among the natives by them, have caused even the first ideas of any interference with the religion of the country to be regarded with a suspicious eye. But in Bishop Middleton the East India Company have found not an ignorant or an intemperate fanatic, but a sober, sound, yet zealous Christian. In him they have found that calm and Comprehensive mind, that wise and statesman-like view of things around him, which calculates upon every obstacle, which estimates every difficul

ty, which knows all the gradations by which alone the great object of conversion can alone be effected. That the natives of the Hindostan should be converted to the Gospel, we must suppose that every Christian mind will most ardently desire; but that the means generally proposed for its ac complishment are of so violent a nature as to endanger even the existence of our eastern empire, every one who is conversant with India affairs must too surely acknowledge. Many, there fore, of those best acquainted with the feelings of the natives, and the politics of the country, not separating the means from the end, but confounding the danger of the measures proposed with the object in view, have set themselves most violently against any attempt to disturb the religion of the natives, and against any attempt to propagate the Christian faith. In their position to the measures too generally proposed for its propagation we certainly conceive then fairly justified, and for this one reason among others, that, independent of their dangerous tendency, they will be assuredly found wholly ineffectual in accomplishing their object. We conceive that means are yet in our power to effect the object, which, abstractedly considered, is most desirable. But the means are too gentle, the progress too slow, the end too distant to suit the fancies of fanaticism. But for that very reason they will command the attention of the wise and engage the hearts of the good. We much doubt whether the longest lives of the present generation will witness the glorious effects which shall be wrought by the establishment of the Church in the East, we much doubt

op

whether the good Bishop himself will see the superstructure rising from the level of the earth; but it will surely rise, and rise more surely from the deliberate, cautious, yet indefatigable toil with which its foundations have been cemented and secured. To the coldest Christian the following views of the Bishop upon these important points cannot appear intemperate; to the most ardent they will not appear lukewarm.

topic, from the mere mention of which

"We are aware, indeed, that this is 2

some persons shrink with alarm; and unquestionably, if we could be supposed to cherish the thought of propagating Religion by force, not only ought the subject to be proscribed by common consent, but the idea should be rejected with horror. We bless God, however, that persecution on account of Religion is alike abhorrent from the Faith of Protestants and the tem per of the times: the only armour of an offensive kind in the Christian panoply is 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' But if, in the general dissemination of knowledge, the excellence of Christianity should be more fully displayed; if a faithful and affectionate exhibition of the Truth, as it is in Christ Jesus, should impress the minds of some, who cannot discover either the grounds of their present Faith, or the reasonableness of their Worship—or if a strict attention to divine ordinances and to Christian duties among ourselves should produce the in the early stages of the Gospel, and effects, which so abundantly followed it should bring in willing converts to Christ, I know not that any man can forbid wa ter, that these should not be baptized.' And the prophetic Word enjoins us to look to such an event, though it has not defined the precise mode or the time of its accomplishment. In this view, then, the Church in India may be only in its infant state: it may be destined to receive gradual yet continual accessions of strength; and it may ultimately, in the unseen methods of Providence, be made the means of dispensing knowledge and consolation to the descendants of millions, who are yet without its pale: the king dom of God,' as we are assured, 'cometh not with observation' or outward show." With reference, therefore, to such a consummation, however remote, the attention will be naturally directed to the Church Establishment, as the centre from which the whole body of Converts must derive its unity and consistency. In every sup posable state of society, except in a temporary coalition of adverse and discordant prejudices, where the object is political

power, the Religion which is established by authority, will maintain its just prepouderance and that preponderance, in the present case, while it will be seen to be in favour of a Discipline derived from the primitive ages, and having therefore the sanction of antiquity, would also be found to be most congenial with the habits and the character of the people. It may, therefore, be reasonably expected, that the Government of the future Church, whatever be its extent, should be that which was in force at the time of its foundation; or in other words, should be Episcopal: that the decent and dignified order

of our Establishment should be the mo

del, which Christian congregations would adopt; and that from whatever quarter the tidings of the Gospel may first have come, and however imperfectly or partial ly conveyed, all diversity of practice or opinion should gradually subside in the doctrine and the discipline of the Church. A small Society of Christians may, indeed, be formed upon almost any of the schemes, which caprice may suggest; and such societies may be preserved from dissolution, so long as an Establishment diverts the jealousy of rival sects; but nothing which has any resemblance to Independency is adapted to the maintenance of Religion amongst a numerous people, and least of all perhaps, when we consider their pecu liar character, amongst the nations of the East. Abstract theories of Religious Liberty would be hardly intelligible, where no real or supposet right was felt to be infringed; and the unbiassed judgment would declare for Christianity in that form, in which the fullest provision should be made for Piety, and Order, and Peace."

