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sion to their churches, carrying palms in their hands, and singing the 98th Psalm; and after offering up praises and thanksgivings to the Most High, they heard a sermon suitable to the day. The sermon at the jubilee of Tritehinopoly was preached by their aged minister, the Rev. Mr. Pohle, from these words: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."*

These were the effects of sending the Bible to the east. Men were "brought to the knowledge of the truth;" and at the end of a hundred years, the na tives kept the jubilee of the Bible.

Such, my brethren, was the light in the south of India. And now a light has sprung up in the north, of which you have heard. Our own country hath begun, though late, to dispense "the word of life." And although the time has been short, the success has been great. In the north, in the west, and in Ceylon, translations of the scriptures are going on in almost all the languages of oriental India.

Our own country hath at length assumed an interest in diffusing the gospel. "In the fulness of time," we trust, her different societies have come forth, as with one consent, to begin the work of evangelizing the east. "In the fulness of time," we trust, hath this country begun, by these instruments, to employ her great power, and her enlightened zeal, in extending the knowledge of the true God throughout the world.

We ought not to regret that the work is carried on by Christians of different denominations: for if they teach the religion of the Bible, their labour will be blessed. We have no contentions in India, like those in Britain, between protestants of different names. There they are all friends. The strife there is between light and darkness; between the true God and

See accounts of the "Society for promoting Christian knowledge,” just pub

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an idol. So liberal and catholic is the Christian in Asia (while he looks over the map of the world, and can scarcely find where the isle of Britain lies) that he considers even the term "protestant," as being in a certain degree exclusive or sectarian. "The religion of the Bible," or "the religion of Christ," is the name by which he would describe his creed.For when the idolater once abjures his own cast for the gospel, he considers the differences of protestants, (if he ever hears of them) as being very insignificant. Indeed he cannot well understand them. In the great revolution that takes place in his mind (if his conversion be real) he cannot contemplate these minute objects. We ought not then, I say, to regret that different classes of Christians are employed in the work. For the case is an exact parallel of that recorded in the gospel (Mark ix. 38:) "And John answering said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followed not us; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. But Jesus said, "Forbid him not."

On my arrival from India, a few months ago, I learned that a controversy had engaged the attention of the public, for some time, on the question of send-ing missions to the east. In the future history of our country it will scarcely be believed, that in the present age an attempt should have been made to prevent the diffusion of the blessed principles of the Christian religion. It will not be believed that an attempt should have been made to prove by argument, that it was wrong to make known the revelation of the true God to our fellow-men; or if, in somes instances, it might be permitted (as in the case of remote nations) that we ought not to instruct that. people who were affirmed to be the most superstitious, and the most prejudiced; and who were our awn subjects. We scarcely believe ourselves that, twenty years ago, an attempt was made to defend the traffic in slaves, and that books were written to

show that it was humane in its character, just in its principle, and honorable to our nation. The discussion, therefore that has taken place on the civilization of the east, has been of important use. Men in gene ral were not informed. The scene of action was remote, and the subject was new in almost all its relations. Even to some of those persons who had been Tadia, the subject was new. Just as in this country, you were to ask certain persons whether they had any acquaintance with the religious world, they would say they had never heard there was such a world; so some from Indha hazarded an opinion concerning the inveterate prejudices" of certain tribes in the east, who scarcely new the geography of the country where they lived; what their religion was, or whether they had any religion at all. They had seen no Star in the East; they had heard of a jubilee for the Bible. Like the spies of Israel who brought pack "an evil report" from Canaan, they reported that India was no "land of promise" for the gospel; that the land was barren, and the men were Anakins. But the faithful Swartz gave another testimony.He affirmed that it is "exceeding good land;" and "his record is true." He who was best qualified to give an opinion on the subject, who preached among the Hindoos for nearly fifty years, founded churches amongthem in different provinces, established schools for their children, disseminated religious tracts in their own tongue, and intimately knew their language, manners, prejudices, and superstition; he who restored the Christian character, to respect, after it had fallen into contempt: who was selected by the natives as an arbiter of their differences with the English, and whom both Hindoos and English loved and feared in his life, and honoured in his death;*

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At the funeral of Mr. Swartz the Hindoo Rajah of Tanjore came to do honour to his memory in the presence of his Braminical court. He covered the body with a gold cloth, and shed a flood of tears. He afterwards composed an epitaph, for him whom he called "his father and his friend" and caused it to be inscribed on the stone which covers Swarta's grave, in one of the Christian churches of Tanjore.

