interfere with the prejudices of the natives, are the persons who teach their children that science and philosophy, which will make them despise the superstition of their fathers! They know and acknowledge this fact, yet they tell the public that they are under an express stipulation not to interfere with the religious opinions of the natives! O tempora! O mores! Call you this honesty? Is this straight-forward dealing? The unwary Hindu brings his son to be educated by you, with the understanding (according to the Hurkaru) that you will not interfere with his religion; you agree to this condition, but the parent has no sooner turned his back, than you begin to teach his son those things which you know will make him ridicule and despise his father's faith. Whether this looks like honorable dealing, or like the conduct which the Hurkaru reprobates under the name of "falsehood and breach of trust," let every honest man judge. We respect consistency and ingenuousness in every man, however much we may dislike his sentiments; and we entirely deny the insinuation that Missionaries either act disingenuously or advise others so to act. We publicly tell our opponents that whether Missionaries teach in schools, preach in the streets, or publish and distribute books, their real and acknowledged design is to destroy superstition by the Gospel of Christ. Let the advocates of the Hindu College act with equal honesty, and we shall give them credit for consistency of character. Let them tell every Hindu parent that his son's religion will be destroyed in that seminary-and that he will be taught such things as are directly opposed to his religious opinions, and will make the lad despise his father's faith. Let them do all this publicly and privately, among Natives particularly, and not merely among Europeans, and then we shall give them credit for honesty. But let them not conceal their hatred and opposition to Christianity, under the pretence of a stipulation which they have so shamefully violated. If Christianity alone, and not the interference with the religious opinions of the natives, be not the object of their jealousy and opposition, how is it, that any thing or every thing may be taught within the walls of the College, except the religion of Jesus? How is it, that principles (according to their own showing) as destructive of Hinduism, as Christianity can be, are taught, when every allusion to its principles are so carefully avoided? How is it, that the works of Bolingbroke, Voltaire and Tom Paine, are received into the College Library, when a grant of books from the Religious Tract Society are refused almost with contempt? These things require explanation. If the advocates of the Hindu College would tell us plainly that they are opposed to Christianity and are afraid of its influence, then we should know how to

reconcile their conduct with their profession. But when they tell us that they are bound not to interfere with the religious opinions of the natives, while at the same time they know and acknowledge that they do interfere, by teaching those things which will destroy Hinduism, what opinion are we to form of their honesty and consistency? In conclusion, the advocates of the Hindu College allege, as a reason for their jealousy of Christianity, that they are under a stipulation not to interfere with the religious opinions of the natives; we have shown that they do interfere, and moreover they themselves acknowledge that they interfere most effectually, even to the destruction of Hinduism. How is their conduct to be reconciled with their professions? The public are entitled to have this matter fairly explained without any shifting or quibbling.

Yours, &c.

THETA.

Missionary and Keligious Entelligence.

1.-MISSIONARY AND ECCLESIASTICAL MOVEMENTS.

The Bishop of Calcutta, accompanied by the Archdeacon embarked under the usual salute on the morning of the 11th July. His lordship proceeds in the Hattrass, Capt. T. Clarke, on his second visitation to Singapore, Penang, Malacca, Arracan, and Chittagong. His lordship is, we believe, the first Indian protestant Bishop who has been permitted by Divine Providence to proceed on a second visitation. May his visit be attended by much spiritual advantage to the members of Christ's church scattered abroad in the remote and religiously destitute stations whither he has proceeded !—The Rev. Geo. Pearce embarked on the Larkins, 3rd of July.-The Basle Mission either have sent, or are about to send out, a number of devoted young men to this country; some of them we hear are destined for northern India.-Our Baptist brethren expect their Mission to be reinforced by the arrival of one or two new Missionaries.-The Rev. R. C. Mather has removed to the new station of the London Society at Mirzapore. We regret to announce that the Rev. W. S. Mackay of the Scottish Mission is obliged to proceed to New South Wales for the restoration of his health. May he return in the possession of renewed strength!

2.-CONVERSION OF A YOUNG BRAHMIN.

A young Brahmin of good caste, educated under Mr. Penney in the Benevolent Institution, has recently thrown away his brahminical thread, and professed Christianity. His friends have been re-acting the scenes practised with Messrs. Hæberlin and Ewart under similar circumstances on former occasions. They have used threats and violence, and have broken in upon the privacy and sanctity of the Missionary for the purposes of rescue. The youth remains firm; no means have been employed, either to effect his conversion or to retain him, but those connected with legiti mate reasoning, and acquiescent protection. May the Lord preserve him!

