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REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, D.D. late Vice-Provost of the College of Fort William in Bengal. By the Rev. HUGH PEARSON, M.A. of St. John's College, Oxford. Oxford; Parker: Cadell &Davies, and Hatchard, London. 1817. 2 Vols. pp. xvi. 389, and vi. 394.

IF there be any one characteristic which more than another discriminates that class of persons, whom the world calls heroes, it is that of firm devotedness to some single object, to which all others are sacrificed. That object indeed must not be one of mere selfish gratification, such as the accumu lation of money or a taste for works of art; but must have something of magnificence connected with it, and be calculated to arrest attention, by its dignity or importance. With this condition, however, it may be wholly selfish without materially derogating from its effect upon the beholder; and with the world's heroes it has, in point of fact, been commonly a selfish object; the pursuit of empire, for example, or in some other shape the pursuit of personal aggrandisement: and yet in all these cases the confinement of the desire to one pursuit, and the consequent abandonment of others, has imparted even to selfishness itself an air of generosity. Such a preference is generally accompanied with an elevation of feeling and sentiment which sets a man above the fascinations of ordinary pleasure and allurement, and, by keeping his affections undivided and his heart steadily fixed to one object of pursuit, adds strength and dignity as well as decision to his character. Even when exerted in bearing up against in surmountable difficulties, these

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Now, if we have correctly stated, in these preliminary remarks, the elements of the heroic character, we conceive that we have done much towards establishing for the subject of these Memoirs a claim to that much-envied title. The world at large, indeed, may probably hesitate to admit the claim. But that reluctance need not surprise us, when we consider that Dr. Buchanan was not a worldly, but a Christian hero; and that the single object to which his life was devoted was the extension of Christianity in the East-an object as far above the reach of mere human heroism as the love of Christ is superior to the love of the world. To the accomplishment of this end he made a cheerful sacrifice of his time and health, his ease and fortune, and even his reputation and character. All the energies of his mind and heart were turned in this direction; and the result was a quickness in discerning the readiest means for advancing that object, and a promptitude in seizing them, which could not, under other circumstances, have been attained. Nor was his success inferior to his exertion. His efforts commenced in the year 1800, and were closed by death in 1815; and in the course of that short time a moral revolution of sentiment took place respecting the great duty of propagating Christianity in India, which, setting aside the apostolic age, could not be paralleled in the same number of

years, taken from any other period of ecclesiastical history: and though it would be unjust and ungrateful not to acknowledge, that other causes and other persons had also their share in promoting that momentous result, yet so highly do we appreciate the effect of his services that we are persuaded, that reasoning from the ordinary blessing of Providence on ministerial simplicity and zeal, had every million of Christians from the day of Pentecost to the present time, contained but one such man as Dr. Buchauan, there would scarcely now remain a heathen nation in the world. While, however, we look up with wonder and gratitude to a Buchanan, we would not be understood to advocate the propriety of any individual stepping out of his appointed sphere, in order that be may aspire to the character of a Christian hero. It is by a right use of such means as are given him, and not by usurping the place and office of others that a Christian, in whatever station, may hope to glorify God.

The individual whose Memoirs have given occasion to these remarks, furnishes no example of ambitious meddling with duties which did not belong to him. For nearly three years after his first settlement in India he had no office of extensive usefulness assigned him; and during that time, therefore, he remained quiet, trimming the secret lamp, which was one day to shed its light far and wide over the benighted regions of the East. After his return to Europe he sought the shade and courted obscurity, though it was soon found that he could not be concealed. But, whatever was his station, whether public or private, his conduct was still such as became the Gospel of Christ. He was ever labouring, in dependence on the graces of the Holy Spirit, to extend the knowledge and the power of Christianity; not stretching himself beyond his measure, but,

to use the Apostle's remark, “according to the measure of the rule which God had distributed to him,” and "having also hope to be enlarged" by fresh accessions of believers through his preaching "according to his rule abundantly." Hence it resulted that he exbibited an illustration to the world of a remark which has been somewhere made, that "were a minister to walk altogether worthy of his high vocation, it would be impossible to mistake his character." Though he himself, were he still alive, or were it possible for him to speak to us from his place of holy rest, would be the first to disown the resemblance between his life and this description; though we cannot consistently with Christian truth hold up either his deport ment or that of any other earthly minister as altogether "worthy of his high vocation;" though misconstruction and misrepresentation have not been wanting to tarnish the brightness of his example, and depreciate the value of his labours, it has been impossible to mistake his character. He was, by the acknowledgment of all who knew him, whether by the report of others or by personal intercourse, a burning and a shining light; and he has kindled a holy flame both in Europe and Asia, which will not, we trust, be easily extinguished.

