menced. They clearly evince in our judgment the folly of those who talk about the happiness of the slaves in olden times, and the painful scenes which must occur where man possesses unrestrained authority over his fellow-menga What Mr. Thomason then witnessed produced on his mind an indelible impression of the guilt of West Indian slavery, and rendered him to his dying hour zealous for its termination.

Mr. Thomason's engagement with Dr. Coke, and his early education among the Wesleyan Methodists, would of course have opened the door to his employment in that connexion, had he not decidedly preferred the ministry in the ministry in the Established Church; and he was therefore induced to apply to a valuable institution then, and still, we are happy to say, existing at Elland, near near Halifax in Yorkshire, whose object it is to assist deserving and devoted young men in their preparation for Holy Orders. The late Rev. Henry Foster, and the Rev. Richard Cecil, were deputed by the directors of the Elland Fund, to examine Mr. Thomason, and his own statement of what then took place, is too interesting and instructive to be omitted, It should be remembered, that Mr. T. had hitherto been chiefly brought up among the Methodists, which may account for the particular points on which he was principally examined.

The chief topics of inquiry with Mr. Foster and Mr. Cecil, were sudden impulses and sinless perfection. As to Calvinism and Arminianism, the points I chiefly expected to be mentioned, how agreeably I was deceived when Mr. Foster remarked, that if St. Paul, so great an, apostle, said,—“ here we know in part -how much more may we;-he was decided for himself, and would let others think for themselves

Mr. Cecil asked me,- What is your reason for preferring the church establish

ment to Mr.

first moment of my DECEMBER 1833 noms of not

observed, in connection."

!

having views the ministry, they have been directed to the church, which

might arise from my having been a cont stant attendant on the service of the church, when at school, and the pleasure I then felt in it. These views, and this esteem for the church, have remained with me. The excellence of its economy

strengthens me in the preference; added to which, it is the establishment of the kingdom.'

I

'I should be glad to know,' said Mr. C. 'what you think of perfection?' told him I thought perfection consisted in being blameless in life and conversation, and in setting the affections on things above; and that, to that I was continually aspiring.'

'But,' said Mr. C. many believe and profess more.' 'I told him so it seemed.

For Mr. Foster mentioned having heard Dr. Coke preach, that whilst one evil thought remained in the soul, it was not born of God. But I never heard him preach or profess it.'

And with regard to the Calvinists and Arminians, whose opinions do you follow ??

'Indeed, sir,' said I, I have never read a book on the subject, except the› Bible, in my life. I have always made it a point to leave those things; as I think it productive of evil to dive into intri.: cacies which can never be perfectly cleared.'

"You think,' said he, very rightly; I have acted in the same manner myself. I make it a point never to handle these things in public. But you say you have read the Bible,-what views do you gather from the Bible?

'Sir, said I, my views, as gathered: from the Bible, are simply these,-" God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."-Pp. 18-20.

The valuable services rendered by the Elland, the Bristol, and other similar institutions, to the cause of Christ, are by no means generally understood.

At one period indeed the selection oft a young man by a voluntary association of this nature would have subjected him to suspicion, and them to reproach. In the senseless outery raised against Calvinists,

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Evangelicals, &c. some forty years ago, it would have been rashly in ferred in certain quarters that whoever possessed so much religion as to be chosen by one of these institutions, was righteous overmuch, and therefore unfit for admission to Holy Orders. Hence those societies were obliged to proceed in silence and obscurity-but be it known that through their means and by their bounty, some hundreds of valuable, useful, and laborious ministers have been educated, obtained admission into our church, and been mainly and extensively instrumental in promoting that revival of religion, and that general improvement in the clerical character which has certainly taken place, how far soever we may yet be from that state of things which is ardently to be desired.

We are

not sure indeed, whether the same petty jealousy does not in certain quarters still exist, and whether this may not compel the conductors of these institutions, to a degree of caution which may sometimes prevent the very existence of such societies being known by individuals who would gladly contribute to their pecuniary support; most happy shall we be to be the channels at any time of conveying the offerings of the wealthy, to the too exhausted treasuries of some of these valuable societies.