3. THE SECOND VISITATION OF THE BISHOP OF CALCUTTA.The second visitation of the Bishop of Calcutta was held at the Cathedral on Friday the 6th July. The Venerable the Archdeacon addressed the clergy from 1st Timothy, 3rd chapter. 15th verse. Apart from the controverted points, the discourse contained much that would find a response in the heart of every servant of Christ. It was simple and faithful, and calculated to be generally useful. After the sermon, the Bishop delivered his charge-a charge, remarkable for the clearness of its arrangement, the ease, purity and elegance of its style, and for its exhibition of the dignity and importance of the ministerial office; but we regret to say containing many things over which we must mourn when identified with so excellent and pious a man as Bishop Wilson. We refrain from further remark until the charge shall be made public.

4.-NATIVE SOCIETIES.

The last few months have been prolific in the production of debating and other Societies amongst native youth in Calcutta and its vicinity. We are truly glad to witness these indications of life, and hope under the Divine blessing they may issue in the advancement of truth, and in practical advantage to the Hindu community.

5.-IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS IN REFERENCE TO THE IDOLATRY QUESTION. We have this month to chronicle two acts, than which nothing has given us more sincere pleasure since the commencement of our editorial career. The one is the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Presidency, Sir Peregrine Maitland, and the other the resignation of R. Nelson, Esq. of the Madras Civil Service. The cause of both resignations, is a determination not to comply with the resolution of the Court of Directors compelling all their servants to assist at heathen festivals. We give the correspondence between Mr. N. and the Court. It is worthy of the worst days of stern and heathen Rome, and the best days of decided and scriptural Christianity.

To the Secretary of the Hon. Court of Directors of the East India Company. 'SIR,-I have the honor to request the favour of your ascertaining for me the opinion of the Hon. Court of Directors whether the covenant I have entered into with the Hon. the East India Company renders it imperative on me to accept and undertake any office the Madras Government may, conformably to law and to the usages of the service, think fit to ap point me to ?*

In soliciting this information I refer principally to certain offices connected with the idolatry of the country, which I could not feel at liberty to hold.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
ROBERT NELSON, Madras Civil Service.

48, Poland-street, Oxford-street, Feb. 27.'

To R. Nelson, Esq.

SIR,-I have laid before the Court of Directors of the East India Company your letter, dated February 27th 1838, in which you request to be informed whether the covenant into which you have entered with the Company renders it imperative on you to accept and undertake any office the Madras Government may, conformably to law and to the usages of the service, think fit to appoint you to. You state that you refer principally to certain offices connected with the idolatry of the country, which you could not feel at liberty to hold.

By the words 'conformably to law' are to be understood the act of Parliament, which describes the gradation and seniority of civil services; and usages of the service' refers to the class of officers which they are called upon to fill.—J. P.

In reply I am commanded to inform you, that the Court has seen with surprise that an officer of your standing can entertain any doubt of its being imperative on you to accept and undertake any office which the Government may, conformably to law and the usages of the service, think fit to appoint you to, without any exception or reservation whatever. 'I am, Sir,

"Your most obedient humble Servant, JAMES C. MELVILLE, Secretary.

East India-house, March 26, 1838.'

To the Secretary of the Hon. Court of Directors of the East India Company. SIR,-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, conveying the opinion of the Court of Directors upon the inquiry contained in my letter of the 27th ultimo.

It is painful and alarming to find the Court establishing the principle that every civil servant is bound by covenant to assist in and uphold the idolatrous worship of India. The directors are well aware that acts of this nature form part of the functions of many offices under the Madras Presidency; and your letter tells me that a civil servant has no option but to discharge them, if it be the pleasure of the Government to appoint him to such offices.

The instructions of the Lord Jesus Christ are to keep myself from idols, and to flee from idolatry.

The East India Company require me to unite myself with idols, tak ing part in their worship, by assisting others herein.

The commands of these two masters are thus in direct opposition to each other; and I have to choose whom I will serve, since obedience to both is impossible.

As I prefer to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, I must renounce the service of the East India Compay, which I therefore now do.