For the general discipline of the Church the Bishop proceeds to call the attention of the Clergy to those particular points which press upon them especially; to dress; to a greater strictness both in the hour and in the mode of performing the marriage service, in which much indecorous laxity had but too generally prevailed, marriages in India having been of ten performed in private houses, and at all hours of the day. To the order also necessary for the administration of Baptism an especial allusion is made. The Bishop earnestly exhorts them to approximate as much as possible to the condition and to the duties of the parochial Clergy in England, and not to remain contented with the less arduous employment of military chaplains.

The advice of the Bishop respecting

their studies is admirably adapted to their peculiar situation. The whole indeed of this Charge cannot be read without feelings of the deepest emotion, as it brings not an imaginary but a real scene to our eyes. It presents to our view the first Patriarch of British India addressing a scattered but an active ministry, addressing them in the language not of grandeur or exultation, but of earnest, affectionate, yet cautious counsel, not anticipating on the one hand imaginary triumph, nor magnifying on the other the prospect of impending defeat; but calling upon them the strict discharge of their most important duties, and both by precept and example pointing out the way. From a less determined mind than that of the Bishop, might have been expected the language of just disappointment. But not an expression either of peevishness or irritation has escap ed his pen. Duty, as it is the first object in his mind, so it is the chief theme of his exhortation. That all the difficulties which, from quarters the most opposite, he will have to encounter, have passed through his consideration is most clear, but they appear so to have passed as rather to encourage than to intimidate.

However militant the Church of Christ here on earth may be, to its establishment in India we are still sanguine enough to look, in God's good time, for the happiest results. First, in confirming the faith, and regulating the morals of its European children. However respectable in their private character, and however active in their private exertions the India chaplains may have been, still they had no head to look to, either for encouragement, for example, or for counsel. Their authority was that only of private teachers, not of an established Clergy. The exertions of a zealous, active, and temperate head cannot but animate the efforts of the inferior members with new life, and arm them with a new authority. The very example and the very society of such a man as Bishop Middleton cannot fail of purifying the minds of the higher circles in which he moves, and of directing their attention both to the

professions and the duties of Christianity, and the weight which this example will have upon all around must produce the most beneficial consequences. To all ranks the earnest and affectionate eloquence of the Bishop in the pulpit will speak a language which will find its way to the very heart of his auditors. All these and various other circumstances taken together, must surely have a strong effect in reforming the morals and checking the profligacy of the European settlers, and when that is effected, one great obstacle to the conversion of the natives will be removedthe vices and the crimes of those professing Christianity.

The second happy effect to be expected is the promotion of the cause of unity. One of the great objections of the natives to Christianity, is the division of its members into so various and so contradictory forms of faith. Let the purity of the Gospel once shine forth in innocence of life and in unity of faith, and one of the great difficulties in the way of conversion will be removed. It is therefore with unfeigned regret that we have read a most intemperaté and insulting harangue of Doctor Brice, the representative of the Scotch Church, against Episcopacy. This person was sent out at the same time with the Bishop, for the sake of the many Scotch who were settled in India. All these, before the arrival of Dr. Brice, were in harmony with the Church of England, and willingly united in all its forms of public worship. The first effect, therefore, of this measure was, to create a schism where it found none, and in the person of Dr. Brice not only to create, but to foment division. It was not sufficient to tear open the wound and to separate the parts which had closed in Christian union, but to assail, with little show of reason, and less of temperance, the unoffending Church and its venerable head. Such are the triumphs of liberality. Notwithstanding this lamentable schism, at the very commencement of his la bours, we have little doubt, but that the character, the labours, and the eloquence of the Bishop will heal the

breach, and daily succeed in uniting all Christians in that firm and compact body, which is most conformable to the commands, and most favourable to the propagation of the Gospel.

