AN EXPERIMENT.

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here so strongly to their religion, and who, in few, if any instances of conversion hitherto made, have exhibited the slightest improvement in their moral characters. The manner in which these missionaries proceed in their attempts at proselytism is by alluring the native, not so much with the superior attractions of the christian religion, properly developed to them, as by the more seductive offer of 4 annas, equal to eight-pence English, per day, as the price of becoming a christian.

AN EXPERIMENT.

This circumstance reminds me of a wor thy but weak-minded man, in Essex; who having had a quarrel with the rector of his parish, resolved upon revenging himself by building a methodist chapel, which, when finished, and the licence procured, he filled with a numerous congregation, most of whom, as is generally the case, were seceders from the parish church, by giving a general invitation to all

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40

ASIATIC PROSELYTISM.

who attended, to dine upon roast beef and plum pudding after the service was finished. At length the constancy of their attendance rendered the entertainment that followed, so very onerous upon his purse, that it became absolutely necessary to ascertain whether the powers of faith were not sufficient to keep his followers together, without the co-operation of such gross auxiliaries. The event was as might be expected; the frequenters of the chapel, as soon as it was announced that they might pray. as much as they chose, but were not to eat at the expence of its founder, deserted in platoons, and the preacher, who was of Lady Huntingdon's establishment, was nearly left to address his spirit-moving discourses to naked walls.

To return to the experiment of Asiatic proselytism.-If the result ought to govern the further prosecution of the attempt; if experience be wisdom, it is folly and infatuation to endeavour to proceed farther with such agents, and such means,

THE BLACK CHRISTIAN.

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when it is completely ascertained that only the most profligate of the different casts comply with the wishes of the missionary, and then only from the expectation of receiving a sum per day, which will enable them to live without labour. It is notorious, as I am informed by many sensible men who have long resided in India, that the worst characters they ever have to encounter is the black christian.

I have miscalled him; the one so converted cannot be a christian. Such christianity is not legitimate. Those who are employed in the hallowed office of recovering their fellow-creatures from the errors of a false, to the blessings of a true faith, ought to be themselves without any blemish, and considerable talents and learning ought to be united to an unextinguishable zeal in the cause. On the contrary, to shew you how carelessly the missionary office is sometimes filled, I need only remind you of the Rev. who after having counteracted the benefits of many advantageous situa

42

INDIAN URBANITY.

tions in life, by a long course of profligate debauchery, to save him from a prison, was sent out, with a comfortable salary, as a missionary to propagate the christian doctrine in foreign parts.

This foolish mode of converting the natives to christianity, and the little delicacy which we have in many and trifling instances displayed towards their national customs; and prejudices, so dreadfully illustrated not long since at Vellore, have deposited the seeds of jealousy in their minds, which may hereafter ripen into fatal maturity. It is well known that the different casts in India never attempt to convert, though at the same time remarkable for their mild and tolerating spirit; so much so, that out of mere meekness of spirit and urbanity, they frequently commemorate many of our religious festivals; they therefore exhibit a peculiar aversion from every appearance of intolerance; of which proselytism is one, though, perhaps, a mild member.

HUMAN SACRIFICE.

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ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS,

Whilst our people in India are exerting themselves for others, it is somewhat singular that the Directors do not pay more attention to their own church establishments, The small number of churches in India never fail to surprise every one who visits that remote region. This is a very important subject of consideration for the Directors. Before they attempt to amend abroad they should look at home.*

*

* In another instance, the Directors, or their servants, in India, frequently neglect to exert their interference where it is imperiously called for; I allude to the horrible and revolting custom of the Hindoo women burning themselves with the dead bodies of their husbands. In the code of Gentoo laws, or ordinations of the Pundits, it is strangely enacted, "It is proper for a woman after her husband's death, to burn herself in the fire with his corpse; every woman who thus burns herself, shall remain in Paradise with her husband threescore and fifty lacks of years by destiny; if she cannot burn, she must in that case preserve an inviolable chastity; if she remains always