'I have accordingly to request that my name may be struck out of the list of civil servants on the Madras establishment; all the privileges of which station I hereby resign.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient Servant,

ROBERT NELSON.

* 17, Norfolk-buildings, Bath, March 19th, 1838. The Court of Directors may flatter themselves that the present state of feeling will expend itself in the withdrawal of a few of their conscientious servants; but if they so think, they are in error; the feeling lies much deeper, and will never be quieted until they wash their hands of the evil. The very determinate resolve of the court not to yield one jot to the request of their Christian servants, is the first and principal element in our success. It will call forth the decision of many such men as Sir P. Maitland and Mr. Nelson. It will awaken the sleeping powers of the people of England. This decision is the forlorn hope-the last struggle of those, who, if they could have avoided it, would not have yielded to the voice of humanity or of religion, either the abandonment of infanticide, or the abolition of the horrid Suttee. It should be remembered by rulers, that the king of Babylon, on the night of his terrible vision and overthrow, was defended by massive walls and gates of brass, and valiant troops; he was surrounded by flattering courtiers and by every thing calculated to drown the voice of an awakened and apprehensive conscience; and yet, ere the rising of another sun, he slept a captive and in deathhis palace was his prison and his tomb, and the power he had created was his own curse. MADRAS appears determined to distinguish itself in Indian history for every thing dark and oppressive in religious matters. It has insulted one of the most excellent Bishops that ever filled an episcopate ; VII.

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yes, it offered insult to a man tottering with age, as he descended to his tomb, for obeying the calls of conscience, humanity and religion; one too, who had been accustomed to listen only to the peaceful but sincere thanksgivings of all classes of his countrymen; and it now adds to its former bays the honor of driving from its service as brave a soldier, as beloved a commander, and as upright a man, as ever presided over the Indian Army; and also of thrusting from its borders a man, who, because he is determined to obey the behests of Christ, finds he cannot conscientiously serve the Honorable Company. May these men find many imitators (like Joshua and Daniel), in courts and camps, and may they obtain that which is promised by heaven to all its faithful servants in the discharge of duty-peace of conscience! and may they yet see an immediate and complete dissolution of a connexion disgraceful in the highest degree to Britain as a nation, to the company as Christian merchants, and to the religion of that country which is at once the parent of the company, and the recipient of this idolatrous gain! Bow honorably different is it with the sister presidency of Bombay! She has been rebuked by the court for her enlightened and humane policy!

6. BAPTISM OF NATIVES.

It is a pleasant task to turn from the busy and vexing scenes of life to chronicle the domestic history of true religion, and especially to record the introduction into the church of Christ of young and hopeful candi dates. For if "a flower when offered in the bud, be no vain sacrifice," surely the Lord Jesus must see with especial satisfaction of the travail of his soul, when he beholds youthful disciples offering themselves on the altar of his service. We were much gratified on Sabbath, 8th July, to witness the baptism of five young native females, at the Union Chapel, Dhar ramtallah. Two of them were orphans belonging to the London Missionary Society's Orphan Asylum, under the charge of Mrs. Campbell, the others domestics of families attached to the congregation. The candidates were thoroughly questioned on the doctrines and duties of the Christian Religion by the Rev. J. Campbell, who afterwards administered the rite of baptism. The Rev. A. F. Lacroix preached a sermon adapted to the occasion, to a very pleasing and evidently interested audience. May the Divine Spirit follow the service with his blessing!

7.- FRENCH PREACHING.

It has more than once been suggested to us that if a lecture on the duties and doctrines of the Christian religion in the French language could be established in Calcutta, it might be attended not only by the French and those of French extraction residing in the city, but also by many others conversant with that polite and widely spoken language. We have spoken on the subject with two ministers, competent to preach, who are quite disposed to officiate (gratuitously),provided an audience can be secured. The managers of the Union Chapel have also agreed to lend that place of worship for the purpose, and we are anxious to ascertain the state of feeling on the subject. Any persons desirous of giving countenance to the proposal may communicate with the editors, who will be most happy to forward the object in every possible way. The lecture may be delivered on any week evening, not interfering with the present English services, and at such an hour as would be best adapted to secure the attendance of the parties concerned.

8. THE MONTHLY MISSIONARY PRAYER MEETING. We fear the Christian community of the different denominations of Christians in Calcutta are not aware that a monthly Missionary prayermeeting is held every month, alternately at the Union, Loll Bazar and