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We have long cultivated a high reverence for the author of this little manual. By directing all her time and talents to good objects; by consecrating all her powers to the direct, assiduous, unremitted service of God, she has attained a rank among the great benefactors of mankind, which is allotted to very few of the human race. What she has done will be told for a memorial of her; and her name will be had in distinguished honor, as long as those who instruct the ignorant, minister to the poor, and reclaim the guilty, shall be considered as entitled to the gratitude of their fellow-men. It is a pleasing subject of contemplation to behold a woman rising by her own exertions from comparative obscurity, and establishing, by a long course of literary pursuits and beneficent actions, a sort of moral kingdom of her own; a kingdom as much more desirable than the dominion of conquerors, as the voluntary homage, rendered to virtue by virtuous minds, excels the extorted plaudits of servile flatterers. Long may Miss More retain her influence and her usefulness; long may her life be protracted as a blessing to her country and the world; and, when she is gone to her final account, may her labors continue to excite multitudes to imitate her much-honored example.

XXIV. Dr. Buchanan's Christian Researches in Asia.

(Concluded from p. 178.) THE curiosity of literary men has been for some time excited

by the increasing knowledge with respect to the political state of Eastern nations; particularly with respect to those countries in India, which are under British dominion. But it is more recently that Christians have had their attention directed to the moral state of these countries, and to the means of sending the light of truth to millions groping in spiritual darkness. One reason, that we have not felt more for the miseries of the heathen, is, that we have been in a great measure ignorant of their real character. Our minds have dweit comparatively little, much less than they ought, on the deplorable condition of those who know nothing of the true God, who heard of the Gospel, and who spend their whole lives in a perstitious devotion to idols. The religious world has wanted information on the subject; and though Missionaries have gradually diffused much knowledge respecting the places where they have labored, there has nev er been any general view of the religious state of Asia, which can bear a comparison with the work before us; either as to authenticity, interest, or probable utility.

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The author, having resided several years at the College of Fort William in Bengal, and feeling, as appears by the result, an anxious desire to become acquainted with all that concerns the progress of the Gospel, determined on taking a journey through the peninsula on this side the Ganges. This journey he took in 1806, and 1807, passing through the most important places on both sides of the pen

insula, and visiting Ceylon thrice. We shall not undertake to give an abstract of the various facts which this book contains, for several reasons. One is, we hope and expect that the book itself will be read by nearly all our readers; another, we could not make an abstract which should possess any thing like the interest of the original. Some striking passages we shall mention; make a few extracts; and state what we conceive to be some of the great, and almost unrivalled, excellences of these Researches.

In June, 1806, Dr. B. attended the great Hindoo festival of the Rutt Jattra, which is celebrated annually at Juggernaut in the province of Orissa. Vast numbers are present at this festival from all parts of Hindoostan. Some travel two months on foot, in the hottest season of the year, for the sake of worshipping a horrible idol. So numerous are the multitudes assembled, that a famine is frequently produced; by which, added to fatigue and other causes, so many perish from year to year,that human bones are strewed by the way for more than fifty miles from the seat of the superstition. The worship of the idol consists intirely in in obscene words and actions, and in human sacrifices. Dr. B. relates only such facts as he himself saw, and states a few reflections which occurred at the time. The following are among the extracts from his journal:

"Juggernaut, 18th of June. -I have returned home from wit. nessing a scene which I shall never forget. At twelve o'clock of this

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day, being the great day of the feast, the Moloch of Hindoostan brought out of his temple amidst the of his worshippers. When the idol acclamations of hundreds of thousands was placed on his throne, a shout was raised, by the multitude, such as I had never heard before. It continu ed equable for a few minutes, and then gradually died away. After a short interval of silence, a murmur was heard at a distance; all eyes were turned towards the place, and, behold, a grove advancing! A body of men, having green branches, or palms in their hands, approached opened a way for them; and when with great celerity. The people they had come up to the throne, they fell down before him that sat thereon and worshipped. And the multitude again sent forth a voice "like the sound of a great thunder." But the voices I now heard, were not those of melody or of joyful accla mation; for there is no harmony in the praise of Moloch's worshippers. Their number indeed brought to my mind the countless multitude of the tuneful Hosannah or Hallelujah; but Revelations; but their voices gave no rather a yell of approbation, united with a kind of hissing applause. I was at a loss how to account for this latter noise, until 1 was directed to notice the women; who emitted a

sound like that of whistling, with the ing: as if a serpent would speak by lips circular, and the tongue vibrat their organs, uttering human sounds.

