Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

to discourage them in their work, and to diminish their influence. It has been said, and the Abbé Dubois repeats the calumny (p. 176), that the interference of the Protest ant Missionaries with the prejudices of the Hindoos has produced "irritation, opposition, and resistance." Why has he not given an instance in support of his assertion?-be cause the experience of upwards of ascens tury, from the arrival of Ziegenbalg at Tranquebar, to the present moment, cans not furnish one! Of all European Residents in India, the Protestant Missionary is the truest friend to Government. The Soldier protects their frontiers, and preserves the internal tranquillity of the State; the Magistrate takes cognizance of individual transgressions of the Laws, and dispenses justice impartially to all; the Commercial Agent promotes indus try among different classes of the Natives, and conducts and improves the commerce of the Empire the Collector promotes the cultiva tion of the soil, and replenishes the Public Treasury but all these labour for reward. The humble Missionary, without any pecuniary remuneration from the Government, devotes himself exclusively to the improvement of the Subjects of the Realm; and, in propor-tion as he succeeds, he accomplishes, or

rather anticipates, much of the Public Servants' duties. The effect of his doctrines and precepts is, to preserve peace on earth, and thereby to supersede the use of arms: whilst all ranks, learning from him their duty to God and Man, and seeking, through his directions, Divine assistance to perform their duty, will leave to the Officers over the different Departments of the Service little more to do, than to gather in the fruit of his labours. And, above all, instead of holding the Natives in submission by constraint, he binds them (at least those of them who are converted by his means to Christianity) to their Rulers, by an identity of interest, and by the bond of Christian Love. Then is it too much to demand, for this useful class of Individuals, that attention which their character ought to command, and which the nature of their services so justly merits? I am not impugning the conduct of our Indian Rulers in this particular; and am persuaded that they would never sanction any marked and unmerited incivilities towards Missionaries: but surely it is not too much to hope that they will make known, throughout the Service, that it is their pleasure to have every respect shewn to Missionaries, so long as they do nothing to forfeit it.

T

It would greatly facilitate them in the prosecution of their work, were the Collectors instructed to furnish them with a piece of ground, on which to build their Schools and Churches, where they do not interfere with public buildings or private property.

When their Converts are persecuted by the Heathen-as I have known them, even to the deprivation of their property-it is but an act of justice in the Magistrate to inquire as 'patiently and impartially into their case, as that of the Heathen or Mahomedans. Government, doubtless, conclude that this is done: but there have been, and may be again, Europeans in the Service, who treat the Na tive Christians with contempt, and dismiss their complaints in a manner that appals them; gives their enemies occasion to triumph over them, and to repeat the vexatious and-unjust persecutions; and leaves them without the hope of redress. This would, I have little doubt, be prevented, by the issuing of express orders, requiring that the same protection be afforded to the Christians as to every other class of Natives.

The Converts might, and ought, to have the same advantages as their Countrymen in the Public Service, where they are found to possess equal abilities. This would be

éffected, by simply abolishing those Regulations which require, that all the highest Offices which Natives can hold, shall be filled by Mahomedans and Hindoos*. It is not just, and, perhaps, is not intended by the East-India Company, that the profession of Christianity alone should exclude a Native from situations of the first respectability: but such is the operation of the Regulations to which I refer; and, so long as they continue in force, they must be regarded as an impediment to Missionary Exertion.

The Second point for consideration is, The Establishment of Schools throughout the Company's Dominions, for the Education of their Servants in the English and Native Languages.

By this means, attention could be paid to their morals, and right principles inculcated. The bribery of the Upper Servants, the cruelty and extortion often of even the Peons, are notorious. This must make an impression on the Native Mind, greatly to the prejudice of Government; which is, of course, considered responsible for the acts of its Servants. It

Extracts to this effect, from Regulations passed by the Go vernor in Council of Fort St. George, are given in Appendix B of the "Diary" of a Field-Officer of Cavalry.

[ocr errors]

answers little purpose to punish individual offenders: the evil must be eradicated. While the Native Servants are left to pick up their education as they can, what else is to be expected,, but that they will make the most of their situations, without much scruple of conscience? But give them a proper education, and you fortify them, as much as lies in your power, against the temptations of office.

Sir John Malcolm recommends the encouragement of the Native Village Schools in Central India, as "the best means of commencing, if not completing, the introduction of knowledge amongst them, and thereby gradually ameliorating their condition." I know not the character of those Schools; but with the Native Schools in South India I have some acquaintance; and will venture to say, that it will answer no good purpose to encourage them, while their present system is continued. Their character cannot be better described, than in the words of the Superintendant of the Church Missionary Society's Schools at Tranquebar-sup kanch

"Among the Schoolmasters of the common Native Schools, many are to be found who give themselves to some open vice. I may say, there is not one who does not, publickly or privately, encourage his Scholars,

« VorigeDoorgaan »