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"There are numerous intelligent na tives, who thirst after European knowledge and literature, but not many who wish to be made acquainted with the Christian religion, and to examine its truth, being chiefly deterred by the difficulty (if not utter impossibility) attached to the acquirement of a correct notion of the tremendous mystical doctrines which the Missionaries ascribe to their religion."

-P. 137.

2. If any think that such culture is not necessary in order to bring them to the Trinitarian views of Christianity, we have only to refer them to the Correspondence for proof that Trinitarianism never can become prevalent in Hindoostan; and that nothing has been accomplished which can justify the hope that it will. Even in that department where most appeared to have been done, viz. the Translations of the Scriptures, great as have been the exertions of Dr. Carey and others, they appear to have hitherto been almost fruitless; and, indeed, Rammohun Roy expresses his conviction that no advantage can be expected from the translations in circulation. The translators did not correctly appreciate the difficulties of their undertaking; nor was there any adequate benefit to be derived from them in so early a period of Missionary success. It would have been much better to have devoted all the labour and expense in preparing the minds of the Hindoos for Christianity. The statements of Rammohun Roy, who was for a considerable time engaged in the translation of the New Testa ment, in conjunction with Mr. Adam and Mr. Yates another Baptist Missionary, must shew the difficulties which one who is not a native necessarily has to encounter :

"Notwithstanding our exertions, we were obliged to leave the accurate translation of several phrases to future consideration, and for my own part I felt discontented with the translation adopted of several passages, though I tried frequently, when alone at home, to select more eligible expressions, and applied to native friends for their aid for that purpose. I beg to assure you, that I (though a native of this country) do not recollect having engaged myself once, during my life, in so difficult a task, as the translation of the New Testament into Bengallee."-P. 139.

We will now return to Mr. Adam's

portion of the Correspondence. With the power now in the hands of all to examine the pamphlet for themselves, it is not necessary to consider in detail its varied information; and we will confine our further selections from it principally to the two following points: What are the prospects of the gospel in Hindoostan? and, By what means are they to be realized? We have already laid before our readers sufficient to enable them to judge what has actually been done. The general result is, that few of those who have from inquiry and conviction: and Mr. professed Christianity have done it Adam declares, (p. 57,) that he has never been personally acquainted with any in whom he could repose unhesihas understood that Dr. Carey has tating confidence; and adds, that he expressed himself to the same effect respecting the native converts." He afterwards says, (p. 77,) "that perhaps three-fourths of the direct missionary exertions hitherto made, have have either disappointed all the exbeen frittered away upon persons who pectations formed of them, or who have at best proved scarcely worthy the attention they have received."

Hindoostan, there are three great obTo the diffusion of Christianity in stacles. (1.) The character of the prevalent religion: (2.) The extreme ignorance of the great bulk of the natives and (3) The influence of caste. In all probability, the last will diminish with the second; and in proportion to the increased estimation in which the English are held for intellect and character, aided by the influence which they must possess as racter of the present prevalent religion the predominant power. The chais briefly and forcibly described by. Mr. Adam, as follows:

"The popular is an idolatrous system most demoralizing in its influence, and of a highly complicated character: intimately uniting itself with all the relations and duties of a present life, and with all the hopes and fears of a future state; thus arraying in its own defence every prejudice and passion that either dignifies or degrades human nature."-P. 66.

In addition to the foregoing obstacles, the Trinitarian has to encounter some which to all appearance must be insurmountable, in proportion to the enlightenment of the natives. True it

is, that from the intellectual taste and habits of the learned, “refined and subtle speculations (p. 65) would be more acceptable than the plain truths and practical requirements of the gos pel;" and, so far, the metaphysical refinements of modern orthodoxy might be expected to be received by them with complacency; but this is not the fact. How the doctrine of Satisfaction is viewed by them, the following extracts will shew.