"The throne of the idol was placed on a stupendous car or tower about sixty feet in height, resting on wheels which indented the ground deeply, derous machine. Attached to it were as they turned slowly under the ponsix cables, of the size and length of a ship's cable, by which the people drew it along. Upon the tower were the priests and satellites of the idol, surrounding his throne. The idol is a block of wood, having a frightful visage painted black, with a distend. ed mouth of a bloody color. His arms are of gold, and he is dressed

See Milton's Pandemonium, Book X.

in gorgeous apparel. The other two idols are of a white and yellow color, Five elephants preceded the three towers, bearing towering flags, dressed in crimson caparisons, and having bells hanging to their caparisons, which sounded musically as they moved." pp. 105, 106.

The next paragraph we omit, as it describes the lascivious worship of the idol. Dr.B. uses all the delicacy of expression, which the nature of the recital will admit. The account of the monstrous rites then continues thus:

"After the tower had proceeded some way, a pilgrim announced that he was ready to offer himself a sacrifice to the idol. He laid himself down in the road before the tower as it was moving along, lying on his face, with his arms stretched forwards. The multitude passed round him, leaving the space clear, and he was crushed to death by the wheels of the tower A shout of joy was raised to the god. He is said to smile when the libation of the blood is made. The people threw cowries, or small money, on the body of the victim. in approbation of the deed. He was left to view a considerable time, and was then carried by the Hurries to the Golgotha, where I have just been viewing his remains. How much I wished that the Proprietors of India Stock could have attended the wheels of Jug gernaut, and seen this peculiar source of their revenue."

"Juggernaut, 20th June, Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood

Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears.
MILTON.

-The horrid solemnities still continue. Yesterday a woman devoted herself to the idol. She laid herself down on the road in an oblique direction, so that the wheel did not kill her instantaneously, as is generally the case; but she died in a few hours This morning as I passed the Place of Skulls, nothing remained of her but her bones.

And this, thought I, is the worship of the Brahmins of Hindoostan! And their worship in its sublimest degree! What then shall we think of their private manners, and their moral principles! For it is equally true of India as of Europe. If

you would know the state of the people, look at the state of the temple.

I was surprised to see the Brahmins with their heads uncovered in the open plain falling down in the midst of the Sooders before the horrid shape, and mingling so complacently with that polluted cast. But this proved what I had before heard, that so great a god is this, that the dignity of high cast disappears before him. This great king recognizes no distinction of rank among his subjects. All men are equal in his presence.

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"Juggernaut, 21st June.

The idolatrous processions continue for some days longer, but my spirits are so exhausted by the constant view of these eno mities, that I mean to hasten away from this place sooner than I at first intended I beheld another distressing scene this morning at the Place of Skulls; a poor woman lying dead, or nearly dead, and her two children by her, looking at the dogs and vultures which were near The people passed by without noticing the children. I asked them where was their home They said, they had no home but where their mother was. O, there no pity at Juggernaut! no mercy, no tenderness of heart in Moloch's kingdom! Those who support his kingdom, err, I trust, from ignorance. They know not what they do."

"As to the number of worshippers assembled here at this time, no accurate calculation can be made. The natives themselves, when speaking of numbers at particular festivals, usually say that a lack of people (100.000) would not be missed I asked a Brahmin how many he supposed were present at the most numerous festival he had ever witnessed. How can I tell, said he, how many grains there are in a handful of sand?

The languages spoken here are various, as there are Hindoos from every country in India; but the two chief languages in use by those who are resident, are the Orissa and the Telinga. The border of the Telinga Country is only a few miles distant from the tower of Juggernaut

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"Chilka Lake, 24th June.

-I felt my mind relieved and happy when I had passed beyond the confines of Juggernaut I certainly was not preBut no one can pared for the scene. know what it is who has not seen it. From

an eminence* on the pleasant banks of the Chilka Lake (where no human bones are seen,) I had a view of the lofty tower of Juggernaut far remote; and while I viewed it, its abominations came to mind. It was on the morning of the Sabbath. Ruminating long on the wide and extended empire of Moloch in the heathen world, I cherished in my thoughts the design of some Christian Institution, which, being fostered by Britain, my Christian country, might gradually undermine this baleful idolatry, and put out the memory of it for ever.' pp. 107-109.

Strange as it may seem, the English government in India actually levy a tax on the pilgrims who visit Juggernaut, and deduct from the avails more than 38,000 dollars for the annual expenses of the idol, in one of the items of which, called, "wages of his servants," are included the wages of the courtezans, who are kept for the service of the temple.

Lest it should be supposed, that these ceremonies are confined to the temple in Orissa, the author gives an account of the proceedings at another temple, near Ishera, on the Ganges, in May, 1807. A young man there sacrificed himself. "He danced for awhile before the idol, singing in an enthusiastic strain, and then rushing suddenly to the wheels, he shed his blood under the tower of obscenity." At the time, Dr. Buchanan's attention was "engaged by a more pleasing scene," which is thus described.

