men.

more distressing to one in his state opinion, that it is impossible to con-
of mind. His little children were vert a Hindoo. Here is a whole fami-
crying about the house for their sister, ly converted, not nominally as many
and he, in the sincerity and fervour of the Catholick converts have been,
of his belief affirmed, that if she were but actually and thoroughly persua-
dead he could better bear that afflic- ded that it was their duty and eter-
tion than that she should be dragged nal interest to renounce a senseless
to the worship of idols. The hus- idolatry, and be baptized into the faith
band must have been greatly attach- of Christ, which they understand as
ed to this girl. She had already lost well as any person of their own rank
cast, and he paid fifty rupees to the in England; better indeed than most,
Brahmans as the first step towards because they have been more care-
recovering it; but she absolutely re- fully instructed, and which faith
fused to cohabit with him, saying, Kristno is at this time zealously and
that living or dead she would be successfully preaching to his country.
Christ's. Ill usage was tried to make
her change her faith, without effect. One other instance occurred in
The father, taking Carey with him, which the magistrate was called upon.
obtained admittance to her, and Ca- The mother of a young convert na-
rey had reason to believe his life med Ghorachund, came weeping, and
was then in danger-He left the almost distracted to claim her son.
house in time. Kristno was taken Ward, the missionary, told him to
before the magistrate, when the fa- go aside and comfort her; and ano.
ther of the husband deposed, with ther convert explained to her the rea-
that contempt of truth for which the son why he was there that he was
Hindoos are so infamous, that he had happy, and learning the way to Hea-
brought three or four Europeans to ven. She, however, was not to be
take away his son's wife by force. reconciled. Ward then went to her,
The magistrate, not believing this, and told her no force should be used
refused to take his deposition; but on either side: the youth should go
told him, if Kristno went again to his or stay at his own will; and he ask-
house, to beat him away. Twelve ed him which he would do. Ghora-
months wearied out the husband's chund replied, he would stay and be
obstinacy, and after having often beat baptized, and then return to her ;-
the girl for not eating food which and they requested her to come and
had been offered to idols, and for call- see him whenever she pleased. She,
ing on the name of Jesus, he suffer- however, threatened to drown herself
ed her to return, and she was bap- in the Ganges, and went immediately
tized. His own mind, however, was to the Danish nagistrate, and to some
impressed by the constancy which of the principal Bengalese. The lad
he had witnessed, and after an in- was sent for. He affirmed that he be-
terval of nearly three years, he fol. came a Christian of his own free
lowed her to her father's house, em- choice. The mother and her friends
braced the faith which he had so were questioned what they intended
violently opposed, and is at this time to do with him if they took him away.
a Christian.

Put him in irons, they answered, and This case has been plainly and confine him in the house. This answer briefly stated, because the civil autho- determined the magistrate not to sufrity was appealed to on both sides; fer force to be used, and he told the and surely the English magistrate mother that her son must be left cannot be accused of not having suffi-, wholly to his own choice. The next ciently favoured the established su- day, as Ghorachund was going to the perstitions. It is given also as one mission house, he was seized. He luct in confutation of the absurd cried out bitterly; a scuffle ensued;

a

the mob and the soldiers on guard deny that Ghorachund was right in assisted the idolaters, and he was his preference. If the governour forced into a boat. Two of the native general had been called on, could he brethren were taken before a magis. have acted otherwise than the Danish trate on the charge of having beaten magistrate did, to whom both parties a Brahman in the struggle. They with strict propriety appealed, bewere committed to prison, and re- cause the affair took place within his ceived some injury from the mob on jurisdiction ? Could any Christian their way there. Meantime some of governour have consented and enactthe missionaries pursued the boat, ed, that a Christian convert might be came up with it, and rescued the forcibly carried off and put in conconvert, whom they brought back in finement,* for the avowed purpose triumph ; but the mother, when she of making him relapse into idolatry? saw him going back, struck her head “ The unfortunate mother,” says Maagainst the boat and was almost dis- jor Scott Waring, “ came like Chrytracted. Application was immediately seis to Agamemnon, praying the re. made to the Danish governour on be- lease of her dear child; but the half of the two prisoners, and they missionaries were as inexorable as were liberated.

the king of men. Had the woman Great stress is laid upon this story applied by petition to a provincial by Major Scott Waring, who says

court of justice, she must have rethat a more disgraceful scene never

ceived instant redress.” It is someoccurred in a civilized country.“ The thing worse than absurd thus to emcase," he adds, " ought instantly to ploy such terms as redress and rehave been submitted to the gover

lease! nour general in council. It was not During the administration of marfor the missionaries, nor for a Danish quis Wellesley, the missionaries magistrate to determine at what age were permitted to travel in the the authority of a parent over a child British territory; and Carey,t who is to cease.

.” It is difficult to discover is now probably a far more learned what there is disgraceful in the case;

orientalist than any European has distressing it certainly was, as all ever been before him, was

apcases must be in which a sense of pointed Professor of Bengalee and duty, real or imaginary, is opposed Sanscrit at the college of Fort Wilto the ties of natural affection; but, liam. But latterly, when the sucwhenever and wherever any struggle cess of their preaching had alarmed of opinion takes place, such cases must occur.

