INDIAN MISSIONS.*

(EDINBURGH REVIEW, 1808.

Ar two o'clock in the morning, July the 10th, | ment to convert them by forcible means to 1806, the European barracks, at Vellore, con- | Christianity; and his Lordship in Council has taining then four complete companies of the observed with concern, that such malicious 69th regiment, were surrounded by two battal- reports have been believed by many of the ions of Sepoys in the Company's service, who native troops. poured in an heavy fire of musketry, at every door and window, upon the soldiers: at the same time the European sentries, the soldiers at the main-guard, and the sick in the hospital, were put to death; the officers' houses were ransacked, and every body found in them murdered. Upon the arrival of the 19th Light Dragoons under Colonel Gillespie, the Sepoys were immediately attacked; 600 cut down upon the spot; and 200 taken from their hiding places, and shot. There perished, of the four European companies, about 164, besides officers; and many British officers of the native troops were murdered by the insurgents.

Subsequent to this explosion, there was a mutiny at Nundydroog; and, in one day, 450 Mahomedan Sepoys were disarmed, and turned out of the fort, on the ground of an intended massacre. It appeared, also, from the information of the commanding officer at Tritchinopoly, that, at that period, a spirit of disaffection had manifested itself at Bangalore, and other places; and seemed to gain ground in every direction. On the 3d of December, 1806, the government of Madras issued the following proclamation:

"A PROCLAMATION.-The Right Hon. the Governor in Council, having observed that, in some late instances, an extraordinary degree of agitation has prevailed among several corps of the native army of this coast, it has been his Lordship's particular endeavour to ascertain the motives which may have led to conduct so different from that which formerly distinguished the native army. From this inquiry, it has appeared that many persons of evil intention have endeavoured, for malicious purposes, to impress upon the native troops a belief that it is the wish of the British govern

“The Right Hon. the Governor in Council, therefore, deems it proper, in this public manner, to repeat to the native troops his assurance, that the same respect which has been invariably shown by the British government for their religion and for their customs, will be always continued; and that no interruption will be given to any native, whether Hindoo or Mussulman, in the practice of his religious ceremonies.

"His Lordship in Council desires that the native troops will not give belief to the idle rumours which are circulated by enemies of their happiness, who endeavour, with the basest designs, to weaken the confidence of the troops in the British government. His Lordship in Council desires that the native troops will remember the constant attention and humanity which have been shown by the British government, in providing for their comfort, by augmenting the pay of the native officers and Sepoys; by allowing liberal pensions to those who have done their duty faithfully; by making ample provisions for the families of those who may have died in battle; and by receiving their children into the service of the Honourable Company, to be treated with the same care and bounty as their fathers had experienced.

"The Right Hon. the Governor in Council trusts, that the native troops, remembering these circumstances, will be sensible of the happiness of their situation, which is greater than what the troops of any other part of the world enjoy; and that they will continue to observe the same good conduct for which they were distinguished in the days of Gen. Law. rence, of Sir Eyre Coote, and of other renowned heroes.

"The native troops must at the same time be sensible, that if they should fail in the duties of their allegiance, and should show themselves disobedient to their officers, their conduct will not fail to receive merited punishment, as the British government is not less prepared to punish the guilty, than to protect and distinguish those who are deserving of its favour.

"It is directed that this paper be translated with care into the Tamul, Telinga, and Hindoostany languages; and that copies of it be circulated to each native battalion, of which the European officers are enjoined and ordered to be careful in making it known to every native officer and Sepoy under his command.

"It is also directed, that copies of the paper be circulated to all the magistrates and collectors under this government, for the purpose of

being fully understood in all parts of the | whose papers, we think it right to lay before country. our readers the following extracts.*

"Published by order of the Right Hon. the Governor in Council.

"G. BUCHAN, Chief Secretary to Government. "Dated in Fort St. George, 3d Dec. 1806."

Scott Waring's Preface, iii.-v. So late as March 1807, three months after the date of this proclamation, so universal was the dread of a general revolt among the native troops, that the British officers attached to the native troops constantly slept with loaded pistols under their pillows.

It appears that an attempt had been made by the military men at Madras, to change the shape of the Sepoy turban into something resembling the helmet of the light infantry of Europe, and to prevent the native troops from wearing, on their foreheads, the marks characteristic of their various castes. The sons

of the late Tippoo, with many noble Mussulmen deprived of office at that time, resided in the fortress of Vellore, and in all probability contributed very materially to excite, or to inflame those suspicions of design against their religion, which are mentioned in the proclamation of the Madras government, and generally known to have been a principal cause of the insurrection at Vellore. It was this insurrection which first gave birth to the question upon missions to India; and before we deliver any opinion upon the subject itself, it will be necessary to state what had been done in former periods towards disseminating the truths of the gospel in India, and what new exertions had been made about the period at which this event took place.

