. From January, 1804, to 
 the spring ©f the following year. 158 
 
 CHAP. IV. — Mr. Buchanan's proposal of two prizes of 500Z. to the Universities 
 of Oxford and Cambridge, in June, 1805. His dangerous illness. Account 
 of the death of Mrs. Buchanan. Mr. Buchanan's letter to the Archbishop 
 of Canterbury. College disputations. Mr. Buchanan's exertions to pro- 
 mote the translations of the scriptures into the oriental languages. Mis- 
 sionaries at Serampore. Degree of D. D, from the University of Glas- 
 gow. 188 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. V.— Departure of Dr. Buchanan from Calcutta in May, 1806, on a 
 journey to the coast of Malabar. Account of this journey in a series of 
 letters from Dr. Buchanan to to the Rev. D. Brown. Jellasore— Cuttack— 
 Juggernaut— Visagapatam— Madras— Pondicherry— Tranquebar— Tanjore 
 — Tritehinopoly-Madura— Ramnad-pooram— Ramisseram— Ceylon— Cape 
 
 Comorin— Travancore. Visit to the Syrian Churches of Maiayala. 
 
 Cochin— Return from thence by sea to Calcutta in March, 1807. 210 
 
 CHAP. VI. — State of the college of Fort William on Dr. Buchanan's return to 
 Calcutta. Abolition of the office of Vice-Provost. Dr. Buchanan's " Li- 
 terary Intelligence" respecting his late journey. His correspondence with 
 Colonel Macauiay and other friends. " Christian Institution in the East." 
 Correspondence continued. Dr. Buchanan's Memorial to the Governor Ge- 
 neral respecting his Sermons on the Prophecies. His farewell Sermon. 
 His departure i'rom Calcutta in December, 1807, on a second visit to the 
 Coast of Malabar. Letters to Mr. Brown. Ceylon— Cochin— Tillicherry— 
 Goa — Bombay. Malayalim version of the four Gospels. Point de Galle. 
 Voyage to Europe in March, 1808. 261 
 
 PART III. 
 
 CHAP. I. —Determination of the second prizes to the Universities of Oxford 
 and Cambridge. Sermons preached at both Universities in pursuance of 
 Dr. Buchanan's proposals. Brief view of the controversy on the subject of 
 Christianity in India during the year 1808. 301 
 
 CHAP. II. — Arrival of Dr Buchanan in England. His journey to Scotland — 
 Bristol. Archbishop of Canterbury's repiy to Dr. Buchanan's letter from 
 Bengal. The " Star in the East." Visit to Oxford and Cambridge. De- 
 gree of D. D. conferred by the latter University. Temporary engagement 
 at Welbeck Chapel, London. From August, 1808, to October, 1809. 309 
 
 CHAP. III. — Dr. Buchanan's second marriage. Jubilee Sermons. Settle- 
 ment in Yorkshire. Present of Oriental MSS. to the University of Cam- 
 bridge. Sermon before the Church Missionary Society. Commencement 
 sermons at Cambridge. Their publication with the " Christian Researches 
 in Asia." Illness of Dr. Buchanan. Proposed voyage to Palestine. Visit 
 to Buxton. Sermon on " the Healing Waters of Bethesda." Second visit 
 to Scotland. Return through part of Ireland. Second paralytic attack. 
 Defence of Syrian Christians. Sketch of an Ecclesiastical Establish- 
 ment for British India. Death of Mrs. Buchanan. From November, 1809, 
 to April, 1813. 325 
 
 CHAP. IV. — Sketch of the proceedings in Parliament on the subject of pro- 
 moting Christianity in India. Dr. Buchanan's publication entitled, " Colo- 
 nial Ecclesiastical Establishment." Letter to Mr. Lushington. " Apology 
 for Promoting Christianity in India." Determination of Parliament in fa- 
 vour of this great object. Various correspondence. Dr. Buchanan's removal 
 from Yorkshire. Residence for a short time at Cambridge. Charge to mis- 
 sionaries proceeding to India. Dr. Buchanan fixes his residence in Hert- 
 fordshire, for the purpose of superintending a new edition of the Syriac 
 New Testament. Correspondence. Short Visit to Yorkshire. Return to 
 Broxbourne. Attendance at the funeral of Mr. Henry Thornton. Death 
 of Dr. Buchanan. Review of his character and labours. 730 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 It is not the design of christian biography to exalt the indi- 
 vidual whose character it portrays, but rather to magnify the re- 
 sults of the operations of the Holy Ghost, and to exhibit the 
 fruits of his renewing and sanctifying influences on the hearts of 
 those who are partakers of the like frailties and passions with 
 ourselves, and thus to illustrate principles by individual in- 
 stances, and offer encouragement to others to adopt the same mo- 
 tives of action, and aim at the same or higher, attainments in 
 christian character. The reader who can rise from the perusal 
 of such a work, without having his own heart warmed with a 
 higher sense of the love of Christ in rescuing one so far gone 
 from the paths of holiness, and making him a vessel of honour, 
 fit for the service of the sanctuary, and his own zeal for the ex- 
 tension of the kingdom of the Lord quickened by the example 
 of what others have done in the cause, has failed to derive that 
 benefit which it was intended to communicate ; however much 
 his fancy may have been amused, or his judgment convinced of 
 the truth it contains. 
 
 To no work can such remarks be more properly applied than 
 to the life of the Rev. Claudius Buchanan. Of commanding 
 talents, ardent enthusiasm, and highly cultivated intellect, yet 
 sunk by his own choice of evil into great depths of misery and 
 degradation, both temporal and spiritual, the wonderful grace of 
 God is astonishingly evidenced in " leading him by paths which 
 he knew not" to the knowledge of the gospel, and then placing 
 him in a prominent station in civil society ; fulfilling almost 
 literally the description of the Psalmist, " He raiseth up tfre 
 poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the needy out of the dung- 
 hill that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of 
 the people." Who that saw the deceitful youth leaving his 
 home and friends with a wild scheme of arduous adventure and 
 witnessed his arrival, friendless and almost penniless, in the great 
 centre of corruption, where, to the eye of the superficial obser- 
 ver, scarce anything presents itself among the masses which con- 
 
Xll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 gregate in it from every quarter of the earth, to relieve the moral 
 darkness which appears to cover it as with a pall, could antici- 
 pate for him such a career as the providence of God was even 
 then preparing for him ? He will ever stand forth like Saul 
 of Tarsus, a monument of the free and sovereign grace of God, 
 who selects the instruments he will use in carrying on his work on 
 earth according to his own pleasure, and often calls those, who, 
 like the subject of this memoir, are able to adopt with sincerity 
 the declaration of the same apostle, " unto me, who am less than 
 the least of all saints, is this grace given," to occupy prominent 
 stations in His church, that pride may be humbled, and self- 
 righteousness abased for ever before Him ; and it is of vital im- 
 portance to the cause of the gospel, that while we survey with 
 delight the noble army of those that have brought honour to the 
 church by their lives, and hold up to public view the results 
 of their labours as evidences that " God is with us of a surety," 
 we should with equal diligence draw attention to the principles 
 by which they were actuated, and exhibit them as " renouncing 
 all works as a claim to merit ," confessing them "all to have 
 been mixed and sullied with sin and imperfection," and acknow- 
 ledging that " whatever has been acceptable to God is His own, 
 even the work of his Holy Spirit," and thus ascribing " all the 
 glory to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever and ever."* But 
 it is not only as a monument of grace in his individual character 
 that we are to contemplate the subject of this memoir. Inti- 
 mately connected with the commencement of those missionary 
 efforts of the Church of England in the East, which have done 
 such honour to her apostolic character, and which owe no small 
 proportion of the power with which they have been urged on- 
 wards to his influence, the republication of the memoir of his 
 life, after the lapse of nearly a quarter of a century, offers a sui- 
 table opportunity for reviewing the results of those operations, 
 to the commencing and prosecuting of which he contributed so 
 largely by his influence and personal exertion. 
 
 Instituted for purposes of commercial gain, it was too long the 
 disgrace of the English East India Company that neither in its 
 corporate capacity, nor in the individual cases of its servants, did 
 
 * See Dr. Buchanan's Will? 
 
INTRODUCTION. Xlil 
 
 it realize the responsibility which necessarily attached to the in- 
 fluence it had acquired in the East ; and acted as though the sole 
 design of an overruling Providence in giving to Great Britain 
 the empire of the East, was to fill the coffers of the people with 
 the perishing riches of the world and to give to the nation a pre- 
 ponderance in the scale of earthly glory. Led on by that nar- 
 row, jealous spirit of selfishness, which is so diametrically op- 
 posed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Company not only 
 made no efforts to extend the blessings of Christianity to its hea- 
 then subjects, but interposed every possible obstacle to its intro- 
 duction by others. When we see it, with bitter hatred of the 
 truth, prohibiting its own regularly authorized chaplains from 
 preaching to the natives, we are not surprised to find it refusing 
 to allow passage in its vessels to the missionaries of other deno- 
 minations who sought to supply the deficiency, nor to learn, that 
 taking still another step it should have sought, when these devot- 
 ed men had, by a circuitous route, established themselves in an 
 adjacent but independent territory, under cloak of zeal for sound 
 order and hatred to the principles of French philosophy, to pre- 
 vent even the casual influence they might exercise in its ter- 
 ritories ; nor are we surprised to learn, that, under such a system, 
 so overwhelming was the tide of worldiiness and sensuality, that 
 even the heathen were left behind in the gratification of every 
 sinful lust, and that the greatest obstacle to the promulgation of 
 the gospel was that which was occasioned by the unholiness of 
 those who, calling themselves christians, " caused the name of the 
 Lord to be blasphemed among the heathen'" by their excess of 
 riot and debauchery. But though to the eye of sense all was 
 thus dark and dreary, that God, who M ruleth in the earth," and 
 is ever working to educe good even from that which appears 
 most evil in itself, had decreed that even here He would be 
 praised. Light had begun to dawn on the moral darkness. A 
 Grant among the civil servants of the Company, and a Brown 
 among the clergy, had been raised up as the faint harbingers of 
 that day which has since gone on to increase in light, though 
 still far from having attained the lustre of the noon-day. During 
 many years the opposing clouds rolled heavily around, and to 
 those whose hopes were built on any foundation less firm than 
 
 *a 
 
>-•' INTRODl'CTION. 
 
 Buehermn rive :le"ee :o Mermii. --T;;::-;;;. 2::: Co: 
 
 whom cmce burned. 2 solioery :rcer. e: me Mission Cuoreh. now 
 rises " ::h brioh:. soecdy. end iuereesicm lire: from oil due memoes 
 :: the metropolis of the Eos:. While from many an "up 
 cj'::o:t" sceeim. w hi:h ;u:e ooorec o:::mm bumemolc J orkr.es s 
 upon the night of heathenism . m e rebieum is now beaming in 
 1210: em :::o : :;:;s ~e:i:us. Toe cuepleius -::' due C :m::e:ey ore 
 no longer o.s once men more ihm:ilier "mm :he 0/0. :oe borne. 
 and the card-pack than wd:h be word of Gee; and 9 : dig : be most 
 eleveued of :be civil onb mimery servoms c: me Comoony ore 
 •■ no: eshemed of :ne em: e". :: Co::?:." Indeed i; moy be cues- 
 ::: whether in any part of the christian chur: mete con be 
 mend greo:er poriry 0: life or soonbness c: dcmriue noon is 
 he:e disobeyed. Vmhen vo see me vreoibny. :ioe green cob me 
 influential doing the work : f e van gelists, : g 
 
 freely of their money, bnt employing their own one in d:m eu- 
 sing food to the hungry, and knowledge to the ignorant, that 
 they may win souls to Christ, an 1 lea 1 1 b e :n to sec k for thai " bread 
 which ocmeno down, from beeven." onb noose •• wells of weeer 
 which soring op :o everles:i::o iife :" sob me:: behold me seme 
 : 1 :viduals converting the rites of hospitality into occasions for 
 conveying wisdom from on hi oh. :o scoffing, infidel 00 ess. we 
 cannot but say, this is the Lore's 00 and :: is mai mimes :n 
 our eyes. Time has been, and that within the memory of those 
 now living, when it was not so, and when one christian men. 
 having his lot cos: in this rac lern Sodom, edvertised in vain for 
 3. eompenion ::" like mimoeles. in rrber me: mey :0:0b: oone. 
 together, as is there : 5 : : :n a r . : : n e :u e s I i e BStal i ishmenL 
 Bo; behold bne eomresu I; is relmeb c: Joseph Deere. Esq.. 
 civil serve::: 0: bne Comoony. me: 0: me :::ne of ins mem he 
 left a congregation of four hundred professing native christians, 
 convereeb by ins ins;romen:ol:;y. besides m 
 he hedbrough: :o noeknowleboe :: :he:ro:h. Hi 
 was, "I hove preoeheo Chris: wi:h oli my see i eo 
 
 e-i 
 
INTRODUCTION, XV 
 
 my confidence." " Jesus, I have sinned against thee. I have dis- 
 honoured thee, but thou still art my hope. And wilt thou 
 let me go ? Canst thou let me go ? No ! Thy mercy is a sea 
 of boundless love." And a short before his death, with the 
 prospect of soon standing before the judgment seat of Christ, he 
 could say, " Had any one asked me within the last seventeen 
 years, I think I may say twenty, what had been the object I had 
 chiefly in view, I could have answered by divine grace, the glory 
 of God: 1 
 
 I have myself enjoyed the privilege of the acquaintance of 
 one whose modesty would shrink from any degree of notoriety, 
 highly connected and of great influence in society, a judge over 
 an important district, who has been- known to seek out a sick tra- 
 veller, take him to his own tent, nurse and comfort his body, and 
 then, when returning health gave opportunity, sit for hours by 
 his bedside, reasoning with him " of temperance, righteousness, 
 and a judgment to come," not permitting him to depart until he 
 had brought him, (under the blessing of God) from the mazes of 
 infidelity into the marvellous liberty of a son of God. And I 
 have seen him, with the same noble spirit, spend day after day, 
 among the orphan children of the common soldiers, with the 
 same holy purpose of winning them to Christ. Indeed, so entire- 
 ly has the tide of influence turned in favour of Christianity that 
 few are now to be found so hardy as to oppose its progress, or 
 withhold their aid from the efforts which are making for its ex- 
 tension. 
 
 The opposition of the government, so rancorous as to lead 
 to the prohibiting of its own chaplains from preaching the 
 gospel to the heathen, has yielded, and though it is still stained 
 with the guilt of a partial sanction of idolatry, yet there is now 
 unlimited toleration of missionaries of every denomination ; 
 and in a farewell address of the late Governor, Lord William 
 Bentinck, he makes honourable mention of the mission of the 
 General Assembly of the Scotch Church. And though others 
 doubtless must share with Dr. Buchanan in the glory of the 
 change, it is generally conceded that it is chiefly attributable to 
 the noble, self-denying, and unwearied assiduity with which, 
 braving obloquy and reproach, he laboured to enlighten the mind 
 
XVI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 of the British public on the real condition of the Indian pro- 
 vinces, and pointed out the means which his enlarged intellect 
 and extensive observation rendered him so competent to suggest 
 for its improvement. 
 
 But it is time we should turn our attention to that great change 
 which has followed most directly the efforts of Buchanan him- 
 self, a change which he deemed of the utmost importance and 
 which experience has shown he did not estimate too highly. 
 When we recur to the decided hostility with which his pro- 
 posal of an ecclesiastical Establishment for India was first met, 
 and remember the continued opposition it encountered during so 
 many years, and the bitter personalities with which the charac- 
 ter of its proposer was assailed, not only through the medium of 
 the press, but even on the floor of the House of Commons, and 
 that too by persons of no little influence, we could not have antici- 
 pated that she should be already blessed with two bishops, inactive 
 discharge of their duties, and with the prospect of another to be 
 soon added to the number, nor can we fail to admire the foresight 
 displayed when in answer, doubtless to a suggestion of the possi- 
 bility that an unsuitable person might be chosen to fill the 
 highest office of the church, he could reply, " Place the mitre 
 on any head, it will do good in India, and a spiritual bishop will 
 in time arise." How delightful it is to trace the fulfilment of 
 these sanguine hopes ; to see a Middleton falling a victim to his 
 self-sacrificing efforts to secure a college for the training up of an 
 indigenous clergy ; a Heber, whose refined and chastened taste 
 (brought more and more under the influence of the gospel 
 during his residence in India,) was so adapted to win the good 
 will of all to the holy cause, in support of which he too fell, a mar- 
 tyr to his zeal ; and passing over the short career of a Turner, 
 and a James, to come down to the present time, when a Wilson 
 in Calcutta, and a Corrie in Madras, stand forth as examples to 
 the flock " over which the Holy Ghost has made them over- 
 seers" in purity of doctrine, holiness of life, and fervency of 
 zeal, men of whom it may emphatically be said, they count 
 not their lives dear unto themselves, but follow, undaunted, in the 
 path on which they have seen no less than four of their predeces- 
 sors fall martyrs to labours and cares which they themselves must 
 
INTRODUCTION. XV11 
 
 encounter. Entering upon it too, the one, after years of faithful la- 
 bour amid evil report and good report in the metropolis of the world 
 had afforded reasonable grounds for a claim to retirement, and 
 the other, after a life of still more arduous and self-denying 
 exertion as the fellow-labourer of Martyn, Brown, Thomason, 
 and Heber, whose toils and anxieties he shared with unflinching 
 devotion to their common Lord. " Named with commendation 
 in the primary charge of Bishop Middleton, twenty year since, 
 the companion and friend of each succeeding prelate, and thrice 
 supplying, so far as an archdeacon could, the vacant see," the 
 patron of the Rev. Abdool Messee, and the Rev. Wm, Bowley, 
 two of the most successful missionaries of modern times (whom 
 he received to his house and his* table, notwithstanding the 
 sneers of pride pointed to their native origin as disqualifying 
 them for such association,) — the hospitable friend of all those 
 of every denomination, who passed through Calcutta on their 
 way to labour among the more distant heathen, many mission- 
 aries of the American Board, being able to testify of his open- 
 hearted simple kindness — the unwearied and liberal promoter 
 of every public institution for the relief, " as well of the bodies 
 as the souls" of his fellow beings — the affectionate counsellor 
 of the young, to whom his house and his heart are always open, 
 he stands forth, in the estimation of all who have been privileged 
 to know him, as one who may adopt the language of the apostle, 
 " Be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as 
 ye have us for an example." And yet so deep is his humility that 
 in a recent private communication to the author of this feeble 
 tribute to his worth, he can, in the spirit of the same apostle, 
 count himself "less than the least of all saints;" and instead of 
 being elated by his elevation to the Episcopal chair, speak of 
 it as cause for still greater humiliation before God, in a deep 
 sense of his unworthiness. Long may the Indian Church be 
 blessed with such* bishops ; and when they have finished their 
 course, and are called to the possession of the crown of right- 
 eousness laid up for them in heaven, may their mantles fall on 
 those of like character, and with double portions of the same 
 spirit. 
 
 But we cannot better display the result of this measure than 
 
XVlll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 in the words of the present Bishop of Calcutta, who in a late 
 charge says : 
 
 " At the primary visitation of Bishop Middleton the chap- 
 laincies in Bengal were fifteen, the clergy at work but ten or 
 twelve. At the time of Bishop Heber, the chaplains allotted 
 were twenty-six ; but little more than half were actually in the 
 field, with a few missionaries. Our chaplaincies are now thirty- 
 seven, and those filled up thirty-two. The considerable places 
 now regularly served are thirty-four ; and including the Eastern 
 settlements and Bishops College Chapel, and a few others, forty. 
 To which number, if we add the smaller christian stations 
 which are visited once, twice, or oftener in the year, the aggregate 
 will be over ninety ; while the whole amount of licensed clergy 
 in the archdeaconry (of Calcutta) at present will be fifty-eight, 
 and, with those absent on sick leave, sixty-five. 
 
 " In the presidency of Madras the augmentation has been 
 equally gratifying. Out of eighteen stations only one of a very 
 important character, Bellary, is without a chaplain, while above 
 forty smaller spots are occasionally visited. If the Rev. mis- 
 sionaries are added, the number of clergy in residence would be 
 thirty-five or forty." " My last accounts from Bombay left five 
 absent or vacant of its fifteen chaplaincies. I hope, in a few 
 months, to find the whole number of seventy-five are appointed, 
 of whom, if about sixty are actually in India, I should trust the 
 number of the clergy, with the Rev. missionaries, would be 
 nearly one hundred and twenty." 
 
 Now, what could the most sanguine have anticipated more 
 than w r e see here fulfilled ? Twenty -five years since not a mis- 
 sionary of the Church of England on the ground and the chap- 
 lains prohibited from the promulgation of the gospel to the na- 
 tives. Now no less than sixty ordained clergymen of the church 
 engaged, directly and exclusively in missionary labour, not 
 to mention the chaplains, many of whom are faithful and dili- 
 gent missionaries to the heathen, in addition to the duties of their 
 chaplaincies. 
 
 Nor must we omit, in this cursory survey of the results of the 
 labours of Buchanan, to pause a moment in contemplation of an 
 object which, though it did not present itself to his mind, yet 
 
INTRODUCTION XIX 
 
 Sprang so immediately and exclusively from the efforts of the 
 first bishop, that it may legitimately be considered the offspring 
 of his labours. I allude to Bishops College, which, in the lan- 
 guage of Bishop Wilson, "erected with a foresight and piety 
 which will for ever illustrate the name of the first Bishop of Cal- 
 cutta, stands on the margin of the river which washes our eastern 
 metropolis, the noblest monument of British benevolence, wait- 
 ing only to receive its flocking students and train them for mis- 
 sionary labor." Nor are its benefits only in anticipation, already 
 have the first fruits been gathered. One missionary, who re- 
 ceived his education entirely within its walls, having already 
 gone forth as a labourer in the vineyard and offering at a late ac- 
 count as the result of his ministry no less than one hundred native 
 converts waiting for baptism. Subsidiary to this, a High School in 
 Calcutta, founded by Bishop Turner, is in successful operation, 
 ready to pour forth youth, prepared on the spot, and habituated 
 to the climate, who shall enter the college there to receive that 
 complete education which it offers. Having thus traced down 
 to the present time the good results of his unwearied efforts for 
 the establishment of the Episcopate, we may next turn our at- 
 tention to another, and even more important subject, the trans- 
 lation of the Word of God. What principle less persevering 
 than Christian zeal but w r ould have sunk under the various diffi- 
 culties he was obliged to encounter in the commencement of his 
 undertaking ; and what but the most expansive and sanctified 
 liberality would have been so profuse in its expenditure as he 
 was in this most holy cause ? And it must be remembered also, 
 that this unwearied exertion was made in a climate proverbial 
 for its enervating influence, and this expenditure encountered in 
 direct opposition to those principles of worldly prudence which 
 would have called for the accumulation of an independence while 
 the opportunity was afforded, and in the midst too of a society 
 in which a much smaller degree of christian zeal would have 
 received a greater share of praise. Separated by half the globe 
 from those who might be disposed to exact more from him, and 
 to w T atch over him with an anxious solicitude, he stands forth as 
 a monument of the preserving power of divine grace. And 
 that same Spirit by which he was actuated and sustained, has 
 
XX INTRODUCTION* 
 
 carried on to completion, the work at which he thus assiduously 
 laboured ; and it is believed there is not now within the jurisdic- 
 tion of the British government, a nation which may not hear, in 
 its own language, the " wonderful works of God." Nor should we 
 in this connexion, overlook the fact that it was the same ardent 
 and persevering advocate of Episcopacy, and an Establishment 
 as the best means of promoting the extension of Christianity 
 among both the native and European population of India, that stood 
 forth as the champion of the Serampore missionaries, and was 
 willing to entrust to their hands the important work of transla- 
 tion, when the reduction of the College of Fort William compel- 
 led those who were interested in this most important work to 
 seek for other hands, to which it might be entrusted ; thus afford- 
 ing undeniable evidence that a warm and decided attachment to 
 what we ourselves believe, the only divinely-authorized form of 
 church government, is perfectly compatible with the most en- 
 larged liberality to those who conscientiously differ from us, and 
 whom we cannot but believe to be thus far in error. 
 
 But we must now turn our attention to that which Dr. Bu- 
 chanan himself esteemed an important result of his Indian resi- 
 dence, and which has afforded his adversaries more opportunity 
 for attacking his character than any part of his labours, the 
 account which he published of his visit, to the decayed christian 
 churches on the coast of Malabar. What christian heart did not 
 beat with joy and sympathy, when it was told of a body of 
 christians in the mountain fastnesses of India, who had there 
 maintained, in comparative purity, the faith and practice of 
 primitive Christianity in defiance not only of the idolatry by 
 which it was surrounded, but even resisting to blood, the hor- 
 rors of the Inquisition, rather than submit to the false doctrine 
 of Rome ? Who was not disposed to lift up his voice in thanks- 
 giving to that God, by whom they had thus been kept? Who 
 that heard of their humble acknowledgments, of their present fall- 
 en condition, and their willingness to be helped through the in- 
 strumentality of the Church of England, but indulged in ardent 
 anticipations of the result ? And who was not proportionably 
 cast down when told that in all these points Dr. Buchanan had 
 either suffered himself to be deceived by his own enthusiasm 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXI 
 
 or had voluntarily deceived others. We find the very outset of 
 his career marked by ardent enthusiastic feeling, and every sub- 
 sequent step of his course shows the same character to have con- 
 tinued in a more chastened form throughout his life. It is not, 
 therefore, at all surprising that we should find traces of it in those 
 portions of his writings which are most calculated to call forth 
 such feelings. But while we make these concessions, we must not 
 be understood to admit, by any means, the truth of the allegations 
 of the enemies of Dr. Buchanan, who are well designated — by one 
 well competent to judge — as enemies of the cause in which he 
 was engaged, and therefore bound to make the most of any im- 
 perfection they might find in its advocates. Cold, indeed, must 
 have been the heart of him, who, as the first Western Christian 
 put his foot within the sacred precincts of this Eastern Church, 
 and remembered how many fights of affliction it had endured for 
 __-the sake of the truth — who could witness the jealous care with 
 which the word of God was kept and the anxiety manifested to 
 possess it more abundantly — who conld listen to Abraham's re- 
 mark upon the difference between the " religion of the heart and 
 the doctrines of the head," and hear him say for " three hundred 
 years we have been quarrelling with the Romish Church about 
 supremacy, rites, and ceremonies, but the Bible has been out of 
 the question. The Bible, sir, is what we want, in the language 
 of our own mountains ; with the Bible in his hand, every man 
 may become the priest of his own family" — who could climb the 
 hill of Ranniel, and, thence surveying the districts around, see 
 humble yet neat christian churches almost hidden among the 
 trees, and there partake of the simple hospitality of a christian 
 man who had never been beyond " those mountains," and scarce 
 could believe there were any christians in the world beside those 
 with whom he was w T ont to associate — he who could witness 
 these scenes and associate with such persons without enthusiasm 
 must have been destitute of all susceptibility. It was natu- 
 ral that we should anticipate much good as the result of the more 
 general diffusion of the word of God, and more general instruc- 
 tion of the priests. In these anticipations the whole christian 
 church participated with Dr. Buchanan; but as yet they have 
 
 3 
 
XX11 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 not been realized. Through the exertions of CoL Monro, the 
 Company's resident at Travancore, a college has been established 
 for the instruction of the Catanars, and placed under the super- 
 intendence of the missionaries of the Church Missionary So- 
 ciety ; these clergymen are also permitted to preach in the 
 churches. The results of both these operations must necessarily 
 be slow, but we cannot but be allowed still to hope that the bless- 
 ing of the Holy Spirit may be shed out abundantly on these la- 
 bors, and then shall they " not be in vain in the Lord ;" and while 
 it is evident, from later observations and more familiar intercourse, 
 that they have lapsed further into error than Dr. Buchanan had 
 supposed, this should, instead of cooling the zeal of Christians 
 for their restoration, stimulate it to greater warmth and energy 
 of action. Dr. Buchanan may be said to have died in their ser- 
 vice — the last act in which he was engaged being the supervision 
 of the printing of the New Testament in Syriac, in order to re- 
 deem the pledge which he made to them, when they so unwill- 
 ingly entrusted to his care the manuscripts they had so long 
 treasured, and which they had received from Antioch about the 
 seventh century. Though pictures of the Virgin in their churches, 
 and the acknowledgment of the value of the intercession of saints, 
 prove them to have departed from the faith once delivered to 
 their fathers, we cannot but still indulge the hope that this 
 branch of the church may yet be restored to its pristine vigour 
 and bring forth fruit to the praise and glory of God. And while 
 we survey their fallen condition, and that of the sister churches 
 of Armenia, Abyssinia, Greece, and Rome, and pray earnestly 
 for their restoration, let us not forget to derive from it that prac- 
 tical lesson it is so well calculated to convey, and learn to be 
 " watchful and strengthen those things that remain" in our own 
 possession, lest a like condemnation come upon ourselves, and, 
 while we justly look upon our privileges in the maintenance 
 among us of so large a portion of primitive order, we lapse, like 
 these our predecessors* into the form of godliness without the 
 power. None but he who has stood amid the fumes of incense 
 surrounded by a gaping, thoughtless crowd, and listened to the un- 
 intelligible jargon of the priest, bowing before a picture of the Vir- 
 
INTRODUCTION. XX1L1 
 
 gin, instead of humbling himself in the presence of the only true 
 God, can realize the humiliating feeling which is produced by the 
 reflection that these are the descendants of the churches of Co- 
 rinth and Philippi. And still more humbling is the feeling 
 which is produced by the grosser levity of both priest and peo- 
 ple in the Armenian Church, remembering their descent from 
 those to whom Paul preached in Asia the " gospel of the grace 
 of God." My heart has often sunk within me in witnessing 
 these things, from the reflection that the glory of the Lord once 
 shone on these churches still possessed of all the ordinances and 
 rites of Christianity, but totally destitute of that which alone 
 gives them life and power. The Lord grant that our candle- 
 stick may never in like manner be put out of its place, and we 
 left to cry, the temple of the Lord are we, while the glory has de- 
 parted, and the light has been replaced by a darkness the more 
 afflicting from the contrast. In the case of the Syrians, Dr. Bu- 
 chanan well remarks that he was more pleased to trace the ex- 
 istence of that which still remained among them, as the little 
 spark of good which might be kindled again into a flame by the 
 kindly nursing of the English Church, than to seek how far they 
 had fallen into error and darkness. He certainly overlooked the 
 invocation of the Virgin, and the acknowledgment of the merits 
 of the saints, or he could not have said — " The doctrines of the 
 Syrian Church are few in number, but pure, and agree in essen- 
 tial points with the Church of England ;" even with the quali- 
 fication which immediately follows, " Though the body of the 
 church appears to be ignorant and formal and dead, there are in- 
 dividuals who are alive to righteousness, who are distinguished 
 from the rest by their purity of life, and are sometimes con- 
 sidered too rigid." It must be borne in mind, too, by those who 
 are disposed to judge Dr. Buchanan hardly, that Col. Macaulay, 
 and others whose opportunities for information were greater than 
 his, were long under the same impression with himself, derived, 
 doubtless, like his own, from the remarks of those who were 
 "more alive to righteousness," or perhaps from the interested 
 misstatements of those who were anxious to receive some tenv 
 
XXIV INTRODUCTION. 
 
 poral advantage which they hoped might result from such decep- 
 tion.* 
 
 * The London Missionary Register for December, 1836, received after the pre- 
 paration of these sheets for the press, contains some recent accounts from the mis- 
 sionaries among the Syrian christians. The following extracts from their com- 
 munications will exhibit clearly the present condition of these people, and the 
 kind of instruction which is conveyed to the young Catanars in the seminary at 
 Cotym : 
 
 " Oct. 7, 1834—1 received a visit to-day from Philippos, Catanar, of one of the 
 Cottayam churches. We conversed on the errors of the Syrian Church. He 
 seems to be fully sensible of them, although he unhappily appears to be but little 
 troubled about their existence. On my mentioning the (desirableness of a refor- 
 mation, and the duty of the priests to promote it by all legal means, he coolly 
 observed that that was the Metran's business — that any reformation must origi- 
 nate with him. 
 
 " Oct. 12 — I preached to a very crowded congregation, in the Syrian church. 
 There is evidently an increased attention to the word of God. The people be- 
 gin to inquire of their priests, whether what Sahib says is true. "If it is not," 
 they say, " why is he allowed thus to preach in our church ? But if what Sahib 
 says be true, why do not our priests tell us the same things ?" I am inclined to 
 believe that if ever there is a reformation here, it will begin among the laity, 
 and not among the priests. By the priests, I have little doubt, there will be offer- 
 ed very strong opposition, and their influence among the people is very consider- 
 able. Still, let but the gospel be preached, simply and in love, and I cannot but 
 believe that the Lord will appear for his own glory, to the joy of his people, and 
 to the confusion of those who oppose themselves. 
 
 " Oct. 13 — This day one of my servants came to me, to speak about Christianity. 
 He stated that he had long been convinced of its truth, and was now desirous of 
 being baptized. I questioned him very closely, and was, upon the whole, much 
 pleased with his answers: his knowledge of the doctrine of Christianity is tole- 
 rably accurate. I know not what sinister motive he can have in thus coming 
 forward. I told him that I could not recommend him to the Syrian Church; but 
 that I should be happy to afford him further instruction in the truths of our holy 
 religion : and that if he were found to be sincere, I should procure him baptism 
 in our own church. For this encouragement he expressed himself thankful. He 
 is married, and has two children ; but his wife is opposed to Christianity. He 
 thinks, however, that she will not object to one of his children being baptized 
 with him. May the Lord carry on, in this poor man's heart, the work which he 
 seems to have begun ! 
 
 Oct. 19 : Lord's Day— I preached, as usual, in the Syrian church ; but in much 
 pain and weakness. There was a large number of men, women, and children 
 present. Many of these are very regular in their attendance ; and appear, at 
 least, to receive the word gladly. If at one time more than another I feel ten- 
 der commiseration for these poor Syrians, it is when I am addressing them in 
 their own church. Here every thingaround is calculated to remind you of their 
 deeplv-fallen condition. To-day I felt peculiarly earnest, while endeavouring to 
 exhibit the ability and willingness of Christ to save to the very uttermost eU that 
 come unto God by him. I am \ery anxious not heedlessly to offend their preju- 
 dices: but still, if we preach at all, we must preach the whole truth : and, in or- 
 der to make the truth evident, we must clear away their known errors : their re- 
 fuges of lies must be exposed. Christ— not the Virgin, not merits of saints, not 
 vows and fasts, not a wafer-god — Christ alone can help and save. Oh that we 
 all, like St. Paul, may determine to know nothing among them but Jesus Christ 
 and Mm crucified ! 
 
 " At this period Mr. Woodcock was under the necessity of proceeding to the 
 Nilgherries for the benefit of his health. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXV 
 
 So many years have now eiapsed since the grounds upon 
 which the claims of missions to the heathen are founded have 
 
 •* Themes by youths in the Syrian College. — The following themes by college 
 boys were transmitted by the'Rev. J. Peet, to illustrate their progress, and their 
 views of divine truth. 
 
 " On Justification by Faith. — Justification by faith is the grace of God freely 
 bestowed, and whereby He pardons all sins of men, and receives them holy in 
 his sight without accounting sins; but it is not by the works and worthiness of 
 men ; — and we must consider with what. It is only by the free grace with 
 which God hath offered the sacrifice of his own Son for the remission of our sins: 
 for instance, Rom. iii. 24: * Being ju-tified by his grace through the redemption 
 which is in Jesus Christ.' If we gain righteousness by works, it is not the free 
 grace of God, for it is the payment of works : for instance, Rom iv. 4: ■ To him 
 that worketh, is not reckoned the reward of grace, but of debt?' therefore by our 
 works the grace is not gained. Of this, Rom. iv. 2 : 'If Abraham was justified 
 by his works, he has wherewith to glory ; but.not before God.' God commanded 
 to Abraham, according to his commandment, * that thou shalt get out of thine 
 own country, and come into the land which I tell thee.' He believed God, and 
 got out without doubting : this was reckoned to him for righteousness : of which 
 Rom. iv. 3: 'For what the Scripture says : Abraham believed God, which was 
 reckoned to him for righteousness.' Therefore we must pray to God to grant his 
 Holy Spirit, that we also may walk in the footsteps of Abraham. 
 
 " On the same subject — We must think what is said of justification by faith : 
 it is the work of God's free grace. It is evident that we cannot be justified by 
 any good works that we do. Eph. ii. 8, 9, mentions about this : ' You are saved 
 by faith, by his grace ; and that not of yourselves, but it is the free grace of God ; 
 it is not of works, lest any man should boast.' We must think what faith is, and 
 how we can receive it: we must believe in Christ, with our perfect heart : many 
 witnesses prove that we have remission of sin through his blood. If we examine 
 how Job was saved from the deceit and temptation of Satan, he was only saved 
 b}' faith ; and not only he, but also Abraham, who is called the father of believers 
 and the friend of God, 'believed in God, and it was reckoned to him for right- 
 eousness ;' as it is said in Gal. iii. 6. Not only this, but faith is that by which we 
 are confirmed in our mind concerning unknown things as things that are known. 
 Even so we must certainly believe that there is no other Mediator between God 
 and men, except Christ. When we believe so, we, who are sinners and offend- 
 ers, will be received into the presence of Jehovah, armed with righteousness, as 
 those that have no defect : the whole Scriptures record to this: about this it is 
 spoken in the Epistle of John i. 12. 
 
 " In reference to this Theme, Mr. Peet remarks — 
 
 u A literal translation from a deacon's original Malayalim theme; and pre- 
 cisely as it was translated by an English scholar; first on a slate, and afterward 
 written on this paper by him. My object in sending this is to show the state of 
 learning at present. 
 
 " On Praying to the Virgin Mary.—\t is not lawful to pray to the Virgin Mary, 
 as we do to our God, who preserves us from harm by day and night: because 
 she, being one of his creatures, could not save any man, or do any thing good, as 
 the Almighty could. We, who are Christians, should not despise her, but honour 
 her more than all other women ; because she was the mother of our Saviour, and 
 the blessed woman among all other women who were born in this world : and if 
 we give those privileges and glory, which are due to God only, to any other 
 creature, whether Virgin Mary or any saint, it is not only an horrible crime, but 
 we despise and frustrate the merits of Christ which he hath shed for our salva- 
 tion ; and the scripture doth not teach us to trust in any other, but in Christ Jesus, 
 for our salvation : and we are the transgressors of the scripture, if we do what it 
 doth not teach us ; for it teacheth us, in the first commandment which God gave 
 to Moses, Thou shalt have no other God before me : from this we may learn that 
 we must put our trust in no one, except the living God. 
 
 " Mr. Peet states that this theme was written without the slightest dictation of 
 any kind ." 
 
 3* 
 
XXVI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 been presented to the public, and so treacherous are our hearts 
 in allowing such things to slip from the memory, that it may not 
 be useless once more, on this occasion, to ask the attention of the 
 readers of this volume to a cursory survey of them. In this, as 
 in all other cases, the maxim of the Roman poet is true — 
 
 " Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, 
 Quam quas sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus — " 
 
 and I feel assured that no heart, which has felt the power of sin, 
 and known the saving efficacy of the blood of Christ applied to 
 its own healing, can for one moment survey the actual condition 
 of the heathen world, and hesitate as to the imperative nature of 
 the obligation to extend to its polluted inhabitants the knowledge 
 of the gospel. Having myself seen the abomination of idolatry, 
 entering upon its consideration too with a heart steeled by long 
 rooted prejudice in opposition to missionary effort, I have long- 
 entertained the deliberate conviction that there is no sin of the 
 christian church more universal — none which will draw upon it 
 greater condemnation, than the cold indifference with which this 
 great work, which has been solemnly committed to it by the 
 Great Head of the Church, has been regarded : so long as it 
 continues to be a principle of the Lord of truth and righteousness 
 that " without holiness no man shall see the Lord" — that 
 nothing which is impure or defile th shall enter within the walls 
 of the New Jerusalem, so long must those, who know the pollu- 
 tion of the heathen world, mourn over the certainty of their ex- 
 clusion from that happiness which the Lord hath purchased for 
 those that love him. I pretend not to pass judgment upon every 
 individual heathen : the Lord knoweth them that are his. But 
 when we speak of masses we must speak in general terms. 
 When the prophet in his despondence looked over Israel and 
 thought, " I, even I alone, am left to call upon thy name," he was 
 rebuked for his selfish, short-sighted want of faith, and told of 
 seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to Baal. Yet 
 even the anxious glance of the prophet could not discern these 
 members of an election by grace among the multitude — so now 
 there may be and doubtless are, among the many hundreds of 
 millions of the heathen world, some who, in anxious seeking 
 after God, and doing by nature the things of the law, shall be 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXVU 
 
 accepted, and, coming from the east and the west, the north and 
 the south, condemn those who with greater privileges abused or 
 despised, shall see these enter into the kingdom of heaven, while 
 they are themselves thrust out. "But, when this is granted, have 
 we granted any thing which shall in the slightest degree abate 
 from the necessity of missionary effort? The testimony not of 
 missionaries but of infidels, and even of the people themselves, is, 
 that the mass of them are sunk into the lowest degree of wicked- 
 ness and degradation — and this be it remembered, not in igno- 
 rance and mental hebetude, but with minds intelligent and quick, 
 and consciences far from seared. And what cry, other than that 
 of those who are perishing, could come with a stronger appeal 
 to the heart of the christian, than that of those who in anxious 
 desire for salvation are seeking some way of acceptance, torturing 
 their bodies for the good of their souls — groping in the dark in 
 search of some light upon the way they are seeking which shall 
 lead them to everlasting life and peace ? To such a soul, wander- 
 ing " now this way and now that," seeking the pearl of price, 
 and willing to part with all to obtain it, " how beautiful upon the 
 mountains would be the feet of him that brought glad tidings." 
 Who does not long to tell to such an one the glorious news of the 
 " blood of Christ cleansing from all sin" — to carry to such an one 
 the invitation, " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy 
 laden, and I will give you rest ?" So that the necessity to preach 
 the unsearchable riches of Christ to the heathen may be founded 
 on two perfectly distinct points of obligation : to those who are 
 resisting that amount of light which still remains among them, 
 and are not willing to retain God in their knowledge, it is ne- 
 cessary to exhibit his purity and holiness, and his hatred of sin, 
 shown in the provision it v/as needful to make for the pardon of 
 man's transgressions : and to those who are mourning under the 
 conviction of unholiness and longing for deliverance from the 
 power and guilt of sin, in order that they may be brought ac- 
 quainted with the means of grace, and become possessors of the 
 comfort and joy of a hope of glory. These arguments especially 
 apply to those nations who, like the Hindoos and Chinese, are 
 partially enlightened, possessed of acute and inquiring minds, 
 and susceptible already of impressions which may be maue upon 
 
XXV111 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 their understandings, and addressed to their hearts — who, like 
 the ancient Romans and Greeks, "by wisdom know not God." 
 Equally cogent are the arguments which appeal to us in behalf of 
 those nations who in the degradation of barbarism show but lit- 
 tle to distinguish them from the brutes, living only for the gratifi- 
 cation of animal appetites and passions, and exhibiting just 
 enough of the characteristics of man to justify us in the belief 
 that they are members of the human family, and as such possess- 
 ed of souls destined to immortal existence, and susceptible of 
 immortal joy and glory. To such the knowledge of the gospel, 
 accompanied as it always is by the enlightening and sanctifying 
 operations of the Holy Ghost, brings not only the assurance of 
 future bliss but meliorating influences on their present condition. 
 Let us but look back a few centuries to our own British, Saxon, 
 and Celtic ancestry, and see them plunged in ignorance and 
 idolatry as gross and degrading as that which now holds any 
 portion of our fellow-men in its thraldom, and then contrast it 
 with the light and knowledge which now afford us joy, and ex- 
 amine to what it is we owe the change, and we shall find the 
 benign influences of the gospel at the foundation of it all ; and, 
 while we thus enhance our estimation of present blessings by 
 the comparison, let us examine our own hearts and see whether 
 we so value them as to be willing to make some sacrifice for the 
 extension of the same to others. The natural philanthropy of 
 the human heart should be sufficient to move us to some exer- 
 tion at least to bestow upon others the blessings we so richly 
 partake of ourselves. The conviction that 
 
 " The quality of mercy is not strained, 
 It droppeth like the gentle rain from heaven 
 Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed — 
 It blesseth him that gives and him that takes," 
 
 Should stir us up to some effort — or we should cease to 
 pride ourselves on its possession. But if such motives should 
 have weight on every feeling heart, what should be the amount 
 of feeling in the christian's breast ? Himself a monument of grace 
 and mercy on the part of God, professedly partaker of the bless- 
 ings purchased for all mankind by the blood of Jesus — how can 
 he shut up his bowels of compassion from those who are allied 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXIX 
 
 to him by the ties of common humanity — profess to pity their 
 degradation, and yet stretch forth no hand to help? Surely 
 such want of consistency must draw down heavier condemnation 
 than that which an apostle threatens to those who feel not for the 
 bodily w T ants of their fellows. 
 
 And now, what remains for us but to examine, each one for 
 himself, how far we are engaged in working together with God, 
 for the promotion of the great object which He is labouring to 
 effect, the restoration of his sovereignty in the world, and the 
 bringing back of man from the degradation into which sin has 
 plunged him, to the glory and honour which belonged to his origin- 
 al condition, and of which he is still susceptible ? The cry of 
 so many millions of fellow-creatures, destitute of all that consti- 
 tutes our comfort in life, and hope in death, should alone be suf- 
 ficient to arouse us from the lethargy in which we have so long 
 been slumbering. Those generous, noble, expanded feelings, on 
 which we are wont to pride ourselves as the tokens of our great- 
 ness, and which stand amid the desolation wrought by sin as 
 the monuments of what man was when he came from the hand 
 of his Creator in all the nobility and grandeur of the image of 
 God ; these, alone, should be sufficient to impel us to greater 
 diligence in extending the blessings of the gospel. What, 
 though the feeble cry of the new-born infant no longer pierce 
 our ear, as it sinks in the polluted stream, or falls a prey to the 
 devouring monster. — What, though the noise of the drum, and 
 the shouts of a multitude of Priests of Baal, no longer drown the 
 voices of infatuated females perishing in the flames. — What, 
 though the headless trunks of human victims no longer lie before 
 the hideous image of the " Black Mother, 5 ' thirsting for blood — 
 and the car of Juggernaut no longer rolls its cumbrous load, 
 stained with the gore of self-devoted sacrifices. What are all 
 these changes but triumphs of the cross ? And shall we stop here, 
 just as these signs of trembling give promise of victory ? These 
 are but the outposts of the enemy, and while the victory over 
 them should cheer us to further conquest, far be it from us to 
 rest here as though all had been achieved. Neither let us be 
 disheartened because so little has yet been done — far from little 
 is it when it is compared with the efforts which have been put 
 
XXX INTRODUCTION. 
 
 forth to accomplish it. It is my firm conviction that so little has 
 been effected only because so little effort has been made, and 
 that, had not God been working with the little band of preachers, 
 less still would have resulted. Who can say he has done what 
 he could except perhaps here and there a widow who has cast 
 in her mite ? Let the thousands spent by professed christians, 
 not for personal comfort, but for display and to maintain their 
 station in the ranks of the world, compared with the insig- 
 nificant sums expended for the extension of the gospel, be the 
 answer. Where is the spirit of liberality which an apostle 
 praised, leading, to the giving even " beyond that they were able?" 
 and, above all, where are the self devoted men and women to go 
 forth as heralds of the cross, bearing its glad tidings to those who, 
 as yet, are " in darkness and the shadow of death," " feeling after 
 God, if haply they may find him ?" Let no one who professes 
 to have been redeemed from the just penalty of his transgressions 
 by the precious blood of Jesus, say all has been done till he has 
 well examined whether he be not called of the Lord to join the 
 army of the cross ; and when he has decided that duty does not 
 call him into the field, let him see well to it that he supports 
 those who are there. Our own mission to the Chinese, how 
 long are we to be content with two preachers of the gospel to so 
 many millions of people ? Where is the spirit which appeared 
 just glowing with promise, when these two came forward to the 
 work 1 May it not cease to burn brighter and brighter until its 
 radiance has dissipated the gloom which has so long enshrouded 
 the nation J* Then when the church of the Lord enters into 
 the work with a spirit of holy emulation in stirring up her mem- 
 bers to strive each one to be found faithful, whether in little or 
 much, we shall see results follow which shall cause what has 
 been effected to be forgotten in the comparison. The earnest 
 appeal of the present Bishop of Calcutta in behalf of British 
 India, may be applied with equal force to ourselves in behalf of 
 the whole heathen world. Would to God it might stir up many 
 of the pious students of our colleges, that " great might be the 
 
 * Since this was written the Foreign Committee has announced a third as 
 ready to go forth. But " what are they among so many V At the same time too 
 it announces its fear of a deficiency of funds for the support ofour present feeble 
 foreign operations. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXXI 
 
 army of the preachers." " Oh that our cry could reach the land 
 of our fathers ! Oh that visions not of a single man of Mace- 
 donia, but of the hundred and thirty-four millions of Hindoos 
 and Mohammedans who are under British sway or British influ- 
 ence, might present itself to the pious students at our universities, 
 crying, ' Come over to India and help us V 
 
 " Shall men call themselves christians and see the scholar, the 
 philosopher, the mere traveller, spring forth on the distant ex- 
 pedition and not imitate their example for a much higher object? 
 Shall commerce be never weary, never disconcerted in her en- 
 terprises, and shall Christianity go to sleep ? Shall the civil and 
 military services of India be sought for 'with avidity by the first 
 families in the kingdom, and shall the service of Christ be de- 
 clined? Shall the privations of a voyage, the languor of an en- 
 ervating climate, or the increased hazard of disease, never deter 
 men for a moment in every other profession, and shall they 
 deter them in this ?" 
 
 Having enjoyed the unusual privilege of a domestication for 
 several months in the families of the missionaries of the Church 
 Missionary Society at Madras and Calcutta, I am able to bear 
 testimony to that which has passed under my own personal ob- 
 servation, entering upon that observation too with a mind ob- 
 scured by long indulged prejudice against all missionary efforts, 
 and these in particular; the subjoined extracts, from letters writ- 
 ten at the time, may illustrate the habits and manners of these 
 devoted servants of the Lord Jesus, and justify the change which 
 witnessing the scenes described produced on my own opinions. 
 
 " It was a lovely moonlight evening, about a week after our 
 arrival in Madras, when, fatigued with the noisy, yet cheerless, 
 merriment of the dinner table, I turned out for a solitary walk, 
 Having exhausted the novelties of the place, and without any 
 acquaintance with whom to pass an occasional hour, I began to 
 feel that most dreary of all sensations, described by being * a 
 stranger in a strange land,' and having nothing to attach me to 
 it I longed to be again at sea. As I wandered slowly and list-* 
 lessly through the streets thronging with natives, my attention 
 was aroused by the sound of the bell of a small chapel, which I 
 
XXXii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 knew to be attached to the mission stationed in this neighbour- 
 hood by the Church Missionary Society ; I entered, and found, 
 seated on mats placed on the floor, about fifty natives, of all ages 
 and both sexes, neatly and cleanly clothed, and with every ap« 
 pearance of humble devotion, waiting the hour of social w T orship. 
 Pausing in the vestibule, I stood, contemplating with rapturous 
 feeling, a sight so pleasing. I saw the western world rolling 
 back upon the East a portion of that knowledge which maketh 
 wise unto salvation, which had originally emanated from it. I 
 saw, from the land of darkness and the shadow of death, the first 
 faint glimmerings of that light which shall one day cover the 
 earth, dispelling from the minds of its benighted inhabitants the 
 gloomy mists of superstition and idolatry in which for centuries 
 they have been enveloped. Indulging glowing anticipations, I 
 saw among the interesting youth who sat before me the future 
 messengers of the glad tidings of peace, and, contemplating them 
 with ' their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel,' saw 
 them exposing their lives, willingly, to danger — and their per- 
 sons to insult, in the glorious endeavour to bring others to that 
 fountain of living waters opened in the house of David, for sin 
 and for uncleanness, in which they themselves had been w r ashed 
 and purified. Such was the train of my reflections, when I was 
 interrupted by a cordial and brotherly salutation from a gentle- 
 man ascending the steps from the little court-yard with which 
 the chapel was surrounded, into the anti-room in which I stood. 
 Finding he was the pastor of the little congregation now as- 
 sembled, I requested his permission to stay during the service, 
 which, though in an unknown tongue, was possessed of a deep 
 interest. The attention manifested by the poor creatures, who 
 were thus enjoying one of the greatest privileges afforded to the 
 believer, was exceedingly pleasing. At the close of worship, as 
 I was about leaving the church, the missionary sent to request I 
 would favour him with my address, and on exchanging cards very 
 kindly invited me to visit him at his station, which is about three 
 miles from Madras, surrounded by a native population. I found 
 he was the Rev. William Sawyer, a gentleman of good con- 
 nexions, and handsome estate, the first of which he willingly 
 sacrificed, and the last employed in the service of his Redeemer — 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXX11L 
 
 leaving friends and the comforts of civilized life to settle himself 
 here among the poor benighted heathen — willing to spend and 
 be spent in the endeavour to spread the knowledge of the blessed 
 gospel of reconciliation among the votaries of a dark and horrid 
 superstition. Having learned these circumstances, I did not hesi- 
 tate to visit him early the following morning. 
 
 After riding a considerable distance through miserable villages 
 of mud huts, and swampy paddy fields, on a quick turn of the 
 road I saw at my side a beautiful Gothic chapel* of white 
 stucco, and just behind it a lovely retired little spot, reminding 
 me more of home and peace than any thing I had yet seen, a 
 small one storied house, completely embosomed in trees, and sur- 
 rounded by a neat shrubbery. A narrow lane, passing by the 
 chapel and between two rows of cottages, inhabited by native 
 christians, led to the house ; at which I was received with that 
 true welcome which a christian, and he only, knows how to 
 give. But it was not in the exterior of this mansion of love, nor 
 in the pleasing reception I met from its master, that the charm 
 of the morning consisted. After passing an hour or two in de- 
 lightful conversation — the more so when the circumstances in 
 which I was placed were taken into consideration, — he invited 
 me to accompany him in the performance of his morning duty, 
 in visiting a school he has on the premises ; and which is cer- 
 tainly one of the most interesting objects in India. Under an 
 open shed, each busily employed in his proper task, we found 
 about 25 boys, most of them natives, between the ages of 10 and 
 16, A few are the children of christian parents ; others of idol- 
 aters, selected from a large body of children whom he has under 
 the instruction of native teachers, in day schools, in the several 
 villages by which he is surrounded, and which he daily visits. 
 The principal part of his care, however, is bestowed on this cen- 
 tral school. All who are admitted into it must renounce caste, 
 and consent to remain entirely with him ; adopting all the habits 
 of christians, (excepting as they would interfere with harmless 
 local customs,) but especially be regular in their attendance on 
 family worship, which for their accommodation is in the Tamul 
 
 * Built at the private cost of Mr. S. 
 4 
 
XXXIV INTRODUCTION. 
 
 language, morning arid evening, and at church on the Sabbath. 
 They are first instructed in the principles of their native tongue, 
 then in the various branches of a common English education, 
 and some in Latin and Greek. I witnessed their examination in 
 geography, grammar, reading, &c. and was astonished at their 
 progress. The grand object, however, is to bring every thing 
 to bear on the one point — the growth in that knowledge which 
 maketh wise to salvation. The scriptures, of course, are much 
 studied. 
 
 4 * Having spent the morning, I returned to our lodgings, and 
 early the next day we sailed for Calcutta. On my return^ I 
 hastened to renew an intercourse which, though short, had been 
 so full of interest, and did not hesitate to accept an invitation 
 to remain, during our stay, with one whose character I so much 
 esteemed. An opportunity was thus afforded me of inspecting 
 more closely the establishment. Here all that passes around 
 the children, day and night, is calculated to show them the 
 superiority of that blessed religion, to instruct them in the tenets 
 of which so much labour is bestowed. Secluded alike from the 
 evil instructions of their connexions, and what is more, the per- 
 nicious example of those professed christians who, holding the 
 truth in unrighteousness, cause the name of the Lord to be blas- 
 phemed among the heathen, — they see before them a brilliant 
 evidence of the effects of the gospel of Jesus, where it is received 
 in humility, in their teacher ; who, ' constrained by the love of 
 Christ,' is thus labouring to bring others to an acquaintance with 
 the same blessed hope which supports himself under all his trials. 
 The usual avocations of my friend were not interrupted by my 
 residence with him, and I thus had an opportunity of witnessing 
 his system in its application as well as its effects. Rising at half 
 after four, every morning, he receives, in his chamber, the visits 
 of such of the boys as may have been led, by the grace of God, 
 to hunger and thirst after righteousness. An hour and a half is 
 spent, with these, in conversation and private prayer. There is 
 no compulsion in this ; all are invited and received who love the 
 Lord ; and the nature of the interview is such, that none others 
 wish to be present. About eight of the boys avail themselves of 
 this privilege. At six the whole family is collected for worship, 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXXV 
 
 which is in the Tamul language ; after which they breakfast, and 
 the children go to their studies, under the immediate superintend- 
 ence of a young man who has been educated by Mr. Sawyer, 
 and is every way fitted for so important a duty. The greater 
 part of the morning is spent by my friend in visiting his out- 
 schools, which are under the care of the native christian men, so 
 far as he can find them competent to the office ; but he is still 
 obliged to employ two or three heathen teachers. By daily 
 visiting and catechising them, he labours to acquaint them 
 w r ith the principles of Christianity, while they are acquiring 
 such knowledge as fits them for respectable employments ; and as 
 any of them manifest a disposition to attend to better things, they 
 are removed to his house, if the consent of their parents can be 
 gained, and once in the week the teachers are required to bring 
 all their scholars to the house that they may be examined and 
 instructed by himself. In such employment the morning passes. 
 After dinner a class of the boys is instructed in Latin and Greek* 
 till four, when the little chapel at the road side is opened for the 
 purpose of declaring the glad tiding of ' salvation by the remis- 
 sion of sins.' The native christians all collect, and generally 
 a greater or less number of those who yet ' sit in darkness and 
 the shadow of death' are attracted as they pass along ; and, either 
 entering or standing in crowds around the door, receive a por- 
 tion of that seed, which, blessed by the fostering influence of the 
 Sun of righteousness, shall spring up and bring forth much 
 fruit. The time which elapses between the conclusion of this 
 duty and nine o'clock, is spent either in study, conversation 
 with any of the native christians who may want advice, or recrea- 
 tion. At nine the family is again collected, and, after expounding 
 a portion of the Holy Scriptures, the duties of the day are ended, 
 as they began, with prayer and thanksgiving." 
 
 " One of the most interesting of the native schools is that 
 attached to the Baptist mission, under the care of Rev. George 
 Pearce, near Cossipore, about three miles from Calcutta. In con- 
 sequence of his determination to have it understood that his only 
 object in coming among them was their conversion to christiani- 
 
 * With the view of qualifying them to act as catechi U or missionaries. 
 
XXXVI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ty, he announced to his boys that he should expect all who re- 
 mained in his school to sign an agreement, to be ratified by their 
 parents under a heavy penalty, that they would continue with 
 him three years at least, and use christian books in learning. 
 The consequence was that the whole school of more than fifty 
 boys left him ; for a few days he laboured under great discourage- 
 ment; before long, however, he had the pleasure of finding them 
 all return, and before I left India it was one of the largest and best 
 conducted schools I had seen. 
 
 " But, one of the greatest changes that has been effected among 
 the Bengalese, is in the education of their females. Till within 
 a few years they had nothing, except the faculty of speech, to dis- 
 tinguish them as rational beings — their knowledge extended no 
 further than the facts occurring under their daily observation. 
 A large body of them are now in the mission schools, from 
 among the low T er castes, and the higher caste people are 
 forced from shame to have their daughters educated at home. 
 With them, however, there is one cause of difficulty not existing 
 in connexion with the boys. The latter are stimulated to the 
 necessary exertions by the hopes of being able to obtain situations 
 as sircars, There is no stimulus of this kind to induce the 
 girls to come forward ; and as, from their present degraded con- 
 dition, they cannot appreciate the advantages of education, it is 
 found necessary to encourage them by rewards of clothes or 
 rice, or small pieces of money. The most flourishing of these 
 schools are those of the Ladies' Society of Calcutta, under the 
 superintendence of Mrs. Wilson. This lady held the respect- 
 able situation of governess, in one of the most noble families of 
 England, till, being moved with compassion for the Hindoo 
 females, by the accounts which were forwarded of their degraded 
 situation, she left her home and all its comforts to engage in 
 the tuition of a people little advanced beyond savage life. A large 
 building has lately been erected for a central school, in which 
 she is to reside, and gather under her immediate care the more 
 advanced girls from the different schools scattered over the town," 
 and qualify them for teachers. This will be gaining a most im- 
 portant point, as they are now obliged to employ sircars, which 
 is manifestly improper. From the daily routine of this lady you 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXXV11 
 
 may judge of the labours of the faithful missionaries of both sexes. 
 At 7 o'clock every morning her little carriage may be seen leav- 
 ing home, and from that time until eleven, when it becomes so 
 warm as to render it impossible longer to keep the children to- 
 gether, she is constantly engaged in instructing in one or 
 other of her schools, 40 or 50 dirty, filthy dirty, little girls. At 
 4 o'clock in the afternoon the same routine commences, and the 
 intermediate time is occupied in the instruction of a few little 
 orphan girls whom she has adopted, and the necessary cares of 
 a family. 
 
 " When she first arrived, she met w T ith nothing but cliscourage- 
 ment, even from the missionaries themselves, so hopeless did 
 they deem the attempt to improve the condition of the females of 
 India. She, however, persevered ; and often relates, with great 
 feeling, the incident which encouraged her amid all the opposition 
 her plans encountered. Visiting one of the boys' schools in order 
 to improve herself in the language, and become acquainted with 
 the habits of the children, she observed the teacher (a native man) 
 to speak harshly to a child at the door, ordering it away. On 
 inquiring the cause, she was told it was a little girl who had 
 been long troublesome from her desire to be taught as the boys 
 were. 
 
 "By the liberality of the christian population of Calcutta a 
 noble building has been erected for the accommodation of a 
 central school in the midst of the native quarter of the town, and 
 here, without any male protector, and separated by a long dis- 
 tance from any christian habitation, she resides with a family of 
 heathen girls, whom she is training up in christian principles and 
 habits under her own continued supervision. Many of them are 
 orphans, who, having no earthly friend but herself, are thus left 
 wholly under her influence. She has already seen enough of good 
 resulting from her labours to render her thankful that she was 
 called to endure the privations and labour she has cheerfully borne. 
 And the conviction that, as yet, it is but the first swelling up of 
 the fountain head which shall soon be enlarged by kindred springs 
 into a noble stream, must give her inexpressible delight in the 
 anticipation of the full result of her self-devotion, which will only 
 be developed in the great day when secret things shall be re- 
 
 4* 
 
XXXV1U INTRODUCTION. 
 
 vealed. Who that saw a single unprotected female leaving the 
 comforts of civilized life and christian society, to venture forth 
 alone, unsupported, nay, even frowned upon by many who were 
 the most anxious for the promotion of the cause of missions — 
 who that followed her to her port of destination, and saw her there 
 received, it is true, with cordiality, but disheartened by the opin- 
 ion of those who had been the longest engaged in the work, who 
 considered her plan as impossible of execution — who that sat 
 down with her in her first effort to instruct the one little girl so 
 often repulsed from the boys' school, and still returning to solicit 
 instruction, until the Providence of God brought her an instruc- 
 tor — who that accompanied her in her fatiguing and fruitless 
 efforts to gain others in the filthy lanes and squalid huts of the 
 lowest of the native inhabitants, but must admire the strength of 
 that faith which could thus endure as seeing things which are in- 
 visible—and who that has travelled with her in her depression, and 
 witnessed her labour, but must rejoice with her in the great work 
 which has been accomplished by her instrumentality, when in- 
 formed that the education of the females in the East is the work 
 not only of the wives of all the missionaries now in India, and 
 its dependencies, but of many ladies sent out by a society ex- 
 pressly constituted for the object ? Such results have flowed 
 from the persevering efforts of one faithful female." 
 
 The Church of Scotland occupies at present a most important 
 position in the missionary field in India. The East India Com- 
 pany had established two colleges at Calcutta, the one for the 
 instruction of Hindoos, and the other for Mohammedans, in the 
 principles of science, from which they carefully excluded all 
 christian instruction. Not satisfied with passive opposition, they 
 had positively prohibited its introduction among the students ! 
 The result of this was just that which might have been foreseen. 
 The absurdities of the heathen Mythology w r ere too glaring 
 to stand before the light of western science. But while the minds 
 of the pupils were thus disenthralled from its bondage, they could 
 not rest satisfied with the negative position in which they were 
 placed, and soon formed a body of acute and intelligent infidels, 
 anxious to disseminate their views in opposition to every system 
 of religion among their countrymen. A coalition was formed 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXxiX 
 
 between the then Archdeacon of Calcutta and some of the princi 
 pal missionaries of other denominations resident in Calcutta, for 
 the purpose of counteracting this evil influence, which resulted, by 
 the blessing of the Lord, in bringing several of these young men 
 into the ranks of christian truth. In view of these circumstances 
 the Rev. Mr. Duff, the first missionary of the Church of Scot- 
 land to India, laboured sedulously among them. He says in his 
 report to the assembly of the Church of Scotland, — 
 
 " The evidences in favour of Christianity as a revelation from 
 God having been admitted by several as irresistible, and by- 
 others no longer opposed, we last of all came to the grand 
 terminating object of all ourlabours, viz. the announcement of the 
 message itself, the full and free declaration of the essential doc- 
 trines of the gospel. It was then, and then only, as might have 
 been expected, that vital impressions began to be made. Hither- 
 to, we were engaged in the removal of obstacles that opposed 
 our entrance into the temple of truth. Having now reached the 
 threshold, we crossed it in order to discover and admire the 
 beauties of the inner workmanship. Hitherto the intellect 
 chiefly was called into exercise. We had now something suited 
 to the feelings and the conscience. The word of God is the 
 alone direct and efficacious instrument in awakening and regen 
 erating a guilty and polluted world ; and the Holy Spirit of God, 
 the alone Almighty Agent in crowning this instrumentality with 
 triumphs that shall issue in the glories of eternity. Accordingly, 
 it was when unfolding, in simple and absolute dependence on 
 divine grace, the scripture doctrine of the sinfulness, depravity, 
 and helplessness of human nature, that the heart of the first con- 
 vert became seriously affected under a sense of the guilt and vile- 
 ness of sin ; and, when unfolding the inexpressible love of the 
 divine Eedeemer to our apostate world, that another heart was 
 touched, yea, melted under the display of such infinite tender- 
 ness. Thus it was that the gospel triumphed, and the doctrine 
 of the cross, brought home to the heart and conscience, and seal- 
 ed by the divine Spirit, maintained its high pre-eminence, as the 
 only antecedent to the conversion of a soul towards God. 
 
 " And I must here add that, in the case of some of the indi- 
 viduals thus brought to a knowledge of the truth, there was ex- 
 
Xl INTRODUCTION. 
 
 hibited a demonstration of the power of Christianity, such as 1 
 have seldom, if ever, witnessed at home. The case of the third 
 one that was baptized, and who now conducts an institution in 
 one of the upper provinces, was some whaf peculiar, from the 
 trying circumstances attending his separation from his friends. 
 Ah ! could any member of this assembly have been present on 
 that memorable night, he would have seen what Christianity 
 could do, even for a poor brutish idolater. It was about nine in 
 the evening ; and if any one here has been in that far-distant land, 
 he will know what the external scene was when I say, it was 
 on the banks of the Ganges, and under the full effulgence of an 
 Indian moon, whose brightness almost rivals the noon-day glory 
 of the sun in these northern climes. Two or three had resolved, 
 as friends, to go along with this individual, and witness a spec- 
 tacle never before seen by us, and perhaps not soon again to 
 be seen by Europeans. It was heart-rending throughout. Hav- 
 ing reached the outer door of the house, the elder brother of this 
 young man advanced towards him, and, looking at him wistfully 
 in the face, began first to implore him by the most endearing 
 terms as a brother, that he would not bring this shame and dis- 
 grace upon himself and his family, (which was a most respecta- 
 ble one.) Again and again did he earnestly appeal to him by 
 the sympathies, and the tenderness, and the affection of a brother. 
 The young man listened, and with intense emotion simply in 
 substance replied, 'that he had now found out what error was, 
 that he had now found out what truth was, and that he was re- 
 solved to cling unto the truth.' Finding that this argument had 
 failed, he began to assert the authority of the elder brother, an 
 authority sanctioned by the usages of the people. He endea- 
 voured to show what power he had over him, if he cruelly brought 
 this disgrace upon his family. The young man still firmly re- 
 plied, ' / have found out what error is, I have found out what 
 truth is, and I have resolved to cling unto the truth.' The 
 brother next held out bribes and allurements. There was no- 
 thing which he was not prepared to grant. There was no indul- 
 gence whatever which he would not allow him in the very bosom 
 of the family — indulgences absolutely prohibited and regarded as 
 abhorrent in the Hindoo system — -if he would only stop short of 
 
INTRODUCTION. xli 
 
 the last and awful step of baptism, the public sealing of his foul 
 and fatal apostacy. The young man still resolutely adhered to 
 his simple but emphatic declaration ! 
 
 " It was now, when every argument had finally failed, that 
 his aged mother, who had all the while been present within 
 reach of hearing, though we knew it not, raised a howl of agony, 
 a yell of horror, which it is impossible for imagination to con- 
 ceive. It pierced into the heart, and made the very flesh creep 
 and shiver. The young man could hold out no longer. He 
 was powerfully affected, and shed tears. With uplifted arms, 
 and eyes raised to heaven, he forcibly exclaimed, ' No: I can- 
 not stayT And this was the last time he ever had converse 
 with his brethern or his mother ! 
 
 " I could not help feeling then, and have often thought since, 
 how wonderful is the power of truth — how sovereign the grace 
 of God ! If it be said that the Hindoo character is griping and 
 avaricious, divine grace is stronger still, and is able to conquer 
 it. If it is the yielding and fickle, ay, fickle as the shifting quick- 
 sands, divine grace can give it consistency and strength. If it 
 is feeble and cowardly, divine grace can make the feeble power- 
 ful, and convert the coward into a moral hero. What signal 
 testimony do such triumphs bear to the power of the everlasting 
 gospel !" 
 
 With this experience of the advantages to be derived from the 
 introduction of science in her proper sphere, as the handmaid 
 of Christianity, he resolved to establish an institution in which 
 she should hold this relation, in which the truths of Christianity 
 shall be taught simultaneously with that scientific truth which 
 dissipates the clouds of error and superstition. 
 
 The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions 
 has in India twenty-one missionary stations, twenty-two mission- 
 aries, five teachers and printers, twenty-eight female assistants, 
 fifty-seven native assistants, and two ordained native missionaries. 
 They have under instruction in their schools nearly 8000 children, 
 and the native members of their churches, at the various sta- 
 tions, amount to 280. The Wesleyan Methodists, the Indepen- 
 dents of Great Britain, the Baptists, have all of them active and 
 useful missions stationed in various parts of Hindostan. But by 
 
Xlii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 far the greatest amount of success has attended the labours of 
 the Church Missionary Society, an institution of which Dr. 
 Buchanan was a consistent and firm supporter, The Christian 
 Knowledge Society, and the Society for the Propagation of the 
 Gospel in Foreign Parts, both, also, institutions of the established 
 Church of England, have many missionaries in the field. Connect- 
 ed with the missions of the former society in South India and 
 Ceylon, there are, it is supposed, not less than 20,000 professed 
 native christians. In the commencement of their operations, 
 being unable to procure missionaries regularly ordained in the 
 Church of England, they resorted to the employment of Lutheran 
 clergymen, chiefly obtained from Halle, in Germany. The 
 Church Missionary Society, from the same cause, resorted to the 
 same source for its missionaries, w 7 ho have proved eminently 
 useful. "Whole villages have been brought through their instru- 
 mentality to the renunciation of idolatry, and the adoption of 
 Christianity, which they have adorned by a holiness of life which 
 has made them truly lights amid the darkness by which they are 
 surrounded. For many years past the converts have maintained a 
 society for the purpose of disseminating still further the gospel 
 which they have proved precious to themselves, though even to 
 the present time they are burdened with the imposition of heavier 
 taxes than their heathen neighbours, owing to their strict adher- 
 ence to the truth in reporting to the collectors their taxable pro- 
 perty, instead of resorting to the expedients commonly employed 
 to deceive them. In many instances too these officers, being 
 heathens and accustomed to receive bribes that they may under- 
 value property, revenge themselves on the christian natives, who 
 will not be partakers with them in this fraud upon the govern- 
 ment, by overrating their property, and thus subjecting them to 
 increased exaction. Yet, notwithstanding all these difficulties, 
 the work progresses steadily, and by a late account no less than 
 two hundred and £ihy -six families had been added to the church 
 in the short space of two months, and this, too, in the Tinne- 
 villey district, where, most unhappily, some difference had oc- 
 curred between the Lutheran missionaries, and the Episcopal au- 
 thority, in consequence of the opinion of the bishop that unjustifia- 
 ble concessions had been made to the native prejudices on the 
 
INTRODUCTION. xliii 
 
 subject of caste. This large addition was made subsequently to 
 the adoption of the more rigid system ; surely nothing could 
 more clearly demonstrate the solid foundation on which the work 
 of the missionaries has been constructed, than the fact that, not- 
 withstanding these difficulties, their converts continue steadfast 
 in the faith. One most interesting circumstance is related in the 
 last annual report of the American Board of Missions. A mis- 
 sionary, journeying to a distant station, found at Jalna a native 
 christian congregation of forty or fifty members without any 
 pastor. There had never been a missionary stationed at this 
 point. Most of the members of this little. church had come from 
 Madras, and, by associating together, had not only maintained 
 their ground, but increased. "What more could be said of any 
 congregation in our own favoured country, under similar circum- 
 stances ? 
 
 In concluding this Introduction to the Memoir of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan, it will not be inappropriate or uninteresting to notice a 
 subject suggested by intelligence recently received. We have 
 more than once had occasion to advert to the countenance afforded 
 by the government to the idolatry of the Hindoos. Time after 
 time appeals have been forwarded to the Court of Directors in 
 England, on this subject, and it formed a prominent subject of 
 discussion in the British Parliament at the time of the renewal 
 of the charter. 
 
 The persevering industry of the friends of Christianity appears 
 likely at length to be crowned with success. Long every ap- 
 peal even to humanity was resisted ; the infant was left to perish, 
 a " sacrifice to devils, 9 ' 1 Cor. x. 20. Widows, victims to the cru- 
 elty of priests of "devils," were burned by hundreds annually with 
 the sanction of professed christian judges ; parents were destroyed 
 by avaricious children, anxious to possess their substance, in the 
 light of day, and beside the great thoroughfare of the capital of a 
 christian government. These abominations have fallen before 
 the progress of the gospel. Still christian men are content to re- 
 ceive large sums annually as taxes on idolatrous rites, thus giving 
 their sanction to the same — and, as though it were not enough 
 thus far to be partakers in the sin, a government, professedly 
 christian, forces its servants, christians also, to be present at the 
 
Xliv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 celebration of idol worship, even, though by so doing, the Lord's 
 day itself is desecrated ; and in some instances, not content with 
 the passive sanction of their presence, they are compelled to make 
 an offering to the idol. It is calculated, by one well informed on 
 the subject, that the annual revenue received from idol temples in 
 the presidency of Madras alone does not fall short of $200,000. 
 So lately as the middle of the last year, it appears, by a memorial 
 presented by the christian inhabitants of Madras to SirF. Adam, 
 that the onerous task of drawing the idol car on days of festival, 
 was only effected by the agency of the police, thousands of the 
 poorer classes being forced, under the orders of the collectors and 
 magistrates, from their homes for the performance of this special 
 duty ; and this interference is viewed by the great body of the 
 people as a vexatious and oppressive act of power, to which they 
 submit only on compulsion. The memorial, praying for the aboli- 
 tion of this and other equally objectionable customs, was signed 
 by 11 chaplains, 39 missionaries, 30 civil servants of the com- 
 pany, 111 military officers, and 11 medical officers, and was 
 presented by the bishop of Madras, with the expression of his 
 entire approbation of its petitions and statements. One part of 
 the petition had been anticipated by the Governor in consequence 
 of the death of fifteen individuals over whom one of the cars was 
 drawn in the month of March. Thanks to the indefatigable ex- 
 ertions of Mr. Poynder, the attention of the Court of East India 
 Proprietors has again been drawn to these subjects, and the result 
 has been such as to afford a cheering prospect that ere long this 
 stain on the character of Great Britain will be obliterated. Stand- 
 ing forth as she does with a national church the bulwark of 
 Christianity, and a people foremost in every work which has for 
 its object the temporal happiness and spiritual good of man, may 
 she soon be purified from all blemish, and continue to be the rally- 
 ing point for the friends of rational freedom and scriptural 
 
 TRUTH. 
 
MtmolvB of the sxtb. ®v. Muttonm. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 CHAPTER!. 
 
 It is by no means uncommon in the history of those who 
 have in any manner distinguished themselves among their 
 contemporaries, to find them deriving no peculiar honour 
 from their ancestors, but rather reflecting it upon them ; and 
 becoming themselves, if not the founders of a family, yet the 
 sole authors of their fame. Of the truth of this observation, 
 an instance is afforded by the subject of the following me- 
 moirs. His remote origin might perhaps be traced to some 
 of those who have in different ages illustrated the name of 
 Buchanan ; but it is not known that he ever claimed any such 
 distinction, nor is it a point which it is at all necessary to 
 ascertain. If, however, the biographer of this excellent man 
 is unable to deduce his descent from the possessors of world- 
 ly rank or talent, an honour which may be unjustly de- 
 preciated as it is sometimes unduly prized, he may at least 
 assert, that his immediate progenitors were endowed with 
 more than an ordinary share of christian piety ; an honour, 
 in his estimation, of a higher nature ; and a blessing, which, 
 as he peculiarly valued it, was not only a source of pleasing 
 and grateful recollection, but might not improbably form one 
 link in the chain of causes which led to his own distinguish- 
 ed worth and usefulness. 
 
 Claudius Buchanan was born at Cambuslang, near Glas- 
 gow, on the 12th of March, 1766. He was the son of Mr. 
 Alexander Buchanan, a man of respectable learning, and of 
 excellent character, who was highly esteemed in various 
 parts of Scotland, as a laborious and faithful teacher, and 
 who a few months previous to his death was appointed rector 
 of the grammar school of Falkirk. 
 
2 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 His mother was the daughter of Mr. Claudius Somers, 
 one of the elders of the Church at Cambuslang about the 
 period of the extraordinary occurrences which took place in 
 that valley, in consequence of the preaching of the celebrated 
 Mr. Whitfield, in the year 1742.* Notwithstanding the 
 enthusiasm and extravagance which probably attended those 
 remarkable scenes, it is unquestionable, that many were ex- 
 cited to a deep and lasting sense of real religion. Amongst 
 this number was the grandfather of the subject of this Me- 
 moir ; whose piety was imbibed by his daughter, the mother 
 of Buchanan. By both these excellent persons he appears 
 to have been carefully trained, from his earliest years, in re- 
 ligious principles and habits. He is described, by one of 
 his surviving relatives, as having been distinguished from his 
 youth by a lively and engaging disposition. He is said also 
 to have recollected the serious impressions which were 
 sometimes made upon his mind by the devotions of the pa- 
 ternal roof, and by the admonitions which his grandfather, 
 from whom he derived his baptismal name, and who seems 
 to have regarded him with peculiar affection, was accustomed 
 to address to him occasionally in his study. And though, 
 as it will afterwards appear, the instructions and example of 
 these pious relatives were not immediately productive of any 
 decided and permanent effect, he must be added to the num- 
 ber of those who ultimately derived essential benefit from 
 having been brought up " in the nurture and admonition of 
 the Lord ;" and consequently as affording fresh encourage- 
 ment to religious parents to pursue a course which has been 
 so frequently crowned with success, and which is seldom, 
 it may be hoped, altogether in vain. 
 
 In the year 1773, at the age of seven years, young Bu- 
 chanan was sent to a grammar school at Inverary in Argyle- 
 shire, where he received the rudiments of his education, and 
 is said to have made considerable proficiency in the Latin 
 and Greek languages. He continued at Inverary till some 
 time in the year 1779, when he was invited to spend the 
 vacation with his school-fellow, John Campbell, of Airds, 
 near the island of Mull; and in the following year he re- 
 ceived an appointment, which would be deemed extraordi- 
 nary in this part of the kingdom, but is by no means uncom- 
 mon in Scotland. This was, to be tutor to the two sons of 
 Mr. Campbell of Dunstafnage, one of whom was, in the 
 year 1803, Captain of the East India Company's ship, 
 
 * See Gillies's Historical Coll. vol. ii. p. 339. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 3 
 
 United Kingdom. As he had then only just completed his 
 14th year, his literary acquirements can scarcely be expected 
 to have been extensive. Yet the very appointment to such 
 an office, at so eaily an age, is in itself honourable to his 
 character, and his continuance in it during nearly two years 
 may suffice to show, that his conduct proved satisfactory to 
 his employer. About this time he was again under con- 
 siderable impressions of a religious nature, which he com- 
 municated to his excellent grandfather, who carefully che- 
 rished them, and assured him of his prayers. For a few 
 months he continued in this promising course, spending much 
 time in devotion amidst the rocks on the sea-shore near which 
 he was then residing: but at length his serious thoughts 
 were dissipated by the society of an irreligious companion, 
 and his goodness, like that of many a hopeful youth, vanish- 
 ed " as a morning cloud, and as the early dew ;" nor was it 
 till many years afterwards, that painful and salutary convic- 
 tions led him to seek that God whose early invitations he 
 had ungratefully refused. 
 
 The residence of Buchanan at Dunstafnage might proba- 
 bly have been longer, had it not interfered with a necessary 
 attention to the progress of his own education. In the year 
 1782 he therefore left the family of Mr. Campbell, and pro- 
 ceeded to the University of Glasgow ; where he remained 
 during that and the following year, diligently pursuing the 
 various studies of the place. 'Whether his academical course 
 was interrupted by the failure of his pecuniary resources, or 
 was the result of deliberation and choice, is uncertain. It 
 appears only that he left Glasgow' in the year 1784, and 
 went to the Island of Islay, for the purpose of becoming 
 tutor to the sons of Mr. Campbell of Knock melly. In the 
 following year, from some cause, obviously not unfavourable 
 to his character, we find him removed to Carradell in Kin- 
 tyre, and performing the same office to the sons of Mr. 
 Campbell of that place. In the year 1786, however, Bu- 
 chanan returned to the college at Glasgow ; and a certificate 
 in that year, from the Professor of Logic, testifies not only 
 that he had regularly attended upon the public lectures of 
 that class, but that, in the usual examination and exercises, 
 he had given commendable proofs of attention, diligence, 
 and success in the prosecution of his studies ; and that he 
 had behaved with all suitable propriety of conduct and man- 
 ners. At the conclusion of the academical session he re-? 
 turned to Carradell, and resumed his employment as a tutor ; 
 in which capacity it is presumed that he continued until the 
 
4 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 commencement of the autumn in the following year; when 
 he quitted his native country, under very singular circum- 
 stances, and entered upon a project, on which, as it after- 
 wards appeared, depended the future tenor of his life. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan had, from his earliest years, been intended 
 by his parents for the ministry in the Church of Scotland : 
 but being naturally of an ardent arid excursive turn of mind, 
 he, at the age of seventeen, during his first residence in the 
 University of Glasgow, conceived the design of making the 
 tour of Europe on foot ; that being the only method of travel- 
 ling, upon which his slender finances would allow him to 
 calculate. His chief view in this romantic project was, 
 doubtless, to see the world ; yet not, as he afterwards de- 
 clared, without some vague and undefined intention of ap- 
 plying the information which he might collect during his 
 tour to some useful purpose. It was not, however, till 
 nearly four years afterwards, during which, as we have seen, 
 he was diligently employed in acquiring and imparting 
 knowledge, that a circumstance occurred, which, though it 
 did not originally suggest this design, certainly tended to 
 hasten his departure from Scotland.* This was an impru- 
 dent attachment to a young lady, who happened to be on a 
 visit to the family in which he was then residing, and who 
 was superior to himself in birth and fortune. The affection 
 was mutual, but the disparity of their rank and station 
 seemed to form an insuperable barrier to their union. Mr. 
 Buchanan became in consequence very unhappy, and in the 
 height of his passion recurred to his favourite and long-che- 
 rished plan of a foreign tour ; in the course of which, with all 
 the sanguine expectation and the inexperience incident to his 
 feelings and his age, he hoped to advance his fortune, and 
 returning to his native country, to obtain the object of his 
 wishes. Strange and unpromising as this project undoubted- 
 ly was, he was eager to accomplish it. But though his 
 thoughtless ardour reconciled him to the culpable expedient 
 of deceiving his parents, he was unwilling to leave them 
 clandestinely. For the purpose, therefore, both of avoiding 
 any opposition to his scheme, and of relieving them from 
 uneasiness, he invented a story, which, engaged as he had 
 long been in tuition, seemed by no means improbable. He 
 pretended that he had been invited by an English gentleman 
 
 * A very different account of the circumstances, which led to Mr. Bu- 
 chanan's emigration from his native country, has been given to the world : 
 but the public may be assured, that it is entirely devoid of foundation in fact. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 5 
 
 to accompany his son upon a tour to the continent ; and as 
 this engagement not only offered some present advantages, 
 but held out nattering hopes of his future advancement in 
 life, not inconsistent with their original intentions, his friends 
 consented to the proposal, and permitted him to leave Scot- 
 land. Of this singular expedition, and of his subsequent 
 history during several years, Mr. Buchanan long afterwards 
 gave several distinct but consistent narratives, from which 
 the following account is extracted. After briefly mentioning 
 the circumstances which have been previously stated respect- 
 ing his education and studies, and the scheme which he had 
 devised for effecting his departure from his native country 
 and friends, and his intended travels upon the continent, 
 Mr. Buchanan suggests the obvious question, how he was to 
 accomplish such a plan, destitute as he was of pecuniary re- 
 sources. To this he replies, that the greater his difficulties 
 were, the more romantic would his tour appear ; and then 
 proceeds as follows. 
 
 "I had the example of the celebrated Dr. Goldsmith be- 
 fore me, who travelled through Europe on foot, and support- 
 ed himself by playing on his flute. I could play a little on 
 the violin, and on this I relied for occasional support during 
 my long and various travels. 
 
 44 In August 1787, having put on plain clothes, becoming 
 my apparent situation, I left Edinburgh on foot with the in- 
 tention of travelling to London, and thence to the continent: 
 that very violin which I now have, and the case which con- 
 tains it, I had under my arm, and thus I travelled onward. 
 After I had proceeded some days on my journey, and had 
 arrived at a part of the country where I thought I could not 
 be known, I called at gentlemen's houses, and farm-houses, 
 where I was in general kindly lodged. They were very 
 well pleased with my playing reels to them, (for I played 
 them better than I can now,) and I sometimes received five 
 shillings, sometimes half a crown, and sometimes nothing 
 but my dinner. Wherever I went, people seemed to be 
 struck a little by my appearance, particularly if they entered 
 into conversation with me. They were often very inquisi- 
 tive, and I was sometimes at a loss what to say. I professed 
 to be a musician travelling through the country for his sub- 
 sistence : but this appeared very strange to some, and they 
 wished to know where I obtained my learning ; for some- 
 times pride, and sometimes accident would call forth ex- 
 pressions, in the course of conversation, which excited their 
 surprise. I was often invited to stay for some time at a 
 
 a2 
 
6 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 particular place ; but this I was afraid of, lest I might be dis- 
 covered. It was near a month, I believe, before I arrived on 
 the borders of England, and in that time many singular oc- 
 currences befel me. I once or twice met persons whom I 
 had known, and narrowly escaped discovery. Sometimes I 
 had nothing to eat, and had no where to rest at night ; but, 
 notwithstanding, I kept steady to my purpose, and pursued 
 my journey. 
 
 Before, however, I reached >the borders of England, I 
 would gladly have returned ; but I could not : the die was 
 cast ; my pride would have impelled me to suffer death, I 
 think, rather than to have exposed my folly ; and I pressed 
 forward. 
 
 " When I arrived at Newcastle, I felt tired of my long 
 journey, and found that it was indeed hard to live on the be- 
 nevolence of others : I therefore resolved to proceed to Lon- 
 don by water ; for I did not want to travel in my own coun- 
 try, but on the continent. 
 
 " I accordingly embarked in a collier at North Shields, 
 and sailed for London. On the third night of the voyage we 
 were in danger of being cast away during a gale of wind ; 
 and then, for the first time, I began to reflect seriously on 
 my situation." 
 
 During the violence of the storm, as he afterwards ac- 
 knowledged to a friend, Mr. Buchanan felt as if the judg- 
 ment of God, as in the case of Jonah, was overtaking him ; 
 but, unlike the repenting prophet, no sooner had the tempest 
 of the elements subsided, than the agitation of his mind also 
 passed away. He arrived safely in London on the second 
 of September : " but by this time," he continues, in one of 
 his letters referred to, " my spirits were nearly exhausted by 
 distress and poverty. I now relinquished every idea of go- 
 ing abroad. I saw such a visionary scheme in its true light, 
 and resolved, if possible, to procure some situation, as an 
 usher or clerk, or any employment, whereby I might derive 
 a subsistence : but I was unsuccessful. I lived sometime, in 
 obscure lodgings, by selling my clothes and books ; for I did 
 not attempt to obtain any assistance by my skill in music, 
 lest I should be discovered by some persons who might 
 know me or my family. I was in a short time reduced to 
 the lowest extreme of wretchedness and want. Alas ! I had 
 not sometimes bread to eat. Little did my mother think, 
 when she dreamt that she saw her son fatigued with his 
 wanderings, and oppressed with a load of wo, glad to lie 
 down and sleep away his cares on a little straw, that her 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 7 
 
 dream was so near the truth ! What a reverse of fortune was 
 this ! A few months before, I had lived in splendour and 
 happiness ! But even in this extremity of misery my eyes 
 were not opened. I saw indeed my folly, but I saw not my 
 sin : my pride even then was unsubdued, and I was con- 
 stantly anticipating scenes of future grandeur, and indulging 
 myself in the pleasures of the imagination. 
 
 " After I had worn out many months in this misery, ob- 
 serving one day an advertisement in a newspaper, for a 
 1 clerk to an attorney,' I offered myself and was accepted. 
 I was much liked, and soon made friends. I then obtained 
 a better situation with another gentleman in the law, .and, 
 lastly, engaged with a solicitor of respectable character and 
 connexions in the city, with whom I remained nearly three 
 years. During all this time I had sufficient allowance to ap- 
 pear as a gentleman ; my desire for going abroad gradually 
 abated, and I began to think that I should make the law my 
 profession for life. But during a great part of this time I 
 corresponded with my friends in Scotland, as from abroad, 
 writing very rarely, but always giving my mother pleasing 
 accounts of my health and situation." 
 
 Notwithstanding the preceding brief observation, that his 
 allowance from his employers enabled him to make a genteel 
 appearance, there are various intimations, in a memorandum 
 book kept by Mr. Buchanan during a part of this period, 
 that he was frequently a sufferer from the pressure of pover- 
 ty : nor is this to be wondered at, when it is known, that the 
 utmost salary which he received amounted only to forty 
 pounds per annum. Accordingly, it appears, from several 
 notes in the account book which has been referred to, that 
 he was sometimes under the necessity of pledging articles of 
 clothing, and in one instance his watch, for the purpose of 
 procuring a little ready money ; and even this painful ex- 
 pedient did not always afford him such a supply as to pre- 
 vent him from occasionally recording, that he had been 
 obliged to go without a breakfast or a supper; and once that 
 he had neither breakfasted nor dined. It must, however, be 
 acknowledged, that while this humble cash account is chiefly 
 made up of his expenditure upon the necessaries of life, Mr. 
 Buchanan seems to have wasted not a little of his scanty al- 
 lowance on public amusements ; amongst which the theatre 
 frequently occurs, and sometimes debating societies. 
 
 From one of the brief memoranda contained in a pocket- 
 book, from which the preceding circumstances are derived, 
 and which are chiefly written in Latin, it appears that Mr, 
 
8 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 
 
 Buchanan's father died on the 24th of August, 1788, precisely 
 a twelvemonth after his own departure from Scotland. This 
 event was probably communicated to him by his excellent 
 mother, and must, it may be reasonably supposed, have 
 awakened some peculiarly distressing feelings in the mind of 
 her absent son ; conscious as he must have been of the de- 
 ception which he was practising upon their unsuspecting 
 confidence. No symptom, however, of the ingenuous 
 shame, which, it may be hoped, he could not but occasional- 
 ly feel for such misconduct, is apparent in his diary. He 
 merely mentions, that his widowed parent had written to 
 him in the spring of 1789, upon the mournful subject of a 
 monument to his late father: to which he replied by a letter. 
 dated the 12th of May 9 from Florence, which he despatched 
 on the 25th following. A subsequent entry notices his dis- 
 appointment in not again hearing from his mother, whom, 
 amidst ail his wanderings from the path of integrity and 
 virtue, he evidently regarded with unfeigned reverence and 
 affection ; while another states the arrival of an answer from 
 her to a recent letter of inquiry from himself, which, either 
 from the favourable account of his parent's welfare, or its 
 salutary influence upon his own mind, appears to have af- 
 forded him much pleasure. 
 
 It cannot, however, be a matter of surprise to any one. 
 who considers the imprudent manner in which Mr, Buchanan 
 had left his native country, the deceit which he was practis- 
 ing upon his friends, the faint prospect which he could 
 reasonably entertain of any considerable success in the 
 world, and, above all, the pious education which he had re- 
 ceived, to rind, that the memoranda in question exhibit fre- 
 quent marks of his inward perplexity and nnhappiness. 
 Thus, on the 10th of May, 17S9, he records, in Latin, with 
 an emphasis of expression which evidently proves the depth 
 and sincerity of the feelings with which he wrote : " I have 
 lived, I know not how, in a state of forgetful ness. or in- 
 toxication, to this day !" And on the 15th of July follow- 
 ing, he briefly extends the same painful confession to that 
 time. Within three days after the first of these dates, Mr. 
 Buchanan was seized with a severe attack of fever, during 
 which, he observes, that he had experienced, as might very 
 naturally be expected, most uncomfortable reflections on his 
 present situation. These, however, appear to have made no 
 deep or lasting impression upon him, but, as in too many 
 similar instances, to have vanished with the temporary alarm 
 which occasioned them. Accordingly he soon afterwards 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. J 
 
 states, that he had on that morning written part of a letter to 
 his mother, and with the careless levity which in irreligious 
 and impenitent minds returns, when they are relieved from 
 the immediate fear of punishment, had altered his " plan of 
 death and misfortune, to that of fortune and festivity.*' 
 
 He laments also, that on his recovery he had broken some 
 salutary resolutions which he had made during his illness, 
 and adds, with that fretful and impotent violence which 
 characterizes those who are irritated rather than humbled by 
 the consciousness of their weakness, and are ignorant of its 
 only effectual remedy, " I swear I'll do so no more. O ! 
 that I knew how to persevere in good resolutions, as well as 
 to make them ! This has been my failing from my infancy." 
 Who has not been compelled to make the same humiliat- 
 ing reflection, until acquainted with Him of whom the sub- 
 ject of these memoirs was as yet practically ignorant ! with- 
 out whom we can do nothing, but by whose gracious assist- 
 ance the christian can do all things ! 
 
 Amongst the various notices of his feelings and engage- 
 ments, which occur in these memoranda, there are several, 
 which prove that, amidst the incessant labour of an employ- 
 ment, which occupied nearly twelve hours of each day, Mr. 
 Buchanan occasionally contrived to devote a part of his scanty 
 leisure to literary pursuits. Unhappily, indeed, he was at 
 this period so little under the influence of religion, that the 
 Sabbath was too often spent in the study of Virgil and Ho- 
 race ; though at other times his reading on that sacred day 
 appears to have been of a graver nature. But the latter 
 hours of his evenings, which were not dedicated to amuse- 
 ment, seem to have been laudably employed in storing his 
 mind with classical and general knowledge, and occasionally 
 in improving his memory by artificial rules and practice. 
 
 Though the irreligious state, in which Mr. Buchanan was 
 at this time living, led him too generally to neglect public 
 worship, his early habits still induced him sometimes to enter 
 the house of God. Upon one of these occasions he appears 
 to have been much struck with the conduct of a young 
 friend, who was so deeply alarmed while the preacher was 
 displaying the terrors of the Lord in the future punishment 
 of the wicked, that he rose up, leaving his hat behind him, 
 and walked out of the church. It is understood that Mr. 
 Buchanan considered this person as having been afterwards 
 made spiritually useful to him. 
 
 Two short notes in the summer of the year 1789 indicate, 
 that there were, even at that period, seasons in which he 
 
10 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 thought much and seriously upon his own state, and upon 
 religious subjects ; during which his reflections were some- 
 times gloomy and desponding, and resembling " the sighing 
 of the prisoner" for deliverance ; and at others cheered by a 
 faint and distant hope of one day enjoying, through the in- 
 finite grace of God, the comforts of religion. 
 
 In the following year some traces occur, in the brief jour- 
 nal from which the preceding circumstances are extracted, 
 of pious feeling in his mind. He notices a religious con- 
 versation with a friend, and adds, that he had in consequence 
 thought seriously of a reformation. He mentions emphati- 
 cally a season of private prayer, and his intention of pur- 
 chasing a new Bible, when he could afford it; and while he 
 confesses, on one occasion, with evident regret, his dis- 
 inclination to religion, and alleges as one of the immediate 
 causes, or symptoms, of this evil, the indulgence of morning 
 slumbers, he observes, on another, that he had declined the 
 invitation of a friend to a visit in the country on the follow- 
 ing Sunday, upon religious principle, though he did not at 
 the moment distinctly avow it. All these are circumstances 
 indicative of a mind awaking from the deadly sleep of sin to 
 the life of righteousness, and introductory to that important 
 change of sentiment and conduct which was now approach- 
 ing. 
 
 It is possible, indeed, that some may be at a loss to un- 
 derstand the meaning of this language, or to conceive the 
 necessity of any other alteration in the religious character of 
 Mr. Buchanan, than the correction of a few venial errors and 
 trifling irregularities, or the supply of certain obvious omis- 
 sions in his conduct. The determination of this question 
 must undoubtedly depend upon the general views of those 
 who consider it. In proportion as the standard of practical 
 religion is either elevated or depressed, will be the judgment 
 of every one as to the actual state, at this period of his life, 
 of the subject of these memoirs. If slight views are enter- 
 tained of the evil of sin, of the guilt, misery, and danger of 
 a sensual and worldly life, and of the nature and extent of 
 christian faith and holiness, the moral and religious de- 
 ficiencies of Mr. Buchanan will certainly appear trivial and 
 unimportant. But if, as the scriptures unequivocally assert, 
 to live in the habitual neglect of Almighty God, though a 
 formal acknowledgment of his being and attributes may be 
 professed, is virtual impiety ; to avow the name of christian, 
 but to refuse the homage of the heart to Jesus Christ as a 
 Saviour, is real unbelief; and occasionally to indulge in 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 1 1 
 
 wilful sin, though the external manners may be decent and 
 correct, is practical ungodliness ; then was it evidently 
 necessary, that a great and radical change should be effected 
 in Mr. Buchanan's dispositions and conduct ; then was it 
 essential to his present and future happiness, that he should 
 •« repent and believe the gospel." 
 
 That this was the conviction of Mr. Buchanan himself, 
 unquestionably the most competent judge of this interesting 
 subject, plainly appears from his own declarations in the let- 
 ters from which some preceding extracts have been made. 
 "Since my coming to London," he observes, "until June 
 last, I led a very dissipated, irreligious life. Some gross 
 sins I avoided ; but pride was in my heart'; I profaned the 
 Lord's-day without restraint, and never thought of any re- 
 ligious duty. Thus I lived till within these few months ; 
 exactly three years since my voluntary banishment from my 
 native country ; three tedious years ; and for any thing I 
 could have done myself, I might have remained in the same 
 state for thirty years longer. But the period was now ar- 
 rived, when the mercy of God, which had always accom- 
 panied me, was to be manifested in a singular manner. I 
 had a very strong sense of religion when I was about the 
 age of fourteen ; and I used often to reflect on that period ; 
 but I had not, I believe, the least idea of the nature of the 
 gospel. It was in the year 1790 that my heart was first 
 effectually impressed, in consequence of an acquaintance 
 with a religious young man." 
 
 Of the person thus briefly mentioned, and of the important 
 effects which resulted from one remarkable meeting with 
 him, the following is a more distinct and detailed account. 
 
 " In the month of June last," observes Mr. Buchanan, 
 writing in February 1791, " on a Sunday evening, a gentle- 
 man of my acquaintance called upon me. I knew him to be 
 a serious young man, and out of complaisance to him I gave 
 the conversation a religious turn. Among other things, I 
 asked him, whether he believed that there was such a thing 
 as divine grace ; whether or not it was a fiction imposed by 
 grave and austere persons from their own fancies. He took 
 occasion from this inquiry to enlarge much upon the sub- 
 ject ; he spoke with zeal and earnestness, and chiefly in 
 scripture language, and concluded with a very affecting ad- 
 dress to the conscience and the heart. I had not the least 
 desire, that I recollect, of being benefitted by this conversa- 
 tion ; but while he spoke, I listened to him with earnestness ; 
 and before I was aware, a most powerful impression was 
 
12 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 made upon my mind, and I conceived the instant resolution 
 of reforming my life. On that evening I had an engagement 
 which I could not now approve : notwithstanding what had 
 passed, however, I resolved to go ; but as I went along, and 
 had time to reflect on what I had heard, I half wished that it 
 might not be kept. It turned out as I desired : I hurried 
 home, and locked myself up in my chamber ; I fell on my 
 knees, and endeavoured to pray ; but I could not. I tried 
 again, but I was not able ; I thought it was an insult to God 
 for me to pray ; I reflected on my past sins with horror, and 
 spent the night I know not how. The next day my fears 
 wore off a little, but they soon returned. I anxiously await- 
 ed the arrival of Sunday ; but when it came, I found no re- 
 lief. After some time, I communicated my situation to my 
 religious friend : he prayed with me, and next Sunday I went 
 with him to hear an eminent minister. This was a great 
 relief to me ; I thought I had found a physician : but, alas ! 
 though I prayed often every day, and often at night, listless- 
 ness and languor seized me. Sometimes hope, sometimes 
 fear presented itself, and I became very uncomfortable. Go- 
 ing one morning to a bath, 1 found on a shelf Doddridge's 
 Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. This book I 
 thought just suited me. I accordingly read it with deep at- 
 tention, and prayed over it. I next procured Alleine's 
 Alarm to the Unconverted, and dwelt on it for some time. 
 My religious friend then gave me Boston's Fourfold State. 
 This I read carefully, and I hope it did me some good. I 
 now secluded myself entirely from my companions on Sun- 
 day ; and during the week, the moment business was done, 
 I went home to my studies ; and have since wholly with- 
 drawn myself from pleasure and amusement. In this man- 
 ner have I passed the seven last months, continually praying 
 for a new heart, and a more perfect discovery of my sins. 
 Sometimes I think I am advancing a little, at others I fear I 
 am farther from heaven than ever. O the prevalence of 
 habit ! It is not without reason that it has been sometimes 
 called a second nature. Nothing but the hand of the Al- 
 mighty who created me can change my heart." 
 
 " About two months ago I wrote my mother some par- 
 ticulars of my state, and requested her prayers, for she is a 
 pious woman. In her answer, written by my sister, is the 
 following passage, * My mother has heard much of Mr. 
 Newton, Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, London, and wishes 
 that you would cultivate an acquaintance with him, if it is in 
 your power.' " 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 13 
 
 It was, in fact, to this venerable man, that the letter, from 
 which these as well as some preceding extracts have been 
 made, was addressed. Nor must the occasion be omitted of 
 paying a passing tribute of respect to the memory of that 
 eminently pious and useful minister of Jesus Christ. The 
 chosen and highly valued friend of Cowper could not indeed 
 have been a common or uninteresting character. He was, in 
 truth, far otherwise. However a world, incapable of appre- 
 ciating spiritual excellence, may be disposed to treat his faith 
 as a delusion, and his character as enthusiastic, the history of 
 Mr. Newton will convince the candid inquirer, that the gos- 
 pel is still " the power of God" to the conversion and salva- 
 tion even of the chief of sinners ; while the unblemished purity, 
 the active benevolence, the exemplary fidelity, and the unde- 
 viating consistency of a course of more than forty years, suffi- 
 ciently illustrate the holy and practical tendency of the doc- 
 trines which he had embraced ; and prove that the grace which 
 had brought peace to his conscience, and hope to his soul, had 
 at the same time effectually taught him "to live soberly, 
 righteously, and godly in the world." 
 
 The lively and substantial interest which Mr. Newton took 
 in the situation and welfare of Mr. Buchanan, is one amongst 
 many other instances of the christian kindness which habitu- 
 ally warmed his heart. The person who was thus addressing 
 him was at that time an utter stranger. After mentioning, 
 therefore, some of the particulars respecting his family, and 
 his early history, which have been already stated, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan thus proceeds. 
 
 " On the receipt of my mother's letter, I immediately re* 
 fleeted that I had heard there was a crowded audience at a 
 church in Lombard street. Thither I accordingly went the 
 next Sunday evening ; and when you spoke, I thought I heard 
 the words of eternal life : I listened with avidity, and wished 
 that you had preached till midnight." Mr. Buchanan laments, 
 however, that this pleasing impression was too soon effaced $ 
 and that, although he constantly attended Mr. Newton's ser- 
 mons with raised expectations and sanguine hopes that he 
 should one day be relieved from the burthen which then op- 
 pressed his mind, he had hitherto been disappointed. " But," 
 he adds, with genuine humility, " I have now learned how un- 
 reasonable was such an early expectation : I have been taught 
 to wait patiently upon God, who waited so long for me." 
 
 "You say," he continues, "many things that touch my 
 heart deeply, and I trust your ministry has been in some de- 
 gree blessed to me : but your subjects are generally addressed 
 
 B 
 
14 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 to those who are already established in the faith, or to those 
 who have not sought God at all. Will you then drop one 
 word to me ? If there is any comfort in the word of life for 
 such as I am, O shed a little of it on my heart. And yet I 
 am sensible that I am not prepared to receive that comfort. My 
 sins do not affect me as I wish. All that I can speak of is a 
 strong desire to be converted to my God. O sir, what shall I 
 do to inherit eternal life ? I see clearly that 1 cannot be happy 
 in any degree, even in this life, until I make my peace with 
 God : but how shall I make that peace ? If the world were 
 my inheritance, I would sell it, to purchase that pearl of great 
 price. 
 
 How I weep when I read of the prodigal son as described 
 by our Lord ! I would walk many miles to hear a sermon from 
 the 12th and 13th verses of the thirty-third chapter of the se- 
 cond book of Chronicles."* 
 
 After apologizing for thus intruding upon one to whose at- 
 tention he had no personal claim, Mr. Buchanan concludes as 
 follows : 
 
 " My heart is overburthened with grief, and greatly does it 
 distress me, that I must impart my sorrows to him who has so 
 much himself to bear.t My frequent prayer to God is, that 
 he would grant you strong consolation. To-morrow is the day 
 you have appointed for a sermon to young people. Will you 
 remember me, and speak some suitable word, that, by the aid 
 of the blessed Spirit, may reach my heart ? Whatever becomes 
 of me, or of my labours, I pray God that you may prove suc- 
 cessful in your ministry, and that your labours may be abund- 
 antly blessed." 
 
 The preceding letter was addressed to Mr. Newton anony- 
 mously ; but so simply, yet so forcibly does it describe the 
 state of a penitent, awakened to a just apprehension of his sin 
 and folly, and earnestly desiring relief, that it could not fail to 
 excite in the mind of a man of so much christian benevolence, 
 a degree of lively sympathy with the feelings, and of interest 
 in the welfare, of the writer. His letter, however, being not 
 only without any signature, but without any reference to the 
 place of his residence, the only method which occurred to Mr. 
 Newton of conveying any reply to him was, by giving notice 
 
 * The following are the affecting verses alluded to by Mr. Buchanan : " And 
 when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself 
 greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him : and he was en- 
 treated of him, and heard his supplication." 
 
 t Mr. Newton was at this time suffering under one of the severest domestic 
 calamities. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 15 
 
 in his church, that if the person who had written to him anony- 
 mously on such a day were present, and would call upon him, 
 he should be happy to converse with him on the subject of his 
 communication. This intimation Mr. Newton accordingly 
 gave, and an early interview in consequence took place be- 
 tween them. 
 
 " 1 called on him," says Mr. Buchanan, in a letter to his 
 mother, " on the Tuesday following, and experienced such a 
 happy hour as I ought not to forget. If he had been my father, 
 he could not have expressed more solicitude for my welfare. 
 
 Mr. Newton encouraged me much. He put into my hands 
 the narrative of his life, and some of his letters ; begged my 
 careful perusal of them before I saw him again, and gave me a 
 general invitation to breakfast with him when and as often as 
 1 could." 
 
 Of the meeting immediately subsequent to this first interview 
 no account has been preserved. That it was mutually pleas- 
 ing and satisfactory, is evident from the intercourse which 
 afterwards took place between them, and which was ultimately 
 productive of such important consequences. 
 
 "I cultivated," says Mr. Buchanan, " a close acquaintance 
 with Mr, Newton, and he soon professed a great regard for me." 
 
 The grand subject, which would of course immediately oc- 
 cupy the attention of both, was the reality and the completion 
 of the recent change in the moral and religious character of Mr. 
 Buchanan. Though the public and private instructions of Mr. 
 Newton would, from his well known views of Christian doc- 
 trine, incline him to exhibit to the awakened and trembling 
 penitent the free and full forgiveness of the gospel, he would 
 doubtless urge with equal solemnity and earnestness the neces- 
 sity of ascertaining the sincerity of his repentance, the genuine- 
 ness of his faith, and the stability of his resolutions of obe- 
 dience to the divine precepts. That such was the general 
 tenor of the counsel which was imparted upon these occasions, 
 plainly appears from several succeeding letters of Mr. Bu- 
 chanan ; and though it is to be lamented that those of his pious 
 correspondent to which he refers are not now to be found, it 
 is evident, from various traces of their contents, that they were 
 admirably calculated to relieve the distress, to remove the diffi- 
 culties, and to direct the conduct of his new disciple. 
 
 Thus, in the venerable person to whom the providence of 
 God had introduced him, Mr. Buchanan found an enlightened 
 and experienced guide, a wise and faithful counsellor, and at 
 length a steady and affectionate friend ; while the latter dis- 
 covered in the stranger who had been so remarkably mad§ 
 
16 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 known to him, one who displayed talents and dispositions 
 which appeared to him capable of being beneficially employed 
 in the service of their common Lord and Master. 
 
 Before we proceed, however, with the narrative of their 
 future intercourse, it may not be unnecessary to offer a few 
 observations respecting the change in the religious and moral 
 dispositions of Mr. Buchanan, which has been thus particu- 
 larly described, for the purpose of obviating some probable ob- 
 jections and misapprehensions upon this subject. 
 
 It is possible, on the one hand, that some may perceive in 
 Mr. Buchanan's ingenuous statement, little more than an ex- 
 ample of that sudden and enthusiastic conversion, which it is 
 so much the custom to ridicule and to decry ; while, on the 
 other, an equally numerous class of readers may be inclined to 
 think that the circumstances thus related are easily to be ac- 
 counted for, and little to be regarded. The one, in short, may 
 be disposed to treat the whole as visionary and delusive ; the 
 other, as weak and unimportant. 
 
 In reply to the former of these objections, it may be observed, 
 that even admitting the change in question to have been sud- 
 den, it does not necessarily follow that it was enthusiastic and 
 visionary. "I do not in the smallest degree," says a pecu- 
 liarly calm and cautious writer,* " mean to undervalue, or 
 speak lightly of such changes, whenever, or in whomsoever 
 they take place ; nor to deny that they may be sudden, yet 
 lasting : nay, I am rather inclined to think that it is in this 
 manner that they frequently do take place." But in the pre- 
 sent case, sudden as that impression appears to have been, 
 which was the turning point in the mind of Mr. Buchanan 
 between a life of sin and of religion, between the world and 
 God, it was neither the first nor the last which he experienced ; 
 but one of many previous convictions, which had been com- 
 paratively ineffectual, and of many subsequent influences, which 
 issued in the real conversion of his heart to God, and which 
 continued through his future course to establish and edify him 
 in christian faith and holiness. The substantial effects which 
 followed sufficiently rescue the impressions which have been 
 described from the imputation of enthusiasm, and vindicate their 
 claim to a more legitimate and divine origin. 
 
 If the spiritual change, however, which has been thus ex- 
 plained, is acknowledged by some to have been devoid of any 
 thing delusive or visionary, it may still perhaps be considered 
 by others as neither extraordinary nor important. The reli- 
 
 * Dr. Paley, Sermons, p. 1,23, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 17 
 
 gious education of Mr. Buchanan, it may be alleged, might 
 naturally have been expected to lead, at some period of his 
 life, to such a result; and the change in his character and con- 
 duct was only such as a regard to truth and propriety abso- 
 lutely required. 
 
 The early associations and habits of Mr. Buchanan un- 
 doubtedly favoured the hope that he would eventually become 
 a real christian : but their very inefficacy in restraining him 
 during several years from a course of insincerity, vanity, and 
 sin, is alone sufficient to prove that nothing short of that di- 
 vine influence, to which he ascribed his conversion, could at 
 once have convinced his understanding, and changed and pu- 
 rified his heart. With respect to the extent and importance of 
 this change, it must not be estimated solely by the reformation 
 of his external conduct, striking and decisive as it was : merely- 
 moral or prudential considerations might, perhaps, have been 
 sufficiently powerful to have produced such an improvement. 
 But how many, who either never deviated into what is grossly 
 immoral, or whom inferior motives may have reclaimed from 
 such a course, are, nevertheless, unconscious of the spiri- 
 tuality of that divine law, which reaches to the thoughts and 
 intents of the heart, and consequently of those innumerable 
 transgressions of its pure and extensive demands, and of that 
 inward corruption and weakness, which lead the awakened 
 mind to the deepest humiliation and repentance, and prepare 
 it to embrace with lively gratitude the forgiveness and grace 
 of the gospel ! How many also, who are exemplary, per- 
 haps, in social and relative duties, are yet destitute of any thing 
 which can be justly called the love of God, and cannot be said 
 to be actuated by any specific and prevailing desire of pleas- 
 ing him, or of living to his glory! 
 
 It is, however, from considerations and comparisons such as 
 these, that the nature and importance of the change which took 
 place at this period in the character of Mr. Buchanan must be 
 determined. It was initial, indeed, but it was radical ; it was 
 imperfect in degree, but universal as to its objects and influ- 
 ence. It not only redeemed him from a sinful and worldly 
 course, but gradually introduced him to a state of " righteous- 
 ness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." It rendered 
 him, in short, " a new creature." He felt the powerful in- 
 fluence of the love of Christ; and cordially acquiescing in the 
 unanswerable reasoning of the great Apostle, " that if one 
 died for all, then were all u dead,"* he resolved no longer to 
 
 *2Cor. v. 14— 16. 
 b2 
 
18 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 live unto himself, " but unto Him that died for him, and rose 
 4i again." 
 
 Such was the change, which by the effectual grace of God 
 was produced in the subject of these memoirs ; and such will 
 be found to have been its practical results in his subsequent 
 life and conduct. To the development, therefore, of these, as 
 affording its most satisfactory vindication and illustration, let 
 us next proceed. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 About a fortnight after the date of his first letter, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan again wrote to Mr. Newton, for the purpose of com- 
 municating to him a strong inclination, which he had lately 
 felt, to revert to the profession for which he was originally 
 designed. 
 
 •' Yesterday morning," he observes, " I went to hear Dr. 
 S. Near the conclusion of the service, I was insensibly led to 
 admire this passage of the prophet Isaiah, * How beautiful are 
 the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace V It occur- 
 red to me, that that enviable office was once designed for me i 
 that I was called to the ministry, as it were, from my infancy. 
 For my pious grandfather chose me from among my mother's 
 children to live with himself. He adopted me as his own 
 child, and took great, pleasure in forming my young mind to 
 the love of God. He warmly encouraged my parents' design 
 of bringing me up to the ministry. I particularly recollect 
 the last memorable occasion of my seeing this good grand- 
 father. The first season of my being at college, I paid him a 
 visit. He lived but five miles from Glasgow. After asking 
 me some particulars relating to my studies, he put the follow- 
 ing question to me : ' What end I had in view in becoming a 
 minister of the gospel V I hesitated a moment, thinking, I 
 suppose,, of some temporal blessing. But he put an answer 
 into my mouth. * With a view, no doubt/ said he^ ■ to the 
 glory of God.' I recollect no other particular of the conver- 
 sation but this. It made a strong impression on my mind, 
 and even often recurred to my thoughts in the midst of my 
 unhappy years ; and lastly, I thought of my present profession 
 and prospect in life. It suddenly came into my mind, that I 
 might yet be a preacher of the gospeL I began to consider 
 the obstacles that had hitherto deterred me from attempting it ; 
 but they appeared to have vanished. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 19 
 
 " These things passed rapidly through my mind. I won- 
 dered that I had not thought of them before. Your sugges- 
 tion occurred to me, and I seemed clearly to perceive the hand 
 of Providence in my not having been articled to the law. I 
 now beheld it as an unkindly and unprofitable study, a pro- 
 fession I never cordially liked, and was thankful that I might 
 shake it off when I pleased. These reflections filled me with 
 delight, and as I walked home, the sensation increased ; so that 
 by the time I entered my chamber, my spirits were overpow- 
 ered, and I fell on my knees before God, and wept. What 
 shall I say to these things ? At first I feared this change of 
 sentiment might be some idle whim that would soon vanish. 
 But when I began to deliberate calmly, reason pleaded that the 
 plan was possible : and the wisdom and power of God, and 
 my love to him, pleaded that it was probable. I thought that 
 I, who had experienced so much of the divine mercy, was pe- 
 culiarly engaged to declare it to others. After fervent prayer, 
 I endeavoured to commit myself and my services into the 
 hands of Him who alone is able to direct me. 
 
 " This day I still cherish the idea with delight. But I am 
 much discouraged when I reflect on my weak abilities, my 
 slender knowledge, my defective expression, and my advanced 
 age. I am now four-and-twenty ; and if I prosecute this new 
 desire, I must return to the studies of fourteen." 
 
 At the close of this letter, Mr. Buchanan expresses the 
 lively interest with which he had read Mr. Newton's narra- 
 tive of his own life. "I am the person," he says, "out of 
 ten thousand, who can read it aright; for I can read it with 
 self-application. What a balm to a wounded conscience are 
 your healing leaves I To-day I have felt a tranquillity of mind 
 to which I have been long a stranger. I trust this peace has a 
 right foundation." 
 
 It appears, that upon an early interview with Mr. Newton, 
 in consequence of the preceding letter, be warmly approved 
 the rising disposition of his young friend to change his pro- 
 fession, and to devote himself to the ministry of the gospel. 
 
 " He received me," says Mr. Buchanan, " with open arms, 
 and in his family worship remembered me in a very affecting 
 manner, and prayed for the divine direction in his counsels to 
 me. We then passed a considerable time together. He ob- 
 served, that this was a remarkable season with me ;. but that I 
 must leave every thing with God ; that I must use the means 
 which he had appointed for those who aspire to his service ;. 
 that I must devote the principal part of my leisure hours to. 
 meditation and prayer, and the remainder to the study of the 
 
20 
 
 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 languages ; that I must persevere in this course for a conside- 
 rable time ; and then, if it pleased God, he would open a door 
 to me. In the mean time," added Mr. Newton, " I would ad- 
 vise you to acquaint your mother with every circumstance of 
 your situation, and to request, in the first instance, her advice 
 and approbation." 
 
 To this suggestion Mr. Buchanan yielded without hesita- 
 tion ; and employed a great part of several nights in commu- 
 nicating to his affectionate parent an ingenuous narrative of his 
 proceedings from the period of his departure from Scotland to 
 the present time. At the close of this varied history, in which 
 he strongly condemns himself for his past misconduct, he thus 
 expresses himself. 
 
 44 And now, my dear mother, how are you affected by this 
 account? Is your heart ready to welcome the return of your 
 long lost son, or does it reject with just indignation so much 
 uij worth mess 1 Whatever may be your emotions, I pray God, 
 who has been so gracious to me, to bless this dispensation to 
 you. The veil which was between us is at length rent, and I 
 am now in peace ; for believe me I have not enjoyed a day of 
 peace since I left my father's house. I once thought I would 
 rather suffer torture than betray my secret; but my ' sinews 
 of iron' are now become like those of a child. Nothing less 
 than what I have suffered could have softened so hard a heart 
 as mine ; and not even that, unless accompanied by the power 
 of God." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan had no sooner made this disclosure to his 
 excellent mother, than he communicated the result to Mr. 
 Newton in a letter, which closes in the following terms : 
 
 " My desires of returning to my first pursuit, the ministry, 
 still continue, and I think increase. Blackstone says some- 
 where, that to have a competent knowledge of the law re- 
 quires ( the lucubrations of twenty years.' 1 once had the low 
 ambition of being such a lawyer. But I am now so impress- 
 ed with the dignity and importance of the office of the minis- 
 try, that I would with pleasure sit down to-morrow, and de- 
 vote, not the lucubrations of twenty years alone, but all my 
 life to it. But, alas ! my present situation militates much 
 against my wishes. O that He, who has led me thus far, 
 would graciously direct my steps !" 
 
 During the three months which followed the date of this 
 letter, Mr. Buchanan continued his employment in the law ; 
 diligently and devoutly cultivating the spirit of real religion, 
 and anxiously revolving in his mind the practicability of ac- 
 complishing his wishes respecting the change of his profes- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 21 
 
 sion. Iii the month of July, however, he addressed another 
 letter to Mr. Newton, who was then absent from London, in 
 which he laments, with much humility and feeling, the pain- 
 ful discoveries which he had been making in self-knowledge, 
 and the slowness of his progress in his christian course. " I 
 have but sipped," he modestly observes, "at Salem's spring — 
 Nee fonte labra prolui" He then informs his kind corres- 
 pondent and friend, that his late letters from Scotland had af- 
 forded him much comfort. " My mother," he says, " writes 
 thus : 
 
 44 The hint you gave me in your last, of your piohably join- 
 ing the Church of England, caused me, at first, some uneasi- 
 ness. I hope you will forgive this. 1 find now r that the dif- 
 ference between the two churches consists in discipline only, 
 not in doctrine. I am, therefore, easy in mind, which ever 
 way the providence of God may see fit to guide you. I am 
 happy that you consulted your Bible, and sought the Lord's 
 direction upon this occasion. If you east your burden upon 
 him, he will direct you aright. Since you were a boy, it was 
 impressed upon my mind that some time or other you would 
 be a good man. I own, of late years, I was beginning to lose 
 my hope, particularly on the supposition of your going abroad. 
 I thought with myself, this is not God's usual way of bring- 
 ing sinners to himself. But the word of consolation often came 
 in remembrance, that ' God is a God afar off.' O how merci- 
 ful has he been to you, and how merciful to us, in concealing 
 your miserable situation till grace brought it to light ! I do be- 
 lieve the discovery a year ago would .... but these recol- 
 lections are painful ; therefore I forbear. "What comforting 
 letters have you sent us ! Could a thousand pounds a-year 
 have afforded an equal consolation ? Impossible. It might, 
 indeed, have tied us down faster to the earth, but it could not 
 have set our hearts upon the unsearchable riches that are in 
 Christ Jesus. Your friends in Glasgow are rejoicing with us : 
 some of them saying, ' Had the good old people, (meaning his 
 grandfather and mother) been alive, how would this have reviv- 
 ed them !' Among your grandfather's papers, I find the en- 
 closed letter, written by Mr. Maeulloch to him, in a time of 
 distress, when the sins of his youth oppressed him. Read it 
 with care, and may God grant a blessing in the perusal." 
 
 It was surely with good reason that Mr. Buchanan added, 
 " It is not the smallest of my comforts that I have such a mo- 
 ther as this ;" who, though evidently grieved at his past mis- 
 conduct, was, as he afterwards expressed it, " overwhelmed 
 with joy, that her son, who was lost, had been found." 
 
23 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 It appears, by the subsequent part of this letter, that Mr. 
 Buchanan had a short time before been introduced, by the 
 kindness of his friend, to the notice of a gentleman to whose 
 munificent patronage he was afterwards indebted for the means 
 of accomplishing the prevailing desire of his heart, in entering 
 upon the ministry of the gospel in the Church of England. 
 This was the late Mr. Henry Thornton ; who, to talents of a 
 superior order, and to various and extensive acquirements, de- 
 voted during a laborious and honourable course to the most 
 important duties of public life, united a warm and enlightened 
 attachment to genuine Christianity ; which, while it formed the 
 basis of his religious character, not only supplied the rule and 
 the motives of his general conduct, but prompted him, in an 
 especial manner, to support with calm and steady zeal, what- 
 ever a remarkably sound and vigorous understanding deemed 
 calculated to promote the glory of God, and the present and 
 future happiness of his fellow-creatures. It was to this distin- 
 guished person that Mr. Buchanan, happily for himself and for 
 others, was now made known and recommended. Mr. New- 
 ton had been largely indebted to the friendship and patronage 
 of the excellent father of this gentleman ; and justly thought, 
 that he could not render a more important service to his young 
 friend, or one which might eventually be more useful to the 
 world, than by introducing him to the son ; who, with higher 
 mental powers, inherited that enlarged and generous spirit of 
 benevolence, which had associated, in almost every mind, the 
 name of Thornton,* with that of philanthropy and christian 
 charity. 
 
 The liberal education which Mr. Buchanan had already re- 
 ceived, and his advanced age as a student, naturally led his 
 friends to wish that it might be practicable to obtain ordination 
 for him without so long a preparation as a residence at an Eng- 
 lish University for a degree would require. The Bishop, how- 
 ever, to whom an application was made for this purpose, dis- 
 couraged any such plan, and it was accordingly abandoned. It 
 was afterwards thought, that holy orders might be procured for 
 Mr. Buchanan at an early period, on the condition of his go- 
 ing abroad ; and Mr. Thornton desired him to consider, whe- 
 ther his health would allow him to accept the chaplaincy of the 
 colony at Sierra Leone. To this proposal Mr. Buchanan, after 
 requesting Mr. Newton's advice, signified his cordial assent ; 
 but, for reasons which do not appear, this design was also re- 
 linquished. For a short time, the mind of Mr. Buchanan 
 
 * See Cowper's " Charity." 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. EUCHANAN. 23 
 
 seems to have been somewhat depressed by the failure of these 
 attempts. 
 
 " Notwithstanding," he says, at the close of the letter last 
 quoted, " your endeavours in my behalf, I have little expecta- 
 tion that you will succeed. Providence, I think, has a few- 
 more trials and difficulties for me to encounter, before I am led 
 into so pleasant a path ; and I know that they are needful to 
 make me more humble." 
 
 He felt, too, the absence of his paternal friend and guide, 
 and looked around among his acquaintance for a companion, in 
 vain. u I have but one serious friend," he observes, " and 
 him I only see once in a week or fortnight. Next to the bless- 
 ing of communion with God on earth, must surely be the so- 
 ciety of his children. Yet I shall not complain, if I can enjoy 
 the former privilege ; for then, file solus turba erit." 
 
 Amidst these discouraging circumstances, however, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan assures his venerable correspondent, that he was never 
 so truly happy in his life, having been guided into " the way 
 of peace," relying on the direction of divine Providence, and 
 being animated fci by * the hope set before him.' " 
 
 But it was not long before the kindness of the generous pa- 
 tron to whom he had been introduced, opened to him a pros- 
 pect which his most sanguine expectations had never ventured 
 to anticipate : instead of any further attempt to obtain ordina- 
 tion for him under his present circumstances, Mr. Thornton 
 determined to send him to the University of Cambridge at his 
 own expense ; that he might thus enter the church with every 
 possible advantage, and be prepared for a higher and more ex- 
 tensive sphere of usefulness than any for which he could other- 
 wise be qualified. This resolution was scarcely less honoura- 
 ble to the character of Mr. Buchanan than to the liberality of 
 his patron, whose discriminating judgment afforded no slight 
 presumption in favour of any one to whom his protection was 
 extended, and whose penetration was, in the present instance, 
 amply justified by the event. 
 
 Early in the month of September, Mr. Buchanan commu- 
 nicated to his mother, and his friend, Mr. Newton, who was 
 still in the country, the joyful news of Mr. Thornton's munifi- 
 cent intention. He had been so much depressed by the failure 
 of former plans, and the present offer so far exceeded any 
 hopes which he had indulged, that he was at first almost tempt- 
 ed to think it a delusion ; but on Mr. Thornton's assuring him 
 personally of the reality of the proposal, which he appears to 
 have originally made to him by letter, he received it with those 
 mingled feelings of gratitude and humility, which were the 
 
24 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 surest pledges that the benevolent exertions of his patron would 
 not be made in vain. 
 
 " I was emancipated," he writes to Mr. Newton, " from 
 the law a few days ago, and am now willing to enter into the 
 eternal bonds of the gospel. I have been endeavouring to ar- 
 range my studies, in some measure, preparatory to my going to 
 Cambridge ; but I find so much to do, that I know not where 
 to begin. I wish to devote my greatest attention to the Bible, 
 and am desirous of adopting some regular plan in studying it; 
 but I cannot please myself, and I am a perfect stranger to the 
 system which is usually followed. The Bible appears to me 
 like a confused heap of polished stones prepared for a building, 
 which must be brought together, and each of them fitted to its 
 place, before the proportion and symmetry of the temple ap- 
 pear. I would fain hope that the foundation-stone is laid with 
 me ; but the raising of the superstructure appears an arduous 
 undertaking, and the pinnacle of the temple is quite out of 
 sight, even in idea. I conjectured that probably the articles 
 and creeds of the church contain the first principles of the 
 oracles of God ; and on this presumption I have begun to 
 prove all the articles of my faith by scripture. Whether I am 
 right in this mode of study I know not. 
 
