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True. But we regard them as the first sprouting of that "grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: which, indeed, is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." It is the beginning of that leaven to ferment, “which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." (Matt.xiii. 31-33.) I have abundantly shewn, that the mass is, humanly speaking, preparing for this operation, by means of Schools and various Publications. I have proved, also, that the Divine Grace has taken effect. How difficult soever it may be to convert the adult Heathen, we have seen that it is Nor "impracticable." What the Holy Spirit has accomplished in one case, He can accomplish in another, and in all.

The Abbé Dubois, like the Ten Spies from Canaan, would discourage us, by reports of the stupendous difficulties in the way of evangelizing the Inhabitants of the East; and he predicts the destruction of Christianity in India within the space of fifty years. I, though in spirit and faith inferior to Caleb and Joshua, am yet returned from the same land that the Abbé has visited, and bring a

similar report of the obstacles to be encountered. I do, however, with those two faithful Israelites, encourage Missionaries to go up and possess the land. The Lord has shewn that He is with us also: He will conquer by us. Then, "rebel not ye against the Lord:" (Num. xiii. and xiv.) Joshua's God is our God: and in the day of His own power He will redeem even India to Himself. Behold the foundation of the Redeemer's Temple laid in that Pagan Land! and look confidently for the day, when "He shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, Grace, unto it!"

"Rise, crown'd with light, Imperial Salem, rise!
Exalt thy towery head, and lift thy eyes!
See a long race thy spacious court adorn!
See future sons and daughters, yet unborn,
In crowding ranks on every side arise,
Demanding life, impatient for the skies!
See barbarous Nations at thy gates attend,
Walk in thy light, and in thy temple bend!
See thy bright altars throng'd with prostrate Kings,
And heap'd with products of Sabean springs!
For thee Idume's spicy forests blow,

And seeds of gold in Ophir's mountain glow.
See Heaven its sparkling portals wide display,
And break upon thee in a flood of day!
No more the rising Sun shall gild the morn,
Nor evening Cynthia fill her silver horn;

But lost, dissolv'd in thy superior rays,
One tide of glory, one unclouded blaze,
O'erflow thy courts: the Light Himself shall shine.
Reveal'd, and God's eternal day be thine!"

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THE PRESENT STATE OF THE SYRIAN CHURCH IN TRAVANCORE, TOGETHER WITH THE SUCCESS THAT HAS ATTENDED THE MEANS USED FOR ITS AMELIORATION.

SPEAKING of the Syrian Christians in Travancore, the Abbé Dubois expresses his surprise at the exaggerations" of the late Dr. Buchanan, "on this and many other important points:" (p.21.) It would have been well, had he explained to what particular "exaggerations" he alludes: we might then have examined into the justice of his accusation.It appears, from his Letters, that he does not know the state of the Syrians, from personal observation; and he has neglected to specify any one "point" which Dr. B. has misrepresented. That that Author's descrip

tions are written in glowing language, and under the influence of animated feelings, I allow but the candid Reader, who has travelled over the pages of his "Researches in the East," accompanying him, from Bengal, through the horrid scenes exhibited in Orissa; the darkness, superstition, and misery, of other intervening Provinces; and arriving with him at last in South Travancore; will not be surprised at the warmth of his emotions, on discovering an isolated body of Christians among the mountains of that kingdom. And, when he finds that, amidst every local disadvantage, in the face of successive and obstinate persecutions from the Papists, and under the dominion of Idolatrous Rulers, they had, for many centuries, retained much of their Primitive Faith, and an unqualified reverence for the Word of God and implicit deference to its authority; he will, I think, allow, that no language can adequately express the feelings which such circumstances must excite in the mind of a Christian, panting, as Dr. B. did, for opportunity to promote the glory of God, and the best interests of man. I confess, that I thought his representations of that interesting people highly coloured; and did not venture to anticipate all the pleasure from a visit to them, which

his account seemed to promise. But, when travelling amongst them, and visiting their Churches, I compared his statements with all I heard and saw: and the result was, that in no instance did I find that the Doctor had overstated facts; and, on more than one occasion, his description did not equal my own feelings on the spot.

But, before M. Dubois had presumed to charge a man, of the late Dr. B.'s principles and character, with publishing 66 exaggerations" to the world, he ought to have been certain of the accuracy of the information upon which his accusations were founded.

He says, "he has heard that some Protestant Missionaries had recently prevailed upon many of the Syrian Clergy to marry; and that it was the only success they had to boast of." (p. 60.)

Previous to exposing the inaccuracy of this assertion, I shall correct his statements in reference to two or three points, which I do not remember to have seen answered in any other Publication*.

* I had marked for insertion M. Dubois' accounts of their Origin, Name, Creed, Sacraments, &c. &c., and shewn their inaccuracy in many respects. But, as this is not necessary to my purpose, and the Abbé is so ably confuted, on these and several other points, by the Author of a "Brief History of the Syrian Churches," given

in

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