At the close of this sermon, Mr. Buchanan thus announced his intention as to the subject of some succeeding dis

courses.

"My brethren, you cannot be indifferent as to what kind "of doctrines are delivered to you. Your regular atten"dance on the worship of God demonstrates that you are "serious; and if there be seriousness on your part, it be"comes us to shew some zeal on ours.

"If at any time you perceive a discrepancy of opinion "regarding doctrine, let it excite you to inquire into the "truth for yourselves; and it will have a happy conse"quence."

Adverting to the tendency there was at that day to withdraw from the principles of our forefathers both in religion and morals, he added, "I purpose to preach a series of dis"courses on the chief doctrines of our Church, as contained "in her Articles, Liturgy, and Homilies; and to illustrate "them from the lives and writings of our first Reformers, "and of our most learned and pious Divines. The object "will be to shew, what that religion was, which enabled our "bishops to become martyrs to the faith, and to contrast its "genuine principles with the doctrines frequently set forth "at this day.

"Every thing spoken from this place ought to be spoken "for edification. We are accounted the stewards of the "mysteries of God; and we shall soon be called to give an "account of our stewardship.

"To obtain your approbation is desirable; but the great "object of our ministry ought to be, to lead you to the exer"cise of every Christian grace and virtue; to unfold to you "the beauty and harmony of the Gospel, its power, influ❝ence, consolations, and reward; and to obtain your tes"timony after we are gone, that we have not 'shunned to "declare unto you the whole counsel of God." "

In the second of this valuable series of discourses, from the words of the Prophet Isaiah, chap. Ix. 2. For, behold, "the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness "the people," Mr. Buchanan thought it necessary to con

the nations of Hindostan. Many interesting facts were here stated relative to the existence of Christianity in India from the earliest ages, and particularly respecting the native Christians on the coast of Malabar, who, notwithstanding the accounts given of them by a few learned men, were now for the first time prominently introduced to the knowledge of the English public. The labours of the Danish missionaries Ziegenbalg, and Grundler, and of the apostolic Swartz, were also commemorated; and the laudable and truly Christian addresses of King George the First and Archbishop Wake to the former excellent men, were exhibited as models of imitation to political and ecclesiastical governors of the present day.

The Memoir itself was with great propriety, and in a strain of dignified and impressive eloquence, dedicated to his Grace the late Archbishop of Canterbury, having been transmitted to this country before the death of that most Reverend Prelate was known in Bengal.

An appendix to the Memoir contained a variety of important information on the superstitions of the Hindoos, tending powerfully to correct the erroneous opinion so commonly entertained of them at this period, as a mild, humane, and inoffensive race.

In advocating the expediency of an ecclesiastical establishment as a foundation for the ultimate civilization of the natives of India, Mr. Buchanan did not state at length the reasonings upon which he grounded his expectation of that important result.

"No immediate effect," he observes, "is to be expected "from it in the way of revolution; but it may be demonstra❝ted by a deduction from facts, that the most beneficial con"sequences will follow in the way of ordinary effect from an "adequate cause." P. 21.

A detailed view of the intermediate steps between the cause and its supposed consequences would, doubtless, as it was afterwards suggested, have been a desirable addition to the arguments of his Memoir. Mr. Buchanan, however, probably thought, that the concurring testimony of history

as to the connection between the profession and establishment of a religion by the governing power in a state, and its progressive influence among the people, was sufficiently known and acknowledged to authorize the general assertion just quoted; and it was not, perhaps, absolutely necessary to the conclusiveness of his proofs as to the expediency of an ecclesiastical establishment in India for both the important purposes stated in bis Memoir.

Such was briefly the nature of the novel and interesting work which Mr. Buchanan transmitted to England in the year 1805, for publication. It was calculated, from the peculiar subjects of which it treated, to excite general attention, and to provoke both discussion and animadversion. The consideration, however, of its reception and effect, must be suspended, while we revert to the intermediate course of this narrative.

