Ihe Kingdoms of Cochin and Travancore. 75 



side of the Father, he appeared on earth for the salvation of 

 nmnkind : that he was born of ihe Virgin Mary, through, 

 the means of the Holy Ghast; and was incarnate, God and 

 man. So that in the union of the divine and human nature 

 there was one nature and one substance. — So we believe." 



The serviec in their church is performed very nearly alter 

 the Hiajuier of the church of England ; and v/hen the i; tro- 

 politan wa~ told that it was hoped that one day an uuion 

 might take place betu'ecn the two churches, he scumcd 

 pleased at the susgestion. 



The present metropolitan, Mar Dionysius, is now old 

 and infirm, but a very respectable character, and of ..he 

 most venerable and prepossessing appeaiance. A person 

 has been sent from Mousul, a city in Mesopotamia, to .suc- 

 ceed to his station in the event of his decease; but t'lis 

 stranger, ignorant of the language of the country, with the 

 character of being violent in his temper, and not averse, as 

 it is supposed, to the views of the Romish church, it is to 

 be hoped will be prevented from ever takmg charge of this 

 precious remnant of a pure and valuable people. 



The metropolitan has several archdeacons and deacons 

 under him, wlio act as vicar-generals. They have fifty-five 

 churches; and the number of their people, as o'iven in to 

 the resident, is estimated at 23,000. 



The residence of their metropolitan is at Candenatte, 

 twelve or fourteen miles iilland from Cochin. In some of 

 their churches divine service is performed in the Syrian and 

 Latin ritual alternately, by the priests of the Christians 

 of St. Thome, who have adhered to their antient rites, and 

 those who have been united to the church of Rome*. When 

 the latter have celebrated mass, they carry away the images 

 from the church before the others enter. 



The character of these people is marked by a strikino- su- 

 periority over the heathens in every moral excellence; and 

 they are remarkable for their veracity and plain dealing. 

 'I'hey are extremely attentive to their religious duties; and 

 abide by the decision of their priests and metropolitan in 



• This shows a spirit of toleration and Christian lilifi ality very difTercnt 

 from the bigotry of the Romish churcli. 



all 



