principle of counteraction and melioration, by implanting amongst them the doctrines of Christianity*."

Without comment upon this extract, I will merely subjoin the Query of the Writer in the Christian Observer, already cited: “Shall Lord Teignmouth's judgment of East-India affairs, so highly and universally respected in every other particular, be called in question in this instance only?"

My other authority is, that of LieutenantColonel Munro, whose talents and assiduity, when young in the Service, attracted the notice of Government, and subsequently marked him out as a fit person to be entrusted with the responsible and important situation of Resident of Travancore. In the Address to the Madras Government, so frequently noticed in these pages-by which it will be seen what a comprehensive view he took of the subject relative to the improvement of the Natives of India, and with what discretion and perseverance he projected and executed plans for their amelioration-he says:

"The facts which I have described seem to authorise the conclusion-a conclusion, which, I am convinced, will be further confirmed the more the subject is examined and studied-that whatever impediments may be

"Considerations" &c. pp. 44, 45.

opposed to the progress of Christianity, will proceed from political, and not from religious jealousy. They who cherish sentiments of hostility against the British Power, and hopes of its instability, will, of course, decry any measures calculated to unite the interest of a body of the people with its permanency. That power is exposed to greater danger from secret conspiracy, than from open resistance; and this danger must increase with the extension of the British Possessions, which augments the disproportion, in numbers already so immense, between the Rulers and the Subjects. But, in establishing a body of Native Subjects connected with the mass of the people by a community of language, occupations and pursuits, and united to the British Government by the stronger ties of Religion and mutual safety, ample means would be acquired of procuring information of the proceedings of the people, and of all machinations against the British Power. In the course of time, still greater advantages would arise; and the support of a respectable body of Christian Subjects would contribute to strengthen the British Power, in those junctures of commotion and difficulty, which must be expected to occur in a country like India, that has been in a state of revolution for ages. The introduction of

Christianity, in some of the Provinces, may be attended with delays; but, in Travancore and Cochin, there is already a numerous body of Christian Inhabitants, who, with moderate assistance and encouragement from the British Government, will firmly attach themselves to its interests, and may prove of material service in supporting its power.'

If there be still a doubt on the Reader's mind, as to the policy or safety of Government countenancing the propagation of Christianity in India, let him look at the Island of Ceylon, where the experiment has actually been made. The Dutch Government, from their first possession of that island, and subsequently the British Government, have openly countenanced Missionaries, and furthered their designs for the Religious improvement of the Natives. That Colony "has been highly favoured, in the beneficent views of persons in authority. A deserved testimony is borne on this subject, in the following passage of the Tenth Report of the Colombo Bible Society

"It is not solely to the number of Copies of the Scriptures which the Committee have been enabled to circulate, important as that object undoubtedly is, that the advantages

* Missionary Register for January 1824, p. 64,

arising from an institution of this nature are to be estimated. Much, very much, is to be expected from the beneficial influence of example. The Natives of this Colony have now, for a long course of years, beheld the Governor of the Island, and all the principal Officers of the Government, however various and dissimilar may be their general habits and pursuits, steadily combined together in cordial and zealous co-operation for the advancement of one object, obviously disinterested on their part, and solely intended to promote the welfare of the people."

The popularity of several Gentlemen who have been most active in these proceedings, and the absence of the faintest appearance of dissatisfaction on the part of the Natives, furnish an undeniable proof of the safety with which a similar countenance might be afforded to the promulgation of Christianity the Indian Continent.

upon

I had been led to believe that Sir John Malcolm opposed the introduction of Chris tianity into our Indian Empire, and took up his"Memoir of Central India" under that impression. But I find nothing in that interesting work which can be construed into hostility against Missionary pursuits, or that bears at all upon the general question of evangelizing the East. I should have been

surprised and pained to have found this intelligent Officer lending the authority of his respectable name in support of the outcry vociferated against this majestic and momentous undertaking. If I understand himand I have taken pains to do so he admits, and even enforces, the duty of instructing and ameliorating the Natives. It is upon the measure, to be adopted for this purpose, that he recommends caution and patience; and I know not the Missionary in India that would not unite with him in the suggestion. It is worthy of observation, also, that his remarks even on Education are not intended to apply to the whole of our Eastern Dominions-not to the Presidencies and their neighbourhood, nor to the "towns and provinces long under the British Government," but to newlyconquered countries. Nothing could be more dangerous," he says, "at the present moment, than the extension of this plan of Education into countries just emerging from anarchy; and the bad impression made upon ignorant and agitated minds, by the misrepresentations of our intentions in such a measure, would far exceed any good that could be effected by its establishment. These sentiments led to the rejection of a proposition

66

Sir John here subjoins the following Note." A proposition for introducing Schools was made to the Hon. Mr. Elphinstone, when