“maintained, and which I ever desire to uphold "in my ministry; and on whatever other subjects "I may occasionally dwell, the truth and admission "of these doctrines is always to be understood.

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"It is easy to discourse on more pleasing and popular subjects; but it is not so profitable to you. Some may not approve; but to others the "word preached may be made the power of God “unto salvation. If our doctrine give no offence "to the world in general, ye know that it can be "no longer the doctrine of Christ. It is another 'Gospel.' It is a doctrine which may confirm "our hearers in error, and lead them onward to "old age with no better view of heavenly things "than that of the infidel.

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"It is a view of our lost estate by nature and "actual guilt in the sight of God, and then a view "of the great propitiation on the cross, which alone "can open to our understandings the transcendent "and ineffable glory of the Gospel of Christ. Nor "can such a view be exhibited, even in the lowest degree, but by the influence of the divine grace, co-operating with our prayers, by enlightening "the judgment and purifying the heart.

"But the aid of the Holy Spirit is promised to "them who ask it.' Thus are we encouraged to

begin the work of our salvation, in the most ra❝tional manner, and by the most natural means. "And those who can prevail on themselves to begin thus seriously, will find the truth of God's

"promises confirmed to them in every progressive stage of religious knowledge and practical virtue.

"The life of such persons is thus described in "one of the Articles of the Church, commencing "from the period of their first seeking the aid of "the divine Spirit, unto the end of their course.

"Wherefore they be called, according to God's purpose, by his Spirit working in due season; They through grace obey the calling; They be justified freely;

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They be made sons of God by adoption;

'They be made like the image of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ;

.

"They walk religiously in good works; and at length, by God's mercy;

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They attain to everlasting felicity.' The impression of these sermons upon his audience was, as we have already observed, striking and important. There were probably some whose prejudices or whose passions would render them proof against both the reasonings and the exhortations of their author; though the one were unquestionably sound and scriptural, and the other powerful and persuasive. There were, doubtless, however, many others, who were instructed, confirmed, and edified by his labours; while these, whether accepted or refused, afford an evidence of his fidelity as a minister and ambassador of Christ, which will hereafter "testify for him before his glorious "throne."

IN

CHAP. IV.

N prosecution of the design which Mr. Buchanan had conceived of effectually exciting the public attention in this country to the obligations of Great Britain to promote the religious welfare of its oriental dominions, and which he had already partially executed by the proposal of his first series of prizes, and the publication of his own "Memoir;" he on the 4th of June 1805, addressed to the Vice-Chancellors of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the proposal of the following subjects of prize composition in English prose.

"I. The probable design of the divine Provi"dence in subjecting so large a portion of Asia to 66 the British dominion.

"II. The duty, the means, and the consequences "of translating the Scriptures into the oriental "tongues, and of promoting Christian knowledge "in Asia.

III. A brief historic view of the progress of "the gospel in different nations, since its first pro"mulgation; illustrated by maps, shewing its lu"minous tract throughout the world; with chro"nological notices of its duration in particular 'places."

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The candidates were permitted to prefix such title to the proposed work as they might think proper; and the munificent prize offered by Mr. Buchanan upon this occasion to each University was the sum of five hundred pounds. He directed, that the prizes should be determined on the 4th of June, 1807, being the anniversary of the birth of our venerable Sovereign; "whose religious example," he added, "had extended its influence "to that remote part of his empire."

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The letters conveying intelligence of these very liberal offers were received towards the close of the year. They were soon afterwards accepted by both Universities; and the spring of the year 1807 was appointed as the period for the delivery of the prize compositions to the judges who were to determine their merits.

A few days subsequent to the date of these proposals to the English Universities, and not long before the departure of Marquis Wellesley from Bengal, Mr. Buchanan communicated to his Lordship his wish to be absent from Calcutta during four months, for the benefit of his health, which his residence and labours in India had considerably impaired; and for the purpose of proceeding to the coast of Malabar, with the view of obtaining information relative to certain religious objects, which were particularly specified in his letter, and will be hereafter fully detailed.

With this request the Governor General signified

officially his ready compliance; together with his entire approbation of the intended journey. It was added, that the governments of Fort St. George and Bombay would be requested to afford him every assistance, as well in the progress of his journey, by the accommodation of the dawk bearers, or other conveyances of government, as in the prosecution of his enquiries on the coast of Malabar.

While Mr. Buchanan was preparing for this important and interesting journey, he was, for the present, prevented from fulfilling his intentions by a serious illness, the approach of which he first perceived on the 13th of August. He was well enough to meet Lord Wellesley at dinner the next day, and on the two following complained only of weakness and languor. On the 17th a decided attack of fever came on; and on the 19th danger was apprehended by his physician.

Of this alarming illness, a brief but remarkable memorial has been preserved in the handwriting óf Mr. Brown, who appears to have attended and watched over his valued friend and coadjutor with fraternal anxiety and affection. The feelings and sentiments of Mr. Buchanan at this trying season, as described in the paper alluded to, are such as while they may surprise some readers, will appear to better judges to be the genuine effusions of a pious mind, alive to the apprehended solemnities of a dying hour.