Mr. Thomason was placed by the directors of the Elland Society, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Clark of Chesham Bois, a venerable and aged minister, who undertook to instruct him without any remuneration, merely requiring the Society to provide for his board. The volume before us contains some interesting and instructive information concerning this eminently useful and devoted character, of whom it is no mean praise to have been the honoured instrument of preparing such men as Thomason, Jerram, and many others for the work of the ministry;

he was not content to instruct his pupils merely in classical literature, but deeply impressed on their minds the importance of an intimate acquaintance with Hebrew, and the still greater importance of entire devotion of heart to the service of God. The beneficial result of his labours eventually appeared in Mr. Thomason's qualifications, as a Hebrew translator, and in the simplicity, zeal, and devotion with which he preached the word of truth, and laboured to instruct others. We strongly recommend the extracts from Mr.' Thomason's and Mr. Jerram's let ters contained in this part of Mr. S's volume, to the attention of all engaged in preparing either themselves or others for the sacred ministry.

Mr. Thomason was entered at Magdalen College, Cambridge, and commenced residence in October 1792; during the early part of his university career, like many other well-disposed but mistaken young men, he fancied that he could employ his time better in other pursuits, than by diligent attention to the prescribed studies of the place, and accordingly neglected mathematics. Towards the close of his second year, however, he discovered his mistake, and applied so closely to mathematical pursuits, that on taking his degree, he appeared fifth in the list of honours. In the following October he was ordained Deacon, on Mr. Simeon's nomination, and was soon after elected Fellow of Queen's College, where he became successively lecturer and tutor. In January 1799, Mr. Thomason was united to Miss Fawcett of Scaleby Castle, and took up his abode at Shelford, where he engaged in tuition, and continued to assist Mr. Simeon as curate until 1808, when he accepted an appointment as Chaplain to the East India Company, and sailed for Calcutta in June of that year."

1

Mr. Thomason's attention, had previously been called to the East Indies, and just before he took his degree, he had been pointed out for the situation to which Dr. Buchanan succeeded. Though induced to decline the proposals then made to him, he yet never appears to have lost sight of this important field, and now at length, in his thirty-fifth year, relinquished country and friends, and an useful and lucrative connexion as tutor, to labour in a far distant land. On his voyage to Calcutta the vessel in which he and his family sailed was shipwrecked, and the painfully interesting narrative of this event which first appeared in our volume for 1809, is here reprinted, and will be read with renewed interest. After such perils, Mr. T.'s arrival in Calcutta gladdened the hearts of many-who welcomed him with joy, and by their liberal offerings supplied as far as pecuniary aid could supply the loss sustained by his shipwreck. He entered at once with zeal and assiduity on the arduous duties of his station : but we must refer our readers to the volume itself for the details of this interesting period. Suffice it to say, he was ready for every good work, not only zealous as a preacher, but feelingly alive to every opening for usefulness -as a translator of the Scriptures—an active instrument in Bible and Missionary Societies-a wise and faithful adviser of the Company's servants-to the young, the poor, the afflicted, his counsels and services were invaluable, and he thus powerfully and effectually conciliated the favour of those who were at one time strongly prejudiced against his character and principles,

On all these points we should be happy to insert copious extracts from the volume before us; but our limits compel us to pass over many passages which we had perused with considerable interest. The following must not, however,

be omitted. Lord Moira, the Governor General, being about to take an extended journey through the Presidency, Mr. Thomason embraced the opportunity of accompanying him, especially as he hoped that this tour would afford him increasing opportunities of usefulness.

Many circumstances conspired to make Mr. Thomason undertake this voyage of eight hundred miles, succeeded by a journey of fifteen hundred. Change of scene and of climate was likely to prove

exhilirating and reviving; new and less fatiguing duties were advantageous-his

church was to undergo repair, his flock was superintended by one in whom he had confidence; and he expected, not without reason, in accompanying the Governor General, to obtain much information concerning the education of the natives, and to enjoy the most favourable opportunities of urging his lordship's attention to their wretched condition. He could not, however, leave an affectionate people for the long period contemplated without pain; of which, perhaps, he was more than usually susceptible, from a recent excitement of his sensibilities in sending his eldest son to England. Concerning that event, he thus expresses himself- The bracing air of Europe we hope will do him good; how greatly shall I rejoice, if he should prove willing, and qualified to follow his father to India, and labour here in the gospel. But this is with the Lord. I dare not plan; but, blessed be God, I can pray. I cannot convey to you what his poor mother felt; my own pangs seems to have been forgotten in her's. O it was a bitter parting! However, it is now over, and we both acquiesce in the step as wise and proper. It is one of the greatest parental duties to send him, home-can a parent then hesitate?'-Pp. 217, 218.