"I have had opportunities of observing the manner in which this doctrine strikes the minds of natives who probably had never before heard it stated. If,' replied a learned Brahmun to a Missionary who had been attempting to recommend if the this doctrine to his attention, death of Christ can alone satisfy the justice of God and atone for the sins of men, then, during all the ages of the world preceding his death, the justice of God remained unsatisfied, and the sins of men unátoned and consequently unpardoned.' The Missionary, who proba bly had at that time in his recollection an eloquent and plausible passage in the

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Rev. Robert Hall's Treatise on the Essen-
tial Difference between Christian Baptism
and the Baptism of John, (pp. 40, 41,)
endeavoured to obviate this objection by
stating, that to the Divine Mind the fu-
ture was as well known as the past, and
that therefore the sins of penitent be-
lievers,' even in the earliest ages,' were
pardoned on the ground of that Great
Sacrifice which was, in the fulness of
"That is,' coolly
time, to be offered up.
rejoined the Pundit, as if acquiescing in
the representation which had been given,
the death of Christ procured the pardon
of sin before Christ died! The cause
came after the effect! The effect existed
before the cause! Here the conversation
was allowed to drop."-Pp. 79, 80.

As to the doctrine of the Incarna-
tion and the Trinity, we must make
the following extracts:

"The incarnation of the Deity, it has been already mentioned, is an idea extremely familiar to the native mind; but idolaters, instead of being conciliated and won over by a doctrine so consonant with their own, are rather flattered by the close resemblance which they suppose can, in this respect, be traced between Christianity and Hindooism, and are thus confirmed in their ancient superstitions.

"Connected with the doctrine of the incarnation is that of the Trinity, both of which, while they are retained, will prove insuperable obstacles to the propagation of the gospel in this country.

VOL. XX.

It

2 H

is to these that Mussulmans constantly
recur in their reasonings against Chris-
tianity, and it is upon these that Unitarian
idolatry on the authority of the Veds, have
Hindoos, or those who have relinquished
hitherto grounded all their objections.

"The despite in which Christianity is
held by Mussulmans, on account of these
doctrines, is so notorious, that it seems
scarcely necessary to adduce any parti
cular examples. I shall therefore only
mention one. A Missionary, in one of
his first attempts to speak in the Hin-
doosthauee language, under one of the
sheds erected for native worship, was en-
deavouring, in general terms, to impress

on the minds of a few Mussulman hearers
a conviction of the dignified character and
meritorious sufferings of Christ, when he
was stopped by one of them who impa-
tiently inquired, Is Jesus Christ God,
or not? To this the Missionary, with
great deliberation and seriousness, re-
plied, He is God.' The Mussulman, to
shew his contempt, immediately made a
profound obeisance, and, without adding
a word, left the place. The Missionary,
since that time, has never returned the
same answer to the same question."—
Pp. 81, 82.

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What may be expected from the Unitarian Hindoos, is faithfully represented as follows:

"Those whom I have already mentioned under the name of Unitarian Hindoos form the most intelligent and enlightened portion of the native population They have derived their of Calcutta. present views of religion from those portions of the Ved which have been translated and published by Rammohun Roy, and from the numerous pieces which he has written in his own defence against his native opponents; and as the decided bias which, in his controversy with Dr. Marshman, he has shewn in favour of Unitarian Christianity, and the encouare known to most of them, and have not ragement he has given to its propagation, lessened the influence which he possessed, or the respect which they entertained for him, it is fair to suppose that, in as far as they have attended to Christianity, they agree with him in his sentiments In proportion to my acrespecting it. quaintance with them, this view of their favourable disposition towards Unitarian Christianity has been confirmed, and [ am therefore of opinion that it is in Calcutta, and among the persons belonging to this increasing class of the native community, that Unitarian Missionaries will labour with the greatest prospect of success. I would not, however, be understood as intimating that it will be found an easy

matter to make them Unitarian Christians. Although Unitarians, they will not receive, and they should not be expected to receive, with implicit faith, whatever is taught even by Unitarian Missionaries; and, therefore, it is probable, that it will be only by a slow and gradual progress that the force of the evidence in favour of Christianity, and a conviction of its divine origin and authority, will gain ground amongst them. From my own limited experience, I should judge that when Unitarian Missionaries come into closer and more frequent contact with them than they have hitherto done, their chief objections will be directed against the miracles of the Gospel, and particularly against the resurrection of Jesus. Even, however, if these difficulties did not exist or were completely removed, the great disrepute in which, from the cause formerly mentioned, the name of Christian is held when applied to a native, will probably long operate to prevent any respectable and independent Hindoo from publicly and voluntarily assuming it. This will appear the more extraordinary when it is considered that the government, and power, and influence of the whole country, are in the hands of a Christian people. But the fact is unquestionable; and the Unitarian Missionary, therefore, must rest contented, perhaps for a considerable number of years, with exhibiting the facts and evidences of the gospel, explaining its truths, and enforcing its spirit and precepts, without having to boast of any whom he can call converts."-Pp. 90, 91.

