material point, to the failings and prejudices of our brethren. Accordingly, if a preacher ordained in the method practised in Germany foresees a marked advantage to Christ's cause in a closer alliance with his episcopalian brethren, I see not that he dishonours his previous commission by seeking our prayers and blessing in the form which we think most conformable to God's will. And the humility is, surely, any thing but blameable which stoops for a time to even an inferior degree and inferior duties than those which he has already exercised.

For I see no weight in the argument that holy orders cannot be repeated without profanation. In the first place, it is a matter of doubt whether the first orders were valid or no, and, in the very fact of fresh orders being given without a formal renunciation of the former, it is plain that the fresh orders are tacitly "sub conditione." But, secondly, there is nothing, as I conceive, in the nature of ordination which makes it profane to repeat it on just grounds, or reasonable scruple on the part of the Church or its rulers. Ordination stands on a different ground from baptism. It is not a new creation, but a solemn devotion of a man to a particular office, accompanied by prayer, and, as we believe, an accession of the Holy Spirit. But though a man can be only once regenerate, he may be often renewed and quickened by the Holy Ghost, and there is no reason, a priori, why he should not receive an outward ordination (as he certainly may receive an inward call) to a new sphere of action in the Church, as well as to a new office in

trious piety which appeared to pervade both families and every part of their establishment. Both of them are, in fact, all which you or I could wish them-active, zealous, well-informed, and orderly Clergymen-devoted to the instruction and help of their Heathen neighbours-both enjoying a favourable report, I think I may say without exception, from the Governor, public functionaries, and, in general, from all the English in the Colony whom I have heard speak of them.

The cause of Christianity is, I hope, going on well here. There is, among the Cingalese and Tamul population, a very large proportion of nominal Christians; who, although unhappily they are only nominal, because their fathers were before them, or because the profession is creditable, and though too many of them still pay their superstitious homage to Buddh and to the Evil Principle, have, notwithstanding, fewer external difficulties to contend with, in embracing the true faith, than fall to the share of the poor Hindoos. Among these, and in part among the professed Pagans, I am rejoiced to find that conversions are going on, if not very rapidly, yet steadily; and that the rising generation afford excellent hopes of repaying richly, and even in our own time, the labours of the good men who have given up parents, and friends, and country in their service. I have had myself the pleasure of confirming in this place, Candy, and Colombo, three hundred natives of the islandPortuguese, (that is, descendants of Portuguese,) Cingalese, and Malabarians: besides which, had I

think that the difference between us, though it should not interrupt our communion, is in itself a misfortune to be remedied. Nor do I feel the less love and reverence for their character and talents, when I earnestly wish them to become in all points like ourselves, except those sins of infirmity, of which I am mournfully conscious.

I remain, dear Sir,

Your sincere friend and servant in Christ,

REGINALD CALCUTTA.

TO MRS. R. HEBER.

Sandheads, February 5th, 1826.

I get this letter ready to send by the pilot, who expects to be able to leave us in the course of the morning. We have a beautiful day and a favourable breeze. The strenuous measures which Government took to secure my horse a passage have proved abortive. They were very kindly meant, and I have reason to believe that I have to thank for them the zeal of Mr. Lushington, who appears to have taken a good deal of trouble on the subject. I am now quite well. I cannot help thinking that both my illness and yours proceeded, in part, from the agitation of this second sad parting. I should have been unworthy of you could I have left you without a severe pang. We are both

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I have, indeed, been a very bad correspondent, and I fear that both my private friends and the different public bodies with which I am connected, have all alike some cause to complain of me. With regard to these last, however, and more particularly the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, I really did not suppose that they desired to hear from me, unless I had something worth communicating, connected with them or their committees, or their Missions, in England; and as I have not yet visited Madras, where only they have any establishments particularly worth speaking of, I had not, till since my return to Calcutta, any adequate motive for troubling them, or taking up a portion of my own time, which I could very ill spare. If, however, they suppose that because I have not written them long letters, I have neglected their interest here, or that I have paid more attention to any other religious society, except that for the Propagation of the Gospel, to whom I had a great deal to say, they are most exceedingly mistaken. Their agents and missionaries here, I am convinced, will bear me witness, that I have worked as hard in their cause, and been as importunate in soliciting subscriptions for them, as any body could be; and in consequence of the ill state of their funds, my own subscriptions and donations (besides the share they have had of the sum entrusted to me by the Parent Society) more than double those which I, at first, thought it necessary to bestow. As to writing letters, it should be borne in mind, that in India all business is transacted by writing.

But I have no wish to plague you any further with my vindication. You, I am sure, will acquit me of intentional disrespect towards any body, particularly a Society which has done so much good to the best of all causes.

The affairs of the sister Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, have occupied a good deal of my time and thoughts. Bishop's College, besides costing two or three times as much in its building as it was first calculated it would, has turned out so expensive in the monthly bills and necessary keep of its inmates, that all the resources I found were quite inadequate to finish the Chapel, build the printing-house, or do more than keep the wolf from the door. Nor would they have sufficed even for this last object, had it not been for the munificent supplies which for these three years we have received from the Church Missionary Society, and for the large subscriptions and benefactions which we have, within the last eight months, obtained from different parts of India. For the present, the institution is doing very well, and I have great reason to be pleased with the manner in which it is conducted by Mr. Mill, the principal, who is one of the best and ablest, as he is decidedly the most learned man in India.

Archdeacon Barnes is every way a great loss; sensible, unaffected, and friendly, exceedingly well