milar, for the diffusion of "knowledge and truth" throughout our Indian Possessions. He says, at the conclusion of the work above quoted-"The relation of the Natives of India to the English is that of a conquered people to its conquerors. Since we have obtained sovereignty over them, we have greatly ameliorated their condition; and all rational means have been employed to promote their happiness, and to secure to them the benefits of good government. By premature efforts to accelerate the progress of the blessings it is our hope to impart, we shall not only hasten our own downfal, but replunge the Natives of India into a state of greater anarchy and misery than that from which we relieved them. Let us, therefore, calmly proceed in a course of gradual improvement; and when our rule ceases-for cease it must (though probably at a remote period), as the natural consequence of our success in the diffusion of knowledge!--we shall, as a Nation, have the proud boast, that we have preferred the civilization to the continued subjection of India. When our power is gone, our name will be revered; for we shall leave a Moral Monument, more noble and imperishable than the hand of man ever constructed!"

This liberality of sentiment is worthy of the man, and of the subject which he advocates: and all that I require is, the application of the principle to the Cause for which I plead. If the enlightening of the Native Mind, with the knowledge of European Literature, is a duty paramount to every personal or political consideration, and should make us rise above every sordid calculation of secular interest-and if it be more honourable to retain possession of India for a few years, while employing every means to improve the mind and condition of the Natives, than to keep them for treble the space of any given period in a state of mental darkness as well as corporal subjection-we have only to consider the vast superiority of Christian Knowledge over every human science or natural acquirement-and also the unadulterated, the imperishable enjoyments to which it leads-in order to be convinced how unworthy it is of the man, who has any pretensions to the character and hopes of a Christian, to deny the inestimable blessings of our Religion to the Natives of India, upon the plea, that it will endanger our dominion over them, and our possession of their land.

But while I concede, ex animo, that it is incumbent upon us to instruct the Natives of

the East in the arts and sciences of the West, notwithstanding the danger to our Indian Empire which Sir John Malcolm apprehends from their improvement*; yet ought it not to be maturely considered, how that effect of their advancement in knowledge can be best counteracted? The Ethics of a Socrates or a Seneca can never curb the natural freedom of the spirits that have nothing better to restrain them. But if you call in the aid of Christianity, you apply a remedy, and the only effectual one, to obviate the evil you dread. To impart to your Indian Subjects merely secular knowledge, may be to supply them with weapons against yourselves. Certainly the most dependence can be placed upon their allegiance, after they shall become better instructed, when they are brought also under the influence of the precepts and principles of the Gospel.

If this reasoning be correct, we see that Christianity, instead of endangering our Empire in the East, will tend to increase its sta

* Though I reason upon the supposition that this effect may result from the mental improvement of the Natives, yet I think it questionable. When their minds are more enlarged than they are at present, we may reasonably anticipate, that they will be better able to appreciate the nature and advantages of our government and when that shall be the case, we may expect them to yield us a willing obedience.

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bility. So far then from its being impolitic to promote its diffusion through that Pagan Land, I am prepared to maintain, that it is the most politic measure that could be adopted. In this assertion I am supported by two authorities, which few will refuse to admit. The first is that of Lord Teignmouth, "who, after serving the Company for above five-and-twenty years, in various subordinate offices-and after having been associated, for the last three or four of them, with Lord Cornwallis in the Supreme Council-when some changes of extreme importance were to be made in the East-India Company's system, was, without recommendation or interest, selected, solely on the ground of his high integrity, tried abilities, and perfect acquaintance with East-India affairs, to fill the high office of Governor-General of Bengal. A few years ago, that Nobleman published to the world his sentiments on this subject; and distinctly declared his strong and clear persuasion, that it was not only practicable, but expedient, on grounds of political interest, as well as just and right on the principles of Religion and Humanity, to communicate, prudently and discreetly, to the Natives of India, the knowledge of Christianity; and thereby, through the Divine Blessing, to improve their

wretched state in this world, as well as to open to their view the prospect of eternal happiness*.

Such are that Nobleman's general sentiments upon the subject of evangelizing India. His view of the question, upon which I now more particularly quote his authority, I shall transcribe from his own Pamphlet.

Major Scott Waring asks if it can be possible that thirty thousand British subjects could retain an Empire containing fifty millions of people, if the Christian Religion was universal in India?' The question will not at this time be deemed to require a solution and on his principles the case will never occur. But it is more pertinent to ask, Whether the British Dominion in India will not acquire additional solidity by the acces sion of a body of Natives united to us by the bond of a common Faith? Major Scott Waring foresees no danger in the operation of bigotry, superstition, and prejudice; which, whilst they exist in their present force, must oppose a bar to a cordial union between the Natives of India and their European Rulers. I see the subject in a different light; and, without wishing to circumscribe the limits of that toleration which has hitherto been adopted, feel the necessity of introducing a

* Christian Observer, Vol. XII. pp. 266, 267.