8 INAUGURAL ADDRESS 



emigrant, and a servant to a foreign master, I should reply 

 that that is another strange mark of difference between him 

 and the peasant of the Peninsula, whom it is very difficult to 

 persuade either to leave his house, or to become a servant. I 

 think it is important that these differences between the several 

 Malayan races should be more clearly noted than they have 

 been hitherto. 



Then again in the matter of Religion there is the same want 

 of .accurate observation. Nearly all Malays are Mohamedans, 

 and people seem to consider that when they have said that, they 

 have said all that need be said on the subject, and that they 

 have told you all there is to be told. But there are Mohame- 

 dans and Mohamedans ; and I expect there is as much differ- 

 ence in the ideas of Religion held by a Mussulman of the 

 West and an average Malay, as between those held by Mr. 

 Spurgeon and the Pope of Rome. There could hardly be 

 a more interesting study, than that of the special developments 

 of Islam that are to be met with among the Malay race, both 

 as to religious belief and moral practice. I remember that 

 some years ago at Malacca, I was much interested in listening 

 to a Malay relating to me the traditions of the Patriarchs, which 

 had come down through many generations of Malays, having, 

 doubtless, originated from Arab sources. It was quite evident, 

 in many cases, that the narrative had in course of time assumed 

 a distinctly local form and colouring. I intended to have made 

 a collection of such traditions, but my removal to Singapore 

 interrupted the study, and I have never had leisure or opportu- 

 nity to return to it. 



A careful study of the religious opinions and practices of the 

 people would be not interesting only, but directly useful. Use- 

 ful of course to the Missionary, as shewing him what ground 

 he has in common with the man whose spiritual life he hopes 

 to benefit, what are the real errors to be eradicated, and the 

 real defects in faith and morals that have to be supplied. And 

 useful to the governing class too, as discovering the true char- 

 acter and nature of the people to be governed, for as Carlyle 

 says, " A man's religion is the chief fact with regard to him ; 

 " a man's or a nation of men's." And he goes on to explain : 

 " By religion I do not mean the Church-creed which he pro- 

 " fesses, the articles of faith which he will sign, and, in words 

 " or otherwise, assert ; not this wholly ; in many cases not this 

 " at all, * * * * * But the thing a man does practically be- 

 " lieve; the thiug a man does practically lay to heart concern- 

 " ing his vital relations to this mysterious universe, and his 