It had long been an object of anxiety to the superinten. dants of the college of Fort William to obtain a version of the Scriptures in the Chinese language. After many fruitless inquiries, they in this year succeeded in procuring the assistance of Mr. Lassar, a native of China, and an Armenian Christian, whose name is now well known as a learned professor of that language. Mr. Lassar arrived at Calcutta in a commercial capacity; and having met with some difficulties, he became known to Mr. Buchanan, who, appreciating his talents, generously liberated him from his embarrassments, and engaged him at a stipend of three hundred rupees per month to devote himself to the translation of the Scriptures, and to the instruction of a Chinese class, formed of one of the elder, and three of the junior members of the missionary establishment at Serampore. The expected reduction of the college rendering it inexpedient that Mr. Lassar should be attached to that institution, this stipend was afforded for about three years at the sole expense of Mr. Buchanan. To his liberality, therefore, must be chiefly

a See the "Christian Researches," p. 13; Christian Observer for 1809, p. 601; and Dr. Marshman's Clavis Sinica, Preface, p. ii.

ascribed the progress which has been made in that quarter towards supplying the vast empire of China with a translation of the sacred volume into its own extraordinary language.

The name of Mr. Buchanan appears in the year 1805 in the list of members of the Asiatic Society. He had probably been elected previously to that period; and if he did not contribute to the curious and valuable "Researches" of that learned body, it was not so much from any want of interest in their labours, as from the pressure of his various employments, which allowed him only to devote his leisure to inquiries which were exclusively of an ecclesiastical and religious nature.

Two letters to one of his friends in this year contain proofs of the paternal anxiety with which Mr. Buchanan watched over the progress of the students of Fort William. The weekly reports of the different professors as to the proficiency of their classes were delivered to him every Saturday. Their representations, whether favourable or otherwise, were by him communicated to the college council, and ultimately, through them, or himself as their organ, to the Governor General. Mr. Buchanan mentions several instances of the beneficial effects of this watchful superintendence in stimulating even those who would otherwise have remained incorrigibly indolent to diligence and exertion. In a few cases, the discipline which had been originally announced was firmly and impartially enforced; sometimes, but very rarely, by absolute removal from college, and the consequent loss of promotion in the service; at others, by the kind intervention of Mr. Buchanan with the Governor General, in cases which admitted of apology or excuse, by permission to retire, and an appointment which sufficiently marked the circumstances of inferiority in which the neglect of college duties had issued. Upon one such occasion Mr. Buchanan thus writes.

"It would have given me great satisfaction to have "been able to send you such gratifying letters as I have "often written, and am now writing, to various families in

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"England, Scotland, and Ireland, respecting their sons who "have passed a long period in diligent study, acquired hon"ours, and then lucrative appointments. But it has been "ordered otherwise. Perhaps all will be well. Poor....." (speaking of a student who had lately died) “ had certainly "been cherishing solemn and serious purposes the fortnight "before his death; and he no doubt died the child of many prayers...... may yet prove himself to be the child of "religious parents. Their case however speaks loudly to "us who are fathers; teaching us to walk with humility and "fear before God, committing our children to him in prayer ❝ and tears, and with much wrestling for a blessing on them, "when they depart from us. The world says,He who "hath children, hath given pledges to fortune.' The Christ❝ian knows how this is to be translated."

Upon the general subject of religion in Calcutta Mr. Buchanan gave the following encouraging accounts to one of his correspondents.

still perseveres in

"We have had divine service at the mission church "lately for the settlement. The punkas make it very plea"sant; but it was found to be too small for the auditory; "many families going away every Sunday morning; seats "being in general occupied an hour before service. "You will be glad to hear that "listening to sacred things; as do many "tical servants whom you do not know. “religious books, particularly of evangelical principles, has "been very great these two last years. Messrs. Dring told "me they had sold an investment of fifty 8vo. Bibles in the "course of three months."

other young poliThe demand for

In a subsequent letter Mr. Buchanan thus continued his account of ecclesiastical affairs, after prefacing it with an act of kindness to a clerical brother.

requests me to

"The bearer of this, the Rev. Mr. "state to you his hope that you will peruse his memorial re"ferred by this government to the Court of Directors. He "has been twenty-five years a chaplain here, and is now old ❝ and infirm. I assured him that every justice would be