MISSIONARIES. 313 



Connected with the state of British society in India is 

 another subject which has justly excited the deepest interest 

 at home. We have already surveyed the vast fabric which 

 superstition has reared in that country, and within which 

 the mind and social system of this great people are, as it 

 were, imprisoned. Hence they are not only shut out from 

 the light of truth, but debarred from many of the best means 

 of developing their intellectual and moral powers. If this 

 gloom could be illumined by the benignant light of Chris- 

 tianity, the most signal boon would undoubtedly be con- 

 ferred on that extensive portion of the eastern world ; yet 

 the strongest prejudices were long felt in the highest quarter 

 against any effort for promoting this object. The laudable 

 resolution against compulsory interference with the native 

 religion was combined with a fear that any attempts at per- 

 suasion, made by English teachers, would be looked upon 

 as indicative of a disposition to employ more violent methods 

 hereafter, and that an alarm thus excited among the influ- 

 ential classes would render the people hostile to British do- 

 minion. The company, therefore, during a long period, 

 did not support any ecclesiastical establishment, and even 

 discouraged the residence of clergymen of any denomination, 

 or with any object. Experience has now proved these 

 apprehensions to be unfounded. The natives, after wit- 

 nessing the settlement of a body of established ministers, 

 and the most active missionary exertions, have remained 

 satisfied with the ample toleration secured by the govern- 

 ment. They have even formed a better opinion of their 

 conquerors, since they have discovered that they are not, as 

 was supposed, destitute of all religion, but have, like them- 

 selves, a form of worship, and even shastras, or sacred 

 books, in which it is contained. 



The intelligence and zeal displayed by the missionaries 

 in the East are such as reflect honour upon human nature. 

 The first place must undoubtedly be yielded to those of 

 the Baptist persuasion, whose learned labours in the pros- 

 ecution of their pious undertaking have excited the general 

 admiration of Europe. Their important mission arose 

 from very small beginnings. In October, 1792, a few Bap- 

 tist ministers met at Kettering in Northamptonshire, and 

 resolved to form a society for the propagation of the gospel ' 

 Bubscribing a sum which, in the first instance, fell short of 

 Vol. II.— D d 