More than a century has elapsed since the first Protestant missionaries appeared in India. Two young divines, selected by the University of Halle, were sent out in this capacity by the king of Denmark, and arrived at the Danish settlement of Tranquebar in 1706. The mission thus begun, has been ever since continued, and has been assisted by the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge established in this country. The same Society has, for many years, employed German missionaries, of the Lutheran persuasion, for propagating the doctrines of Christianity among the natives of India. In 1799, their number was six; it is

now reduced to five.

The Scriptures translated into the Tamulic language, which is vernacular in the southern parts of the peninsula, have, for more than half a century, been printed at the Tranquebar press, for the use of Danish missionaries and their converts. A printing press, indeed, was established at that place by the two first Danish missionaries; and, in 1714, the Gospel of St. Matthew, translated into the dialect of Malabar, was printed there. Not a line of the Scriptures, in any of the languages current on the coast, had issued from the Bengal press on September 13, 1806.

It does appear, however, about the period of the mutiny at Vellore, and a few years previous to it, that the number of the missionaries on the coast had been increased. In 1804, the Missionary Society, a recent institution, sent a new mission to the coast of Coromandel; from

"March 31st, 1805.-Waited on A. B. He ward our views. We may stay at Madras as says, Government seems to be very willing to forlong as we please; and when we intend to go into the country, on our application to the governor by letter, he would issue orders for granting us passports, which would supersede the necessity of a public petition.-Lord's Day."-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. p. 365.

In a letter from Brother Ringletaube to Brother Cran, he thus expresses himself;

ference

"The passports Government has promised you are so valuable, that I should not think a journey too troublesome to obtain one for myself, if I could not get it through your interIn hopes that your application will suffice to obtain one for me, I enclose you my Gravesend passport, that will give you the particulars concerning my person."-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. p. 369.

They obtain their passports from Government; and the plan and objects of their mission are printed, free of expense, at the Gov-. ernment press.

"1805, June 27, Dr.

sent for one of us. to consult with him on particular business. He accordingly went. The Doctor told him, that he had read the publications which the brethren lately brought from England, and was so much delighted with the report of the Directors, that he wished 200 or more copies of it were printed, together with an introduction, giving an account of the rise and progress of the Missionary Society, in order to be distributed in the different settlements in India. He offered to print them at the Government press free of expense. On his return, we consulted with our two brethren on the subject, and resolved to accept the Doctor's favour. We have begun to prepare it for the press."-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. p. 394.

In page 89th of the 18th Number, Vol. III., the Missionaries write thus to the Society in London, about a fortnight before the massacre at Vellore.

established government of the country. Hi"Every encouragement is offered us by the therto they have granted us every request, whether solicited by ourselves or others. Theit permission to come to this place; their allowing us an acknowledgment for preaching in the with the grant which they have lately given us fort, which sanctions us in our work; together to hold a large spot of ground every way suited for missionary labours, are objects of the last which might be apprehended from this source.. importance, and remove every impediment We trust not to an arm of flesh; but when we reflect on these things, we cannot but behold the loving kindness of the Lord."

There are six societies in England for converting Heathens to the Christian religion. 1. Society for Misforce, Grant, Parry, and Thorntons, are the principal sions to Africa and the East; of which Messrs. Wilberencouragers. 2. Methodist Society for Missions. 3. Anabaptist Society for Missions. 4. Missionary Soci6. Moravian Missions. They all publish their proceed. ety. 5. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge ings.

In a letter of the same date, we learn, from Brother Ringletaube, the following fact:

"The Dewan of Travancore sent me word, that if I despatched one of our Christians to him, he would give me leave to build a church at Magilandy. Accordingly, I shall send in a short time. For this important service, our society is indebted alone to Colonel without whose determined and fearless interposition, none of their missionaries would have been able to set a foot in that country."

In page 381, Vol. II., Dr. Kerr, one of the chaplains on the Madras establishment, baptizes a Mussulman who had applied to him for that purpose; upon the first application, it appears that Dr. Kerr hesitated; but upon the Mussulman threatening to rise against him on the day of judgment, Dr. Kerr complies.

the heat of the raging sun, and the chilling dews of the night, all because there is no European Missionary to bring their complaints to the ear of Government, who, I am happy to add, have never been deficient in their duty of procuring redress, where the Christians have had to complain of real injuries. One of the most trying cases, mentioned in a postscript of the above letter, is that of Christians being logged till they consent to hold the torches to the Heathen idols. The letter says the Catechist of Collesigrapatuam has informed me, that the above Manikar has forced a Christian, of the Villally caste, who attends at our church, to sweep the temple of the idol. A severe flogging was given on this occasion.'-From such facts, the postscript continues, You may guess at the deplorable situation of our fellowbelievers, as long as every Manikar thinks he has a right to do them what violence he pleases.'