 " I never felt myself in more need of divine direction than 
 now. When I consider myself so evidently called forth on 
 the Lord's side, my heart is faint ; and I am apt to say, 6 Who 
 is sufficient for these things ?' I find I am unable to go 
 through the important studies before me, unless I am led every 
 step. At present it appears to me, that my sole business at 
 the University is contained in one line of St. Paul, ' to be en- 
 riched with all utterance, and all knowledge ;' or in other 
 words, ' to be eloquent, and mighty in the Scriptures ;' which 
 are said to have been the accomplishments of the preacher 
 A polios. But I find that I must attend to various branches of 
 human learning, for which at present I have no relish. Alas ! 
 Sir, if St. Paul had sent Timothy and Titus to such a college 
 as this, they would have complained to him of such a plan. 
 But he would perhaps have answered, as he does somewhere, 
 * Till I come, give attendance to reading' — ' that ye may know 
 how ye ought to answer every man.' " 
 
 The sentiment expressed in the latter part of the preceding 
 extract will not appear extraordinary to those who consider the 
 state of Mr. Buchanan's mind at this period, and the one great 
 object which he had in view in accepting Mr. Thornton's offer 
 of an University education. The same train of thought occurs 
 in his next letter to Mr. Newton ; and although he afterwards 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 25 
 
 acquiesced upon principle, in the usual course of University 
 studies, it may not be without its use to develope somewhat 
 more fully his present dispositions and feelings. 
 
 44 Permit me," he observes to his first excellent friend, " to 
 thank you for your letter. It is a mark of your regard, of 
 which I am unworthy, and has affixed a seal to the truth of 
 your interest in my welfare, which T hope will never be broken. 
 Like Hezekiah, I spread it before the Lord, but with a different 
 purpose ; not to avert a curse, but to improve a blessing. The 
 words in Hezekiah's letter were ' to reproach the living God ;' 
 but the words in my letter were to assure me that his name is 
 love, that he is very gracious, and that I should serve him with 
 a cheerful heart. I have prayed that I may be enabled to do 
 so. Your letter is a silent monitor, which I hope at the Uni- 
 versity often to consult. It will, I trust, serve as a counter- 
 poise to the parade of worldly wisdom, and teach me to re- 
 verse the motto of the schools, Ubi philosophus cessat, illic 
 incipit theologus. Chrysostom was of your opinion ; he 
 says, OTjy <ro<pix etou, cumri xi u ' x av$£a>7nv»s. I think so too ; but I 
 also think, that the fault is not in the studies, but in the man- 
 ner of pursuing them. If a student could wed himself to the 
 Bible, and court the sciences merely as handmaids to her, I 
 think this would do very well ; but when we are seized by the 
 cacoethes philosophandi, and devote ourselves to what Luther 
 calls the idola carnalium studiorum, our taste becomes vitiat- 
 ed. Since I received your letter, I have seen something of 
 this. I was introduced yesterday to the acquaintance of a cler- 
 gyman's son, who has been two years at college, Cam- 
 bridge. His father, I understand, sent him to that college that 
 he might be under the care of religious tutors. From this ac- 
 count I hoped to find him a suitable companion ; but I soon 
 discovered that he had no inclination to talk of divinity, or of 
 any thing that bore relation to it. His whole conversation 
 turned on experimental philosophy and mathematics. I have 
 not seen a young man so mathematic-mad in my life. During 
 the whole evening I spent with him, his head was, (as Omi* 
 cron expresses it,) continually wool-gathering after rhomboids 
 and parallelograms. He assures me, that if I do not study 
 mathematics very diligently, I shall have no chance at the end 
 of my course of obtaining ^the honours.' I told him that I 
 had heard college fame was very intoxicating ; that perhaps it 
 might be prudent to sip gently of it ; and that as for myself, if 
 I could pass my examination with a mediocrity of applause, I 
 should be content. He observed, that seven hours a day stu- 
 dying mathematics would be sufficient for that. 
 
26 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 How much reason is there for that * double guard of prayer 
 and close walking with God' which you mention, in order that 
 I may be enabled to pass through this fire unhurt ! It is happy 
 for me that I am not under my own guidance. It seems it is 
 necessary for me to be somewhat * learned in the wisdom of 
 the Egyptians ;' but I trust it is, that I may be able to see and 
 set forth 4 the wisdom that is from above' in a more transcend- 
 ent light. 
 
 44 The method you propose for my studying the Bible ap- 
 proves itself much to my judgment, and I desire to follow it. 
 I have begun it this day in a solemn manner. O that my 
 ardour for contemplating the truths of Scripture may never 
 abate ! 
 
 44 What you say of a daily retrospect of my past life is an in- 
 structive lesson. Is it possible that for forty years it should 
 have been so with you ? I fear I shall come far short of this ; 
 and yet how much reason have I to sing of the mercies of the 
 Lord all the day long ? Is there any one of his children who is 
 more indebted to him as the God of providence and of grace 
 than I am ? Who can 4 sing of mercy and of judgment' as I 
 can, when I remember him from the land of my nativity, all 
 the way by which I have been led ? How few are there who 
 would believe that a man could be found capable of displaying 
 so extraordinary an act of munificence as that with which Mr. 
 Thornton is now honouring me ? Were I possessed of both 
 the Indies, I could scarcely do more for myself than he is now 
 doing. And how unworthy I am of all this ! When I think 
 of these things, it is the grief of my heart that I cannot more 
 admire and love that gracious Saviour, who has so highly 
 favoured me. As yet, I have a very imperfect view of what I 
 have passed through : but I trust these things will be shown 
 me, as I shall be able to bear them. 
 
 44 Mr. Thornton intends that I shall go to Queen's college ; 
 chiefly, I believe, because he is acquainted w r ith the Presi- 
 dent,* and thinks that circumstance may be advantageous to 
 me. I am happy to hear so favourable an account of Cam- 
 bridge. It will be an encouragement for me to maintain my 
 ground, when I see some around me who dare to be singular. 
 It shall be my endeavour to attend to your advice with respect 
 to my conduct to my superiors. I shall often pray to be endued 
 with a meek and quiet spirit ; and endeavour implicitly to com- 
 ply with every rule and every injunction in the University, for 
 the Lord's sake." 
 
 * The very reverend and learned Dr. Miiner, Dean of Carlisle. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 27 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Such were the views with which, in Michaelmas term, 1791, 
 Mr. Buchanan was admitted a member of Queen's college, 
 Cambridge. " The day of my leaving London," he observes 
 in a letter to his brother, " was very solemn. It was on Mon- 
 day the 24th of October, exactly four years and two months 
 since my entering that city. But with what a different spirit 
 did I leave it, compared with that with which I had entered it ! 
 Had I seen at that time, in the book of Providence, all that I 
 was about to do and to suffer in that city, I suppose I should 
 hardly have dared to approach it : but God wisely conceals 
 from us a knowledge of the future. 
 
 On the morning and evening preceding my leaving London, 
 I was earnest in prayer for a blessing on my intended journey 
 and its consequences. One request in particular was, that I 
 might be favoured with the acquaintance of some pious com- 
 panions in my studies. To this prayer I had an early answer, 
 A gentleman set out with me from London in the same coach 
 for Cambridge. He studied two seasons at Glasgow, as I did ; 
 then, like me, passed some years in vanity ; and now comes 
 to the University to qualify himself for preaching Christ, as I 
 hope I do. This singular similarity in our circumstances 
 occasioned a happiness of which none but ourselves could 
 partake." 
 
 With a modesty and regard to frugality which reflect upon 
 him much credit, Mr. Buchanan was at first disposed to enter 
 as a Sizar; but upon the representations of the tutors, and of 
 the friends to whom he had been recommended, he determined 
 on being admitted as a pensioner. In a letter to Mr. Newton, 
 written soon after his arrival at Cambridge, he very feelingly 
 describes the perplexity which he had anticipated from the con- 
 trariety of the studies to which he was called, to the prevailing 
 dispositions of his mind. Until he was actually at college he 
 cherished the hope of being permitted to devote his chief at- 
 tention to divinity, and to the mathematics only secondarily. 
 But he found that the reverse was expected from him ; and that 
 the excellent friends, to whom his patron had introduced him, 
 were quite as strenuous as his tutors m representing to him the 
 necessity of complying with the established course of study in 
 the University. Independently of the repugnance which Mr. 
 Buchanan felt to this plan from the peculiarly serious frame of 
 
28 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 his mind at this period, he feared that by yielding to it he should 
 disappoint the expectations of the friends who had sent him to 
 Cambridge, and eventually frustrate the great object which he 
 and they mutually had in view. The comparatively advanced 
 age, too, at which he had entered the University, would na- 
 turally tend to strengthen this apprehension, and to dispose him 
 to dedicate his time exclusively to theological pursuits. The 
 state of doubt and uneasiness produced by these circumstances 
 affected both his spirits and his health ; but after stating the 
 reasonings of his Cambridge friends, and his own feelings and 
 inclinations, he expressed to his respected correspondent his 
 resolution to follow that course of conduct, which, after mature 
 deliberation, should appear to him to be the path of duty. 
 
 In the case of students in general, entering at the usual 
 period at either University with a view to holy orders, how- 
 ever religiously they may be disposed, there can be no doubt 
 either as to the duty or the wisdom of devoting their chief at- 
 tention to the prescribed studies of the place. A competent ac- 
 quaintance with the learned languages, and with the stores of 
 historical and ethical knowledge which they contain ; the prin- 
 ciples of sound reasoning, and the elements, at least, of general 
 science, are essential to the formation of an enlightened and 
 able theologian. The basis of such a character must, indeed, 
 be deeply laid in an experimental acquaintance with real re- 
 ligion ; and it were devoutly to be wished, that this were more 
 generally considered as an indispensable qualification in every 
 candidate for the ministry, and that more effectual encourage- 
 ments and facilities were afforded in our Universities for its at- 
 tainment. But if to the spirit of piety be not added the ad- 
 vantages which are to be derived from the wise and temperate 
 pursuit of human learning, there is great danger that religion 
 itself will suffer in the hands of those who are thus unprepared 
 to teach, to defend, and to adorn it. In the present instance, 
 Mr. Buchanan was already possessed of such a share of learn- 
 ing as might have been sufficient to qualify him for the dis- 
 charge of the ordinary duties of a Christian minister ; but it 
 was obviously desirable that this should be strengthened and 
 enlarged by fresh accessions at the seat of science, to which 
 the providence of God had so remarkably conducted him. Nor 
 was it long before his judgment was convinced by the argu- 
 ments of his friends, that the very honour of religion required 
 his acquiescence in such a measure ; and that, however the ap- 
 pointed studies of the University might appear to be foreign to 
 the important purpose for which he had entered it, they would 
 ultimately tend in the most effectual manner to promote it, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 59 
 
 Among those who concurred in this salutary advice was Mr. 
 Newton himself; and to him Mr. Buchanan early in the fol- 
 lowing year announced his disposition to yield to their sug- 
 gestions. 
 
 44 1 think," he observes, "that my way is clearer than it 
 was, and I hope soon to have little doubt of my path of duty at 
 college. Your letter helped to pave the way for me. I have 
 now taken up the study of the mathematics ex ammo, that is, 
 from a persuasion that God wills it. And for them I have 
 made a sacrifice of some other studies truly dear to me. I 
 tried for a time to continue them both, but I found it impossi- 
 ble ; so that now, that portion of the day which 'I have s,et 
 apart for divine things is extremely short, compared with 
 what I once thought it would be ; and yet I dare not tell 
 some of my friends here that it is so long." 
 
 It will be readily imagined, that Mr. Buchanan had various 
 difficulties to encounter on commencing his academical course. 
 He had indeed been received by the Vice-President, in the 
 absence of Dr. Milner, and by the tutors, with much attention 
 and kindness ; but having been entirely unacquainted with the 
 mathematics before his entrance at college, it was only by hard 
 study that he could contrive to keep pace with the lectures. 
 M I once thought," he says, " that I should have been obliged 
 to acknowledge my inability, and to have fallen behind, and 
 was wishing for the last day of term as eagerly as ever truant 
 did for a holiday. However, I was enabled to keep my ground, 
 and my difficulties were never known, even to my tutor. This 
 vacation will give me room to have some little beforehand ; so 
 that I hope to pass with more ease and credit through the suc- 
 ceeding terms." 
 
 From the time of his coming to college, according to the 
 information of a contemporary friend, Mr. Buchanan was ex- 
 ceedingly regular and studious, keeping but little company, for 
 the sake, he supposes, of economy, both as to expense and 
 time. 
 
 His situation, too, was at first peculiarly unpleasant, from 
 iinding scarcely a single companion, whose sentiments and 
 habits were congenial with his own. His indisposition to ge- 
 neral visits even rendered him the subject of much animadver- 
 sion. But from this trial he was shortly relieved by the praiss 
 which he received from his tutor for a Latin theme, the com- 
 position of which, though he had written nothing in that lan- 
 guage for some years, was pronounced to be superior to that 
 of any other student. He was in consequence treated with 
 much additional respect by his fellow collegians, was allowed 
 
 c2 
 
30 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 to visit them upon his own terms, and even received several 
 applications to assist them in their studies, which served as a 
 stimulus to his own exertions. 
 
 No sooner, however, had Mr. Buchanan determined on the 
 diligent pursuit of his academical studies, than the wakeful 
 spirit of pietv, by which he was animated, made him anxious 
 to guard against the possible dangers to which such a plan 
 might expose him. For this purpose he cultivated the ac- 
 quaintance of the more serious students at different colleges ; 
 and at his solicitation they agreed to meet regularly for the 
 purpose of reading the New Testament, and conversing prac- 
 tically upon some chapter which had been selected. Their 
 meetings were begun and ended with prayer. It is well known 
 that such proceedings are regarded in our Universities, to say 
 the least, with much jealousy, and are generally discouraged. 
 Why meetings for religious improvement, when conducted as 
 this at Cambridge appears by Mr. Buchanan's letters to his 
 correspondents to have been, should be disapproved, more 
 than debating, or other academical societies, for the purposes 
 of conversation or even of festivity, it is not easy to disco- 
 ver. Young men, it is said, are incompetent to conduct with 
 advantage discussions of a religious nature. But is their judg- 
 ment at all better qualified to determine moral, or political 
 questions ; and is not the danger, whatever it may be, in the 
 one case equal to that of the other I Both, it may be replied, 
 are inexpedient. And if meetings of either kind are intended 
 for the mere purpose of display, it is readily admitted, that 
 the time consumed in them might be much more profitably 
 employed. But in the case in question, the society met not so 
 much for the purpose of discussion, as of raising a barrier 
 against the undue influence of secular learning on the minds 
 of those who were almost exclusively employed in its pur- 
 suit ; and of cherishing that spirit of piety and devotion, the 
 cultivation of which, in themselves and others, was to form the 
 one great business of their lives. Meetings such as these 
 may, indeed, and ever will be, objected to by those who per- 
 ceive greater danger in the w T armth of zeal, than in the cold- 
 ness of indifference ; but it may be permitted to those who, 
 like. Mr. Buchanan, have experienced not only their safety but 
 their benefit, to vindicate, if not, under the regulation of that 
 judgment which is seldom altogether wanting in our academi- 
 cal students, and in submission to academic discipline, to re- 
 commend them. 
 
 In addition to the society which has been just mentioned, 
 Mr. Buchanan was invited to spend an hour on Sunday even- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 31 
 
 ings at the rooms of one excellent person,* who has been dis- 
 tinguished during many years for his active and zealous sup- 
 port of religion in Cambridge, and to whom a numerous body 
 of clerical and other students have been successively indebted, 
 for the most important instruction and encouragement during 
 their academical progress. Of the kindness of this gentleman, 
 and of the benefit which he derived from his conversation and 
 example, Mr. Buchanan wrote to more than one of his friends 
 in terms of the highest respect and gratitude. 
 
 " These engagements," he says to one of them, " prove 
 something of a counterbalance to the effects of human learn- 
 ing, and preserve my mind from being wholly absorbed in 
 philosophy and metaphysics. Besides," and the remark affords 
 a striking proof of the sobriety as well as fervour of his piety, 
 " I have the opportunity every morning and evening of at- 
 tending chapel prayers, which of itself I consider a great 
 blessing." 
 
 Yet with all the encouragements with which he now began 
 to be favoured, Mr. Buchanan expresses, at the close of the 
 same letter, a deep, perhaps a melancholy, train of thought 
 and feeling, which is not, however, uncommon with similar 
 characters. 
 
 " I often meditate," he adds, " on the vanity of life, and 
 the insufficiency of the world to confer happiness. Were I 
 assured of my. interest in the Redeemer, I should long for my 
 departure. What is there to detain me here ? I have no tie 
 to this world, no earthly possession, no person, if I except mv 
 mother, for whose sake I desire to live, no idol of any kind. 
 What then should induce me to linger here, groaning as I do 
 daily with sin, and combating a powerful spiritual enemy? 
 Nothing ought to urge me to stay, but a desire to promote the 
 glory of God among men. But this desire is with me so 
 weak at present, as scarcely to deserve the name. It is but a 
 spark. This is my unhappiness. Yet the goodness of God 
 may in his own time fan it into a flame." 
 
 Such was the resolution with which Mr. Buchanan engaged 
 in the study of the mathematics, that at the close of his second 
 term he found himself unequal to none in the lecture-room. 
 He had at the same time, though contrary to the usual cus- 
 tom, paid equal attention to the classical and logical lectures ; 
 but very reasonably doubted whether he should be able to con- 
 tinue the same application to so many different objects. 
 
 " Indeed," he says to one of his correspondents, "I doubt 
 
 * Doubtless, the Rev. Charles Simeon. — Am. Ed. 
 
32 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 much whether I ought to try it ; and for this reason : I find 
 that this great attention to study has made me exceedingly lan- 
 guid in my devotional duties. I feel not that delight in reading 
 the Bible, nor that pleasure in thinking on divine things, which 
 formerly animated me. On this account have many serious 
 students in this University wholly abandoned the study of 
 mathematics, and confined themselves to the classics, composi- 
 tion, and the like ; for it seems they generally feel the same 
 effects that I do. Now these effects were partly anticipated 
 by my friends who advised the study of mathematics ; yet 
 they recommended perseverance by all means, and are serious- 
 ly concerned for those young men who have rejected these 
 studies, and have thus incurred the contempt of their respec- 
 tive colleges. Knowing now something of mathematics, I can 
 form some opinion of them. I conceive that a course of them 
 would be highly profitable to me ; but I doubt whether I 
 should run such hazards in completing this course, as you see 
 I am exposed to. 
 
 " Your good sense will show you, when reflecting on my 
 present situation, that I have much need of that wisdom w T hich 
 is profitable to direct. Weak in spirit, weak in body, and 
 beset by hard study, which I know by experience to be a 
 weariness to the flesh, what can I do but commit myself and 
 all my cares to Him who hath hitherto cared for me, and will 
 lead me, though blind, by a way I know not ? By such a way 
 is he now leading me : I know not whither his goodness is 
 conducting me; I trust it is to his service : and yet there is 
 such an ocean of mathematics and abstruse study which inter- 
 venes between me and usefulness in the ministry, that, like the 
 Israelites, I stand on the sea-shore, thinking it impossible to 
 get over: but I think also that I hear the Lord by his provi- 
 dence, which introduced me to the studies of this place, say, 
 6 Go forward.' This I am resolved to do, till his goodness 
 illuminate my mind, so that I shall be enabled to discover the 
 errors (if any) of my path. If any, did 1 say 1 I know that 
 there are many ; but I need grace to abandon them, when I see 
 them ; I hope Cambridge University will prove a good school 
 of Christ to me. I knew little of myself till I came here," 
 
 Notwithstanding the complaint which Mr. Buchanan ex- 
 presses in the preceding letter, as to the unfavourable effect of 
 his studies upon his devotional feelings, he occasionally ex- 
 perienced very different and more pleasing impressions. 
 
 M I ought," he observes, writing to Mr. Newton not long 
 afterwards, "to thank you for your letter. There is an in- 
 describable something which pervades the whole of it, and 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 33 
 
 seems to intimate that all is peace and tranquillity within the 
 mind of the writer. What an enviable frame of spirit does 
 he possess who walks with God ! About a fortnight ago, a 
 dawn of that light, with which I suppose the Lord irradiates 
 the souls of those that walk with him, shone upon my mind, 
 and by its lustre showed me some things I had not seen be- 
 fore. I prayed often that this impression of love might not 
 leave me. But, alas ! it did leave me : no doubt it was my 
 own fault. I would w T alk three times round the globe to at- 
 tain it again : but no such great thing is required of me ; I 
 
 have Only to believe ; TUo-rzvu) Kt/g/g, fior.Su pou r» a.7ri<rrtct, 
 
 " After what you have said on the subject of disappoint- 
 ment, I am resolved never to be disappointed. But it is a re- 
 solution which I fear I cannot keep. Let me pray for grace. 
 If I possessed this fountain, all the streams would be mine; 
 and among the rest, the christian grace of considering nothing 
 in the providence of God a disappointment." 
 
 On the approach of the long vacation, Mr. Buchanan had 
 some thoughts of spending a [ew weeks at Lynn, in Norfolk, 
 for the benefit of his health, which had been impaired by his 
 close application to study. 
 
 Mr. Newton had also invited him to pass a part of the va- 
 cation in London ; and in the letter which conveyed this invi- 
 tation, an extract from which Mr. Buchanan communicated to 
 his brother, his kind friend expressed himself as follows. 
 
 " Our acquaintance was providential indeed ! but it is a 
 providence for which I hope ever to be thankful ; and to ac- 
 count it one of the chief honours and pleasures of my life, 
 to have been made instrumental in bringing you forward. May 
 you be kept in the mind you express, to prefer 4 a grain of hu- 
 mility to a mountain of gold ;' and you will be like the tree 
 described in the first Psalm, and Jer. xvii. when rny head is 
 laid in the dust. I hear well of you from all quarters." 
 
 The relaxation, however, thus proposed, both in Norfolk 
 and London, as well as the offer of an excursion with a Cam- 
 bridge friend, Mr. Buchanan, with commendable self-denial, 
 thought it most expedient to decline, and determined on ac- 
 cepting the indulgence granted him of remaining in college 
 during the whole vacation. 
 
 " It would be very pleasing," he says, " to make a short 
 tour with a proper companion ; but I think I could not do it 
 without danger to myself. If I were somewhat advanced in 
 the christian life, and more stable in the way of truth, I per- 
 haps might; but at present I cannot, I dare not trust the de- 
 ceitfulness of my own heart. In the retirement of a college, 
 
34 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 I am unable to suppress evil thoughts and vain wishes ; how 
 then must it be abroad ? Besides, I find that the art of study 
 is difficult to attain. I must serve a long apprenticeship to it 
 ere I am a good proficient. The greatest danger lies in break- 
 ing the thread of attention. On whatever study my mind is 
 lixed, that study I can with pleasure resume: but if an inter- 
 val of a day intervene, my attention is disengaged. I am con- 
 scious that I have lost a day as to that study, and find it irk- 
 some to begin de novo. But if instead of a day, an interval of 
 a week or month should intervene, it would be a Herculean 
 labour to resume it; and nothing could smooth the way, but a 
 conviction that the interruption was from necessity ; then, in- 
 deed, my duty would remove the obstacle. 
 
 " That you may have some idea of the nature of my pre- 
 sent studies, I shall subjoin the calendar of a day. 
 
 | bef. 5^| 
 
 6 > Devotional Studies. 
 
 8 ^Breakfast and Recreation. 
 
 .a 
 
 11 ^Mathematics. 
 
 V 
 
 ~ > Dinner and Recreation. 
 
 _ > Classics. 
 
 5 3 
 
 6 ^Engagements or Recreation. 
 > Classics, or Logic, &c. 
 
 9 J>Devotional Studies. 
 10' 
 11 
 12 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 >S!eep. 
 
 i after 4 
 
 Few persons would be disposed to think, on reviewing the 
 preceding distribution of his time, that Mr. Buchanan had, at 
 this early period of his academical course, assigned too small 
 a portion to studies directly connected with his future profession. 
 This is, however, the reflection which he immediately suggests 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 35 
 
 to his friend ; expressing his fears, which were certainly ground- 
 less, lest his patron should say, that he had not sent him to 
 Cambridge to learn geometry; and, above all, lest the science 
 which he was thus diligently pursuing should not ultimately 
 reward him. It would, indeed, he says, be distressing to him 
 to appear unqualified for his office as a preacher; " but then I 
 hope," he adds, " I shall make more commendable proficiency 
 in my divine studies when I undertake them. This hope 
 alone enables me to persevere in my present course." 
 
 The observations which follow in the same letter are too va- 
 luable to be omitted. 
 
 44 1 apprehend," continues Mr. Buchanan, " that a student 
 should labour as for his daily bread ; not choosing the study 
 he may like best, for then it would be no labour, but learning 
 the great lesson of self-denial by taking up the study he likes 
 least, if it be best for him. If I can by nine hours study a 
 day serve my heavenly Master as faithfully as I served Mr. D. 
 I think he will give me my hire. You cannot be surprised if 
 sometimes I have my doubts, when I see the other serious stu- 
 dents walking in a path directly contrary. All of them, I 
 think, but one, (Mr. C.) have followed their own inclinations 
 in this matter: and, in opposition to the advice of the expe- 
 rienced servants of God, have substituted divinity in lieu of 
 mathematics. The reason they give is, that they do not see it 
 to be so and so. Yet it is worthy of remark, that they do not 
 appear to bring forth the fruits that might be expected in those 
 very studies they love. I do not think that they live nearer to 
 God for it, or make such proficiency as students earnest in their 
 work should do. For myself, I know not what is best. Mr. 
 C, the mathematical divine, has a more heavenly deportment 
 than any of them. This they acknowledge, though it is some- 
 what of a paradox to them : but I think it will be solved to 
 some of them ere long. I am inclined to believe, that were I 
 an eminent saint, I should be a good mathematician, a good 
 linguist, a good scripturist. 
 
 44 1 hope that the Lord is leading us all in the right path, 
 and directing us individually to those studies which he sees ne- 
 cessary for the station he intends we shall fill ; and if any of 
 us undertake an improper study from improper motives, or a 
 proper study at an improper time, like novices depending on 
 our own judgment, I trust that we shall learn by it a lesson 
 more useful than any study — a knowledge of ourselves, and of 
 our inability to do any thing aright, much less to conduct such 
 an important undertaking as the studies of a disciple of Christ. 
 
 44 1 should be exceedingly thankful for any hint that may 
 
36 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 occasionally occur to you respecting the government of myself, 
 and of my studies. The price which I have paid for the little 
 wisdom I have obtained is very dear. Gladly then would I 
 listen to the voice of experience." 
 
 44 It might, perhaps, be expected, after such evident proofs of 
 the enlarged, yet pious and temperate views which Mr. Bu- 
 chanan entertained respecting the pursuit of human learning, 
 that he would have been advised to continue his course patient- 
 ly and uninterruptedly. The peculiar circumstances, however, 
 of his case, and even the chastised ardour with which he ap- 
 peared to be animated in his academical studies, excited some 
 apprehensions in the mind of the venerable friend whose ad- 
 vice he had solicited, and induced him to suggest some modifi- 
 cation of the plan which he had himself originally approved. 
 The particular grounds of his opinion can only now be conjec- 
 tured from the tenor of Mr. Buchanan's reply ; which enters 
 with so much judgment and feeling into this interesting subject, 
 that the insertion of the greater part of it will scarcely be 
 deemed superfluous. 
 
 44 1 was in earnest," he begins, 4 ' when in my last I solicited 
 your advice and direction : and because I was in earnest, I 
 think that your letter will be accompanied with a blessing to 
 me. 
 
 44 Your jealousy lest my heart might be gradually attached 
 to our academical studies, awakened my fears, and I prayed 
 for divine aid while I scrutinized myself and my views ; and 
 now I must candidly acknowledge, that I believe your doubts 
 to be well founded : I believe that you are right, and that many 
 of my friends here are wrong ; I say I believe it, for as yet I 
 am not. sure : you and they view me in a different light; hence 
 arises this difference of opinion relating to the plan of my stu- 
 dies. These gentlemen, not only bred at this University, but 
 anxious for its fame, and still more for that of the religious 
 students in it, are desirous that we should excel in the studies 
 of the place, that we may, as it were, shed some lustre (in the 
 eyes of men) on that gospel which the learned despise. The 
 grand argument we use against infidels, who deride the truth 
 as being only professed by men of weak judgment, is to point 
 out some learned christian, (if such can be found,) and then 
 say with St. Paul, ( 4 Are you a Hebrew ? so am I,') Are you 
 a mathematician ? so is he. Are you a classic, a historian ? 
 so is he. What are you ? he is all that; but he is something 
 more. Now it is natural to adopt such an argument when we 
 can. On this account these gentlemen are eager to incline the 
 serious young men to the studies of the University, which they 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 37 
 
 therefore represent as being not only ornamental, but useful. 
 Now this may be good advice to a young man who has many 
 years before him, and expects to reside as a Fellow of a college, 
 and preach occasionally at the University church. But I am 
 not of this description ; yet they look upon me as one who is 
 to grow old in their own family ; which is as improbable as I 
 am averse to it. It was but the other day that one of my 
 friends hinted to me, that it would be worth my while to 
 change my college, that I might have a good Fellowship as a 
 reward for my exertions. I am frequently addressed in such 
 words as these — ' Do pray persevere in your reading ; devote 
 your evening and morning hour to your closet, but give the 
 rest of the day to the studies of the place. Nothing can re- 
 dound more to the credit of the gospel. The most holy con- 
 duct will not here avail so much as that. Besides, you will 
 be amply repaid by your rapid progress, when you begin your 
 professional studies.' And now that my college has given me 
 both an exhibition and a scholarship, they say, ' Did we not 
 tell you so ? You see that religion and diligence in academi- 
 cal study are mutual helps to each other.' If I have been al- 
 lured by such speeches from those who are superior to 
 myself in knowledge and experience, is it wonderful? 
 
 " This, then, is their mistake. They address me as if I 
 were always to reside among them, and to remain an example 
 either of learning or ignorance. As a young enthusiast, they 
 consider themselves responsible for me to the University. 
 
 " On the other hand, you view me as having come to the 
 University* not so much to qualify myself for the ministry, as 
 to pave the way for my ordination, and think it of little im- 
 port whether my name were ever heard in Cambridge or not. 
 If this is right, their arguments are mostly out of place. 
 
 Mr. approaches more nearly to your sentiments than 
 
 any of them. 
 
 " I shall now give you the result of my own deliberations 
 on the subject. Rather than you should have a moment's un- 
 easiness lest the purity of my heart should be tainted by ma- 
 thematics, I would throw every mathematical book I have 
 into the fire, and make them a funeral pile to the manes of 
 your jealousy. For compared with the word of truth, they 
 are as dross to fine gold. In a certain degree they may be 
 useful, and to that degree I would desire them ; and I hope to 
 be led so far, and no farther. At first I disliked them ; but 
 considering them as a nauseous medicine which might do me 
 some good, I took them up. You, too, bade me. After a 
 while, they became more palatable, and at length, a pleasing 
 
 D 
 
38 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANANT, 
 
 study. For this I was exceedingly thankful, as they were in 
 the way of my duty. But now, as I have arrived at a certain 
 length in them, and have in view very soon to enter on an im- 
 portant office which requires much preparation, I think it will 
 he right — not to relinquish them wholly ; I do not mean that : 
 but so to circumscribe them, and my other academical ex- 
 ercises, as to afford me a considerable proportion of the day, 
 (the half, if possible,) for 'the preparation of the gospel of 
 peace.' 
 
 " I do not mean to put this sudden resolution into practice, 
 till I know whether it be right. From some experience I 
 know myself to be weak, injudicious, inconstant, changeable. 
 I shall therefore prosecute my studies as usual, till I hear 
 from you. Having acquired somewhat of a reputation for my 
 attention to college studies, if I can preserve it, it will be a de- 
 sirable thing. If not, I cannot help it ; I willingly sacrifice 
 it 'to a better name.' 
 
 " You do me great honour in the proposal you have made. 
 I would rather serve you in your old age than a sceptre-bear- 
 ing king. But I much fear that my services at so early a pe- 
 riod will be weak and inadequate. It is like taking a babe out 
 of his cradle to support the steps of his aged parent. But I am 
 in God's hands : whatever he sees fit for me to do, I hope he will 
 incline my heart, and enable me to do it. But as I cannot expect 
 that he will work a miracle by qualifying me for his service at 
 once, it is certainly my duty to resort to the means now, and 
 pray for his blessing on his own studies. Surely I ought not to 
 procrastinate. 
 
 " You ask me whether I would prefer preaching the gospel 
 to the fame of learning? Ay, that would I, gladly. Were 
 I convinced it was the will of God that I should depart 
 this night for Nova Zembla, or the Antipodes, to testify of 
 Him, 1 would not wait for an audit, or a college exit. There 
 is nothing to be found here to satisfy my mind. There are in- 
 deed many gaudy vanities of specious appearance, pleasing to 
 my fleshly eye ; but if I know my own heart, the Lord Jesus 
 is at this moment more lovely to me than the loveliest object 
 which the eye can see, or fancy paint. And though I know 
 him not as I could wish, yet is he precious. He is that pearl 
 which I would willingly buy at the price of all the laurels 
 which science ever bore. But I speak this in his strength. 
 1 wish not to be tried with wealth, honour, or the applause of 
 men. A laurel even in preaching the gospel might intoxicate 
 my brain, and drown my humble dependence on God, in 
 Lethe. Then, like Lucifer, should I preach humility ! Lord, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 39 
 
 ttiy affections are now in thy possession. O, keep them 
 there ! 
 
 " You ask me what are my views? Dear sir, what views 
 can / have ? God has his views concerning me : I have none. 
 He best knows why he brought me hither : I know not. Once 
 I used to think, that as He had wrought so wondrously for 
 me, he surely meant me for an eminent preacher of the 
 gospeh Pride dictated this. I have now no such high 
 thoughts of myself. I am in some degree sensible, that if I ever 
 serve the Lord at all, I shall be one of his weakest servants. 
 Nor are these mere disqualifying speeches. I have reason to 
 fear that I am much more deficient than you apprehend. Ne- 
 vertheless, with all my defects, I know the divine power, t 
 have laid my hand to the plough ; he can make me useful. 
 
 " You desire to know whether I would accept ordination 
 before I take my degree, if it could be procured? Yes, with- 
 out any hesitation, if I thought it was the will of God. Were 
 I to submit it to our friends here, they would unanimously dis- 
 suade it; but I do not feel myself at liberty to consult them. 
 In order to have it in my power to assist you as soon as pos- 
 sible, I would gladly receive ordination before the prescribed 
 time ; but in that case I should desire immediately to alter my 
 plan of study, and prepare myself a little, w 7 ho need so much 
 preparation. 
 
 64 If my purpose of beginning the studies of divinity be 
 proper and practicable, could you give me the outline of what 
 you conceive to be best worthy my attention in primordio ? 
 Mr. S., I know, will also be glad to lend me every assist- 
 ance. 
 
 " A new desire of preaching the gospel has certainly sprung 
 up in my heart, accompanied by ideas I do not recollect to 
 have had before. I hope it is no delusion. As yet it has pro- 
 duced noble effects on my heart and views. But in a month's 
 time I shall be better able to say, whether it be of God, or 
 no." 
 
 The preceding letter is dated in August 1792, from which 
 time till the October following, Mr. Buchanan appears to have 
 continued the course of study which he had proposed at the 
 commencement of the long vacation. The sentiments, how- 
 ever, expressed in that letter, combined with the suggestions 
 of the venerable friend to whose advice he naturally paid much 
 deference, prepare us to expect some alteration in his plan. 
 The question as to the wisdom of such a step, may admit of 
 some difference of opinion. Had Mr. Buchanan been a few 
 years younger, it would obviously have been his duty to have 
 
40 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 persevered in his exertions to excel in the peculiar studies of 
 the University. No conclusion, however, unfavourable to 
 such a course in the case of the generality of students, ought 
 to be drawn from his example. He had already proved both 
 his ability and his diligence, and had the prospect of attaining, 
 even with diminished application, an adequate share of scien- 
 tific knowledge. Though it can scarcely be doubted, there- 
 fore, that continued and exclusive efforts would have rendered 
 him successful in the competition for academical honours ; 
 there are but few, perhaps, who, under all the circumstances of 
 his case, will not consider him as having piously, if not wise- 
 ly judged, in abandoning that flattering pursuit; and in resolv- 
 ing to devote a larger proportion of his time to studies more 
 congenial to his taste and feelings, and more directly subser- 
 vient to his ultimate destination. 
 
 At the close of the long vacation, Mr. Buchanan accordingly 
 communicated this determination both to Mr. Newton and to 
 one of his friends in Cambridge; who, while he cordially ap- 
 proved it, recommended him at the same time not to announce 
 it publicly, lest he should incur the imputation of being fickle 
 or irresolute in his plans. 
 
 "I fear, however," he observes, in writing to the former of 
 these friends, " that it will be difficult for me to conceal the 
 change, as I must undergo two examinations next year, which 
 will abundantly scrutinize my proficiency ; besides, I have 
 many competitors, who will exult when they see me halt. 
 But I trust I shall be enabled to make every necessary sacri- 
 fice. What is my fame compared with that of the gospel ? 
 My desire is, that my light may so shine before men, that 
 they seeing my good works may glorify my Father who is in 
 heaven." 
 
 The continuation of this letter shows the sincerity of this 
 profession, and the anxiety which Mr. Buchanan felt to ful- 
 fil it. 
 
 " How happy," he says, " should I be, did I always know 
 what these good works are. It is strange that I should err 
 when I have the Bible to direct me ; but I find that it requires 
 much of divine teaching to apply the general rules of scrip- 
 ture to particular cases. For instance, I would gladly know, 
 whether it is the will of God that I should associate with my 
 fellow students more than I do. Whether I ought to separate 
 myself, or mingle with them, endeavour to obtain some 
 weight among them, and correct their manners, and seek op- 
 portunities of speaking for God. Some of them, perhaps^ 
 never heard the terms of the gospel in their lives. If I were 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 41 
 
 * wise as a serpent,' I might possibly, under God, entwine 
 some of them in the net of the gospel. Of late this subject 
 has been much on my mind, and I have been earnest in 
 prayer that I may be made useful to some of them. At my 
 rooms they have always acted with the strictest decorum ; 
 scarcely a faulty word has been spoken ; and I know not but 
 I might have been a restraint upon them at their own. My 
 principal reason for resisting their frequent invitations, is a 
 fear lest I should lose time in idle conversation, or be una- 
 wares led into undue compliances. This latter operated much 
 with me. I have been surprised that my conduct did not 
 draw upon me their open reproach. But the Lord ' tempers 
 the wind to the shorn lamb.' Last year 1 was extremely 
 weak, ill-grounded in the truth, and perhaps should have sunk 
 under much opposition. During this vacation, I trust I have 
 obtained more spiritual strength ; and perhaps I shall soon 
 have occasion to exercise it. M 
 
 Those who have experienced similar doubts and difficul- 
 ties will be able to enter into the preceding expression of them. 
 Mr. Buchanan appears to have steered that middle course, be- 
 tween absolute seclusion and indiscriminate association in 
 college, which is dictated by enlightened piety and christian 
 prudence ; and the general respect in which he was evidently 
 held, affords a sufficient assurance of the beneficial influence 
 of his example.* 
 
 * The Christian Observer furnishes the following statement in relation to 
 Dr. Buchanan's intercourse with his fellow students., from the pen of a " respect- 
 ed friend and correspondent.:" " It is true," he observes, " that Dr. B. did not 
 mix much in general society, while at college ; but during his last year (when 
 I went thither) he laid himself out a good deal to encourage younger men in 
 keeping the right way. He called on me immediately on my arrival as a fresh- 
 man, and watched over me while he continued at college with all the affec- 
 tion of a brother. There were several of Us who used to look up to him as a 
 Mentor; and he contrived to allot to us a portion of his time, either calling 
 upon us atbreakfasf, or taking us with him when he walked out for exercise. 
 In this way, his own time was not wasted; and he gained many opportunities 
 of conveying to us both exhortation and encouragement." 
 
 • " To this interesting statement," says the editor, " our friend, [by whom the 
 circumstances are stated] subjoins a remark in which we very cordially con- 
 cur, and indeed partly for the sake of which we have entered into this detail ; 
 4 What extensive good,' he observes, ' might be effected, if religious young 
 men, while at college, and especially in their last year, would imitate in this 
 respect the example of Buchanan. The youthful mind is then in a state to be 
 influenced by the attentions of a superior: and although Dr. Buchanan might 
 tiave had more weight with his fellow students, on account of his being a few 
 years older than under graduates generally are, yet it may be presumed that 
 the well-timed kindness and counsel of a religious senior, especially of one 
 wht> has distinguished himself by his academical attainments, will seldom fail 
 to produce a favourable impression on his younger associates.' " — Am. Ep, 
 
 d2 
 
4* MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 In compliance with his request, Mr. Newton had recom- 
 mended several books to Mr. Buchanan for the commence- 
 ment of his theological studies. To this point he therefore 
 next refers. 
 
 " I propose to confine myself to three branches of divinity 
 during the following year ; namely, the Bible, Bp. Pearson 
 on the Creed, and TVlr. Simeon's Lectures on Revealed Re- 
 ligion.* He went through a course of natural religion last 
 year. My reason for beginning with Pearson is, because Dr. 
 Hey gives public lectures on that author, which I wish to at- 
 tend, if my college avocations permit." 
 
 In addition to the motives which have been already stated 
 for relaxation in his mathematical studies, Mr. Buchanan 
 again mentions in this letter the importance of health, " I 
 see," he observes, " many around me whose usefulness is 
 abridged by the want of it. Mr. L. and Mr. R., men of 
 ability, are both lying by. I begin to think, that if at the 
 expiration of my academic course, I have good health, some 
 knowledge of the Bible, and some zeal, I may prove as useful 
 as some who have great abilities, great eloquence, and — an 
 asthma!" 
 
 The paragraph immediately following contains the first spe- 
 cific intimation of the important and interesting sphere of mi- 
 nisterial labour, to which the providence of God was conduct- 
 ing him. 
 
 "Mr. and Mrs. G. passed through Cambridge lately. Mr. 
 S. and I dined and supped with them. I hope the conversa- 
 tion of that evening was useful to me. From hearing various 
 accounts of the apostolic spirit of some missionaries to the 
 Indies, and of the extensive field for preaching the gospel 
 there, I was led to desire that I might be well qualified for 
 such a department, in case God should intend me for it. 
 Hence the origin of my three desiderata above mentioned — 
 scripture knowledge, some zeal, and good health." 
 
 The subject of elocution is that to which Mr. Buchanan 
 next adverts in this letter. 
 
 44 1 have read," he proceeds, "many codicils in my time, 
 but I never read any one with such pleasure as that annexed 
 to your letter. Do you think it possible that I ever shall be 
 able to preach extempore from the pulpit ? You know my 
 defect in conversation. I scarcely know a person of any edu- 
 cation who is so much at a loss in ordinary expression as I 
 am. My fault is not that of Demosthenes, else there might 
 
 » 
 
 * Probably delivered in his church. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 43 
 
 be hopes of amendment. I have no natural defect in the or- 
 gans of speech ; but I can never find apt words to express my 
 ideas without much premeditation. I have a pretty large 
 stock of words in my head, but they are seldom used : so that 
 when I am able to draw some of them out, they appear quite 
 strange to me. I fancy I have some hundreds which I never 
 used in my life. This partly arises from our Scottish mode 
 of education — reading much and speaking little ; but chiefly, 
 I suppose, from my being secluded from society for so many 
 years. During my residence in London, I lived, like the 
 Spectator, in silence. My bus : ness was to write, not to 
 speak. Since my coming to Cambridge, I have passed most 
 of my time in silent study. On an average I suppose 1 have 
 not spoken half an hour a day, including both lectures and 
 conversation. So you see that taciturnity is a disease in me ; 
 an evil habit of five years standing. When a boy I could 
 scold well enough, but I do not think I could scold now. In 
 conversation I am naturally cheerful, and therefore I must 
 speak, whether I can do it well or ill : but I ascribe the pa- 
 tience of my company to my cheerfulness, not to my diction. 
 
 " Though I never mentioned it to you, there has scarcely 
 been a subject mors on my mind, since Providence opened to 
 me a view of the pulpit, than this of public speaking. I was 
 in hopes that I should have had some opportunity of improve- 
 ment at Cambridge, but I have none. Mr. S. regrets that 
 there is no person in Cambridge who teaches elocution, and 
 he regrets it much on my account. He has kindly proposed 
 to me to read to him once a fortnight. This is my only re- 
 source at present. I have little advantage from my college 
 companions. Most of them speak ill, and read worse. All I 
 can do is to read aloud by myself occasionally. I am per- 
 suaded that it would be worth a student's while to spend two 
 or three hours a-day, for some years previous to his entering 
 into the ministry, in the attainment of that accomplishment 
 which distinguished the preacher Apollos. I have often 
 thought how glad I should be if oratory were introduced into 
 my college course instead of mathematics. Mr. Thornton's 
 desires on this head should be an additional inducement to me 
 to apply diligently to this study." 
 
 Though the peculiar circumstances of Mr. Buchanan's 
 birth and education may account for his complaint and anxiety 
 upon the subject of elocution, it is but too notorious, that those 
 who do not labour under his disadvantages are frequently as 
 deficient, and not seldom much more so, in this important ac- 
 complishment To judge by its general, neglect, at least 
 
44 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 among clerical students, it might almost be imagined, that to 
 excel in it is deemed discreditable. The total absence of pro- 
 priety, force, and dignity in the celebration of divine service, 
 in the public reading of the holy scriptures, and in the delive- 
 ry of discourses from the pulpit, which may so commonly be 
 observed, can scarcely otherwise be accounted for. An af- 
 fected and ostentatious display of artificial elocution in the 
 performance of the sacred offices of the church, is, indeed, 
 even more disgusting than rusticity and negligence. It is no- 
 thing of this kind which is intended to be recommended ; and 
 on this account it is by no means advisable to have recourse 
 to any secular professors of the art of speaking. It is with 
 elocution as with eloquence itself, that clear apprehensions of 
 the subject, good taste, and deep feeling, will in all ordinary 
 cases, and even under some natural disadvantages, secure the 
 most important ends of public speaking. It is, however, a 
 point which deserves much more attention than is usually 
 given to it ; and amongst other improvements in the present 
 age, it must be confessed, that its importance is beginning to 
 be more justly appreciated. The prize instituted in the Uni- 
 versity of Cambridge for the promotion of this accomplish- 
 ment, by the late excellent Bishop Porteus, himself a striking 
 example of forcible and dignified elocution, might be imitated 
 with advantage in every seminary of learning ; nor can those 
 who are judges of good speaking perform a more important 
 service to clerical students, than by freely suggesting to them 
 hints for the correction of their errors, or the attainment of ex- 
 cellence in that art.* 
 
 Mr. Buchanan was probably led to the subject of elocution 
 by an appointment to declaim in college in Latin, on the en- 
 suing fifth of November. He expresses in the preceding let- 
 ter his embarrassment in looking forward to this office ; but 
 instead of yielding to his fears, or shrinking from what may 
 readily be believed to have been a trial to him, he applied vi- 
 gorously to the duty which had been imposed upon him ; and 
 after frequent repetition of his composition in private, in one 
 of which he enjoyed the advantage of the observations of a 
 friend well qualified to advise him both as to the matter of his 
 declamation and his manner of speaking, he succeeded in de- 
 livering it with more self-possession, propriety, and anima- 
 tion, than he had ever exhibited in his own room. 
 
 " This," he adds, " was a great victory over myself, and 
 
 *See Bishop Gibson's instructions to his clergy in the Clergyman's Instruc- 
 tor, p. 310, and Archbishop Hort's in the same volume. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 45 
 
 was matter of much thankfulness. When I declaim on a 
 more important subject, I trust 1 shall be equally assisted." 
 
 At the commencement of Michaelmas term, Mr. Buchanan 
 informed his friend Mr. Newton, that his health was much 
 improved ; but that in looking forward to five weeks of lec- 
 tures, he feared that deference to his tutors, and his natural 
 pride, might lead him to study them more closely than, after 
 all that had now passed upon that subject, he felt he ought. 
 
 " I have been indulging myself a little," he observes, " in 
 writing a sermon. It is for Mr. S.'s perusal; that he may 
 be able to judge of my improvement, if I am spared to write 
 another next year. It is on the matter and manner of a 
 preacher of the gospel : ' And he spake boldly in the name 
 of Jesus •■;' Acts ix. 29. I have just delivered it to Mr. S. ; I 
 fear he will think it a rhapsody : and what makes it worse, it 
 is twenty-seven pages long. I fancy that youthful sermon- 
 writers are generally at a loss how to begin, and when they 
 do begin, they know not where to stop." 
 
 Of the manner in which Mr. Buchanan spent the term, 
 the commencement of which he announced in the foregoing 
 letter, some opinion may be formed by the following, dated 
 the 26th of March 1793, -in w r hich he informed the same ve- 
 nerable correspondent of its close. 
 
 " Having finished the labours of along term, I sit down with 
 pleasure to inquire after your health, to beg your blessing, and 
 to request the assistance of your prayers. 
 
 " I hope you will not desire me to show you the fruit of 
 my labours. I am very unlike those geniuses who reap know- 
 ledge by handsful. My improvement is so slow, that it is 
 scarcely visible ; I seem only to vegetate in science. Though 
 planted by the banks of the Cam, his stream waters my roots 
 in vain. This is humiliating; but it maybe useful, if it show 
 me that I am more likely to nourish if planted on the banks of 
 the stream of Zion. When I consider how Cambridge is 
 favoured, I ought to look on myself as already there. This is 
 indeed the case : but, hostile to my own growth, I drink of the 
 Cam, and sip of Zion ; whereas I ought to sip of the Cam, and 
 drink deep of Zion. 
 
 " For some time past I have been making many discoveries in 
 the kingdom of nature, but few in the kingdom of grace. Since 
 I last saw you, I have in idea traced the planets in their courses, 
 and soared through the regions of boundless space. Philoso- 
 phy, I find, agrees with revelation in declaring, that the earth 
 (compared with the universe) is but as an atom of the dust that 
 cleaveth to the balance. It is indeed highly honoured in being 
 
46 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN'. 
 
 called the footstool of the Most High. The eclipses of the sun« 
 the labours of the moon, and the sweet influences of the Plei- 
 ades, have also engaged my attention. 
 
 " While thus viewing the things made, one would have 
 thought that I should have turned my eyes to their Maker. But 
 by a strange pcrverseness, I often found it easier to compre- 
 hend an abstruse problem, than to meditate on a simple truth. 
 On the whole, however, I have met with no part of science 
 which led me nearer to the source of true knowledge, than this 
 of investigating the wisdom of God in the creation. 
 
 " In addition to my mathematical studies, I have had a classi* 
 cal task assigned me. The college gave out for my declama- 
 tion the following thesis. An in Civitate bene constitute^ 
 Ludi Scenici admitti debeant? As I considered this to be in 
 some measure the cause of religion, I thought it riffht to pay 
 attention to it. For this purpose I employed myself in classi- 
 cal research, till I had found sufficient authorities from the 
 Greeks, Romans, and Fathers, to condemn the stage, not only 
 as immoral, but as impolitic. I adverted to the encouragement 
 lately given it by the French, and argued thence its evil 
 tendency. 
 
 " I have now done with all our lectures, and I am glad of it. 
 Though 1 found some things here and there which nattered the 
 earthly mind, and pleased vain-glorious reason, yet in all my 
 researches have 1 found nothing like — ' Come unto me all ye 
 that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' 
 Perhaps your good memory will remind you that I stole this 
 idea from Archbishop Leighton. Agreeably to your recom- 
 mendation, I am now reading the Praelections of that good 
 man : and I must say, that I have seldom met with such gen- 
 uine Christianity in such a classical dress. 
 
 " The college have lately appointed me their librarian. This 
 is an office rather of trust than of emolument. My business 
 is easily done, as I am only required to give in an account of 
 the state of the library once a year. Many good divines of 
 the last century have found a place in it. Halyburton's life 
 has engaged my attention for a few days past. His work on 
 the Spirit" (which had probably been recommended to him by 
 Mr. Newton) " I cannot find." 
 
 It may perhaps be objected, that the progress of this narra- 
 tive is too much interrupted by the insertion of so many ex- 
 tracts from Mr. Buchanan's letters ; more particularly as some 
 of them relate only incidentally to himself. Such a sugges- 
 tion may possibly arise on the perusal of the folio wing ; which, 
 however, seemed to convey sentiments and consolation too in- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 47 
 
 terestinor to be omitted. They occur in a letter to Mr. New- 
 ton, from Cambridge, dated May the 30th, 1793. 
 
 " It crives me great pleasure to hear that you are still sup- 
 ported in health and strength sufficient for the discharge of 
 vour ministerial labours. 1 hope that you will continue to be 
 refreshed abundantly with the divine presence ; and I pray, 
 that as your body yields to weakness and the infirmities of age, 
 vour spirit may derive new strength from our Redeemer's 
 fulness. 
 
 " 1 sometimes find myself indulging a wish, that your ex- 
 perience in your evening hour may be singularly joyful to 
 you ; and that your death may preach as powerfully as your 
 iife has done. But I believe self prompts us sometimes to too 
 sanguine expectations respecting our friends. Let us not dic- 
 tate, but wait and see the salvation of the Lord. He will con- 
 duct you in the path most suitable to his own glory, your good, 
 and our edification. 
 
 " We have lately had an illustrious instance of God's good- 
 ness to his children at the hour of death. Mrs. , of this 
 
 place, was a woman of eminent piety, cheerful in disposition, 
 and of elegant manners. She was but twenty-five years of 
 asre. I was introduced to her family about a twelvemonth ago, 
 and have diligently cultivated her acquaintance ever since. 
 Soon after her rising from her confinement, she discovered that 
 she was in a rapid consumption ; and in a few weeks the 
 strength of the malady seemed to forbid all hopes of life. Her 
 bodily pains were extreme, so that she frequently expressed a 
 desire to be with the Lord ; but she had yet two ties to earth — 
 her husband and her child. The child she was soon enabled 
 to give up, but the husband — this she confessed to be a trial in- 
 deed. However, after strong cries and tears, she obtained a 
 victory here also. She afterwards recovered from a trial of 
 another kind with an animating faith in her Redeemer's love, 
 and an assurance of the joy about to be revealed. This was 
 on Sunday morning at five o'clock. In half an hour after, she 
 intimated that her departure was at hand. It was now that she 
 experienced the truth of the promise of dying strength for a dy- 
 ing hour. For though unable to speak, yet she discovered her 
 inward joy by such animation of countenance as delighted her 
 surrounding friends. And when her mother and sister spoke 
 to her of her approaching happiness, her eyes seemed to glisten 
 with new fire. ' What a joyful Sabbath you will have to-day,' 
 said her sister. Her looks seemed to reply, ' A joyful Sab- 
 bath indeed ; an eternal Sabbath !' In a few minutes after- 
 wards, she waved her hand in token of her abundant entrance 
 
48 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 into the joy of her Lord. And like your dear E. C. she met 
 death with a smile, which kept possession of her features, un- 
 til she was consigned to the grave. 
 
 44 1 would not have dwelt so long on this suhject, were it 
 not thai my esteem for the deeeased was great. 
 
 44 Perhaps you would call it affectation, if I did not tell you 
 that the college have adjudged to me the first prize for the best 
 Latin declamation on 4 the stage.' 
 
 44 I believe I must pass this summer out of Cambridge. I 
 think of going to London about the beginning of July, that I 
 may have a few lessons in English pronunciation, in com- 
 pliance with Mr. Thornton's desire. 
 
 44 1 have been assaulted of late from various quarters, both 
 from without and from within ; but I bless God, that while I 
 pray over the Bible, I am enabled to triumph over my ene- 
 mies. I delight in the Bible. When my heart is melted within 
 me, and my soul sick with the combat between the contempt 
 of the ungodly, and the remains of my own pride, then the 
 Bible affords a comfort no other book can give." 
 
 In a similar strain as to his increasing love of the holy scrip- 
 tures, and in peculiarly strong and lively terms as to the gene- 
 ral state of his mind concerning religion, he thus writes to the 
 same correspondent in the month of June following. 
 
 44 1 see you still have a godly jealousy over me, respecting 
 the bent of my studies. I must make you easy on that head. 
 I can now inform you, that the attention I pay to the classics 
 or mathematics is comparatively very little ; so little, that I 
 sometimes fear that (in my present place) I neglect them too 
 much. And I can further inform you, and I thank God for 
 enabling me, that the cause of my being thus lukewarm in 
 these studies, is, that I may redeem time for studying the scrip- 
 tures, the value of which knowledge I see more and more. At 
 present I can read the Bible when I can read nothing else. 
 Some of my other studies are truly a cross to me." 
 
 What an unquestionable proof of a spiritual mind in an 
 academical student, is such a declaration as this ! He thus 
 continues. 
 
 44 1 dare not tell you what I am, but I can tell you what I 
 pray for. 
 
 44 I pray that I may be content to be of no reputation among 
 men, knowing that if I am truly wise, I must become a fool 
 among the ungodly ; that I may patiently submit to indignity 
 and reproach for Christ's sake, and that my whole life may be 
 devoted to his service ; that for this purpose I may diligently 
 improve the talent committed to me, however little it may be ; 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 49 
 
 and that when I go forth into the ministry, I may not seek self, 
 but Christ; content to be unnoticed, dead to the censure or ap- 
 plause of men, alive to God and his concerns, and chiefly soli- 
 citous that my preaching (however rude I may be in speech) 
 may be powerful in awakening souls. 
 
 44 These are my prayers in 1793, as to the event of my 
 studies. I trust the Lord, that he will keep me ; that he will 
 put his fear in my heart, that I may not depart from him* 
 
 " You talk to me of academical reputation and dignity. If 
 I were Regius Professor of Divinity to-morrow, I would resign 
 the dignity to any man for a little brokenness of heart. The 
 summit of my ambition (if I know my own mind) is, to be 
 daily more conformed to Christ, to be enabled to follow that 
 great sufferer, and to rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer 
 shame for his sake. 
 
 " As to my future situation in the ministry, to which you 
 allude at the close of your letter, that subject is very little in 
 my thoughts. God has done the greater ; shall he not do the 
 less ? If he means me to preach his gospel, then is the pulpit 
 prepared, and the flock which I must tend. At present I feel 
 ready to go wherever he pleases to send me ; whether to India, 
 America, New Holland, or if there be any other land more re- 
 mote. I have already seen life in various shapes ; and if I 
 have been enabled to bear with difficulties when without God 
 in the world, much more, when engaged in his service, aided 
 by his Spirit and supported by his presence. 
 
 44 If the Lord will I should be well pleased to enter his ser- 
 vice under your advice and example. I hope that the first year 
 I stay with you, I shall learn humility ^ the second, humility ; 
 the third, humility. 
 
 44 Mr. S. and Mrs. M. beg their love to you; and so does 
 he, who i&, w r ith great respect and affection, your's." 
 
 The note inscribed by Mr. Newton on the preceding letter 
 strongly attests the pleasure with which he had perused it; 
 nor can it be generally read without a lively impression of the 
 glowing and devoted piety of its author. Two months after- 
 wards w r e find him in London, replying to a letter from Mr. 
 Newton; then in the country, in which his aged friend, under 
 the painful remembrance of the transitory nature of earthly 
 enjoyments, though by no means in the spirit of disappoint- 
 ment and complaint, had declared that of a happiness which 
 had subsisted forty years, nothing then remained but the re- 
 collection ; that the years he had passed, blessed as they had 
 been by the sunshine of providence and grace, might be num- 
 bered with the years before the flood. To this somewhat 
 
50 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 melancholy but admonitory observation Mr. Buchanan replied, 
 that the estimate of human life which he had thus given was, 
 he presumed, just, as it accorded with the language of scrip- 
 ture. 
 
 "Is it possible, then," he says, "that I can be so foolish, 
 as to fix my heart on any thing under the sun, if I believe the 
 testimony of all ages, that to do so is vanity and vexation of 
 spirit? I do believe this testimony, and I would gladly re- 
 frain from every created idol, come it in what shape it 
 may; but unhappily I feel myself invested with flesh and 
 blood. Now I understand from scripture, that I am permitted, 
 nay, commanded, to nourish this body, to clothe and adorn it, 
 and be careful of its well being; only I must study to keep it 
 in subjection. But this is a charge more difficult than the go- 
 vernment of a kingdom. I am to taste, the Bible says, of the 
 sweets of earthly happiness, but I am only to taste of them. 
 But who is to ascertain the quantum ? Spiritual self and car- 
 Hal self are always at variance about it, and I suppose this 
 contest is the christian's warfare. A good soldier, therefore* 
 would naturally endeavour either to strengthen himself or 
 weaken his adversary. Am I then to strengthen the spiritual, 
 or to weaken the carnal principle ? I may do both, you will 
 say ; but which of the two demands my more particular atten- 
 tion ? As I may go to an extreme in weakening the body, but 
 cannot go too far in strengthening the soul, it would seem wise 
 to lay the greater stress on the latter. Communion with God in 
 private prayer is, I conceive, the best strengthener of the soul ; 
 and communion with the world is its greatest weakener. The 
 result then appears to be this. To dedicate as much time as 
 possible to acts of communion with God. But Archbishop 
 Leighton says, that the desire of this sacred communion grows 
 with its exercise. Every encouragement, therefore, is held 
 out to this mode of attack and defence, since pleasure and pro- 
 fit conspire to recommend it. Prayer, then, I must consider 
 as the christian's palladium, and as a present reward. 
 
 " Surely an hour in the morning, and an hour in the even- 
 ing, is not too much for communion with God. But as to the 
 season of prayer, I do not think that some manage this well. 
 They pray early in the morning, and late at night. This may 
 be necessary in families engaged in business ; but I speak of 
 ministers. Do you not think that an hour of devotion be- 
 fore we engage in company in the afternoon, would have a 
 tendency to correct and animate our evening's conversation? 
 
 44 Pardon this dissertation on prayer. I really had no design 
 to trouble you with it when I began the letter." 
 
WKMOIHS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 51 
 
 To reflections such as the preceding, as solid and judicious 
 as they are spiritual and instructive, no serious reader will ob- 
 ject. Nor will the following account of the death of one of 
 Mr. Buchanan's sisters, which occurs in a letter to Mr. New- 
 ton from Cambridge, at the close of his second long vacation, 
 be deemed uninteresting. 
 
 " It was about a year and a half ago," he observes, " on 
 her return from boarding-school, that her piety first appeared, 
 though on her death-bed she confessed that her heart had been 
 inclining to God nearly two years before that time. About 
 three months since she was seized by a consumption, which has 
 now given her a happy release from all sin and all sorrow." „ 
 
 A letter still remains, written by Mr. Buchanan from Cam- 
 bridge, to his dying sister, for the purpose of cheering and 
 supporting her under her early departure from the world, the 
 piety and fraternal affection of which will sufficiently recom- 
 mend the following extracts. 
 
 44 I rejoice to hear that you are about to enter into the joy of 
 your Lord, to behold the Saviour whom you love, face to face; 
 to be clothed by him in a spotless robe, and presented to the 
 Father as an heir of everlasting glory. 
 
 44 Let me encourage you to pass over Jordan's flood with a 
 resolute step, undismayed ; let me remind you of the promise 
 of Him, to whom the death of his saints is precious. Let me 
 enforce the immutable love of your God, and proclaim to you 
 the truth of your Redeemer. You have already known him 
 as the way ; on your death-bed you will find him the truth; 
 and he will quickly welcome you to the gate of Zion as the 
 eternal life. 
 
 44 My dear sister, be of good cheer : lay hold of Jesus as 
 the anchor of your soul. Was it ever heard that any one who 
 fled to him for refuge was deserted in a trying hour ? Was 
 it ever known that he suffered one of his sheep to be plucked 
 out of his hand ? Has he not said, 4 1 will never leave thee, 
 nor forsake thee V 4 When thou passeth through the waters, 
 I will be with thee ;' 4 Fear not, thou art mine.' These are 
 exceeding great and precious promises, on which you may 
 safely rest. If your faith be weak, yet waver not. The pro* 
 mise is to the weak as well as to the strong ; yea, to all those 
 who can say, 4 Thou knowest, Lord, that I love thee.' 
 
 44 While you have life, magnify the praises of Him who 
 hath called you with such a holy calling. Evince to the world 
 that the Bible is not a cunningly-devised fable. Seek to glorify 
 God in your death, and assuredly he will give you faith to do 
 it. Speak from your dying bed of the things of the kingdom 
 
52 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 to which you are hastening; impart your views of the vani- 
 ties of life, for the benefit of those who survive you. Pray 
 that a double poriion of your spirit may rest upon your bro- 
 ther, that he may gladden your eyes at the last day with a 
 view of many souls whom he has brought with him to glory. 
 Leave him such exhortations, encouragements, and reproofs, 
 as an immediate prospect of heaven may inspire you to give. 
 
 44 And now let me conduct you as far as I can, even to the 
 gates of Jerusalem. Many a song will be sung, many a harp 
 be strung, on your entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Who 
 is this that I see foremost to welcome you ? Is it not your grand- 
 father or your father? My dear sister, what joy is this ! They, 
 accompanied by a heavenly host, conduct you to your Saviour, 
 your King, and your God. Then your glory begins ; you are 
 crowned with honour and immortality. You join in the ne- 
 ver-ending song of 4 Worthy the Lamb,' and drink of the plea- 
 sures which are at God's right hand for evermore." 
 
 The preceding pious and animated address did not arrive 
 until the relative, for whose consolation it was intended, was 
 beyond the reach of human joy or sorrow. 
 
 The account, however, which Mr. Buchanan, in the words 
 of another sister, gives to Mr. Newton of the last trying scene, 
 is peaceful and encouraging. 
 
 44 She now," he says, 44 in faith looked forward to her rest, and 
 spent much of her time in reading the scriptures, and in prayer. 
 
 44 On the evening of the day she died, she said to her mo- 
 ther, 4 1 think that my hour is now come.' Her mother was 
 surprised at this, as there appeared no visible change in her 
 countenance. She immediately began to pray, and prayed 
 long. Her mother overheard some of her words. She prayed 
 4 that she might be found in Christ ; that she might have a title 
 to that covenant which is well-ordered and sure.' About the 
 conclusion of her prayer, death appeared to be fast approaching. 
 She begged that the family might come round her bed ; and 
 then she began to exhort them, and to speak to them of the 
 kingdom of God. Her mother, observing that her last mo- 
 ment was now at hand, asked her if she had any thing to say 
 to her brother at Cambridge. 4 Yes,' said she ; 4 tell him, be 
 sure you tell him,' (repeating it emphatically,) 4 that I die 
 trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.' She then lifted up both 
 her hands, and looking up to heaven, committed herself to the 
 Lord, her eyes streaming with joy ; which having done, she 
 sunk on the pillow and expired." 
 
 44 The manner of her death," continues Mr. Buchanan* 
 ** has given my mother a comfort inexpressible* 
 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 53 
 
 " I know nothing which has had a greater tendency to ani- 
 mate me in my christian course, than this triumph of my sister. 
 
 were the work done which my Father hath given me to do, 
 how gladly should I accompany her ! 
 
 " I hope you are at present a large partaker of the consola- 
 tions of the Spirit. Though I am young, I know thus much, 
 that without those consolations, there is no happiness. What 
 a blessing, that the pleasures of holiness begin on this side the 
 grave !" 
 
 On the fifth of November Mr. Buchanan again delivered a 
 public Latin speech on the Revolution in 1688; and on the 
 15th a declamation in favour of modern learning. His relaxa- 
 tion in mathematical studies exposed him, he informs Mr. 
 Newton, to frequent remonstrances from different friends ; and 
 amongst others, from the late excellent Mr. Robinson of Lei- 
 cester, who was anxious that he should view academical ho- 
 nours with less indifference. " They are little aware," he 
 adds, " that I need no spur on this head, were I conscious that 
 my abilities warranted me success. In arguments of this kind 
 
 1 usually urge the plea of duty ; though I must confess, that 
 the other weighs more strongly with myself, which it ought 
 not to do." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan, as it will presently appear, probably, and 
 perhaps happily, underrated his talents in this particular. 
 However this may be, he was unmoved by the representations 
 of his friends, and persevered in the course of study, which, 
 as we have seen, he had deliberately adopted. 
 
 Early in the year 1794, a letter occurs to his venerable 
 friend, Mr. Newton, which affords a specimen of that union 
 of playful remark with christian seriousness, by which his cor- 
 respondence was occasionally enlivened. 
 
 " Mr. F. writes to me, that your recommendations have been 
 of great service to him at Edinburgh. I am happy to find that 
 his zeal increases. More of my friends err through too much 
 prudence than too much zeal. I think I have observed that a 
 man who is well acquainted with the world, cannot have too 
 much zeal. If he is ignorant of men and manners, his zeal will 
 injure his cause ; and it is not till after repeated lessons that he 
 is put right. 
 
 " Your aged domestics will wonder why I stay so long at 
 Cambridge, when I have so much work to do in the ministry. 
 I wish they could impart to me somewhat of their expe- 
 rience, self-knowledge, and humility ; and in exchange I pro- 
 mis© to give them on my return from college, all my mathe- 
 matics, pure and mixed, geometry, algebra, fluxions contain- 
 
 e2 
 
54 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ing the nature of pneumatics, hydraulics, hydrostatics, the 
 doctrine of incommensurables, indivisibles, and infinities, pa- 
 rabolic and hyperbolic logarithms, summation of series r 
 solution of quadratics containing impossible roots, together 
 with the properties of parallelepipeds and dodecahedrons, not 
 forgetting Sir Isaac Newton, his celebrated corollaries to the 
 paradoxical lemma respecting curvilinear straight lines ! to- 
 gether with other particulars, too many to be here enume- 
 rated. 
 
 " What a mercy, you will say, that Phoebe* has not to learn 
 all this in order to get to heaven L 
 
 " I thank you for your dissertation on Cambridge learning. 
 I hope I have passed the ordeal now, and that I shall be led 
 to the study of those things by which I may be best able to 
 promote the glory of God. I sigh for the sublime grace of 
 self-denial. It is the preservative of the youthful christian 
 from snares innumerable. " 
 
 Not long after the date of the preceding letter, Mr. Newton 
 made the first direct proposal to Mr. Buchanan of a voyage to 
 India. His reply was as follows : 
 
 " I request you to accept my thanks for the affectionate let- 
 ter which I have just now read. I have only time to say, that 
 with respect to my going to India, I must decline giving any 
 opinion. It would argue a mind ill-instructed in the school of 
 Christ,, to pretend to decide on an event so important and un- 
 expected ; an event, which will doubtless give a complexion 
 to the happiness and usefulness of every hour of my future 
 life. 
 
 " It is with great pleasure I submit this matter to the de- 
 termination of yourself, Mr.. Thornton, and Mr. Grant. All 
 I wish to ascertain is the will of God. 1 hope that the result 
 of your deliberations will prove to be his will. Were I re- 
 quired to say something, I should observe that I feel myself 
 very ill qualified for the arduous situation in question. My in- 
 timate friends know that my plan of college study was, to at- 
 tend more immediately to academical learning the two first 
 years, and to preparation for the ministry in the third and last* 
 upon which I am but now entering. I think that our regard 
 for the glory of God requires us to endeavour to find a person 
 of acknowledged ability in things both human and divine, who 
 has already approved himself such an one as might success- 
 fully resist gainsayers, and prosecute his mission with energy. 
 A beginner, particularly if he be of slender capacity and at- 
 
 '. « I ■ .... i, I r - 
 
 * Alluding to an old and highly-valued domestic of Mr. Newton. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BtJCHANAN. 55 
 
 tainments, will naturally shrink from such a situation, fearing 
 lest he should tarnish the honour of his embassy by an un- 
 skilful or ungraceful negotiation. 
 
 44 On the contrary, if the Lord does with me as with Jere- 
 miah, and bids a child go and teach a great nation, it would be 
 vain to plead my incapacity, since, if he sends me, he will 
 certainly 'touch my mouth.' Only I would observe, that in 
 the present state of Christianity, it would appear that as strict 
 attention ought to be paid to human means in our endeavours 
 to promote the success of the gospel, as if it were merely a 
 human dispensation. 
 
 "I trust that every word of the above is dictated by a re-? 
 gard to God's honour, and not my own. 
 
 44 That his honour may be greatly promoted by the result of 
 your deliberations is the prayer of C. B." 
 
 The judgment as well as the piety of Mr. Buchanan's re- 
 ply to this proposal deserves to be noticed, and affords a satis- 
 factory indication of his qualifications for the important station 
 to which it refers. The following sentiments expressed in a 
 subsequent letter are equally pleasing. 
 
 u With respect to my going to India, I am still in a strait 
 between two. Some considerations incline me to stay ; others 
 persuade me to go, as being far better. Being unable to judge 
 for myself, I submit it to the divine direction with perfect re- 
 signation. So gracious is He who 4 careth for me' in this re- 
 spect, that your determination, whether for or against my 
 going, will be alike agreeable to me. I am equally ready to 
 preach the gospel in the next village, or at the ends of the 
 earth." 
 
 Such was the elevated spirit of piety which actuated Mr. 
 Buchanan early in this year. As it advanced, he wrote thus, 
 to Mr. Newton. 
 
 44 We have had Mrs. U. and Mr. C.'s family at Cambridge 
 for a few days. It gives me great pleasure to see piety glad- 
 den with its presence our learned walls. Pride and supersti- 
 tion have doubtless built most of our colleges ; but I am in- 
 clined to think, that genuine piety founded some of them. A 
 solitary walk in such places, has a tendency to excite elevated 
 thoughts of God, and of his goodness to man, through suc- 
 cessive ages. 
 
 "My purpose in troubling you with this letter was to say, 
 that I bear that affection for you a child beareth to his father, 
 a desire to conceal his faults, (if he has any,) and to magnify 
 his virtues ; that I hope to be preserved from the snares and 
 
56 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 cares of this world, and thereby enabled to adorn that gospel 
 which you first wished me to profess." 
 
 In Mr. Buchanan's next letter to Mr. Newton, dated early 
 in June, it w r ill be observed that the ardour which he had for- 
 merly evinced to enter into the ministry, without much acade- 
 mical preparation, had yielded to those more correct and en- 
 larged views concerning religion which he had been gradually 
 acquiring ; and which had at once rendered him more diffi- 
 dent, and better qualified for the office to which he aspired. 
 
 44 1 sit down," he says, 4k to acquaint you, that I have just 
 finished another term, and with it I complete another year at 
 the University. I hope that God will graciously overrule the 
 evil he has seen in me ; and that he will cause my past expe- 
 rience and my past studies, to bear fruit to his glory and my 
 own good. 
 
 44 1 once thought myself prepared for the church ! I shud- 
 der at my temerity. A zeal (if zeal it may be called) ■ with- 
 out knowledge' must have dictated this unhallowed confidence. 
 In one sense, indeed, any one to whom God has given his 
 grace may enter the church, however ignorant or unfit in other 
 matters; inasmuch as all success in it comes from God. But 
 in another sense, no man ought to enter upon the ministry, 
 who is not qualified by nature and education to do justice to si 
 public station, and claim respect from a gainsaying world. 
 This is absolutely necessary, unless miracles have not ceased. 
 And for want of attending to these circumstances, viz. the pre- 
 sent state of Christianity, and the progress of civilization, I 
 see that the gospel sutlers in every quarter. At the time of 
 the Reformation, there was not so much ground for this com- 
 plaint as now. I differ in opinion from many good men 
 on these points. However, 1 seldom mention them, as I have 
 learnt from past fluctuations of sentiment, that I may possibly 
 think differently after further observation and more accurate 
 scripture study. I think that too little attention is paid to the 
 manner of preaching the gospel ; and too little to the preju- 
 dices of the age against the illiterate methodist. I feel a good 
 deal hurt at these neglects, at the same time that I despair of 
 doing otherwise myself. In these, and in all other doubts, I 
 must wait patiently on his teaching, who hath so often made 
 • darkness light before me.' " 
 
 After informing his correspondent that he had a few days 
 since spoken his last Latin declamation, Mr. Buchanan thus 
 beautifully concludes this letter. 
 
 44 That you are blessed with health, and stayed by the com- 
 forts of the gospel in your declining years, is to me a frequent 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 57 
 
 theme of praise. In philosophy and human science, the mind 
 loses its vigour by old age ; but in religion, in divine science, 
 we are taught to believe that youth will be restored, and new 
 attainments acquired. Fortunatus Me senex, qui ccelicola 
 vivit" 
 
 It is probable that Mr. Buchanan passed the greater part of 
 the long vacation of this year also at Cambridge. No letter, 
 indeed, occurs in his correspondence with Mr. Newton from 
 the commencement to the close of that period ; but the fol- 
 lowing interesting communication from one of his most valued 
 friends and relatives seems to confirm this conjecture. 
 
 44 I first became acquainted with him," observes this gen- 
 tleman, " at Cambridge, in the summer of the year 1794. 
 We were almost the only two residents in our respective col- 
 leges of Queen's and St. John's ; he being engaged in study- 
 ing for orders, and I in preparing for my bachelor's degree. I 
 had often heard of him from a common friend, as being a very 
 distinguished member of a debating society, called the Specu- 
 lative, or quaintly the Spec, consisting of a number of under- 
 graduates from different colleges, especially Trinity and 
 Queen's, who used to meet at each other's rooms to discuss 
 various moral, political, and sometimes religious questions. 
 He was represented to me as eminent among the speakers for 
 acuteness and fluency,* and for piety of sentiment ; but as a 
 retired character, who scarcely ever mixed with any other 
 persons at such social meetings as w r ere usual in the college, 
 
 " We met accidentally in our solitary walks, and entered 
 into conversation ; which brought on an interchange of visits. 
 We often walked together during the short time after our first 
 meeting that he continued at Cambridge. I well remember to 
 this moment a particular conversation which took place in one 
 of our walks on a fine summer's evening, and can trace in my 
 recollection some of the fields through which we rambled, 
 little thinking that we should ever be so closely united in the 
 bonds of domestic affection, or that if I survived him, I 
 should have to drop the tear of hallowed regret over the grave 
 of a brother. 
 
 " He greatly surprised me on that occasion by strongly con- 
 demning the vanity of the pursuits of ambition, in which I 
 was then hotly engaged, coveting too earnestly University ho- 
 nours. I defended my side, in which self was so deeply con- 
 
 * This observation is a proof either of the modest estimate which Mr. Bu- 
 chanan formed of his own powers of speaking, in writing to Mr. Newton 
 upon this subject, or of the proficiency which he had made since that period, 
 partly, perhaps, in consequence of the exercise afforded him by this society, 
 
58 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 cemed, with much warmth and positiveness ; but when I wag 
 left alone, I could not altogether shake off the impression 
 which his serious, solemn, and scriptural mode of argumenta- 
 tion had left upon my mind." 
 
 The same learned and excellent person adds, with reference 
 to this period of Mr. Buchanan's life ; " I remember, in a let- 
 ter to a common friend, some remarks on the necessity and 
 efficacy of faith in the blood of Christ; and of his hopes that 
 lie had experienced something of it, which were in a great 
 measure new to us both, and affected me considerably." 
 
 It is pleasing to reflect, that the writer of the preceding pas- 
 sages, after having succeeded in the attainment of the highest 
 of those academical honours* of which he was then so ardently 
 in pursuit, should at no distant period have been led to adopt 
 the religious views which he once combated ; and after the 
 lapse of many years, have been permitted again to hold "sw r eet 
 converse" with him to whom he first become known under 
 such interesting circumstances, and to contribute to do honour 
 to his memory, as a friend and brother. 
 
 We are now approaching the termination of Mr. Buchanan's 
 academical course. On the 30th of November in this year, he 
 wrote to Mr. Newton as follows. 
 
 " I have just finished my mathematical career. Previous to 
 taking our degrees, an examination is held in our respective 
 colleges for the purpose of ascertaining our success in science, 
 and a prize of live guineas awarded to the best proficient. This 
 prize has been adjudged to me. 
 
 44 1 take no public honour in mathematics. As my admis- 
 sion to college was irregular, I must go out at a bye-term ; that 
 is, at Midsummer next. Were I to stay till the regular time 
 of conferring honours and degrees, it must be till Christmas 
 twelvemonth. My tutors are very urgent with me to remain 
 till that time, in order that I may acquire some mathematical 
 reputation to myself, and some honour to the college ; but I 
 have declined it, as being an unjustifiable sacrifice of my time 
 and duty. My friends are a good deal surprised at this ; and 
 are astonished when I tell them, that though I studied science 
 with attention, I never had a public honour in view. The 
 college examination I had determined should be my ne plus 
 ultra:' 
 
 The preceding information appears to have surprised Mr. 
 Newton himself; who in common with his other friends 
 seems, notwithstanding his discouragement of Mr. Buchanan's 
 
 * fie was the Senior Wrangler of his year. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 53 
 
 mathematical studies, to have expected that he would obtain 
 some University distinction. Some were even disposed to 
 think that he might have aimed at the highest. This was 
 evidently unreasonable ; and Mr. Buchanan accordingly thus 
 replies to such a suggestion. 
 
 " You seem to think that my abdication of mathematics is 
 in consequence of a late resolution ; but it is not. It is agree- 
 able to my original plan. Those who think that I might have 
 been Senior Wrangler, are not well-informed. There are few 
 instances, I believe, of any persons arriving at this eminence, 
 who had not studied mathematics before they went to Cam- 
 bridge/' 
 
 Considering the circumstances which have been before re- 
 lated, it will perhaps be deemed sufficiently creditable to Mr. 
 Buchanan, that the college prize for mathematical proficiency 
 should have been adjudged to him. Some manuscripts made 
 by him at Cambridge, on the four branches of natural philoso- 
 phy, and on some parts of Newton's Principia, still remain. 
 They indicate, in the opinion of the learned friend to whom 
 an allusion has been lately made, a competent knowledge of 
 his subjects, though they are not the work of one who would 
 be called a high man, at Cambridge. He adds, however, that 
 had Mr. Buchanan been a candidate for a public honour, he 
 would doubtless have distinguished himself. 
 
 How entirely he was satisfied as to his determination upon 
 this point, may be inferred from the total absence of any senti- 
 ment of regret respecting it in his correspondence at this 
 period. He was evidently intent upon an object which he 
 deemed of far higher importance, as the following conclusion 
 of the letter in which he announced the close of his mathema- 
 tical career, sufficiently testifies. 
 
 "It is said that those who travel heavenwards acquire new 
 strength from the toil of the way ; Iter instaurabit vires. 1 
 wish I found it so. I clamber up hill with difficulty. It may 
 be, I have not laid aside every weight ; or, perhaps, I have 
 not used the proper 4 lamp to my path.' If so, it is a great hap- 
 piness that the weariness of the way reproves me. 
 
 " To I wish to be remembered, as to fellow-pilgrims ; 
 
 who in their journey to the holy land, have learned to sympa- 
 thise with those whose knees are feeble, and who travel slowly. 
 Perhaps to some of them, or to you, s the delectable moun- 
 tains' are already in view ; if so, i the shining ones' are at 
 hand, to conduct you to the holy city ; where, I hope, ere long, 
 you will meet 
 
 Your very affectionate son, C. B." 
 
60 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan was so entirely occupied with the pursuits of 
 learning and religion, that the politics of the day, though of a 
 peculiarly alarming and interesting nature, seldom found a 
 place in his correspondence. On one or two occasions, how- 
 ever, he shows that he was by no means indifferent upon the 
 subject, and expresses that mixture of truth and error which 
 might be expected from a pious and acute, but young and ardent 
 mind, speculating upon points which baffled the penetration of 
 the most able and experienced observers. Amidst a variety of 
 other remarks, the following, however, from its singular cor- 
 respondence with subsequent events, seems deserving of in- 
 sertion. 
 
 " Perhaps," says Mr. Buchanan, "the opinion of Sir Isaac 
 Newton is correct, that antichristian superstition is only to be 
 eradicated by the strong hand of infidelity. It may be agree- 
 able to Providence, to permit infidel armies to ravage the 
 world, to destroy superstition, and then to strew with Bible* 
 the vacant lands." 
 
 The history of the last twenty years has tended in a most 
 striking manner to verify this conjecture. We have seen anti- 
 christian superstition checked and depressed, though not eradi- 
 cated, by the strong arm of infidelity ; while we behold many 
 of the desolated lands upon the continent literally 4 strewed 
 with Bibles,' by the pious charity of our own highly-favoured 
 country ; which, after raising an effectual barrier against the 
 tyranny by which every other European nation was oppressed, 
 has survived to be the instrument of continued, and, it may be 
 hoped, of still greater blessings to the world. 
 
 Upon the general subject of politics, as well as upon that of 
 patriotism, of which, as he thought, Mr. Buchanan had taken 
 an erroneous view, Mr. Newton remonstrated with his less ex- 
 perienced correspondent. To the latter of these points he 
 recurs in the following terms in his next letter. 
 
 44 1 scarcely recollect what I said in my last on the subject 
 of the amor patriae ; but I am ready to unsay it, if I cannot 
 otherwise subscribe to the general tenor of your answer. It is 
 natural to expect some little difference in deciding on a specu- 
 lative point, particularly if the parties judge for themselves, and 
 if they be of different ages. The old man may have a stock of 
 premises far superior to the young man's; and therefore their 
 conclusions will differ, though each may argue correctly from 
 his own data. 
 
 44 There are some subjects of secondary importance, on 
 which I do not expect to have a determined opinion, till forced 
 perhaps by the impatience of hoary hairs ; for though I hope, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 61 
 
 yet I do not expect, to show so little of dogmatic and narrative 
 old age as you do ; and for this reason, that nature has made 
 some difference in the constitution of our minds, (which is as 
 lasting as the different conformation of our bodies,) namely, to 
 you she has given a placid, to me a sanguine, temper." 
 
 In the passage which follows, some acute observations occur 
 on the nature of superstition and prejudice, which are not un- 
 worthy of being preserved. 
 
 " I have learned one lesson, I think, since I came to the 
 University, viz. my own ignorance. On some disputable points, 
 such as, the best method of preaching, the use of the world as 
 not abusing it, the connexion of things civil and religious, forms 
 of government, and the distinctions between the Jewish and 
 Christian dispensations— on such points, I say, my opinions 
 seem to derive a new complexion from every new year. In 
 one view this is proper ; for not to change in sentiment on such 
 things, would argue a man to be stationary or retrograde in im- 
 provement, or at best to be the superstitious disciple of some 
 pope or infallible pedagogue. In some measure I envy such 
 persons : certainty is doubtless a happiness ; and therefore the 
 superstitious are generally so far happy. Many good chris- 
 tians are superstitious. Indeed, he must be a man of singular 
 learning and piety, who is not superstitious in some degree. 
 For instance, most men have a superstitious regard for their 
 peculiar form of worship. An Englishman regards his Liturgy 
 as superstitiously as a Roman Catholic his mass-book. Those 
 who have less ceremony than the English church, have a super- 
 stitious reverence for what they have left : and I can easily 
 conceive a man to have a superstitious regard for the want of 
 ceremony. 
 
 " Nothing but a cultivated mind, and the constant perusal of 
 the New Testament, seem capable of delivering men from un- 
 necessary prejudices and prepossessions. Grace does not ne- 
 cessarily do it. Some wonder at this ; but why should they ? 
 Grace converts the heart, but it does not teach the understand- 
 ing what the understanding may learn without it ; and there- 
 fore it does not remove prejudice. For prejudice is founded 
 on ignorance ; on an ignorance of facts. Till these facts then 
 are communicated, prejudice remains ; knowledge, therefore, 
 i. e. learning, philosophy, or by what name soever it may be 
 called, is necessary to remove prejudice." 
 
 It is obvious that the foregoing remarks, though substantially 
 correct, require considerable judgment to apply them with 
 safety to any important subject. Their influence on some 
 opinions expressed by Mr. Buchanan in the subsequent part of 
 
62 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 this letter, on the politics of the day, forms no uninstructive 
 comment upon the difficulty which attends such discussions. 
 These opinions it is unnecessary now to produce. It is but 
 just, however, to add the following modest and sensible acknow- 
 ledgment of the hesitation with which he had adopted them. 
 
 11 Since you wished me to write what 1 thoitght on these 
 subjects, I have done so. I shall thank you now to burn these 
 sheets, as they contain the effusion of an unripe judgment. 
 Whether I shall ever attain to a correct estimate of the points I 
 have handled, I know not; but if ever I do, it can only be by 
 the concurrence of these three causes ; the influence o( the 
 Holy Spirit, to preserve my affections pure before God; the 
 knowledge of new facts ; and the power of reasoning accurately. 
 No two of them seem sufficient for judging in matters irrelevant 
 to our salvation. 
 
 " 1 have not seen the mission of the Moravian Brethren. 1 
 am inclined to think these excel others, because evangelizing 
 barbarians is their trade. Their children are inspired with 
 dignified ideas of it at an early age, which co-operating with 
 ordinary grace, produces these m irabilia." 
 
 There is no doubt much truth in this last remark. It must, 
 however, at the same time, be acknowledged, that the verv 
 circumstance of inculcating an early reverence for the office of 
 a missionary, is in itself a proof of the prevalence of that spi- 
 rit of simple and devoted piety which is the earnest and pledge 
 of the success with which the efforts of the United Brethren, 
 in promoting Christianity among the heathen, have been 
 crowned. 
 
 In the month of May following the date of the preceding 
 letter, Mr. Buchanan informed Mr. Newton, who was now 
 anxiously looking forward to his ordination, that he was to 
 take his degree at the ensuing commencement, that is, on the 
 8th of July ; that his ordination studies would engage his at- 
 tention for the next two months ; and that early in September 
 he purposed being in London. His venerable friend having 
 complained of his increasing deafness, Mr. Buchanan, with his 
 usual affectionate piety, endeavours to console him under this 
 infirmity. 
 
 " Your deafness," he observes, " is no doubt an evil; but 
 you have been afflicted with it for good. Your reflections 
 upon it show this. Some are alarmed at the decays of age in 
 their christian friends. Why should they? W r hen I see the 
 nged christian losing one faculty and then another, I only see 
 him passing through various 'changes of untried being/ till at 
 last he throws off this ■ mortal coil' itself. Deafness, or blind- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 63 
 
 ness, or mental weakness, are but precursors of immortality ; 
 they announce that heaven is at hand. 
 
 14 Nor are they without present use. The grateful and rea- 
 sonable reflections your short indisposition produced, are per- 
 haps of more value to your soul, considering it as struggling 
 for heavenly purity, than new accessions of mental power, or 
 new refinements in every sense. 
 
 " Were it agreeable to the will of God, the youthful chris- 
 tian might find it a happy experience to suffer the temporary 
 loss of every faculty he possesses. Nothing but experience, 
 it seems, can teach us the value of these common blessings ; 
 and until we learn the value of them, we cannot be grateful 
 But the Lord sends us our sufferings in the fulness of time." 
 To us it is given to be made conformable to Christ. This 
 great sufferer has sent us his Comforter, to wait on infirmity 
 and declining age. What more noble object does the all-see- 
 ing sun behold, than the 'patient sufferer?' It is awful to 
 little minds, and makes them tremble at the thought of that 
 purity of soul which heaven demands. 
 
 "If you wish for an epitaph couched in a single word, I 
 hope it will not be Fui. Your friends, indeed, might expound 
 it in the manner you mention, but the stranger would do it dif- 
 ferently. When I say Fui, I mean to say my glory is past. 
 Ilium fuit 9 'Troy is fallen.' Rather write, Futurus sum, 
 4 My glory is to come,' King Arthur's epitaph boasts both of 
 glory past and glory to come : 
 
 * Hie jacet Arthurus 
 
 Rex quondam et Rex futurus.' 
 
 But I am persuaded you will only think of the glory to come, 
 and let kings talk of their glory past." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan was now within a few months of his ordina- 
 tion ; and to that important termination of his academical 
 course he from this time more particularly directed his atten- 
 tion. Of his chastened ardour in the pursuit of mathematical 
 science, and of his successful cultivation of classical literature, 
 some account has been already given. A series of common- 
 place books from the year 1793, afford also abundant and satis- 
 factory proof of his diligence in the acquisition of general 
 knowledge. Some years after he had left Cambridge, having 
 occasion to refer to his employments there, Mr. Buchanan ob- 
 served to a friend, that during his residence at the University 
 " he had tasted of almost every science, and had endeavoured 
 to bend all his acquirements to worthy ends." The memorials 
 of his studies, which have been just alluded to, bear ample 
 
64 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 testimony to the truth of this statement. His commonplace 
 books contain abridgments of lectures on anatomy, harmo- 
 nics, manufactures, and experimental philosophy ; abstracts of 
 Locke, of Grotius, and Paley on the Evidences of Christianity, 
 of part of Smith's Wealth of Nations, of Aristotle's Rhetoric, 
 and of some historical works. References occur to Bacon, 
 Cudworth, Stillingfleet, Chillingworth, and other great au- 
 thors. Extracts from various writers, both ancient and modern, 
 chiefly with reference to moral and theological subjects. Notes 
 of sermons preached before the University. Important histo- 
 rical facts, with occasional reflections upon them ; the meaning 
 of remarkable words, phrases, and customs; observations, 
 either altogether original, or digested from different authors, 
 and expressed in his own words — on infidelity ; on natural and 
 revealed religion ; on style and eloquence ; on memory and 
 imagination; on real and alleged enthusiasm, and on the use 
 of reason in religion ; on various branches of political economy ; 
 on the French revolution, and on war. One of the most use- 
 ful and interesting portions, however, of these adversaria, 
 comprises a series of remarks on different parts of scripture : 
 on the best method of reading the Bible ; on the spirit and de- 
 sign of the sacred writings, particularly with respect to their 
 hortatory and practical style ; on preaching, and in general on 
 the ministerial office ; on prayer ; on personal piety; and on the 
 christian warfare. 
 
 These multifarious observations afford evident marks of ex- 
 tensive reading, of a correct taste, and a sound judgment. 
 They exhibit much acuteness and refinement, much enlarge- 
 ment and originality of thought,* much acquaintance with him- 
 self and with the human character; "a mind of large dis- 
 course," anxious to derive information from every quarter, 
 ever on the wing to extract sweetness from every flower, and 
 solicitous to employ the whole to some valuable purpose. 
 What that purpose was, we may learn from his own words in 
 one of the memoranda in question. 
 
 " Is not," he asks, " the grand, the only object of my life, 
 to preach Christ to men ? Let me, therefore, convert every 
 species of mental food into spiritual nourishment ; whether it 
 be Homer or Milton, Gibbon or Hume, that I read ; whether 
 
 * Amongst a great variety of other subjects, one of Mr. Buchanan's common- 
 place books contains some remarks which are strongly characteristic of a vein 
 of humour and archness, joined with penetration in studying human nature, 
 lor which he was remarkable. An equally striking indication of his wakeful 
 attention to practical utility, may be perceived in the insertion in another book 
 of a list of anthems calculated to excite devotional affections* 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 65 
 
 it be with intelligent or unlearned men that I converse ; or 
 whether it be sitting or walking that I meditate." 
 
 Again observes Mr. Buchanan, * If the cross be continually 
 in view, there is, perhaps, no line we read, no object we see, 
 no fact we hear, but may be improved, by applying it to Christ, 
 to ourselves, or to those around us. Such exercise as this 
 would give a holy fertility to the imagination. " 
 
 It would not be difficult to select from the copious collections 
 in question, a variety of useful and interesting observations 
 upon the important subjects which they embrace, as well as 
 many striking illustrations of the sentiments expressed in the* 
 preceding quotations. For the sake, however, of brevity, two 
 or three passages only shall be extracted, as a specimen of 
 many others which might be adduced. 
 
 The first is from some remarks on Paley's definition, in his 
 View of the Evidences of the design of Christianity as a divine 
 revelation ; that is, as he represents it, to acquaint mankind 
 with the doctrine of a future state. To which Mr. Buchanan 
 replies, ",No. Because, although men had been acquainted 
 with this by an extraordinary messenger, they could not obtain 
 heaven in the way proposed, namely, by observing the pre- 
 cepts of Christianity. No one can keep them. It would have 
 been an unhappy, an unwelcome revelation indeed— 4 There is 
 a future state. Do this, and live to enjoy it.' Is this Christianity? 
 
 44 The christian might then say, 4 1 wish we had not heard of 
 this. I wish we could have been left to solace ourselves with 
 the thought of future Elysian fields, and waters of Lethe, and 
 a temporary punishment: we had then never heard of ever- 
 lasting chains and penal fire.' " 
 
 44 No. The news by Christ is not," (he evidently means, 
 not merely,) 44 that there is a future heaven ; but rather, how 
 to attain it. Christianity is the solution of that celebrated 
 question of Job, 'How shall man be just with God?' Were 
 I, therefore, to describe, in very few words, the scope of Chris- 
 tianity as a revelation, I should say, that it was to show 4 how 
 God could be just, and the justifier of him that believes in 
 Jesus.' The particular information, (for we had the general 
 before,) is merely collateral. It is a part of the gospel. The 
 angel announced it to the shepherds, not as discovering a future 
 state, but a Saviour. * Unto you is born this day in the city 
 of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' And St. 
 Paul speaks of the gospel as revealing 4 the righteousness of 
 God by faith of Jesus Christ.' " (Rom. iii. 22.) 
 
 It may perhaps be thought, that in these remarks Mr. Bu- 
 ehanan has interpreted Paley's definition of the design of 
 
 *2 
 
66 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Christianity too strictly. It is certain, however, that the reve- 
 lation of a future state is described by that admirable writer in 
 the work in question, too exclusively as the object of the gos- 
 pel ; and that its grand message of salvation through a divine 
 Redeemer ought, under the actual condition of mankind, to be 
 upon all occasions more prominently exhibited. 
 
 The next extract is of a more general, but not less important 
 nature. 
 
 " That man is unacquainted with the constitution of the hu- 
 man mind, who does not know that it stands in constant need 
 of being roused to action. You will answer, / pass a very 
 active life. But what principle has roused you to this activity? 
 Is it the acquisition of wealth ? love of fame ? love of splen- 
 dour ? the gratification of a particular passion ? Or is it a 
 principle of piety towards God? a conviction of a future judg- 
 ment ? a view of the cross ? 
 
 " We do not ask in what your activity consists, that is unne- 
 cessary ; because, if we learn the motive, we learn the action. 
 Christianity is properly a religion of motives: it teaches us that 
 a good tree cannot but bring forth good fruit: that good princi- 
 ples will produce good actions. And therefore it is, that it is 
 of little service to declaim against a particular vice ; for though 
 one be removed, another will spring up. How can the streams 
 be pure, if the fountain be troubled? Hence, too, it is, that 
 no spiritual tyranny can be compared to that of the preacher 
 insisting that his hearers should practise particular virtues, 
 without giving them a principle which can produce such. It 
 is like saying to the leper, b be clean,' without pointing to the 
 purifying waters of Jordan. 
 
 " Here too failed the Pagan philosophers. They insisted 
 on certain virtues, but they knew of no soul-subduing princi- 
 ple. When at last a principle was proposed to them from 
 heaven, some received it ; but the many rejected it, because it 
 was too simple, too humbling, too inconsistent with human 
 dogmas and human pride. So it is now. It is easy to des- 
 cant in metaphor and trope on the beauties of virtue, the un- 
 seemliness of vice, and the fitness of things ; but it is difficult 
 to preach Christ crucified. It is easy to say what men ought 
 to be ; but it is difficult to say what scripture declares they 
 are. 
 
 " If any one should deny this, we would ask one question. 
 Why were the Apostles persecuted ? Why were the preach- 
 ers of holiness despised?" 
 
 The third extract from the memorials of Mr. Buchanan's 
 academical reflections and studies contains some brief observa- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 67 
 
 tions on several important points. The first, relating to en- 
 thusiasm in religion, is one only of a series of remarks, which 
 prove how carefully he had studied that subject, and with 
 what jealousy he viewed any approach to enthusiasm, justly 
 so called. 
 
 " Fanaticism proves nothing against religion. It is one of 
 its diseases ; and implies no more that there is no such thing 
 as religion, than madness that there is no reason, or distemper 
 that there is no health, 
 
 " To detect Enthusiasm in one's self or others.*' 
 " When a rational account cannot be given of our actions. 
 The truly religious man can always give a reason of the hope 
 that is in him. The enthusiast contents himself with envelop- 
 ing his views in some mysterious passage of scripture, inex- 
 plicable even to himself, though influencing his conduct." 
 
 " The enthusiasm sanctioned by scripture is innoxious. It 
 is a lambent flame, which warms and animates the soul to hea- 
 venly converse. By reason it is sought, by reason directed in 
 its operation. But that lawless principle of which we speak, 
 like an ignis fatuus, leads the benighted soul into an abyss of 
 error and absurdity." 
 
 "'The wicked cannot be eternally punished,' says the phi- 
 losopher, ■ for it is contrary to my reason.' ' Thy reason,* 
 replies the Almighty, 4 What reason hast thou to judge of my 
 purposes ? "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so 
 are my thoughts higher than thy thoughts." The portion of 
 reason which I have given thee, is sufficient, if rightly exer- 
 cised, to teach thee to believe all that I declare, whether thou 
 understandest it or not.'* 
 
 " But the philosopher will not submit his reason to God : 
 he chooses to be an infidel. He laughs at the ignorance and 
 obstinacy of the rustic, who refuses to believe that the earth 
 moves round the sun, because it contradicts the evidence of 
 his sight; while he himself, more stupidly ignorant, more 
 unpardonably obstinate, disbelieves ' the word of God !' " 
 
 " When you find yourself active and alert in body and mind, 
 your spirits high, and your understanding clear and capable of 
 great things, then betake yourself to prayer, be it noon or 
 night. Give to God your best hours." 
 
68 
 
 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 " Christianity was at first assisted in its propagation by the 
 civilization and extent of the Roman empire. 
 
 " Thus onr extensive commerce with the known world 
 ought to aid it once more." 
 
 One other extract from Mr. Buchanan's collections will re- 
 call our attention to the progress of this memoir. It contains 
 his practical inferences from a view of the office of deacons in 
 the primitive church, apparently compiled from Irenaeus. 
 
 11 It is my business," he concludes from this view, "to keep 
 in the background, considering myself as but a servant or 
 under-worker ; to try to endear my rector more to his people, 
 little solicitous about my own fame ; only anxious to promote 
 his cause by exemplary conduct, and to fill up the blank spaces 
 or intervals of his labours; for though blank places are sup- 
 plied by an unskilful hand, it does not much disfigure the 
 work. Mine, in short, I conceive, is to be, the humble office 
 of performing the mechanical part of the sacerdotal func- 
 tion." 
 
 The singular humility of these reflections, combined with 
 the preceding evidence of his piety, as well as of his literary 
 and theological attainments, sufficiently testify the fidelity and 
 success with which Mr. Buchanan had improved the period of 
 his academical residence, and how fully he was qualified to 
 engage in the sacred office to which he aspired. He took his 
 degree of B, A. at the commencement, as he had proposed ; 
 and in pursuance of the intention which he had expressed iu 
 his last letter to Mr. Newton, he appears to have continued at 
 Cambridge during the long vacation till the second week in 
 September, when he wrote to his excellent friend, under whose 
 experienced guidance he was about shortly to enter upon the 
 important work of the ministry, in the following terms. 
 
 " I had a letter from the Bishop's secretary this morning. 
 His lordship approves of my credentials. Thursday se'nnight 
 (the 17th inst.) is appointed for the examination, and Sunday 
 following for the ordination. I propose to leave Cambridge on 
 Tuesday evening by the mail, which will be in town early 
 next morning ; and I shall proceed to Fulham without stop- 
 ping, that I may have the remainder of the day and next morn- 
 ing to myself. So it is not probable that I shall see you till 
 Monday following. 
 
 "I demand your prayers for one who is about to enter on 
 the ministry. Pray, that when the bishop lays his hands 
 upon my head, I may devote myself a martyr for Him, who 
 hung upon the cross for me." 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. by 
 
 In this strong and affecting language did Mr. Buchanan ex- 
 press the feelings with which he was about to dedicate himself 
 to the service of his Redeemer. It is not often, perhaps, that 
 so deep an impression of the love of Christ is felt by the can- 
 didate for the sacred office ; but, though the disposition of 
 every one ought to be similar, the case of Mr. Buchanan was 
 doubtless somewhat peculiar. The steps by which he had 
 been led to the ministry of the gospel, and the hints which had 
 more than once been given of his probable employment in a 
 foreign country, tended to inspire him with the purpose and 
 the resolution which he thus briefly but forcibly described. It 
 can scarcely be doubted, that the diary in which he had been 
 accustomed, from the year 1790, to record both the events of 
 his life and his private reflections, contained a more detailed 
 account of his feelings and sentiments upon this interesting 
 occasion ; but the loss of that valuable memorial deprives us 
 of any farther particulars respecting it, and compels us to be 
 contented with the simple fact, that after an examination, 
 which appears to have been more than ordinarily satisfactory, 
 Mr. Buchanan was ordained a deacon on Sunday the 20th of 
 September, 1795, at Fulham, by the late pious and excellent 
 Bishop Porteus. Immediately after this admission into holy 
 orders, he entered upon his engagement as curate to Mr. New- 
 ton, and continued, during a few succeeding months, to dis- 
 charge the humble and unobtrusive duties which he had pre- 
 viously so well described. 
 
 Early, however, in the year 1796, the friends by whose 
 christian kindness and liberality he had been introduced into 
 the church, conceiving that his talents might be more advan- 
 tageously employed abroad, recurred to the plan which had for 
 some time been more or less in their view, and resolved to en- 
 deavour to obtain for him the appointment of a chaplain in the 
 service of the East India Company. Application was accord- 
 ingly made to a distinguished Director, Charles Grant, Esq., 
 accompanied by such testimonials as amply certified the qua- 
 lifications of Mr. Buchanan for the office to which he was re- 
 commended. Of these it may be proper to insert copies, more 
 particularly as they may tend to accredit the judgment as well 
 as the zeal which led to the appointment in question. The 
 first is from the President and Fellows of Queen's College, 
 Cambridge, and is expressed in the following terms. 
 
 " Queen's College, Cambridge, March 8, 1796. 
 " We the undersigned, the President, Tutors, and Fellows 
 of Queen's college, Cambridge, do certify that Claudius Bu- 
 
70 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ch a nan has been a member of this college upwards of four 
 years, during which time he regularly resided among us, and 
 always conducted himself with the greatest propriety and de- 
 corum. His attention to discipline, his sobriety, and progress 
 in learning, gave the greatest satisfaction to the governing part 
 of the college ; and, in general, we have no doubt but that he 
 is well qualified by talents and good principles to undertake the 
 offices in India, for which we are informed he is a candidate. 
 
 Isaac Milner, President. 
 
 J. Thos. Jordan, Vice-President. 
 
 P. Heaton. 
 
 Fras. Knipe, Tutor. 
 
 T. L. HUBBERSTY. 
 
 R. A. Ingram. 
 
 C. Farish, Dean. 
 
 Thos. Bourdillon, Lecturer." 
 
 The preceding certificate was transmitted to Mr. Grant by 
 Dr. Milner with the following letter, in which the learned Pre- 
 sident took the opportunity of bearing a more particular and 
 decisive testimony to the merits of Mr. Buchanan. 
 
 " Queers College, Cambridge, March 8, 1796. 
 " Dear Sir, — I enclose you the college's testimonial of Mr. 
 Buchanan's good behaviour, which is expressed in general 
 terms : but if it were needful to be more particular, I could add 
 a great deal. In my judgment, much may be expected from 
 his ability, industry, and discretion. He has an uncommon 
 zeal for every thing that is praiseworthy, and this zeal is tem- 
 pered and directed by a sound and well-informed understand- 
 ing. His good sense and attainments must procure him re- 
 spect everywhere. He will be certainly on the watch for op- 
 portunities to do good. Mr. Buchanan obtained both classical 
 and mathematical prizes at college. 
 
 M 1 am, dear Sir, yours, Isaac Milner. 
 
 '• To Charles Gtrajtt, Esq., London/' 
 
 The testimonial of the venerable Bishop Porteus is equally 
 satisfactory as to that part of Mr. Buchanan's qualifications 
 which came more immediately under his lordship's notice. It 
 was as follows. 
 
 "London House, March 12, 1796. 
 11 Being desired to bear my testimony to the character and 
 ability of the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, I hereby certify that 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 71 
 
 he was admitted to the holy order of Deacon hy me on the 
 20th of September, 1795 ; that he brought with him the usual 
 testimonials from college, and was highly spoken of to me by 
 some gentlemen of very respectable character. His attain- 
 ments in sacred literature, and particularly in the knowledge of 
 the scriptures, I think superior to what I have found in most 
 of those that I have examined for holy orders. 
 
 B. London." 
 
 In consequence of these various testimonies to his abilities 
 as a scholar, his attainments as a divine, and his general cha- 
 racter for temperate and well-directed zeal for the honour of 
 God, and the welfare of mankind, Mr. Buchanan was appoint- 
 ed one of the chaplains to the East India Company on Wed- 
 nesday, March 30, 1796. When introduced to the Court of 
 Directors, for the purpose of taking the oaths usual upon simi- 
 lar occasions, he was addressed by the chairman, the late Sir 
 Stephen Lushington, on the importance of his office, and on 
 the duties imposed on a minister of religion in India ; and so 
 lively a recollection did he retain of this unexpected but very 
 laudable charge, that he more than once referred to it in the 
 course of his future life. He thus mentions the address of the 
 honourable chairman many years after it had been delivered. 
 
 44 The venerable Baronet observed, that French principles 
 were sapping the foundation of Christianity and of social order ; 
 and he earnestly inculcated on me the duty of defending and 
 promoting the principles of the christian religion by every pro- 
 per means. I was much affected by the solemnity of the oe* 
 casion, and by the energy and feeling with which the address 
 was delivered: and the subject of the charge itself made a great 
 impression on my mind, particularly when meditating on it 
 afterwards, during my voyage*" 
 
 Soon after the appointment of Mr* Buchanan to India, he 
 received priest's orders from the Bishop of London ; and in 
 the month of May went down to Scotland, in order at once to 
 revisit his family, and again take leave of them previously to 
 his approaching voyage to India. 
 
 The feelings of both parties upon this meeting were, it may 
 be readily imagined, of a mixed but very interesting nature. 
 Nearly nine years had elapsed since Mr. Buchanan, partly im- 
 pelled by disappointed affection, and partly by the flattering 
 visions of a youthful imagination, had left his native country, 
 and sojourned in a strange land. During that long interval 
 many remarkable events had occurred. One of his earthly 
 parents was no more ; but he had, like the prodigal, returned 
 
72 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 to his heavenly Father, and by him he had been distinguished 
 by peculiar marks of kindness and favour. After having suf- 
 fered many external hardships and much inward distress, he 
 had been relieved in no ordinary manner from both, by the 
 providence and grace of God. Opportunities had been afford- 
 ed him, which he had diligently improved, of acquiring the 
 treasures of human science and learning ; and with a mind 
 thus richly stored, and a heart deeply impressed with the ines- 
 timable value of the gospel, he had been called to the work of 
 the ministry, and had now the prospect of being permitted " to 
 preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. , ' 
 The emotions of Mr. Buchanan during his journey to Scotland, 
 under these remarkable circumstances, must have been pecu- 
 liarly affecting. While a M new song" had been put into his 
 mouth, of joy and thanksgiving, it would be somewhat damped 
 by the recollection of past sorrows, the pain of his approach- 
 ing departure from his kindred and country, and the anticipa- 
 tion of future labours and trials. The feelings of his widowed 
 mother and surviving brethren would be scarcely less chequered 
 by joy and sorrow. Delighted as they must have been by the 
 return of their beloved relative, enriched with divine and human 
 knowledge, and honoured by an appointment which more than 
 realized their highest wishes and expectations, the pleasure of 
 their intercourse with him would be not a little clouded by the 
 the thought of its transient nature, and the prospect of a long, 
 perhaps, as to this world, a final separation in a far distant 
 land. . Such, we may justly suppose, were the mutual feelings 
 and reflections of Mr. Buchanan and his family during his 
 short abode with them at this interesting period. He appears 
 to have remained in Scotland till the first week in June, when 
 he returned to London to complete the preparations for his voy- 
 age. On the 3rd of July, he preached for Mr. Newton at St. 
 Mary Woolnoth ; and terminated by a pious and affectionate 
 farewell, his short connexion with the congregation of his dear 
 and venerable friend. 
 
Jftemotrs of the 2&eb. Br. Buchanan. 
 PART II. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Amongst the various recommendations and introductions from 
 his more immediate patrons and friends, by which Mr. Bu- 
 chanan was accompanied to India, one occurs, from so respect- 
 able a quarter, and of so appropriate a nature, that it may be 
 proper to insert it. This is a letter from the Rev. Dr. Gaskin, 
 Secretary to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, 
 to the Rev. David Brown, then one of the East India Compa- 
 ny's chaplains, resident in Calcutta. That part of his letter 
 which relates to Mr. Buchanan, is as follows : 
 
 " LojTDoy, July 3, 1796. 
 "Rev. and dear Sir, — It is with particular pleasure that I 
 introduce to you the name of the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, 
 who is appointed to be chaplain to the Hon. Company, and in 
 whom I am persuaded you will find a most valuable colleague; 
 as I have every reason to believe, from the intercourse I have 
 had with him, and from the testimony chiefly of my Lord 
 Bishop of London, that he is a man of sound learning, serious 
 piety, and great steadiness. I was myself present, and assist- 
 ed at his admission to priest's orders. The pleasure I have 
 in communicating this information is increased considerably 
 from the full expectation I entertain, that he will cheerfully, 
 and to the utmost of his power, assist you at the mission 
 church." 
 
 This was, however, by no means the only introduction 
 which Mr. Buchanan carried with him to the pious and excel- 
 lent person to whom the foregoing letter was addressed ; who 
 afterwards proved one of his most valued and intimate friends, 
 and with whom he was long associated in the various labours 
 which devolved upon him in India. 
 
 Thus recommended and accredited, Mr. Buchanan left Lon- 
 don for Portsmouth on Saturday the 30th of July, and on the 
 
74 MEMOIRS OF DR. HUCHANAK". 
 
 1 lth of August following, he embarked on board the Busbridge 
 East Indiaman, commanded by Captain Dobree, and sailed for 
 Bengal. During the course of his extensive voyage, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan was diligently employed in acquiring useful knowledge,, 
 and in endeavouring to promote the improvement of his various 
 companions and fellow-passengers. 
 
 The principal subjects of his studies were probably such as 
 bore an immediate reference to the work of the ministry, and 
 to his peculiar destination in India ; but the only traces of 
 them which now remain, consist of some additional common- 
 place books, one of which is dated at sea, in January, 1797, 
 near the island of St. Paul, containing abridgments of che- 
 mistry from Lavoisier, of Botany, from Rousseau and Martin, 
 of the history of Denmark and Sweden, and miscellaneous 
 observations, chiefly of an historical nature. 
 
 Of his employments, views, and feelings in the early part 
 of his voyage, the following letter to Mr. Newton presents an 
 interesting account. 
 
 "BUSBTCTI>GE EaST-IxDIAMAX, "> 
 
 At sea, off the Canaries, 27 Aug. 1796.3 
 
 " My dear Sir, — I take the opportunity of writing to you 
 by the Polyphemus, a 64 gun ship, w r hich, after convoying us 
 safely to this latitude, returns now T to England. We have had 
 a monsoon all the way. We took our departure from the 
 Lizard, and in eight days made the island of Madeira ; a shorter 
 passage than the East India fleet has ever had. In two days 
 we hope to arrive at the trade winds; indeed, the captain 
 thinks we have them already. About the end of September we 
 expect to reach the cape, from which place you will probably 
 hear from me. I enjoy good health on board. I was sea-sick 
 for about a week. Every body pays me much attention. I 
 am instructing some in science, some in classical knowledge, 
 some in the belles lettres, and all, I hope, in christian truth. I 
 do not expect to be so useful in preaching sermons to them, as 
 in conversation. The captain supports a very consistent cha- 
 racter. He is the friend of virtue, and I doubt not but he will 
 continue to arm my endeavours with his power. All his offi- 
 cers are in proper subjection to him, and exert their authority 
 in the ship in accommodating me. 
 
 44 We have more than a dozen officers of the army going out 
 as passengers. I have some weight with them ; but there are 
 many divisions among themselves. They have been challeng- 
 ing already; and probably duels may follow. 
 
 " We are now about twenty sail. The frigate l'Oiseau 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 75 
 
 accompanies us to the Cape, and will probably carry home our 
 letters. 
 
 44 One day lately an enemy appeared in sight, and we began 
 to think of an -engagement. Then was the time for examining 
 myself, and learning what was my object in -a voyage to India. 
 Indeed, unless we have some confidence that the Lord is with 
 lis, our hearts must -sink in despair on such occasions. But 
 where we can believe that He is leading us out on his own ser- 
 vice, we have nothing to fear from an enemy, or from the dan- 
 gers of the sea. On the contrary, the faithful servant must 
 rejoice that his Lord will come so soon, and lead him to that 
 rest which he seeks for in vain on earth. 
 
 44 When the enemy came nearer, they discovered that wo 
 had a superior force, and bore away. 
 
 "I hope Miss C. and the rest of your house are happy. 
 They have great advantages, which I trust they improve. 
 They live in the house of peace and instruction. They, with 
 you, wMl, I hope, shortly inherit your mansion in the skies. 
 
 "It is with me as I expected. 1 feel little difference in mind, 
 whether navigating the ocean, or sitting quietly in Coleman- 
 -street It would appear as if I had lost all relish for earthly 
 pleasure, No novelty excites my attention. My countenance 
 is acquiring a grave settled -cast. I feel as if nothing could 
 give joy to my soul, but freedom from the body. And yet 
 being sensible that I may remain long on duty here, I often in- 
 quire of myself how I am to pass the heavy hours. Perhaps 
 a closer walk with G-od, greater activity in his service, and 
 some species of affliction hitherto imfelt, may at length un- 
 loose my bonds, and give me that enjoyment of life to which 
 I have so long been a stranger. I have great hopes indeed 
 from enterprising a little in my Master's -service, and righting 
 w r ith courage for his honour. I shall write to you from time 
 to time, and acquaint you how it is with me, 
 
 44 It will be a remarkable day when you and I meet in hea- 
 ven. I dare not say, 8erd redeas? because I trust that you 
 are 4 ready. ' I fear you will have learnt many a song in hea- 
 ven before f come. But let me not despond What saith the 
 -seripture ? Ut dies, sic robur. 
 
 44 May you be preserved in your old age, so that your Lord 
 may be glorified in the ending, as in the beginning of your 
 christian life. 
 
 M Forgive me all my faults, and believe me to be, my dear 
 £>k, your affectionate son^ C, Buchanan," 
 
76 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 The foregoing letter appears to contain the only memorial 
 of Mr. Buchanan's voyage which now exists. His diary, the 
 loss of which we must have frequent occasion to lament, 
 doubtless recorded many particulars which might have gratified 
 and instructed us. A few memoranda, however, only remain. 
 On the 18th of November, some weeks later than he had ex- 
 pected, the fleet arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. On the 
 10th of December, it again sailed, and reached Madras on the 
 17th of February; and on the 10th of March, Mr. Buchanan 
 landed at Calcutta, two days before the completion of the 31st 
 year of his age. 
 
 On his arrival at the capital of the British possessions in 
 India, he was hospitably received by the Rev. Mr. Brown, 
 and resided for a short time in his family. He then took a 
 house in Durrumlollah, where, however, he continued but 
 two months, being at the end of that time appointed chap- 
 lain at Barrackpore, a military station about sixteen miles 
 above Calcutta. 
 
 By this arrangement, which, however usual according to 
 the rules of the East India service, he does not appear to 
 have anticipated, Mr. Buchanan found himself placed in a si- 
 tuation by no means congenial with his taste and feelings, 
 and affording but few opportunities for the exercise of his 
 ministry. Barrackpore possessed no place for public wor- 
 ship ; and divine service was never required by the military 
 staff to which he was attached. 
 
 This unexpected seclusion from active duty, combined with 
 the influence of an enervating climate, which he very soon 
 began to feel, and of society for the most part unfriendly to 
 religion, produced in Mr. Buchanan a considerable depression 
 of spirits, and even gave occasion to some of his friends in 
 Europe to attribute his comparative inactivity on his arrival 
 in India to abatement of zeal rather than, as the truth requir- 
 ed, to causes over which he could exercise no control. 
 
 When Mr. Buchanan arrived at Calcutta, Mr. Brown was 
 one of the two chaplains of the presidency. He held also 
 the chaplaincy of the garrison. Some of Mr. Buchanan's 
 friends in England conceived that the latter appointment 
 might have been transferred to him ; or that he might have 
 officiated at the mission church. As to the garrison, it ap- 
 pears that motives of delicacy and kindness towards Mr. 
 Brown, with whom he lived from the first on the most 
 friendly and affectionate terms, prevented him from soliciting 
 such an arrangement; and the mission church was then occu- 
 pied by the Rev. Mr. Ringeltaube, a clergyman of the Lu- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 77 
 
 theran church, who had been sent to India under the patronage 
 of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. No 
 sooner, however, had Mr. Ringeltaube abandoned this post, as 
 he shortly afterwards did, than Mr. Buchanan participated 
 with Mr. Brown the gratuitous labour of the mission church. 
 f ! t appears also, that he occasionally performed divine service in 
 his house at Barraekporc; probably as often as he could ob- 
 tain an audience. 
 
 The following letter will explain the confidential nature of 
 Mr. Buchanan's intercourse with Mr. Brown. The former 
 •part of it relates to a proposed measure respecting an evenings 
 lecture at one of the churches in Calcutta, and to the chap- 
 laincy of Fort William : the latter will exhibit a most interest- 
 ing and instructive picture of the mind of the writer, and will 
 throw considerable light on some of the preceding observa- 
 tions. 
 
 ** Bahra'ckpors, 9th June, 1797. 
 
 *" My dear Sir, — I have just received yours, I understood 
 your last very well, i meant to say in answer, that to levy a 
 contribution for the current expenses of the lecture, w r ould be 
 very painful to me ; equally so as a contribution for personal 
 support. 
 
 "When I mentioned my idea of gratuity for professional* 
 duties, it -was to explain my delicacy about pecuniary subscrip- 
 tion. 1 had no allusion to the sentiments of others. If I 
 were in your situation, it is probable that I should do as 
 you do. 
 
 "I think the justice you owe your family in an expensive 
 situation, demands that you be very well satisfied with the 
 propriety of giving up the chaplaincy of the Fort, as long as 
 it is agreeable to the rules of the service that you should re- 
 tain it ; and as Jong as you can perform the service it requires 
 as well as any other. 
 
 " Let us ikkv talk on the subject <&f your former letter a 
 little. 
 
 44 1 think you speak of yourself with more diffidence, or 
 rather despondency, than you ought. How do you know 
 that your Thursday evening lecture is not the most useful of 
 all your ministoiioas ? And with respect to industry, have 
 you not much reason to be thankful, that, after a ten years' re- 
 sidence in this deteriorating country, you feel yourself so much 
 alive to the ministry of Christ? And is it not another reason 
 for thankfulness, that you have been preserved from seeking 
 great things for yourself? I think you very happy indeed, 
 
 g2 
 
78 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 that you have nothing to do with this world ; but that your 
 chief work is to make proof of your ministry, as the Lord 
 shall prosper it. As splendid a crown awaits him who shall 
 do a little in this country, as him who shall do much at 
 home. 
 
 44 It is not probable that you or I shall live long. What 
 seek we then ? There is no fame for us here. There is some 
 reproach, whether we be faithful or not. So that we lose 
 nothing by being faithful. I am so young in these things, that 
 I do not know any thing about them. I have only entered the 
 wilderness. But I apprehend much. I would gladly enter 
 Canaan, without encountering 4 the greatness of the way/ 
 Were it the will of God, and were he to give me faith and 
 strength for it, I would to-morrow, with great joy, leave this 
 world, and all it offers. Were I sure it would not entangle 
 and destroy me at last, I would rather stay and endeavour to 
 do something for God ; but I am not sure of that. 
 
 "I often compare myself, in my present exile, to John, in 
 the island of Patmos. Would that, like him, I had finished 
 my course, and had only to contemplate * the new heavens 1' 
 But I am a stranger to suffering 4 for the word of God, and the 
 testimony of Jesus Christ.' 
 
 44 I sigh much for that singleness of mind and purity of 
 heart, and love to God, which distinguish the disciple of 
 Christ. And I often wonder whether it is to be effected by 
 keen affliction in body and spirit, or by the 4 power of the 
 word of God, dividing asunder like a two-edged sword,' or by 
 long fighting and sorrowful experience slowly teaching, and 
 ending with a doubt whether I am taught. 
 
 44 Amidst the multitude of my thoughts, * the Lamb that 
 was slain' is my only hope ! 
 
 44 How frequent is the character of a semi-serious christian ! 
 There is a state, in which some have been held for many 
 years : a state, whose nature was never rightly understood by 
 those around them, nor by themselves ; sometimes looking to 
 the word of God, and sometimes to the world ; sometimes 
 animated by a zeal to live holily, and sometimes sinking un- 
 der a particular sin. From such a state they have at length 
 emerged ; and shone, in the evening of life, with a splendour 
 which has dazzled all around. 
 
 n I hope that Mrs. Brown is in good health and spirits. 
 Buxtorf came safe up the river. I am sorry to find that 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 79 
 
 that silent critic, the White Ant, has perused almost every 
 page. 
 
 " I remain, dear Sir, yours very affectionately, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 The preceding letter scarcely requires a comment. Who 
 can avoid perceiving in it evident traces of a generous, a spi- 
 ritual, and a heavenly mind ? Who can help lamenting that 
 such a man should for a time have been placed in circum- 
 stances so unfavourable to the attainment of the great object 
 which he had in view in accepting an appointment in India; 
 or indulging a hope, that a time would come, when the provi- 
 dence of God would open to him a way to greater exertions, 
 and more extensive usefulness ? 
 
 Though Mr. Buchanan's retirement at Barrackpore did not, 
 however, admit of very active employment in the duties of 
 his ministry, it afforded him a valuable opportunity for private 
 study, which he diligently and successfully improved. 
 
 His commonplace books at this period evince the same 
 laudable desire of increasing his store of useful knowledge, 
 which we have already witnessed. Some remarks in one of 
 them prove his anxiety to fortify himself against the dangers 
 of worldly society, to which he was then considerably ex- 
 posed, and to attain the important art of living " in and out of 
 the world at the same time," of " using this world as not 
 abusing it." Upon this point he quotes a passage from Mr. 
 Addison, which appears to express the object he was himself 
 endeavouring to attain. " We shall never be able," observes 
 that sensible and elegant writer, " to live to our satisfaction in 
 the deepest retirement, until we learn to live, in some measure, 
 to our satisfaction, amidst the noise and business of life." 
 
 Other parts of the same book contain reflections on the Per- 
 sian language, on the improvement of time, on the value of 
 christian friendship, on purity of conscience, on the propaga- 
 tion of the gospel, and on the happiness of heaven. 
 
 The following extract from a letter to Mr. Henry Thornton, 
 dated the 25th of July, 1797, gives a pleasing view of one im- 
 portant branch of Mr. Buchanan's studies at Barrackpore. 
 
 " As the friend of my beginning studies, you will naturally 
 be desirous to know in what way they have been continued 
 since my arrival in India. I am now proceeding in a work 
 which I began when I last enjoyed retirement, namely, a seri- 
 ous, and, I may say, laborious examination of the scriptures 
 in the original tongues. My inquiries are not so much philo- 
 logical, as practical. The meaning of the Holy Spirit in scrip- 
 
80 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ture is the 4 one thing needful' for the student : and I hope it 
 will be the subject of many a joyful w^k* to me. This severity 
 of investigation reminds me of my mathematical vigils. Some 
 have considered that interval at college as the most useful era in 
 the history of the mind. It shows what powers of application 
 the soul possesses on a subject it loves ; even such applica- 
 tion as Paul recommends to Timothy, who was engaged in 
 my present studies — * t*tg/? itBi. < Exist, or live in them.' 
 
 " This, Sir, is a climate which tries the mind like a furnace. 
 Deterioration seems inherent in Indian existence. Were God 
 to grant me a peculiar blessing, it would be the habit of in- 
 dustry whilst I remain in this country. I have observed, in 
 reading the lives of the good, that the most eminent were men 
 famed for their industry. I have observed too, that few of them 
 had to encounter what Boileau calls the dangerous career of 
 wit and genius. The wisdom of God is shown in choosing 
 for them that disposition of mind which is best suited to a 
 sedulous and humble perusal of his eternal w r ord ; for genius 
 hath ever been a foe to industry. 
 
 " I have a Moonshee in the house to instruct me in the Hin- 
 dostanee and Persian languages. Not knowing what may be 
 the purpose of God concerning me, I have thought it my duty 
 to attend early to the languages of the country ; and to the con- 
 stitution, civil and religious, of the mixed people in it." 
 
 Amidst this diligent improvement of his retirement at Bar- 
 rackpore, Mr. Buchanan, however, entered with lively interest 
 into every thing around him connected with real religion, and 
 embraced with much warmth of feeling every occasion which 
 presented itself, either of kindness or of service. 
 
 Of this the following extract from a letter to a lady at Edin- 
 burgh, on the death of her son, is a pleasing and satisfactory 
 proof. It is dated from Calcutta, December 4, 1797, and was 
 enclosed in another, in which she was kindly requested, before 
 .she opened it, to prepare her mind for intelligence which would 
 at first deeply affect her, but which she would after wards ac- 
 knowledge had given her such a theme for rejoicing as she had 
 never before possessed. 
 
 " 1 had no thoughts," Mr. Buchanan begins, " of writing to 
 you at this time ; but I have news for you from heaven. Your 
 beloved E. has * fought the good fight, he has finished his 
 course, he has kept the faith.' His spirit took its flight at 
 twelve o'clock. About three weeks ago he visited me at Bar- 
 rackpore, where he stayed a day or two. He was then in good 
 health. Our conversation was much on spiritual subjects. He 
 told me his heart felt the first powerful impression of religion 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 81 
 
 when on his passage to this country ; and that since his arrival, 
 God had been very gracious to him. Finding this country not 
 only unfavourable to health, but to holiness of life, he had long 
 deliberated whether he ought not to return to Europe, and had 
 at length resolved to do so, believing it to be the will of God. 
 He anticipated the joy of conversing with those amongst his 
 friends at Edinburgh who knew the Lord, and wondered that 
 he had not * made more of them,' while among them. But he 
 has now a better society. 
 
 44 Next day he returned to Calcutta, and on the Sabbath fol- 
 lowing I went down to preach. My subject was, 4 The triumph 
 of the christian in being able to submit his soul to the darkest* 
 dispensations of God.' On that day your son took the sacra- 
 ment for the second time in this country. On the evening of 
 the same day the Rev. Mr. Brown preached, ? On the consola- 
 tions of the soul which cordially assents to being justified by 
 faith.' This was the last sermon your beloved child ever heard ; 
 and he told me it was sweet to the ear, and inexpressibly rich 
 to his soul. On the next day he was taken ill. Our most able 
 physician here, Dr. Hare from Edinburgh, attended him. Dur- 
 ing that week we had no apprehensions of his fever being 
 dangerous. Before my return to Barrackpore on Monday last, 
 I passed the morning with him. We then conceived hopes of 
 his soon being well. He sat by me on the sofa for an hour. 
 We talked about his passage to his native country ; for the ship 
 was now ready to sail — But I perceived that his mind was dwell- 
 ing on his passage to the heavenly country. He spoke much 
 of the consolations arising from converse with God during sick- 
 ness. * How amazing is it,' said he, 4 that the Lord should have 
 called me to such knowledge and to such grace before I die ! 
 India has been a happy land to me.' When I left him, he said, 
 he hoped he should be able to come to church next Sunday. 
 Not hearing from his brother of his being worse, I did not re- 
 turn to Calcutta till yesterday. In the evening I preached, but 
 did not see him in his usual seat. When I called this morn- 
 ing, I found that he had just entered into rest. His countenance 
 is placid and serene in death, like the state of his mind before 
 his dissolution. 
 