* Major Scott Waring says there are What would Major

no irons in any private house in Bengal, Scott Waring have ? A lad comes to

and that the mention of them must there. the missionaries for instruction, who fore be a fabrication. But any person who is old enough to think and act for reads the accounts of this mission must be himself. It is the distinguishing te

little able to appreciate human characnet of the Baptists to receive none

ter, and the value of human testimony, into their church as members till

if he can suspect these men of falsehood.

They relate in English what waş said in they have arrived at years of discre- the language of Bengal, and an Englishman tion. He attends their school; is con- would naturally use this familiar expresvinced that the idolatry in which he sion, though it might not literally reprehas been brought up, is a system of sent the Bengalee word. The restraint fraud and falsehood; is taught to be being the same, it is of little import whe

ther the instrument used was a chain or lieve that it is damnable, and that his

a yoke. Who ever supposed that irons eternal bliss or misery depends upon were kept in private houses ? They are to his renouncing it, and embracing the be had when wanted in Bengal as well as doctrines of Christ. The boldest in- in England. fidel will not be impudent enough to † The author of the Sanscrit Grammar

a

and exasperated the Brahmans, who the Hindoo religion. And there was saw their craft in danger, the Bengal no design to forbid the native Chrisgovernment thought it necessary to tians conversing with their countryrestrain their liberty; and they were men on Christianity; only they must in one or two instances ordered to

not go

out under the sanction of the retire from the districts which they missionaries. The magistrates adhad entered. Shortly after the news mitted that no complaint had ever of the Vellore mutiny had reached been lodged against the missionaries, Calcutta, two fresh missionaries, by and that they were well satisfied with name Chater and Robinson, arrived their character and deportment.” in the American ship Benjamin Notwithstanding this, an order of Franklin, captain Wickes. On pre- council was passed, commanding senting themselves at the police office, Messrs. Chater and Robinson to resome difficulty was made as to per- turn to Europe, and refusing captain mitting them to proceed to Seram- Wickes a clearance unless he took pore. On the following day Carey them back with him. This order went to the office, and was told by being communicated to the missionaone of the magistrates that they had ries, they represented to government a message to him from the governour " that captain Wickes cleared out general, which was: “ That as go- from Rotterdam for Serampore; that vernment did not interfere with the his clearing out from England for Seprejudices of the natives, it was his rampore was no more than a necesrequest that Mr. Carey and his col. sary step to accomplish the first inleagues would not." This request, tended voyages; that Messrs. Chater as explained by the magistrates, and Robinson were then at Seramamounted to this : “ They were not pore, and had joined the mission to preach to the natives, nor suffer under their direction, and the protecthe native converts to preach. They tion of the king of Denmark." This were not to distribute religious tracts, representation produced an inquiry nor suffer the people to distribute “ whether the missionaries were acthem. They were not to send forth tually under the protection of the converted natives, nor to take any Danish government ; or whether step by conversation or otherwise they only lived at Serampore from for persuading the natives to em- choice, as being a convenient situabrace Christianity.” Carey inquired tion."--Even in the latter case it whether they had any written com- should seem that the Bengal governmunication from the governour ge

ment had no authority to insist upon neral to this effect; and was answered their removal. To this inquiry the that they had not. He then took his Danish governour sent an answer, leave, assuring them that neither he stating, “ that on the missionaries nor his brethren wished to do any first coming to reside at Serampore, thing disagreeable to government, the late governour had represented to from which they could conscientious- his court that their conduct was such ly abstain. These orders were sof- as he highly approved, and that their tened in a subsequent conversation residence there was likely to be useful between the magistrates and a friend to the settlement; that io this an anto the missionaries. “ It was not swer had been sent by the court of meant,” they said, “ to prohibit Copenhagen, approving of their setthem from preaching at Serampore, tling at Serampore, and requiring nor in their own house at Calcutta; him to extend his protection to the only they must not preach at the mission; that in virtue of this high Loll Bazar. It was not intended to authority, he had taken Messrs. Chaprevent their circulating the Scrip- ter and Robinson under the protectures; but merely the tracts abusing tion of his Danish majesty; and that