It is further worthy of remark, that he never took an extravagant step, or adopted irregular methods to promote the cause which he had at heart. He believed the work in which he was engaged to be a work of God; and therefore he would not go to it but through the vestibule of sincerity and truth. Neither was any thing done by him either secretly on the one hand or ostentatiously on the other. His preaching was a plain, undisguised testimony to the truth and power of the Gospel. His remonstrances, whenever they were called for, were open, unequivocal, and addressed directly to those

exertion

who were best able to understand and best fitted to obviate the causes of complaint. His munificence, though splendid, did not entrench upon the claims of private justice. His Christian travels were undertaken under the sanction of authority, and at times when he was unfitted for other employment. His zeal, though ardent, never hurried him into measures unbecoming his place and character, or overstepped those decorous boundaries which Christian ought ever to respect. Although, it must be admitted, the circumstances in which he was placed, during a few years of his life, were extraordinary in them selves, and well-adapted for the development of a character, the humility of which would otherwise have veiled it from observation, it must be remembered, that other persons also, and others of similar piety and principle, were placed in the same circumstances without turning them to the same advanNor was there anything in tage. his previous history, in his connexions, recommendations, or character, which fitted him exclusively to take a lead in these measures, or to fill the space which his name covers in the religious annals of the late extraordinary era. Individuals sometimes bring with them into public life certain auxiliaries, derived from rank, or station, or ancestry, or acknowledged eminence, which give them an ascendency at once, and dispose others to follow easily and voluntarily in their train. "Si quis ab ineunte ætate habet causam celebritatis et nominis, aut a patre acceptam, aut aliquo casu atque fortuna, in hune oculi omnium conjiciuntur, atque in eum, quid agat, quemadmodum vivat, inquiritur; et, tanquam in clarissima luce ver. setur, ita nullum obscurum potest nec dictum ejus esse, nec factum." But Buchanan, though designed by Providence to act a great part in the promotion of Christianity in

more than one quarter of the world, appeared in the early years of his life, the most unlikely of all

men to be selected for that distinc

tion, were it not that the ways of God are far above our ways, and his thoughts above our thoughts.

To illustrate this position, we extract the following passage from the work before us, and shall follow it up by a few others, which we think will fully convince our readers of the truth of the preceding remarks.

"Being naturally of an ardent and excursive turn of mind, he, at the

age of seventeen, during his first residence in the University of Glasgow, conceived the design of making the tour of Europe on foot; that being the only method of travelling upon which his slender finances would allow him to mantic project was, doubtless, to see the world; yet not, as he afterwards declared, without some vague and undefined intention of applying the information, which he might collect during his tour, to some useful purpose. It was not, however, till nearly four years afterwards, during which, as we have seen, he was diligently employed in acquiring and imparting knowledge, that a circumstance occurred, which, though it did not originally suggest this design, certainly tended to hasten his departure from Scotland. This was an imprudent attachment to a young lady, who happened to be on a visit to the family in which he was then residing, and who was superior to himself in birth and fortune. The affection was mutual, but the disparity of their rank and station seemed to form an insuper

calculate. His chief view in this ro

able barrier to their union. Mr. Bu

chanan became in consequence very unhappy, and in the height of his passion recurred to his favourite and longcherished plan of a foreign tour; in the course of which, with all the sanguine expectation and the experience incident to his feelings and his age, he hoped to advance his fortune, and, returning to his native country, to obtain the object of his wishes. Strange and unpromising as this project undoubtedly was, he was eager to accomplish it. But though his thoughtless ardour reconciled him to the culpable expedient of deceiving his parents, he was unwill.

ing to leave them clandestinely. For the purpose, therefore, both of avoiding any opposition to his scheme, and of relieving them from uneasiness, he invented a story, which, engaged as he had long been in tuition, seemed by no means improbable. He pretended that he had been invited by an English gentleman to accompany his son upon a tour to the continent; and as this engagement not only offered some present advantages, but held out flattering hopes of his future advancement in life, not inconsistent with their original intentions, his friends consented to the proposal, and permitted him to leave Scotland. Of this singular expedition, and of his subsequent history during several years, Mr. Buchanan long afterwards gave several distinct but consistent narratives, from which the following account is extracted. After briefly mentioning the circumstances which have been previously stated respecting his education and studies, and the scheme which he had devised for effecting his departure from his native country and friends, and his intended travels upon the continent, Mr. Bu chanan suggests the obvious question, how he was to accomplish such a plan, destitute as he was of pecuniary resources. To this he replies, that the greater his difficulties were, the more romantic would his tour appear; and then proceeds as follows.

"I had the example of the celebrat ed Dr. Goldsmith before me, who travelled through Europe on foot, and supported himself by playing on his Alute. I could play a little on the violin, and on this I relied for occasional support during my long and various travels. "In August 1787, having put on plain clothes, becoming my apparent situation, I left Edinburgh on foot with the intention of travelling to London, and thence to the continent: that very violin which I now have, and the case which contains it, I had under my arm, and thus I travelled onward. After I had proceeded some days on my jour ney, and had arrived at a part of the country where I thought I could not be known, I called at gentlemen's houses, and farmhouses, where I was in general kindly lodged. They were very well pleased with my playing reels to them, (for I played them better than I can now,) and I sometimes received five shillings, sometimes half-a-crown, and sometimes nothing but my dinner.