My public ministerial work will be one service on Sundays, in the family boat of the Governor General, to which the party will have access. Corrie has been again attacked with his old complaint. He wrote to me a fortnight ago, begging my advice as to his going home. I could not hesitate to recommend the measure; strongly as we shall feel and mourn, yet for as much as the work of Christ is the

most blessed of all works, it is fit that he should flee, that his precious life may be prolonged for future good. I expect we shall meet on the river; when we come to his widowed church at Agra, we shall find sorrow, where we looked for joy. Corrie goes, who is the leader, the pattern, the father. O, when shall we see more labourers arrive in our vineyard! Yet we rejoice in the Lord's presence, and believing that he acts in a manner to us invisible and inscrutable, we can look to him through the gloom, and go forward with hope.-P. 219.

The moral and religious condition of the country which Mr. Thomason was traversing, kindled in his bosom, almost at every new reach of the river, and at every resting place at night, an increase of that compassionate zeal which had led him before he left Calcutta, to draw up and present to the Governor-General a plan for the instruction of the Hindoos. His comments written between Mirzapore and Alhahabad are these:

In ascending the Ganges, and visiting the towns and villages on its banks, we see the enormous population of degraded beings with our eyes. The first place of importance was Moorshedabad, the once famous metropolis of Bengal, an immense city swarming with inhabitants, but exhibiting the sad marks of decayed greatness. Oh, it was an affecting sight to look around at the countless throngs, and observe moral, political, and religious degradation, without one cheering symptom of improvement. We have annihilated the political importance of the natives, stripped them of their power, and laid them prostrate, without giving them any thing in return. They possess neither learning, nor emulation, nor power. Every spring of action seems deadened; they wallow in the filth of a senseless and impure religion, without any prospect of deliverance. You can conceive nothing more wretched than Hindoo towns aud villages. Nothing like architecture, except in their temples; the streets narrow and dirty, the houses inexpressibly mean, teeming with inhabitants whose appearance is disgusting in the extreme. At Benares, I ventured to visit the shrine held so sacred. It was an oppressive sight. The avenues to it are narrow, crowded with Brahimins and bulls: the symbols s of their impure religion, meet he eye in every corner; and the horrid

R

the

din of the Brahmins, and Fakeers, and bulls, and beggars, and bells, was too much to be endured. I hastened from the place, as from Pandemonium, and thanked God for the gospel. If I do not return to my charge with more of a mis sionary spirit, it will be my own fault. To behold such a mass of putrified mat ter, and not be concerned about providing the means of life and health, is criminal in the extreme. Blessed be God for some little zeal. Had I obtained nothing more than an increased sense of the importance of ministerial labour, should be richly repaid.'

Mr. Thomason had not sailed long with Lord Moira before he perceived with no little regret, that, instead of being more earnest respecting education in proportion as he beheld accumulated proofs of its necessity, he became, in appearance, less alive to it as a matter of excellent policy, and imperious obligation. The outline of the plan that had been proposed was, that schools should be established in every part of India; one principal one in every district for the instruction of the natives in the English language and science; under the school and subordinate to the master village schools, where the children should be instructed to read and write in their own language. The books to be selections from the moral and sacred writings of Christians, Mahometans, and Hindoos. To supply the district schools, that there should be a school for schoolmasters in Calcutta, under the direction of a man of science and literature, the whole to be under a head, called Agent for the superintendence of schools throughout India.

