Mr. Buchanan thus writes.
•* It would have given me great satisfaction to have
*^been able to send you such gratifying letters as I have
" often written, and am now writing, to various families in
/
DR. BUCHANAN. ^^7
^< England, Scotland, and Ireland, respecting their sons who
<^have passed a long period in diligent study, acquired hon-
" ours, and then lucrative appointments. But it has been
*^ ordered otherwise. Perhaps all will be well. Poor "
(speaking of a student who had lately died) *< had certainly
*< been cherishing solemn and serious purposes the fortnight
** before his death ; and he no doubt died the child of many
<< prayers may yet prove himself to be the child of
<* religious parents. Their case however speaks loudly to
" us who are fathers ; teaching us to walk with humility and
" fear before God, committing our children to him in prayer
<^ and tears, and with much wrestling for a blessing on them,
*^ when they depart from us. The world says, < He who
*• hath children, hath given pledges to fortune.' The Christ-
*« ian knows how this is to be translated."
Upon the general subject of religion in Calcutta Mr. Bu-
chanan gave the following encouraging accounts to one of
his correspondents.
«« We have had divine service at tlic mission church
••' lately for the settlement. The punkas make it very plea-
•« sant ; but it was found to be too small for the auditory ;
«' many families going away every Sunday morning; seats
<* being in general occupied an hour before service.
"You will be glad to hear that still perseveres in
<^ listening to sacred things ; as do many other young poli-
" tical servants whom you do not know. The demand for
*< religious books, particularly of evangelical principles, has
*' been very great these two last years. Messrs. Dring told
** me they had sold an investment of fifty 8vo. Bibles in the
'< course of three months."
In ia subsequent letter Mr. Buchanan thus continued his
account of ecclesiastical affairs, after prefacing it with an
act of kindness to a clerical brother.
<* The bearer of this, the Rev. Mr. , requests me to
^< state to you his hope that you will peruse his memorial re-
" ferred by this government to the Court of Directors. He
" has been twenty-five years a chaplain here, and is now old
>'•' and infirm. I assured him that every Justice would be
^28 MEMOIRS OF
*« done by you in relation to his memorial, and that you would
*< direct such an investigation of the circumstances as might
<^ be proper.
<« On account of the increase of our congregations we are
" about to have two morning services on Sunday ; the first at
"seven o'clock in the old church, and the second at the
*< usual hour of ten at the new. This is very agreeable to
"a great majority. Only Mr. Brown and myself will offi-
<^ciate at the old church. We shall of course (at least I
"shall) continue to officiate as usual at the new."
About this time Mr. Buchanan thus mentions to a friend
and relative the mixed nature of the congregations in Cal-
cutta.
" We have some of all sects in our congregations ; Pres-
" byterians, Independants, Baptists, Armenians, Greeks,
*' and Nestorians. And some of these are part of my audi-
<* ence at the English church. But a name or a sect is never
" mentioned from the pulpit ; and thus the word preached
<* becomes profitable to all.
" Even among the writers in the college there are Pres-
" byterians, Independants, and Methodists. Their chief
" difficulty at first is from the ceremonies of the English
" church, which few of them ever witnessed till they came
" here.
<^ I must lie down awhile and dictate to an amanuensis,
" for it is very hot. The thermometer is to-day near 110.
« used in former life to prosecute all he took in
" hand with enthusiasm. He thought nothing done right,
" if not done with all his might. So, perhaps, it is in his re-
« ligion and private life. He is actuated by a pure, genu-
" ine enthusiasm. Eternity, he says, has opened to his view,
" and he would save the souls of men. We shall judge him
" by his works a few years hence. # # * *
" When the Hindoo had laid down the pen, and I had got
^f up from my couch, he asked me what kind of a thing a
" Methodist was. I told him that it was a Christian man in
" the little Isle of Britain, who prayed too much, and was
i( i righteous overmuch.' The lad stared, and said, How
DR. BUCHANAN, 229
<« can that be ? So it is, said I ; behold that man, (pointing
<( to 's picture,) who is reputed a Metho3ist in England,
<* and is a subject of ridicule, on account of his excessive
** godliness. ^ Among us,' replied the Hindoo, « he would
" thereby acquire the more reverence and veneration.' "
At the close of one of the preceding letters, Mr. Bu-
chanan expressed his fears as to the result of some public
measures, concerning which he had formed sanguine expec-
tations ; but not long afterwards he wrote in a more anima-
ted, and, as before, in a prophetic strain.
