received by the Governor-General, acknowledged in the end that God had been pleased to do above all he had asked or thought, and in a way far better than he had proposed or conceived.

We have been led by the institution of the Hindoo College to anticipate the narrative; but we must go back to mention yet one other discouragement, which, though but an individual case of apostasy, or rather of gross hypocrisy-for we doubt whether he was ever sincere enough to be an apostate-deeply pained the mind of Mr. Thomason, and did considerable mischief at the time to the cause of Christianity in India. We allude to the defection of Sabat, whose name, and history, and awful end, are too fresh in the memory of our readers to require that we should recapitulate the mournful narrative. The righteous sorrowed, and the wicked triumphed over his secession from the faith which he had professed to embrace; and many were the sneers and the invectives with which the missionaries were assailed on his account. Mr. Thomason writes to Mr. Simeon on the occasion :

"We have had a fresh cause of grief in the relapse of Sabat. I never thought well of him. He left me at Monghir, after completing the New Testament: on his return to Calcutta, he published a book against the Christian religion. I have as yet only seen the title page. He calls it Sabatean proofs of the truth of Islamism, and falsehood of Christianity; he pretends to pull down the pillars of our faith, and in a pompous page has expressed all the bitterness, and arrogance, and profaneness of his character, declaring that he has printed the book, not for any private emolument, but as a freewill offering to God. It is a public and bitter avowal of his hypocrisy in all his dealings with us, and the scandal occasioned is greater than you can imagine. Those who were inclined to favour our attempts with the natives, are many of them prejudiced. The bishop is grieved. I have learned some useful lessons; to be cautious in judgingto be backward in praising-above all, to be careful how we publish the tidings of our operations.

"We need much Divine wisdom, and holy discernment. It is not to be conceived (but) by those who are connected with them, how expert the natives are in every art of deception. I hope we shall guard against talking of Abdool Messeeh. With every hope of his being a real Christian, it is prudent to say little. I pray that he may be kept in humility, and in active labour, until our brother return to us. Abdool needs Corrie, and so does the church at large. A fitter instrument for leading on the native converts, for winning the affections of the people, and carrying on missionary labours, can hardly be found. They speak of him at Agra with tears: his love has won them all. He was, humanly speaking, their stay and centre of union.'" pp. 240, 241.

The allusion to that much-beloved and honoured servant of Christ, Mr. (since Archdeacon) Corrie, would lead us, if we ventured to follow it up, to say much of one whose name will stand for ages to come in no low rank among those who were the instruments in the hands of God of projecting and commencing labours of Christian benevolence, the result of which will only be known in eternity. May it be long before his name is registered among those who have ceased from their labours, and before it shall be lawful to say all that is felt and thought upon the subject, without wounding the tenderness of Christian modesty! At present we pass it by, and return to the unhappy Sabat, only to add that, as he lived, so he died a victim to his own wicked conduct. He soon deserted Bengal, for a distant settlement, where, after no long interval, political intrigues brought him to an appalling end. A British officer, Colonel MacInnes, resident at Penang, has detailed the termination of his career. The account was printed in French at Geneva, in an appendix to the translation of the Memoir of H. Martyn's Life. Colonel MacInnes says:

"I became personally acquainted with Sabat at Penang, a little after his public abjuration of Christianity in Bengal. This deplorable act was followed by an unsuccessful trading voyage to Rangoon, after which he re-appeared at Penang, with the wreck of his fortune, in hope of better success.

"During his stay in this island, I had the opportunity of knowing him thoroughly. I saw in him a disappointed man, uneasy and agitated in his mind. He attributed all the distress of his soul, to the grief he felt for having abandoned Christianity. He CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 379.