 44 Such, my dear madam, has been the happy death of your 
 son. You are a happy mother, to have had such a son ! He 
 has left a noble testimony to the gospel in this place ; and his 
 memory will be long cherished by many. His brother loved 
 him affectionately, and is inconsolable at his loss. His conver- 
 sation and example have been of use to many. He preached 
 to them in his life, and he preached to them by his death. 
 
82 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Admire therefore the dispensation of God in leading him to this 
 country. It was not for evil, but for much good." 
 
 "Tuesday, Dec. 5. 
 
 81 This morning, at eight o'clock, I committed to the earth the 
 remains of your dear son. It was a solemn occasion. I was 
 much affected at seeing so many persons attend it. Most of 
 them were only acquainted with his character; but they wished 
 to show some respect to the memory of one of those few who 
 1 wear white garments in this Sardis.' The Rev. Mr. Brown 
 was chief mourner ; but yet he rejoiced that the Lord had lent 
 your child so long to us, and that now ' he had taken him from 
 the evil to come.' " 
 
 The strain of Christian piety and consolation which pervades 
 the foregoing letter must be obvious to every one, but will be 
 best appreciated by those who know experimentally the un- 
 speakable value of well-grounded hopes concerning the future 
 happiness of those who were dear to them ; more particularly, 
 if they have been taken from them in a distant land. The spirit 
 of lively faith with which Mr. Buchanan speaks of the glorious 
 hope of the gospel, is strongly characteristic of his mind ; and 
 may serve to counterbalance some less cheerful and animating 
 views respecting himself, which he at this period occasionally 
 expressed. 
 
 Thus, early in the ensuing year, he wrote to Mr. Grant in 
 the following terms. 
 
 "Calcutta, 6th Feb. 1793. 
 
 M My dear Sir, — I have now been near a year in this coun- 
 try, and have not yet had the satisfaction of hearing from you. 
 I wish to know what you think of my voyage to the East. I 
 seem to have come out under rather unfavourable auspices. No 
 feature of my mission is very agreeable. But I view the whole 
 as the counsel of the Almighty ; and I know that in his plan 
 there is great beauty, though I may not perceive it. 
 
 M I have passed this last year in military society, or in soli- 
 tude. And as I shall shortly be stationed up the country, I 
 cannot expect any material change during life. But if I rightly 
 improve the opportunities I may have, 1 shall do well. What 
 I lament most is the effect this inactive life has on my mind. 
 You will not be surprised if both my moral and intellectual 
 powers surfer by it. The climate no doubt has its effect in 
 this hebetation of the soul ; and I hope I shall recover from it 
 in time. 
 
 " I suffered a long struggle before I could resign myself pas- 
 sively to my unexpected destination. But the struggle is now 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 83 
 
 over ; and I view myself as one who has run his race ; to whom 
 little more is left to do. I have known some, who, in such a 
 case, would have extricated themselves with violence, and 
 sought a new fortune in the gospel. But it will require a very 
 evident interposition of God indeed to bring me out of this 
 Egypt, now that he has placed me in it: I shall esteem myself 
 highly favoured, if I be enabled to pass my days in it, with a 
 pure conscience, endeavouring to do a little, where much can- 
 not be done. 
 
 " I take the liberty of enclosing a bill for fifty pounds for my 
 mother : which I request you will be so good as to send to her, 
 after it is accepted. 
 
 " I beg to be remembered to all your family, and to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Thornton, and remain, dear Sir, 
 
 "Yours, with much respect and gratitude, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 The desponding tenor of this letter, connected as it is with 
 similar expressions in some others, may require a few explana- 
 tory observations. The unfavourable influence of the climate 
 upon his health, to which Mr. Buchanan refers, must evidently 
 be considered as the principal cause of the depression under 
 which he laboured. He was, doubtless, disappointed in the 
 silence and obscurity to which his station at Barrackpore had 
 consigned him, and which he imagined would be shortly ren- 
 dered still more hopeless, by his removal to a greater distance 
 from Calcutta, in the interior of the country, It is certain, also, 
 that he felt the want of sympathy and encouragement from 
 some of his friends in England. They had very reasonably 
 formed considerable expectations of his exertions to promote 
 the cause of religion in India ; and their distance from the scene 
 prevented them from being fully aware of the circumstances 
 which had hitherto retarded them. Yet amidst it all, his calm 
 submission to what he believed to be the will of God, his re- 
 fusal to step beyond the prescribed limits of his duty as a mili- 
 tary chaplain, and his pious reference of himself and his ser- 
 vices to the divine disposal, prove, that whatever might be his 
 discouragements, his heart was " right with God ;" and that 
 he was faithfully employing the " talent" at that time com- 
 mitted to his trust. 
 
 The history of Mr. Buchanan's first appointment in India 
 will not be in vain, if it serve to check in any who may be 
 similarly situated, either abroad or at home, the too natural dis- 
 position to despondency or haste ; and to lead them, in the 
 conscientious improvement of present opportunities, to wait 
 
84 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 patiently for farther openings, and in the mean time to " hope 
 in God ;" and if it tend to abate in those who may be observ- 
 ing them any impatience of their backwardness in fulfilling 
 even just expectations ; and to teach them that charity, which, 
 concerning the substantially pious and sincere, " hopeth all 
 things." 
 
 In the month of July following, Mr. Buchanan wrote to 
 several of his friends by the overland despatch. In one of 
 these letters to Mr. Elliott, of Clapham, he informs him of the 
 arrival of his son at Calcutta. 
 
 Of the talents and extensive acquirements, the splendid 
 career in the college of Fort William, shortly afterwards estab- 
 lished, and the premature and lamented death of this valuable 
 and accomplished young man, the writer of these memoirs has 
 on a former occasion recorded a brief account.* In again men- 
 tioning his name, he does it chiefly for the purpose of illustrat- 
 ing the character of Mr. Buchanan ; to whose kindness, coun- 
 sels, and example, he was eminently indebted. To his father 
 Mr. Buchanan thus writes. 
 
 " Your son William is arrived. I had long looked for him, 
 as for a brother. He resided with me at Barrackpore for two 
 months, and then went up to Malda, where he now is. He 
 has conducted himself with much propriety, and conciliated 
 the favour and respect of many. In some of his anticipations 
 he was sanguine and incorrect; but his good sense gradually 
 removed the veil, and discovered things in the right point of 
 view ; and I think he has now formed a very tolerable estimate 
 of India, and of his situation in it. Government was at first 
 disposed to place him at Calcutta. This would have deranged 
 all your and my plans concerning him. I do not live at Cal- 
 cutta. He would have been obliged to keep house by himself; 
 for there is no private family that would receive him ; and the 
 expense would have been so great, that all his prudence could 
 not easily save him from debt. Another evil of that situation 
 is the ensnaring society. The young men live by themselves, 
 as at college. Such a society has proved instant death to the 
 virtue of many. After two or three years, I shall have less 
 objection to his residence in Calcutta. He will then have more 
 fortitude and more money, worse health, and lower spirits. 
 
 " I was happy to observe that William's mind was not in- 
 jured by the infidel conversation on board ship. It led him 
 however to inquire. And he was a good deal surprised at the 
 volume of evidence for the truth of Christianity, which he 
 
 * See Dissertation on the Promotion of Christianity in India, p. 141. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 85 
 
 found at Barrackpore. While with me he made rapid progress 
 in Persian; and was laying deep plans for the attainment of 
 general knowledge. I had a letter from him this morning. He 
 is well and happy. I wished him to consider Malda as a re- 
 tirement, to be consecrated, like college, to the improvement of 
 his mind. As yet he is well pleased with the idea. He com- 
 plains that business usurps much time. But so he attain the 
 habit of industry in this indolent climate, I care not whether it 
 be by business or study. Jin active mind, if it be a virtuous 
 one, finds time for every thing. 
 
 " He speaks of his father with much affection. Write often 
 to him. A father's letter is very seasonable in this country. * 
 He begins well ; he far surpasses my sanguine expectations. 
 But he has only begun. He w r as surprised to find eight weekly 
 newspapers here, together with libraries and learned men. Un- 
 fortunately, there are no classical folks at Malda. William's 
 Latin and Greek are therefore in danger. He is already sen- 
 sible of this; and begins to think that I was right in proposing 
 to task him. He is much attached to one mode of mental im- 
 provement, — the committing to writing useful observations. He 
 has ransacked many of my commonplace books to enrich his 
 own. The only annual investment of books you need send 
 him, will be the Reviews ; all of which will be acceptable. 
 Adieu." 
 
 Were it consistent with the plan of this narrative, several 
 letters might here be introduced from Mr. William Elliott, 
 which illustrate in a very pleasing manner the advantages he 
 derived from the advice and assistance of Mr. Buchanan in his 
 classical and oriental studies ; and above all, in cherishing those 
 religious views which after no long interval he found to be 
 aione supremely valuable. It is probable, from Mr. Buchanan's 
 extensive correspondence with young men in India, that many 
 others enjoyed similar benefits from his friendly counsel. 
 
 A few of the preceding observations may perhaps be no 
 longer applicable to the circumstances of the junior servants of 
 the East India Company in Calcutta, in consequence of the 
 salutary changes introduced not long afterwards by the institu- 
 tion of the College of Fort William : but the almost paternal 
 anxiety displayed by the writer for the welfare and improve- 
 ment of his young friend, and the practical wisdom of his sug- 
 gestions, will be not uninteresting to those who may be con- 
 nected, like his correspondent, with India. 
 
 To Mr. Newton, Mr. Buchanan wrote by the same despatch 
 as follows, 
 
 44 1 hope, my dear Sir, that you have received many letters 
 
 H 
 
86 MEMOIRS OF PR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 from me since my arrival here, for I have written many. Yon 
 are the only person who has written regularly to me since I 
 left England, Your last, dated 2d. Oct, 1797, gave me much 
 information, pleasure, and comfort. I have now been a year 
 and a half in India, and have not yet engaged in the ministry ;* 
 and I know not when 1 shall. At present, indeed, I should 
 scarcely be able, were I called to it. The oppression on my 
 chest is so great, and my breathing so quick, that I cannot speak 
 audibly in conversation but with difficulty. And the total re- 
 laxation of my frame, and my inability to sit up long, admonish 
 me that I am not intended for long service. Two fevers ^ince 
 my arrival have no doubt had some effect in weakening me. 
 But I do not attribute my present illness to India. I can trace 
 my pectoral weakness to midnight study at college. But I am 
 thankful that 1 am without actual pain. I can think and write 
 a little for two or three hours every morning. Perhaps I may 
 be restored. Perhaps 4 my mouth may yet be opened to speak 
 his praise.' 
 
 44 Will you write a note to Mr. Storry, of Colchester, men- 
 tioning the following particulars ? John Gale, lately a private 
 in the king's service, was executed here for the murder of a 
 woman and her child. But though he suffered the death of a 
 felon, he died in the faith of Christ. He was just twenty-two 
 years of age, being executed on his birthday. He could not 
 read, and had only three days' instruction from Mr. Brown 
 and myself. It revived our spirits to behold the power of the 
 gospel thus displayed in this barren land. On the morning of 
 his execution, he requested me to acquaint Mr. Storry with the 
 circumstances of his happy death. His parents are hearers of 
 Mr. Storry ; and he will be the fittest bearer of these tidings. 
 
 44 How is Dr. Fearon ? My dear Fearon, how are you 1 you 
 cannot easily imagine how gratifying your letter was to me. I 
 received it on a sick-bed ; and had not seen the face of a chris- 
 tian for a month before. A Hindoo, who worships an idol with 
 an elephant's head, read it to me three times. I suppose the 
 French have not restored my answer to it. My frequent in- 
 dispositions have prevented me hitherto from writing so much 
 as I wish. But as I consider that all my letters to Mr. Newton 
 are letters to you, I conceive myself to have written to you a 
 great deal. Remember me, as you ought, to every member of 
 your family ; and write me such another letter as you wrote me 
 \&s\,ifyou are able" 
 
 The serious indisposition of Mr. Buchanan, as affecting his 
 
 * Evidently meaning, not statedly. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 87 
 
 capacities of usefulness, is distinctly marked in this last letter, 
 as well as the expression of his hope of future service. 
 
 The narrative respecting the unhappy soldier, though neces- 
 sarily brief, from the narrow limits of an overland despatch, 
 ought not, on that account, to be viewed with suspicion. The 
 character both of Mr. Brown and Mr. Buchanan forbids the 
 supposition that they had formed a hasty judgment of this re- 
 markable case ; and though false hopes have not unfrequently 
 been cherished upon similar melancholy occasions, yet why 
 should we limit the mercies of the Most High, or doubt the 
 saving efficacy of faith in the Redeemer, even under circum- 
 stances apparently desperate ? It seems probable, too, from the 
 introduction of the late Mr. Storry's name, that the unfortunate 
 young man in question had received in very early life some 
 salutary instructions from the ministry of that excellent man ; 
 which, though long forgotten, might have been remembered and 
 confirmed to his everlasting benefit, in the hour of extremity. 
 
 Under the same cover, Mr. Buchanan wrote shortly to Mr. 
 Grant to the following effect. 
 
 " Lord xMornington has been here near six weeks. As yet, 
 he maintains much dignity in his government. He goes re- 
 gularly to church, and professes a regard for religion. He has 
 been at Barrackpore for ten days past. He w r as surprised 
 when I told him that we never had divine service there, or at 
 any other station. He was still more surprised when he heard 
 there w r ere horse-races here on Sunday morning, 
 
 " The apostolic Obeek is well, and affectionately remembers 
 all your family. He succeeds to Swartz in the title to our 
 reverence and esteem. Remember me to Mr. Thornton, the 
 friend of my studies." 
 
 Mr. Obeck, thus favourably introduced, and whose name 
 frequently occurs in Mr. Buchanan's letters, was a native of 
 Germany, for many years employed as steward in Mr. Grant's 
 family, during his residence in India. The piety and fidelity 
 of this good man were rewarded by the liberal support and 
 friendly regard of his patron to the day of his death. 
 
 The packet from which the preceding extracts are taken, 
 contained a fourth letter to Mr, Simeon, of Cambridge, part of 
 which is as follows. 
 
 " I thought to have passed my life near you ; but — thus it is. 
 You first, I think, proposed a voyage to me. But you did not 
 mean to consign me to silence, or to a camp ! We may yet see 
 the wisdom of God in showing me a path through the mighty 
 waters. As my health returns, my services may be called for. 
 
 " Remember me to Mrs. B. She alone opposed my com- 
 
88 MKMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ing to India. Tell her not to triumph. She has not seen to 
 the end" 
 
 Three months after the despatch just detailed, Mr. Buchanan 
 a^ain wrote at some length to Mr. Newton. In the former 
 part of his letter, he repeats, with some additional circum- 
 stances, what he had before communicated respecting his situ- 
 ation and prospects, chiefly with a view to convince his friends 
 in England, that however desirous he might be of more effec- 
 tive services in the ministry, the attempt was at that time im- 
 practicable. In proof of this he mentions, that before Sir John 
 Shore, now Lord Tcignmouth, left India, Mr. Brown procured 
 an Order of Council, that the military in the garrison should 
 attend at the Presidency church every Sunday morning at six 
 o'clock, there being no chapel or service in the garrison itself. 
 Strong opposition was made to this order, on the ground that 
 the troops would suffer in their health by marching in the sun. 
 They attended a few Sundays, but at last the clamour became 
 so violent that the order was revoked, and the triumph over re- 
 ligion considered complete. Mr. Buchanan states this circum- 
 stance in order to show how unavailing any transfer of the 
 chaplaincy of the garrison to himself, could it with propriety 
 have been effected, would have proved as to the great object of 
 his increased usefulness. He adds, however, that when he 
 was in Calcutta on a Sunday, he usually performed service at 
 the hospital; where, though there was no regular audience, 
 there was always a succession of hearers. It appears also by 
 this letter, that as Mr. Buchanan had no immediate prospect of 
 being himself placed in Calcutta, he was endeavouring, and 
 with some success, to improve the religious views of one of 
 the chaplains of the Presidency, who seemed desirous of dis- 
 charging his duty with fidelity. 
 
 "My health," he observes, "is somewhat improved since 
 my last. I have been recommended to take much gentle exer- 
 cise. I think I never can be strong ; but regular and easy 
 employment, and christian society, may do a great deal ; first 
 to my spirits, and then to my health." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan next adverts to the Baptist missionaries, 
 Messrs. Thomas and Carey. Of the latter he speaks in terms 
 of much commendation. His own expectations respecting the 
 conversion of the Hindoos were, at this period, by no means 
 sanguine. Of Mr. Carey, therefore, he remarks, that he was 
 then chiefly employed in laying the foundation of future use- 
 fulness. "He is," says Mr. Buchanan, "translating the Bible 
 into the Bengal tongue. This, like WicklifFs first translation, 
 may prove the father of many versions." How extensively 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 89 
 
 this anticipation has been realized, it would be unnecessary to 
 interrupt this narrative particularly to state. 
 
 44 But," continues Mr. Buchanan, "a rapid spread of the 
 gospel is not to be expected in India. You have heard that 
 Mr. Swartz was useful in the southern part of Hindostan. It 
 is true. But Mr. Swartz entered upon the labours of others. 
 The gospel has been preached in that quarter for near a hun- 
 dred years past. We may begin here now, as the Danes 
 began there a century ago. Zeal and labour, and the lapse of 
 years, will no doubt produce the usual fruit. In the revolution 
 of this century, 'the dawn' of the gospel has appeared m 
 India. After many centuries have revolved, there may be a 
 general light. 
 
 "But I wish not that any prudential considerations from 
 what has been, or from what may probably be, should check 
 the missionary ardour of the day. Nothing great since the 
 beginning of the world has been done, it is said, without en- 
 thusiasm. I am, therefore, well pleased to see multitudes of 
 serious persons,* big with hope, and apt to communicate ; for 
 I think it will further the gospel. Instead of thirty missiona- 
 ries, I wish they could transport three hundred. They can do 
 little harm, and may do some good. But let them send as 
 many children as possible, or those who may have children. 
 They will do more good by and by than their parents. No 
 man turned of thirty can learn to speak a new language well. 
 No Englishman turned of twenty, who is only acquainted 
 with the labials and dentals of his mother-tongue, can ever ac- 
 quire an easy and natural use of the nasals and gutturals of 
 the Bengal language. Send, therefore, old men to take care 
 of the morals of the young; and send the young to convert 
 the heathen." 
 
 Though the progressive observations and experience of Mr. 
 Buchanan in some measure modified his sentiments upon the 
 important points noticed in the preceding extract, his remarks 
 are perhaps substantially true. But this is a subject which 
 will hereafter be more fully considered. A few other sentences 
 from this letter seem to be worth adding. 
 
 44 Mr. Elliott will be glad to hear that William is well. I 
 have a letter from him almost every week. He sends me 
 down presents of peacocks and monkies, silk coverlets, and 
 fine cossahs. I hear that Mr. Udney reposes much confidence 
 in him. Every body must like him, for he has w T hat few here 
 have, 4 fine spirits and a good temper.' 
 
 *This probably referred to the London Missionary Society. 
 
 h2 
 
90 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 " Mr. Swartz, the apostle of the east, is dead. I wrote him 
 a Latin letter a short time IxTore his death. I wished to write 
 his life, hut they refuse to send me materials.* Have you 
 heard of the ancient Dbeck, in Calcutta? Mr. Grant will tell 
 you about him. Mr. Obeck, in Calcutta, is like Lot in Sodom. 
 I asked him one day if he could produce ten righteous to save 
 the city ? He said be was not sure he could produce ten, but 
 thought he could produce five." 
 
 It cannot he doubted that both these excellent men partook 
 too largely of the spirit of the prophet, who thought that he 
 was the only true worshipper of Jehovah, in a corrupt and de- 
 generate age. It is at least certain that Calcutta has added 
 greatly, within the last few years, to the number of its ' righte- 
 ous' inhabitants ; and not a few in consequence of the labours 
 and example of the subject of these memoirs.! 
 
 " My last fever," Mr. Buchanan continues, "produced a 
 deafness, which is not yet gone. It is very inconvenient to 
 
 * Some years afterwards Mr. Buchanan procured the documents he at this 
 time requested ; though other circumstances prevented him from making use of 
 them as he had intended. 
 
 t The improvement in the state of religion at Calcutta, as in many other 
 parts of India, has been progressive. While the number of consistent chris- 
 tians is still small, compared with the merely nominal adherents to Christianity, 
 and the far larger and more appalling mass of idolaters, it is certain that there 
 has been a great increase of good, a considerable diminution of evil ingredients, 
 in the population of this great city. The following statements respecting its 
 condition were made by Archdeacon Corrie, now Bishop of Madras, at the an- 
 niversary of the Church Missionary Society, in 1835. 
 
 " In 1805, there were only two places for religious worship of the Establish- 
 ed Church; and beyond the confines of Calcutta there was no place of any 
 kind : some of the troops used to have prayers read to them in their barracks ; 
 others were drawn up for that purpose on the parade, where the chaplain used 
 to read a selection of prayers, and a short sermon; but the full service of the 
 Church of England was not used. Now, however, happily the case is different : 
 there are six places of worship belonging to the Established Church in Calcutta ; 
 besides which, divine service is performed in a chapel belonging to the Orphan 
 school, where any person who chooses may attend. In addition to the*e, there 
 are places of worship belonging to the Scroti isli Church, and others." * * * 
 
 "There are at present in Calcutta, four native youths, who have been con- 
 verted to the christian faith, and are prepared to teach the truths of Christianity 
 to their Hindoo brethren. One of these, who is of the highest caste of Brah- 
 mins, was converted by the missionary labours of the Scottish Church; another 
 by means of a military officer an 1 a young merchant." 
 
 The following, from the same address, is deeply interesting, and shows, that 
 if the number of the "righteous" at Calcutta in the first part of this century 
 was small, it is ever true that " the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man 
 availed* much." 
 
 "The commencement of the diffusion of religious instruction in India may 
 be dated from a concert among the christians at Calcutta, who had united in 
 earnest prayer to God that He would send labourers into that vineyard. The 
 9kepiic may possibly smile at the statement, but it is nevertheless true, that it 
 has plea-ted God to hear that prayer, and to bless the exertions of those who 
 wade it." — Am. Ed. 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 91 
 
 me; and Dr. Hare says that it may remain a long time. The 
 schoolmen say, the loss of all the senses is death. By the 
 loss of hearing, I certainly feel the loss of the fifth part of 
 life. When nature takes away one sense, they say, she adds 
 to the rest. But when disease takes away one, it injures the 
 rest. At least I think so. I feel that a sense of infirmity 
 cows the mental powers, and thereby hinders their exertion. 
 
 " When you see Mr. Thornton, tell him I often think that 
 he has great need of faith to believe the scripture, which 
 says, 4 Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it 
 after many days.' Many days have elapsed, and yet the 
 bread he threw to me is not returned. Adieu. 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 The admirable friend and patron to whom Mr. Buchanan 
 thus alludes, was the reverse of any thing impatient or unrea- 
 sonable in his expectations from others ; and his habit of scat- 
 tering his beneficence widely and liberally was combined with 
 a spirit of faith which could wait long for the promised fruit, 
 and in many cases be satisfied with leaving his various work 
 with God. In the present instance, however, he lived to 
 reap, after " not many days," a rich reward of his labour. 
 
 In writing to Mr. Grant, in January, 1799, the following 
 passage occurs, which, though brief, shows both xMr. Bu- 
 chanan's anxiety to promote the interests of religion in India,, 
 and his lively satisfaction at any public regulations which pro- 
 mised to be auxiliary to that important object. 
 
 " I wrote to Mr. H. Thornton by the Montrose, on the 8th 
 instant. In that letter I ventured to say in what way you might 
 probably be of service to us here. But you will be the best 
 judge of the propriety of the measure ; though perhaps cir- 
 cumstances have now a complexion rather different from what 
 they had when you left the country. 
 
 " Your moral regulations, of May last, are come,* and not 
 before they were wanted; they have been just published, and 
 are well received. I ought not to say published. Lord M.'s 
 delicacy induced him to communicate them by circular letter. 
 They ought to have been proclaimed from the house-top." 
 
 The next paragraph refers to a melancholy scene which had 
 then recently taken place in India. 
 
 " I suppose you have already heard of the massacre at Be- 
 nares. Cherry, Graham, Hill, Evans, and Conway, are, I 
 
 * Referring chiefly to a proclamation against Sunday horse-racing, and to the 
 erection of chapels at some of the military stations. 
 
92 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 think, the names of the Europeans murdered. Vizier Ally, 
 the perpetrator, is not yet taken. Mr. Davis defended himself 
 for an hour in a narrow stair-case. Mrs. Davis loaded his 
 pistols behind him. lie lulled two or three of the assassins, 
 and the rest fled on the approach of the military. Mrs. Robin- 
 son and Miss D'Aguilar had hid themselves in an out-house." 
 Mr. Buchanan's acquaintance with some of the literary na- 
 tives of India appears from the following introduction of one 
 of them to Mr. Grant. 
 
 Bahrackfoue, 28th Jan. 1799. 
 
 44 Dear Sir, — I wrote to you a few days ago by one of the 
 regular ships. I now write to introduce to you Aboo Talib 
 Khan. He is a mussulman of some consideration among his 
 eountrymen, and of some eminence among the Persian literati. 
 You may possibly have seen him, as he was well known to Lord 
 Corn wall is. He goes to England for the purpose of giving 
 his son an English education. And he is in hope that he 
 will be assisted by his India friends in promoting this pur- 
 pose. 
 
 4 ' He is desirous to inspect the Arabic and Persian MSS. 
 in the Universities. I have given him letters of introduction 
 to some gentlemen at Cambridge. He has written, in the 
 Persian language, a geographical work, a critique on Persian 
 poetry, and biographical sketches on eminent poets. 
 
 "He may probably be competent to superintend your new 
 museum for Oriental Literature in Leadenhall-street. As his 
 circumstances are slender, he may be induced to offer his ser- 
 vices for a pecuniary consideration, in any way that may be 
 proposed. 
 
 44 1 do not myself know Aboo, but I am intimately acquaint- 
 ed with some of his literary friends." 
 
 On the 1st of February following, Mr. Buchanan, after in- 
 forming Mr. Elliott of the arrival of his eldest son in Indi«, 
 thus intimates the commencement of the system which the 
 Governor General w r as now contemplating with respect to the 
 junior servants of the company. 
 
 44 Lord Morning-ton aids us here. He no longer leaves it at 
 the option of the young men, whether they will study or not. 
 An examination at the expiration of three years hence is to 
 decide on all pretensions to new appointments. 
 
 44 1 hope you received the letter in which I expressed a wish 
 that you would send out all the periodical w T orks issued in the 
 style of literary reviews. These are necessary for me. With- 
 out them I know not what books to order for this country. I 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 93 
 
 am constantly applied to by families, religious, moral, and dis- 
 sipated, to name books for them. I have already inundated 
 them with Barruel, Paley, Watson, Wilberforce, and the Pur- 
 suits of Literature. I sit here in secret, and do what I can. 
 A few of the reviews will not do ; but all will tell me the truth. 
 Watch the press for me. You cannot do me a greater favour, 
 or perhaps your sons here more good. I want both annual 
 reviews from 1789, the era of the new philosophy in opera- 
 Hon. Tavlor's sermons, supposed to be written or revised by 
 Johnson, send me ; though perhaps they are but 'nugx ca-^ 
 norx? I have not seen them." 
 
 A few days after the date of the preceding letter, he wrote" 
 at considerable length to one of his Cambridge friends, upon 
 a variety of topics connected with their mutual pursuits, and 
 interspersed with remarks on India. This letter exhibits the 
 impressive sense which the writer entertained of the para- 
 mount importance of Christianity, and of the duty of active 
 exertions to promote the moral and religious welfare of man- 
 kind on the part of himself, and such men as the college 
 friends to whom he refers. Many of his observations display 
 both aeuteness and elevation of thought, and much know- 
 ledge of the world. A few of them relating to the state of 
 religion both hi India and England were, perhaps, even then 
 somewhat harsh and dogmatical ; but it is extremely difficult 
 in the present day to appreciate the justness of such remarks, 
 so great has been the moral change in both countries since 
 that period. The tendency, however, of the whole is ob- 
 viously useful. 
 
 " Calcutta, February 4, 1799." 
 After rallying his friend on his remaining at college instead 
 of marrying, he expresses himself thus : " A man advances, 
 perhaps, till he becomes Bachelor of Arts ; but after that, he 
 is retrograde for ever. Is not this generally true ? You may 
 perhaps continue to advance in verbiage, but you will go back 
 in life. Your endeavours to fulfil the great purposes for which 
 you were sent into the world will grow daily more feeble, and 
 your view of those purposes will at length be utterly lost." 
 * * * " But whither then shall we go, if you divorce us from 
 our learned ease? Why, go to London. Take a curacy, or 
 take a chapel. Call forth your learning and put your elo- 
 quence to use. Sluice the fountain so long embanked at 
 college stagnant and green, and permit the waters to rush 
 abroad, to fertilize many a plant and gladden the vale. Go 
 forth and stem the torrent of infidelity with a resistless elo- 
 
94 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 quence ; and let me hear your voice on the banks of the 
 Ganges. To what purpose have you laboured at Quinctilian, 
 if you do not now lift up your voice and proclaim the glad 
 tidings of the everlasting gospel ? * * * At present I see you 
 and D. lisping with pebbles in your mouths on the banks of 
 the Cam. But I hope one day to hear your thunder from the 
 rostrum. I hope to see you ' wielding at will' your awful as- 
 semblies, and exciting them with a more than Demosthenic 
 power to resist the invading foe, the New Philosophy. I 
 hope to see you do more. In the more grateful and copious 
 manner of the Roman orator, you will, like scribes well in- 
 structed in the kingdom, bring forth things new and old to 
 confirm the believing, convince the doubtful, and heal the 
 wounded spirit ; ever displaying this your great and endless 
 theme, the power of grace in awakening to life the torpid 
 soul ; and, in your previous studies, ever sitting by the foun- 
 tain of truth, <©■»>» />***-* 5r«3-ci/?, that 'fountain flowing with per- 
 suasives,' the Bible : so will your orations have less of the 
 lamp, and more of that heavenly fire, which alone can make 
 them profitable to your hearers. 
 
 " How astonished you will be that my first pages to you 
 from Milton's 'remote Bengala' should be on such subjects 
 as these ! You, no doubt, expected to hear 
 
 Of moving accident, by flood, and field ; 
 And of the cannibals that each other eat, 
 The Anthropophagi— 
 
 But I have not patience with all these subjects. " You must 
 send out some of those fellows, who can write a tour through 
 Wales, or Gogmagog Hills. They will so astonish you ! Be- 
 sides I am not writing to freshmen. I am writing to the 
 learned. And all the mirabilia I could describe to you are 
 already described in Queen's college library. But I must 
 make some allowance for the different effects of an absolute 
 and a partial view of things. The truth is, that the traveller 
 who sees new things every day, sees new things with indif- 
 ference. The passion of curiosity is so constantly excited, 
 that it loses its power. The ' nil admirarV seizes us much 
 sooner with respect to objects of sense than objects of reflec- 
 tion. Besides, where all is new, the mind knows not where 
 to rest. It cannot embrace ail, and it studies none. This is 
 particularly the case with many young men just arrived in 
 India. They are wonder-struck ; they suffer a kind of mental 
 paroxysm ; they ask questions for a while ; but they find 
 there is no end of subjects of wonder ; and at length they are 
 tired with wondering. The man of reflection will examine 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 95 
 
 these subjects at his leisure, but the °* xcwoi would no longer 
 wonder, if the moon were to fall ; they would suppose it was 
 the way with the Bengal moons. 
 
 " The most useful lesson I have learnt from travel is, that 
 the world, or all that is in it, cannot satisfy the soul of man. 
 Many years ago, my chief ambition, as you know, was to 
 make the tour of Europe. But how little does this idea ap- 
 pear ! As a village is the world to a child, so Europe was 
 the world to me. But Europe is now become a village ; and 
 the globe itself, which seems to have revolved under my eye, m 
 has no longer its former extent, novelty, or importance. My 
 ambition seeks now to explore new worlds. And were the" 
 Deity to gratify my wish, and to permit me to traverse the 
 planetary globes around us, yet how circumscribed would be 
 my view, how limited my knowledge ! The solar system is 
 but a point in the universe ! What then is natural know- 
 ledge ? Like space it has no limit. Let us return then to 
 our village, and view its inhabitant ; 
 
 His knowledge suited to his state and place, 
 His time, a moment ; and a point, his space. 
 
 And this is equally true, whether you live but a few years, 
 confined to your native spot, or live three ages, and traverse 
 the world around. 
 
 " This thought casts a transient gloom over science and all 
 human knowledge. It is confined and uncertain, and there- 
 fore unsatisfying. It is now that the mind turns with plea- 
 sure from the works of God to his word. The works of God 
 indeed declare his glory ; but the mind cannot comprehend 
 them, nor be satisfied with surveying them. But the word of 
 God quenches the thirst. It is that fountain which can alone 
 satisfy the capacious soul of man. 
 
 * •* * -# * 
 
 " Infidelity raged here with great violence formerly, but it 
 is rather on the defensive now. It was fashionable for a time 
 to allege that oriental research w T as not favourable to the truth 
 of Christianity ; but the contrary is found to be the case. As 
 far as my own inquiries have gone, I can truly say, ' I have 
 seen the star, and worshipped in the East.' In the study of 
 eastern history and learning, there is endless proof of the 
 truth of both the Old and New Testaments. 
 
 m * * * 4 
 
 " I suppose you have heard of the grandeur of English life 
 in India. To live in the first circle in India is to live at court. 
 There is nearly the same dignity of etiquette, elegance of 
 
96 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 equipage, and variety of entertainment Every lady is hand- 
 ed to table according to her rank ; and — no grace is said. 
 
 -What chiefly astonishes an Englishman (I should have 
 said a Scotchman) is the profusion of meat on the tables. 
 We sit down to hecatombaean fe rts. But you will not won- 
 der at this, when you hear that the price of a sheep is but 
 half-a-crown. We have no drinking here ; no Bacchanalian 
 Wine is a drug". Wherevej we go, we expect to find 
 what we have at home, plenty of claret and madeira ; and he 
 who would think it a compliment to urge another to drink, 
 would be accounted a vulgar fellow, just imported from a mi- 
 litary mess-room, or a literary combination-room. 
 
 '• Must I say something of the natives ? Their general 
 character is imbecility of body, and imbecility of mind. Their 
 moral powers are and have been for ages in a profound stupor; 
 raid there is seldom an instance of their being awakened. A 
 partial attempt, or rather experiment, is now making on them 
 by some christian teachers. The Hindoo mind seems at pre- 
 sent to be bound by a Satanic spell : and it will require the 
 co-operation of a more than human power to break it. But 
 divine co-operation implies human endeavour. Many ages 
 must then elapse before the conversion of India is accom- 
 plished. 
 
 " Y\ ith respect to moral action, the Hindoos pay as little 
 attention to their own religion as a rule of life, as the English 
 do to theirs. Your profession of the christian religion is a 
 proverbial jest throughout the world. 
 
 " The Hindoo is born blind; but you put out your own 
 eyes. Loose principles and sensual indulgence first dims 
 them, and then the ' drop serene' of the new philosophy 
 quenches the orb. 
 
 " A residence in this country adds much to the personal dig- 
 nity of the European. Here the labour of a multitude is 
 demanded for the comfort of one : and it is not so much de- 
 manded as voluntarily given. In no other country can we so 
 well see the homage which matter gives to mind. Generally, 
 however, it is but the homage which black pays to white. 
 This is the grand argument for keeping the Hindoos in a state 
 of mental depression. The hyperborean Scotchman, broiling 
 under a perpendicular sun, needs some levamina lab o rum ; 
 and the state of the Hindoo minds is admirably calculated to 
 take care of our bodies. 
 
 "You know the character of the Hindoo superstition. It 
 is lascivious and bloody. I know no epithet that embraces so 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 97 
 
 much of it as either of these two. Of the first I shall say 
 nothing : 1 shall not pollute the page with a description of 
 their caprine orgies in the interior of their temples, nor the 
 emblems engraved on the exterior. 
 
 " Their scenes of blood are not less revolting to the human 
 mind. Human sacrifice is not quite abolished. The burning 
 of women is common ; I have witnessed it more than once. 
 
 " This power of self-sacrifice is given them from insensi- 
 bility of mind, and from that alone. Just as a child may be 
 persuaded to plunge into danger which infant reason cannot 
 see, so the Hindoo, of childish capacity, is persuaded to de-* 
 stroy his existence ; he views neither death nor life in their- 
 true light. 
 
 "All comparison, therefore, between the fortitude of the 
 
 christian martyr and the madness of the Hindoo is nugatory 
 
 and absurd. 
 
 $ * * % & 
 
 " What are your studies now ? They have long been gene- 
 ral ; I hope they are now particular. I expect soon to see 
 your name and D — 's to some useful publication. I pray you, 
 support the author of the Pursuits of Literature in his work : 
 you are both able. Only conceive some grand design, some 
 one purpose; collect your powers to it, and you will execute 
 it. You remember the Johnsonian aphorism: 'Whatever a 
 man is able to conceive fully, he will by patience and labour 
 execute well,' 
 
 # •# ^ * $ 
 
 "What is T — of Sidney doing? Does he reap the fruit 
 of our Hebrew and Italian hours ? Has he published any 
 thing since his Academical Contributions ? The metaphysical 
 T — ! I never knew so grave a speculatist have such fine 
 affections : but they had no object then. I was once afraid 
 that he would prove to be of Godwin's school. But I can 
 easily believe that his marriage has prevented it. Marriage 
 and its accompanying joys and sorrows have cured many a 
 theorist. 
 
 " There is no harmony among the mental powers, no con- 
 sistency of purpose, no solace in life, till the affections are 
 moved. Some find another object to move them than mar- 
 riage ; but rarely. Plato says that there are not many such 
 objects. St. Paul says that there is one. 
 
 ?** vjc >f* *|£ vfc 
 
 " I wish not to see any of you engage in general or specu- 
 lative subjects at this time ; nor even in useful works, slow in 
 operation. This is the moment for urgent and direct attack, 
 
 I 
 
98 MEMOIRS OF DR. BVCHAXAV. 
 
 We have had too many hooks of late, addressed to the Infidels 
 in the style of alterative. In your academical laboratory have 
 you not some * strong purgative drug to scour these French V 
 M The troth is, we have acted too loner on the defensive : 
 
 let us now act on the offensive. Infidelity cannot bear to be 
 attacked. It can annoy by stratagem and Parthian dexterity : 
 but it cannot show a resolute front. ■ Resist the devil, and he 
 will flee from you !' — Keep close to the Greek \s of the 
 
 Socratic and Apostolic school, and you may light a host of 
 these lank sickly giants, forced by the compos: oi this vapour- 
 ing age. 
 
 44 Have you no MSS. of your own composition to send 
 me ? I am desirous to see you. and I can't see you in a letter. 
 I am anxious for your fame. I have seen you run the circle 
 of the sciences with eclat. And I now wish to know what 
 you are going to do," * * * 
 
 Some hints in the preceding letter respecting marriage, as 
 well as the general character ol Mr. Buchanan, lead us to ex- 
 pect that he was by no means indifferent to that subject He 
 had hitherto been too much occupied with study, and with his 
 entrance upon his professional career, to indulge any thoughts 
 respecting it ; but his affectionate and social disposition, and 
 the comparative solitude in which he was died to live. 
 
 convinced him of the expediency of entering into the married 
 state. This important change in his condition took place on 
 the 3rd of April. 1799 : on which day Mr. Buchanan married 
 Miss Mary Whish, third daughter of the Rev. Richard 
 Whish, then rector of Northwold in Norfolk. 
 
 Upon this interesting event, it may be best to allow Mr. 
 Buchanan to speak, as usual, for himself. He thus writes to 
 Mr. Newton about two months after his marriage. 
 
 •• Miss Mary Whish, and her elder sister." afterwards mar- 
 ried to Major Prole.) "came out to India about rive months 
 ago, with their aunt. Mrs. Sandys, wife of C Sandys. 
 
 commissary of stores in Calcutta. The younger of these la- 
 dies was so much disgusted with the dissipation o[ India, that 
 she would gladly have returned single to England. I did not 
 see her till two months after her arrival. But we had not been 
 long acquainted before she confessed that she had found a 
 friend who could reconcile her to India. I did not expect that 
 I should have ever found in this country a young woman 
 whom I could so much approve. Mrs. Buchanan is not yet 
 nineteen. She has had a very proper education for roy wife. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAX. 99 
 
 She has docility of disposition, sweetness of temper, and a 
 strong passion for retired life. 
 
 44 She is religious as far as her knowledge goes, and her 
 knowledge is as great as I suppose yours or mine was at her 
 age. Our marriage was sanctioned by the approbation of all 
 who knew her, and who knew me. 
 
 44 I have now been married two months, and every succes- 
 sive day adds something to confirm the felicity of my choice, 
 and the goodness of God in directing it. 
 
 44 Mrs. Buchanan has read many of your letters to me, and 
 hopes you will mention her name in your next. She is now 
 reading the 4 Christian Character Exemplified,' published by 
 you, and aspires to the spirit and piety of the lady whose cha- 
 racter it is. 
 
 44 1 still reside at Barrackpore, where it is now probable I 
 shall remain some years. But I must take no thought for to- 
 morrow. Years, days, and hours are not mine. Moments, 
 how sacred !" 
 
 In replying to some inquiries of his correspondent, Mr. 
 Buchanan proceeds to mention, what in the prospect of con- 
 tinuing at Barrackpore must have been peculiarly painful to 
 him, that it was thought no chapel would be built there, under 
 the new arrangement relative to that subject, as no European 
 regiment was at any time ordered to that station. Under these 
 circumstances he mentions that he was anxious to take every 
 opportunity of assisting Mr. Brown at Calcutta; and adds, 
 that he had successfully laboured to promote a good under- 
 standing between him and his colleague, and to remove some 
 prejudices which had previously existed against him and the 
 ministrations at the mission church. He then continues as 
 follows. 
 
 44 You will have heard by this time the fate of the expedi- 
 tion to Otaheite. The missionaries, banished by the natives, 
 fled to Botany Bay. One of them, I hear, is lately arrived in 
 Calcutta, from Port Jackson. I hope this south-sea scheme 
 will not discourage the missionary societies. They have done 
 no harm : and if they Bend out their next mission with less 
 carnal eclat, and more Moravian diffidence, they may perhaps 
 do some good. Their chief fault was in the selection of the 
 men. It appears, that most of them were weak, and most of 
 them novices. 
 
 44 Lord Mornington is taking measures to send home all 
 Frenchmen and republicans. I was applied to lately in a kind 
 of official way, to give some account of the Baptist mission- 
 aries. It was asked, What was their object? How support- 
 
MEMOIR? OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Whether they were not of republican principle? ! A- I 
 had some good data I 8 ing favourably of Mr. 
 confined myself to him. I stated the origin of the Tra; 
 bar mission, and its sueeesi 6 ?.nz, and I repre^ 
 
 Carev as endeavouring to do in Bengal wha; 9i Jid in the 
 
 Deccan. He called upon me lately in hi- ( icutta. 
 
 He considers himse. ing a seed, which haply may 
 
 up and bear fruit. He is - *i n =T his translation of 
 the scrip;;.::?. This is 2 good work. It will be useful to 
 those Hindoos who are somewhat influenced by christian in- 
 ion, and particul seful 1 Hindoo children brought 
 
 up in christian schools. I told Mr. l y. that I thought he 
 could not 1 m\ y his time better than in translating" the b 
 
 I explained to him. from sc s Wi iiich he seem- 
 ed unacquainted, the plan and p: giesfl of the Tamulian E 
 tures, 2nd the circumstances attending the publication. 
 
 •• And now. my dear Sir. pri . - 
 care. I impr: Is.* 1 
 
 The hint which Mr. Buchanan mggested in ding 
 
 is ;o the too confident spirit with which some m;^ 
 lans had been undertaken, ar the principal 
 
 causes of their failure, will be generally icknc hedged to 
 been dictated by the a m k si judgment. 
 
 In the autumn of this year, Mr. Buchanan informed Mr. 
 Grant that he had been recommended to accept a vacant chap- 
 laincy at Bombay. "Being _ rnorant," says he, 
 
 ::" the particulars, I wrote to Mr. F ne accountant 
 
 general there, [who Irishes me to go, explain fully to me 
 the nature of the situation. I: it be the first chaplaincy to the 
 Presidency. I shall accept i;." He adds : •• There is to be a 
 relief of staff this ensuing November. Whethei I shall be 
 included in it. I know no;." 
 
 It is probable that Mr. Buchanan's inquiry respecting the 
 chaplaincy at Bombay proved unsatisfactory. However this 
 may have been, the providence : ! 1 : .: shortly afterwards in- 
 troduced him to a sphere of labour in Calcutta, which 
 equally adapted to his talents and Kris s sn. Towards the 
 
 sc of the year. Lord Mornington appointed him a third chap- 
 lain to the Presidency, and he immediately entered upon the 
 duties of that office. 
 
 One of the earlie- dons of public service, ;o which Mr. 
 
 ^nan was called after this appointmen;. wa - in Febrnaiy 
 
 18 ) : when he preached a sermon at the new church, before 
 
 Lord Mornington and the principal nffi 7 governm ent, 
 
 on the day appointed for M 1 genera] thanksgiving, for the late 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 101 
 
 signal successes obtained by the naval and military forces of his 
 Majesty and of his allies ; and for the ultimate and happy 
 establishment of the tranquillity and security of the British pos- 
 sessions in India." 
 
 This sermon was so highly approved, that Mr. Buchanan 
 received the thanks of the Governor General in Council, with 
 a direction that it should be printed ; and it was undoubtedly 
 a production which well deserved that honour. It was founded 
 on the 11th verse of the 21st Psalm ; M For they intended mis- 
 chief against. Thee ; and imagined such a device, as they are 
 not able to perform :" and contains a luminous and impressive 
 view of the principles, progress, and effects of the new French 
 philosophy, to which Mr. Buchanan justly attributed the awful 
 struggle in which this country was then engaged. This im- 
 portant subject has since received such ample discussion and 
 illustration, that it is happilv no longer necessary to dwell upon 
 it. The following passages from Mr. Buchanan's discourse 
 may, however, with propriety be extracted, in proof of the 
 ability and judgment, as well as the piety, of its author. 
 
 " The contest in which our country has been so long en- 
 gaged hath, in one particular, been of essential service to her, 
 It hath excited a greater respect for christian institutions and 
 christian principles. A long period of internal tranquillity and 
 security had induced an indifference about religion, which was 
 rapidly gaining ground, and was making room for that infi- 
 delity which our enemies wished to substitute. But the cri- 
 tical situation in which the nation was placed, and the dangers 
 that threatened her, led men to review their principles, and to 
 consider seriously by what means she might be saved. Hence 
 there is now a growing regard for christian ordinances. There 
 is now a more general acknowledgment of the providence of 
 -God; more attention is paid to moral character; more care is 
 taken in forming the minds of youth ; and more ample means 
 of instruction are afforded to the common people. 
 
 i; In the anxiety that prevails in the mother-country about 
 the principles of all who are connected with her, she will na- 
 turally be interested to know what is the state of religion 
 amongst us, * How,' she will ask, ' amidst all this revolution 
 of opinion and practice which agitates the world, is that distant 
 society affected ? Are they altogether free from infidel prin- 
 ciples ? And does the public spirit of the people show itself in 
 combating these principles, and in maintaining a respect for 
 christian institutions V 
 
 " However this subject might have been overlooked in the 
 infancy of our settlements, it becomes now a matter of public 
 
 I 2 
 
102 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 consequence. The importance we are daily acquiring in the 
 eyes of the world, and the destructive effects of irreligion in 
 other countries, make it proper that we should show that we 
 yet profess the faith of our country, and that we are yet willing 
 to be accounted a christian community. 
 
 44 On this subject we think there can be but one sentiment. 
 Men of sense and of responsible situation, who love their coun- 
 try, and who know the danger of the new principles, will not, 
 we are persuaded, be averse to show this countenance to the 
 christian religion* Such example is of the more consequence, 
 on account of the great number of young persons who are yearly 
 added to our society. These persons are denied those oppor- 
 tunities of instruction they enjoyed at home ; and they arrive 
 at so early an age, that, in general, their principles are formed 
 and fixed here. And when it is considered that they are here- 
 after to fill the offices in the government of the country, and 
 are to be themselves the guardians of the public principles, it 
 will certainly appear of consequence, that their minds should 
 be impressed with a respect for those religious and moral ob- 
 servances, on which the future safety and happiness of the coun- 
 try depend." 
 
 44 — Skepticism and infidelity are not now so well received 
 in society as they once were. It was formerly thought a mark 
 of superior understanding to profess infidelity. It was thought 
 a proof of some learning to think differently from others on re- 
 ligious subjects. 
 
 M But we have now seen, that the most illiterate and most 
 abandoned of the human race can be infidels. 
 
 44 We have also seen, that there is no superstition more irra- 
 tional in its effects, no fanaticism more degrading to the human 
 mind, than the fanaticism of infidelity. 
 
 44 We have further seen the moral effects of infidelity ; 
 effects flowing directly from it, acknowledging no other source. 
 And after what we have seen of these effects, we think no man 
 can add to his respectability in society, either for understanding 
 or for moral character, by avowing himself to be an advocate 
 for infidelity." 
 
 * 4 — But we trust that the great body of our society is yet 
 animated by christian principles, and that they are ready to 
 make common cause with their country in defending these prin- 
 ciples to the uttermost. 
 
 44 Some will doubt, and some will disbelieve, but it is an 
 eternal truth, that the christian religion is the rock on which 
 rests our existence as a civilized nation ; on which rest our 
 social blessings, and our individual happiness. Take away 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 103 
 
 this rock, and you give your country to convulsion and endless 
 disgrace. Built on this rock, she hath withstood the violence 
 of the storms that have so long assailed her. Secure and tran- 
 quil in the midst of the tempest, she stands at this hour firm 
 and impregnable, while those who built on the ' sands of infi- 
 delity/ have been overthrown." 
 
 Copies of Mr. Buchanan's thanksgiving sermon were dis- 
 tributed by order of government in every part of British India, 
 and sent home to the Directors of the East India Company. 
 
 " You may easily conceive," says Mr. Buchanan, writing to 
 a friend in England, well acquainted with the prevalence of 
 skeptical principles at that period in India, "the astonishment 
 of men at these religious proceedings. However, all was silence 
 and decent acquiescence. It became fashionable to say, that 
 religion was a very proper thing, that no civilized state could 
 subsist without it ; and it was reckoned much the same thing to 
 praise the French, as to praise infidelity." 
 
 The importance of this public recognition of Christianity as 
 the only basis of civil prosperity, was soon perceived in the in- 
 creasing attention to personal religion. 
 
 "Our christian society," adds Mr. Buchanan to the same 
 friend, " flourishes. Merit is patronized, immoral characters 
 are marked ; and young men of good inclinations have the best 
 opportunities of improvement." 
 
 The same happy effects were thus distinctly stated by Mr. 
 Brown, in a memorial on the general state of society in Cal- 
 cutta, drawn up some years afterwards, for the information of 
 the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. 
 
 "These solemn acts," observes that excellent man, "and 
 the public thanksgivings, which took place for the first time 
 under Marquis "Wellesley's government, awakened a religious 
 sense of things in many ; and led to an open and general ac- 
 knowledgment of the divine Providence, which has been highly 
 beneficial to the interests of true religion and virtue." 
 
 On Mr. Buchanan's removal to Calcutta, he thus resumed 
 the account of his studies and proceedings, in a letter to Mr. 
 Henry Thornton. 
 
 " The plan of study I formed about two years and a half ago 
 has not suffered any material alteration since. I soon, how- 
 ever, discovered the small value of the Persian and Hindostanee 
 languages to me, and was contented with a superficial acquaint- 
 ance with them. My scriptural studies I pursue with my first 
 purpose, and I hope I shall continue to pursue them to the day 
 of my death. My general studies have been much diversified 
 by correspondence in different parts of India, on subjects clas- 
 
104 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN'. 
 
 sical, mathematical, and theological. The latter has been the 
 most laborious and generally the most pleasant. This sub- 
 ject is often forced upon me. But I have seldom permitted 
 myself to defend Christianity. I have usually acted on the 
 offensive, and attacked infidelity. This is a verv unpleasant 
 mode to the infidel. Daring the last year I received many 
 anonymous letters, particularly from young persons, on pole- 
 mical divinity ; but the correspondence has generally ended in 
 real mines. In consequence, I am often applied to for books, 
 and have expended much in purchasing valuable works at our 
 dear market. Small religious tracts are of little service to those 
 with whom I have to do. 
 
 " My public ministrations have been rare, but perhaps not so 
 rare as from my situation might be expected. Of the three 
 years I have been in India, including the number of times I 
 have officiated at the hospital in Calcutta, and in my own 
 house at Barrackpore, I have preached on an average once a 
 fortnight. 
 
 ii .My great affliction since I came to India has been bad 
 health. I feel a languor of constitution, and a difficulty of res- 
 piration, which no medical aid has yet been able to remove. 
 This I sometimes think has taken away one-half of the energy 
 and usefulness I might have preserved or acquired in a cooler 
 region. But this also is the dispensation of God; and it has 
 added to me that, which elsewhere I might not have found." 
 
 In a letter, however, to Mr. Newton, about the same time. 
 Mr. Buchanan observes, " I have enjoyed better health this 
 year than in any former : and I trust that I shall be strengthen- 
 ed and spared for some service." 
 
 During the tirst six months of the year 1S00. the plan of a 
 collegiate institution had been formed by Lord Mornington, 
 (who. in consequence of the splendid successes of his policy in 
 the Mysore, had been created Marquis Wellesley,) for the pur- 
 pose of promoting the literary improvement of the younger civil 
 servants of the Company. This important measure, in the 
 arrangement and conduct of which Mr. Buchanan was so essen- 
 tially concerned, he thus mentioned in the month of June in a 
 letter to Mr. Grant. 
 
 M Lord Wellesley is at present engaged in founding a col- 
 lege for the instruction of the young civil servants in eastern 
 literature and general learning He desired me to draw out a 
 sketch of the constitution of the college, which I did. And 
 now Mr. Barlow has instructed me to draw up a minute as a 
 justification of the measure. Lord Wellesley proposes that 
 Mr. Brown should be the Provost of the college ; and he is 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 105 
 
 certainly the fittest man in Calcutta for that office. I had him 
 lift my mind when drawing up the duties of Provost. There 
 will be about eight or ten professors. No promotion in the 
 service, but through the medium of this institution. The stu- 
 dents to remain at college for three or five years. Prizes and 
 honours to be proposed for those who distinguish themselves, 
 and degrees to be taken to qualify for certain offices.' ' 
 
 Some allusion is made to the subject introduced in the pre- 
 ceding extract in the two following letters from Mrs. Buchanan, 
 which, as they exhibit a pleasing and faithful picture of a most 
 amiable woman, very early removed from this world, it may 
 not be uninteresting to insert, before we proceed to a more en- 
 larged view of the college of Fort William. 
 
 The first is addressed to Mr. Newton, and is dated Calcutta, 
 24th June, 1800. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — Mr. Buchanan assures me that you will excuse 
 the liberty I take in writing to you. I have long wished to ac- 
 knowledge the debt I owe you for your valuable works. They 
 have been blessed to many, and I trust will be also blessed to 
 me. But I believe I am still more indebted to you as the friend, 
 father, and instructor of my beloved husband ; as such, I must 
 consider you as the instrument, under God, of my present 
 happiness. 
 
 You will be glad to hear that Mr. B.'s health is of late much 
 improved ; but I am alarmed lest his approaching labours 
 should be too much for him. We have reason to believe that 
 he will be appointed a professor in the new college. He him- 
 self wishes to decline it, but his friends do not see how it is 
 possible, as he has taken an active part in the institution. It is 
 supposed that he may have his choice of three professorships, 
 classics, mathematics, or the belles-lettres. I believe his inten- 
 tion is to accept of a situation in college, if it be easy; but if 
 not, to decline it on the plea of health. 
 
 " Dear sir, I cannot expect to see you in this world ; may I 
 therefore request you to send your blessing to me and my little 
 girl. 
 
 " I desire my love to your niece, and remain, my dear sir, 
 yours, with christian affection, Mary Buchanan." 
 
 The second of these letters is to Mr. Elliott ; and while it 
 expresses with equal simplicity the advancing piety of her own 
 mind, it recognizes the support which Lord Wellesley was 
 then affording to religion in Calcutta. It is of the same date 
 with the former. 
 
106 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — Your letter to Mr. Buchanan, in which you 
 mention our marriage, gave me real pleasure. And as you ex- 
 pressed a wish that I should write to you, 1 take this opportu- 
 nity to thank you for your affectionate congratulations. You 
 have reason indeed to congratulate me. It is the happiest cir- 
 cumstance in my life, that I ever came to India ; where I have 
 heen united to one whose endeavours God has been pleased to 
 bless, in leading me to some knowledge of the everlasting gos- 
 pel. It is a new gospel to me, and I seem to live in a new 
 world, differing far more from my old world, than India differs 
 from England. May I request your prayers, that this good 
 work may be carried on in my heart, and that it may issue in 
 honour to my beloved husband, and to his ministry here ? He 
 has much to encourage him in the work of the gospel. There 
 is an evident change in the face of the society here, even in 
 the short time since I arrived in the country. Lord Wellesley 
 seems inclined to support the christian religion by every means. 
 Vital religion also is increasing. It seems to be fostered under 
 the wing of that general sanction to Christianity which has 
 lately been given. This is the only place in India where reli- 
 gion is countenanced. We have now many respectable fami- 
 lies here in which piety meets with real encouragement. I 
 remain, dear sir, yours, with much esteem, 
 
 Mary Buchanan.' ' 
 
 By the despatch which conveyed the two preceding letters, 
 Mr. Buchanan sent another remittance to his mother, to the 
 comfort of whose declining years he was afterwards enabled 
 still more largely to contribute. 
 
 On the 18th of August, 1800, the college of Fort William, 
 which had been virtually in operation since the 4th of May, 
 was formally established by a minute in council,* in which the 
 Governor General detailed at length his reasons for such an in- 
 stitution. The important part which Mr. Buchanan took in 
 the formation and subsequent conduct of that establishment 
 will sufficiently justify the following brief abstract of the able 
 and interesting document referred to. 
 
 The British possessions in India, said his Lordship, now 
 constitute one of the most extensive and populous empires in 
 the world. The immediate administration of the government 
 of the various provinces and nations composing this empire, is 
 principally confided to the European civil servants of the East 
 
 \ 
 
 *See "The College of Fort William, in Bengal," published by Mr, Bu- 
 chanan in 1805. 
 
MEMOIRS Of DR. BUCHANAN. 107 
 
 India Company. Upon them, in consequence, devolve the 
 duties of dispensing justice to millions of people of various 
 languages, manners, usages, and religions ; of administering a 
 vast and complicated system of revenue throughout districts, 
 equal in extent to some of the most considerable kingdoms in 
 Europe; and of maintaining civil order in one of the most 
 populous and litigous regions of the world. They can, there- 
 fore, no longer be considered as the agents of a commercial 
 concern ; they are, in fact, the ministers and officers of a pow- 
 erful sovereign, and must be viewed in that capacity, with a 
 reference, not to their nominal, but to their real occupations. 
 Their education should consequently be founded in a general 
 knowledge of those branches of literature and science which 
 form the basis of the education of persons destined to similar 
 offices in Europe. To this foundation should be added an in- 
 timate acquaintance with the history, languages, customs, and 
 manners of the people of India, with the Mohammedan and 
 Hindoo codes of law and religion, and with the political inter- 
 ests and relations of Great Britain in Asia. They should be 
 regularly instructed in the principles and system w r hich consti- 
 tute the foundation of that wise code of regulations and laws 
 enacted by the Governor General in council, for the purpose of 
 securing to the people of this empire the benefit of the ancient 
 and established laws of the country, administered in the spirit 
 of the British constitution. Finally, their early habits should 
 be so formed, as to establish in their minds such solid founda- 
 tions of industry, prudence, integrity, and religion, as should 
 effectually guard them against those temptations and corrup- 
 tions with which the nature of the climate, and the peculiar 
 depravity of the people of India, will surround and assail them 
 in every station, especially upon their first arrival in India. 
 The early discipline of the service should be calculated to 
 counteract the defects of the climate and the vices of the peo- 
 ple, and to form a natural barrier against habitual indolence, 
 dissipation, and licentious indulgence: the spirit of emulation 
 in honourable and useful pursuits should be kindled and kept 
 alive by the continual prospect of distinction and reward, of 
 profit and honour ; nor should any precaution be relaxed in 
 India which is deemed necessary in England, to furnish a suf- 
 ficient supply of men, qualified to fill the high offices of the 
 state, with credit to themselves, and with advantage to the 
 public. 
 
 It would be unnecessary, continued Lord Wellesley, in the 
 document referred to, to enter into any examination of facts, 
 to prove that no system of education, study, or discipline now 
 
108 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 exists, either in Europe or in India, founded on the principles, 
 or directed to the objects, before described. His Lordship, 
 however, proceeded to review the course through which the 
 junior civil servants of the East India Company then entered 
 upon the important duties of their respective stations ; and the 
 result of this examination tended to prove, that the actual state 
 of the Company's civil service in India was far removed from 
 perfection or efficiency, and that the cause of this defect was 
 to be found principally, if not exclusively, in the imperfect 
 education of the junior civil servants, and in the insufficient 
 discipline of the early stages of the service. 
 
 In reply to the general argument, which might be adduced 
 to disprove the necessity of any new institution, on the ground 
 that the service of the East India Company had, through a 
 long period of years, always furnished men equal to the exi- 
 gency of the occasion, it was contended, that extraordinary 
 combinations of human affairs, wars, revolutions, and all those 
 unusual events which form the marked features and prominent 
 characters of the history of mankind, naturally bring to light 
 talents and exertions adapted to such emergencies. But that 
 it must never be forgotten, that the successive efforts of the 
 personages thus raised up, and the final result of various revo- 
 lutions and wars, had imposed upon the East India Company 
 the arduous and sacred trust of governing a great empire ; that 
 duty, policy, and honour required that it should not be admi- 
 nistered as a temporary and precarious acquisition, but as a 
 permanent succession ; and that in this view its internal govern- 
 ment should not be left to depend on the success of individual 
 or accidental merit, struggling against the defects of established 
 institutions; but should be so ordered as to secure a constant, 
 steady, and regular supply of able magistrates, wise and ho- 
 nest judges, and skilful statesmen, properly qualified to con- 
 duct the ordinary movements of its administration. 
 
 An additional motive for such an institution as was then 
 meditated, was derived from the acknowledged fact, that at this 
 period the erroneous and pestilent principles of the French 
 revolutionary school had reached the minds of some indivi- 
 duals in the service of the company in India ; and that the state, 
 as well of political as religious opinions, had been in some de- 
 gree unsettled. An institution, therefore, tending to fix and 
 establish sound and correct principles of religion and govern- 
 ment in the minds of the junior servants of the Company at 
 an early period of life, was the best security that could be pro- 
 vided for the stability of the British power in India. 
 
 After discussing the practicability of forming any adequate 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 109 
 
 establishment in England for the purpose of duly educating 
 such a body of men as had been described, and determining 
 that it could not be obtained otherwise than in India, the Go- 
 vernor General concluded by declaring, that a college was by 
 this minute in council founded at Fort William, for the better 
 instruction of the junior civil servants of the Company in such 
 branches of literature, science, and knowledge, as might be 
 deemed necessary to qualify them for the discharge of the du- 
 ties of the different offices constituted for the administration of 
 the government of the British possessions in the East Indies. 
 
 The general reasons upon which the Marquis Wellesley * 
 proceeded in the formation of this important institution, must . 
 be admitted to be characterized by the soundest views of a li- 
 beral and enlightened policy. Whatever difference of opinion 
 may exist as to the extent or detailed arrangement of the estab- 
 lishment, there can scarcely be any as to the principles upon 
 which it was founded. The success, too, of the institution, as 
 will be hereafter seen, fully justified the wisdom of the original 
 plan, and reflects the highest honour on its distinguished 
 author, 
 
 The immediate government of the college was vested in a 
 Provost and Vice-Provost, and three other officers, to whose 
 notice every part of the private conduct of the students, their 
 expenses, their connexions, their manners, and morals, were to 
 be subject. Professorships were established in the languages 
 chiefly spoken and used in the different provinces of India, in 
 Hindoo and Mohammedan law, in the regulations and law r s 
 enacted at the several presidencies for the civil government of 
 the British territories, in political economy, and particularly 
 the commercial institutions and interests of the East India 
 Company, and in various branches of literature and science. 
 There was also to be a considerable establishment of learned 
 natives attached to the college ; some of whom w T ere to be em- 
 ployed in teaching the students, others in making translations, 
 and others in composing original works in the oriental tongues. 
 
 The excitements to exertion in the college of Fort William 
 were of the highest and most effective nature ; and its moral, 
 economical, and religious discipline, such as was admirably 
 calculated to promote all that is virtuous, dignified, and useful 
 in civil society. This latter most important branch of the in- 
 stitution w T as, in an especial manner, confided to the Provost 
 and Vice-Provost, who were thus honourably introduced to the 
 public notice by its noble founder. 
 
 " Fortunately," observes his lordship, " for the objects of 
 the institution, the Governor General has found at Calcutta two 
 
 K 
 
110 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 clergymen of the Church of England, eminently qualified to 
 discharge the duties of Provost and Vice-Provost. To the 
 former office he has appointed Mr. Brown, the Company's 
 first chaplain, and to the latter, Mr. Buchanan. Mr. Brown's 
 character must be well known in England, and particularly so 
 to some members of the Court of Directors ; it is in every re- 
 spect such as to satisfy the Governor General that his views, 
 in this nomination, will not be disappointed. He has also formed 
 the highest expectations from the abilities, learning, temper, 
 and morals of Mr. Buchanan, whose character is also well 
 known in England, and particularly to Dr. Porteus, Bishop of 
 London, and to Dr. Milner, Master of Queen's College in the 
 University of Cambridge." 
 
 A body of statutes was afterwards compiled and promulgated 
 by Marquis Wellesley, which regulated the admission of stu- 
 dents and professors, the lectures, exercises, examinations, and 
 public disputations, and every other branch of the college bu- 
 siness. The office of the Provost, and, virtually, of the Vice- 
 Provost, was expressed in the following terms. 
 
 44 It shall be the peculiar province and sacred duty of the 
 Provost governing the college at Fort William, to guard the 
 moral and religious interests of the institution, and vigilantly 
 to superintend the conduct and principles of all its members. 
 
 " Divine service shall be performed in the college chapel at 
 such times as the Provost shall appoint." 
 
 Provision was also made by the statutes for applying the in- 
 ternal authority of the superior officers of the college, to 
 strengthen and confirm within our eastern possessions the at- 
 tachment of the civil servants of the Company to the laws and 
 constitution of Great Britain, and to maintain and uphold the 
 christian religion in that quarter of the globe. 
 
 Of the formation of the preceding institution, and of seve- 
 ral additional particulars respecting it, Mr. Buchanan wrote to 
 Mr. Grant a few days after the date of Lord Wellesley's mi- 
 nute in council, on his way to Prince of Wales' Island, where 
 he stayed about a month, for the benefit of Mrs. Buchanan's 
 health, which was already beginning to be impaired. 
 
 "Sauger Roads, 23d Aug. 1800. 
 " Dear Sir, — We have no news at present but what relates 
 to the new college, which is now founded. It consists of a 
 Provost, Vice-Provost, and Professors. All the writers, and 
 some of the cadets, (the learned and well-recommended,) are 
 admitted to the benefits of the institution. A building for the 
 college, to contain two hundred students, is to be immediately 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. Ill 
 
 erected in Garden Reach, together with a chapel, hall, &c. 
 Mr. Speke's house, and Mr. Cowper's, will form part of the 
 college; being intended for the principal officers. In the mean- 
 time, a range of large houses in Calcutta is taken for present 
 use, not far from the writers' buildings. Mr. Brown is appoint- 
 ed Provost of the college. His duties are to receive the young 
 men on their arrival, and to be their official friend. I have 
 been appointed Vice-Provost. His duties are very laborious. 
 When I planned them, I little thought I should be called to 
 execute them. He is the censor morum, and arbiter of offi- 
 cial and personal proprieties in college." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan next inserts a list of the professors already - 
 appointed ; in which his own name appears as Professor of 
 Greek, Latin, and English classics. He then continues as 
 follows : 
 
 "The college council, or caput, consists of Provost, Vice- 
 Provost, and Messrs. Barlow, Kirkpatrick, and Edmonstone. 
 
 " A public table to be established for the students. Their 
 moonshees to be attached to the college. No student in debt 
 to be admitted to the college, or to have promotion in service 
 afterwards. Means are to be taken to pay off the debts of 
 many students, in the first instance. The discipline is to be 
 most rigid. Rewards and honours to the deserving, very libe- 
 ral. Notwithstanding the expense to government of support- 
 ing table, moonshees, &c. the students are to have their three 
 hundred rupees a month, in full. 
 
 "By this institution, two hundred students, the whole gene- 
 ration of English India, will be put, in some degree, under the 
 direction of Mr. Brown and myself. 
 
 w Lectures will probably commence on the first of Novem- 
 ber, 1800. Four terms in a year of two months, and four va- 
 cations of one month. 
 
 " I mention the foregoing particulars at this time, because 
 they may, perhaps, have some influence on yourself or friends, 
 who may be thinking of sending their sons to India." 
 
 This last observation of Mr. Buchanan, which evidently 
 points at the security to be afforded by the new establishment 
 to the moral and religious principles and habits of the students, 
 derives strength from the following striking passage in the ori- 
 ginal minute of Lord Wellesley. 
 
 "This institution," said his lordship, " will be best appre- 
 ciated by every affectionate parent in the hour of separation 
 from his child, destined to the public service in India. Let 
 any parent, (especially if he has himself passed through the 
 Company's service in India,) declare whether the prospect of 
 
112 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 this institution has aggravated or mitigated the solicitude of 
 that painful hour ; whether it has raised additional doubts and 
 fears, or inspired a more lively hope of the honourable and 
 prosperous service, of the early and fortunate return of his 
 child." 
 
 It may perhaps afford a still more clear and interesting view 
 of the actual plan of the college of Fort William, if we sub- 
 join the two following letters from Mr. Buchanan to the young 
 friend who has been already mentioned as enjoying his confi- 
 dential correspondence. ■ 
 
 " Calcutta, 1st Nov. 1800. 
 
 " My dear Friend, — Yours of the 27th October I have just 
 received. I dare not advise with respect to the college. Some 
 gentlemen have taken advantage of the regulation, and some 
 declined it. Some are satisfied that the college will promote 
 their interests ; and some are satisfied that it will hurt them. 
 Unless you are sure that you ought to come, and therefore 
 come with a good will and ardent hopes, I would rather you 
 would not come ; for unless you distinguish yourself in some 
 degree for your attention, success in study, and moral conduct, 
 it would have been better for you that you had never seen the 
 college at all. Eecollect there will be nearly one hundred and 
 thirty students, fifty of whom are now in Calcutta applying 
 themselves closely to their studies. 
 
 " With respect to your college life, it will be what you make 
 it. To some it will be very irksome, to others perfect free- 
 dom. So large a body must be governed by statutes, and these 
 statutes shall be strictly enforced ; but the whole institution is 
 built on liberal principles ; intended for gentlemen, for grown 
 gentlemen, for men who enter it with the purpose of attaining 
 to a certain object; and who are therefore willing to sacrifice 
 something to the general good, as well as their own ultimate 
 advantage. 
 
 "Mrs. Buchanan joins me in best regards to you and Mr. 
 Darell, and I am very sincerely yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 « To W. P. Elliott, Esq., Malda." 
 
 To the same. 
 
 " My dear Friend, — Your letter of the 7th, mentioning your 
 purpose of coming to college, I have just received. Whether 
 you have done right I shall be able to tell you in about a year 
 hence ; not sooner. So entirely does it depend on yourself. 
 
 " Before you obtain your qualifying degree in the college at 
 Fort William to serve the Company, you must hold four pub- 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 113 
 
 lie disputations in the Persian or Bengalee languages, once as 
 respondent, and thrice as opponent. As respondent, you are 
 to defend a proposition given by yourself on a moral, literary, 
 or historical subject, or concerning oriental manners and cus- 
 toms, against the objections of any three opponents who may 
 be appointed. You are first to pronounce an essay on your 
 subject, and then begin to defend it extempore, in classical 
 Persian, against the meditated objections of your opponents ; 
 and this in public, before all Calcutta, and before all the na- 
 tives of rank and learning, rajahs, pundits, moulvies, and 
 moonshees ; — an august tribunal ! 
 
 "You are also to recite in public, at six different times, six, 
 essays or declamations composed by yourself on subjects 
 which shall be given you, in the English language. Every 
 student who takes a degree at Fort William must give proofs 
 of his being a classical English scholar ; and a practical one. 
 
 " Ex pede Herculem. Here is a ploughshare or two of your 
 college ordeah Be not surprised, then, that I did not urge 
 your coming. Here there is room for honour, and also for 
 disgrace. 
 
 " As for the number of horses you wish to bring down,— 
 * consider what hath been said.' 
 
 " You and all of your year will have quarters in the Wri- 
 ters' Buildings ; two in a house. There is no choice. Mr. 
 Barlow will place you where there is a vacancy on your ar- 
 rival. 
 
 " You will not be called down for a considerable time ; and 
 I suppose will see little of cavalry exercise this year. 
 
 *' Yours very sincerely, C. Buchanan." 
 
 ^Calcutta, 17th Nov. 1800." 
 
 In order to complete the specimen which has just been 
 given of the views with which the younger servants of the 
 Company entered the college of Fort William, it may not be 
 improper to add the following extract of a letter from Mr. W. 
 Elliott to one of his friends, who was then deliberating as to 
 his own determination. 
 
 " Malda, December 14, 1800. 
 " — Not to detain you longer from the subject of your letter, 
 I will state to you the reasons which induce me to enter the 
 college. 
 
 " 1 must confess to you that I sacrifice considerable present 
 advantages ; but if I may judge from all that Lord Wellesley 
 has hitherto done, he is far too generous to allow us to sustain 
 
 K3 
 
114 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 
 
 any loss which he will not make up on our leaving college. I 
 say this on the supposition that he will continue so long in the 
 government. If he does not. I shall still have the satisfaction 
 of knowing myself qualified for any situation whatever. 
 
 u As the opportunities ol information now offered are many, 
 the examination of those who decline them will he propor- 
 tionally strict : nor do I think myself qualified, or that I could 
 qualify myself in this jungle, for any situation other than lhal 
 of a commercial resident. 
 
 •• As it is not my present intention to accept any thing less 
 than a good residency, you will not be surprised that I de- 
 vote two years and a half to improve mvself in the languages, 
 and in whatever else is to be taught in the college ; at the end 
 of which time. I shall not have been more than live years and 
 a half in the country. Besides. I think it a most dangerous 
 experiment to decline entering the college. We have nothing 
 so much to dread as the being set aside, or not thought o\^ 
 when any appointment of trust becomes vacant: which will 
 in my opinion certainly be the case with those who thus act. 
 
 "I am. moreover, one of those eccentric beings, who think 
 that knowledge and information cannot be purchased at too dear 
 a rate : and 1 do expect, from the known abilities of my friend 
 Mr. Buchanan, and some of the other professors, not only to 
 attain the immediate object which I have in view, a knowledge 
 of the languages, and of my duty as a servant o{ the Com- 
 pany, but also improvement in those political studies which no 
 gentleman should be ignorant of. Our education has not left 
 us wholly uninformed on these subjects : but the early age at 
 which we left England must have prevented our obtaining that 
 degree of knowledge requisite for sustaining with eclat the 
 rank in life which we hope to rill on our return home. Mr. 
 Brown, the Provost, wrote to me, that the advantages of the 
 college were so palpable, and the danger in declining it so 
 great, that I could not reasonably hesitate on the subject." 
 
 The appointment of the superior officers of the college was 
 notified in a Calcutta gazette extraordinary on the 20ih of Sep- 
 tember, 1800, though they were not formally admitted to their 
 offices till the 24th of April following. Towards the close of 
 the former year, an advertisement was published in different 
 parts of India, announcing the establishment of the college, 
 and inviting men of learning and knowledge, moulvies, pun- 
 dits, and moonshees, to Calcutta, for the purpose of submit- 
 ting to an examination with a view to the choice of some as 
 teachers in the college. About fifty natives, and subsequently 
 a larger number, were in consequence attached to it. 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 115 
 
 Lectures in the Arabic, Hindostanee, and Persian languages, 
 commenced in the month of November, 1800 ; and the first 
 regular term opened on the 6th of February following. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 With the commencement of the year 1801, Mr. Buchanan 
 entered upon his important and laborious duties as Vice-Pro- 
 vost and Professor of Classics in the college of Fort William. 
 His health and spirits had hitherto been more or less depress- 
 ed ; nor was the former likely to be improved by the various 
 weighty engagements which now devolved upon him. A 
 work, however, had at length been assigned to him, both in 
 the college, and as one of the chaplains of the Presidency; 
 which, while it demanded his utmost talents and exertions, 
 deeply interested his feelings, and animated him with the hope 
 of becoming extensively useful in India. Early in this year 
 he thus wrote to Mr. Grant. 
 
 " Since my last to you, dated Kedgeree, when I was going 
 to sea, nothing of importance has occurred here. The regu- 
 lation concerning the college has been carried into effect, and 
 the institution has already acquired energy and tranquillity. 
 We have about an hundred students ; the greater part of whom 
 promise to distinguish themselves. There are as remarkable 
 instances of application here, as I have known at Cambridge. 
 
 " Both the churches are generally full, particularly in the 
 cold weather. The college chapel has punkas, which will 
 probably draw a great number of the townspeople during the 
 hot season. Lord Wellesley has fitted up a pew for himself 
 in chapel. 
 
 " Mr. Obeck breakfasted with Mrs. Buchanan this morning, 
 and pleased her much with the account he gave of you and 
 your family for a series of years in this country. The old 
 man still retains his faculties in vigour, and is strong in body. 
 His office at present is the distribution of four or five hundred 
 rupees a month to the poor. The cold meat of college sup- 
 ports a great number of poor Portuguese and English." 
 
 On the 16th and 18th of the same month, Mr. Buchanan 
 again wrote to Mr. Grant. The following are extracts from 
 his letters. 
 
 " While we remained at Penang, Sir George Leith, the 
 Governor, stated to me the want of a chaplain on the island. 
 I have since represented it to Lord Wellesley, who said he 
 
116 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 would mention the subject to the Court of Directors. Lord 
 W. allows one hundred dollars a month for a lay-chaplain. 
 Perhaps you might effect an appointment of a regular chaplain 
 at two hundred dollars more." 
 
 44 Lord W. has had serious thoughts of building a larger 
 church. But the college institution has deranged his plans a 
 little. If you cannot give us a new church at present, we 
 shall (hank you for a clock and bell ; and also for a singing 
 man and organist. The charity boys sing in the two churches 
 and in the college chapel every Sunday. And there are or- 
 gans in each, but only one organist. 
 
 44 Some of the college students have already made most dis- 
 tinguished proficiency in the oriental languages. By the statutes 
 they must be able to hold public disputations in these languages 
 on a given subject. Ten of the first proficients go out the first 
 year, and twenty the second. The spirit of emulation, of in- 
 terest, and of fame, is excited in a very remarkable degree. No 
 impropriety of conduct is known. All is silence, and study. 
 and decorum. They all dine in the college hall, in the pre- 
 sence of the professors. 
 
 44 There are some instances of a serious spirit of religious 
 inquiry among the students. 
 
 44 Lord Wellesley wants some persons of distinguished 
 ability in science and classics to superintend in college, and 
 thinks, properly, that they should, if possible, be clerical men. 
 He has asked me for names, and I have mentioned those of 
 several wranglers and medallists, which, he says, he will send 
 to Mr. Dundas. Two or three of them promised once to do 
 honour to their profession. 
 
 * ; Mr. Brown is in a precarious state of health at present ; 
 and I have never been strong. No such field is any where to 
 be found for learning and piety, as that which Calcutta at this 
 time exhibits. 
 
 44 Sir Alured Clarke has just left us. He is entitled to the 
 thanks of your Court for his attention to divine service, and for 
 the general good example he has set to your settlement here." 
 
 In his next letter to Mr. Grant, Mr. Buchanan had the plea- 
 sure of introducing to him one of his earliest friends, Mr. Alex- 
 ander Campbell, the second officer of the Walsingham East In- 
 diaman, and afterwards commander of the United Kingdom. 
 
 44 He was once," says Mr. Buchanan, 44 a pupil of mine, 
 when I was fourteen, and he was ten years of age. He is the 
 son of a respectable family ; and though he was formerly gay, 
 
 * A chaplain has since been appointed to the island. 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 117 
 
 he is now more steady, and has had opportunities lately of 
 seeing great changes of heart in those around him. He was," 
 and it was surely a singular coincidence, " fourth officer of the 
 Busbridge, which brought me to India. I do not know what 
 you can do for him, farther than by recommending him as an 
 active and intelligent officer, which he is. He does not much 
 like the sea, and would gladly retire to a quiet and certain situa- 
 tion. But I have advised him to continue in his present line, 
 and to maintain his activity and integrity before all men. 
 
 " General Lake is just arrived. He and his family were at 
 church yesterday." 
 
 In the month of June following, Mr. Buchanan thus resumes- 
 his account of the two subjects of Indian intelligence most in- 
 teresting to himself, the church and the college, in a letter to 
 Mr. Grant, and announces Mrs. Buchanan's approaching return 
 to England. 
 
 " Our church continues in much the same state in which I 
 described it to be in my last. We have had an addition of 
 some communicants, chiefly from college. The church thins a 
 little always in the hot months of May and June. Lord W. has 
 proposed to use punkas and tatties ; and it is probable that we 
 shall have recourse to them next season. 
 
 " The college still goes on with spirit and energy. Some 
 of the students will leave it, and enter on the service in Decem- 
 ber 1801 (this year.) I see clearly that all our future profes- 
 sors and examiners will be taken from among those who have 
 been students. It is with the greatest difficulty that we can find 
 in the whole service examiners in the various languages, who 
 have confidence to face the students. So that we have been 
 obliged to take our examiners from among the professors, which 
 is rather contrary to the statutes." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan appears to have detained this letter till after 
 the 3d of July, on which day the first public examination of the 
 college students took place. The name of his young friend, 
 Mr. William Elliott, appeared at the head of the first class in 
 the Persian and Hindostanee languages, and in Nagree writing, 
 and in the first class of Arabic. Mr. Buchanan speaks also of 
 the good conduct and distinguished proficiency in the languages, 
 of some other young men, as being above all praise. He then 
 adverts to the health of Mrs. Buchanan, who since her return 
 from Pulo Penang had experienced a return of her consump- 
 tive complaint, which made it necessary for her to try the effect 
 of her native air. " Should her health," he adds, " be restored, 
 she will return to India, after a short residence with her family." 
 
 Accordingly on the 25th of July, 1801, Mrs. Buchanan em- 
 
118 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 barked for England, taking with her their eldest daughter, 
 Charlotte, and leaving the youngest, Augusta, then not quite 
 six months old, with Mr. Buchanan. Her voyage was stormy, 
 and otherwise perilous and painful , but she reached her native 
 country in safety on the 18th of February, 1802. 
 
 She was the bearer of a letter to one of Mr. Buchanan's 
 friends, in which he mentions that the regular attendance of 
 the greater number of the students on divine worship, and still 
 more decisive proofs of serious impressions amongst them, had 
 given him new ardour and new hopes, that the college of Fort 
 William would prove a religious as well as a literary institution 
 to many of them. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan then observes in reply to a suggestion of his 
 correspondent, whether he might not have attempted to preach 
 to the Hindoos, that independently of various other impedi- 
 ments, it was inconsistent with the rules prescribed to him as a 
 chaplain of the Company ;* but that, although he had not con- 
 verted any natives, he had been honoured as the instrument of 
 the conversion of souls in India, and had seen some of them die 
 in the faith. 
 
 The friend to whom Mr. Buchanan was writing had also 
 hinted that some of his English correspondents were disap- 
 pointed at so seldom hearing from him. To this he thus satis- 
 factorily replies. 
 
 " I had such a numerous body of friends and acquaintances, 
 literary and religious, in Scotland and in England, that I found 
 itw r as in vain to attempt a correspondence with them all in my 
 infirm state of health. I have therefore scarcely written to any 
 one, but to yourself, Mr. Newton, and Mr. Grant. I have less 
 time now than ever; and even my letters to you will be less 
 frequent. The chief labour of the churches is devolving fast 
 upon me. My religious correspondence in India is greater 
 than at any former time. The whole direction of the college 
 lies with me ; every paper is drawn up by me ; and every thing 
 that is printed is revised by me. In addition to this, I give 
 Greek and Latin lectures four days in the week during term ; 
 and I must visit and receive visits on an average twice a day. 
 
 " You desired me to say something in self-defence, else I 
 should not have given you the above. I am yet an unprofitable 
 servant, very unworthy the lowest place in my Master's vine- 
 yard ; and I am supported chiefly at times by the feeble hope 
 
 * It must be remembered, that a considerable change with respect to religion 
 lias taken place in India since the period to which this observation refers, and 
 that what was then a subject of the most jealous suspicion, is now regarded with 
 more liberal and christian feelings. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 119 
 
 that the Lord, who works by any means, will be pleased to 
 work even by me." 
 
 From the time that Mr. Buchanan removed to the Presidency, 
 he generally preached at one or other of the churches in Cal- 
 cutta once, and sometimes twice, on the Sunday. It appears 
 also from a book of memoranda, in which he briefly noticed 
 his engagements during the five most active years of his resi- 
 dence in India, that he occasionally preached the weekly even- 
 ing lecture, which had been established by Mr. Brown. In 
 writing to a friend at Cambridge, Mr. Buchanan observed, that, 
 the congregations at the new church were more numerous* 
 than those at St. Mary's, more elegant, equally critical, and' 
 perhaps not less intelligent. To address such audiences with 
 acceptance and effect must consequently have demanded much 
 laborious preparation. At the mission church the congregations 
 were chiefly composed of those who simply sought christian in- 
 struction and edification. 
 
 Of the general tenor of his discourses at both places, some 
 idea may be formed from the preceding view of his character 
 and sentiments. A few notices of the subjects of his preaching 
 occur amongst the memoranda just referred to. The following 
 are some of them. "The inward witness to Christianity," 
 from 1 John v. 10. " The barren fig-tree," at the close of the 
 year 1801. "In Adam all die," on the Easter following. 
 " The second Adam." " Jairus." " On Knowledge." " "We 
 preach Christ crucified." " The second advent." "Abraham 
 seeking a country." " St. Paul at Athens." " If then ye be 
 risen with Christ, seek those things which are above." These 
 are but scanty memorials of Mr. Buchanan's labours in Calcutta 
 as a preacher. Some specimens, however, of his sermons w r ill 
 hereafter be adduced. 
 
 Scarcely more numerous or detailed traces remain of the 
 other great branch of his employment, as Vice-Provost and 
 Classical Professor in the college of Fort William. Although 
 Mr. Brown, as the senior chaplain of the Presidency, accepted 
 the office of Provost, and in both capacities was zealous and 
 indefatigable in his endeavours to promote the interests of re- 
 ligion in Calcutta, the superintendence and practical govern- 
 ment of the college rested upon Mr. Buchanan. Occasional 
 notices occur in these imperfect records, of the books in 
 which he lectured during different terms, as well as of his 
 
 * Some estimate may be formed of their numbers by a note of Mr. Buchanan'* 
 on Christmas day 1801, from which it appears, that two hundred communicants 
 had attended that day at the administration of the Lord's supper. 
 
120 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 sermons. Homer and Virgil, Longinus and Demosthenes, 
 Terence and Juvenal, Livy, Horace, and Xenophon, are 
 amongst the authors enumerated as occupying the attention 
 of the students of Fort William. Independently of his lectures in 
 these and other classical writers, Mr. Buchanan's memoranda 
 notice frequent communications with Lord Wellesley, and the 
 council of the college, upon points of internal discipline and 
 arrangement, the composition of various public orders, letters, 
 and other papers and documents, the revision of college essays, 
 and books connected with the institution, and attendances at the 
 terminal examinations, disputations, and subsequent distribution 
 into classes, of the students. 
 
 The time necessarily employed in these multiplied labours, 
 in maintaining a correspondence in India and Europe, and in 
 visits of ceremony, friendship, or charity, and amongst the latter 
 some are mentioned to the orphan and other schools in and 
 near Calcutta, will suffice to prove, that no sooner were these 
 opportunities of active service and usefulness presented to Mr. 
 Buchanan, than he embraced them with a degree of ardour, 
 diligence, and perseverance, which reflects the highest honour 
 on his principles and his practice. 
 
 It will not, however, be a subject of surprise to those who 
 are aware of the high standard by which such men as Mr. 
 Brown and Mr. Buchanan are accustomed to measure their ob- 
 ligations, to find that neither of them was satisfied with his 
 endeavours to fulfil them. We have already noticed one proof 
 of their mutual anxiety upon these important points.* And 
 we have now to witness another of a still more interesting na- 
 ture, in a reply of Mr. Buchanan to a communication from 
 Mr. Brown, who was then at Chandernagore, where he had 
 been residing some months for the benefit of his health. 
 This valuable testimony to the pastoral feelings of both is as 
 follows. 
 
 "Calcutta, 29th November, 1801. 
 " My dear Sir, — I received your letter last night. I envy 
 much the zealous affection which animates your mind, and 
 would gladly go up to Chandernagore also, to obtain the same. 
 Old Mr. Newton, when in the country, used to think that Lon- 
 don was Sardis ; but when he came up to town, he found there 
 a great assembly walking in white ; and so he joined them. 
 I have thought more seriously in Calcutta than ever I did at 
 Barrackpore. But what I have been (at any period of my 
 
 * See p. 77. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 121 
 
 life) is so little like what 1 would wish to be, that I cannot 
 contemplate it without remorse. I do not know that I ever 
 had what christians call « zeal.' I recollect that I expected it 
 would grow, when I entered the ministry ; but I had scarcely 
 entered the ministry, and preached a few times, when I was 
 sent to this country. 
 
 44 I never knew, as you do, what it was to preach profitably 
 and zealously for a season. That is a work I have to begin; 
 and how to begin it I know not. I need an unction from on 
 high, which I anxiously look for ; and yet in looking for this, 
 I look for that which I never knew, as most have known it. 
 
 44 One thing urges me sometimes to press forward with- 
 hope ; and that is, that all I hear and all I say appears to me 
 to be so very unlike what it ought to be, that I imagine some- 
 thing better might be attempted. And yet were the Spirit in- 
 deed to descend, we cannot expect that God, who worketh by 
 natural means, should suddenly add the eloquent mouth, and 
 new powers of memory and understanding. The holy skill 
 of preaching appears to be the fruit of long experience and 
 converse among God's people. And in Calcutta, as in every 
 other place, the able minister of the New Testament can only 
 be made, by nightly and wakeful meditation, patient study, 
 and prayer producing self-denial, 
 
 44 It appears to me that it was never intended that the gos- 
 pel should flourish in the heart and mouth of any minister, 
 who did not make it the ' one thing,' the sole point of heart- 
 felt recurrence. But when it is made so, I can easily con- 
 ceive how the tender plant grows a great tree with spreading 
 branches and refreshing fruit. Then, no doubt, even a mind 
 naturally barren bears exuberant ideas, and is constantly form- 
 ing lively images ; and, though the mouth be rude in speech, 
 the full heart becomes vocal, and utters the 4 word in season.* 
 
 44 Whether either of us will be able thus to make the gos- 
 pel the 4 one thing,' time will show. 4 He that warreth,' ought 
 not to 4 entangle himself with the affairs of this life.' But do 
 we ivar? Time enough for the soldier to disencumber him- 
 self when he begins to fight. It is easy to throw off a college ; 
 but it is very difficult to take up the church. But when the 
 church spirit appears, it will soon conquer the college. 
 
 44 The grand question is, ought not means to be used to ma- 
 ture that spirit which we desire ? We read 4 that a good sol- 
 dier of Jesus Christ entangleth himself not with the affairs of 
 this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a 
 soldier ;' or, as Guyse explains it, 4 he must not follow any 
 civil calling, unprofitable reading, or unnecessary relaxation, to 
 
 L 
 
122 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 entangle his thoughts, and swallow up his time ;' (superintend- 
 ing a college is a civil calling; Latin and 'Greek is unprofita- 
 ble reading, and lying in bed after five in the morning is un- 
 necessary relaxation;) 'but his whole time, words, thoughts, 
 and actions must be employed, like a soldier's, on his calling, 
 that he may please Him who hath chosen and authorized him 
 to fight.' 
 
 44 How far, in what manner and in what particulars, St. 
 Paul would obey the spirit of this passage, were he in your si- 
 tuation or mine, I really cannot tell. Were he here, he would 
 be warring. After we have warred for some time, we also 
 shall know. ■ O that I knew the will of God in this matter,' 
 saith Augustine ; 4 but I am not worthy to know his will. This 
 ignorance is the fruit of my backsliding.' 
 
 44 One thing seems probable, that no sudden success will ap- 
 pear from any sudden change of our style of address, or man- 
 ner of preaching. It arises usually from the impression of 
 private character and manner of life. Private character alone 
 will confirm the public sermon. The holy life of the minis- 
 ter is the good alterative among men. 
 
 44 As to myself, it is my only desire to be of some service \o 
 the church of Christ before I die ; and I would gladly seize 
 any means, by change of situation or otherwise, which would 
 enable me to do so. As to this world, there is no object (if I 
 know my own heart at all) which 1 have in view ; neither of 
 family, of fortune, of situation, of leaving this country, or con- 
 tinuing in it. I have chiefly to complain of a languid and 
 heartless constitution, both in body and mind, which makes 
 me to bear easily with all things, and to have little pleasure in 
 any thing. This loss of energy and life has been occasioned 
 partly by a continued course of ill health, partly by the unto- 
 ward circumstances in my situation since I arrived in the 
 country, but chiefly by the natural contagion of unchristian 
 manners. 
 
 44 I am, however, at this time more independent of society 
 I dislike, than at any former period since my arrival in India; 
 and I hope to be yet more so. Whether by resigning college 
 appointments, secluding myself from the world, and preaching 
 twice a week, I should be of more service, than by maintain- 
 ing a public situation, is a question I cannot answer. What 
 may be impossible and improper now, may be possible and 
 proper hereafter. 
 
 44 However, the chief consideration at present is the state of 
 the heart. How is the soul with God ? I endeavour by 
 prayer to restore it daily, relying (though feebly) on the aid of 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 123 
 
 the Mediator, wondering sometimes that I am not worse, op- 
 pressed in spirit at a review of the past, and hoping for better 
 days. 
 
 44 1 shall ever be ready to accede to any plan you can sug- 
 gest, for the furtherance of our ministry. You say you 'long 
 to launch out into the fulness of Christ.' So do I. But these 
 words are too apostolic for me at present. In order to launch 
 forth like * * * I should need not only a new effusion of the 
 Holy Spirit ; but those natural abilities which generally ac- 
 company such an effusion, in order to make it useful. Cir- 
 cumstances seem to admonish me, that the 'still small voice/ 
 and not 4 the rushing mighty wind,' is my province in the gos- 
 pel. What another school than Calcutta would have produced, 
 I know not. But I shall be blessed, if grace be given unto 
 me, to do what good I can, consistently and steadily in my va- 
 rious situations. Unhappily, collegiate avocations usurp much 
 of my time. But let us beware of repining at the necessity 
 of spending time in this way, till we become confident, that 
 were all our time at our own disposal, we should spend it in a 
 better. 
 
 64 1 earnestly pray that we may both be rightly directed in 
 our labours in this vineyard, that we may see some fruit in 
 others, and enjoy the comfort ourselves of faithful ministers of 
 the gospel. I think better days are at hand. 
 
 44 In this hope I remain, my dear Sir, very affectionately 
 yours, C. Buchanan. 
 
 44 To the Rev. D. Brown, Chandernagore. 
 
 " Sunday evening" 
 
 It is not amongst the least interesting circumstances relative 
 to this exquisite letter, that it exhibits both its author, and the 
 friend to whom it was addressed, in a country which at that 
 time possessed no ecclesiastical superior, amidst multiplied 
 engagements of the most honourable and useful nature, and 
 under the pressure of infirm health in an enervating climate, 
 earnestly occupied, not in devising some method of relieving 
 themselves from the burthen of their employments, in framing 
 plausible apologies for the indulgence of ease and indolence, 
 or in schemes for the attainment of wealth ; but affording mu- 
 tual examples of self-inquiry, reproaching themselves with the 
 lukewarmness of exertions which some, perhaps, had already 
 accounted excessive ; and exciting each other to more animat- 
 ed and abundant labours in the service of their Lord and 
 Master. Yet such is the impressive sense which every faith- 
 ful minister of the gospel entertains of his obligations and hii 
 
121 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 duties, of the love of Christ and the value of souls, of the 
 uncertainty of opportunity and life, and the approach of an 
 eternal world, that while many who ohserve him may imagine 
 that he is indulging in self-complacency and satisfaction in the 
 review of his exertions, he is in fact humbling himself before 
 God, and in the confidence of private friendship, at the recol- 
 lection of his numerous deficiencies. 
 
 How well xMr. Buchanan understood the nature of true pas- 
 toral zeal, together with what he justly calls ■ the holy skill of 
 preaching;' how highly he estimated both, and how perfectly 
 he was acquainted with the means by which they may be cul- 
 tivated and beneficially exercised, is evident from his dignified 
 and eloquent observations upon those important points. They 
 can scarcely be read without producing a powerful conviction, 
 that personal piety, of a vigorous and exalted character, must 
 form the basis of any reasonable hope of success as a preacher 
 of the gospel ; that it is " the heart of the wise," which must 
 communicate persuasion to his lips ; and that it is the " doc- 
 trine and the life coincident," which can alone be expected to 
 constitute the divine art of winning* souls to God. 
 
 The humility which breathes throughout the whole letter, 
 the disinterestedness of the writer's views, the ardent desire 
 which he expresses of more decisive usefulness, and the ob- 
 scure intimation of a purpose, which was gradually becoming 
 more definite and mature, of endeavouring more effectually to 
 promote the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom in the 
 East, cannot fail to be observed by every thoughtful reader ; 
 and while they serve to illustrate the character of Mr. Bu- 
 chanan, and the principles which he professed, are well calcu- 
 lated to excite others to the imitation of such an example. 
 
 A few days after the date of the preceding letter, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan wrote to Mr. Grant as follows. 
 
 " Mr. Brown and his family have been on the river for their 
 health, for five or six weeks past. Our churches during this 
 cold season are more crowded than 1 ever saw them before. 
 Even on Wednesday evening there are a great number, and 
 good is done. Some of the students attend on that evening. 
 Their presence warms the heart of old Mr. Obeck. They 
 know and visit him. 4 How would Mr. Grant rejoice,'* he 
 sometimes says, 4 to see these things !' The pillars are re- 
 moved, and a number of additional seats made, to accommo- 
 date the many who come." 
 
 * For the history of the Mission Church, and of the peculiar interest which 
 Mr. Grant would feel in its propriety, the reader is referred to the M Memorial 
 Sketches" of Mr. Brown, lately published. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 125 
 
 On the 20th of January, 1802, it appears by a brief memo- 
 randum, that Mr. Buchanan, in taking his usual evening's exer- 
 cise, suffered a severe fall from his horse. " He came down," 
 he says, " at full gallop, and I was thrown over his head, and 
 stunned. He seemed to tumble over me. Mercy! mercy!" 
 The sense which he thus emphatically expressed of the divine 
 goodness which had preserved him from any fatal injury, was 
 probably heightened by his recollection of the death of a Mr. 
 M'Intyre, in consequence of a similar accident about two 
 months before, which he had also recorded, from the singular 
 circumstance that this gentleman had lived some time at Car- 
 radell, in Kintyre, when he was himself there, in the year 
 1785. It was scarcely less remarkable, that Mr. Buchanan 
 should have occasion, a few months afterwards, to notice the 
 death of a Mr. Mackay, in Calcutta, whom he had succeeded, 
 about the same period, as tutor in the family of Captain Camp- 
 bell, of Carradell. Though Mr. Buchanan complained for 
 several weeks of the effects of his fall, he was sufficiently re- 
 covered to preach, yet not without much weakness and pain, 
 the next evening. 
 
 During the whole of this month Mr. Buchanan was employ- 
 ed in making various arrangements preparatory to the anniver- 
 sary of the commencement of the college on the 6th of February 
 On that day public disputations* were held in the Persian, 
 Bengalee, and Hindostanee languages, in the presence of the 
 supreme council, and many other distinguished persons; the 
 prizes and honorary rewards adjudged at the preceding exami- 
 nations were distributed, and a speech was delivered by Sir 
 George Barlow, the acting visiter, in the absence of Marquis 
 Wellesley; in which, after expressing his satisfaction at the 
 zeal and ability of the officers and professors of the college in 
 the discharge of their public duties, and at the distinguished 
 proficiency of many of the students, as well as their exemplary 
 conduct, he observed, that the establishment of the college had 
 already excited a general and most beneficial attention to orien- 
 tal languages, literature, and knowledge ; and avowed his con- 
 viction, that by diligently availing themselves of the advantages 
 afforded by the institution, the students would enjoy the ani- 
 mating prospect of being eminently useful to their country, by 
 aiding it in fulfilling the high moral obligations attendant on 
 the possession of its Indian empire ; on the discharge of which 
 the prosperity and permanence of that empire must equally 
 depend. 
 
 * See H The College of Fort William/' p. 58. 
 
 l2 
 
126 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 The various occupations, however, of Mr. Buchanan, did 
 not induce him to forget his friends in Europe. Early in the 
 year 1802, his income being now considerably augmented, he, 
 -with that filial piety which marked his character, authorized 
 his mother to draw upon his agents for the sum of three hun- 
 dred pounds annually. 
 
 With Mrs. Buchanan, whose arrival in England has been 
 mentioned, he maintained a frequent correspondence. In one 
 of his letters he gave her an interesting sketch of his early 
 life, some circumstances of which he does not appear to have 
 previously communicated to her, and which he observed might 
 form a good commentary on Isaiah xlii. 16. — " I will bring 
 the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in 
 paths that they have not known : I will make darkness Light 
 before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I 
 do unto them, and not forsake them/' 
 
 Having brought down his history to the time at which he was 
 writing, he concludes with the following reflections on his pre- 
 sent views and purposes, the piety, beauty, and affection of 
 which cannot but be generally admired. 
 
 " Such, my dearest Mary, has been my varied life, and such 
 the wonderful providence which has watched over me during 
 so long a period. I pray that now I am settled, I may be ena- 
 bled to show a heart fixed on my Saviour, and on the ministra- 
 tion of his word. I feel that nothing in this world can afford 
 me any delight equal to what I hope to find in the labour of 
 the everlasting gospel./ No fortune, or rank in life, can ever, I 
 think, give any solid comfort to my soul: nothing but heavenly 
 draughts can quench my thirst, i 
 
 44 My infirm constitution admonishes me not to expect to 
 enjoy life, as some speak, and I am thankful for every barrier 
 which God erects against my taking up my rest in this wilder- 
 ness. Let us then, my dear Mary, live for the day, seeking 
 that heavenly peace which is always attainable. We have 
 learnt from our past experience, that 'our times are in his 
 hands,' and we shall confess at the end that 4 He hath done all 
 things well.' 
 
 "I feel a deep sense of the importance of my present situa- 
 tion, and of the necessity of using the talent committed to my 
 charge; the uncertainty of having such an useful sphere of ac- 
 tion much longer, or my health continued, or my reputation 
 supported ; these things excite me to greater exertions while it 
 is called ' to-day.' 
 
 44 The 'society of religious people here pray that I may be 
 enabled to do something for the gospel. I am now. in better 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 127 
 
 health than formerly. My spirits are more alive. My desires 
 after a regular life increase, and I trust my hopes in the gospel 
 will be fulfilled. You, my beloved wife, can now pray in 
 faith: a sense of religion has visited you. Cherish it as the 
 life of your soul. Esteem it the pearl of great price, far ex- 
 ceeding in value the joys of your family, or the wealth of the 
 Indies. I know that gay society at home will impede your 
 progress for awhile, but these difficulties are useful in proving 
 and trying us, and bringing us forth like gold purified in the 
 fire. It is not preciseness of external conduct, but communion, 
 with God in prayer which forms the christian's character. If 
 you continue to approach the throne of grace with as much" 
 earnestness as you used when on the great waters, you will 
 gradually arrive at a holy state of mind, pure satisfaction of 
 soul, and inexpressible delight in the contemplation of the gos 
 pel. Christ will be formed in you, and you will begin to learn 
 the breadth, and length, and height, and depth of his unsearch- 
 able riches. y 
 
 44 All you have to do is to give your testimony to the truth 
 of real religion, when opportunities shall be afforded, in mo- 
 desty and simplicity ; alleging that the gospel is not in form* 
 but in power ; and that we must all suffer a change of heart, 
 before we can enter the kingdom of God. This is the truth 
 which I maintain in my preaching, and it is found to be the 
 only effectual doctrine to reach the hearts of men." 
 
 The close of this truly interesting letter affords a most sub- 
 stantial proof of the practical influence of Mr. Buchanan's 
 principles, and of the sincerity of the religious professions and 
 purposes which precede it. 
 
 44 By the last ships I sent four hundred pounds to Mr. EL 
 Thornton, being the amount of his expense on my own ac- 
 count at college for four years, at one hundred pounds per an- 
 num. He never expected that I should repay him, but God 
 has put it in my power, and therefore it is my duty. 
 
 " I told him I only sent it back to the fountain from 
 whence it would probably soon flow again in some act of be- 
 nevolence. 
 
 44 1 also told him that I meant to devote five hundred pounds 
 for the support of a young man at the University, of religious 
 character and good ability, who might be in poor circumstances, 
 and whom he, or Mr. Newton, or Dr. Milner, President of 
 Queen's college, should select. At the same time I remitted 
 an order on Messrs. Boehm and Co. to Mr. T. for paying the 
 sum of one hundred and twenty-five pounds per annum, by 
 half yearly instalments, for this purpose ; and I expressed a 
 
1-8 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 wish that the young man might prove an honour to the gos- 
 pel, and become an useful labourer in his Master's vineyard. 
 
 11 While it is in my power, I wish to do some good thing 
 for the gospel of my blessed Lord. I may soon be called 
 hence. May I be able to devote my heart to his glory while I 
 stay! 
 
 M May we be grateful stewards of God's blessings, so abund- 
 ant and unlooked for ! And may we continue daily to remem- 
 ber the wonderful way in which we have been led from our 
 early years to this day!" 
 
 Various motives might have suggested to manv men, pos- 
 sessed of lucrative appointments, the propriety of restoring to 
 a patron the sum which might have been expended in prepar- 
 ing them for their stations. Such a step, however, might not 
 have been distinguished by promptness, and still less by any 
 act of spontaneous liberality. In both these respects, the con- 
 duct of Mr. Buchanan was of a very elevated and generous 
 character. It was but a short time that he had enjoyed an 
 abundant income ; he had already two children, for whom he 
 could as yet have made but very little provision ; he was afford- 
 ing a liberal allowance to his mother ; his own health was pre- 
 carious, and that of his wife was subjecting him to the ex- 
 pense of a voyage to England, with a view to her return to 
 India ; the principal source of his emoluments was of an un- 
 certain nature, and had, in fact, though then unknown to him, 
 been already considerably diminished. Gratitude, however, 
 to his earthly benefactor, and love to his divine Lord and Mas- 
 ter, induced him, notwithstanding many plausible motives at 
 least to defer his purpose, at once to discharge a debt of kind- 
 ness, and to fulfil a truly christian design ; and under these 
 impressions he communicated to Mr. Thornton the arrange- 
 ment which has been already detailed. The sense which that 
 gentleman entertained of Mr. Buchanan's conduct was proba- 
 bly expressed in a letter to himself: but the only memorial of 
 it which remains is in the following letter to a mutual friend. 
 
 LoyDoy, Dec. 24, 1802. 
 41 Dear Sir, — I called at your house the other day, and if I 
 had met with you, I should have informed you of the letter 
 which I have received from Mr. Buchanan. He remits in' it 
 five hundred and twenty pounds ; of which four hundred is 
 intended as a repayment to myself of the four years' allow- 
 ance which I made to him at college, and the remaining sum is 
 to be applied in a manner which he directs. He moreover 
 gives me a letter to a house in London, desiring them to par 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 129 
 
 me an annual sum for four years, for the education of such 
 young man for the ministry as I, Mr. Newton, and Dr. Milner 
 may select. 
 
 " I am not quite clear whether Mr. Buchanan, at the time of 
 writing the letter, was apprized of all that diminution of his 
 income which the orders sent out from hence for suspending 
 the institution of the college will produce : and I feel some 
 doubt, on this account, whether either to take or to keep the 
 four hundred pounds. 1 shall thank you for any information 
 on this point which you may possess ; as well as for the men- 
 tion of any promising young man for education at college, with 
 a view to the ministry of the church. I would also request 
 you to take some occasion of expressing to Mr. Buchanan the 
 satisfaction which I felt at this mark of integrity, or of some- 
 thing more than integrity, as I ought to term it, in his conduct. 
 It has raised him in the opinion both of myself and others, 
 and it will not, as I am persuaded, be one of the acts of which 
 lie will repent whenever he may come to die. For my own 
 part, I shall always hold that his children will have some 
 claim upon me in consequence of the return of this money, in 
 the event of their falling into pecuniary difficulties ; and Pro- 
 vidence, I am well persuaded, is wont to provide for those 
 who, without robbing or neglecting their own household, avoid 
 the common eagerness to lay up for them. 
 
 " I am, dear sir, yours sincerely, H. Thornton." 
 
 It may be satisfactory to add to the preceding letter, that 
 Mr. Buchanan's liberal offer was accepted ; and that a young 
 man, approved by the three friends to whom the selection was 
 referred, was afterwards supported during the usual term of 
 residence at the University of Cambridge ; who is now filling 
 with ability and credit a very useful station in the church. 
 
 While the members of the college of Fort William were 
 zealously and successfully occupied in the prosecution of their 
 labours, the Governor General in council, on the 15th of June, 
 1802, received with the utmost concern the commands of the 
 Court of Directors for the immediate abolition of that import- 
 ant institution. On the 22d following, Lord Wellesley com- 
 municated this despatch to Mr. Buchanan, who, in common 
 with every other friend of the college, deeply lamented this 
 unexpected determination ; and directed him to consider of a 
 reply to the reasons upon which it was professedly grounded. 
 Concerning the share which he might have had in that which 
 was shortly afterwards produced, it is unnecessary to inquire. 
 The Governor General was at all times fully competent to the 
 
130 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 defence of his own measures, though lie might, and probably 
 (ltd, avail himself of the talents and information of those around 
 him, upon every great question. It is sufficient to observe 
 that, in a Utter* to the chairman of the Court of Directors, 
 dated the 5th of August, 1802, characterized by the same 
 anility which had distinguished his minute in council, Marquis 
 Wellesley submitted to the Court a general view of the princi- 
 ples by which his conduct had been regulated relative to the 
 establishment of the college, and of the measures which he 
 had pursued on, what his lordship termed, the present " most 
 painful and alllicting occasion." 
 
 In directing the immediate abolition of the college of Fort 
 William, the Governor General observed, the letter of the 
 honourable Court appeared to acknowledge with approbation 
 the liberal and enlightened spirit of the institution, the just 
 principles on which it was founded, and the important ends to 
 which it was directed. The objections stated by the Court 
 against the continuance of the establishment were apparently 
 confined to its expense, and to the pressure of that charge on 
 the present circumstances of the Company's finances in India. 
 The first object, therefore, of Lord Wellesley was, by a mi- 
 nute detail of facts, to convince the Court that the expenses 
 already incurred on account of the college had not been more 
 considerable than was required by the magnitude of the objects 
 proposed by the institution ; that those expenses had been 
 actually defrayed by new resources destined to that express 
 purpose ; and that provision had been secured for defraying 
 the future current expenses of the college, without interfering 
 with any other branch of the public service, and without 
 diminishing the scale of their commercial investments. 
 
 It appeared, however, to be manifestly the intention of the 
 Court of Directors that some establishment for the better in- 
 struction of the civil servants at each of the Presidencies should 
 subsist in India ; the outlines of which had been traced in their 
 letter to the Governor General. His lordship, therefore, next 
 proceeded to compare the actual expense and ascertained bene- 
 fit of the institution then subsisting at Fort William, with the 
 probable expense and probable benefit of the seminaries by 
 which the Court intended to supersede that institution. The 
 result of this comparison was stated to be, that the necessary 
 effect of the latter plan would be to involve the expense of a 
 triple establishment for every branch of study, alike requisite 
 at each of the three Presidencies, which must equal, and 
 
 * See " The College of Fort William," p. 65. 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 131 
 
 would probably exceed, the total current charges, on the 
 highest estimate, of the college of Fort William. 
 
 The Court of Directors had instructed the Governor Gene- 
 ral to supersede that institution by the revival of a seminary 
 of Mr. Gilchrist, the learned and meritorious Professor of the 
 Hindostanee language, which had existed previously to the 
 establishment of the college. But no modification or exten- 
 sion of that plan could, as the Governor General contended, 
 embrace the objects proposed to be secured by the collegiate 
 establishment of Fort William; the fundamental defects of* 
 that limited plan having, in fact, furnished rules for his lord- 
 ship's guidance in founding a comprehensive and liberal insti- 
 tution on the ground of practical experience. These defects 
 related especially to the want of any means of enforcing a due 
 system of discipline and study, in regulating private economy 
 and moral conduct, in precluding temptation to expense, and 
 in guarding against every vicious excess ; without which, 
 great mischief would be infused into the students at its very 
 source, by establishing any seminary of instruction which 
 should require the whole body of the junior civil servants to 
 continue assembled for any considerable period of time in any 
 part of India, and, above all, at the seats of the respective 
 Presidencies. Lord Wellesley, therefore, expressed his de- 
 cided conviction that, in addition to the necessary teachers 
 and professors in the seminary proposed by the Court of Di- 
 rectors, some authority of the nature of that exercised in col- 
 leges in Europe, and of that then existing in the college of 
 Fort William, must be established for the purpose of main- 
 taining and promoting order and discipline, good morals and 
 religion. Under these circumstances, the final result of the 
 plan proposed by the Court of Directors, of dividing the col- 
 lege of Fort William into three seminaries, to be established 
 separately at each Presidency, would either be to render each 
 and all those seminaries inefficient and dangerous, or to aggra- 
 vate the collective expense of this triple institution to an 
 amount greatly exceeding the charges of the united establish- 
 ment then existing. 
 
 After this comparison of the expenses and advantages of 
 these several institutions, the Governor General directed the 
 particular attention of the Court to the benefits already deriv- 
 ed to their civil service, from the operation and effect of the 
 system of study and discipline constituted and enforced by 
 the college of Fort William. The general progress of the stu- 
 dents, his lordship declared, in the oriental languages and 
 literature, had exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the 
 
132 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 examiners, who had always been selected from the ablest ori- 
 ental scholars actually at Calcutta, and whose voluntary aid 
 had been afforded to support the discipline, and to improve the 
 course of study, and the mode of instruction pursued in the 
 institution. A spirit of emulation had been excited among the 
 students, as unexampled in its scope and ardour, as it was 
 propitious to the future government of India. The institution 
 had already corrected many of the defects which Lord Welles- 
 ley had found in the younger branches of the civil service 
 upon his arrival in India, and had reclaimed to industrious 
 and laborious pursuits many of the junior servants, who were 
 disposed to pursue courses of a contrary tendency. That a 
 general disposition to economy and regularity then prevailed 
 among the students ; that principles of due subordination had 
 also been established among them with the happiest success ; 
 and that the young men then composing the body of the stu- 
 dents at Fort William afforded the most auspicious hope, that 
 the local administration of India for several years to come 
 would be amply provided with instruments properly qualified 
 to accomplish all the purposes of a w r ise, just, and benevolent 
 government. 
 
 Though these and other considerations might have induced 
 the Governer General to suspend the execution of the order 
 for the abolition of the college, and to refer the question to the 
 further pleasure of the Court, the peculiar character and spirit 
 of its commands, and the nature of the institution, seemed to 
 require their immediate execution. To this his lordship ac- 
 cordingly proceeded; but in fulfilling this painful duty, a most 
 serious and difficult question arose with regard to the time when 
 the abolition of the college should take effect. The determina- 
 tion of this question involved principles so deeply affecting the 
 welfare, future prospects, and just expectations of the students, 
 and also the consideration due to the situation of the professors 
 and teachers, and of the numerous learned natives attached to 
 the institution, that Lord Wellesley felt himself compelled to 
 declare, that the abolition of the college of Fort William must 
 be gradual; and that the institution should not terminate pre- 
 viously to the 31st of December, 1803, when the great body of 
 the students then attached to the college would have completed 
 the course which they had so successfully commenced. His 
 lordship finally observed, that he had been partly induced to 
 protract the existence of the institution, from the hope that his 
 preceding representation might prove the means of inducing the 
 Court of Directors to review their late orders, and to restore to 
 their civil service in India the inestimable advantages whicV 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 133 
 
 must be destroyed by the destruction of the college, and to suf- 
 fer it to remain unaltered until he should have the opportunity 
 of reporting in person to the Court the condition and effects of 
 the institution, and of submitting to them such details as might 
 enable them to exercise their final judgment on the whole plan. 
 
 The foregoing abstract of Marquis Wellesley's defence of the 
 college of Fort William will not be deemed irrelevant to the 
 subject of these memoirs, when it is considered how prominent 
 a station Mr. Buchanan held in that institution. It is by no 
 means necessary for his biographer to express any opinion upon- 
 the merits of the question between the Governor General and 
 the Court of Directors. That of Mr. Buchanan, as will here- 
 after frequently appear, was certainly uniform and decided ; and 
 the subsequent conduct of the Directors themselves sufficiently 
 proves, that however they might differ from Lord Wellesley, 
 and those who thought with him, as to the detail of its form 
 and circumstances, they considered the institution of the college 
 as a measure of substantial wisdom and necessity. 
 
 For the present it w r as to remain, as we have seen, unal- 
 tered ; and on the 30th of June, 1802, a volume was published 
 under the superintendance of the Vice-Provost, entitled, " Pri- 
 mitiae Orientales ; containing Essays by the students of the 
 college of Fort William; to which are added, the Theses 
 pronounced at the public disputations in the oriental languages, 
 on the 6th of February, 1802. " The subjects of the disputa- 
 tions contained in this volume are the three following. First, 
 " An academical institution in India is advantageous to the 
 natives and to the British nation ; sustained in Persian by 
 Messrs. Lovett, Lloyd, and Guthrie. Secondly, "TheHin- 
 dostanee language is the most generally useful in India;" sup- 
 ported in Hindostanee by Messrs. Bayley, Lovett, and Lloyd. 
 Thirdly, " The Asiatics are capable of as high degrees of civi- 
 lization as the Europeans ;" maintained in Bengalee by Messrs. 
 Martin, Bayley, and Hodgson. The English essays com- 
 prised in the same volume were, first, " On the advantages to 
 be expected from an academical institution in India ; considered 
 in a moral, literary, and political point of view ;" by Messrs. 
 Martin, Elliott, and Bayley. Secondly, " On the best means 
 of acquiring a knowledge of the manners and customs of the 
 natives of India ;" by Messrs. Hamilton, Martin, and Metcalfe. 
 Thirdly, " On the character and capacity of the Asiatics ; and 
 particularly of the natives of Hindostan ;" by Messrs. Wood, 
 Martin, and Newnham. Many of these compositions are highly 
 creditable to the talents, information, principles, and taste pf 
 
 M 
 
134 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 their authors, and would hear a comparison with similar pro- 
 ductions in our English Universities. 
 
 Early in the year 1803, Marquis Wellesley presided at the 
 second annual disputations of the students of the college of Fort 
 William. The subjects were the advantages of the British 
 Government to the natives of India, the burning of Hindoo 
 widows, and the distribution of Hindoos into castes. Declama- 
 tions were also pronounced for the first time in the Arabic lan- 
 guage. After the degrees of honour had been conferred, and 
 the prizes and rewards for proficiency both in oriental and clas- 
 sical learning had been distributed, the noble visitor delivered a 
 very dignified and eloquent speech, in which he declared, in 
 the most public and solemn manner, that the institution had 
 answered his most sanguine hopes and expectations; that its 
 beneficial operation had justified the principles of its original 
 foundation ; and that the administration and discipline of the 
 college had been conducted with honour and credit to the 
 character and spirit of the institution, and with great advantage 
 to the public service. Essays on the Mohammedan conquests 
 and government in India, and on the restoration of learning in 
 the East, by several of the students, were afterwards published, 
 together with the preceding disputations and declamations, in 
 the second volume of the " Primitiae Orientales." 
 
 In the spring of this year Mr. Buchanan received letters 
 from his wife, whose health appeared to be considerably re- 
 stored by her visit to her native country, announcing her in- 
 tention of leaving England in the month of January. " This," 
 said he, in a letter to the friend, in whose family she had re- 
 sided some months during her visit, " was joyful intelligence 
 to me. In two or three months hence, I may be blessed with 
 seeing her again. When she mentions her affectionate intimacy 
 with your family, she writes in tears. But I see evidently 
 that it is the gospel union which so powerfully awakens her 
 heart in speaking of the happiness of her residing with you. 
 I expect that she will do good in the Carmarthen, and I hope 
 she will do good in Calcutta. She comes out to a promising 
 scene of joy ; to see her little Augusta, now grown up a healthy 
 and talkative girl ; calling out for mamma for two years past 
 in vain. And she comes out to many, who love and respect 
 her, and to some who have learnt during her absence to love 
 4 the excellent of the earth.' 
 
 " I have now a house in the country, about three miles from 
 Calcutta, on the banks of the river, where she may sleep oc- 
 casionally, and retire from company. I spend three or four 
 solitary evenings every week in Garden Reach. The change 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 135 
 
 of place and air refreshes me for the labours of the succeeding 
 day. Augusta and I play together in the groves, and then re- 
 turn by water to Calcutta. A gentleman leaving India sent me 
 his boat as a present to Mary when she comes out. I rind the 
 river air very salutary and renovating, and perhaps she will 
 rind it so too. But our pleasures at Clapham or on the Ganges 
 are transitory. May they be so tempered with prayer, as to 
 prepare us both for the pleasures of that ' other country,' where 
 there will be no separation, and where the inhabitants will 
 never say, * I am sick !' Mrs. B. mentions the circumstances- 
 of your illness with a lively concern, mingled with a sensation 
 of pleasure. Her hours passed by your sick couch were de- 
 lightful. Providence hath well ordered her steps. It may be, 
 indeed, that I shall never see her ; or that I shall contemplate 
 her departing spirit for a short time, in her emaciated frame. 
 But then God hath made with her a covenant well-ordered and 
 sure ! Thus it is with my house. And this is my joy. Thus 
 God hath blessed our short sojourn together ; and the end will 
 be an eternal song of glory to his redeeming love." 
 
 Though the fears, which Mr. Buchanan expresses with so 
 much tenderness and piety as to the probably short period of 
 his reunion with his wife, were but too well founded, it is 
 pleasing to reflect, that he was gratified by again seeing her in 
 India. She embarked on board the Carmarthen in the month 
 of February ; and, as Mr. Buchanan had anticipated, the piety 
 of her mind was displayed during the voyage by her endea- 
 vours to promote the religious improvement of two young 
 ladies, one of whom had been placed under her protection. 
 Mrs. Buchanan had a more favourable voyage than in return- 
 ing to Europe, and arrived safely at Calcutta on the 24th of 
 August. 
 
 The remainder of the letter from which an interesting pas- 
 sage respecting Mrs. Buchanan has just been extracted, is oc- 
 cupied with the important subject of the college of Fort Wil- 
 liam ; in which, though some things occur similar to those 
 which have been already stated from the public letter of Lord 
 Wellesley, many additional facts and sentiments are contained, 
 more particularly with reference to Mr. Buchanan himself, 
 which it may be proper to insert. 
 
 "You say," he continues, "that you hear the college is 
 abolished. It has been long abolished in London, but it still 
 exists here, in greater spirit and utility than ever ; and it r$mst 
 continue to exist, (though perhaps under a different name,^ as 
 long as the British empire reigns in India. To send a young 
 man adrift in the upper provinces, without any knowledge of 
 
136 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 the languages, and without any official preparation, is now ut- 
 terly impossible. The good sense of young men themselves 
 would deprecate it. Every one here sees that the body of 
 civil servants educated these three years in the college of Fort 
 William will by and by govern India. Many of them are 
 already approaching to the most responsible situations. The 
 body of juniors that follow, if left in their native ignorance, 
 will be held in comparative contempt, and must ever feel the 
 injustice done to them. 
 
 " The Directors wish the institution to be called a seminary, 
 and then they will support it. I have no objection to the name, 
 provided that the young men are taught ; and they must be 
 taught in future. You might as well think of abolishing the 
 schools in London, as abolishing schools in Calcutta. Thus 
 much then has been effected by the institution of the college. 
 Education has been proved to be useful in India. Of the stu- 
 dents who have just left college, only eight out of thirty have 
 contracted any debt. Many of them have saved money ; a 
 thing unheard of in India, and by the old civil servants account- 
 ed impossible. This is the point to which the public attention 
 is turned. The reign of native money lenders is now at an 
 end. But a school or seminary directed by native moonshees, 
 and destitute of the high and respectable jurisdiction of learned 
 and religious men, would never be able to effect this desirable 
 purpose. The authority and the honours of a college are alone 
 competent to restrain a body of young men of good families 
 and flattering- prospects in this luxurious and deteriorating 
 country. That ever such an objection as that of expense should 
 have been urged by the Directors appears to me unaccountable. 
 The expense, whatever it has been, is now amply liquidated ; 
 and in a manner more favourable to the interests of the Com- 
 pany than if the sum had been paid into their treasury ; with 
 some advantage of health, of morals, and of learning, and with 
 some coercion of the native ascendancy, which has ever been 
 deemed the bane of the British administration in India. 
 
 " Satisfied, however, with the good which has been done 
 by the institution, we wait submissively for the period of its 
 regular dissolution ; which will be in December next. Even 
 were it to continue in its present state, or in one yet more im- 
 proved and respectable, I should not desire to bear a part in it. 
 I have weak health. My heart seeks to be disengaged from 
 collegiate labours, and to find rest and refreshment in the one 
 spiritual work of the everlasting gospel. Fortune or fame 
 cannot add an hour's happiness to my present existence ; but 
 they may interrupt it. I feel a secret pleasure in the purpose 
 
 \ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 137 
 
 of the Directors to abolish the college, as it respects myself; 
 but I feel at the same time that its continuance under other 
 men would be favourable to my evangelical labours in this 
 country. 
 
 " In perfect confidence, therefore, that God will order all 
 things aright, in time, manner, and event, I implore the direc- 
 tion of his Spirit to improve ' the passing day.' My chief 
 source of despondency at times is the want of fellow-labour- 
 ers, of learned and serious men, in this vineyard, where there 
 is so numerous a body of well-educated young men. 
 
 " I would willingly at this moment give 50,000 rupees for 
 two religious and respectable young men established in the 
 church of Calcutta, and capable of conducting the studies of 
 the college. Foreseeing where we were likely to fail, I took 
 early measures to procure such from home ; both by address- 
 ing Lord Wellesley, and by writing myself. But we have not 
 succeeded. But this also is directed by an all-wise Provi- 
 dence; and he w T ill accomplish his glory by any means." 
 
 The following letter to Mr. Grant enters still more fully 
 into the interesting subject of the college, and contains some 
 particulars respecting Mr. Buchanan's lectures as classical pro- 
 fessor, w T hich have not been before mentioned. Whatever 
 may have been the sentiments of the distinguished Director to 
 whom this letter was addressed, it cannot but be considered 
 most honourable to the talents and principles of its author. 
 
 " Calcutta, 22d August, 1803. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — Your letter of January last, introducing your 
 nephews, I have received. You may be assured of my ren- 
 dering them every service in my power, both in the superin- 
 tendance of their moral conduct, and of their progress in 
 learning. 
 
 11 Circumstances are not so favourable at present to a well 
 disposed youth newly arrived, as at an earlier era of the 
 college. 
 
 " The repeated shocks the institution has sustained from 
 home*, and its often predicted dissolution here, have been in- 
 jurious to its religious and moral influence. On the arrival of 
 the Court's letter, abolishing the college, the students found 
 that religion and morality formed no part of the plan proposed 
 as a substitute. And so absolutely did they consider the 
 Court's opinion to be favourable to the old system of relaxed 
 morals and contracting debt, that they circulated a placard in 
 college, containing a parody of Henry the Fourth's speech to 
 kis son ; beginning with these lines : 
 
 M 2 
 
138 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 u Pluck down my officers ; break my decrees j 
 
 For now a time is come to mock at form. 
 
 Have you a ruffian m writer) that will swear, drink, dance, 
 
 England (the Court) shall double gild his treble guilt," die. 
 
 11 The religious people here perceived the bad consequences 
 immediately. Old Mr. Obeck, whose hopes of the o;ood ef- 
 fects of the institution had ever been sanguine, sighed from his 
 heart, and exclaimed, 4 Cruel, cruel ! while the black banians 
 and the old leaven in the service grinned their ghastly exul- 
 tation. 
 
 44 Order and discipline were nevertheless preserved in the 
 exterior. But the wound inflicted by that letter on the grow- 
 ing honour of religion and exemplary morals is not healed to 
 this day. The first symptoms appeared in the gradual se- 
 cession of the students from the mission church in the 
 evening. 
 
 44 At the present time the regular and well disposed youths 
 attend church either morning or evening ; but in small propor- 
 tion, compared to the former number. 
 
 44 As to general good order, attention to lectures, success in 
 study, and dread of debt, there cannot be a college in Europe 
 in a better state. If a young man is faulty in these points, he 
 is sent up the country on the old system, in the character of 
 an 4 ignorant assistant,' to, it may be, an ignorant judge. The 
 frequent letters sent in of late to government by these expelled 
 members petitioning to be restored to college, will appear to 
 you some argument in favour of the institution ; when you 
 consider that at this moment we know nothing of the Court's 
 intentions on the subject, and think the abolition of the college 
 as likely as not, 
 
 44 Your nephews have been now attached to the college for 
 two weeks. The report made to me yesterday by their pro- 
 fessor is favourable to their diligence. But they have to con- 
 tend with some formidable rivals, who commence their studies 
 with them. Of these two or three have not a single friend 
 here, except their official friends in college. And this circum- 
 stance sometimes makes a rival formidable ; his hope of pro- 
 motion depending on the college alone. 
 