Wherever I went, people seemed to be struck a little by my appearance, particularly if they entered into conversation with me. They were often very inquisitive, and I was sometimes at a loss what to say. I professed to be a musician travelling through the country for his subsistence; but this appeared very strange to some, and they wished to know where I obtained my learning; for sometimes pride, and sometimes accident would call forth expressions, in the course of conversation, which excited their surprise. I was often invited to stay for some time at a particular place; but this I was afraid of, lest I might be discovered. It was near a month, I believe, before I arrived on the borders of England, and in that time many singular occurrences befel me. I once or twice met persons whom I had known, and narrowly escaped discovery. Sometimes I had nothing to eat, and had no where to rest at night; but, notwithstanding, I kept steady to my purpose, and pursued my journey. Before, however, I reached the borders of England, I would gladly have returned; but I could not: the die was cast; my pride would have impelled me to suffer death, I think, rather than to have exposed my folly; and I pressed forward.

"When I arrived at Newcastle, I felt tired of my long journey, and found that it was indeed hard to live on the benevolence of others: I therefore resolved to proceed to London by water; for I did not want to travel in my own country, but on the continent.

"I accordingly embarked in a collier at North Shields, and sailed for London. On the third night of the voyage we were in danger of being cast away, during a gale of wind; and then, for the first time, I began to reflect seriously on my situation.'

"During the violence of the storm, as he afterwards acknowledged to a friend, Mr. Buchanan felt as if the judgment of God, as in the case of Jonah, was overtaking him; but, unlike the repenting prophet, no sooner had the tempest of the elements subsided, than the agitation of his mind also passed away. He arrived safely in London on the second of September: but by this time,' he continues, in one of the letters referred to, my spirits were nearly exhausted by distress and poverty. I now relinquished every idea of going abroad. I saw such a visionary scheme

in its true light, and resolved, if possible, to procure some situation, as an usher or clerk, or any employment whereby I might derive a subsistence: but I was unsuccessful. I lived some time in obscure lodgings, by selling my clothes and books; for I did not attempt to obtain any assistance by my skill in music, lest I should be discovered by some persons who might know me or my family. I was in a short time reduced to the lowest extreme of wretchedness and want. Alas! I had not sometimes bread to eat. Little did my mother think, when she dreamt, that she saw her son fatigued with his wanderings, and oppressed with a load of woe, glad to lie down, and sleep away his cares on a little straw, that her dream was so near the truth! What a reverse of fortune was this! A few months before, I lived in splendour and happiness! But even in this extremity of misery my eyes were not opened. I saw indeed my folly, but I saw not my sin: my pride even then was unsubdued, aud I was constantly anticipating scenes of future grandeur, and indulging myself in the pleasures of the imagination.

""After I had worn out many months in this misery, observing one day an advertisement in a newspaper, for a clerk to an attorney, I offered myself, and was accepted. I was much liked, and soon made friends. I then obtained a better situation with another gentle man in the law, and, lastly, engaged with a solicitor of respectable character and connexions in the city, with whom I remained nearly three years. During all this time I had sufficient allowance to appear as a gentleman; my desire for going abroad gradually abated, and I began to think that 1 should make the law my profession for life. But during a great part of this time I corresponded with my friends in Scotland, as from abroad, writing very rarely, but always giving my mother pleasing accounts of my health and

sitnation.

"Notwithstanding the preceding brief observation, that his allowance from his employers enabled him to make a genteel appearance, there are various intimations, in a memorandum book kept by Mr. Buchanan during a part of this period, that he was frequently a sufferer from the pressure of poverty: nor is this to be wondered at, when it is known, that the utmost salary which he

CHRIST, OBSERV, No. 188.

received amounted only to forty pounds per annum." Vol. I. pp. 6—12.

Who would have conceived that this was the beginning of a life, the sequel of which was to prove a blessing to thousands and millions of his fellow-creatures? There was' shewed the latent Christian in the no symptom at this time, which wanderer,

"He was sometimes under the necessity of pledging articles of clothing, and in one instance his watch, for the purpose of procuring a little ready money; and even this painful expedient did not always afford him such a supply as to prevent him from occasionally recording, that he had been obliged to go without a breakfast or a supper; and once, that he had neither breakfasted nor dined. It must, however, be acknowledged, that while this humble cash account is chiefly made up of his expenditure upon the necessaries of life, Mr. Buchanan seems to have wasted not a little of his scanty allowance on public amusements; amongst which the theatre frequently occurs, and sometimes debating societies." Vol. I. pp. 12, 13.

But, though the young Buchanan time without God in the world, was so evidently living at this there are not wanting even in the narrative of his very errors, and hereafter there will appear yet more plainly, traces of the value of early instruction and religious parentage.

"He must be added," remarks Mr: Pearson, "to the number of those who ultimately derived essential benefit from having been brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ' and consequently as affording fresh encouragement to religious parents to pursue a course which has been so frequently crowned with success, and which is seldom, it may be hoped, altogether in vain." Vol. I. p.3.

The gracious providence of God was strikingly conspicuous in the whole course of this "strange eventful history." While he was pursuing his own wicked inventions, his heavenly Father was mercifully disappointing his schemes in order to bring him to himself. It was his

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