which sanctions the deed and the ticket which obtains him admittance within the pale of" the refuge of lies," are signed if not actually approved, by otherwise sincere followers of Jesus! Oh! are there no Daniels, no Ezras, no noble-spirited men amongst the high and powerful, who can rise superior to the vulgar and enslaved prejudices of the world? men who will by washing their hands of these evils set a nobly contagious example? We are not unmindful that many of these are diligently endeavouring to promote the object so near our heart, and we hope, though we cannot approve their timid policy, that, as the mysteries of divine Providence are explained by the great and all-wise Interpreter Himself, it will be seen that our great purpose will be ultimately subserved even by their fluttering residence within, as well as by our more daring flights without, the idolatrous pale. Our warmth and their prudential proceedings may both be essential to place things in such a state as, the more effectually, at some future period, to sever the connexion at once and for ever. We think the time has come, however, when it would be impious in us either to be silent or calm on such a topic; patience alone has done nothing to remedy the evil; nor, were it exercised for some coming ages, unaided by a fearless yet true exposure of things as they are, would it meet with other reward than disappointment and chagrin. As we impute no evil motives even to those who oppose us, much less to such as cannot accompany us the full extent of our feeling and action on this subject, we crave the mere indulgence of being permitted to pursue our work, without the imputation of improper motives, and we hope we shall be able to avoid every thing which might exasperate or increase the opposition of the abettors of the system.

Many of our friends appear to be comparatively in the clouds on the subject of the Government connexion with Idolatry, either as to its nature or influence. It may not therefore be impolitic to state that the connexion involves matters pecuniary, civil, moral and religious. The union does not subsist merely between the Government and Hindu temples and holy places, but extends also to Mussulman mosques and places of holy resort. The Revenue is derived from endowments of land and money, from the incomes of temples, religious places and mosques, from taxes paid by devotees and pilgrims, from the accumulated and accumulating lakhs of the Imámbárás; and from the miserable rupee of the hunted and infatuated pilgrim. The immediate sanction which is given by the Government, consists in receiving the income of these places; in repairing, arranging, and supporting, even to the very minutest details, the worship of the temples and mosques; and, would that it could be blotted out of the page of history! that a Christian Government

sends forth men," as pilgrim-hunters," to find victims whose superstition shall be made the means of replenishing the coffers of the Company! Nor does it rest even here; for not only does the paternal government of India afford its protection to hold its debased Hindu and Mussulman subjects in ignorance, but forces those who are the professors of a purer faith, in opposition to the dictates of an enlightened conscience and a sense of common decency, to be officially present at heathen and Mussulman festivals, and to fire salutes on the days held sacred by either sect, thus giving honour equally to Christ their divine Master, to the false prophet, and to Vishnu, &c.! This we believe is the nature of the connexion we seek to dissolve. Of its injurious tendency, we need scarcely say a word; it is "of the earth earthy;" it can but continue to debase and enslave the miserable millions of Hindus and Mussulmans, and to inflict the severest pain on the upright Christian servants of the Go

vernment.

We are free to confess that that there is much difficulty in that part of the subject which affects endowments made by the subjects of former Governments, and which were made over to the British at the time of their conquest of India, to be appropriated, in perpetuum, to the special purposes of the donors. The intentions of the dead should, if possible, be held sacred; but still, if the dead should even have bequeathed property for the upholding or extending of that, which after ages shall discover to be error, both in a philosophical, rational, and religious sense, surely a wise and paternal government is warranted, in applying that property to purposes which would have comported with the donor's intentions, had he lived in an enlightened instead of an iron age. Nor are we without examples of this kind in the feelings and operations of governments; nor should we be at a loss for support to such a mode of proceedure in some very recent movements of the Indian Government. There are legitimate means at hand to surmount these and all other difficulties. But, as it regards the dissolution of partnership between the other, idolatrous, departments and the Government, there can be no difficulty-no, not the shadow of one.

As it is not improbable our wishes in this matter may be misunderstood and misrepresented, it may be as well to state what it is we desire. We do not wish the government to move in a crusade against all temples and mosques, nor to throw their revenues into the sacred stream, nor divide their lands among its servants. This is not what we wish. All that we ask is, that the government should be in practice, what they boast they are in theory-neutral in matters of religion.

This is all we ask. Are we unreasonable men? We but solicit the government to carry out to all the principles of toleration which they profess to exercise towards the majority. We do not ask it as a boon, but as a right; not as mere agitators, but as most sincere well-wishers of the permanent welfare of the British rule in India; and if we do not (at least as far as fair and dispassionate reasoning, based upon and deducible from undoubted facts, can convince) show, ere this series of papers shall close, that the dissolution of this union would be the means of binding in a more indissoluble bond, our political relations with the people of India, and of giving us that which is of more moment than all, a religious influence over the millions of the land, we will then allow the alliance to continue unmolested and "believe it lawful." If this at least be neglected by British rulers, the churches of Christ, planted by feeble Missionaries, will lift up their heads in the land when the glory of Britain shall have past away for ever!