 44 The appointments continue to be made according to merit. 
 Of the eleven students belonging to the Presidency of Bengal, 
 who entered on the public service this year, the two highest 
 in proficiency, Messrs. Bayley and Martin, had their choice 
 of situations ; and are in the diplomatic department in the 
 Governor General's office. The next four were appointed to 
 registerships j and the five lowest to assistantships, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 139 
 
 u Letters of recommendation from England are of no avail. 
 Lord Wellesley once observed, that, of those young men who 
 had brought him letters from the king's ministers and others, 
 the greater part had been expelled from college, or were in the 
 lowest classes. 
 
 44 I doubt not but you and the whole Court are by this time 
 satisfied of the vast accession to the interests of the Company, 
 derived from the juniors of the last two years entering their 
 service, unincumbered by debt. 
 
 44 The extent of this good, either as referring to the morals 
 and fortune of the individual, or to his fidelity and exertion 
 for the public service, cannot be calculated here. It is admit- 
 ted, as if by acclamation, throughout the British territories in 
 India. 
 
 44 You must also have heard of the good effects of the in- 
 stitution on the general health of the students ; resulting from 
 their regular habits of study, in a climate, where exposure to 
 the sun is so baneful to youth on their first arrival. 
 
 44 Never, perhaps, was there an institution in any age or 
 country raised so rapidly on so doubtful a foundation, or which 
 nourished so extensively under such severe assaults, or which 
 produced so much of public and of private benefit, in so short 
 a space of time, as the college of Fort William in Bengal. 
 
 44 The Gazette you will receive herewith, though published 
 in course, is amplified at this time, in anticipation of the dis- 
 solution of the college by the court ; and is intended as a 
 monument of what the college was. 
 
 44 Many a parent in Great Britain and Ireland, who reads 
 this gazette, will lament that it should be the last. 
 
 44 Those gratifying half-yearly reports of the health and 
 studies of their sons in this distant country (where sons are 
 so negligent in writing to their parents) will now be withheld ; 
 one of the chains of affection will be broken, and one of the 
 chief incentives to good conduct, destroyed. 
 
 44 Of your own good wishes for the success of this institu- 
 tion, I never entertained a doubt. And I even believe that 
 your influence in the direction will induce them to qualify 
 their late letter of abolition. But it is not probable that any 
 thing less than the ample support of the first principles and 
 first establishment of the institution will restore it to its first 
 dignity, or maintain its present effect 
 
 44 In the midst of this uncertainty we 4 are sure that the 
 Lord reigneth ;' and that his gracious providence hath order- 
 ed all things aright ; hath produced the good already done, and 
 
140 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN". 
 
 Will overrule the evil, past and to come, to his own glory, and 
 the good of his faithful church on earth. 
 
 44 It is now upwards of three years since I was appointed 
 to offices in this college ; and, as I before mentioned to you, 
 every collegiate object of a private nature is extinct in my 
 breast ; and I would gladly resign my situation to some other 
 person of more ability, health, and spirits, even in the event 
 of the Court's increasing the first dignity and importance of 
 the institution. What I write to you comes really from an 
 indifferent person. 
 
 "If God were pleased to give me my heart's desire, he 
 would give me more grace and a greater sense of the value of 
 souls ; with a measure of better health and more undisturbed 
 leisure to make known the glory of his gospel among his peo- 
 ple here, during the short period that may be allotted to my 
 ministry. 
 
 44 But I may add, for your consideration, in the event of 
 your continuing a clergyman to govern the college, that his 
 establishment must be made equal to that of a senior civil ser- 
 vant in the higher departments. If the church had dignity in 
 India, that might suffice. But in present circumstances, the 
 governor of the whole body of the junior civil servants can- 
 not possibly be inferior in rank and establishment to a senior 
 civil servant. If he be inferior, he will never be able to pre- 
 serve the necessary authority and respect, whatever his cha- 
 racter, his ability, or acquirements may be. 
 
 44 And this has been hitherto the most material defect in the 
 institution. 
 
 44 One other point I may mention, as for the last time, and 
 which is of equal importance : and that is, that the union of 
 the three Presidencies in one institution has been now demon- 
 strated to be the best and perhaps the only mode of effecting 
 the purposes intended ; in promoting a rapid knowledge of the 
 languages, and a knowledge of public business, in encourag- 
 ing honourable and temperate conduct under the eye of the 
 supreme authority, and in facilitating the future administration 
 of the country by a concert of principles and a personal 
 knowledge of character. 
 
 44 Whatever good the private schools, proposed by the 
 Court at the different Presidencies, may do, (and they will do 
 a little,) they can never produce some of the effects to which I 
 allude at all ; and none of them in a degree equal to what has 
 been already done at this college. 
 
 44 Five students have lately proceeded to Madras, who will 
 in a short time be qualified to govern the country ; whether 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 141 
 
 you require great talents, oriental knowledge, classical learn- 
 ing, prudent and upright conduct, or (I can add of two of 
 them) a just sense of religion. 
 
 44 Now the local position of these five young men for the 
 last three years at Madras, rather than at Calcutta, would not 
 have answered any important purpose that I can conceive ; or, 
 as they often told me, that they could ever conceive. And the 
 evidence of the young men's letters after their return to their 
 respective Presidencies is conclusive on this subject. 
 
 44 1 began this letter with the mention of your nephews. 
 They have the happiness of being placed where exemplary 
 morals will be encouraged if they have a disposition to pro- 
 fess them. The daily inspection of their conduct will fall to 
 the lot of the individual families with whom they reside, Mr. 
 Udny and Major Fraser. In my present situation I can sel- 
 dom see the students but when they require admonition or 
 deserve praise. 
 
 44 Of those indeed who attend the classical lectures I gain a 
 more intimate knowledge. 
 
 44 Continuance in my class can only be maintained by ex- 
 emplary conduct, and by honourable progress in the oriental 
 languages. And these qualifications have characterized my 
 pupils to this time, almost without exception. 
 
 44 In many cases a personal friendship has been formed, 
 which has proved of much service to me in regulating the 
 manners of the other students. Of these my young friends, 
 some have now proceeded to Bombay, some to Madras, and 
 some to the provinces attached to this Presidency. And they 
 seem to value our acquaintance now as much as formerly; 
 and frequently favour me with letters on the subject of their 
 studies, or on the state of affairs at their respective stations. 
 
 44 But it is not always that a well disposed young man can 
 attend my lectures. His previous knowledge of classics may 
 be so inconsiderable, that he is incompetent to join a class ; 
 and I have no time for individual instruction. Or it may hap- 
 pen that his progress in the oriental languages is very slow 
 and unsatisfactory to his professor ; in which t^ase he is not 
 permitted to expend time on the classics. At all events it is 
 not till after a term or two, when his acquirements and talents 
 are known, that he is admitted. So that your nephews can- 
 not resume the study of their European learning for some 
 months. And this makes it doubtful whether they will ever 
 be my pupils, as I wish to exonerate myself from the classical 
 department immediately on the arrival of your letter to the 
 Governor General, whether that letter confirm the institution 
 or not, 
 
142 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 " I shall, however, feel warmly interested in young men so 
 nearly related to you, and whose welfare you have so much at 
 heart. 
 
 " Mrs. Buchanan is not yet arrived. I have heard of her 
 good health at St. Helena, and of her pious care of two young 
 ladies whom she found on hoard ship. One of them comes 
 out to her father, who was once commander of a country ship ; 
 but she comes out to disappointment, for he is now reduced to 
 beggary, and banished from society by his worthless charac- 
 ter; so that I suppose Mrs. B. will not think it right to resign 
 her charge. The young lady bears an amiable character, and is 
 well educated. And from 'her attending prayers in Mrs. B.'s 
 cabin morning and evening, and reading the scriptures with 
 much interest and affection, ' (a circumstance which Mrs. B. 
 mentions in her letters to me,) w T e may look for the best fruits, 
 and hope that she is acquiring a consolation that will triumph 
 over her misfortune. 
 
 " Mr. Brown is in his usual state of doubtful health ; doubt- 
 ful also whether he shall go home or stay in India ; but he is 
 constant and faithful in his charge over his faithful people. 
 
 " I have written to you a long letter; and, according to my 
 dawk book, it is the thirteenth within the last eighteen months. 
 You will not expect frequent letters from me for the future. 
 I consider this as my winding up letter; like that of a mer- 
 chant who is about to retire from business, and wishes to settle 
 his accounts. 
 
 To Mr. Newton I wrote lately, and I could wish you to 
 communicate to him this letter, if he be able to read it. 
 
 "To his pious affection and fatherly counsel it has been 
 owing, under the wonder-working providence of God, that 
 the junior servants of the East India Company have been 
 placed for the last three years under my superintendence. 
 
 " By Mr. Thornton's means also, and by yours, this dis- 
 pensation has been directed. 
 
 " I remain, dear sir, with mueh regard, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 The number of Mr. Buchanan's correspondents was this 
 year increased by the return to Europe of Major Sandys, who, 
 in a season of severe domestic affliction, had been led to search 
 the scriptures for consolation ; and to whom the preaching of 
 Brown and Mr. Buchanan had been blessed as the means of 
 bringing him to the knowledge of the gospel, from the proud 
 holds of philosophical infidelity. To this gentleman, with 
 whom Mr. Buchanan afterwards maintained an uninterrupted 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 143 
 
 and affectionate intercourse, he wrote, in the month of June, 
 as follows : 
 
 " I suppose you will have seen all your friends by this time, 
 and settled your plans. I am anxious to know how you find 
 yourself after a year's residence in England. We do as usual 
 in Calcutta. Serious religion appears to increase. Mr. Obeck 
 is yet alive, but declining fast. He begs his blessing on you, 
 whom he calls a ' young man,' and wishes you a long chris- 
 tian life. You are quite forgotten by the gay world here, even 
 by those who used Xo feast with you sometimes. Those who 
 are always asking me about you are the poor people who 
 knew you but half a year. 
 
 " . . . . and .... are labouring at their docks and ac- 
 counts, thinking often of England, and sometimes of another 
 world. 
 
 " Since you and Prole left me, I have had no hooka. I do 
 not yet find the abstinence of much service, farther than it 
 saves time, now and then. The advantage of the hooka was, 
 that I could easily compose myself for composition by its 
 help. 
 
 " The whole settlement is at present in agitation, giving 
 Lord W. a public entertainment. The hawk as usual on the 
 steeple looks down in amazement at the bustle. It costs sixty 
 thousand rupees. 
 
 " .... is sick. He has had many attacks. She seeks 
 comfort at church ; and he begins to think, perhaps, that he 
 can obtain it no where else. 
 
 " But your interest in all these Calcutta matters will weaken 
 every month. That the gospel is honoured will be to you the 
 most welcome and the most interesting news. Adieu, my 
 dear Sandys." 
 
 The following is an extract from a second letter of Mr. Bu- 
 chanan to Major Sandys, dated early in September. 
 
 " Your letter from St. Helana I have just received by Mrs. 
 Buchanan, who arrived there the day after you had sailed. 
 Mary is much improved in health, and greatly matured in spi- 
 ritual knowledge, strength, and grace, which is the chief 
 theme of my happiness. Her missing you was a keen disap- 
 pointment at the moment. But she soon reflected that God 
 had ordered it for wise and gracious purposes, and then she 
 submitted. She opened your letters to me which she found at 
 Major Greentree's. These letters astonished her beyond 
 measure. She thought that you had yet been a man of the 
 world, (for she had not heard that your affliction had been 
 sanctified to you,) but behold she found you to be a child of 
 
144 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 God ; your understanding illuminated with knowledge, and 
 your heart expanding with love, hope, joy, zeal, and all the 
 charities. She lamented that she had no christian near her to 
 whom she might, in pious confidence, communicate these 
 happy news. So she disburdened her heart by writing a letter 
 to me. 
 
 "I was rejoiced to find by your letters that the gospel is 
 still glorious in your view, and that the world and its vanities 
 had not obscured the heavenly vision. May this happy state 
 be ever yours without alloy or reverse, but such as may be 
 necessary to confirm, and strengthen, and perfect you in the 
 inner man." 
 
 By a letter of the same date as the preceding, Mr. Buchanan 
 communicated to Mr. Elliott an affecting but consoling account 
 of the death of his son, who, in consequence of his distin- 
 guished proficiency in oriental learning, had been appointed 
 by Marquis Wellesley secretary to an embassy to Arabia; but 
 who, after having fulfilled with great ability the duties of his 
 mission, fell a victim to a fever in that country, and as a mark 
 of peculir honour, was interred in the garden of the Imam of 
 Senna. 
 
 To the same friend Mr. Buchanan again wrote in the course 
 of the month, as follows : 
 
 " Your letter by Mrs. Buchanan I received about a month 
 ago, since which time no ship for Europe has sailed. I thank 
 you for the ' Christian Observer.' You wish me to furnish 
 some papers for it. Mr. Thornton wrote to me on the same 
 subject ; but I answered him that my present avocations will 
 not permit it. A period of leisure may perhaps soon be 
 granted to me. But this is not the only objection to my fur- 
 nishing you with the life of Mr. Swartz. He left no papers; 
 and those persons are now removed who could give the best 
 information. He also deprecated posthumous praise ; and was 
 in constant dread of fame. He concealed often from Mr. 
 Obeck, (his only friend at one time,) his favoured seasons from 
 on high. 
 
 " Mrs. Buchanan is quite surprised to find so much vital 
 religion amongst us. My responsibility in college is greater 
 at present than formerly ; but the answer of the court will de- 
 termine many points ; and as far as relates to myself, they can- 
 not help determining them to my satisfaction. 
 
 tf We are carrying on a successful war against the Mahrattas, 
 fighting against them in three different quarters, and obtaining 
 three victories at the same time. The Hindoos are happy 
 that Juggernaut, their famous place of worship, has fallen into 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 145 
 
 our hands, for our imposts will not be so great as those of the 
 former possessors of the adjoining district.'^ 
 
 The occasional notices which have occurred in Mr. Bu- 
 chanan's letters respecting 1 the pious and excellent Mr. Obeck, 
 have probably excited a wish in the minds of most readers, to 
 know something of the closing scene of his life, as well as 
 some farther particulars of his character. In the month of 
 May, Mr. Buchanan thus wrote to Mr. Grant : 
 
 " The departure of the aged Obeck appears to be at hand. 
 At least, he thinks so, and bids me impart to you his blessing - 
 while his understanding remains. He was carried into church 
 last night, (Wednesday's lecture,) but was so much revived by 
 the service and view of his brethren, that he walked out, with 
 assistance. His only food at present is bread dipped in wine. 
 
 " Under this decay of body his mind is more vigorous than 
 ever. He has, within this last year, assumed a very intrepid 
 tone in rebuking sin, and remonstrating with the lukewarm, 
 and in defining a holy life in India. But he has great joy 
 among the true disciples, and his spiritual comforts have of 
 late been abundant." 
 
 Towards the end of the month of August following, Mr. 
 Buchanan thus describes to the same friend the progress of 
 Mr. Obeck's decline : 
 
 " The good Obeck is yet alive ; but his loins are girt for the 
 heavenly journey. He is confined to his room, and cannot at- 
 tend church. But the church attends him. He listens with 
 delight to the voice of praise in the adjoining building on the 
 Sunday and Thursday evenings. 
 
 " We have arranged all his temporal affairs to his satisfac- 
 tion. He has given us his text for his funeral sermon ; in 
 preaching which, I fear my spirits will fail me. It is difficult 
 to speak of the deceased father to the surviving children." 
 
 This venerable man was now very fast approaching his end. 
 Early in September he felt a presentiment that he should not 
 live to the close of that month ; and accordingly, on the 24th, 
 Mr. Buchanan thus announced his death to his respected friend 
 and benefactor : 
 
 " The aged Obeck has at last departed. For some weeks 
 before he almost daily expected his dismission. He had no 
 spiritual conflict at his last hour, but manifested constantly 
 peace, joy, and high assurance. He was sensible to the last : 
 and when he could not speak, he testified his exultation of 
 soul by pressing ardently to his breast his fellow saints. He 
 left to you and your family his solemn blessing. I send you a 
 paper containing some notice of his death. 
 
 N 
 
146 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 Just before Mr. Obeck's death, I preached his dying ser- 
 mon in the mission church from these words ; 4 The time of 
 my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have 
 finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there 
 is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the 
 righteous Judge shall give me at that day ; and not to me only, 
 but unto all them also who love his appearing.' 
 
 11 Mr. Brown will preach his funeral sermon next Sunday 
 evening." 
 
 Of what Mr. Buchanan styles Mr. Obeck's dying sermon 
 it may not be uninteresting to many readers to insert an ex- 
 tract; both as it contains a pleasing and animated sketch of the 
 life and character of that exemplary christian, and as it may 
 afford a specimen of the spirit of Mr. Buchanan's preaching 
 upon such occasions. 
 
 44 These are the words of the Apostle Paul, in the view of 
 his approaching death. They are words which manifest the 
 triumph of faith ; and which the Spirit of God enabled him to 
 utter; to be adopted by every faithful christian in after ages. 
 By these w r ords he sets a seal to his doctrine, that it was true : 
 that it was really the life of the soul at the dissolution of the 
 body : that the assurance of the christian in the view of death 
 is strong and sensible ; manifesting a power denied to others in 
 like circumstances ; and anticipating the joys to be revealed in 
 the kingdom of God. 
 
 44 In the records of every age of the church, we read of those 
 who were enabled to testify their faith and hope in the words 
 of the apostle ; and wherever the gospel is faithfully declar- 
 ed, and its power is felt, there will be frequent instances of 
 this triumph in death. 
 
 44 God hath been graciously pleased to honour this church 
 with such an instance at this time ; exemplified in his aged and 
 faithful servant, the venerable John Obeck ; who has for many 
 years been a member of this congregation, and is now supposed 
 to be at the point of death. 
 
 .. 44 This good man has ever been distinguished for his genuine 
 piety, for his ardent faith in the gospel, for his singular bene- 
 volence, and for his unremitted labours of love among the poor 
 and needy. He has been long known in this place, as one who 
 was always 4 going about doing good;' exhibiting an affecting 
 and amiable example of that 4 pure religion and undented,' 
 taught by the precepts and doctrine of our Saviour. 
 
 44 But his chief labour was in inculcating the sacred truths of 
 the gospel whenever he had opportunity ; and such opportu- 
 nities he often enjoyed. Many persons have for some years 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 147 
 
 attended his prayers in his own family, which was indeed a 
 church in his own house, where they enjoyed the inestimable 
 advantage of hearing his spiritual instruction, and listening to 
 the counsels of age and experince. 
 
 " His temperate and pure life has now carried him to his 
 seventy-third year. And from his fifteenth year (as I think he 
 once mentioned) he has endeavoured to serve God. Since that 
 period he has had a sense of religion in his heart, and has been 
 enabled to ■ keep himself unspotted from the world.' 
 
 " All serious persons who knew him had reason to expect, 
 that God would honour the death of so faithful a servant ; and 
 this honour hath been conferred on him in an abundant manner. - 
 During the two last months of his illness, the praise of his 
 Redeemer has been his constant theme. Surrounded daily by 
 his numerous family, his pleasure has been to talk of the things 
 of God, and of the glories of the kingdom to which he is hasten- 
 ing. And his ability has been as great as his pleasure. For 
 even at this time, when it is doubtful whether he will survive 
 another day, and when his bodily frame is in the last stage of 
 debility ; even now, his understanding is clear and unclouded ; 
 his perception of divine truths is undoubtedly stronger than at 
 a former period of his illness ; his soul seems to swell with 
 exultation when he recounts the past mercies of God ; and his 
 admonitions and exhortations to others have an earnestness and 
 emphasis, united with a force of reasoning and firmness of per- 
 suasion, which is nowhere to be seen but on the death-bed of 
 the christian ; and which nothing can inspire but a power from 
 on high. 
 
 " It will not be necessary to apologize for exhibiting to you 
 such an instance of the truth and divine power of the christian 
 religion. It is of great importance that such instances should 
 be exhibited ; for the knowledge of them is oftentimes blessed 
 in a peculiar manner to the hearers. And this excellent man 
 is himself fully sensible of the inexpressible goodness of God 
 to him, in enabling him to bear this blessed testimony at his 
 dying hour. 
 
 "He does not speak of manifestations and visions of glory, 
 which have sometimes attended the death of good men ; but he 
 manifests a calm, rational, and placid spirit, founded on the 
 basis of an immoveable faith, yet accompanied by such ardour 
 of expression, and by such an assurance of hope, as would 
 abash philosophy itself. 
 
 " He has none of those doubts which are often found on a 
 death-bed. He has not those fears and misgivings of con- 
 science which the unstable and careless christian often expe- 
 
148 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 riences. He has none of those fearful forebodings which harass 
 the soul of the despiser of religion in his last hour. He is a 
 stranger to that gloomy despair which often haunts the soul of 
 the man who haul passed through life the slave of ambition, or 
 the votary of pleasure. No, his last moments are the happiest 
 of his life. His ambition through life has been to obtain ' that 
 honour which cometh from God ;' and his pleasure has been, in 
 serving God with his whole heart; in loving his neighbour as 
 himself; in forgiving his enemies; and in praying for those 
 who persecute and despitefully use the professor of the gospel 
 of Christ. 
 
 "Do you inquire on what faith these good works and this 
 holy disposition were founded ? Let me express to you his faith, 
 collected chiefly from his own words : 
 
 '"lama sinner saved by the mercy of God in Christ. By 
 nature I am impure and unholy. Nothing in me, no merit of 
 mine, could make me the object of God's distinguishing grace. 
 But I believed the word of God, and I was enabled to offer up 
 my prayers at an early age, that he would open my understand- 
 ing, and lead me to a knowledge of his truth. And his pro- 
 mise was fulfilled to me, (as it is fulfilled to every serious in- 
 quirer,) ' Ask, and it shall be given unto you ; seek, and ye 
 shall find.' By degrees the mysteries of the gospel were open- 
 ed to my view. I beheld myself a lost and undone soul, lying 
 w r ith a multitude in a world of wickedness ; subject to the just 
 wrath of God. But I at the same time heard of the offer made 
 to a perishing world by the Saviour Christ. I beheld the whole 
 world overwhelmed by a flood of sin and misery, and the ark 
 of redemption floating on the waters. Every page of the gos- 
 pel showed me that there was no salvation, but by the ark 
 Christ ; that his atonement on the cross was the only atone- 
 ment for my past and future sins ; that his gracious Spirit in- 
 ffuencing my soul was the only preservative from my evil pas- 
 sions and from an ensnaring- world ; and that his mediation 
 alone procures our access to God, and warrants an answer to 
 our prayers. 
 
 " ' Thus,' said he, ' the perusal of the word of God was 
 .blessed to my soul. I received it in its plain and obvious mean- 
 ing ; and I have had a constant experience of its truth through 
 my past life. It has been a light to my steps, and a lantern to 
 my paths. Its peculiar doctrines appear now all light and 
 glory to my soul. I know that the denunciations of God against 
 •the despisers of his gospel will be expressly executed ; and I 
 know that his promises of glory to the righteous will be ful- 
 filled in a way thai « eye hath not seen, or ear heard, or hath 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 149 
 
 entered into the heart of man to conceive ;' and the anticipation 
 of this glory is to me unutterable. My prayer at my last mo- 
 ments is, that this power of the gospel may he felt more and 
 more at this place ; that the blessing of God may rest on this 
 church ; that the ministers may labour in the word with zeal 
 and faithfulness ; and that the hearers may receive the word 
 preached with meekness and affection ; that so the testimony 
 of the gospel may prevail, and the church of Christ may begin 
 to flourish in this dark corner of the world. 
 
 " * I leave,' said he, ' my blessing on this church. 
 
 " 4 As to my numerous family, I leave them with scarcely 
 the means of subsistence ; but I leave them dependant on that - 
 gracious Providence, which has supported me from youth to 
 age, in a state of apparent poverty and yet possessing abun- 
 dance. I leave my children to God as to a surviving Father, 
 who will care for them as he hath cared for me, and will, I 
 trust, bless my instructions to the salvation of their souls. 
 
 " ' As to myself, my hope is in heaven. The promises of 
 God are in a manner already fulfilled to me. His truth and 
 faithfulness are demonstrated to my soul. By his mercy " I 
 have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have 
 kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of 
 righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give 
 me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto all them also who 
 love his appearing.' " 
 
 " Such, my brethren, are the sentiments, the expressions, 
 and the heavenly hope of this good man. He now lies on his 
 death-bed in the house adjoining this church; and endeavours 
 to join the praises of the congregation with his feeble voice. 
 He could even now confirm every sentiment respecting him 
 which I have uttered ; and he could confirm them with an 
 energy and eloquence of which I am incapable. 
 
 " Who is there in this assembly who is not ready to say, 
 L Let me also die the death of the righteous ; and let my last 
 end be like hisV " 
 
 In the same month in which the preceding sermon was 
 preached, Mr. Buchanan was called to perform a similar office 
 on occasion of the death of Mr. Archibald Edmonstone, of the 
 Board of Trade, who left behind him a noble testimony to his 
 faith in the gospel. " His last words," says Mr, Buchanan, 
 in mentioning the event in a letter to a friend, " were these, 
 * Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
 through his abundant mercy hath begotten me again unto a lively 
 hope, through the resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ from 
 the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that 
 
 n2 
 
150 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 fadeth not away/ These words his brother has directed to be 
 engraven on his tomb." 
 
 The manner in which Mr. Edmonstone, who then filled one 
 of the most confidential situations under the Presidency of Ben- 
 gal, and is celebrated for his oriental learning, classical taste, 
 and cultivated understanding, described Mr. Buchanan's funeral 
 sermon on his brother, is too honourable to him to be omitted. 
 It occurs in a note from Mr. Edmonstone to his friend Captain 
 Baillie, professor of the Arabic language and of Mohammedan 
 law in the college of Fort William, and is as follows : 
 
 " My dear B. — I am returned from hearing a most affecting 
 and impressive discourse delivered by Mr. Buchanan with a 
 degree of feeling that does honour to his heart, on the occur- 
 rence of last week. I am anxious that Mr. B. should know 
 how grateful I feel for this high tribute of respect to the me- 
 mory and virtues of a beloved brother, and I therefore entreat 
 you to express to Mr. B. my sincere gratitude for this distin- 
 guished mark of his regard for him. Tell him that he has 
 afforded to my mind a real consolation, and that I trust I shall 
 ever after be the better for the affecting and forcible manner in 
 which he has held forth to imitation the example of a life of 
 true piety and virtue. Further, I request that you will convey 
 to Mr. B. my earnest wish (if it be not improper) that he 
 will allow me to transcribe his discourse, both for the purpose 
 of retaining it for my own use and benefit, and of transmitting 
 a copy of it to those in Europe who will indeed need the 
 consolation for such an irreparable loss, which so distinguish- 
 ed a testimony to the merits of a son and a brother is calcu- 
 lated to afford. Never does a clergyman appear more conspi- 
 cuously respectable, than when he combines with the public 
 duties of his calling the offices of humanity and consolation; 
 and never while 1 live will the memory of Mr. B.'s solemn 
 and eloquent discourse on this melancholy occasion, nor the 
 gratitude and respect for him which it has excited, be oblite- 
 rated from the mind of your ever affectionate 
 
 N. B. Edmonstone. 
 "Sunday, 11th September, 1S03. 
 
 "To Captain Baillie/' 
 
 It was in the summer of this year that Mr. Buchanan first 
 thought of proposing certain subjects of prize composition, 
 connected with the civilization and moral improvement of 
 India to the Universities of the United Kingdom. With this 
 laudable intention he waited on the Governor General, and 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 151 
 
 having obtained his lordship's approbation of the plan, he on 
 the 20th of October despatched letters to the Vice-Chancellors 
 and Principals of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, 
 of Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrew's, and Aberdeen, to the 
 Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, and to the head masters 
 of Eton, Westminster, and the Charter-House Schools, con- 
 taining the following proposals. For the best essay in Eng- 
 lish prose on "the best means of extending the blessings of 
 civilization and true religion among the sixty millions, inha- 
 bitants of Hindostan, subject to British authority ;" in each . 
 University^ one hundred pounds. For the best English poem 
 on " the revival of letters in the East," sixty pounds. For 
 "the best Latin ode or poem on " Collegium Bengalense," 
 twenty -five pounds ; and the same sum for the best Greek 
 ode on "TmrSu $&.'' The sum of fifty pounds each for the 
 best Latin and Greek poems was offered to the successful can- 
 didate at each of the public schools. No less a sum than six- 
 teen hundred and fifty pounds was thus appropriated by Mr. 
 Buchanan to this benevolent and patriotic purpose. The 
 unusual nature and munificent extent of his offers induced 
 some to suppose, either that they were not made simply at his 
 own suggestion and responsibility, or that he must have been 
 actuated by motives of ostentation and vanity. With respect 
 to the proposals themselves, they undoubtedly originated solely 
 with Mr. Buchanan, and were supported exclusively by his 
 own liberality. He was ever a man of a large and generous 
 mind, fertile in devising plans of usefulness, and prompt in 
 seizing the first opportunity of executing them. He was anx- 
 ious to extend in this country the knowledge of the character 
 and effects of the great collegiate institution which he had 
 been called to superintend ; and the recent victories of our 
 -armies in the peninsula having enlarged and confirmed our 
 eastern empire, he was desirous of awakening and directing 
 the minds of his countrymen at home to the duty and the op- 
 portunity of promoting the moral and political welfare of our 
 fellow subjects in India. Publicity and inquiry were therefore 
 his great objects ; publicity, not as to his own character or 
 fame, for this he knew might have been far more certainly ob- 
 tained by more obvious and less costly means, but as to the 
 great and philanthropic design which he had in view ; and this 
 induced him to endeavour to interest in his plan even the 
 higher forms in our public schools, The result of his liberal 
 proposals must be reserved to th<3 period of their reception 
 ; and success in this country. 
 
 In the month of November following, Mr. Buchanan firsi 
 
152 MEMOIRS OF DR, BUCHANAN", 
 
 communicated his thoughts on the expediency of an eccle- 
 siastical establishment for British India, in letters to the Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury, and to the rest of the episcopal bench, 
 having previously submitted them to Marquis Wellesley. The 
 reply which he received from the late Bishop Porteus con- 
 firmed and encouraged him in his determination to bring that 
 important subject fully before the public. 
 
 It was in the course of this year also, that Mr. Buchanan 
 obtained the sanction of the Governor-General to the building 
 of a new church in Calcutta. But the extensive plans of 
 Lord Wellesley respecting the college, and other political con- 
 cerns, prevented the execution of this design. 
 
 A few circumstances which occur in Mr. Buchanan's letters 
 to Mr. Grant and Major Sandys towards the end of this year, 
 may here be added. To the former he thus wrote in October 
 and December; 
 
 44 The venerable Obeck had not been dead many weeks, when 
 his old friend Mr. Gericke, that valuable man, took his depart- 
 ure also. The church at Madras is in great affliction ; for 
 there is no one to fill his place. Letters have come to us for 
 help. But we can give none. I do not know what acquaint- 
 ance you may have with that mission ; but attention to it ap- 
 pears to me highly important in the present state of things. If 
 there were any missionary like-minded with Gericke w r ithin 
 your reach, we could from Calcutta add something to his sa- 
 lary, if that be desirable." 
 
 To Major Sandys, Mr. Buchanan wrote as follows : 
 
 44 We are passing through an eventful season in India. The 
 order of the day is victory, and the Mahratta power is at length 
 destroyed. The whole peninsula is now under British domin- 
 ion. I have taken advantage of the crisis, in endeavouring 
 to excite our Universities at home to plead the cause of eastern 
 civilization. 
 
 44 Mary improves in health daily. She has no sanguine 
 wish to return to England ; and it is a subject on which I 
 never think. My health continually bids it, but norhing else. 
 Providence will in due time unlock every difficulty, and make 
 our purpose and duty clear. 
 
 44 The young lady who came out with Mrs. B. in the Car- 
 marthen appears to be dying of a consumption. If her strength 
 permit, we mean to send her to sea in a few days. She will 
 go first to [Madras, where Lady Sinclair will receive her. She 
 has a serious impression of religion, and is preparing for her 
 great change. 
 
 " Mr. Brown lives generally at Serampore. He is well, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 153 
 
 and begs his christian love to yon, solicitous for your welfare 
 amidst the trials to which you will be exposed. 
 
 a * * * * anc j i are on our USU al footing. I certainly give 
 him a great deal of trouble ; but it is on important subjects. I 
 suffer sometimes a repulse ; then I wait for a favourable mo- 
 ment, anxious, during the little time that may be spared, to do 
 all I can for the church of Christ in India ; for that is the chief 
 subject of my late endeavours/' 
 
 The character of the audience usually assembling at the 
 Presidency church has been already noticed. It has also been 
 observed, that a few years previous to this period, the spirit 
 of infidelity or of religious indifference was lamentably gene- 
 ral in our eastern capital ; and the infection still remained 
 amongst some, who, from neglected education, or the influence 
 of circumstances and habits, peculiarly unfriendly to Chris- 
 tianity, were scarcely aware of the nature of religious senti- 
 ment and feeling. Amongst other subjects, therefore, of dis- 
 course, more directly suited to those who acknowledged the 
 great truths of the gospel, Mr. Buchanan occasionally address- 
 ed those who doubted of its divine authority; and the perspi- 
 cuity and force, with which he stated its various evidences, 
 tended materially to extend and confirm the conviction of its 
 truth. The importance of such discourses is much height- 
 ened from the consideration of their probable effect on the 
 minds of the numerous young men, who as yet continued to 
 be assembled from the three Presidencies at the college of Fort 
 William ; and who might be justly expected to carry with 
 them to their different stations throughout India, those sound 
 principles of christian faith and practice which they had heard 
 thus ably and eloquently inculcated. The memorial of the 
 year 1803 cannot, perhaps, be better closed than by a short 
 extract or two from a sermon of this class preached by Mr. 
 Buchanan on Christmas-day, from the confession of the Sa- 
 maritans, John iv. 42. " Now we believe — and know that 
 this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." 
 
 The discourse opens with a brief review of the origin and 
 prevalence of Christianity by the preaching of a few unlearned 
 men in a remote age, at a period when learning and science 
 flourished in the surrounding nations ; and closing with the 
 following striking observation : 
 
 " Long before that period, a prophecy had gone forth con- 
 cerning the advent of the Messiah, in these remarkable words : 
 4 The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish.' 
 (Isaiah lx. 12.) If we look back to the history of the world, 
 we shall accordingly find that every nation which embraced 
 
154 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 the christian religion, emerged from ignorance and obscurity to 
 knowledge and light. If we consider the condition of man- 
 kind at this day, we shall perceive that those nations alone 
 which have been educated in the christian religion, are in a 
 state of civilization. Every other nation is in comparative 
 ignorance and barbarism. 
 
 "Of those who do not support Christianity," continued Mr. 
 Buchanan, " there are some men of talents and learning, who 
 allege that they do not believe it, and a great number, possess- 
 ing neither talents nor learning, would sanction a denial of it 
 by their authority. We shall, however, suppose that such 
 persons would be accounted good members of society; and, 
 supposing this, we shall make some concessions in the way of 
 argument, in order to lead to our conclusion as to their public 
 conduct.'' 
 
 These concessions, which are as follow, form, in fact, an 
 indirect but powerful series of proofs in favour of the divine 
 origin of Christianity : 
 
 " We shall suppose for a moment that the evidence for the 
 truth of our religion is not sufficient for human conviction. 
 We shall even suppose, a miracle, (as it will appear to some,) 
 that the principles which exalt our nation in the present zenith 
 of human refinement, were taught, not divinely, but by a few 
 fishermen of Judea, who imposed them forcibly on mankind, 
 and bade every nation bow to their authority; who, being illi- 
 terate themselves, subjugated the learning, good sense, and 
 piety of future ages to the excellence of their precepts, and 
 the sublime purity of their conceptions. 
 
 " We shall even imagine that the system of prophecy from 
 the earliest ages is not divine, and that the prophecies were not 
 fulfilled by miracle, but by chance: that the Jewish church, 
 with all its predictions, types, and figures of things to come ; 
 and the Christian church, with all its fulfilments of these pre- 
 dictions, types, and figures, are but the result of uncertain tra- 
 dition ; that the scriptures themselves, not accounted a work 
 either of learning or science, were yet handed down to us with 
 ti purity of which no classical record can boast, and whose 
 antiquity and durability appear to the minds of some like that 
 of the works of nature, which God hath created incorruptible; 
 we shall farther suppose that some other book has been found, 
 or may be found in some future age, bearing some analogy to 
 this* Ail these, and a thousand other collateral evidences, we 
 shall suppose not to be sufficient for conviction; that although 
 our religion has urged its way through every age, and hath 
 acquired, in these latter days, the sanction of the highest de- 
 
MEMOIRS Of V&4 BUCHANAN. 155 
 
 gree of learning and science which the world has ever known, 
 yet that its evidence is not sufficient for certain men of supe- 
 rior minds, or of purer hearts. 
 
 44 We shall now inquire, what rule of conduct respecting 
 this religion such an one ought to observe at this day ; one 
 who would be accounted a man of humane and honourable 
 principles, a friend of his country and of social order. 
 
 "In the first place, his country professes the christian reli- 
 gion. This of itself might inspire him with some delicacy in 
 speaking disrespectfully of it. Again, we suppose that our 
 country has been defending this religion for many years past ; 
 that she has been accounted its representative amidst the deso- 
 lation of other christian nations, and that she is now again 
 called forth in that character. 
 
 44 Now, supposing this to be true, would it be proper to 
 weaken this sentiment? Would it add any thing to the spirit 
 and energy of the nation, to believe that its religion is nothing 
 concerned in the event? 
 
 44 But leaving the consideration of the religion of our country, 
 let us advert to its principles. The moral principles of our coun- 
 try, whencesoever they have been derived, whether from an 
 improved barbarism, from the relics of learned antiquity, or 
 from a yet higher source, are at this time called christian prin- 
 ciples. Their excellence is acknowledged by the friends and 
 foes of the christian religion. In the degree in which they 
 are practised, they promote the happiness of individuals, of 
 communities, and of nations ; and the general practice of them 
 would keep the world in peace. 
 
 44 It will be granted, that if our country be defending any 
 thing, she is defending her principles. Even those who deny 
 her religion will consider the defence of her principles a sacred 
 duty. Now let such persons consider how they are fulfilling 
 this duty. 4 The principles of our country,' you will say, 
 4 are good ; but the religion which taught them is not true, at 
 least we are inclined to think so ; and, therefore, we may be 
 permitted to express our doubt on the subject, and to indulge 
 in occasional levity at the expense of the belief of others. 9 
 
 44 Now, in the first place, do you think that it is a likely 
 way to preserve these principles in the minds of men to insi- 
 nuate that they are not divine? Do you think it a likely way 
 to preserve moral principles in your children, or in young 
 persons under your direction, to take away all religious sane- 
 tion? 
 
 44 But you will say, that you mean not to do any harm ; that 
 your casual reflections on religion cannot be supposed to have 
 
156 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHAXAV. 
 
 much effect, and that yon only indulge your passion for dis- 
 playing your talents in your own circle, by asserting what you 
 think liberal sentiments among young people, and by retailing 
 the wit of learned infidels. 
 
 44 But in doing this, do you assume the character of a good 
 member of society ? If all men were such as you are, our 
 constitution and liberties would not survive another day. They 
 have not hitherto been maintained by such defenders! It was 
 not this levity of principle which conducted us through our 
 late dangers, and gave vigour to our fleets and armies in the 
 awful contest. Nor is it this principle which at this eventful 
 moment animates our nation with such a holy enthusiasm for 
 the preservation of their country, their laws, and their religion. 
 
 44 If it please the providence of God that success should 
 still attend us in the deliverance of our country, you will yet 
 have to reflect that you have not contributed to its preserva- 
 tion ; that you have neither supported its religion nor its prin- 
 ciples ; but will have to fear that, in the degree of your in- 
 fluence, you have injured both. You will have to reflect that 
 you have not done your part as a good member of society ; 
 that however obscure your situation, or small your ability, 
 you have put no mite into the treasury of the public good ; 
 that, on the contrary, you have lived a mere inactive pensioner 
 on the bounty of your country, which grants you the blessing 
 of a tranquil life, and grants you also that liberty of opinion 
 which is abused to her injury." 
 
 The preceding passages form a brief abstract only of the 
 train of reasoning pursued in this able sermon. Towards the 
 close of it Mr. Buchanan observes, that great as is the benefit 
 of the christian religion to nations, and irresistible as are the 
 arguments for maintaining it for the good of society, its 
 importance to the happiness of the individual is still greater. 
 
 44 Had not its eternal sanctions awakened the consciences of 
 men in every age, and its spirit sunk deep into their hearts, its 
 national importance w r ould never have preserved it, and the 
 solemnity of this day would not now have been observed. 
 But there are those now who pronounce the confession of the 
 text with the same confidence and in the same spirit with 
 w r hich it was pronounced at first. * We believe and know that 
 this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. 1 " 
 
 After referring to the practical illustrations of this assertion 
 which had been lately afforded amongst themselves,* Mr. 
 Buchanan thus conludes: 
 
 * Probably alluding to the deaths of Mr. Obeck and Mr. Edmonstone. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 157 
 
 "That which was prophesied of the christian religion has 
 been fulfilled in every age ; ■ that it should be in a state of con- 
 flict, but that the spirit of some would preserve it unto the end 
 of the world.' ■ Ye,' saith the Lord, ■ are the salt of the 
 earth.' Ye are they, who, having an impression of the eternal 
 truth of my gospel, will maintain its doctrines and principles 
 for your own salvation, and for the advantage of an evil 
 world. 
 
 " 'But if at any time this salt shall lose its savour ;' if at 
 any time your profession of religion should degenerate into a 
 mere form, it then only serveth to be cast out, and * to be trod- 
 den under the feet of men ;' under the feet of your present 
 enemies, and by a vain philosophy. 
 
 44 We, my brethren, may be accounted the representatives of 
 the christian religion in this remote country. A duty is im- 
 posed on us from which some societies may think themselves 
 exonerated. And however little many of us may think of this 
 duty, it is one which must and will be performed by some, 
 zealously and faithfully, as a duty to God and to their country. 
 
 44 And living in the observance of this duty, they will wait 
 the event of that awful commotion which begins again to agi- 
 tate the world, in humble acquiescence in the righteous dispen- 
 sations of God, not trusting to the merits of our nation for 
 deliverance, but firmly believing that, since it hath pleased his 
 providence to honour us, in time past, with the defence of his 
 religion, it is his will that it should yet be established by our 
 means." 
 
 It is a gratifying reflection, that the high duty and privilege 
 of maintaining inviolate the purity of the christian religion has 
 been faithfully fulfilled by the British empire at large ; and that 
 we have emerged out of that great conflict which had then 
 lately recommenced, with augmented strength and glory, a 
 monument of the truth of the divine declaration, that the steady 
 profession, and the undaunted defence of truth and righteous- 
 ness, are the surest means of protecting and exalting a nation. 
 
 It may not be improper to add, that, at the close of the pre- 
 ceding sermon, a collection was made to the amount of 6,000 
 rupees, a sum highly creditable to the liberality of the congre- 
 gation, for the benefit of 44 the Calcutta Charitable Fund," in- 
 stitued in the year 1800, by the Rev. David Brown, under the 
 auspices of Marquis Wellesley, for the relief of distressed 
 Europeans, Mohammedans, and Hindoos, of which Mr. Bu- 
 chanan some years afterwards observed, that it had been a 
 fountain of mercy to thousands. 
 
158 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANANS 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The college of Fort "William, according to the regulation of 
 Lord Wellesley, in obedience to the decision of the Court of 
 Directors, was to close on the 31st of December, 1803. It 
 was, however, a very gratifying circumstance to the friends of 
 that institution, that on the 3d of January, 1804, a despatch 
 announced to the Governor General the determination of the 
 court, that the college should for the present continue on its 
 original footing. The business and examinations of the stu- 
 dents accordingly proceeded in their usual train, or rather, with 
 additional spirit. 
 
 " An example of idleness," says Mr. Buchanan in a letter 
 to a friend, "isa rare thing. The appointments to the ser- 
 vice continue to be made according to the college list, that is, 
 according to merit." 
 
 * The annual disputations in the oriental languages were held 
 this year on the 20th of September, in the presence of the 
 Governor General, accompanied, as usual, by the principal 
 officers of the Presidency, with the addition, on this occasion, 
 of Soliman Aga, the envoy from Bagdad. The subjects of the 
 disputations were, " the Shanscrit, as the parent language of 
 India," in Hindostanee ; " the figurative sense of the poems 
 of Hafiz," in Persian ; " the utility of translations of the best 
 works extant in the Shanscrit into the popular languages of 
 India," in Bengalee; and, in Arabic, "the importance of the 
 Arabic to a grammatical knowledge of the Persian language." 
 A declamation was afterwards pronounced in Shanscrit, for the 
 first time, by one of the students, which was followed by a 
 speech in the same language by the Rev. Mr. Carey ,t the Mo- 
 derator and Professor. 
 
 Prizes were at the same time awarded for the best English 
 essays on " the utility of the Persian language in India," on 
 " the progress of civilization in India under the British govern- 
 ment," and on "the decline and fall of the Mohammedan em- 
 pire in India." Honorary rewards of books were also adjudg- 
 
 * See " The College of Fort William/' page 124. 
 t For a translation of this eloquent and interesting speech, see " The College 
 of Fort William," page 168. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 159 
 
 ed to the best proficients in the Greek and Latin classics, and 
 in the French language. 
 
 The several compositions of this year were afterwards pub- 
 lished in the third volume of the "Primitise Orientales." 
 
 In the speech with which Marquis Wellesley closed the pro- 
 ceedings of the day, his lordship declared, that in each succes- 
 sive year the standard of comparative merit had been progres- 
 sive in the highest classes of the college, and expressed his 
 cordial satisfaction at the proficiency and good conduct of the 
 students. 
 
 44 The observance of all the statutes," said his lordship, " is 
 equally essential to the interests and honour of the students ; 
 nor is their duty confined merely to the diligent pursuit of the 
 prescribed course of study. The intention of the statutes is not 
 only to provide instruction in the oriental languages, and in the 
 several branches of study immediately connected with the per- 
 formance of official functions, but to prescribe habits of regu- 
 larity and good order. My principal purpose in founding this 
 institution was, to secure the junior servants of the Company 
 from all undue influence in the discharge of their official func- 
 tions, and to introduce them into the public service in perfect 
 freedom and independence, exempt from every restraint, ex- 
 cepting the high and sacred obligations of their civil, moral, and 
 religious duty." 
 
 In the course of the year 1804, several circumstances occur- 
 red, connected with Mr. Buchanan and the college of Fort Wil- 
 liam, which will be best introduced by a few extracts from his 
 letters. He thus wrote to Major Sandys in the month of 
 February : 
 
 " We are much the same in church, state, and college, as 
 when you left us ; only in respect to myself my various labours 
 have increased, are increasing, and, I fear, will not be di- 
 minished. 
 
 " I am literally left alone in many matters of a public nature, 
 particularly in a battle now fighting, (the worst I have yet had,) 
 with Mussulman and Hindoo prejudices against translations of 
 the Scriptures. Their clamour has assailed the government. 
 Lord Wellesley and Mr. Barlow are neuter ; but the old civil 
 servants fan the flame. A folio volume would not detail the 
 particulars ; but I trust you will soon hear of the good effect. 
 In the mean time, I am growing infirm in body, and long for 
 more holy employ than that of hewing wood only for our fu- 
 ture sanctuary in India. I know that what is doing is useful ; 
 but spiritual comforts do not accompany the occupation, in the 
 
160 MEMOIR* OF DR. BTJCHANAK. 
 
 degree I desire, and look forward to, when I have peace from 
 public conflict." 
 
 The particular circumstance to which Mr. Buchanan pro- 
 bably referred in the preceding extract was a memorial which 
 about this time was addressed to the Governor General, in con- 
 sequence of the following subject having been proposed, among 
 others, for discussion by the students of the college, at the 
 annual disputations which have been just mentioned ; viz. 
 " The advantage which the natives of this country might derive 
 from translations, in the vernacular tongues, of the books con- 
 taining the principles of their respective religions, and those of 
 the christian faith." 
 
 There certainly appears to be no ground of offence to the 
 natives of India in the foregoing thesis. A christian might 
 rather have objected to it as placing his most holy faith too 
 much upon a level with heathen and Mohammedan error. A 
 memorial was, however, addressed to the Governor General on 
 the part of the Mohammedan moonshees, and of a number of 
 the Mussulman inhabitants of Calcutta, remonstrating against 
 this supposed infringement of the toleration afforded to them by 
 the British government. In reply, Marquis Wellesley signified 
 to the memorialists, that although he perceived no principle of 
 an objectionable tendency in the foregoing thesis, yet, with a 
 view to prevent all apprehension on the part of the natives, he 
 had prohibited the intended disputation upon that subject. 
 
 Some years afterwards this incident was appealed to on the 
 part of the Bengal government in support of some measures 
 tending to discourage or suppress the exertions of missionaries. 
 Upon which occasion Mr. Buchanan observed,* that the me- 
 morial probably originated in the suggestions of some indivi- 
 duals at that time connected with the government and the col- 
 lege, who appeared to entertain a degree of morbid tenderness 
 for the religious feelings of the natives. 
 
 These gentlemen had from the beginning been hostile to a 
 most important work which had been carrying on in the college ; 
 viz. the translation of the Scriptures into the oriental languages 
 by natives and Europeans. So great was their jealousy on this 
 subject, that there existed a kind of compromise between the 
 friends and the opponents of this salutary measure, that if the 
 Bible were printed for christians, the Koran should be printed 
 for Mohammedans. It is to this honourable contest that Mr. 
 Buchanan refers in the letter last quoted ; and, happily for the 
 interests of Christianity, he was decidedly successful. So early 
 
 * See his " Apology for promoting Christianity in India," p. 102. 
 
MEHOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 161 
 
 as the year after the present period of these memoirs, a com- 
 mencement had been made in the translation of the Scriptures 
 into several languages. * The first versions of any of the gos- 
 pels in Persian and Hindostanee, which were printed in India, 
 issued from the press of the college of Fort William. The 
 Persian was superintended by Lieut. Colonel Colebrooke, and 
 the Hindostanee by William Hunter, Esq. The gospels were 
 translated into the Malay by Thomas Jarre tt, Esq., of the civil 
 service. 
 
 Of these and other translations of the Scriptures then pro- , 
 jected and undertaken, only a very inconsiderable part was exe- 
 cuted at the public expense. The sole charge incurred by the 
 college in the department of sacred translation, was for the gos- 
 pel of St. Matthew in Persian and Hindostanee ; with this ex- 
 ception, the extensive Biblical works successively announced 
 from this institution were carried on at the private expense of 
 those members of the college, amongst whom the Provost and 
 Vice-Provost held the first rank, and others who deemed it to 
 be of the highest importance to promote the diffusion of sacred 
 literature in Asia. 
 
 A second occurrence in this year marked an improved state 
 of moral feeling in Calcutta, and particularly illustrates the 
 salutary influence of the college of Fort William. It is thus 
 mentioned by Mr. Buchanan in a letter to Major Sandys, in the 
 month of August : 
 
 " The institution of a civil fund for widows and orphans 
 agitates this service at present. The old gentlemen wish to in- 
 clude black illegitimate children. The junior servants, who are 
 now or have been in college, almost with one voice exclaim 
 against a measure which they conceive would have a tendency 
 to sanction vice, and to countenance an illicit connexion with 
 native women. The question is now referred to the vote of 
 every individual in the service. In the meantime, one of my 
 old scholars has written a letter to the service ; in which he 
 complains of their violation of the divine law, and requests 
 them to revert to the principles of honour and chastity. Mr. 
 M. is in the Governor General's office, and is supported by the 
 young school, by all the college, by the Governor General, and 
 by all the friends of revealed religion. Caricatura prints, ex- 
 hibiting the mover of the subject, with a black child in his 
 arms, pleading its cause in full assembly, while a black dye 
 behind urges him forward ; and various other devices mark the 
 popular question, and promise to brand the immoral practice. 
 
 * See the * f Christian Researches," introduct. p. %. 
 
 o2 
 
162 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAtf. 
 
 It is said, that the affliction and shame of the old service are 
 extreme ; and that they execrate the college and its fruits, and 
 hope that the Court of Directors will now see, how unfriendly- 
 it is to ancient institutions ! 
 
 88 What the result as to the fund will he, I know not." 
 
 This, however, Mr. Buchanan stated to the public in the fol- 
 lowing year, in some remarks on the college of Fort William.* 
 88 The contest," he observes, " was maintained for a consider- 
 able time, by printed correspondence, and the fund was at 
 length established without the opprobrious clause. But a few 
 years ago," adds Mr. Buchanan, " any man who should have 
 ventured to resist such a measure on the ground of religious or 
 moral propriety, would have become the jest of the whole ser- 
 vice. He must be an entire stranger to what is passing in 
 Bengal, who does not perceive that the college of Fort William 
 is sensibly promoting an amelioration of the European charac- 
 ter, as well as the civilization of India." 
 
 The activity of Mr. Buchanan's mind respecting objects 
 which he deemed important to the interests of morals and re- 
 ligion, may be collected, not only from the preceding circum- 
 stances, but from various hints in his correspondence and diary. 
 
 Thus at the close of the letter from which the foregoing ex- 
 tract w r as made, he says, "I have always some plans relating 
 to church or college in his excellency's hands; and generally 
 in arrear. But when he does take them up, it is with the pro- 
 per attention." A memorandum also occurs in the same year, 
 in which Mr. Buchanan notices a consultation which he had 
 lately held with Sir George Barlow on a public thanksgiving, 
 probably on account of the victorious termination of the Mah- 
 ratta war, on the subject of a cenotaph for those who had fallen 
 in battle, and respecting an order for the better observance of 
 the Sunday. 
 
 Amidst his various labours, however, the domestic trial, with 
 which Mr. Buchanan had been already exercised, was renewed 
 by the reappearance, early in the summer of this year, of alarm- 
 ing consumptive symptoms in Mrs. Buchanan. In the course 
 of the autumn she became so ill, that her life was for a short 
 time despaired of; and on her partial recovery, being strongly 
 urged to proceed a second time to Europe, she at length very 
 reluctantly consented. 
 
 Preparations were accordingly made for this purpose, and 
 in October Mr. Buchanan briefly mentions in his diary, that 
 he had been on board the Lady Jane Dundas to look at Mrs. 
 
 * See " The College of Fort William," p. 163. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 163 
 
 B.'s cabin. She did not, however, leave Calcutta till the 22d 
 of January following, when Mr. Buchanan accompanied her 
 and her youngest daughter to the ship at Kedgeree ; and on 
 the 25th the fleet sailed for Madras, leaving him once more to 
 return to a solitary home, full of tender but melancholy mus- 
 ings ; hoping almost " against hope," for some favourable 
 effect from her voyage, but rather endeavouring to prepare his 
 mind for a contrary result. His memoranda testify the warmth 
 of affection with which he again followed Mrs* Buchanan, by 
 frequent notices of the letters which he Avrote to her weekly, 
 and sometimes almost daily, and of which it is much to be 
 regretted that not a vestige remains. > 
 
 It was at the anxious period, which immediately preceded 
 her departure from India, that Mr. Buchanan resolved to em- 
 ploy a part of the very limited leisure which his ministerial 
 and collegiate duties allowed, to prepare a work which had 
 long been the subject of his thoughts, and the importance of 
 which is now universally acknowledged. This was what he 
 afterwards entitled, " A Memoir of the Expediency of an Ec- 
 clesiastical Establishment for British India." 
 
 During the century in which they had been gradually ac- 
 quiring their oriental empire, the East India Company, intent 
 on the pursuits of commerce and ambition, and contending fre- 
 quently not merely for aggrandizement but for existence, were 
 but little at leisure to attend to the moral and religious elaims 
 even of their own servants ; much less to consider those of 
 their native subjects to any thing beyond general protection, 
 and the administration of justice ; and even to these, till of 
 late years, but partially and imperfectly. Some provision, but 
 of a very scanty and inadequate kind, was made for the supply 
 of the spiritual wants of their European servants, by the es- 
 tablishment of a few chaplains at each of the three Presiden- 
 cies ; the number of whom was gradually increased as the Com- 
 pany progressively extended its Indian territories. 
 
 To those who from principles of infidelity, whether specu- 
 lative or practical, or from the absorbing influence of worldly 
 pursuits, were disposed to treat religion as a subordinate con- 
 cern, to consider the most distant and transient attention to it 
 as amply fulfilling its demands, and who, in the acquisition or 
 consolidation of power amidst the half-civilized votaries of 
 idolatry and imposture, were tremblingly alive to the danger of 
 offending or alarming them, by the too prominent profession 
 of a purer faith, it may be easily imagined, that the ecclesias- 
 tical appointments in India were deemed sufficiently numerous 
 and effective. But to the eye of christian observation, and 
 
164 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 even of enlightened policy, they had long been considered un- 
 worthy of our public profession as a Protestant and religious 
 empire, inadequate to the necessities of the European popula- 
 tion, and inconsistent both with our interest and our duty as 
 the almost undisputed sovereigns of India. The immense dis- 
 tance which separates Great Britain and Hindostan, the com- 
 paratively small number of those who are either acquainted 
 with Indian affairs, or interested in their management, the pe- 
 culiar nature of their direction by a commercial company, and 
 the lateness of the period at which they assumed the aspect 
 of political and territorial importance, all tended to involve the 
 religious consideration of India in obscurity and neglect. The 
 providence of God had, however, within the space of a few 
 years, not only given to Great Britain a decided predomi- 
 nance over every other European nation, but by the extinction 
 of the Mohammedan, and the subjection of the Mahratta 
 power, had in fact bestowed upon us the empire of India. 
 An enlarged attention to the religious welfare of an augmented 
 body of European servants, and to the political and moral im- 
 provement of fifty millions of native subjects, was one of the 
 necessary consequences of our Indian sovereignty — a result, 
 however, which those whose views are principally directed to 
 political aggrandizement, would, for the reasons already as- 
 signed, be naturally slow to perceive and acknowledge ; but 
 which the christian patriot and philosopher would be eager to 
 anticipate and assert. It cannot, therefore, be a matter of sur- 
 prise, that a subject so important in itself, and so intimately 
 connected with his own profession and local situation, should 
 have early occurred to the mind of such a diligent and wake- 
 ful observer as Mr. Buchanan. The design of his " Memoir" 
 was indeed, as he afterwards declared, first suggested to him 
 by the late excellent Bishop Porteus ;* who had, he said, 
 "attentively surveyed the state of our dominions in Asia," 
 and had expressed his " conviction of the indispensable neces- 
 sity of an ecclesiastical establishment for our Indian empire." 
 He was encouraged also, as he added, " by subsequent com- 
 munications with Marquis Wellesley, to endeavour to lead the 
 attention of the nation to this subject." The manuscript of 
 this work was transmitted to England in the spring, and pub- 
 lished in the autumn of the year 1805. 
 
 Before we proceed, however, with the consideration of his 
 " Memoir," it will be proper to recur to the prizes proposed 
 
 * See his " Christian Researches/' p. 273, and the first Dedication of hi* 
 u Memoir," p. iv. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. SUCHANAX, 165 
 
 by Mr. Buchanan to the Universities, and some of the public 
 schools, of the United Kingdom. They were accepted in the 
 summer of 1804, by the several bodies to which they were 
 offered, with the exception of the University of Oxford ; by 
 which they were declined, on the ground of certain objections 
 in point of form. The prize compositions were directed to 
 be delivered to the respective judges towards the end of the 
 year ; and early in the following spring, the prizes were award- 
 ed to the successful candidates. Of the compositions which 
 were thus honoured, the greater number were afterwards pub- 
 lished, as well as a few others, which had proved unsuccessful. 
 In the University of Cambridge, the prize for the Greek ode 
 was adjudged to Mr. Pryme, of Trinity college ; and at Eton 
 to Mr. Rennell, afterwards Fellow of King's college. At the 
 same distinguished school Mr. Richards obtained the prize for 
 the best Latin verses on the college of Fort William. 
 
 In Scotland, three Latin poems were also published, by Mr. 
 Mac Arthur, Mr. Adamson, and Dr. Brown, of which the two 
 former were thought worthy of the prize by the Universities 
 of Glasgow and Aberdeen. The composition, however, which 
 reflected the highest honour on its author, and on the occasion 
 which called it forth, was the English poem on "the restora- 
 tion of learning in the East," by Charles Grant, Esq., then Fel- 
 low of Magdalen college, Cambridge. The poetical talents, the 
 classical and oriental learning, the elevated sentiments, and the 
 rich and varied command of language, displayed in this prize 
 composition, attracted general admiration ; and tended materially 
 to promote the design which the proposer of the subject had in 
 view, by directing the public attention to the revival of learning 
 on the banks of the Ganges, and by exciting it to the duty and 
 the privilege of improving the condition of the degraded natives 
 of Hindostan, and of spreading throughout our oriental empire 
 the blessings of literature and religion. A second poem on this 
 subject was published at the request of the examiners, by the 
 Rev. Francis Wrangham, of Trinity College. 
 
 Essays on u the best means of civilizing the subjects of the 
 British empire in India, and of diffusing the light of the chris- 
 tian religion throughout the eastern world,'' were published by 
 the Rev. William Cockburn, Fellow of St. John's College, and 
 Christian Advocate in the University of Cambridge, to whom 
 the prize was assigned ; by Mr. W r rangham, who with lauda- 
 ble zeal engaged in the prose as well as in the poetical compe- 
 tition ; by Dr. Tennant, then lately returned as a military chap- 
 lain from India ; and by Messrs. Mitchell and Bryce, to whom 
 
166 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 the prize was respectively adjudged by the Universities of 
 Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. 
 
 These essays were, with one exception, the production of 
 studious and speculative men, whose attention was probably 
 first directed to the subject by Mr. Buchanan's proposal to the 
 learned bodies of which they were members. Whilst it could 
 scarcely, therefore, be expected that they should suggest any 
 detailed practical arrangements for the civilization and instruc- 
 tion of the natives of Hindostan, they exhibited considerable 
 historical and political research, together with enlightened and 
 benevolent views of the duty of Great Britain to promote the 
 important objects submitted to their discussion, and concurred 
 in recommending the adoption of certain direct means for dif- 
 fusing the blessings of Christianity in India. They possessed 
 the additional merit of contributing to bring before the public 
 inquiries tending to ameliorate the moral and religious condi- 
 tion of our oriental empire. 
 
 The utility of the labours of missionaries, and the establish- 
 ment of schools, was recognized by several of the writers last 
 mentioned. The consideration, however, of an ecclesiastical 
 establishment was reserved for Mr. Buchanan himself; whose 
 " Memoir" upon that subject was intended to point out the ex- 
 pediency of such a measure, " both as the means of perpetuat- 
 ing the christian religion among our own countrymen, and as 
 a foundation for the ultimate civilization of the natives." 
 
 After the extensive circulation of the work itself, and the 
 ample discussion of its subject, which we have witnessed ; 
 more especially after the ecclesiastical appointments which have 
 lately taken place, and which must be attributed chiefly to the 
 original proposal and the persevering efforts of Mr. Buchanan, 
 it will not now be necessary to enter much at large into the 
 statements and reasonings of his able and interesting memoir. 
 It will be sufficient to observe, that the first part of it exhibited 
 the very inadequate state of the clerical establishment in India 
 at that period, for the great purposes of the instruction and re- 
 ligious communion of our resident countrymen. Upon this 
 point, the facts and arguments adduced by Mr. Buchanan were 
 conclusive as to the obligation and the policy of a more suitable 
 provision for the due performance of the ordinances of the 
 established religion. 
 
 In the second part, he supposed such an establishment to 
 taave been given to India, and proceeded to eonsider the result 
 with respect to the civilization of the natives. After describing 
 in just and forcible terms their actual condition — the pride, im- 
 morality, and bigotry of the Mohammedans, and the vices, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 167 
 
 enormities, and barbarities of Hindoo superstition and idolatry, 
 Mr. Buchanan discussed at some length the practicability and 
 the policy of attempting to civilize and improve them. In this 
 part of his work he exhibited the character of the Hindoos in a 
 different point of view from that in which they had been gene- 
 rally regarded. He asserted that their apathy is extreme, and 
 that no efforts to instruct them, except such as partook of a 
 compulsory nature, ought to be considered as attended with 
 danger to the British government; that their prejudices are 
 daily weakening in every European settlement ; that they are 
 a divided people ; that they are less tenacious of opinion than 
 of custom ; and that to disseminate new principles among them 
 is by no means so difficult as it is frequently represented. 
 
 In support of the policy of the measure which he proposed, 
 the arguments of Mr. Buchanan were irresistible. The single 
 consideration, that the attachment of a people separated from 
 their governors by a variety of moral and physical distinctions, 
 without any mutual bond of union, must necessarily be preca- 
 rious, and that such a connecting link can only be afforded by 
 means of our religion, is a sufficient proof of this point. In 
 obviating objections founded on the supposed impolicy of civil- 
 izing our Indian subjects, Mr. Buchanan, however, advanced 
 to higher ground. 
 
 "The progressive civilization of India," he observes, "will 
 never injure the interests of the East India Company. But 
 shall a christian people, acknowledging a Providence in the 
 rise and fall of empire, regulate the policy of future times, and 
 neglect a present duty, a solemn and imperious duty, exacted by 
 their religion, by their public principles, and by the opinion of 
 the christian nations around them ? Or can it be gratifying to the 
 English nation to reflect that they receive the riches of the East on 
 the terms of chartering immoral superstition ?" Memoir, p. 40. 
 
 The appeal was unanswerable, and produced a corresponding 
 impression upon the public mind. 
 
 The third part of Mr. Buchanan's memoir strongly confirm- 
 ed his arguments as to the practicability of his proposed plan, 
 by a view of the progress already made in civilizing the na- 
 tions of Hindostan. Many interesting facts were here stated 
 relative to the existence of Christianity in India from the ear- 
 liest ages, and particularly respecting the native christians on 
 the coast of Malabar, who, notwithstanding the accounts given 
 of them by a few learned men, were now, for the first time, 
 prominently introduced to the knowledge of the English pub- 
 lic. The labours of the Danish missionaries, Ziegenbalg and 
 Grundler, and of the apostolic Swartz, were also commemo- 
 
168 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 
 
 rated ; and the laudable and truly christian addresses of King 
 George the First and Archbishop Wake to the former excel- 
 lent men, were exhibited as models of imitation to political 
 and ecclesiastical governors of the present day. 
 
 The memoir itself was with great propriety, and in a strain 
 of dignified and impressive eloquence, dedicated to his Grace, 
 the late Archbishop of Canterbury, having been transmitted to 
 this country before the death of that most reverend prelate was 
 known in Bengal. 
 
 An appendix to the memoir contained a variety of important 
 information on the superstitions of the Hindoos, tending pow- 
 erfully to correct the erroneous opinion so commonly enter- 
 tained of them at this period, as a mild, humane, and inoffen- 
 sive race. 
 
 In advocating the expediency of an ecclesiastical establish- 
 ment as a foundation for the ultimate civilization of the natives 
 of India, Mr. Buchanan did not state at length the reasonings 
 upon which he grounded his expectation of that important 
 result. 
 
 11 No immediate effect," he observes, " is to be expected 
 from it in the way of revolution ; but it may be demonstrated 
 by a deduction from facts, that the most beneficial conse- 
 quences will follow in the way of ordinary effect from an ade- 
 quate cause." P. 21. 
 
 A detailed view of the intermediate steps between the cause 
 and its supposed consequences, would, doubtless, as it was af- 
 terwards suggested, have been a desirable addition to the argu- 
 ments of his memoir. Mr. Buchanan, however, probably 
 thought, that the concurring testimony of history as to the con- 
 nexion between the profession and establishment of a religion 
 by the governing power in a state, and its progressive influence 
 among the people, was sufficiently known and acknowledged 
 to authorize the general assertion just quoted; and it was not, 
 perhaps, absolutely necessary to the conclusiveness of his 
 proofs as to the expediency of an ecclesiastical establishment 
 in India for both the important purposes stated in his memoir. 
 Such was briefly the nature of the novel and interesting 
 work which Mr. Buchanan transmitted to England in the year 
 1805, for publication. It was calculated, from the peculiar 
 subjects of which it treated, to excite general attention, and to 
 provoke both discussion and animadversion. The considera- 
 tion, however, of its reception and effect, must be suspended, 
 while we revert to the intermediate course of this narrative. 
 
 It had long been an object of anxiety to the superintendents 
 of the college of Fort William to obtain a version of the scrip- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 169 
 
 tures in the Chinese language. After many fruitless inquiries, 
 they in this year succeeded in procuring the assistance of Mr. 
 Lassar, a native of China, and an Arminian christian, whose 
 name is now well known as a learned professor of that lan- 
 guage. Mr. Lassar arrived at Calcutta in a commercial capa- 
 city, and having met with some difficulties, he became known 
 to Mr. Buchanan, who, appreciating his talents, generously 
 liberated him from his embarrassments, and engaged him at a 
 stipend of three hundred rupees per month to devote himself 
 to the translation of the scriptures, and to the instruction of a 
 Chinese class, formed of one of the elder, and three of the 
 junior members of the missionary establishment at Serampore. 
 The expected reduction of the college rendering it inexpedient 
 that Mr. Lassar should be attached to that institution, this sti- 
 pend was afforded for about three years at the sole expense of 
 Mr. Buchanan. To his liberality, therefore,* must be chiefly 
 ascribed the progress which has been made in that quarter to- 
 wards supplying the vast empire of China with a translation 
 of the sacred volume into its own extraordinary language. 
 
 The name of Mr. Buchanan appears in the year 1805 in 
 the list of members of the Asiatic Society. He had probably 
 been elected previously to that period, and if he did not con- 
 tribute to the curious and valuable " researches" of that learned 
 body, it was not so much from any want of interest in their 
 labours, as from the pressure of his various employments, 
 which allowed him only to devote his leisure to inquiries which 
 were exclusively of an ecclesiastical and religious nature. 
 
 Two letters to one of his friends in this year contain proofs 
 of the paternal anxiety with which Mr. Buchanan watched 
 over the progress of the students of Fort William. The 
 weekly reports of the different professors as to the proficiency 
 of their classes were delivered to him every Saturday. Their 
 representations, whether favourable or otherwise, were by him 
 communicated to the college council, and ultimately, through 
 them, or himself, as their organ, to the Governor General. 
 Mr. Buchanan mentions several instances of the beneficial ef- 
 fects of this watchful superintendence in stimulating even those 
 who would otherwise have remained incorrigibly indolent to 
 diligence and exertion. In a few cases the discipline which 
 had been originally announced was firmly and impartially en- 
 forced; sometimes, but very rarely, by absolute removal from 
 college, and the consequent loss of promotion in the service ; 
 
 * See the " Christian Researches," p. 11; Christian Observer for 1809, p. 601 ; 
 and Dr. Marshman's Clavis Sinica, Preface, p. ii. 
 
 P 
 
170 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 at others, by the kind intervention of Mr. Buchanan with the 
 Governor General, in cases which admitted of apology or ex- 
 cuse, by permission to retire, and an appointment which suffi- 
 ciently marked the circumstances of inferiority in which the 
 neglect of college duties had issued. Upon one such occasion 
 Mr. Buchanan thus writes : 
 
 11 It would have given me great satisfaction to have been able 
 to send you such gratifying letters as I have often written, and 
 am now writing, to various families in England, Scotland, and 
 Ireland, respecting their sons who have passed a long period in 
 diligent study, acquired honours, and then lucrative appoint- 
 ments. But it has been ordered otherwise. Perhaps all will 
 be well. Poor . . . ." (speaking of a student who had lately 
 died,) "had certainly been cherishing solemn and serious pur- 
 poses the fortnight before his death ; and he no doubt died the 
 child of many prayers .... may yet prove himself to be 
 the child of religious parents. Their case, however, speaks 
 loudly to us who are fathers, teaching us to walk with humility 
 and fear before God, committing our children to him in prayer 
 and tears, and with much wrestling for a blessing on them w T hen 
 they depart from us. The world says, ' He who hath chil- 
 dren, hath given pledges to fortune.' The christian knows 
 how this is to be translated." 
 
 Upon the general subject of religion in Calcutta, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan gave the following encouraging accounts to one of his 
 correspondents : 
 
 " We have had divine service at the mission church, lately, 
 for the settlement. The punkas make it very pleasant ; but it 
 was found to be too small for the auditory, many families going 
 away every Sunday morning, seats being in general occupied 
 an hour before service. 
 
 " You will be glad to hear that still perseveres in 
 
 listening to sacred things, as do muny other young political 
 servants whom you do not know. The demand for religious 
 books, particularly of evangelical principles, has been very 
 great these two last years. Messrs. Dring told me they had 
 sold an investment of fifty 8vo. Bibles in the course of three 
 months." 
 
 In a subsequent letter Mr. Buchanan thus continued his ac- 
 count of ecclesiastical affairs, after prefacing it with an act of 
 kindness to a clerical brother : 
 
 " The bearer of this, the Rev. Mr. , requests me to 
 
 ^tate to you his hope that you will peruse his memorial refer- 
 red by this government to the Court of Directors. He has 
 been twenty-five years a chaplain here, and is now old and 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 171 
 
 infirm. I assured him that every justice would be done by you 
 in relation to his memorial, and that you would direct such an 
 investigation of the circumstances as might be proper. 
 
 " On account of the increase of our congregations we are 
 about to have two morning services on Sunday, the first at seven 
 o'clock, in the old church, and the second at the usual hour of 
 ten, at the new. This is very agreeable to a great majority. 
 Only Mr. Brown and myself will officiate at the old church. 
 We shall, of course, (at least I shall,) continue to officiate as 
 usual at the new." 
 
 About this time Mr. Buchanan thus mentions to a friend and 
 relative the mixed nature of the congregations in Calcutta : 
 
 " We have some of all sects in our congregations ; Presby- 
 terians, Independants, Baptists, Armenians, Greeks, and Nes- 
 torians. And some of these are part of my audience at the 
 English church. But a name or a sect is never mentioned 
 from the pulpit ; and thus the word preached becomes profita- 
 ble to all. 
 
 " Even among the writers in the college there are Presby- 
 terians, Independants, and Methodists. Their chief difficulty 
 at first is from the ceremonies of the English church, which 
 few of them ever witnessed till they came here. 
 
 " I must lie down awhile and dictate to an amanuensis, for it 
 is very hot. The thermometer is to-day near 110. 
 
 " used in former life to prosecute all he took in 
 
 hand with enthusiasm. He thought nothing done right, if not 
 done with all his might. So, perhaps, it is in his religion and 
 private life. He is actuated by a pure, genuine enthusiasm. 
 Eternity, he says, has opened to his view, and he would save 
 the souls of men. We shall judge him by his works a few 
 years hence. * * * * 
 
 " When the Hindoo had laid down the pen, and I had got 
 up from my couch, he asked me what kind of a thing a Metho- 
 dist was. I told him that it was a christian man in the little 
 Isle of Britain, who prayed too much, and was « righteous over- 
 much.' The lad stared, and said, How can that be ? So it is, 
 
 said I ; behold that man, (pointing to 's picture,) who is 
 
 reputed a Methodist in England, and is a subject of ridicule, on 
 account of his excessive godliness. ' Among us,' replied the 
 Hindoo; ■ he would thereby acquire the more reverence and 
 veneration.' " 
 
 At the close of one of the preceding letters, Mr. Buchanan 
 expressed his fears as to the result of some public measures, 
 concerning which he had formed sanguine expectations ; but 
 
172 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHAXAX. 
 
 not long afterwards he wrote in a more animated, and, as be- 
 fore, in a prophetic strain. 
 
 " The war seems to be now near its close ; and it will pro- 
 bably be followed by a long reign of peace in India. Having 
 obtained complete dominion over it, we shall then bless it with 
 the Word of Life ; and Christ will be once more glorified in 
 the East." 
 
 * The fourth annual disputations in the oriental languages 
 in the college of Fort William were held this year in the month 
 of February, in the presence of Marquis Wellesley and the 
 superior members of the government. Upon this occasion it 
 was maintained in Hindostanee, that M the oriental languages 
 are studied with more advantage in India than in England, and 
 with greater advantage to the public service." And in Persian, 
 that that language is of more utility in the general administra- 
 tion of the British empire in India than the Hindostanee." In 
 addition to declamations in Bengalee and Arabic, one was pro- 
 nounced for the first time in the Mahratta language. In the 
 speech which Lord Wellesley delivered after the distribution 
 of the prizes and honoraiy rewards, his lordship observed, 
 that the general zeal, industry, and spirit of study in the college 
 had not declined, notwithstanding the contraction of the sphere 
 of emulation and competition by the separation which had now 
 taken place of the gentlemen of the establishments of Fort St. 
 George and Bombay. 
 
 " Since the last meeting," continued his lordship, " the pro- 
 motion of oriental knowledge in the British service in India 
 has proceeded with increased success, by the progress of the 
 studies and labours of the gentlemen of this college. 
 
 11 The attention also of the officers and students of the col- 
 lege appears to have been successfully directed to those im- 
 portant objects of discipline, regularity, and good order, which 
 formed an essential part of my recent admonitions from this 
 place. 
 
 " The most eminent and brilliant success in the highest ob- 
 jects of study, will prove an inadequate qualification for the ser- 
 vice of the Company, and of our country in India, if the just 
 application of those happy attainments be not secured by a 
 solid foundation of virtuous principles and correct conduct." 
 
 The remainder of this elaborate address is occupied with a 
 strong recommendation of the study of the laws and regula- 
 tions enacted by the Governor General in Council, introduced 
 by " that great and worthy statesman," as Lord Wellesley 
 
 *See " The College of Fort William/' p. 139. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 173 
 
 justly styles him, " the Marquis Cornwallis, and improved and 
 extended by succeeding governments, with the aid of the tal- 
 ents, knowledge, and virtues of Sir George Barlow," for the 
 administration of the British territories subject to the Presi- 
 dency of Bengal. 
 
 In consequence of the reduction in the extent of the college 
 of Fort William, referred to in the preceding speech, the Go- 
 vernor General thought it expedient, by a minute in council, 
 dated the 30th of April, 1805, to declare, that the duties at 
 present committed to the Provost and Vice-Provost of the col- 
 lege might be performed in future by one officer only, with 
 the designation of Provost. His excellency, however, deemed 
 it to be proper, in consideration, as he was pleased to express 
 it, " of the highly meritorious and useful services rendered to 
 the college by the present Provost and Vice-Provost, Mr. 
 Brown and Mr. Buchanan," to postpone the adoption of this 
 arrangement until a vacancy should occur in one of those 
 offices, provided that the Honourable the Court of Directors 
 should be pleased to sanction the continuance of the allowances 
 to the Provost and Vice-Provost until that time. 
 
 By the same minute, the Governor General rescinded that 
 part of the original regulation of the college, by which pen- 
 sions were to be eventually granted to certain of its officers, 
 including the Provost and Vice-Provost, until the farther plea- 
 sure of the Court of Directors should have been received. 
 
 The extensive plan of the college of Fort William had 
 never been approved by one distinguished correspondent of 
 Mr. Buchanan, to whom he had been in the habit of commu- 
 nicating his own views upon that subject. This disapproba- 
 tion, it appears, had been plainly expressed to him ; in conse- 
 quence of which, early in this year, he briefly notices it in the 
 following reply : 
 
 " I have forborne saying any thing to you respecting the 
 college, its founder, and his Indian policy, since my senti- 
 ments on these subjects can afford you no pleasure, as you 
 observe in your last. It appears, in fact, that, since the com- 
 mencement of the institution, I have been looking to one ob- 
 ject, and you to another. In its dignity and extent, I perceived 
 a radical revolution in the European character, the future civili- 
 zation of India, and the foundation of an Ecclesiastical Es«* 
 tablishment. And these results appear to be in a course of ac- 
 complishment. 
 
 " Good men in England are yet in ignorance respecting the 
 purpose or effects of this institution. I mean therefore to pub- 
 lish shortly all the official papers relating to this college, with 
 
 r 2 
 
174 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 some account of its first four years. This will be acceptable 
 to many, and useful to all. In the mean time I have written a 
 short Memoir on an Ecclesiastical Establishment and Indian 
 Civilization, a copy of which I have directed the bookseller to 
 send to yon." 
 
 The work thus announced by Mr. Buchanan respecting the 
 college, was accordingly compiled in the spring of 1805, and 
 transmitted, together with his Ecclesiastical Memoir, to this 
 country, where it was published towards the end of the year. 
 It was entitled, "The College of Fort William in Bengal." 
 Mr. Buchanan did not affix his name to this publication ; but 
 it was well known to have proceeded from him, and he after- 
 wards acknowledged it. A short prefatory note states, that 
 the volume contains the official papers and the literary pro- 
 ceedings of the college during its first four years ; and it was 
 intended to form a record of the nature and operations of that 
 institution during the period in which alone its founder could 
 be considered as ans-werable for its success ; an important re- 
 duction of its original plan having then taken place. It is to 
 this volume that reference has been frequently made in the 
 preceding pages, in noticing the rise and progress of the East- 
 ern college. Besides the documents which have been already 
 mentioned relative to the foundation, the statutes, and the de- 
 fence of the college, and the disputations of the first four 
 years, it contains the public examinations in regular series, 
 with a list of the students who had entered on service, and a 
 register of those who had obtained degrees of honour ; a cata- 
 logue of works in the oriental languages and literature, pub- 
 lished by members of the college since its commencement ; the 
 names and offices of those who had borne any part in the con- 
 duct of the institution ; and some remarks by the Editor on 
 the primary establishment of the college, and on the operation 
 of its first four years. 
 
 In these remarks, Mr. Buchanan, after noticing the neces- 
 sity and importance of such an institution, which had been 
 proved by its triumph over the most powerful and systematic 
 opposition, observes, that the publication of an hundred origi- 
 nal volumes in the oriental languages and literature in the term 
 of four years, is no inconsiderable proof of the flourishing 
 state of the college, as a literary institution. That was, how- 
 ever, but one of its subordinate objects. 
 
 " The distinguished proficiency of the students in the orien- 
 tal languages," says Mr. Buchanan, "is the proof we would 
 propose of the efficiency, utility, and undoubted success of the 
 college of Fort William. That proficiency is great, perhaps 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 175 
 
 beyond example. Gentlemen who have been at different 
 Universities in Europe, acknowledge that they never witness- 
 ed at any of them more numerous instances of ardent applica- 
 tion to study, than at the college of Fort William. The mathe- 
 matical vigils of Cambridge are perhaps more severe than 
 ours; (though even with us there have been instances of six- 
 teen hours a day reading, and a voyage to sea in consequence 
 for recovery of health ;) but the instances of close application 
 at Cambridge are not so general as at Fort William, in propor- 
 tion to the number of students." 
 
 The two chief excellencies of this institution upon which* 
 Mr. Buchanan insists in his remarks, are, that it afforded to 
 young men the opportunity of completing the usual course of 
 an English education, as well as of learning the oriental lan- 
 guages ; and that it gave to all the civil servants in India equal 
 advantages of instruction, and of consequent promotion in the 
 service. 
 
 In a series of farther remarks, Mr. Buchanan points out 
 the moral and economical benefits of the college, which have 
 been already alluded to ; particularly its influence in prevent- 
 ing the junior servants of the Company from incurring a load 
 of debt, by which they had been formerly oppressed. He 
 mentions also the remarkable fact, that during the period of 
 four years there had not been one duel, and but one death, 
 among the students of this oriental college. It appears, in- 
 deed, as if these indefatigable young men, like a great military 
 commander of a former age, had never been sufficiently at 
 leisure to be vicious. 
 
 The work from which this sketch of the institution to which 
 they belonged, and of the labours of all its officers and mem- 
 bers has been derived, will be perused with high gratification 
 by those who feel the importance, and are interested in the 
 perpetuity, and the just and beneficial administration of our 
 Indian empire.* 
 
 * In passing from the history of the College of Fort William, it will not be 
 inappropriate to notice the establishment of another literary institution at Cal- 
 cutta, which promises to accomplish more for the cause of Christianity than the 
 plan of the former would have permitted. In the year 1818, Bishop Middle- 
 ton addressed the Society for the " Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," 
 in relation to the establishment of a Mission College, near Calcutta. The pur- 
 poses which he proposed, were the instruction of Mussulmans and Hindoos in 
 the English language and in useful knowledge, the education of native and 
 European christians in the doctrines of the Church of England, so as to fit 
 them for the offices of schoolmasters, eatechists, and ministers, and the recep- 
 tion of missionaries sent from England before they were appointed to their re- 
 spective stations. It was also proposed that the Scriptures and the Book of 
 Common Prayer should be translated into the Eastern languages by the learned 
 
17G MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN'. 
 
 Towards the end of the year 1804, and the commencement 
 of the following year, a considerable degree of opposition to 
 the doctrines inculcated by Messrs. Brown and Buchanan had 
 been manifested by two or three of the other chaplains of the 
 Presidency. Mr. Buchanan was in consequence induced to 
 preach a series of discourses on the doctrinal Articles of the 
 Church of England. These sermons were of a very superior 
 order, and were productive of a corresponding effect, in check- 
 ing the clamour which had given birth to them. In an intro- 
 ductory discourse, from the direction of St. Paul to Titus, to 
 11 speak the things which become sound doctrine," Mr. Bu- 
 chanan took occasion to state the importance of that digest of 
 the principal points of christian faith exhibited in the Articles, 
 Homilies, and Liturgy of our Church. He afterwards in- 
 troduced some admirable remarks on the new complexion 
 which some of her doctrines have derived from the spirit of 
 
 men who should be connected with the College, and the versions be published 
 under its auspices. 
 
 This proposal was cordially received by the Society, and measures were 
 taken to establish a College on the plan proposed by Bishop Middleton. Col- 
 lections were authorized for the promotion of the object, in the churches 
 throughout England, and such was the zeal manifested on the occasion, that 
 upwards of £50,000 was collected. The Society for Promoting Christian 
 Knowledge, and the Church Missionary Society, contributed £5,000 each, for 
 the College buildings, and the latter commenced in 1822, an annual appropria- 
 tion of £1000, which was continued for many years afterwards. The College 
 has at present a permanent endowment of upwards of £100,000. 
 
 The corner-stone of the College edifice was laid by Bishop Middleton on the 
 15th of December, 1S20. It was designated by him in this act as " the Episcopal 
 Mission College of the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel 
 in Foreign parts, to be commonly known as Bishop's College, near Calcutta." 
 
 The College has since been completed upon the tract of land on the Hoogly 
 granted by the government. It is of the Gothic order of architecture, and is of 
 sufficient extent for the accommodation of the Professors and seventy students. 
 It has connected with it a printing press for the purposes previously specified, 
 and a handsome chapel and library. 
 
 In January, 1824, Mr. Mill, the principal Professor, with his family, took up 
 his residence in the College. In 1827, its inmates were three professers with 
 their families, two missionaries and eleven students, one of whom was an Ar- 
 menian Deacon. 
 
 In the year 1834, Bishop Wilson states the number of students to be only 
 eight, with two professors, one of whom has since been recalled, but writes 
 of the College in one of his letters in the following terms : 
 
 " Bishop's College is capable of becoming the centre of missionary proceed- 
 ings in India. The temporary delays and embarrassments attending its first 
 ten or twenty years, I think nothing of. A College is of slow growth : confi- 
 dence and efficiency are the offspring of many circnmstances'and many bene- 
 dictions, which no human means can command. It is a grand thing to have 
 the College at all. There it stands — erected by the piety of England — com- 
 plete in all its parts — and entirely successful, as a design and platform for 
 future good." 
 
 This passage is quoted from the London Missionary Register, from which 
 work and from the life of Bishop Heber, the foregoing particulars are derived. 
 
 Am. Ed. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 177 
 
 the times, from inattention to the religion of Christ, and the 
 ignorance and prejudice consequent upon it, and upon the ne- 
 cessity of caution in expressing those points which are repug- 
 nant to human pride, or which may be thought by some to be 
 at variance with human reason. He exemplified this in the 
 manner of stating the doctrine of justification by faith, and of 
 the use of the moral law under the dispensation of the gospel. 
 The following practical observation upon this part of his sub- 
 ject is particularly excellent : 
 
 44 Now if any one should say, 4 I cannot yet understand this 
 argument of the apostle, or see how faith can thus work by 
 love, and establish the law ;' we can only answer, that must 
 be because you have not sought or known the justifying 
 righteousness of Christ ; which the apostle saith is previously 
 necessary to your having any sense of that love and gratitude, 
 of which he speaks. Perhaps you have not come to God and 
 his word with the disposition required. Perhaps to this mo- 
 ment the scriptures are to you a dead letter ; and you have 
 never prayed for the aid of that Spirit which giveth them life, 
 with any hope or serious expectation of obtaining it. Perhaps 
 in your inquiry after the truth you have not maintained that 
 purity of heart and practice which is required by the precept 
 of our Saviour : 4 If any man will do the will of God, he 
 shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.' " 
 
 At the close of this sermon, Mr. Buchanan thus announced 
 his intention as to the subject of some succeeding discourses : 
 
 " My brethren, you cannot be indifferent as to what kind of 
 doctrines are delivered to you. Your regular attendance on the 
 worship of God demonstrates that you are serious ; and if 
 there be seriousness on your part, it becomes us to show some 
 zeal on ours. 
 
 "If at any time you perceive a discrepancy of opinion re- 
 garding doctrine, let it excite you to inquire into the truth for 
 yourselves ; and it will have a happy consequence." 
 
 Adverting to the tendency there was at that day to withdraw 
 from the principles of our forefathers both in religion and 
 morals, he added, " I purpose to preach a series of discourses 
 on the chief doctrines of our Church, as contained in her Ar- 
 ticles, Liturgy, and Homilies ; and to illustrate them from the 
 lives and writings of our first Reformers, and of our most 
 learned and pious divines. The object will be to show, what 
 that religion was, which enabled our bishops to become mar- 
 tyrs to the faith, and to contrast its genuine principles with the 
 doctrines frequently set forth at this day. 
 
 44 Every thing spoken from this place ought to be spoken 
 
178 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 for edification. We are accounted the stewards of the mys- 
 teries of God : and we shall soon be called to srive an account 
 of our stewardship. 
 
 " To obtain your approbation is desirable : but the great 
 object of our ministry ought to be, to lead you to the exercise 
 of every christian grace and virtue; to unfold to you the beauty 
 and harmony of the gospel, its power, influence, consolations, 
 and reward ; and to obtain your testimony after we are gone, 
 that we have not * shunned to declare unto you the whole 
 counsel of God.' M 
 
 In the second of this valuable series of discourses, from the 
 words of the prophet Isaiah, chap. lx. 2, " For. behold, the 
 darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people/' 
 Mr. Buchanan thought it necessary to consider the state of the 
 church previously to the Reformation, in order that the mag- 
 nitude of the blessing then vouchsafed to our country might be 
 more justly estimated. He described in striking terms the 
 mental bondage of the people under the dominion of the Ro- 
 mish church, and the means employed to perpetuate that bond- 
 age, by withholding the scriptures from them. He farther 
 stated the grand doctrine of antichrist on which the whole 
 fabric of his superstition was built ; namely, M that a man 
 could justify himself in the sight of God by his own merits 
 and observances ;*' thereby dishonouring the sacrifice, and de- 
 preciating the merits of our Saviour ; and showed that the 
 chief article of the Reformation, properly so called, was our 
 justification by the sole merits of Christ ; and that this doc- 
 trine was declared by our Reformers to be the symbol of the 
 true church, and the corner-stone of our redemption. 
 
 The succeeding sermon contained an animated view of the 
 reformation from popery in this country ; of the translation of 
 the scriptures into our native languuge, and the eagerness with 
 which they were read by all ranks of the people ; and of the 
 first great labour of our venerable Reformers in setting forth in 
 the Articles the chief doctrines of scripture, in elucidating 
 them clearly to the people by the Homilies, and in establish- 
 ing by the Liturgy an unity of faith and worship. A sketch 
 was then given of the temporary revival oi popery and the 
 persecution of protestantism, under the reign of Queen Mary, 
 of the happy restoration of the Reformed Faith, and the long 
 period of peace and tranquillity which followed ; of the tri- 
 umph of fanaticism in the subsequent age, and finally of the 
 rise and progress of infidelity in our own. Upon these two 
 last topics some admirable observations were made : and as at 
 the time when Mr. Buchanan delivered these discourses, it was 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 179 
 
 impossible to foresee how far the reign of infidelity might ex- 
 tend, he occupied the remainder of his third sermon in warning 
 his distinguished auditory against its snares, and in exhorting 
 them to diligent examination and inquiry. 
 
 " Wherever we may suspect a deviation from rectitude of 
 opinion, let us look in general to the first principles of our 
 church, which have been engrafted in our laws and constitu- 
 tion, which have been honoured and acknowledged of God, 
 proved in the day of trial, and found perfect. Let us examine 
 ourselves, whether, after making every allowance for the dif- 
 ferent state of society, there be any correspondence between 
 our religious principles, and those of the fathers of our church. 
 These principles are unalterable in their importance ; they suf- 
 fer no diminution by civil improvement, or by the expansion 
 of knowledge. The doctrines of God respect the state of the 
 soul, and the condition of man by nature ; and 4 are the same 
 yesterday, to-day, and for ever.' The reasons which urged 
 our forefathers to lay down their lives for the truth, ought to 
 be known and felt by us. Since their time, the same truth 
 has been confirmed by additional testimonies ; if we obey it 
 not, we sin against our own souls ; and God hath said, that he 
 will not urge his proofs and evidences on us beyond a certain 
 limit. When the conscience and understanding of a man con- 
 demn him, he has no reason to expect any additional evidence 
 of the truth ; but rather a diminution of its weight, by his 
 habit of neglecting it." 
 
 This able and interesting sermon closed with a faithful ap- 
 peal to the consciences of his hearers as to various points of 
 religious declension and neglect, and with a series of devout 
 aspirations for the progress and permanence of religion in our 
 own country. 
 
 " Let us pray," said Mr. Buchanan, " that our country may 
 ever continue to be, in this sense, a light to the world, and an 
 example to the nations ; and that God may continue to send 
 the light of his truth into the hearts of kings and of all that 
 be in authority, that the kingdom may ever be governed accord- 
 ing to his will ; and that in particular, we, in this place, who 
 are in an especial manner the light of the nations around us, 
 and whose example must pervade so many of our countrymen, 
 may never want a succession of wise and good men, in respect- 
 able stations, to uphold the interests of true religion and vir- 
 tue ; so shall the circumstances of our residence in this country 
 be improved as much as may be ; we shall be grateful for the 
 benefits we enjoy, and we shall know better how to enjoy 
 
180 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 them, at the same time that we shall have more reason to ex- 
 pect a continuance of the divine blessing amongst us." 
 
 The fourth discourse in this series on the words of St. Paul, 
 44 In Adam all die," contained an elaborate statement of the 
 doctrine of the fall, and consequent corruption of mankind, as 
 the groundwork of the christian dispensation. " Unless we 
 have a distinct knowledge," observed Mr. Buchanan, 44 of 
 what we are by nature, that is, of the state of the soul in the 
 sight of God, as born of Adam, we shall never be able to appre- 
 ciate the blessing of the great atonement. Without a just 
 view of this primary doctrine, the other doctrines of the 
 New Testament will appear to be inconsistent, or without 
 foundation. Our justification by Christ, the second Adam, and 
 the influence of the Holy Spirit in renewing the corrupt 
 heart, will be accounted doctrines of a mystical nature, or they 
 will be interpreted in a sense suited to the prejudices or pas- 
 sions of men." 
 
 The method adopted by Mr. Buchanan in this sermon, after 
 previously adverting to the knowledge of the subject attainable 
 by the light of nature, was first, to state those passages of 
 scripture on which the doctrine of original sin is founded, and 
 to which our church refers ; to set forth the terms in which the 
 church expresses herself on the subject, both in the letter of 
 the article, and in her illustrations of it ; and, lastly, to declare 
 the deviations from the original sense which have taken place, 
 and also the arguments of the recent philosophy in their favour. 
 He afterwards took occasion to confirm his own representations 
 by an extract from the Bishop of Lincoln's 44 Elements of 
 Christian Theology," upon which he founded the following 
 brief improvement of the whole subject: 
 
 44 If we are indeed in a lost and fallen state, exposed to the 
 displeasure of God, (as is testified even by the miseries of this 
 life,) how much doth it become us to consider how we are to 
 be restored to his favour and mercy. 
 
 44 It is no mark of our penitence, or of a right disposition, to 
 allege that we are not liable to judgment for the sin of our na- 
 ture. The accumulation of guilt by actual sin is sufficient to 
 condemn every man ; it condemns him now at the bar of con- 
 science, and ought to urge him to the most serious reflection 
 on the state of his soul in the sight of God. The delusion of 
 many is this : they suppose that the expressions of scripture 
 concerning a renovation of heart relate merely to some moral 
 reformation, independent of the Spirit of God. But the reno- 
 vation there intended is not independent of the Spirit of God. 
 The expressions alluded to are founded on the present ruined 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 181 
 
 state of the soul ; and they constitute the great realities of re- 
 vealed truth. If it he true that our nature is vitiated hy the 
 taint of Adam's sin, it is true also that the heart must be sanc- 
 tified by the Spirit of God before it can be restored to his image 
 or favour. 
 
 M We must be renewed, (saith the apostle,) in the spirit of 
 our minds, and be transformed into the 'image and likeness' of 
 the second Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to seek 
 and to save that which was lost." 
 
 The next sermon was on the redemption and restoration of 
 mankind by Jesus Christ, from Romans iii. 23 — 31. In the 
 discussion of this most important subject, Mr. Buchanan first 
 inquired what method God was pleased to adopt for the salva- 
 tion of guilty man, in consistency with his own justice ; and 
 then stated the objections which are sometimes made to that 
 mode of salvation. 
 
 After describing the plan of redemption which unbelievers 
 and Socinians allege to be alone consistent with our natural 
 ideas of divine justice and mercy, Mr. Buchanan decisively re- 
 plied, that this method of salvation was not adopted, because 
 in the first place, man could not, as they propose, "keep the 
 moral law ;" and in the next, because he is already in a state 
 of condemnation. Justification by the grace of God, through 
 the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, and by faith in his 
 blood, is the "wholesome and comfortable doctrine" which 
 was then established. In replying to the denial of this doctrine 
 by the Socinians, Mr. Buchanan added the following important 
 observation : 
 
 " This doctrine of justification by works is in substance also 
 the doctrine of the Romish church ; and it will always be the, 
 popular doctrine among christians who have little true religion, 
 by whatever denomination they may be called. For it is the 
 doctrine of the world; it is found where the name of Christ is 
 not known; and it is the spirit of every false religion and 
 superstition upon earth." 
 
 The succeeding passage, which concluded the sermon on 
 the nature of justifying faith, and on the security afforded by 
 that doctrine to the interests of morality, is in a strain of scrip- 
 tural and elevated piety, which cannot but be acceptable to the 
 reader. 
 
 " It is true that some who hold this doctrine of justification 
 by works, use the expressions of scripture, and will perhaps allow 
 that faith is necessary to salvation. But what kind of faith is by 
 them intended ? If a man believe in the general truth of the 
 christian religion, he is said by them to have/aiVA. If his m> 
 
 U 
 
182 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 derstanding be convinced by its evidences, he is accounted by 
 them to have faith. And this faith also, saith the apostle James, 
 1 have the devils, for they also believe. ' All men, whose un- 
 derstandings are not obscured by pride or evil passion, must 
 believe the evidence of the christian religion, but they have 
 not, therefore, that faith in the blood of Christ which justifies 
 the guilty soul. The faith which so justifies is the ' gift of 
 God ;' it is a reliance on the propitiation of Christ, wrought in 
 the soul of the penitent sinner by the operation of God's Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 44 It is a faith which cannot be understood by any one who 
 has passed through life a stranger 4 to the tears of repentance.' 
 If he cannot recollect any interval of contrition of heart for his 
 past sins, any season of earnest prayer to be accepted in Christ, 
 and to obtain an interest in his atonement, it is not probable 
 that he can have any knowledge of a saving faith. Such an 
 one will not understand our church when she saith, 4 that a man 
 is justified by his faith in Christ only,' and 4 that works are 
 shut out from the office of justifying.' The language of the 
 scriptures and of our church must ever continue to be equally 
 doubtful to him ; some casual notice of their doctrines may be 
 taken, but he will never enter with delight or with confidence 
 into the spirit and elucidation of them. 
 
 44 We shall conclude with showing that the interests of mo- 
 rality are best secured by a true faith in our Redeemer. 
 
 44 It is worthy of observation, that though our church teaches 
 that the sinner is justified by faith only, she has never been 
 accused of neglecting good works ; and though the apostle 
 Paul teaches that the sinner is justified by faith only, he has 
 never been charged with overlooking moral duties. It is pro- 
 bable, then, that the doctrine of both is favourable to virtuous 
 practice. Both insist fully on moral duties, and both deduce 
 the right performance of these duties from a justifying faith; 
 they show that the right performance springs from it, and that 
 without it we cannot please God in any duty. 
 
 44 The true doctrine of our church is, that every man's per- 
 son must be accepted in Christ before he can do any thing 
 pleasing and acceptable to God ; that is, he must be considered 
 as a friend, and not as an enemy ; as one reconciled to God 
 through the death of his Son, and not 4 as far off and alienated 
 from him ;' as an adopted child of God, and not as of the 
 world. 
 
 44 The doctrine of our church maintains, that no man can 
 glorify God by his works until he be restored to the favour of 
 God through that faith which justifies his person ; that until 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 183 
 
 the heart be purified by the grace of God, and the motives of 
 action be under the influence of his Spirit, we can neither glo- 
 rify God in our business nor in our devotions, neither in soli- 
 tude nor in a tumult, neither by abstinence nor by festivity. Our 
 works, however, will ever testify of our faith, of what sort it is ; 
 whether it be a general belief in Christianity, which is common 
 to good and bad men, or a true and lively faith wrought in the 
 heart by the Spirit of God, and 'leading the soul captive to 
 the obedience of Christ.' 
 
 " Many who, for a time, resisted the doctrine of 'justifica- 
 tion by faith,' have at last embraced it as the only hope of sal- 
 vation. Oftentimes, in the season of sickness or of affliction, 
 when the soul is humbled, and begins to take a review of her 
 past sins, and to look out earnestly for a right foundation of 
 her hope, the pride of moral merit is abandoned, and she is ena- 
 bled, through the grace of God, to view the great propitiation 
 for her sins, and to exercise a lively faith in its efficacy. 
 
 " Then it is that the doctrine will be perceived to be, what 
 our church calls it, ' a most wholesome doctrine, and very full 
 of comfort.' It is wholesome, because it will urge the soul to 
 good works, from a principle of love to the Redeemer who has 
 justified her, from a sense of that unmerited mercy by which 
 she is saved, and from a gratitude which will ever render her 
 duties not a task, but a labour of love, in which she is willingly 
 engaged. 
 
 " This doctrine is also 'full of comfort ;' for now the soul 
 hath peace with God. In her former state, while she depend- 
 ed on a righteousness of her own, there was no peace ; but 
 doubt, and fear, and misgivings of conscience. But now there 
 is peace, because there is acceptance; and there is acceptance, 
 because the soul appears in a righteousness not her own, even 
 in the complete righteousness of Christ, by which she is 
 restored in a measure to the image of God, reconciled to his 
 favour, and thus becomes an heir of the promises, and of eter- 
 nal life." 
 
 The last of these admirable discourses was on the nature 
 and necessity of the operation of the Spirit of God to lead the 
 soul to accept of the redemption which had been previously 
 described. 
 
 " Our church teaches," observed Mr. Buchanan, " that the 
 grace of God is necessary to produce in us repentance from 
 dead works to a life of righteousness, to enlighten our minds 
 in all necessary truth, and to inspire the soul with a steadfast 
 faith in the word of God." 
 
 This view of the doctrine of our church was next confirmed 
 
184 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 by the tenth article, and elucidated by a second quotation from 
 the "Elements of Christian Theology.'' The transforming 
 effects produced by the operation of the Spirit on the hearts 
 of men, which are sometimes denominated " repentance unto 
 life," sometimes " conversion of the heart," and sometimes 
 " the being born again," were then considered ; after which, 
 the following objection to the doctrine of divine grace was 
 thus noticed, and satisfactorily answered : 
 
 " It is alleged," observed Mr. Buchanan, " that the grace of 
 God, if it operate at all, must be irresistible, and if irresistible, 
 then is free-will destroyed, and man can no longer act as a vo- 
 luntary agent, and an accountable being. It is indeed difficult 
 for us to comprehend how the foreknowledge of God can be 
 consistent with the free-will of man ; but then this is a diffi- 
 culty which is common to all systems of religion and philoso- 
 phy, and it ought not to be once mentioned as being peculiar 
 to the christian religion, or as invalidating any doctrine which 
 it teaches. It is one of those difficulties which are equally 
 obvious to all, even to the meanest capacities, and whose solu- 
 tion is equally remote from all. It is left unnoticed in scripture, 
 as if to humble the pride of human understanding, and to baffle 
 the reason of man ' attempting to find out his Maker to per- 
 fection.' But at the same time it seems to assure us of another 
 state of being, where higher degrees of knowledge and of in- 
 tellect shall be bestowed. As to man's freedom of will in act- 
 ing the part of a rational and accountable creature, it is con- 
 stantly testified in scripture. The whole word of God seems 
 to be addressed to men who have perfect freedom of will to 
 use the means of salvation. In reply to what is alleged by 
 some of the irresistible effects of grace, we are warned 'not 
 to receive the grace of God in vain,' ' not to quench the Spirit, 
 nor to do despite to the Spirit of grace.' And our church 
 plainly declares the same thing in the following w r ords : ' After 
 we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace 
 given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God we may arise 
 again and amend our lives.' This doctrine will discover itself 
 to the humble inquirer, (w r ho will put its efficacy to the proof,) 
 as being perfectly consistent with his most rational ideas of the 
 communication of the divine assistance. It is moreover the very 
 fountain of life to the soul ; for without the aid of God's Spirit, a 
 christian will make no nearer approaches to heaven by his learn- 
 ing, labours, and works than a heathen. Until the Spirit of God 
 regenerate the heart, all hearts must remain in their natural 
 state in the sight of God. Some men may be more civilized 
 than others ; some more learned, more humane, more benevo- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 185 
 
 lent, more virtuous; as it was in the heathen world, in different 
 ranks, families, and individuals. But spiritual life there is 
 none. They are still children of the first Adam, and will 
 continue to be such till they are renewed in their minds by 
 the power of the divine Spirit, and are made to * bear the 
 image of the heavenly.' " 
 
 Here Mr. Buchanan closed his elaborate and eloquent expo- 
 sition of the leading doctrines of our church. The conclusion 
 of the whole is, however, so important, and exhibits the cha- 
 racter of the author of these sermons, as a preacher, and as an 
 able and faithful minister of the gospel, in so just and elevated 
 a point of view, that his biographer could not consider himself 
 as doing justice to his subject, were he to omit it ; though to 
 some it may appear, that this, as well as a former extract, is 
 scarcely within the appropriate limits of these memoirs. 
 
 " 1 have now, my brethren, set before you those important 
 doctrines of our church, which are certainly too much neglect- 
 ed at this day. The purpose I had in view will be answered, 
 if it excite in those who doubt or misapprehend them, a se- 
 rious inquiry into their truth and importance. The sources of 
 knowledge are open to all. It is always an advantage to the 
 truth to be fully tried, examined, and compared. The very 
 doubts of men are useful to it, in putting it upon its defence, 
 and leading to its better confirmation. Let us not then supinely 
 suffer any innovation in the doctrines of our church, since we 
 are able to judge for ourselves, and can refer 'to the law and 
 to the testimony.' 
 
 " The doctrines which we have discussed are commonly 
 called the doctrines of grace ; and with propriety, for they are 
 the peculiar doctrines of the gospel. They exalt and glorify 
 the Creator, and humble the creature ; they are at unity with 
 themselves, and harmonize with each other ; he who receives 
 one of them, will receive them all; and he who rejects one, 
 will reject them all. 
 
 " The preaching the doctrines of grace differs from preach- 
 ing morality on merely human motives, as light from darkness. 
 The preachers among the heathen around us, and the teachers 
 of philosophy without religion, can say, f Thou shalt not kill, 
 thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness ;' they 
 can inculcate justice, prudence, and temperance, from very 
 strong and very persuasive motives ; but they cannot teach 
 those good works which flow from the christian doctrines of 
 grace. They cannot teach a hatred of sin, or a contrition of 
 heart for offending God ; they cannot teach us ■ to bless them 
 which persecute us, and to pray for them who despitefully wse 
 
 Q2 
 
186 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 us.' They cannot suppress envies, secret resentments, and 
 evil speakings against those who differ from us in opinion. 
 They cannot produce love to God, a lively gratitude for his 
 daily mercies, and delight in his service. They cannot urge 
 us to labour in the word and doctrine according to our profes- 
 sion, our ability, or our means ; and to be anxiously concerned 
 about the salvation of the souls of men. Finally, they cannot 
 teach us patience in affliction, joy in tribulation, and a well- 
 founded hope in death. 
 
 " The grand test of the truth of the doctrines of grace is 
 their influence at the hour of death. This is a proof which is 
 ever present with the church of Christ, and which will in 
 every place distinguish the true doctrine from the false. 
 
 " No sinner ever yet departed this life with a lively hope in 
 God, and with confidence of salvation by his Redeemer, who 
 was a stranger to the doctrines of grace. No christian, who 
 denies these doctrines, can have any hope that he will be ena- 
 bled to triumph at his last hour, ' desiring to depart as being 
 far better ;' and thus leave to his family behind him a testimony 
 to the truth by his steadfast faith. 
 
 " By some, such a dissolution is not expected in any cir- 
 cumstances ; such a testimony is not looked for. They hear, 
 indeed, of such instances among others, but they are willing 
 to believe that they are not true, for if they be, they know that 
 their own hope cannot rest on the right foundation. 
 
 " All preaching ought to have reference to the sinner's hope 
 in death; for whatever is short of this, is doing nothing for 
 eternity. We must all soon come to that state when the doc- 
 trines which we have individually received will be put to the 
 proof, and their efficacy manifested to others ; we must soon 
 be in those circumstances, when every vain refuge shall be 
 swept away, and the truth of God shall alone prevail. 
 
 "I have discharged a duty, my brethren, in setting plainly 
 before you those doctrines of our religion, which I am myself 
 fully convinced can alone produce the fruits of righteousness 
 and the good works of the New Testament. I am further 
 convinced that they alone can give peace to the soul, and com- 
 fort in death. They are the doctrines of the Church of Eng- 
 land, the good old religion of our ancestors, without taint of 
 Romish corruption, of Socinianism, or of modern philosophy. 
 Nor am I conscious of having used a single expression or sen- 
 timent which does not accord with the language and spirit of 
 our church and of the holy scriptures ; and I must continue to 
 believe this, till I am convinced of the contrary by well-ordered 
 proof. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 187 
 
 11 These are the doctrines which I have ever maintained, and 
 -which I ever desire to uphold in my ministry ; and on what- 
 ever other subjects I may occasionally dwell, the truth and 
 admission of these doctrines is always to be understood. 
 
 44 It is easy to discourse on more pleasing and popular sub- 
 jects, but it is not so profitable to you. Some may not ap- 
 prove, but to others ' the word preached may be made the 
 power of God unto salvation.' If our doctrine give no offence 
 to the world in general, ye know that it can be no longer the 
 doctrine of Christ. It is ' another gospel.' It is a doctrine 
 which may confirm our hearers in error, and lead them onward 
 to old age with no better view of heavenly things than that of 
 the infidel. 
 
 " It is a view of our lost estate by nature, and actual guilt 
 in the sight of God, and then a view of the great propitiation 
 on the cross, which alone can open to our understandings the 
 transcendant and ineffable glory of the gospel of Christ. Nor 
 can such a view be exhibited, even in the lowest degree, but 
 by the influence of the divine grace, co-operating with our 
 prayers, by enlightening the judgment and purifying the heart. 
 
 " But the aid of the Holy Spirit 4 is promised to them who 
 ask it.' Thus are we encouraged to begin the work of our 
 salvation in the most rational manner, and by the most natural 
 means. And those who can prevail on themselves to begin 
 thus seriously, will find the truth of God's promises confirmed 
 to them in every progressive stage of religious knowledge and 
 practical virtue. 
 
 " The life of such persons is thus described in one of the 
 articles of the church, commencing from the period of their 
 first seeking the aid of the divine Spirit, unto the end of their 
 course. 
 
 "'Wherefore they be called, according to God's purpose, 
 by his Spirit working in due season ; 
 
 " i They, through grace, obey the calling ; 
 
 11 ■ They be justified freely ; 
 
 '• J They be made sons of God by adoption ; 
 
 " y They be made like the image of his only begotten Son, 
 Jesus Christ; 
 
 " ' They walk religiously in good works, and at length, by 
 God's mercy, 
 
 44 ■ They attain to everlasting felicity.' " 
 
 The impression of these sermons upon his audience w T as, 
 as we have already observed, considerable. There were 
 probably some whose prejudices or whose passions would 
 render them proof against both the reasonings and the exhorta- 
 
188 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 tions of their author, though the one were unquestionably 
 sound and scriptural, and the other powerful and persuasive. 
 There were doubtless, however, others who were instructed, 
 confirmed, and edified by his labours; while these, whether 
 accepted or refused, afford an evidence of his fidelity as a mi- 
 nister and ambassador of Christ, which will hereafter "testify 
 for him before his glorious throne." 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 In prosecution of the design which Mr. Buchanan had con- 
 ceived of effectually exciting the public attention in this coun- 
 try to the obligations of Great Britain to promote the religious 
 welfare of its oriental dominions, and which he had already 
 partially executed by the proposal of his first series of prizes, 
 and the publication of his own " Memoir ;" he on the 4th of 
 June, 1805, addressed to the Vice-Chancellors of the Univer- 
 sities of Oxford and Cambridge, the proposal of the following 
 subjects of prize composition. 
 
 " For the best work in English prose, embracing the follow- 
 ing subjects : 
 
 " I. The probable design of the Divine Providence in sub- 
 jecting so large a portion of Asia to the British dominion. 
 
 " II. The duty, the means, and the consequences of trans- 
 lating the scriptures into the oriental tongues, and of promot- 
 ing christian knowledge in Asia. 
 
 " III. A brief historic view of the progress of the gospel 
 in different nations, since its first promulgation ; illustrated by 
 maps, showing its luminous tract throughout the world ; with 
 chronological notices of its duration in particular places." 
 
 The candidates were permitted to prefix such title to the 
 proposed work as they might think proper; and the munifi- 
 cent prize offered by Mr. Buchanan upon this occasion to each 
 University was the sum of five hundred pounds. He direct- 
 ed, that the prizes should be determined on the 4th of June, 
 1807, being the anniversary of the birth of our venerable 
 sovereign ; " whose religious example," Mr. Buchanan add- 
 ed, " had extended its influence to that remote part of his 
 empire." 
 
 The letters conveying intelligence of these very liberal of- 
 fers were received towards the close of the year. They were 
 soon afterwards accepted by both Universities ; and the spring 
 of the year 1807 was appointed as the period for the delivery 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 189 
 
 of the prize compositions to the judges who were to determine 
 their merits. 
 
 A few days subsequent to the date of these proposals to the 
 English Universities, and not long before the departure of 
 Marquis Wellesley from Bengal, Mr. Buchanan communicated 
 to his lordship his wish to be absent from Calcutta during four 
 months, for the benefit of his health, which his residence and 
 labours in India had considerably impaired ; and for the pur- 
 pose of proceeding to the coast of Malabar, with a view of ob- 
 taining information relative to certain religious objects, which 
 were particularly specified in his letter, and will be hereafter 
 fully detailed. 
 
 With this request the Governor General signified officially 
 his ready compliance, together with his entire approbation of 
 Mr. Buchanan's intended journey. It was added, that the 
 governments of Fort St. George and Bombay would be re- 
 quested to afford him every assistance, as well in the progress 
 of his journey, by the accommodation of the dawk bearers, or 
 other conveyances of government, as in the prosecution of his 
 inquiries on the coast of Malabar. 
 
 While Mr. Buchanan w 7 as preparing for this important and 
 interesting journey, he was, for the present, prevented from 
 fulfilling his intentions by a serious illness, the approach of 
 which he first perceived on the 13th of August. He was 
 well enough to meet Lord Wellesley at dinner the next day, 
 and on the two following complained only of weakness and 
 languor. On the 17th, a decided attack of fever came on ; 
 and on the 19th, danger was apprehended by his physician. 
 
 Of this alarming illness, a brief but remarkable memorial has 
 been preserved in the hand- writing of Mr. Brown, who ap- 
 pears to have attended and watched over his valued friend and 
 coadjutor with fraternal anxiety and affection. The feelings 
 and sentiments of Mr. Buchanan at this trying season, as de- 
 scribed in the paper alluded to, are such as, while they may 
 surprise a certain class of readers, will appear to better judges 
 to be the genuine effusions of a pious mind, alive to the ap- 
 prehended solemnities of a dying hour. 
 
 On the evening of the 20th of August, Mr. Buchanan spoke 
 much to his friend of his state and views ; said that he had 
 been looking for his hope in the Bible, and that he had found 
 it in the 51st psalm, and in the history of the penitent thief 
 upon the cross. He at the same time gave directions to Mr. 
 Brown respecting the college, his papers, and his affairs. The 
 next day Mr. Buchanan was still more strongly impressed with 
 the idea that he should not recover. Under this persuasion, 
 
190 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 he mentioned the place in which he wished to be interred, 
 made some observations respecting his books, and desired that 
 his sermons might be published after the arrival of his " Me- 
 moir" io India. 
 
 Mr, Buchanan next adverted to his experience and views as 
 a christian ; declared his entire renunciation of his own me- 
 rits as any ground of acceptance with God, lamented his un- 
 profitableness, and spoke of himself in terms of the deepest 
 humility. He then again referred to the church and to the 
 college, and suggested various hints respecting both. After 
 this he recurred to his present feelings and circumstances. He 
 expressed his fear of living, and his desire of being received 
 as the least and lowest of the servants of God. He was anx- 
 ious to glorify him by his death, and prayed to be preserved 
 from the enemy at the last hour, that he might not do or say 
 any thing to weaken the testimony he had borne to the truth in 
 that place. There was nothing, he said, upon earth, for which 
 he had a wish, besides his wife and children ; that she was 
 much before him in experimental knowledge, and had been 
 twice on the wing to leave the world ; (he knew not, alas ! that 
 she had in fact already taken her flight !) that his children 
 would be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord ; that if sent to Scotland, they would be in the heart of 
 Sunday-schools and of true religion ; or that in England, the 
 . . .'s, and other friends who feared God, would take care of 
 them. After thus speaking of his children, Mr. Buchanan 
 alluded to a painful letter which he had lately received from 
 one of his correspondents ; and lamented what he considered 
 his unkindness, in forbearing to encourage him during the la- 
 bours of the last five years. He then expressed a hope, that 
 his death would prove useful to two persons whom he particu- 
 larly named. 
 
 On the morning of the 22d, Mr. Brown, on entering his 
 sick chamber, found him still fixed in his opinion that he 
 should die, and opening his spiritual state to another christian 
 friend. He then took a review of the way in which the pro- 
 vidence of God had led him from his earliest years ; and gave 
 his friends a brief sketch of his history : the romantic project 
 of his youth; his residence in London; his conversion to the 
 faith and practice of a real christian ; his career at Cambridge; 
 his voyage to India ; and his comparative banishment during 
 the first three years of his residence in that country. At this 
 critical period, Mr. Buchanan observed, his call by Lord Wel- 
 lesley to the chaplaincy of the Presidency, and the subsequent 
 establishment of the college, had given him an important work 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 191 
 
 to perform ; that his preaching, indeed, (notwithstanding the 
 specimens which have been before given of its ability and ex- 
 cellence, such was the high standard to which he aspired,) had 
 been unsatisfactory to himself; but that his spiritual labours and 
 opportunities in college, though desultory, had often afforded 
 him comfort. He added, says Mr. Brown, " that I must 
 preach, probably intending his funeral sermon, " though he 
 felt himself unworthy to choose a text; yet that it must be 
 from these words, « Being justified by faith', we have peace 
 with God.' " 
 
 " After praying earnestly," continues Mr. Brown, " for some 
 time, he lay quite still, and then with great tranquillity and sa- 
 tisfaction said, ' What a happy moment ! Now I am resign- 
 ed ; now I desire not to live. I am unworthy of this.' He 
 then spoke of his hope, and said that he could only be saved 
 by grace." 
 
 After this conversation, Mr. Buchanan mentioned his wishes 
 concerning his funeral and monument, and spoke of his depart- 
 ure from the world as a happy deliverance from the evils 
 which he foresaw he should have to encounter, if he were to 
 return to Europe. Alluding to his intended journey, which 
 his present illness had prevented, he said, "I am now about 
 to travel not an earthly journey, but still to * unknown regions 
 of the gospel.' I shall now pass over the heads of old men 
 labouring usefully for Christ ; and at this early period be ad- 
 vanced to see what 'eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath 
 entered into the heart of man to conceive,' and behold disco- 
 veries of the glory of Christ, ' God manifest in the flesh,' who 
 hath come to us, and kindly taken us by the hand. He will 
 lift us out of the deep waters, and set us at his own right hand. 
 I once saw not the things I now see ; I knew not the gospel. 
 Now I pray, that the little I have known may be perfected, 
 and that God would complete his work on my soul." 
 
 Mr. Brown adds, that his apparently dying friend was al- 
 most continually praying, in a humble, submissive, patient, and 
 fervent tone, for mercy and grace through Jesus Christ ; and, 
 with the apostle, that God might be glorified by his life or 
 death. 
 
 Such is the interesting and instructive memorial which re- 
 mains of this alarming illness of Mr. Buchanan. While it 
 demonstrates the excellence and the solidity of the principles 
 which could thus support him, it must surely excite in the 
 mind of every reader a conviction of their value, and an earnest 
 desire to possess the same consolation in a season of similar 
 trial. 
 
102 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Of the progress of his recovery nothing is particularly re- 
 corded. The fever appears gradually to have subsided ; and 
 on the 4th of September he was so far restored as to be able to 
 remove to Barrackpore for change of air, and afterwards to 
 Sooksagur, about forty miles above Calcutta. The remem- 
 brance, however, of his illness, and the impressions which an 
 anticipated death-bed had made upon his mind, instead of be- 
 ing obliterated, as in too many instances, by returning health, 
 were ever afterwards cherished and retained. The scene was, 
 perhaps, intended to prepare him for the painful trial which 
 was approaching; and both, as we shall shortly perceive, pro- 
 duced the happy effect of quickening him in his christian course, 
 and of rendering him even more zealous and unwearied in the 
 service of his heavenly Master. 
 
 One of Mr. Buchanan's first exertions of recovered health 
 was in writing the following reply to a pious man, who ap- 
 pears to have been known to him during the early part of his 
 residence in England, and to have been employed as a humble 
 preacher of the gospel. It was found amongst the papers of 
 the late Mr. Henry Thornton, to whom it had probably been 
 sent by the person to whom it was addressed, for the purpose 
 which the letter itself will explain. The christian kindness 
 and humility which it breathes sufficiently authorize its in- 
 sertion. 
 
 * Calcutta, 3d Sept. 1805. 
 
 " My dear Friend, — I received your letter by Mr. B — 
 about five years ago, and in consequence took him into my 
 house for some time. The young man is in the army, and 
 conducts himself, I liear, with propriety. I am sorry to find 
 that my answer to your letter on that occasion has never reach- 
 ed you. 
 
 " A few days ago I received your letter of the 4th of No- 
 vember, 1804, by Mr. Taylor, a missionary to India. In that 
 letter you mention that you are still poor ; and, what is better, 
 that you preach the gospel to the poor. After so long an in- 
 terval, it gives me great pleasure to learn that you are yet 
 found faithful, and that in the midst of your poverty you 
 have found the * unsearchable riches.' Your heavenly Father 
 knoweth best what is good for you ; and he hath, no doubt, 
 led you hitherto in that narrow and peculiar path which was 
 suited to your state, and necessary for the advancement of 
 his glory. 
 
 " I have, on the other hand, been led in a broader road, and 
 a more dangerous way. If I have been preserved, if I am yet, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 193 
 
 in my measure, faithful in dispensing the gospel, and in pro- 
 moting by various means the interests of Christ's kingdom, it 
 is mercy ; far more distinguished mercy, as it appears to me, 
 than that which has been manifested in you. The gospel is 
 not without its witness even in this place. The company of 
 the faithful is increasing, and the opportunities of publishing 
 the good tidings are multiplying. 
 
 " I enclose to you a note on my agents in London for fifty 
 pounds. I should send you more, if I thought it would do 
 you any good. If you should want more, ask Mr. Henry 
 Thornton for it, and I will repay him. 
 
 " I was much pleased with your account of your aged father. 
 I think on the whole you have reason to be thankful that your 
 family are so well disposed of in the course of years and 
 worldly revolution. It seemeth good to Providence to keep 
 you all in a strait estate ; and that is the general dispensation 
 to God's favoured people. 
 
 " That you may be blessed yourself, and continue to be a 
 blessing to others, is the prayer of, 
 
 Dear sir, your sincere friend, C. Buchanan." 
 
 During the temporary retreat of Mr. Buchanan at Sooksagur, 
 for the re-establishment of his health, he was diligently em- 
 ployed in Hebrew, Syriac, and Chaldaic studies, with various 
 accompaniments of Rabbinical and other commentators. In 
 the midst, however, of this occupation, he was interrupted by 
 the afflicting intelligence of the death of Mrs. Buchanan. This 
 distressing, though in some measure expected, event had taken 
 place on the 18th of June, on board the East India ship, in 
 which she was returning to England, off the Island of St. 
 Helena. Of Mr. Buchanan's feelings upon this mournful occa- 
 sion, as well as respecting his own late illness, the two follow- 
 ing letters will afford an affecting and truly interesting picture. 
 The first is to his friend Colonel Sandys. 
 
 " Sooksaguh, near Calcutta, 22d Oct. 1805. 
 " My dear Sandys, — I have been at this place for some time 
 past, in the hope of getting a little strength. I was visited by 
 a fever about two months ago, and was despaired of for a day 
 or two. But the prayers of the righteous were offered up, 
 and my days have been prolonged. It was with a kind of re- 
 luctance I felt myself carried back by the refluent waves to 
 encounter again the storms of this life : for I had hoped the 
 fight was done. Although unprofitable has been my life, and 
 feeble my exertions ; yet I was more afraid of the trials to come, 
 
 R 
 
194 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 if I should survive, than of departing to my rest, if it was the 
 will of God. I had made a disposition of my fortune to Mary, 
 and her pious purposes ; (for she too had undertakings in 
 view ;) believing that she would be much more useful than I 
 could. My first care on my convalescence was to write to her 
 an account of that event. In a few days afterwards the Cal- 
 cutta Indiaman arrived from St. Helena, and brought me the 
 news of my dear Mary's decease ! Before she went away I 
 perceived that her affections were nearly weaned from this 
 world ; and she often said, that she thought God was preparing 
 her for his presence in glory. She was greatly favoured in her 
 near access to God in prayer; and she delighted in retirement 
 and sacred meditation. She was jealous of herself latterly, 
 when she anticipated the happiness of our all meeting in Eng- 
 land ; and endeavoured to chastise the thought. 
 
 44 Her sufferings were great, but she accounted her consola- 
 tions greater ; and she used to admire the goodness of God to 
 her, in bringing her to a knowledge of the truth at so early an 
 age. It was her intention, had she lived to reach England, to 
 have gone down with her two little girls to visit you ; saying, 
 4 we shall behold each other as two new creatures.' You had 
 been accused to her of being too peculiar, and she wished to 
 see what was amiss. 
 
 44 When she found her dissolution drawing near, she solemnly 
 devoted her two little girls to God ; and prayed that he would 
 be their Father, and bring them up in his holy fear, and pre- 
 serve them from the vanities of this evil world. She said she 
 could willingly die for the souls of her children ; and she did 
 die, in the confident hope of seeing them both in glory. 
 
 44 Having had it in contemplation to have followed my dear 
 Mary to England next year, I had let my house at Garden 
 Reach to Sir John D'Oyly. I had also sold my furniture, 
 horses, &c, previously to my proceeding to Malabar. But in 
 the meantime I fell sick ; and now that I have recovered, I 
 mean to defer my journey to the coast till the new government 
 be settled. Sir George Barlow is at present up the country ; 
 Mr. Udny is Deputy Governor. Both of them are warm sup- 
 porters of religious improvement in India, and I trust they will 
 do good. They know nothing of my 44 Memoir," nor any one 
 else but Mr. Brown. 
 
 44 The B.'s here are affectionately concerned in my recovery, 
 and pay me every attention in their power. I do not know 
 whether I shall go to England next year or not ; I am now a 
 desolate old man, though young in years. But my path will, 
 I doubt not, be made 4 clear as the noon day.' 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 195 
 
 " By your late letters I see that you are ' flourishing like a 
 palm tree.' How often have you passed the palm tree in India, 
 without comparing it to the righteous man ! 
 
 M My dear Mary's name and character was latterly well 
 known among the excellent of the earth ; and her memory has 
 left a fragrance for years to come." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan then mentions the lamented and unexpected 
 death of the Marquis Cornwallis ; who had lately arrived to 
 resume the government of the country, which had been already 
 so signally benefited by his former administration. 
 
 * The body," he observes, of this illustrious nobleman, " had 
 no honourable interment ; neither a clergyman to read the office, 
 nor a coffin to put it in. Thus ended his earthly name and 
 greatness. God promised to Jacob, as a temporal blessing, 
 that his son Joseph ' should close his eyes.' It is indeed a 
 blessing to have a righteous son or daughter to hallow our re- 
 mains in death. May you have that son, and I that daughter ! 
 Yours affectionately, C. Buchanan." 
 
 The second of the two letters relative to the death of Mrs. 
 Buchanan is to another friend, who well knew her worth, and 
 sincerely sympathized with Mr. Buchanan under his loss. The 
 somewhat varied expression of his feelings upon this painful 
 subject will not, perhaps, be unacceptable. 
 
 "Sooksagur, 24th Oct. 1805. 
 
 " My dear Sir. — Your letter of March 18th, of this year, ad- 
 dressed to my dear Mary, arrived here about a month ago. A 
 few days afterwards I received the account of her death. 
 
 " You will rejoice to hear that, when she was preparing to 
 leave India, she considered herself as preparing for another and 
 better country than England. 
 
