I. CHAP. teaching all classes of the inhabitants, into a scheme for workhouses! Instruction in reading and writing was, indeed, to form part of the plan; but while the real thing aimed at was labour, it was easy to foresee that the education of the inmates would become a very subordinate object—a mere nominal part of the establishments. And then, what was to become of the millions who never entered them? They were to be left in the state of degradation in which they then lay. It was a heavy trial to Mr. Thomason to find that the GovernorGeneral could seriously think of setting aside his great design for such a scheme as this. He boldly raised his voice against it; but had no power to interfere with its adoption.1 Jay School at 61. An example of Indian munificence, exhibited at this time at Benares 2, formed a humiliating contrast to this instance of English supineness. Mr. Thomason was both shamed and cheered on beholding it; and he thus described his feelings when visiting the spot:-"I have seen the foundation of Jay Narrain's School: he met me there, and showed me the grounds, large and pleasantly situated. He 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 Schoolmaster. 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 aright on either side tend to awaken dormant (1) Thomason's Memoirs, pp. 234-236. (2) This was the proposed Seminary of Jay Narrain, which will be more appropriately described at the time of its institution. jealousies. It seems that they must distrust analogy and experience, before they can trust each other." faithful remonstrance to the 62. Not long after entering upon the journey by Mr. Tholand, Mr. Thomason's fidelity as a Minister of the mason's Gospel was severely tried. Grieved at the general profanation of the Lord's Day, and finding that his public notice of it was disregarded, he thought Governor. proper to remonstrate with the Governor-General against such a dereliction of Christian duty. This remonstrance gave such offence as to call forth his dismissal from the camp. The order was soon revoked, indeed; but the desecration of the Sabbath, and other improprieties of conduct remained unaltered. and Native 63. Amid the trials of his present situation Mr. European Thomason was occasionally refreshed as by a moral Christians oasis in the desert. At Kurnall a few Christian in camp. soldiers, some of Mr. Corrie's faithful company of artillerymen, came to his tent for prayer and exposition of the Scriptures; and even in the jungle where they met they could rejoice together in remembrance of the love of Christ. His little Hindoostanee Church also received an interesting accession in one of the converts from Agra, whom he described as a pious, humble Christian; and he adds, "We are now a little company, and spend many a happy hour together over the Scriptures. With these beloved fellow-travellers I am often solaced amidst the sickening frivolities of the camp.' "4 mason re turns to 64. Before they arrived at Agra it was settled Mr. Thothat Lord Moira should not return to Calcutta till the next cold season. Mr. Thomason, therefore, Calcutta. seeing no hope of being able to effect any thing that might compensate for so long an absence from his (3) Thomason's Memoirs, pp. 225, 226. (1) Ibid. pp. 229-233. 1. CHAP. Station, obtained permission to return home. He had a pleasant parting with the Governor-General, who expressed his hope that something would result from the information they had collected on the journey; and that the hints which had been furnished would be gathered up and become productive of some beneficial plans of instruction, of the need of which he declared that he was as much assured as ever. On the whole, Mr. Thomason felt that his connection with this party had not been without its use; and having seen all the principal Stations in the Upper Provinces, he returned much better qualified to judge of many things than he could have been if he had continued at Calcutta. His re-union with his flock, at the end of May 1815, was an event of mutual joy to himself and them; and he had the satisfaction of finding that the Bishop of Calcutta had arrived, and also a Chaplain, the Rev. Henry Fisher, of sentiments and spirit congenial to his Apostasy of Sabat. own. 65. About this time an event occurred which filled the friends of Christianity with sorrow, and gave cause for exultation to its enemies-the apostasy of Sabat. We have already seen too much reason to question his sincerity. Having come down with Mr. Martyn to Calcutta, he was still continued in the employment of the Bible-Translation Committee, on the same stipend, and resided at Serampore, under the charge and at the disposal of the Rev. D. Brown. Here, too, the violence and haughtiness of his temper showed itself; but it was controlled by Mr. Brown, who thoroughly understood his character. Sabat, indeed, so felt the change from the too great easiness of the one master to the authority of the other, that, in a querulous letter which about this time he wrote to Mr. Martyn, he complained, "that no one took notice of him now that he was gone," abusing his best friends.1 On the decease of Mr. Brown, he was transferred to Mr. Thomason, to assist him in his Arabic version; but he found the spirit of this proud Arab was beyond his management. His perverse temper was a constant source of vexation: he absented himself almost as he pleased; till, at last, Mr. Thomason was surprised to hear that he had actually renounced, not his service only, but his own Christian profession. The report was too true. How long he might have meditated the act is not known; but it appeared that, finding the surplus of a too liberal stipend increasing upon him, he had been expending it in the purchase of certain articles of Bengal merchandize, till he had accumulated a considerable stock, which he resolved to take to a more distant market. This, however, he knew he could not do as a Christian-an apostate from Islamisın— but at the extreme peril of his life. He therefore presented himself before the Cazi in Calcutta, and recanted, solemnly abjuring the Christian religion. He then put himself and all his goods on board an Arabian vessel bound to the Persian Gulf. Great was the stir which this caused at Calcutta, and deep the affliction of Mr. Thomason and other Christian friends; but the wretched man was not suffered to prosper in his iniquity. Scarcely had the vessel cleared out, and entered into the Bay of Bengal, when he perceived himself to be looked upon by the master and crew with an evil eye. The value of his goods, it seems, excited their cupidity. They pretended to suspect the sincerity of his recantation; that he was yet secretly "a Christian dog;" and soon he heard from his servant of plots against his life. Their voyage was protracted, which to him was a protraction of misery. At (1) Rev. H. Martyn's Journals and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 400. I. CHAP. length, falling short of water, they put into the English port of Tellicherry, on the Malabar coast of India, for a supply. Sabat, watching his opportunity, plunged into the sea, swam on shore, and hastening to the house of the English judge and magistrate, James Baber, Esq., cast himself at his feet, and craved protection of his life. This the judge at once accorded him; and on hearing such part of his tale as Sabat, supported by his servant, chose to tell him, succeeded in getting the greater portion of his goods landed for him from the vessel. Mr. Baber, taking him under his patronage, became much interested in him; and Sabat at length told him the whole truth of his former engagement with the Bible Society, and of his recent apostasy; referring him, in confirmation of his story, to Mr. Thomason of Calcutta, and to Mr. Thompson of Madras, who was well known to the judge, and entreating him, under a profession of the deepest repentance, to use his influence with those gentlemen to obtain his restoration. His return to Chris tianity. 66. Just at this period, a copy of the Rev. Dr. Buchanan's Sermon, "The Star in the East," containing the history of Sabat and Abdallah, reached Tellicherry, and, falling into Mr. Baber's hands, it deeply affected him. He saw in his new acquaintance, so strangely brought in his way, the betrayer of the hero of the tale-the very Sabat. He read it to him. Sabat wept; till, coming to the part where he is said to have betrayed his friend, he passionately denied it. "No, no," he exclaimed; "I did not tell Dr. Buchanan that. He betrayed himself;" -averring, what it is hard to believe, that Abdallah spake so loud, that he was overheard by some strangers, who seized and hurried him away to his death. This added not a little to his new friend's interest in him. Believing his representation of the case, he exerted himself so successfully in his |