CHRISTIAN LUKEWARMNESS.

117

English settlements, know that we have one day peculiarly set apart for public worship, as well as themselves: how do they see it observed? They know that our blessed Redeemer preached a Gospel of purity and self-denial, how do they see those virtues practised? They know that an incarnate God offered himself as a sacrifice for sin; the innocent for the guilty; that he died an ignominious death, to redeem unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; instituted the eucharist in commemoration of his dying love, and before his awful sacrifice, said, "This do in remembrance of me." St. Luke, ch. xxii. ver. 19. The Indians perform the sacrifices enjoined them; they well know their typical and sacramental meaning: what judgment must they form of our obedience to this

divine ordinance?

What may now be the prevailing practice, I cannot say; certainly the spirit of Christianity was not the actuating principle of European society in India. A thoughtlessness of futurity, a carelessness about religious concerns, were more prominent. Highly Highly as I esteemed the philanthropy, benevolence, and moral character of my countrymen, I am sorry to add, that a spirit of scepticism and infidelity predominated in the younger part of the community; especially in the circle of those who had received what is called a good education; implying a knowledge of classical, mathematical, and metaphysical learning, as far as such knowledge can be acquired at sixteen years of age; the period when most of the writers were then appointed to India.

My mind is at this moment solemnly impressed with scenes long past in those remote regions; espe

cially in conversation at the breakfast table of a gentleman, frequented by young men of the first character in the Company's civil service, of superior talents, amiable dispositions, and elegant accomplishments, and my own select friends, as such I loved and esteemed them; in another point of view I was happily permitted to adopt the decision of the venerable patriarch, "O, my soul! come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united!" Gen. ch. xlix. ver. 6. The Volume of Truth was my study, and its divine lessons were pathetically enforced in the annual letters of my beloved parents, and the revered preceptor of my youth. He constantly corresponded with me during my absence, and lived more than twenty years after my last return, a bright example of piety and virtue; until, at the advanced age of ninety, he was removed from works to rewards. Such was the Reverend David Garrow of Hadley, a name beloved, a memory revered. In these conversations infidelity was the order of the day; the systems of Voltaire and Hume the principal topic of discourse; the philosophy of Sans Souci, the grand subject of admiration! The truths of Christianity were so entirely effaced by these doctrines, that for years together, many of those deluded youths never entered a place of worship, nor read the Bible, except for the purpose of misapplying texts, and selecting unconnected passages, so often and so ably refuted, by all that can be urged by the force of reasoning, or the extent of learning.

I have since had oecasion to witness the effect of those fatal errors upon the living and dying conduct many who then embraced that pernicious system of

of

infidelity. I know the misery it has caused, and still causes, to some of the former; and the remorse which occurred at the closing scene of one of the most learned, sensible, and best informed of those eastern philosophers. This gentleman had, long before his last illness, seen the fallacy of the creed he had adopted; the same interesting passage in the prophecies of Isaiah,* which engaged the attention of the minister of the Ethiopian queen, and so happily effected the conversion of a dissipated English nobleman, had, by the divine blessing, been equally instrumental to the conviction of my deluded friend. On his return to England, his brother, at that time one of our most eminent and zealous prelates, employed every means in his power to convince him of his error, and providentially succeeded.

What good may be done in India by prudent and zealous missionaries, Swartz, for fifty years the zealous missionary on the coast of Coromandel, and others have clearly evinced. What may still be done is pointed out in letters written at the beginning of the eighteenth century by George the First, king of England, and that eminent prelate Dr. Wake, Archbishop of Canterbury, to the Indian missionaries: they are epistles becoming a monarch of Great Britain, and of the first dignitary in the Protestant church. I reluctantly forbear inserting the letter of the former, and shall only make a short extract from the latter, to the missionaries, Ziegenbalg and Grundlerus, then propagating the Gospel in India.

"It will be your praise, a praise of endless duration

* Isaiah, ch. liii.

Lord Rochester,

150

LETTER TO MISSIONARIES.

on earth, and followed by a just recompence in heaven, to have laboured in the vineyard which yourselves have planted; to have declared the name of Christ where it was not known before; and through much peril and difficulty, to have converted to the faith those, among whom ye afterwards fulfilled your ministry. Your province, therefore, brethren, your office, I place before all dignities in the church. Let others be pontiffs, patriarchs, or popes; let them glitter in purple, in scarlet, or in gold; let them seek the admiration of the wondering multitude, and receive obeisance on the bended knee: ye have acquired a better name than they, and a more sacred fame. And when that day shall arrive when the Chief Shepherd shall give to every man according to his work, a greater reward shall be adjudged to you. Admitted into the glorious society of the prophets, evangelists, and apostles, ye with them shall shine, like the sun among the lesser stars, in the kingdom of your Father, for ever!

"God hath already given to you an illustrious pledge of his favour; an increase not to be expected without the aid of his grace. He will continue to prosper your endeavours, and will subdue unto himself, by your means, the whole continent of oriental India. O happy men! who, standing before the tribunal of Christ, shall exhibit so many nations converted to his faith by your preaching; happy men! to whom it shall be given to say before the assembly of the whole human race, Behold us, O Lord! and the children whom thou hast given us;' happy inen! who being justified by the Saviour, shall receive in that day the reward of your labours; and also shall hear that glorious encomium, Well done, good and

A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE.

151

faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord.' Matt. ch. xxv. ver. 21."

Such is the path, such the reward of the Indian missionary. The clergy stationed in that remote part of the world may do much; and every individual can do something towards the glorious structure, the living temple; which is to continue not only for the short period of time, but will endure throughout those eternal ages when "time shall be no more!"

A Christian, who knows and feels his obligations to the Author of his being for creation, preservation, and redemption, will endeavour to act as becometh his high and holy vocation, from the motive of love. To him, a religious life, far from being a compulsive obligation, becomes his deliberate choice, a service of perfect freedom; an unlimited conformity to the manners and customs of a thoughtless age, would be a cruel bondage. His heart having received a different bias, the world ceases to allure; he aspires after heavenly-mindedness; he tastes the celestial manna ; and enjoys a peace which the world can neither give nor take away. But his religion, far from rendering him gloomy or austere, prompts him to perform every relative and social duty with peculiar delight. On proper occasions he partakes of rational recreation, innocent amusement, and convivial pleasure. Thus he pursues his earthly career, in lively faith, cheerful hope, and active charity; looking through the valley of the shadow of death to that city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God!

In India, a climate favouring voluptuousness, with other local causes, aids the fascinating stream of fashionable inconsideration; which, united with many