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table, and are dependent on her allotted pensions for their families' support. Never was there a power equal to this. Never was there a power established in the same way. European hostile forces have retired before her. The last surviving native principalities are merely lingering out the few years which remain, and must soon be resolved into that mighty empire which stands out unrivalled in all past and modern history.

In British supremacy there is hope for India. Britain brings with her all regenerative influences. Knowledge, peace, liberty, and all the blessed institutes of the high civilization of the Anglo-Saxons, attend her. A government rules over India, able and willing to confer benefit on her. Whatever of obliquity has marked its past career, its present aim is to secure the good of the people.

The press of India, Native and European, is free. Courts of judicature are conducted in the vernacular languages. Slavery is abrogated. Suttee is abolished. Hospitals are built. Medical colleges for the instruction of youth have been established. Steamvessels already ply along the whole extent of the peninsula. Railroads are already planned, and will very shortly be constructed. Peace never experienced within the range of history pervades the land. Marauding hordes no longer spoil villages, and burn up the produce of their fields. Towns are no more sacked. Tens of thousands of unoffending people are no longer put to death in cold blood.

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

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Above all, Britain brings with her the gospel of Christ. Her sons, with energy and perseverance, have already studied the languages of India; and have conveyed into them the life-giving truths of Scripture. They bring to bear on their work a vital energy, which the Hindus have not before witnessed. They develop motives to which India has been hitherto a stranger. They carry with them a "demonstration" of spirit and power, which is unknown to the carnal systems of her selfish priests.

The religious faith the missionaries have carried to India is one that has always conquered, when vigorously proclaimed. The truths they propound have always triumphed over heathen error. They preach the message of reconciliation to the masses of the people; they teach their rising generations, and amongst all classes they circulate the word of God.

Whilst, on the part of the Government, elements are beginning to work in India which are calculated to bless and elevate the people, in all their civil and social relationships; on the part of the Church of Christ, others of greater moment and potency are also at work to enlighten, sanctify, and save the masses of society, hitherto debased by superstition and enthralled by a wicked priesthood.

How far those elements shall work-what progress they shall make—what issues they shall produce-is a question resting, under God, on the British Government, on the one hand; and on the other, on the churches of Christ in Great Britain.

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DUTIES OF THE CHURCH.

If Government be faithful to its high responsibilities, if it appreciate its solemn charge, and endeavour perseveringly to carry out the beneficial ends for which Providence has subjected India to its control,that country cannot but become a mighty, peaceful, and happy empire, rich in her own resources, and enriching her governors and benefactors.

If the Church understand the day of India's merciful visitation, and her own solemn duties to embrace the opportunity it holds out for the evangelization of the people,—that mighty country cannot but be converted to Christ. The light of the gospel shall irradiate its wide expanse,―the life of the gospel shall be enjoyed by its unnumbered myriads.

LECTURE II.

INDIA CONSIDERED AS A SPHERE OF EVANGELISTIC OPERATIONS.

WE have on this occasion to set forth, not the physical resources of India, but its spiritual destitution. We have to tell you, not of the capabilities of its forests, groves, fields, or mines, to administer to your physical gratification, but of its imperative demands on you for the relief of the spiritual woes of its multitudinous people. Our task is to describe India, not, as is frequently done, as a land of luxuriant produce, of boundless stores, of indigenous wealth, but as a waste howling desert. We propose to view it, not as a garden of spices and perfumes, but as a wilderness, whose overgrown thorns and briars need to be uprooted, and whose indurated soil needs to be ploughed up by the spiritual husbandman. We trust that the representation of the humanity of India will kindle a greater enthusiasm in your souls, than a description of her material resources could do in the

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MULTITUDES OF INDIA.

men of this world; and that the desire of producing fruit to the salvation of its myriads, and the glory of Christ, will draw out more sympathy, and induce more action, than a regard to the perishable productions of India-great as that has been-has hitherto done among British merchants and capitalists.

The myriads who are found on the oceanic plains of India, and who are scattered over its everlasting hills, if viewed in their condensed masses, bewilder us, and distract our attention. It is needful to consider them in their detached communities.

The multitudes of Indian population are not a condensed mass of uniformity. They present to us the most striking diversities. There is indeed one universal characterstic: it is that of Asiatic life, as distinguished from European. But see, in the several details of one universal form, what diversity of feature, form, stature, dress, manners, bearing, and deportment! Observe what a variety of complexions, with their several shades, now solving into each other, and now presenting a striking contrast! Some are as black as negroes; others are almost as fair as Europeans. Some are of bold athletic form; others of diminutive size. As every variety of physical circumstance has been operating for ages, the result is, that Indians manifest endless diversities of physiological development. Further, what confusion of tongues !— sometimes having affinity to each other, and sometimes radically distinct.

On the soil of India, nations are indigenous. It

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