3 Such was the primary archiepiscopal charge to the protestant missionaries, who came to India for the conversion of the heathen. Where shall we look, in these days, for a more perfect model of Christian eloquence; animated by purer sentiments of scriptural truth, by greater elevation of thought, or by a sublimer piety!* 16. By the letters of the king, and his long continued care of the mission, and by the frequent admonitory epistles of the archbishop, an incalculable sum of happiness has been dispensed in India. The episcopal charges infused spirit into the mission abroad; and the countenance of majesty cherished a zeal in the society at home, which has not abated to this day. From the commencement of the mission in 1705, to the present year, 1805, it is computed that eighty thousand natives of all casts in one district alone, forsaking their idols and their vices have been added to the Christian church. 17. In the above letter of the archbishop, there is found a prophecy, "That Christ shall subdue unto himself, through our means, the whole continent of oriental India." It is certainly not unbecoming our national principles, nor inconsistant with the language or spirit of the religion we profess, to look for the fulfilment of that prophecy. Before this letter reached India Ziegenbalgius had departed this life at the early age of thirty six years. The expressions of the archbishop corresponded in many particulars with the circumstances of his death. Perceiving that his last hour was at hand, he called his Hindoo congregation and partook of the holy communion, "amidst ardent prayers and many tears:" and afterwards addressing them in a solemn anner, took aa affectionate leave of them. Being reminded by them of the nth of the Apostle to the Gentiles at the prospect of death, who "desired to be with Christ, as being far better," he said, "That also is my desire. Washed from my sins in his blood, and clothed with his righteousness, I shall enter into his heavenly kingdom. I pray that the things which have spoken may be fruitful. Throughout this whole warfare, I have entirely endured by Christ; and now I can say through him."" 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 words having spoken, he desired that the Hindoo children about his bed, the multitude filling the verandahs and about the house might sing the hymn, beginning "Jesus my Savior Lord.” Which when finised, he yielded up his spirit, amidst the rejoicings and lamentations of a great multitude; some rejoicing at his triumphant death, and early entrance into glory. And others lamenting the early loss of their faithful apostle; who had first brought the light of the Gospel to their dark region from the western world. Niecamptus, p. 217, and Annales Miss. p. 20. 18. Many circumstances concur to make it probable, that the light of Revelation is now dawning on the Asiatic world. How grateful must it be to the pious mind to contemplate, that while infidelity has been extending itself in the region of science and of learning, the divine dispensation should have ordered that the knowledge of the true God should flow into the heathen lands! Under the auspices of the college of Fort-Wil. liam, the scriptures are in à course of translation into the languages of almost the "whole continent of Oriental India." Could the royal patron of the Tamul Bible who prayed "that the work might not fail in generations to come," have foreseen those streams of revealed truth; which are now issuing from this fountain, with what delight would he have hailed the arrival of the present era of Indian administration. In this view, the oriental college has been compared by one of our Hindoo poets, to a "flood of light shooting through a dark cloud on a benighted land." Directed by it, the learned natives from every quarter of India, and from the parts beyond, from Persia and Arabia, come to the source of knowledge; they mark our principles, ponder the volume of inspiration, "and hear, every man in his own tongue, the wonderful works of God." 19. The importance of this Institution as the fountain of civilization to Asia, is happily displayed in a speech in the Shanscrit language, pronounced by the Shanscrit teacher, at our late public disputations. The translations of this discourse (being the first in that language) we are induced to give entire; not only from our difference to the authority of the venerable speaker, who describes with much precision, the present state, true object, and certain consequences of this Institution; but also, because the facts and reasoning contained in it bear the most auspicious reference to the various subjects which have been discussed in this Memoir. As Moderator of the Disputation, he addresses the student, who had pronounced a declamation in the Shanscrit language: "SIR, "It being a rule of our public disputations, that the moderator should express before the assembly, his opinion of the proficiency of the student in the language in which he has spoken, it becomes my duty to declare my perfect approbation