"To Colonel Sandys.

"15th April. "Accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter of condolence. 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 some time, except 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 affliction appears to have been necessary to soften a “hard and proud heart. I pray that the salutary effects may never pass away.

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"I am happy to hear you speak so favourably of the dispo"sition of government in regard to the extension of Christ❝ianity 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 physically practicable. The physicians op"pose my going. I 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 religious men during the former part of this year, and with reference 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 general impression as to the duty of urging upon the attention of Parliament the necessity of making some more effectual provision for the religious instruction of British India, and of increasing 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 Christianity in India, occa❝sioned by the proposed renewal of the Charter of the East "India Company ;" and a masterly "Address to the Pub"lic," on the same momentous topic, by the Rev. Robert Hall.

The subject was also briefly but powerfully touched by an able and eloquent defender of the general system of our East Indian administration; who, in combating 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 impor"tance 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

a See the Christian Observer, vol. xi. p. 261.

Robert Grant, Esq.

"proselytism by the simple exertion of state influence. "seems, in Hindostan, to say the best of it, highly objection"able. But surely the idea of proselytism by the bare effect "of conviction,-by the effect of an unforced, unbribed, and "unbiassed acquiescence in truth and reason,—however "visionary it may appear to some persons, can only by a "very singular rule of arrangement be classed with unman❝ly, ungenerous, and unchristian deception. To such a "pitch of refinement would this valuable author have us carry our reverence for the superstitions of Hindooism! "Their sanctity seems to be like what is said of the priestly

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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 greatheat; but at present will surely receive a calm attention. "The accomplished Sir William Jones, who was equally distinguished for his acuteness, his philanthropy, and his "candour, has given his sanction to attempts, cautiously and

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fairly conducted, for the introduction of the Christian reli"gion 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 sys

tem should have every chance of the wider diffusion. On"ly 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 shewn 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

indeedforcibly stand between' the 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 responsibility, "refuse to a Christian missionary, so long as he shall de"mean himself with strict loyalty, steady discretion, and "unimpeachable virtue, the opportunity of exerting his un"bought and honourable labour among the natives of Hin"dostan."

It was natural, however, to look to him who had first awakened 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 debility, 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 Asiatie Empire, in "respect to religious instruction: prefaced by some consi"derations on the national duty of affording it."

Though the state of the question relative to the promotion of Christianity in India was 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 Providence 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

was expected at present in regard to them was, that the governing power would not shew 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 mentioneda.

Such is a brief outline of the contents of this volume, which was very extensively circulated, particularly amongst the members 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 hoth Houses, imploring the interference of the legislature 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 introduced by his Majesty's ministers into both Houses; and after very full and lengthened discussions, in which Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. W. Smith, and Mr. Stephen particularly distinguished 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 inte"rest and happiness of the native inhabitants of the British "dominions in India; and that such measures ought to be "adopted as may tend to the introduction among them of use

a See page 458.