and Sepoys; by allowing liberal pensions to those who have done their duty faithfully: by making ample provision for the families of those who may have died in battle; and by receiving their children into the service of the Honourable Company, to be treated with the same care and bounty as their fathers had experienced.

augmenting the pay of the native officers, characteristic of their various castes. The sons of the late Tippoo, with many noble Mussulmans deprived of office at that time, resided in the fortress of Vellore, and in all probability contributed very materially to excite or to inflame those suspicions of designs against their religion, which are mentioned in the proclamation of the Madras Government, and generally known to have been a principal cause of the insurrection at Vellore. It was this insurrection which first gave birth to the question upon missions to India; and before we deliver any opinion upon the subject itself, it will be necessary to state what had been done in former periods towards disseminating the truths of the Gospel in India, and what new exertions had been made about the period at which this event took place.

The Right Hon. the Governor in Council trusts, that the native troops, remembering these circumstances, will be sensible of the happiness of their situation, which is greater than what the troops of any other part of the world enjoy; and that they will continue to observe the same good conduct for which they were distinguished in the days of Gen. Lawrence, of Sir Eyre Coote, and of other renowned heroes.

The native troops must, at the same time, be sensible, that if they should fail in the duties of their allegiance, and should show themselves disobedient to their officers, their conduct will not fail to receive merited punishment, as the British government is not less prepared to punish the guilty, than to protect and distinguish those who are deserving of its favour.

"It is directed that this paper be translated with care into the Tamul, Telinga, and Hindoostany languages; and that copies of it be circulated to each native battalion, of which the European officers are enjoined and ordered to be careful in making it known to every native officer and Sepoy under his command.

"It is also directed, that copies of the paper be circulated to all the magistrates and collectors under this government, for the purpose of being fully understood in all

parts of the country.

Published by order of the Right Hon. the Governor in Council.

"G. BUCHAN,

"Chief Secretary to Government. "Dated in Fort St. George, 3rd Dec. 1806.

Scott Waring's Preface, iii.-v. So late as March, 1807, three months after the date of this proclamation, so universal was the dread of a general revolt among the native troops, that the British officers attached to the native troops constantly slept with loaded pistols under their pillows.

It appears that an attempt had been made by the military men at Madras, to change the shape of the Sepoy turban into something resembling the helmet of the light infantry of Europe, and to prevent the native troops from wearing on their foreheads the marks

More than a century has elapsed since the first Protestant missionaries appeared in India. Two young divines, selected by the University of Halle, were sent out in this capacity by the King of Denmark, and arrived at the Danish settlement of Tranquebar in 1706.

The mission thus begun, has been ever since continued, and has been assisted by the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge established in this country. The same Society has, for many years, employed German missionaries, of the Lutheran persuasion, for propagating the doctrines of Christianity amongst the natives of India. In 1799, their number was six; it is now reduced to five.

The Scriptures translated into the Tamulic language, which is vernacular in the southern parts of the peninsula, have, for more than half a century, been printed at the Tranquebar press, for the use of Danish missionaries and their converts. A printing press, indeed, was established at that place by the two first Danish missionaries; and, in 1714, the Gospel of St. Matthew, translated into the dialect of Malabar, was printed there. Not a line of the Scriptures, in any of the languages current on the coast, had issued from the Bengal press on September 13, 1806.

It does appear, however, about the

period of the mutiny at Vellore, and a | Government press free of expense. On his few years previous to it, that the num-return, we consulted with our two brethren ber of the missionaries on the coast had on the subject, and resolved to accept the been increased. Doctor's favour. We have begun to preIn 1804, the Missionary Society, a recent institution, pare it for the press." - Trans. of Miss. Society, Vol. II. p. 394. sent a new mission to the coast of Coromandel; from whose papers, we think it right to lay before our readers the following extracts*:

"March 31st, 1805. Waited on A.B. He says, Government seems to be very willing to forward our views. We may stay at Madras as long as we please; and when we intend to go into the country, on our application to the governor by letter, he would issue orders for granting us pass ports, which would supersede the necessity of a public petition.-Lord's Day."-Trans. of Miss. Society, Vol. II. p. 365.

In a letter from Brother Ringletaube to Brother Cran, he thus expresses himself:

"The passports Government has promised you are so valuable, that I should not think a journey too troublesome to obtain one for myself, if I could not get it through your interference. In hopes that your application will suffice to obtain one for me, I enclose you my Gravesend passport, that will give you the particulars concerning my person." -Trans. of Miss. Society, Vol. II. p. 369.

