New Testament has been translated into Cingalese, and three books of the Old: but even this portion is not circulated; there is no supply of books for the use of the people.' Dr. Buchanan justly expresses his astonishment, that, though there are 500,000 native Christians in Ceylon, there should not be one complete copy of the Scriptures in the language of that island. Did the professional engagements of Sir Alexander Johnstone* permit, Dr. Buchanan thinks him the fittest person to superintend the further translation of the Scriptures. It is a proof,' he adds, 'of the interest which this gentleman takes in the progress of Christian knowledge, that he has caused Bishop Porteus's Evidences of Christianity to be translated into the Cingalese tongue, for distribution among the natives.'

Dr. Buchanan next adverts to the state of the Malayan Archipelago. The Dutch possessions in the Indian Ocean are devolving on Great Britain. These islands contain great numbers of Protestant Christians; for wherever the Dutch established themselves, they endeavoured to Christianize the natives, and they succeeded. A large proportion of the natives profess the religion of the Bible; and the Bible already exists in a Malay version. Here then there is room for the benevolent exertions of both the Bible Society, and the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. "One hundred thousand Malay Bibles will not suffice to supply the Malay Christians.' The Scriptures were translated by the Dutch into the Eastern Malay only, that being the general language of their extensive possessions in that quarter. But the language of Sumatra differs from this, and is called the Western Malay. In the college of Fort William, T. Jarret, Esq. of the Company's ser

vice, who had resided twelve years in Sumatra, was preparing a version in the Western Malay, when his progress was interrupted by the reduction of the college establishment. He still prosecutes his work, however, at Madras, with the aid of a learned Malay of rank. Dr. Buchanan suggests, that as there is a college in Bengal for instructing the English in the languages of Hindostan, there should be an institution in Penang, or Prince of Wales's Island, for cultivating the Malay tongue. This settlement being placed in the centre of British navigation in the East, may be expected to become the emporium of Asiatic commerce. Dr. Buchanan resided there for about a month, and was surprised by the variety of languages, and of races of men, he met with in Penang. He considers it as a most favourable station for the study of the Malay and Chinese languages, and for pouring forth from the press useful works for the civili zation of maritime and austral Asia ; and its diversified population appeared to him to possess a communicative disposition, and an unusual thirst for knowledge.

The contrast between the Christian and Pagan Malays is very striking. Such is the barbarism of the latter, especially in the interior of such large islands as Sumatra, that they actually kill and eat their criminals and prisoners of war. Nay, they frequently eat their own relations, when aged and infirm; and that not, so much to gratify appetite as to perform a pious ceremony. The following account of this extraordinary ceremony is given by the learned Dr. Leyden in his Researches:

"When a man becomes infirm and weary of the world, he is said to invite his own. children to eat him in the season when

salt and limes are cheapest. He then ascends a tree, round which his friends and

offspring assemble, and as they shake the tree, join in a funeral dirge, the import of which is, The season is come, the fruit is ripe, and it must descend.' The victim descends, and those that are nearest and dearest to him deprive him of life, and devour his remains in a solemn banquet.' p. 195.

Dr. Buchanan is at the same time of opinion, that no quarter of the globe is more favourable for Chris tian missions than the Malayan Archipelago. The Dutch have proved that success is attainable, and the facilities which we now possess for conducting such undertakings, are very great.

But besides the Eastern and Western Malay, there are two other languages spoken in this immense cluster of islands, the language of Java, which is a third dialect of the Malay; and that of the Celebes, called the Bouguese language. Literature was formerly cultivated in the Celebes, and their songs and romances are said by Dr. Leyden, to be famous among all the islands of the East. 'The man,' observes our author, who shall first translate the Bible into the language of the Celebes, will probably be read by as many islanders as have read the translation of Wickliffe.'

We now come to Dr. Buchanan's account of the Syrian Christians in India. A part of this most interest ing account has been already anticipated in our volume for 1807, p. 654 and 751, to which we refer our readers.

We have before us, however, much that is new:

"When the Portuguese, under Vasco de Gama, arrived at Cochin, they were agreeably surprised to find upwards of a hundred Christian churches on the coast of Malabar. But when they became acquainted with the purity and simplicity of their worship, they were offended.