 " She enjoyed latterly much communion with God in prayer ; 
 and often, when she came out of her closet, the gleam on her 
 countenance evinced her peace and acceptance. The words 
 of some hymn to her Redeemer were often on her lips. You 
 I believe knew enough of her to make you consider this por- 
 trait of her last days to be true. She died at the age of twenty- 
 five. She considered that the period of her sufferings (only, 
 she said, three or four years) was very short, and wondered at 
 the goodness of God in so early calling her to his glory. She 
 lamented that she could never be ' made perfect by suffering ;' 
 and therefore viewed the end of her probation with great com- 
 fort, and latterly with joyful anticipation. She expressed and 
 felt strong affection towards you and your family. In the last 
 
196 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 page of your letter to Mrs. Buchanan, you remind her of the 
 promise, ' Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give the a 
 crown of life.' These words were prophetic. You wrote them 
 on the 18th of March ; and on the 18th of June, three months 
 after, she, I trust, received the crown. 
 
 " I have been at this place for some weeks past, in the hope 
 of acquiring a little strength after my late illness. I am now 
 perfectly well, and propose to return to Calcutta to resume my 
 public duties in a few days. 
 
 " During the period of my retirement I have been chiefly 
 employed in researches in the Hebrew and Syriac scriptures. 
 I happily met with some valuable Syriac volumes on my way 
 up hither. While I was thus engaged, the news of Mrs. 
 Buchanan's death arrived ! I found some consolation in writ- 
 ing a few lines to her memory in the Hebrew, Syriac, Greek, 
 and Latin languages ; which I inscribed on a leaf of her own 
 Bible : the best monument that I could erect ; for her body was 
 buried in the deep. 
 
 " I sometimes think that, had I my two little girls to play 
 with, I should be happy, even in this dreary land. My chief 
 solace is in a mind constantly occupied ; and this is the great- 
 est temporal blessing I can expect, even unto the end. I could 
 relate to you scenes of tribulation and keen persecution in re- 
 gard to others and to myself: but these could give you no plea- 
 sure, and I wish not to think of them. 
 
 " How little do you all know of Calcutta, or of what is doing 
 or has been done here ; as little even as of the court of Pekin ! 
 
 " Of the many letters you wrote to us during the two last 
 years, I think we received only two. My next to you, if I live 
 to write another, will probably be from Taprobane. 
 
 I remain, my dear sir, very affectionately yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 On the day on which the preceding letter is dated, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan addressed the following to Mr. Grant: 
 
 " Sooksagur, 24th Oct. 1805. 
 
 ' 'Dear Sir, — I was favoured with your letter by the last 
 fleet, enclosing a copy of the prospectus of the new college. 
 I was much pleased with the perusal, and have no doubt of its 
 becoming an useful institution. 
 
 " About three years ago I sent you a memorial on the ne- 
 cessity of having some regulations passed for the instruction 
 of writers and cadets on board ship. The ship is often the 
 bane of young men who leave home. Alter they are com- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 197 
 
 mitted by their parents to the care of the Company, it is doubt- 
 less the Company's duty to look to their morals, and the em- 
 ployment of their time, on board their own ships. I suggest- 
 ed to you the easy method by which this might be effected. 
 
 44 Your son's poem is much admired here. It certainly does 
 him great honour as a man, a scholar, and a poet ; and it must 
 be highly gratifying to you that he should, at so early an age, 
 have established his fame. I trust that his health is improved, 
 and that he will be long preserved to you and to his country. 
 
 " What you mention of the prose dissertation is interesting. 
 One of the Cambridge judges wrote me a letter, in which he 
 observes, that of the unsuccessful dissertations, one was excel- 
 lent ; but he did not mention the name of the writer. I hope 
 you will publish it. At all events it must be creditable to your 
 son ; and it will probably do good, as it is, I doubt not, founded 
 on just sentiments. 
 
 44 1 remain, dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 Having derived much benefit from the change of air, and 
 the retirement which he had enjoyed during two months at 
 Sooksagur, Mr. Buchanan, on the 4th of November, returned 
 to Calcutta. A few weeks afterwards he addressed a letter of 
 considerable length to his grace, the Archbishbop of Canter- 
 bury, upon the great and important subject of the promotion 
 of christian knowledge in India, which had of late so much 
 occupied his mind, chiefly with reference to an ecclesiastical 
 establishment, and the translation of the scriptures into the 
 oriental languages. Much of Mr. Buchanan's fervid reason- 
 ing in his address to the Metropolitan of England proceeds 
 upon the comparative indifference which then prevailed in this 
 country, relative to the religious interests of India. 
 
 This circumstance being borne in mind, the following ex- 
 tracts will afford another proof of the devoted, yet enlarged 
 and disinterested attachment of the writer to the important 
 work which he was pursuing. After noticing the Archbishop's 
 recent elevation to the highest dignity in the church, Mr. Bu- 
 chanan thus proceeds : 
 
 44 Permit me, my lord, in the name of the few representa- 
 tives of the English church in Asia, to offer to your grace the 
 tribute of affectionate congratulation, and to express our hope 
 that the glory of the Messiah's kingdom may be manifested 
 to all nations of the earth during the period of your adminis- 
 tration. 
 
 44 Our hope of evangelizing Asia was once founded on the 
 
 r2 
 
198 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 college of Fort William. But a rude hand hath already touch- 
 ed it, and unless the Imperial Parliament interpo/e, it will soon 
 be said of this great and useful institution, which enlightened 
 a hemisphere of the globe, * Fuit Ilium et ingens gloria.' Its 
 name, however, will remain, for its record is in many lan- 
 guages, and the good it hath done will never die, for it hath 
 taught many the way to heaven. Had the college of Fort 
 William been cherished at home with the same ardour with 
 which it was opposed, it might, in the period of ten years, 
 have produced translations of the scriptures into all the lan- 
 guages from the borders of the Caspian to the sea of Japan. 
 
 " An idea seems to have gone forth in England that Lord 
 Wellesley founded his college merely to instruct the Com- 
 pany's writers. Lord W r ellesley founded the college of Fort 
 William to enlighten the oriental world ; to give science, reli- 
 gion, and pure morals to Asia ; and to confirm in it the British 
 power and dominion. 
 
 44 .... It is the opinion of intelligent men in India, that 
 the formation of an extensive ecclesiastical establishment is a 
 measure which, during the present revolutions of Europe, will 
 tend greatly to confirm our dominion. It is certain that nothing 
 would more alarm the portentous invader of nations, than our 
 taking a ' religious possession' of Hindostan. Five hundred 
 respectable clergy of the English church, established in our 
 Gentoo cities, would more perplex his views of conquest than 
 an army of fifty thousand British soldiers. The army of fifty 
 thousand would melt away in seven years, but the influence of 
 an upright clergyman among the natives of his district would 
 be permanent. He would be to them in time their mouth and 
 mind, and speak for them peace or war. Friendly, admoni- 
 tory, social intercourse, is what is wanting to enchain the 
 hearts of the people of Hindostan, and to make them our 
 people. 
 
 " . . . . The toleration of all religions, and the zealous ex- 
 tension of our own, is the way to rule and preserve a conquer- 
 ed kingdom. It is certain that men are ruled virtually by the 
 church, though ostensibly by the state, in every country. 
 The seeds of moral obedience and social order are all in the 
 church. 
 
 " How India is to be preserved in time to come must 
 be submitted to the wisdom of the Imperial Parliament. If the 
 scriptures be from God, our nation does not deserve at his hand 
 to retain the possession of this ' paradise of nations' a year 
 longer, so greatly have we abused our sacred trust. We have, 
 in one word, * withheld the revelation of God, and permitted 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 199 
 
 the libation to Moloch of human blood.' In the course of the 
 two last months, the Rev. Mr. Brown, the senior of the Eng- 
 lish clergy now in India, has witnessed the burning alive of 
 eight women at the place of sacrifice, in the suburbs of Cal- 
 cutta, as he passed casually on his way from his country-house 
 to the church in town. How can the minister of the altar ap- 
 proach without trembling to his holy office, when he reflects 
 on such scences, and on their connexion with the sin of his 
 country ! 
 
 44 1 said a little on these subjects in my memoir, but had I 
 said all I could say, I should have exposed to severe censure 
 the national character. I have since been visited by a danger- 
 ous illness ; and when I considered myself at the point of 
 death, I repented that I had not spoken more loudly and more 
 faithfully to my christian country. 
 
 44 In the hope of atoning for a mistaken tenderness, I would 
 now impress the mind of your grace with a just sentiment of 
 our present state in India, in order that your grace may delibe- 
 rate on the means of promoting the welfare of the hundred 
 million of souls which Providence has committed to our 
 charge. 
 
 44 One observation I would make on the proposed ecclesias- 
 tical establishment. A partial or half measure will have no 
 useful effect. A few additional chaplains can do nothing to- 
 wards the attainment of the great objects in view. 
 
 44 An archbishop is wanted for India ; a sacred and exalted cha- 
 racter, surrounded by his bishops, of ample revenue and exten- 
 sive sway ; a venerable personage, whose name shall be greater 
 than that of the transitory governors of the land, and whose 
 fame for piety, and for the will and power to do good, may 
 pass throughout every region. 
 
 44 We want something royal, in a spiritual or temporal sense, 
 for the abject subjects of this great eastern empire to look up 
 to. They cannot conceive themselves in a settled state with- 
 out a Sultan or Maha Rajah. They are incapable of freedom, 
 for superstition keeps men in childhood. And yet they have 
 neither king nor emperor ; they have neither national temple 
 nor high priest. They are a mixed multitude, who have no 
 common sentiment of truth or falsehood, of right or wrong. 
 Every man contradicts his neighbour, and the European tells 
 them they are all right ! 
 
 44 Spiritual power, with means of instruction, is wanting, to 
 awaken to life this sluggish and inert race. Vegetating in ig- 
 norance and passive misery, they want a sacred guide, who 
 shall take them by the hand, and lift them up, and look them 
 
200 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 in the face, and express sonic interest in their happiness. The 
 suet-ess of the solitary missionary demonstrates what would be 
 the powerful effect of the whole church. 
 
 " I feel a solicitude that your grace should not consider me 
 as adverting to subjects unnecessary or unimportant in them- 
 selves, or such as it is not becoming in me to allude to. My 
 apology for noticing the political state of our Indian empire, is 
 this: The existence of it is involved in religious considera- 
 tions. The men whose business it is to know this will not 
 believe it. But where is the truth to be found, if not from 
 those who are at the fountain of information ; who, if they fulfil 
 their sacred character, are not careless i observers of the signs 
 of the times,' and who stand, as it were, on an eminence, and 
 behold their own country and India distinctly in one view ? I 
 would not, without reason, urge this subject on the attention 
 of good men at home. India is nothing to me, in the sense in 
 which some value it. I am about to leave it. But truth and 
 the honour of the nation are something. There is a yet more 
 solemn sanction. The word of God is everlasting, but our 
 dominion in India is temporary. That dominion has been ex- 
 ercised in succession by the other powers of Europe. But 
 Providence did not intend that the Bomish faith should be 
 given to Asia. Now we reign. But we do not fulfil the pur- 
 pose for which the sceptre was given. Why then should 
 Providence withhold the country from a new invader \ If we 
 ultimately lose it, let us acknowledge the justice of God in the 
 dispensation. 
 
 " It will be a satisfaction to your grace, to know that the 
 translation of the scriptures into the oriental languages still 
 proceeds with spirit, though many do not smile on our labours. 
 A few individuals have devoted their slender means to the fur- 
 therance of this great work. But these private resources will 
 soon fail. A commencement, however, in the translations is of 
 vast importance. They are ' begun in faith ;' and we trust to 
 the divine Author to bring to a happy termination (though 
 not perhaps in our time) the versions of his own most holy 
 word. 
 
 " We have it in contemplation to bring the great question of 
 giving the scriptures to the heathen before the public in a few 
 weeks, and to move the subject at all the Presidencies in India 
 at the same time. The protestant mission here must be used 
 as the engine to effect this design, (wielded by the power of 
 the college,) seeing we have no church of our own as a cor- 
 porate body, and the duration of the college is uncertain. If 
 the public voice shall favour the proposal, an immense sum 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 201 
 
 will be subscribed, and the translations will be carried on under 
 happy auspices. 
 
 " Britain will acquire by these works a lasting renown 
 among ' the churches which are in Asia,' planted in a new 
 age. She is indebted for it (under the divine counsel) to the 
 honest purpose of Marquis Wellesley to do good in India. 
 And I consider that the success which has hitherto attended 
 the translations of the scriptures is a * token for good,' and the 
 best ' sign' we have in present circumstances that Providence 
 means to preserve to us this country. 
 
 " I have the honour to present to your grace, for the archi- 
 episcopal library at Lambeth Palace, in the name of the college 
 of Fort William, and with the permission of the Marquis 
 Wellesley, a valuable copy of the Mohammedan Koran in 
 folio, beautifully ornamented with paintings and oriental ena- 
 mel, and written by the pen of the Sultaun Allavuddeen Siljuky, 
 about four hundred years ago. It has descended to these 
 times in the line of emperors ; and was found in the library of 
 Tippoo Sultan at Seringapatam, after the reduction of that ca- 
 pital by the British armies. 
 
 " By depositing the most valuable Koran of Asia in the 
 ancient library of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the college 
 of Fort William would intimate, that the sway of the East, 
 once usurped by the Arabian imposter, has now reverted to a 
 christian power ; and would express the hope, that, in return 
 for this volume of emblazoned delusion, the Church of Eng- 
 land will exhibit to all nations the dutiful act so long expected, 
 and send forth to the inhabitants of Asia the true revelation of 
 God." 
 
 The reply which the archbishop was pleased to make to 
 the preceding letter will prove, that his grace duly appreciated 
 the importance of the subject of which it treated ; nor can it 
 be doubted that the representations of Mr. Buchanan contri- 
 buted to the accomplishment of the great purpose to which his 
 labours had been long directed. 
 
 Within a few days after the date of this able and eloquent 
 address, a second attack of ague and fever again laid Mr. Bu- 
 chanan aside for a fortnight. On his recovery, he was inform- 
 ed, by Mr. Udny, that Sir George Barlow, now Governor 
 General, had appointed him Provost of the college, under the 
 new regulation, which admitted only of one superintending 
 officer. This honourable distinction afforded Mr. Buchanan 
 an opportunity, which he immediately embraced, of manifest- 
 ing both his disinterestedness and his friendship for his valua- 
 ble associate Mr. Brown. On the very next day he intimated 
 
202 
 
 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 
 
 to the government his wish to resign the appointment to the! 
 provostship in favour of Mr. Brown, in consideration not only' 
 of his long and meritorious services as a chaplain of the Com- 
 pany, but of the extent of his family, and the slender provi- 
 sion which in consequence of that circumstance, and of his 
 liberal and charitable disposition, he had as yet been able to 
 make lor their support. No decisive arrangement, however, 
 appears to have been made, until the arrival of final orders 
 upon the subject from England. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan closed his ministerial labours this year by a 
 sermon on Christmas-day, on the appropriate subject of the 
 diffusion of that evangelical light in India, the dawn of which 
 they were commemorating on that festival. 
 
 The usual college examinations first occupied the attention 
 of Mr. Buchanan in the following year. At their close, to- 
 wards the end of January, in writing to Mr. Grant respecting 
 one of the students who had distinguished himself by his ta- 
 lents and assiduity, he mentions an idea which had occurred to 
 him relative to the new establishment at Hertford, and which 
 may serve to show the activity of his mind upon every subject 
 connected with the improvement of India. 
 
 " I have encouraged a few native moonshees to think of pro- 
 ceeding to England, to aid the students of Hertford college in 
 their pronunciation of the oriental tongues. It appears to me 
 that it would greatly subserve the cause of christian knowledge 
 in Asia, if the Company were to invite to England a few re- 
 spectable and learned natives every year. They would see us 
 to advantage at home ; but they see us at a great disadvantage 
 here. 
 
 44 1 forgot to say in my last how much I was gratified by 
 your mention of the Chinese language in the printed prospect- 
 us of the new college which you sent me. That passage was 
 highly valuable and important." 
 
 It is, however, to be regretted, that the Chinese language 
 has not yet been cultivated by the servants of the Company, 
 either in India or in England, notwithstanding the facilities 
 afforded by the Chinese class, the establishment of which by 
 Mr. Buchanan has been already mentioned. 
 
 On the 12th of February, Mr. Buchanan again wrote to Mr. 
 Grant, on the return of some of his friends to England, and 
 thus expresses his sentiments on the political state of Europe, 
 respecting which, though the period was then distant to which 
 he looked forward, his riew was remarkably just, as well as 
 religious. 
 
 " It is now nearly six months since we had any ships from 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 203 
 
 England ; and few private letters since April, 1805. By the 
 overland packet, however, we learn the state of public affairs 
 in Europe. If the combined nations should not be able to 
 make much impression on Buonaparte, then may we believe 
 that a remarkable period, spoken of in the prophets, is at hand. 
 But if (as is most natural to suppose from the common course 
 of things) he is to be shorn of his power, then will another 
 nation (that is, Britain) be triumphant in the world ; and another 
 great event spoken of by the prophets may be expected, even 
 that to which our Lord alludes, ' And the gospel must first be 
 published among all nations.' For what other people can begin 
 this work like us ? It would require three centuries, judging 
 by past history, for any other nation to be so matured by 
 power and will to evangelize the heathen, as we now are, or 
 rather as we shall be when the usurper of many crowns shall 
 fall like Lucifer, and we shall be delivered from the fear of that 
 dreaded event, his expedition to the East ; for with infinitely 
 more ease than ever Alexander did may he march through 
 eastern countries, if he could once get his army to the south 
 of the Hellespont." 
 
 Mr. Buchanan's next letter to the same highly esteemed 
 correspondent displays, in a striking yet unaffected point of 
 view, the piety, tenderness, and humility of his mind, together 
 with his unremitting anxiety, amidst infirm and languid health, 
 for the great interests of religion. The hint of ecclesiastical 
 preferment to which he alludes, was very natural. It occurred 
 to many in England and in India ; and amongst others to his 
 excellent colleague, Mr. Brown ; who, as he had the best op- 
 portunities of knowing his talents and qualifications, wrote ex- 
 pressly to a distinguished person connected with India in this 
 country, recommending in the strongest terms the elevation of 
 Mr. Buchanan to the episcopal dignity in the East, whenever 
 it should happily be determined to make such an appointment 
 for our oriental dominions. For the present, however, let us 
 hear Mr. Buchanan himself. 
 
 " Calcutta, 1st March, 1806. 
 " Dear Sir, — I w r as favoured to-day with your letter by the 
 Thalia of the 25th of September last ; and I am greatly 
 obliged to you for your notice of the decease of Mrs. Buchanan, 
 and for the tenderness of your expressions in relation to that 
 event. She was indeed a model of humility; so framed by a 
 spiritual power, and richly adorned by the grace of God. I 
 was not worthy of her ; but she has left two little daughters to 
 
204 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 read her history, who I trust will be chosen to follow her high 
 example. 
 
 44 The subject in your letter, which you will wish me to 
 notice, is that of my return to England. You desire I would 
 stay beyond this year. I would with pleasure, if I thought it 
 would be attended with good. But I must inform you, that 
 since my late illness I am become infirm in body and mind; 
 and I am scarcely fit for those public duties in this place, 
 which require the heart of a lion, and a countenance of brass. 
 I trust my excursion to the Deccan, which I meditate next 
 month, will be beneficial to me. The circumstance I commu- 
 nicate to you is not as yet, perhaps, very evident from my ap- 
 pearance, but it is so in fact. 
 
 44 The good to be expected now will flow from other sources 
 than Calcutta ; so I am less anxious about maintaining this 
 strong post any longer. But if Providence think fit, I will, 
 or rather I shall. 
 
 44 As to returning in order to receive episcopal dignity, my 
 soul sinks at the thought of it. I trust. my lines will rather be 
 cast in a curacy. 
 
 44 Place the mitre on any head. Never fear; it will do 
 good among the Hindoos. A spiritual bishop will appear in 
 due time. 
 
 44 My thoughts pass not beyond next month, or that follow- 
 ing. But I say thus much, that if I return this year, you may 
 hope that it has been rightly ordered. 
 
 44 1 am sorry you should trouble yourself in noticing my dif- 
 ference of opinion with you on some points. I do not know 
 that there is a right and a wrong in them. They are varying 
 shades of a picture we both love. If any thing I have ever 
 said or done give you uneasiness, I pray you to pardon me. I 
 have no opinion on any thing, at least I desire not to maintain 
 any, but what concerns the gospel of Christ. Had I been 
 brought up in your school, and sat in your chair, I should pro- 
 bably think as you do. But we are both scholars in the school 
 of Christ, where all are taught 4 the same words.' And we 
 shall wonder hereafter, (if it be given us to look on from 
 above,) that our right and wrong, our truth and error in India 
 and England, should be overruled to harmonize for the glory 
 of God. 
 
 44 1 preach to-morrow a discourse before the government; 
 4 And the gospel must first be preached among all nations.' 
 Mark xiii. 10. My last effort, I suppose, on these subjects. 
 On Monday, the next day, the Governor General delivers his 
 annual speech before the college ; for which I have furnished 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 205 
 
 him, at his desire, with some notes. Much depends, very 
 much, which I have not time now to explain to you, on the 
 complexion of his discourse. And many are waiting with 
 solicitude the result ; many on both sides. 
 
 "If he admit the word 'civilization' into his speech this 
 year, you may expect to hear the word ' religion' next year. 
 For thus by slow degrees we must proceed. 
 
 " If I were nearer to you, communication in present circum- 
 stances would be useful. As it is, little can be done. 
 
 " May your sun continue long to give its light in your pre- 
 sent sphere. Your work that remains, may it be wrought in 
 humility of soul, that heavenly frame ! and your decease, like 
 that of Jacob, may it be attended with blessings ; blessing 
 your own family, and embalming your memory among the 
 righteous that remain. 
 
 11 1 am, dear sir, very sincerely yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 "P. S. I read sometimes with tears (which flow more com- 
 monly than usual) the two last pages of your son's poem. 
 
 " I hope the prose composition of the other will be published. 
 With the helps of the two last years he may enlarge and im- 
 prove it ; and I shall be obliged to him if he will permit it to 
 be published at my expense." 
 
 The annual disputations in the oriental languages, to which 
 Mr. Buchanan refers in the preceding letter, were held on the 
 3d of March ; on which occasion Sir George Barlow, the new 
 Governor General, presided as Visitor.* In the speech with 
 which his excellency closed the proceedings, after paying a 
 merited tribute of respect to the great and venerable nobleman 
 of whom they had been so lately deprived, and of applause to 
 the illustrious founder of the college, he alluded to the convic- 
 tion which he had expressed at a very early period of the bene- 
 ficial consequences of its establishment ; and added, that the 
 correctness of that judgment had been confirmed by the ex- 
 perience of every successive year. Those branches of the pro- 
 jected education, he observed, which they had the means of 
 prosecuting, had been cultivated beyond the limits of their most 
 sanguine expectations. The Governor General proceeded to 
 declare, that those students of the college who had been dis- 
 tinguished for their proficiency in its prescribed studies, and 
 had been employed in public situations, more particularly in 
 the diplomatic service, had maintained the credit, and demon- 
 
 * Calcutta Gazette Extraordinary, March 8, 1806. 
 
206 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 strated the advantages of the institution, by the distinguished 
 merit of their general conduct, and by their peculiar ability, in- 
 dustry, and judgment in the execution of the important duties 
 committed to their charge. Sir George Barlow next referred 
 to the new establishment at Hertford. 
 
 11 An opinion has, I understand, prevailed, that the oriental 
 seminary established in England under the authority of the 
 honourable the Court of Directors, is calculated ultimately to 
 supersede the existing institution of the college of Fort William, 
 
 " I deem it proper therefore to take this opportunity of stat- 
 ing, that the oriental seminary founded in England is not in- 
 tended to supersede the college of Fort William ; and it is my 
 deliberate opinion, that the system of oriental study projected 
 in England will tend to support the efficiency of this institu- 
 tion, and to accelerate its operation, by affording to the youth 
 who are destined for this country the advantages of an earlier 
 proficiency in those branches of knowledge which are con- 
 sidered to be peculiarly adapted to the nature of their future 
 duties, and of an early acquisition of the rudiments of the ori- 
 ental languages." 
 
 After complimenting the professors and officers of the col- 
 lege on their persevering and zealous activity in the discharge 
 of their various duties, the Governor General concluded a long 
 and able speech by thus expressing, as Mr. Buchanan had 
 hoped, his conviction of the benefits which might justly be ex- 
 pected to be derived, both by the natives of India and by the 
 British government, from the literary branch of the college of 
 Fort William. 
 
 " The numerous works which have been published under 
 the auspices of the college in the course of the last six years, 
 will not only open to the learned in Europe ample sources of 
 information on all subjects of oriental history and science, but 
 will afford to the various nations and tribes of India, and espe- 
 cially to those which compose the body of our Indian subjects, 
 a more favourable view, and a more just and accurate concep- 
 tion of the British character, principles, and laws, than they 
 have hitherto been enabled to form ; and may be expected 
 gradually to diffuse among them a spirit of civilization, and an 
 improved sense of those genuine principles of morality and 
 virtue, which are equally calculated to promote their happiness, 
 and to contribute to the stability of the British dominion in 
 India." 
 
 The disapprobation, with which the extensive nature of-the 
 college of Fort William had been viewed by the Court of 
 Directors, had long prepared its superintendents to expect are- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 207 
 
 duction of its establishment. Anticipating, therefore, the sus- 
 pension of that department in it which had hitherto been in- 
 strumental in promoting translations of the scriptures into the 
 oriental languages, they were anxious to make some provision 
 for the continuation of these important works. With this view, 
 they resolved to encourage individuals to proceed with versions 
 of the scriptures, by such means as they could command ; pur- 
 posing, at the same time, not to confine this encouragement to 
 Bengal, but to extend it to every part of the East, where fit in- 
 struments could be found. Mr. Buchanan particularly deter- 
 mined to devote his influence, as Vice-Provost of the college, in 
 aid of the translations then in the hands of the missionaries at 
 Serampore, and to endeavour to excite the public interest in 
 their favour. For this purpose, early in the year 1806, he 
 drew up " proposals for a subscription for translating the holy 
 scriptures" into fifteen oriental languages ; containing a pro- 
 spectus of Indian versions, and observations on the practicability 
 of the general design. To these proposals, thus composed by 
 Mr. Buchanan from materials partly furnished by the mission- 
 aries, their names were subscribed ; and in the month of March, 
 copies were distributed liberally in India and in England ; in 
 this country to the Court of Directors, to the Bench of Bishops, 
 to the Universities, to Lord Teignmouth, as President of the 
 British and Foreign Bible Society, and to some other public 
 bodies, as well as to many private gentlemen. In India, copies 
 were transmitted to nearly the whole of the principal civil, and 
 to many of the military officers, in the Company's service, 
 from Delhi to Travancore ; to many of whom the mission at 
 Serampore was previously unknown. Mr. Buchanan obtained 
 permission, at the same time, to send the proposals, in his 
 official character as Vice-Provost of the college, free of expense, 
 to all parts of the empire ; and he accompanied them in most 
 instances with letters, which amounted to about one hundred, 
 from himself. 
 
 In two of those letters to friends in England, Mr. Buchanan 
 informed them it had been at first intended that they should 
 issue from the college, under the sanction of government. It 
 appears, that he communicated the manuscript to the Governor 
 General ; but, although he was personally disposed to favour 
 the undertaking, he declined authorizing a measure which 
 might appear to identify the government too closely and pro- 
 minently with an extensive plan for promoting christian know- 
 ledge amongst our native subjects. Whatever may be con- 
 ceded, as to the cautious policy of this conduct, it cannot but 
 be regretted, that the noble and extensive work thus projected 
 
208 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 could not have been placed under the immediate superintend- 
 ence and control of the college of Fort William ; possessing 
 as it did, in the assemblage of oriental scholars collected around 
 it, such superior facilities for their execution, connected as it 
 was with the Church of England, and consequently affording a 
 pledge, both as to soundness of principle and unity of design, 
 which could be expected from no other quarter. 
 
 It was, however, plainly implied in the proposals, that the 
 undertaking would enjoy the countenance and support of the 
 college ; and it was doubtless on this ground that the concur- 
 rence of the public was principally obtained. That expectation 
 was accordingly expressed in the following terms : 
 
 " Our hope of success in this great undertaking depends 
 chiefly on the patronage of the college of Fort William. To 
 that institution we are much indebted for the progress we have 
 already made. Oriental translation has become comparatively 
 easy, in consequence of our having the aid of those learned men 
 from distant provinces in Asia, who have assembled, during 
 the period of the last six years, at that great emporium of east- 
 ern letters. These intelligent strangers voluntarily engage 
 with us in translating the scriptures into their respective lan- 
 guages ; and they do not conceal their admiration of the su- 
 blime doctrine, pure precept, and divine eloquence of the word 
 of God. The plan of these translations was sanctioned at an 
 early period by the most noble the Marquis Wellesley, the 
 great patron of useful learning. To give the christian scrip- 
 tures to the inhabitants of Asia is indeed a work which every 
 man, who believes these scriptures to be from God, will ap- 
 prove. In Hindostan alone there is a great variety of reli- 
 gions ; and there are some tribes which have no certain cast or 
 religion at all. To render the revealed religion accessible to 
 men who < desire' it, to open its eternal sanctions, and display 
 its pure morals to those who ' seek a religion,' is to fulfil the 
 sacred duty of a christian people, and accords well with the 
 humane and generous spirit of the English nation." 
 
 Another passage of the document, from which the preceding 
 extract is taken, announced in India the formation and the 
 proffered friendship of the British and Foreign Bible Society, 
 as furnishing material encouragement to the proposed under- 
 taking. Thus accredited and patronized, the address from the 
 missionaries at Serampore was advertised in the government 
 gazettes, and published throughout India ; and such was the 
 approbation with which it was received, that in a short time 
 the sum of sixteen hundred pounds was subscribed in aid of the 
 intended translations. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 209 
 
 The communication of the proposals in question to the Bri- 
 tish and Foreign Bible Society was made by Mr. Buchanan in 
 the month of March. He at the same time recommended, that 
 a sermon should be preached before the Society, " on the sub- 
 ject of oriental translations ;" and with the zeal and liberality 
 which had now so frequently marked all his proceedings, re- 
 quested, " that the reverend preacher would do him the honour 
 to accept the sum of fifty pounds on delivery of a printed copy 
 of the sermon to his agents in London, for the college of Fort 
 William in Bengal." This proposition was at first acceded to 
 by the committee of the society ; and the Rev. John Owen, 
 one of its able and indefatigable secretaries, was requested to 
 become the preacher.* It was, however, upon reconsideration, 
 unanimously agreed, that, as the measure did not fall strictly 
 within the professed object of the society, and might open a 
 door to practical irregularities, it would not be expedient to 
 sanction its adoption. The generous offer of Mr. Buchanan 
 was, in consequence of this decision, respectfully declined. 
 
 A similar proposal was transmitted by Mr. Buchanan to the 
 Vice-Chancellors of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, 
 that two sermons should be preached before each of those 
 learned bodies, on the translation of the scriptures into the 
 oriental languages, by such persons as the Universities should 
 appoint; accompanied by a request, that each of the four 
 preachers would accept the sum of thirty guineas, on the simi- 
 lar condition of the delivery to his agents of a printed copy of 
 the sermon for the college of Fort William. These additional 
 offers to the Universities were in each case accepted. 
 
 In the course of the preceding year, Mr. Buchanan received 
 from the University of Glasgow, of which he had been for- 
 merly a member, a diploma conferring upon him the degree of 
 Doctor in Divinity. By this title, confirmed as it afterwards 
 was by a similar honour from the University to which he 
 more immediately belonged, he will accordingly be designated 
 in the continuation of these memoirs. 
 
 * History of the British and Foreign Bible Society, vol. i. p. 281. 
 
210 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan was now again looking forward to his long 
 projected journey to the south of the peninsula. On the 12th 
 of March, 1806, he thus* wrote to a friend in England : 
 
 44 I proceed to Malabar in a few weeks. My delay has been 
 chiefly occasioned by the difficulty of my resigning appoint- 
 ments and offices here, where there is no one to receive them. 
 And even now, if I get off fairly, I shall wonder. 
 
 44 I still continue in my purpose of going home about the 
 end of this year. So that I shall possibly see you and your 
 family once more." 
 
 On the 22d of March, Dr. Buchanan obtained leave of ab- 
 sence from the government for six months, together with re- 
 newed assurances of the countenance and assistance formerly 
 promised ; but his preparations for his journey were again in- 
 terrupted by a return of ague and fever. This attack was, 
 however, less serious, and of shorter duration than the former ; 
 so that at the end of the month he was able to wait upon the 
 Governor General, who kindly offered to accommodate him 
 with one of his tents for his intended journey to the coast. 
 During the month of April, Dr. Buchanan continued his pre- 
 parations for his approaching absence ; attended an examina- 
 tion of the Chinese class at Serampore, and made arrange- 
 ments for the performance of his clerical duties. His last 
 sermon, previously to his departure, was from the beautiful 
 address in the Revelation of St. John, (chap. iii. 7 — 13,) to 
 the church at Philadelphia, which he probably considered as 
 in some respects appropriate to that at Calcutta. Dr. Buchanan 
 spent several of the days immediately preceding his journey, 
 with Mr. Udny, who appears to have entered with much inter- 
 est into his views for the promotion of Christianity in India. 
 The late learned and lamented Dr. Ley den had at one time 
 proposed to accompany Dr. Buchanan in his tour ; but this 
 plan, though it would doubtless have proved mutually agree- 
 able and beneficial, was finally abandoned. 
 
 The design of this extensive and laborious journey cannot 
 be better explained than in the following quotation from the 
 account which Dr. Buchanan afterwards published of his re- 
 searches : 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 211 
 
 " *In order to obtain a distinct view of the state of Chris- 
 tianity and of superstition in Asia, the superintendents of the 
 college had, before this period, entered into correspondence 
 with intelligent persons in different countries, and from every 
 quarter, (even from the confines of China,) they received en- 
 couragement to proceed. But, as contradictory accounts were 
 given by different writers concerning the real state of the nu- 
 merous tribes in India, both of christians and natives, the 
 author conceived the design of devoting the last year or two of 
 his residence in the east to purposes of local examination and 
 inquiry. 
 
 " The principal objects of this tour were to investigate the 
 state of superstition at the most celebrated temples of the Hin- 
 doos ; to examine the churches and libraries of the Romish, 
 Syrian, and Protestant christians ; to ascertain the present 
 state and recent history of the eastern Jews ; and to discover 
 what persons might be fit instruments for the promotion of 
 learning in their respective countries, and for maintaining a fu- 
 ture correspondence on the subject of disseminating the scrip- 
 tures in India." 
 
 Such were the important views with which Dr. Buchanan 
 entered upon his intended journey. It is no disparagement to 
 travels undertaken from motives either of personal curiosity or 
 of public utility, to assert, that the tour which Dr. Buchanan 
 was meditating, derived, from its disinterested and sacred ob- 
 jects, a peculiar degree of dignity and value. If our great 
 philanthropist, Howard, was justly eulogized by a late cele- 
 brated statesman for his indefatigable and self-denying exer- 
 tions in " travelling over land and sea," not to gratify his taste, 
 or to extend his fame, but " to remember the forgotten, to at- 
 tend the neglected, and to visit the forsaken," it is not too 
 much to say, that although the labours of that eminent person 
 were more various and continued, it required, in a man of infirm 
 and precarious health, like Dr. Buchanan, a degree of Zealand 
 resolution to enter upon his projected journey, which reflects 
 upon him the highest honour. And although in each case the 
 love of God and of man was the prevailing motive, the object 
 of the one was, in proportion to its extent, as much more im- 
 portant than the other, as inquiries into spiritual wants with a 
 view to their relief are more weighty than those which con- 
 cern temporal necessities, and as interests of eternal duration 
 are more momentous than any which are bounded by the nar- 
 row limits of time. It must be remembered, too, that, with 
 
 * Christian Researches, Introduct. p. 7, 8. 
 
212 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 the exception of the accommodations afforded him by the 
 kindness of the Governor General, and the hospitality of the 
 British residing at the different stations through which he pass- 
 ed, Dr. Buchanan's extensive tour was undertaken exclusively 
 at his own expense. 
 
 On the 3d of May Dr. Buchanan left Calcutta on his way to 
 the south ; and on his arrival the same day at Fulta, forty 
 miles below that city, he wrote to Colonel Sandys as follows : 
 
 11 My dear Sandys, — I am thus far on my journey to Mala- 
 bar. I propose to visit Juggernaut first, and hope to be there 
 early in June, when the grand festival of the Rutt Jattra 
 takes place. Sir George Barlow has been so good as to lend 
 me some of the Governor General's small tents, so that I shall 
 travel very comfortably. My inquiries, you know, have a 
 threefold aspect, Hindoos, Jews, and Christians. The bands 
 of infidelity and superstition are loosening fast, and Calcutta is 
 by no means the place it was when you were here. 
 
 " I have heard this morning that the fleet from England, 
 which went to the Cape, is expected at Madras every day, as 
 one of the ships is already arrived. In this fleet, your friend, 
 Mr. Martyn, is passenger. Mr. Jeffries has been appointed 
 to act as my substitute in the new church in my absence, which 
 will be about six or eight months, if, indeed, I should ever re- 
 turn ; for my route is full of danger and difficulty to one infirm 
 as I am. With some view, 1 trust, to the glory of God, I 
 have purposed ; but it is He who must dispose of me and my 
 objects as shall seem to him best. 
 
 " 1 remain, my dear Sandys, very affectionately yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan, from the time of his arrival at Juggernaut, 
 kept a regular journal of his tour, parts of which, it is well 
 known, he afterwards published on his return to this country. 
 He maintained also a constant correspondence during his jour- 
 ney with the Rev. Dr. Brown, and from these letters a series 
 of extracts shall now be given, which, avoiding, for the most 
 part, the repetition of what Dr. Buchanan himself communi- 
 cated to the public, will afford a connected view of his whole 
 tour, and contain some additional information, as well as 
 some instructive and interesting reflections on the various 
 scenes through which he passed in this original and enterpris- 
 ing journey. A few letters which Dr. Buchanan wrote to his 
 friends in Europe in the course of his tour will also be inserted 
 in their order. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN'. 213 
 
 The first letter to Mr. Brown, dated the 10th of May, from 
 Fulta, informs him, that Dr. Buchanan continued in good 
 health, and that his servants and travelling equipage were all 
 well appointed. On the 13th he thus wrote from Contai : 
 
 44 I arrived here the day before yesterday in good health and 
 fine spirits. My tents were first hoisted on the backs of ele- 
 phants, belonging to a Hindoo Rajah, in my journey to the 
 south. I ought always to speak well of the Hindoo people. 
 
 "Mr. Mason's kindness and attention are very remarkable ; 
 and I am in danger of being detained in my way, like Abra- 
 ham's servant, by hospitality, before the business be done. 
 But I see there is much to be done by the way which I 
 thought not of. 
 
 4k I shall leave this place to-morrow, perhaps, or next day, 
 and hope to arrive at Balasore on the 20th, where I propose to 
 stay two days, and then proceed with the pilgrims (who now 
 cover the roads) to Juggernaut. 
 
 44 I am in haste to pass over the marshy lands of the salt 
 districts, lest fever should come. If it should come here, or 
 before I arrive at my journey's end, and you should not see 
 me again, I pray you to consider it as the hand of God, giving 
 glory to his own cause in his own way, leading our feeble re- 
 solves in triumph to a certain stage, and then calling another 
 servant. I leave all my temporal affairs in perfect order. I 
 have no papers, literary or religious ; so that no trouble awaits 
 my executors, except those in England, to whom I have con- 
 signed the religious education of my two little girls." 
 
 The concluding observations of this letter point out in a sim- 
 ple yet solemn manner the entire resignation of its author to 
 the divine will, and evidently imply his preparation for every 
 event of his journey. The spirit of calm yet devoted piety 
 which they breathe, is at once to be admired and imitated. 
 
 In a letter on the 17th, from Jellasore, where he waited for 
 his elephant and horse, the following passage occurs : 
 
 44 At Mohunpore, between Contai and this place, I stopped 
 a night. Juggernaut is to be found there in miniature ; having 
 the same name and service. The Hindoo Zemindar gave me 
 a feast, and presented me with a sword, a piece of fine cloth, 
 and ten rupees at parting. When I began to eat, Juggernaut's 
 bells began to ring. 1 asked the reason, and was told that Jug- 
 gernaut had begun his supper. So we ate together for near 
 half an hour, during which time the gongs and bells continued 
 a horrid clangor. 
 
 44 This temple is falling into decay for want of revenue." 
 
 On the 25th and 27th, Mr. Buchanan thus describes from 
 
214 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Bslasore his mode of travelling, and the conjectures of the 
 natives concerning the ohject of his journey : 
 
 44 The commanding officer here has given me a guard of 
 seven seapoys all the way to Outtack, which is seven days' 
 march. 1 passed through a jungle where tigers abound. One 
 sprung on a large bullock last week, but he could not carry 
 him oil", and the bullock escaped. The tiger hunters showed 
 me their manner of shooting timers with arrows. 
 
 44 1 leave this place to-morrow ; and on the 4th of June, I 
 expect to be at Outtack. Juggernaut is only three or four days 
 from Outtack. 
 
 44 1 find it inconvenient to have many followers. I have 
 therefore discharged some servants from this place, and also a 
 supernumerary tent. I have but few wants on a march, as to 
 eating and drinking ; and I cannot be troubled with table- 
 cloths. I enjoy refreshing tea after my ride in the morning ; 
 for I generally ride one half of the march on horseback, and 
 sometimes on an elephant. I sometimes use my gun, at which 
 I was formerly as expert as any of the writers. But I feel a 
 repugnance in killing harmless animals which I did not feel 
 
 formerly. Tell H that during the two last days' march, 
 
 I saw beautiful peacocks sitting on the lofty trees by the road 
 side, and monkeys leaping from branch to branch, holding their 
 young ones in their arms. 
 
 44 You may direct to me to the care of the postmaster at 
 Outtack until further notice. I am very well known now in 
 this country, so that all letters will easily come to hand. In- 
 deed there has been a singular spirit of inquiry among the 
 natives on the subject of the march of a company's Padre ; 
 and I learn from them, that I am a rich man, proceeding on a 
 pilgrimage, to worship the God of the christians, not far from 
 Singhul Deep." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's next lette'r is dated May 31st, from Bud- 
 druck in Orissa, from which he began to anticipate his ap- 
 proach to Juggernaut, and the frightful impression of which, 
 from the bones of pilgrims with which the road in its neigh- 
 bourhood was strewed, he has painted in such striking colours 
 in the first published extract from his Journal.* The follow- 
 ing account of a rencontre with a Hindoo Rajah, is from his 
 letter to Mr. Brown : 
 
 44 Juggernaut's temples begin to multiply as I move on. 
 The common huts are decorated by his horrid face. The 
 
 * Christian Researches, p. 19. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 215 
 
 Sany asses (holy men) are now more naked ; and the talk and 
 manners of the Byraggies more licentious. 
 
 The Kunka or Kannaka Rajah paid me a visit at my tent 
 last night. I had heard he had formerly murdered some Eng- 
 lish sailors who were wrecked on his coast, between Balasore 
 and Juggernaut, and therefore resolved not to acknowledge him 
 as a gentleman. I accordingly desired a table to be placed on 
 the lawn before the tent, and one chair, in which I sat with a 
 book before me. The Rajah came up with much ceremony, 
 and presented a nuzzur. I did not rise from my seat, nor 
 offer him one. He was much embarrassed. I spoke to him 
 civilly; and presently rose up and made salam to him as a sig- 
 nal to depart. The crowd of Faquirs and Sanyasses could 
 not understand this. After he was gone I told them the reason, 
 and that I could not, as a christian Padre, bow to vice, whether 
 in a Rajah or in a Priest. This seemed something new to 
 them ; but one of them, a very old man, said it was very 
 proper. 
 
 "I believe I mentioned to you that it was my purpose to 
 move rapidly by dawk along the coast from Juggernaut to 
 Cochin, staying a few days at Madras. Hitherto I have suf- 
 fered no inconveniences from heat or fatigue. I am therefore 
 encouraged to try a flying course for a few weeks. 
 
 " At Jagepoor, my next stage, the names of all the pilgrims 
 are registered. Illustrious names, for four hundred years back, 
 are found on giving a small fee." 
 
 On the 6th of June, Dr. Buchanan reached Cuttack, from 
 whence he wrote the two next amusing and interesting letters : 
 
 "I arrived here yesterday after eight days' march without 
 seeing a white face ; aboriginal Uriahs, Burgahs, that is, Mah- 
 rattas, and Loll Jattris, being all my society. I hear I am ex- 
 pected at Juggernaut, fame having travelled before, and inform- 
 ed him that a Company's Padre is on a progress. No unworthy 
 suspicion is yet entertained, I believe ; and I am received at the 
 Bhur or Banian tree of each Munzil with a hurrebol by my 
 fellow Padres and their flocks. The scene is rather comic ; 
 but so it is. Notes tragic I sound not ; and thus we travel on- 
 ward harmoniously together. 
 
 " I dine to day with Mr. Hartwell, register, and to-morrow 
 with Colonel Marley. Next day, Sunday, is sacred; and next 
 day to it, Monday, I dine with the judge of the province, Mr. 
 Ker, who has offered me every aid in the prosecution of my 
 journey. On Tuesday I proceed for Juggernaut. 
 
 " The novel scenes of this place occupy my attention, but I 
 meet with nothing worthy of description. It is just as I told 
 
21 G MEM DIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 you ; I have not yet had pen or pencil in my hand since I left 
 Calcutta. I have lived too long lor natural history. What are 
 called manners and customs of a people, are nearly as futile to 
 him who is inquiring in what state a people are in relation to 
 the Almighty, and to the purpose of their creation." 
 
 " Cuttack, 8th June, 1806. 
 11 The tigers abound in the vicinity of Juggernaut, and kill 
 the pilgrims. A hunting party of eight elephants have lately 
 proceeded from this place to kill them. 
 
 44 It is supposed that eight lacks of pilgrims are already ar- 
 rived at Juggernaut. 
 
 " The Kunka Rajah, alarmed at my reception of him, and 
 fearing lest I should give an unfavourable character of him at 
 this place, followed me, and overtook me in two marches. He 
 requested moolaqat. I explained to him the cause of my con- 
 duct towards him. He said he repented of his former sins, 
 and hoped the British government would pardon him. I told 
 him that on condition of his learning English principles I 
 would befriend him, if I could. He is at present under the dis- 
 pleasure of our government, having defended his fort after the 
 conquest of the country, which cost us blood and money. His 
 first request was, that I would intercede for him with the judge 
 of the province, that he should be permitted to visit Jugger- 
 naut, which was formerly refused. I mentioned the circum- 
 stance to Mr. Ker last night, who has given him permission. 
 The Rnjah is now here, with an immense Sowarree ; and 1 sup- 
 pose we shall proceed together to Juggernaut. 
 
 44 Much attention is paid to me by all ranks of people here, 
 attention undeserved and unnecessary. The tone is favourable 
 to civilization, and the language conciliating and decorous on 
 all grave subjects. 
 
 44 In the meantime, this world, like the wilderness through 
 which I am passing, has nothing interesting to my hopes or 
 fears. And I have more comfort in reading" a Hymn of Watts, 
 than in contemplating plans of improvement for India. I look 
 to no resting place but in a close walk with God. To find that, 
 is a more valuable eugnx* than to find manusciipts at Cochin. 
 
 44 The commander of the troops in this province has ordered 
 a guard of seven seapovs for me to the Madras frontier, Gan- 
 jam. I am glad I shall have them around me among the priests 
 at Juggernaut. 
 
 44 Tell H that there is a fort here built by a proud king, 
 
 having the following inscription in Persian on the gate. ' My 
 walls are of iron, and my ditch is full of alligators. I shall 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 217 
 
 never be taken.' And so, because be trusted not in God, but 
 in his iron walls, his fort was taken by Colonel H ." 
 
 Of Juggernaut,* one of the principal objects of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan's journey, of his stupendous temple and countless wor- 
 shippers, of the impure rites and ceremonies exhibited by his 
 priests, aud of the cruel sacrifices by which this Moloch of the 
 East is propitiated, the public has been so fully informed by 
 Dr. Buchanan himself, that it is unnecessary to repeat his dread- 
 fully interesting narrative of the whole scene. t His letters to 
 Mr. Brown, though in a somewhat varied form, contain sub- 
 stantially the same details ; and, like the extracts from his 
 Journal, to which any who are desirous of farther information 
 are referred, cannot be read without the deepest emotions of 
 horror and pity, and without exciting in every benevolent and 
 christian mind an ardent prayer, that the time may not be far 
 distant when these abominations shall cease, and the horrid 
 tower of Juggernaut be replaced by the temple of the God of 
 purity and love. A few circumstances, however, which did 
 not appear in the Journal, shall be added from the letters to Mr. 
 Brown, from the 14th to the 21st of June. 
 
 " I shall not enter into farther detail of the state of super- 
 stition here. Suffice it to say, that all you have heard is true. 
 A short record of facts maybe committed to paper; but I have 
 no design of disclosing the philosophy of Juggernaut at this 
 time ; and I hope that it will never be necessary." 
 
 Such was Dr. Buchanan's intention at this period ; but the 
 time at length came when an imperious sense of duty compel- 
 led him to publish it. 
 
 " Tell H.," continues Dr. Buchanan, " (who gets all my na- 
 tural history and political remarks,) that the temple of Jugger- 
 naut is so high, that men appear on the top of it like crows ; 
 and that it is surrounded by a square area of great extent, in 
 each side of which there is a gateway larger than the pagoda 
 near your house. 
 
 " A chief object of my journey is perhaps accomplished by 
 my having seen Juggernaut. Nothing has been, I believe, 
 concealed from me. Every question is answered, and I scarce- 
 ly wish to know more. I shall continue to mix with the peo- 
 ple two days more, and then I proceed to Ganjam. Mr. 
 Hunter is desirous that I should prolong my visit ; but my 
 spirit of inquiry is exhausted, and my body is fatigued with 
 
 * The popular orthography of this word is here adopted, as more familiar to 
 the English reader. For an "account of the origin of this idol and his worship^ 
 see the eighth volume of the Asiatic Researches. 
 
 t Christian Researches, pp. 19—32. 
 
 T 
 
218 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 my spirits ; so that I look forward to my journey for relief 
 from this twofold oppression. 
 
 44 I write this from the plain of sculls, near the sea; and 
 it so happens that a scull is under my chair, half buried in the 
 sand." 
 
 " Juggernaut, Saturday, 21st June, 1806. 
 
 44 I propose to proceed on my journey this evening, that I 
 may find a place of rest for my Sabbath, to-morrow, far off 
 from Juggernaut. My best Sabbaths are generally in the wil- 
 derness. 
 
 44 The number of pilgrims here is uncertain. Mr. Hunter 
 has no means of probable calculation. From the nature of the 
 place, we perhaps did not see more than two or three hundred 
 thousand persons at the same time. But I cannot judge, any 
 more than I could say how many grains there are in a handful 
 of sand. 
 
 44 Can it be that the true seed of Abraham shall be 4 as the 
 sand upon the sea shore for multitude V Doubtless it is true ; 
 and with this faith I conclude my last line to you from Jug- 
 gernaut."* 
 
 Dr. Buchanan himself published his reflections on viewing 
 the distant towers of Juggernaut from an eminence on the de- 
 lightful banks of the Chilka Lake, and the design which he 
 then conceived of some 44 christian institution," which might 
 gradually undermine the frightful idolatry he had been contem- 
 plating, and blot out its memory for ever. This was on Sun- 
 day, the 22d. On the 29th he dates from Ganjam, and thus 
 continues his correspondence with Mr. Brown : 
 
 44 1 write to you from a new Presidency. I am happy I did 
 not die at Juggernaut, (the danger was imminent.) My record 
 is engraved in strong legible characters, and it is of less im- 
 portance where I shall die ; I mean in reference to my testi- 
 mony against the empire of Moloch, 4 whose seat in the whole 
 earth is Juggernaut.' His horrors have awakened me a little, 
 and I have committed to paper some notices of my route from 
 Bengal. 
 
 44 On my entrance into the Madras territory, I have expe- 
 rienced great civility and attention. Here I leave my tents, 
 servants, and equipage, and I proceed by dawk to Fort St. 
 George. Mr. Cherry, the judge, being doubtful whether I 
 shall not feel inconvenience in having no servant at all, has 
 issued orders for a dooly to be prepared for my steward, and 
 
 * Christian Researches, p. 31. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN- 219 
 
 has provided means of carrying him close to my own palan- 
 quin to the extremity of this province. 
 
 " I encounter now a new mode of travelling. How I shall 
 bear it I cannot tell. The chief suffering is the want of a bed, 
 which I have already sometimes experienced. But I am anx- 
 ious to get to the capital. On the other side I shall take my 
 time." 
 
 "Ganjam, 1st July, 1806. 
 
 " I proceed this evening on my journey to Visagapatam by 
 dawk. I dine first with Captain E. He has been planting 
 one lack and fifty thousand cocoanut trees, and has made a 
 barren land like the garden of Eden. 
 
 " 1 have been among the mountains for some days, and vi- 
 sited Rumbo, the famous villa on the Chilka Lake. I look at 
 what is wonderful or great in the eyes of men. 
 
 " My residence at each of my stations is a history, if it were 
 written. New places, new characters, new politics. Truth 
 alone is the same." 
 
 " Visagapatam, 6th July, 1806. 
 
 " Before this reaches you, I shall probably be at Madras. 
 
 "I found travelling by dawk very pleasant. It affords me 
 more time to stop at places of importance. 
 
 " The families here pay me much attention, and have made 
 a party for me to go out to see a celebrated pagoda, (not yet no- 
 ticed by any writer, because not seen,) about sixteen miles in 
 the interior among the mountains. 
 
 " I have no news for H., except that I live among lofty moun- 
 tains, from which I see ships far off at sea, and hear the roar 
 of the billows on the rocky shore." 
 
 " Visagapatam, 12th July, 1S06. 
 
 " The pagoda at Seemachalum is in many respects more in- 
 teresting than Juggernaut. No scene of nature I have yet be- 
 held is so romantic as the site and vicinity of this temple, 
 which is built on a rocky mountain. You ascend nearly a 
 quarter of a mile by steps of hewn stone and of live rock. A 
 stream of pure water issues from the mount, and this is the 
 sacred fountain, and the origin of the temple. Here the idola- 
 try of Juggernaut is exhibited in another form ; but the sub- 
 stance is the same. 
 
 " I have not been able to disengage myself from this so- 
 ciety till the present hour. I proceed on my journey this 
 morning. I have passed the last two days with Mr. C., the 
 
220 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 collector here, at his beautiful mansion on the top of a hill, 
 from which we look clown on the deck of the St. Fiorenzo and 
 the Albatross, which appear like two little boats below." 
 
 " Samclcotta, 15th July, 1806. 
 
 " I intended to have passed this place without stopping, but 
 Colonel O'Reilly, who commands the troops here, came to the 
 bazar for me himself, and prevailed on me to stay a night. 
 
 " I am in great danger of being detained frequently in my 
 future progress through these territories. 
 
 "I have this evening visited the botanic garden, over which 
 Dr. R. formerly presided." 
 
 From this point no letter to Mr. Brown occurs till Dr. Bu- 
 chanan's arrival at Madras. In a memorandum book which 
 remains, he notices a sail on the Godavery ; and that at Ellore, 
 where he hired bearers for Madras, he passed through a flat 
 country, bounded by the horizon. 
 
 On the 3d of August Dr. Buchanan thua-resumes his corres- 
 pondence : 
 
 " Madras, 3d August, 1805. 
 
 " 1 arrived here on the 31st July, and am now hospitably 
 lodged in the house of Mr. H. I was retarded in my journey 
 by a fever, which seized me between Rajamundry and Ongole, 
 far off from medical aid. It was accompanied by the same 
 symptoms as my former. I found a great difference between 
 this last illness in a palanquin in a jungle, and the former, 
 when I was surrounded by the skilful and the good. On my 
 arrival at Ongole, I obtained some medicine from a native, 
 which was useful. I am now well again. 
 
 " Tell H. that all my way from the Chilka Lake to Madras 
 I did not see one scull ; that the people on the sea-coast are 
 generally without cast ; that they are humane to strangers ; 
 and that the women used to make broths and congee for me 
 when I was sick of the fever. They eat pork and all meats. 
 The Telinga missionaries will have a fine harvest if they la- 
 bour among them. No rain has fallen since I left Juggernaut. 
 The w r eather has been temperate and very favourable to my 
 journey. I shall now meet with rains in Tanjore, Mr. R. 
 tells me." 
 
 " Madras, 6th August, 1806. 
 "I have letters for every station to the south, and letters 
 from almost every station inviting me to call. There has in- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 221 
 
 deed been so much blood shed at Vellore, and so many gen- 
 tlemen murdered, that an attack on me would not be thought 
 strange. 
 
 "In the meantime government have authorized me to pro- 
 ceed, and desired me to communicate my observations on the 
 state of the christians in the south. I trust, therefore, that my 
 way is not of myself, but of Providence directing me. 
 
 " I Ivisited yesterday the deputy Bishop at St. Thome, and 
 the ancient Portuguese library. Mr. T., the Gentoo scholar, 
 goes to see it to-morrow. It contains, among other valuable 
 books, the Bullarium Magnum Romanum, or the Pope's Sta- 
 tutes at large during the dark ages. 
 
 " At Tritchinopoly is another famous library, and a Syrian 
 church. 
 
 " Tell H. that I saw yesterday St. Thomas' bones, preserved 
 as a relic, in a gold shrine ; and that I saw his grave, whence 
 the Roman Catholic pilgrims carry the dust." 
 
 " Poxdicherhy, 13th Aug. 1806. 
 
 "I have travelled these two days with Mr. E., the oriental- 
 ist, and Mr. S., Judge of Tinavelley. Mr. E. is extremely 
 attentive to me, and wishes to oblige me by every information 
 in his power. 
 
 " It is impossible for me to conceal my name, as was pro- 
 posed. The christians have heard of it, and I am greeted by 
 them as one who comes in the name of government to do them 
 good. I already know what is to be done at the missionary 
 stations. Dr. R. and others informed me fully. From every 
 quarter there is a cry of the sheep for a shepherd. They meet 
 and pray under a tree, and the Brahmins mock." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's next letter is , dated from Ziegenbalg's 
 church, in Tranquebar, August 25th. Of the visit which he 
 paid to this spot, consecrated by the memory of the first chris- 
 tian missionaries to India, and of his subsequent arrival at 
 Tanjore, he has given an account in the work which has been 
 already referred to.* This was, however, so interesting a part 
 of his tour, that it appears desirable to give a sketch of it from 
 his correspondence, together with a few particulars, which 
 were either wholly omitted, or but partially detailed in his 
 journal. 
 
 " I have just visited the tomb of Ziegenbalg, which is on the 
 side of the altar in the church he built. It was consecrated on 
 
 * Christian Researches, p. 65 — 81. 
 T 2 
 
222 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 the 2d of October, 1718, and he died on the 23d of February, 
 1719. I heard divine service performed in the Tamul tongue, 
 and about two hundred natives sung the hundredth psalm. 
 During the sermon some of them wrote on an olla or Palmyra 
 leaf. The missionary told me that the catechists sometimes 
 take down a whole sermon in this manner, and repeat it to the 
 children in the evening. 
 
 44 I also visited Ziegenbalg's dwelling-house, built by him- 
 self, and not altered since his time. I inspected the records of 
 baptism commencing in May, 1706. Mr. C, a missionary here, 
 told me they had some thoughts of celebrating the hundredth 
 anniversary this year, but they had no money. 
 
 44 1 then visited the library in which Ziegenbalg first preach- 
 ed ; and afterwards a small chapel on the sea-shore, in which 
 he sometimes exhorted. The library is extensive and valuable, 
 but in a perishing state. Here I found the Hindostanee Psalter ; 
 and I am informed that at Tanjore I shall find a Hindostanee 
 Grammar, published about sixty years ago. 
 
 44 The Jesuits at Pondicherry have a fine collection of ancient 
 Indian history. They very politely gave me all the books I 
 wanted, and letters of introduction to their brethren in the south. 
 They also furnished me with a late statement of their churches 
 in India ; and Padre B. requested leave to correspond with me 
 in Latin. 
 
 " Dr. John is at Tanjore, where I expect to see him and Mr. 
 KolhofF in two or three days. 
 
 " The most pious man I have yet found is Mr. S., a young 
 missionary, lately arrived. He assured me that there are some 
 real christians among the Hindoo converts. At Cuddalore I 
 passed a night with Mr. H. At that place the Cadet Company 
 (one hundred and twenty strong) is now established on account 
 of the salubrity of the situation. 
 
 44 At the celebrated pagoda of Chillumbrum, near Porto Novo, 
 I was admitted (I know not why) into the interior, while the 
 priests made Pooja. I never had such a clear revelation of this 
 idolatry before. The dancing girls were present. The Judge 
 of the place, Mr. R., had introduced me to the Brahmins the 
 evening before in the outer court. During the ceremony two 
 immense bells were rung and drums were beat. My heart be- 
 gan to palpitate a little, from fear I believe ; and I hastily re- 
 tired. This is a remarkable scene. I could easily pass a 
 month at every stage This is more illustrious than classic 
 ground. For here Ziegenbalg and Grundler preached the gos- 
 pel to men, whose descendants I have conversed with, and who 
 can justly appreciate the heavenly gift. The Danish Governor 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 223 
 
 here invited the missionaries to meet me. Tanjore is the grand 
 theatre of the gospel in late years, and to that place I proceed 
 this afternoon ; but I shall stay one day at Combeconum, where 
 the oriental E. is Judge. He is very anxious to see some pages 
 of a Portuguese book which I procured from the Jesuits at 
 Pondicherry. It is about three hundred years old. He is a 
 great admirer of the genius of Xavier, and thinks that a Pro- 
 testant missionary of such powers might convert Hindostan." 
 
 '• CoMEECoNUivr, near Tanjore, Aug. 27, 1806. 
 
 " In the midst of some horrible looking bloodred idols, I 
 shall write a few lines. Mr. E. is not yet arrived here, having 
 supposed that I should have staid longer at Tranquebar ; which 
 I should have done, had I not been afraid of a number of en- 
 tertainments. These are sometimes useful, for the best infor- 
 mation I generally obtain is from the chief people. They were 
 all much surprised at the interest I took in the ancient mission 
 of Ziegenbalg. The missionaries themselves were ignorant of 
 many subjects of my inquiry ; and were a good deal ashamed, 
 I believe, at my notice of the former glory of the mission com- 
 pared with its present state. I have reason to believe that the 
 three London missionaries, Desgranges, Cran, and Mr. Palm,* 
 are three holy men ; and it appears as if the glory had now de- 
 parted from Germany, and was given to England. So Mr. S. 
 speaks. He is a promising young man ; and as his society 
 gives him only three hundred rupees a year, I gave him a half 
 year's salary to buy some clothes and books. Though he has 
 been but two years in India, he pronounced a very good sermon 
 in the Tamul tongue, which the native catechist told me was 
 perfectly intelligible to all the congregation. 
 
 "It is a pleasant thing to see an assembly of natives listening 
 most earnestly to a sermon. Every one of them can read the 
 Bible ; and Luther's first Psalter (the German Gesang Buch) is 
 very familiar with them. They sing a great variety of tunes 
 with much propriety," 
 
 "Tanjore, 1st Sept. 1806. 
 
 " This is the grand scene of all. This is the garden of the 
 gospel, 
 
 " Some days before my arrival here, the Resident, Major 
 Blackburne, wrote to me, inviting me to reside at his house. 
 
 * Mrs. P. is a help meet in the gospel. She learns the languages faster than 
 her husband, and devotes herself to the real object of the mission. Mr. P. is at 
 Jaffnapatam, 
 
224 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 This was unexpected, for as yej I had no communication with 
 Tanjore. On my arrival there, I first waited on Mr. KolhofT, 
 and he showed me two rooms, which he had prepared for my 
 reception. He told me that the Rajah (Serfogee) was impatient 
 to see me, and had directed the Resident to let him know when 
 I came. I asked how the Rajah came to know me. He 
 said that the Resident had a copy of my memoir, and of Mr. 
 Mitchell's essay. 
 
 44 Mr. Kolhoff is first in piety, in ardour, in meekness, and 
 in knowledge of the Tamul ; for he has been brought up chiefly 
 in India. His countenance is more expressive of amiable qua- 
 lities of mind than that of any man I ever saw. Major Black- 
 burne admires him much." 
 
 "Tanjore, 2d Sept. 1806. 
 
 44 On my arrival here on Friday last, the 29th of August, 
 great numbers of christians came to visit me ; and Mr. Kolhoff 
 introduced some particularly to me, as being truly godly and 
 intelligent men. He gave me also an account of many trium- 
 phant deaths lately, both of men and women, young and old. 
 
 44 As I went to the Resident's house I passed through a long 
 street inhabited by christians only. They stood in rows as we 
 passed, and bowed affectionately to their pastor, the young wo- 
 men coming forward with lively confidence, and soliciting his 
 benediction. The infants also form themselves in little rows, 
 and waiting his approach make the customary salutation, 4 God 
 be praised.' 
 
 44 When we arrived at the Resident's, he told me that the 
 Rajah had appointed next day (Saturday) at noon to receive 
 me. I proceeded accordingly to the palace, accompanied by 
 the Resident: the Rajah arose on our entrance, and taking me 
 by the hand led me to a seat on his right. He spoke English 
 very well, and intimated that he knew me very well. After 
 some conversation, he carried me up to his splendid apartments, 
 which are ornamented w T ith the portraits of the Tanjore kings. 
 All around there is a display of gold, silver, and mirrors, En- 
 glish paintings, libraries, musical instruments, orreries, port- 
 folios of oriental drawings, and many curiosities in art and na- 
 ture. Finding that I wished to hear the music of the vino,* he 
 ordered up the chief musician. He has a band of twenty per- 
 formers, of whom twelve play on the vina, and one on the 
 harp. The whole black band can read English music. In the 
 
 * Described by Sir William Jones in the third volume of the Asiatic Re- 
 searches. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 225 
 
 evening his highness sent the band to Major B., where I dined. 
 Six vinas and six singers played ■ God save the King,' in 
 Tamu] words, applied to the Maha Rajah. They played also 
 a variety of English overtures and Indian airs, the master of the 
 band sitting by and keeping time. 
 
 44 My visit to the Rajah was very long. Oar chief conver- 
 sation related to Mr. Swartz. When I first mentioned his name, 
 his highness led me up to the picture of the reverend apostle. 
 He then showed me the design for the groupe for the marble 
 monument, now executing by Mr. Bacon in England. It re- 
 presents the Rajah coming to the bed of the dying Swartz, and 
 taking him affectionately by the hand, while a number of boys 
 are weeping at his feet. 
 
 44 When I was about to depart, the Rajah presented me, to 
 my great surprise, with a picture of himself, a miniature about 
 six inches in length, elegantly set in a gold and silver frame, 
 and glazed. We then went down stairs and resumed our seats. 
 I took this opportunity (having previously acquainted the Re- 
 sident with my purpose, who communicated it to the Rajah) of 
 thanking his highness, in the name of the society at home, and 
 of all Mr. Swartz's friends in India, for the remarkable kind- 
 ness shown by the Rajah to that worthy man, and to his suc- 
 cessors, and for the munificent support granted lately by the 
 Rajah to the body of christians in his dominions. 
 
 44 To this he replied in suitable terms, declaring it to be his 
 purpose to befriend the christians for ever. He then called for 
 pawn ; and immediately afterwards a servant came up with four 
 pieces of gold cloth of different kinds, which the Rajah taking 
 into his hands presented to me. He then put a chaplet of 
 flowers round my neck, (this is the usual etiquette,) and a 
 bracelet of flowers on my arms, and, leading me and the Re- 
 sident, one in each hand, to the steps of the hall, he bowed 
 and retired. 
 
 "The Rajah has lately erected a college for Hindoos, Mo- 
 hammedans, and Christians. Fifty christian boys are admitted, 
 and taught by schoolmasters provided by the missionaries. 
 The expense of this institution is (according to the account of 
 the Resident) about five lacks of rupees. But this includes the 
 expense of buildings. It is also a charitable asylum for the 
 aged, and a choultry for travellers, there being an apartment 
 for every denomination. His highness wished me to visit his 
 college. It is about fifteen miles from Tanjore. He is now 
 constructing a brass orrery to represent the Tychonic system ; 
 which he washes to believe rather than the Copernican, as it is 
 the system of the Brahmins. He is still a heathen ; but Dr. 
 
226 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 John says he is a Cornelius. The Brahmins fear him for his 
 learning, and dread the result. 
 
 44 Last Sunday (the 30th August,) was a great day among 
 the christians at Tan j ore. It being rumoured that a friend of 
 Mr. Swartz was arrived, the christians flocked together from 
 all quarters. Divine service was performed three times. In 
 the morning we all proceeded to Mr. Swartz's church in the 
 fort. It is a large, commodious building, not inferior to your 
 Calcutta church. Mr. KolhoiTread prayers in English, and I 
 preached. When I came to the mention of the faithful minis- 
 ters whom God had sent to his people in this place, there 
 was a general commotion, and Mr. Kolhoff 's tears ilowed fast, 
 which not a little affected his flock. Having understood that 
 the missionaries seldom prayed for the reigning prince of the 
 country, I thought it expedient to say, (in enumerating the 
 themes of gratitude of the church here,) 4 and it is their bound- 
 en duty to pray for the long life, peace, and prosperity of the 
 present most excellent prince, who hath manifested by many 
 munificent acts his regard for their happiness and welfare.' 
 
 44 At eleven o'clock, the Tamul congregation assembled, 
 filling the whole church, and Dr. John preached a powerful 
 and eloquent sermon in the Tamul language. 
 
 44 In the vestry all the native teachers and preachers came 
 to make their speeches to me ; and among others the cele- 
 brated Sattianaden, the Hindoo preacher. He is now stricken 
 in years and infirm. His black hair is grown grey. He is 
 rather stout, and has a placid look^ which is rendered more 
 pleasing by his wrinkles and age. He said to me, alluding to 
 some part of my sermon, 4 This news from a far country, is 
 refreshing to our souls.' 
 
 44 We dined at Mr. KolhofT's at one o'clock, and at five we 
 went to the small church out of the fort, in which Mr. Swartz 
 first preached, and where now his body lies. It is close by 
 the schools and Mr. K.'s house and mission garden. Here 
 Mr. Horst preached in the Portuguese tongue from these 
 words : ' Ye who were once afar off,' &c. This was a so- 
 lemn service. The organ was drowned by the human voices, 
 which sung a tune of Luther's in a noble manner. I was sit- 
 ting with my feet on the granite stone which covers Swartz's 
 grave. Upon the stone is an English epitaph in verse, writ- 
 ten by the present Rajah. In the evening, Mr. K. catechised 
 (or superintended the exercise) in the schools ; and the ser- 
 mon of the morning was read over by one of the short-hand 
 w r riters, and every boy's olla was examined to see how much 
 he had written. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 227 
 
 81 Having expressed a wish to hear Sattianaden preach, the 
 same was intimated to ihe people, and they were des.ired to 
 assemble at the little church next morning (Monday) at nine 
 o'clock. Accordingly a great number came together, and the 
 venerable minister delivered a sermon full of fire. His na- 
 tural eloquence and various intonation were truly calculated to 
 command attention. Both Mr. KolhofF and Dr. John were 
 affected by the discourse. It had reference to the former 
 darkness in India, the light of Ziegenbalg and Swartz, the 
 present endeavour to spread the gospel, and lastly the light of 
 heaven. He addressed the young generation chiefly, and they 
 responded* as usual to many of his sentences. He made 
 great use of the Bible ; but in quoting a passage, he called 
 upon a lower minister to read it with a distinct voice, to which 
 he himself listened as to a record, and then proceeded to ex- 
 pound. His prayer for the Church of England at the end 
 was full of fervour ; and the psalm which concluded the ser- 
 vice was sung with an ardent devotion. 
 
 88 1 went up to Sattianaden in the presence of the people, 
 and addressed him in a few words, hoping he would be faithful 
 unto death, like his old master Swartz. The women and 
 aged men crowded round, and shed tears. The whole multi- 
 tude came after the sermon to Mr. Kolhoff's house and gar- 
 den. The catechists and aged christians came into the veran- 
 dahs, and while Mr. KolhofF and myself were engaged up 
 stairs, Dr. John addressed them in an affectionate and im- 
 pressive manner. 
 
 " Mr. KolhofF had been praying that there might be an out- 
 pouring of the Spirit in these days at Tanjore, and circum- 
 stances made him believe that it was coming. His success is 
 indeed great. The congregation is doubled since Mr. Swartz's 
 death. 
 
 88 Not wishing to leave this people without some mark of 
 my regard, I have given Mr. KolhofF fifty pounds sterling as 
 a 'donation to the native catechists of the protestant mission,' 
 to be distributed according to Mr. K.'s pleasure. 
 
 88 The Resident requested that I would dine with him on 
 Monday evening, and invited all the missionaries to meet me. 
 
 88 Mr. KolhofF has presented me with a gold and agate 
 snuff-box, which belonged to the late Rev. Mr. Swartz; and 
 the mission here has given me from the library a Hebrew 
 
 * Referring to an interesting custom, which Dr. Buchanan has fully detailed 
 in his Christian Researches, p. 71. 
 
228 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Psalter, which he constantly used ; and also his Greek Tes- 
 tament. You shall have the latter if you like. 
 
 44 I proceed to-morrow to Tritchinopoly to Mr. Pohle, an 
 aged missionary, and a good Hebrew and Syriac scholar. I 
 procured here a beautiful gilt Syriac Testament, and some 
 tracts in Syriac, translated from the German by Mr. Swartz. 
 There is in the library a copy of Schultz's Hindostanee Gram- 
 mar, published at Halle, in 1745. Nor is that the first; for 
 Schultz mentions one printed some years before by the Dutch 
 ambassador at Agra, Johannes Josua Ketelaer, and edited by 
 David Millius at Utrecht. 
 
 44 1 am now going to inspect Mr. Swartz's correspondence, 
 which fills two boxes, He kept the letters of his friends, and 
 destroyed his own. I could stay a month at Tanjore, but I 
 must be gone. No fear of Vellore Brahmins or Mussulmans 
 in this land. The christians form a firm phalanx around me. 
 But if I should not be permitted to proceed farther, I may be 
 thankful that something is done here. 
 
 "Tell H. that I have seen many wonderful things of late, 
 but that I cease to wonder at any thing ; and that I should be 
 glad to have her, or some other little girl like Augusta, along 
 with me, that I might enjoy the pleasure of seeing her asto- 
 nished now and then. 
 
 "The interesting scenes of the christian missions have 
 lately obliterated from my mind the poor Syrians and Jews, 
 although I am just on their borders ; and, being on the borders, 
 I can get no information about them from any European. 
 Every body refers me to Colonel Macaulay. 
 
 44 Mr. Pohle told me, that a Romish priest, who was lately 
 in the vicinity of Tritchinopoly, preached the atonement with 
 great clearness and force, to the astonishment of the people ; 
 and that he had been removed by his superiors in consequence. 
 I shall endeavour to find him out. If I could make a confi- 
 dant of a Jesuit, he would be an admirable companion in my 
 tour. 
 
 44 1 have just read the orders of the Madras government 
 passed last year, excluding the French and Italian Jesuits from 
 ecclesiastical authority in the Deccan, and granting the whole 
 to the Archbishop of Goa, and his ignorant native priests. 
 This circumstance renders my approaches to the Jesuits more 
 facile. I must look into Goa. I have read in French, since I 
 left Pondicherry, La Croze's Christianity in India, a most ad- 
 mirable classical work. His chief subject is the inquisition at 
 Goa, and the Syrian christians ; and his last pages are devoted 
 to Ziegenbalg. He expresses a hope that some persons will 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 229 
 
 be sent from Europe on an embassy to the Syrian christians, 
 to inquire concerning their state, learning, and religion, after so 
 long an interval. 
 
 "Joachim at Aughoor told me I should find them in five 
 days' march through the woods from Travancore palace ; he 
 called them schismatiques, whom no European or Romish 
 priest had ever visited." 
 
 During his stay at Tanjore, Dr. Buchanan wrote at consid- 
 erable length to his venerable friend, Mr. Newton. His letter 
 contained a sketch of his journey up to that time, with a full 
 account of the gratifying scenes which he had lately witnessed 
 among the christians in that quarter. The publicity which has 
 been already given to this narrative renders the repetition of it 
 in these memoirs superfluous. Two circumstances only hith- 
 erto unnoticed may be mentioned as occurring in the letter to 
 Mr. Newton. One is, that Dr. Buchanan, having heard much 
 of the sculptures at Vellore, had intended to have been there 
 on the 8th of July, which was two days before the dreadful 
 massacre took place. " But the providence of God," he 
 adds, "retarded my steps. I was visited by a fever, which 
 confined me for some time at a caravansera." This tem- 
 porary detention was probably the means of preserving his 
 life ! 
 
 The other additional circumstance relates to the newly con- 
 verted christians ; " some of whom," observes Dr. Buchanan, 
 44 have suffered persecution. This has, however, been so far 
 useful, that it shows the serious change of mind in the Hindoo 
 who can bear it. For it is often alleged in India, that the 
 Hindoo can never be so much attached to Christ, as the Brah- 
 min to his idol." The constancy of the native christians in 
 any instances of persecution for the faith is therefore a suffi- 
 cient refutation of this calumny. 
 
 On the same day on which Dr. Buchanan addressed Mr. 
 Newton at such length, and on so many important topics, he 
 wrote a short letter to his two little girls, then only four and 
 five years old, the affectionate simplicity of which will render 
 it interesting, at least to parental readers, 
 
 "Taxjore, in India, 1st September, 1806. 
 rt My dearest little girls, Charlotte and Augusta, — I hope 
 you are very well. Whenever you can both read the Bible, 
 let me know, and I shall go home. I want little girls who 
 can say to papa at breakfast, ' Papa, we will read the news- 
 papers to you, while you take tea.' I want little girls who 
 
 IT 
 
230 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 can read when papa writes to them so ;* and who do not 
 oblige him to draw little letters till his fingers ache. 
 
 " I am happy, my dear children, to hear so good an ac- 
 count of you. Be very good, and I shall come to you soon. 
 
 44 1 saw the two little daughters of the king of Tanjore to- 
 day. They are covered with pearls and diamonds ; but their 
 skins are black ; and they cannot read one word, although 
 they are about eight years of age. Therefore my own two 
 little girls are more dear to their affectionate father than the 
 princesses at Tanjore. C. Buchanan." 
 
 On the 4th of September, Dr. Buchanan addressed the 
 following letter to Mr. Henry Thornton, which is par- 
 ticularly valuable from the contemporaneous and almost 
 local testimony which it contains respecting the cause of the 
 unhappy massacre at Vellore, which was afterwards so invi- 
 diously brought forward to injure the interests of Christianity 
 in India. 
 
 " Seringham Pagoda, near Tritchinopoly, 
 "4th Sept. 1806. 
 
 44 Dear Sir, — I had the pleasure of receiving at this place 
 your letter of the 16th February, 1806. I am concerned to 
 hear of your frequent indisposition. You mention particularly 
 that sedentary employment is inconvenient to you ; and you 
 notice this as a cause for not writing to me. I do not expect 
 that you should write, as you may perceive by my never en- 
 tering fully into any particular subject. You have other and 
 more important avocations to employ your pen, when you are 
 able to sit down. I write to you sometimes, because I feel it 
 natural that I should inform you from year to year that I am 
 alive. 
 
 " In mentioning Mrs. Buchanan's happy death, you express 
 a hope that my last end may be like hers. And what can I 
 better wish for you, that when your hour cometh, you may 
 die like your father, blessing your children? 
 
 44 It is now four months since I left Calcutta, having tra- 
 velled by land all the way, looking into Hindoo superstitions, 
 and English manners in India. The officers of government, 
 civil and military, English and native, have everywhere shown 
 
 * This refers to the first six lines of his letter, which Dr. Buchanan had 
 taken the pains to write, or, to express it more plainly, to print in Roman cha- 
 racters. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 231 
 
 me civilities, and aided my inquiries ; and everywhere there 
 have been many and serious subjects of inquiry. 
 
 " At most of the stations between Calcutta and Madras 
 there is an evident disposition to favour the establishment of a 
 christian ministry. But they have no clergy of any kind. 
 Two Presbyterian ministers arrived at Visagapatam last year, 
 and the inhabitants have now built a house for them. '1 hey 
 insisted on their reading the Episcopal liturgy, which they had 
 the good sense to do ; and in return they are allowed to preach 
 an extempore sermon. 
 
 "At Cuttack, Balasore, Juggernaut, Ganjam, Rajahmundry, 
 Nellore, and the intervening stations, there is ' total eclipse.' 
 And yet in all these places the residents would probably sup- 
 port a minister, if he were on the spot. ' We are indeed very 
 bad,' they say; 4 but if we had some encouragement we should 
 be better.' 
 
 "Lord W. Bentinck desired I would report my opinion on 
 the best mode of ameliorating the state of the newly converted, 
 in my progress through the Deccan. And indeed their state 
 demands the attention of government ; for I find that the Com- 
 pany's servants in some districts consider the christian as the 
 lowest cast. 
 
 "The success of the Protestant mission during the last cen- 
 tury has been very great. -Something more perhaps will be 
 done during the present. The Jesuits have hewed wood and 
 drawn water for us. I am as yet on good terms with them, 
 and their information is generally more important than that of 
 the Protestant missionaries. Schisms and dissensions at pre- 
 sent disturb both Protestants and Catholics. 
 
 " A rumour has for some months pervaded India, that all 
 casts are to be made christians. I know the alleged causes of the 
 rumour, but I consider them as inadequate to produce the pre^ 
 sent effect, without a concurring Providence. This strange 
 rumour of conversion is perhaps auspicious to the event 
 itself; as the shaking of an old building announces its ap- 
 proaching fall. 
 
 " It was attempted to be shown, that the massacre at Vel- 
 lore, which happened when I was in the neighbourhood, was 
 in some measure caused by this rumour. But it has been 
 proved by the evidence of the conspirators, that the design of 
 resuming the Mohammedan dynasty in Mysore was planned 
 by the princes immediately on their hearing the joyful news 
 that the tiger Wellesley, as they styled him, had been recalled 
 from India. 
 
232 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 1 have just been conversing with the Brahmins of this 
 celebrated Pagoda, (which, according to Orme, once maintain- 
 ed 40,000,) and they have been inquiring about Bonaparte. 
 They have heard that on his arrival they are all to be made 
 christians. 
 
 44 I remain, dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 44 P. S. I have just measured the length of the granite 
 stones of the Pagoda gate, which Orme says are five feet 
 square, and thirty-three in length. But they are exactly forty- 
 one in length." 
 
 The next letter of Dr. Buchanan is addressed to Mr. Grant, 
 and is chiefly occupied with the state of the missions sup- 
 ported by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 
 The testimony at the close to the character of the native chris- 
 tians, when compared with that of the unconverted Hindoo, is 
 particularly gratifying. 
 
 " Madura, 14th Sept. 1806. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — I was lately favoured with a letter from Mr. 
 Thornton, in which he mentions that you were yet well, and 
 actively engaged in useful labours. 
 
 " Having been for upwards of four months past travelling 
 in the interior of the country, I have heard but little of public 
 affairs, and I do not desire at present to think of them. In 
 consequence of my uncertain route, I am cut off from all cor- 
 respondence, except that of the stations through which I have 
 passed. This correspondence, however, is very interesting, 
 as it usually refers to the suppression of idolatry, and the pro- 
 motion of the knowledge of the only true God. 
 
 44 As I suppose you are still connected with the Society for 
 Promoting Christian Knowledge, I shall notice some particu- 
 lars of their missions in these parts. I have now visited all 
 the stations, and conversed with all the missionaries. At Tan- 
 jore I sat in conclave with three of them on the subject of the 
 general mission, when they proposed that I should make a re- 
 port to the society of their present state. But this will not 
 be necessary till I know what the society has the power to do. 
 
 " I did not observe that the gospel flourished anywhere but 
 in Tanjore. In Tranquebar a holy remnant is left ; perhaps 
 also at Madras ; but I heard not of many recent conversions. 
 But from Tanjore streams will flow, like its own fertilizing 
 rivers, throughout the neighbouring lands. 
 
 44 Of all the missionaries, Mr. Kolhoff, at Tanjore, is the 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 233 
 
 first and best ; a man of meek spirit, but of ardent faith, and a 
 worthy successor of the illustrious Swartz. 
 
 " Mr. Horstand Mr. Shveiffvogel appear to be zealous men, 
 pure in their life and doctrine. 
 
 44 Messrs. Pohle, John, and Rottler, are now old men, and 
 incapable of labour in the proper duties of the mission. Dr. 
 John and Dr. Rottler are conversant in natural history, which 
 is often fascinating enough to become a study. Dr. Rottler is 
 an amiable man, but seems to want energy. 
 
 44 Mr. Pohle, at Tritchinopoly, the senior missionary, is a 
 learned man, but now stricken in years. He devotes himself 
 chiefly to the English church at Tritchinopoly, which of itself 
 demands the whole labours of one minister. 
 
 " Three men of learning and piety are wanted to fill up the 
 places of Swartz, Jcenicke, and Gericke. But it seems that 
 such are now to be found in Germany. 
 
 44 There is a great cry for Bibles throughout the Tamul land. 
 The poor funds of the mission here cannot supply them. I 
 have visited several christian villages where there were but 
 two Bible-houses. Mr. KolhofF wishes this to be immediately 
 represented. As the Tamul version is now finally settled, 
 (like the English,) the society might print the Bibles at home, 
 and send out twenty thousand copies every year.* , 
 
 44 1 have conversed with many Hindoos of the Brahmin and 
 other casts, who appear to be true members of Christ's body. 
 I have seen in the feeble-minded native of Hindostan, truth, 
 generosity, a spirit without guile, ardent zeal for the faith, and 
 a love for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. 
 I am satisfied that our Saviour hath a church here, and that m 
 process of time all casts will come into it. 
 
 " I remain, dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 On the 20th of September, Dr. Buchanan again writes to 
 Mr. Brown, from Ramnad pooram, as follows : 
 
 " In the province of Madura the Romish churches are fre- 
 quent. At Aour, or, properly, Aughoor, near Tritchinopoly, 
 is a church where the priest reads the Syrian mass, instead of 
 Latin, which he does not understand. Nor do his people un- 
 derstand the Syrian ; for to them he preaches in Tamul, He 
 
 * Nothing effectual appears to have been done towards supplying this press- 
 ing: demand for Bibles till the year 1810, when Mr. Brown preached a sermon 
 at Calcutta upon the subject, and a subscription of one thousand pounds was 
 in consequence raised towards the purchase of copies of the Tamul scriptures, 
 and the encouragement of a new edition. See Christian Researches, p. 80. 
 
 u2 
 
234 
 
 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 gave me a Syrian letter to his brethren at Cranganore. At 
 this church there is an union of Romish ceremonies and pagan 
 superstitions. They have their Rutt Jattra. I examined the 
 Rutt, which is built in the usual manner, with three cables to 
 pull it. Only that, instead of the Hindoo devices, it has hell 
 and the devils on the lower part, heaven and the blessed in the 
 higher, and, above all, the pope and the cardinals. The priest, 
 my friend Joachim, is so ignorant, that he did not seem con- 
 scious of any impropriety in having the Rutt. I asked him 
 how many thousands of christians attended the festival : he 
 said, generally about ten thousand; which number corresponds 
 with the report of the collector of the district. 
 
 " The English here know little of these matters. Mr. C, a 
 Judge of circuit, told me he would proceed immediately to 
 Aughoor, to see this sight. 1 told him he might see it in many 
 other places. 
 
 " I passed three days among the ruins and antiquities of 
 Madura. This is a fine station for the gospel. 
 
 " 1 proceed from this place to the Juggernaut of the south, 
 Ramisseram. There Mussulmans and Hindoos have conse- 
 crated the names of Adam and Abel." 
 
 An interval nearly of a month occurred between the date of 
 the preceding letter, and that of Dr. Buchanan's next commu- 
 nication to the same friend and correspondent ; during which 
 he had visited the island of Ramisseram, and from thence had 
 crossed to Ceylon. Of his visit to the latter island, both at 
 this time and again about eighteen months afterwards, Dr. Bu- 
 chanan gave some account to the public in his Christian Re- 
 searches ; but of Ramisseram, as well as Ceylon, it may not 
 be uninteresting to add the following particulars : 
 
 " Borders of Travancore, 18th October, 1806. 
 " The Ranny of Ramnad gave me a letter to the Panda- 
 rum or chief priest of the Pagoda of Ramisseram, desiring 
 that he would give me a catalogue of the Shanscrit books 
 preserved in the temple from time immemorial. The Ranny 
 is the patroness (by hereditary right) of the temple. When I 
 delivered the letter, the Pandarum informed the priests of its 
 contents. They observed, that no catalogue had ever been 
 given before. The Pandarum said he would give me an answer 
 next day. In the meantime I paid him a visit of ceremony, 
 and presented a nuzzur. The next day he sent to acquaint 
 me that the catalogue was preparing, and would be ready for 
 delivery in the evening; when I was requested to proceed to 
 the Pandarum's house. At five o'clock he came himself to 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 235 
 
 accompany me, attended by his elephants and music, and the 
 whole band of priests. In this procession I moved round the 
 temple to the Pandarum's house, where all the books were ex- 
 hibited in order. They are all written on ollas ; and had 
 generally the aspect of antiquity. 
 
 " The Pandarum then presented the catalogue written on 
 four ollas. It contains ninety-six Shanscrit volumes, and 
 seventy-two TamuL 
 
 " It was Mr. E. who suggested to me the attempt to pro- 
 cure this catalogue. 
 
 " Ramisseram, or rather Ramacoil, or Ramacovel, that is, 
 Rama's temple, is a noble building. The aisles, or porticoes, of 
 majestic height, are about six hundred feet long. No abbey 
 or cathedral in Europe is of such magnitude. Like the other 
 temples in the Deccan, its revenues are wasting away. But 
 Juggernaut will fall, I think, before Ramacoil. I saw no hu- 
 man bone in the island of Ramisseram. Christianity in its 
 worst shape has civilized the Deccan. All descriptions of 
 people are more humane and intelligent than the Hindoos of 
 Bengal. 
 
 " The Pandarum presented to me a fine shawl, (the Ranny 
 gave me two,) and then procured a donie to carry me to JafF- 
 napatam. The wind was fair, and I was only one day on the 
 deep. I had letters to Mr. T., the civil magistrate of Jaffna. 
 I slept the first night on the island of Leyden, at the house of 
 Mr. T., the custom master. Next morning he showed me three 
 Roman Catholic churches lately built, and assured me that 
 every person on the island was a christian. I passed through 
 a bazar, and spoke to some christian women selling turtle, 
 which they cut in pieces to make curry. They were not so 
 intelligent as Mr. KolhofFs christians. 
 
 " I next day visited the chief Romish church in Jaffna town ; 
 built by Padre Leonardo, who now presides in the island. 
 This church is the largest structure of slight building which I 
 ever saw T . Every Sunday about a thousand or twelve hundred 
 people attend, and on feast days three thousand and upwards. 
 Leonardo introduced me to four of his brethren, who all con- 
 versed very fluently in Latin. There are five priests in Jaffna, 
 and ten in Ceylon. They are all of the same order, St. Philip 
 Nerius ; and no priest of any other order is ever admitted to 
 the island. 
 
 ki I passed half a day with Dr. S., mentioned by Thunberg. 
 Dr. S. was at Japan, and brought from thence a valuable col- 
 lection of Japanese books in print. They are chiefly on sub- 
 jects of natural history, having drawings of animals. He has 
 
236 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 
 
 a very extensive museum of oriental curiosities. I went pa- 
 tiently through his library, and found some information I 
 wanted. 
 
 44 Among the Dutch ladies are some examples of serious 
 religion. Mrs. M. is a pious woman. She could not speak 
 English ; but she produced a quarto Dutch Bible, well worn, 
 and we conversed with each other in texts. 
 
 " The chief justice spoke respectfully of Mr. Palm, and so 
 did the other gentlemen at Jaffna. They wished me to go to 
 Columbo, and report to the Governor : he has himself already 
 visited Jaffna, and Dr. S.'s collection. 
 
 44 From Jaffnapatam I proceeded by land to Manaar, through 
 the woods ; a journey of three days. The elephants, bears, 
 and buffaloes abound. Every night two men preceded my 
 palanquin, carrying each a flaming log of gum-wood, to frighten 
 the wild beasts. In the open spaces in the woods, I saw the 
 Ryots guarding their cattle with gum-wood torches. The 
 cheetah is very destructive here. 
 
 44 Governor North built three caravanseras in these desolate 
 woods. 
 
 44 At Manaar I found Captain B., commandant of the Fort. 
 He was a shipmate in the Busbridge. At his house I met Mr. 
 M.j son to the old lady at Jaffna. He happened to mention 
 that he had Busching's Magazine in German, containing Moen's 
 (the Dutch Governor at Cochin) account of the Jews at that 
 place. This book is referred to by Forster, who writes notes 
 to Bartolomeo, as the last and most authentic account. 
 
 44 Mr. M. has promised to translate the whole into English, 
 and send it to me in a fortnight. 
 
 44 At Manaar 1 embarked in a donie, an open boat, about the 
 size of a burr, for Ramisseram. A storm arose, and I went on 
 shore at a fishing village, situated near the north-west extre- 
 mity of the island Manaar. They were all Romish christians, 
 and I slept in their church. The priest was absent; and his 
 catechist had never heard that there was such a book as the 
 Bible. The dandies of my own boat were also christians, but 
 had never heard of the Bible. They had, however, a very 
 good christian custom. Before they hoisted the sail, they all 
 joined in prayer to God for protection. Every man at his post 
 with the rope in his hands pronounced his prayer. 
 
 44 Next morning I embarked again ; and when we were 
 nearly out of sight of land, the wind began to rise again. We 
 could not gain any land before it was dark. At four o'clock in 
 the morning we were alarmed by the noise of breakers ; and in 
 a few minutes we struck on Adam's bridge. I had expressed 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN". 
 
 237 
 
 a wish to see Adam's bridge ; and now I saw it in a perilous 
 situation. The boatmen leaped out, and kept the boat's head 
 to the sea till she floated, and then forced her through the 
 waves like a Masoolah boat. 
 
 " At day-light I saw the towers of Ramisseram near at hand, 
 when we landed at Pomben, next the continent. The boat- 
 men offered up their christian thanksgiving for their deliverance 
 from the peril of the sea. One of Mr. Swartz's catechists, 
 who accompanies me everywhere, appeared to be a good deal 
 edified by the scene. 
 
 " My friends at Ramnad sent bearers to me on my arrival 
 at Pomben, and I was conducted once more to Colonel M.'s 
 hospitable mansion. 
 
 " Tell H. that in the island of Ramisseram I saw Abel's 
 tomb, which is about fifty feet long. It is guarded by a Mus- 
 sulman, as I expected would be the case. In Ceylon the fable 
 of Adam's flight from the island is very current. The truth 
 seems to be this. The Hindoos called Ceylon a paradise, on 
 account of its spices and pearls and precious stones. And the 
 Mussulmans, believing it to be the Garden of Eden, introduced 
 Adam and his family immediately. 
 
 "At Ramnad-pooran there is a good Protestant church and 
 parsonage-house of stone, built by Colonel M. and the company 
 about eight years ago. But they have no minister, and long 
 much for a visit from some missionary. 
 
 " From Ramnad I proceeded to Tutycorin, where there is a 
 rich Romish church, and a Dutch Protestant church. 
 
 " At this place there is a tribe of Hindoos called Parrawars, 
 (not Pariahs,) whose chief is called Prince of the Parrawars. 
 The whole of this tribe, without exception, are christians in 
 the Romish communion. The wealth and dignity of the prince 
 support the church, and exhibit more magnificence than is now 
 generally to be found in the Romish churches. 
 
 " The Rutt is attached to this church, as at Aughoor. The 
 priest told me he walked before it in procession. In the Hin- 
 doo temples it is usual to ring bells and strike gongs the mo- 
 ment the idol is unveiled. In analogy to this, bells are rung 
 and drums beat at Tutycorin when the Virgin Mary is unveiled. 
 There are three bells within the church of large size, which 
 have a terrible effect on the auditory nerves. I requested the 
 priest to undraw the curtain before the Virgin, that I might see 
 the golden image : but I was not apprized of the thunder that 
 was to accompany the exhibition. 
 
 " I visited the prince in form, and inquired into the moral 
 state of his subjects. He was denominated by the Dutch the 
 
238 
 
 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Prince of the Seven Havens. The Dutch minister showed 
 me his library, in which I was happy to find Fabricius's Lux 
 Evangelii, in quarto. I went from Tutycorin toTinavelly, in 
 my palanquin, without taking my eyes off this book. 
 
 " Here is the pearl fishery. 1 saw the shells in heaps at the 
 place where they are opened, and Mr. M., the Dutch merchant 
 at whose house I lodged, made me a present of a large pearl, 
 about the size of a pistol bullet, but of little value from its being 
 clouded in various places. 
 
 44 At Tinavelly I was hospitably received by the Judge, the 
 Collector, and the Register. In Palamcotta Fort, which is close 
 to Tinavelly, there is a Protestant church and parsonage-house. 
 The christians in the district are numerous, and have suffered 
 some persecution. Mr. KolhofT wished me to represent the 
 subject to the Judge and Collector, who have assured me that 
 they will afford them every protection and encouragement in 
 their power. 
 
 44 Tell H. that I write this at the bottom of the lofty moun- 
 tain, called Cape Coinorin, whose rocky head seems to over- 
 hang its base. The birds which build the pendulous nests are 
 here numerous. At night each of their little habitations is 
 lighted up, as if to see company. The sagacious little bird 
 fastens a bit of clay to the top of the nest, and then picks up a 
 fire-fly, and sticks it on the clay to illuminate the dwelling, 
 which consists of two rooms. Sometimes there are three or 
 four fire-flies, and their blaze of light in the little cell dazzles 
 the eyes of the bats, which often kill the young of these birds. 
 
 44 1 did not pass through Cape Comorin gate in entering 
 Travancore, but through a gate some miles northward, called 
 Arampalli gate. The mountain, called by sailors the Cape, is 
 again to the north of this. Arampalli is thought to be the 
 Arguropolis of the Greeks. Here there is a fortified pass, and 
 lines of two miles in length, composed of stone walls and 
 towers. The guard received me with frowning looks. I had 
 unfortunately not yet received my passport from Colonel Ma- 
 caulay. I did not know, therefore, how I should be received 
 at the gate. But when I was approaching it, I sent some of 
 the armed peons who accompanied me, to inform the com- 
 mandant that I expected he would be ready to receive me at the 
 gate, and to afford me an escort to the Rajah's presence. And 
 thus I passed without opposition. 
 
 44 Next day I arrived at Cottate, the Cottonia (hence the 
 word cotton) of the ancients. It is still a flourishing place. 
 The day after I came to Padmanburam, a fort and residence of 
 the king, where his principal arsenal is established. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 239 
 
 44 From Padmanburam to Trivandram is a road, shaded by 
 lofty trees, called the King's road, whereon Brahmins and 
 Nayrs alone are suffered to walk. The lower casts do, how- 
 ever, walk on it ; but if they meet a Brahmin, they imme- 
 diately leave it, and seek a path in the woods. A person 
 sometimes precedes the Brahmin to announce to passengers 
 that he is near at hand." 
 
 The date of Dr. Buchanan's next letter is on the 27th of 
 October, from the palace of the Rajah of Travancore, at Tri- 
 vandram : 
 
 44 I have received your letter of the 27th September, in which 
 you answer mine of the first from Tanjore. 
 
 " I have not seen Geddes, but I am accustomed to read 
 quotations from him. I shall endeavour to preserve some Sy- 
 rian and Jewish relics for you. 
 
 " On my arrival here I found that Colonel Macaulay was a 
 hundred miles off, at Cochin. But I received a letter from him, 
 tendering his services in whatever way I wished to command 
 them. 
 
 44 1 immediately informed his excellency, the minister, (a 
 noble Nayr of able and liberal mind,) that 1 wished to pay my 
 respects to his highness, the Rajah, for so are these illustrious 
 persons designated by the Company. 
 
 44 The Rajah sent his Vakeel to inform me that he would 
 receive me in form next day. In the meantime he gave orders 
 for my accommodation and table. The Rajah's servants ac- 
 cordingly came the next day to escort me to the gate of the 
 fort in which he resides. The military were drawn out, and 
 I was received on the steps of the palace by the minister and 
 secretary, who conducted me to the Rajah's apartment. He 
 was more gorgeously dressed than the Rajah of Tanjore. He 
 was twenty-five years old on the day I entered Trivandram; 
 and of five subjects of compliment which I had premeditated, 
 this was one. He is an affable and sensible man. He con- 
 versed on political subjects for about two hours, and was ex- 
 tremely desirous to have my opinion of the chief persons, 
 European and native, in Hindoston. His grand subject, how- 
 ever, was to learn the particular purpose of my various and 
 extensive tour. Nobody had been able to satisfy him on this 
 head. I was very candid with him, and declared my objects 
 plainly. He appeared to be a little thoughtful, and I did not 
 know what impression I had made on his mind. His whole 
 court of Brahmins and Nayrs understood every word that was 
 said. When I was about to take my leave, he expressed a hope 
 
240 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 
 
 that I meant to stay some days with him. I told him I 
 should. 
 
 •* On that same day I sent to him the Rajah of Tanjore's 
 list of books, and also the Kamisseram catalogue. He read 
 over both with great pleasure. I then requested that he would 
 order his Brahmins to make out a similar list of their ancient 
 books. He assented immediately, but the Brahmins resisted. 
 The minister told me this. I asked whether the Brahmins go- 
 verned the Rajah. At my next audience the Rajah told me 
 the list was preparing. 
 
 11 Understanding that I had the Rajah of Tanjore's picture, he 
 requested to see it. He was so much pleased with the beauty of 
 the painting, that he desired to keep it for a day or two to show 
 it to his ladies. It was three days before I could get the Rajah 
 of Tanjore out of the Zenana. I mean to tell the Rajah of 
 Tanjore this. 
 
 n Mr. Swartz's catechist, who accompanies me, is called Pas- 
 cal. He was heir to a person of property, who died some years 
 ago at Trivandram. He proceeded from Tanjore, accordingly, to 
 claim his inheritance about four years ago; but, being a poor man, 
 and ill supported, he was told by this court that his claim was not 
 just. Mr. Kolhoff requested I would take Pascal with me, 
 and represent his case to the Rajah. I did so ; but, having no 
 hope of getting any thing for him, I gave him an allowance as 
 my interpreter. On my second audience, I represented his 
 case to the Rajah. The matter was investigated in public 
 next day, and on the day following (to the great astonishment of 
 poor Pascal, and all my servants) the Rajah put him in pos- 
 session of a house and land in this place, and granted him the 
 option of inhabiting it, or selling it immediately. He also de- 
 livered to Pascal bonds amounting to about six thousand ru- 
 pees, and a great number of jewels. Pascal says he must 
 build a church for all this." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan then mentions a second successful application 
 to the Rajah in behalf of a small body of native christians at 
 Moiladdy, a district of Travancore, who had hitherto been re- 
 fused permission to build a church. 
 
 "I asked the Rajah," says Dr. Buchanan, " whether he had 
 ever read of any people who were not allowed to worship 
 their God? The minister was willing. At last the Rajah 
 told me he would himself soon visit the district of Moiladdy, 
 and would then point out a proper place for the church. The 
 Brahmins, I hear, first opposed the measure, alleging that the 
 English would soon have the country, if they were allowed to 
 introduce their religion into it. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 241 
 
 " At my last audience the Rajah was very gracious. He 
 presented to me some shawls ; and when I was taking leave, 
 he put an emerald ring on my finger. He at the same time 
 gave orders that two of his officers (Nayrs) should attend me 
 throughout his dominions, wherever I was pleased to go. This 
 last favour was of a very peculiar nature, and altogether unex- 
 pected." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan thus continues his correspondence : 
 
 " 1st November, 1806. 
 " From Trivandram I went to Poontara on the sea-coast ; 
 and here I first saw a Syrian church in the Romish commu- 
 nion. I mean in Travancore ; for I before mentioned to you 
 that I had visited one near Tritchinopoly. From Poontara to 
 Angengo I travelled by the sea-coast, and had the pleasure to 
 see a church every four or five miles. From Cape Comorin 
 to Cochin there are about a hundred churches on the sea-shore 
 alone. Of these the chief part are the Syrian Latin, or, more 
 properly, the Syrian Romish churches. The priest reads the 
 Syriac Liturgy, not one word of which the people understand, 
 and then he walks off; or he reads the Latin Liturgy, with 
 which the poor christians are equally edified. Some of them 
 (the private christians) have, however, the prayers translated 
 into Malayalim, or, proper Malabar. The churches are snow 
 white, and are generally built in a grove of shady trees. Be- 
 fore each, on the sand of the shore, is a lofty cross, which, 
 like the church itself, is conspicuous at a great distance. 
 
 41 There was an insurrection of the Nayrs in Travancore 
 last year, against the Rajah ; three battalions of his Nayr body- 
 guards revolted, and sought to kill the British Resident, and the 
 Rajah, and the present minister. Colonel M. fled to Cochin. 
 The Rajah called in the christian fishermen from the coast to 
 defend him against the Nayrs. They assembled at Trivandram 
 in immense numbers, each man armed with a short bludgeon. 
 The bowmen from the hills appeared at the same time in the 
 Rajah's behalf, and the Nayrs laid down their arms and fled. 
 About fifty of the ringleaders were seized and hanged. The 
 battalions were broken, and the Rajah accepted of a subsidiary 
 force from the English. This was a dreadful blow to the 
 Brahmins, whose influence in Travancore is identified with 
 that of the Nayrs. 
 
 " At Angengo I found apartments prepared for me by the 
 British Resident, Mr. H., who is appointed by the Bombay 
 government. Angengo has been in possession of the English 
 since 1628. 
 
242 MKM01RS OF PR. RrciIANAX. 
 
 11 At Quilon. Dr. M.. nephew to the Colonel, entertained 
 me. The subsidiary force is al present encamped here. At 
 this place I saw Dr. II., the Ilindostanee scholar. He told 
 7ne. that though he had been many months here, he had not 
 yet met with any one who could give an account of the schis- 
 matic Syrians, as their churches were all in the interior, where 
 Europeans cannot go without permission from the Rajah." 
 
 The next letter, in which Dr. Buchanan announces his ap- 
 proaching departure to the interior o( Travancore. will be read 
 with, lively interest by those who have followed him in his 
 progress hitherto, and who are aware of the important result 
 of his researches. 
 
 '•CAiicorLOx. 4th Xov. 1806. 
 
 " I am now about to proceed northward and eastward from 
 this place, to visit the Syrian churches. There is one very 
 near at Mavelicar. The others are remote, situated (according 
 to Dr. L.'s account) in impenetrable forests, where jungle 
 fevers and tigers abound. 
 
 44 The weather is dry and clear, and I have received a very 
 different account of the regions I wish to visit. I shall, how- 
 ever, proceed no farther than may be prudent. I have told my 
 servants, that they may remain behind, if they please. But 
 they choose to accompany me. The Rajah's men encourage 
 them. The Lord, who hath graciously led me from Cambus- 
 lang to Calcutta, and from Calcutta to Cape Comorin, will 
 lead me in safety, I trust, through the mountains of Travan- 
 core. In many instances, already, mountains have been made 
 a plain before me : and I am ready to believe that some good 
 will result from a journey, hitherto so remarkably favoured by 
 Providence. 
 
 "I, however, think it right to 4 put my house in order' at 
 this place, and leave the event to Him who disposem of the 
 lives of his servants according to his eternal purpose and right- 
 eous will. 
 
 44 At a village near Calycoulon lives Captain TV., an old 
 officer of a former Rajah. He is now blind, but his wife reads 
 the Bible to him. Hearing of my approach, he had prepared 
 some questions to ask me, which had long been on his mind, 
 relating to the doctrine of salvation. After supper, he quoted 
 several passages from the Epistles to the Romans, Ephesians, 
 and first of St. Peter; and asked, how can these things be ? 
 
 •• After an hour's discourse, the old man said, 4 It is even so, 
 as I hoped.' And he began to weep aloud.'' 
 
 It was surely worth a journey from Calcutta to Travancore 
 
Iron an Original Jjrauayj b} v J > r Buchanan . 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 243 
 
 to resolve the doubts and to shed light upon the path of this 
 aged christian ! 
 
 On the 5th of December Dr. Buchanan communicated to 
 his excellent correspondent in Bengal a long and detailed ac- 
 count of his visit to the Syrian churches in Malayala. As it 
 has been already observed in respect to Juggernaut and Cey- 
 lon, the narrative in this letter is substantially similar to that 
 which has been long since published,* and excited such gene- 
 ral attention and interest. It will not, however, be deemed 
 unnecessary to give a sketch of Dr. Buchanan's introduction 
 to the Syrian christians, and to add a few extracts, containing 
 some circumstances which have not yet met the public eye. 
 
 "Cochix, 5th Dec. 1806. 
 
 M My last letter from Travancore informed you that I was 
 about to leave the sea-coast, and to proceed into the interior of 
 the country to visit the ancient Syrian churches. I have been 
 enabled to accomplish my purpose. I have visited the remote 
 churches situated amongst the hills at the bottom of the great 
 Ghauts. The scenery of the country was everywhere de- 
 lightful ; the weather was cool and pleasant ; and I have re- 
 turned from an expedition, which was represented to be dan- 
 gerous, in perfect health. 
 
 " Early in November I left the sea-coast, having first sup- 
 plied myself with plenty of gold and silver. I directed my 
 course towards Mavelicar, the first Syrian church. 
 
 " The kasheeshas (priests) received me on my arrival with 
 much civility, perceiving that I was accompanied by the Ra- 
 jah's servants. Their curiosity to know the object of my 
 visit was very great ; still greater when I took up their Syrian 
 books and began to read ; and when I showed them my print- 
 ed Syriac books, which they could read. They produced the 
 scriptures, and their liturgy ; also lexicons and grammars, Sy- 
 rian and Malay alim. The Malay alim, or proper Malabar, is a 
 dialect distinct from the Tamul ; but the character is nearly 
 the same. It is considered by the learned Brahmins of this 
 coast, as the eldest and legitimate daughter of the Shanscrit. 
 
 " In the evening the church was lighted up for prayers, at 
 which a good many of the people attended. Nothing objec- 
 tionable appeared at this service. The priests pronounced the 
 prayers without book, and chaunted their hymns, having their 
 faces turned towards the altar. They have no images, but on 
 the walls were paintings from subjects of scripture history. 
 
 "• See the Christian Observer, vol. vi. and Christian Researches, p. 112—150 
 
244 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 Next day being Sunday, I had an opportunity of seeing 
 the whole service, morning and evening, as I sat in the chan- 
 cel, with one of their books in my hand. The people were 
 very decently habited, and filled the church. 
 
 44 On Monday morning the four chief elders of the church 
 came with the priests to visit me. I told them I knew their 
 history, and came as their friend, and the friend of their reli- 
 gion ; that I knew they had been an oppressed people during 
 a long period. To all this they listened evidently with deep 
 thought and perplexity. They then put a few questions to 
 me. I told them I was about to visit their remotest congrega- 
 tions, intending to penetrate to Ranniel itself. 
 
 44 Their countenances began now to assume great distrust, 
 and, after a few civil sentences, they begged leave to withdraw.. 
 I certainly appeared in a most questionable shape among these 
 simple people, who had so little commerce with the world. In 
 the evening I invited them to another conference. I told them 
 I should set off the next morning for the mountains ; that I 
 was much obliged to them for their hospitable entertainment, 
 and begged they would accept something in return. I gave 
 each of the priests some gold, and some to the elders of the 
 church, for the poor; and desired their benediction, that I 
 might go in peace. They then retired with apparent reluc- 
 tance, looking at the money with dubious countenances. 
 
 44 1 afterwards learnt that they immediately called an assem- 
 bly. An old man arose and said, 4 What if this stranger 
 should prove to be a true christian, and a real friend? What 
 proof have we that he is our enemy ? It is true no European 
 ever visited us before ; but what say you to this man's know- 
 ledge of our church at Antioch, to his Syrian books, his 
 money ? Besides, it is said that the Rajah put an emerald ring 
 on his finger. If he do not intend our good, he may have 
 power to hurt us.' 
 
 44 They then conferred with Mr. Swartz's catechist, and my 
 other servants of all casts, concerning my family, country, pro- 
 fession, my present journey, where I had been, and what I 
 had been doing, and what I intended to do. 
 
 44 After this ordeal, I was permitted to appear before their 
 tribunal once more. The old priest said he was afraid they~ 
 had judged me too hastily; but that there were some circum- 
 stances which he would now communicate as an apology for 
 their suspicions." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan then relates the account which the venerable 
 priest gave him of the various attempts of the Roman Catho- 
 lics to force the Syrian churches to join their communion, as 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 245 
 
 the ground of their suspicions respecting his present visit, and 
 the manner in which he at length succeeded in removing their 
 fears and gaining their confidence. 
 
 He next proposed to send a standard translation of the scrip- 
 tures, in Malayalim, to each of their fifty-five churches, on 
 condition that each church should multiply the copies, and 
 circulate them among the people. To this they thankfully 
 assented. 
 
 " One of the elders, named Thomas, or, Didymus, stepped 
 forward and said, 4 To convince you, sir, of our earnest desire 
 to have the Bible in the Malayalim tongue, I need only men- 
 tion that I have lately translated the gospel of St. Matthew, 
 for the benefit of my own children. It is often borrowed by 
 the other families. It is not in fine language, but the people 
 love to read it.' 
 
 " ■ But how,' said the old priest, ' shall we know that your 
 standard copy is a true translation of our Bible ? We cannot 
 depart from our own Bible. It is the true book of God, with- 
 out corruption ; that book which was first used by the chris- 
 tians at Antioch. What translations you have got in the west, 
 we know not : but the true Bible of Antioch we have had in 
 the mountains of Malabar for fourteen hundred years, or longer. 
 Some of our copies are from ancient times; so old and decay- 
 ed, that they can scarcely be preserved much longer.' I re- 
 joiced when I heard this. 
 
 " * But how,' repeated the aged priest, ' shall we know that 
 your western Bible is the same as ours V s I have here,' said 
 I, ' a western Syrian Bible, which yourselves can read ; and I 
 have an English Bible, which will be interpreted to you. Let 
 some portion of scripture, selected at a venture, be accurately 
 examined. You can compare the whole, at your leisure, here- 
 after.' They turned over the leaves of my Bible with sur- 
 prise, having never seen a printed Syriac Bible before. After 
 some consultation, they proposed that the 3d chapter of 
 St. Matthew's gospel should be critically compared, word for 
 word, in the eastern Syrian, western Syrian, and English. 
 St. Matthew was selected, I believe, at the suggestion of 
 Thomas, who had got his Malayalim translation in his hand. 
 
 " It w r as an interesting scene to me to behold the ancient 
 English Bible brought before the tribunal of these simple 
 christians in the hills of Malabar. They sat down to the in- 
 vestigation with great solemnity, and the people around seem- 
 ed to think that something important depended on the issue. 
 
 " I held a Greek Testament in my hand, and proposed 
 that the sense of the Greek copy should be first explain* 
 
 x2 
 
144 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 I the New Testament was first given to the world id 
 Greek." 
 
 Here a discussion arose respecting the comparative merits of 
 the Greek and Svriac scriptures, which Dr. Buchanan has 
 given at length in his Researches.* After which he adds, 
 M Not thinking it prudent to proceed further in this argu- 
 ment. I proposed that Jona (the aged priest' should first read 
 his own Svriac, as the standard, with which the other versions 
 should be compared. \Ye accordingly began, and soon finish- 
 ed the collation of the chapter. Jona was satisfied that the 
 English Bible was a faithful translation. As for the western 
 Syrian, it agreed with the eastern nearly word for word. 
 Thomas' Malayalim translation alone was faulty. 
 
 •• We next considered the establishment of schools ; the 
 proposal of which seemed very acceptable to them. 
 
 " My business was now done. The priests observed, that 
 it would be necessary that their Bishop and Metropolitan, Mar 
 Dionysius, now residing at Candenad. near Cochin, should be 
 made fully acquainted with all that had passed: as without his 
 concurrence nothing: could be done with energy in so exten- 
 sive a diocese. I told them I had already ascertained that the 
 good Bishop would willingly give his sanction to measures so 
 beneficial to his people, and that he would signify it to them 
 officially in due time. 
 
 " The people now informed me they had determined that 
 one of the priests, and one of the elders, should accompany 
 me to the other churches ; and that letters should be sent be- 
 fore to announce our coming. 
 
 " Next day we took our departure from Mavelycar, and 
 arrived in the evening at the church of Chinganoor. The 
 priests and people came out. women and children in their holi- 
 day clothes, to meet us at a little distance from the town. The 
 church is a spacious building, far superior to any that I had 
 yet seen. Near the altar are two shrines of bishops who died 
 here. I requested Jesua the priest to select four of the chief 
 elders, as representatives of the people, to hear what had passed 
 at Mavelycar. They received the proposal for diffusing the 
 scriptures and establishing the schools with the utmost cor- 
 diality. 
 
 81 I was here told, that no European, or even Romish priest. 
 had ever penetrated farther into the country than this place. 
 Bartolomeo was not here ; for there is not a single Roman 
 church in this district of Malabar. 
 
 * Christian Researches, pp. 114—115. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 247 
 
 " Calicherry was our next church. It is built on the top of 
 a hill. The chief priest is Matthew, aged eighty years. He 
 gave me the history of ancient times ; and also a very accurate 
 account of the present state of the Syrian church. The peo- 
 ple here manifested the same favourable disposition which had 
 appeared at the former places. 
 
 Still journeying towards the East, we arrived at the church 
 of Puttencow ; from whence we had a view of the delectable 
 mountains, the utmost bound of the Syrian churches. The 
 church of Puttencow was built by the present bishop about 
 fourteen years ago. At this place I met a greater number of 
 aged persons than I had yet seen. They suggested many use- 
 ful improvements in the plans to be adopted, and pointed out 
 where they were most liable to fail. Andrew, the priest, ap- 
 peared to be very zealous for scripture translation. 
 
 " We came the next day to Maraman, a small church, over 
 which presides the aged Zechariah. I found him reading his 
 Masmora (Psalms) in the porch of the church. This part of 
 the country is interspersed with hills, round which the rivers 
 from the Ghauts wind their course. The christians go from 
 place to place in little canoes. Sometimes a woman may be 
 seen with the oar in her hand ; sometimes a little boy ; some of 
 the canoes being so small as to admit of two persons only. 
 
 " The church of Colancherry was next in our course. It 
 is built in the bosom of the forest, but not far from a river. 
 The people were poor, but very hospitable. An old lady 
 wished me to make a promise that I would come back again 
 in a year or two, or at least that I would write to them. She 
 would take care that the Cassanars did their duty. 
 
 " Next day we arrived at Ranniel, the remotest church in 
 these regions, and the limit of my proposed tour. This church 
 is built on a steep hill, or rather rock, in which a few steps are 
 cut to ascend. The people assembled from all quarters, and 
 seemed delighted with the novelty of my appearance, and 
 that of my attendants. The two priests were Lucas and Mat- 
 thew ; and the four elders, Abraham, Thoma, Georgius, and 
 Philip. 
 
 " I found Abraham to be rich ; and to be w r ithal deeply in- 
 terested in the success of our measures for the extension of 
 religion. He had travelled a little. He said there was a great 
 difference between the religion of the heart and the doctrines 
 of the head ; and it was to be lamented that many priests were 
 ignorant of this. 4 You were right,' said he, * in taking a 
 pledge of the four chief elders, rather than of the young Cas- 
 
248 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 sanars. For want of colleges* and places of religious instruc- 
 tion, the young priests arc Bent to teach us before they are 
 taught themselves. ' They are obliged indeed to lead moral 
 lives, for otherwise they would not be endured. But no man 
 should go forth to the ministry until he has studied the whole 
 Bible, and can quote it fluently in his christian discourse. For 
 three hundred years we have been quarrelling with the Romish 
 Church about supremacy, rites, and ceremonies, but the Bible 
 has been out of the question. The Bible, sir, is what we 
 want, in the language of our own mountains. With the Bible 
 in his hand, every man can become the priest of his own 
 family.' 
 
 44 While Abraham was thus discoursing, T thought of that 
 other Abraham, who was called ' the friend of God' in a strange 
 land. He gave me much useful information, and conveyed it 
 too with some authority; for he seemed to consider me as a 
 young man who professed a good purpose, but who was not 
 likely to bring it to a happy issue, without being well directed 
 and well supported. ' After you are gone,' said he, 4 evil men 
 will endeavour to frustrate your counsel.' Nothing will com- 
 plete your success but the authority of the English government 
 interposed in our behalf. Before any thing can be done in 
 India on a great scale, kings, and men in power, must range 
 themselves on God's side. When the christian religion is left 
 to itself, as a thing indifferent, the solid dominion of the devil 
 will soon overwhelm it; unless indeed it should please God to 
 send forth in these days his divine power in a miraculous way, 
 as in the first ages. But this we are not to expect, and there- 
 fore we ought to pray, as in our Syrian Liturgy, 4 that kings 
 and ministers would work with God.' 
 
 44 I proposed to Abraham that he should correspond on these 
 subjects with the most learned and pious persons of his church ; 
 and requested he would inform me from time to time what was 
 proper to be done. At parting I put a ring on Abraham's 
 finger, before the people. He said he should ever wear it, and 
 it should be a memorial of what had passed. At the request 
 of the priests I recorded my visit in the church books, in the 
 Syrian language ; being willing that there should be the ap- 
 pearance of as much solemnity as possible in my visit to this 
 remote people ; in order that the objects of it might not soon 
 be forgotten. 
 
 * It may be gratifying to the reader to know, that Major Munro, the present 
 British Resident in Travancore, has succeeded in procuring the establishment 
 of a college for the better instruction of the Syrian priests. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 249 
 
 " At all these churches I passed some time in examining 
 their Syrian books. At most places there are ancient copies 
 of the scriptures, or of some parts of them ; for the whole 
 scriptures are with them seldom bound up in one volume. 
 They are most generally in four : the Oreta, or former part of 
 the Old Testament ; the Evangelion, the Praxeis, and the 
 Egurta. The Prophets are rarest. 
 
 " In the vicinity of Ranniel, there is a high hill, from the top 
 of which the people told me I might have an extensive view of 
 the country. The hill was steep, and of laborious ascent, and 
 1 left my servants below. When I had gained the summit, I 
 felt myself much fatigued, and sat down to contemplate the 
 delightful prospect. The mountains of the Ghauts were at 
 some distance, but from their great height they appeared to be 
 close at hand. 
 
 "In a few minutes I saw a man coming up from a village 
 below, with a cocoanut in his hand. I drank the cooling 
 water, and was much refreshed. He said he was a christian ; 
 that seeing me ascend, he thought the cocoa- water would be 
 acceptable. I said I was a christian too. He smiled doubt- 
 ingly, looking at my English dress. He said he was never 
 farther from home than the adjacent mountains, where he 
 sometimes went to fell wood. He did not seem to understand 
 that there were christians in any other part of the world than 
 the mountains of Malayala. He pointed out to me by name 
 the christian parishes which I had visited, but most of the 
 churches were concealed by the trees. The christians are for- 
 bidden to have steeples, as they would appear too pre-eminent 
 among the pagodas of the heathens. 
 
 " While I surveyed the christian districts all around, I re- 
 flected on the inscrutable counsels of God, in finding this 
 asylum for the Bible during so many ages ; and yet in confin- 
 ing it for so long a period to this region of the heathen world. 
 I indulged the hope that the same Providence was about to un- 
 fold itself by dispensing the Bible throughout the East, by 
 means of this people. 
 
 " I passed two hours on the top of this hill. I do not know 
 its name. But I called it Pisgah ; for I believed that I had a 
 sight of kingdoms promised to the Messiah in the second 
 psalm. ' I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, 
 and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. ' 
 
 " On my return from Ranniel, I visited most of the churches 
 a second time, and then proceeded to Nerenam, which was 
 formerly the residence of the Syrian Bishops. The episcopal 
 chair, covered with red velvet, and decorated with copper 
 
'250 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN'. 
 
 studs, is evidently the workmanship of a former age. In a 
 corner lay the pastoral staff. The church itself is supposed 
 to be nine hundred years old. The chief Kasheesha here was 
 Thoma, aged G2 years. He has live colleagues and one 
 shumshana (student.) The christians here are said to be 
 wealthy ; but they must conceal their wealth. Their chief 
 elder is named Jacob Terragon : the latter word is an addition 
 conferred by the Rajah on persons of condition. Jacob in- 
 timated to me, that he was ready to support the cause with 
 money. 
 
 " Next day we arrived at Mavelycar, where I received a 
 better welcome than on my first visit to that place. 
 
 " In all these churches which I visited, I found the same 
 zeal and affection for the religion of their forefathers. In every 
 church the elders stepped forth with patriarchal simplicity and 
 zeal, as the natural guardians of the people. The women in 
 general were affable and courteous in their manners, and ap- 
 peared to be as much interested in the objects of my visit as 
 the men. The children showed nothing of the Hindoo shy- 
 ness and alarm at a stranger. They used to mount my palan- 
 quin, and sometimes get into it. The manners indeed of the 
 Nayrs of both sexes have much of the same independent frank- 
 ness. As to the Brahmins, their families live in entire seclu- 
 sion, as in a Romish convent ; unlike any thing that is known 
 elsewhere in Hindostan. 
 
 " From Mavelycar I went to Aleppe on the sea-coast ; and 
 thence I returned into the interior of the country as far as 
 Changanacherry, to visit the Romish churches in that quarter. 
 At Pulingunne is a Syrian academy for the Cassanars of the 
 Romish Church. It is under excellent management ; and, if 
 its objects were well directed, it would become a useful in- 
 stitution. The Romans were surprised at my condescension, 
 as they termed it, in visiting them, having understood that I 
 had visited the Syrian congregations, and favoured their re- 
 ligion. For it seems the rumour of my progress to the moun- 
 tains had already gone far abroad. ' It is true,' said I, ' I am 
 a schismatic. Colonel Macaulay and the Governor General, 
 and all the English, are schismatics from the Romish Church.' 
 The priests were very polite, and would not allow T that the 
 English were either heretics or schismatics. ' Indeed we are,' 
 said I, ' as much schismatics as the Syrians in the mountains. 
 It will be expedient for you, therefore, to change the name for 
 the future, if you have any respect for the English.' This 
 speech, as I afterwards heard, was carried before me to the 
 
■u |M 
 
 Frxtt, Buffameui . 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 251 
 
 Romish Bishop at Verapoli, near Cochin ; for whose use, in- 
 deed, I chiefly intended it." 
 
 Dr, Buchanan next directed his course to Candenad, the 
 residence of Mar Dionysius, the Metropolitan of the Syrian 
 Church. 
 
 4i On my arrival," he says, " I found that a great number of 
 his clergy had assembled from different parts of the diocese in 
 expectation of my coming. The old bishop is infirm, being 
 now seventy-eight years of age, and received me in an upper 
 chamber. He saluted me with ' a holy kiss,' after the apos- 
 tolic manner. He said he had learnt all that had passed in my 
 progress through his churches. His fears from the power of 
 the Romish Church had now subsided; and he was satisfied 
 that the English were the friends of his church. ' His joy 
 was like that of the Jews, when Cyrus sent forth his mandate 
 to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.' 
 
 11 Next morning I delivered to him a paper containing some 
 subjects for the consideration of himself and his clergy." 
 
 This related to their disposition to an union with the English 
 Church, to such extent as should seem practicable to both ; to 
 the translation of the scriptures into the Malayalim language, 
 and to the establishment of christian schools in all the parishes 
 of his diocese. Upon these subjects some very interesting 
 discussions took place, the substance of which will be found 
 in the Christian Researches, pp. 128 — 134. 
 
 " At the close of the conference the bishop added, ' I am in 
 a declining state of health, and cannot expect to live to see 
 these pleasing prospects realized, which now open to our view. 
 But I am the father of fifty-five churches in a heathen land ; 
 and I must soon give up my account to the bishop of souls. I 
 have been thus explicit in declaring to you my sentiments be- 
 fore my clergy, that they may act wisely, and remember them 
 when I am gone.' He then introduced me to two of the priests, 
 whom he authorized to communicate with me, as occasion 
 might require, on the subjects of the present conference. 
 
 " The next morning I visited the church of Udiamper, 
 which is only half a mile from Candenad. This is the church 
 in which the celebrated synod was held in 1599, by Menezes, 
 Archbishop of Goa. It is a spacious edifice." 
 
 From Udiamper Dr. Buchanan proceeded to Cochin. 
 
 " On my arrival," he continues, " I slept the first night at 
 the house of Mr. V., the old Dutch governor. Next morning 
 I went over to an island about two miles from Cochin, on which 
 Colonel Macaulay has a house. He received me with great 
 kindness, and has paid me much attention during my stay in 
 
252 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Malabar. Colonel M. is a man of letters ; and had, pre- 
 viously to my coming, collected various information and many 
 manuscripts, Syrian and Syrochaldaic, for my inspection. He 
 had also procured a copy of certain chapters of the Jewish 
 scriptures, which he understood I wished to see. 
 
 " In a few days after my arrival, he accompanied me to the 
 Rajah of Cochin's palace, and thence to Udiamper and Cande- 
 nad. The old bishop was much gratified with this second 
 visit, and considered it as a proof of our affection for his church. 
 Colonel M. intimated to him that he perfectly accorded with 
 me in the measures that had been proposed, and invited the 
 bishop to dine with us at Cochin. This invitation his bad 
 health would not allow him to accept ; but he sent over two 
 of his principal clergy to consult with me further on the affairs 
 of the church." 
 
 From this place Dr. Buchanan visited Cranganore, the spot 
 on which the Apostle Thomas is said to have first landed in 
 India; Paroor, the church of which place*bears the name of 
 St. Thomas, and is said to be the most ancient in Malabar ; 
 and Yerapoli, the residence of a Romish bishop, and the pope's 
 apostolic vicar. 
 
 11 Before my arrival, the bishop had lent some books to 
 Colonel M., one of which was * La Croze's Christianisme des 
 Tndes,' a book marked in the bishop's library as ' liber here- 
 ticus ; prohibitus.' This book he wished to get back, lest it 
 should fall into my hands. Colonel M. refused to give it, 
 knowing it was his intention to burn it. I visited the bishop 
 at Yerapoli, and explained to him that I had not come to notice 
 his church, but to take care of a flock who seemed to have no 
 church of its own. It seems that he and all the priests at 
 Yerapoli had taken it for granted that my purpose was to sub- 
 jugate them to the Church of England. l How,' said I, ' could 
 I possibly think of effecting such a change V I shall not soon 
 forget the answer. ' If the English government should desire 
 it, and threaten to withdraw its protection if we did not com- 
 ply, what alternative would be left V I answered that I was 
 glad to find they were so compliant, but I had no proposition 
 to make to them on that subject. Only I should be much 
 obliged to them to give the scriptures to the people. If they 
 were afraid of the inquisition at Goa, I could promise that not 
 one of them should be burnt. 
 