They obtain their passports from Government; and the plan and objects of their mission are printed, free of expense, at the Government press.

"1805. June 27. Dr.- -sent for one of us to consult with him on particular business. He accordingly went. The Doctor told him that he had read the publications which the brethren lately brought from England, and was so much delighted with the report of the Directors, that he wished 200 or more copies of it were printed, together with an introduction, giving an account of the rise and progress of the Missionary Society, in order to be distributed in the different settlements in India. He offered to print them at the

There are six societies in England for converting Heathens to the Christian religion. 1. Society for Missions to Africa and the East of which Messrs. Wilberforce, Grant, Perry, and Thorntons, are the principal encouragers. 2. Methodist Society for Missions. 3. Anabaptist Society for Missions. 4. Missionary Society. 5. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 6. Moravian Missions. They all publish their proceedings.

In page 89. of the 18th Number, Vol. III., the missionaries write thas to the Society in London, about a fortnight before the massacre at Vellore:

"Every encouragement is offered us by the established government of the country. Hitherto they have granted us every request, whether solicited by ourselves or others. Their permission to come to this place; their allowing us an acknowledgment for preaching in the fort, which sanctions us in our work, together with the grant which they have lately given us to hold a large spot of ground every way suited for missionary labours, are objects of the last importance, and remove every impediment which might be apprehended from flesh; but when we reflect on these things, this source. We trust not to an arm of we cannot but behold the loving-kindness of the Lord."

In a letter of the same date, we learn, from Brother Ringletaube, the following fact:

:

The Dewan of Travancore sent me word, that if I despatched one of our Christians to him, he would give me leave to build a church at Magilandy. Accordingly, I shall send in a short time. For this important service, our Society is indebted alone to Colonel -, without whose determined and fearless interposition, none of their missionaries would have been able to set a foot in that country."

In page 381. Vol. II., Dr. Kerr, one of the chaplains on the Madras establishment, baptizes a Mussulman who had applied to him for that purpose: upon the first application, it appears that Dr. Kerr hesitated; but upon the Mussulman threatening to rise against him on the day of judgment, Dr. Kerr complies.

It appears that in the Tinevelly district, about a year before the massacre of Vellore, not only riots, but very serious persecutions of the converted natives had taken place, from the jealousy evinced by the Hindoos and Mussulmen at the progress of the Gospel.

"Rev. Sir,-I thought you sufficiently | rapatuam has informed me, that the above soquainted with the late vexations of the Manikar has forced a Christian, of the VillChristians in those parts, arising from the ally caste, who attends at our church, to blind zeal of the Heathen and Mahometans; sweep the temple of the Idol. A severe the latter viewing with a jealous eye the flogging was given on this occasion.'-From progress of the gospel, and trying to destroy, such facts, the postscript continues, 'You or at least to clog it, by all the crafty means may guess at the deplorable situation of our in their power. I therefore did not choose fellow-believers, as long as every Manikar to trouble you; but as no stop has been put thinks he has a right to do them what vioto those grievances, things go on from bad lence he pleases.' to worse, as you will see from what has "It must be observed, to the glory of happened at Hickadoe. The Catechist has that Saviour who is strong in weakness, providentially escaped from that out- that many of the Neophytes in that district raceous attempt, by the assistance of ten have withstood all these fiery trials with or twelve of our Christians, and has made firmness. Many also, it is to be lamented, good his flight to Palamcotta; whilst the have fallen off in the evil day, and at least exasperated mob, coming from Padecke- so far yielded to the importunity of their pace, hovered round the village, plunder- persecutors, as again to daub their faces ing the houses of the Christians, and ill- and bodies with paint and ashes, after the treating their families, by kicking, flogging, manner of the Heathen. How great this and other bad usage; these monsters not falling off has been, I am not yet able to even forbearing to attack, strip, rob, and judge. But I am happy to add, that the miserably beat the Catechist Jesuadian, Board of Revenue has issued the strictest wao, partly from illness and partly through orders against all unprovoked persecution." fear, had shut himself up in his house. I-Trans. of Miss. Society, Vol. II. pp. 431have heard various accounts of this sad event; but yesterday the Catechist himself called on me, and told me the truth of it. From what he says, it is plain that the Mankar of Wayrom (a black peace-officer of that place) has contrived the whole affair, with a view to vex the Christians. I doubt not that these facts have been reported to the Rev. Mr. K. by the countrypriest; and if I mention them to you, it is with a view to show in what a forlorn state the poor Christians hereabout are, and how desirable a thing it would be, if the Rev. Mr. Ringletaube were to come hither as soon as possible; then tranquillity would be restored, and future molestations prevented. I request you to communicate this letter to him with my compliments. I am, Sir, &c. Manapaar, June 8, 1805.'

