his character, warrant us to expect the most extensive fulfilment of the promise.

Let the inquiring reader only look at this country, and compare it in its present state with what it was 40 years ago; and he will undoubtedly see much that is calculated to excite hope, to encourage faith, and to stimulate to action. Although the direct influence of Christian truth has not been very powerful, and we have experienced but few instances of souls converted to the faith of Christ, yet much has evidently been done in the way of sapping and mining; a wide-spreading scepticism, as to the truth of the long-established religion, has become extensively diffused through the vast population, and is day by day increasingly evincing its power, and extending its influence. A considerable number of Hindoos are to be found in the present day, who have openly renounced the religion of their forefathers; and there is a still larger body who merely conform to its outward ceremonies, in order to avoid persecution, and who are only waiting for a convenient opportunity to relieve themselves from the oppressive burdens which it exacts. No great acumen of mind is in fact requisite to perceive, that the liberal system of education which now prevails in Calcutta, must ultimately overthrow the idolatry of the country, and lead in due time to the moral regeneration of all its institutions. The afore-stated spirit of scepticism, like an under current, may continue to flow silently and unobserved a few years longer: but its strength is gradually increasing, and its course continually widening; and,impelled by the power of the Gospel, we have no doubt as to the final result. Supported and accelerated by the word of eternal truth, it will ere long rise to the surface, and then combining all its energies, and no longer restrained by the long-established embankments of popular superstition, it will sweep as with an overwhelming and irresistible torrent the heterogeneous mass of gods and goddesses, with their deluded votaries in their train, into the ocean of eternal oblivion.

The moral dignity of the Missionary enterprise begins to be better understood by the natives of India, and every thing connected with its prospects, to assume a more decided character than it formerly did. Increasing liberality of sentiment on the subject of education and European science is becoming generally prevalent; the means at present employed embrace a wider range, and are better adapted to produce a permanent impression, than those of former years: let the Missionaries of the Cross only persevere in the use of these means, and they may rest assured that they will, by the blessing of God, accelerate the final issue of the contest, and lead on to that period when "the gods which have not made the earth and the heavens, even they shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens," Jer. x. 11; will lead on to that period when igno

rance and superstition, no longer able to maintain their hold upon the people, shall be compelled to retire before the growing brightness of eternal truth, and every corner of the land be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, the fruits of righteousness, and the works of peace.

The day is coming when the messengers of mercy, who have been so long engaged in arduous conflict with the great enemy of the Redeemer's cause in this land, will have the high felicity to see him retreat from his last strong-hold, and when it will be theirs to erect in triumph the standard of the Cross, and to unfurl the banner of truth in every city, town, and hamlet throughout the country. Already have they laid the foundations of a church, and the glorious superstructure is gradually rising before their eyes, and gradually increasing in magnitude and strength. Sustained by the bright vision which the prophetic page unfolds, they look forward with joyful anticipation to the period when within its ample enclosure, millions will yet be found to hymn the praises of their exalted Lord.

The present state of the country in relation to the cause of Christian Missions, and the prospects connected with the future progress of the work, may perhaps not improperly be illustrated by a circumstance which took place a few years ago at the storming of the fortress of Bhurtpoor. In consequence of the wall of that fortress being of mud, it was found impossible by the use of artillery to make a breach sufficiently large for the troops to enter it was therefore determined to undermine and blow up the wall. The necessary excavation being made, a number of barrels of gunpowder were deposited in it, and the troops all under arms ready to enter the breach as soon as the explosion should take place. A gentleman who witnessed the scene, thus describes it: "As soon as the match was applied to the train, I fixed my eye on the wall, and immediately perceived a trembling motion in the mass; this was instantly succeeded by a gentle heave; the next moment one still greater, and then came the vast explosion, carrying all before it in a few minutes the troops entered the breach, and in less than three hours the British flag waved triumphant."

This appears to be a circumstance which strikingly illustrates the present state of things, as it relates to the conflict which the servants of Christ are now carrying on with the powers of darkness in India. When we look at the tracts which are circulating through the country-the schools which have been formed-the extent to which the Gospel has been preached-the rapidity with which knowledge and literature are circulating the increasing liberality of sentiment the spirit of inquiry which has gone abroad-the wide-spreading scepticism which prevails in reference to the truth of Hindooism, and other favourable signs of the times, all bearing either directly or indirectly upon the accomplishment of this great

object; it may then fairly be asked whether we are not on these grounds fully warranted to say, that the mine is prepared, that the heaving has commenced :-yes, in the general tone of feeling which pervades all, and especially the higher classes of society, the heaving has doubtlessly commenced; and though it may not proceed with all the rapidity we could desire, yet the final result is not a matter of doubtful speculation. It will, we are persuaded, go on, and ere long be followed by an explosion, which will bring down the great fortress of Hindoo Idolatry-an explosion which will shake its strong bulwarks-level its proud battlements-demolish its high towers-which will make way for the servants of Jesus Christ to enter the very citadel, and lead on to that period when the standard of the cross shall be displayed, and the mighty conquests He has won be celebrated in songs of holy triumph through the land.