 M The bishop has opened his library to me, and shown me 
 many important records of his church. He is indeed very 
 cordial in his assistance, if I may judge from his endeavours to 
 afford me information. 
 
/ ^>/ 
 
 Jrvm an Onamal Drvmng hi D^Jhtekan 
 
 0/ /?,/,///,/ . 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 253 
 
 " You will perhaps think that my mission to Malabar has 
 terminated very satisfactorily without noticing manuscripts. 
 These are certainly of but secondary consideration with me, 
 though the learned will probably consider them to be of pri- 
 mary importance." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan then relates his success in obtaining both 
 Syrian and Hebrew manuscripts, and describes the brass 
 tablets, fac-similes of which he procured at Cochin, and on 
 which are engraved the privileges granted several centuries 
 since to the christians and Jews by the native princes of Mala- 
 bar. But of all these circumstances a particular account is 
 already before the public* 
 
 In the course of his tour, Dr. Buchanan made drawings of 
 several of the Syrian churches on the spot ; of which, though 
 extremely simple, and, with one exception, exhibiting only the 
 principal front of each building, it has been thought desirable 
 to obtain engravings, as an accompaniment to this part of his 
 memoirs. They represent the old church of Paroor, those of 
 Candenad and Udiamper, and that of Alangatta. The three 
 former have been already particularly mentioned. Of the lat- 
 ter it will appear, that Dr. Buchanan merely states his inten- 
 tion of visiting it. It is said to be the largest of the Syrian 
 temples, and a very handsome and noble building.! The church 
 of Paroor, as Dr. Buchanan remarked generally of the most 
 ancient Syrian structures, is not unlike some of the old parish 
 churches in England. The other three are more ornamented, 
 and evidently in the style of architecture prevalent in Asia 
 Minor and Syria. The sketches of these venerable buildings 
 can scarcely be contemplated without exciting some tribute of 
 applause to the christian zeal and energy which prompted Dr. 
 Buchanan to explore the recesses amidst which they had been 
 for ages concealed, and to shed around them that scriptural 
 light which poverty and neglect had well nigh extinguished. 
 
 The following miscellaneous extracts from his letter to Mr. 
 Brown, dated Cochin, may next be added : 
 
 " Colonel Macaulay has been fortunate enough to incline 
 the Travancore court to the belief that all the christian churches 
 are, and necessarily must be, cognizable, in respect of interior 
 management, and the appointment of bishops, by the christian 
 king, who is now sovereign of India. The bishop of Cochin, 
 lately appointed from Goa, arrived while I was here. But he 
 could not enter on the duties of his office until he was re- 
 
 * Christian Researches, pp. 128. 143. 232. 234. 
 t Asiatic Researches, vol. vii. 
 
 Y 
 
254 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 cognized by the British Resident, who gave him his authority 
 to be presented to the government of Travancore. The bishop 
 of Cochin presides over most of the churches on the sea-coast, 
 towards the south. 
 
 44 As to the christians in the territories of the king of Cochin, 
 the Dutch constantly assumed the entire management of the 
 churches, and even the collection of the revenues due to the 
 Rajah from the christians. This was done to preserve the 
 people from oppression. It would be desirable that a similar 
 right were exercised by the English government in relation to 
 the christians in the territories of the king of Travancore. 
 
 44 I was present the other night at the marriage of the 
 
 daughter of Nathaniel, the richest Jew of the place. It was a 
 very splendid solemnity. The women were covered with gold 
 and silver Dacca and Surat muslins, that being the costume on 
 such occasions from time immemorial. 
 
 44 The weather on the coast is still dry and pleasant. I have 
 had no cold as yet this year ; an indisposition which I never 
 escaped in Calcutta in the months of October and November. 
 I expect to leave Malabar in about a fortnight, and shall pro- 
 bably be with you in Bengal about the end of February. 
 Swartz's catechist is still with me. I forget whether I men- 
 tioned to you that one of Mr. Swartz's brass lamps is destined 
 for you. It is called the Halle University lamp. It gives a 
 bright and steady light, and a square moveable canopy shade 
 preserves the eyes. It is worn thin by the midnight lucubra- 
 tions of the old man ; for he was a hard student to the last 
 year of his life. 
 
 44 1 am now about to visit the interior of this country a third 
 time, and shall first proceed to Angamalee, formerly an arch- 
 bishopric of the Syrian christians. I have written to you thus 
 particularly of my tour through Malabar, in order that, if I 
 should be long delayed in my return, you may know what has 
 been done. I have succeeded certainly in the general objects 
 of my inquiry beyond my most sanguine expectations. 
 
 44 Mr. H., at Angengo, has heard of an ancient history of 
 Malabar in the Malayalim language, which his linguist has pro- 
 mised to procure. The Rajah's dewan tells me that it is re- 
 ferred to in public acts. Mr. H. says, there are in the epis- 
 copal library at Verapoli some volumes on Shanscrit literature 
 from the Propaganda, which, if possible, I shall procure for 
 Mr. Colebrooke's inspection. I wish Mr. C. himself were 
 here. The Brahmins still aver that Malabar is the cradle of 
 Shanscrit science ; and Colonel Macaulay has adopted that 
 opinion fully. It possibly existed here at as early a period as 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 255 
 
 in the north, but not with the same advantages of improve- 
 ment." 
 
 The date of Dr. Buchanan's next letter is December 14th, 
 from Angamalee in Malabar. Though the name of this place 
 occurs in the extracts published by himself from his Journal,* 
 the following account of it will be found to be fuller and more 
 interesting : 
 
 " Angamalee was formerly the seat of the archbishop of the 
 Syrian churches in the mountains of Malabar. In the town of 
 Angamalee there are three churches within a quarter of a mile 
 from each other, in all of which service is still performed. % The 
 cathedral church is the largest, and contains the tombs of bishops 
 and archbishops for many centuries. As I approached the 
 town of Angamalee in the evening, I heard the ' sullen roar' of 
 the great bell reverberating through the mountains. When the 
 Romish archbishop Menezes visited this place in 1599, the 
 christians strewed the way up the hill with flowers as he ad- 
 vanced. And yet he came to burn the ancient libraries and 
 archives of Angamalee. As the flame ascended, the old priests 
 wept ; but they were obliged to hide their tears, dreading the 
 inquisition at Goa. The archbishop presented himself next 
 day to the multitude, arrayed in his pontificals, resplendent 
 with gold and precious stones. To this day they have a lively 
 tradition of the splendour of his robes blazing in the sun, and 
 forming a striking contrast with the plain white garments of 
 their own primitive church. When Tippoo waged war with 
 the king of Travancore, in 1791, he sent detachments in every 
 direction to destroy the christian churches, and particularly the 
 ancient edifices at Angamalee. Two thousand men penetrated 
 into the mountains, and were directed to the place by the sound 
 of its bells. They sprung a mine under the altar walls of each 
 church, and the inhabitants who had fled to the higher moun- 
 tains witnessed the explosion. But the walls of the grand 
 front being five feet and a half thick, (1 measured them yester- 
 day,) they did not attempt to demolish them for want of pow- 
 der. In the mean time Tippoo, hearing that Lord Cornwallis 
 had invaded Mysore, suddenly recalled his church-destroying 
 detachments. Next year Tippoo was obliged to sign any 
 terms that were offered him ; but Lord Cornwallis forgot to de- 
 sire him to rebuild the christian churches. The inhabitants, 
 however, have rendered them fit for public worship ; and have 
 proceeded some way in restoring the cathedral to its former 
 state. The archbishop's residence and all the other public 
 
 * Christian Researches, p. 138. 
 
256 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 buildings are destroyed. The priests led me over the ruins, 
 and showed me the vestiges of their ancient grandeur, asking 
 me if I thought their Zion would ever be rebuilt. Angamalee 
 is built on a hill. ] told them that their second temple would 
 perhaps have more glory than their first. 
 
 11 Two of the churches here are Roman, the third Syrian. 
 But the two former would gladly return to their mother 
 church. 
 
 " Colonel Macaulay accompanied me half way in my pre- 
 sent excursion. I find the Syrian churches to the north much 
 more splendid than those to the south. The books also are 
 more numerous. I am now going to visit Alangatta and Eda- 
 palli, where formerly there was a Syrian monastery." 
 
 The preceding account of Dr. Buchanan's first visit to the 
 coast of Malabar can scarcely be better closed than by the fol- 
 lowing letter to Mr. Henry Thornton, which comprises a brief 
 but animated sketch of the whole ; and which, notwithstanding 
 the repetition of a few particulars which will be familiar to 
 some readers, will not, it is presumed, prove uninteresting 
 to any : 
 
 " Cochin, 24th December, 1806. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — In August or September last I addressed a let- 
 ter to you from the Pagoda of Seringham, near Tritchinopoli. 
 Since that period I have visited Ceylon, and many places in 
 Southern Coromandel and in the province of Malabar. I 
 passed a week at the palace of the Rajah of Travancore, who 
 aids me very liberally in all my pursuits. The Brahmins and 
 present minister had taught the young man (he is only twenty- 
 five) to oppress the christians. But he promises milder treat- 
 ment in future. This favourable change is produced by the 
 exertions of Colonel Macaulay, the Resident, who I am happy 
 to say is much alive to the interests of religion. 
 
 11 From the sea-coast I proceeded into the interior of the 
 country, to visit the ancient Syrian christians who inhabit the 
 hills at the bottom of the great mountains of Malayala. The 
 weather was cool and pleasant. The country is picturesque 
 and highly cultivated, diversified with hill and dale, and wind- 
 ing streams. These streams fall from the mountains, and pre- 
 serve the vallies in perpetual verdure. The christians received 
 me courteously, seeing I travelled in some state, escorted by 
 the Rajah's servants. But when they found my object was to 
 look into their books and religion, they surveyed me with 
 doubtful countenance, not well understanding how an English- 
 man could have any interest in the christian religion. And the 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 257 
 
 contrary was only proved to them by long and serious discus- 
 sion, and by the evidence of facts which for the first time came 
 to their knowledge. But when their doubts had been dispelled, 
 they sent deputies with me, who introduced me to all the other 
 churches. No European, or even Romish priest, had ever, as 
 they told me, visited that remote region. There are no Romish 
 churches in its vicinity, and the Rajah gives no permission to 
 Europeans to travel into the interior of his country. 
 
 44 The Syrian is still their sacred language, and some of the 
 laymen understand it; but the Malayalim is the vulgar tongue.. 
 I proposed to send a Malayalim translation of the Bible to each 
 of the churches ; and they assured me that every man who 
 could write would be glad to make a copy for his own family. 
 They also agreed to establish schools in each parish for chris- 
 tian instruction, which are to be under the direction of the four 
 chief elders of each parish, and in which the Bible in the vul- 
 gar tongue is to be a principal class-book. 
 
 " Their doctrines are not in essentials at variance with those 
 of the Church of England. They desire an union, or at least 
 such a connexion as may be practicable or desirable for the 
 better advancement of the interests of Christianity in India. 
 
 44 As to manuscripts, I have succeeded far beyond my most 
 sanguine expectations. 
 
 44 It had been supposed that the Roman Catholics had de- 
 stroyed in 1599 all the Syrian books. But it appears that they 
 did not destroy one copy of the Bible ; and I have now in my 
 possession some MSS. of the scriptures of a high antiquity. 
 The collation of these with our western copies is very interest- 
 ing. There are some other MSS., which were not condemned 
 by the Synod of Menezes. I have also found some old He-* 
 brew MSS., biblical and historical. 
 
 44 It is sufficiently established by the concurrence of oral 
 tradition with written records, that the Jews were on this coast 
 before the christian era. 
 
 44 1 propose to send home some Syrian youth to England 
 for education and ordination, if practicable. And I take with 
 me to Bengal a Malayalim, a Syrian, and a Jewish servant. 
 They will, however, be but nominal servants. I should have 
 engaged them as moonshees ; but I see there is no college now 
 in Bengal. 
 
 44 The Roman Catholics here were at first very jealous of 
 my attention to the Syrians. The Romish bishop, however, 
 who is a bon vivant, perceiving that my chief object was to 
 diffuse the scriptures among the people, began to think that it 
 might be politic in him to circulate them among his people too, 
 
 y2 
 
258 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 and to please the English rather than the inquisition. Colonel 
 Macau lay thinks the bishop will adopt the measure the mo- 
 ment we seriously propose it. He lives in some state, and 
 fires a salute of eleven guns on occasion. 
 
 " Cochin is rich in Hebrew literature, and I am purchasing 
 what is to be sold. 
 
 " The Rajah of Cochin has followed the example of the 
 Rajahs of Travancore, of Tanjore, and the Ranny of Ramnad, 
 and Ramisseram, in giving me catalogues of the Shanscrit 
 books in the temples. I hope the Coorga Rajah will do the 
 same. 
 
 " This opening of the Pagodas is a new scene in India. Mr. 
 Swartz was the remote instrument. He opened the Rajah of 
 Tanj ore's heart ; and the Rajah of Tanjore opened the Pago- 
 das, those chambers of imagery, the emblem of the heart. 
 
 11 The Rajah of Tanjore wishes me to visit him again. If 
 practicable, I shall open a correspondence with him. 
 
 " I propose to leave this coast in a fortnight, and proceed to 
 Bombay, from whence I shall probably go across to Benares, 
 and thence down to Calcutta by the Ganges. 
 
 " Having arrived at the extreme boundary of my tour, and 
 accomplished its object, I thought it would be acceptable to 
 you to have some short notices of it. Be pleased to tell Mr. 
 Newton that I am well. I wrote him a long letter from Tan- 
 jore. It is with pleasure I see that, amidst the agitations of 
 the world, he is tranquil, and at peace, and nearly arrived at 
 the haven where he would be. Mar Dionysius, the bishop 
 of the Syrians in the mountains, has somewhat of Mr. New- 
 ton's manner and appearance ; only that the bishop has a vene- 
 rable long beard, which reaches below his girdle, and through 
 which you may see a large gold cross beaming at intervals. 
 He is now seventy-eight years of age, amiable in his temper, 
 and devout according to his knowledge. 
 
 " 1 read at this place, in Hay ley's third volume, Cowper's 
 correspondence with Mr. Newton, and was pleased to see the 
 name of the good man honoured. 
 
 " I remain, dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 In his next letter to Mr. Brown, Dr. Buchanan announced 
 his intention of shortly returning to Bengal, together with a 
 farther plan which he was projecting respecting a visit to the 
 christian churches in Chaldea and Syria. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 259 
 
 "Cocmx, 23d Jan. 1807. 
 
 " I am happy to hear that the first gospel in Chinese and 
 Shanscrit is ready. 
 
 " I should have left Cochin before now, but some splendid 
 events have taken place. The Syrian church, rinding I was their 
 friend indeed, opened new sources of antiquity. I visited them 
 once more ; and the bishop presented to me # an ancient copy 
 of the Old and New Testament, in Syriac, on thick vellum, 
 reputed to be as old as the Alexandrine. On the other hand, 
 the Jews were softened by gold, and a singular discovery was- 
 made." 
 
 This referred to some valuable Hebrew manuscripts, of 
 which Dr. Buchanan gave a full account in his Christian Re- 
 searches, and which will be again noticed hereafter. The let- 
 ter thus proceeds : 
 
 " I despatched, on the 3d instant, three chests of books and 
 MSS. to my own address, and to your care. Be pleased to 
 open them and air the contents. I shall carry round with me 
 three chests more. My hands are so fully occupied here, that 
 I cannot proceed farther up the coast at this time ; besides, I 
 see you are desirous that I should return. I therefore purpose 
 to take my passage in a large Danish vessel, now here, and 
 ready to sail. I have promised to visit the Syrians and the 
 Jews once more before I leave the country, if practicable. 
 The information I have received from the Syrian christians, 
 strongly inclines me to visit their fellow churches in Chaldea 
 and Syria. The ancient patriarchate of Antioch is just expir- 
 ing, unless supported by the English church. As it will be 
 more convenient for a sea-sick traveller to go by land, I had 
 always proposed to myself that route. And this new induce- 
 ment will probably lead me to adopt it about the conclusion of 
 the present year, or whenever the monsoon will carry a ship 
 rapidly into the Persian Gulf. These things I have thought 
 of, not thinking that I can do much more in India ; but I leave 
 them to the issue which God, in his all- wise counsel, shall be 
 pleased to give. I have certainly no pleasure in the thought 
 of returning to England, or of staying in India. The world 
 (as the world) is equally distasteful to me everywhere. If I 
 knew where it was the will of God I should pass my days, I 
 should there lie down contented, and endeavour to do some 
 good in a quiet and humble way. 
 
 " In one of the chests you will find some shawls. Let J. 
 and H. choose one each ; and each of the boys may choose a 
 Hebrew book." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's last letter to his friend, previously to his 
 
260 
 
 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 embarking for Calcutta, contained the important information of 
 his having actually made arrangements for the translation of 
 the scriptures into the native language of Malabar. His suc- 
 cess, therefore, as to the great objects of his journey, had been 
 complete. 
 
 " Cochin, 29th Jan. 1807. 
 
 II I recived your letter of the 31st ultimo, and am glad to 
 hear that you have ended the year so well and so happily. 
 
 II I embark to-morrow in the Danish ship Danesberg, for 
 Calcutta, and shall touch at Columbo. I hope to be with you 
 early in March. I send a chest of books and MSS. to Eng- 
 land by the Bombay ships, which touch here. 
 
 " I am now about to encounter sea-sickness for a while. If 
 I call at Mr. TVs, in Columbo, it will be some relief, for I 
 have much to do there. It is understood, by all ranks here, 
 that I shall call on them six months hence on my way to the 
 Persian Gulf. I have expended a large sum here. Mr. F. 
 told me he had orders from his government (Madras) to supply 
 me with any money I might want. But I did not avail my- 
 self of this kindness. 
 
 " My servant, who came from Calcutta, is still with me. 
 He was formerly a ship-cook, and will be useful now by sea, 
 as he has long been by land. Mr. Swartz's catechist, and 
 other attendants, wait here to see me on board, as do various 
 Syrian, Romish, and Jewish priests. I am glad to get out of 
 the throng. 
 
 " I hope I have come to this place for good, and not for evil. 
 The goodness is God's, and the evil is my own. It is wonder- 
 ful that I should have travelled so far in safety ; and that, after 
 the strange events that have occurred, I now leave the coast in 
 peace. If I should never see you, my testimony is gone 
 forth to the world, and others must carry on what is now 
 begun. 
 
 " The Tamul copy of the scriptures (comple(e) is only ar- 
 rived to-day from Carnatic ; I proceed with it to-morrow to the 
 Syrian bishop, who is now engaged with three learned Syrian 
 and Malayalim scholars in the translation into the language of 
 Malabar. The bishop longed to see the Tamul, he being a good 
 Malayalim scholar himself. 
 
 ' ' I leave the three translators at monthly wages, and Col. 
 Macaulay superintends when I am gone. 
 
 " The Romish bishop has consented to the circulation of 
 the scriptures throughout his diocese, so that there will be up- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 261 
 
 wards of 200,000 persons who are ready to receive the Malaya- 
 lim Bible." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan did not leave Cochin quite so soon as he had 
 anticipated in the preceding letter ; but on the 6th of February 
 he embarked on board the Danesberg, after having despatched 
 the following letter to his valuable friend and coadjutor, Col. 
 Macaulay : 
 
 " My dear Sir, — I have directed Messrs. Harrington and 
 Co., at Madras, to honour all drafts of yours for any sums 
 you shall have the goodness to lay out on my account. I leave 
 to you to settle the sum for the Verapoli Cassanar. 
 
 M Mr. Swartz's catechist stays a month at Candenad, to- 
 show them the best plan of proceeding in the translation. If 
 any obstacle to their progress should occur from the Tambu- 
 ran, or Mar Thoma's fear, I shall be obliged to you to transfer 
 the translation establishment to Tanjore, whither the chief man 
 has no objection to go. If a Verapoli Cassanar, of Syrian 
 and Malayalim learning, could be prevailed on to go to Tan- 
 jore also, the establishment would be complete. 
 
 " I cannot leave you without expressing my sense of the pe- 
 culiar obligations I am under for your uniform assistance in 
 every subject which has engaged my attention on this coast. 
 Without your direct countenance, I certainly could have done 
 little or nothing. Something beneficial to the country will, I 
 trust, result from what has been done, though the circumstance 
 of your leaving it presents but a doubtful aspect. 
 
 " Believe me to be, my dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Dr. Ruchanan arrived safely at Calcutta, after a voyage of 
 five weeks, on the 15th of March. On his return he found 
 that the college of Fort William, which had nourished nearly 
 seven years, during which period it had been productive of the 
 most important benefits both to the service of the East India 
 Company, and to oriental learning and religion, had been re- 
 duced within very narrow limits on the first of January. The 
 offices of Provost and Vice-Provost were abolished, and the 
 Professorships restricted to three ; viz : — the Hindostanee, 
 Bengalee, and Perso-Arabic ; it being intended that the stu- 
 
262 ttllOUtt of ML BUCHAHAlft 
 
 dents should only he attached to it, on an average, for a single 
 year. 
 
 The public letter of the Court of Directors which conveyed 
 this order was dated in May. and reached Calcutta in Decem- 
 ber, 1806. On its arrival, Mr. Brown, deeply impressed with 
 the importance of the moral discipline which had hitherto been 
 exercised in the college of Fort William, and which was now 
 superseded, felt it to be his duty to submit his sentiments upon 
 the subject to the Governor General, and acccompanied his 
 representations with the offer of continuincr to superintend the 
 institution, and, if that were deemed necessary, to officiate 
 without salary. 
 
 In making this communication to Sir George Barlow, Mr. 
 Brown referred to his highly esteemed colleague, Dr. Buchanan, 
 as follows : 
 
 M I particularly regret that there should be a necessity for 
 any material change during the absence of the Vice-Provost, 
 without his concurrence or knowledge, from consideration of 
 his having, throughout, so eminently devoted his superior 
 talents, with the utmost zeal, and by every exertion, for the 
 benefit of the public service, in the success of the college. In 
 his absence I take it upon me to communicate faithfully my 
 thoughts, and to submit them, with respect and deference, to 
 the consideration of the honourable the Governor General. "~ 
 
 Sir George Barlow, on receiving the representation and offer 
 ot Mr. Brown just referred to, expressed himself deeply struck 
 and gratified by his philanthrophy and disinterestedness, and 
 assured him that "he should consider of his proposal." No 
 farther notice of it, however, appears to have been taken: but 
 the new modification of the college immediately took place, 
 and the offices of Provost and Vice-Provost were accordingly 
 abolished. 
 
 The labours, the influence, and the income of Dr. Buchanan 
 were, in consequence of this arrangement, materially dimi- 
 nished. The reduction of the former was not only grateful to 
 his taste and inclination, but necessary to his health : while 
 that of the latter affected him only as it tended to abridge his 
 means and opportunities of usefulness. The subject occurs 
 but once in his various correspondence with his friends, and is 
 then stated merely as a matter of information, in which he did 
 not seem to be particularly interested. 
 
 His grand object was the promotion of Christianity in India. 
 This he had kept steadily in view during the period of hi 3 
 
 * Memorial Sketches of the Rev. D. Brown, p. 313. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 263 
 
 Vice-Provostship ; for this, as we have already seen,* he made 
 some provision when anticipating its abolition ; and it was in 
 pursuance of the same important object that he undertook the 
 extensive journey through which we have lately accompanied 
 him. 
 
 During his voyage, or immediately after his return to Cal- 
 cutta, Dr. Buchanan had drawn up a paper, under the title of 
 " Literary Intelligence," containing a sketch of his proceed- 
 ings on the coast of Malabar, which he was desirous of pub- 
 lishing, both at Madras and Calcutta, for the information of 
 those who were interested in the promotion of christian know- 
 ledge in India. To the great surprise, however, of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan, and of many of the most learned and respectable per-" 
 sons at both Presidencies, it was not thought expedient to per- 
 mit such a publication to be inserted in the government gazette. 
 It was, in consequence, printed and circulated in a different 
 form ; and, without producing any of the ill effects which 
 some had anticipated, it conveyed intelligence which was as 
 gratifying to the friends of learning and religion in India as the 
 same information afterwards proved to persons of a similar cha- 
 racter in England.! It is to this circumstance that Dr. Bu- 
 chanan refers in his subsequent correspondence with Colonel 
 Macaulay, which will afford a connected view of his proceed- 
 ings after his return to Calcutta. The following is an extract 
 from one of his first letters to that gentleman : 
 
 " Calcutta, 4th April, 1807. 
 
 " The alarm of this government, quoad w*yyeKtov 9 is subsid- 
 ing. Your government also seems well again. At least so 
 writes the Rev. Mr. Thompson, to whom Lord William de- 
 clared, ' that the promotion of christianty is on his heart, and 
 that he wishes for more missionaries.' 
 
 " This society anxiously anticipates the confirmation of the 
 report, that Lord Wellesley has been appointed a secretary of 
 state. I believe it would be as agreeable to them, as to hear 
 that Bonaparte had lost a leg, which is also reported. 
 
 " Major Wilks' letter has been read here with much interest. 
 I think you are doing more in the Deccan, than we in Hin- 
 dostan. 
 
 " I send you a letter from the bishop of Llandaff, which has 
 
 * See page 206 
 t The " Literary Intelligence" appears, however, to have been admitted into 
 the Bombay Gazette, by which means it reached Europe. It was afterwards 
 published in England by the late Bishop Porteus. See Dr. Buchanan's Apo- 
 logy for Promoting Christianity in India, p. 87; and Owen's History of the Bri- 
 tish and Foreign Bible Society, vol. i. p. 320. 
 
264 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 made some noise here. Had the Literary Intelligence not been 
 suppressed, the bishop's letter would not have been pub- 
 lished." 
 
 The letter thus referred to was afterwards inserted by Dr. 
 Buchanan at the close of his Christian Researches. The ex- 
 tracts from it, which follow, while they are honourable to the 
 christian zeal of the late learned and eloquent prelate whose 
 name it bears, will not here be deemed irrelevant. 
 
 " Calgahth Pauk, Kendal, 14th May, 1806. 
 
 " Some weeks ago I received your memoir of the expe- 
 diency of an ecclesiastical establishment for British India, for 
 which obliging attention I now return you my best thanks. I 
 hesitated for some time whether I ought to interrupt your specu- 
 lations with my acknowledgments for so valuable a present ; but, 
 on being informed of the noble premium by which you pur- 
 pose to exercise the talents of graduates in the University of 
 Cambridge, I determined to express to you my admiration 
 of your disinterestedness and zeal in the cause of Christianity. 
 
 " Twenty years and more have now elapsed since, in a ser- 
 mon before the House of Lords, I hinted to the then govern- 
 ment the propriety of paying regard to the propagation of 
 Christianity in India ; and I have since, as fit occasions offered, 
 privately, but unsuccessfully, pressed the matter on the consi- 
 deration of those in power. If my voice or opinion can, in 
 future, be of any weight with the king's ministers, I shall be 
 most ready to exert myself in forwarding any prudent mea- 
 sure for promoting a liberal ecclesiastical establishment in Bri- 
 tish India : it is not without consideration that I say a liberal 
 establishment, because I heartily wish that every christian 
 should be at liberty to worship God according to his conscience, 
 and be assisted therein by a teacher, at the public expense, of 
 his own persuasion. 
 
 " The subjects you have proposed for the work which shall 
 obtain your prize, are all of them judiciously chosen, and, if 
 properly treated, (as my love for my Alma Mater persuades me 
 they will be,) may probably turn the thoughts of the legisla- 
 ture towards the measure you recommend. 
 
 " God, in his providence, hath so ordered things, that America, 
 which three hundred years ago was peopled by none but pa- 
 gans, has now many millions of christians in it ; and will not, 
 probably, three hundred years hence, have a single pagan in it, 
 but be occupied by more christians, and more enlightened 
 christians than now exist in Europe. 
 
 "Africa is not now worse fitted for the reception of chris- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 265 
 
 tianity than America was, when it was first visited by Euro- 
 peans; and Asia is much better fitted for it, inasmuch as Asia 
 enjoys a considerable degree of civilization, and some degree 
 of it is necessary to the successful introduction of Christianity. 
 The commerce and colonization of christian states have civil- 
 ized America ; and they will, in process of time, civilize and 
 christianize the whole earth. Whether it be a christian duty 
 to attempt, by lenient methods, to propagate the christian reli- 
 gion among pagans and Mahomedans, can be doubted, I think, 
 by few ; but whether any attempt will be attended with much 
 success till Christianity is purified from its corruptions, and the 
 lives of christians are rendered correspondent to their christian 
 profession, may be doubted by many : but there certainly 
 never was a more promising opportunity of trying the experi- 
 ment of subverting paganism in India, than that which has for 
 some years been offered to the government. of Great Britain. 
 
 u Your publication has given us in England a great insight 
 into the state of Christianity in India, as well as into the gene- 
 ral state of learning amongst you, and it has excited in me the 
 warmest wishes for the prosperity of the college of Fort Wil- 
 liam. It is an institution which would have done honour to 
 the wisdom of Solon or Lycurgus. I have no knowledge, 
 personally, of the Marquis Wellesley, but I shall think of him 
 and of his coadjutors in this undertaking, with the highest re- 
 spect and admiration, as long as I live. 
 
 " I cannot enter into any particulars relative to an ecclesias- 
 tical establishment in India ; nor would it, perhaps, be proper 
 to press the government to take the matter into their considera- 
 tion, till this country is freed from the danger which threatens 
 it: but I have that opinion of his majesty's ministers, that 
 they will, not only from policy, but from a serious sense of re- 
 ligious duty, be disposed to treat the subject, whenever it comes 
 before them, with great judgment and liberality. May God 
 direct their counsels !" 
 
 A few days after the date of his former letter, Dr. Buchanan 
 wrote to Colonel Macaulay as follows : 
 
 " Calcutta, 13th April, 1807. 
 "My dear Sir, — I have been favoured with both your let- 
 ters, with their enclosures, and return you many thanks for 
 your kind attention. Your first contained the Hebrew MSS. 
 I am perfectly satisfied with Levi's explanation of the cause 
 of its detention. But I am not equally satisfied with his can- 
 dour quoad the opprobrious omission of the word *?3 in the 
 last verse of the 27th of Deuteronomy. It is true, as you 
 
 z 
 
266 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 observe, that there is one Sd in that verse, ' all the people ;' 
 but there ought to be another, viz : * all the words;' which the 
 modern Jewish copies have not. But it is in the Samaritan 
 copies, and also in the Syriac copy I brought from Travancore. 
 I one day read the verse to Levi in a Jew's house in Mattin- 
 ceri, and pointed out the omission. He ought, therefore, to 
 have been candid enough to have recollected that. But poor 
 Levi's ideas are always in a whirl. 
 
 44 Your second letter, which I had the pleasure of receiving 
 yesterday, contained Major AYilks' very interesting letter, and 
 that of your writer, not less important. But what relates to 
 yourself ought first to have my attention. I am much con- 
 cerned to hear that your health is declining, and that you must 
 leave India so soon. 
 
 44 In November next, I propose to sail for Cochin and Bom- 
 bay, and thence to the Persian Gulf. My purpose is made 
 known to government, and also the objects of a route over- 
 land. 
 
 44 Since I shall be myself at Cochin in November or De- 
 cember, it will not be necessary for you to make any ar- 
 rangement at this time for sending home the Syrian youths. 
 I shall then be better able to judge of the prudence and import- 
 ance of the measure. 
 
 44 I could have wished to have a Syrian moonshee with me 
 here for a few months before I go ; but if it be not perfectly 
 convenient to ship him off in time, you need not think farther 
 of it. 
 
 44 I am happy to hear that the Malay alim translation pro- 
 ceeds with such spirit. Mr. KolhofT writes to me, that he is 
 very ready to undertake the superintendence of that work, if 
 untoward circumstances should impede its progress in Tra- 
 vancore. 
 
 44 The reason why I did not communicate to you the 4 Lite- 
 rary Intelligence,' was that you might be exonerated from the 
 consequences of the publication of that paper, should there be 
 any unpleasant result in a political way. The Madras govern- 
 ment deemed it to be so dangerous, that they refused to publish 
 it. The government here [par nobile) refused also. This 
 suppression of what almost all sensible men accounted to be 
 merely 4 literary intelligence,' has given great offence to the 
 men of letters in the settlement. The consequence has been, 
 that it is printed in the form of a pamphlet, in large 4to, and in 
 large type, with Bulmer's blaze, and there is added something 
 yet more offensive, viz : the Oxford and Cambridge notifica- 
 tions of the five hundred pound prizes, (which were also sup- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 267 
 
 pressed here ;) and, what is more offensive than the last, a copy 
 of the second Latin letter addressed to me by the University 
 of Cambridge, on the subject of diffusing a knowledge of re- 
 vealed religion amongst the nations of Asia. This pamphlet 
 of twenty-eight pages will be exposed for sale next week. 
 
 " and I are on terms of high civility; but he is no 
 
 friend to my evangelical purposes, and he does not like my 
 (and your) steady adherance to the principles of Lord W.'s 
 administration. But I wish to be at peace with all men, and I 
 ever desire to conciliate my enemies. I mean enemies made 
 by my evangelizing plans, for I have no other; and perhaps 
 these are few in number. 
 
 " The christian tablets, Syrian Bible, and Hebrew roll, are- 
 here objects of great curiosity. Mr. Carey beheld them with ve- 
 neration. The public mind is strongly attracted towards Malaya- 
 la, and the wall between Hinduism and Christianity seems to be 
 tottering. You have applied the battering-ram to that wall 
 with good effect in Travancore; and I sincerely wish that you 
 could stay to give it a few more shocks. But you will be use- 
 ful at home. I go home also ; but only perhaps for a season. 
 At least in the pamphlet now printed it is mentioned that I 
 am going home overland, ■ for the purpose of visiting the an- 
 cient christian churches in Mesopotamia and Syria, and that I 
 shall return to India in a short time.' Some were ready to 
 wish me a good journey \ but they did not expect this last 
 clause of returning. It has, however, given great satisfaction, 
 I understand, to almost all the settlement. For you must know 
 
 that 's persecution (as it has been called) of a good work, 
 
 has procured it much success and many friends. is 
 
 faithful. dubious of w r hat is right. Sir H. Russel, Sir 
 
 J. Royds, and Sir W. Burroughs, are all friendly. So is Mr. 
 Harrington. The Malayala battering-ram is said to have given 
 C. a violent and unexpected shock, which is likly to crumble 
 his wall of hostility into the ruins of indifference. For so our 
 Persians speak. 
 
 " I have had a letter from the Bishop of London, dated 1st 
 September last ; in which he says, that ' it was too late last 
 session to bring forward the proposition of an ecclesiastical es- 
 tablishment for British India; but that the Archbishop of Can- 
 terbury intends to move his majesty's ministers on the subject 
 next session.' 
 
 " His lordship also says, that money will probably be sent 
 out to support the great work of translating the scriptures into 
 the oriental languages. Lord Barham writes to the same effect 
 on both subjects. 
 
268 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 I have placed the young Malayalim moonshee, from Pa- 
 roor, in the missionary school at Serampore, where he is very 
 happy and in good health. I should be glad that your writer 
 would communicate this to his mother. My Hebrew moon- 
 shee is well also. 
 
 44 Lord Minto's arrival is anxiously looked for by this set- 
 tlement. I shall write to you again shortly, and remain, with 
 much esteem, yours sincerely, 0. Buchanan." 
 
 The plan of a journey overland to Europe, mentioned in 
 the preceding and in some subsequent letters, was proposed 
 and long cherished by Dr. Buchanan, not merely as obviating 
 his well-founded objection to a sea-voyage, but as calculated to 
 promote his benevolent researches into the state of the ancient 
 and declining christian churches in the east. It will, however, 
 be seen that, after many inquiries, he was at length reluc- 
 tantly compelled, by political and military obstacles, to aban- 
 don this interesting expedition. 
 
 It may seem extraordinary, that of the addresses to Dr. Bu- 
 chanan from the senate of the University of Cambridge* no 
 more distinct or complete information should be contained in 
 these memoirs than the reference to the second of them in the 
 foregoing letter. They probably expressed the sense which 
 that learned body entertained of Dr. Buchanan's meritorious 
 exertions in promoting the interests of learning and religion in 
 the east, and of his munificent encouragement of those import- 
 ant objects by the series of prizes offered to the members of 
 the University. No traces, however, of the letters in question 
 have been discovered amongst his papers ; nor is it known that 
 any copy of the pamphlet in which the second was printed in 
 India has reached this country. It is therefore only to be re- 
 gretted that no farther account can be given of documents 
 which were, doubtless, highly valued by Dr. Buchanan, and 
 equally honourable to him and to the distinguished body from 
 which they proceeded.* 
 
 Of the several objects of Dr. Buchanan's late tour, it was 
 stated to be one, to discover fit instruments for the promotion 
 of learning, and for the dissemination of the scriptures in India. 
 It may now be observed, that it was in the course of his jour- 
 ney that he first thought of a plan which might effectually ac- 
 complish that object. The reader will probably recollect the 
 meditation of Dr. Buchanan on the banks of the Chilka Lake, 
 
 * The Vice-Chancellor of the University, upon an application being made 
 to him for copies of these letters, declined granting them. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 269 
 
 where, on the morning of the Sabbath, while reflecting on the 
 painful scene which he had just witnessed, with the lofty tower 
 of Juggernaut still in distant view, he conceived the design of 
 some christian institution, which might gradually counteract, 
 and at length extinguish, the idolatry of the eastern world. The 
 historian of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, in- 
 forms us that he first conceived the thought of his elaborate 
 and eloquent work amidst the ruins of the capitol. It was an 
 association of a more sublime and sacred nature which sug- 
 gested to Dr. Buchanan the design of the institution, the gene- 
 ral plan of which he then briefly described. Soon after his 
 return to Calcutta he employed himself in digesting and ar- 
 ranging its form and constitution ; and on the 28th of May he 
 thus adverts to the subject at the close of the following lettef 
 to Colonel Macaulay : 
 
 " My dear Sir, — I had the pleasure to receive your letter 
 of the 1st inst. two days ago, accompanying the Dutch trans- 
 lation. 
 
 "I am happy to hear that you have two Hebrew books for 
 me. If any thing interesting in Hebrew or Syriac, printed or 
 in manuscript, should offer while you remain on the coast, I 
 shall be obliged to you to secure it for me. 
 
 " I presented the bishop's* demand on Baretto's house, and 
 enclose the answer. My compliments to the bishop. I shall 
 take care of his affairs, and send him cauliflowers when the 
 season arrives. 
 
 " Dr. Leyden proceeds by sea to Madras to-morrow. He is 
 in better health. He has been looking at a variety of my 
 MSS. for some weeks past, but with little success. He can 
 make nothing of the christian plates, but means to renew his 
 attack on the Malayalim part of them when he arrives at Ma- 
 dras. He thinks the old Syriac Bible, on vellum, is as early 
 as the fifth or sixth century. But that is certainly too high a 
 period. 
 
 " The Indus sails as a packet for England in a few days. I 
 have said in a letter, that you are meditating your return this 
 season. By the Indus I send home a small work for publica- 
 tion ; not in relation to Malabar, but to Juggernaut ; nor to him 
 directly, but to a literary institution, whose object shall be to 
 promote christian knowledge in Asia by means of books ; 
 which institution shall be exclusively literary, and shall have 
 no connexion with any mission society. The institution al- 
 
 *Of Verapoli. 
 
 z2 
 
270 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ready exists, and is in extensive operation. I shall copy the 
 heads of the sections on the opposite page. Nothing yet from 
 England. 
 
 M I remain, my dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 Instead of inserting the short sketch to which Dr. Buchanan 
 refers, it will he more satisfactory to give a fuller abstract of a 
 work, which, though printed, it was afterwards deemed not 
 expedient to publish. The title was as follows : — M The 
 Christian Institution in the East, or the College for translating 
 the Holy Scriptures into the Oriental Tongues." 
 
 The origin and objects of the institution were described 
 nearly in the terms of the preceding letter. It was dedicated 
 to all good men, to be an instrument in their hands of extend- 
 ing the knowledge of revealed religion by the translation of 
 the holy scriptures, and was placed under the immediate pa- 
 tronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as President of the 
 Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, 
 and of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. One 
 of its subordinate objects was to print small tracts on certain 
 branches of art and science, fitted for popular use and improve- 
 ment. 
 
 The various instruments of the institution were next enu- 
 merated, comprising the venerable bishop of the Syrian church 
 in Malayala; the British and Danish missionaries throughout 
 India; judah Misrahi, a learned Jew of Cochin, engaged by 
 Dr. Buchanan as a translator of the New Testament into He- 
 brew ; Professor Lassar for the Chinese language ; and the 
 late Rev. Henry Martyn, with two learned coadjutors, natives 
 of the east, for the Persian, Arabic, and Hindostanee lan- 
 guages. With the exception of Mr. Martyn, who arrived at 
 Calcutta during the absence of Dr. Buchanan, he stated that 
 he had visited all the before-named persons at their respective 
 residences, and had informed himself as to their abilities and 
 principles. 
 
 It was not intended to form an expensive establishment ; but 
 that a professor should be stationed as a literary agent of the 
 college in each of the principal provinces of the east, to study 
 a particular language, to collect information, to correspond 
 with the society at home, to compose and to print books, and 
 to instruct the natives in printing. The literary agents were 
 . in general to be paid for work done ; that is, for translations 
 or for printing, previously agreed for, and faithfully executed. 
 Care was also to be taken that, in cases where translations of 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 271 
 
 the scriptures should be intrusted to the members of any par- 
 ticular sect, their exclusive tenets should not find admission 
 into the work. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan proposed that the name of the institution 
 should not be derived from any church or sect in Europe, but 
 from the religion itself, the knowledge of which it was intend- 
 ed to diffuse ; and that the instruments which it would recog- 
 nize in promoting this great design, should be of all nations. 
 
 He next observed that, in order to secure its resources from 
 failure, and that there might always be a copious supply of fit 
 persons for the work, it was expedient that the institution 
 should possess an organized body in England, and that its* es- 
 tablishment should be sufficiently respectable to attach to it 
 men of rank and learning. The college of the Propaganda at ? 
 Rome owed its efficiency and perpetuity chiefly to its liberal 
 establishment. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan grounded the necessity and importance of 
 this christian institution upon a view of the present state of the 
 Brahminical superstition at the chief temples of the Hindoos, 
 and particularly at Juggernaut ; and, in order to convey to his 
 readers in England some idea of the spirit and effects of the 
 religion of Brahma, he added some extracts from the journal 
 of his visit to that place. 
 
 Provision was made for the transmission of copies of every 
 work published by the institution in India to certain libraries in 
 Great Britain ; and it was stated that thirty-one volumes had 
 accordingly been forwarded by the packet which conveyed the 
 work in question. It was added that Dr. Buchanan would 
 for the present continue to superintend the affairs of the in- 
 stitution. 
 
 Such is the outline of the college for oriental translation con- 
 ceived by Dr. Buchanan. His intention, in short, was to 
 establish a British Propaganda, which, in proportion to the ex- 
 tent of its objects, should be superior to that at Rome, the fame 
 of which still survives in Asia. Objections would probably 
 have occurred to different persons with respect to some of the 
 provisions of this institution ; and it was obviously never con- 
 sidered by its author as incapable of alteration and improve- 
 ment. Its design and general plan were undoubtedly excel- 
 lent, and would, probably, have been received with much ap- 
 probation. 
 
 Upon its original formation,* Dr. Buchanan proposed to the 
 Baptist missionaries at Serampore, as extensively engaged in 
 
 * See his Apology for promoting Christianity in India, p. 70. 
 
272 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 translating the scriptures, that they should accordingly asso- 
 ciate, merely in that character, with other fellow labourers in 
 different parts of India; that the missionary pursuits, properly 
 so called, and the individual establishments of each society, 
 should remain peculiar and private, as before ; but that the 
 translators of the scriptures should act in concert, and maintain 
 an amicable correspondence with each other, under the general 
 direction of the superintendent, who would be responsible for 
 the views and proceedings of the institution at large. The in- 
 tention of this proposal was clearly not to supersede the meri- 
 torious labours of the Baptist missionaries ; but to render them 
 more effective, by incorporating them in one great and compre- 
 hensive plan for the same important object, and by rescuing 
 their operations from the appearance of any thing private or 
 sectarian, and investing the united labours of the learned 
 translators throughout India with a more public and national 
 character. 
 
 It may readily be imagined that the society at Serampore 
 might feel some hesitation and even reluctance in acceding to 
 this proposition, after the publicity which Dr. Buchanan had 
 given to their extensive plan of oriental translation ; and it was, 
 perhaps, expecting too much, that they should voluntarily 
 abandon the " vantage ground" which they were thus occupy- 
 ing. However this may be, the Baptist missionaries declined 
 the proposal ; and the name of " the christian institution" was 
 in consequence but partially assumed. The other branches of 
 w r hich it was intended to be composed, including, besides those 
 already named, one of the most distinguished oriental scholars 
 of the present age, the late learned and lamented Dr. Ley den, 
 who undertook the translation of the scriptures into the several 
 dialects of the Malayan Archipelago, were generally associated, 
 after Dr. Buchanan's departure from India, under the superin- 
 tendence of the late Rev. Mr. Brown. 
 
 The " Christian Institution" was, however, carried but very 
 imperfectly into execution. On the arrival of the manuscript 
 in England, though it was printed in pursuance of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan's instructions, some of his friends, to whom the work 
 was communicated, conceived that its publication was inex- 
 pedient, and might even produce consequences injurious to 
 the general cause of Christianity in India. Under these impres- 
 sions, they took upon themselves to suppress the publication 
 of the work, more especially as Dr. Buchanan had announced 
 his intention of returning to this country in the course of the 
 following year. Their determination was, doubtless, guided 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 273 
 
 by a sincere desire to promote the great object of his labours ; 
 and it will be seen that he acquiesced in their judgment. 
 
 With respect to the main design of the christian institution, 
 as a college of acknowledged responsibility, embracing the as- 
 sociated learning and piety of the East for the grand purpose 
 of sacred translation, and possessing commanding patronage, 
 effective support, and enlarged superintendence and control, 
 the failure of its establishment can scarcely be considered but 
 as a subject of regret. The munificent donations of the British 
 and Foreign Bible Society to its corresponding committee in 
 Bengal, combined with the exertions of its eastern auxiliary 
 branches, and those of other societies, have undoubtedly pro- 
 moted, to a very splendid extent, the work of oriental transla- 
 tion. It is, however, well known that various circumstances, 
 inseparable from private and unconnected labours, have hitherto 
 impeded its more complete and successful execution ; nor is it 
 probable that these will ever be removed, but by recurring to 
 the general plan so ably and comprehensively conceived and 
 developed by Dr. Buchanan in his " Christian Institution." 
 
 Of the fate of this elaborate plan in England, its author was 
 necessarily ignorant. He continued, therefore, to mention it, 
 amongst other topics, in his succeeding letters to his friends, 
 as if in the course of execution. 
 
 On the 9th of June, Dr. Buchanan thus wrote to Colonel 
 Macau lay : 
 
 " My dear Sir, — I yesterday received your letter of the 10th 
 of May, enclosing the regulation against spiritual encroach- 
 ments. It is admirably done, and the bishop of Yerapoli is 
 saved. Your continuance in Travancore is important, if it re- 
 ferred to nothing else than the ecclesiastical concerns of the 
 country. 
 
 " I am happy you stay a little longer on the coast. I shall 
 hope to see you in November or December. All and every 
 thing you have sent from the archives of Verapoli is interest- 
 ing and important. Your account of the translation of the 
 scriptures gives me and others here much pleasure. That work 
 will prosper. 
 
 " The Turk impedes my plan of route. I now propose to 
 go through Armenia. I have ever been very desirous to visit 
 the Armenian churches. But I have not determined what I 
 shall do ; for we may expect many a revolution before January 
 next. 
 
 " The Tinavelly impostor is one of many who are lifting up 
 their voices in the desert. This is an age for, * Lo here, and 
 
274 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 lo there.' There is a luxation in all the joints of the Brahmi- 
 nical superstition, and the Wahahian philosophy is eating out 
 Mohammedanism, as doth a canker. 
 
 "The copper-plates are arrived at the custom-house here. I 
 shall have them to-day. I am greatly obliged to you for this 
 rapid transmission of them. 
 
 " 1 thank Mr. Clephane for his friendly proposal as to the 
 types. I shall confer with Mr. KolhofT on that subject. A 
 fount must be cut ; that is certain. And from this fountain 
 will flow a clear and living stream for the souls of men. I 
 have despatched to the Archbishop of Canterbury, by the In- 
 dus, a copy of St. Matthew's gospel in Chinese, and two of 
 the gospels in Shanscrit. 
 
 " I shall be obliged to your writer to inform Timapah Pulle 
 (who is now employed in translation at Candenad) that I have 
 received his letter ; that I am pleased with his services ; that 
 if Colonel Macaulay deems it reasonable to add the Burdella 
 Brahmin he speaks of to the list of translators, I shall approve 
 of it ; that I am happy he (T. Pulle) begins to consider the 
 christian religion the true faith ; and that I will stand his god- 
 father, agreeably to his request, if he should prove worthy ; 
 that I shall be glad to hear from him again, and that he may 
 write to me in Malayalim, as I have an interpreter in Calcutta; 
 and that the young man, his relation, who lives with him at 
 Candenad, may receive from Colonel Macaulay six rupees per 
 month, and arrears from the time of his own appointment, if he 
 can show that the lad is useful to him in his work. 
 
 " I remain, my dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 In the course of the ensuing month, Lord Minto, who had 
 long been expected, arrived as Governor General in Bengal. 
 In a letter to Colonel Macaulay, on the 17th of August, Dr. 
 Buchanan notices his lordship's good example, and attendance 
 on divine worship, and his attention to himself. " He wishes 
 me," he adds, " to communicate fully with him on all the sub- 
 jects which he knows have long engaged my attention." A 
 subsequent paragraph in this letter thus mentions another 
 very meritorious ecclesiastical servant of the company in India : 
 
 " I have not seen the publication of Dr. Kerr, to which you 
 allude." This was probably the account of the St. Thome 
 christians, the Syro-Romish, and the Latin church in India, 
 which was drawn up by that excellent man by order of the 
 Madras government.* 
 
 * See the Christian Observer, vol. vi. p. 751, and Christian Researches, 
 p. 146. 
 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 275 
 
 11 But," continues Dr. Buchanan, "I received from him 
 yesterday his ■ Letter to Lord William Bentinck,' on the sub- 
 ject of chaplains, printed and sent home by the Indus. Dr. 
 Kerr is an ardent and useful friend of the christian religion ; 
 and I think the court will make him one of his proposed vicars- 
 general, or perhaps his suffragan bishop." 
 
 It appears, therefore, that the necessity of an enlarged eccle- 
 siastical establishment in India had occurred simultaneously to 
 Dr. Buchanan and to Dr. Kerr. The latter zealous and la- 
 borious chaplain, however, did not survive long enough to re- 
 ceive any additional authority, even supposing that it would 
 have been conferred upon him.* His honour and his reward 
 are in heaven. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's next letter to Colonel Macaulay is dated 
 September 15th, and contains some interesting notices respect- 
 ing his intended journey overland to Europe, and the progress 
 of the Malayalim translation of the scriptures. It refers, how- 
 ever, at the close, to a painful subject, which is afterwards more 
 fully explained. 
 
 " My dear Sir, — I had the pleasure to receive the copies of 
 your correspondence with government regarding the discipline 
 of the churches. Every additional letter you write on that 
 subject is an additional pin to the tabernacle. 
 
 44 If I should go by Persia, 1 am prepared to spend twelve 
 thousand rupees in presents. But I hope to be able to travel 
 by the route of Bussorah, Mosul, and Aleppo. I proceed to 
 Bombay in the Metcalfe, Captain Isaacke, who will sail from 
 this place about the 10th or 15th of the next month, October. 
 If practicable, he will set me down at Cochin. If not, I shall 
 first arrange matters at Bombay, and then come down to Goa 
 (which I wish much to visit) and to Cochin. 
 
 44 1 am greatly obliged to you for your letter of the 2d of 
 August, containing Colonel Capper's sentiments on a journey 
 through Persia and Armenia. His remarks are highly interest- 
 ing, and may be useful to me hereafter. I am more afraid of 
 the French than of the Persians. 
 
 I am happy at the arrival of the pontifical bull. A Pro- 
 testant christian happy at the arrival of the pope's bull ! Tell 
 it not to the Church of England or to the Kirk of Scotland. 
 Yea, I am happy, even though the object of it be a rosy bishop, 
 who delights to quaff the essence of sura ; for I hope through 
 
 * For an account of this truly pious man, see the Christian Observer, vol. 
 xi. p. 80. 
 
270 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 the medium of this bishop to diffuse the holy scriptures among 
 thousands of my fellow creatures. 
 
 M Within the last few days arrived your eight packets of the 
 holy Gospels, translated into the Malayalim language. They 
 have been contemplated with mingled affection and admiration 
 by the missionary corps. David Grant is now employed in 
 reading them through, and prefixing the titles to the books, and 
 numbering the chapters in English. People wonder here at 
 this rapid fruit of my visit to Malay ala. But yours is the praise, 
 not mine. 
 
 "As we have no fount of Malayalim types readv cut in 
 Bengal, I mean to take the MS. with me to Bombay, and to 
 have it printed there under the superintendence of Sir James 
 Mackintosh. 
 
 44 The translators may take their rest now for a little while. 
 Until we can ascertain the accuracy of the translation of the 
 Gospels, we need not proceed to the Epistles. You may there- 
 fore settle accounts with the translators. I request you will 
 thank them in my name for what has been done, and inform 
 them, that I expect they will shortly resume their operations. 
 
 44 1 beg you will remember me to Dr. Macaulay, and to Mr. 
 Hughes, the philosopher of the mountains. I fear he cannot 
 tell me yet the mode in which a rock snake is killed by the 
 hunters. 
 
 44 1 am on the eve, I fear, of a rupture with this government. 
 The cause is the gospel. They are endeavouring to restrain 
 the exertions of the missionaries in Bengal. I have not yet 
 interfered. And I trust it will not be necessary ; for I love 
 peace, and not war ; particularly at the moment of my leaving 
 the countrv. But I shall do mv duty, and leave the event to 
 God. 
 
 44 I am, my dear sir, yours sincerely, C. Buchanan. " 
 
 On the 22d of September, Dr. Buchanan wrote to his two 
 daughters. The following passage from his letter alludes to 
 their lamented mother in a peculiarly affecting manner : 
 
 44 I am now about to quit India, and to go home to see you. 
 I propose to leave Calcutta in the course of next month. If I 
 find it dangerous to go home overland, I shall proceed from 
 Bombay by sea. I shall probably sail over those waters where 
 your dear mother lies. Do you not know that at the resur- 
 rection of the dead she will come forth with a 4 glorious body V 
 Though it be 4 sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory/ Of 
 this you may read in the Bible, and in the burial service. 
 Your mother will come forth with a 4 glorious body f for she 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 277 
 
 was a good woman, and remembered her Creator in the days 
 of her youth. Perhaps I shall die too before I reach England. 
 You ought therefore to pray that God would preserve my life, 
 if it be his will, (for I desire to do his will in all things,) that 
 I may see you, and show you the affection of a father, and 
 receive the affection of daughters, and lead you onward with 
 myself to that happy state, whither your mother is gone before 
 you." 
 
 It is gratifying to reflect, that this affectionate and pious 
 father was permitted to realize the delightful prospect which 
 he thus anticipated. The following extract is from a letter -to 
 Colonel Macaulay, which occurs shortly afterwards ; 
 
 " Calcutta, 12th Oct. 1807. 
 44 Your letters of the 13th and 15th ult. arrived on this day. 
 I have perused with pleasure and pain your public letter on 
 the subject of expenditure at your residency ; with pain, that 
 your resources have been so scanty, and your fortune little ; 
 with pleasure, that you have upheld your character with such 
 dignity, and have repelled the insinuations of ignorance with 
 such temperance and effect. The highest compliment I can 
 pay you, (and I seldom pay compliments,) is to say, ? that 
 every word in your letter will be believed by the honourable 
 court.' 
 
 " The attack I announced to you in my last has not been 
 yet made. I wish you were at my side during the storm. I 
 have friends, but they are not soldiers. I am the forlorn hope, 
 and yet I have not twelve men. Nay, more, my friends tell me 
 I shall certainly be killed. 
 
 44 The assault however must be made, but whether by silen-t 
 escalade at the midnight watch, or by heavy and hot battery 
 at noon-day, I have not yet determined. I think the latter. 
 You shall hear in a letter dated on or about the 1st of Novem- 
 ber, me vivente, et Deo volente." 
 
 The rupture with the supreme government, to which Dr. 
 Buchanan refers in the preceding letters, was of so serious 
 and unpleasant a nature, and is so closely connected with the 
 illustration of his character, that it demands some farther ex- 
 planation. 
 
 Not long after his return from the coast of Malabar, Dr. 
 Buchanan preached a series of discourses in the Presidency 
 church, on the subject of the christian prophecies, which 
 proved so acceptable to some of the congregation, that they 
 expressed a wish that he would permit them to be printed; 
 observing that, as he was about to return to Europe, they 
 
 Aa 
 
278 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 hoped he would bequeath these discourses, as a parting memo- 
 rial, to his friends. To this request Dr. Buchanan acceded, 
 and, accordingly, made preparations for their publication. 
 These sermons related chiefly to the divine predictions con- 
 cerning the future universal propagation of the gospel, and 
 were intended to excite the public attention to that important 
 subject, as well as to animate and encourage those who, from 
 the purest motives, were labouring to promote the knowledge 
 of Christianity in India. Nothing could be more legitimate or 
 laudable than such a design, conducted as it was by Dr. Bu- 
 chanan, not in the spirit of violence and fanaticism, but of 
 calm discussion, and reasonable and benevolent exertion. On 
 transmitting, however, an advertisement to the government ga- 
 zette, announcing the intended publication of his discourses, 
 Dr. Buchanan was surprised to find that the insertion of it was 
 refused, and that an order had been issued to the printers of 
 the other newspapers, forbidding them to publish the obnoxious 
 notice. Shortly afterwards he received a letter from the chief 
 secretary to the Presidency, desiring that he would transmit the 
 manuscript of his sermons on the prophecies for the inspection 
 of government* To this unexpected demand Dr. Buchanan 
 gave no immediate answer. It had long been the subject of 
 painful observation to him, that on the departure of the Mar- 
 quis Wellesley, during whose administration the spirit of pro- 
 moting learning and religion in India had been general and 
 ardent, a directly contrary disposition was manifested ; as if it 
 had been previously restrained by his presence. This first 
 appeared under the administration of Sir George Barlow, and 
 had been acquiring strength ever since. Lord Minto had now 
 assumed the supreme government ; and as several measures were 
 adopted which appeared to Dr. Buchanan to operate very un- 
 favourably for the interests both of learning and religion, he 
 deemed it his duty, before he quitted Bengal, to address a me- 
 morial to his lordship, in which he particularly directed his 
 attention to the character and tendency of those measures ; 
 and, in so doing, explained his reasons for declining to comply 
 with the wishes of government respecting his sermons on the 
 prophecies. The memorial was introduced to Lord Minto by 
 the following letter : 
 
 " To the Right Honourable Lord Minto, fyc. fyc. fyc. 
 
 My Lord, — I beg leave respectfully to submit to your lord- 
 ship some particulars regarding the present state of the chris- 
 tian religion in Bengal, which I have thought it my duty to 
 communicate for your lordship's information at this time. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 279 
 
 " I trust you will do me the justice to believe, that it is with 
 the utmost reluctance I trouble your lordship with a letter on 
 such a subject so soon after your entrance on this government, 
 when as yet few, if any, of the circumstances noticed in it 
 can have come to your lordship's knowledge. 
 
 " I have no other view in soliciting your attention to them, 
 but the advancement of learning and religion. Perhaps no one 
 has addressed your lordship on the subject since your arrival ; 
 and there are certainly many particulars, regarding their pre- 
 sent state, which it is of importance your lordship should 
 know. 
 
 " Being about to leave India, I feared lest I should hereafter 
 reproach myself, if I withheld any thing at this time which I 
 conceived might be useful, particularly as I have been farther 
 eneouraged to address your lordship, by your known conde- 
 scension in receiving any communications which are honestly 
 intended. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, my lord, with much respect, 
 your most obedient humble servant, C. Buchanan. 
 
 * Calcutta, 9th Nov. 1807." 
 
 The memorial which accompanied the preceding letter, and 
 which was published some years afterwards* by Dr. Buchanan 
 in his own vindication and defence, evinces, as it has been 
 well observed, " the temperate firmness of a man, who, know- 
 ing that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, is nei- 
 ther ashamed to profess, nor afraid to defend it." It is intro- 
 duced by a statement of the circumstances which have been 
 just mentioned, as having led to this address to the Governor 
 General. Dr. Buchanan gave full credit to the officers of his 
 lordship's government, of whose conduct respecting the chris- 
 tian religion he complained, that they were acting according to 
 the best of their judgment ; but adds, with much force and 
 propriety of expression, " not to promote Christianity may, in 
 certain circumstances, be prudent ; but to repress Christianity 
 will not, I think, in any case, be defended." In proof of 
 such a spirit of hostility to the progress of the gospel in India, 
 which is the main subject of his memorial, Dr. Buchanan spe- 
 cified the four following facts : " First, the withdrawing of 
 the patronage of government from the translation of the holy 
 scriptures into the oriental tongues." " Second, attempting to 
 suppress the translation of the scriptures." " Third, sup- 
 pressing the encomium of the honourable, the Court of Di- 
 
 * See his Apology for Promoting Christianity in India. 
 
280 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 rectors on the venerable missionary, the Rev. Mr. Swartz :" 
 and, " Fourth, restraining the Protestant missionaries in Ben- 
 gal from the exercise of their functions, and establishing an 
 imprimatur for theological works.' 1 
 
 The truth of the two first of the preceding allegations has 
 been already proved by the course of these memoirs, and needs, 
 therefore, no additional confirmation. The third rests upon 
 the simple fact, that the Bengal government, instead of follow- 
 ing the example of those of Madras and Bombay, in giving 
 publicity to the honourable testimony which had been recently 
 borne by the Court of Directors to the merits of the venerable 
 Swartz, in sending out to Fort St. George a marble monument 
 to his memory, with a suitable inscription, which was ordered 
 to be translated into the languages of the country, had chosen 
 to pass over the whole transaction in silence ; and had aggra- 
 vated this neglect by permitting the insertion of an article in 
 the Calcutta Gazette, " the obvious tendency of which was to 
 bring the chracter and labours of the christian missionary into 
 contempt." 
 
 On the fourth head of the complaint preferred by Dr. Bu- 
 chanan in his memorial, it will be necessary to be somewhat 
 more particular. The success of the Protestant mission in 
 Bengal, Dr. Buchanan affirmed to have been long a source of 
 uneasiness to those officers of government who did not think it 
 right to attempt the conversion of the natives. And some of 
 the native moonshees, attached to the public offices, knowing 
 the sentiments of their superiors, were not backward in seiz- 
 ing any occasion to complain of the missionaries, which might 
 be presented to them. Some clamour of this kind had been 
 raised at two different times within a few years, but had passed 
 away without offence to the christian religion. The complaint 
 of the moonshees against the missionaries on the latter occa- 
 sion was, that they had in a certain tract " applied abusive 
 epithets to Mahomet." This tract, being an account of the 
 life of Mahomet, composed by a native convert, had issued 
 from the missionary press at Serampore, but without the know- 
 ledge of the missionaries themselves. 
 
 In commenting on this charge, Dr. Buchanan observed, 
 " the missionaries certainly mistake the proper method of con- 
 vincing the minds of men, if they use epithets of abuse; the 
 successful method of preaching is by argument and affectionate 
 address ; and I presume this has been their general method 
 during the fourteen years of their mission. 
 
 11 At the same time, christian teachers are not to speak with 
 reverence or courtesy of Juggernaut or Mahomet; they must 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 281 
 
 speak as the scriptures speak ; that is, of false gods as false 
 gods, and of a lying prophet as a lying prophet. The Maho- 
 metans apply abusive epithets and vulgar curses to the idolatry 
 of the Hindoos, and to the faith of christians ; and these epi- 
 thets are contained in books : the government might, on the 
 same principle, have been assailed with the petitions of chris- 
 tians and Hindoos against the Mahometans." 
 
 The complaint, however, of the Mohammedans produced 
 various restrictions on the proceedings of the missionaries, 
 which were defended on the plea that the public faith had been 
 pledged to leave the natives in the undisturbed exercise of their 
 religions. If by not disturbing the natives in the exercise of 
 their religion, it is meant that we are to use no means for dif- 
 fusing Christianity among them, then, observed Dr. Buchanan," 
 "this pledge has been violated by every government in India, 
 and has been systematically broken by the East India Com- 
 pany from the year 1698, to the present time. The charter of 
 1698 expressly stipulates that they shall use means to instruct 
 the Gentoos, &c, in the christian religion. Nor in this is 
 there any thing at variance with the pledge in question. It is 
 a very different thing to apply arguments to the mind, and vio- 
 lence to the body ; to civilize and humanize, to address the 
 understandings and affections of subjects, and to interfere with 
 their superstitions by compulsory acts." 
 
 After various illustrations of the countenance afforded by the 
 Company itself to christian missionaries, and of their successful 
 efforts in different parts of India, Dr. Buchanan adds the fol- 
 lowing observation: 
 
 " It has been the usual conduct of Asiatic governments to let 
 Christianity alone. In the annals of the British administration 
 in India, has there been no instance of the suppression of a 
 christian mission." 
 
 Having presented the preceding considerations to the notice 
 of Lord Minto, Dr. Buchanan recurs to the subject of his dis- 
 courses on the prophecies. He had, at the opening of his me- 
 morial, professed that he would willingly transmit them to the 
 perusal of the Governor General, and that he should be happy 
 to receive such observations on them as his lordship's learning 
 and candour might suggest. " But," adds Dr. Buchanan, " I 
 now beg leave to submit to your lordship's judgment whether, 
 in the view of the temper of mind displayed above, it would 
 be proper in me to submit my compositions to the opinion and 
 revision of the officers of your lordship's government. I in- 
 cline not to commit them to the hands of those officers from 
 another consideration : it would be a bad precedent. I would 
 
 Aa2 
 
282 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 not that it should be thought that anywhere in the British do- 
 minions there exists any thing like a civil inquisition into mat- 
 ters purely religious. 
 
 11 It is nearly two months since I received the letter from 
 government on this matter, and I have not yet communicated 
 my intentions. 1 now beg leave to inform your lordship that 
 I do not wish to give government any unnecessary offence. I 
 shall not publish the prophecies. 
 
 "At the same time I beg leave most respectfully to assure 
 your lordship that I am not in any way disappointed by the 
 interference of government on this occasion. The supposed 
 suppression of the christian prophecies has produced the con- 
 sequence that might be expected. The public curiosity has 
 been greatly excited to see these prophecies ; and to draw the 
 attention of men to the divine predictions could be the only 
 object I had in view, in noticing them in the course of my 
 public ministry. Another consequence will probably be, the 
 Prophecies will be translated into the languages of the East, 
 and thus pave the way, as has sometimes happened, for their 
 own fulfilment. " 
 
 Dr. Buchanan closed his memorial with entreating Lord 
 Minto, in case any circumstance should afford a pretext for 
 renewing the attempt to suppress the translation of the scrip- 
 tures, that the Chinese translation, in which, as its original 
 proposer and patron, he felt peculiarly interested, might at 
 least be spared ; and with offering any farther evidence or ex- 
 planation of the facts asserted in his letter, which his lordship 
 might require. This offer, however, Lord Minto did not con- 
 descend to accept. He did not even honour Dr. Buchanan 
 with a single word of reply. Instead of considering the me- 
 morial as a communication intended to inform his lordship on 
 subjects with which he was likely to be unacquainted, he view- 
 ed it as disrespectful to his government, and transmitted it by 
 the very fleet which conveyed Dr. Buchanan himself to Eng- 
 land, to the Court of Directors, accompanied by a commentary, 
 of which Dr. Buchanan remained perfectly ignorant till some 
 years afterwards ; when, with many other documents relative 
 to Christianity in India, it was laid upon the table of the house 
 of commons. It then attracted his notice, and called forth some 
 remarks, which will be better considered when we arrive, in 
 the course of this narrative, at the period of their publication. 
 The Bengal government, however, not having thought proper 
 to pay any attention to his memorial, Dr. Buchanan deemed it 
 to be his duty to transmit a copy of it to the Court of Directors, 
 which he did immediately before his departure from Calcutta, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN". 283 
 
 accompanied by a letter, in which he expressed his hope that 
 some general principles on the comparative importance of re- 
 ligion in political relations in India, might be established at 
 home, and transmitted to our eastern government for their 
 guidance. Dr. Buchanan concluded his address to the ho- 
 nourable court, by recalling to their notice the solemn charge 
 which he had received about eleven years since from their 
 chairman, the late Sir Stephen Lushington, the tenor of which 
 has been already stated. " In obedience to these instructions," 
 observes Dr. Buchanan, " I have devoted myself much to the 
 advancement of the christian religion, and of useful learning, 
 since my arrival in India ; using such means as I was possess- 
 ed of, and directing the opportunities which have offered, to 
 the accomplishment of that object. I am yet sensible that I 
 have fulfilled very imperfectly the injunctions of your honoura- 
 ble court. It suffices, however, for my own satisfaction, if 
 what I have done, has been well done ; that is, with honesty 
 of purpose, and with the sanction of truth. In my exhibition 
 of the religious and moral state of British India, I might have 
 palliated the fact, and presented a fair picture, where there was 
 nothing but deformity. But, in so doing, I should not have 
 done honour to the spirit of the admonitions of your venerable 
 chairman, now deceased. And however grateful it may be for 
 the present moment to suppress painful truths, yet as my la- 
 bours had chiefly reference to the benefit of times to come, I 
 should not, by such means, have conciliated the respect of your 
 illustrious body twenty years hence." 
 
 Under these impressions, Dr. Buchanan requested that the 
 court would be pleased to investigate fully his proceedings, with 
 respect to the promotion of Christianity in India, that the com- 
 pany at large might be enabled justly to appreciate them ; and 
 that he might be encouraged (if it should appear that encourage- 
 ment were due) to prosecute an undertaking which seemed, he 
 said, to have commanded the applause of all good men, and 
 which had certainly commenced with omens of considerable 
 success. 
 
 The preceding letter to the Court of Directors was not pub- 
 lished with the memorial to the government at Bengal, nor 
 does it seem to have been noticed by the court. Neither of 
 those addresses, however, though unacknowledged at the time, 
 was unproductive of effect. In Bengal, a more favourable dis- 
 position on the part of the government, towards the promotion 
 of Christianity, shortly afterwards appeared ; and the reply of 
 the Court of Directors to the representations of the Governor 
 General in council, though not friendly to Dr. Buchanan, was, 
 
281 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN*. 
 
 as we shall hereafter perceive, strongly marked by those en- 
 lightened and liberal views which he had been so anxious to 
 see established for the guidance of our Indian governments. 
 The favourable change which took place in the conduct of the 
 Bengal government towards the mission at Serampore, is, 
 however, chiefly to be ascribed to the memorial presented by 
 the missionaries themselves to the Governor General in coun- 
 cil ; which, when published a few years afterwards in this 
 country, excited general admiration. 
 
 The painful transaction which has now been detailed was 
 nearly the last of a public nature in which Dr. Buchanan was 
 engaged in Calcutta. The time was now approaching for his 
 second and final departure from that city. Accordingly, in the 
 month of November, he preached his farewell sermon to the 
 congregation at the mission church from the words of St. Paul 
 to the Philippians, chap. i. 27, " Only let your conversation 
 be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come 
 and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that 
 ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for 
 the faith of the gospel." From this appropriate and interest- 
 ing passage, Dr. Buchanan delivered a discourse remarkable 
 for the importance of the practical truths which it enforced. 
 After an introductory view of the origin and progress of the 
 church at Philippi, Dr. Buchanan considered the two parti- 
 culars, of which the parting request of the apostle to his fa- 
 vourite converts consists. The first respects the holy practice 
 which they were exhorted to maintain. 
 
 " Without a highly moral conversation," observed Dr. Bu- 
 chanan, " a congregation of christians cannot be said to have 
 substance or being ; for faith without works is dead. Unless 
 the world see something particular in your works, they will 
 give you no credit for your faith ; or, rather, they will not care 
 what your faith may be. In such circumstances, your faith 
 will give them no trouble. But when ' wonderful works' ap- 
 pear, they will begin to ask what ' power hath produced them.' 
 In this very epistle, the apostle calls the christians at Philippi, 
 1 the sons of God,' and the * lights of the w r orld ;' and he ex- 
 presses his hope, that their conduct would be correspondent 
 with these noble and distinguishing appellations." 
 
 " Now," continues Dr. Buchanan, fci when this light shineth 
 to the world, even the light of a holy life and conversation, it 
 will be manifested by these two circumstances : First, it will 
 not be agreeable to some. And, secondly, some will misre- 
 present your motives, or attach to your conduct an evil name ; 
 accusing you of hypocrisy, or of unnecessary strictness. And 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 285 
 
 if no man allege any thing of this kind against you, if the worst 
 of men make no derogatory remark on your conduct, then may 
 you doubt whether you are walking in the steps of the faithful 
 servants of Christ. They all were marked out by the world, 
 as being in a greater or less degree singular and peculiar in 
 their conduct, as persons swayed by other principles and sub- 
 ject to other laws. If these things be so, you will perceive 
 how little concerned you ought to be about the praise of man, 
 or the honour which cometh from the world." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan then proceeded to the second part of the apos- 
 tle's exhortation ; and, in urging the duty of " striving for the 
 faith of the gospel," he observed, " this will appear strange to 
 nominal christians, both preachers and hearers. But w r hen- 
 once a man's heart comes under the influence of the grace of 
 God, he will discover (perhaps in old age for the first time) 
 that it is his duty, and it will be his pleasure, to promote the 
 faith of the gospel, by every way ; by his means, by his in- 
 fluence, by his exhortation, by his example. Every true dis- 
 ciple of Christ, however humble his situation, or peculiar his 
 circumstances, will find opportunities of doing something for 
 the faith of the gospel. And, indeed, the poor often enjoy 
 means of usefulness, which, from many causes, are denied to 
 their superiors." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan next directed the attention of his hearers to 
 the apostle's rule for the successful pursuit of this great object, 
 " that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind — that they 
 should preserve unity ; unity in the faith, and in the church." 
 The following passage, relative to this important point, dis- 
 plays considerable acuteness of observation : 
 
 u You will generally observe, in the present day, that new 
 opinions concerning forms and doctrine are chiefly introduced 
 by men who have had little learning in their youth ; so that, 
 when in advanced life they begin to be serious and to acquire 
 knowledge, the novelty flatters their understandings for a time, 
 and leads them to adopt new systems, as they acquire new 
 knowledge. This is very natural. Whereas those in w 7 hom 
 serious piety and sound learning have united in early life, are 
 seldom subject to such changes. But the unsettled man is 
 designated by St. Paul under the appellation of a ' novice,' 
 whatever his age may be ; one who, being lifted up for a time 
 in his own conceit, gradually loses his reputation, or perhaps 
 has a fall in the face of the church. And, when his pride has 
 been thus humbled, he generally returns to meekness of con- 
 duct and sobriety of speech." 
 
286 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan noticed, in the third place, the nature of that 
 faith for which christians ought to strive. 
 
 " With respect to this," he observed, " it is not necessary 
 for me now to declare it. It hath often been described to you 
 from this place, even that 4 faith which was once delivered unto 
 the saints ;' and which hath descended from age to age, like 
 a pure stream of the water of life, gladdening the hearts of 
 men, and nourishing their souls unto everlasting life. Amongst 
 yourselves have there been some, who drank of it deeply, and 
 have now passed away into glory ; good and holy persons, 
 who bequeathed to you an illustrious testimony, and pointed 
 out to you the ' true way.' These all died in faith, and now 
 inherit the promises. These are your i cloud of witnesses;' 
 that you should ' run with patience the race that is set before 
 you.' These once, like some of you now, endured suffering 
 for conscience' sake, some trouble of body, or some distress of 
 mind. But all was sanctified to them, as it will be to you ; 
 they endured unto the end, and their names shall be had in 
 everlasting remembrance." 
 
 The sermon was concluded by a faithful and solemn exhor- 
 tation to the young and to the old, to those who doubted as to 
 " the true way," to the sinner and the saint, to strive to ob- 
 tain, and, having obtained, to adorn and recommend the faith of 
 the gospel. " It only remains," added Dr. Buchanan, "that 
 I implore the solemn benediction of God on this congregation. 
 
 " I pray, that the word of Christ may * run and be glorified' 
 amongst you ; that from this place, as from a fountain, streams 
 of truth may flow far and wide ; that you may be ever blessed 
 with wise and learned instructors, ' able ministers of the New 
 Testament,' who shall take delight in dispensing the word of 
 life, and in tending the flock committed to their care ; and, 
 finally, that the honour of your church may ever be preserved 
 pure from any stain, that ye may uphold a conduct ■ blameless 
 and harmless,' as examples to men, as 4 the lights of the world ; ' 
 striving together, with one mind and in one spirit, for the faith 
 of the gospel." 
 
 Such was the simple but impressive strain in which Dr. 
 Buchanan took leave of the congregation which contained the 
 greater proportion of religious persons in Calcutta. His fare- 
 well at the Presidency church was probably of a different na- 
 ture, though characterized by the same pastoral fidelity and 
 practical wisdom as that which we have just observed. There 
 were, doubtless, some in each congregation from whom he 
 would regret to be separated, and many who would lament his 
 departure. Mr. Brown would particularly feel the loss of his 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 287 
 
 able and affectionate coadjutor and friend, with whom he had 
 taken " sweet counsel" in the house of God, and had shared 
 the burthen and the heat of many a laborious day. Of the 
 sentiments entertained by this excellent man respecting his 
 learned and valuable colleague, the following brief extract from 
 a confidential letter to his brother, written just as Dr. Buchanan 
 was on the eve of his departure from Calcutta, will be a suffi- 
 cient testimony. 
 
 " You ask me," says Mr. Brown, " if Dr. Buchanan is my 
 friend ? I answer, I know no man in the world who excels him 
 in useful purpose, or deserves my friendship more. Perhaps 
 there is no man in the world who loves him so much as I do ; 
 because no man knows him so well. Further, no man I be- 
 lieve in the world would do me service like him. We have 
 lived together in the closest intimacy ten years, without a shade 
 of difference in sentiment, political or religious. It is need- 
 less to add, without a jar in word or deed. He is the man to 
 do good in the earth, and. worthy of being Metropolitan of the 
 East." 
 
 The private and unaffected nature of the letter from which 
 the preceding passage is extracted, the well known simplicity 
 and integrity of the writer's character, and the perfect com- 
 petency of his testimony, render this warm and energetic tri- 
 bute to the merit of his friend peculiarly valuable. To sepa- 
 rate from such a colleague must have been a subject of sincere 
 regret to him. But, with this and a few other exceptions, Dr. 
 Buchanan's ties to India were neither strong nor numerous. 
 The society of Calcutta is necessarily fluctuating. One of the 
 most important branches of his employment no longer existed ; 
 he had laid the foundation of a great work for the promotion of 
 Christianity in India, which he could in future more advantage- 
 ously forward and defend in his native country ; and thither he 
 felt attracted by the associations of early and maturer life, by 
 filial duty, and paternal affection. For this return, therefore, 
 after making a variety of arrangements to ensure the continuance 
 of the works carrying on under what he considered to be the 
 " Christian Institution," more particularly of the Chinese class 
 at Serampore, he at length prepared. 
 
 On the 27th of November, Dr. Buchanan left Calcutta, and 
 reached Fulta the next day ; and from this place he wrote to 
 Colonel Sandys as follows : 
 
 " Dear Sandys, — I am thus far on my way to Europe. I 
 sail in the Baretto to Goa, to look into the inquisition there, and 
 examine the libraries. Thenee I proceed to Bombay. 
 
288 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 A few days ago I received your letter of the 28th of May, 
 1807, dated from Northwold, containing the signatures of the 
 little girls. They write very well, and have made a flattering 
 progress in their education. I am much obliged to you for 
 your particular account of the two children, which is very cor- 
 rect, 1 believe, and very pleasing. Being long estranged from 
 them, and hearing none converse about them, I seldom think of 
 them now comparatively. But when we meet again, I suppose 
 we shall fall in love. 
 
 44 You observed in some of your late letters that you heard 
 I was likely to be married again. It so happens that I have 
 not once thought of it. It is possible that I may marry some 
 time after my arrival in England. But yet I would avoid it, for 
 some reasons. It is a subject I think not of. 
 
 " Instead of love and marriage, I am engaged in war and 
 fightings. I have been obliged to address this government 
 publicly on its hostility to religion and to its progress in India. 
 All Calcutta wondered what step government would take. In 
 the midst of this strange scene, I paid a farewell visit to them 
 all, and left every creature, from the Governor General to the 
 pilots, on good terms. 
 
 44 1 have now finished my labours, and pray that God may 
 bless them. 
 
 44 1 have been down here for eight days, waiting the despatch 
 of the ship. The Calcutta people have not been uninterested 
 in my late contention with the government ; and I hear some 
 of them have called a ship by my name, since I came down 
 here. The 4 Christian Institution in the East' is unknown in 
 Calcutta to this hour, though active in its operation. 
 
 44 Yours affectionately, C. Buchanan." 
 
 The ship in which Dr. Buchanan sailed left Saugor on the 
 9th of December ; but no memorial of his voyage occurs until 
 the 23d of that month, when he wrote to Mr. Brown as fol- 
 lows, from Columbo, in the island of Ceylon : 
 
 44 Ceylon again ! In crossing the Gulf of Manaar, we en- 
 countered a gale, and put into Columbo. I had requested the 
 captain to touch here when I left Calcutta ; and now he was 
 obliged of necessity. I have been well on board, and well 
 treated. Many causes for thankfulness, as usual. The Adele 
 was taken by the Russell the day before we came up to her, 
 and we had parted convoy. In the Gulf of Manaar we were 
 about to throw over our cargo, when the gale abated. 
 
 44 On my arrival here, many of the chief persons waited on 
 me. From my having touched last year at so many Dutch 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 289 
 
 settlements, I found all the families knew me. I have only 
 been here three days, having arrived on Monday last, and the 
 ship proceeds on her voyage on Friday. I have some thoughts 
 of letting her go, and following at my leisure ; for I find there 
 is something for me here to do. What a field for English, 
 Dutch, and Cingalese preachers in this fertile and renowned 
 land ! 
 
 " I propose to proceed straight to Cochin from this place. 
 Sir James Mackintosh is on the Malabar coast, I hear, with 
 his family. Two Bombay civil servants now here wish rne 
 to travel by land from Cochin to Goa. They have been judges 
 and collectors for fourteen years on that coast, and allege they 
 know more about the christians than any other persons in 
 India, They complain much of the undue influence of Goa, 
 exercised sometimes cruelly on all christians who are not 
 Catholics. Mr. B. carries me out to-day to his country house, 
 to visit some of the Cingalese christian churches. 
 
 " My affectionate regards to all your family." 
 
 By the date of his next letter, Dr. Buchanan appears to have 
 left the Baretto, in which he originally embarked from Calcutta, 
 and to have exchanged that ship for the Canton, from which, 
 on the 26th of December, he thus wrote off Cochin to Colonel 
 Macaulay : 
 
 11 1 had flattered myself with the hope of being landed here, 
 but the commander of the ship cannot wait, and I am disap- 
 pointed. He has engaged to put me down at Goa, where I 
 propose to remain some time, and from whence I shall write 
 to you particularly. I left Calcutta on the 8th inst. and touched 
 at Columbo, where I staid some days, and found flattering as- 
 surances of support in our evangelizing plans for that island. 
 There is less prejudice there than in the Company's settle- 
 ments. This is the third time that I have visited Ceylon ; so 
 that the people begin to think I have some serious design 
 against them. 
 
 In my last I believe I informed you that I was standing in 
 the breach. I have now the pleasure to announce that the 
 battle has been fought. Long consultations were held how to 
 proceed. It was at last decreed that I should be permitted to 
 depart in peace. 
 
 " I have the copy of the Malayalim scriptures with me, and 
 mean to print when at Bombay : five thousand copies will suf- 
 fice for a beginning, I suppose. 
 
 11 I left Misrahi, my Jew, in Calcutta, with his own con* 
 
 Bb 
 
290 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 sent. I have advanced him in the whole a thousand rupees ; 
 so I suppose he will trade there. 
 
 " 1 hope to see you before I leave India; but I do not know 
 at this moment where or how. May all our resolves and pur- 
 poses be acceptable to the divine will ! 
 
 " Mr. Johnston, Judge at Colnmbo, will furnish me with 
 some important official documents relating to the state of Chris- 
 tianity in that island. The Governor was absent; but Major 
 Maitland (Lord Lauderdale's son) came to inform me that he 
 would return in two days, if I would stay to see him. I could 
 not stay ; but I communicated to him that, if he would give to 
 the Cingalese translation of the scriptures his countenance, I 
 would give money ; and Judge Johnston would find instru- 
 ments. Mr. J. is an excellent Cingalese scholar himself." 
 
 Notwithstanding the disappointment of which Dr. Buchanan 
 expressed his expectation at the commencement of the preced- 
 ing letter, we find him two days afterwards safely landed at 
 Cochin, and under the roof of his friend, Colonel Macaulay. 
 He thus writes to Mr. Brown : 
 
 " Cochin, 28th Dec. 1807. 
 
 " On the 24th, Christmas-eve, w r e left Columbo, crossed the 
 Gulf of Manaar on Christmas-day, and arrived here on the 
 27th, yesterday. I found all my Jews and Christians in fine 
 health and spirits, and highly gratified at my unexpected ar- 
 rival. I reside with Colonel Macaulay. After passing some 
 time in these regions, he accompanies me up the coast, by 
 land, through all the christian territories, as far as Cananore, 
 perhaps Mangalore, whence I proceeded by sea to Goa. 
 
 " The Jews have lately had a meeting about the prophecies. 
 And I am about to call another Sanhedrim on the subject 
 before I go. It is a strange event. 
 
 " I am happy I have visited this place a second time. May 
 God direct all these things to his own glory, and to the good of 
 men ! I have need of watchfulness and prayer. Much lies 
 before me, ere I leave India, yet ; if ever I leave it. 
 
 " Tell H. that the poor Jews, blind, lame, and halt, are 
 come this morning, exclaiming, as usual, ' Jehuda Ani.' I 
 wish I could impart a better gift than silver or gold. The 
 Rajah of Travancore has desired I will visit him. I do not 
 know what to do. The Rajah of Cochin has offered to come 
 over to see me. Ambassadors from the Syrian christians are 
 expected to-morrow." 
 
 On the 2d of January, 1808, Dr. Buchanan left Cochin, ac- 
 companied by Colonel Macaulay, on a second tour upon the 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 291 
 
 coast of Malabar. The following letter to Mr. Brown will 
 alfor J an interesting account of their progress : 
 
 "Telliciierry, 14th Jan. 1808. 
 
 "I write this from the fort which the English first built in 
 India ; and where, as Tippoo observed in his official manifesto, 
 the English pedlars * first exhibited their scissors and knives.' 
 Tellicherry lines enclose nine miles in circumference ; and the 
 natives have enjoyed the protection of the English for about 
 one hundred arid sixty years. The enemy was never suffered 
 to destroy them. But no English church, or house of prayer, 
 has yet been built. From this spot we extended our power to 
 the utmost limits of India. 
 
 M Colonel Macaulay has accompanied me thus far. We first 
 proceeded from Cochin to the famous Shanscrit college at Tri- 
 chiur, and thence to a district of the Syrian christians which 
 I had not before visited. It was named, by Hyder, Nazarani 
 Ghur, or the city of the Nazarenes. It is a beautiful place, 
 fertile and populous. The town is four square, having four 
 gates, built on the side of a hill, with steps cut in the rock 
 from street to street, surrounded by lofty groves of palm and 
 other trees. A verdant meadow winds about the foot of the 
 hill, and the whole country is a scene of hill and dale. The 
 priests and people knew me, and received us with great affec- 
 tion. Colonel Macaulay accompanied me to the principal 
 church. Having signified my intention of presenting a large 
 gold medal to this church, in the name of all the Syrian 
 churches in Malayalim, a vast concourse of people assembled. 
 There is no person in the town but Nazarenes. The medal 
 which I presented to them was that which Mrs. J. gave me 
 before I left Calcutta. It is about three times as large as a col- 
 lege gold medal, and exhibits the baptism of Jesus in Jordan, 
 eleganty executed ; and, on the reverse, a child brought to be 
 baptized. I placed it on the altar, in the presence of the peo- 
 ple, with due solemnity, and, beside it, a gift to the poor. This 
 town is in the territories of the Rajah of Cochin, whom I 
 visited a fortnight ago. Tippoo invaded this Syrian colony in 
 1789. The people pointed out to me the grove of trees on 
 which the christians were hanged. They are now so respect- 
 able for number and opulence, that the Rajah of Cochin is 
 obliged to treat them with indulgence ; and the more so, as 
 they are within four miles of the English territories in Mala- 
 bar. Nazarani Bazar (as it is sometimes called) is due east 
 from Paniani, and is near Palghutcheri. This second visit to 
 the Syrian churches has been useful. 
 
202 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 The Jews at Cochin are very unsettled in relation to the 
 prophecies. They wonder at the attention paid by the Eng- 
 lish to these subjects, for the first time. You will read in the 
 Bombay Courier an account of a ceremony in the synagogue 
 at Cochin, which took place at Christmas last, a lew days be- 
 fore I arrived. Some of the Jews interpret the prophechies 
 aright, and some in another way ; but all agree that a great era 
 is at hand. 
 
 44 I visited Mahe, a beautiful place, formerly a French fort, 
 but now in ruins, and Calicut. At this last place Vasco de 
 Gama landed in 1497, at a line bay a little above the town. I 
 saw the ruins of the Samoriirs palace, in which he was first 
 received. The Mahometan towns on the sea-coast are large 
 and populous. The Romish christians are numerous. The 
 English christians complain that there is no Protestant church 
 or minister on this coast, except a chaplain to the garrison at 
 Can an ore. 
 
 44 The march of Menou prevents my going home by land. 
 
 " I propose to proceed to Goa in a day or two, and thence to 
 Bombay, if time permit. I reside here at the house of Mr. 
 C, the Judge of the province. 
 
 44 1 enjoy good health in this favoured land. Amidst all my 
 researches, the importance of the gospel appears everywhere 
 conspicuous. Every evil I witness, and every defect, might 
 be remedied by the gospel, whether among the natives or the 
 Europeans.'' 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's next letter to Mr. Brown is dated 4; Goa, 
 25th January, from the great hall of the Inquisition." It con- 
 tains an account of his bold and interesting visit to that 
 metropolis of the Roman Catholic religion in the east, and 
 is similar to that with which the public in general is already 
 well acquainted.* Instead, therefore, of repeating that admi- 
 rable narrative, in which the ardour of christian research, and 
 of christian courage and benevolence, are strikingly displayed, 
 a sketch of this enterprising expedition only shall be given, 
 which occurs in a letter to Colonel Macaulay. 
 
 44 On my arrival at Goa I was hospitably entertained by 
 Captain Schuyler. He and Colonel Adams introduced me 
 next day to the Viceroy, who affects great pomp, rails at the 
 French, and is a true Frenchman at heart. Next day Major 
 Pareira went up with me to old Goa. The archbishop re- 
 ceived me cordially. I professed a purpose of remaining some 
 days there. This, it seems, was unusual, and it occasioned 
 
 * Christian Researches, pp. 155—178. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 293 
 
 some discussion and difficulty. At last I was received by one 
 of the Inquisitors ; not your friend, (who lives at a distance 
 from the place,) but by the second Inquisitor, Josephus a Do- 
 loribus, the chief agent of the Inquisition, and the most learned 
 man of the place. By this malleus hereticorum was I re- 
 ceived in his convent of the Augustinians, in a suit of cham- 
 bers next his own. He was extremely communicative. All 
 the libraries were opened, and were extensive and valuable be- 
 yond my conception. That of the Augustinians, alone, 
 appeared to be larger than the library of the college of Fort 
 William. 
 
 " My object all this time was the Inquisition, and I gleaned 
 much information imperceptibly. I disguised my purpose for 
 the first three days, and the Inquisitor referred me to various 
 books and documents elucidating the very subject I wanted to 
 investigate ; so that, on the fourth day, I attacked him directly 
 on the present state of the Inquisition. 
 
 " I had already discovered that it was abolished in 1775, by 
 the court of Portugal, on account of its inhuman rigour; that 
 in 1779 it was restored on the accession of the present queen ; 
 and that it has been in operation ever since. On its restora- 
 tion its rigour was qualified in some points. It was not to 
 have a public Auto da Fe ; but it was permitted to have a pri- 
 vate one annually. The dungeons and torture remain the 
 same. It has power to incarcerate for life ; and there are now 
 victims in its cells. The tribunal is supported in its ancient 
 pomp, and its establishment is full. In fact, it is the only de- 
 partment which is alive in ancient Goa. 
 
 Josephus a Doloribus was alarmed when he discovered the 
 real drift of my inquiries. I told him that he had now said so 
 much, he might as well tell me all; and that I should not 
 leave Goa till I had seen the Inquisition. He at last consented 
 to show me the great hall. I accompanied him, clothed in the 
 solemn robes of his office. When I had surveyed the place 
 awhile in silence, I desired that he would now let me go be- 
 low and visit the dungeons. He refused ; and here our first 
 contest began. I told him that if he did not open the dun- 
 geons, and let me count the captives, and inquire into the pe- 
 riods of their imprisonment, and learn the number of deaths 
 within the last year, I should naturally believe that he had a 
 good reason for the concealment, and that the ancient horrors 
 of the Inquisition still subsisted. Whereas, if he would now 
 unbar his locks, I could only declare to the public the truth as 
 it was, and nothing would be left to imagination, He felt the 
 force of this ; but answered, that he could not oblige me, coa* 
 
 Bb3 
 
20 I MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 sistently with his oath or duty as an Inquisitor. I observed 
 that he had broken that oath frequently during the last four 
 days, and that he had himself noticed in his own justification, 
 that the ancient regulations of the church were in many in- 
 stances obsolete. I then put the following question solemnly, 
 ' Declare to me the number of captives which are at this mo- 
 ment in the dungeons below.' 'That, sir, is a question,' said 
 he, ■ which I must not answer.' 
 
 " I was now in the hall where the captives were wont to be 
 marshalled when they proceeded to the flames. I contemplated 
 the scene awhile with mournful reflection, and then retired. 
 The alcaides and familiars of the holy Inquisition stood around 
 me, wondering at my introduction into the hall, and my con- 
 versation with the Inquisitor. I went into a neighbouring 
 church and ruminated on what I had seen and heard. I re- 
 solved to go again to the Inquisition. The familiars, thinking 
 I had business with the Inquisitor, admitted me. I imme- 
 diately saw a poor woman sitting on a bench in the great hall. 
 She appeared very disconsolate, and was waiting to be called 
 before the tribunal in the next room. I went towards the tri- 
 bunal, and was met at the door by Josephus a Doloribus, who 
 seemed to have lost his temper at this intrusion, and exclaim- 
 ed, * Quid vis tu, Domine?' All our discourse was in Latin. 
 I told him I wanted to speak with the chief Inquisitor, who 
 was then on the bench. I then looked at the poor woman 
 very significantly, and then at him — x\nd what has this poor 
 woman done? lie was silent and impatient to lead me out. 
 When we came to the head of the stairs, I took my last leave 
 of Josephus a Doloribus, and repeated once more in his ears, 
 what I had pleasantly pronounced before in our amicable dis- 
 cissions about the Inquisition, s Delenda est Carthago^ 
 
 " Before I left Goa, I communicated to him my intention (I 
 first declared it to him in his own cell) of addressing the arch- 
 bishop in a Latin letter, which would probably be published, 
 on the four following subjects : 
 
 " I. The Inquisition. 
 
 " 2. The want of Bibles for the priests. 
 
 "3. The disuse of public preaching and instruction in his 
 diocese. 
 
 "4. The state of the public libraries. 
 
 " This letter I began and dated from the convent of the Au- 
 gustinians, 25th January, 1808. I shall probably print it be- 
 fore I leave Point de Galle. 
 
 " My visit at Goa has excited a very general alarm among 
 the priests. The Viceroy wishes success to my endeavours. . 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 295 
 
 The English at Goa seemed to know little or nothing about 
 the subject. The whole Catholic body there are awed by it ; 
 and it was said that some would suffer in consequence of my 
 visit; for Major B., and others of the Viceroy's household, 
 were known to furnish me with every information in their 
 power. But at last I perceived that even B< himself, the phi- 
 losophic, liberal, learned B., was cowed, and endeavoured to 
 draw off." 
 
 On quitting his friend, Josephus a Doloribus, whose favour 
 and forbearance had perhaps been conciliated by the present of 
 a small purse of moidores, previously to his admission into 
 the santa casa, Dr. Buchanan confesses, in his letter to Mr* 
 Brown, that his own mind was much agitated. 
 
 44 1 began to perceive," he says, " a cowardly fear of re* 
 maining longer in the power of the Inquisitors. My servants 
 had repeatedly urged me to go, and I set off about twelve 
 o'clock, not less indignant at the Inquisition of Goa, than I 
 had been with the temple of Juggernaut." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's great object in this, as in all his researches, 
 was not so much the gratification of personal curiosity, as the 
 discovery of useful and important information, with a view to 
 the detection and the removal of spiritual and moral evils. The 
 suggestion in the published extracts from his journal, as to the 
 propriety of an interference on the part of the British govern- 
 ment with that of Portugal, for the abolition of the dreadful 
 tribunal of the Inquisition, had been happily anticipated, but 
 did not render his animated appeal upon that subject super- 
 fluous ; while his inquiries relative to the moral and religious 
 state of the Romish and Syro-Romish churches, on the coast 
 of Malabar, led to efforts to disseminate the holy scriptures, 
 for the instruction and illumination of that numerous and long- 5 
 neglected body of christians. 
 
 44 In two hours," continues Dr. Buchanan in his letter to 
 Mr. Brown, 44 I reached New Goa. The alarm of my inves- 
 tigations had gone before me. The English came to inquire 
 what I had seen and heard, and I told them all. I staid a day 
 or two with them, and embarked in a pattamar (an open boat) 
 for Bombay. The wind was contrary, and I was ten days on 
 the voyage. I touched at three different places on the Pirate 
 coast; Gheria, the celebrated fort of Severndroog, <fcc. One 
 day we were driven out to sea, and in considerable danger. 
 At length, however, on the 6th of February, I reached Bom- 
 bay." 
 
 On his arrival at this Presidency, Dr. Buchanan w T as kindly 
 received by Governor Duncan, and took up his abode at the 
 
296 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 house of Mr. Forbes. He experienced the utmost civility 
 from the principal persons of the settlement, and was particu- 
 larly gratified by the attentions of Sir James Mackintosh. " I 
 passed five hours," he observes in a letter to Colonel Macau- 
 lay, " with Sir James in his library. It is uncommonly nu- 
 merous and valuable. He is a friend to religion, and professes 
 a desire to support me in all useful plans for India." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan had taken with him to Bombay the manuscript 
 translation of the four Gospels into the Malayalim language, 
 which had been completed by the Syrian bishop and his clergy, 
 and transmitted to Colonel Macaulay, intending to print it at 
 his own expense, an excellent fount of types having been re- 
 cently cut at that place. When Mr. Duncan, however, heard 
 of this intention, he intimated his wish that Dr. Buchanan 
 would address a letter to the government upon the subject, 
 promising to give it his countenance and support. He accord- 
 ingly availed himself of this hint, and, in an address to the 
 governor in council, briefly detailed the circumstances of his 
 visit to Travancore, and its result relative to the version of the 
 scriptures into the Malabar language. He also stated that, on 
 his arrival at Bombay, he had submitted the translation of the 
 four Gospels to the judgment of Mr. Drummond, of that Pre- 
 sidency, author of the Malabar Grammar, who had reported 
 that he considered it to be a faithful version of the sacred ori- 
 ginal, and easily intelligible by the common people. Dr. Bu- 
 chanan took the same opportunity of representing to the 
 governor in council the importance of a cheap edition of the 
 English Bible for the use of the army, and of the English inha- 
 bitants, generally, of that country. In reply to this communi- 
 cation, the secretary to government informed him that the 
 governor in council readily extended his countenance to the 
 good work which he was so laudably meditating, and would, 
 for that purpose, be disposed to accede to such ulterior mea- 
 sures as might tend to promote it; but that the communities of 
 Malabar christians to whom he had adverted, being chiefly 
 within the jurisdiction of the Presidency of Fort St. George, 
 the governor in council felt it to be his duty to transmit thither 
 his representations upon that subject. With respect to the 
 supply of the English scriptures, the governor in council ex- 
 pressed his intention of shortly recommending that part of Dr. 
 Buchanan's suggestions to the consideration of the Court of 
 Directors, who, he doubted not, would be desirous of ensuring 
 to the Europeans at Bombay the edification to which the 
 dissemination of the holy scriptures must materially contri- 
 bute. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 297 
 
 In consequence of this favourable disposition of the govern- 
 ment, Dr. Buchanan drew up an advertisement for a subscrip- 
 tion towards defraying the expenses of the printing of the Gos- 
 pels in the Malayalim language ; the governor himself profess- 
 ing his intention to subscribe, and to lead the way in this 
 laudable design. 
 
 " I took no steps, however," says Dr. Buchanan in a letter 
 to Colonel Macaulay, dated off Calicut, February 27th, " till 
 the last day of my stay at Bombay, when I told Mr. Money 
 that I had a delicacy in pressing the subscription when I was 
 on the spot, but that I should leave it in his and Mr. Forbes' 
 hands, and trust to them for its success. 
 
 " I left a note of instructions with Messrs. Forbes regarding 
 the appropriation of the funds ; and they are authorized to pay 
 all bills relative to the expense of translating the scriptures 
 into the Malayalim language, and of sending learned persons 
 to Bombay to superintend the printing, which shall have re- 
 ceived your signature. 
 
 " The types are ready, but they have not one Malayalim 
 learned native In Bombay. The first thing that I request of 
 you is to send round two persons qualified to superintend the 
 printing. Mr. Drummond will superintend them. It will be 
 expedient that one of the moonshees be a Romish or Syro- 
 Romish priest ? for the reasons mentioned in the advertise- 
 ment. 
 
 " The prefaces peculiar to the Syriac may be omitted, and it 
 may have a general conformity to the Vulgate. 
 
 " Some of the Romish priests will, perhaps, oppose i\\e 
 design ; but I have warned the gentlemen at Bombay of that cir- 
 cumstance. A Padre L. is Italian instructor in Sir James Mack> 
 intosh's family, and assumes consequence. Mr. Duncan told 
 me that this priest (who occasionally visits him) had come to 
 him in evident alarm, and announced that I was about to de- 
 stroy the Inquisition, and to declare to the world that the old 
 horrors still exist, which, said he, is not true. I took this op- 
 portunity of giving Mr. Duncan some account of my inquiries ; 
 when he expressed his approbation fully of my intention, and 
 urged me to weaken the Romish interest as much as possible 
 in India. It seems the priests have given government some 
 trouble lately ; and he has proposed something to the Madras 
 Presidency on the subject. 
 
 " It would take a fortnight to detail what passed during my 
 fortnight at Bombay, and therefore I must conclude. 
 
 " I have taken my passage in the Charlton, and have secured 
 the first officer's cabin, which is large and commodious, for 
 
298 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 myself and Master Drummond. We have ten ladies onboard, 
 and Dr. Pouget of Surat, a man of information. 
 
 " If yon write a note to Point de Galle I shall probably 
 receive it. 
 
 11 I have often recommended your going home, and now I 
 wish you to stay two or three years. If your health will 
 allow this, your stay will accomplish a great object for the 
 church of Christ. 
 
 " Your friend, Ribeymar, the chief Inquisitor, received me 
 very kindly, and made a feast on the last day but one of my 
 stay, at which were present the whole staff of the Santa Casa. 
 He said he would answer your letter. The ' thieveless errand' 
 I had to visit the Inquisition a second time, was to inquire 
 whether the chief Inquisitor had written his letter. 
 
 " I did not touch at Cananore or Mangalore. I was afraid 
 of losing the Inquisition and my passage. 
 
 " On my arrival in England, I shall not fail to give you 
 some account of affairs, if I mix with men, which I much 
 doubt ; for I am tired of fighting, and sigh for quiet and retire- 
 ment. 
 
 " I remain, my dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 It may be satisfactory to add that the letter from the chief 
 Inquisitor to Colonel Macaulay, above referred to, strongly ex- 
 pressed his respect for that gentleman, and the pleasure which 
 he had received from Dr. Buchanan's visit, notwithstanding the 
 freedom of his inquiries and observations. 
 
 In another short communication to Colonel Macaulay about 
 the same time, Dr. Buchanan mentions a pleasing mark of 
 kindness which had been shown him by one of his friends at 
 Calcutta, and informs him of a proposal which he had made 
 relative to one of the most stupendous and interesting objects 
 of curiosity in India. 
 
 " Mr. Speke has sent a beautiful large quarto Bible after me, 
 as a keepsake. He had heard that I complained of my sight 
 in reading small print at night. And this is my last communi- 
 cation with the learned of Calcutta. Hoc Deus fecit. 
 
 " I have put them on restoring Elephanta at Bombay. I 
 found the cavern and figures in a state of progressive annual 
 dilapidation. Mr. Money has taken up the subject warmly. 
 If government does not execute it, I have proposed a subscrip- 
 tion, with a promise of five hundred rupees as soon as the work 
 shall commence under a scientific superintendent. I have left 
 a memorandum of the subjects of improvement, and re-edifica- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 299 
 
 tion, according to my idea. I have a reason for wishing that 
 the Trinity in Unity at Elephanta may remain while this lower 
 world exists." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan thus adverts to the same extraordinary remains 
 of antiquity, in writing to Mr. Brown : 
 
 " I have visited Elephanta ; a more wonderful work than 
 the Pyramids of Egypt. But the works of Providence are yet 
 more wonderful ; at least so I should esteem them ; for in 
 every region, and in every clime, the loving-kindness of God is 
 magnified in my experience. May his grace also be magnified 
 in me ! My love to all your family." 
 
 On the 13th of March the Charlton arrived off Point de 
 Galle, from which place Dr. Buchanan again wrote a few lines - 
 to Mr. Brown. 
 
 " I had intended," he says, " to have published my letter to 
 the Archbishop of Goa at this place. But if we do not go on 
 shore, I shall have no opportunity. I shall therefore publish 
 it at home.* 
 
 " I have just been on board the Piedmontaise frigate, which 
 has been captured by the St. Fiorenzo. The Piedmontaise 
 lost one hundred and sixty-five men, killed and wounded, and 
 exhibited a scene of vast carnage. Captain Hardinge of the 
 St. Fiorenzo is killed. 
 
 " I have extensive commissions for sending good books and 
 Bibles to Bombay, Malabar, and Ceylon. For, if they have no 
 preachers, they must read. 
 
 " All is well on board this ship, and I hope some good will 
 be done. 
 
 " With unfeigned prayers for the best of spiritual blessings 
 on you and your family, 
 
 " I remain, my dear sir, very affectionately yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 To Colonel Macaulay Dr. Buchanan wrote the next day, as 
 follows : 
 
 " My dear Sir, — We have just arrived at this place, and see 
 the Bengal fleet ready to sail ; so that I have only time to bid 
 you farewell. We staid three days at Columbo ; one of which 
 I passed with General Maitland at Mount Lavinia. After long 
 and interesting conversations, he was pleased to promise that 
 he would recommend to his majesty's government ' an eccle- 
 siastical establishment for the island of Ceylon.' By the next 
 
 * On his arrival in England, Dr. Buchanan found it unnecessary to publish 
 thi3 letter, the Inquisition at Goa having been abolished. 
 
300 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 despatch lie will send me, under cover to the Bishop of Lon- 
 don, copies of all the papers I wanted relating to the eccle- 
 siastical state of the island for the last two centuries. He has 
 agreed to support the translation of the scriptures into the Cin- 
 galese language. I resided wilh the honourable Mr. Twisleton, 
 whom I found well disposed to second all my views. Mr. 
 Heywood did more. I think he is disposed to be zealous as a 
 pastor to his people. I shall correspond, I hope, with both. 
 They are surprised at the Governor's full acquiescence in the 
 above important measures. I hope he will not retract. 
 
 " I received your letters for your brother, which I hope to 
 deliver into his hands. I am much obliged to you for your in- 
 troduction to him. 
 
 " The fleet is now under weigh for St. Helena. Farewell. 
 
 C. Buchanan. 
 
 " H. C. Charlton, Point de Galle, 
 " 14 March, 1808." 
 
 Here we also must for the present take our leave of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan ; and, while he is pursuing his homeward voyage, re- 
 sume our account of various events and circumstances con- 
 nected with his history, which occurred during the interval be- 
 tween the publication of his ecclesiastical memoir, and his re- 
 turn to this country. 
 
 ■ 
 
ffl tnxolvB ot the J&eb, 50r* Buchanan- 
 PART III. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of the events referred to at the close of the preceding divi- 
 sion of this narrative, the first in order of time relates to the 
 determination of the munificent prizes proposed by Dr. Bu- 
 chanan to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, in the 
 year 1805. It has been already stated, that the time assigned 
 for this purpose was the 4th of June, 1807 ; on which day, the 
 prize was adjudged at Oxford to the author of these memoirs. 
 At Cambridge some circumstances occurred which prevented 
 any decision upon the subject ; and which the following letter, 
 from the Vice-Chancellor of that university to Dr. Buchanan, 
 will sufficiently explain. 
 
 "Reverend Sir, — The sum of five hundred pounds proposed 
 by you for the best essay on ' The probable Design of divine 
 Providence in subjecting so large a portion of India to the 
 British Empire,' &c. was accepted by the university ; and Dr. 
 Milner, Dr. Jowett, and Dr. Outram, appointed to read the 
 compositions, and decide upon their respective merits. 
 
 " Of all that were sent in within the appointed time, not one 
 was deemed worthy of so magnificent a prize. Another came 
 a few days after the time, which was unanimously preferred 
 to all the rest ; and to which the, examiners would without the 
 least hesitation have adjudged the prize, but did not think 
 themselves authorized to do so, without your special permis- 
 sion, as one of the conditions, the presenting the composition 
 within such a time, had not been complied with. 
 
 " The author has since avowed himself to be the Rev. J. W. 
 Cunningham, M. A. of St. John's college. 
 
 "Dr. Pearce, Vice-Chancellor at the time when the ex- 
 aminers made their report, having heard that you were on 
 your passage to England, deferred writing, as he daily ex- 
 pected to have a personal interview with you : and thus has 
 devolved to me the office of communicating to you the thanks 
 
302 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 of the whole university for your very liberal offer, and their 
 regret that your design has not been completely carried into 
 execution. 
 
 44 Though I have not the honour of being known to you, 
 yet in admiration of your character as the munificent patron 
 and promoter of literature, 
 
 44 1 subscribe myself, with the greatest respect, your very 
 humble servant, Francis Barnes. 
 
 H St. Peter's College, Cambridge, 
 Jan. 19th, 1808." 
 
 It appears that Dr. Buchanan did not feel himself at liberty 
 to make any decision upon the point stated in the preceding 
 letter, and that the university was unwilling to resume the 
 official consideration of the subject. Dr. Buchanan, however, 
 offered to bear the expense of printing Mr. Cunningham's 
 work. 
 
 On the 10th of May and the 28th of June, 1807, two ser- 
 mons were preached before the university of Cambridge, by 
 the Rev. Francis Wrangham, of Trinity College, and the Rev. 
 John Dudley, of Clare Hall, pursuant to the proposal of Dr. 
 Buchanan in the preceding year, on the translation of the scrip- 
 tures into the oriental languages. Two discourses on the same 
 important subject were preached before the University of Ox- 
 ford, on the 8th and 29th of November following, by the Rev. 
 Dr. Barrow, of Queen's College, and the Rev. Edward Nares, 
 of Merton College. The two former of these sermons were 
 published in the course of the year 1807, and the two latter 
 early in 1808. All of them, with different degrees of ability 
 and eloquence, and by various considerations and arguments, 
 supported the duty and expediency of translating the sacred 
 records into the principal languages of the East ; and all 
 strenuously maintained the general obligation of this country 
 to attempt, by every wise and rational method, to promote the 
 knowledge of Christianity in India. But the authors of these 
 excellent discourses, like those of the first series of prize com- 
 positions, though a most able and efficient corps, formed the 
 advanced guard only, if the expression may be allowed, of the 
 main body which was now hastening to its support, and whose 
 united exertions were eventually crowned with the most grati- 
 fying and decisive success. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's memoir on the expediency of an ecclesias- 
 tical establishment for British India, produced, as might be ex- 
 pected, a considerable sensation on the public mind. The 
 subject was not only highly important, but it was new. The 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 303 
 
 world had, indeed, heard much of East Indian commerce, 
 policy, and conquests ; but of East Indian religion, little or 
 nothing. Now and then the name of a chaplain to the com- 
 pany had been mentioned, and, still more rarely, that of a mis- 
 sionary to the Hindoos. But, generally speaking, the whole 
 subject of the religion of India was little known, and still less 
 regarded. Its European population was presumed, without 
 thought or inquiry, to be sufficiently provided with the means 
 of christian instruction ; and as to the natives, they were con- 
 sidered as a race so completely separated from ourselves, arid 
 at the same time so religious and even moral in their own way, 
 that, with the exception of those who had heard something of 
 the Danish mission on the coast of Coromandel, the idea of con- 
 verting any considerable number of the Hindoos was either 
 treated as altogether unnecessary, and even unjust, or deemed 
 in the highest degree visionary and impracticable. The ad- 
 mirable writings of Sir William Jones had illustrated the his- 
 tory, the antiquities, and the laws of India, and had excited 
 some degree of literary and even political interest in favour of 
 its native inhabitants ; but the peculiarly christian consideration 
 of them and of their country was a topic which had hitherto 
 been but incidentally noticed. In this state of things, a work 
 like the memoir of Dr. Buchanan, exclusively devoted to this 
 momentous and unusual subject, and characterized by great 
 boldness, decision, and ability, might naturally be expected to 
 produce a powerful and various impression upon the public. 
 The more religious part of it hailed this production as present- 
 ing facts and arguments of a most important nature, and as 
 opening a boundless sphere of exertion to the newly-awakened 
 and expanding energies of christian benevolence and zeal ; 
 while others, and those a numerous and respectable class, con- 
 sidered it as at best a rash and unauthorized publication, and 
 even deprecated it as tending to excite dissatisfaction at home 
 and disturbance abroad. The growing extent and influence of 
 the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the anxiety which 
 it had evinced to promote the translation of the scriptures into 
 the oriental languages, added materially to the displeasure and 
 alarm of the persons last alluded to. 
 
 It was not long before sentiments and feelings of a hos- 
 tile nature were publicly avowed ; and it forms a very remark- 
 able coincidence of events in either hemisphere, that while 
 attempts were, as we have already seen, making at Calcutta 
 to arrest, or at least to impede, the progress of scriptural trans- 
 lation, and to restrain the efforts of christian missionaries, a 
 formidable attack was carrying on in this country, with a view 
 
304 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 to check the ardour which had been kindled in the minds of 
 multitudes in favour of both those great and interesting objects, 
 and to provoke authoritative interference of government to ex- 
 tinguish at once their hopes of effectually promoting them. 
 The attack in question originated in a pamphlet published in 
 the month of October, 1807, under the title of " A Letter to 
 the Chairman of the East India Company, on the danger of 
 interfering in the religious opinions of the natives of India, 
 and on the views of the British and Foreign Bible Society, as 
 directed to India." This pamphlet, though at first anonymous, 
 was shortly after avowed by Thomas Twining, Esq., a senior 
 merchant on the Bengal establishment; who announced it as 
 only the precursor of a motion, which he intended to bring 
 before the Court of East India Proprietors, for expelling from 
 Hindostan all the christian missionaries who were then labour- 
 ing in that extensive but neglected field ; and for preventing 
 the holy scriptures from being circulated in the languages of 
 the East. The alarm of this gentleman, which could excite so 
 formidable an intention, was no doubt genuine and extreme; 
 though, as it has been well observed, the changes which have 
 taken place since the date of his publication, both in the reli- 
 gious state of India, and in the opinion of the public at large, 
 respecting the propagation of Christianity in the East, give to 
 his distorted representations the air of irony and satire, rather 
 than of grave complaint and serious expostulation. Mr. Twi- 
 ning's pamphlet was chiefly composed of partial extracts from 
 the reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and from 
 Dr. Buchanan's memoir, which undoubtedly indicated the wish 
 and the design to promote the knowledge of the gospel through- 
 out the world, and, amongst other quarters, in which that 
 knowledge was particularly needed, throughout the British do- 
 minions in India. This laudable intention Mr. Twining inter- 
 preted as evidence of a strong disposition to interfere, in some 
 violent and unwarrantable method, with the religious opinions 
 of the native inhabitants, and as exposing our eastern posses- 
 sions to the most imminent and unprecedented danger. 
 
 With respect to the share of the British and Foreign Bible 
 Society in this extraordinary charge, it is only necessary to 
 refer to the able reply published by the Rev. Mr. Owen, in 
 the month of December following, and to that part of his his- 
 tory of the society which relates to this controversy. 
 
 The attack of Mr. Twining upon Dr. Buchanan was founded 
 partly upon some passages in his memoir, in which he dis- 
 cusses, in the most calm and benevolent manner, the duty, the 
 practicability, and the advantages of endeavouring to promote 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 305 
 
 Christianity in India ; and partly upon the misconstruction of 
 one sentence, in which the acute sensibility of the former gen- 
 tleman led him to imagine that Dr. Buchanan, in expressing 
 his opinion as to the expediency of coercing the contemptuous 
 spirit of the Mohammedans, was desirous of exercising some 
 species of compulsion with respect to the religious sentiments 
 of our native subjects in general. The term thus used by 
 Dr. Buchanan may perhaps be considered as unfortunate, and 
 he himself, on being informed of the perversion which it had 
 suffered, omitted it in a subsequent edition of his memoir ; but 
 even as it originally stood, no one, who had read that publica- 
 tion with common attention and candour, could so far mistake 
 the whole object of the writer as to suppose him guilty of the^ 
 absurdity of recommending that the natives of India should be 
 converted to the christian faith by force. 
 
 Notwithstanding the vague and unsatisfactory nature of this 
 attempt to arrest the progress of Christianity in India, there 
 were not a few who, from the respectability of the quarter 
 from which it issued, from ignorance or misconception of the 
 subject, from mistaken views of worldly policy, from the want 
 of any lively sense of the infinite value of the gospel, and from 
 a morbid dread of every thing which was pronounced by per- 
 sons affecting local knowledge, as likely to endanger the 
 security of our eastern empire, were disposed to favour and 
 support it. 
 
 The prejudice and alarm which began to be excited by Mr. 
 Twining's pamphlet were increased by the publication of one, 
 and subsequently of a second, by Major Scott Waring, who 
 inveighed with even greater warmth and violence against the 
 Bible Society, the missionaries in Bengal, and the memoir of 
 Dr. Buchanan; and, in addition to the misrepresentation of his 
 sentiments, which has been just referred to, discovered in his 
 benevolent recommendation of adopting destitute Hindoo chil- 
 dren, with a view to their education in christian principles, an- 
 other proof of his wish to introduce a system of compulsion 
 in India ! 
 
 But the exertions of the friends of religion were successful 
 in checking the rising spirit of jealousy and opposition occa- 
 sioned by these publications ; so that on the 23d of December, 
 when the Court of Proprietors met at the India House, Mr. 
 Twining found so little encouragement to propose his threat- 
 ened motion, that he withdrew it, and the Court, in conse- 
 quence, adjourned. 
 
 The important controversy, however, which had been thus 
 begun, did not terminate here. Early in the year 1808, it 
 
 cc2 
 
306 MEMOIRS OF DR. BtTCHANAff, 
 
 was renewed by the publication of a pamphlet entitled, a 
 " Vindication of the Hindoos from the aspersions of the Rev. 
 C. Buchanan, M. A., with a refutation of his arguments for an 
 Ecclesiastical Establishment in British India. By a Bengal 
 Officer. " This extraordinary publication was distinguished 
 by the bold avowal that the Hindoo system little needs the 
 ameliorating hand of the christian dispensation to render its 
 votaries a sufficiently correct and moral people, for all the use- 
 ful purposes of civilized society. Its military author, there- 
 fore, endeavoured strongly to maintain the excellence of the 
 moral and religious doctrines of the Hindoos, and of the moral 
 character of the Hindoos themselves. With much pretension, 
 however, to local knowledge, he, in fact, betrayed much local 
 ignorance, and with some partial information as to the specula- 
 tive system of the Brahminical religion and morals, great dis- 
 regard to its practical influence, and total deficiency in all large 
 and general reasonings. 
 
 The " Bengal Officer," like his predecessors in this war- 
 fare, dealt much in general abuse of Dr. Buchanan's statements 
 in his memoir, but adduced no one definite proof of their in- 
 correctness. And here it may be right to observe that, while 
 a few expressions in that work relative to the apparent absence 
 of religious views and feelings in the Europeans, generally, 
 resident in India, might be considered as somewhat too strong- 
 ly and indiscriminately hazarded, no well-grounded objection 
 to his representations upon any point connected with his main 
 argument, was ever substantiated. So convinced was Dr. Bu- 
 chanan himself of his correctness and integrity as to the state- 
 ments contained in his memoir, that in a note to his letter to 
 the Court of Directors from Calcutta, in December, 1807, 
 which has been already mentioned, he ventured to make the 
 following appeal upon this subject : 
 
 " The Memoir of the expediency of an Ecclesiastical Esta- 
 blishment for British India has now been in the hands of our 
 Indian governments for a year and a half, and I have not heard 
 that any one fact or deduction contained in that volume has 
 been disputed or disproved ; which, in this country, where the 
 merits of such a work can be best understood, and where only 
 just information of the local circumstances therein detailed ca,n 
 be obtained, and where, moreover, there are fourteen weekly 
 publications to animadvert on that information, may be consi- 
 dered as some testimony to its general accuracy, as well as 
 some acknowledgment of the necessity of the great measure 
 therein proposed." 
 
 The labours of the friends and advocates of diffusing chris- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 307 
 
 tian knowledge in India, more than kept pace with those of its 
 adversaries. Amongst others, the venerable Bishop Porteus,* 
 wrote some remarks on Mr. Twining' s pamphlet, which were 
 published anonymously, and which, in a strain of animated 
 and well-directed irony, defended the measures of the British 
 and Foreign Bible Society, and what his lordship termed " Dr. 
 Buchanan's invaluable memoir." 
 
 Early in the spring appeared Mr. Cunningham's " Essay on 
 the duty, means, and consequences of introducing the christian 
 religion among the native inhabitants of the British dominions 
 in the East;" forming a part of the work which he had sub- 
 mitted to the University of Cambridge, as a candidate for Dr. 
 Buchanan's prize. The main argument of this able and ela-. 
 borate publication was founded upon the malignant and perni- 
 cious nature of the Hindoo superstition ; which was here so 
 completely developed, as not only to form a decisive answer 
 to the statements of such writers as the Bengal Officer, but to 
 prove the obligation of Great Britain to communicate that di- 
 vine system of faith and morals, by which alone the civil and 
 religious character of the natives of India can be effectually 
 improved. 
 
 Mr. Cunningham's essay was followed by the prize disser- 
 tation of the author of these memoirs ; of which he will only 
 observe, that he will ever esteem it one of the chief privileges 
 and blessings of his life to have contributed, in whatever de- 
 gree, to the accomplishment of the great end which the ad- 
 mirable proposer of the subject had in view ; the infinite im- 
 portance of which is confirmed by every year's experience, 
 and cannot fail ere long to be universally acknowledged. 
 
 One other work remains to be mentioned of singular excel- 
 lence and authority ; and of which it has been justly remarked, 
 that had it appeared in an earlier stage of the controversy, it 
 would have superseded every other. This was the production 
 of Lord Teignmouth ; who, together with the principles of 
 christian piety and benevolence, brought to the consideration 
 of the weighty subject in question the correct and extensive 
 local knowledge and the practical wisdom and experience 
 which were the result of the high stations he had occupied in 
 India. The temperate and dignified manner in which his 
 lordship discussed the various topics connected with the con- 
 troversy before us, deserve the highest admiration ; nor is it 
 too much to assert, that his " considerations on the practica- 
 bility, policy, and obligation of communicating to the natives 
 
 * See Owen's History of the British and Foreign Bible Society, vol. i. p. 350. 
 
308 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 of India the knowledge of Christianity," were not only con- 
 clusive of the temporary contest in which they appeared, but 
 will remain a standing testimony to the duty of a christian na- 
 tion towards its ignorant and unconverted subjects. 
 
 It would be unjust to close this brief enumeration of the prin- 
 cipal writers in this controversy, without mentioning the emi- 
 nent services of one periodical publication, distinguished by 
 the zeal and ability with which it originally embraced and 
 steadily supported the great cause of Christianity in India. It 
 is scarcely necessary to add the name of " the Christian Ob- 
 server;" which, whether in the examination of the produc- 
 tions on either side of the question, or in original communica- 
 tions, may justly claim a very considerable share of the praise 
 which belongs to its successful termination. 
 
 Thus, as in the instance of the rising opposition at Calcutta, 
 the storm which threatened to overwhelm the efforts of chris- 
 tian benevolence in this country to diffuse the knowledge of 
 the gospel in the East, was quickly dispersed ; and the advo- 
 cates of this important and salutary measure were for the pre- 
 sent permitted to pursue their peaceful and charitable course 
 without farther interruption or disturbance.* 
 
 *The following interesting statements in relation to the subject of ihis chap- 
 ter, are from a sketch of the life of Lord Teignmouth, in the Christian Observer 
 for May, 1834. 
 
 "Many years before the general discussion of the question of unbarring In- 
 dia to christian light at the renewal of the Company's Charter, his lordship 
 and his friends were zealously endeavouring to prepare the way, in private 
 and official intercourse, for that great consummation ; but it was not till the 
 year 1808 that he was known to have come forward as an author upon the 
 subject; and, even then, his publication was anonymous, under the title of 
 1 Considerations on the Practicability, Policy, and Obligation of communicating 
 to the Natives of India the Knowledge of Christianity, with Observations on 
 the Prefatory Remarks of Major Scott Waring ; by a late Resident in Bengal.' 
 We have it in our power, however, to show, that even two years before the 
 publication of this pamphlet, his mind was actively at work upon the question, 
 by informing our readers of one of our literary secrets, — that it was his lordship 
 who w 7 rote the Review in the Christian Observer, in 1806, of Dr. Buchanan's 
 1 Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India, both as a 
 Means of perpetuating the Christian Religion among our own Countrymen, and 
 a9 a Foundation for the ultimate Civilization of the Natives.' His lordship 
 thought, indeed, that Dr. Buchanan had advanced somewhat beyond the bounds 
 of prudence and practicability ; and few persons were there at that time — not, 
 we believe, even Mr. Wilberforceor Mr. Grant — who did not feel some hesita- 
 tion respecting the large plans of Dr. Buchanan; and, even Dr. Buchanan 
 himself, the Luther of India, whose zealous writings and unwearied personal 
 exertions, added to his munificent premiums for publications upon this momen- 
 tous question, did more to enlighten and stimulate the public mind than the la- 
 bours of any other individual, did not venture to adopt on his title-page a 
 stronger word than » civilization,' as applied to the natives of India. The idea 
 of * conversion' would have been accounted insanity. Looking back, there- 
 fore, at the circumstances of the times, and considering Lord Teignmouth's 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 309 
 
 While the controversy, of which a brief view has been 
 given, was thus carrying on, the person, whose zeal and ac- 
 tivity had principally given occasion to it, was quietly pursu- 
 ing his voyage from India to his native country. Of the in- 
 cidents which occurred during the five months which inter- 
 vened between Dr. Buchanan's departure from Point de Galle 
 in Ceylon to his arrival in England about the middle of August, 
 no memorial appears to have been preserved. The following 
 extracts from letters to several of his friends, though they fail 
 in expressing his emotions on revisiting his native shores, 
 after an absence of twelve years, during which he had been 
 employed in so important and honourable a manner, and had 
 experienced such vicissitudes of joy and sorrow, of repose and 
 toil, of gratification and trial, will yet afford some notices of his 
 proceedings. They will serve also to show his filial affection, 
 his wish for retirement, yet his desire of usefulness as a min- 
 ister of the gospel, and his lively interest in the progress of 
 true religion in this country. 
 
 official habits, his characteristic caution, his serious responsiblity, and his prac- 
 tical knowledge of the obstacles to be surmounted, we are far from being sur- 
 prised that he thought some of Dr. Buchanan's statements over-sanguine : on 
 the contrary, we are rather inclined to express our admiration and gratitude 
 that his lordship was so far in advance of most of his oriental contemporaries, 
 even including men of undoubted piety and zeal, as to have penned the senti- 
 ments contained in that review. At that period not only was India almost her- 
 metically sealed against christian missionaries, but even the circulation of the 
 holy scriptures, without note or comment, was opposed by the Indian govern- 
 ment, both at home and abroad, as a proceeding which involved great danger; 
 and as to sending out a bishop to Calcutta, such a step, it was urged, would 
 cause a general revolt of the natives, and end in a deluge of bloud, and in our 
 certain expulsion from the country. We may look back upon these astounding 
 predictions, after more than a quarter of a century, without dismay ; but, at the 
 time they were uttered, they created strong impressions of alarm. Vet, tri- 
 umphing over the general prejudice which then prevailed, especially among 
 gentlemen who had passed much of their lives in the East, we find our respect- 
 ed correspondent and co-adjutor expressing his extreme anxiety for a ' suffi- 
 cient' ecclesiastical establishment in India; hoping that it would be 'speedily 
 and effectually supplied ;' contending for the wisdom, duty, and safety of that 
 great experiment, combating the vague apprehensions which were afloat, and 
 fully concurring with Dr. Buchanan, not only in that part of his proposition 
 which related to the European population, but also as to 4 the practicability of 
 civilizing the Hindoos, by instructing them in the truths of Christianity, and the 
 undeniable policy of the attempt.' His lordship, in that review, expressed 
 strongly his opinion, that nothing will ever i improve the morals' of the people 
 of India but • the principles of the christian religion.' " 
 
310 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 His first visit, on his arrival in London, was to the house of 
 Mr. Newton; " but judge, " said lie, to one of his correspon- 
 dents, " what were my feelings, when I was informed that my 
 venerable friend had entered into rest some months before. I 
 next proceeded to CadelTs, expecting to have had the ' Chris- 
 tian Institution' put into my hands ; but here also I was dis- 
 appointed." 
 
 Thus deprived of two of the principal objects of his imme- 
 diate attention, Dr. Buchanan turned to others of a more private 
 and domestic nature. 
 
 " London, 20th August, 1808. 
 
