صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

“human heart. And surely no government calling itself "Christian can, without incurring a fearful responsibility, "refuse to a Christian missionary, so long as he shall de"mean himself with strict loyalty, steady discretion, and "unimpeachable virtue, the opportunity of exerting his un"bought and honourable labour among the natives of Hin"dostan."

It was natural, however, to look to him who had first awakened the public mind to the imperious duty of regarding the religious concerns of our oriental empire, to lead the way in an appeal to the legislature upon this subject. Accordingly, amidst the pressure of domestic sorrow and of personal debility, Dr. Buchanan composed and published, early in the spring, a work entitled, "Colonial Ecclesiastical "Establishment: being a brief View of the state of the "Colonies of Great Britain, and of her Asiatic Empire, in "respect to religious instruction: prefaced by some consi"derations on the national duty of affording it."

Though the state of the question relative to the promotion of Christianity in India was very materially and happily changed since the year 1807, when it was so fully discussed, and thoughtful and religious men were in general persuaded of the necessity and importance of that measure, Dr. Buchanan still deemed it expedient to commence his work by briefly but pointedly urging this duty upon a Christian nation, and by arguing from various considerations, that the voice of Providence was evidently calling upon Great Britain to undertake it. He next entered upon an examination of the means of thus diffusing Christianity; and under the head of one of them, "the extension of the National Church," gave a sketch of a general colonial establishment, and of the state of religion in the West Indies. Dr. Buchanan then argued the question as to the policy of promoting Christianity in India.

On the subject, however, of parliamentary interference, he stated, that it was not his intention to urge the legislature to adopt any direct means in the way of expensive establishments for proselyting the natives. All, he said, that

was expected at present in regard to them was, that the governing power would not shew itself hostile to the measure of instructing them. Great Britain, he alleged, owed her primary obligations to her own children. The work, therefore, is closed by a powerful appeal to Parliament as to its duty and responsibility upon the approaching decision of this momentous question, and with the sketch of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India, which has been already mentioneda.

Such is a brief outline of the contents of this volume, which was very extensively circulated, particularly amongst the members of both Houses of Parliament, and made a strong and general impression throughout the country.

It was not merely, however, by the press that the friends of religion endeavoured to instruct and awaken the public upon this critical and momentous occasion. They resorted to the legitimate and constitutional measure of petitioning Parliament upon the subject, and nine hundred addresses from the cities, towns, and even villages of the United Kingdom, crowded the tables of hoth Houses, imploring the interference of the legislature in behalf of the moral and religious interests of India. The contest was long and arduous; but the voice of Christian duty and of sound policy, which must ever be inseparable, at length prevailed. A resolution to the following effect was introduced by his Majesty's ministers into both Houses; and after very full and lengthened discussions, in which Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. W. Smith, and Mr. Stephen particularly distinguished themselves by their able and eloquent efforts in its support, it was in the House of Commons carried by a great majority, and in the House of Lords without debate and without a division.

"That it is the duty of this country to promote the inte"rest and happiness of the native inhabitants of the British "dominions in India; and that such measures ought to be "adopted as may tend to the introduction among them of use

See page 458.

"ful knowledge, and of religious and moral improvement. "That in the furtherance of the above objects, sufficient fa"cilities shall be afforded by law to persons desirous of going ❝to and remaining in India, for the purpose of accomplishing "these benevolent designs."

A previous resolution had already passed, by which a bishop and three archdeacons were to be appointed to superintend the clergy of the Established Church in India; thus accomplishing, though not to the extent which he deemed necessary, the two great objects which Dr. Buchanan had so ably and so perseveringly pursued.

It is to these important and interesting transactions that the following extracts principally refer. With the exception of the first, the letters from which they are taken were addressed to a friend, to whose judicious and zealous exertions much of the success which ultimately attended the cause must be ascribed.