"On the other side, on a rising ground by the side of a Tank, stood the Christian Missionaries, and around them a crowd of people listening to their preaching. The town of Serampore, where the Protestant Missionaries reside, is only about a mile and a half from this Temple of Juggernaut. As I passed through the

Manickpatam.

multitude, I met several persons having the printed papers of the Missionaries in their hands. Some of them were reading them very gravely; others were laugh. ing with each other at the contents: and saying, What do these words mean?

I sat down on an elevated spot to con template this scene; the tower of blood and impurity on the one hand, and the Christian Preachers on the other. I thought on the commandment of our Sa. vior, Go ye, teach all nations. I said to myself, how great and glorious a ministry are these humble persons now exer cising in the presence of God! How is it applauded by the holy angels who have joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth; and how far does it transcend the work of the Warrior or Statesman, in charity, utility, and lasting fame! And I could not help wishing that the rep resentatives of the Church of Christ in my own country had been present to witness this scene, that they might have tian instruction to our Hindoo subjects.” seen how practicable it is to offer Chris

Dr. Buchanan examined the state of the Danish missions at Tranquebar, Tritchinopoly, and Tanjore. While conversing with Dr. John, the aged missionary, on the state of religion at the former place, the venerable man observed, "I have always remarked that the disciples of Voltaire are the true enemies of missions; and that the enemies of missions are, in general, the disciples of Voltaire." It would seem, indeed, that the friends of the Christian religion cannot be unwilling that this choicest of all blessings should be diffused through every land, nor uninterested in its progress.

The beneficent influence of in the fruits of the Danish misChristianity appears wonderfully sion, which had been established just a century when Dr. B. was on the spot. From the very interesting account of the Chris tian church in Tanjore, we have room for a single paragraph only.

"After the Sermon was ended, I returned with the Missionaries into the vestry or library of the Church. Here I was introduced to the Elders and Catechists of the congregation, Among others came SATTIANADEN, the Hindoo preacher, one of whose Sermons was published in England some years ago, by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. He is now advanced in years, and his black locks have grown gray. As I returned from the Church, I saw the Christian families going back in crowds to the country, and the boys looking at their ollas. What a contrast, thought I, is this to the scene at Juggernaut! Here there is becoming dress, humane affections, and rational discourse. I see here no skulls, no self-torture, no self-murder, no

dogs and vultures tearing human flesh! Here the Christian virtues are found in exercise by the feeble-minded Hin. doo, in a vigor and purity which will surprise those who have never known the native character but under the greatest disadvantages, as in Bengal. It certainly surprised myself; and when I reflected on the moral conduct, upright dealing, and decorous manners of the native Christians of Tanjore, I found in my breast a new evidence of the peculiar excellence and benign influence of the Christian Faith." pp. 127,128.

The surprising change wrought among the Collaries or thieves in the vicinity of Tanjore is not only pleasing in itself, but highly encouraging to future exer

tions.

"September 4th, 1806. "Leaving Tanjore, I passed through the woods inhabited by the Collaries (or thieves) now humanized by Christianity. When they understood who I was, they followed me on the road, stating their destitute condition, in regard to religious instruction. They were clamorous for Bibles. They supplicated for teachers. We don't want bread or money from you, said they; but we want the word of God.' Now, thought I, VOL. IV. New Series.

whose duty is it to attend to the moral wants of this people? Is it that of the English nation, or of some other nation?" p. 132.

When the Dutch first took

possession of the island of CeyJon, they did much to disseminate the knowledge of the true religion among the people; and there are great multitudes of nominal Christians now scattered through the island. There appear to have been formerly many flourishing churches here; but, through a mysterious Providence, they have been suffered to languish and decay. Mr. Palm, a missionary sent by the London Society, is established near Jaffnapatam. We cannot omit Dr. Buchanan's visit to Mr. Palm.

"I visited Mr. Palm, at his residence a few miles from the town of Jaffna. He is prosecuting the study of the Tamul Language; for that is the language of this part of Ceylon, from its proximity to the Tamul Continent. Mrs. Palm has made as great progress in the language as her husband, and is extremely active in the instruction of the native wo

men and children. I asked her if

she had no wish to return to Europe, after living so long among the unciv. ilized Cingalese. No, she said; she was all the day long happy in the communication of knowledge.' Mr. Palm has taken possession of the old Protestant Church of Tilly-Pally. By reference to the history, I found it was the Church in which Baldæus

himself preached (as he himself men. tions) to a congregation of two thou sand natives; for a view of the Church is given in his work. Most of those. handsome Churches, of which views are given in the plates of Baldæus's history, are now in ruins." p. 137.

To some persons it has appeared incredible, that any community, which has been once

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