 " I arrived here two days ago, and was happy to hear that 
 you and your family were well. I go down to North wold in 
 a day or two, whence I shall proceed to Scotland to see my 
 aged mother; and on my return I hope to pay you a visit in 
 Cornwall. 
 
 " I have enjoyed good health on board ship. I have no 
 thoughts of ever returning to India again. My wish is, to take 
 a cure of souls, and to grow old preaching the gospel ; and I 
 look out for retirement. The chairman and his deputy were 
 desirous that I should conciliate the directors, by waiting on 
 them individually in the usual manner. I have accordingly 
 paid my respects to them all. It seems, that on Wednesday 
 next there is to be a grand discussion on Indian missions. Lord 
 Minto has sent home my letter to him, to the court, and this 
 is the subject which calls for its attention on Wednesday. 
 
 " In the mean time I dismiss it from my mind altogether, 
 being careless of the result, as it affects myself. I read no 
 pamphlets, and scarcely know what has been doing. Nor do 
 I wish to know any thing, till I have seen my family in Eng- 
 land and Scotland, and have enjoyed for a time their tranquil 
 society," 
 
 "Northwold, Norfolk, 30th Aug. 1808. 
 
 " I received your letter as I was leaving London. Your 
 affectionate expressions well accord with your long proved 
 kindness to me and my family. It would indeed give me a 
 sincere delight to visit you at this time with my two little 
 girls ; but I have not lived with my mother these twenty 
 years, a fortnight excepted. I have a long arrear of filial affec- 
 tion and personal attention to bring up, and must first fulfil this 
 duty. 
 
 " I shall probably stay over the winter in Scotland. There 
 is an Episcopal church in the vicinity of my mother's house, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 311 
 
 where I may exercise my ministry, and where I may possibly 
 remain, if 1 should find my labours useful. 
 
 11 Charlotte and Augusta are so much grown, that I should 
 scarcely have known them. The natural feelings of children 
 to a father, and of a father to his children, have been displayed 
 in a remarkable manner in many instances, and with such 
 powerful sympathy, as has been delightful even to the be- 
 holders." 
 
 " Stamford, 12th Sept. 1808. 
 
 11 Much more good has been done by the proposition of the 
 literary prizes than I ever expected. 
 
 " Wherever I go, some commotion prevails ; a conflict be- - 
 tween light and darkness, which was not known when I left 
 England twelve years ago." 
 
 " Glasgow, 28th Sept. 1808. 
 
 " We arrived here on the 20th instant, and found my mother 
 and family in fine health, both in body and spirit. We stopped 
 on Sunday at Stamford, on Wednesday at York, and on Sun- 
 day at Carlisle. The Dean of Carlisle, with whom we dined, 
 lifted up his voice against the races for the first time. He had 
 long been oppressed in spirit on the subject; and he devoted 
 his last day of preaching this season to the consideration of it. 
 The cathedral was crowded, and he preached the word with 
 great energy and eloquence. 
 
 " Mr. S has written to me, hoping I am not offended at 
 
 his interfering with the publication of the book. I have an- 
 swered, that on the contrary I consider his and Mr. G 's 
 
 interference as the act of christian friends ; that I doubt not 
 they acted for the best, according to their judgment ; but that 
 I can form no opinion on the subject myself, as I have not yet 
 read the publications of the controversy." 
 
 When the attachment of Dr. Buchanan to the plan developed 
 in the work just alluded to is considered, his acquiescence in 
 the judgment of his friends affords a striking proof of his diffi- 
 dence and humility. 
 
 " On Sunday last," Dr. Buchanan again writes from Glas- 
 gow, " I preached in the English church here to a crowded 
 auditory. The Presbyterians come to hear, notwithstanding 
 the organ. Both in England and Scotland a more tolerant 
 spirit seems to pervade the different sects than formerly. 
 
 "In a few days I propose to leave Scotland, and to proceed 
 with my little girls to Bristol. If I stay any longer at Glas- 
 gow, I fear I shall never get away." 
 
312 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan arrived at Bristol on the 21st of November, 
 and on the 25th gave the following account of his journey from 
 the North. 
 
 11 I returned from Scotland by the way of Newcastle and 
 Durham, after passing a week at Edinburgh. 1 was frequently 
 
 with Professor , with whom I discussed the Edinburgh 
 
 Review, which I told him was denominated in the middle 
 counties of England, 4 The Northern Blast.' He assured me 
 that he had now nothing to do with that work, directly or in- 
 directly ; and seemed to lament that it was conducted with so 
 little judgment. I asked him whether it was too late to re- 
 trieve its character ; I was anxious for the fame of my coun- 
 trymen ; the bishop of Durham had already renounced it, and 
 his example would soon be followed by others. The re- 
 viewers observed in defence, that most of the obnoxious articles 
 
 have come from England. told me that it was with the 
 
 greatest reluctance the editor admitted the Review on Indian 
 missions, and that he wrote a long note in qualification of the 
 text. 
 
 11 I passed two days at Bishop's Auckland. The bishop 
 entered into various subjects of religion and literature with 
 great spirit. He told me it was true he had forbidden the 
 Edinburgh Review to lie on his table. He did not think it 
 right to sanction a work which had so grossly insulted re- 
 ligion. Some other gentlemen had expelled it on the same 
 ground. 
 
 " I took an opportunity of mentioning to his lordship, when 
 he was asking what appeared strange to me after a twelve years 
 absence, that I thought the bishops seemed to have too little 
 correspondence with each other on the interests of religion ; 
 that they were like twenty-four insulated kings or barons in 
 their castles, while the enemy were scouring the plains, and 
 did not sufficiently encourage men of learning and piety to 
 come near them, and offer their counsel on subjects connected 
 with the church at home and abroad. 
 
 "I visited Mr. Cecil yesterday, who is close by me 
 
 here. He is much better, and is very anxious that I should 
 write the life of Swartz. I was happy to hear him talk with 
 such spirit." 
 
 For the various excellencies of the eminent minister of 
 Christ, whose name occurs in the preceding sentence, and who 
 was then near the close of his earthly career, the author of 
 these memoirs gladly seizes the opportunity of testifying his 
 affectionate veneration. In a subsequent letter Dr. Buchanan 
 adds another brief notice of this admirable man : 
 
MEMOIRS OP DR. BUCHANAN. 313 
 
 14 Notwithstanding his weakness, he seems to feel a singular 
 pleasure in hearing me talk on oriental subjects, and the diffu- 
 sion of the gospel generally. It seems he once preached a 
 sermon* which led him to some inquiry on these subjects ; for 
 most people, I perceive, know little about them. 
 
 44 You notice the spirit so hostile to you among your rela- 
 tions. If it be merely on account of the gospel, there is 
 nothing more to be said or thought of it than this, k That the 
 reproach of Christ is great riches; and that to you it is given 
 not only to believe, but to suffer for his sake.' 
 
 44 I have been called to preach a charity sermon for the Bris- 
 tol Infirmary. And they now wish me to preach the annual 
 sermon at Mr. Biddulph's church, for 4 Missions to Africa and 
 the East.' They think more highly of me than they ought to ' 
 think ; but, being now somewhat of a public character, my tes- 
 timony is acceptable. But my chief employment is at St. 
 Mary Redcliffe. 
 
 44 1 have no thoughts of going to India. There is no pecu- 
 liar sphere of usefulness for me there ; nor is it probable that 
 any will offer. As for my place of residence for the remain- 
 ing years of my life, I have no partiality. I care not where I 
 live or go. It sufficeth that I am employed for the present." 
 
 In the course of the autumn in this year, Dr. Buchanan re- 
 ceived two letters from his friend, Mr. Brown, dated about two 
 months after his own departure from India ; the following ex- 
 tracts from which are strongly expressive of that excellent 
 man's esteem for his late valuable colleague : 
 
 44 1 begin/' he says, 44 with acknowledging the receipt of all 
 your lexers from Columbo, Cochin, Tellicherry, Goa, Bom- 
 bay, and, lastly, from Point de Galle. The news all good. 
 Your journey prosperous, and promising the best fruits. 
 
 44 Well ! you have fought your fight, and finished with the 
 Archbishop of Goa, and are gone. May peace and safety 
 attend all your paths ; and may the providence of God pre- 
 serve you to embrace your children, and to do good in the 
 world ! 
 
 44 1 have the best accounts of Martyn, Sabat, and Mirza. 
 The Persian and Hindostanee are both ready. You will see 
 we want a press for Martyn. 
 
 44 1 send you a copy of the archbishop's letter. No name 
 was upon it. The inscription on the cover was 4 The Vice- 
 Provost,' and it was brought to me. 
 
 * This was Mr. Cecil's able and impressive sermon before the Church Mis- 
 ■sionary Society, in the year 1803. 
 
 Dd 
 
314 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 14 Since you left me, war has been in all my gates. But I 
 have nothing to lose ; neither fame nor money. Let them 
 burn me, if they please. I shall make as good a fire as Brah- 
 min women ; two of whom were burnt last week near us ; one 
 before my eyes. I get disgusted and indignant on these occa- 
 sions, and am always weighed down for some days after wit- 
 nessing such horrible sacrifices to Moloch. Surely the 
 4 Christian Institution' will demolish this most diabolical reli- 
 gion. 
 
 44 1 now send you two copies of Lord Minto's college speech. 
 Mr. Harrington, to whom I had sent the report of the Chinese 
 examination, took it to his lordship. He doubted at first whe- 
 ther all this was real. To be certain, he sent Dr. Leyden to 
 me, to whom the whole was rehearsed, and who gave 4 con- 
 firmation strong' to the report. Lord M. made several inqui- 
 ries of me, and seemed pleased with what had been done. 
 
 44 While I am writing I have received a long account of the 
 
 particulars of 's death, from his son. His end was most 
 
 blessed. The victory was complete. He was surprised to be 
 told he was dying, but it did not discompose him for a mo- 
 ment. His language was, 4 Whom have I in heaven but thee V 
 He broke out in Dr. Watts' translation of these words, which 
 were his last. I shall find, a week or two hence some inter- 
 esting things to say in a funeral sermon, which 1 am requested 
 to preach, and should have preached, if not requested; for 
 these are our best occasions for working on the dead mass, and 
 you were always diligent to improve them. 
 
 44 1 used to think you would make some improvement of my 
 death. It must now be left to Limrick. Let him say, Alas ! 
 my brother, and I shall be satisfied. I have been a brother to 
 him, and am yet, and shall be when I die, if I die before 
 him. I shall have something to add, perhaps, but I say here, 
 yours, affectionately, D. Brown." 
 
 The letter to which Mr. Brown refers in the preceding ex- 
 tract was from the Archbishop of Canterbury ; and it is here 
 added, as a proof of his grace's approbation of the important 
 measure which it was the great object of Dr. Buchanan's Ec- 
 clesiastical Memoir to recommend, and of his anxiety to pro- 
 mote its accomplishment. 
 
 " Lambeth Palace, Oct. 3d, 1807. 
 44 Reverend Sir, — When I look back on the date which the 
 manuscript transmitted through your means, from the college 
 of Fort William, to the archiepiscopal library at Lambeth, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 315 
 
 bears upon its earliest pages, I am fearful lest I should appear 
 to yourself, and to those with whom you are connected, insen- 
 sible to the value of this splendid gift, or strangely negligent 
 of common courtesy. At the time it arrived, I was anxiously 
 employed in communicating with those, as well in office as 
 out of office, who were best acquainted with the wants of the 
 Protestant Church in British India, and best able to supply 
 them. If, in my answer to your letter, written in the first 
 pages of the Koran, I could have reported some progress in 
 the great work of regulating the church in India, I should have 
 felt that in fulfilling my duty I had made the best return in my 
 power for the munificence I had experienced from you. Un- 
 der this expectation, I have been led imperceptibly to a longer/ 
 silence than ought to have been permitted ; and I am now 
 obliged to break it, without making that report, which would 
 have been its best apology. Nevertheless, sir, I will not de- 
 spair of ultimate success. The object we have in view is a 
 reasonable object, and must not be lightly abandoned. It is 
 not the spirit of making proselytes by which we are actuated, 
 but the sober wish to maintain, in its purity and strength, Chris- 
 tianity among christians. If it shall please God, through these 
 means, the best, I had almost said the only means, in the hands 
 of man, to spread the blessings of Christianity, it is a result 
 devoutly to be wished, but not impatiently pursued. Expe- 
 rience may have taught us that they are blessings that will not 
 bear to be crudely and prematurely obtruded ; they must be 
 left to grow at their ease, and to ripen out of the character, 
 and discipline, and doctrine of that church which is planted in 
 India, and which is necessarily the object of daily and curious 
 observation. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, reverend sir, your faithful, humble 
 servant, C. Cantuar." 
 
 The speech of Lord Minto, copies of which Mr. Brown 
 mentions that he had transmitted to Dr. Buchanan, was that 
 which his lordship delivered on the 21st of February, 1808, 
 after the annual disputations in the college of Fort William ; 
 and in which, amidst his testimony to the progress of oriental 
 literature in that institution, he took occasion to advert in terms 
 of high praise to the proficiency in the Chinese language of 
 the missionaries at Serampore, which must have been pecu- 
 liarly gratifying to Dr. Buchanan, as the early friend of that 
 most important pursuit. 
 
 " I must not," said his lordship, " omit to commend the 
 zealous and persevering labours of Mr. Lassar, and of those 
 
316 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 learned and pious persons associated with him, who have ac- 
 complished for the future benefit, we may hope, of that im- 
 mense and populous region, Chinese versions, in the Chinese 
 character, of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke; 
 throwing open that precious mine, with all its religious and 
 moral treasures, to the largest associated population in the 
 world." 
 
 To this liberal and enlightened tribute of applause to the 
 importance of the Chinese translation of the scriptures, Mr. 
 Brown, in the second of his letters to Dr. Buchanan, added 
 the gratifying and unexpected intelligence, that Lord Minto 
 supported the translations, generally, and had subscribed to 
 some of the works then carrying on at the Serampore press. 
 
 The following extract from one of Dr. Buchanan's letters to 
 a friend, in January, 1809, on the dangerous illness of a near 
 relative, as well as the tenor of the concluding remarks, shows 
 the prevailing piety of his mind : 
 
 "I sincerely sympathize with you on this affliction; but the 
 excellent accounts you give of her spiritual state must be your 
 chief consolation. Happy for her that her affliction hath been 
 sanctified ! Whatever be the event, there is great room for 
 praise and thanksgiving. I feel this the more from having 
 just heard that a beautiful young lady, of good family and 
 great fortune, has finished her course at the Wells here, and 
 died without a ray of hope. Blessed, then, is your family, 
 which hath ' this hope,' in the midst of a perverse generation. 
 May it be your hope unto the end ! 
 
 " All is well in India : only Bonaparte is expected. And, if 
 the news of this day be true, he may be expected. But 'the 
 Lord reigneth, be the earth never so unquiet.' I behold the 
 tumult of the present scene with much tranquillity. But we 
 
 must be in the circumstances in which Miss now is, to be 
 
 able to view it aright, and to see the utter insignificance of 
 things temporal, when weighed in the scale with things 
 eternal." 
 
 In a letter to Mr. Brown, about the same time, the following 
 passages occur: 
 
 "People imagine that I am meditating war. Nothing is 
 farther from my thoughts. I am, at present, reading the Bible, 
 and studying some subjects for sermons to poor people. 
 
 " I stand remote from the world. I do not even know 
 whether the Court of Directors pays my furlough allowance. 
 But on this, and other subjects, I shall be able to say more 
 after I have been a year in the country. 
 
 "The Chinese printing" (which had been sent to him by 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 317 
 
 Mr. Brown) " is very admirable. You are cheaper, too, than I 
 was, when I gave four annas for every character. 
 
 " The arrival of Mr. Thompson will brighten your prospects. 
 I told Mrs. M. her prayers would bring good men. 
 
 " Mr. B., here, is a most useful evangelist. I shall enclose 
 to you an account of the death of his daughter, aged fourteen. 
 He lost four children in a year, and preached nobly to the 
 hearts of his large congregation during the whole period. So 
 you see good men have their trials on the banks of the Severn, 
 as well as on the Ganges. 
 
 " You will regret to hear that Henry Kirk White was first 
 proposed to Mr. Thornton," (meaning for his own benefaction 
 to some student at the University,) " and," for reasons which 
 do not appear, "was rejected." 
 
 On the 26th of February Dr. Buchanan preached his sermon 
 entitled " The Star in the East," at the parish church of St. 
 James, Bristol, for the benefit of the Church Missionary So- 
 ciety. This was the first of that series of able and well- 
 directed efforts by which its excellent author, in pursuance of 
 the resolution he had formed in India, endeavoured to cherish 
 and extend the interest he had already excited for the promo- 
 tion of Christianity in the east. The object of this sermon 
 was to detail some of the more prominent proofs that " the 
 day" had at length begun to " dawn," and " the day-star to 
 arise," on the benighted inhabitants of Asia ; and its peculiar 
 excellence consisted in the strength and simplicity with which 
 these evidences were exhibited. 
 
 After stating the labours and the success of the Church of 
 Rome, and of the Protestant missionaries, more particularly 
 of the venerable Swartz, Dr. Buchanan introduced the highly 
 interesting account of the martyrdom of Abdallah, and the 
 conversion of Sabat ; which can never be read without the 
 deepest emotions of admiration and pity. 
 
 The subsequent apostacy of Sabat from the faith which he 
 once oppeared to have so cordially embraced, while it affords 
 a lamentable proof of the depravity of the human heart, does 
 not, in the slightest degree, affect either the truth of the narra- 
 tive, or the object to which it was applied, of illustrating the 
 divine efficacy of the gospel. That will still remain the same, 
 whether the unhappy apostate should, as there seems to be 
 some faint reason to hope,* once more be "renewed to repent- 
 
 * In a letter published in the Asiatic Journal for January last, from a Prince 
 of Wales' Island Gazette, this wretched man refers to Dr. Buchanan's account 
 of him in the "Star in the East," and affirms that he has never ceased to be- 
 lieve the truth of the christian religion. 
 
 Dd2 
 
318 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ance," or become the final victim of impenitence and unbelief. 
 Nor ought the deplorable defection of this once promising con- 
 vert to be adduced as any proof of the want of judgment or 
 penetration in Dr. Buchanan, and others,* who, in common 
 with him, trusted to the fair appearance and the striking evi- 
 dences of sincerity which this learned, but deluded, Arabian 
 manifested during several years ; though it may, and undoubt- 
 edly ought to, teach a lesson, both of caution to the christian 
 minister, and of humility and self-distrust to the professed 
 convert, not only in the East, but in every quarter of the 
 world.! 
 
 * Particularly the late Rev. Henry Martyn. 
 
 t Whether the faint hope above expressed, respecting Sabat, has ever been 
 realized can only be known by the revelations of a future day, when the se- 
 crets of all hearts shall be disclosed. The following particulars of his subse- 
 quent career have been related by Colonel Maclnnes, a British officer, and 
 appear in an appendix to a French translation of Martyn's life, published at 
 Geneva : 
 
 "< I became personally acquainted with Sabat at Penang, a little after his 
 public abjuration of Christianity at Bengal. This deplorable act was followed 
 by an unsuccessful trading voyage to Rangoon, after which he re-appeared at 
 Penang, with the wreck of his fortune, in hope of better success. 
 
 " ' During his stay in this island, I had the opportunity of knowing him tho- 
 roughly. I saw in him a disappointed man, uneasy and agitated in his mind. 
 He attributed all the distress of his soul to the grief he felt for having aban- 
 doned Christianity. He desired to receive again this holy religion, as the only 
 means of reconciling himself with God. He declared that he had not had a 
 moment's peace since (at the instigation of Satan) he had published his attack 
 upon Revelation, an attack which he called his ' bad icorfr.' He told me, also, 
 that what had led him to this fatal step, was the desire of revenging himself 
 upon an individual to whom he thought an attack upon Christianity would be 
 more painful than any personal injury: but he had no sooner executed this de- 
 testable project (he added) than he fell a horror of the action, and now he only 
 valued his life that he might be able to undo the pernicious tendency of his 
 book, which he thought would be great in Mahometan countries. He never 
 spoke of Mr. Martvn without the most profound respect, and shed tears of grief 
 whenever he recalled how severely he had tried the patience of this faithful 
 servant of God. He mentioned several anecdotes to show with what extraoi-- 
 dinary sweetness Martyn had borne his numerous provocations. ' He was less 
 a man (he said) than an angel from heaven.' His apostacy had excited much 
 observation in the East.' " 
 
 •' ■ During his stay at Penang, this island was visited by a Malay prince, 
 Jouhuroolalim, king of the neighbouring state of Acheen, (in the island of Su- 
 matra,) from whence a revolt of his subjects had obliged him suddenly to flee/' 
 - Sabat offered his services to Jouhuroolalim, with no other end, as he assured 
 me, than to discover and profit by any favourable opportunity that should offer 
 of introducing Christianity amongst the Acheenois, a nation which is particu- 
 larly intractable and ferocious, and many of whom were cannibals. The im- 
 posing and even engaging manners which he could assume, his reputation as a 
 man of talents, and the high esteem which the Indian nations have for Arabian 
 auxiliaries, on account of their courage and intrepidity, procured him a favour- 
 able reception from Jouhuroolalim, in a moment when adversity had estranged 
 from him all his European favourites. Sabat accompanied this prince to 
 Acheen, where he soon gained such an ascendency as to manage all public 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 319 
 
 The conclusion, however, which was drawn by Dr. Bu- 
 chanan from the various facts he had enumerated, and which 
 he afterwards strengthend by some other encouraging consider- 
 ations, was sufficiently established, that the time for diffusing 
 Christianity in the East was come. The remainder, therefore, 
 of this interesting discourse was occupied with an earnest and 
 persuasive appeal to his hearers on the duty of cordially sup- 
 porting this important measure ; which is so appropriate to 
 every period, and contains so valuable a testimony to the na- 
 ture and necessity of spiritual religion, that it can scarcely be 
 deemed irrelevant to introduce a part of it in this place : 
 
 44 Behold, then, my brethren, the great undertaking for the 
 promotion of which you are now assembled. If it were in the' 
 power of this assembly to diffuse the blessings of religion over 
 the whole world, would it not be done? Would not all nations 
 be blessed ? You perceive that some take a lively interest in 
 this subject, while others are less concerned. What is the 
 reason of this difference ? It is this : every man who hath felt 
 the influence of religion on his own heart will desire to extend 
 the blessing to the rest of mankind : whereas he who hath 
 lived without concern about the gospel of Christ will not be 
 solicitous to communicate to others a gift which he values not 
 himself. At the same time, perhaps, he is not willing to be 
 thought hostile to the work. But there is no neutrality here. 
 4 He that is not with Christ,' in maintaining his kingdom on 
 earth, 4 is against him.' Every one of us is now acting a part 
 in regard to this matter, for which he must give an account 
 hereafter. There is no one, however peculiar he may reckon 
 his situation or circumstances, who is exempted from this re- 
 sponsibility. 
 
 44 Begin then at this time the solemn inquiry, not merely 
 into the general truth of Christ's religion, but into its divine 
 and converting power. You observe that in this discourse I 
 have distinguished between the name of Christianity and the 
 thing. For it seems there are some persons in this country, 
 who, having departed from the principles of our reformation, 
 admit the existence of of the Spirit of God, yet deny his in- 
 
 affiirs, and was regarded by his adversaries as the greatest obstacle to their 
 final triumph. But, as months rolled away without producing any decisive 
 event, and the issue of the struggle appeared still doubtful and distant, Sabat 
 resolved to retire. Whilst occupied in effecting his retreat, he fell into the 
 hands of his rival, Syfoolalim, who gave orders that he should he strictly im- 
 prisoned on board a vessel, and, after having made him suffer severely, he was 
 tied up in a sack and thrown into the sea.' 
 
320 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 jlvence ; and who agree not with the apostle Paul, that the 
 4 gospel cometh not in word only,' hut 4 in power, and in the 
 Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. ' 
 
 44 The great author of our religion hath himself delivered the 
 doctrine in the most solemn manner to the world. 4 Verily, 
 verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot 
 see the kingdom of God.' Verily , verily ; it is an undoubted 
 truth, an unchangeable principle of the heavenly dispensation, 
 that, except a man be renewed in his mind by the Spirit of 
 God, he shall not have power even to see or behold the king- 
 dom of God. If our Saviour hath delivered any one doctrine 
 of the gospel more clearly than another, it is this of a spiritual 
 conversion ; and the demonstration of its truth is found in all 
 lands where the true gospel is known. Christians, differing 
 in almost every thing else, yet agree in the doctrine of a change 
 of heart, through faith in Christ. This is, in fact, that which 
 distinguishes the religion of God in Asia from the religions of 
 men. In every part of the earth, where I myself have been, 
 this doctrine has been proclaimed as the hope of the sinner, and 
 the glory of the Saviour." 
 
 The sermon from which the preceding extract has been 
 taken was immediately published, and was not only univer- 
 sally circulated, but generally productive of a corresponding 
 feeling in the minds of its numerous readers. 
 
 The services of Dr. Buchanan not being permanently re- 
 quired at Bristol, he was desirous of obtaining some settled 
 employment; and, with the humility and anxiety to be actively 
 engaged in his Master's service which had ever distinguished 
 him, would gladly have retired to some country curacy. 44 1 
 wish, too," he observed to a friend, 44 to be fixed for a time, if it 
 were but to organize a library ;" having brought scarcely any 
 books with him from India, except the Bible. 
 
 In the meantime he projected a journey to the University 
 of Oxford, where he arrived at the beginning of April, and re- 
 mained about ten days. His object in this visit was to look 
 into the libraries, and to compare and collate certain oriental 
 manuscripts. He appears to have been received with much 
 civility by the heads of houses, and to have been gratified by 
 the society of several members of the university. During his 
 stay, he preached at the parish churches of St. Martin and St. 
 Giles. 
 
 It might perhaps have been expected that the university 
 would have conferred some mark of its respect on Dr. Bu- 
 chanan, as the munificent patron and promoter of oriental litera- 
 ture and religion. The University of Cambridge had not, in- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 321 
 
 deed, as yet set the example of such a step, though it took the 
 first appropriate opportunity of so doing. It may, however, 
 be regretted that no proposal of any similar honour should 
 have been subsequently made at this place ; though Dr. Bu- 
 chanan himself was so far from any feeling of this nature, that, 
 in a letter to one of his friends shortly after his visit to both 
 universities, he observed that they had been very kind to him, 
 and had done every thing that he wished. 
 
 A few extracts from several letters written from Oxford, and 
 its neighbourhood, will not be unacceptable. The first, it will" 
 be seen, is to one of the sisters of the late Mrs. Buchanan : 
 
 " Oxford, April 3, 1809. 
 
 " This is the day on which I was united in marriage to your 
 sister Mary. I rejoice when I think that you and M. are fol- 
 lowing her steps. She is now in the enjoyment of scenes of 
 bliss, while we are afflicted by contests below. But she had 
 her day of affliction also, and when she was sufficiently purified 
 by the refiner, she ascended on high. 
 
 44 1 hope you and I shall be carried through in like manner, 
 and leave some testimony that we were not of this world. How 
 great is the change made by grace on a young person ! May 
 you be more and more conformed to his image, and learn to 
 know (what St. Paul saith passeth knowledge) the length, and 
 breadth, and height, and depth of the love of Christ to usward. 
 
 " My love to your husband ; and believe me to be, very 
 affectionately yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 " Woodstock, 4th April, 1809. 
 " I spent yesterday in the Bodleian Library, and I am to-day 
 looking over the Duke of Marlborough's at Blenheim. He 
 has a noble collection of oriental Bibles. I want to compare 
 some Biblical MSS. from the East, with the Bodleian this 
 week, with the aid of Drs. White and Ford. Dr. Ford is a 
 well-informed, vigorous scholar ; but Dr. White seems nearly 
 worn out. There is nothing that wears well in old age but 
 heavenly learning : a proof this, that there is a 4 wisdom 
 which cometh from above? It is only the christian who can 
 say, 
 
 u ' The soul's dark coltage, batter'd and decay'd, 
 Lets in new light through chinks that lime has made." ' 
 
322 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 " OxFoni), 13th April, 1809. 
 
 " In my last I asked you to aid me in doing a service to the 
 English church in India.* Will you now grant a boon to the 
 •.Arabian and Persian church ? I want to send out immediately 
 to Calcutta a fount of Arabic and Persian types for printing 
 the scriptures and other works in these languages. The Per- 
 sian is most urgent. I shall want to see a specimen of the type 
 before the agreement be concluded. 
 
 " I have been at Blenheim two days, looking into the Duke 
 of Marlborough's library, where I found my old fellow col- 
 legian, j author of , domestic chaplain. I had not 
 
 known it was my own friend who was the author of that work. 
 ' What,' said I, ' have you spent the last twelve years in writ- 
 ing verses, and to be mangled by the Edinburgh Review after 
 all V I urged him to run off immediately. He possesses noble 
 talents ; and looks forward, though not with much ardour, to 
 the opportunity of making a better use of them than he has 
 hitherto done." 
 
 From Oxford Dr. Buchanan proceeded to London from 
 whence he wrote to Colonel Sandys as follows : 
 
 " London, 28th April, 1809. 
 
 " I received your last while I was at Oxford. I stayed there 
 about ten days ; and left a manuscript of the Gospel of St. 
 John in the Eth topic language, which I found in the East, 
 with the Oriental Professor, Dr. Ford, who is going to collate 
 it. Other MSS. of the Hebrew and Chaldaic scriptures I pro- 
 pose to deposit in the public library of the University of Cam- 
 bridge.! I proceed thither to-morrow, to preach on Sunday in 
 Mr. Simeon's church. 
 
 " My friends here wish me to take Welbeck chapel, while 
 Mr. White, the present preacher, goes to his living in the 
 country. If I find that my endeavours are blessed, I shall pro- 
 bably remain in it. But it is rather my wish to retire to a 
 parish in the country. 
 
 " The 4 Star in the East,' I find, has excited a general in- 
 terest. I breakfasted yesterday with the Bishop of London, 
 who said he was sure it would do a great deal of good." 
 
 A few extracts from various letters to his friends will serve 
 as a brief journal of Dr. Buchanan's proceedings at this period. 
 
 * This was respecting an organ, which Dr. Buchanan had been requested 
 to procure for the mission church at Calcutta, 
 t For a particular notice of these MSS. see page 228. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 323 
 
 "Terrace, High street, 12th May, 1809. 
 
 " I returned yesterday from Hertford College, with which I 
 was much pleased. Of course it owes its present efficiency 
 chiefly to a wise selection of professors. Dealtry alone would 
 do honour to any institution. 
 
 44 My friends have found me out here, and my engagements 
 multiply ; but after a short time I hope to be at large. I find 
 a great body of Indian families in these streets, who appear to 
 have really less religion here than they had in the East. In 
 the great multitude with whom they are now mixed, their con- % 
 duct is not so easily recognized as in India ; and, being less 
 conspicuous, they think themselves less responsible. It is diffi- 
 cult to know what or how to preach to such. I must pray for 
 divine direction. 
 
 44 The Ethiopic Gospel is now at Cambridge ; and one of the 
 professors is about to examine and collate it, as soon as he has 
 improved himself a little more in the language. Other persons 
 will be appointed to examine the other MSS. 
 
 44 A few Sundays ago I preached the annual charity sermon 
 at the Lock Hospital, where I found a great body of the religious 
 world of London of the higher cast. Instead of entertaining 
 them with news from India, which, perhaps, some expected, I 
 gave them an account of the spiritual resurrection." 
 
 In the letter which next follows, Dr. Buchanan notices the 
 distinguished honour which had been just conferred upon him 
 by the University of Cambridge, and adds some interesting 
 particulars respecting his ministry at Welbeck chapel : 
 
 44 Cambridge has conferred on me the highest honour in her 
 gift. She petitioned his majesty to grant me the degree of 
 Doctor in Divinity. The mandate was issued, and I received 
 the degree on the commencement day last week. Dr. Rams- 
 den, as Regius Professor of Divinity, delivered a speech on the 
 occasion, in the name of the university, in whieh he referred 
 to the evangelization of the East, and to my endeavours. The 
 Dbke of Gloucester and many of the nobility were present. I 
 waited on the Bishop of Bristol after my degree, and received 
 from his lordship an assurance that he would ever support the 
 cause in which I had been so long engaged. He subscribed at 
 the same time to the Bible Society. All the heads of houses 
 whom I saw professed their gratification at the public notice 
 the university had taken of the subject. I shall be shortly call- 
 ed to preach before the university. 
 
 44 1 live very retired at present ; preaching regularly to my 
 congregation, and attending little to public affairs. The no- 
 bility have mostly left town ; but their seats at my chapel are 
 
324 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 filled generally by the poorer sort. The Duke of Gordon, 
 Lord R. Seymour, and others, yet remain. I pray to be ena- 
 bled to persevere to the end of my time with them, next No- 
 vember ; and, after that, to the end of my race, wherever I shall 
 be called to run. 
 
 44 The christians in Travancore are suffering persecution, 
 which may do them good. I foresee another conflict on mis- 
 sions : may we all be found faithful and prudent, wise and 
 harmless ! 
 
 44 Before the nobility left town, I delivered to some of them 
 at Welheck chapel my views of the pious and useful life of the 
 late Bishop of London. I noticed his exertions to preserve the 
 purity of public morals ; and gave them an account of my last 
 interview with the bishop, a few days before his death, and of 
 his testimony to serious piety. Speaking of a public trial then 
 pending, in which some allusion had been made to the re- 
 ligious character of one of his friends, he observed that the 
 character of public men professing religion was severely tried, 
 and often greatly misrepresented in the present age. And, ad- 
 dressing himself to the master of a college in one of our uni- 
 versities, then in company, he added these words : * The man 
 who shall at this day conduct himself in a strictly religious 
 manner, and make a profession of serious piety, must be con- 
 tent to be misunderstood by some, and called by a name of 
 reproach.' " 
 
 The following is a somewhat fuller account of the effect of 
 Dr. Buchanan's ministry at Welbeck chapel, from a letter to a 
 friend soon after he had left it : 
 
 44 The power of religion which I witnessed in Marybone was 
 more among the lower than the higher classes ; though even 
 among them I have reason to believe that good has been done. 
 A general spirit of conciliation was manifest. Lady re- 
 tains an abiding impression, and does the works of righteous- 
 ness. I visited her frequently. Lady also has evinced a 
 
 just sense of true religion, and others of rank. But the glory 
 of the gospel was chiefly manifested in Mrs. B., who di^i last 
 month. She was but in humble life ; but many of th<? nobility 
 visited her, and benefitted by her example." 
 
 In the month of August Dr. Buchanan left London on a 
 journey into Yorkshire ; the object of which will be perceived 
 by the following extract from a letter to Colonel Sandys : 
 
 "London, 31st Aug. 1809. 
 44 1 have been absent from London the last ten days. My 
 friends wished to know if I should like to fix at Scarborough, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 325 
 
 if the advowson of the living were purchased ; and I went 
 down to see the place and the people. There is but one church, 
 and seven thousand inhabitants, besides the visiters. I found 
 the Rev. Mr. Robinson of Leicester there ; and we both 
 preached last Sunday, he in the morning, and I in the evening. 
 It was calculated that three thousand persons were in church. 
 I do not think that I shall settle there ; but I leave the event to 
 Him whose providence governs all things. 
 
 " While at Scarborough, I was hospitably entertained by a 
 family I have long heard of, and wished much to see, Mr: 
 Thompson's of Kirby Hall. 
 
 "I am glad you are reading Milner's Church History. He 
 has combined more real piety and sound sense in these volumes 
 than are to be found in half the books of the day. 
 
 U I am engaged by Mr. Burn to preach two sermons at 
 Birmingham on the 8th of October next, on some annual oc- 
 casion. My journey has refreshed me, I think, after some 
 months residence in London, though it was rapid, and chiefly 
 in the mail. I am glad that William has such an awful sense 
 of the importance of the ministry. That is more likely in time 
 to lead him to it, than to drive him from it." 
 
 About the first week in October Dr. Buchanan took a second 
 journey into Yorkshire, and returned at the end of a fortnight, 
 for the purpose of preaching a series of sermons on the interest- 
 ing occasion afforded by the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of 
 our venerable sovereign ; and with the last of these discourses 
 he closed his engagement at Welbeck chapel. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Early in the ensuing month Dr. Buchanan communicated 
 to the friend to whom the preceding letter was addressed his 
 intention of again entering into the marriage state. The lady 
 with whom he formed this second engagement, was the daughter 
 of Henry Thompson, Esq., of Kirby Hall, near Boroughbridge, 
 in Yorkshire. Dr. Buchanan, as we have already seen, be- 
 came acquainted with this respectable family during his first 
 visit to Scarborough, and was attracted towards Miss Thomp- 
 son by her piety, her active benevolence, and her filial duty 
 and affection. This connexion was particularly agreeable to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, and was universally approved by the 
 friends of Dr. Buchanan. The marriage accordingly took plac§ 
 
 e e 
 
326 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 in the month of February following ; from which period he 
 fixed his residence in Yorkshire. 
 
 A few extracts from his letters will describe the plan of life 
 upon which he now entered, and show with how much promp- 
 titude and diligence he engaged in the duties of the ministry. 
 
 "Kirby Hall, March, 1810. 
 
 44 We live at Moat Hall, or Parsonage, within a quarter of a 
 mile of the mansion. I have undertaken the whole charge of 
 the parish of Ouseburn. On the Thursday and Sunday even- 
 ings I have a meeting of my parishioners in my own house. I 
 read a portion of scripture to them, and expound it ; and gene- 
 rally incorporate the subject of the lecture in a prayer. I ought 
 to be thankful for the attentive ear of the people. 
 
 " Mrs. Buchanan enters into these plans with much ardour 
 and affection. 
 
 44 After staying here some months, I shall probably return 
 to London ; at least my friends urge me to resume Welbeck. 
 I published three Jubilee Sermons, as a record that I was once 
 there. They are passing through a second edition, to which 
 is to be annexed * the Star in the East. 1 " 
 
 The friend who originally introduced Dr. Buchanan to Wel- 
 beck chapel was anxious that he should be permanently fixed 
 in that or in some similar station, which he had shown that he 
 was so well qualified to fill. He therefore proposed the build- 
 ing of a chapel in one of the western parishes of London, and 
 wrote to Dr. Buchanan for his approbation of the plan. To 
 this he replied as follows : 
 
 44 Accept my sincere thanks for your kind congratulations. 
 I was about to write to you, that our correspondence might not 
 cease on account of distance. 
 
 44 1 have next to thank yon, in the name of the church in 
 India, for your zeal in relation to the organ. 
 
 44 1 much approve your proposal for building a chapel ; and 
 I trust it will please Providence to bring the work to a conclu- 
 sion. I take it for granted that you mean a building which will 
 contain two thousand people, with all the latest improvements 
 in church accommodation, and propriety of decoration. 
 
 44 I know not how it may please God to dispose of my life 
 and services in the revolution of years, but I consider the situa- 
 tion you propose as highly important ; and I beg you will pro- 
 ceed with your plan of building the chapel, under the presump- 
 tion that I shall be its minister. 
 
 44 Great simplicity, I think, ought to be observed in the con- 
 struction and finishing ; approaching nearer to the Gothic than 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 327 
 
 the Grecian taste, but not to be wholly in either style ; for 
 there is no such thing, I allege, as truth in architecture. An 
 oval or oblong octagon is by far the best general plan of an edi- 
 fice, having the pulpit in the phonic centre. But I shall sub- 
 mit to your judgment in all things." 
 
 Notwithstanding the apparently promising nature of this, 
 and of a similar plan, which was supported by many opulent 
 inhabitants of Marybone, various difficulties, well known to 
 those who embark in such engagements, prevented the accom- 
 plishment of either ; and circumstances in the life of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan not long afterwards occurred, which proved that the 
 expectations of his friends upon this point would, as far as his 
 ministry was concerned, have been but too soon disappointed/ 
 In the meantime the idea was mutually cherished. 
 
 The Jubilee Sermons, to which reference has more than once 
 been made, were published early in the year 18 10, and were very 
 generally read and admired. The threefold view Dr. Buchanan 
 took of a subject, which the well-known circumstances of the 
 occasion rendered peculiarly interesting, gave him an oppor- 
 tunity of embracing a variety of topics, which a more limited 
 plan would scarcely have allowed. The first of these sermons 
 exhibits a view of the Mosaic jubilee, as a religious, moral, 
 and political institution ; together with its analogy to " the ac- 
 ceptable year of the Lord," proclaimed by the Saviour of the 
 world. The second was devoted to the British jubilee, and 
 contained an animated review of the political and religious 
 blessings which had been bestowed upon this favoured country 
 during the lengthened reign of his present majesty; amongst 
 the latter of which he particularly dwells on the preservation 
 of our national church in her faith and polity, the increase of 
 true religion throughout the empire, the general instruction of 
 the poor, and the universal diffusion of the Holy Scriptures. 
 The last of these excellent discourses, which is perhaps the 
 most generally useful and important of the three, leads us for- 
 ward to the closing scene of all, the heavenly jubilee. The 
 employment and felicity of heaven, and the character of those 
 who shall be admitted to the celestial jubilee, are here con- 
 sidered; and the whole is concluded by a copious application 
 of the subject, which includes the most important practical 
 topics adapted to the circumstances of the higher classes of 
 society. Amongst these Dr. Buchanan introduced a powerful 
 appeal as to the duty of propagating the gospel in heathen na- 
 tions. Though the subject of these sermons partook of an oc- 
 casional character, the general views they display will doubt- 
 less preserve tbem from oblivion, and render them more than 
 
328 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 temporary proofs of the various knowledge, the fervent yet 
 rational piety, and the warm yet enlightened benevolence, 
 which distinguish the writings of their author. 
 
 to to 
 
 Of the second edition of his Jubilee Sermons, Dr. Bu- 
 chanan sent a copy to his eldest daughter, accompanied by the 
 following note : 
 
 u My dear Charlotte, — I have the pleasure to send you a 
 book, which I hope you will receive as a mark of my affec- 
 tion. My chief desire in regard to you and Augusta is, that 
 you may be prepared on earth for the heavenly jubilee ; and in 
 regard to myself, that I may meet you there. 
 
 " I hear from some, that you are not inattentive to religious 
 subjects. This gives me real pleasure. It is a noble thing to 
 see the young daughter follow the steps of her departed mo- 
 ther. That mother now rejoices in the heavenly jubilee, and 
 looks for the time when her two children shall join her in sing- 
 ing the song of the Lamb." 
 
 In the spring of this year, Dr. Buchanan received letters 
 from Mr. Brown, which announced to him the tranquil and 
 even prosperous state of things in India, as to the promotion 
 of christian knowledge, and the active labours of many learned 
 and excellent persons in forwarding the designs of his chris- 
 tian institution, under the fostering care of the Corresponding 
 Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Mr. 
 Brown dwelt with peculiar energy and delight on the exer- 
 tions of Mr. Martyn and his associates, and pleaded strongly 
 in behalf of the new Arabic translation of the scriptures, then 
 recently undertaken by Sabat. 
 
 Another Indian letter which Dr. Buchanan received at this 
 time was from the Rev. Mr. Kolhoff, the pious and excellent 
 missionary in Tanjore. It is dated October 21, 1809, and is 
 as follows : 
 
 " 'Rev. and very worthy Sir, — Your very kind letter of the 
 4th of January, directed to the Rev. Mr. Horst and myself, we 
 had the pleasure to receive, on the 8th of July last, and beg 
 you to accept of our hearty and sincere thanks for your kind 
 remembrance of us, and for the affectionate regard and atten- 
 tion you have shown towards the mission committed to our 
 care. 
 
 " Upon the receipt of your favours, Mr. Horst has, agreea- 
 bly to your request, without delay, set about collecting mate- 
 rials for publishing the life of our much respected and beloved pre- 
 decessor, the late Rev. Mr. Swartz, and has now ready about 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 329 
 
 ten sheets, closely written, which will give nearly the same 
 number in print, and which he would have despatched ere this, 
 if he had not found out that he had unfortunately omitted several 
 material points in the very beginning of Mr. Swartz's life. 
 
 M It gives us great pleasure to acquaint you that the Honour- 
 able the Court of Directors have taken into their benevolent 
 consideration our humble petition addressed by us to the go- 
 vernment of Madras, at the end of the year 1806, and have 
 been kindly pleased to grant an addition of seven hundred to 
 their former donation of five hundred pagodas on account of 
 the Protestant schools of this mission. 
 
 14 The resolution of government came to our hands on the 
 13th of this month, at a time when we were ready to despond 
 and sink under the burden which oppressed us, and has given 
 us a fresh motive for thankfulness to God for his fatherly care 
 towards us. To you also, my dear sir, our warmest acknow- 
 ledgments are due for having suggested that measure to us, and 
 we beg you to accept the assurance of our most lively grati- 
 tude for your friendly advice, which has had such a beneficial 
 effect on the cause of the mission, and of the gospel of Jesus 
 Christ." 
 
 The life of that eminent missionary, the venerable Swartz, 
 which is thus alluded to in his worthy successor's letter, was 
 a favourite subject with Dr. Buchanan. He had proceeded so 
 far with it as to be intending to publish it a year or two before 
 his own death, but was prevented from executing his plan by 
 the information he received of the same work having been un- 
 dertaken by another person. The papers w T hich he had col- 
 lected for this purpose are now in the hands of his family. 
 
 The following extracts from Dr. Buchanan's correspondence, 
 in the spring of this year, will illustrate his piety and christian 
 sympathy, as well as the habitual activity and ardour of his 
 mind with reference to the great object of his life : 
 
 "Kirby Hall, 1st May, 1810. 
 " My dear Sister, — Your letter gave me great pleasure. 
 You have a hope of being restored to your family and to active 
 service a little while longer. I say a little while, for you must 
 not look to long life, unless it should please God to restore you 
 soon to strong and confirmed health. But let us not talk of 
 life, but of how we are to live. I admire your expression, 
 and the spirit which animates it, 'I trust I have an increasing 
 desire to devote myself to the Lord.' May this desire, my 
 dear sister, live in your heart till you die. It will be like ■ a 
 well of water springing up into everlasting life ;' for this desire 
 
 Ee 2 
 
330 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 of which you speak has been imparted to you by the Holy 
 Spirit, which our Lord compares to the water of life. 4 If any 
 man thirst, let him come to me and drink ;' and then it is 
 added, ' This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe 
 on him should receive.' John vii. 37. Blessed are they in 
 w r hose heart this desire has been awakened ! It is more to be 
 valued than crowns and diadems. How beautiful is this desire 
 in a female, and in a young person, and in the mother of children ! 
 For who led your steps to ■ the waters' when you first heard 
 the invitation, ' Ho, every one that thirsteth V Behold the 
 world around you, how few thirst for the waters ! 
 
 " I now behold in you, your dear sister Mary thirsting after 
 righteousness. The promise will be fulfilled to yon, as it was 
 to her. ' They shall be filled.' I have no admonition to give 
 you. You are under heavenly guidance. One thing I will 
 notice; this is your season of prayer. Let your prayers be 
 offered up incessantly, at this time, for your husband and chil- 
 dren ; first, that he also may be a well of water, nourishing 
 the souls of others unto eternal life ; that he may ' increase,' 
 if you are to decrease; and that new strength may be given 
 him as he approaches the vigour of life and understanding. 
 You know that, by the divine command, the persons appointed 
 to the ' service of the tabernacle' were confined to the period be- 
 tween thirty and fifty ; and that is certainly the period of the 
 most effective service. And it will cost him and me many a 
 sigh, if, when that period has elapsed, any thing should have 
 interrupted our zeal and labour in the heavenly ministration. 
 Secondly, that your dear children may grow up in the nurture 
 and admonition of the Lord. For now is the time to lay up a 
 treasury of prayers for them, which may be answering when 
 your spirit is on high, and your body is in the dust. And pray 
 for me also, that I may be found faithful. If I should survive 
 you in life, it will be a great satisfaction to me to reflect that I 
 once had your prayers. And pray for your brother in the mi- 
 nistry, and for your father and mother, and all your family. 
 For when * the spirit of grace and supplication is poured out,' 
 (Zech. xii. 10,) its objects are indefinite. When we 'look 
 upon him whom we have pierced,' we shall be anxious to bring 
 all we love to behold the same glorious Redeemer. Then do 
 we understand, for the first time, what is meant by 'charity;' 
 that charity whose boundless praises are set forth in the 13th 
 ot the 1st of Corinthians, and which the world understands not. 
 
 " My love to your brother and to my little girls. Adieu. 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 331 
 
 "Kirbt Hall, 16th April, 1810. 
 
 11 I rejoice to hear that C. is alive and well, and that the 
 Malayalim version of St. Matthew's Gospel has been printed. 
 There are upwards of two hundred thousand christians, Cath- 
 olic and Syrian, who can read it. 
 
 " I should gladly aid the , if I could ; but the truth 
 
 is, I have no papers by me, not even of a year's standing. 
 When in India, I emptied my bureau every year, regularly, 
 and committed papers and letters to the flames. But I shall 
 think of something for you now and then. 
 
 " I am looking out with some solicitude to see what may be 
 done, both in regard to England and India ; and I think Provi- 
 dence will soon open a way. In the meantime, the gospel is' 
 preached both at home and abroad, and ' the kingdom' advances. 
 It is ours to work ' to-day.' To m/a^ov [a*mi fj.cu Christ will see 
 to his own church ' to-morrow.' I pray that I may do in the 
 right spirit the portion of work assigned me, whatever it be ; 
 if indeed I belong to the family of Christ, and have found 
 mercy to be faithful. 
 
 " I am not qualified to meet the public eye often. I am nei- 
 ther copious nor ready ; and I can truly say, I never write wha 4 : 
 pleases myself. But I will give you bones now and then, if 
 you will give them flesh. And I pra3 r that you and I may in- 
 crease in zeal hi the great work. There is no zeal without 
 intemperance, as the world defines it. For what is temper- 
 ance? Ask first at the equinoctial line, and then at Nova 
 Zembla. For so extensive are the latitudes of thinking among 
 the servants of the gospel ; even amongst those who are pro- 
 moting most successfully the interests of Christ's kingdom." 
 
 "Kirby Hall, 23d April. 
 
 44 The ship Charlton, in which I returned from India, has 
 been carried into the Mauritius by two French frigates. Poor 
 
 Limrick w r ent down in the Calcutta, together with L and 
 
 his heaps of paper. 
 
 " The organ for the mission church has been shipped. It is 
 a noble one. 
 
 " ***** Hebetude and illiberality are apt to creep on 
 our minds after a long retirement in a nook of the vineyard. 
 We need to be ' withstood to the face,' like St. Peter, and to 
 receive the bastinado on the soles of our feet once a month, at 
 least, to keep us active and operative, according to ' the gift 
 that is in us.' Men who walk in and about a house for a 
 whole life are at last afraid of people who walk abroad, and 
 begin to criticise and to despise them ; for they really do not 
 
332 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 understand what they are doing. And we must bear with such. 
 For we should have been just the same had we vegitated in a 
 corner." 
 
 It has been already observed that, on his first visit to the Uni- 
 versity of Cambridge, after his return to this country, Dr. Bu- 
 chanan presented to the public library several valuable oriental 
 manuscripts, which he had procured during his journey to the 
 coast of Malabar.* They were twenty-five in number, chiefly 
 Biblical, and written in the Hebrew, Syriac, and Ethiopic lan- 
 guages. The most curious and important of these manuscripts 
 are a copy of the Hebrew Pentateuch, written on goat-skins, 
 and found in one of the Black Jews' synagogues at Cochin ; 
 a copy of the Bible, containing the books of the Old and New 
 Testament, with the Apocrypha, written on large folio vellum, 
 and in the ancient or Estrangelo character, which was a pre- 
 sent to Dr. Buchanan from the venerable Bishop of the Syrian 
 churches ; and a version of the New Testament into Hebrew, 
 executed by a learned Rabbi in Travancore, about one hun- 
 dred and fifty years since. This version was transcribed by 
 Mr. Yeates, at Cambridge, by the appointment and at the ex- 
 pense of Dr. Buchanan, chiefly with a view to promote the 
 production of a translation of the New Testament in the pure 
 style of the Hebrew of the Old, for the benefit of the Jews, and 
 in aid of the laudable design, for this purpose, of the London 
 Society for the conversion of that ancient people. The same 
 laborious scholar, in the year 1813, published a collection of 
 the Indian copy of the Pentateuch, which had been also made 
 at the expense of the munificent donor, and was printed by 
 the Syndics of the University press for the benefit of Mr. 
 Yeates. 
 
 On the 12th of June, Dr. Buchanan preached the annual ser- 
 mon before the Church Missionary Society, at St. Anne's, 
 Blackfriars. It was a grand occasion, and a collection of nearly 
 four hundred pounds proved the interest excited by the preacher 
 on behalf of the great objects of that important society. From 
 the text, " Ye are the light of the world," Dr. Buchanan made 
 a forcible appeal to his christian audience on the solemn duty 
 attached to their profession of giving light to a benighted world. 
 After some excellent observations on the sermon upon the 
 mount, for the purpose of pointing out the moral character of 
 the " children of the light," the preacher observed that, if chris- 
 tians wished to be " the light of the world," they would draw 
 their light from Christ, and send forth preachers bearing the 
 
 * See letter descriptive of these manuscripts at p. 323. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 333 
 
 character which he hath delineated ; and that, if they were in- 
 struments of the " true light," they would be zealous in adopt- 
 ing the most effectual means of diffusing it. In discussing 
 these two propositions, Dr. Buchanan recurred to a subject he 
 w r as so well qualified to describe, the moral darkness of the 
 pagan world ; gave much interesting information, and suggested 
 many valuable hints relative to missions to the heathen. 
 
 The following observations on the society before which this 
 discourse was delivered, and on the British and Foreign Bible 
 Society, are added for the purpose of recording some express- 
 testimony to his warm approbation and support of both those 
 admirable institutions. 
 
 " Your object and that of the Bible Society is the same. It ' 
 is — to give the Bible to the world. But, as that sacred volume 
 cannot be given to men of different nations until it be trans- 
 lated into their respective languages, it is the. province of your 
 institution to send forth proper instruments for this purpose. 
 Your society is confined to members of the established church. 
 You do not interfere with the 4 Society for the Propagation of 
 the Gospel in Foreign Parts,' nor with that ' for Promoting 
 Christian Knowledge ;' for neither of these professes the pre- 
 cise objects to which you would confine yourselves. It does 
 not seem to be possible to frame an objection to your establish- 
 ment. When the design and the proceedings of your institu- 
 tion shall have been fully made known, you may expect the 
 support of the Episcopal body, of the two universities, and of 
 every zealous member of the Church of England. 
 
 " It has been objected to that noble institution to which we 
 have alluded, the British and Foreign Bible Society, that it is 
 in its character universal ; that it embraces all, and acknow- 
 ledges no cast in the christian religion : and it has been in- 
 sinuated that we ought not to be zealous for Christ's king- 
 dom, if we must associate, in any degree, with men of all de- 
 nominations. But, surely, there is an error in this judgment. 
 We seek the aid of all descriptions of men in defending our 
 country against the enemy. We love to see men of all de- 
 scriptions showing their allegiance to the king. Was it ever 
 said to a poor man, You are not qualified to show your alle- 
 giance to the king? You must not cast your mite into the 
 treasury of your king? My brethren, let every man who op- 
 poses these institutions examine his own heart, whether he be 
 true in his allegiance to the King of kings. 
 
 " For myself, I hail the present unanimity of hitherto dis* 
 cordant bands, as a great event in the church ; and as marking 
 a grand character of Christ's promised kingdom ; when 4 the 
 
334 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 leopard shall lie down with the kid ; and the calf, and the 
 young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead 
 them.' Isaiah xi. 6. I consider the extension and unity of the 
 Bible Society as the best pledge of the continuance of the 
 divine mercy to this land : and, 1 doubt not, the time will come 
 when the nation will reckon that society a greater honour to 
 her, as a christian people, than any other institution of which 
 she can boast." 
 
 One scene of exertion in the life of Dr. Buchanan was 
 followed by another. On the 23d of June he thus wrote to a 
 friend : 
 
 " I am appointed by the University of Cambridge to preach 
 before them two sermons, on Commencement Sunday, the 1st 
 of July next. I am rather weak in spirit at present, and not 
 strong in bodily health ; but I pray for strength, and I trust 
 the Lord will sustain me. My sermons will be published. " 
 
 Of Dr. Buchanan's Commencement Sermons we shall have 
 occasion to speak more fully when we notice their publica- 
 tion. In the meantime, the following brief account of them, 
 by himself, to one of his friends, soon after they were delivered, 
 may not be unacceptable to the reader. 
 
 "London, July 11th, 1810. 
 
 " Your letter of the 30th ult. followed me to London; for I 
 only stayed at Cambridge two days after I preached. 
 
 " I addressed the students on the importance of the sacred 
 office, in conclusion; and intimated that the time was now 
 come when every man, who stood on the side of religion, 
 must be content to bear a name of reproach ; for it was a ne- 
 cessary evidence of his character. 
 
 "I preached for three-quarters of an hour in the morning, 
 and above an hour in the afternoon. There was the most so- 
 lemn stillness. The church was crowded. 
 
 " On the Tuesday following, the Bishop of Bristol came up 
 to me in the Senate House, and thanked me for the discourses, 
 and expressed a hope that they would be published. Others 
 did the same. Dean Milner, who is Vice-Chancellor, informed 
 me, soon afterwards, that he thought himself authorized to 
 grant the imprimatur of the University for their publication ; 
 and I am preparing them for the press accordingly. I mean to 
 publish important matter as an appendix. Adieu. C. B." 
 
 M To Colonel Sandys. 
 
 "Scarborough, 24th Aug. 1810. 
 " I thank you for your excellent letter of the 27th July. A 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 335 
 
 letter from you is always worth something. Continue to pray 
 for me, and to exhort me. 
 
 " Since my arrival here, I have been engaged in preaching 
 regularly, on Sundays and Wednesdays, at the great church, to 
 the strangers and residents at the Spa. 
 
 *' I should have published my University sermons, and many 
 other things, by this time ; but the truth is, that the congrega- 
 tions at Scarborough, and the hope of some utility, have put 
 Cambridge, and its scenes, almost out of my head. I preach 
 here a fortnight longer, and then return to Kirby Hall. After 
 my return, I shall sit down to the Cambridge lucubrations." 
 
 In the autumn of this year Colonel Macaulay, one of the 
 most valued friends of Dr. Buchanan, returned to this country. '' 
 It is to this circumstance, and to the intimate association be- 
 tween the name of that gentleman and the Malayalim version 
 of the New Testament, that the following extracts from letters 
 to him, and to his brother, Z. Macaulay, Esq., refer: 
 
 " Kirby Hall, 28th Sept. 1810. 
 
 " I rejoice to hear that your brother is soon expected, and 
 that he comes by land. That will be a proper finale to his 
 pilgrim life. I am happy to hear that two Gospels are finished 
 in Malayalim. I had been informed that St. Matthew only 
 had been printed, and that it had been distributed ; and I said 
 so in my sermon. But it is better now that the four Gospels 
 should be distributed, bound up together. I shall write to Mr. 
 Woodhouse on the subject. How many copies has he sent 
 you ? If he has sent many, I shall forward them to Calcutta, 
 the fountain-head of distribution, with instructions to Mr. 
 Brown. 
 
 " Will you have the goodness to send a copy, neatly bound, 
 to the Rev. Mr. Kerrich, librarian of the University of Cam- 
 bridge, for the public library? 
 
 " You may also send bound copies to the Bible Society, 
 Bartlett's Buildings Society, and to the University of Oxford ; 
 also to the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrew's, 
 and Aberdeen. To save you trouble, if you will put them 
 into the 'hands of your bookseller, he will transmit them; and 
 I will pay his bill, with thanks to you." 
 
 " 9th October. 
 " This is great news. And so C. is thus far through the wil- 
 derness ; once more in his native land ! May he pass through 
 the Jordan flood, at last, with the voice of triumph and thanks- 
 giving ! 
 
336 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 Will you have the goodness to forward the trunk to me as 
 soon as it can be rescued from the India House ? It contains 
 some papers, I believe, which I wish to see before what I am 
 now preparing goes to press. 
 
 44 There is no person in this country who can improve the 
 Malayalim translation, because it is performed by men to whom 
 the language is vernacular. It is not like the versions executed 
 by Europeans. 
 
 44 The Bible Society may assume great credit to itself by 
 patronising this version, for the demand for copies will be per- 
 petual and inexhaustible ; even until 4 the mountains shall be 
 cast into the sea.' " 
 
 44 To Colonel Macaulay. 
 
 " 7 th November. 
 
 44 1 am concerned to find that Cheltenham is necessary for 
 you. But I think you will not remain there long. A little of 
 the waters is enough. Pray, retreat as soon as the cold wea- 
 ther warns you. The warm town is the place for you. I 
 have been at Bath, Clifton, Cheltenham, Scarborough, since 
 my return. But there is no place like warm and busy London 
 in the winter; unless, like me, you had a fireside of your own, 
 and a wife and hissing urn, and a sofa to wheel round, to 
 read the book of four pages. Another argument for an early 
 hejira from Cheltenham, is its unprofitable society. I have 
 looked through all these places, and would rather pass a month 
 at Chetwe or Trivandupuram with you, than be condemned 
 to mix daily with the visiters at a w r atering-place in our own 
 country. 
 
 44 1 find the difference of cast greater here than in India. I 
 am thankful that I can aspire more, day by day, to be of the 
 high cast. I wish to be a pure Namboory among christians. 
 And, if the Sooders will not go off the road for me, I must go 
 
 ofT the road for them. is, in this sense, a Brahmin of 
 
 high cast. He is, indeed, 4 a gift of God' to his country ; fol- 
 low him, even as he follows Christ. 
 
 44 1 give you twelve months complete before you settle ; and, if 
 you settle then, I shall be thankful ; though Providence perhaps 
 has ordained that you should ever continue, like Abraham, 4 a 
 pilgrim and a sojourner in the land in which you have no inherit- 
 ance,' but look fonvard to another country, 4 to a city which 
 hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.' Blessed 
 is the man who wishes not to build a city in this world. This 
 is often a ruling passion with Indians ; they come home to 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN- 337 
 
 build a city and a tower. is building a mansion, with 
 
 seven turrets, on his estate. 
 
 " Adieu, my dear sir, C. Buchanan." 
 
 The following passage in a letter to another friend contains 
 the first intimation of a tendency to serious indisposition which 
 Dr. Buchanan appears to have felt since his return from India : 
 
 " Kirbt Hall, 7th Nov. 1810. 
 
 " We returned lately from Scarborough, where I passed two- 
 months, ministering twice a week in the large church there. 
 Since my return, I have been visited with an indisposition 
 which the faculty do not seem to understand very well. It is 
 merely a great quickness of breathing, and great lassitude from 
 slight exercise, without any other complaint whatever. I de- 
 sisted from peaching for a fortnight ; but mean to resume it. 
 It is probably some illness induced by a hot climate ; and it 
 becomes me to ' work while it is called to-day.' 
 
 94 My letters from India state that the gospel flourishes in 
 almost every quarter. The seed sown is producing fruit where 
 there has been very little cultivation ; and now our attention is 
 directed to the Malay isles ; for the whole Dutch empire in the 
 Eastern Ocean will probably soon be ours. The word of truth, 
 I am happy to inform you, runs and is glorified in these parts" 
 (in Yorkshire) "also; but the chief evil is, that it is rather 
 fashionable among the lower classes. I find the most useful 
 preaching is to draw aside the cloak of profession, and see what 
 is under it." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan was now employed in preparing his Cam- 
 bridge Sermons for the press. To these he was intending to 
 add, as an appendix, a variety of new and interesting matter, 
 connected with the great subject of his discourses, and illus- 
 trating the progress of the gospel in the East. Distrusting, 
 however, his own judgment upon a few points, amongst which 
 was the name which this appendage should assume, or willing, 
 at least, to submit it to that of others, he referred the whole to 
 the revision and ultimate determination of two or three able 
 and judicious friends. It was to them that the following letters 
 were addressed ; and they will serve at once to evince the 
 christian simplicity and humility which adorned the writer's 
 character : 
 
 " Kirbt Hall, 22d October, 1810. 
 " Tell K. that the half of my Appendix is gone up. I re- 
 quested and to expunge any thing they thought 
 
 rf 
 
338 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAtf. 
 
 Wrong : and intimated to them that I wished not to give any 
 unnecessary offence in word or manner ; but that it was my 
 purpose to pronounce a faithful and unequivocal testimony to 
 the truth of the gospel. I pray that God will overrule the evil 
 of my work for good to the souls of men. For it hath enough 
 of evil, although I trust the purpose is good. 
 
 " I do not want fame, (I mean as a carnal object,) but I wish 
 to glorify Christ on earth, as I can, the few days that remain 
 to me. I think with you that W. had enthusiasm and many 
 infirmities. So had Luther. Nihilominus sit mea anima 
 cum Mo J" 
 
 The following passages were addressed to Colonel Macau- 
 lay ; whose long residence in the south of India, and intimate 
 acquaintance with the principal scenes of Dr. Buchanan's re- 
 searches, peculiarly qualified him for the friendly office which 
 he was requested to undertake. 
 
 "Kirby Hall, 20th December. 
 
 44 I shall be very thankful for your revision, particularly of 
 the * Syrian Christians;' for I quote much from memory and 
 imperfect notes. Only finish it in your own words ; for I am 
 not very strong for study at present, and my church occupies 
 my attention. What I say to you, I say to your brother: for 
 you are both friends of the truth in an evil day. 
 
 " I expect no particular effect from the Christian Researches, 
 farther than affording some gratification to the advocates for 
 Christianity, and some vigour, perhaps, to their hopes. 
 
 " If your alterations are important, you may just mention 
 what they are, but it will not be necessary to return the manu- 
 script ; for I can rely on your just judgment. I have rather a 
 rugged style. Be pleased to add a word, and qualify my ab- 
 ruptness when it offends you." 
 
 " 31st December. 
 
 "I concur with you in every sentiment contained in your 
 letter. My friends in India have long urged me to notice the 
 exertions of the Church of England there, under the name of 
 4 The Christian Institution in the East ;' and I was preparing 
 to publish a list of its members at the conclusion of the work. 
 But the promotion of Christianity is the grand object ; and 
 the expression of your fears is sufficient argument for me to 
 suppress the name of the 4 Christian Institution' for the present. 
 
 44 Be pleased, therefore, to obliterate the name, and substi- 
 tute that of 4 Christian Researches in Asia ;' and retain as much 
 of the introductory pages as may comport with your view of 
 utility. I have no copy by me ; and I am in poor health, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 339 
 
 and have other avocations. I desire nothing but to promote the 
 glory of the christian dispensation. I could wish to make my 
 work as catholic as possible, so that all may love its object. 
 If you will make it such, you will make me happy. I want 
 the work to be printed by the 10th of February, for 
 transmission to India. India is more in my view than Eng- 
 land, in regard to its utility. If you find any sarcasm, pray 
 expunge it: but do not sacrifice a word of truth. 
 
 "I should write to you more particularly, but Mrs. Bu- 
 chanan's confinement has been attended with circumstances- 
 which endangered her life ; and I think of little at present but 
 what is momentous and eternal. She is now better." 
 
 The conclusion of the preceding extract referred to a sea- ''. 
 son of great trial which had taken place a few days before, 
 and which after much suffering had terminated safely. Mrs. 
 Buchanan recovered, but the child, who was. named Claudius, 
 survived only three days. " On the morning of the first day of 
 the new year," observed his pious father, " I committed the 
 little stranger to his parent earth. Mrs. B. has more of joy 
 than sorrow from these events." 
 
 Amidst the anxiety occasioned by the illness of Mrs. Bu- 
 chanan, and the interruption of personal indisposition, Dr. 
 Buchanan prepared for the press his University Sermons, and 
 the "Christian Researches in Asia." The subject of these 
 sermons w r as similar to that of his discourse before the Church 
 Mission Society, — the diffusion of christian knowledge through- 
 out the world. From the words of the divine fiat, " Let there 
 be light," as applied to the course of the great " Sun of Right- 
 eousness," Dr. Buchanan noticed three distinct eras of this 
 heavenly illumination ; that of the first promulgation of the 
 gospel, the reformation from popery, and the present period. 
 After an able and interesting historic view of these three eras 
 of light, he urged a series of arguments, to which a reference 
 only can here be made, to convince the Church of England of 
 her obligations to exert herself in the great work of evangeli- 
 zing the world. Having led the way by patronising about a 
 century since the Protestant mission to India, it became her, he 
 said, to resume her former station, and, " standing as she does 
 like a Pharos among the nations, to be herself the great in- 
 strument of- giving light to the world." It is, however, only 
 doing justice to the subject of these memoirs, to extract a few 
 passages from the sermons in question, which convey his sen- 
 timents on the fundamental truths of Christianity. 
 
 " That which constitutes a Christian is * faith, hope, and 
 charity ; these three.' Much human learning is not essential- 
 
340 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ly necessary to constitute a christian. Indeed, a man may be a 
 profound theologian and not be a Christian at all. He may be 
 learned in the doctrines and history of Christianity, and yet be 
 a stranger to the fruits of Christianity. He may be destitute of 
 faith, of hope, and of charity. 
 
 " Let us not then confound the fruits of religion, namely, 
 its influence on our moral conduct, its peace of mind, and hope 
 of heaven, with the circumstances of religion. True religion 
 is that which its great Author himself hath declared. It is a 
 practical knowledge of the love of God the Father, ' who sent 
 not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the 
 world through him might be saved ;' of the atonement of God 
 the Son, by faith in whom we receive the remission of our sins, 
 and are justified in the sight of the Father, and of the sanctifica- 
 tion of God the Holy Ghost, by which we are made meet • to 
 become partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.' 
 The preacher who can communicate this knowledge to his 
 hearers, (and it is true that, if he possess a critical knowledge 
 of the Bible, and of the history of Christianity, he will be 
 likely to do it with the most success,) the same is a 4 work- 
 man that needeth not to be ashamed, and a good minister of 
 Jesus Christ.' 1 Tim. iv. 6. 
 
 " Let every student in theology inquire whether the religion 
 he professes bears the true character. Instead of shunning the 
 reproach of Christ, his anxiety ought to be how he may pre- 
 pare himself for that high and sacred office which he is about 
 to enter. Let him examine himself, whether his views corres- 
 pond, in any degree, with the character of the ministers of 
 Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. l Wo is unto me 
 if I preach not the gospel.' 1 Cor. ix. 16." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan thought it to be his duty to conclude his dis- 
 courses to the University with again delivering his testimony 
 to that divine change which constitutes the essence of real 
 Christianity. 
 
 H This change of heart," he observes, " ever carries with 
 it its own witness ; and it alone exhibits the same character 
 among men of every clime. It bears the fruit of righteous- 
 ness ; it affords the highest enjoyment of life which was in- 
 tended by God, or is attainable by man ; it inspires the soul 
 with a sense of pardon and of acceptance through the Redeemer ; 
 it gives peace in death, and a * sure and certain hope of the re- 
 surrection unto eternal life.' "* 
 
 The substantial truth and honest freedom of these remarks 
 
 * Dr. Buchanan's Eight Sermons, pp. 255, 289, 291. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAtf. 341 
 
 were no less honourable to the preacher, than was u the can- 
 did attention" with which he gratefully acknowledged they 
 w r ere heard, to the learned body to whom they were addressed. 
 It is scarcely necessary to add that the repetition of such sen- 
 timents is far from being unseasonable. May they be univer- 
 sally prevalent. 
 
 It has already sufficiently appeared, in the course of these 
 memoirs, that Dr. Buchanan was far from being a mere de- 
 claimer, either as to the evils which he lamented, or the reme- 
 dy which he proposed. With respect to the former, he did. 
 not content himself with the representations of others, but ex- 
 hibited the result of his own personal observations, and reveal- 
 ed the gloomy recesses of Asiatic superstition, the " thick 
 darkness"" which " covers the people" of that widely-extended 
 region. Splendid too, and unlimited, as were the prospects 
 which he unfolded of their illumination and relief, and san- 
 guine as were the hopes which he indulged of their accomplish- 
 ment, both were founded upon the vigorous and persevering 
 adoption of the ordinary means within our power, and par- 
 ticularly of the universal circulation of the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 It was to the devlopment of both parts of this picture, of 
 the light as well as of the shade, that Dr. Buchanan devoted 
 his Christian Researches. He accordingly introduced them by 
 an account of his own endeavours and those of Mr. Brown to 
 promote the translation of the scriptures, and of his two jour- 
 neys to the coast of Malabar, which have been before detailed. 
 He then proceeded to notice, in a series of distinct articles, the 
 Chinese, the Hindoos, with a particular reference to the rela- 
 tive influence of paganism and Christianity, the Ceylonese and 
 the Malays. The Syrian and Romish christians, and the in- 
 quisition at Goa, form the next objects of attention in this in- 
 teresting work ; which are followed by notices of the Per- 
 sians, Arabians, and Jews, and of the versions of the scriptures 
 which were then preparing, or the preparation of which was 
 suggested, for the use of those various nations. The Bibli- 
 otheca Biblica, or repository for Bibles, in the oriental languages, 
 comprising a library for the use of translators of the scriptures, 
 founded by the late Rev. D. Brown, is next adverted to; and, 
 finally, the Armenian christians. Before Dr. Buchanan con- 
 cluded his Researches, he recurred to the subject of his first 
 memoir, and advanced some new and forcible arguments in 
 support of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India. 
 
 Though it has been thought necessary to give the preceding 
 brief analysis of this important and valuable work, it will be 
 obvious that more was not required ; not only on account of 
 
 f f 2 
 
342 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 its great notoriety and extensive circulation, but because many* 
 of the topics which it embraced have been already noticed in 
 this narrative. The conclusion, however, of the Christian 
 Researches demands more particular attention, because it com- 
 prises what may be called the practical application of the 
 whole. Dr. Buchanan, like Lord Bacon himself, aimed not so 
 much at inculcating new principles, as at exciting a new spirit ; 
 and, though he did, indeed, make some important discoveries, 
 as to the moral necessities of an immense portion of the 
 human race, it was one of his main objects to teach others to 
 follow him in his course, and to point out the way to its suc- 
 cessful pursuit. In this view the concluding observations of 
 his work deserve the most serious consideration. 
 
 M In the progress of these researches, the author has found 
 his mind frequently drawn to consider the extraordinary dif- 
 ference of opinion which exists, among men of learning, in 
 regard to the importance and obligation of communicating reli- 
 gious knowledge to our fellow creatures. And he has often 
 heard the question asked by others, What can be the cause of 
 this discrepancy of opinion ? For that such a difference does 
 exist is most evident; and is exemplified at this moment in 
 some of the most illustrious characters for rank and learning 
 in the nation. This is a problem of a very interesting charac- 
 ter at this day, and worthy of a distinct and ample discussion, 
 particularly at the seats of learning. The problem may be 
 thus expressed : ' What power is that which produces in the 
 minds of some persons a real interest and concern in the wel- 
 fare of their fellow creatures ; extending not only to the com- 
 fort of their existence in this world, but to their felicity here- 
 after; while other men, who are apparently in similar circum- 
 stances as to learning and information, do not feel inclined to 
 move one step for the promotion of such objects V The latter, 
 it may be, can speculate on the philosophy of the human mind, 
 on its great powers and high dignity, on the sublime virtue of 
 universal benevolence, on the tyranny of superstition, and the 
 slavery of ignorance ; and will sometimes quote the verse of 
 the poet, 
 
 * • Homo sum : humani nil a me alienum puto :' 
 
 but they leave it to others, and generally to the christian in 
 humble life, to exercise the spirit of that noble verse. This is 
 a very difficult problem ; and it has been alleged, by some, that 
 it cannot be solved on any known principles of philosophy. 
 The following relation will probably lead to principles by 
 which we may arrive at a solution." 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 843 
 
 The solution of the problem thus proposed is derived by 
 the author from the penitent humiliation of the great Baby- 
 lonian conqueror, who, when "brought to himself," expressed 
 the sincerity of his conversion to the knowledge of the true 
 God, by proclaiming his greatness, asserting his glory, and 
 inviting all nations to magnify him, and bow to his dominion.* 
 
 "Such a proclamation," says Dr. Buchanan, "to the na- 
 tions of the earth, was a noble act of a king, and ought to be 
 had in perpetual remembrance. It reminds us of the last 
 charge of Him ' who ascended up on high :' ■ Go, teach all 
 nations.' It discovers to us the new and extended benevo- 
 lence, greatness of mind, and pure and heavenly charity, which 
 distinguish that man whose heart has been impressed by the^ 
 grace of God. How solemn his sense of duty! How ardent 
 to declare the glory of his Saviour ! His views for the good 
 of men, how disinterested and enlarged ! It is but too evi- 
 dent that all our speculations concerning a divine revelation, 
 and the obligation imposed on us to study it ourselves, or to 
 communicate it to others, are cold and uninteresting, and ex- 
 cite not to action, ' until, through the tender compassion of 
 God, the day-spring from on high visit us, to give light to them 
 that sit in darkness :' to humble our hearts at the remembrance 
 of our sins against God, and to affect them with a just admira- 
 tion of his pardoning mercy. 
 
 " Let Great Britain imitate the example of the Chaldean 
 king, and send forth to all the world her ' testimony' concerning 
 the true God. She also reigns over many nations which 
 1 worship idols of wood and stone ;' and she ought, in like man- 
 ner, to declare to them 4 the signs and wonders of the Al- 
 mighty.' And in this design every individual w r ill concur, of 
 every church, family, and name, whose heart has been pene- 
 trated with just apprehensions of the Most High God, who 
 has known his judgments, and experienced his mercy." 
 
 The circulation of the Christian Researches was immense. 
 The first edition of seventeen hundred copies was soon ex- 
 hausted ; and, before the end of the year, three others had been 
 printed. The labour, however, which their excellent author 
 had undergone in preparing this interesting volume for the 
 press, probably led to a painful, though apparently unimportant 
 seizure, which was evidently the prelude to one of a more se- 
 rious nature. It is to this illness that he refers in writing 
 thus to a friend : 
 
 * Daniel, chap. iv. 
 
344 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 "KiiiuY Hall, 19th Feb. 1811. 
 
 14 1 have had an illness of a peculiar kind ; a slight debilitat- 
 ing stroke, affecting the voice and right hand, of the paralytic 
 kind. My hand is not itself yet, as you may see; nor is my 
 voice perfectly restored. The faculty ascribe the immediate 
 cause to study, a sedentary habit, and anxiety of mind on 
 Mrs. B.'s illness. But, whatever the cause may be, it is a 
 memento from the Lord that this is not my rest. Nor do I 
 wish it to be so. 
 
 * * * * " The town of Leeds have sent me an invita- 
 tion to succeed the late Mr. Atkinson, their worthy minister, 
 who died last week. I have not yet answered them ; but my 
 late repeated attacks of illness will determine me to decline it. 
 My constitution is evidently not settled sufficiently for laborious 
 study. But the Lord is my shepherd. He will lead me in 
 green pastures, and make darkness light before me. The peo- 
 ple of Leeds deserve a better pastor than I am, and the Lord 
 will be their shepherd also." 
 
 "26th March. 
 
 "I am now well enough to be able to write a iew lines. I 
 have been gaining strength with the returning spring ; for I 
 love the sun, and to look at it in this cold climate. It is a fine 
 object in this evil world. But I like the sun chiefly as it is an 
 emblem of 4 the Sun of Righteousness.' It gives light and 
 heat. I love your letters for they have light and heat, reflected 
 from the same glorious Luminary. 
 
 44 You will be happy to hear that Mrs. L. has become a most 
 serious and intelligent christian. Her only desire is to live to 
 the glory of her Saviour. She weeps at the recollection of her 
 obdurate heart in India, loves Mr. Brown, and thinks him 4 a 
 man to be wondered at.' I mean to send two of her letters to 
 Calcutta, and to ask whether they can show such things, in 
 India ! Perhaps they will answer, 4 Yes, we can ; behold 
 S .' 
 
 " My love to Mrs. S. and the sufferer. Surely she must be 
 all pure gold by this time. The dross and tin, a miner would 
 say, must now be at the bottom of the furnace. 
 
 44 1 have received letters from India so late as October. Mr. 
 Martyn w T as expected in Calcutta, in fine health and spirits, 
 with his Hindostanee and Arabic translations." 
 
 As the spring advanced, Dr. Buchanan's physicians having 
 agreed that his complaint w T as chiefly a nervous debility, for 
 the removal of which cessation from study was desirable, he 
 formed a plan with a view to an object which he had long 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 345 
 
 cherished, and which might, he hoped, prove beneficial to his 
 health. This was no less an undertaking than a voyage to 
 Palestine, with the view of investigating subjects connected 
 with the translation of the scriptures, and the extension of 
 Christianity. We have already noticed his proposal of return- 
 ing from India overland, for the purpose of visiting the churches 
 in Mesopotamia and Syria, the names of upwards of one hun- 
 dred of which he had received from the Syrian christians, and 
 also of inquiring into the present circumstances of the Jews 
 in those regions and in Palestine. This was the design to 
 which he was now anxious to render an intermission from 
 sedentary occupation subservient. Another object of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan's inquiry, in his proposed visit to the Holy Land, was" 
 to be the state of the Syriac printing press of Mount Lebanon, 
 from which various works have issued ; and to ascertain whe- 
 ther it might be practicable to establish presses in Jerusalem 
 or Aleppo, for the Hebrew, Arabic, and Syriac languages ; and 
 to open a correspondence with England for their encourage- 
 ment and support. He wished also to learn what language 
 (with a view to the translation of the scripture) is most gene- 
 rally used at this time in the Holy Land. 
 
 It was Dr. Buchanan's intention to touch at Alexandria, in 
 his voyage to Palestine, and to return from his tour by Lesser 
 Asia, through the region of the seven primitive churches. He 
 proposed to pass over from thence to Athens and Corinth, to 
 visit the principal christian churches in Greece, and afterwards 
 those of the larger islands in the Archipelago. A chief object 
 here was to ascertain whether a translation of the scriptures 
 in one dialect of modern Greek would suffice for the continent 
 of Achaia and the Archipelago, (which he did not think to be 
 likely,) or whether some principal dialects had not been already 
 cultivated. 
 
 In order to give publicity to his proposed voyage, Dr. Bu- 
 chanan transmitted a notice of the preceding particulars to the 
 Christian Observer,* adding a request that the queries of the 
 learned concerning the present state of the countries he intend- 
 ed to visit, in connexion with the promotion of Christianity, 
 might be communicated to him, and intimating that he would 
 take charge of Bibles for distribution in his way in Portugal, 
 Spain, and Malta, and would endeavour to establish a channel 
 of correspondence in those countries with England, for the sup- 
 ply of the authorized version of each country respectively, as 
 
 * For May, 1811, p, 321. 
 
346 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 far as the existing governments might be pleased to counte- 
 nance the design. 
 
 Such was the intention of Dr. Buchanan with respe 
 distant and laborious undertaking. Greatlw however, as we 
 must admire the ardour of his piety, which could prompt him 
 
 ran such a plan, it was, perhaps, originally of too e.\ 
 sive and difficult a nature for the already debilitated sta:e oJ 
 constitution. He seems, in some measure, to have felt t 
 announcing it to a friend, to whom he sent a notice < 
 sign, adding. " I cannot tell the purposes of Provu; 
 Perhaps I may lay my bones in the Holy L 
 
 Towards the end of May Dr. Buchanan paid a shor is 
 Buxton, where, intent as usual on doing good, he eml: 
 the opportunity of preaching a sermon, the occasion of which 
 may be explained in his own vroida : 
 
 "BtnCT©*, s: lone, 1811. 
 
 11 Having had some revival of spirits Last 
 
 I was not willing to allow the day of Penta st 1 pass with- 
 out notice, particularly as the company here were desirous that 
 I should preach. Viewing them from my window ail day drink- 
 ing at the medicinal w'aters, I composed a hn v. 
 2. 3. I,* which I delivered y v a great 
 dining-room here: Captain Payne, aid-de-eamj] to Lord Wel- 
 lington, who ieturned wo. ..: Bus 
 
 --.--—, _ >-. | 
 
 clerk. This sermon I mean to publish immediately. the 
 
 benefit of the company during the gay season. I shall not, 
 however, send it to the press till my return to Kirbv Hall, 
 (whither we go on the 5th or 6th inst.,) for I have m C : .- 
 cordance here, nor indeed any other book than the Bible." 
 
 The sermon thus hastily, but benevolently com ised, waa 
 published in the course of the summer, under the tide oi " The 
 Healing Waters of Bethesda." I; was, as might be e 
 altogether of a practical nature. Bin. though :" that 
 
 peculiar attraction which his preceding publications derived 
 from their connexion with oriental J with 
 
 sound scriptural instruction. 11 calculated to aw? 
 
 in the minds of those to whom it w a ginally addressed, a 
 
 * ■ Now there is at Jerusalf - .eep-markr 
 
 the Hebrew tongue Betbe>da, having five porefiea In these lay 
 twde of impotent folk, o{ blind, halt, withered, waiting fur 
 water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool 
 the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the : 
 wa^s made wh-'le o:~ ••'• ,::r-er i.s ~a.se he had. v 
 
Memoirs of dr. Buchanan. 347 
 
 salutary train of feeling and reflection, and to lead them to as- 
 sociate with the spring, to which they were resorting for bodily 
 health, the thought of that heavenly fountain which can alone 
 purify and refresh the soul, and strengthen it unto life ever- 
 lasting. 
 
 In the month of June Dr. Buchanan wrote to Colonel Sandys 
 as follows: 
 
 " Kirby Hall, 24th June, 1811* 
 
 11 I have lately returned from Buxton, whither I was sent to 
 drink the medical waters. I have not found much benefit from 
 them ; but we now proceed to Scarborough, and I doubt not I 
 shall be refreshed by the sea air. 
 
 " I shall probably leave England in autumn, and be absent' 
 about a year. Had any important spiritual charge been assign- 
 ed to me, I should not have thought of leaving England again ; 
 but circumstances at present are very favourable to a temporary 
 absence. I mean to go down to Scotland in a few weeks 
 hence, to take leave of my mother, who is in a declining state, 
 and does not expect (or perhaps hope) to pass through this 
 next winter. 
 
 44 I have a good appetite, generally, and sleep well ; but, when 
 I speak, my spirits are easily hurried, and the slightest exercise 
 fatigues me. 
 
 44 1 hope that you and your family continue well, and more par- 
 ticularly that 4 your soul prospereth.' I make a little progress, 
 perhaps, but it is scarcely sensible. When I stand on Cal- 
 vary, (if it be given me to see it,) I hope my spirits will be 
 refreshed, and my affections enlivened to love and serve the 
 Lord who suffered there. — May I have a single eye to his 
 glory." 
 
 " Scarborough, 20th July. 
 
 44 The Bethesda Sermon arrived yesterday. One hundred 
 copies have been sent here, and sell rapidly. I seldom see 
 any review ; for I wish to be hid from the strife of tongues. 
 
 44 1 am willing to go 4 through evil report' unto the end. That 
 is not my cross. 
 
 44 We set off to-morrow for Scotland. I have acquired but 
 little strength at Scarborough. The change of air in the north 
 may possibly be more beneficial to me." 
 
 "Greenock, 5th August. 
 44 1 have found my mother in tolerable health of body and 
 in high spiritual health at seventy-five. She astonishes Mrs. 
 
348 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Buchanan by her eloquence on the prophecies, which she 
 utters in hard words, without affecting at all the English lan- 
 guage. She can read the Bethesda without spectacles, and 
 likes it better than the Star in the East. 
 
 44 We have seen and entertained almost all the Greenock 
 clergy, and have visited some of the best religious families. In 
 a few days we return to Glasgow. Your future communica- 
 tions must be addressed to Kirby Hall, for I know not where 
 we shall be in ten days hence. 
 
 44 I find the sea air more refreshing here than at Scarborough. 
 Somewhere in Bute is now reckoned the Montpelier of Scot- 
 land. It boasts, it seems, many recoveries from consumptions. 
 I consulted the Edingburgh faculty in passing. Dr. Gregory 
 delivered to me five quarto pages composed oracularly on the 
 subject of my complaint, which he seems to understand well. 
 The length of this letter will intimate I am rather stronger 
 than before." 
 
 " Glasgow, 18th September. 
 
 44 1 have been favoured with your letter of the 10th inst. en- 
 closing Mr. H.'s dedication. He seems animated by a noble 
 spirit. I have had a letter from himself, and have recommend- 
 ed him to enlist under the banners of the Society for Promoting 
 Christian Knowledge, and to think nothing of the Syrians, till 
 he have passed a tranquil year in the bosom of his family in 
 Coromandel. Thence he may proceed where he likes. He 
 asked me what would be his principal difficulty. I told him it 
 would be learning Malay alim (which is more useful than the 
 Syriac) in his old age ! 
 
 44 The companion of my tour to Syria is already engaged ; a 
 fellow of a college in Oxford, whom I met at Scarborough, 
 the son of a family intimate with that at Kirby Hall ; a young 
 man of strong health, good learning, good sense, and good for- 
 tune ; of sound theology, and one who is likely to become an 
 author. 
 
 44 As to Rothley Temple, if it be practicable, we shall visit 
 it ; but the season advances, and we have not got through Ire- 
 land yet. 
 
 44 We proceed on Monday next to Lainshaw, the abode of 
 Mr. Cunninghame, late of India, and thence, by Ayr, to port 
 Patrick. Letters addressed to me, at the post office, Dublin, 
 will find me till the 20th of October." 
 
 Early in November Dr. Buchanan returned from his tour to 
 Kirby Hall, from whence he gave his friends a sketch of that 
 part of it which has not been yet mentioned. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 349 
 
 " Kihbt Hall, November 20th. 
 " We arrived at this place about ten days since, and found 
 all our family well. We spent a month in Ireland, and about 
 a fortnight in Wales. Mrs. B. liked the tour very well, for we 
 found friends everywhere. I am glad that I have had an op- 
 portunity of surveying the state of religion in Ireland. I had 
 much intercourse with the members of Dublin College, and 
 hope to engage them in the support of evangelizing plans. 
 They seem in general animated by a good spirit. 
 
 " 1 visited Maynooth College, and investigated the Catholic 
 question. I could consult the best authorities on both sides. 
 My opinion is that Maynooth College may be extended with 
 safety. It has already added to the number of Protestants y 
 and the Roman Catholic bishops begin to be alarmed at the 
 light and knowledge which proceed from it. I saw Messrs. C. 
 and C, the priests who have recanted. They preach in Dub- 
 lin ; but when I arrived they had not received any cure or sup- 
 port from church or state. I expressed my astonishment at the 
 delay and marked indifference which seemed to pervade the 
 Protestant church on the subject. Government has now 
 espoused the cause of the young men, and ordained them 
 immediate provision and a cure in the church. They both 
 appear to me to be converts on conviction. 
 
 " 1 passed a day with the Bishop of Bangor in my way 
 through Wales. We had much conference on the state 
 of religion. He is candid and earnest to do good in the 
 church. 
 
 " The Scotch Kirk have almost w r holly ceased to read the 
 scriptures as a part of divine service. I have noticed the sub- 
 ject in the fourth edition of the Christian Researches now 
 printing. 
 
 " I have proposed to the University of Cambridge to print 
 an edition of the Syriac Scriptures ; and have offered a con- 
 siderable sum to commence; but I have not yet had their 
 answer. I promised to send the scriptures to the Syrian chris- 
 tians, and am ashamed of the delay. 
 
 " I have gained a little strength by the journey, but I am 
 easily exhausted." 
 
 In the autumn of this year arrived Mr. Martyn's eloquent 
 and successful appeal, in a sermon at Calcutta, on the 1st of 
 January, in behalf of nine hundred thousand Christians in 
 India, who were in want of the Bible ; together with the gra- 
 tifying intelligence of the formation of an Auxiliary Bible So- 
 ciety at that Presidency, at the head of which appeared some 
 
 Gg 
 
350 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 of the chief members of the supreme government.* The let- 
 ters which announced this auspicious event brought informa- 
 tion also of the revival of the college of Fort William as a 
 
 * The Society whose formation is here noticed has been remarkable for its 
 energy and zeal in promoting translation* of the scriptures, and circulating 
 them in the countries of the East. Previous to the year 1835 it had distributed 
 17,113 copies of the scriptures. The following remarks in relation to its esta- 
 blishment, and the benefits arising from the circulation of the scriptures in India, 
 are from the address of Archdeacon (now bishop) Cojirie, at the meeting of the 
 British and Foreign Bible Society, in 1835. — Am. Ed. 
 
 44 At the period of the formation of this Society," [1804,] ' 4 when I went to 
 that sphere of labour to which Divine Providence, about that time, called me, 
 namely, to the Chief Presidency of India, the scriptures, even in the English 
 language, were extremely scarce there, and only to be had at a very enormous 
 price. Pocket Bibles of the most common kind, and in the plainest and meanest 
 binding, were not to be bought in the bazaars of Calcutta under a pound sterl- 
 ing each. You will conclude, therefore, that Bibles were not plentiful among 
 the military, to whom my labours were, at first, in a great measure confined. 
 But no sooner did we hear of the formation of this Society in England, than 
 a small band set about endeavouring to procure assistance from it : and we did 
 procure the scriptures in the English language. With what thankfulness and 
 joy did we receive the first supply sent out from this country ! There was 
 still, however, a great want of the scriptures in South Ir.«Jia ; and a lamentable 
 deficiency began to appear among those who professed the Christian name. 
 This formed a sufficient plea — a plea which the most jealous in that country 
 could not withstand — for the formation of an Auxiliary Society in Calcutta; 
 and the call was responded to far beyond the expectations of the most sanguine. 
 Ladies contributed their ornaments and the superfluous portion of their dress ; 
 and, in a few days, not less than lOOOZ. sterling was sent to the treasurer. An 
 opportunity was now afforded for encouraging the translation of the scriptures 
 into the languages of the East ; and the work was set about accordingly. 
 
 •' But at that time there was no disposition, generally speaking, in ihe minds 
 of the natives of the East to receive the scriptures. I well remember that 
 the first offer which I made of the scriptures to a native, was heard with sur- 
 prise ; suspicion began to take possession of his mind : he retreated gra- 
 dually ; and at length turned about, and flew away, as from a plague. But, by 
 the persevering labour of faithful men, and by selecting the principal narrative 
 portions of the scriptures to be read in the schools which were commenced in 
 that country, light began to diffuse itself; by degrees, the scriptures were in- 
 troduced into the languages of various provinces : and now 1 am happy to state 
 that they not only are not refused, but are generally sought after by the heathen 
 and Mahometan population of Northern India. And not only are they sought 
 after, but we have assurance that they are read: it is a remarkable fact that, 
 within the l.-st two years, a few have begun to oppose Christianity, as infidels 
 have done in England, by arguments drawn from the Bible itself— which is a 
 sure proof that the scriptures are read. The domestic chaplain (as I may call 
 him) of the King of Oude drew up a pamphlet, extracted from the Prophecies 
 and Gospels, in favour of Mahornetanism, which he called "Glad Tidings:" 
 and though, as it may he conceived, his arguments were very futile, yet it is 
 another fact to prove that the circulation of the scriptures in their own language 
 has not been in vain. 
 
 44 Moreover we have instances of the good effect which these scriptures, by 
 the blessing of God, produce. We offer the scriptures on the faith of that 
 promise, that his word shall not return to him void. We give them as the 
 word of the living God, and leave the consequence to him. In our schools, I 
 recollect a youth, in appearance about sixteen, who was reading a chapter in 
 St. Matthew's Gospel ; when, all at once, he rose up, and said to the missionary. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 351 
 
 fountain of scriptural translation, and a communication from 
 Mr. Brown to Dr. Buchanan ; the following extract from which, 
 considering the circumstances of his departure from Calcutta, 
 could not but afford him the liveliest satisfaction : 
 
 " Pagoda, Serampork, 5th March, 1811. 
 
 " You are truly the root of our Bible Society. I have had 
 long and full discussions with Lord Minto on all subjects of re- 
 ligion, missions, scriptures, (fee. ; and he is very desirous to 
 tread back his steps and to atone for the mistake which he made 
 at the beginning of his government. 
 
 " Your letter prepared the way for this reflux of sentiment. 
 Neither that, nor the Chinese, nor any part of your labours^ 
 has fallen to the ground. Therefore go forward ; and obtain 
 the crown of righteousness which is before you." 
 
 On the 6th of December, Dr. Buchanan wrote to his 
 friend, Mr. Macaulay, respecting new editions of his publica- 
 tions ; desiring it to be observed in the dedication of his Me- 
 moir to the present Archbishop, that, although he had " deem- 
 ed it right to make a few verbal alterations, he had seen no 
 cause to change any one material sentiment of the work." In 
 the same letter he intimated his intention of proceeding on his 
 proposed voyage early in the month of February following. 
 A few days, however, only had elapsed before a second and 
 more alarming attack suspended, and ultimately dissipated, all 
 thoughts of accomplishing that extensive and interesting under- 
 taking. His letter upon this trying occasion exhibits his cha- 
 racteristic piety and submission, and is as follows : 
 
 Kirby Hall, 17th December, 1811. 
 " My dear Sir, — I must use the hand of another to inform 
 you that I was visited last week by an illness of the same na- 
 ture with that in the beginning of the year. I have had a second 
 paralytic stroke, affecting the half of my head and body, and 
 forming a complete hemiplegia. My voice is not much affect- 
 ed, and the numbness is slight. But yet I consider that this 
 may be a precursor of a third and last call to quit my earthly 
 mansion. I view it, therefore, as a most merciful dispensation, 
 and hope I shall ever retain my present thankful sense of the 
 
 * Sir, I wish to be baptized.' The missionary said, * Why?' He said, laying 
 his hand upon his heart, « I am sure this is the word of God.' Many similar 
 instances might be mentioned of the good effect produced by a simple reading 
 of the scriptures. It is also a gratifying cireumstmce, that our most efficient 
 teachers were formerly heathen schoolmasters, who now instruct the children 
 pat of the word of God, having themselves received the truth in the love of it." 
 
352 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Lord's gracious mode of bidding me prepare for my journey, 
 and of calling me gradually to himself. Whether this event 
 will hasten me to a warmer climate, or whether I shall wait the 
 Lord's will at home, I have not yet determined. 
 
 44 I had just finished the revision of my sermons when I v. as 
 attacked ; and I suppose they are now in the hands of the 
 printers. If you should recollect any thing faulty in them, I 
 hope you will send for the proof sheets. 
 
 44 1 remain, my dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 " 0. Buchanan.'' 
 
 On the 2d of January, 1812, Dr. Buchanan had recovered 
 sufficiently from his late attack to resume wiih a faint and 
 tremhling hand his correspondence with his friends. 
 
 44 My hand is recovering from the paralysis, and 1 can jus; 
 hold the pen to inform you that scarcely any thing remains of 
 ray indisposition but extreme weakness. The faculty think 
 they have at last discovered the source of my complaints, and 
 have taken away about five pounds of blood. This has afford- 
 ed a most sensible relief to my breathing, and has given rest 
 during sleep, which before I had not. In addition, they have 
 low r ered and attenuated the body during the last month ; so that 
 all things are new. If, when the body is thus regenerated, the 
 soul could also be renewed, it would be a salutary illness. I 
 can indeed say, and with great thankfulness, that my soul has 
 had more spiritual communion with God than formerly. It 
 would be a blessed thing were it always to remain as it has been. 
 
 44 1 wondered at the peace I felt in the prospect of departing 
 this life. It was perhaps greater than it will he when the time 
 comes. 4 Whoso endureth unto the end shall be saved.' 
 
 4i Yesterday Cadell published the second edition of my 
 memoir in octavo, Two editions of it were published in 
 America this last year. On the 1st of February I hope all 
 my sermons revised will be published in one volume. 
 
 44 The University of Cambridge has done valorously, as 
 you have seen. What fine youths these will be to preach to 
 the people when you and I have winged our flight j" 
 
 Notwithstanding the severe shock which the constitution of 
 Dr. Buchanan had received by his late paralytic seizure, the 
 powers of his mind were evidently unimpaired, and, amidst 
 great debility and languor, he retained all his ardour in pro- 
 moting the cause of Christianity in the world. This was very 
 shortly evinced by the following communication to a friend, 
 who had apprised him of an incorrect and injurious statement 
 which, on the authority of the Danish missionaries in India, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 353 
 
 had been inserted in the Report of the Society for Promoting 
 Christian Knowledge for the year 1811, respecting the Syrian 
 Christians in Travancore. The substance of this communica- 
 tion^ was afterwards introduced into an able article in the Chris- 
 tian Observer,* forming a most satisfactory vindication of that 
 interesting body of christians. The original observations, 
 however, of Dr. Buchanan may still be acceptable to those who 
 may retain any doubts upon the subject to which they relate. 
 
 "Kttiby Hall, 18th Jan. 1812. 
 " All my books and MSS., concerning the Syrian christians, 
 1 deposited in the University Library, Cambridge; but I shall 
 de-ire Mr. Yeates to look over the liturgy of the Syrians, and, 
 if he can find the passage in which they abjure the errors of 
 the Nestorhns. to send it to you. When I passed through the 
 Danish missionaries on the coast of Coromandel, on my way 
 to Malabar, they told me the same things concerning the Sy- 
 rians, which they have now stated to the society ; but when I 
 arrived in Malay ala, I found they knew no more of the Sy- 
 rian christians in that region, than people in England know of 
 the Syrian christians in Cyprus, I suppose the missionaries 
 have written thus by way of offering some apology for not ad- 
 vising the society to assist the Syrian christians. 
 
 " In regard to an official union, it is scarcely practicable, in 
 present circumstances, and need not be tho.ight of; but there 
 is nothing to prevent a friendly connexion, or, as the bishop 
 expressed it, ' such a connexion as should appear to both 
 churches practicable and expedient.' The Romish church long 
 solicited such an union, but could not attain it ; nor did they 
 regard their formerly having had (if, indeed, they ever had) 
 Nestorian bishops, provided they would now qualify their sys- 
 tem a little. They might even say mass in another tongue 
 than Latin. But the missionaries cannot yield so much as 
 this ! 
 
 " The truth concerning the Syrians will be found, I allege, 
 in my more full account of them, published by the Bishop of 
 London.! "* Their liturgy is derived from that of the early 
 church of Antioch, called Liturgia Jacobi ApostolL They 
 are usually denominated Jacobitse ; but they differ in ceremonial 
 from the church of that name in Syria, and, indeed, from any 
 existing church in the world.' 
 
 " That they worship the Virgin Mary is a flagrant error of 
 
 * Vol. \\. p. 105. 
 
 t In 1807. See the Christian Observer for that year. 
 
 Gg3 
 
354 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 speech. The practice might as well be charged on the Church 
 of England.* 
 
 " In regard to their morals, learning, and civil state, I have 
 merely recounted the conversations I had with their most 
 learned members and noticed that * I perceived all around 
 symptoms of poverty and political depression :' that they were 
 in a degenerate state, yet 'like a people who had known better 
 days.' I also notice that ■ they have some ceremonies nearly 
 allied to those of the Greek church ;' and I intimated to the 
 bishop ■ that there were some rites and practices in the Syrian 
 church, which our church might consider objectionable or nu- 
 gatory.' If I have not filled my page with these particulars, 
 it was because 1 had no pleasure in describing them. Finding 
 a church in their peculiar situation, possessing the Bible, and 
 abjuring the Romish corruptions, what more was required to 
 make them an useful people in evangelizing that dark region ? 
 And it is not decorous in the Church of England to seem to 
 take pleasure in holding up to a kind of opprobrium an ancient 
 people, found in such interesting circumstances ; possessing, 
 too, an ordination with which ours is scarcely to be compared. 
 A former president of the Bartlett's Buildings Society (Arch- 
 bishop Wake) negotiated for an union with Rome herself! 
 
 " As to the moral and civil state of the Syrians, Dr. Kerr 
 has given them a higher character than I have, in his official 
 document to the Madras government, which, on this subject, 
 may now be quoted as a proper authority. All that he has 
 Sflid also concerning the facility and expediency of an union, 
 may now be pressed with much advantage ; for Dr. K. was 
 
 * A very different statement respecting the Syrian christians has been lately 
 published in a letter from the Abbe Dubois, a Romish missionary in Mysore, in- 
 serted in the second report of the Bombay Auxiliary Bible Society. The re- 
 spectability of the quarter from which this document has proceeded, may natu- 
 rally seem to claim for it a considerable degree of credit But whatever may 
 be its value, as to points within the writer's own knowledge, it is undoubtedly 
 erroneous as to the Syrian christians. INor can this be a matter of surprise 
 when it is considered that all his information concerning them is confessedly 
 derived from other persons, who may, very probably, like himself, have never 
 visited them, and be members of a church whose tyranny and oppression the 
 Syrian christians in Travancore have for ages nobly resisted. "This sect," 
 observes the Abbe, " still obstinately adheres to the religious tenets held by the 
 heresiarch Nestorins." It is, however, somewhat extraordinary that the late 
 venerable motropolitan of the Syrian church, in an official communication lo 
 General Maeauiay, then resident at the court of Travancore, distinctly dis- 
 claimed the errors of Nestorius, as well as those of other heretics; and that Dr 
 Buchanan and Dr. Kerr agree in representing their creed as not materially dif- 
 fering from that of our own church. It may be added, that their account of 
 them is substantially the same as that of La Croze, Assemannus, and Mosheim. 
 For further information upon this subject, the reader is referred to Dr. Buchan- 
 an's Christian Researches, and to the Christian Observer for December, 18J6. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 355 
 
 sent from the very place where the Danish missionaries dwell, 
 to obtain information for government. 
 
 44 But, on this subject, Colonel Macaulay is the highest au- 
 thority in the world. If he will address the society in a re- 
 spectful, conciliating manner, and urge the incontrovertible facts 
 founded on his own knowledge and Dr. Kerr's official report, 
 it will have immense effect. 
 
 44 He may observe that an union is not to be thought of at 
 present, on account of political considerations ; but that such 
 an interesting people deserve our countenance and every aid 
 for mental improvement, by assisting them in the translation 
 of the scriptures, and encouraging them to hold out against the 
 Romish church. They are also proper subjects of occasional 
 pecuniary assistance : for the oppression of the Hindoo govern-" 
 ment has of late been very great: but for the future they w T ill, 
 perhaps, be able to retain what they acquire. 
 
 44 It would be proper that Colonel Macaulay should mention 
 his own political transactions with the Travancore and the 
 English governments on their behalf, and on behalf of the Ro- 
 mish Syrians. For they also want the Bible. 
 
 44 My hand, you see, is a little better ; but I am by no means 
 strong. I can only sit up half an hour at a time." 
 
 It is surely to be lamented that no application was made on 
 the part of the society to the two persons best qualified to 
 afford information upon this subject, Dr. Buchanan and General 
 Macaulay ; and that no steps appear to have been taken to 
 communicate that encouragement and support which the 
 Church of England is plainly bound to extend to a community 
 of christians thus brought into such immediate contact with the 
 British government. 
 
 In the meantime, Dr. Buchanan continued his own exertions 
 with a view to supply the Syrian christians with a translation 
 of the scriptures. Thus he wrote in February and March to 
 Mr. Macaulay : 
 
 44 1 enclose a letter, which I wish to go by this fleet. It is 
 to give money to Timapah Pulle, who superintends the Ma- 
 layalim version at Bombay. 
 
 44 1 have received a copy of the second edition of the memoir, 
 and immediately discovered improvements. Many thanks to 
 you for this service. And yet I have little satisfaction in look- 
 ing at the book. I wish now to flee away to regions of peace 
 with the wings of a dove — and be at rest." 
 
 " Kirbt Hall, 7lh March. 
 44 The day after I wrote to you last, I was obliged to leave 
 
356 MKMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN'. 
 
 the writing table entirely, and have not resumed it since. The 
 sensation of paralysis is hut Blight, hut it appears to be now 
 permanent ; at least during the cold season. 
 
 " 26th March. 
 
 44 La Croze and Geddes are the principal authors for 's 
 
 purpose, and I have neither. 
 
 44 Gouvea, and Bartolomeo's India Christiana, and other 
 curious works, I deposited, together with ihe MSS., at Cam- 
 bridge. 
 
 44 If you could call on Mr. Yeates, he could possibly furnish 
 you with La Crnze, or Simon, or Assemnnnus. It is a fine 
 
 subject for 's contemplation, and one which would grcatlv 
 
 interest the public mind. A few pages only, however, will 
 suffice for the society. But, after lie has done that, he may 
 possibly meditate a larger work. These are times when every 
 thin? a man has, which may be in any way for the advantage 
 of Christianity, ought to be given to the world. For we shall 
 soon die, and then shall * all our thoughts perish. 1 
 
 41 Mr. Yeates writes thus in a late letter. 4 Simon, in his 
 Critical History of the Religion and Customs of the Eastern 
 Nations, has ably vindicated the Syrian christians against the 
 Catholics, and exposed their rage and persecution as the result 
 of papal tyranny. I have read so much in Assemannns and 
 other authors, as to know that the Syrian christians are the 
 Protestants of the East. The Church of England, as a National 
 Church, cannot extend her assistance to greater advantage, 
 than in restoring and building up the ruins of the Syrian com- 
 munion in Antioch, Mesopotamia, and India, by the immediate 
 dispersion of copies of the scriptures. And when this is done, 
 they will supply missionaries for the extension of the chris- 
 tian faith among the Mahometans and pagans.' 
 
 44 I rejoice to hear that 4 Ethiopia does not stretrh out her 
 hands' in vain. This will be a great accession of fame to the 
 Bible Society. The University will not lend out my Ethiopic 
 Gospel. You must send a person to transcribe it in the public 
 library. If you should find any difficulty in the access, I will 
 give you a note to the Yice-Chancelloiy' 
 
 The next subject to which the attention of Dr. Buchanan 
 was directed was that to which he had devoted his memoir, 
 and which he had ever considered as of primary and funda- 
 mental importance. This was the organization of a more ex- 
 tensive Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India. The 
 time was now approaching for the renewal of the charter of 
 the East India Company ; and the friends of religion were 
 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 357 
 
 anxious to improve this opportunity of pressing the considera- 
 tion of the measure in question upon the attention of govern- 
 ment and of the legislature. It was evident that no man was 
 better qualified to suggest the best method of proceeding upon 
 this occasion than Dr. Buchanan. Some distinguished per- 
 sons, who took a lively interest in this weighty subject, ac- 
 cordingly applied to him to prepare a sketch of what he might 
 deem advisable with respect to the proposed establishment, for 
 the purpose of submitting it to the consideration of his ma- 
 jesty's ministers, and of others particularly concerned in the 
 determination of this question. 
 
 It was with this important point that the correspondence of 
 Dr. Buchanan was occupied during the spring and summer of' 
 this year. The following extracts from his letters to Mr. 
 Macaulay will exhibit not only his zeal, but his piety and 
 judgment respecting the accomplishment of the great measure 
 which he had so long advocated : 
 
 " Kirby Hall, March, 1812. 
 
 "India has scarcely crossed my mind since I wrote to you 
 last ; I mean in regard to legislative measures. I do not ex- 
 pect to be able to do any thing till the warm weather approach. 
 Mr. Wilberforce writes to me that the Anglo-Indians question 
 the fact of the burning of women stated in my memoir ; and I 
 read in the British Review that they doubt that of the self-de- 
 votementof a man at Ishera, stated in my researches under the 
 article 'Juggernaut in Bengal.' I shall pen two sentences 
 below on each of these subjects, which you may use as occa- 
 sion may serve. 
 
 " Short as the above letter is, I have been nearly two days 
 in writing it ; and I do not now find myself able to finish my 
 two sentences. I hope to recruit in a day or two, when I shall 
 send them." 
 
 The two sentences thus meditated, branched out into two 
 sheets ; the substance of which afterwards appeared in the 
 Christian Observer.* 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's next letter is as follows : 
 
 * For April 1812. In this paper it is stated that the calculation in question 
 as to the number of women burned in the vicinity of Calcutta during a given 
 period, was inserted in Dr. Buchanan's memoir on the authority of an official 
 report to the College of Fort William, when the officers of that institution were 
 collecting information to serve as an authentic record upon the subject of this 
 female sacrifice. The truth of the fact respecting the self-devotement at Ishera 
 was declared to rest upon the authority of the late Rev. D. Brown, whose coun- 
 try-house was near the spot referred to. 
 
3f)8 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 " Kibbt Hall, 13th April, 1812. 
 
 44 My dear Sir, — I send to you and Mr. Wilberforce by this 
 day's mail a Prospectus of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for 
 India. I will thank you to submit it to Mr. Grant and Lord 
 Teign mouth ; and I shall be obliged to them to make such al- 
 terations in it as they shall think proper. If they suggest any 
 thing which you and Mr. W. approve, be pleased to incorpo- 
 rate it, and to revise the whole according to your judgment. 
 
 44 1 then wish you to send one copy to Mr. Perceval, and 
 another (o the Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 
 44 When you are ready let me know, and I will send a note 
 to accompany each copy. From Mr. Perceval I have lately 
 received a very kind loiter, in which he professes to have 4 a 
 respect for my character and exertions.' 
 
 44 If, after you have sent in the copies, you should think that 
 any part of the prospectus might be useful to Parliament, you 
 may publish it in such form, and with such addition as you 
 please, with my name or without it. 
 
 44 1 am much obliged to you for offering to do me service, if 
 I can move southward ; but now that you have the prospectus, 
 you will not want me. I certainly should not have written it, 
 if you had not pressed the subject. I can scarcely at present 
 walk down stairs without help. As soon as the season opens 
 a little, I propose to go to Scarborough for the benefit of the 
 warm baths at that place. I am now seeking the comfort of 
 the Holy Scriptures, and their promises ; and love to contem- 
 plate Augustine and Luther. I look forward to nothing in this 
 life but these two things, repentance, with bitter tears for past 
 sins, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These two blessings I am 
 encouraged to look for, for they are promised to sinners ; they 
 are 4 the gifts to the rebellious.' In the meantime I pray to 
 do the will of God, and to use my voice, my pen, or my feet, 
 as he wishes me, while these members have any strength for 
 his service. 
 
 44 My dear sir, very sincerely yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 44 Z. Macaulay, Esq" 
 
 The sketch of an Ecclesiastical Establishment, mentioned in 
 the preceding letter, was not only transmitted to his majesty's 
 ministers, and to other distinguished individuals, but com- 
 municated to the East India Mission Committee of the Society 
 for Promoting Christian Knowledge, through Mr. Wilberfore, 
 on the 1st of June. It was received by them with expressions 
 of approbation, and of entire concurrence in the views of its 
 author ; and an abstract of it having been reported by that 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 359 
 
 committee to a general meeting of the society, held on the 23d 
 of that month, a series of important resolutions, in support of 
 the measure thus proposed, as well as in favour of the general 
 duty of promoting Christianity amongst our Indian fellow sub- 
 jects, European and native, were moved and adopted. 
 
 The following passage from a letter to a friend, who had 
 suggested an alteration in a part of his " Sketch/' will show, 
 amongst other instances of a similar nature, how far Dr. Bu- 
 chanan was from an unbending or disputatious temper: 
 
 " I am just favoured with your letter, and am greatly obliged 
 to you for writing it. I consent to the section being omitted, 
 and to the word ■ colonization' not appearing in the whole 
 book. 
 
 " I am only anxious that the cause of God should have due 
 honour, and that l exclusion of christian teachers in Asia' 
 should be plainly represented as repugnant to God's will and 
 revealed word. These are days of great measures. When 
 we stand upon the Rock, we need not fear the conflicting cur- 
 rents of public opinion. But it is right to avoid obnoxious 
 terms if we can ; and if an object is likely to be attained with- 
 out fighting for it, it is best." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan was, however, at this time by no means 
 sanguine as to the success of the proposed establishment, 
 though he rejoiced in the progress of Christianity in other 
 quarters. The following is from a letter to Colonel Sandys 
 in April : 
 
 " I had very little pleasure in writing further on the sub- 
 ject ; but, as I had given a beginning, I thought I would give 
 the end. It is not probable that any thing of importance will 
 be done. We ought to be satisfied with the great doings of 
 the present day. Indeed the Bible Society's triumphs have 
 been so great of late, that it is time (according to the usual dis- 
 pensations in relation to the gospel) we should look for a check, 
 to humble us a little, and keep us in our proper place. 
 
 " Since my return from Ireland, I have been much engaged 
 with correspondence from that kingdom. There is a fine 
 evangelical spirit, even amongst the nobility. I had urged 
 Trinity College, Dublin, to organize a Bible Society. The 
 students were for it ; the elder members against it. Matters, 
 at this moment, are very interesting. The Irish want the Bible 
 almost as much as the Hindoos. 
 
 " My affectionate remembrance to Mrs. S. and Miss J., not 
 forgetting Claudius, (look into xWilner's History, for the life of 
 Claudius, of Turin. I have just discovered in a volume of 
 Archbishop Usher's, that there is a manuscript Commentary 
 
360 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 on St. Matthew in the library of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, 
 by this very Claudius : a fact which Mr. Milner does not seem 
 to have known,) who, for the reason stated in the parenthesis, 
 must go to Pembroke Hall, as a student of divinity. My 
 namesakes must not go about with flint and steel. There is a 
 higher warfare for them ; in which I hope you are all fighting, 
 and are more than conquerors through Him who hath loved us. 
 "I am, affectionately yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 The beginning of the following month was marked by the 
 appearance of some symptoms favourable to the intended mea- 
 sure respecting India, but clouded by the melancholy intel- 
 ligence of the assassination of Mr. Perceval. Dr. Buchanan's 
 observations on that lamentable event will be read with in- 
 terest. 
 
 " Kirby Hall, 15th May, 1812. 
 
 " I had a note from Lord Buckinghamshire thanking me for 
 the Prospectus, and acknowledging its importance ; conclud- 
 ing with — 4 You may be assured that it will receive from me 
 all the attention to which it is entitled.' Another note from 
 Mr. Perceval to the same effect. Happy Perceval ! if he have 
 died in the faith, as I have long believed he lived. In my last 
 letter to him (about a month ago) there is the following sen- 
 tence. » One thing is certain,' (I had been alluding to his diffi- 
 culties, and the state of public affairs,) ' and it must be a sub- 
 ject of permanent comfort to your own mind, that however the 
 course of affairs may lead you in future life, good has already 
 been done under your administration, which cannot be undone; 
 and even if life itself should ?iot be long vouchsafed, you 
 would depart with the consciousness,' &c. &c. 
 
 " I have been trying to move the general assembly to notice 
 the extension of religion in India. I have also urged Cam- 
 bridge to petition Parliament on the subject. If an university, 
 which has permitted its members to portray so often the bless- 
 ing of giving Christianity to India, should hesitate to recom- 
 mend the measure, who can be expected to support it ? 
 
 "I continue in an equable state of health. I can walk for 
 about ten minutes at a time, but my weakness is very great, 
 particularly in my limbs, which start and throb very much in 
 bed, sometimes during the whole night. Last night an ex- 
 periment was made of applying leeches to one foot. The con- 
 sequence was, the throbbing ceased in that foot, and was more 
 severe in the other. 
 
 " I am happy to hear that is better, and with you. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 361 
 
 He may probably be offered a command in Asia, in the course 
 of a year or two. In the meanwhile, time flies, assassins fire 
 shots, and we hear the voice, 4 Be ye also ready.' I doubt not 
 but the death of Mr. Perceval will give life to the religion of 
 many a man in England. Some men will feel it as sensibly as 
 if he had been a member of their own family." 
 
 In the month of June Dr. Buchanan proceeded to Scar- 
 borough, from whence he proposed a visit to the Bishop of 
 Durham, and then to the Bishop of LlandarT, and the lakes of 
 Westmoreland. This latter plan, however, he was compelled 
 to relinquish, on rinding that the exercise of a carriage was as 
 yet too much for him. From Scarborough he wrote the fol- 
 lowing letter to his daughters ; ending with a confirmation of 
 his hopes respecting India. 
 
 u Scahboboxjgh, 18th July, 1812. 
 ** I had the pleasure to receive your letter, Augusta, by Dr. 
 B., and was much gratified by the perusal; and I have seen 
 Charlotte^s letter to her mamma, which is equally pleasing to 
 me ; for in both letters I think I perceive a love of piety, or at 
 least a wish that you could love it. It is indeed so amiable a 
 quality in young persons, that I cannot contemplate them with 
 any pleasure, if they be destitute of it. For what are all other 
 acquirements or possessions compared with this ? Nothing. I 
 wish you both to possess that which will give you hope, and 
 me comfort, in the prospect of your dissolution. I wish to see 
 you smile, and have inward peace, when you are shutting your 
 eyes on the glories of life. But they are not glories. They 
 are vanities. / cannot make you believe this. The grace of 
 God alone can teach you this truth. And this grace is given 
 oftentimes to children as young as you. When Christ said, 
 * Surfer little children to come unto me,' and when he quoted 
 the Psalms to the Jews, where it is said, ' Out of the mouths 
 of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise,' he meant to 
 intimate that the grace of God is communicated to young chil- 
 dren as well as to old persons ; and that children may adorn 
 the gospel by the beauty and piety of their conduct as well as 
 the aged christian. But how is this grace to be attained ? It 
 will not be given to you unless you intreat God to bestow it. 
 That is an ordinance or rule of God. And it will not do to 
 ask in words only, in a formal way ; but you must ' lift up 
 your voice' in your closet, and expect it earnestly, as if you 
 expected ' a treasure.' 
 
 " Be so good as to tell and that I have re- 
 ceived a letter from Colonel Macaulay this morning, informing 
 
 h h 
 
362 memoirs or DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 mc that a deputation of Messrs. Wilberforce, Grant, Babing' 
 ton, &c., had waited on Lord Liverpool on the subject of evan- 
 gelizing India, and that his lordship surprised them by offering 
 almost more thnn they wished. He intimated his intention to 
 carry the three following important measure* ; 1st. To establish 
 a seminary at eacli presidency in India for instructing natives 
 for the ministry. 2d. To grant licences for missionaries, not 
 from the Court of Directors, but from the Board of Control, 
 3d. To consecrate bishops for India. 
 
 44 Your mamma joins me in love to you both ; and I remain, 
 my dear girls, 
 
 " Your affectionate father, C. Buchanan."" 
 
 The following extracts from letters to several of his friends, 
 will show the general state of Dr. Buchanan's health, feelings, 
 and employments, during the remainder of this eventful year. 
 
 " Kirbt Hall, 17th August. 
 
 I4 "l am just returned from Scarborough, where I have been 
 for the last six weeks trying the efficacy of the warm baths at 
 that place. I have been strengthened a little, but am still very 
 weak. 
 
 44 1 have hardly any news but w T hat I find in the Bible ; and 
 that book is always new. I keep far aloof from the world ; at 
 least I wish to do so; and my present indisposition favours 
 my wishes. But even in this evil world every week produces 
 joyful events. The city of London has formed itself into a 
 Bible Society; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer has stood 
 forth boldly as the advocate and supporter of the religion of 
 Christ. But if I were to recount all the blessings of God to 
 this unworthy land, I should need a quire of paper : a quire ! 
 If all the blessings to this unworthy land were written, ■ the 
 world itself (to use the bold hyperbole of St. John) 4 would 
 not contain the books that should be written.' 
 
 44 I rejoice to hear that you find yourself fully employed 
 from day to day, feeling the weight of the labour, and yet ob- 
 taining strength for the day. For this, believe me, is the hap- 
 piest state of your existence. The exertion of mind, under 
 parochial, domestic, and scholastic cares, is like the budding 
 and blossoming of trees which promise plenty of fruit. By 
 and by it will be the autumn for you and Mrs. K. ; labour and 
 sin and sorrow will cease, and a glorious state of felicity will 
 begin: of which I pray, that all your children and all your 
 pupils may partake !" 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN- 363 
 
 " 14th November. 
 
 " Thanks to you for your kind letter. I am in much the 
 same state I have been, but I cannot write a page without diffi- 
 culty. The paralytic affection remains without sensible abate- 
 ment in my right hand, foot, and side. I can however walk 
 and ride a little : and I have preached regularly this last month. 
 There is no hope of my acquiring strength soon, for I do not 
 take sufficient/00 cL I am therefore content to do a little, not 
 knowing whether I shall obtain strength to do more. 
 
 " I have just had a letter from Mr. Owen, (to whom I had 
 occasion to send sixty pounds for the Bible Society, and ten 
 pounds for Serampore to Mr. Macaulay, from the family here,) 
 in which he manifests great alarm about Mr. Brown. Mr. 
 Thomason's letter stated, that he was not expected to live a 
 week. But my letter is the latest I presume. You would 
 hear of the Serampore conflagration. The missionaries will 
 soon recruit their money ; but the work will be somewhat re- 
 tarded," 
 
 " Dec. 17. 
 
 st I thought I was going on very well, but I was suddenly 
 threatened with a return of illness. It has hitherto been mer- 
 cifully prevented ; but I am obliged to desist entirely from my 
 labour in the ministry ; and am forbidden to engage in severe 
 study. 
 
 " I rejoice to see you working with so much alacrity and 
 content while strength is afforded you. * Be thou faithful unto 
 death, and I will give thee a crown of life/ 
 
 " What a terrible retribution is the modern Senacherib ex- 
 periencing on the wolds of Russia ! What an event for the use 
 and edification of the christian ! I fear both nations and in- 
 dividuals will suffer morally from their exultation. May you 
 and I live to God, whether Bonaparte live or die !" 
 
 " Dec. 19. 
 
 " What a loss will Mr. Robinson be to the christian world ! 
 How many has he blessed in various ways, by preaching, 
 writing, and family exhortation ! What a shining example to 
 all the midland ministers ! I esteemed him the greatest preacher 
 in England ; as Mr. Scott is the greatest divine. 
 
 "I rejoice to see you continue in a spiritual frame. It is 
 
 the balm of life. If Mr. has seen and tasted that ' Christ 
 
 is precious,' he will ■ set his face like a flint.' If his convic- 
 tions have only been general, he will not be very useful in a 
 higher sphere." 
 
364 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 " Dec. 29. 
 
 44 1 received your welcome note, and desire the best bless- 
 ings may be your portion in return. I suffer at present from 
 the effects of a blister on the neck, which has taken a strong 
 hold of my constitution, and can only write a few lines. If I 
 could write, I have only to say, that I join with you in your 
 hallelujah to Him who came at this season to redeem lost man, 
 and to make us kin^s and priests unto God. May our song 
 which begins now, last for ever ! 
 
 44 I had not heard that H. Martyn was about to return. God, 
 who ordereth all things well, will show us perhaps that all 
 these events are conducive to his glory." 
 
 At the close of this year, and the commencement of the fol- 
 lowing, Dr. Buchanan was occupied, at the suggestion of some 
 of his friends, in preparing a new work, in the prospect of the 
 approaching parliamentary discussions on the renewal of the 
 charter of the East India Company, with reference to some 
 more direct and effectual provision for the promotion of Chris- 
 tianity in our Asiatic empire. Before we proceed, however, 
 with this important subject, we must advert to some events 
 which deeply affected the domestic happiness of Dr. Buchanan 
 during the first three months of the year 1813. These will be 
 best related in his own words. In a note to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Thompson on the 27th of February, he wrote thus : 
 
 44 1 dare say your hearts will be filled with joy on the event 
 of dear Mary having been so safely delivered. As for the little 
 one, who would only stay half an hour in this evil world, there 
 is no reason that we should grieve for him. I am happy to 
 say, that his dear mother is perfectly composed and resigned 
 to the dispensation. 
 
 44 May the God of this family, even the God of Abraham, 
 Isaac, and of Jacob, who surroundeth us with his comforts, 
 administer to you also the consolation and support you respec- 
 tively stand in need of, and shine on your path till you become 
 partakers of his glory !" 
 
 On the same day, Dr. Buchanan communicated this event 
 to one of his friends, and accompanied it with the following 
 notice of the afflicting intelligence which had been lately re- 
 ceived from India, and of the dubious state of his own health. 
 
 44 1 presume you have heard of the death of the Rev. Mr, 
 Brown, of Calcutta, and of Mr. Martyn. And so these good 
 men have ascended up on high in the vigour of age and life. 
 Let us aspire to follow them, and join the assembly of the 
 first born ! 
 
 11 1 have no news for you, being, like yourself, much retired 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 365 
 
 from the world. 1 continue in my former state, as to health ; 
 that is, I can make little progress in acquiring strength, while 
 the danger of a third attack of paralysis (which is imminent) 
 obliges me to take little nourishment, and yet to lose much 
 blood." 
 
 On the 13th of March, Dr. Buchanan, in writing to another 
 of his friends, added : 
 
 " Mrs. B. recovers well, and has been applying to herself St 
 Paul's reasoning on the advantages of being without the cares of 
 a family. I tell her St Paul's is a wonderful book — it suits 
 every state" 
 
 This favourable appearance, however, of recovery was but 
 of short duration. The following brief narrative, drawn up by 
 Dr. Buchanan for the consolation of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, 
 describes in simple but affecting language the sudden extinc- 
 tion of his hopes, and the repetition of the Mow which had 
 once before laid low his expectations of earthly happiness. 
 
 ■" Long before her last illness, my dear Mary had frequently 
 contemplated the probability of her -dying in early life. Her 
 delight was to talk of things heavenly and spiritual, and her 
 studies were almost entirely religious. Her spirits seemed to 
 have been much chastened by personal and by domestic suffer- 
 ing; and her affections were gradually losing their hold of this 
 world. After her last confinement, her heart appeared to be 
 devoted to God in a particular manner. On the third day she 
 wrote the following note to her dear mother : 
 
 *" 4 Yon will rejoice to hear I am as well as can be expected, 
 smd that I feel a wonderful serenity of mind. I feel a want 
 for my poor little babe. Yet I do not repine, for I have great 
 need of all the Lord^s chastisements^ and if I gain one step 
 towards heaven, i am abundantly repaid, and would joyfully 
 go through all over again to-morrow to gain one step more. I 
 have great need of correction; but why my dear husband 
 should be a sufferer in these losses I cannot conceive, who is 
 so much farther advanced in his heavenly course and expe- 
 rience in every way. Pray for me, that I may so run as to oh* 
 lain the heavenly prize. 
 
 4i * My kind love to my poor little girls. Tell them I hope, 
 in the course of a day or two, to be able to see them. I have 
 -great cause for thankfulness in every way. Adieu, adieu.' 
 
 " Notwithstanding her continued indisposition, accompanied 
 by a high fever, she greatly enjoyed my prayers and religious 
 converse. Having lost her child, she frequently alluded to the 
 pleasure she anticipated in forming the minds of Charlotte and 
 Augiasta, and preparing them for the heavenly state. We 
 
 Hh2 
 
366 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 mutually expressed the hope of devoting ourselves to the ser- 
 vice of God for the time to come, more affectionately and ac- 
 tively than we had done in time past. She looked forward, 
 certainly, to the comfort of enjoying more the life of a saint on 
 earth ; but I do not think she expected so early to be a saint 
 in heaven. The expectations and assurances of all her medical 
 attendants were very flattering in regard to her recovery. A 
 rapid recovery was prognosticated ; but she more than once in- 
 timated that they did not understand her case. 
 
