test.

Nor is it this principle which at this "eventful moment animates our nation with such "a holy enthusiasm for the preservation of their country, their laws, and their religion.

σε

"If it please the providence of God that success "should still attend us in the deliverance of our "country, you will yet have to reflect that you "have not contributed to its preservation; that you have neither supported its religion nor its principles: but will have to fear, that, in the de66 gree of your influence, you have injured both. "You will have to reflect, that you have not done

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your part as a good member of society; that "however obscure your situation, or small your

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ability, you have put no mite into the treasury "of the public good; that, on the contrary, you "have lived a mere inactive pensioner on the "bounty of your country, which grants you the "blessing of a tranquil life, and grants you also "that liberty of opinion which is abused to her « injury.”

The preceding passages form a brief abstract only of the train of reasoning pursued in this able sermon. Towards the close of it, Mr. Buchanan observes, that great as is the benefit of the Christian religion to nations, and irresistible as are the arguments for maintaining it for the good of society, its importance to the happiness of the individual is still greater.

"Had not its eternal sanctions awakened the

"consciences of men in every age, and its spirit "sunk deep into their hearts, its national import"ance would never have preserved it; and the solemnity of this day would not now have been

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observed. But there are still those who pro"nounce the confession of the text with the same "confidence, and in the same spirit with which it "was pronounced at first. • We believe and know "that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the "world.""

After referring to the practical illustrations of this assertion which had been lately afforded amongst themselves, Mr. Buchanan thus concludes:

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6

"That which was prophesied of the Christian religion has been fulfilled in every age; that it "should be in a state of conflict; but that the spirit of some would preserve it unto the end of the world.' Ye,' saith our Lord, are the salt of the earth.' Ye are they, who, having an impression of the eternal truth of my Gospel, will "maintain its doctrine and principles for your “own salvation, and for the advantage of an evil "world.

T

"But if at any time this salt shall lose its sa"vour;' if at any time your profession of religion "should degenerate into a mere form, it then only "serveth to be cast out, and to be trodden under

а

"a Probably alluding to the deaths of Mr. Obeck and Mr. Ed

monstone.

"the feet of men ;' under the feet of your present men;'

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enemies, and by a vain philosophy.

"We, my brethren, may be accounted the re'presentatives of the Christian religion, in this "remote country. A duty is imposed on us, from "which some societies may think themselves ex"onerated. And however little many of us may "think of this duty, it is one which must and will "be performed by some, zealously and faithfully, "as a duty to God and to their country.

"And living in the observance of this duty, they "will wait the event of that awful commotion "which begins again to agitate the world; in "humble acquiescence in the righteous dispensa"tions of God; not trusting to the merits of our "nation for deliverance; but firmly believing that, "since it hath pleased his providence to honour us, "in time past, with the defence of his religion, it " is his will that it should yet be established by our "means."

It is an animating reflection, that the high duty and privilege of maintaining inviolate the purity of the Christian religion has been faithfully fulfilled by the British empire at large; and that we have emerged out of that great conflict which had then lately recommenced, with augmented strength and glory; a monument of the truth of the divine declaration, that the steady profession, and the undaunted defence of truth and righteousness, are the surest means of protecting and exalting a nation.

It may not be improper to add, that, at the close of the preceding sermon, a collection was made to the amount of 6000 rupees, a sum highly creditable to the liberality of the congregation, for the benefit of "the Calcutta Charitable Fund," instituted in the year 1800 by the Rev. David Brown, under the auspices of Marquis Wellesley, for the relief of distressed Europeans, Mohammedans, and Hindoos; of which Mr. Buchanan some years afterwards observed, that it had been a fountain of mercy to thousands.

CHAP. III.

THE college of Fort William, according to the regulation of Lord Wellesley, in obedience to the decision of the Court of Directors, was to close on the 31st of December 1803. It was, however, a very gratifying circumstance to the friends of that institution, that on the 3d of January 1804, a despatch announced to the Governor General the determination of the Court, that the college should for the present continue on its original footing. The business and examinations of the students accordingly proceeded in their usual train, or rather with additional spirit.

"An example of idleness," says Mr. Buchanan in a letter to a friend, "is a rare thing. The ap"pointments to the service continue to be made "according to the college list, that is, according "to merit."

a

The annual disputations in the oriental languages were held this year on the 20th of September, in the presence of the Governor General, accompanied, as usual, by the principal officers of the Presidency, with the addition, on this occasion, of Soliman Aga, the envoy from Bagdad.

a See "The College of Fort William," page 124.