increasing the prejudices of the Natives against it, and rendering it particularly odious to them, when they see it so ill observed by those who were educated in her bosom, and who come from countries where this Religion alone is publickly professed. They think that there can be no advantage in embracing a Religion, which seems to have so little influence on the conduct of those who profess it: nay, a great many among them, judging from outward appearances, question whether the Europeans living among them have any Religion whatever. I have been many times challenged to bear testimony on this fact; and very seriously asked by them, whether the Frangy (Europeans) acknowledged and worshipped a God." (pp. 83, 84.)

"It is a well-known fact, that it is precisely those of the Hindoos who are most familiar and most connected with the Europeans, who manifest the strongest disgust and aversion to the Religion and manners of the latter. In proof of this assertion, I appeal to all the Officers, both Civil and Military, serving under the Three Presiden cies in India." (p. 48.)

"Should the intercourse between the individuals of both nations, by becoming more intimate and more friendly, produce a revo

1

lution in the Religion and usages of the country, it will not be to turn Christians that they will forsake their own Religion, but rather (what, in my opinion, is a thousand times worse than Idolatry!) to become perfect Atheists and if they renounce their present manners, it will not be to embrace those of the Europeans, but rather to become what are now called Pariahs." (p. 50.)

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Many persons who come from Europe to India with unsettled and wavering Religious Principles, finish, on beholding the variety of Worships prevailing in the country, by laying aside what they term the prejudices of education, becoming Free-thinkers, and adopting the broad principle of Modern Philosophy, that all Religions are equally acceptable to the Deity, and conduct to the same end:" (p. 137. See much more to the same effect, at pages 115, 120, 152, &c. &c.)

Is not this state of things awful and alarming in the extreme! Such conduct must tend, not only to alienate the affections of the Natives from their Rulers, and counteract all the liberal efforts of Government to reconcile them to their present situation, but to call down the vengeance of Almighty God upon the men, who thus cause His Religion to be reproached among the Heathen!

It is a fact, that, although the most irreligious of the Company's Servants are the most indulgent (and often ridiculously and unnecessarily so) towards the Natives, in regard to their superstitions, they cannot gain their confidence and attachment. They are not consistent in their behaviour towards all clases: and they seem to think, that their giving way to the childish superstitions of the more respectable, will be received as an atonement for their abuse, neglect to pay their debts, and general ill-treatment of the rest. But they greatly mistake. The Natives know very well, that all Europeans regard their Idolatries as irrational and absurd; and, therefore, never give us credit for sincerity, whatever respect we may pretend to shew them. But nothing can cause them to esteem the men, whose debaucheries, injustice to their tradesmen, and, in a word, disregard of all appearance of Religion, are the general topic of conversation among them, and scandalize all castes.

On the other hand, it is equally deserving of observation, that Gentlemen of the opposite character, though they evince a perfect indifference about the foolish Ceremonies of the Natives, are yet the objects of their admiration. In familiar conversation with them,

I have heard their remarks upon persons attentive to their Religious and Moral Duties; and could give a striking instance of confidence, on an occasion of importance to the Revenue of Government, being reposed in a JUNIOR of this character, which was, and would continue to have been, withheld from his irreligious SUPERIOR. So true is the observation of Lieutenant-Colonel Munro, in his Address to the Madras Government: "The Natives of India still retain an admiration of excellence, and a high veneration for virtue and sanctity: and the purity of morals, sublimity of doctrine, and extraordinary adaptation to the condition of mankind, of the Protestant Religion, are eminently calculated, when understood and when their effects are seen, to engage Converts."

Surely, then, there can be no question as to the importance of using every possible means, to improve the Moral and Religious Character of all classes of Europeans, but particularly of the Company's immediate Agents in India. Waving the consideration of duty on the part of Government to give serious attention to the subject, its own interests, the stability, the very existence of our Eastern Empire demand it. No Government, indeed, can ensure the good conduct of

its servants or subjects, however excellent the means used for the purpose: but much may be done to preserve the character of our Religion in India, and to ensure a strict observance of the Ordinances of our Church, in every part of the Empire where Europeans are stationed. Much of the immorality and infidelity among the Company's Servants, complained of by the Abbé Dubois and others, arises, I am persuaded, from the habits of indifference to Religious Exercises, acquired by a long residence among the Heathen, at a great distance from the Ordinances of Divine Worship, with every possible facility for the gratification of their passions. Under such circumstances, they must be more than human to preserve a reverence for the parting admonition of Parents, a recollection of lessons received from Religious Preceptors, and keep their youthful propensities under moral restraint. Launched into a world peculiarly abounding in temptations, before reason is matured, or sacred principles are formed, to guide them in the paths of Virtue and Religion, what wonder if their passions precipitate them into every vicious excess! Thousands of hopeful young men have thus been ruined, and brought to a premature grave, for want of timely admonition, Religious Instruction,