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some instances, it might be permitted, (as in the case of remote nations) yet that we ought not to instruct that people who were affirmed to be the most superstitious, and most prejudiced; and who were also our own subjects. We scarcely believe ourselves that, twenty years ago, an attempt was made to defend the traffic in slaves, and that books were written to shew, that this traffic was humane in its character, just in its principle, and honourable to our nation.

We trust, however, that the discussion which has taken place has been of important use. Men in general were not informed. The scene of action was remote, and the subject was new in almost all its relations. Even to some of those persons, who had been in India, the subject was new. If you were to ask certain persons in this country, whether they had any acquaintance with religious families, they would answer, that

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they did not know there were such families; so some from India hazarded an opinion concerning what they called "the "inveterate prejudices" of certain tribes in the East, who scarcely knew the geography of the country where they lived; what their religion was, or whether they had any religion at all. They had seen no Star in the East; they had heard of no Jubilee for the Bible. Like the spies of Israel, who brought back "an evil report" from Canaan, they reported that India was no "land of promise" for the Gospel; that the land was barren, and that the men were Anakims. But the faithful Swartz gave another testimony. He affirmed, that it is

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an exceeding good land ;" and "his record " is true.” He who was best qualified to

* Those families, who observe the daily worship of God in their houses, and by whom the name of God is never mentioned but with reverence, are generally called religious families; to distinguish them from those who do not worship God, nor reverence his holy name.

give an opinion on the subject, who preached among the Hindoos for nearly fifty years, founded churches among them in different provinces, established schools for their children, disseminated religious tracts in their own tongue, and intimately knew their language, manners, prejudices, and superstitions; he who restored the Christian character to respect, after it had fallen into contempt; he who was selected by the natives as the arbiter of their differences with the English, and whom both Hindoos and English loved and feared in his life, and honoured in his death;* this good man, I say, differed widely in

* At the funeral of Mr. Swartz, the Hindoo Rajah of Tanjore came to do honour to his memory in the presence of his Brahminical court. He covered the body with a gold cloth, and shed a flood of tears. He afterwards composed an epitaph for him whom he called "his father and his friend," and caused it to be inscribed on the stone which covers Swartz's grave, in one of the Christian churches of Tanjore.

The English also pronounced a noble and affect

opinion from some, who have lately ventured to give a judgment in this matter: he affirmed, that it was England's DUTY to make known the Revelation of the true God to her Indian subjects.

ing encomium on the character of this estimable missionary.

The Honourable the East-India Company have sent out to Madras a monument of marble, to be erected in the church of St. Mary at that place, to the memory of the Rev. Mr. Swartz, inscribed with a suitable epitaph; and they announced it in their general letter, dated the 29th of October, 1806," as a testimony of the deep sense "they entertained of his transcendent merit, of his un"wearied labours in the cause of religion and piety; and "of his public services at Tanjore, where the influence "of his name and character was, for a long course of "years, productive of important benefits to the Com"Otr

pany." The Honourable Court further adds:

66 no subject has the Court of Directors been more una"nimous than in their anxious desire to perpetuate the CC memory of this eminent person, and to excite in others an "emulation of his great example." They direct, finally, "that translations shall be made of the epitaph into the "country languages, and published at Madras; and that "the native inhabitants shall be encouraged to view the "monument."

In the mean time, while men hold different opinions on the subject here, the great work goes on in the East. The Christians there will probably never hear of our dissensions, nor, if they should hear of them, would they be much interested about them. And on this point I judge it right to notice a remarkable mistake, which appears to have existed on both sides of the question. It seems to have been assumed on the one side, and conceded on the other, that we have it in our power to prevent the progress of Christianity in India, if we should wish so to do; if such a measure were to be recommended by what is called "a wise policy." But we have no power to prevent the extension of the Christian religion in India. We have it in our power, indeed, greatly to promote it, but we have no power to destroy it. It would be as easy to extinguish Christianity in Great Britain as in India. There are thousands of Christians in India-hundreds of thousands of Christians. And while we

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