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desired to receive again this holy religion, as the only means of reconciling himself with God. He declared that he had not had a moment's peace since (at the instigation of Satan,) he had published his attack upon Revelation, an attack which he called his 'bad work.' He told me also, that what had led him to this fatal step, was the desire of revenging himself upon an individual to whom he thought an attack upon Christianity would be more painful than any personal injury; but he had no sooner executed this detestable project (he added) than he felt a horror of the action, and now he only valued his life that he might be able to undo the pernicious tendency of his book, which he thought would be great in Mahometan countries. He never spoke of Mr. Martyn without the most profound respect, and shed tears of grief whenever he recalled how severely he had tried the patience of this faithful servant of God. He mentioned several anecdotes to show with what extraordinary sweetness Martyn had borne his numerous provocations. He was less a man (he said) than an angel from heaven.' His apostasy had excited much observation in the East.'" pp. 244, 245. "During his stay at Penang, this island was visited by a Malay prince, Jouhuroo lalim king of the neighbouring state of Acheen, (in the island of Sumatra,) from whence a revolt of his subjects had obliged him suddenly to flee." "Sabat offered his services to Jouhuroolalim, with no other end, as he assured me, than to discover and profit by any favourable opportunity that should offer of introducing Christianity amongst the Acheenois, a nation which is particularly intractable and ferocious, and many of whom were cannibals. The imposing and even engaging manners which he could assume, his reputation as a man of talents, and the high esteem which the Indian nations have for Arabian auxiliaries, on account of their courage and intrepidity, procured him a favourable reception from Jouhuroolalim, in a moment when adversity had estranged from him all his European favourites. Sabat accompanied this prince to Acheen, where he soon gained such an ascendency as to manage all public affairs, and was regarded by his adversaries as the greatest obstacle to their final triumph. But, as months rolled away without producing any decisive event, and the issue of the struggle appeared still doubtful and distant, Sabat resolved to retire. Whilst occupied in effecting his retreat he fell into the hands of his rival Syfoolalim, who gave orders that he should be strictly imprisoned on board a vessel, and after having made him suffer severely, he was tied up in a sack, and thrown into the sea."" pp. 247-249.

In 1814 and 1815 Mr. Thomason accompanied the Governor-General in his magnificent tour through the western provinces of India as his domestic chaplain, and devised and forwarded various plans of usefulness; still keeping in view the measure he had most at heart, the general education of the natives, as auxiliary to the extension of the Gospel among them. The acquaintance which he acquired during this tour with the degraded character of the natives, only increased his compassionate zeal for their spiritual welfare. Thus he says:

"In ascending the Ganges, and visiting the towns and villages on its banks, we see the enormous population of degraded beings with our eyes. The first place of importance was Moorshedabad, the once famous metropolis of Bengal, an immense city swarming with inhabitants, but exhibiting the sad marks of decayed greatness. Oh, it was an affecting sight to look around at the countless throngs, and observe moral, political, and religious degradation, without one cheering symptom of improvement. We have annihilated the political importance of the natives, stripped them of their power, and laid them prostrate, without giving them any thing in return. They possess neither learning, nor emulation, nor power. Every spring of action seems deadened; they wallow in the filth of a senseless and impure religion, without any prospect of deliverance. You can conceive nothing more wretched than Hindoo towns and villages. Nothing like architecture, except in their temples; the streets narrow and dirty, the houses inexpressibly mean, teeming with inhabitants whose appearance is disgusting in the extreme. At Benares, I ventured to visit the shrine held so sacred. It was an oppressive sight. The avenues to it are narrow, crowded with Brahmins and bulls : the symbols of their impure religion meet the eye in every corner; and the horrid din of the Brahmins, and Fakeers, and bulls, and beggars, and bells, was too much to be endured. I hastened from the place, as from Pandæmonium, and thanked God for the Gospel. If I do not return to my charge with more of a missionary spirit, it will be my own fault."" pp. 222, 223.

To a

To have once taken the tour of the Bengal provinces, will be of great advantage in future operations. But there is nothing to tempt a second visit. feeling heart, the prospect of desolation is most distressing. The country affords much to gratify a naturalist, and an antiquarian; but the pursuits of such persons require time and leisure. We only passed through, and saw the immense plains of Hindostan, in all their nakedness, the dire effects of those contentions, which for

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centuries have depopulated the country, and covered its face with ruins. ruins of Delhi are of surprising extent, reaching sixteen miles or more; a sickening sight! O it made us sad to go through the awful scene of desolation. Mosques, temples, houses, all in ruins; piles of stones, broken pillars, domes, crumbling walls, covered the place. The imperial city presents nothing but the palace to give an idea of its greatness, and only appears grand from the magnificent wall with which it is surrounded, which still retains its beauty-being built of hard stone. Within is poverty and departed grandeur-all is going to decay. The famous hall of audience remains, built of marble, richly inlaid with stones sufficiently beautiful to realize all our expectations. We saw in the gardens the reigning prince, the poor representative of Timur's house. He was taking an airing, carried on a Tonjoh-(a chair borne on shoulders) preceded by a train of attendants bawling out his titles; he bowed to us, and appeared an intelligent man. The courts of the palace-the attendants the offices of the servants-all gave an appearance of wretchedness one could not behold without a sigh.' pp. 233, 234.