[ocr errors][merged small]

"You go up, you say, to witness the battle between "the Government and the India Company. It, rages very furiously at present. It is a fine trial of the honesty of "religious men. It is true, indeed, good men often live and

die the slaves of particular prejudices; but, generally "speaking, conscience will take the alarm, if we are not "honest in our vote in a cause between God and man.

[ocr errors]

"God will direct the event according to his "counsel. There may be no remarkable triumph at this "time but other parts of the great catastrophe (the revela❝tion of Christ's kingdom) are approximating, and you may "live to see its advance. The expiration of twenty years "more is likely to be a grander period in the Church than "the present.

"I have just submitted to the insertion of a large seton "in the integuments of my neck. So you see the constitu❝tional propensity to paralysis continues. But this is the "best state for me. I could not have chosen a better; and "it does me a great deal of good. I need slow fires to purge

"away my dross. But the Refiner is merciful, and gives "me strength to bear the heat of the furnace."

"Kirby Hall, April 1813.

"The circumstances of my health render it impracticable "for me at present to move to London. But I shall proba"bly afford you any information as satisfactorily by corre"spondence, as if I were on the spot.

"Your accomplishing the object of a numerous meeting at "the London Tavern was a grand measure, and the whole "Christian world is indebted to you for it. The resistance "to your purposes will be most resolute. The public voice "alone promises something. If every city and town in "England and Scotland were to petition, (which is practi"cable,) the business would acquire a new complexion "before the end of May.

"The duty, however, of a Christian is to be obedient to "the powers that be. To claim as matter of right the per❝mission of preaching Christianity to the Hindoos is highly "absurd; and the assertion of the right ought to meet with "a rebuke.

"Mr. Wilberforce's speech in the committee on Catholic "claims will produce some sensation among religious men in "England. I am of opinion that he has judged rightly. Li"beral concession to the Catholics and Dissenters will be "good medicine to some; and will favour measures for en"larging the spiritual Church of Christ. We may be sure, "that the country will make no concession to the Catho"lies which will materially injure her. If she does, she can retrace her steps, as she has done before."

"May 15.

"Many thanks to you for Christianity in India.' It is "drawn up in the manner I entirely approve, which I could "not say of the former summaries. It comes in well after "the petitions; and its perspicuity and brevity will fix and "fascinate the careless eye. I begin almost to sympathize with your Indian opponents, the battering of religious "Britain has been so tremendous.

"Like you, I am not anxious as to the terms of conces❝sion in regard to the question. The deed is done. Britain "has lifted her voice in her Christian character, and the "effect will be permanent and blessed. By this concussion. "religion rises at least two degrees in a scale of twenty, "both in its character and interests. The Bible Society too ❝shares in the triumph.

"Mr. Dealtry's sermona was well timed; and would be, "I doubt not, a coup de grace to the dying prejudices of

"some.

"I have just read Dr. Milner's Strictures; and have prai❝sed God, who hath given such understanding to men. He " is a host in himself; and the Church will begin henceforth "to view him in a new light. They will dread his princi"ples less, and reverence his abilities more. I trust it will "please God to spare his life for some years.

"The publication of the Society's India Reports is just "what we want. It identifies them with us, and confirms the truth of facts.

"Spare your health, and take repose; for you know not "but you may have as much to do next year."

"Kirby Hall, June 2d.

"I congratulate you on your great triumph. "Such a resolution proposed under such circumstances! "The moment it actually passes, the petitioners ought to "unite in one national hallelujah.

“What does ... think of civilization now? Lord "Castlereagh has put the question to rest. He says, the "fear of it is a chimera."

"11th June.

"I am charmed with Whitbread, when he sounds the "right note.

"I continue stationary at present. I have had blood ab"stracted twice by cupping within the last month."

"5h July.

"And so Mr. Venn is dead! What a varied scene has he "passed through in the evening of life! permitted, no doubt, a Before the Church Missionary Society.

« السابقةمتابعة »