 " On the night previous to her death, w T hile she sat on the 
 couch in my study, she begged I would give her the Bible, and 
 a little table, and a candle. She read one of the psalms very 
 attentively, the 46th I believe, beginning with these words y 
 k God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble/ 
 And when I took the Bible out of her hands, finding it open 
 at that psalm, I read it to her as a portion of our evening re- 
 ligious exercise. 
 
 " On the morning of the day on which she died, after I had 
 kneeled by her bedside, as usual, and prayed with her, and 
 had left her, she desired her maid to read a hymn to her. She 
 began one, but immediately said it was a funeral hymn ; to 
 which she replied, ' a funeral hymn will suit me very well.' 
 
 " About an hour afterwards she was brought into my study, 
 and took her seat in the arm-chair. About one o'clock her 
 dear father and mother came to visit her. After her father 
 had stayed sometime, he and I went out in the carriage for an 
 hour, while her mother remained with her. On our return , 
 her mother took her leave, and I accompanied her down stairs 
 to the carriage. On my coming up, my dear Mary had just 
 got up from her chair, and walked o^ver to the couch with a 
 quick step, assisted by her nurse, from an apprehension that 
 she was about to faint. I immediately supported her in my 
 arms. Slight faintings succeeded, but they were momentary. 
 She complained of a pain near her heart. On my saying, I 
 hoped it would soon be over, she replied, * O no, it is not over 
 yet ; what is this that is come upon me ? — send for mamma/ 
 After a few minutes' struggle, she sat up in the couch with 
 much strength ; and looking towards the window, she uttered 
 a loud cry, that might have been heard at a considerable dis- 
 tance. She then drank a little water ; and immediately after 
 drinking, without a groan or sigh, her head fell upon my breast. 
 I thought she had only fainted ; but her spirit at that moment 
 had taken its flight. It was just three o'clock in the day. 
 
 " Thus died my beloved wife. She was ready for the sum- 
 mons. She had long lived as one who waited for the coming 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 367 
 
 of her Lord. Her loins were girded, her lamp was burning, 
 and the staff was in her hand. She had nothing to do but to 
 depart. 
 
 44 * Blessed are those servants whem the Lord when he 
 cometh shall find watching ; and if he shall come in the second 
 watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed 
 are those servants.' Luke xii. 37.* 
 
 "Moat Hall, 13th April, 1813." 
 
 A few days after this afflicting event, Dr. Buchanan ex- 
 pressed his personal feelings more fully, and detailed, in his 
 " Private Thoughts," with genuine christian humility, those 
 44 peaceable fruits of righteousness," which he was chiefly 
 anxious to derive from his loss. The notice of some of them 
 will, doubtless, interest many readers. 
 
 44 My first emotions of thankfulness (when I could seek sub- 
 jects of thankfulness) were, 4 that her last trial was so short.' 
 It was given me to witness for my soul's health, I trust ; and 
 it was awful indeed, but it was short." 
 
 " Monday evening, 29th March. 
 
 " I have passed this week in a mourning and disconsolate 
 state. I have lost appetite for food, and dwell almost con- 
 stantly on the circumstances of my loss. 
 
 44 I suffer chiefly from the reflection, that I did not commune 
 with her more frequently and directly on the state of her 
 soul. * * * God ordained her personal and domestic suffer- 
 ings to mature her for her approaching change. * * * * Ma- 
 ture in my heart, blessed Saviour, this affliction, and enable 
 me to obey the new commandment, * that ye love one another.' 
 
 44 This love exercised towards a wife or children acquires 
 a double force ; natural affection co-operating with spiritual 
 love. 
 
 44 Teach me, O Lord, to love my children as I ought to do, 
 both in a natural and spiritual sense." 
 
 " April 2d, 1813. 
 44 My grief has been growing more and more faint and 
 languid ; but, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, my sense of things heavenly and my penitence for past 
 sins, have rather increased. I am enabled to pray three times 
 a day, and am not as usual driven hastily from my knees. O 
 
 * The inscription on Mrs. Buchanan's tomb, written by her affectionate hus- 
 band, will be found at the end of the volume. 
 
368 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 that this may continue ! I have long prayed for a spirit of grace 
 and supplication, and now the Lord hath been pleased to give 
 it by means that I did not expect. However it comes, it is a 
 long-lost blessing. 
 
 44 The chief petitions in my prayers have been these : 
 
 44 1. That God would strike the rock of my affections with 
 his rod, and cause the waters to flow ; that I might become 
 tender hearted, truly humble and solicitous about the spiritual 
 state of men. 
 
 44 2. That I might open my mouth in the cause of God. 
 Hitherto my lips have been locked in a torpid silence. There 
 is, indeed, much that is constitutional in this taciturnity ; and 
 my late nervous indisposition has greatly increased it. Like 
 Hooker, I can scarcely look my children or servants in the 
 face. 
 
 44 I have prayed that this unaccountable weakness may be 
 removed ; that I may become vocal for God at all times and in 
 all places ; that I may look earnestly into the eyes and coun- 
 tenances of men, and seek anxiously their salvation ; that I 
 may never forget the agonizing looks and powerful voice of my 
 dear wife in the struggle of death ; and that I may call forth 
 some animation of soul in my looks and words during my life. 
 
 44 3. That I may learn to seek the glory of God as the first 
 object in my conversation in the world, and to pray earnestly 
 for the conversion of all men. 
 
 44 4. Let me look on every person whom my eyes survey 
 with benevolence, loving my neighbour as myself, and utter a 
 mental prayer for that person, 4 May this be a vessel of mercy 
 prepared unto glory !' 
 
 44 5. That the spirit of grace and supplication may never de- 
 part from me ; and that God may hear my morning, noon-tide, 
 and evening supplication during every day of my pilgrimage. 
 
 44 6. That * * * I may fix my love, hopes, and affections 
 on God ; and obtain that fellowship which I learn from scrip- 
 ture is attainable by man in his present state. Amen." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's communications to his friends upon this 
 melancholy occasion breathe the same spirit as his more private 
 meditations, and will still, it is presumed, be thought interest- 
 ing and instructive. The following are extracts from some of 
 them, 
 
 "Kirby Hall, 2d April, 1813. 
 After replying to one or two points respecting public events, 
 he adds : 
 
 44 But I do not know what is passing in these days. The 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 369 
 
 death of Mrs. Buchanan has removed to a vast distance from 
 my mind subjects which were familiar to it. ... I could not 
 have believed that I should have been so much moved by the 
 event as I am, or that my affections would have been so power- 
 fully awakened. May the spiritual impression I have received 
 never be obliterated from my soul ! 
 
 " Offer my christian love to your wife who is yet alive. 
 And may you and she enjoy much spiritual communion with 
 each other, before the hour of separation arrives !" 
 
 " 4th April. 
 
 " My dear Sister, — Charlotte has shown me your kind letter. 
 I thank you most sincerely for your tender sympathy on my 
 late loss. The summons came suddenly for Mrs. Buchanan, 
 but she was evidently matured for her new state of existence ; 
 and I believe she in some degree anticipated it. Her death 
 has, I trust, been blessed to myself, and, I would hope, to my 
 children. 
 
 " While your dear husband is spared to you, and you are 
 spared to him, enjoy as much spiritual converse together as is 
 possible. For when the separation comes, you will reproach 
 yourselves bitterly, if you have not been tenderly communica- 
 tive on this subject. 
 
 " I remain, my dear sister, very affectionately yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 " To Coloml Sandys. 
 
 " 15th April. 
 
 " Accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter of con- 
 dolence. Your topics of consolation are all excellent ; and you 
 .point to the right source, the heavenly Paraclete. 
 
 " I shall not be able to make a journey into Cornwall. I 
 return you thanks for your most obliging offer, which is a true 
 mark of your personal friendship, and of christian regard. My 
 infirm state forbids my moving from home for sometime, ex- 
 cept in a case of urgent necessity. 
 
 " I can write but little. My pen refuses to say much since 
 Mrs. Buchanan's death. But I hope I have been affected by 
 it chiefly in a spiritual manner." 
 
 " To Colonel Macaulay. 
 
 "April 16. 
 
 " I thank you most sincerely for your kind letter. The 
 mournful event has, I trust, been sanctified to me. Some such 
 
370 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 affliction appears to have been necessary to soften a hard and 
 proud heart. I pray that the salutary effects may never pass 
 away. 
 
 "1 am happy to hear you speak so favourably of the dispo- 
 sition of government in regard to the extension of Christianity 
 in the East. Mr. Wilberforce has urged me to go up and give 
 evidence at the bar of the House of Lords. I told him I am 
 willing to appear ; the only question is, whether it be physi- 
 cally practicable. The physicians oppose my going. 1 do not 
 know what will be the event." 
 
 The latter sentence in the preceding extract leads back our 
 attention to the great subject which occupied the minds of re- 
 ligious men during the former part of this year, and with re- 
 ference to which, it has been already seen, that Dr. Buchanan 
 was employed, when his thoughts were for a time diverted from 
 it by the late afflicting event in his family. To this important 
 subject, therefore, we will now return. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The light which had been thrown a few years since, chiefly 
 by means of Dr. Buchanan's writings* on the state of religion in 
 India, and the interest which had been in consequence excited 
 upon that subject throughout the nation, produced a very gene- 
 ral impression as to the duty of urging upon the attention of 
 parliament the necessity of making some more effectual provi- 
 sion for the religious instruction of British India, and of in- 
 creasing the facilities of imparting the blessings of christian 
 knowledge to the unenlightened millions of our native subjects. 
 To promote these most important objects, several valuable 
 tracts were published by the friends of religion ; amongst 
 which may be particularly mentioned an admirable " Letter to 
 a Friend on the duty of Great Britain to disseminate Chris- 
 tianity in India, occasioned by the proposed renewal of the 
 charter of the East India Company ;"* and a masterly " Ad- 
 dress to the Public," on the same momentous topic, by the 
 Rev. Robert Hall, 
 
 The subject was also biiefly but powerfully touched by an 
 able and eloquent defenderf of the general system of our East 
 
 * See the Christian Observer, vol. xi. p. 26J. 
 t Hubert Gi^nr, Es^= 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 371 
 
 Indian administration ; who, in combatting an insinuation of a 
 valuable writer on the south of India, thus expresses his own 
 views upon the subject of promoting Christianity in the East. 
 
 " The question respecting the introduction of Christianity 
 into Hindostan does not, it must be owned, fall precisely within 
 the subject of the present work ; but its high importance will 
 justify a few words upon it, even at the expense of what may 
 seem a digression. 
 
 " The idea of coercive proselytism, however mild the com- 
 pulsory means employed, merits all the epithets which the 
 language of reprobation can attach to it ; and even that of pro- 
 selytism, by the simple exertion of state influence, seems, in 
 Hindostan, to say the best of it, highly objectionable. But 
 surely the idea of proselytism by the bare effect of conviction, 
 — by the effect of an unforced, unbribed, and unbiassed ac- 
 quiescence in truth and reason, — however visionary it may 
 appear to some persons, can only by a very singular rule of 
 arrangement be classed with unmanly, ungenerous, and un- 
 christian deception. To such a pitch of refinement would this 
 valuable author have us carry our reverence for the supersti- 
 tions of Hindooism ! Their sanctity seems to be like what is 
 said of the priestly character, indelible. Their sovereignty is 
 so essential and inherent, that they not only cannot be deposed, 
 but cannot even voluntarily abdicate. 
 
 " A few years ago this subject was debated with great heat ; 
 but at present will surely receive a calm attention. The ac- 
 complished Sir William Jones, who was equally distinguished 
 for his acuteness, his philanthropy, and his candour, has given 
 his sanction to attempts, cautiously and fairly conducted, for 
 the introduction of the christian religion among the natives of 
 Hindostan. If, indeed, as Colonel Wilks justly affirms, ' it 
 never can be a question, whether the English or the Hindoo 
 code of religion be entitled to the preference,' the wish must 
 naturally suggest itself to every humane and unprejudiced mind, 
 that the better system should have every chance of the wider 
 diffusion. Only the distinction is ever to be carefully observed 
 between making it a matter of option and a matter of authority ; 
 a distinction which, even as applied to this particular case, the 
 experience of many years has now shown that the natives are 
 perfectly able to comprehend. The uncompelled and tranquil 
 circulation of the christian scriptures (the method peculiarly 
 recommended by Sir William Jones) appears so free from all 
 possibility of exception, that it ought to receive the fullest and 
 most willing toleration from the Indo-British Presidencies. 
 Otherwise they would indeed * forcibly stand between' the 
 
372 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Hindoo population and the highest and deepest hopes that can 
 be infused into the human heart. And surely no government 
 calling itself christian can, without incurring a fearful respon- 
 sibility, refuse to a christian missionary, so long as he shall 
 demean himself with strict loyalty, steady discretion, and un- 
 impeachable virtue, the opportunity of exerting his unbought 
 and honourable labour among the natives of Hindostan." 
 
 It was natural, however, to look to him who had first awak- 
 ened the public mind to the imperious duty of regarding the 
 religious concerns of our oriental empire, to lead the way in 
 an appeal to the legislature upon this subject. Accordingly, 
 amidst the pressure of domestic sorrow and of personal debi- 
 lity, Dr. Buchanan composed and published, early in the spring, 
 a work entitled, " Colonial Ecclesiastical Establishment: being a 
 brief view of the state of the Colonies of Great Britain, and of 
 her Asiatic Empire, in respect to religious instruction: prefaced 
 by some considerations on the national duty of affording it." 
 
 Though the state of the question relative to the promotion of 
 Christianity in India w T as very materially and happily changed 
 since the year 1807, when it was so fully discussed, and 
 thoughtful and religious men were in general persuaded of the 
 necessity and importance of that measure, Dr. Buchanan still 
 deemed it expedient to commence his work by briefly but 
 pointedly urging this duty upon a christian nation, and by 
 arguing, from various considerations, that the voice of Provi- 
 dence was evidently calling upon Great Britain to undertake 
 it. He next entered upon an examination of the means of 
 thus diffusing Christianity ; and under the head of one of them, 
 " the extension of the National Church," gave a sketch of a 
 general colonial establishment, and of the state of religion in 
 the West Indies. Dr. Buchanan then argued the question as 
 to the policy of promoting Christianity in India. 
 
 On the subject, however, of parliamentary interference, he 
 stated, that it was not his intention to urge the legislature to 
 adopt any direct means in the way of expensive establishments 
 for proselyting the natives. All, he said, that w r as expected at 
 present in regard to them was, that the governing power would 
 not show itself hostile to the measure of instructing them. 
 Great Britain, he alleged, owed her primary obligations to her 
 own children. The work, therefore, is closed by a powerful 
 appeal to parliament as to its duty and responsibility upon the 
 approaching decision of this momentous question, and with 
 the sketch of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India, 
 which has been already mentioned.* 
 
 * See page 357. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 373 
 
 Such is a brief outline of the contents of this volume, which 
 was very extensively circulated, particularly amongst the mem- 
 bers of both houses of Parliament, and made a strong and 
 general impression throughout the country. 
 
 It was not merely, however, by the press that the friends of 
 religion endeavoured to instruct and awaken the public upon 
 this critical and momentous occasion. They resorted to the 
 legitimate and constitutional measure of petitioning Parliament 
 upon the subject, and nine hundred addresses from the cities, 
 towns, and even villages of the united kingdom, crowded the 
 tables of both houses, imploring the interference of the legis- 
 lature in behalf of the moral and religious interests of India. 
 The contest was long and arduous ; but the voice of christian 
 duty and of sound policy, which must ever be inseparable, at 
 length prevailed. A resolution to the following effect was in- 
 troduced by his majesty's ministers into both houses; and, 
 after very full and lengthened discussions, in which Mr. Wil- 
 berforce, Mr. W. Smith, and Mr. Stephen, particularly distin- 
 guished themselves by their able and eloquent efforts in its 
 support, it was, in the House of Commons, carried by a great 
 majority, and, in the House of Lords, without debate and 
 without a division. 
 
 " That it is the duty of this country to promote the interest 
 and happiness of the native inhabitants of the British domi- 
 nions in India ; and that such measures ought to be adopted as 
 may tend to the introduction among them of useful knowledge 
 and of religious and moral improvement. That, in the fur- 
 therance of the above objects, sufficient facilities shall be afford- 
 ed by law to persons desirous of going to and remaining in 
 India for the purpose of accomplishing these benevolent de- 
 signs." 
 
 A previous resolution had already passed, by which a bishop 
 and three archdeacons were to be appointed to superintend the 
 clergy of the established church iri India ; thus accomplishing^ 
 though not to the extent which he deemed necessary, the two 
 great objects which Dr. Buchanan had so ably and so perse- 
 veringly pursued.* 
 
 It is to these important and interesting transactions that the 
 following extracts principally refer. With the exception of 
 the first, the letters from which they are taken were address- 
 
 *The establishment of the See of Calcutta has been attended with all the 
 benefits which Dr. Buchanan anticipated, and has already added not a little to 
 the lustre of the English Episcopacy from the character of the distinguished 
 and pious bishops whose services it has, for a brief period, enjoyed- The fbU 
 
 i i 
 
374 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 ed to a friend, to whose judicious and zealous exertions much 
 of the success which ultimately attended the cause must be 
 ascribed. 
 
 "Kiuby Hall, Feb. 4, 1813. 
 
 " You go up, you say, to witness the battle between 
 
 the government and the India Company. It rages very fu- 
 riously at present. It is a fine trial of the honesty of religious 
 men. It is true, indeed, good men often live and die the slaves 
 of particular prejudices ; but, generally speaking, conscience 
 will take the alarm if we are not honest in our vote in a cause 
 between God and man. 
 
 " God will direct the event according to his coun- 
 sel. There may be no remarkable triumph at this time : but 
 other parts of the great catastrophe (the revelation of Christ's 
 kingdom) are approximating, and you may live to see its ad- 
 vance. The expiration of twenty years more is likely to be a 
 grander period in the church than the present. 
 
 " 1 have just submitted to the insertion of a large seton in 
 the integuments of my neck. So you see the constitutional 
 propensity to paralysis continues. But this is the best state 
 for me. I could not have chosen a better ; and it does me a 
 great deal of good. I need slow fires to purge away my dross. 
 But the Refiner is merciful, and gives me strength to bear the 
 heat of the furnace." 
 
 "Kirbt Hall, April, 1813. 
 " The circumstances of my health render it impracticable 
 for me, at present, to move to London. But I shall probably 
 afford you any information as satisfactorily by correspondence 
 as if I were on the spot. 
 
 lowing are the dates of their respective consecrations, and of the deaths of the 
 first four of the number: 
 
 Right Rev. Thomas Fansfiaw Middleton, consecrated 1814, died 1822. 
 
 " Rrcinald Hebkr, consecrated 1st June, 1823, died April 2, 1826. 
 
 " J. T. James, consecrated 3d June, 1S27, died 22d August, 1823. 
 
 " J. M. Turner, consecrated 1829, died July 7, 1831. 
 
 " Daniel Wilson, consecrated 1832. 
 
 Serus in caelum redeat, diuque la3to intersit popu'o. 
 Since the appointment of Bishop Wilson the English government has yielded 
 to the manifest necessity of increasing the number of bishops in India. The Right 
 Rev. Daniel Corrie, whose life has been devoted to missionary labours in 
 India, and who is well known as the friend and associate of Henry Marly n, 
 was consecrated Bishop of Bombay on the 14th of June. 1835. The succeed- 
 ing year was marked by the consecration of the Right Rev. Thomas Can as 
 Bishop of Bombay. — Am. Ed. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 375 
 
 " Your accomplishing the object of a numerous meeting at the 
 London Tavern was a grand measure, and the whole christian 
 world is indebted to you for it. The resistance to your pur- 
 poses will be most resolute. The public voice alone promises 
 something. If every city and town in England and Scotland 
 were to petition, (which is practicable,) the business would 
 acquire a new complexion before the end of May. 
 
 " The duty, however, of a christian is to be obedient to the 
 powers that be. To claim as matter of right the permission 
 of preaching Christianity to the Hindoos, is highly absurd; 
 and the assertion of the right ought to meet with a rebuke* 
 
 " Mr. Wilber force's speech in the committee on Catholic 
 claims will produce some sensation among religious men in. 
 England. I am of opinion that he has judged rightly. Libe- 
 ral concession to the Catholics and dissenters will be good me- 
 dicine to some ; and will favour measures for enlarging the 
 spiritual church of Christ. We may be sure that the country 
 will make no concession to the Catholics which will materially 
 injure her. If she does, she can retrace her steps,, as she has 
 done before^" 
 
 « May 15, 
 ** Many thanks to you for ' Christianity in India.' It is 
 drawn up in the manner I entirely approve., which I could not 
 say of the former summaries. It comes in well after the peti- 
 tions ; and its perspicuity and brevity will fix and fascinate the 
 careless eye. I begin almost to sympathise with your Indian 
 opponents, the battering of religious Britain has been so tre- 
 mendous. 
 
 Like you, I am not anxious as to the terms of concession in 
 regard to the question. The deed is done. Britain has lifted 
 her voice in her christian character, and the effect will be per- 
 manent and blessed. By this concussion religion rises at least 
 two degrees in a scale of twenty, both in its character and inte- 
 rests. The Bible Society 9 too, shares in the triumph. 
 
 "Mr. Dealtry's sermon* was well timed ; and would be, I 
 doubt not, a coup de grace to the dying prejudices of some. 
 
 " I have just read Dr. Milner's Strictures ; and have praised 
 God who hath given such understanding to men. He is a 
 host in himself; and the church will begin henceforth to view 
 him in a new light. They will dread his principles less, and 
 i-everenee his abilities more. I trust it will please God to 
 spare his life for some years. 
 
 * Before the Church Missionary Society. 
 
376 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 44 The publication of the Society's India Reports is just 
 what we want. It identifies them with us, and confirms the 
 truth of facts. 
 
 44 Spare your health, and take repose ; for you know not but 
 you may have as much to do next year." 
 
 " Kirby Hall, June 2d. 
 
 " I congratulate you on your great triumph. 
 
 Such a resolution proposed under such circumstances ! The 
 moment it actually passes the petitioners ought to unite in one 
 national hallelujah. 
 
 . . . . " What does . . . think of civilization now ? Lord 
 Castlereagh has put the question to rest. He says the fear of 
 it is a chimera." 
 
 " 11th June. 
 
 44 I am charmed with Whitbread, when he sounds the right 
 note. 
 
 44 I continue stationary at present. I have had blood abstract- 
 ed twice by cupping within the last month." 
 
 44 5th July. 
 44 And so Mr. Venn is dead ! What a varied scene has he 
 passed through in the evening of life, permitted, no doubt, for 
 his soul's health and eternal good. The church may mourn 
 indeed for Venn and Robinson. Let us be followers of them, 
 who through faith and patience have inherited the promises !" 
 
 44 July 7th. 
 
 44 I enclose an additional paragraph for the Remarks. Mr. 
 Lushington having declared so gravely that I had recommend- 
 ed the Hindoos to be converted by force, perhaps it would be 
 right to advert to a matter, which I had never thought it worth 
 my while to notice before. 
 
 44 1 hope now to give you no further trouble. It must be a 
 great relief to you when Parliament and their India questions 
 break up for good ; and I should be glad to hear that you had 
 gone for a w 7 hile to the Isle of Wight ; whence, as from a safe 
 haven, you might look back on the tumultuous sea you have 
 navigated." 
 
 " July 24. 
 44 1 congratulate you sincerely on the issue of your campaign, 
 far more interesting to thousands than that of Lord Wellington. 
 44 And now we are likely to be all disgraced. Parliament 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 377 
 
 has opened the door, and who is there to go in ? From the 
 •church not one man! Lord C. anticipated this denoument in 
 a very pleasant vein. We may hope that the Church Mission- 
 ary Society will excite a new spirit in various places. And we 
 must believe that the late great national movement, in behalf 
 of Christ and his kingdom, will have a reward in the fruits of 
 righteousness within the year." 
 
 The labours, however, of Dr. Buchanan in this great cause 
 were not yet completed. In the course of the debates in the House 
 of Commons, upon the question allowing efforts to be made by 
 pious and benevolent persons to promote Christianity in India, 
 his name and his writing were introduced by several of the Anglo- 
 Indian* opposers of that measure, in terms which can scarcely be 
 excused even on the ground of their own sincere, though mis- 
 taken, apprehensions of the subject. He was represented by 
 these gentlemen as the calumniator of the Hindoos, and as 
 having given to the world a false, or at least an exaggerated, 
 statement of their cruel and immoral superstitions. They, on 
 the contrary, wished the house and the public to believe, upon 
 the authority of their alleged local knowledge, that the Hin- 
 doos, though idolators, and enslaved by a blind and corrupt su- 
 perstition, were still a very harmless and moral race of people, 
 and, in support of the excellence of the Brahminical system, 
 quoted a variety of passages from the Heetopades, and other 
 Hindoo books, to prove what pure and exalted sentiments they 
 entertained of the Supreme Being, and of the great duties of 
 morality. Witnesses, however, without end, possessing more 
 than all the boasted local information of these gentlemen, from 
 Mr. Hoi well to Sir William Jones, Lord Teignmouth, and Sir 
 James Mackintosh, had already convinced every calm and un- 
 prejudiced inquirer, that, whatever may be the speculative 
 merit of their sacred books, or the social virtues of individual's, 
 both the religious system and the moral practice of the Hindoos 
 in general were — what we might be certain fro-m abstract princi- 
 ples as well as universal experience, the heathen ever must be — 
 '" corrupt, abominable, and unto every" really " good work re- 
 probate." And it would, in fact, be quite as practicable and as 
 just to charge the sacred writers themselves in their descriptions 
 of the idolators of Greece and Rome, how 7 ever distinguished 
 for their advancement in learning and the arts, with exaggera- 
 tion and uncharitableness, as the representations of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan, on a similar painful and deplorable subject. 
 
 * Particularly by Sir Henry Montgomery nnd Mr Lushington ; the latter of 
 tVhom did not, however, vote again&i the resolution. 
 
 ii 2 
 
378 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 It happened, in the course of the examination of evidence 
 upon the India question before the House of Commons, that 
 Dr. Buchanan's Memorial to Lord Minto in the year 1807, 
 together with the reply of the Bengal government to that paper, 
 and the observations of the Court of Directors on both, were 
 exhibited, and afterwards printed by order of the house. The 
 account given by Dr. Buchanan of the atrocities of the idol- 
 worship at Juggernaut was also opposed and attempted to be 
 invalidated by Mr. C. Buller, M. P. for West Looe, in a way 
 which will shortly be stated. 
 
 The unfounded allegations of the gentlemen first named 
 were generously repelled by Mr. Wilberforce, in one of his ad- 
 mirable speeches in the house, in the following terms : 
 
 " It is unwillingly that I bring in the name of one other per- 
 son ; I mean Dr. Buchanan : but I should be extremely want- 
 ing in the office and feelings of friendship, did I not take this 
 opportunity of vindicating the character of that excellent man. 
 The other night, the house will remember that it was stated 
 by a friend near me that I had not mentioned a single fact or 
 proposition on the authority of Dr. Buchanan. This, however, 
 was not because Dr. Buchanan was no authority with me ; but 
 because I knew there was a great, but most unjust outcry raised 
 against him : as, indeed, it was natural to expect there would 
 be against any man who had endeavoured, with his zeal, to draw 
 the public attention to this great cause. Thinking, therefore, 
 that my facts would be more readily admitted, if I supported 
 them by other less obnoxious names, I did not mention the name 
 of Dr. Buchanan, although his testimony would have corrobo- 
 rated all I said. But I should not do justice to my sentiments, 
 if I did not say that I feel Dr. Buchanan to be a man who de- 
 serves to be spoken of in a very different way from that in 
 which some gentlemen have chosen to mention his name. 
 Lord Wellesley selected Dr. Buchanan to be Vice-Provost of 
 the college of Calcutta; and he says of him — 'I have formed 
 the highest expectations from his abilities, learning, temper, 
 and morals ;' if, therefore, I think most highly of Dr. Bu- 
 chanan, as I certainly do, I am not alone in thinking well of 
 him. And let me here remind the honourable member that 
 Dr. Buchanan did not, at least, act like a man who wished to 
 deceive the public, and to obtain their assent to a false proposi- 
 tion ; for Dr. Buchanan published that very work, which states 
 most fully and particularly all the great circumstances of Hin- 
 doo enormity, while he yet resided in Bengal, and the book 
 was in circulation there a year or two before he quitted that 
 country. He himself presented to the supreme government of 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 379 
 
 India a copy of this work ; I mean his Memoir in favour of an 
 Ecclesiastical Establishment for India ; by which he drew as 
 much attention to the subject as he could, and, at least, mani- 
 fested his desire that the real truth should be ascertained. And, 
 in justice to Dr. Buchanan, I must observe that, notwithstand- 
 ing the unjust and illiberal aspersions which have been thrown 
 out in a general way against him, I have never yet heard him 
 distinctly charged with any specific misstatement of any fact 
 which he has brought forward/' 
 
 To Mr. Lushington and Sir Henry Montgomery Dr. Bu- 
 chanan wrote privately in vindication of his sentiments respect- 
 ing the Hindoos. A copy of his letter to the former gentle- 
 man is here introduced, not merely for the purpose of defence 
 and explanation, for this is by no means necessary, but to show 
 his exemplary mildness and forbearance under violent and un- 
 deserved reproach. 
 
 "Kirby Hall, Borobridge, 29th June, 1813, 
 " Sir, — I do myself the honour to address you for a moment, 
 in consequence of my having been informed that, on a late oc- 
 casion in the House of Commons, you censured my statements 
 concerning India as being unchristian and unjust ; or in terms 
 to that effect. Had such a stricture been made by a person who 
 was hostile to the introduction of Christianity into India, I 
 should have paid no attention to it ; but coming from respecta- 
 ble authority, and from one who is friendly to that measure, I 
 think it due to him and to myself to offer some explanation. 
 
 44 As you are an advocate for instructing the natives of India, 
 I must think that you approve in general of my endeavour to 
 give some account of the state of the people, and of the na- 
 ture of their superstition ; for, without some account of this 
 kind, how should our nation ever be excited to interest itself 
 humanely in their behalf? I must believe, then, that you do not 
 object to the giving such an account, but only that you disap- 
 prove of the manner in which it is done. I am not conscious 
 that there is any thing intemperate in my manner of writing. 
 Had I been intemperate, the nation would not have listened to 
 me. It remains, then, for me to believe that you advert to 
 insulated facts stated by me, which you consider untrue. If 
 you will have the goodness to refer me to any book, or other 
 respectable authority, which plainly invalidates any particular 
 fact, I shall be happy to publish the authority in the next edi- 
 tion of my work, and to confess my mistake. I assure you it 
 will cost me no more to retract an error publicly than to write this 
 letter. My only object is to promote the cause of truth in the 
 
580 MEMOIRS OF DR. bUCilANAX. 
 
 \vorld, by legitimate means. My own fame (since all men 
 possess not the same information and principles and cannot 
 be equally pleased) ought to be of little moment, and is, I 
 hope, a secondary consideration. But I beg you will do me 
 the justice to remember that on these subjects there is a great 
 diversity of opinion, even among those who are adverse to my 
 general views. Scarcely two persons from two different parts 
 of India will he found who will give the same account of what 
 they have seen and heard. Nor is agreement to be expected 
 in describing the various nations extending over three thousand 
 miles of territory. But as to those passages in my own work 
 which you characterize as unchristian or unjust, I am at as great 
 a loss to know which they are, as if you had charged them with 
 high treason. 
 
 " I understood some time ago that the statement in my pub- 
 lication which chiefly provoked animadversion, was that which 
 referred to the burning of women. But you are aware on 
 what authority I published that account ; and I presume you 
 are informed that subsequent indubitable statements very far 
 exceed it, and set this question entirely at rest. 
 
 " Probably you may not have heard that a work has been 
 recently published in Bengal, in four volumes quarto, entitled 
 a History of the Religion, Manners, and Literature of the Hin- 
 doos, which has been bought up with avidity in India, has 
 already passed through two editions in that country, and is 
 now publishing at home. It was printed under the immediate 
 eye of the Bengal government, (as you know it necessarily 
 must be,) and possesses an unquestionable authenticity on the 
 various subjects concerning which it treats. It takes the high 
 ground of literal translations from the Hindoo books, recent 
 facts, and living witnesses. Now this work not only confirms 
 my statements in almost every case which was controverted, but 
 goes far beyond them. In describing the atrocities connected 
 with the burning of women, self-devotement, and the impurity 
 of the Hindoo worship, I find I have scarcely entered the vesti- 
 bule. Will those, then, who pause at my statements, be able 
 to assail this authority ? 
 
 " There is another consideration, to which I would request 
 you would advert. Speculative strictures on the character of 
 the Hindoos constitute a very inconsiderable portion of my 
 writings. In three publications concerning India, I do not 
 think that criminatory reflections on the Hindoo character in 
 the abstract would occupy three pages. I treat, in general, 
 of entirely different subjects. It was not till the other day 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 381 
 
 that I was induced to give an exposition of a radical principle 
 of an impure character in the Hindoo worship ; and that exposi- 
 tion would certainly never have been given, but for the state- 
 ment of Mr. B idler. From his representation the nation would 
 have been left to conclude, that the indecent emblems on the 
 temples of the Hindoos have no evil effect on the morals of 
 the people. Now if I was entirely convinced that the contrary 
 was the truth, would it have been right in me to aid, by my si- 
 lence, the promulgation of such an error ? 
 
 " I would flatter myself that, when you have read this let- 
 ter, you will be disposed to consider the object of my writings 
 more favourably. There is a particular reason why I wish 
 to obtain from you an expression of approbation." 
 
 Here Dr. Buchanan introduced a reference to the charge 
 which he had received from the late Sir Stephen Lushington, 
 on his going out to India, which has been already mentioned 
 in these memoirs. He then continues as follows : 
 
 " If you will do me the honour at your leisure to look through 
 my writings, I think you will approve the motives and general 
 design ; and I hope you will pardon particular aberrations. If 
 you do not, I shall regret it ; but I bear no resentments ; and 
 shall trust that time, which produces great revolutions in senti- 
 ment, will abate, and not increase, your unfavourable opi- 
 nion. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and hum- 
 ble servant, C.Buchanan." 
 
 " To S. R. Lushington, Esq. M. P." 
 
 Such was Dr. Buchanan's temperate and satisfactory address 
 to Mr. Lushington. To Mr. Buller's allegations, he thought 
 it necessary to reply more publicly. 
 
 This gentleman perceiving, in the course of the examinations 
 which took place in the House of Commons, that the enor- 
 mities practised at Juggernaut had made a deep impression on 
 the minds of many members, deemed it his duty, from his per-* 
 sonal and intimate knowledge of the subject, with a view of ef- 
 facing that impression, to address a letter to the Court of Di- 
 rectors of the East India Company, intending that it should be 
 laid on the table of the house ; where it accordingly soon af- 
 terwards made its appearance. Mr, Buller's letter contained 
 a plausible defence of the tax on pilgrims resorting to the tem- 
 ple of the idol in question, and an attempt to palliate the atro- 
 cities alleged by Dr. Buchanan to be customarily committed 
 during the celebration of the Rutt Jattra, Qf the indecencies 
 
382 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 said to be exhibited there, he professed his total ignorance.* 
 This vindication of Juggernaut was probably intended, together 
 with the defence of the Indian government, to discredit the 
 testimony of Dr. Buchanan in this particular point, and thus to 
 produce a general distrust of his statements. The failure of 
 this scheme shall be given in the words of a writer in a valua- 
 ble periodical publication before alluded to ; which nobly re- 
 deemed its pledge, given some years since, never to abandon the 
 sacred cause of promoting Christianity in India and through- 
 out the world ; and to whose pages in the year 1813 the au- 
 thor gladly refers for a complete and masterly view of this 
 whole subject. 
 
 "Had it pleased Providence," said the Christian Observer,t 
 " that the severe illness with which Dr .Buchanan has recently 
 been visited had either deprived the church of his valuable 
 life, or reduced him to an incapacity of employing his pen in 
 her service, it would obviously have been difficult, if not im- 
 possible, to have effectually defended him from this assault. 
 But while the pressure of disease confined him to his couch, and 
 almost denied his tongue its office, the use of a hand was spared 
 to him, and his mind retained its more than youthful vigour. 
 In a few days his reply to Mr. Buller was in the hands of every 
 member of the House of Commons ; and it may be considered 
 as no unfair presumption that the reply was complete and satis- 
 factory, that in the parliamentary discussions which afterwards 
 took place, not the most distant allusion was made to the letter 
 of Mr. Buller, by any of his friends, although it cannot be 
 doubted that, when first produced, it was intended to serve im- 
 portant purposes in debate. We do not deny that we may be 
 fairly suspected of feelings of partiality towards Dr. Buchanan. 
 Our cordial respect for his character, and our gratitude for the 
 important services he has rendered to the christian cause, may 
 very possibly give a bias to our sentiments in his favour. We 
 think, however, that had w 7 e been mistaken in attributing to his 
 reply correctness of statement and solidity of reasoning, we 
 should ere this have heard that, either in Parliament or out of 
 it, some one of those Anglo-Indians, who have been accus- 
 tomed never to pronounce his name without some expression 
 of vituperation, would have accepted the challenge of his 
 
 * If Dr Buchanan's representations of this point needed any support, we 
 might resort to the coincident and unconscious testimony of the Danish mis- 
 sionaries, particularly that of Mr. Hutteman, which is contained in the Report 
 of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge for the year 1762. 
 
 tRcview of Buchanan's Apology for Christianity in India, voi. xii. p. 648. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 583 
 
 friends, and have descended from the convenient but impotent 
 generality of hard names, to the specification of some particu- 
 lar misstatements of fact." 
 
 As soon as Dr. Buchanan's reply to Mr. Buller's letter had 
 thus produced its intended effect in the House of Commons, 
 he prepared to publish it, together with some other documents, 
 to the world. It accordingly appeared in the course of the 
 summer under the following title : " An Apology for Promot- 
 ing Christianity in India: containing two Letters, addressed to 
 the Honourable East India Company, concerning the Idol Jug- 
 gernaut; and a Memorial presented to the Bengal Govern- 
 ment in 1807, in defence of the Christian Missions in India. 
 Printed by order of the Honourable the House of Commons. 
 To which are now added, Remarks on the Letter addressed by 
 the Bengal government to the Court of Directors in reply to 
 the Memorial. With an Appendix, containing various official 
 papers, chiefly extracted from the Parliamentary Records re- 
 lating to the Promulgation of Christianity in India." 
 
 This valuable and interesting volume is so well known, and 
 is still so accessible, that it would be unnecessary to do more 
 in this place than refer those who may be desirous of investi- 
 gating the important subjects of which it treats, to the perusal 
 of its various contents. Two passages, however, deserve to 
 be extracted. One is from the close of the first letter to the 
 Court of Directors ; and is worthy, as it has been justly ob- 
 served, of so distinguished a combatant in this field of sacred 
 warfare. 
 
 The annual waste of human life, from the causes that have 
 been mentioned, in the territories under the dominion of the 
 Honourable the East India Company, is a subject of appalling 
 contemplation. Every friend of humanity must be often put- 
 ting the question, Is this scene to continue for ever ? Can there 
 be no amelioration of human existence in India ? Are there no 
 means of mitigating the anguish of reflection in England, when 
 we consider that the desolations of Juggernaut exist under our 
 government ? Yes, we answer, there are means. We have 
 seen with what avidity the Holy Scriptures are received by the 
 pilgrims. These pilgrims come from every part of India ; some 
 from Cabul, a distance of sixteen hundred miles, and some from 
 Samarchand. They are the representatives of a population 
 amounting, as we have seen, to ' two hundred millions.' They 
 are of every caste, and many of them of no caste at all. The 
 Bible is by the inscrutable providence of God at hand : it has 
 been translated into the languages of India. Would it not then 
 
384 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 be worthy of the East India Company to order ten thousand 
 copies to be distributed annually at Juggernaut, in any manner 
 that prudence would justify and experience direct, as a sacred 
 return for the revenue we derive from it, if it should be thought 
 right that that revenue should still be continued ? The Scrip- 
 tures would thus be carried to the extremities of India and the 
 East. Is it possible that the shadow of an objection should 
 arise against such a measure, innoxious, as it is humane and 
 heavenly, in its tendency ? Are we afraid that ' the wretches 
 who come to lay their bones within the precincts of Jugger- 
 naut 1 would mutiny and take away our dominion ? Would not 
 the consequence be, rather, that ' the blessing of Him that was 
 ready to perish' would rest upon you ?" 
 
 The other passage which it may be right to quote from the 
 volume in question, is the following general defence by Dr. 
 Buchanan of his Memorial to Lord Minto, with which the 
 Bengal government was so much offended, and which did 
 not escape the more gentle reprehension of the Court of Di- 
 rectors. 
 
 " Of the accuracy of the facts stated in the memorial, I think 
 there can be little doubt. I challenged inquiry before I left 
 Calcutta ; but the government did not think it necessary to in- 
 vestigate them. They wrote their letter to the Court of Di- 
 rectors while I was yet on the spot without communicating their 
 sentiments to me in any manner, although I was on terms of per- 
 sonal civility with every member of the administration ; and 
 they sent the letter home without my knowledge by the same 
 fleet which conveyed myself. Nor did I ever see it, until it 
 w r as recently printed by order of the Honourable the House of 
 Commons. 
 
 " The second remark I would make refers to the charge of 
 * disrespect' which is preferred against me, in the letter alluded 
 to, for addressing government at all on the subject ; and to 
 which they frequently revert with lively sensibility. I am not 
 at all anxious about self-justification in this matter, except as the 
 honour of religion may be concerned ; and I hope little per- 
 sonal feeling will be visible in these remarks. But in regard 
 to the charge in question I only request that the Bengal govern- 
 ment will look back to the transaction, and survey the nature 
 of the subject and the circumstances in which I stood. Let them 
 say whether I had any personal interest in the cause at issue. 
 Did I address government for my own advantage ? Was it to 
 recommend myself to the favour of the Court of Directors 
 when I returned home ? No. It was not my own cause, but that 
 of revealed religion, which I maintained. Christianity had 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 385 
 
 been dishonoured. Its teachers were oppressed and silenced ; 
 and there was nobody to appear for the truth. I stood for a 
 moment the representative of ' Him who is higher than the 
 highest.' And is this to be denominated disrespect; espe- 
 cially when the words of my address are perfectly respectful ? 
 I think that, in the judgment of candour and of enlightened 
 minds, it will be thought that I barely did my duty. The 
 public voice in the settlement of Calcutta was certainly in my 
 favour ; for the proceedings against the missionaries were very 
 generally condemned." 
 
 It will now be necessary to return to the more private his- 
 tory of Dr. Buhanan, and for this purpose to recur to his let- 
 ters to various friends. The following extracts are partly of 
 a general nature, and partly refer to the subjects which have 
 been lately discussed. 
 
 " To Colonel Sandys. 
 
 "Kiuby Hall, July 29, 1813. 
 
 u Many thanks to you for your letter. The last eleven 
 years have indeed been eventful to you and me ; and it is pos- 
 sible that the next eleven (whether in heaven or earth) will 
 be equally marvellous. My health, concerning which you in- 
 quire, continues, we hope, to amend ; but it will be long be- 
 fore I obtain much strength, even if there should be no relapse 
 of paralysis, which can only beknown to Him who said to the 
 sick of the palsy, * Thy sins be forgiven thee.' If I am able, 
 I must go up to town about the end of autumn or the year, to 
 superintend the publication of some Syriac works which I have 
 commenced, viz. New Testament, Grammar, and Lexicon. 
 
 " Since Mrs. Buchanan's death I have enjoyed more distinct 
 views of the heavenly state than I had before ; and have at- 
 tained to more emphasis in prayer. So far, that event has 
 been blessed to me. May the fruits of righteousness grow 
 and increase to the end, even as they do with you and the faith- 
 ful children of God in every place. 
 
 "I rejoice to hear that you and your family are well. As 
 for the spiritual state of those you love, that must be for the 
 trial of your faith and hope, even unto the end. ' Remember 
 David and all his trouble.' Children seldom show signs of 
 grace until they grow up. David had one hopeful son, Solo- 
 mon ; and he became an idolater. What may have been his 
 end is not well known. But I think the Preacher became a 
 monument of grace. 
 
 " I am not surprised that Lord was sick when you 
 
 addressed a letter to him on Christian subjects. He is as re- 
 
 k k 
 
386 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 mote from the right way as poor and . And 
 
 yet even these may be converted by Him who made the world, 
 before they die." 
 
 "To Z. Macaulay, Esq. 
 
 " Kirbt Hall, Augnstr 
 
 " 1 thank you for your letter of the 2d inst., and was much 
 pleased with your favourable account of Mr. G.'s exertions in 
 the christian cause. He gave me the persual of his admir- 
 able book a few days before I went to India ; and I know not 
 whether it did not lay some foundation in my mind for future 
 investigations. 
 
 44 1 approve most highly of your patronizing Dr. John's 
 plans of native schools. They are properly Mr. Swartz's- 
 plans. See the defence of them in the last Church Mission- 
 ary Register. I visited some of the schools, patronized by 
 government, and witnessed their operation. They may be 
 justly termed 4 Mediate Schools' for christianizing the Hindoos, 
 though their effects be not immediate. I had the same plan 
 in view in proposing the numerous schools attached to the 
 Ecclesiastical Establishment in my last work." 
 
 " Kirbt Hall, August 20. 
 
 44 1 only received copies of the 4 Apology' yesterday. The 
 editorial part reflects great credit on your attention ; and the 
 various improvements which I mark in many places demon- 
 strate your kindness to me, and affection for the cause in which 
 I have been engaged. 
 
 44 The battle is now, I hope, over ; and I would gladly for- 
 get all that is past, and turn my face Zionward for the rest of 
 my pilgrimage. 
 
 44 Neither Sir Henry Montgomery nor Mr. L. has conde- 
 scended (as the Scotch say) on a single instance of mistatement 
 in my volumes. As to what Mr. L. has alleged which Mr. 
 Smith should consider not defensible, I have not the smallest 
 idea ; unless it be, as Home Tooke says, 4 eating little chil- 
 dren alive without being roasted.' " 
 
 u Kirby Hall, 8th September. 
 44 The strange circumstance of your being at a watering- 
 place, doing nothing but bathing, mounting hills, and looking 
 down on the tumult below, induces me to write you a few lines 
 in the style of Pope, that is about nothing. What labours of 
 mind that man Pope achieved in doing nothing! And yet he 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 387 
 
 thought he did something. But Horace did as much as he. 
 Johnson flattered himself he did a little more for virtue and the 
 chief good than the other two. But, alas ! he, like they, 'knew 
 not the way to the city ; and in vain attempted to show it to 
 others. But I am likely to fail in writing a letter in the style 
 of Pope, and shall therefore approximate a little to business. 
 
 " I had a letter from lately, accompanying a present 
 
 of his book on India. He had been reading my Apology, 
 and says he thinks my two letters to the Court of Directors, 
 particularly the second., and my remarks on the letter of the 
 Governor General in Council, ' are the best of my controver- 
 sial pieces.' He adds, 4 1 am the more glad of this, because 
 it is an evidence that your long course of illness has not affect- 
 ed your mental powers, whilst it may have invigorated quali- 
 fies of a still more important kind/ It is certain, however, 
 that I have suffered from my illness. Non sum quails eram. 
 Would that this were true in the other sense to which he al- 
 ludes ! He further says, ' Something seems yet wanting to 
 expose to the public the irreligious spirit which has animated 
 the Anglo-Indians in the whole of this question of introducing 
 Christianity into the East.' 
 
 *'I have answered, that I would not be an assailant any 
 more. I seek peace and an oblivion of past scenes ; and have 
 suggested that he himself might probably have leisure now to 
 send forth a few pages on that subject 
 
 " >— mentions that one of the Directors, * who is now 
 
 removed to another world,' was a violent enemy of mine. I 
 do not know what is his name ; and so little have I been ia 
 the habit of inquiring what is passing abroad, that I did not 
 know I had such a thing .as a personal enemy in the world," 
 
 The two next letters were addressed to Colonel Macaulay ; 
 and while they manifest the lively interest which the writer 
 continued to feel in the great work of diffusing Christian 
 knowledge, it will be a subject of regret that the voyage in 
 question was not accomplished either by himself or his 
 friend. 
 
 « Kirby Hall, 24th August, 18 L3. 
 ** My dear Sir — " I was not a little pleased to hear of your 
 proposed voyage to the Mediterranean, both on account of your 
 own health, and of the advantage which I doubt not will accrue 
 to the christian public. You will have opportunities of 
 learning how far, and to what extent, the distribution of the 
 Bible may be practicable, and what other steps we may take 
 in regard to the translation of the scriptures and of tracts? ami 
 
388 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN, 
 
 to the disposition of missionaries in those regions. It is won- 
 derful that the places consecrated hy the travels and labours of 
 the Apostle Paul, should be yet left in darkness, unexplored. 
 If your health improve under that genial climate, I do not 
 wish to see you home again. 
 
 " My own health continues to amend. It is now seven 
 weeks since I lost blood, the longest interval since my first 
 illness. 
 
 "Lord and Lady L and family are now with me. 
 
 They are the zealous promoters of religious institutions in 
 Ireland, and are returning provided with new books, tracts, and 
 arguments. They consider five at least of their bishops as 
 being enrolled in the cause. I have petitioned for two of them 
 to countenance the Homily Society. 
 
 "If I should have no return of illness, I have thoughts of 
 going up to town about the end of autumn, and propose in 
 that case to call at Mr. Babington's and Mr. Kempthorne's in 
 my way. But by that time I presume you will be upon the 
 foamy deep. Wherever you are, I pray that a blessing may 
 be upon you till the end of your pilgrimage ; and remain, 
 _ " My dear sir, very sincerely yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 « " 
 
 "Kirby Hall, 2d September, 1813. 
 
 " My dear Sir. — I have been favoured with your letter, in- 
 forming me that your voyage to the Mediterranean is just at 
 hand. There are several important objects of research, which 
 the course of your route will enable you probably to attend to ; 
 a few of which I shall mention, according to your desire. 
 
 44 1. We hardly know any thing of the state of Christiani- 
 ty on the African coast, where it flourished in purity in the 
 third and fourth centuries. Hippo, of which Augustine was 
 bishop, was the fountain-head. It is close to Carthage, (where 
 the Christian Council was held,) and Utica, and Tunis ; all 
 which places are not much more than one hundred miles from 
 the Sardinian and Sicilian coast. Your message to the Chris- 
 tians will be, that they may have copies of the Scriptures from 
 Malta or England, if they chose to apply for them. 
 
 44 2. The Jews inhabit almost every town on the African 
 shore. The Hebrew Testament will be soon ready for them. 
 
 44 3. The island of Cyprus is a grand field for Christian 
 investigation at this era. 4 The greater part of the inhabitants 
 are Greek christians. Besides a multitude of Armenians, 
 there are here a great many Maronites? or Syrian christians. 
 This is the account of the Abbe Mariti. He adds, 4 The Latins 
 are far from being so numerous, and consist only of Europeans, 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 389 
 
 and the brotherhood of St. Francis, known throughout the 
 Levant under the name of the Fathers of the Holy Land.' 
 There are very few English here; and it is doubtless for this 
 reason that they have neither a church or chapel, nor a minis- 
 ter of their religion. Should they happen to multiply, they 
 will probably endeavour to procure all these tilings. * This 
 as from an Italian priest ! I trust you will be able to show us 
 how we may 4 procure all these things.' 
 
 44 You may tell the Greek christians that the Greek Testa- 
 ment is ready for them; and the Syrian christians, that the 
 Syriac Testament will be soon ready for them. I go up to 
 London, God 'willing, to superintend the printing of it, and of 
 a Syriac grammar and lexicon at the same time. 
 
 " 4. It is said that two-thirds of the inhabitants of European 
 Turkey are of the Greek, Syriac, Armenian, and Latin Church. 
 A continual subject of inquiry will therefore be, how many of 
 these denominations respectively live in any particular place., 
 and how many copies of the Greek, Syriac, Armenian, (the 
 Bible Society* has not thought of the Armenian yet,) and La- 
 tin copies of the scriptures, including the French and Italian, 
 may be required as a primary supply ? Parcels may be sent 
 at a venture. 
 
 44 5. An accurate enumeration of the churches (buildings) is 
 important, throughout every mile of your route, beginning with 
 Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar. A church is an object of cor- 
 respondence, if we know only how to address the priest in the 
 language of his place. 
 
 44 1 consider you to be the fittest man in Great Britain to go 
 upon a voyage of christian discovery. 
 
 44 1 hope to avail myself of Mr. and Mrs. Babington's kind 
 invitation, and to stay with them two days in my journey up' 
 to London. I cannot say how soon I shall be able to set out. 
 Again I follow you with my best wishes ; and remain, 
 
 44 My dear sir, sincerely yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan appears to have left Kirby Hall towards the 
 end of October. One of his first visits was to his friend and 
 relative the Rev. J. Kempthorne, at Claybrook, in Leicester- 
 shire ; the following account, of which by that gentleman can- 
 not but be interesting to the reader. 
 
 44 The last time," says Mr. Kempthorne, 44 that he visited, 
 
 * Marit ; . vol. j. p. 8. 
 * Armenian Bibles and Testaments have since been printed by the Theodo- 
 sian Branch of the Russian Bible Society. 
 
 k k2 
 
31)0 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 us, which was in his way to Cambridge, I thought him emi 
 ucntly dead to the world, and, as it were, absorbed in heaven- 
 ly things. His deep domestic afflictions seemed to have been 
 greatly sanctified to him. He appeared to watch for every op- 
 portunity of seasoning our ordinary discourse with the salt of 
 religion. When we were speaking of Carey's Atlas, he took 
 occasion to refer, in a solemn and affecting manner, to the map 
 of the heavenly city which St. John has given us in the Re- 
 velation. When I spoke of Bonaparte's late astonishing over- 
 throw, he heard it with comparative indifference, and soon ad- 
 verted to the importance of the conversion of the soul to God, 
 as involving consequences of greater moment than the fall of 
 emperors and the revolution of the greatest states. 
 
 44 After our family prayer, he with much kindness and wis- 
 dom made some observations on my manner of expounding the 
 scripture ; and after he left me, he called on a common friend, 
 and faithfully expressed his fears respecting the safety of his 
 spiritual state. 
 
 44 Yet I have heard a piously disposed person, who saw 
 more of his domestic habits, regret that his conversation, which 
 was highly edifying when he was called forth by pious visitors, 
 was not more frequently and decidedly spiritual in his own 
 family circle. 
 
 44 With what exquisite sensibility of conscience does he him- 
 self lament this in his private reflections after his second wife's 
 most distressing removal from him." 
 
 On the 3d of November, Dr. Buchanan wrote to one of his 
 friends from Cambridge as follows : The remark in this letter 
 respecting a motto which he had assumed, shows his readiness to 
 receive any suggestion respecting his conduct, even on slight 
 and unimportant matters. 
 
 44 I have been favoured with your kind letter. I had heard 
 of the ninth babe at Rothley. May the dew of God's blessing 
 descend on your increasing family, and make you all heirs of 
 glory ! 
 
 44 As soon as I had read your observations on the motto I 
 sent for a carriage-painter, and erased it. W T e have had it 
 nearly four years, and I never heard a word concerning its 
 peculiarity. 
 
 44 I have experienced very general and more than ordinary 
 civilities from the members of the University, particularly from 
 the Bishop of Bristol. His lordship introduced me to his 
 family, as the man from whose books he and they had derived 
 much instruction. He and Lord Hardwicke were sitting to- 
 gether at Trinity Lodge when I called, reading my letter to the 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 391 
 
 Court of Directors respecting Mr. Buller, not knowing that the 
 Apology had been published since. It seems the book has 
 been so little advertised that Dr. Jowett had not heard of it till 
 the review in the last Christian Observer appeared. There is 
 not a single copy of it, or of the Colonial Establishment, at a 
 bookseller's in Cambridge. The bishop and his friends par- 
 take of the spirit which animates you concerning Juggernaut. 
 
 44 1 expect to be in London soon, when I hope to have the 
 pleasure of seeing you. Your last letter proves that you are 
 as desirous I should be without spot as yourself." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan appears to have stayed about ten days at Cam- 
 bridge, and then to have proceeded to London, where he was 
 chiefly occupied in his preparations for the Syriac New Testa- 
 ment. During his stay in town, he wrote the following letter 
 to his daughters : 
 
 "22d Nov., 1813. 
 
 " My dear Charlotte and Augusta, — I return you many 
 thanks for your letter. I am happy to hear thet you are both in 
 good health ; and I doubt not you are both making a due pro- 
 ficiency in your studies. 
 
 " I am very much pleased, Charlotte, with your proposal 
 to give five shillings to the West Indian Mission, which I shall 
 do when I find the treasurer of the society. 
 
 44 I sympathize with you, Augusta, on the death of the 
 pretty bird, Cherry. But our grief is in vain. Its spirit will 
 never return. But when Augusta's spirit takes the wing, it will 
 live for ever ; and those who loved her on earth will once more 
 love her in heaven, if she and they prove worthy of eternal life. 
 Cherry, its seems, was singing a few minutes before its death. 
 So, oftentimes, does the christian sing and exult in spirit at the 
 thought of putting off the veil of flesh, and entering on the 
 confines of immortality. May you and Charlotte, after you 
 have accomplished God's will on earth, be enabled to sing your 
 dying hymns ! 
 
 44 1 may probably send your work-boxes, together with your 
 Virgils, by the coach to Borobridge, before I return myself. 
 
 44 Remember me kindly to Augusta ; and believe me to be, 
 my dear Charlotte, your affectionate father, 
 
 44 C. Buchanan." 
 
 In December Dr. Buchanan returned to Cambridge, where 
 he was diligently employed, not only in the learned work 
 which he had undertaken, but in preparing an address, the oc- 
 casion of which will be shortly stated. Of this, and, as it 
 
392 Memoirs of dr. fiuciUKAft. 
 
 proved, his last visit to the University, his friend Colonel 
 Sandys, who came from Cornwall to meet him, gives the fol- 
 lowing brief but edifying account : 
 
 4l I found my friend the most interesting christian, 
 
 while residing in the tower of Erasmus, at Queen's College, 
 the winter before last; where I passed my evenings with him 
 while busily employed on the Syric version. 
 
 44 Here the learned divine was, as it were, absorbed in the 
 humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ ; and here he dis- 
 closed to me those views of his faith which I found beneficial 
 to my own soul. His whole dependence was upon Christ, 
 for wisdom, righteousness, sanclification and redemption !" 
 
 The Dean of Carlisle, speaking of the same period, thus 
 observes : 
 
 44 1 saw a good deal of him during the last months of his 
 residence at Queen's College ; at which time his constitution 
 appeared to have suffered exceedingly, yet not so much as to 
 induce one to predict a speedy dissolution. 
 
 44 He was to the very last most indefatigable in his inquiries 
 after eastern knowledge. 
 
 44 You know how very entertaining and instructive he has 
 made the printed reports of his travels and interviews with ex- 
 traordinary persons : I had the good fortune to hear many of the 
 same things from his own mouth." 
 
 From Cambridge Dr. Buchanan wrote to his eldest daughter 
 as follows : 
 
 "Queer's College, 31st Dec, 1813. 
 
 44 My dear Charlotte, — I am extremely concerned to hear of 
 this accident to Mrs. Thompson, and accompanied with pain 
 too. Tell her I truly ifympathize with her. But, when we consi- 
 der it in another point of view, we must not call it an accident, 
 which you know mean^ literally that which falls out by chance, 
 for nothing comes from t^~!-4rf chance. We must view it as 
 an evil permitted for some great good. I am pleased to see 
 your assiduity during her confinement. I am also pleased, my 
 dear Charlotte, that you have presented yourself at the table 
 of the Lord. Your emotion on that occasion was very natural. 
 I trust you will henceforward reap the spiritual fruits, and pro- 
 ceed in the way of the Lord rejoicing. 
 
 44 1 beg you will present to your grand-papa and grand-mamma, 
 Augusta, and all the family, my affectionate congratulations on 
 the new year. 
 
 44 1 pray that it may be a year of temporal and spiritual bless- 
 ing to you all. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 393 
 
 " 1 do not go forth to visit yet, as the charge I am composing 
 is not finished. I must send it to London on Tuesday next. 
 
 " I fully enter into your feelings on your first alarm lest 
 Mrs. T. should have been taken from you. But you see she is yet 
 spared to you ; for although you are not her natural daughter, 
 I hope you maintain and pray for a higher relation. There is 
 noting durable and eternal but that union which is from Christ. 
 Friendship, or relationship by blood, except growing on this 
 foundation, will soon die. 
 
 " I remain, my dear Charlotte, your affectionate father, 
 
 " C. Buchanan." 
 
 The employment which divided the time and attention of 
 Dr. Buchanan with Syriac, during his residence at Cambridge, 
 was the composition of a charge to be delivered, at the request 
 of the Church Mission Society, to the Rev. Messrs. Green- 
 wood and Norton, clergymen of the Established Church, pro- 
 ceeding as missionaries to the island of Ceylon ; and to the 
 Rev. Messrs. Schnarre and Rhenius, ministers of the German 
 Lutheran^ Church, proceeding in the same sacred character to 
 the coast of Coromandel. 
 
 The readiness with w r hich the Court of Directors of the 
 East India Company granted the requisite license to these 
 pious men to proceed to the objects of their destination, was a 
 proof of the benefits resulting from the late solemn legislative 
 recognition of the duty of Great Britain with respect to the 
 diffusion of Christianity in its eastern empire ; and the selec- 
 tion of Dr. Buchanan to address these oriental missionaries 
 w r as equally judicious and appropriate. 
 
 The rapidity with which this admirable charge to them w r as 
 composed, and the various information and important advice 
 which it contained, proved the vigour of its author's under- 
 standing and judgment; while the pure and fervent piety which 
 breathes in every page, manifests the maturity of the advanced 
 christian. 
 
 The charge itself comprises an exposition of that w T ith which 
 our Lord sent forth his apostles to preach the gospel. It forms, 
 in fact, a manual of sound wisdom and instruction ; and deserves 
 to be frequently perused and thoroughly digested by every one 
 who aspires to the character and office of a missionary. Like 
 the former productions of Dr. Buchanan, this address contains 
 much important and interesting information ; and, though pri- 
 marily intended for the missionary, may be read with much 
 advantage by every minister of the gospel, and by every private 
 
394 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 christian. The following extracts will afford a brief specimen 
 of the spirit and tendency of the whole. 
 
 Speaking of the periodical accounts which the missionaries 
 would he expected to give of their labours, Dr. Buchanan in- 
 troduced the following important caution : 
 
 " Let every page which you write be consecrated by sacred 
 truth. Beware of that powerful self-deception whose opera- 
 tion is sometimes commensurate with a man's zeal for his ob- 
 ject, which leads him to deceive for God's sake, and to do par- 
 tial evil, under the hope and plea that great good may come. 
 If you would keep at a remote distance from such a tempta- 
 tion, avoid amplification and embellishment in what makes for 
 the credit and honour of your personal labours, or of those of 
 your fellow missionaries. Like great generals, who recount 
 their victories in few words, let a modesty of description cha- 
 racterize your spiritual trophies." 
 
 After pointing out, in a faithful and striking manner, the 
 various ways hi which a minister, wdiether at home or abroad, 
 may deny Christ, Dr. Buchanan thus continued : 
 
 *' My brethren, you may preach to the Hindoos, and say, 
 * Repent, and be converted ;' while, at the same time, indolence, 
 or avarice, or sensual passion, seizes your own souls, and you 
 are quite indifferent about their repentance or conversion, ex- 
 cept as it adds to your own interest, or the fame of your 
 mission. 
 
 " Some who have preceded you, and have been solemnly 
 designated to the sacred work, have fallen away. They de- 
 clined from sound doctrine, or they were seduced from pure- 
 ness of living ; and, instead of doing the work of an evangelist, 
 they have lived an useless burthen on the society which sup- 
 ported them. 
 
 " I mention these things to warn you. But I have more 
 pleasure in directing your view to other servants of Christ, 
 whose bright example has illumined the East; who have been 
 patterns of faith, diligence, prudence, and fortitude. From 
 the ministers of the two churches to which you respectively 
 belong, I shall select two illustrious characters, who have left 
 a great example for them that follow. I mean the venerable 
 Swartz, of the Lutheran Church, and the late Rev. David 
 Brown, of the Church of England. These men did not deny 
 Christ. They did not love father or mother more than Christ. 
 They took up their cross and followed Christ. If you knew, 
 as well as I do, the conflicts which they were called upon to 
 sustain in the East, you would see how fitly the words of our 
 Lord might be applied to them, ' Behold, I send you forth as 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 395 
 
 lambs among wolves. But beware of men.' If you knew, 
 again, the conjoined wisdom and innocence which they mani- 
 fested in these conflicts, you would acknowledge that they stu- 
 died to obey our Lord's admonition, i Be ye wise as serpents, 
 and harmless as doves.' The character of both was marked 
 by an extraordinary liberality of sentiment in regard to the dif- 
 ferences in religious profession ; a liberality which others, in a 
 confined sphere, could not well understand. In a word, they 
 endured unto the end ; and both of them were enabled to gh * 
 rify God in their deaths, by the manifestation of a joyful hope 
 in the view of their dissolution. 
 
 "I have thought that this short record of these good mep 
 would find find a proper place in an address to young minis- 
 ters who are in your circumstances. 4 Be ye also followers of 
 them, who, through faith and patience, have inherited the 
 promises!'" 
 
 The appendix to this excellent charge contains some notices 
 of the last hours of his late valued friend and colleague, Mr. 
 Brown, which serve to illustrate the heavenly and devoted 
 mind of that excellent man. 
 
 The health of Dr. Buchanan rendering it impracticable for 
 him to deliver his charge to the missionaries personally, that 
 office was assigned to an eloquent friend, who did ample jus- 
 tice to the composition. On the 7th of January it was accord- 
 ingly addressed to them before a general meeting of the Church 
 Mission Society, and was heard with a degree of attention and 
 interest which appeared to promise the happiest effects from 
 its author's exertions. 
 
 It is to the circumstances which have been just related, that 
 some parts of the following extracts to Colonel and Mr. Ma- 
 caulay refer : 
 
 " Queen's College, 3d Jan., 1814. 
 
 " I have sent by to-night's mail, to Mr. Pratt, thirty-three 
 pages of a charge to be delivered to the missionaries on Friday 
 next. As I am quite unfit to go up myself, I have requested Mr. 
 Dealtry to read the paper for me. He may select such parts 
 as he thinks best for the occasion. 
 
 " Dr. Milner approves of the passage upon * denying Christ;' 
 but I do not know what others may think of it." 
 
 " Queen's College, 7th January. 
 " The Bishop of Chester has expressed his wish that I 
 would retain the curacy of Great Ouseburn, which I was about 
 to resign, under the impression that I could not conscientiously 
 
396 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 accept a license (under the new act) as a resident curate, when 
 it was notorious that I am not resident. But the bishop is 
 persuaded that the duties of the parish will be performed to 
 his entire satisfaction by myself or by my direction. His 
 diocese extends to our parish. 
 
 44 1 inhabit Erasmus' rooms. They are chiefly remarkable 
 for an immense corkscrerv, about a third of a yard long, which 
 tradition assigns to that eminent scholar." 
 
 " Queen's College, 13th January. 
 
 44 My dear Sir, — Many thanks for your letter. It is most 
 satisfactory. I have constructed the note as you desired, with- 
 out names or places. It is now round and smooth, like a perfect 
 chrysolite, and will excite many a smile and many a frown. 
 
 44 1 was smiling to think what a fine long letter I drew from 
 you. I see you can work, if we will only tell you what 
 to do. 
 
 44 1 entirely approve of your flitting to southern regions this 
 severe weather. I cannot look out at the window on the 
 dreary waste of snow, but I think I see Bonaparte and his 
 squadrons, half covered, retreating towards Gogmagog hills. 
 The thermometer is at 12. 
 
 44 Wishing you good fires, and every blessing, I remain, my 
 dear sir, very sincerely yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 " Queen's College, 13th January. 
 
 44 It was indeed somewhat new to hear strains of commenda- 
 tion from the lips of Mr. T. in public. The whole assembly 
 seem to have been in good humour. The view of the four 
 missionaries, perhaps, melted their hearts ; and the news of 
 the allies crossing the Rhine had just arrived. Mr. Famish 
 says he enjoyed the occasion exceedingly. 
 
 44 1 consulted the college to day concerning the proposed ad- 
 mission of Mr. Lee, the Shrewsbury linguist. It was agreed 
 to admit him at Queen's." 
 
 " Queen's College, 7th February. 
 44 1 see in the last Christian Observer that Schaaf 's Lexicon 
 is mentioned as preparing for the press by subscription. Will 
 you be so good as to inform me who is publishing it ? for I 
 was about commencing the work at my own expense, and the 
 printer had just sent me an estimate. But I shall be most 
 happy if the work has been undertaken by another. Mr. 
 Kelly, of Dublin, wrote to me last week to say that he was 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 397 
 
 projecting something in the way of a Syriac lexicon ; but he 
 wished me not to delay my work on account of his, as he 
 knew not when it would be finished. 
 
 11 I propose to leave Cambridge for Kirby Hall on the 17th 
 instant." 
 
 Dr. Duchanan returned into Yorkshire about the time just 
 mentioned, and continued there till the month of July follow- 
 ing. While there, he wrote thus to a friend : " I am stronger 
 than I was ; but my defect in utterance and breath remains, 
 and also my want of memory ; which shows that my illness 
 affected the mind a good deal." 
 
 The committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society had 
 now determined to print the edition of the Syriac New Testa- 
 ment, which Dr. Buchanan had been so anxiously endeavour- 
 ing to obtain for the use of the Syrian christians on the coast 
 of Malabar. With his usual zeal and liberality, he engaged to 
 prepare the text, and superintend the execution of the work, 
 at his own expense. For this purpose he again left Yorkshire, 
 and took up his residence, first at Cheshunt, and afterwards at 
 Wormley, and Broxbourne, in Hertfordshire, at which latter 
 place the printer lived who had undertaken the work. Soon 
 after his arrival, he wrote to Mrs. Thompson as follows : 
 
 " Turnford Hall, Cheshunt, Herts, 
 23d July, 1814. 
 
 " My dear Mrs. T. — I arrived here last Saturday, on which 
 day I wrote you a few lines. Since that time I have been 
 daily employed in superintending the press, and corresponding 
 with the Bible Society, w r ith the syndics of the University 
 Press, Cambridge, and with friends respecting tutors for the 
 two noble families which I lately visited. 
 
 " I live with a widow lady and her daughters. They never 
 had boarders before; but, hearing that I wanted accommodation 
 of this kind in the village, they received me. We have morn- 
 ing and evening prayers just as at Skelton Lodge. I have my 
 meals by myself, being willing to husband my voice, in the 
 hope that it will acquire some strength. I walk in the mea- 
 dows by the side of the river Lee, and endeavour to meditate 
 on things spiritual and eternal. There are few days in which 
 I do not think of Mary, now among the blessed. I envy her 
 happy lot, but yet I have just strength to pray that I may be 
 enabled to serve God in my generation. 
 
 " Mr. Yeates is come from London to co-operate with me* 
 It is not decided yet whether one half of my work is to go on 
 at Cambridge or not. They, however, expect me at Queen's 
 
 l1 
 
308 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 College, and I think it probable I shall go there in about 3 
 month, if, indeed, I do not go nearer to London; for Mr. 
 Watts, my printer, has just informed me that he is about to 
 remove his printing establishment to the metropolis. 
 
 44 I hope to hear that your foot is almost well. Jacob, you 
 know, 'halted' to the day of his death; but then every false 
 step would remind him of his victory with God. And yet 
 this 4 prince with God,' would not be comforted when he 
 thought Joseph was dead! How encompassed with infirmity 
 is man, even regenerated man ; man, partaker of the divine 
 nature ! 
 
 44 I hope that Charlotte and Augusta are happy and well. 
 Jacob prayed, saying, 4 God, which fed me all my life long 
 unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from evil, bless 
 the lads.' That is a prayer which I would offer up for Char- 
 lotte and Augusta. / also have been 4 redeemed from much 
 evil' during an eventful life ; and so have they, hitherto. A 
 boy about Augusta's age is dying near us here. He broke his 
 leg by some imprudent exertion, and the fever induced is likely 
 to prove fatal. His mother sits by him and cannot eat. He 
 belonged to a Sunday school, and desires those hymns to be 
 read to him which speak of Christ's atoning for wicked chil- 
 dren. My love to you all. Adieu. C. B." 
 
 The pensive tenor of a part of the preceding letter will ap- 
 pear peculiarly interesting, when it is considered that Dr. Bu- 
 chanan was now fast approaching the confines of that world 
 whither so many of those who were dear to him had gone be- 
 fore. Amongst others, the son of his friend, Colonel Sandys, 
 for whose welfare he had been affectionately concerned, was 
 about this time departing in the faith and hope of the gospel. 
 He thus replied to the intelligence which had announced to him 
 the delightful change in his views and feelings since the time 
 when he had visited him in Yorkshire : 
 
 44 What wonderful news yon relate ! Yonr dear son Wil- 
 liam speaks of ' the unsearchable riches of Christ,' and mag- 
 nifies his Saviour in the eyes of men ! This is certainly a 
 great triumph of divine grace. However, I anticipated it, as 
 you know ; for I was persuaded he would be given to your 
 persevering prayers. 
 
 44 Be pleased to give him my most affectionate remembrance ; 
 and tell him he is about to be ushered into a glory which good 
 men upon earth have been contemplating for many years, but 
 have not yet enjoyed. He has obtained the victory without 
 the battle ; for the Captain of his salvation has fought for him. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 399 
 
 May his faith be firm and ardent to the last, that he may per- 
 severe in and complete his glorious testimony!" 
 
 u Wormlet, Herts, 5th August, 1814. 
 
 " My dear Sir, — I rejoiee that you have taken up the Pro- 
 phecies for the Hindoos. Follow your own judgment and 
 ruminate on your sofa, and you will possibly devise something 
 new. The Hindoos want a short, clear account, a striking 
 picture, solemn assertion, and dogmatic theology. 
 
 " ' The holy prophet Isaiah, who wrote in poetic strains, 
 lived in such an era. Though ignorant and unlearned persons 
 of India know it not, yet the learned of Europe, who are ac- 
 quainted with the histories of the world, are as well assured 
 that Isaiah wrote his Prophecy in the times of King Ahaz, &c, 
 as that such a man lived in the time of Gengis Khan, Tamer- 
 lane, or Akbar the Great, 
 
 * " So of Matthew and his host of witnesses.'* 
 
 " Short sentences, and no involved construction, will do best 
 for oriental translation and capacity. Let your picture suit a 
 Thames street carman, and it will do for a Hindoo. A tract 
 of ten octavo pages is a good size. But as you cannot easily 
 confine within such small bounds all the fine things that may 
 occur to you on the subject, proceed ad libitum to a pamphlet 
 or book, which may be translated for the Brahmins and more 
 learned. But the short tract is the book for use to the mul- 
 titude. This you may express from the larger work when it 
 is finished, as genuine spirit is drawn from the vat. 
 
 " * * * That the evidence of prophecy will convince the 
 human mind is true : but that ' the leaves of the prophet quietly 
 dispersed,' without concomitant illustration of historic argu- 
 ment and fact by preachers or writing, is not true. 
 
 " I hope you will not be in a hurry to deliver any thing to 
 the society. Short tracts on other parts of the Old and New 
 Testaments are wanted, so as to embrace the whole code in 
 different striking and simple forms. Nobody has told the Hin- 
 doos yet what our Shaster is. They have not got the whole 
 book to read. If they had, epitomes are yet necessary for in- 
 fant and ignorant minds, epitomes of one page, two, three, 
 four, ten, twenty, and fifty pages. The whole Bible will oc- 
 cupy 1400 pages of their ordinary character of writing. It is 
 but charity then to tell them what is in it, and invite their 
 study. 
 
 '* I am, dear sir^ very sincerely yours, 
 
 C, Buchanan/' 
 
400 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 " WoRMLET, ClIESHUKT, Aug. 17, 1814. 
 
 44 My dear Sir, — I have come to this place for a while, to 
 superintend the printing of the Syriac works now in the press. 
 I want the following books, which I cannot find in the public 
 library at Cambridge ; viz. 
 
 44 1. Reusch's Syrus Interpres cum fonte N. T. Graeci col- 
 latus. 1742. 
 
 44 2. Miehaelis's Cura: in Actus Apostolorum Syriacos. 
 
 44 3. Storrius, on the Syriac Language and Versions. 
 
 44 4. Michaelis (the father) De Var. Lect. Nov. Test, caute 
 colligendis. 
 
 44 5. Gloster Ridley's Dissertatio de Syriacis Versionibus. 
 
 44 6. Amira's Syriac Grammar; and 
 
 44 7. Professor Bode'sPseudocriticaMillio-Bengeliana. 1767. 
 
 44 Now if your own library, or if the Oxford Libraries 
 through your means, could supply me with these or some of 
 them, you will confer on me a particular obligation, I have 
 perused some of them at the British Museum, but I cannot 
 have them here. 
 
 44 1 rejoice to hear from time to time of your labours, and of 
 the triumphs of the gospel at the church of St. John's. It is a 
 theatre of grander events than the General Congress. 
 
 44 My own health is slowly improving, but I am yet wholly 
 incapable of vocal exertion. 
 
 44 1 remain, my dear sir, very sincerely yours, 
 
 C. Buchanan." 
 
 The succeeding extracts from letters to different friends de- 
 scribe the general state of Dr. Buchanan's health, feelings, and 
 employment during the remainder of this year : 
 
 44 To Mrs. Thompson. 
 
 " Woemiei, Herts, Aug. 2, 1814. 
 44 1 have been twice bled, I think, since I w r rote, and 
 must, I fear, suffer further depletion. With returning strength 
 my constitution brought with it, what was to be apprehended, 
 a tendency to fulness. And possibly I must soon revert to 
 abstemiousness and the painful seton. But the Lord's disposal 
 is the best for this world and for the next. I seek to do his 
 will. 
 
 44 To his Daughters. 
 
 "August 22. 
 44 I am not very sure that I shall be able to execute what I 
 have undertaken by the time proposed. There are three print- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 401 
 
 ing presses at work, and I am obliged to read and correct every 
 word in Syriac, Latin, and English." 
 
 " To Colonel Macaulay* 
 
 " Woioiley, 8th September. 
 
 " Two Cochin Jews, who recollect you very well, are in dis- 
 tress for a passage back to India. I would try to aid them if I 
 knew to whom to apply. But I fear the company are not in 
 the habit of giving a passage to persons of their description. 
 You will know better than I what to recommend them to do. - 
 
 " Since the peace you have been passing through many 
 countries, and doing good. I, on the other hand, have been 
 stationary, travelling slowly through the regions of the New 
 Testament, I congratulate you on your equable health. My 
 own was well confirmed for a while ; but it is again in a criti- 
 cal state."" 
 
 " To Mrs. Thompson. 
 
 1 Wormlei, September 14. 
 u I know not God's will. I think less of seeing another au- 
 tumn than at any former time. If, however, I live, I shall 
 most probably go to Ireland, or to the continent ; I mean Paris 
 and Rome. I wish I could have visited both these latter places 
 before I had commenced my present work." 
 
 " To Miss Buchanan. 
 
 "BiiGXEoriLXE, 7th December. 
 
 " My dear Charlotte, — Many thanks to you for your letter. 
 I am glad that Augusta's queries have afforded Mr. Graham 
 so fair an opportunity of displaying his classical powers. But 
 the true Virgilian model requires the first words to be Sic vos 
 non vobis. Would that poor Virgil could have understood 
 the distich which Mr. G. has written. But, alas ! that divine 
 poet, as he has been called, never heard of an atonement for 
 the sins of men. He had, however, some confused idea of 
 the coming of a Messiah, or Prince from heaven, who should 
 regenerate an evil world. This you will see in his Polilo, 
 one of the Bucolics ; which I will thank you to read as soon 
 as you have finished the sixth book of the iEneid. 
 
 "I am happy to hear that you read a little of the sacred 
 language on Sunday. As there is no Italian teacher at present 
 in York, you must postpone your acquaintance with the ' mo- 
 dern Roman' till an opportunity offers, 
 
 l!2 
 
402 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN 
 
 11 I hope you will not leave thorough bass till you understand 
 it thoroughly. 
 
 " You ask me for Mr. Slater's drawing. I sat to him two 
 mornings, but contrived to have a sheet of Syriac placed in 
 the direction I was to look. He complained that I was thought- 
 ful. I told him of the talent of Sir Joshua Reynolds ; who 
 by his fascinating discourse contrived to keep his patients (a 
 proper term / think for persons subjected to this operation) 
 in a state of high good humour, particularly with themselves, 
 which showed itself in their beaming and expanded looks. 
 When Mr. Slater had done, 1 looked in vain for the beaming 
 and expanded look. Mr. S. accused the Syriac. I told him, 
 I thought the picture was that of an ill-looking man. He said 
 lie thought it was a good likeness. I only saw it for two mi- 
 nutes, after sitting to it two days. I told him he might send it 
 down to Mrs. Thompson, and he should be at liberty to en- 
 grave it, if it obtained her approbation. I desired him to send 
 with it, as a present to you and Augusta, a print of Mrs. Han- 
 nah More : that you may have before your eyes a lady who 
 made so good an use of her opportunities for study between 
 the fourteenth and seventeenth years of her age, that the world 
 has been benefitted by it ever since. 
 
 '•Yesterday Mr. B. and Mr. S. spent the whole day with 
 me. Their object was to procure my name as secretary of 
 the Jewish Society. But I had radical objections to the con- 
 stitution of that society in its present form, and suggested reno- 
 vation and improvement. 
 
 "I should like to be present at the famous duet for three 
 voices. I hope I shall be with you shortly after Christmas. I 
 must superintend the printers till the day they break up for 
 their own holidays, which I suppose will be on Christmas day. 
 Besides, I wish to see the four Gospels finished if possible 
 before my long journey. 
 
 4, I have not seen the Velvet Cushion. The ladies tell me 
 it is a very amusing and instructive work. 
 
 "My love to Mrs. T. and Augusta ; and I remain, my dear 
 Charlotte, your affectionate father, C. Buchanan." 
 
 " BroxbouFvXe. Herts, Dec. 17, 1814. 
 
 4i My dear Sandys, — I thank you for your letter of the 12th, 
 which informs me that you and seven children are well. There 
 are a great many blessings comprehended in that expres- 
 sion. 
 
 " I am glad that you have been enabled to write a narrative 
 of the rise and progress of religion in the soul of William. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 403 
 
 Under whatever form it eventually appear, I doubt not but it 
 will do good. Particularly among his young relatives in Corn- 
 wall, such a record must appear as a solemn witness. 
 
 " My health continues much the same. I take a little exer- 
 cise on horseback, live low, go to bed early, and rise generally 
 to read by candle-light. By such means, under the blessing 
 of God, I am enabled to carry on my present undertaking. 
 But a slight return of indisposition would suspend the whole. 
 I therefore would live a pensioner on God's mercy for the 
 hour. 
 
 " A letter from Mr. Udny informs me that Miss. F. died 
 lately, and had peace in death, ' her heart having been long 
 previously weaned from the world.' He speaks with satisfac- 
 tion of the effect of a work I published two years ago, entitled 
 1 Colonial Ecclesiastical Establishment.' 
 
 "I beg to be affectionately remembered to Mrs. S. and to 
 Allan. The purpose of the latter to cultivate his mind by 
 classical knowledge is very gratifying to me. 
 
 "I am very affectionately yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 " To Mrs Thompson. 
 
 "Broxbotjrxe, Dec. 24. 
 
 " My dear Mrs. T. — I write to say that I hope to be with 
 you in the course of the first week of the new year. It is, 
 however, doubtful whether I shall not be detained till the 9th 
 or 10th of January. I shall at all events write before I 
 set off. 
 
 " What detains me is the wish to complete the four Gospels 
 before I leave this place, lest I should never return. » For 
 what is our life V saith St. James, ' It is eveu a vapour, that 
 appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away.' 
 
 " I have had another visit from Mr. S. and Mr. L. W. on 
 the subject of the Jewish Society. I proposed that the institu- 
 tion, in whatsoever degree supported by church members, 
 should be exclusively a Church of England Society. I de- 
 clined, however, pledging myself for its support, further than 
 by offering my best advice. I desired them to communicate 
 their plans and wishes to all good and eminent ministers in the 
 kingdom, to request useful hints and affectionate support, and 
 to do nothing of themselves : — not to call their society, ' for 
 conversion of the Jews :' but a society for the education of 
 Jewish children ; for diffusing the New Testament among the 
 Jews ; for corresponding with them concerning the Messiah 
 in all lands ; and for the diffusion of Jewish literature. Lastly, 
 
404 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN* 
 
 to connect t]ie institution with the Church Missionary Society, 
 the end being the same. 
 
 " I have just received letters from India. Sabat, who had left 
 his christian society, and it was feared would never return, has 
 returned to Calcutta, and is again translating the scriptures. 
 He confessed to Mr. Thomason that he could find no rest for 
 the soles of his feet. 
 
 "Mr. T. sends me the third annual Report of the Calcutta 
 Auxiliary Bible Society, which I shall take down with me, if 
 I remember it. My love to all till I see you. 
 
 11 Your very affectionate son, C. Buchanan." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's visit to the north was but of short duration. 
 On the 19th of January, 1815, he returned to Broxbourne ; 
 from whence he wrote to Mrs. Thompson as follows : 
 
 " My dear Mrs. T. — I could have reached this place yester- 
 day, but I reserved seventeen miles for this morning. I slept 
 on Monday night at Carleton Hall. 1 travelled about a hundred 
 miles next day in post chaises ; and, though it snowed, I was 
 warm and comfortable all the way. My only mishap was los- 
 ing my diamond pin somewhere, which I have had for ten 
 years. I now use one of those Augusta gave me. Thus we 
 cease to sparkle. 
 
 " I found all at home well. One of the letters on my table 
 was from Mr. John Thornton, nephew to Mr. Henry Thornton, 
 informing me of the illness of his uncle, and requesting letters 
 of introduction to his brother going to India. 
 
 " Another letter was from Mr. Macaulay, mentioning the 
 increasing illness of Mr. Thornton, and comparing him, after 
 twenty-two years' acquaintance, rather to the character of the 
 saints in the next life, than in this ; ' the justman made perfect.' 
 
 " I request you will alter any thing in my written or oral 
 instructions to Charlotte and Augusta, according to your dis- 
 cretion. If the verse in the morning appear to be an unfruit- 
 ful task, it may be discontinued by both. 
 
 " My love to them ; and believe me to be, my dear Mrs. T., 
 your affectionate son, C. Buchanan." 
 
 "Thus I have been enabled to accomplish a journey of 
 four hundred miles with health and strength. Bless the Lord, 
 O my soul, for all his goodness. May I only live to his 
 glory!" 
 
 A letter to Mr. Macaulay, on the same day on which the 
 preceding was dated, briefly but emphatically notices the fatal 
 termination of Mr. Henry Thornton's illness, and the anxiety 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN- 405 
 
 of Dr. Buchanan to pay the only tribute of respect which 
 remained to his memory. 
 
 "BnoxnouRNE, Thursday, 19th Jan. 
 
 11 My dear Friend, — On my return from Yorkshire this morn- 
 ing, where I have been for a fortnight on a visit to my family, 
 I found your letter of the 11th inst. lying on my table. 
 
 "The first intimation I had of Mr. Thornton's illness was 
 on Monday last at Carleton Hall, Workshop. On my arrival 
 here, I found your letter, and one from Mr. John Thornton 
 confirming the painful intelligence. I w T as just going to sit 
 down to request that he would communicate to his uncle my 
 feelings on the occasion, and my request to go to town to visit 
 him if he had strength to see me, when, casually looking into 
 the paper, I found that he had died on the Tuesday. All 
 I can now do is to attend the funeral of this good man, my 
 earliest and most particular friend and benefactor. I have re- 
 quested Mr. John Thornton to let me know on what day the 
 funeral takes place. In case of mistake, will you have the 
 goodness to mention to me the time and place, and I shall go 
 out early in the morning, and return in the evening, as my 
 present work will not permit me conveniently to be absent a 
 night 
 
 " I desire to thank you most unfeignedly for your kindness 
 to the two Cochin Jews. 
 
 " With kindest regards to Mrs. M., I am very affectionate- 
 ly yours, C. Buchanan." 
 
 On the 22d Dr. Buchanan wrote to Mr. Macaulay as follows : 
 
 "My dear Friend, — I have just received your note, and I 
 propose to go on Tuesday morning, so as to be at your house 
 by twelve o'clock, if I should not have joined the procession 
 before that time. I shall be happy to dine with you, and to take 
 a bed at your house, and return next morning after breakfast. 
 
 " Yours, ever affectionately, , C. Buchanan." 
 
 It w T as upon the solemn and affecting occasion thus referred 
 to, that the author of these memoirs met Dr. Buchanan for the 
 last time. A crowd of other friends, distinguished by their 
 talents, rank, and piety, united in lamenting the loss of the 
 eminent person around whose tomb they were assembled. 
 Amidst that mourning throng, it will readily be believed by 
 those who recollect his obligations to Mr. Thornton, as well as 
 his just appreciation of the various excellencies of his revered 
 friend, that no one shed more sincere tears over his grave than 
 
406 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan. Doubtless he then felt, as he seemed to feel, 
 in common with a multitude of other persons, that another of 
 those ties by which he had been linked to this world was de- 
 stroyed. The writer of these pages remembers, with sensa- 
 tions of melancholy yet pleasing regret, the peculiarly holy 
 and heavenly strain of conversation with which Dr. Buchanan 
 cheered and edified his friends on the evening of that mourn- 
 ful day, and on the morning of his return into Hertfordshire ; 
 little thinking that it would be the last opportunity of their 
 enjoying that privilege. 
 
 Of this short and affecting visit to Clapham, the following 
 interesting anecdote has been communicated by a friend at whose 
 house Dr. Buchanan took up his abode : 
 
 " He was relating to me," observes this gentleman, " as we 
 walked together from the church-yard where we had deposited 
 the mortal remains of Henry Thornton, the course he was 
 pursuing with respect to the printing of the Syriac Testament. 
 He stated that his solicitude to render it correct had led him to 
 adopt a plan of revision which required him to read each sheet 
 five times over before it went finally to the printer. The par- 
 ticulars of the plan I do not very distinctly remember. It was, 
 however, something of this kind : He first prepared the sheets 
 for the press. When the proof was sent, he read it over at- 
 tentively, instituting a comparison with the original, and looking 
 into the various readings, &c. A revise was sent him, which 
 he carefully examined, making corrections. This was sub- 
 mitted to Mr. Yeates. When it came from him he read it 
 again, adopting such of his suggestions as he thought right. 
 When the printer had made the requisite correction he sent a 
 fresh revise, after being read, to Mr. Lee, and reperused it when 
 it came from him. A third revise was then procured, which 
 Ije again examined before it was finally committed to the press. 
 I do not know that I am precisely accurate in this statement, 
 but it was something of the above description. 
 
 " While giving me this detail he stopped suddenly, and 
 burstin tears. I was somewhat alarmed. When he had recover- 
 ed himself he said, ' Do not be alarmed. I am not ill ; but I 
 was completely overcome with the recollection of the delight 
 which I had enjoyed in this exercise. At first I was disposed 
 to shrink from the task as irksome, and apprehended that I 
 should find even the scriptures pall by the frequency of this 
 critical examination. But so far from it, every fresh perusal 
 seemed to throw fresh light on the word of God, and to con* 
 vey additional joy and consolation to my mind.' " 
 
 How delightful is the contemplation of a servant of Christ 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 407 
 
 thus devoutly engaged in his heavenly Master's work, almost 
 to the very moment of his transition to the divine source of 
 light and truth itself! 
 
 The pious and elevated frame of Dr. Buchanan's mind is 
 evident from another incident which occurred at this time. 
 
 In passing through London on his return to Broxbourne, he 
 spent a few hours with a friend whom he had met upon the so- 
 lemn occasion of the preceding day. In the course of their 
 conversation, his friend observed, how affecting was the consi- 
 deration of the removal of so many great and good men, whom 
 they had lately had occasion to lament, in the prime of life and 
 in the midst of their usefulness. To this observation Dr. Bu- 
 chanan replied, " So long as they were still on earth, and the' 
 divine will was not known, it was our duty fervently to pray 
 for their recovery and lengthened life ; but, when once that will 
 has been discovered by the event, we should rejoice and praise 
 God that he has received them to himself, and hasten to follow 
 them to his heavenly kingdom." It was not long before he 
 himself afforded another illustration of this remark ; which, 
 though not unfrequently made, was peculiarly chaiacteristic of 
 that spirit of calm and habitual submission to the will of God, 
 and of lively faith in the realities of an eternal world, by which 
 he was distinguished. 
 
 The extreme severity of the weather had excited some ap- 
 prehensions in the minds of many as to the probable effect of 
 Dr. Buchanan's exposure to it during some hours of the pre- 
 ceding day. He did not, however, appear at the time to have 
 suffered by it, and reached Broxbourne on the 25th of January 
 in safety. 
 
 On the first of February he wrote to Mrs. Thompson, in- 
 forming her of the solemn scene at which he had lately been 
 present, describing the numerous and respectful attendance at 
 the funeral of Mr. Thornton, and expressing his earnest desire to 
 follow him to the same blessed inheritance. 
 
 This w T as the last communication of Dr. Buchanan to his 
 distant friends. The time of his departure was now fast ap- 
 proaching. He continued, however, his christian undertaking 
 to the last. On his return from Yorkshire, he had proceeded 
 with the preparation of the Syriac version of the Acts of the 
 Apostles, and had advanced, on the day preceding his death, 
 to the twentieth chapter ; in which the zealous and affectionate 
 apostle, in his address to the elders of Ephesus, expresses his 
 conviction of his final separation from his friends in these re- 
 markable words : " And now, behold, I know that ye all, 
 among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, 
 
408 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 shall see my face no more." The chapter which thus closed 
 the labours of Dr. Buchanan, and in which he seemed to hid 
 farewell to every earthly association, was but too prophetic of 
 the event which was about so shortly to take place. Of his 
 few remaining days, and of his sudden removal to that higher 
 world, for which he had long been ripening, the following let- 
 ter to the Rev. Mr. Kempthorne, from his confidential servant, 
 who was his only attendant in Hertfordshire, though unavoida- 
 bly inadequate to the anxious wishes of his friends, affords a 
 minute and faithful account. 
 
 u BRoxBoiRxr., 12th Feb. 1815. 
 
 ''Rev. Sir, — In case of your not having been made acquainted, 
 through the public papers, of the decease of my dear master, 
 Dr. Buchanan, I feel it my duty to write to you on the subject. 
 
 11 The doctor's state of health, as you may have understood, 
 had improved during his residence here, up to the time of his 
 late visit to Yorkshire ; but the fatigue of that journey, proba- 
 bly added to an attendance, in a week after his return, in bad 
 weather, at the funeral of Mr. Henry Thornton, brought on an 
 apparently slight indisposition, which the doctor himself, I be- 
 lieve, considered merely a cold. On Thursday last, however, 
 while making a morning's call on some of the neighbours, he 
 was taken with something of a fainting fit, which passed off 
 without his considering it of consequence enough to require 
 medical assistance. As the sickness came on again towards 
 evening, I took the liberty to disobey my master's orders, and 
 to send for the medical gentleman whose skill had so much ap- 
 peared in the improvement of the doctor's health in the pre- 
 ceding months. This gentleman was with him about nine 
 o'clock in the evening, and did not express any apprehension of 
 danger. Dr. Buchanan retired a little past ten. saying he was 
 better : and, as he expected to get a little sleep, wished me not 
 to disturb him to take the second medicine till he rung the 
 bell. About half-past eleven, sitting on the watch for the sum- 
 mons, I fancied I heard something of an hiccough ; which in- 
 duced me, contrary to orders, to enter the chamber, and to in- 
 quire if he was worse. He signified he was worse. On which I 
 instantly alarmed the family, and sent for assistance ; and then 
 returned to the bedside, where my master appeared labouring 
 under a spasm in the breast. He intimated a wish for me to 
 hold his head: and in this posture, without struggle or convul- 
 sion, his breath appeared to leave him ; so that before twelve, 
 by w 7 hich time Mr. Watts, the printer, Mr. Yeates, and a few 
 other neighbours, were with me, we were obliged to conclude 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 409 
 
 that our excellent friend's spirit had joined the glorified saints 
 above. I should have mentioned that, on returning home in the 
 morning after the fit, Dr. Buchanan seemed lame on the left 
 side ; but, as it went off, he did not think it of any consequence. 
 I have reason to think it might be a third attack of paralysis. 
 The medical man, on his coming after my master's dissolution, 
 said it did not surprise him. A letter was immediately for- 
 warded, by express, to communicate the melancholy intelli- 
 gence to my master's family in Yorkshire ; from whence some , 
 one is hourly expected. Mr. Macaulay was also written to ; 
 and Mr. Simeon at Cambridge. On Saturday Mr. Babington, 
 the member for Leicester, came down, and approved of the , 
 precaution and arrangements taken immediately after the depart- 
 ure of my master ; both as to putting seals on the drawers, 
 study, &c. &c. 
 
 " With the greatest respect, I beg to subscribe myself, Rev. 
 Sir, your most obedient faithful servant, T. Vaux." 
 
 Such was the sudden summons by which, on the 9th Oi 
 February, 1815, in the 49th year of his age, this eminent ser- 
 vant of God was called to his heavenly rest. To himself it 
 could scarcely be said to have been unexpected. The debili- 
 tated constitution which he brought with him from India, and 
 the repeated shocks it had subsequently sustained, led him ha- 
 bitually to regard his continuance in life as extremely uncertain 
 and precarious; while his various afflictions, personal and do- 
 mestic, had tended to withdraw his thoughts and affections 
 from the world, and to fix them on spiritual and eternal objects. 
 We have seen that in fulfilling the important engagement which 
 terminated his earthly course, he evidently appeared to be work- 
 ing while it was called " to-day," and to be constantly an- 
 ticipating the near approach of " the night," in which he 
 could no longer work. Of his habitual preparation for the 
 hour of his departure, no one can entertain a doubt, who has 
 marked the scriptural foundation of his faith, and the unques- 
 tionable evidences of its sincerity, in the long and uniform 
 tenor of his truly christian career. It might, perhaps, have 
 been desirable, both for himself and for others, that some in- 
 terval, however short, had been vouchsafed ; in which this 
 " good and faithful servant" of his Lord might have had an 
 opportunity of renewing his repentance, of testifying his faith, 
 of perfecting his patience, of purifying and exalting his charity, 
 of bidding a more solemn and express farewell to " things seen 
 and temporal," of preparing more deliberately and devoutly 
 
 Mm 
 
410 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 for an immediate entrance upon " things unseen and eternal."* 
 Such an interval, however, so precious to the generality of 
 mankind, and usually so important, the divine wisdom did not 
 see fit to grant to the subject of these memoirs. Neither, in- 
 deed, can it be said to have been necessary. The readers of 
 the preceding narrative have already observed Dr. Buchanan 
 in India, upon what he strongly, though erroneously, believed 
 would prove his death-bed ; and they have witnessed the 
 deeply penitent, yet resigned and peaceful frame of mind 
 which he then exhibited. Such, as we are evidently authorized 
 to conclude, only of a mature and heavenly nature, would 
 have been his testimony and his feelings, had he been allowed 
 again to express them. In the absence, however, of any such 
 opportunity, we must be contented to recur to that scene ; and, 
 together with the recollection of his subsequent " work of faith, 
 and labour of love, and patience of hope," endeavour to enter 
 into the full meaning of the following brief sentence, which 
 occurs amidst a few other " private thoughts," and in which 
 its author appears plainly to have anticipated the probability of 
 some final stroke, which should impede the exercise of his 
 faculties, and prove the prelude to his departure. " If," said 
 he, "my mind and memory should be affected by illness of body, 
 I shall look to my head, Christ. I am but a member." From 
 any painful infliction of this kind Dr. Buchanan was merciful- 
 ly spared, and, after having paid the last sad tribute of affection 
 to the friend and benefactor of his early years, was removed 
 almost contemporaneously and reunited to him, and to other 
 kindred spirits of the " just made perfect," in regions where 
 sickness and sorrow, change and separation, are for ever 
 unknown. 
 
 In consequence of a wish he had expressed to Mrs. Thomp- 
 son, not long before his death, the remains of Dr. Buchanan 
 were removed from Broxbourne to Little Ouseburn, in York- 
 shire, and deposited near those of his second lamented wife. 
 A monumental inscription, written by the Rev. W. Richard- 
 son, of York, records in plain but expressive language the lead- 
 ing particulars of his life and character.! 
 
 It may, perhaps, be expected that a more definite and compre- 
 hensive review should be given of both at the close of these me- 
 moirs. The length, however, to which they have been already 
 extended, and the distinctness with which the events of Dr. 
 
 * See the exquisite defence, by the pious and learned Hooker, of the petition 
 in the Litany against "sudden death.'' Ecclesiastical Polity, vol. ii. p. 175. 
 t See the end of the volume. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 411 
 
 Buchanan's life and the features of his character have been 
 marked, will only require such a general recapitulation as may 
 assist the reader in forming a correct judgment of the whole. 
 
 In reviewing the history of Dr. Buchanan, our attention 
 must be first directed to his religious character. It was this 
 which originally introduced him to our notice, and by this 
 he was principally distinguished throughout his benevolent and 
 useful career. The deep and solemn impression of religion, 
 which, through the grace of God, was made upon his mind 
 in his twenty-fourth year, formed the commencement of a life 
 devoted to the service of Christ. We have traced the effects 
 of this great spiritual change in the course of his studies at the 
 University of Cambridge, during his various labours in India, ' 
 and his continued exertions after his return to this country. 
 Amidst these diversified scenes and engagements, an energetic 
 conviction of the infinite importance and value of the gospel, 
 and a lively sense of his own obligations to that grace which 
 had made him effectually acquainted with its blessings, were 
 the commanding principles which actuated his conduct. 
 
 Those who know little of real Christianity may, perhaps, at- 
 tribute his earnestness and activity in religion, as they would 
 that of the great apostle himself, to enthusiasm, zeal forprose- 
 lytism, or the love of fame. But the whole tenor of this nar- 
 rative sufficiently proves that no corrupt, w r eak, or worldly 
 motives swayed his mind. The great object to which he de- 
 voted his life, engaged him in an unceasing contest with the 
 principles and the prejudices of those whom a regard to his 
 worldly interest would have led him carefully to conciliate ; 
 and, though his benevolent exertions undoubtedly procured him 
 many valuable friends, few men of such sober and practical 
 views, and of such genuine philanthropy, have gone through 
 a greater variety of "evil" as well as of " good report." 
 With still less justice can the activity of Dr. Buchanan in the 
 great labour of his life be ascribed to a controversial or inno- 
 vating spirit. He was, on the contrary, disposed, both by con- 
 stitution and principle, to avoid rather than court opposition ; 
 while, during several years the languor of declining health was 
 continually urging him to self-indulgence and repose. 
 
 Amidst such powerful inducements to a very different line 
 of conduct, it is scarcely possible not to percieve that Dr. Bu- 
 chanan could only have been actuated by pure and disinterest- 
 ed motives. The love of Christ and of the souls of men, and a 
 fervent desire to be the instrument of imparting to others that 
 unspeakable blessing which he had himself received, w r ere in 
 reality the springs both of his public and private exertions. 
 
412 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 These were the principles by which he was animated, and 
 which supported him with equanimity and patience amidst la- 
 bour and reproach, infirmity and sorrow, and even rendered 
 him joyful in tribulation. 
 
 Combined with these motives, Dr. Buchanan possessed a 
 spirit of lively and vigorous faith, which substantiated " things 
 not seen," and led him to think and act under a strong impres- 
 sion of their truth and reality. He was therefore eminently a 
 practical man. Though inclined by natural taste, and the ha- 
 bits of a learned and scientific education, to indulge in specu- 
 lative pursuits and pleasures, the strength of his faith, and the 
 ardour of his love towards objects of spiritual and eternal con- 
 cern, rescued him from their fascination, and taught him to ac- 
 count all knowledge, and all occupation, vain and unimportant, 
 compared with that which tended to render himself and others 
 " wise unto salvation," Hence, from the period at which the 
 religious necessities of his own countrymen in India, and the 
 moral state of its benighted native inhabitants, first impress- 
 ed his mind, the life of Dr. Buchanan exhibits a continued 
 series of strenuous, self-denying, and disinterested efforts to sup- 
 ply the deficiencies, and to ameliorate the condition, which he 
 lamented. 
 
 For the accomplishment of this great purpose, he was ad- 
 mirably qualified both by natural and acquired advantages. 
 Sagacious and observant, calm and persevering, resolute, yet 
 mild and courteous, he took a penetrating and extensive survey 
 of the various objects around him ; and, omitting points of in- 
 ferior consideration and importance, fixed his attention on the 
 grand and prominent features by which they were distinguish- 
 ed. The temper also and habits of Dr. Buchanan were pecu- 
 liarly calculated to soften the asperities, and to remove the pre- 
 judices, of opponents, to treat with men of every rank upon 
 their own grounds, and to engage them in promoting the great 
 objects which he himself had in view; while the comprehen- 
 siveness of his mind, and the munificence of his disposition, 
 enabled him both to conceive and execute designs of no ordinary 
 difficulty and magnitude. 
 
 We have accordingly seen in the course of these memoirs 
 that, by the publication of authentic documents and convinc- 
 ing statements, by the proposal of magnificent prices, by the 
 active excercise of his influence with those who respected and 
 esteemed him, and by personal exertions, which included a 
 journey of more than five thousand miles, amidst many difficul- 
 ties and dangers, he endeavoured to extend and perpetuate 
 among the European population of India the national faith 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 413 
 
 and worship ; 'and, unmoved by the obloquy of opponents, 
 and by the want of cordial assistance on the part of some who 
 might have been expected to support and cheer him, laboured 
 unceasingly to diffuse among millions, immersed in the thick- 
 est darkness, "the light that leads to heaven." 
 
 Nor did he labour in vain. Whoever has attended to the 
 state of public opinion, and to the course of public events, in 
 this country and in India during the last twenty years, must 
 perceive the revolution of sentiment and feeling, which has 
 taken place in that period upon these important questions. 
 The general acknowledgment, and the recognition in Parlia- 
 ment, of the solemn duty of attending to the religious interests ■ 
 of British India ; the establishment of our Episcopal Church, 
 and the facilities afforded to the efforts of Christian piety and 
 zeal to promote the knowledge of the gospel in that extensive 
 empire ; and the progress which has been actually made in 
 this great work, demonstrate the truth of this assertion. It is 
 equally certain that to the able and persevering exertions of 
 Dr. Buchanan must this happy change of opinion and these 
 salutary measures be principally attributed. Of his claim to 
 the merit of having successfully pleaded the cause of an Ec- 
 clesiastical Establishment for British India, and thus of having 
 prepared the way for the most effectual civilization and moral 
 improvement of the natives, there can be no doubt; and of his 
 zealous participation in the great plan of oriental transla- 
 tion, his original proposal of the Malayalim version, and of a 
 new edition of the Syriac Testament, and his generous and 
 self-denying exertions to promote both those important works, 
 are proofs which neither can nor will be forgotten. Millions 
 yet unborn will, doubtless, on account of these and many other 
 great and truly christian services of this eminent man, have 
 reason to rejoice, and will hereafter " rise up and call him 
 blessed." 
 
 The qualifications of Dr. Buchanan as a writer were pecu- 
 liarly suited to the task which he had undertaken. Bold, per- 
 spicuous, and decisive, he is distinguished in all his works by 
 the accumulation and display of new and striking facts, connect- 
 ed, for the most part, by brief, pointed, and sententious obser- 
 vations. Even in his writings, which are more strictly theo- 
 logical, he adopted a similar plan ; seldom pursuing a long 
 train of reasoning, but laying down certain undoubted facts, 
 truths, or principles, and arguing from them directly and prac- 
 tically to the conclusions which he had in view. The style, 
 however, of Dr. Buchanan, though in general simple and un- 
 ambitious, was, as we have more than once had occasion to no- 
 
 Mm2 
 
414 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 tice, frequently dignified and eloquent. But upon this point 
 we may refer with advantage to two most competent and re- 
 spectable authorities. The first is that of Dean Milner ; who, 
 in speaking of Dr. Buchanan, observes as follows : 
 
 " I perfectly well remember that the circumstance which 
 very soon marked his character, even in the early part of his 
 residence, as an undergraduate, was plain, sober, good sense, 
 with a perspicuity and brevity of expression in all his English 
 compositions on religious and moral subjects. He had no pre- 
 tensions to elegance ; but he was altogether free from that vi- 
 cious, flowery style into which young students are apt to fall. 
 Buchanan had always too much matter to allow him to be very 
 wordy/' 
 
 The other testimony to which a reference has been made is 
 from the review of one of his works in the Christian Observer.* 
 
 " Dr. Buchanan is characterized, as a writer, by ease, and 
 by a colouring of the picturesque, with which he contrives to 
 invest his subject. Some great writers have laboured to clothe 
 fiction in the garb of truth : Dr. Buchanan's peculiarity is, 
 that he gives to truth many of the charms and ornaments usu- 
 ally appropriatad to fiction. In consequence of this, he has, 
 we think, eminently the power of touching some of the best 
 feelings of the mind, and of winning over those whom dry 
 reasoning might not convince." 
 
 The subjects to which Dr. Buchanan devoted his attention 
 did not require or even admit the display of learning, strictly 
 so called. It has, however, sufficiently appeared that, without 
 affecting the character of a consummate scholar, from which he 
 was precluded by the duties of an active and laborious profes- 
 sion, his attainments in European literature and science were 
 of no ordinary nature, and such as qualified him to sustain 
 with credit the important offices to which he was appointed in 
 India. His acquaintance with oriental learning, if not critical 
 or profound, was extensive and considerable. After making 
 some progress in the Persian language, he relinquished it, from 
 a conviction of its comparative inutility to himself, soon after 
 his arrival in India ; but wilh the Hindostanee he was familiar ; 
 and of the Hebrew, Syriac, and Arabic, he possessed a very 
 competent knowledge. His grand object, however, being po- 
 pular and practical, his chief excellence consisted in the collec- 
 tion and exibition of important and various information, and in 
 bringing it, by convincing and luminous deductions, to bear 
 upon some weighty and interesting question. In this talent 
 
 * Vol. xii. p. 242. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 415 
 
 he stands nearly unrivalled ; and to this must be in a great 
 measure ascribed the success of his appeals to the understanding 
 and the heart upon the great subjects discussed in his writings. 
 
 The sentiments of Dr. Buchanan as a divine have been for 
 the most part fully developed in these memoirs. They have 
 appeared to be truly scriptural, and in perfect unison with the 
 doctrines of the Church of England. With respect to one 
 point, which, for the very reason that it is now for the first 
 time noticed, evidently formed no prominent part of his creed, 
 he was what, for the sake of distinction, may be called mode- 
 rately Calvinistic. The avowal of his belief in the doctrine 
 of personal election does not occur in any of his publications, 
 and was in very few instances introduced into his discourses 
 from the pulpit. It appears, however, somewhat remarkably 
 in the preamble to his last will ; which is expressed in the fol- 
 lowing words : 
 
 " 1, Claudius Buchanan, of Little Ouseburn, make this my 
 last will and testament. I commit my soul and body to Jesus 
 Christ, the Saviour of lost sinners, of which sinners I am one, 
 the chief of sinners ; but I trust I have obtained mercy ; and 
 I look for eternal salvation through the obedience of Christ 
 unto death, even the death of the cross. I account the origin of 
 my salvation to be the love of God the Father, who loved my 
 soul in Christ its head before the foundation of the world. I 
 renounce all works as a claim of merit. All my works have 
 been mixed and sullied with sin and imperfection. Whatever 
 has been acceptable to God is his own, even the work of his 
 Holy Spirit ; it is not mine. Glory be to God the Father, 
 Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen." 
 
 Such is the emphatic declaration of his faith, with which the 
 eminently pious subject of these memoirs bade adieu to every 
 earthly concern, and anticipated an eternal world. While the 
 grand truths of which it consists accord with the sentiments 
 and feelings of every real Christian, it undoubtedly recognizes 
 a position with which many wilt not agree. Though Dr. 
 Buchanan was thus reserved upon this mysterous subject, it 
 was, however, one on which he had thought and read much] 
 He left behind him an unfinished work, in which it was fully 
 but cautiously discussed. 
 
 It is easy to dispose of this great controverted question in a 
 summary way, and to deny that there is any scriptural founda- 
 tion for what is termed the Calvinistic view of it : but those 
 who are aware of the difficulties in which the whole subject 
 is involved, whatever may be their own sentiments respecting 
 it, will be neither surprised nor offended at those of Dr. Bu- 
 
416 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 chanan. That lie was far from beinff the retailer of other men's 
 opinions, or from blindly and indiscriminately adhering to the 
 tenets of an earthly " master," is evident, not only from the 
 general tenor of his character, but from his express declaration 
 in a note to one of his published sermons ;* in which, refer- 
 ring to the general propensity to render the religion of Christ 
 a human system, and to enlist under the banner of some cele- 
 brated leader, he observes that the enlightened Christian 
 acknowledges no name but that of Christ; and exclaims 
 with indignant surprise, " Calvin and Arminius ! Is it not an 
 insult to men of intelligence and learning, humbly receiving 
 the revelation of God, to suppose that, instead of drawing 
 pure water from the fountain-head, they should drink from 
 such shallow and turbid streams !" 
 
 Of human guides to the knowledge of divine truth, Dr. 
 Buchanan was undoubtedly disposed to follow the decisions 
 of the church of which he was a member ; and upon no other 
 point more readily than upon the doctrine of the divine 
 predestination, as contained in the seventeenth article. He 
 considered that admirable composition as expressing nearly in 
 the language of scripture the mysterious truth of which it 
 has been seen that he declared his own solemn belief; and as 
 doing this in so guarded a manner, as to preclude all objection 
 and abuse, except such as is corrupt and wilful. Whether 
 right or wrong in this interpretation of scripture and of our 
 church, may be a matter of discussion ; but if he erred in his 
 view of the doctrine in question, let it not be forgotten that he 
 erred with many of the greatest divines and brightest ornaments 
 of the church ; with Whitgift and Hooker, with Davenant and 
 Hall, with Usher and Leighton. And where, it may be safely 
 added so far as mere human authority is concerned, are more il- 
 lustrious names to be found ? Or who will venture to throw con- 
 tempt upon opinions thus accredited and adorned ? 
 
 Dr. Buchanan's view of this profound subject, like every 
 other sentiment which he entertained, was far from being 
 merely speculative. Whenever he thought it right to inculcate 
 it, which, as it has been observed, was but seldom, it was 
 not crudely or exclusively ; but with reference to certain specific 
 marks of the christian character, in connexion with other 
 scriptural truths, and especially such as declare the obligations 
 and responsibility of man, as an intelligent and accountable 
 being, and in harmony with the general promises of the gospel. 
 
 : The Healing Waters of Bethesda. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 417 
 
 The observations which have been already made, as well as 
 the specimens which have been given of his discourses, ren- 
 der more than a single remark upon Dr. Buchanan as a preach- 
 er unnecessary. His delivery was slow, but impressive, and 
 though far from being studied, was yet pleasing and persuasive. 
 His sermons were often doctrinal, but more frequently practical 
 and experimental ; and generally interesting, either from the 
 historical or parabolical form, or from the simple yet energetic 
 and affecting style in which they were composed. So far as 
 mere popularity of manner is concerned, he may not be con- 
 sidered as entitled to much distinction. But if success be ad- 
 mitted as any test of merit, he must be allowed to rank high 
 as a preacher. Both in India and this country he was honored 
 as the instrument of converting many from " the error of their 
 way," and of instructing and edifying others in the faith of the 
 gospel. 
 
 Preaching was not, however, that by which Dr. Buchanan 
 was chiefly distinguished. His peculiar excellencies as a pub- 
 lic character were of another kind, and are to be discerned in 
 his enlarged and truly christian philanthropy, in the extent 
 and acknowledged importance, utility, and disinterestedness of 
 his plans, and in the boldness, generosity, and ability, with 
 which he laboured to accomplish them. 
 
 Of his fidelity, diligence, and activity, in the fulfilment of 
 his official duties, the conduct of Dr. Buchanan, as Vice Pro- 
 vost of the college of Fort William, is a striking and satisfac- 
 tory instance ; and it is no slight proof of the value of his ser- 
 vices, that the year in which they were superseded by the 
 abolition of this office is distinctly marked, by a very compe- 
 tent witness, as the period of the declining usefulness of that 
 important institution.* During his residence in India, inde- 
 pendently of his acknowledged value as a public servant, he 
 was, according to the memorialist of his excellent colleague, 
 " beloved and admired by many of every rank for his fine abil- 
 ities, and for the estimable qualities of his heart;" and, after 
 his return to this country, his uninterrupted labours in the 
 cause of Christianity, amidst accumulated infirmities and sor- 
 rows, equally secured him the respect and esteem of all who 
 are capable of appreciating pure and exalted virtue. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan, however, sought not "honour from men." 
 His faith enabled him to " overcome the world," and rendered 
 
 '' See Mr. Fraser Tytler's " Considerations on the State of India," 
 
418 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 him comparatively indifferent to its applauses and its frowns. 
 He lived 
 
 " As ever in his great Task-master's eye;" 
 
 and appeared on all occasions supremely anxious to fulfil his 
 appointed duties, and to hasten towards the heavenly prize. 
 " He carried about with him," observed one of his intimate 
 friends, " a deep sense of the reality of religion, as a princi- 
 ple of action; and, from various conversations which I recol- 
 lect with him, I could strongly infer how much he laboured 
 to attain purity of heart." His last commonplace book con- 
 tains various proofs of his simple, devoted, and progressive 
 piety. Observations occur, chiefly founded upon passages of 
 scripture, on the great doctrines of the gospel, particularly on 
 faith in the atonement, on divine grace, on holiness, on the 
 love of God and of our neighbour, on humility, on commu- 
 nion with God, and on the world of spirits. 
 
 One brief extract, entitled " A general Topic of Prayer," 
 may serve to show the practical piety, and the humble and 
 subdued disposition of its author. 
 
 "Let us," says this excellent man, " endeavour to seek 
 happiness and contentment in our own place and condition, not 
 looking abroad for it. Let us seek and expect it in existing 
 circumstances ; contented with little domains, little possessions, 
 a little dwelling ; that we may prepare for a less house, a 
 smaller tenement under ground." 
 
 If we descend to the more private features of his character, 
 the reader of his memoirs must be struck by his patience un- 
 der protracted weakness and suffering,' and his submission to 
 the will of God under frequent and severe privations of do- 
 mestic and personal happiness, and by his extraordinary libe- 
 rality and diffusive charity. Of the more remarkable instances 
 of these virtues, sufficient notice has been already taken ; but 
 Dr. Buchanan w T as cordially and habitually generous; and, in- 
 dependently of those munificent acts which were unavoidably 
 public, the writer of this narrative has met with many other 
 instances, scarcely less noble, of which the world never heard; 
 while, in addition to his liberal support of various christian in- 
 stitutions which adorn our country, there were, no doubt, nu- 
 merous exertions of private benevolence, which were utterly 
 unknown. 
 
 It may seem scarcely necessary to add that Dr. Buchanan, 
 from deliberate conviction and choice, was warmly and steadily 
 attached to the established constitution of his country, both in 
 church and state. Of his exertions to extend the one through- 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 419 
 
 out the British empire, the reader needs not to be reminded ; 
 while his loyal and zealous support of the other is abundantly 
 testified by his Jubilee Sermons, and by various excellent dis- 
 courses both in India and in England. 
 
 His social virtues require only to be mentioned. His inva- 
 riable kindness and candour, his forbearance and readiness to 
 forgive, together with all the charities of domestic life, are ex- 
 cellencies which, though happily too common to be much 
 dwelt upon, will long live in the recollection and regret of his 
 family and friends. To him, indeed, in these, and in some 
 other points which have been noticed, may not improperly be 
 applied the tribute of a Roman historian to a man of eminent 
 merit in degenerate times, " Civis, maritus, gener, amicus, 
 cunctis vitas officiis eequabilis, opum contemptor, recti pervicax, 
 constans adversus metus."* 
 
 An enemy, however, for such it seems he had, or even a less 
 partial friend, might here be disposed to say, with a celebrated 
 French annalist,t when describing a man of extraordinary 
 qualities, " Tournez la medaille." To such a proposal there 
 can in this case be no objection. It is by no means necessary 
 to the just appreciation of Dr. Buchanan, to represent him as 
 a faultless character ; and if it were possible for him to inter- 
 fere with so unwise and unchristian an attempt on the part of any 
 of his friends, he would be the first to deprecate and to resist it. 
 His defects were such as are incident to the talents and dis- 
 positions by which he was distinguished. Naturally bold and 
 ardent in his conceptions, feelings, and expectations, he una- 
 voidably communicated his own impressions in his delineations 
 of human good and evil. Hence he has been accused of sweep- 
 ing and undistinguishing severity in his strictures on the eccle- 
 siastical negligences and deficiencies of our eastern administra- 
 tion, of a dictatorial tone in his suggestions, and of exaggeration 
 in his representations of the religious state of India, and of 
 the probable results of the measures which he recommended. 
 
 64 II y a dans cela," to adopt an expression of a celebrated 
 personage, " un fond de verite." Let us, however, define the 
 nature and extent of the admission. If it be meant by such 
 animadversions to insinuate that Dr. Buchanan either intention- 
 ally, grossly, or even materially misrepresented or over-stated 
 any facts or incidents which he has undertaken to relate, his 
 friends would have no hesitation in denying the charge, 
 until some specific proof of such allegations be adduced ; 
 and, in the meantime, they would express their calm and un- 
 
 * Tac. Hist. lib. iv. c. 7. t The Due de Sully. 
 
420 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 doubting acquiescence in the result of a full and impartial 
 examination. It may be added that a man of so much inte- 
 grity and ingenuousness as Dr. Buchanan, when, at the close 
 of his life, he was urging upon the attention of the missionary* 
 the importance of a strict and cautious adherence to simplicity 
 and truth in his periodical reports, could scarcely be conscious 
 of any personal failure in the performance of a similar duty. 
 
 If the objections in question refer merely to the warmth of 
 colouring which pervades his descriptions, the reply has been 
 anticipated in the sanguine nature, complexion, and character 
 of his mind ; which would as necessarily produce such a style, 
 as the opposite temperament of another writer would naturally 
 lead to colder and less vivid representations. If this considera- 
 tion should be deemed unsatisfactory, it can only be lamented 
 that what in writers, who have but little else to recommend 
 them, is freely forgiven, and even admired, is severely visited 
 upon one whose claims to general credibility and regard are of 
 no ordinary magnitude. But it is remarkable that, while the 
 world will readily approve the coldest and most inadequate 
 statements upon religious subjects, the man who treats them 
 with any degree of fervour proportioned to their importance, 
 will be discredited and condemned. That Dr. Buchanan 
 should have been resisted and misrepresented by those who 
 consider his zeal for the conversion and salvation of men ex- 
 cessive and enthusiastic, and his plans and expectations vision- 
 ary and extravagant, not to say rash and dangerous, ought not 
 to excite our surprise. Time, however, and that which it will 
 doubtless bring with it, additional information and experience, 
 will, it is confidently presumed, gradually dissipate these illu- 
 sions, and prove to the satisfaction of all, who are not under 
 the influence of inveterate prejudice, the substantial correctness 
 as well as importance of his statements ; though, as it will ever 
 be more easy to cavil than to disprove, to criticise the produc- 
 tions of others than to add to the general stock of knowledge 
 and happiness, it is vain to expect that minute and pertinacious 
 objectors will either be satisfied or silenced. 
 
 " 1 ever considered," observes a friend,t whose testimony 
 is peculiarly valuable, (in speaking of the efforts which have 
 been made to depreciate the authority of Dr. Buchanan,) " such 
 attempts as the effect of dislike to the plans in which he was 
 engaged. I apprehend no one will ever be able to invalidate 
 any of the facts recorded by Dr. Buchanan, though some, who 
 possess not his spirit, will not view the circumstances as he 
 
 * See page 324. t The Rev. D. Corrie. 
 
MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 421 
 
 viewed them, and, therefore, will not speak of them as he did." 
 This latter remark forms, in fact, the key to the greater part 
 of the injurious charges and insinuations which have been cir- 
 culated respecting the subject of these memoirs, and at the same 
 time furnishes an antidote to their poison. Let but the spirit of 
 faith in the gospel, and of love to the souls of men, animate those 
 who are now inclined to treat with negligence or contempt the 
 statements and reasonings of Dr. Buchanan ; and it may be 
 asserted, without incurring the charge of uncharitableness, that 
 they will not be long in acknowledging the truth and correct- 
 ness of the one, and the force and value of the other. Let 
 men, in short, only be convinced that ignorance of the true 
 God is the grand cause of all the moral evil in the world ; that 
 to " know Him, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, is life 
 eternal;" and that multitudes are everywhere ." perishing for 
 lack of" that " knowledge ;" and they will at once be dis- 
 posed to admit that there can scarcely be any exaggeration in 
 describing the wretchedness of those who are destitute of it, or 
 any excess in their zeal who labour to make known to every 
 creature under heaven that gospel which has the " promise of 
 the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 
 
 If the imperfections of Dr. Buchanan, as a private christian, 
 have not been studiously exhibited, it is because, from his re- 
 markable simplicity, and, if the expression may be allowed, 
 his careless confidence of integrity, the defects as well as the 
 excellencies of his character can scarcely fail of being suffi- 
 ciently noticed by an attentive reader of these memoirs. The 
 assistance also of a biographer is seldom required to point out 
 the errors of men who have acted a prominent part in the 
 world ; while the benefit of such representations, in works not 
 sanctioned by infallible authority, is very doubtful ; mankind in 
 general standing much more in need of being animated by the 
 exhibition of eminent merit, than consoled or gratified by the 
 disclosure and delineation of defects inseparable from the con- 
 dition even of the most advanced christian. Of those which 
 were incident to his own character, no one could be more hum- 
 bly sensible than Dr. Buchanan, more watchful for the disco- 
 very of unknown faults, more anxious for their correction, or 
 more diligent in endeavouring, under the influence of divine 
 grace, "to perfect holiness in the fear of God." 
 
 After all the deductions, therefore, which may be due to the 
 paramount claims of truth, or urged by the severer demands of 
 a less friendly scrutiny, there remains to the subject of these 
 memoirs a residue of solid, and undoubted, and indefeasible 
 excellence, of which the conviction and estimate will, it is 
 
 n n 
 
122 MEMOIRS OF DR. BUCHANAN. 
 
 firmly believed, be gradually and certainly augmenting. He 
 may be slighted by some, and misrepresented or misunder- 
 stood by others ; but among those who can justly appreciate 
 distinguished worth, genuine piety, and enlarged and active 
 philanthropy, there can surely be but one opinion — that Dr. 
 Buchanan was " a burning and a shining light," and a signal 
 blessing to the nations of the East. We may, indeed, safely 
 leave his eulogy to be pronounced by future generations in 
 Great Britain and Hindostan, who will probably vie with each 
 other in doing honour to his memory, and unite in venerating 
 him as one of the best benefactors of mankind ; as having la- 
 boured to impart to those who, in a spiritual sense, are " poor 
 indeed," a treasure 
 
 The'geras of India. "- 
 
 ' Transcending in its worth 
 
 But if it were possible that men should forget or be insensi- 
 ble to their obligations to this excellent person, he is now far 
 removed from human censure and applause ; his judgment and 
 his work are with God ; his record is on high, and his witness 
 in heaven. He has " entered into peace," and will doubtless 
 stand in no unenvied lot " at the end of the days ;" when " they 
 that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
 and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever 
 and ever." 
 
M®S^WMHWiF^.ILi EM©IMIP t STOMio 
 
 In sure and certain hope 
 
 of a blessed resurrection unto eternal life, 
 
 was deposited here the mortal body of 
 
 MARY, 
 
 the beloved wife of the Rev. Dr. Claudius Buchanan, 
 
 of Moat Hall, 
 
 and youngest daughter of Henry Thompson, Esq. of Kirby Hali ; 
 
 who died on the 23d day of March, 1813, 
 
 in the 36th year of her age. 
 
 By the grace given unto her, this excellent woman 
 
 adorned by her conduct the doctrine of the gospel. 
 
 Sincerity, honesty, and simplicity 
 
 w r ere the characters of her mind, and she 
 
 delighted to serve God, 
 
 " who desireth truth in the inward parts." 
 
 Exercised by personal and domestic suffering, she was 
 
 early weaned from the love of the world : 
 
 Her affections were set on things which are above, 
 
 and she was enabled to overcome the world, 
 
 for she was born of God. 
 
 " For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world : and 
 
 this is the victory that overcometh the world, 
 
 even our faith." 1 John v. 4. 
 
 Close by her side lie her two infant children, 
 
 CLAUDIIJS BUCHANAN, 
 
 aged three days, 
 
 born 28th December, 1810. 
 
 And his infant brother, 
 
 who lived and died the 27th Feb. 1813. 
 
 Thrice happy infants ! 
 
 That saw the light, and turned their eyes aside 
 
 From our dim regions to the eternal Sun, 
 
Sacred to the memory of 
 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN, D. D. 
 
 Late Vice-Provost of the College of Fort William in Bengal, 
 
 whose eminent character as a Christian, 
 
 zeal for the cause of his God and Saviour, 
 
 and unwearied endeavours to promote it in the earth, 
 
 deserve to be had in everlasting remembrance. 
 
 He was a native of Scotland, 
 
 but educated at Queen's College, Cambridge. 
 
 During the twelve years of his abode in India, 
 
 " his spirit was stirred in him," 
 
 while he beheld millions of his fellow subjects, 
 
 under a Christian government, 
 
 as sheep without a shepherd, and perishing 
 
 for lack of knowledge. 
 
 To excite the attention of the British nation to this sad spectacle, 
 
 he devoted his time, his talents, and a 
 
 large portion of his income. 
 
 By his " Christian Researches," and other 
 
 valuable publications, 
 
 he pleaded the cause of neglected India, nor pleaded in vain ; 
 
 Britain was roused to a sense of her duty, 
 
 and sent forth labourers to the harvest. 
 
 Though gentle and unassuming, 
 
 he was bold and intrepid in this work of faith and labour of love ; 
 
 and exhibited mental vigour to the last, 
 
 amidst great bodily debility and severe affliction. 
 
 In social and domestic life he was holy and exemplary, 
 
 full of mercy and good works : 
 
 Yet in lowliness of mind, he renounced all dependance upon 
 
 the excellencies which others saw and admired in him, 
 
 and looked for eternal salvation through the 
 
 obedience unto death of Christ. 
 
 He departed this life February 9, 1815, aged 48, 
 
 at Broxbourne, in Hertfordshire ; 
 
 where he was superintending an edition of the Syriac Scriptures ; 
 
 and was buried near the remains of his amiable wife, 
 
 whose virtues he has recorded on the adjoining stone. 
 
 " They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, 
 
 and in their death they were not" long " divided." 
 

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