ད་ན

people? They might attempt to delineate the character of
a perfect man; but were not their descriptions at once
discordant and defective? And who, even of their most
admired philosophers, can be supposed to have realised
the lovely image? Is not the character of each stained
with some degrading superstition, or still more debasing
vice? And, in short, did not philosophy lend her aid, the
aid of her example, of her instructions, of her laws, to up-
hold the established superstitions, which, by many of their
rites, and by all their spirit, tended to dissever religion from
morality, to enfeeble the influence of virtue, and, in in-
stances not a few, to sanctify impurity?

On the other hand, for how many improvements in mo-
rality and civilisation have Europe and the world been in-
debted to Christianity? It is this divine and ennobling re-
ligion that has mitigated the horrors of war, lightened the
bonds of captivity, loosened the chains of the slave, enacted
a humane and improved law of nations; that has inculcated
a purer system of ethics, raised the tone of public opinions,
and the standard of morals; that has illuminated the pub-
lic mind, refined the public taste, and carried learning with
her in her train; that has kindly lent her aid to the dic-
tates of conscience, and given virtue such an ascendancy,

66

that vice either shrinks from the view, or clokes herself under the assumed garb of this high arbitress; that has given full scope to the exercise of human sympathies, and adorned Europe, and especially our favoured island, with innumerable merciful institutions, adapted to alleviate the various miseries of man; that has attempered the power of the great, raised the condition of the poor, polished the manners of Europe, and contributed, in the highest degree, to civilise the world. Why do we no longer behold around us the horrors of ferocious barbarism, or degrading superstition; the impious obscenities of idolatry, and the afflicting miseries of unmitigated slavery; the ravages of merciless cruelty, altars stained with human gore, or funerals resounding with the groans of butchered gladiators?" exclaims an animated advocate of Christianity. "It is because at the commanding aspect of our holy religion these abominations have evanished. Why are infants no longer exposed to capricious destruction from unfeeling parents? Why are parents now secure from the snares and the murderous designs of ambitious sons? Why are servants now protected from the tyranny and tortures of inhuman masters? Why is the wife now respected in her age, and

not capriciously dismissed to make room for the seducing wanton, or tortured with the insolence of rival concubines? What has exalted the whole female sex to respectability, to deference, to love? Unquestionably it was Christianity. No system of philosophy before its appearance ever produced such effects, or even attempted such designs

Such has been the influence of the religion of Jesus upon the manners of mankind, and so indispensably necessary is its propagation, to the introduction and ascendancy of a perfect system of morals in any country. Without the knowledge of the gospel, the principles of morality cannot be so pure, or its spirit so high; its motives cannot be so sublime, or its particular illustrations so faultless and engaging; its sanctions cannot be so solemn, or its influence so commanding and benign. How wonderful must be the power of this divine system of goodness, when, even in its feeblest and most defective state, it can operate such effects as those to which we have briefly adverted! And, if among the nations of Europe such benefits attend its most exceptionable forms, proceed from its indirect influence, what ex

* Bennet's Sermon on Christian Morality.

tensive and auspicious effects might it not be expected to produce, on the state of individual, domestic, social, and political manners and happiness, were it propagated planted and felt in any country, in its scriptural purity and genuine efficacy!

It is then of the last importance to mankind that Christianity be universally diffused.

This introduces the second and most elevated department of our Inquiry, viz.

1

PART II.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MEANS OF DIFFUSING THE LIGHT

OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN WORLD?

AND this part of the Disquisition, in consideration of the diversity of means which the Honourable the East India Company, or the British nation, have access to employ for the propagation of our holy religion, in each case, divides itself into two questions: First, What are the means which may be employed to diffuse Christianity throughout the British empire in Hindostan? And, Secondly, What methods may be farther adopted to spread the light of the Gospel through the East?