" The war seems to be now near its close ; and it will
" probably be followed by a long reign of peace in India.
*< Having obtained complete dominion over it, we shall then
*< bless it with the Word of Life ; and Christ will be once
<^ more glorified in the East."
a The fourth annual disputations in the oriental languages
in the college of Fort William were held this year in the
month of February, in the presence of Marquis Wellesley
and the superior members of the government. Upon this
occasion it was maintained in Hindostanee, that *^ the ori-
<* ental languages are studied with more advantage in India
'* than in England, and with greater advantage to the pub-
" lie service." And in Persian, that that language is of
« more utility in the general administration of the British
" empire in India than the Hindostanee." In addition to
declamations in Bengalee and Arabic, one was pronounced
for the first time in the Mahratta language. In the speech
which Lord Wellesley delivered after the distribution of the
prizes and honorary rewards, his Lordship observed, that
the general zeal, industry, and spirit of study in the college
had not declined, notwithstanding the contraction of the
sphere of emulation and competition by the separation which
had now taken place of the gentlemen of the establishments
of Fort St. George and Bombay.
** Since the last meeting," continued his Lordship, " the
*< promotion of oriental knowledge in the British service in
a See *« The College of Fort William," p. 139.
^30 MEMOIRS OF
** India has proceeded with increased success, by the pro-
*< gress of the studies and labours of the gentlemen of this
<^ college. â–
<< The attention also of the officers and students of the col-
»* lege appears to have been successfully directed to those
»* important objects of discipline, regularity, and good order,
♦^ which formed an essential part of my recent admonitions
<* from this place.
<* The most eminent and brilliant success in the highest
" objects of study, will prove an inadequate qualification for
" the service of the Company, and of our country in India,
«'if the just application of those happy attainments be not
^< secured by a solid foundation of virtuous principles and
*^ correct conduct."
The remainder of this elaborate address is occupied with
a strong recommendation of the study of the laws and regu-
lations enacted by the Governor General in Council, intro-
duced by <*that great and worthy statesman," as Lord
Wellesley justly styles him, " the Marquis Cornwallis, and
« improved and extended by succeeding governments, with
•' the aid of the talents, knowledge, and virtues of Sir George
« Barlow," for the administration of the British territories
subject to the Presidency of Bengal.
In consequence of the reduction in the extent of the col-
lege of Fort William, referred to in the preceding speecli,
the Governor General thought it expedient, by a minute in
council, dated the 30th of April 1805, to declare, that the
duties at present committed to the Provost and Vice-Provost
of the college might be performed in future by one officer
only, with the designation of Provost. His Excellency,
however, deemed it to be proper, in consideration, as he was
pleased to express it, " of the highly meritorious and useful
*^ services rendered to the college by the present Provost
<^ and Vice-Provost, Mr. Brown ^nd Mr. Buchanan," to
postpone the adoption of this arrangement until a vacancy
should occur in one of those offices, provided that the Hon-
ourable the Court of Directors should be pleased to sanction
DR. BUCHANAN. g3i
the continuance of the allowances to the Provost and Vice-
Provost until that time.
By the same minute, the Governor General rescinded
that part of the original regulation of the college, by which
pensions were to be eventually granted to certain of its offi-
cers, including the Provost and Vice-Provost, until the far-
ther pleasure of the Court of Directors should have been
received.
The extensive plan of the college of Fort William had ne-
ver been approved by one distinguished correspondent of
Mr. Buchanan, to whom he had been in the habit of com-
municating his own views upon that subject. This disap-
probation, it appears, had been plainly expressed to him ,• in
consequence of which, early in this year, he briefly notices
it in the following reply.