"This letter left a deep impression on my mind, especially when I received a fuller account of the troubles of the Christians. By the Black underlings of the collectors, they are frequently driven from their homes, put in the stocks, and exposed for a fortnight together to the heat of the raging sun, and the chilling dews of the night, all because there is no European Missionary to bring their complaints to the ear of Government, who, I am happy to add, have never been deficient in their duty of procuring redress, where the Christians have had to complain of real injuries. One of the most trying cases mentioned in a postscript of the above letter, is that of Christians being flogged till they consent to hold the torches to the Heathen Idols. The letter says, 'The Catechist of Collesig

433.

The following quotations evince how far from indifferent the natives are to the progress of the Christian religion

in the East:

He

"1805. Oct. 10. A respectable Brahman in the Company's employ called on us. We endeavoured to point out to him the important object of our coming to India, and mentioned some of the great and glorious truths of the gospel, which we wished to impart in the native language. seemed much hurt, and told us the Gentoo religion was of a divine origin, as well as the Christian;-that heaven was like a palace which has many doors, at which people may enter;-that variety is pleasing to God, &c.-and a number of other arguments which we hear every day. On taking leave, he said, 'The Company has got the country (for the English are very clever), and perhaps, they may succeed in depriving the Brahmans of their power, and let you have it.'

"November 16th. Received a letter from the Rev. Dr. Taylor; we are happy to find he is safely arrived at Calcutta, and that our Baptist brethren are labouring with increasing success. The natives around us are astonished to hear this news. It is bad news to the Brahmans, who seem unable to account for it. They say the world is going to ruin.". Trans. of Miss. Society, Vol. II. pp. 442 and 446.

"While living in the town, our house was watched by the natives from morning to night, to see if any persons came to converse

"If Heathen, of great influence and connections, or Brahmans, were inclined to join the Christian Church, it would probably cause commotions, and even rebellions, either to prevent them from it, or to endanger their life. In former years, we had some instances of this kind at Tranquebar; where they were protected by the assistance of Government. If such instances should happen now in our present times, we don't know what the consequence would be." -Trans. of Miss. Society, Vol. II. p. 185.

about religion. This prevented many from, the missions in Bengal, of which the coming, who have been very desirous of public have heard so much of late hearing of the good way."-Trans. of Miss. years, are the missions of Anabaptist Society, No. 18. p. 87. dissenters, whose peculiar and distinguishing tenet it is to baptize the members of their church by plunging them into the water when they are grown up, instead of sprinkling them with water when they are young. subscribers to this society, we perceive Among the the respectable name of the DeputyChairman of the East India Company, who, in the common routine of office, will succeed to the Chair of that Company at the ensuing election. Chairman and the Deputy-Chairman of the East India Company are also both of them trustees to another religious society for missions to Africa and the East.

This last extract is contained in a letter from Danish Missionaries at Tranquebar to the Directors of the Missionary Society in London.

The

It is hardly fair to contend, after these extracts, that no symptoms of The first Number of the Anabaptist jealousy upon the subject of religion Missions informs us that the origin of had been evinced on the coast, except the Society will be found in the workings in the case of the insurrection at of Brother Carey's mind, whose heart Vellore; or that no greater activity appears to have been set upon the conver than common had prevailed among the sion of the Heathen in 1786, before he missionaries. We are very far, how-came to reside at Moulton. (No. I. p. 1.) ever, from attributing that insurrection exclusively, or even principally, to any apprehensions from the zeal of the missionaries. The rumour of that zeal might probably have more readily disposed the minds of the troops for the corrupt influence exercised upon them; but we have no doubt that the massacre was principally owing to an adroit use made by the sons of Tippoo, and the high Mussulmen living in the fortress, of the abominable military foppery of our own people.

These workings produced a sermon at Northampton, and the sermon a subscription to convert 420 millions of Pagans. Of the subscription we have the following account :-" Information is come from Brother Carey, that a gentleman from Northumberland had promised to send him 20l. for the Society, and to subscribe four guineas annually."

"At this meeting at Northampton two other friends subscribed, and paid two guincas apiece, two more one guinea each, After this short sketch of what has and another half a guinea, making six been lately passing on the coast, we guineas and a half in all. And such memshall attempt to give a similar account bers as were present of the first subscribers of missionary proceedings in Bengal; paid their subscriptions into the hands of and it appears to us, it will be more the treasurer, who proposed to put the sum satisfactory to do so as much as pos-who will pay interest for the same.”—Bap now received into the hands of a banker, sible in the words of the missionaries tist Miss. Soc. No. I. p. 5. themselves. In our extracts from their publications, we shall endeavour to show the character and style of the men employed in these missions, the extent of their success, or rather of their failure, and the general impression made upon the people by their efforts for the dissemination of the gospel.

