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IV. Resolved, accordingly, That the Society are fully persuaded, that nothing short of such an establishment of pastoral superintendance, and such a supply for the ministry of the Word and Sacraments, throughout the British Empire in the East, as may correspond, in due measure, with that which constitutes the main ground of religious welfare in the realm of England, can serve to place the spiritual interests of the British subjects, in those parts, upon the best and most permanent foundations.

V. That the Society beg leave, in the same conviction, and in the same spirit of dutiful respect, to observe, that more than a century has elapsed, since the most earnest wishes of many chief and excellent persons * in this nation were expressed for procuring such a form of Church Communion in India, as might serve to de

ment and Trade of India, and were then agreed to by the House, might be read.

"And the same were, as agreed to by the House, read accordingly; and are as followeth; viz. [as above.]

"Then the said clause was twice read; and, upon the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House, to be made part of the Bill.

"Another clause was offered to be added to the Bill, requiring the Court of Directors to settle the destination, and provide for the decent maintenance of the said several persons.

"And the said clause was twice read; and, upon the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House, to be made part of the Bill."-Ibid. p. 792. Which clauses were thrown out on the third reading, p. 803.

* Vide Correspondence between Archbishop Tennison and Dean Prideaux, &c. &c.

monstrate the religious character of the British nation; to provide for the exigencies of our beloved countrymen, when far severed from their friends and connections; and, at the same time, to induce the natives, by the silent but persuasive pattern of religious fellowship, and the sober invitations of a settled ministry, to lift their eyes to the truth, and to take courage to this end from the prospect of countenance and shelter, which would thus be set before them. The appearance of persons in ecclesiastical functions, sufficiently exalted in character and power, both to furnish them the needful lessons of instruction, and to protect them from persecution in their change of sentiment and conduct, is most necessary to the natives, who are at present exposed to dreadful hardships in their conversion from error and idolatry, owing to the institutions and the prejudices of their country, and the certain forfeitures incurred by Christian Proselytes.

VI. Resolved, That the Society, in common with all who enjoy the blessings of Communion in the Church of England, are deeply and thoroughly convinced, that no sufficient supply for the ministerial succession and the necessities of the extensive population of British India, can be furnished or continued without such an establishment of the ministry, as may be able to regulate and perpetuate itself; which will effectually be obtained by resort to episcopal hands in India, when, with the Divine blessing, such provision shall be settled there. It is thus only, in that land, that the increasing multitude of those who are born of Christian Parents, and entitled therefore to early baptism, may be trained for every other act and exercise of religious Communion,

P

according to the means of grace, and mode of fellowship, appointed by our Blessed Lord in his household. It is thus only that such candidates for God's everlasting favour may be encouraged and enabled to take upon them their own obligations, by the solemn pledge to be rendered by them at their Confirmation, that from thenceforth they may draw near to the table of the Lord. It is thus only that a regular succession of per sons, qualified for the ministerial calling, can be raised and admitted in that country to the sacred functions, for the European and native congregations. Of the latter description, the Society must remark here, that there are many thousands of children born of European parents by the father's side, but of native mothers, who are fast lapsing into the darkness and misery of heathen error and pollution; unversed in the language and religion of their fathers, and therefore placed be yond the reach of European Chaplains, ministering in English congregations; and daily perverted to the vanities and superstitions of their maternal parents. This vast and rapidly increasing multitude call loudly for the attention of those, who are responsible for the care of this unhappy race, born under insuperable disadvantages, which exclude them, even in their own country, by its present regulations, from nearly all the favourable prospects of life, which are left open to others.

VII. Resolved, That the Society do likewise embrace this opportunity of expressing their sense of obligation for many aids conferred by the Honourable East-India Company, toward their benevolent designs and public services, and for the favour shewn to their long esta-' blished and justly venerated Missions, the recruit of

which is now most lamentably reduced, and almost totally cut off.

VIII. Resolved, therefore, That this Society most humbly entertain the hope, and offer most respectfully their suffrage, and their plea, that, in consideration of the pressing needs of the British subjects, European and Native, in India, the permanent foundations of the Christian Church, according to its best form, be laid among them; and that the great ends of religious and moral culture may be secured to them, by the settlement of Bishops in the chief Presidencies; by the forming of seminaries; and by the building of churches, -the want of all which has been felt and acknowledged for more than a century, during which period, the exertions of other European nations have gone before us, and have proved successful in accomplishing many of those excellent purposes for which the British Government, in its public acts*, originally expressed its

* “ CHARTER, 10th WILLIAM III. 5th September, 1698. "And we do hereby further will and appoint, That the said Company hereby established, and their successors, shall constantly maintain a Minister and Schoolmaster in the island of St. Helena, when the said island shall come into the hands or possession of the same Company; and also one Minister in every Garrison and superior Factory, which the same Company, or their successors, shall have in the said East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid; and shall also, in such Garrison and Factories, respectively provide, or set apart, a decent and convenient place for Divine service only, and shall also take a Chaplain on board every ship which shall be sent by the same Company to the said East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid, which shall be of the burthen of five hundred

intentions to make adequate provision, but which purposes have not yet been carried into effect..

IX. Resolved, That these Resolutions be respectfully submitted to the first Lord of the Treasury; to the Chancellor of the Exchequer; to the Secretary of State for the Home Department; to the President of the Board of Controul for India Affairs; and to the Directors of the Honourable East-India Company.

tons or upwards, for such voyage, the salary of which Chaplain shall commence from the time that such ship shall depart from England; and moreover, that no such Minister shall be sent by the same Company to the said East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid, until he shall have been first approved of by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Bishop of London, for the time being; all which said Ministers, so to be sent, shall be entertained from time to time with all due respect.

"And we further will and appoint, That all such Ministers as shall be sent to reside in India, as aforesaid, shall be obliged to learn, within one year after their arrival, the Portuguese language, and shall apply themselves to learn the native language of the country where they shall reside, the better to enable them to instruct the Gentoos, that shall be the servants or slaves of the same Company, or of their Agents, in the Protestant Religion; and that, in case of the death of any of the said Ministers residing in the East Indies, or other the parts within the limits aforesaid, the place of such Minister, so dying, shall be supplied by one of the Chaplains out of the next ships, that shall arrive at or near the place where such Ministers shall happen to die,"

FINIS.

Ellerton and Henderson, Printers,

Johnson's Court, London.