of the manner in which you have acquitted yourself, and to communicate to you the satisfaction with which the learned Pundits, your auditors, have listened to your correct pronunciation of the Shanscrit tongue. "Four years have now elapsed since the commencement of this Institution. During that period the popular languages of India have been sedulously cultivated; and are now fluently spoken. Last in order, because first in difficulty, appears the parent of all these dialects, the primitive Shanscrit; as if to acknowledge her legitimate offspring, to confirm their affinity and relation to each other, and thereby to complete our system of oriental study. "Considered as the source of the colloquial tongues the utility of the Shanscrit language is evident; but as containing numerous treatises on the religion, jurisprudence, arts and sciences of the Hindoos its importance is yet greater; espicially to those to whom is committed, by this government, the province of legislation for the natives; in order that being conversant with the Hindoo writings, and capable of referring to the original authorities, they may propose from time to time, the requisite modifications and improvements, in just accordance with existing law and ancient institution. "Shanscrit learning, say the Bramins, is like an extensive forest, abounding with a great variety of beautiful foilage, slpendid blossoms, and delicious fruits; but surrounded by a strong and thorny fence, Clotworthy Gowan, Esq. which prevents those who are desirous of plucking its friuts or flowers, from entering in. "The learned Jones, Wilkins, and others, broke down this opposing fence in several places; but by the college of Fort William, a highway has been made into the midst of the wood; and you, sir, have entered thereby. "The successful study of the Shanscrit tongue will distinguish this fourth year of our institution, and constitute an era in the progress of eastern learning, and you, sir, have the honor of being the first to deliver a speech in that ancient and difficult language. The success that has attended you in the acquire ment of other branches of oriental literature, will encourage you to prosecute the study of this, as far as it may be useful in qualifying you for the faithful discharge of your duties in the public service, or may be subservient to your own reputation, in advancing. the interests of useful learning." [Addressing his excellency Marquis Wellesley, governor general, founder and patron of the Institu tion.] "MY LORD, "It is just, that the language which has been first cultivated under your auspices, should primarily be employed in gratefully acknowledging the benefit; and in speaking your praise. "This ancient language, which refused to disclose itself to the former governors of India, unlocks its treasures at your command, and enriches the world with the history, learning, and science of a distant age. "The rising importance of our collegiate institu tion has never been more clearly demonstrated than on the present occasion; and thousands of the learn ed in distant nations will exult in this triumph of lita erature. "What a singular exhibition has been this day presented to us! In presence of the supreme governor of India, and of its most learned and illustrious characters, Asiatic and European, an assembly is conven. ed in which no word of our native tongue is spoken but public discourse is maintained on interesting subjects, in the language of Asia. The colloquial Hindostanee, the classic Persian, the commercial Bengalee, the learned Arabic, and the primeval Shanscrit, are spoken fluently, after having been studied grammatically, by English youth. Did ever any university in Europe, or any literary institution in any other age or country, exhibit a scene so interesting as this! And what are the circumstances of these youth! They are not students who prosecute a dead language with uncertain purpose, impelled only by natural genius or love of fame. But having been appointed to the important offices of administering the government of the country in which these langauges are spoken: they apply their acquisitions immediately to useful purposes; in distributing justice to the inhabitants; in transacting the business of the state, revenual and commercial; and in maintaining official intercourse with the people, in their own tongue, and not, as hitherto, by means of an interpre ter. "The acquisitions of our students may be appreciated by their affording to the suppliant native immediate access to his principal; and by their elucidating the spirit of the regulations of our government by oral communication, and by written explanations, varied according to the circumstances and capacities of the people. "The acquisition of our students are appreciated at this moment by those learned Asiatics, now present in this assembly, some of them strangers from distant provinces; who wonder every man to hear in his own tongue, important subjects discussed, and new and noble principles asserted, by the youth of a foreign land |