'These

churches,' said the Portuguese, 'belong to the Pope.'-'Who is the Pope,' said the natives, 'we never heard of him.' The European priests were yet more alarmed, when they found that these Hindoo Christians maintained the order and discipline of a regular church under episcopal jurisdiction; and that, for 1300 years past, they had enjoyed a succession of bishops

appointed by the patriarch of Antioch. We,' said they, are of the true faith, whatever you from the West may be; for we come from the place where the followers of Christ were first called Christians.' p. 200, 201.

The persecuting zeal of the Portuguese, directed by the inquisition at Goa, succeeded in compelling the churches on the sea-coast to acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope; but they insisted on retaining their own language and liturgy: and this point was conceded to them. But the churches in the interior, would not yield to Rome, and preferred to seek protection from the native princes. Dr. Buchanan having obtained leave from the Rajah of Travancore, proceeded to visit those churches. From his journal while on this tour, we will make a few extracts:

'Chinganoor, a Church of the Syrian Christians, November 16, 1806.-When we were approaching the church of Chinganoor, we met with one of the cassamars, white loose vestment, with a cape of red or Syrian clergy. He was dressed in a silk hanging down behind. Being informed who he was, I said to him in the Syriac language, Peace be unto you.' He was surprised at the salutation; but immedi ately answered, The God of peace be with you.' He accosted the Rajah's ser

vants in the language of the country, to know who I was: and immediately returned to the village, to announce our approach. When we arrived, I was received at the door of the church, by three kasheeshas, that is, presbyters, or priests, who were habited in like manner, in white vestments. Their names were Jesu, Zẹcharias, and Urias, which they wrote down in my Journal, each of them adding to his name the title Kasheesha. There were also present two shumshanas, or deacons. The elder priest was a very intelligent man, of reverend appearance, having a long white beard, and of an affable and engaging deportment. The three principal Christians, or lay elders belonging to the church were named Abraham, Thoma and Alexandros. After some conversation with my attendants they received me with confidence and affection; and the people of the neighbouring villages came round, women as well as men. The sight of the women assured me that I was once more,

(after a long absence from England) in a Christian country. For the Hindoo women, and the Mahomedan women, and in short, all women who are not Christians are accounted by the men an inferior race; and, in general, are confined to the house for life, like irrational creatures. In every countenance now before me I thought I could discover the intelligence of Chris tianity. But at the same time, I perceived all around, symptoms of poverty and political depression. In the churches, and in the people, there was the air of fallen greatness. I said to the senior priest,

you appear to me like a people who have known better days.' 'It is even so,' said he, 'We are in a degenerate state compared with our forefathers.' He noticed that there were two causes of their present decay. About 300 years ago, an enemy came from the West, bearing the name of Christ, but armed with the inqui sition: and compelled us to seek the protection of the native princes. And the native princes have kept us in a state of depression ever since. They indeed recognize our ancient privileges, for we rank in general next to the Nairs, the nobility of the country; but they have encroached by degrees on our property, till we have been reduced to the humble state in which you find us. The glory of our church has passed away; but we hope your nation will revive it again.' I observed that the glory of a church could never die, if it preserved the Bible.' 'We have preserved the Bible,' said he ; 'the Hindoo princes never touched our liberty of conscience. We were formerly on a footing with them in political power; and they respect our religion. We have also converts from time to time; but, in this Christian duty, we are not so active as we once were; besides it is not so creditable now to become a Christian, in our low estate.' He then pointed out to me a Namboory Brahmin, (that is a Brahmin of the highest cast,) who had lately become a Christian, and assumed the white vestment of a Syrian priest. The learning too of the Bible,' he added, is in a low state amongst us. Our copies are few in number; and that number is diminishing instead of increas ing; and the writing out a whole copy of the sacred Scriptures is a great labour, where there is no profit and little piety.' I then produced a printed copy of the Sy riac New Testament. There was not one of them who had ever seen a printed copy before. They admired it much; and every priest, as it came into his hands, began to read a portion, which he did fluently, while the women came round to hear. I