It appears that in the Tinevelly district, about a year before the massacre of Vellore, not only riots, but very serious persecutions of "It must be observed, to the glory of the Sathe converted natives had taken place, from viour who is strong in weakness, that many of the jealousy evinced by the Hindoos and Mus- the Neophytes in that district have withstood sulmen at the progress of the gospel. all these fiery trials with firmness. Many also, "Rev. Sir, I thought you sufficiently ac-it is to be lamented, have fallen off in the evil quainted with the late vexations of the Chris- day, and at least so far yielded to the importutians in those parts, arising from the blind zeal nity of their persecutors, as again to daub of the Heathens and Mahometans; the latter their faces with paint and ashes, after the manviewing with a jealous eye the progress of the ner of the Heathen. How great this falling gospel, and trying to destroy, or at least to clog off has been I am not yet able to judge. But it, by all the crafty means in their power. II am happy to add, that the Board of Revenue therefore did not choose to trouble you; but as has issued the strictest orders against all unno stop has been put to these grievances, things provoked persecution."-Trans. of Miss. Society, go on from bad to worse, as you will see from II. 431, 433. what has happened at Hickadoe. The Catechist The following quotations evince how far from has providentially escaped from that outra-indifferent the natives are to the progress of geous attempt, by the assistance of ten or the Christian religion in the East. twelve of our Christians, and has made good. his flight to Palamcotta; whilst the exasperated mob, coming from Padeckepalloe, hovered round the village, plundering the houses of the Christians, and ill-treating their families, by kicking, flogging, and other bad usage; these monsters not even forbearing to attack, strip, rob, and miserably beat the Catechist Jesuadian, who, partly from illness and partly through fear, had shut himself up in his house. I have heard various accounts of this sad event; but yesterday the Catechist himself called on me, and told me the truth of it. From what he says, is plain that the Manikar of Wayrom (a Black peace-officer of that place) has conrived the whole affair, with a view to vex the Christians. I doubt not that these facts have been reported to the Rev. Mr. K. by the countrypriest; and if I mention them to you, it is with a view to show in what a forlorn state the poor Christians hereabout are, and how desirable a thing it would be, if the Rev. Mr. Ringletaube were to come hither as soon as possible; then tranquillity would be restored, and future molestations prevented. I request you to communicate this letter to him with my compliments. I am, sir, &c. Manapaar, June 8, 1805.' "This letter left a deep impression on my mind, especially when I received a fuller account of the troubles of the Christians. By the Black underlings of the Collectors, they are frequently driven from their homes, put in the stocks, and exposed for a fortnight together to

"1805. Oct. 10.-A respectable Brahmin in the Company's employ called on us. We endeavoured to point out to him the important object of our coming to India, and mentioned some of the great and glorious truths of the gospel, which we wished to impart in the native language. He seemed much hurt, and told us the Gentoo religion was of a divine origin as well as the Christian;-that heaven was like a palace which had many doors, at which people may enter;-that variety is pleasing to God, &c.—and a number of other arguments which we hear every day. On taking leave, he said, the Company has got the country, (for the English are very clever,) and, perhaps, they may succeed in depriving the Brahmins of their power, and let you have it.'"

"November 16th. Received a letter from the Rev. Dr. Taylor; we are happy to find he is safely arrived at Calcutta, and that our Baptist brethren are labouring with increasing success. The natives around us are astonished to hear this news. It is bad news to the Brahmins, who seem unable to account for it; they say the world is going to ruin."-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. 422 & 426.

"While living in the town, our house was watched by the natives from morning to night, to see if any person came to converse about religion. This prevented many from coming who have been very desirous of hearing of the good way."-Trans. of Miss. Society, No. 16, p. 87.

"If Heathen, of great influence and connec- from Brother Carey that a gentleman from tions, or Brahmins, were inclined to join the Northumberland had promised to send him 30l. Christian church, it would probably cause for the Society, and to subscribe four guineas commotions and even rebellions, either to pre- annually." vent them from it, or to endanger their life. In former years, we had some instances of this kind at Tranquebar; where they were protected by the assistance of government. If such instances should happen now in our present times, we don't know what the consequence would be."-Trans. of Miss. Society, II. 185.

This last extract is contained in a letter from Danish Missionaries at Tranquebar, to the Directors of the Missionary Society at London. It is hardly fair to contend, after these extracts, that no symptoms of jealousy upon the subject of religion had been evinced on the coast, except in the case of the insurrection at Vellore; or that no greater activity than common had prevailed among the missionaries. We are very far, however, from attributing that insurrection exclusively, or even principally, to any apprehensions from the zeal of the missionaries. The rumor of that zeal might probably have more readily disposed the minds of the troops for the corrupt influence exercised upon them; but we have no doubt that the massacre was principally owing to the adroit use made by the sons of Tippoo, and the high Mussalmen living in the fortress, of the abominable military foppery of our people.