" I have forborne saying any thing to you respecting the
<* college, its founder, and his Indian policy, since my senti-
«< ments on these subjects can afford you no pleasure, as you
«* observe in your last. It appears, in fact, that, since the
" commencement of the institution, I have been looking to
<< one object, and you to another. In its dignity and extent,
" I perceived a radical revolution in the European charac-
<^ ter, the future civilization of India, and the foundation of
<»' an Ecclesiastical Establishment. And these results ap-
'' pear to be in a course of accomplishment.
«* Good men in England are yet in ignorance respecting
*« purpose or effects of this institution. I mean therefore to
" publish shortly all the official papers relating to this col-
" lege, with some account of its first four years. This will
*« be acceptable to many, and useful to all. In the mean
" time I have written a short Memoir on an Ecclesiastical
<* Establishment and Indian Civilization, a copy of which I
" have directed the bookseller to send to you.'*
The work thus announced by Mr. Buchanan respecting
the college, was accordingly compiled in the spring of 1805,
and transmitted, together with his Ecclesiastical Memoir,
to this country, where it was published towards the end of
the year. It was entitled. '' The College of Fort William
2S2 MEMOIRS OF
ill Bengal." Mr. Buchanan did not affix his name to tuKf
publication; but it was well known to have proceeded from
him, and he afterwards acknowledged it. A short prefatory
note states, that the volume contains the official papers and
the literary proceedings of the college during its first four
years ; and it was intended to form a record of the nature
and operations of that institution during the period in which
alone its founder could be considered as answerable for its
success ; an important reduction of its original plan having
then taken place. It is to this volume that reference has
been frequently made in the preceding pages, in noticing
the rise and progress of the Eastern college. Besides the
documents which have been already mentioned relative to
the foundation, the statutes, and the defence of the college,
and the disputations of the first four years, it contains the
public examinations in regular series, with a list of the stu-
dents who had entered on service, and a register of those
who had obtained degrees of honour ; a catalogue of works
in the oriental languages and literature, published by mem-
bers of the college since its commencement ; the names and
offices of those who had borne any part in the conduct of the
institution ; and some remarks by the Editor on the primary
establishment of the college, and on the operation of its first
four years.
In these remarks, Mr. Buchanan, after noticing the neces-
sity and importance of such an institution, which had been
proved by its triumph over the most powerful and systema-
tic opposition, observes, that the publication of an hundred
original volumes in the oriental languages and literature in
the term of four years, is no inconsiderable proof of the
flourishing state of the college, as a literary institution.
That was, however, but one of its subordinate objects.
«^ The distinguished proficiency of the students in the ori-
^< ental languages," says Mr. Buchanan, *< is the proof w^
" would propose of the efficiency, utility, and undoubted sue-
« cess of the college of Fort William. That proficiency is
<« great, perhaps beyond example. Gentlemen who have
« been at different universities in Europe acknowledge that
DR. BUCHANAN. ^33
,**they never witnessed at any of them more numerous
«« instances of ardent application to study, than at the col-
<«lege of Fort William. The mathematical vigils of Cam-
<^ bridge are perhaps more severe than ours ; (though even
" with us there have been instances of sixteen hours a day
^' reading, and a voyage to sea in consequence for recovery
«« of health ;) but the instances of close application at Cam-
« bridge are not so general as at Fort AVilliam, in propor-
<< tion to the number of students."
The two chief excellencies of this institution upon which
Mr. Buchanan insists in his remarks, are, that it afforded
to young men the opportunity of completing the usual course
of an English education, as well as of learning the oriental
languages ; and that it gave to all the civil servants in
India equal advantages of instruction, and of consequent
promotion in the service.
In a series of farther remarks, Mr. Buchanan points out
the moral and economical benefits of the college, which
have been already alluded to ; particularly its influence in
preventing the junior servants of the Company from incur-
ring a load of debt, by which they had been formerly -op-
pressed. He mentions also the remarkable fact, that during
the period of four years there had not been one duel, and
but one death, among the students of this oriental college.
It appears, indeed, as if these indefatigable young men,
like/ a great military commander of a former age, had never
been sufficiently at leisure to be vicious.
The work from which this sketch of the institution to
which they belonged, and of the labours of all its oflicers and
members has been derived, will be perused with high grati-
fication by those who feel the importance, and are interested
in the perpetuity, and the just and beneficial administration,
of our Indian empire.