Mr. Thomason writes on this subject in the very spirit of the Apostle Paul. Other men gazed with admiration at the splendour of Athens; at its works of art and elegance, its statues, its temples, its enchanting scenes of loveliness and majesty; but the great Apostle of the Gentiles beheld only a city "wholly given to idolatry." Ordinary travellers have sneered at Christian missionaries as men of no taste: they should rather speak of them as men who have acquired a new sense, which overpowers inferior perceptions. It was not that Howard was not interested in paintings, of which he was an excellent judge and a spirited collector, that he passed more time in the prisons of Rome than in its cabinets or galleries. Every man seeks in every place what chiefly interests him; and let not those whose views are bounded by earth and its concerns-nay, even by its mere physical spectacles→ think scorn that there are those who have a taste for moral beauty, and feel pained at moral deformity, and who, esteeming the immortal part of man as of some account, habitually regard all things in reference to their aspect upon the affairs of the human soul and eternity. If a Christian be what he professes; if he really believe what God declares, and is constrained by the love of Christ; he cannot feel or act otherwise.

At Cawnpore, the magnificence of the Governor-General's retinue was emulated and augmented by that of an Eastern Nabob, who appeared on the other side the river with a large encampment. The two territories were joined together by a bridge of boats, and over the subjected waters of the Ganges trains of mighty elephants and costly presents were passing and re-passing. But amidst all this pageantry Mr. Thomason was gazing on a far different spectacle, and his thoughts reverted to very different objects. He says:

"In these sandy plains I have been tracing again and again the days of Martyn. Close by me is the house that dear minister occupied, leading to which is the gloomy line of aloes spoken of by Mrs. Sherwood. On the other side of the Ganges is the Nabob with a large encampment, between whom and the Governor General, the fivilities are numerous.

"But how poor are the trappings of royalty, and the pomps and vanities of the world! All who take a near view of the grandeur of earthly monarchs, discern its intrinsic nothingness; yet they follow it, pant after it, worship it. Awfully is the soul fallen from its original character; we catch at straws when we ought to be holding fast the crown of life.

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"O for Martyn's humility and love: those who knew him can bear testimony to the truth of his Christian walk. His standard of every duty was the highest, and his feelings of joy, sorrow, love, most intense; whilst his conversation was always in heaven, the savour of his holy dispositions was as ointment poured forth. Many parts of his experience can only be appreciated by those who enter deeply into the Divine life. In proportion as we discern what is spiritual in its excellence and glory, we shall understand his lowly self-abasing reflections on what he observed within. He was transported by a glory, of which common Christians only obtain a glimpse. And O how is all explained, when we behold him entering his closet, and holding communion with God with such delight, such unwearied constant enjoyment! Woe unto us if we do not pray more, live more above the world, and deny ourselves more, and love

Christ more. Are we not hoping to see him in a happier state: the Lord quicken us, and enable us to go forward, laying aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, let us run with patience the race that is set before us.'

pp. 227, 228. During this tour Mr. Thomason's fidelity and Christian boldness, as well as his wisdom and discretion, were singularly put to the proof. He soon discovered to his sorrow, that the Governor-General when travelling paid no regard to the Christian Sabbath; and, as his chaplain, he deemed it incumbent on him to remonstrate against this violation of the day of rest. The reply was, his dismissal from the camp. The rigour of this stern and haughty step was, however, tempered by an intimation from the Secretary that an apology would be accepted.

"To apologize when in error," says Mr. Sargent, "was as congenial to Mr. Thomason's conciliating disposition, as to his religious principles: but in this case apology was out of the question. Yet as explanation was both admissible and becoming, he instantly wrote to the Governor-General, expressing his surprise at this order, but his readiness at the same time to comply with it; adding that he felt as strongly as ever the importance of the subject, and thought it the duty of a minister of religion, to explain his views when the honour of God and interests of religion were concerned; but that he lamented, that any thing should have appeared in the expression of his sentiments that was thought disrespectful. Thus did he unite deference for the authority of the Governor, and courtesy towards him as man, with deference to the paramount authority of God, and uncompromising integrity. The Governor-General was satisfied, and for a time respect was paid to the Sabbath-day.

"To what dangers, as well as inconvenience, a separation from the main party would have led, may be seen in this statement. "Even on our line of march, we are subject to depredation. The camel, with his Lordship's table, was taken by Decoits two nights ago; and a little before, three camels: we dread single travelling, which even on the river would be dangerous, if the news from the armies continues as unfavourable as it has been. Who can tell what is before us? the war-trumpet has sounded.”” pp. 229, 230.