Lest the closing part of the paragraph appear discouraging, we must add the other side of the prospect.

"The present state of things is on the whole so encouraging, especially in Calcutta, and the general effect produced by imperfect and mistaken endeavours already made, has been so beneficial, that much greater good would undoubtedly

result from a course of well-directed efforts to make known the purer and more rational system of Unitarian Christianity."

-P. 92.

Mr. Adam proceeds plainly to inform his American correspondents, and through them informs us, that the efforts to be made must for a considerable period owe their chief energy to the aids derived from Unitarians in other quarters of the globe: and after adverting to the means of transmitting their pecuniary aid through the "London Unitarian Fund Society, of which the Rev. W. J. Fox is Secretary," he

gives them information respecting a Unitarian committee in Calcutta, which is very satisfactory to us.

"If it should be determined neither to send Missionaries from the United States, nor, through the medium of the London Unitarian Fund Society, to patronize those sent from England, the only remaining course which I can suggest, is to transmit to the Calcutta Unitarian Committee, the pecuniary aids which you may be disposed to afford to the cause of Unitarian Christianity in India. To this Committee [ have acted as Secretary ever since its formation, and, exclusive of myself, it consists of several gentlemen, both Europeans and natives, of respectability, judg ment, and experience, who will, I am authorized to state, with much pleasure, charge. themselves with the faithful application to the purposes which may be specified, of those sums which you may entrust to their management."-Pp. 93, 94.

and

Mr. Adam then proceeds to state the purposes for which pecuniary supplies are immediately requisite; to this point we wish particularly to call the attention of our readers.

"Until the number of Unitarian Mis

sionary labourers is increased, the following are objects for which, chiefly, funds are required:-First, for the erection of a Unitarian chapel in this city, and for the support of Unitarian worship and preaching in the English language. Towards the former of these, nearly twelve scribed by the friends of Unitarianism in thousand rupees have been already sub

this country; but it is not expected that either of them can be accomplished without foreign aid. The estimated expense of the chapel alone is thirty thousand rupees; but on account of the increased and increasing value of landed property, it is not improbable that forty thousand may be ultimately required. Secondly, the Anglo-Hindoo School, already mentioned as being principally supported by Rammohun Roy, and in which sixty Hindoo children are daily instructed in the English language, and in the rudiments of general knowledge, might be placed on a more permanent basis, and rendered a more useful institution, by the purchase of an eligible spot of ground and the erection of a commodious school-room, by the employment of more able teachers, All this cannot be accomplished without and by increasing the number of the pupils. more ample resources than are at present possessed. Thirdly, funds are required to defray the expense attending the preparation and printing of such works in

Occasional Notices of American Publications.

In the same spirit and with the same judgment, he writes respecting schools; and these remarks we deem of great value and usefulness: but we will now confine ourselves to the less distant prospect.

English, in Sunskrit and Bengallee, and 'ceived. As sure as light and darkness
cannot long subsist together, so sure will
in Persian and Hindoosthanee, as the
particular circumstances of the European, be the progress of Christianity in India,
if this plan be judiciously and persever-
the Hindoo, and the Mussulman commu-
nities may seem to require. Your assist-ingly executed."-Pp. 96, 97.
ance towards any or all of these objects
will be thankfully received."-Pp. 94, 95.
In replying to the thirteenth in-
quiry, whether Unitarian Missionaries
would be useful in Hindoostan, Mr.
Adam points out various means by
which, if properly qualified and ade-
quately supported, they may be of
essential service in diffusing the know-
ledge and influence of true religion,
and in which they would find ample
scope for all their energies: and he
subjoins the following remarks which
strike us as peculiarly important, and
in some respects applicable even to
our own country:

ous.