Towards the end of the year 1804 and the commence-
ment of the following year, a considerable degree of opposi-
tion to the doctrines inculcated by Messrs. Brown and Bu-
chanan had been manifested by two or three of the other
chaplains of the Presidency. Mr, Buchanan was in conse-
•^ G 5?
234! MEMOIRS OF
quence induced to preach a series of discourses on the doc-
trinal Articles of the Church of England. These«sermons
were of a very superior order, and were productive of a cor-
responding effect, in checking the clamour which had given
birth to them. In an introductory discourse, from the di-
rection of St. Paul to Titus, to *« speak the things which
•* become sound doctrine," Mr. Buchanan took occasion to
state the importance of that digest of the principal points of
Christian faith exhibited in the Articles, Homilies, and Li-
turgy of our Church. He afterwards introduced some admi-
rable remarks on the new complexion which some of her
doctrines have derived from the spirit of the times, from in-
attention to the religion of Christ, and the ignorance and
prejudice consequent upon it, and upon the necessity of cau-
tion in expressing those points which are repugnant to hu-
man pride, or which may be thought by some to be at vari-
ance with human reason. He exemplified this in the man-
ner of stating the doctrine of justification by faith, and of the
use of the moral law under the dispensation of the Gospel.
The following practical observation upon this part of his
subject is particularly excellent.
^« Now if any one should say, * I cannot yet understand
« this argument of the Apostle, or see how faith can thus
« work by love, and establish the law ;' we can only answer,
" that must be because you have not sought or known the
*< righteousness of Christ; which the Apostle saith is previ-
*< ously necessary to your having any sense of that love and
•* gratitude, of whieli he speaks. Perhaps you have not
" come to God and his word with tlie disposition required.
<* Perhaps to this moment the Scriptures are to you a dead
«< letter ; and you have never prayed for the aid of that Spi-
« rit which giveth them life, with any hope or serious ex-
<*pectation of obtaining it. Perhaps in your inquiry after
« the truth you have not maintained that purity of heart and
*^ practice which is required by tlie precept of our Saviour :
« « If any man will do the will of God, he shall know of the
« doctrine, whether it be of God.' "
DR. BUCHANAN. ^35
At the close of tliis sermon, Mr. Buchanan thus announ-
ced his intention as to the subject of some succeeding dis-
courses.
<< My brethren, you cannot be indifferent as to what kind
« of doctrines are delivered to you. Your regular atten-
*< dance on the worship of God demonstrates that you are
*< serious ; and if there be seriousness on your part, it be-
'< comes us to shew some zeal on ours.
^* If at any time you perceive a discrepancy of opinion
*f regarding doctrine, let it excite you to inquire into the
" truth for yourselves ; and it will have a happy conse-
" quence."
Adverting to the tendency there was at that day to with-
draw from the principles of our forefathers both in religion
and morals, he added, " I purpose to preach a series of dis-
" courses on the chief doctrines of our Church, as contained
<« in her Articles, Liturgy, and Homilies ; and to illustrate
«< them from the lives and writings of our first Reformers,
<^ and of our most learned and pious Divines. The object
'« will be to shew, what that religion was, which enabled our
" bishops to become martyrs to the faith, and to contrast its
*< genuine principles with the doctrines frequently set forth
" at this day.
" Every thing spoken from this place ought to be spoken
** for edification. We are accounted the stewards of the
" mysteries of God ; and we shall soon be called to give an
*• account of our stewardship.
