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bay who had not only been in the chair of the Court of Proprietors, when Mr. Poynder's resolution was opposed, but who moved and carried counter resolutions, and who vindicated and approved of the retrograde course which the Court of Directors have pursued since 1836; and where is the confidence that we can place in such a government? How necessary is it that the religious public should watch all its movements, and not suffer liberal measures to be neutralized? important is it that the public at home should exert a greater influence in the appointment of governors, and in regulating the principles on which the administration ought to be conducted?

How

On the retirement of the Marquis of Hastings from the head of the Indian government, Mr. Canning received the appointment, and was preparing to embark for Bengal as the governor-general. The pious people in Scotland did not coincide with this nomination. Whatever might be Mr. Canning's religious principles, I know not; but these devoted men believed that they were such as would lead him to oppose the interests of missions

on the plain of Dura, “To you it is commanded, O people, nations and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, shall the same hour be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace."

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POWER OF PRAYER.

and the progress of the truth, instead of rendering them that assistance and encouragement which his predecessor had done. To counteract the decisions of councils, and the appointment of courts, they gave themselves to prayer; private and public fellowship meetings were held to lay the subject before the Lord, and to plead for his interposition. Fervent interpositions were offered, that God would not suffer the appointment to be carried into effect, that he would provide for India, a man after his own heart-one who would carry on the measures that had been adopted, and give an increased stimulus to missions and to Christianity. The result is a matter of history. In consequence of the death of Lord Londonderry, the appointment was cancelled; Mr. Canning was detained in England as minister for foreign affairs; Lord Amherst was sent to India, and the impetus that was given to the chariot of salvation, has continued yearly to augment till the present time.

In our churches, there is not, I am afraid, enough of special and importunate prayer. Did our ministers in the country, and the devoted members of the congregations, take greater interest in the affairs of India; and on such important occasions as those of the appointment of a governor, or a governor-general, were they to give themselves to united and persevering prayer, that the authorities might be guided in their selection of an individual, and that Provi

MISREPRESENTATIONS.

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dence would interpose to prevent an unsuitable party from obtaining the appointment, they would render most important services to India, would engage Jehovah upon our side, and would secure to the government and to all the interests of the empire, the blessing which maketh rich and addeth no

sorrow.

In nothing has the violence of idolatry supporters, been more evident, than in the vituperation, the calumnies, and the misrepresentations which they have heaped upon the advocates of liberty. No matter whether they were missionaries who felt the grievance in all its oppressive bearings, or Christian proprietors who were ashamed of the unholy alliance; no matter whether they were the memorialists of 1836, or the noble worthies of 1839, they have been denounced as anarchists and incendiaries, as wishing to kindle the flame of rebellion through the empire, as aiming a blow at Hindooism only to obtain its funds, its endowments, and its lands to be appropriated to their own purposes, and as enthusiasts who long to turn the power of the government against the religion of the natives for its extermination. Who would believe that these views have, in the most solemn, and explicit manner, been disclaimed? In every petition that has been signed, every memorial that has been presented, every speech that has been delivered, and every publication that has appeared upon the sub

ject; the advocates of toleration have most distinctly avowed that they have only wished the government to remain neutral, to let idolatry alone, and to grant to Christians the same toleration which is granted to heathens. But notwithstanding these disavowals, the abettors have renewed the charge; and since they have raised the question and not we, it may not be amiss to examine, with what propriety and justice, they lavish their accusations upon us, and their praises upon idolatry. To the arguments which have been used against us, and to uphold the shrines, festivals, and influence of superstition among the people, a friend of humanity and of good government might perhaps reply, "Well! it is a grave and an important question which you have proposed for discussion. In the history of Great Britain, and in the annals of improvement, have there not been stranger revolutions than these? Look back to the days of the Reformation; were not the endowments and church property which were unquestionably given to the support of Popery, transferred to Protestantism, and are they not held by its incumbents to this day? Nay, to come to our own times, will you tell me by what tenure the honourable Company hold their possessions in the East, and how these immense and invaluable territories have passed from their original proprietors, into the hands of merchants residing in London? I say nothing of your offering crowns