"In these labours it will behove them to guard against that false pride which would lead them to boast of particular instances of conversion, and against that self-deception which would make them estimate the effect of their exertions in proportion to the number of those who are willing to call themselves Unitarian Christians. These may be few, or there may be none at all; and yet the success of true religion may be certain and gloriIt is not individuals taken separately, but collectively, that they should seek to enlighten. The former mode will create and encourage imposture, render a most invidious surveillance necessary, and produce frequent disappointments and constant irritation. The latter consists in exhibiting truth, and in leaving it, if slowly, yet steadily, to work its own way; and although there is in this less display, there is equal, if not greater, certainty of ultimate success, and far more satisfaction both to the teachers and the taught. It is the progress of society that Missionaries ought principally to regard, and aim to influence; and success in this endeavour is the highest present reward which they should desire. They should seek to increase the quantity of correct information on every subject; to raise the standard of public morals to correct the excesses, and to refine and elevate the tone, of public feeling on religion; and to pour, in well-chosen portions, amongst the various classes and descriptions of men, the light of truth, the rays of which are too powerful to be long resisted, and too penetrating to be long concealed, even if their immediate effects should not at first be felt or per

;

"In order to effect this," (the making the Hindoo people Christians,) "instead of seeking to gain a few couverts who, whatever may have been their rank or character, become almost useless to us, and are despised by their countrymen as soon as they pass into our hands, or assume a common denomination with ourof our Saviour, by the diffusion of sound selves, we must, to adopt the similitude knowledge and the excitement of a spirit of enlightened inquiry, put the mass into a state of fermentation, and join labour with patience until the whole be leavened. If, in the use of every prudent and judicious means for this purpose, we trust for success to the progress of society and to the power of truth, our expectations will not be disappointed. At an earlier period and in greater numbers than we may have anticipated, honest, respectable and enlightened men, in despite of all opposition, and in obedience to the voice of conscience, will assume, of their own accord, the Christian name, and, by their virtues, prove its brightest ornaments."Pp. 104, 105.

We will end the present article in the words of the Christian Examiner for August last, p. 317: If the time be not now arrived, when the work of foreign missions is to be begun by us, we know of no principles by which we may determine when it will have arrived. If the encouragements which we now have to the duty serve the reproach that has been cast fail of exciting us to it, we shall deupon us: nay more, shall we not have good reason to fear a far more terrible retribution ?"*

We have the pleasure of adding to our enumeration of American Sermons "A Discourse republished in England, on the proper Character of Religious In"Sermon on the Ordination of the Rev, stitutions, by Henry Colman;" and a W. H. Furness, by H. Ware, Jun." They are printing at Liverpool, price 6d. each.

POETRY.

TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE REV. JOHN DAVIS,
OF COLLUMPTON.

(See Monthly Repository for January, p. 52.)

THERE is many a harp, for the young man's doom,
That is tuned to the notes of woe;

But, alas! they are mute o'er the old man's tomb,
Though he lived like a saint below.

There is many a tear over beauty's grave,
And warm from the heart they rise-
Ah! why less warm are the tears that lave
The spot where the good man lies?

Is it nothing to keep the soul still young,
When the frame where it dwells grows old?
Or less should a beautiful life be sung,
Than the charms of an earthly mould?

No, old man, no,-one passing lay,
Though a powerless lay it be,

Shall be given to the thought of the silent clay,
Which is all that is left of thee.

Though thy life was passed in the humble shade,
Yet it brightened the shade around;
And every step that thy meek foot made,
Was made upon holy ground.

Thou hast seen thy friends around thee fall,
Thou hast lived through years of pain-
And now thou hast reached the goal of all,
And broken a frail world's chain.

Oh! rest in peace till the day for which
Thou hast looked with a Christian's eye!
Faith, hope, and love, long have made thee rich
In the gold of a purer sky.

Though soon forgot be thy lowly sod,
Yet thou hast not lived in vain ;
For green above are the groves of God,
Where the just shall meet again!

Crediton.

Crediton.

A SUNSET THOUGHT.

ONCE more, O God, I own Thy power,
At holy evening's glorious hour;
And, while I gaze, half deem I see
A thinner veil''twixt Earth and Thee.

Yes-I adore Thy presence, while
All Nature drinks Thy splendid smile-
From radiant cloud to sunny sod,
Rejoicing drinks the smile of God!

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