After this short sketch of what has been lately passing on the coast, we shall attempt to give a similar account of the missionary proceedings in Bengal; and it appears to us, it will be more satisfactory to do so as much as possible in the words of the missionaries themselves. In our extracts from their publications, we shall endeavour to show the character and style of the men employed in these missions, the extent of their success, or rather of their failure, and the general impression made upon the people by their efforts for the dissemination of the gospel.

It will be necessary to premise, that the missions in Bengal, of which the public have heard so much of late years, are the missions of Anabaptist dissenters, whose peculiar and distinguishing tenet it is, to baptize the members of their church by plunging them into the water when they are grown up, instead of sprinkling them with water when they are young. Among the subscribers to this society, we perceive the respectable name of the Deputy Chairman of the East India Company, who, in the common routine of office, will succeed to the chair of that Company at the ensuing election. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company, are also both of them trustees to another religious society for missions to Africa and the East.

The first number of the Anabaptist Missions informs us that the origin of the society will be found in the workings of Brother Carey's mind, whose heart appears to have been set upon the conversion of the Heathen in 1786, before he came to reside at Moulton. (No. I. p. 1.) These workings produced a sermon at Northampton, and the sermon a subscription to convert 420 millions of Pagans. Of the subscription we have the following account: "Information has come

"At this meeting at Northampton two other friends subscribed, and paid two guineas apiece, two more one guinea each, and another half a guinea, making six guineas and a half in all. And such members as were present of the first subscribers, paid their subscriptions into the hands of the treasurer; who proposed to put the sum now received into the hands of a banker, who will pay interest for the same." Bapt. Mis. Soc. No. L p. 5.

In their first proceedings they are a good deal guided by Brother Thomas, who has been in Bengal before, and who lays before the Society an history of his life and adventures, from which we make the following extract:

"On my arrival in Calcutta, I sought for religious people, but found none. At last, how was I rejoiced to hear that a very religious man was coming to dine with me at a house in Calcutta ; a man who would not omit his closet hours, of a morning or evening, at sea or on land, for all the world. I concealed my impatience as well as I could, till the joyful moment came: and a moment it was, for I soon heard him take the Lord's name in vain, and it was like a cold dagger, with which I received repeated stabs in the course of half an hour's conversation; and he was ready to kick me when I spoke of some things commonly believed by other hypocrites, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ; and with fury put an end to our conversation, by saying I was a mad enthusiast, to suppose that Jesus Christ had any thing to do in the creation of the world, who was born only seventeen hundred years ago. When I returned, he went home in the same ship, and I found him a strict observer of devotional hours, but an enemy to all religion, and horribly loose, vain, and intemperate in his life and conversation.

"After this I advertised for a Christian; and that I may not be misunderstood, I shall subjoin a copy of the advertisement, from the Indian Gazette of November 1, 1783, which now lies before me."-Bapt. Mis. Soc. No. I. p. 14, 15.

Brother Thomas relates the Conversion of an

Hindoo on the Malabar Coast to the Society. "A certain man, on the Malabar coast, had inquired of various devotees and priests, how he might make atonement for his sins; and at last he was directed to drive iron spikes, sufficiently blunted, through his sandals, and on these spikes he was to place his naked feet, and walk (if I mistake not) 250 coss, that is about 480 miles. If, through loss of blood, or weakness of body, he was obliged to halt, he might wait for healing and strength. He undertook the journey; and while he halted under a large shady tree where the gospel was sometimes preached, one of the missionaries came, and preached in his hearing from these words, The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. While he was preaching, the man rose up, threw off his torturing sandals, and cried out aloud, This is what I want!"-Bapt. Mis. Soc. No. I. p. 29.

"Jan. 8, 1794. We thought to write to you long before this, but our hearts have been bur--Ibid. p. 334.

thened with cares and sorrows. It was very In the last extract our readers will perceive afflicting to hear of Ram Boshoo's great perse- a new difficulty attendant upon the progress of cution and fall. Deserted by Englishmen, and Christianity in the East. The convert must persecuted by his own countrymen, he was not only be subjected to degradation, but his nigh unto death. The natives gathered in degradation is so complete, and his means of bodies, and threw dust in the air as he passed providing for himself so entirely destroyed, along the streets in Calcutta. At last one of that he must be fed by his instructor. The his relations offered him an asylum on condi- slightest success in Hindostan would eat up tion of his bowing down to their idols."-Bapt. the revenues of the East India Company. Mis. Soc. Vol. I. p. 78.