It will be necessary to premise, that

In their first proceedings they are a good deal guided by Brother Thomas, who has been in Bengal before, and who lays before the Society a history of his life and adventures, from which we make the following extract :

"On my arrival in Calcutta, I sought for religious people, but found none. At last

how was I rejoiced to hear that a very religious man was coming to dine with me at a house in Calcutta; a man who would not omit his closet hours, of a morning or even

ing, at sea or on land, for all the world. I concealed my impatience as well as I could till the joyful moment came: and a moment it was, for I soon heard him take the Lord's name in vain, and it was like a cold dagger, with which I received repeated stabs in the course of half an hour's conversation; and he was ready to kick me when I spoke of some things commonly believed by other hypocrites, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ; and with fury put an end to our conversation, by saying I was a mad enthusast to suppose that Jesus Christ had any thing to do in the creation of the world, who was born only seventeen hundred years When I returned, he went home in the same ship, and I found him a strict observer of devotional hours, but an enemy to all religion, and horribly loose, vain and intemperate in his life and conver

sation.

"After this, I advertised for a Christian; and that I may not be misunderstood, I shail subjoin a copy of the advertisement, from the Indian Gazette of November 1. 1783, which now lies before me."-Baptist Miss. Soc. No. I. pp. 14, 15.

Brother Thomas relates the Conversion of a Hindoo on the Malabar Coast to the Society.

"A certain man, on the Malabar coast, had inquired of various devotees and priests how he might make atonement for his sins; and at last he was directed to drive iron spikes, sufficiently blunted, through his sandals, and on these spikes he was to place his naked feet, and walk (if I mistake not) 250 cos, that is, about 480 miles. If, through boss of blood, or weakness of body, he was obliged to halt, he might wait for healing and strength. He undertook the journey; and while he halted under a large shady tree where the gospel was sometimes preached, one of the missionaries came, and preached in his hearing from these words, The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. While he was preaching, the man rose up. threw off his torturing sandals, and cried out aloud,' This is what I want!""-Baptist Miss. Soc. No. I. p. 29.

On June 13. 1793, the missionaries set sail, carrying with them letters to three supposed converts of Brother Thomas, Parbottee, Ram Ram Boshoo, and Mohun Chund. Upon their arrival in India, they found, to their

inexpressible mortification, that Ram Ram had relapsed into Paganism: and we shall present our readers with a picture of the present and worldly misery to which a Hindoo is subjected, who becomes a convert to the Christian religion. Everybody knows, that the population of Hindostan is divided into castes, or classes of persons; and that when a man loses his caste, he is shunned by his wife, children, friends, and relations: that it is considered as an abomination to lodge or eat with him; and that he is a wanderer and an outcast upon the earth. Caste can be lost by a variety of means, and the Protestant missionaries have always made the loss of it a previous requisite to admission into the Christian church.

"On our arrival at Calcutta, we found poor Ram Boshoo waiting for us; but, to to idols again. When Mr. T. left India, he our great grief, he has been bowing down went from place to place; but, forsaken by the Hindoos, and neglected by the Europeans, he was seized with a flux and fever. In this state he says, 'I had nothing to support me or my family; a relation of necessaries on condition of my bowing offered to save me from perishing for want to the idol; I knew that the Roman Catholic Christians worshipped idols; I thought images in some part of the Bible which I they might be commanded to honour had not seen; I hesitated, and complied; but I love Christianity still.””—Bapt. Miss. Soc. Vol. I. pp. 64, 65.

"Jan. 8. 1794. We thought to write you

long before this, but our hearts have been burthened with cares and sorrows. It was very afflicting to hear of Ram Boshoo's great persecution and fall. Deserted by Englishmen, and persecuted by his own countrymen, he was nigh unto death. The natives gathered in bodies, and threw dust in the air as he passed along the streets in Calcutta. At last one of his relations offered him an asylum on condition of his bowing down to their idols."-Bapt. Miss.

Soc. Vol. I. p. 78.

Brother Carey's Piety at Sea.

"Brother Carey, while very sea-sick, and leaning over the ship to relieve his stomach his mind was even then filled with confrom that very oppressive complaint, said solation in contemplating the wonderful goodness of God."-Bapt. Miss. Soc. Vol. I. p. 76.