185 



I will give you rest?" The invitation is too simple for self-confi- 

 dence; until the spirit is humbled the heavenly manna is rejected 

 by modern philosophers, as was the prescription of " Wash and be 

 clean," by the Syrian general! 



The fatal tendency of infidelity among the Europeans in India, 

 especially the younger part of the community, has been mentioned. 

 Bereft of parents and friends, we had none to address us in the 

 language of the pious Gellert, the amiable professor. of Lei psic: 

 " O! if the testimony of a friend, of a tutor, can have any weight 

 " with you; if mine, my dear young friends, can have any influence 

 " over you, whenever any presumptuous reasoner would set you 

 " against the doctrines of the holy scriptures ; or when the infidel, 

 " not knowing how to tranquillize his own mind, undertakes to 

 " extinguish in yours a belief, the holiness of which confounds him, 

 " O Christian youth, let him never find one amongst you, who may 

 " dare to despise the most excellent of all books, and make it a 

 " subject of raillery! Let the scriptures be at all times the object 

 " of your veneration; it constitutes your happiness on earth, and 

 " secures it in heaven!" 



How does the invaluable advice of this excellent professor out- 

 weigh the sophistical reasoning* of the royal philosopher of Sans 

 Souci, in his memorable lines to Marshal Keith. 



" De l'avenir, cher Keith, jugeons par le passe : 

 : " Comme avant que je fosse il n'avoit point pense; 



" De meme, apres ma mort, quand toutes mes parties 



" Par la corruption serontaneanties, 



" Par un meme destin il ne pensera plus ! 



" Non, rien n'est plus certain, soyons en convajncu." 



VOL. III. 2B 



