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standard of the Cross, if they found it the passport to wealth and distinction. Send me forth with an unlimited commission from the Ruling Powers, and, were it possible that I could undertake so impious a task, I would engage to return you as many Converts, with a large proportion of Holy Brahmins among them, as I had lucrative situations to confer at the Baptismal Font!! But it is not the object of Protestant Missionaries to extend the name of Christianity, without its spirit; and, therefore, they studiously withhold from the Natives every secular inducement to embrace our Holy Faith.

While, however, I do not propose to the East-India Company to engage in any direct measures for the Conversion of the Hindoos, there are yet two or three points deserving mature deliberation.

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First The Missionary may, in various ways, be assisted in his humble, laborious, and self-denying task, at little or no expense to Government. While he behaves with prudence, and refrains from interfering with Civil or Military Affairs, the Company's Servants might receive express orders to shew him that respect which they pay to each other. The Natives of India seldom pay much regard to an European from whom they have

nothing to expect, especially when they observe that he is neglected by his Countrymen. Consequently, when a Missionary is scowled upon by the Gentlemen at his Station, it tends to degrade him in the eyes of the Heathen, and impedes the influence which his character and exertions might otherwise command. Whatever opinions may be entertained of Missionary pursuits, and their probable results, the devoted men, who have embarked in the Cause, are deserving of honour from all ranks. They have forsaken all that is dear to man on earth; renounced every worldly prospect; literally presented themselves as living sacrifices to their God and Saviour; and that, with no one object in view, but to promote the present and future happiness of their fellow-men. Such characters, are very undeserving of that contempt, with which I know they are sometimes regarded. Were their personal feelings only concerned, they would hardly thank me for speaking thus in their behalf: but it is their office, their situation among the Heathen, which requires this small tribute of respect and when it is withheld from them, and impediments are unneces+ sarily thrown in their way, for no other pur pose but to annoy them, it is calculated

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 Protestant 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?-because the experience of upwards of a century, from the arrival of Ziegenbalg at Tranquebar, to the present moment, cannot 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 industry among different classes of the Natives, and conducts and improves the commerce of the Empire; the Collector promotes the cultivation 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 proportion 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.

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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 Native 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

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