Concerning this plan, Lord Moira had expressed himself as highly pleased, and held out a hope, that with some modifica. tions, it might be adopted. But good intentions suffer strange syncopes: mysterious under-currents often carry away stately vessels from their bearings: so it was in this instance. Influential persons at Calcutta exerted an adverse power on the Governor-General's mind, and in vain did Mr. Thomason attempt to counteract this influence, and to revive first impressions. I endeavoured,' he says, ' in the most solemn manner, to rouse the governor to a sense of the importance of the crisis, and of the high duties to which he was called. I look around and see a vast ocean, in the truest and most affect

ing sense of Homer's epithet, barren of all good.'

He

An example of Indian munificence exhibited at this time at Benares, formed a humiliating contrast to English supineness. By it Mr. Thomason was at once shamed and cheered: Near a celebrated "Hindoo tank, I have seen,' he says,' the foundation of Jay Narrain's School: he met me there, and showed me the grounds, large and pleasantly situate: close by the house was a path, along which 120,000 Hindoos passed every week to bathe. now says he is ready to pay the money for the school in the Company's paper, if the Governor will guarantee its application and place it under the direction of the collector, to be paid regularly to the school-master.' Will it be credited that this largeness of heart, though admired in the highest quarter, was nevertheless suspected. The relation between rulers and subjects in arbitrary and anomalous governments, are so disturbed and brought into so morbid a condition, that attempts to act right on either side, tend to awaken dormant jealousies. It seems that they must distrust analogy and experience, before they can trust each other.'-Pp. 222-226.

Leaving Cawnpore, Mr. Thomason began what to him was a novel and strange mode of life; marching and living in tents. The party proceeded by easy stages twelve miles a day, rising by gun-fire, when it was quite dark in the morning they arrived at their ground a little after sun-rise. 'Conceive,' as he says,— describing his journey, an immense plain, on which are scattered thousands of villages, a few principal towns without variety, and a vast multitude of inhabitants when you have seen one village or town, you have seen all, they are without any of those marks of opulence, civilization, or elegance which delight the English traveller. Those persons who are distinguished for their wealth, are few, and they shun the presence of Europeans: their manners and their dress are similar to those of their inferiors: the effect of English superiority is of the most gloomy nature.'

It was not long after entering upon the second part of this expedition, that Mr. Thomason's zeal, fidelity, and boldness, as well as his wisdom and discretion, were signally put to the proof. He soon discovered to his sorrow, that the Governor

General when travelling, paid no regard to the Christian sabbath. As his chaplain therefore, he deemed it incumbent on him, to notice this violation of the day of rest. Perceiving, however, when he had hoped his suggestions had been attended to, and his object attained, that arrangements were making on the Saturday for moving the next day; his conscience told him that he should be wanting in allegi, ance to the Lord of the Sabbath, if yielding to natural inclinations, he offered no remonstrance. Painful therefore as the measure was, he hesitated not to adopt it. The reply was, his dismissal from the camp. The rigour of this stern and haughty step, was indeed tempered by an intimation from the Secretary, that an apology would be accepted. To apologize when in error, was as congenial to Mr. Thomason's conciliating disposition, as it was to his religious principles: but in this case apology was out of the question. Yet as explanation was both admissible and becoming, he instantly wrote to the Governor-General, expressing his surprise at this order, but his readiness at the same time to comply with it; adding that he felt as strongly as ever the importance of the subject, and thought it the duty of a minister of religion, to explain his views when the honour of God and interests of religion were concerned: but that he lamented, that any thing should have appeared in the expression of his sentiments that was thought disrespectful. Thus did he unite deference for the authority of the Governor, and courtesy towards him as man, with deference to the paramount autho rity of God, and uncompromising integrity.

The Governor General was satisfied, and for a time respect was paid to the sabbath-day.

To what dangers, as well as inconvenience, a separation from the main party would have led, may be seen in this statement. 'Even on our line of march, we are subject to depredation. The camel, with his Lordship's table, was taken by Decoits two nights ago; and a little before, three camels: we dread single travelling, which even on the river would be dangerous, if the news from the armies continues as unfavourable as it has been. Who can tell what is before us? The wartrumpet has sounded.' From thoughts of war, and rumours of war, Mr. Thomason's mind was withdrawn delightfully at