In addition to all these circumstances we are happy to notice an event recorded in the Calcutta Gazette of May 23, 1816, from which, in due time, and if suffered to work quietly we anticipate the happiest results. By that paper we find, that a meeting was held on the 19th of that month, at the house of Sir H. East, the Chief Justice of Bengal, to institute a sort of College for the national education of Hindoo children. At this meeting were collected most of the chief natives of various casts, and several of the Pundits. It was resolved that their design should be carried into immediate execution, and a very considerable sum was subscribed for the purpose. This circumstance alone, when it is known with what difficulty a Hindoo will part with his money to advance any speculation for moral improvement, is the best proof of their earnestness in the object. It was resolved, that all casts should be equally admitted and educated together, but that they should be fed separately. The first concession will appear no small effort to those who are acquainted with the rigid prejudices of the Hindoos in this respect, It was also determined, that the College should be placed under the patronage of the Governor General and the Supreme Council: that the Chief Justice should be President, and that the managing Committee should be composed, partly of Europeans, partly of Natives. To this union we look forward with a rational hope, as a means of conciliating those prejudices which have heretofore existed in the minds of the Hin doos, both with respect to themselves and to the Europeans. By the very terms of an union of this nature, be it where it may, much is conceded by the predominant party; and we trust that such a concession may be cautiously and gradually improved into the happiest effects.

Whatever might have been the opinions of too large a part of the go

verning members of the India Company, on the establishment of Episcopacy in India, we trust that now they have discovered the worth and the value of him who has been selected as its head, every sentiment either of coldness or of hostility, will subside into feelings of the warmest affection and regard. Called upon, as the Bishop is, to a station of much diguity and expense, with claims upon him for public and private charities of the first importance, with the wants both of his clergy and of their flocks pressing upon him, we trust that a much larger allowance will be assigned than the very scanty minimum which the Act of Parliament prescribes. With an income less by 20001. per annum than the puisnè judges, and inferior even to many of the lower officers in the Company's service, it is impossible for him to meet the numerous demands which must be made upon his rank and station. We do trust that the Company will, from their happy experience of the good effects result ing from the presence of a Bishop, and of such a Bishop as Dr. Middleton among them, enable him to extend the sphere of his utility, by increasing the powers of his action. Parsimony in such a case would but ill become the dignity, and ill promote the best interests of the Company. To them his labours are dedicated, from them they should meet their due consideration. The lot of an India Bishop is a lot but little to be envied. In a climate, where the lamp of life burns fast, with no interest to stimulate exertion, with no prescriptive authority to enforce respect, without counsel, and without countenance, to duty and to duty alone can he look for comfort or reward. Were he to direct his view to an earthly crown, whether of dignity or of applause, he might sink under the difficulties with which a cold and calculating jealousy on the one hand, and a faithless and dissembling fanaticism on the other, have encompassed and retarded his exertions, he might sink into hopeless apathy and despair. But even his reward will be found here, not in patronage of the great, but in the love

and veneration of the good. Happy will he even be in difficulty, happy in neglect, for both here and hereafter ΠΡΟΣ ΤΟ AÏDION ΕΒΛΕΠΕΝ.

THE SOCIETY (IN ENGLAND) FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

The following interesting account of the principles and objects of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, is taken from "A Sermon, preached in the Parish of St. Julian, Shrewsbury, upon Wednesday, the 12th of July, 1815; being the first Anniversary Meeting of the Salop District of the Society. By the Rev. Laurence Gardner, D. D. Rector of the Second Portion of Westbury, Salop, and Minister of Curzon Chapel, London."

It is precisely in conformity with the great truths and principles-first, that Christianity should be as extensively propagated as possible: secondly, that it should be propagated according to a precise and defined system and, thirdly, under the persuasion that this can only effectually be done by having recourse to all those aids which divine and human wisdom have supplied-that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was formed, and has now carried on its labours for nearly one hundred and twenty years. view, has been to diffuse, as widely as its The high and leading object it has had in funds would permit, and by every means within its power, a knowledge of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. This it has done, in the first place, shone, by the establishment of missions, where the light of the Gospel has never and by employing men of the greatest purity and zeal to preach the glad tidings of salvation to those who are yet in darkness and ignorance, more particularly the benighted nations of the eastern world; by translating the Scriptures into their lan guages, and promoting their circulation wherever there was the smallest disposi tion to receive and peruse them. Even in the first years of the last century, facilong before half of it had expired, a translities for printing were furnished; and lation of the whole Bible into one of the principal languages of the East, was completed under the auspices, and by means of the exertions, of this Society. In our to be directed to the establishment and own country, its views have never ceased assistance of parochial schools; to these its liberality is of the most extensive and extraordinary description, not only by furnishing them with Bibles, Testaments, Prayer Books, and all the others necessa ry for the purpose of teaching the children to read, but with those which instruct them likewise in the knowledge of

