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informed that it had been a question much agitated in this country, Whether the poor ought to be instructed;" and that, to this day, many persons are prejudiced against the measure, and even question the utility and advantage of the Sunday Schools.

These persons, perhaps, do not know that this is the very character of the superstition of the Hindoos; "That the POOR "shall not be instructed."-" That no glad

tidings shall be published to the POOR.'

For, in this, as in almost every other respect, the religion of Brahma is just the opposite to the religion of Christ.

It is ordained by the Brahminical law, that the lowest class of the people, called Sooders, "shall receive no instruction;" as being a race of men of so degenerate a nature, as not to be worthy of Heaven.

They are, therefore, prohibited from hearing the words of the Vedahs, or sacred books; and punishments are actually devised for those who shall read them, or hear them read; punishments of a painful and ignominious nature.*

if

The argument used by the Brahmins, for not instructing the Sooders is this: That you give a poor man religious knowledge, you make him equal with yourself. For it is a maxim of Brahma, and a true one, "That an equal heaven makes all men

equal." If you assure a poor man of obtaining an equal heaven with yourself, it exalts his thoughts, relieves his afflictions on

* If a Sooder be guilty of hearing the words of the Shaster, it is ordained, "that melted lead shall be poured "into his ears," If a Sooder be guilty of reading or pronouncing the words of the Shaster, the prescribed punishment is, "that his tongue shall be cut out."-See Hindoo Code.

this earth, inspires him with hope and triumph, and causes him to look upwards as to a home. He is no longer a slave, but an heir of immortality.

The argument which is adduced for not instructing the poor in this country, is, it seems, the following; "that if you teach "the poor to read and write, it will bring "them nearer to an equality with yourself; " and will, thereby, unfit them for their "menial duties, and for their proper service "as Christians." The former part of this consequence is true; we thereby certainly bring the poor nearer to an equality with ourselves. And this is the argument of the Brahmins. But when it is alleged, that they will become unfit for their proper duties as servants and Christians, is not this to argue directly from the abuse of knowledge? It is, undoubtedly true, that some men will

abuse knowledge, as some men abuse health, and wealth, and every blessing of God. But let us look to ourselves in this case, before we weigh the poor in the balance. There are many of the learned who abuse their learning. There are many of the rich who have learned to read, but who reject its most important use, which is, TO READ THE WORD OF GOD. And this is the real source of danger to the unlearned, even the example of the learned.

Let us then obey the command of our Saviour, and allow the

Gospel to be read

And, in particular,

and heard by the poor. let Christian instruction be given to poor children. For, how incalculable is the benefit, if we believe the Christian revelation! He who teaches a child to read, and think, and feel, and then gives him a Bible, hath performed a nobler

work than if he had bestowed on that child the riches of the habitable globe. It is proper to record, on this day, the sentiments of our gracious soVEREIGN ON this subject. HE patronises schools for the instruction of the poor, in the most earnest manner, and hath publicly expressed his wish, "that EVERY POOR CHILD IN THE

NATION SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ THE

66 BIBLE. This is a sentiment worthy of a Christian king; and the example he hath given is worthy of the universal imitation of his Christian subjects. EVERY poor child, certainly, in this nation, ought to be able to read the Bible. What is there to prevent it? If it be not effected, it will not be the fault of the poor, but the fault of the rich. Let every one of us, then, according to his opportunity, influence, or ability, endeavour to fulfil this obligation, and contribute his aid to the accomplishment of the divine purpose, "that the poor should have the Gospel