In calling attention to this subject in this distinct, and we hope, practical manner, it would be ungenerous not to mention the exertions of the Rev. Mr. Peggs, formerly of the Orissa Mission, and of J. Poynder, Esq. one of the proprietors of East India Stock. To the efforts of this latter gentleman it is that we are chiefly indebted for nearly all the movements and correct returns connected with the subject, and for the hope, however faint it may be, of the final cessation of every vestige of the unholy alliance. Mr. Poynder made a motion on this subject in the year 1832; resolutions where founded on that motion, expressing the wish of the Court of proprietors that the connexion should cease" as soon as practicable." Since that time, it is but just to say, that the whole Indian state apparatus has been in requisition to obtain accurate information; that information is, we believe, now in the possession of Government, whose final decision may be expected to reach the public at an early date. We exhort that public to be up and doing. Since the motion referred to, Mr. P. has made several others without effect, the last one being most decidedly unpropitious in the view of those unused to the secret movements of governments; not the most limited pledge, no not even the shadow of a resolution, would pass at that meeting-not even one pledging the Indian Government to carry out, as soon as practicable, its own former resolves and directions! Why was this? The British public, in their innocence, believed, from the first, that the terms 66 as soon as practicable" meant almost immediately they little thought that it was only meant, "we will obtain information on the subject, and, if we find the connexion productive of but limited profits, we will abolish it, but

should it be found to fill our coffers, it shall be continued." Little did the unsuspecting people of England think that; and yet we pledge ourselves that this was the spirit of the resolution. We gather this from the increasing opposition with which the efforts of Mr. Poynder have been met at home; as the amount of golden advantage from the connexion has been evident, and above all, from the cold, deliberate and negative answer of the Court to the prayer of the ever-beloved Corrie and his friends. In 1832, the Court of Directors, comparatively ignorant as to the amount of revenue derived from this source, to satisfy and quiet the feeling excited in Britain on the subject, passed resolutions indicating a desire to abolish the connexion. In 1837, if we are rightly informed, they forbid, most positively the cessation of any even the most limited sanction which they had ever given to idolatry. What now has wrought the change? It is but fair to state that a large sum out of the general fund is expended on the repairs of the principal roads and in providing hotels for the pilgrims, and for other good objects accidentally connected with the operations of the system. Measures are also we believe, now adopting for handing over the whole conduct of Jagannath and the Cuttack share of the evils, as an experiment, to native instead of European superintendance. If it is, however, still to be under the sanction of Government, the evil will be increased manifold. The oppression, robbery and cruelty which would be practised by natives, invested with a little brief authority, would be but adding a millstone to the pebble, but multiplying the evil a thousand-fold. Our advice to the Government is, let it alone, and, in 20 years, these festivals will cease to be connected with religious fanaticism, which is that most nervously apprehended by you. They will become either the mere resorts of trade as fairs, or scenes of gay festivity like our Christmas and other semi-pagan feasts and wakes. All legislation will be ineffective here and unsatisfactory at home; the plan referred to would be productive of oppression and fraught with the elements of insurrection. As the court of Directors and the Supreme Government have carefully eschewed in all discussion and research on the subject, all reference to the religious and moral bearings of the question, and have simply confined themselves to it as a matter of profit and loss, we shall in the first instance refer our readers to the Government connexion with Idolatry as it involves pecuniary considera

tions.

Our readers will probably have already seen the despatch from the Court of Directors, dated 20th February 1833, respecting the exising connexion of the British Government with the shrines of native idolatry, which was published a short

time ago by our contemporary the Friend of India. We have since the publication of that article, been diligent in collecting the most authentic information, information on which we think some reliance may be placed. If it be incorrect we shall be most happy to retract our errors, our object being not to misrepresent but inform,-not the triumph of a party but of truth."

On the receipt of the Court's despatch, instructions were issued by the Supreme Government, of which we are not in possession; but something of the purport may be gathered from the following circular, which was issued by the Government of Bombay, in July, 1835, to the subordinate officers at that Presidency.

As it is highly desirable that some uniform principle should be adopted with respect to the relinquishment, or otherwise, of revenue at present derived from idol worship, I am directed by the Right Hon'ble the Governor in Council to request that you will, with the aid of the assistant collectors under your control, submit the following statements and informa tion to enable Government to come to a decision on the subject.

First.-An account of all the idols, temples, or religious establishments within your collectorate, which are supported wholly or in part by Government aid, or funds; distinguishing where the aid consists in lands held under Government grants; where in money advances generally, from the Treasury; where in money raised for the particular purpose by taxes levied on worshippers or others; and where in any gift or assistance of any other kind: and stating the origin of such aids being granted, and its amount, if ascertainable.

Secondly. An account of all cases in which Government, either directly or indirectly, derive revenue from the persons who have the guardianship of such idols, temples, or religious establishments, or who attend them as worshippers; distinguishing where such revenue is raised by taxation on the worshippers or attendants; where it consists in a participation in the gifts or offerings made by such worshippers; or where it subsists in any other form; and stating the amount of revenue thus derived, and (where there is a participation between Government and the idol, temple, or religious establishment) the proportion between the shares.

2nd. The Governor in Council does not wish for minute details of the superstitious usages prevalent in these cases, or of their history what is wanted is an authentic report of the actual state of things, in illustration of two points; first, what aid, in money, or money's worth, Government are giving to the superstitions of the country; and secondly, what aid, in money, or money's worth, Government are receiving from those superstitions.

3rd. Possessed of the general object of Government, you will be enabled to supply the information bearing on it, even though not required by the letter of these instructions. The Governor in Council doubts not that you will see the necessity of making your report as speedily as the simultaneous pursuit of your more immediate avocations will permit.

4th. Such statements as it may be necessary to hand up, should be