asked the old priest whether I should send him some copies from Europe. They would be worth their weight in silver,' said he. He asked me whether the Old Testament was printed in Syriac, as well as the New. I told him it was, but I had not a copy. They professed an earnest desire to obtain some copies of the whole Syriac Bible; and asked whether it would be practicable to obtain one copy for every church. I must confess to you,' said Zecharias, that we have very few copies of the prophetical Scriptures in the church. Our church languishes for want of the Scriptures.' But he added, the language that is most in use among the people, is the Malayalim, (or Malabar) the vernacular language of the country. The Syriac is now only the learned language, and the language of the church: but we generally expound the Scriptures to the people in the vernacular tongue.'

'I then entered on the subject of the translation of the Scriptures. He said. 'a version could be made with critical accuracy; for there were many of the Syrian' clergy who were perfect masters of both languages, having spoken them from their infancy. But,' said he, 'our bishop will rejoice to see you, and to discourse with you on this and other subjects. I told them that if a translation could be prepared, I should be able to get it printed, and to distribute copies among their fifty-five churches at a small price. That indeed would give joy,' said old Abraham. There was here a murmur of satisfaction among the people. If I understand you right, said I, the greatest blessing the English church can bestow upon you, is the Bible. 'It is so,' said he. And what is the next greatest,' said I. 'Some freedom and personal consequence as a people.' By which he meant political liberty. We are here in bondage like Israel in Egypt. I observed that the English nation would doubtless recognize a nation of fellowChristians; and would be happy to interest itself in their behalf, as far as our political relation with the prince of the country would permit. They wished to know what were the principles of the English government, civil and religious. I answered that our government might be said to be founded generally on the principles of the Bible. Ah,' said old Zecharias, that must be a glorious government which is founded on the principles of the Bible.' The priests then desired I would give them some account of the history of the English nation, and of our secession from their enemy, the church of Rome. And in return, I requested they would givé me

>

some account of their history. My communications with the Syrians are render. ed very easy by means of an interpreter, whom I brought with me all the way from the Tanjore country. He is a Hindoo by descent, but is an intelligent Christian, and was a pupil and catechist of the late Mr. Swartz. The Rev. Mr. Koloff recommended him to me. He formerly lived in Travancore, and is well acquainted with the vernacular tongue. He also reads and writes English very well, and is as much interested in favour of the Syrian Christians as I myself.' p. 209-213.

Romniel, (a Syrian Church, ) Nov. 12, 1806.-I have now visited eight churches, and scarcely believe sometimes that I am in the land of the Hindoos. I attended divine service on the Sunday. Their liturgy is that which was formerly used in the churches of the patriarch of Antioch. During the prayers, there were intervals of silence, the priest praying in a low voice, and every man praying for himself. These silent intervals add much to the solemnity and appearance of devotion.'

'Here, as in all churches in a state of decline, there is too much formality in the worship. But they have the Bible and a scriptural liturgy; and these will save the church in the worst times. These may preserve the spark and life of religion, though the flame be out. And as there were but few copies of the Bible among the Syrians (for every copy was transcribed with the pen) it is highly probable, that if they had not enjoyed the advantage of the daily prayers, and daily portions of Scripture in their liturgy, there would have been in the revolution of ages, no vestige of Christianity among them.

"The doctrines of the Syrian Christians are few in number, but pure, and agree in essential points with those of the Church of England: so that although the body of the church appears to be ignorant, and formal, and dead, there are individuals who are alive to righteousness, who are distinguished from the rest by their purity of life, and are sometimes censured for too rigid a piety. In every church, and in many of the private houses, there are manuscripts in the Syriac language: and I have been successful in procuring some old and valuable copies of the Scriptures and other books, written in different ages and in different characters. p. 214 216.

