CHAP. I. H. Martyn's intercourse with learned Natives. Governor's death -Acting Governor's improved example. described one of his visits to these young men :- 12. Not long after his departure Governor Duncan died, when the senior Member of Council, Mr. Brown, occupied his place until the arrival of his (1) Martyn's Journals and Letters. Vol. ii. p. 343. successor. Mr. Brown was a man of correct moral habits, and encouraged the outward observance of religious ordinances by the example of himself and his family, who regularly attended Church. Mrs. Brown, by her strict propriety of conduct, together with her amiable and engaging manners, tended considerably to raise the character of female society in the settlement. This was a great advance in their morals and general demeanour. It is true, all this external propriety of habits and manners might exist apart from the influence of religion on the heart, and there are no means of ascertaining the Scriptural standard of this amiable lady and her husband. If their principles approximated to those of the Gospel, it is easy to understand that the unfavourable atmosphere in which they moved may have prevented its shedding light around. 13. In August 1812 Sir Evan Nepean arrived as Governor. He was known to have attended, in England, to his religious duties with punctuality, and he maintained the same character in Bombay. He also showed himself at all times disposed to promote any object of a moral tendency; and in several instances he sought out those gentlemen who, he had reason to hope, were under the influence of religious principles, to be on his staff, or to fill important situations. He scrupulously attended Church twice on the Lord's Day; and this regularity had the effect of inducing the society generally to pay more strict attention to the observance of the Sabbath. Arrival of Sir Evan his religious example. Governor 14. At this time there were only three Chaplains Paucity of Chaplains. allowed for the Presidency, one of whom was frequently absent. The senior Chaplain, though stationed at Bombay, had to make periodical tours to the Out-stations, once in two or three years, to baptize and perform Divine Service, together with any other clerical duty which might be required. The CHAP. I. Number of Chaplains doubled. Establish ment of Bombay ciety. Stations to be visited were, the island of Salsette, Surat, Baroach, and Kaira, to the north; and on the south, the small fort of Victoria, at the entrance of the Bamcoot river, seventy-three miles from Bombay. Besides these places within the Company's territories, there were political stations at Goa, Poona, and Baroda, where there were military cantonments to be occasionally visited. 15. One of the first objects of Sir Evan Nepean was, to represent to the Court of Directors this great deficiency in the clerical establishment, and to enforce the urgent want of an increase in the number of clergymen. About the same time a coincidence happened which is worthy of record. In 1811 a lady arrived from England, who was distressed to observe the deplorable destitution of religious instruction at Bombay, and sent home to her friends a strong representation of the want of faithful ministers of the Gospel. Her family were well acquainted with the Chairman of the East-India Company, the late Charles Grant, Esq., and after some time they placed her letters in his hands. The two appeals arriving from Bombay almost simultaneously, they concurred to direct the Chairman's attention to the importance of providing for the more efficient instruction of the Christian inhabitants of Western India. Shortly after, three additional Chaplains were sent to Bombay, whose preaching and instructions soon produced a marked effect in directing the attention of several persons to the primary importance of religion. One of them established a Week-day Meeting for the religious instruction of the middle classes also, which was followed, in some instances, by the happiest results. 16. On the 13th of June 1813 an Auxiliary Bible Society was established at Bombay, under the Governor's auspices, W. T. Money, Esq. being in the chair. It had for some time been contemplated, by some respectable members of this Presidency, to associate together for the purpose of taking a public and decided part in co-operating with the designs of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The accomplishment of this object was prevented by an opposition too obstinate to be convinced, and too strong to be over-ruled. Sir Evan Nepean, however, had been a member of the Parent Society almost from its commencement: he was, moreover, a Vice-President, and now cordially patronized the Bombay Auxiliary. Under his sanction, the establishment was countenanced by the Recorder, the principal Members of Council, and some of the most respectable gentlemen of the Presidency; and the language in which they expressed both their views and their design was particularly liberal and satisfactory. The Governor contributed one thousand rupees to the Society; and his example was liberally followed by other members.2 Strong prejudices were at first excited in the minds of the Natives, who were led to fear that some measure of compulsion was intended for the introduction of Christianity amongst them; but no sooner were such motives disclaimed, and the real objects of the Society explained, than all apprehension vanished from their minds. Thus quietly was formed an institution which may be regarded as the first great step publicly taken to propagate Christianity on the western side of the Indian Peninsula.3 Exertions 17. Among the friends who cherished the cause of a Native of religion in its infancy at Bombay, particular allu- Christian sion may be made to one, from the peculiar cir- lady. cumstances which led to her conversion to the (1) At that time Captain William Taylor Money, Superintendent of the Bombay Marine, and subsequently a partner in the house of Messrs. Forbes and Co. (2) History of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Vol. ii. pp. 461-465. (3) Ibid. Vol. iii. p. 249. CHAP. I. Good effects of Christian faith. A gentleman of the medical establishment, Dr. White, a very benevolent man, took under his protection several orphan children, whom he brought up with great care, himself imparted to them a superior education, and added such accomplishments as the place afforded. How far their education partook of a religious character cannot now be ascertained; but they were instructed as Christians, and taught to read the Scriptures. Among these interesting objects of his bounty was a native Rajpootanee of Guzerat, who was rescued from famine in one of the seasons of dearth which occurred at the beginning of this century. She was either sold by her parents, as is customary with the Natives on such occasions, for some immediate supply of food, or presented by them to Dr. White, being themselves unable to support her. gentleman educated her with the other little objects of his care, and, after a time, God was pleased to enlighten her mind with the saving knowledge of His Word. She was subsequently married to a gentleman like-minded with herself, and found pleasure in devoting a portion of her time to the instruction of the people around her in the truths of the Gospel. She took special interest in carrying on a Native Girls' School, which had been commenced by another lady who was obliged to relinquish it; and being herself a Native, she naturally expected to be more acceptable, both to the children and their parents, than a European.1 That 18. Another circumstance may be mentioned as European illustrative of the good effect of a benevolent exexample. ample upon one class of the native inhabitants. For (') This Native Christian lady was still living in Bombay when this was written (in 1842); and the latter circumstances respecting her, recorded in the text, occurred subsequently to the period which we have reached in this History; but they could not be conveniently referred to again. |