THE

CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN OBSERVER.

January, 1836.

I.-Introductory Observations.

The CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN OBSERVER has now reached the commencement of its fifth volume, without any departure from the principles on which it was established, and with a considerable and steady influx of new subscribers. The Editors have endeavoured always to keep in view, that the grand object of the work is to aid in the moral and spiritual regeneration of India; and they trust, that, in the variety and extent of information which it affords, and in the vital importance of the questions discussed in its pages, the volume for the past year will bear a favorable comparison with any of its predecessors. The difficulties which oppose the Conversion of the Natives, the intricate subject of Marriage and Divorce, the various systems of Education, and the uses to which the Indigenous Literature may be turned, the Romanizing System, and a variety of other topics of national interest, have either originated or been revived in this journal; public attention has been again forcibly directed to the horrors of Female Infanticide; and ample information regarding the establishment of new Missions and Schools, the progress of English literature and opinions among the natives, and the gradual but evident preparation for the reception of Christianity, may be gathered from its pages. For the ensuing year, the Editors look forward with confidence to the able correspondents, to whom they are already so much indebted; and it will be their endeavour, as it is their earnest desire, to make the CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN OBSERVER more worthy of the

patronage which it has received, and more and more useful to that cause, for the support of which it was established.

And, in this season of hope and anticipation, it is grateful to believe, that the general aspect of the cause of CHRIST and of humanity is such as to encourage the hearts of its well-wishers. In our native land, not many years ago, the Christian Church seemed fast sinking into a state of lukewarm and worldly indolence, and the reproach was but too just in many cases, that it was hopeless to look for life amidst old and worn-out forms. Already ENGLAND was claimed by the infidels of FRANCE, and the Neologists of GERMANY, as one of a Godless triumvirate; and already a time of trial and persecution was predicted,―almost wished for, by many who sought the spiritual welfare of our Zion. And it has arrived; not indeed from without, (as was expected) so much as from within; not so much in the form of persecution, as in that of strife and hatred; "brother has risen up against brother," and, in a more enlarged sense," a man's foes ́are those of his own household." In the mean time, the enemies of Christianity were not idle. The infidel held up his face unblushing to the light; and availing himself of the discord within the camp, by the offer of insidious aid, and feigned sym pathy, prevailed but too far with all parties, while he in secret scoffed at their impious attempts to reconcile Christ with Belial.

Is religion then on the decline in England? We answer, No! There is much ignorance, not a little indifference, much sin to mourn over and lament; but never at any period of their history, were the people of Great Britain more generally, sincerely, evangelically Christian, than they are now. This important truth is established by the unequivocal evidence of facts; by the hundreds of thousands of pounds annually and cheerfully given for the support of missions, for the dissemination of the Scriptures and of scriptural truth, for the relief of the destitute, for the instruction of the ignorant, and for other benevolent purposes, unknown to pagan antiquity, but unfolded and enjoined in the word of God. It is established by the national grant of Twenty Millions, not for the building of pyramids, but for the Emancipation of the Slave-a measure unparalleled in history or,-fable; but originated, carried forward, and completed by Christian philanthropy. There is still more evidence new

churches and chapels are rising in every corner of the land; laymen vie with ministers in preaching the glad tidings of salvation; pious and self-denying missionaries select as their field the obscure lanes of great cities, and the distant and thinly-peopled portions of the country; and exertions, on a scale of vastness never before imagined, are made and making for the moral and religious instruction of the rising generation. And God has not left himself without a witness even in our high places. He has given us an instructive lesson of lowly and confiding faith from the death-beds of Coleridge and Macintosh; and it is not without interest to see Lord Brougham leaving the stormy sea of politics to give his unsought and decided testimony to the truth of revelation, and Lord John Russel returning from the senate to join in humble and devout prayer with his own domestics. But over and above all these, we look, with feelings of deep thankfulness, to the new impulse, the revival of life and energy, the serious and earnest devotion, which very generally pervade every sect and denomination in the Christian community. The flame burns, but it purifies; for, though strife still rages, each party bears willing evidence to the spiritual improvement of the others. We have dwelt on this, because we have heard it questioned; and we repeat, that though still far-very far from having due influence, Christianity, in spite of every sort of opposition, is marching forward in her majestic and heaven-ordained progress, and was never more firmly rooted in the hearts of the people of ENGLAND, than she is now.

