plicity should be his study. Let him dwell much on the first principles of religion. Nothing is to be assumed as admitted or understood. The heathen ought to be regarded and addressed as children, for they are as ignorant as children of the rudiments of the Gospel. The Lord's Prayer contains more wisdom than all their Vedas and Shasters together. Bearing this ignorance in mind, it is hardly possible to be too plain in addressing them. It is almost superfluous to say, that the simplicity here recommended is compatible with the faithful declaration of all that is necessary to make the heathen "wise unto salvation." The sublimest and most essential truths of the Gospel may find an appropriate illustration in objects familiar to the senses, and be rendered intelligible to the capacity of a child.

CUSSIONS AND INTERCOURSE WITH THE

NATIVES.

receding observations are by no means intend→ iscourage friendly discussions with the heathen, if judiciously conducted, may be attended od effect. But it is seldom advisable to hold with any but those of the more respectable for the illiterate multitude are incompetent raid to argue on the subject of religion; and to custom form almost their only defence of Is and practices that are to be attacked. There leficiency of common sense on other topics, ey are shrewd enough in the transactions of Es; but they seem not to allow themselves to n the propriety of their superstitions, and are h afraid as the Papists to dispute the dicta of -iests. A direct attack upon the idolatries of orant, is more calculated to awaken their fears, oke their anger, than to convince their underg: but they are generally found to listen pato an exposition of the Scripture, and even ve with apparent devotion during the time of With Hindoos of this class, I have no hesisaying, that controversy should be avoided h as possible; and, as in all other nations, dia, the simple preaching of the Gospel has - produced a more general and more pereffect upon the lower, than the higher castes.

In discoursing with the more respectable Hindoos, a reason must always be assigned for what is advanced. Through fear, servility, or courtesy, they may, and generally will, appear to assent: but they never really believe what a stranger says, until satisfied of its truth. It is seldom that they feel at liberty to discuss a question with Europeans, and then they always seem to acquiesce. But the Missionary must not be satisfied with an apparent assent to his instructions. He ought to endeavour to remove their fears and gain their confidence. If he succeed, he will soon find them opposing to his statements the most frivolous objections that can be imagined; and what they want of subtilty or force will be readily supplied by numbers. Yet one plain dictate of common sense will often be found sufficient to sweep away, at a stroke, a whole web of absurdities and conceits.

When speaking to them of their idols and superstitions, all opprobrious epithets should be carefully avoided. Many of these are so childish and ridiculous that it will scarcely be possible at times to suppress the smile when alluding to them. But this gives no offence, if done in good humour, and the heathen themselves will often join in the laugh. They feel very differently, however, when their ceremonies and gods are reviled in harsh and reproachful terms. This they will not endure; and though they may not have power or courage to resent it, yet they will never listen with confidence to the man who is guilty: of such indiscretion. The same rule applies to themselves. Even when in fault, they will bear any pu

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at rather than abuse; and they have been to resign lucrative situations under govern

order to escape it when it could not otheravoided. The Missionary, then, of all men, "set a watch before his mouth, and keep the his lips :" for the unguarded use of reproachage to the heathen, would prove fatal to his e and usefulness. He should study to let ad in all his conduct, the character of love : make them feel, that this principle alone him from his native land to preach to them pel of Christ.

Iso necessary to converse with calmness and ion. They seldom or ever attend to a native aks to them in a hasty and passionate mant when a European so far forgets himself as his temper, their confidence is gone, their awakened, and henceforth he speaks to the n the contrary, they always esteem the man ies coolly, even though they may not assent ctrines; and, instead of shunning a teacher character, as they would a noisy and angry they will gather round him whenever he mong them. A native Christian priest, who y accompanied me on my visits to the disches in Tinnevelley, came one evening unly upon an assembly of heathen seated in e of a wide spreading banyan, and listening structions of a brahmin. The priest took quietly among them, and waited till the disis finished; when he arose, and endeavoured the fallacy of what he had heard, and shew

the superiority of the Gospel. But the brahmin interrupted him in a rage, and poured upon him a torrent of abuse. When the man's wrath was spent, the Christian priest knew the advantage thus given him, and demanded of the auditors, whether of the two they thought more worthy of attention; the brahmin, who had given way to such a furious passion, and defiled his mouth as they had heard,—or himself, who was undisturbed by his anger, and refrained from answering his abuse. Instantly a laugh was raised through the assembly, the brahmin was silent, and the people listened with attention to what the priest had further to say.

The fact is, the Hindoos esteem the subjugation of the passions, with a perfect indifference to all external circumstances and events, as the highest attainment of religion. This alone is enough to shew the expediency, the necessity of the caution which is here suggested: "The servant of God must not strive, but be patient towards all men."

Some missionaries have felt dissatisfied with themselves, when led to converse on astronomy, geometry, chemistry, and other arts and sciences; and some have altogether avoided these subjects, as irrelevant to their appropriate duty to "preach the Gospel." But I do not hesitate to say, that they mistook their duty, under the circumstances which led to such conversations. If at first they appeared incompatible with the duty of preaching the Gospel, I am persuaded that on inquiry they will be found to be intimately connected. The sciences compose a great portion of the Hindoo Shasters; and if you can prove