the doctrines of the Bible, and the principles of their national Church, I do not believe that I in the least degree exaggerate when I state, that three-fourths of the charity schools of this kingdom, established in conformity with the doctrines and principles of the Church of England, derive all their books of these different descriptions from this Society, at a price, generally speaking, not more than one half of what they can be procured for in the ordinary way.

Another most valuable and important object of this Society is, to circulate with the holy Scriptures familiar tracts, explanatory of the great doctrines, and principles, and duties they enjoin, compiled either from larger works by some of the ablest divines which have adorned the

Christian Church of former periods, or by professed publications of the same descrip. tion from those best able to draw them up, of our own times. The extent of the services it has rendered to the world in

this way, is almost beyond belief: and the channels through which they flow, are almost as numerous as human wants point out. It furnishes hospitals and prisons with the books best suited to answer the important purposes to be derived from a proper religious improvement of those situations and to every ship in his Majesty's navy, or in the East India Company's service, upon proper application, and with a satisfactory assurance that a right use will be made of the indulgence, it furnishes a sufficient number of Bibles, Testaments, and Prayer Books, and explanatory tracts, to enable every sailor in them, so disposed, to understand perfectly his duty to God and man.

But, after having done all this, there still seemed to be something wanting to complete the wise and benevolent purposes this Society had in view; in order to stem the torrent of false, and extend a knowledge of right opinion on religious subjects among the inhabitants of this and of other countries, some regular standard explanation of the whole of the SacredWritings seemed to be necessary, which the great body of the people might refer to with satisfaction and confidence; and believe, that the elucidations they should there find were sanctioned by the ablest and wisest men of the present and of former ages. Such a work, therefore, has been most successfully undertaken, under the direction of this Society; and a FAMILY BIBLE is now in a course of publication, of the most useful and important description, with notes and explanations of the most valuable kind, selected from the soundest divines, adapted to the capacity of every description of readers, and, by means of the liberality of this Institution, to be purchased at a price very inferior to

that at which such works are usually obtained.

These are the main and principal ob jects in which the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge is, and has been long employed: but, in order that its benevo lent purposes may be still more generally known than they are, and of course its blessings still more generally extended, " subordinate societies have of late years been formed in different parts of the kingdom, whose great business it is to facilitate the means of obtaining books—to re ceive subscriptions, and other payments, from those to whom it might not be convenient to transmit them to the Metropo

lis-to propose new Members-and to be the channel of communication of any hints or suggestions which its friends might be disposed to make, in furtherance of the designs which the Society, as a body, might have in view.

After this plain and simple statement of the objects of our Institution, it is perfectly impossible, I should trust, not to

obtain for it the most zealous and cordial

support-it is perfectly impossible not at once to acquiesce in the useful, important, sublime purposes it has in view, viz. to cheer with the light and blessings of Christianity those who are still in darkness and the shadow of death, or to illuyouth or ignorance, have as yet been uninmine and strengthen those who, from tions of the Gospel. Let other Societies formed in the great truths and consolapursue, as they think proper, their various labours; fere with them. Long before they had an it is no part of our wish to inter existence, we commenced our quiet, steady, unobtrusive course-the noiseless tenor of our way-and we still pursue it with all the anxiety and zeal which objects of so interesting and momentous a description must necessarily inspire.

Seventh Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the NEW-YORK BIBLE AND COMMON PRAYER BOOK So

CIETY.

On the recurrence of the anniversary of the New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, the Board of Managers have again the pleasure to remind her of the part she is bearing in the characteristic efforts of the present day, which are so largely promoting the interests and glory of the Church of the Redeemer. What can more properly comport with the encouraging spirit of the times, than diffusing the words of everlasting life, and a knowledge of the primitive con+