But ENGLAND, though first, is not alone in the race; FRANCE (Infidel FRANCE, as she has long been termed), has now her Bible and Tract Societies, her Missionaries, and her pious and evangelical Pastors, few, but fast increasing, burning with zeal in the good cause, and labouring with a blessing from on high. In GERMANY, Neology, like other systems of irreligion, is on the wane; the soil of LUTHER has no abiding place for such poisonous weeds; and her numerous and valuable contributions to critical and practical theology encourage us to hope, that she is again returning to the spirit of the sixteenth century. From her came the ablest, the most devoted, and the most successful Missionaries that ever laboured in these lands; and even now the Germans are second to none in the

field. There is movement also, and in the right direction, over a considerable part of Roman Catholic Europe; and, though the greater portion is shrouded in the horror of thick darkness, we know that the Sun of Righteousness will arise and shine in his own good time. AMERICA sends her testimony to the Truth in the many good and able men whom she is pouring, year after year, into Burmah, Ceylon, and Hindustán; but for a more particular notice of the progress of Christianity in that interesting country we refer to another part of our work.

The field of missions during the past year presents nothing particularly striking, but it is bright with promise. The blessed effects of the Gospel in New Zealand; the progress of Christianity in the South Sea Islands, now freed from the mis-statements of enemies and the over-statements of friends, and brought out into the common light of day; the dangers averted by a gracious Providence from the Missionary settlements in South Africa; the inspiriting, the glorious tidings from the West Indies; China lifting up her gates, that the Lord of Glory may enter in; and the noble efforts of our American brethren in Burmah,-all must be well known to our readers, and all seem like a voice from Heaven saying to Christian countries, "Go ye up, and take possession of the land; for ye are well able !" And we have reason to know that the voice is heard, and that the hearts of many are stirred up to set themselves apart for the service of Christ among the Heathen.

In INDIA We have gained little in direct accession of strength; but indirectly the success has been very considerable. In this city alone, more than two thousand young Hindus, male and female, enjoy the benefits of a sound Christian education, conducted or superintended by Missionaries themselves; our native chapels are crowded with silent and attentive hearers ; and many of the most intelligent of the native youth are regularly present at a series of lectures on Christian truth. Christian Boarding Schools have also lately come more under the notice of the public, and they are now slowly assuming that important station which so justly belongs to them. To meet the wants of the more advanced pupils in the English seminaries, the munificence of the London Tract Society has furnished

us with an English Library of great excellence, selected from the writings of the most popular divines in ancient and modern times, some of which are being translated into the vernacular languages, for the benefit of the great body of the people. But the most striking circumstance, in the course of the past year, is the rapid increase of English schools. They spring up every day, and almost every one feels or expresses the warmest interest in their success. In a field where so many now distinguish themselves, it may seem somewhat invidious to particularize; yet the names of Messrs. TREVELYAN, WILKINSON and PATON, and of Capt. JENKINS in Asám, ought not to be passed over in silence. The cause of Education is deeply indebted to them, not only for their support and countenance, but for their unsparing personal exertions in those hours which many devote to rest or amusement. We wish them no higher reward than to see their labours successful. But we should ill discharge our duty, were we not to express our fears, whether, any where, and most of all in India, any education is safe, which is not founded on religion; and we earnestly call upon our readers for their prayers, and for their utmost endeavours, that Christianity may go hand in hand with Knowledge, and that Education may be an inlet, not to Doubt, but to Faith. There is no insuperable difficulty on the side of the Natives; the "lion by the way" is the apathy of the Christian Church. No less than four new schools have been lately offered for the superintendance of the General Assembly's Mission, in all of which the natives made no objection to the introduction of the Christian Scriptures.

To conclude, at the close of the year, it is pleasant to look back with gratitude upon the past, and to reflect, that, as Missionaries, our intercourse with each other has been like that of brethren, a communion of unmingled peace and harmony; our

In connection with this, we may mention, that a gentleman has lately sent the munificent donation of 1000 Rupees to the School-Book Society, to be divided into two prizes, one for the best work in English, and the other for the best translation into Hinduí, of a work exhibiting the advantages of knowledge, as a means of improving a nation in a condition like that of India. Many other instances might be mentioned of the general interest felt amongst every class of society for the welfare of the Natives.