Our limits will not permit us materially to extend the review of this work in our present number; but before we close our book we wish to

present our readers with one more extract from Dr. Buchanan's Journal. It is dated at

He told

'Cande-nad, a Church of the Syrian Christians, November 23, 1806.-"This is the residence of Mar Dionysius, the metropolitan of the Syrian Church. A great number of the priests from the other churches had assembled by desire of the bishop, before my arrival. The bishop resides in a building attached to the church. I was much struck with his first appearance. He was dressed in a vestment of dark red silk; a large golden cross hung from his neck, and his venerable beard reached be. low his girdle. Such, thought I, was the appearance of Chrysostom, in the fourth century. On public occasions he wears the episcopal mitre, and a muslin robe is thrown over his under garment; and in his hand he bears the crosier, or pastoral staff. He is a man of highly respectable character in his church, eminent for his piety, and for the attention he devotes to his sacred functions. I found him to be far superior in general learning to any of his clergy whom I had yet seen. me that all my conversations with his priests, since my arrival in the country, had been communicated to him. You have come,' said he,' to visit a declining church, and I am now an old man; but the hopes of its seeing better days, cheer my old age, though I may not live to see them.-I submitted to the bishop my wishes in regard to the translation and printing of the Holy Scriptures. I have already fully considered the subject,' said he, and have determined to superintend the work myself, and to call the most learned of my clergy to my aid. It is a work which will illuminate these dark regions, and God will give it his blessing. I was much pleased when I heard this pious resolution of the venerable man; for I had now ascertained that there are upwards of 200,000 Christians in the south of India, besides the Syrians who speak the Malabar language. The next subject of importance in my mind, was the collection of useful manuscripts in the Chaldaic and Syriac languages; and the bishop was pleased to say, that he would assist my inquiries, and add to my collec tion. He descanted with great satisfac tion on the hope of seeing printed Syriac Bibles from England; and said they would be a treasure to his church.' p. 217, 218.

It is impossible for one, who is a member of the Church of England, not to feel a peculiar degree of gra

tification in perusing this account of the Syrian Christians. The similarity of our faith and mode of worship, of our ecclesiastical constitution, and even of our minuter rites and ceremonies, to those which prevail in the Syrian Church, is certainly very remarkable, and affords an additional presumption of the apostolical origin which we have been disposed to attribute to them. We have in both churches the same gradations of rank, bishop, priest, and deacon. Both churches use a liturgy, in which the people as well as the minister take a part. In both, infant baptism is practised. And if we descend to circumstances of inferior moment-circumstances, however, which have had their share, if not in producing separation from the Church of England, yet in furnishing arguments to justify that separation-we find in the Syrian Church a parallel to the mitre and lawn of our bishops, and to the surplices of our clergy. No one will do us the injustice to suppose, that we lay any very great stress on these minor points. We nevertheless think it our duty to advert to them, because they may not be without an effect in quieting the scruples of some tender

consciences; or at least in rescuing existing usages from a portion of the ridicule and contempt with which they are frequently loaded. That our ecclesiastical institutions, whether they respect the government of the church, or the conduct of its worship, may be abused to purposes of ambition, or degenerate into a mere lifeless form, we admit with deep concern. But of what institution may not similar things be predicated? At the same time, it is undoubtedly a lawful ground of satisfaction to us, as members of the Church of England, to observe, that when another church, with which we have had no intercourse whatever, but which has existed in unimpaired succession from the apostolic age; after dwelling for thirteen or fourteen centuries in a state of almost entire separation from the rest of the Christian world, is at length discovered among the rocks and fastnesses of Malayala, she professes the same fundamental doctrines, recognizes the same orders in the Christian ministry, practises the same general mode of congregational worship, and uses many of the same ceremonies, with ourselves.

IT is now about twenty years ago that Thomas Paine published his book entitled, "Rights of Man," a work certainly obnoxious to the government of this country, but received at that time with authoritative approbation in France. That same country, still smoking with the sacrifices of her revolutionary martyrs, has just witnessed the publication of a pamphlet as the annunciator of the policy and theory of its government, in which despotism in its simplest

VOL. VI,

3 B

form is made the subject of undisguised panegyric. The change of sentiment apparently necessary to reconcile the mind to these extremes, strikes a hasty observer as something extraordinary; but those who look more deeply into the tendencies of political doctrines, not as involving abstract questions, but as displaying practical results, will perceive that anarchy only holds the stake till the sword shall have decided which demagogue shall be the tyrant, and that