CHAPTER IV. IN 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. "For the best work in English prose embracing the fol"lowing subjects: "I. The probable design of the divine Providence in sub"jecting so large a portion of Asia to the British dominion. II. The duty, the means, and the consequences of trans"lating the Scriptures into the oriental tongues, and of pro"moting Christian knowledge in Asia. "III. A brief historic view of the progress of the Gospel "in different nations, since its first promulgation; illustra"ted by maps, shewing its luminous tract throughout the "world; with chronological notices of its duration in parti❝cular places." 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," Mr. Buchanan added, had extended its influence to that remote part of "his empire." 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 "They walk religiously in good works; and at length, "by God's mercy, "They attain to everlasting felicity.' The impression of these sermons upon his audience was, as we have already observed, considerable. 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, 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." CHAPTER IV. IN 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. "For the best work in English prose embracing the fol"lowing subjects: "I. The probable design of the divine Providence in sub"jecting so large a portion of Asia to the British dominion. "II. The duty, the means, and the consequences of trans"lating the Scriptures into the oriental tongues, and of pro"moting Christian knowledge in Asia. "III. A brief historic view of the progress of the Gospel "in different nations, since its first promulgation; illustra❝ted by maps, shewing its luminous tract throughout the "world; with chronological notices of its duration in parti"cular places." 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," Mr. Buchanan added, "had extended its influence to that remote part of "his empire." 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 Mr. Buchanan's 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 inquiries 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 18th 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 of 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 a certain class of readers, will appear to better judges to be the genuine effusions of a pious mind, alive to the apprehended solemnities of a dying hour. On the evening of the 20th of August, Mr. Buchanan spoke much to his friend of his state and views; said that he had been looking for his hope in the Bible, and that he had found it in the 51st Psalm, and in the history of the penitent thief upon the cross. He at the same time gave directions to Mr. Brown respecting the college, his papers, and his affairs. The next day Mr. Buchanan was still more strongly impressed with the idea that he should not recover. Under this persuasion, he mentioned the place in which he wished to be interred, made some observations respecting his books, and desired that his sermons might be published after the arrival of his " Memoir" in India. Mr. Buchanan next adverted to his experience and views as a Christian; declared his entire renunciation of his own merits as any ground of acceptance with God, lamented his unprofitableness, and spoke of himself in terms of the deepest humility. He then again referred to the church and to the college, and suggested various hints respecting both. After this he recurred to his present feelings and circumstances. He expressed his fear of living, and his desire of being received as the least and lowest of the servants of God. He was anxious to glorify Him by his death, and prayed to be preserved from the enemy at the last hour, that he might not do or say any thing to weaken the testimony he had borne to the truth in that place. There was nothing, he said, upon earth for which he had a wish, besides his wife and children; that she was much before him in experimental knowledge, and had been twice on the wing to leave the world; (he knew not, alas! that she had in fact already taken her flight!) that his children would be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; that if sent to Scotland, they would be in the heart of Sunday-schools and of true religion; or that in England, the...'s, and other friends who feared God, would take care of them. After thus speaking of his children, Mr. Buchanan alluded to a painful letter which he had lately received from one of |