« To obtain your approbation is desirable ; but the great
••object of our ministry ought to be, to lead you to the exer-
" cise of every Christian grace and virtue^ to unfold to you
" the beauty and harmony of the Gospel, its power, influ-
•^ ence, consolations, and reward ; and to obtain your tes-
^* timony after we are gone, that we have not * shunned to
*< declare unto you the whole counsel of God.' "
In the second of this valuable series of discourses, from
the words of the Prophet Isaiah, chap. Ix. 2. ** For, behold,
*< the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness
♦< the people," Mr. Buchanan thought it necessary to con-
^36 MEMOIRS OF
sider the state of the Church previously to the Reformation,
in order that the magnitude of the blessing then vouchsafed
to our country might be more justly estimated. He descri-
bed in striking terms the mental bondage of the people under
the dominion of the Romish church, and the means employ-
ed to perpetuate that bondage, by withholding the Scrip-
tures from them. He farther stated the grand doctrine of
antichrist on which the whole fabric of his superstition was
built ; namely, << that a man could justify himself in the
<« sight of God by his own merits and observances ;" there-
by dishonouring the sacrifice, and depreciating the merits
of our Saviour ; and shewed that the chief article of the Re-
formation, properly so called, was our justification by the
sole merits of Christ ; and that this doctrine was declared
by our Reformers to be the symbol of the true church, and
the corner-stone of our redemption.
The succeeding sermon contained an animated view of
the reformation from Popery in this country ; of the transla-
tion of the Scriptures into our native language, and the
eagerness with which they were read by all ranks of the
people ; and of the first great labour of our venerable Refor-
mers in setting forth in the Articles the chief doctrines of
Scripture, in elucidating them clearly to the people by the
Homilies, and in establishing by the Liturgy an unity of
faith and worship. A sketch was then given of the temporary
revival of Popery and the persecution of Protestantism,
under the reign of Queen Mary, of the happy restoration of
the Reformed Faith, and the long period of peace and tran-
quillity which followed ; of the triumph of fanaticism in the
subsequent age, and finally of the rise and progress of infi-
delity in our own. Upon these two last topics some admira-
ble observations were made ; and as at the time when Mr.
Buchanan delivered these discourses, it was impossible to
foresee how far the reign of infidelity might extend, he occu-
pied the remainder of his third sermon in warning his dis-
tinguished auditory against its snares, and in exhorting them
"0 diligent examination and inquiry*
DR. BUCHANAN. S37
<< Wherever we may suspect a deviation from rectitude of
" opinion, let us look In general to the first principles of our
<^ Church, which have heen engrafted in our laws and con-
^< stitution, which have been honoured and acknowledged of
<< God, proved in the day of trial, and found perfect. Let us
" examine ourselves, whether, after making every allowance
*< for the difterent state of society, there be any correspon-
<< dence between our religious principles, and those of the
« Fathers of our Church. These principles are unalterable in
"their importance : they suffer no diminution by civil im-
<' provement, or by the expansion of knowledge. The doc-
" trines of God respect the state of the soul, and the condi-
« tion of man by nature ; and < are the same yesterday,
<< to-day, and for ever.' The reasons which urged our fore-
*< fathers to lay down their lives for the truth, ought to
*^ be known and felt by us. Since their time, the same truth
*« has been confirmed by additional testimonies ; if we obey
** it not, we sin against our own souls ; and God hath said,
"that he will not urge his proofs and evidences on us
*« beyond a certain limit. When the conscience and un-
" derstanding of a man condemn him, he has no reason to
*• expect any additional evidence of the truth ; but rather
" a diminution of its weight, by his habit of neglecting it."
This able and interesting sermon closed with a faithful ap-
peal to the consciences of his hearers as to various points
of religious declension and neglect, and with a series of
devout aspirations for the progress and permanence of reli-
gion in our own country.
"Let us pray," said Mr. Buchanan, " that our country
•'•' may ever continue to be, in this sense, a light to the world,
*< and an example to the nations ; and that God may con-
" tinue to send the light of his truth into the hearts of kings
•♦ and of all that be in authority, that the kingdom may
" ever be governed according to his will ; and that in par-
" ticular we in this place, who are in an especial manner
*• the light of the nations around us, and whose example
" must pervade so many of our own countrymen, may never
** want a succession of wise and good men, in respectable
338 MEMOIRS OF
« stations, to uphold the interests of true religion and virtue^
*' so shall the circumstances of our residence in this country
** be improved as much as may be ; we shall be grateful for
<< the benefits we enjoy, and we shall know better how to
«' enjoy them ; at the same time that we shall have more
'< reason to expect a continuance of the divine blessing
<« amongst us."
The fourth discourse in this series on the words of St.