CHAPTER IV.

Considerations deduced from the propriety or necessity of an ecclesiastical establishment.

1. Has it ever been fully considered on what ground a religious establishment has been given to all the other dependencies of Great Britain, and denied to India? It might be deemed as sacred a duty of the mother country to support Christian institutions among us, as among the English in the West Indies; and particularly in Canada and Nova-Scotia, both of which provinces are honoured with episcopal institutions. Our peculiar situation seems to give to us a yet higher title to such advantages. Living in a remote and unhealthy country, amidst a superstitious and licentious people, where both mind and body are liable to suffer, we have, it will be allowed, as strong a claim on our country for Christian privileges as any other description of British subjects. Of the multitude of our countrymen who come out every year, there are but a few who ever return. When they leave England, they leave their religion forever.

2. It will not be an objection to a church establishment in India, that it has the semblance of a royal institution. Nor is it probable that it will be opposed on the ground of expense. By the late cessions and conquests, provinces have been added to our sovereignty, whose annual revenues would pay the whole ecclesiastical establishment of England many times over.

3. This is the only country in the whole world, civilized or barbarous, where no tenth is paid; where no twentieth,no hundredth, no thousandth part of its revenue is given by government, for the support of the religion of that government; and it is the only instance in the annals of our country where church and

state have been dismembered. We seem at present to be trying the question, "Whether religion be necessary for a state;" whether a remote commercial empire, having no sign of the Deity, no temple, no type of any thing heavenly, may not yet maintain its Christian purity, and its political strength amidst Pa gan supertitions, and a voluptuous and unprincipled people?

4. When the Mahomedans conquered India, they introduced the religion of Mahomet into every quarter of Hindostan, where it exists unto this day; and they created munificent endowments for the establishment of their faith. The same country under our sovereignty, has seen no institution for the religion of Christ.

5. How peculiar is that policy, which reckons on the perpetuity of an empire in the east, without the aid of religion, or of religious men; and calculates that a foreign nation, annulling all sancity in its character among a people accustomed to reverence the Deity, will flourish forever in the heart of Asia, by arms or commerce alone!

:

6. It is not necessary to urge particularly the dan ger from French infidelity and its concomitant principles, as an argument for a religious establishment in India; for although these principles have been felt here, the danger now is much less than formerly.Under the administration of Marquis Wellesley, Frenchmen and French principles have been subdued. And nothing would now so consolidate our widely extended dominions, or prove more obnoxious to the counsels of our European enemies in their attempts on this country, than an ecclesiastical establishment; which would give our empire in the east the semblance of our empire in the west, and support our English principles, on the stable basis of English religion.

7. The advantages of such an establishment, in respect to our ascendency among the natives, will be

incalculable. Their constant observation is, that "the English have no religion;" and they wonder whence we have derived our principles of justice, humanity, magnanimity, and truth. Amidst all our conquests in the east; amidst the glory of our arms or policy; amidst our brilliant display of just and generous qualities, the Englishmen is still in their eyes "the Cafir;" that is the Infidel.

8. The Scriptures have been lately translated into some of the vernacular languages of India. The natives read these scriptures, and there they find the principles of the English. "But if these scriptures be true," say they, "where is your church?" We answer "at home." They shake the head, and say that something must be wrong; and that although there are good principles in our holy book, they might expect something more than internal evidence, if we would wish them to believe that it is from God; or even that we think so ourselves.

CHAPTER V.

Objections to an ecclesiastical establishment considered.

"Is an ecclesiastical establishment necessary. Our "commercial Indian empire has done hitherto without it."

1. Perhaps the character of our Indian empire has suffered by the want of a religious establishment.From whatever cause it proceeded, we know that the moral principles of our countrymen were, for many years, in a state of public trial before the tribunal of Europe, in relation to this commercial empire; and that Indian immorality was for a time proverbial.

2. It was observed, in extenuation, at that period, that the case would have been the same with

any other nation in our peculiar circumstances; that India was remote from national observation; and that seducements were powerful and numerous.All this was true. And yet we are the only nation in Europe having dominions in the east, which being aware of these evils, declined to adopt any religious precaution to prevent them. What then was to be looked for in a remote and extensive empire, administered in all its parts by men, who came out boys, without the plenitude of instruction of English youth in learning, morals, or religion; and who were let loose on their arrival amidst native licentiousness, and educated amidst conflicting superstitions?

3. Since that period the honor of the nation has been redeemed, and its principles have been asserted in a dignified manner. An amelioration in the service, equally acknowledged in the character and prosperity of our empire, has auspiciously commenced, and is rapidly progressive.

4. But perhaps an objection will be founded on this acknowledged improvement. If so much, it will be said, can be done by wise administration and by civil institution, without a church, may we not expect that the empire will for the future be propisiously administered, and flourish in progression, without the aid of a religious institution?

In answer to such an observation, we might ask, what it would avail the English nation that it were swayed by the ablest policy for the next ten years, if during that period, youth were denied the advantages of religious instruction, and the national church were abolished? Peculiar as is the administration of India as subject to Britain, no comparison can be instituted between its present consolidated empire, and its former factorial state; or between what was tolerable a few years ago, and what is expedient

5. It cannot be justly objected to an ecclesiastical establisment in India, that it will promote colonization. It will probably have a contrary effect.

It is to be hoped indeed that the clergy themselves will remain in the country to an old age, in order that they may acquire the reverence of fathers, and that their pious services may not be withdrawn, when those services shall have become the most valuable and endearing to their people. But it may be expected that the effect of their christian counsel, will accelerate the return of others; by saving young persons from that course of life, which is so often destructive to health and fortune.

6. What is it which confines so many in this remote country, to so late a period of life? The want of faithful instructors in their youth. What is it which induces that despondent and indolent habit of mind, which contemplates home without affection, and yet expects here no happiness? It is the want of counsellors in situations of authority, to save. them from debt, on their arrival in the country; and to guard them against that illicit native connexion (not less injurious, it has been said, to the understanding than to the affections,) which the long absence of religion from this service has almost rendered not disreputable.

7. Of what infinite importance it is to the state, that the Christian Sabbath should be observed by our countrymen here; and that this prime safeguard of loyal, as well as of religious principles, should be maintained in this remote empire. But how shall the Sabbath be observed, if there be no ministers of religion? For want of divine service, Europeans in general; instead of keeping the Sabbath holy, profane it openly. The Hindoo works on that day, and the Englishman works with him. The only days on which the Englishman works not, are the Hindoo holidays: for on these days, the Hindoo will not work with him. The annual invest