our hearts, at the remembrance of our sins against God, and to affect them with a just admiration of his pardoning mercy. Let Great Britain imitate the example of the Chaldean King; and send forth to all the world, her TESTIMONY Concerning the True God. She also reigns over all nations which worship idols of wood and stone,' and she ought, in like manner, to declare to them the SIGNS and WONDERS of the Almighty.' And, in this design every individual will concur, of every church, family, and name, whose heart has been penetrated with just apprehensions of the Most High God; having known his judgments and experienced his mercy. PREFACE TO THE FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. THE title of this work might lead one to suppose, that it would contain nothing, but what should have an exclusive regard to an Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India. On examination, however, it will be found to contain such important and well authenticated facts, relating to the past history and present state of that country; to its population, manners and customs; to its literature and laws; and to its religious rites and ceremonies; as furnish much entertainment and instruction. Separately from all consideration of the question respecting the expediency of the proposed Establishment, it is, both in a literary and religious point of view, a very estimable work. The arguments here adduced for a Church Establishment will, probably, be thought by many, if not most readers, conclusive. There seems an increasing conviction, in England, of the expediency of this measure. A late English writer, having quoted some interesting passages from a chapter of this Memoir of Dr. BUCHANAN— whom he styles "an excellent man," and "a pious, beneficent, and most liberal churchman,”—observes, "Such an appeal is unanswerable. The first step towards winning the natives towards our religion is to show them that we have one. This will hardly be done. without a visible church."* But we leave this question to the proper judges. The prospect of extending, by some means, the benefits. of civilization, and the infinitely greater benefits of CHRISTIANITY, to the Natives of India, is what gives to the subject, at this time, an unusual importance. America is co-operating with Europe in this benevolent Quarterly Review. and pious design. Contributions have been forwarded from this country to India, towards procuring translations of the Scriptures into the languages of the East; and some of our young men have already devoted themselves to the Indian Mission. The present publication, it is believed, will be seasonable and useful. This work is now printed, for the first time in America, from a splendid English copy, in quarto, (the only one that is known to be in this country), which was sent by a gentleman in England to a worthy minister in this State, who obligingly lent it for republication. From this copy no alteration is made, excepting what will be found in the additional Notes, which are always distinguished by the signature of the AMERICAN EDITOR. Cambridge, (Mass.) Feb. 1811. |