It does not, however, seem that Lord Moira's notions were, after all, very strict, for he only halted on Sundays to get ready for tigerhunting. We are, however, less disposed to speak with undue severity of the conduct of a man of the world like the Marquis of Hastings, when travellers, who profess to be guided by far higher principles have too often exhibited a lamentable laxity of conduct in this particular. It was not without extreme pain that we found even Bishop Heber, notwithstanding his awfully responsible situation, as well as his duty as a private Christian, violating the Lord's-day by Sunday travelling in his episcopal visitations. We are aware of what has been urged in apology, or extenuation; but the real truth is, that the hallowed duties of the day of sacred rest have too long been lightly esteemed; and more has, by the blessing of God, been effected during the last two years to elevate the standard than had been attempted for a century preceding. The public attention began to be turned to the importance of the question by the Bishop of London's Pastoral Letter; and the interest then excited has grown daily, and far outstripped all that was reasonably to have been expected. May it please the Lord of the Sabbath to complete this great work, to His own glory and the happiness and salvation of his offending creatures!

Mr. Thomason, in writing to Mr. Simeon, again deeply laments the apathy, or worse than apathy, which at that time prevailed respecting the education of the natives. He seems to think, and we believe truly, that the Governor was over-persuaded or overawed by others. But we recur to the subject for the sake of the following remark, which the people of England ought to bear in mind in all their efforts to promote the welfare of our foreign dependencies. We are happy in believing that its spirit applies less to India at the present moment, than to many other of our

foreign possessions; but the monition is not unseasonable, whether in the east or the west, the north or the south.

"In my last I talked about school plans, and the object of my accompanying Lord Moira. I had a poor account to give. The prospect was far from encouraging; nor has it much improved. I mentioned having seen an answer, sent from the Council at Calcutta. That answer afforded decisive evidence of the present temper of the majority in the Indian Government, and led me to think that nothing would be done in this country, until the command reach us from home. I see no reason to alter this opinion; trifling half measures may be set on foot, sufficient to satisfy conscience, but wholly inadequate to the country's wants.' pp. 234, 235.

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No man hailed with more sanguine anticipation than Mr. Thomason, the establishment of the Indian Episcopate, and the arrival of its first Bishop, Dr. Middleton. That learned prelate, however, went out with considerable prejudice in his mind against, what was called, "the evangelical party," and their proceedings in India, particularly in regard to the Bible Society and the Church Missionary Society; and there were not wanting those at home, as well as in the East, whose correspondence and intercourse with him were assiduously devoted to foster groundless and absurd jealousies. But we will tread lightly over these yet glowing embers, and only remark, that, though the Bishop at first treated Mr. Thomason with some reserve, he lived to acknowledge the singular excellence of his character, and found his services of great value in promoting his own judicious plans for the benefit of India, particularly the establishment of Bishop's College, which Mr. Thomason justly regarded as a measure of the utmost importance, and the prospective benefits of which were great beyond calculation. It was an institution peculiarly adapted to the religious necessities of the country, and its formation ranged admirably with the studies and habits of the learned prelate, whose own works, particularly his Doctrine of the Greek Article, shewed the great value of scholarship, and particularly of philological attainments, in the elucidation and exposition of the Sacred Text. The college has not hitherto effected as much as was justly expected from it; but we trust that it has escaped from the untoward influences which benumbed it, and from the casualties, especially the rapid death of successive bishops, which impeded its early projects. Some individuals were very anxious to make it a focus for a sectarian spirit in the Church, and did not scruple to speak of it as a triumph gained over some other institutions: but such narrowminded men soon found they had no great cause for their ill-judged exultation, for neither in England nor in India was the object promoted more cordially and zealously by any persons, than by the friends and conductors of the Bible and Church Missionary Societies; both of which institutions presented magnificent contributions to further the design.

Bishop Heber went out under more favourable auspicies than his predecessor. The religious prospects of India had begun to brighten. Mr. Thomason had seen his favourite plan of an Orphan Institution prosper; he had witnessed and shared in the translation and printing of the Scriptures into several Oriental languages; the Hindoo college had begun to open new facilities of access to the native mind; the local government was beginning to be less startled at chimeras, and had fostered several objects of enlightened benevolence, more or less remotely bearing upon the moral and religious amelioration of the country; the Church Missionary Society had gained a firm position, and presented an extended front; and the dark prognostications which assailed its entrance had well-nigh ceased. Dr. Middleton's Episcopate also had laid the foundation for extensive good : children were now, for the first time in the annals of modern India, led to the altar of God to confirm their baptismal vows; Bishop's College was rising,