benevolence, self-government, and the love of virtue amongst individuals, in every country where it has been received; and it will every where operate more powerfully, as it is received with more firm assurance of its truth; and it will be every where received with more. firm assurance of its truth, as it is better understood; for when it is properly understood, it will be freed from the pollutions of superstition and fanaticism among the hearers, and from ambition, domination and secularity among the teachers.

"Your publication has given us in England a great insight into the state of Christianity in India, as well as into the general state of Learning amongst you; and it has excited in me the warmest wishes for the prosperity of the College of Fort-William. It is an Institution which would have done honour to the wisdom of Solon or Lycurgus. I have no knowledge personally of the Marquis Wellesley, but I shall think of him and of his coadjutors in this undertaking, with the highest respect and admiration, as long as I live.

"I cannot enter into any particulars relative to an Ecclesiastical Establishment in India; nor would it, perhaps, be proper to press Government to take the matter into their consideration, till this country is freed from the danger which threatens it: but I have that opinion of his Majesty's Ministers, that they will, not only from policy, but from a serious sense of religious duty, be disposed to treat the subject, whenever it comes before them, with great judgement and liberality. May God direct their counsels!

"Our Empire in India,' said Mr. Hastings, has

'been acquired by the sword, and must be maintained 'by the sword.' I cannot agree with him in this sentiment. All Empires have been originally acquired by violence, but they are best established by moderation. and justice. There was a time when we shewed ourselves to the inhabitants of India in the character of tyrants and robbers; that time, I trust, is gone for ever. The wisdom of British policy, the equity of its jurisprudence, the impartiality of its laws, the humanity of its penal code, and above all, the incorrupt administration of public justice, will, when they are well understood, make the Indians our willing subjects, and induce them to adopt a religion attended with such consequences to the dearest interests of the human mind. They will rejoice in having exchanged the tyranny of Pagan superstition, and the despotism of their native princes, for the mild mandates of Christianity, and the stable authority of equitable laws. The difference between such different states of civil society, as to the production of human happiness, is infinite; and the attainment of happiness is the ultimate aim of all individuals in all nations.

I am,
Reverend Sir,

Your obliged and faithful Servant,

R. LLANDAFF."

To Rev. Dr. BUCHANAN,
Vice-Provst of the College

of Fort-William, Calcutta.

CONCLUSION.

In the progress of these Researches the Author has found his mind frequently drawn to consider the extraordinary difference of opinion, which exists among men of learning, in regard to the importance and obligation of communicating religious knowledge to our fellow-creatures. And he has often heard the question asked by others, What can be the cause of this discrepancy of opinion? For that such a difference does exist is most evident; and is exemplified at this moment in some of the most illustrious characters for rank and learning, in the nation. This is a problem of a very interesting character at this day, and worthy of a distinct and ample discussion, particularly at the seats of learning. The problem may be thus expressed. "What

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power is that, which produces in the minds of some persons a real interest and concern in the "welfare of their fellow-creatures; extending not

only to the comfort of their existence in this "world, but to their felicity hereafter; while other "men who are apparently in similar circumstances "as to learning and information, do not feel in"clined to move one step for the promotion of such

"objects?"-The latter, it may be, can speculate on the philosophy of the human mind, on its great powers and high dignity, on the sublime virtue of universal benevolence, on the tyranny of superstition, and the slavery of ignorance; and will sometimes quote the verse of the poet,

"Homo sum: humani nîl a me alienum puto:"

but they leave it to others, and generally to the Christian in humble life, to exercise the spirit of that noble verse.-This is a very difficult problem; and it has been alleged by some that it cannot be solved on any known principles of philosophy. The following relation will probably lead to principles by which we may arrive at a solution.

There was once a King in the East, whose empire extended over the known world, and his dominion" was to the end of the earth." During the former part of his reign, his heart was filled with pride: he knew not the God of heaven: and he viewed with the utmost indifference the nations over whom he ruled, worshipping idols of wood and stone. But it pleased the King of kings to dethrone this haughty monarch, to cast him down from his high estate, and to abase him in the dust. And after he had been for a time in the furnace of

S

affliction, and his proud heart was humbled, God graciously revealed himself to him in his true name and character, and then restored him to his former prosperity and power. The penitent king, thus once more exalted, and filled with admiration at the discovery of the ONLY TRUE GOD, immediately issued an edict to the whole world, setting forth the greatness of the Most High, asserting his glory, and inviting all nations to "praise and mag"nify HIM that liveth for ever, whose dominion "is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is " from generation to generation." This memorable edict began in these sublime terms:

"NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING, UNTO ALL 66 PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES, THAT DWELL "IN ALL THE EARTH, Peace be multiplied unto 66 you. I thought it good to shew the signs and "wonders which the Most High God hath wrought "toward me. How great are his SIGNS! How "mighty are his WONDERS!" Having recounted the judgement and mercy of God to himself, he thus concludes; "Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise " and extol and honour the King of Heaven, all "whose works are truth and his ways judgement; " and them that walk in pride he is able to abase.'

*Daniel, 4th chapter.