And this anticipated victory will not, we believe, be confined to the nations of Hindoostan. An aggressive system, calculated to undermine the old superstition, is going forward more or less in every part of the world, and the result, whenever it appears, will no doubt be equal to our most sanguine expectations. When the destroying angel passed over Egypt, and slew their first-born, the Israelites escaped the sword of his vengeance, because they were under the special protection and favour of heaven; and they had a sign and seal of their security, light in all their dwellings, with the blood of the covenant, which was sprinkled on the post of every man's door : and we cannot reject the exhilirating hope, nor forbear to look forward to a period which we believe to be approaching in the future history of the world, when the destroying angel shall pass from the centre to the circumference of our globe,-to a period when he shall skirt all its boundaries, but shall find no victim, because there will be light in all their dwellings, and the blood of the covenant will be sprinkled on the post of every man's door. We know from Him whose word is characterised by faithfulness and truth, that " to Jesus every knee shall bow, and that every tongue shall confess that he is Lord of all, to the glory of God the Father." Philip ii. 10, 11. He is already exalted to the throne of his mediatorial glory, and he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 1 Cor. xv. 25. "The kingdoms of the world must become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev. xi. 15.) The world has from time immemorial been his in reversion, and it will ultimately become his in actual and everlasting possession; "the poetry of prophecy will, ere long, be changed into the narrative of fact, and it will be said without a figure, that the world is gone after him."

Perhaps the sentiments here advanced may not be in accordance with the views of all who may peruse these pages; our appeal however is "to the law and to the testimony." We speak the words of

truth and soberness, (Acts, xxvi. 25,) when we assert that the cause is God's and must prevail. " Events with prophecies agree," and it is evident from the united testimony of both, that a great and glorious triumph awaits it, a triumph which will be perfect in character and universal in extent: we are assured by an authority, which is unimpeachable, (?) and why should we doubt it assured that the conflict which was commenced in Gethsemane, and which was completed on Calvary the conflict which from time immemorial has been the subject of prophetic vision, and the burden of prophetic song, will continue to extend its impression and its influence, until the world with the inhabitants thereof submit to the all-conquering sceptre of the Saviour who died to redeem, and who is exalted to bless them.

"His victories and his deathless fame

Thro' the wide world shall run,

And everlasting ages sing

The triumphs he has won."

IV.-An Examination and Exposure of the Hindoo Shástras, and Defence of the Christian Scriptures.

(Translated from a Telugu Tract.)

To the Editors of the Calcutta Christian Observer.

DEAR GENTLEMEN,

The accompanying paper contains, with a few enlargements and alterations, the substance of a Telugu tract, which I accidentally met with. It is a short but excellent exposure of Hindoo Shástras and customs; and embodies some good remarks on the Christian Scriptures, and on some of the Christian doctrines. Its publication may not only serve to shew what Hindooism is, but also afford some plain and unanswerable objections against the popular writings and worship of the Hindoos, drawn from the Hindoo scriptures themselves. Should you agree in thinking that its publication will in any way promote the exposure of error and the interests of truth, its appearance in the Observer, when you may be able to find a place for it, will oblige,

November 9, 1833.

Yours faithfully,

C. L. C.

1.-The three gods, Bramhá, Vishnu, and Siva, examined. Having examined your Vedas, Bhagavata, Bhárata and Rámáyana, as well as others of your scriptures, I find it contained in them, that Bramhá is the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Siva the destroyer of the world.

To these three gods a bodily shape, and many wonderful works are attributed.

The sect of the Sháktas maintain that Kálí, or the original female energy, produced Bramhá and Siva.

Others again maintain that Kálí, the first female energy, was betrothed to them.

And again, the doctrine of the following stanza is received by some as containing a true account.

'As the first power, I am the seed;
As the power of the seed, I am S'iva ;
As the power of S'iva, I am Vishnu ;
As Vishnu, I am the Universe.'

Now, according to the evidence of this stanza, Kálí, or the original female energy, produced a seed; this seed produced S'iva, Siva produced Vishnu, and Vishnu produced the world. In this system, therefore, Bramhá has no existence, and so how can he be the creator of the world?

There are others who assert that Kálí, the first female energy, produced three eggs, and from these three eggs the three forms of Bramhá, Vishnu, and S'iva were produced.

And once more, some of your books say, that Bramhá arose from the lotus-formed navel of Vishnu, as he slept upon the waters. Thus from your Shastras it is impossible to determine whether these three gods have any existence at all; and as to the source of their creation, all is uncertainty.

These numerous and conflicting accounts contained in your books have very much the appearance of human contrivance; and it is discreditable to say that such accounts are from God. If your books had been the true and divine record, they would not have dishonoured the truth, holiness, wisdom, righteousness, and other of the attributes of the Deity by such unworthy and contradictory relations.

But the Bible is maintained to be the true divine record, because in its nature it is holy, and the belief of it produces true holiness in the hearts of those who receive it. The Bible represents God as a spirit, self-existent, immaculate, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, unchangeable, immortal, and infinite. This God is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the world.

2.-Examination of the god Bramhá.

By you it is believed that Bramhá the creator had five heads, but that in consequence of his attempt upon Párvatí, Mahádéva destroyed one of them. Now if he in reality has possessed creative power, why did he not create for himself a new head instead of the one he had lost?

It is moreover related of him, that in consequence of his unchaste desires towards Saraswatí his own daughter, Maríchí, the Rishi, cursed him to become without worship. Now, if he had been the creator, and so had possessed the authority of settling the future contingencies in the life of every individual, how was it that he did not so order events that the curse of this Rishi should not fall upon his own head?

Now, does it not appear from the above instances, that Bramhá is not the creator; he not possessing either the power or the wisdom requisite for such a work?