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this good man, I say, differed in opinion with some, who have lately ventured to give a judgment in this matter: he affirmed that it was England's duty to make known the revelation of the true God to her Indian subjects.

In the mean time, while men hold different opinions on the subject here the great work goes on in the east. The Christians there will probably never hear of our dissensions; nor, if they should hear of them, would they be much interested about them.And on this point I judge it right to notice a very singular mistake, which appears to have existed on both sides of the question. It seems to have been understood that we have in our power to prevent the progress of christianity in India, if we wish to do so; if such a measure should be recommended by what is called "a wise policy." But we have no power to prevent the extension of the Christian religion in India. We have it in our power, indeed, greatly to promote it, but we have no power to destroy it. It would be as easy to extinguish christianity in Great-Britain as in India. There are thousands of Christians in India--hundreds of thousands of Christians. And while we are contending here, whether it be a proper thing to convert the Hindoos, they will go on extending the bounds of their churches, keeping their jubilees, and enjoying the blessings of the gospel, regardless of our opinion or authority.

The English also have pronounced a noble and affecting enconium on the character of this estimable missionary.

The honourable the East-India Company have sent out to Madras a monument of marble to be erected in the church of St. Mary, at that place, to the memory of the Rev. Mr. Swartz, inscribed with a suitable epitaph; and they announced it, in their general letter, dated 29th of October, 1806, "As a testimony of the deep sense they entertained of his transcendant merit, of his unwearied labours in the cause of religion and piety, and of his public services at Tanjore, where the influence of his name and character was, for a long course of years, productive of important benefits to the company." The honourable court further adds. "On no subject has the court of directors been more unanimous than in their anxious desire to perpetuate the memory of this eminent person, and to excite in,others an emulation of his great example." They direct finally, "that translations shall be made of the epitaph into the country languages, and published at Madras, and that the native inhabitants shall be encouraged to view the monument."

The dispute in this country, relative to the effi ciency of preaching the faith of Christ to the heathen world, is not unlike the dispute of the Jewish doctors in the gospel, concerning our Saviour's power "to forgive sins." We read that our Lord had healed a woman, who was a sinner. And he said unto her, "Daughter, thy sins are forgiven; thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Then began the Pharisees to say within themselves, "Who is this that forgiveth sins also?" But she felt in herself that. she was healed, and leaving the doctors to dispute whether "her faith could save her or not," she de parted in peace and joy.

So, while we are disputing here, whether the faith of Christ can save the heathens, the gospel hath gone forth "for the healing of the nations." A congregation of Hindoos will assemble on the morning: of the Sabbath, under the shade of a Banian tree, not one of whom perhaps, ever heard of Great Britain by name. There the Holy Bible is opened; the word of Christ is preached with eloquence and zeal; the affections are excited; the voice of prayer and praise is lifted up; and He who hath promised his presence when two or three are gathered together in his name, is there in the midst of them to bless them, according to his word." These scenes I my. self have witnessed; and it is in this sense in parti. cular I can say, "We have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him."

Thus far we have spoken of the success of the gospel in Asia, by means of European preachers. But we shall now exhibit to you evidence from another source, from a new and unexpected quarter. We are now to declare what has been done, independently of our exertions, and in regions where we have no laborers, and no access. And this I do to shew you that whether we assist in the work or not, it is God's will that it should begin. You have hitherto been contemplating the Light in India. We

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