a

the missionaries were not to be con- zeal, introduced some strong epithets sidered as persons in debt who were reviling Mahomed. A copy was conbarely protected, but as persons un- veyed to a person in office. The affair der the patronage of the Danish go- was taken up in the most serious vernment.” It should be remembered, manner, and proceedings were comthat this did not arise from any ap- menced which, had they been carplication on their part. Necessity, notried into execution, must have been choice, fixed em at Serampore. ruinous to the mission. In conse* They were refused permission to set- quence, however, of an explanation, tle in the British dominions, and and a respectful memorial presented when protection was offered them to the governour general, the most by the Danish government, they serious part of the proceedings was could not do otherwise than grate- formally revoked. And when two of fully accept it. When this answer the missionaries waited on the goof the governour of Serampore had vernour to thank him for the candour been presented, captain Wickes ap- with which he had attended to their plied at the police office for a clear- memorial, his lordship replied: “That ance, and was told that the order of nothing more was necessary than a council had been confirmed. But mere examination of the subject, on soon afterwards the magistrates sent which every thing had appeared in a for him, and they talked over the clear and favourable light." All the business amicably. He stated to them printed tracts were examined upon that, “ the missionaries were willing, this occasion ; and as two others were if fair and friendly representation objected to, the missionaries were could not prevail, to give up the two required not to print any in future brethren rather than oppose govern- till the copy had been submitted to ment.” And he added, “ that though the inspection of government. it might be a serious affair both with These were the occasions on which America and Denmark, if he and the the civil authority had been appealed missionaries were to be obstinate, yet to, or had interfered, and such were they each considered the peace and the restrictions under which the misgood understanding of nations to be sion had been placed when the last à matter of such importance, that periodical accounts were published. they would give up almost any thing There were then ten missionaries at rather than be the occasion of inter- Serampore, and they had baptized rupting it.”

On this statement cap- about a hundred natives ; and they tain Wickes was furnished with the

were printing the Scriptures in six necessary papers for his departure ; languages, and translating them in and as government appeared to be six more ;—but this part of their dissatisfied with the continuance of labours will be spoken of more fitly the two missionaries, a new mission hereafter. Meantime an outcry has was undertaken to the kingdom of been raised in England against this Burmah, and Chater went with ano- attempt at the conversion of the Hinther brother to Rangoon to see how doos. The mission at Serampore ; far it was practicable.

the proceedings of the Bible Society Twelve months afterwards govern- in promoting the translating, printment found it expedient to interfere ing, and distributing of the Bible in upon another occasion.

A tract, Asia; the Memoir of Claudius Buwhich had been printed in Bengalee, chanan on the Expediency of an Ecwas given to a native convert to be clesiastical Establishment for British Iranslated in Persick, and, through India, and the discussion which that the pressure of business, was printed gentleman excited in England upon before it had been inspected by the the subject, have been represented missionaries. The translator, in his as connected with the mutiny at Vel

lore, and the disaffection of the native The right honourable the governour
troops. A controversy ensued, which in council therefore deems it proper
had been carried on with more than in this publick manner to repeat to
usual virulence and unfairness of po- the native troops his assurance, that
lemical writing ; because on the one the same respect which has been in-
side there is a wretched cause, and variably shown by the British go-
on the other such deplorable advo- vernment for their religion and for
cates as the Evangelical Magazine, their customs, will be always conti-
&c. It is well to be right in any nued, and that no interruption will
company-yet it is almost mortifying be given to any native, whether Hin-
to be right in such company. Envy, doo or Mussulman, in the practice
hatred, malice, and uncharitableness of his religious ceremonies."
are not, however, all on this side, as Here certainly is an official docu-
will appear from a little attention to ment imputing the disaffection of
what has been maintained by the the native troops to an opinion pre-
adversaries of the mission. They valent among them, that it was the
insist upon the danger to which it wish of the British government to
exposes the British government in convert them to Christianity by force.
India, upon the utter impossibility What had the missionaries done, and
of converting the Hindoos, and the what had the government done to
utter unfitness of the persons who are occasion this belief? There were no
making the attempt.

missionaries in Mysore; none of them The massacre at Vellore took place had ever entered or approached that in July 1806. It was afterwards dis part of Hindoostan; none of their tracts covered that the disaffection of the had been distributed there; nor if they Seapoys was widely extended ; that had, could they have been understood, their plans were well laid ; and that not being in the language of that the consequences would, according country. But an order had been is. to all probability, have been far more sued for altering the turban of the dreadful, if the insurrection had not Seapoys into something like the helbroken out so soon. In December, met of our light infantry, and for prea proclamation was issued at Madras venting them from wearing on the beginning in these words : « The

« The forehead the distinguished mark of right honourable the governour in their cast; as direct an outrage of council, having observed that, in some their religious customs as it would late instances, an extraordinary de- be to prohibit baptism among Chris. gree of agitation has prevailed among tians, or circumcision among Mahoseveral corps of the native army of medans. Here then was a flagrant this coast, it has been his lordship's insult to their religion ; an overt act particular endeavour to ascertain the of intollerance. The Seapoys are acmotives which may have led to con- customed to respect the English. duct so different from that which They know nothing of that military formerly distinguished the native misconduct which has so often renarmy. From this inquiry it has dered our armies in Europe useless, appeared, that many persons of evil or worse than useless. That misintention have endeavoured for mali. conduct had never before extended cious purposes, to impress upon the itself to India. They necessarily innative troops a belief, that it is the ferred that an innovation so momentwish of the British government to ous had not been hazarded without convert them by forcible means to some adequate motive, and they did Christianity ; and his lordship in us the honour to impute that to zeal council has observed with concern, which proceeded from pure absurdi. that such malicious reports have been ty. In whom did this measure origibelieved by many of the native troops. nate?--That question has never yet