it will be seen, is to one of the sisters of the late Mrs. Bu-
chanan.

"Oxford, April 3, 1809-

<' This is the day on which I was united in marriage to
•< your sister Mary. 1 rejoice when I think that you and M.
" are following her steps. She is now in the enjoyment of
•< scenes of bliss, while we are afflicted by contests below.
« But she had her day of affliction also, and w^hen slie was
« sufficiently purified by the refiner, she ascended on high.

" I hope you and I shall be carried through in like man-
*^ ner, and leave some testimony that we were not of this
<< world. How great is the change made by grace on a young
« person ! May you be more and more conformed to his
" image, and learn to know (what St. Paul saith passeth
<« knowledge) the length, and breadth, and height, and depth
<< of the love of Christ to usward.

" My love to your husband ; and believe me to be very
<* affectionately yours,

** C. Buchanan."

"Woodstock, 4th April, 1809.

" I spent yesterday in the Bodleian Library, and I am to-
•* day looking over the Duke of Marlborough's at Blenheim.
•* He has a noble collection of oriental Bibles. I want to
*^» compare some Biblical MSS. from the East, with the Bod-



DR. BUCHANAN. 415

'* leian this week, with the aid of Drs. White and Ford. Dr.
<* Ford is a well-informed, vigorous scholar ; but Dr. White
^« seems nearly worn out. There is nothing that wears well
" in old age but heavenly learning: a proof this, that there
^« is a ^ wisdom which cometh from above,' It is only the
" Christian who can say,

" The soul*s dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd,
"Lets in new light thro* cliinks that time has made.*'

" Oxford, 13th April, 1809

<< In my last I asked you to aid me in doing a service to
*« the English church in India*. Will you now grant a boon
«< to the Arabian and Persian church ? I want to send out
<* immediately to Calcutta a fount of Arabic and Persian
<« types for printing the Scriptures and other works in these
" languages. The Persian is most urgent. I shall want
<« to see a specimen of the type before the agreement be con-
*« eluded.

« I have been at Blenheim two days, looking into the
« Duke of Marlborough's library, where I found my old fel-

« low collegian, — , author of , domestic chaplain.

" 1 had not known it was my own friend who was the author
<* of that work. < What,' said I, * have you spent the last
^« twelve years in writing verses, and to be mangled by the
*< Edinburgh Review after all V I urged him to run off im-
" mediately. He possesses noble talents ; and looks forward,
<' though not with much ardour, to the opportunity of mak-
'* ing a better use of them than he has hitherto done."

From Oxford Dr. Buchanan proceeded to London, from
whence he wrote to Colonel Sandys as follows.

" London, 28th April, 1809.

" I received your last while I was at Oxford. I stayed
" there about ten days ; and left a manuscript of the Gospel
« of St. John in the Ethiopic language, which I found in the

a This was respecting an organ, which Dr. Bachanan had been requested to
procure for the mission church at Calcutta.



116 MEMOIRS OK

** East, witli tlie Oriental Professor, Dr. Ford, wlio is going
*' to collate it. Other MSS. of the llebrew and Chaldaic
" Scriptures I propose to deposit in the public library of the
« University of Cambridge. I proceed thither to-morrow,
<* to preach on Sunday in Mr. Simeon's church.

«< My friends here wish me to take Welbeck chapel, while
^«^Mr. White, the present preacher, goes to his living in the
<« country. If I find that my endeavours are blessed, I shall
<* probably remain in it. But it is rather my wish to retire
"to a parish in the country.

'< The • Star in the East,' I find, has excited a general in-
'^terest. I breakfasted yesterday with the Bishop of London,
<â– * who said he was sure it would do a great deal of good."

A few extracts from various letters to his friends will serve
as a brief journal of Dr. Buchanan's proceedings at this pe-
riod.

"Terrace, High Street, 12th May, 1809.

" I returned yesterday from Hertford college, with which
" I was much pleased. Of course it owes its present effi-
«' ciency chiefly to a wise selection of professors. Dealtry
" alone would do honour to any institution.

" My friends have found me out here, and my engage-
^« ments multiply; but after a short time I hope to be at large.
« I find a great body of Indian families in these streets, who
*' appear to have really less religion here than they had in
" the East. In the great multitude with whom they are now
<' mixed, their conduct is not so easily recognized as in In-
"dia; and being less conspicuous, they think themselves
'i less responsible. It is difficult to know what or how to
" preach to such. I must pray for divine direction.

" The Ethiopic Gospel is now at Cambridge ; and one of
" the professors is about to examine and collate it, as soon as
" he has improved himself a little more in the language.
" Other persons will be appointed to examine the other
<^MSS.

« A few Sundays ago I preached the annual charity ser-
" mon at the Lock Hospital, where I found a great body of



DR. BUCHANAN. 4iy

»* the religious world of London of the highest cast. Instead
« of entertaining them with news from India, which, per-
*< haj)s, some expected, I gave them an account of the spi-
•« ritual resurrection."



In tlie letter which next follows, Dr. Buchanan notices the
distinguished honour which had been just conferred upon
him by the University of Cambridge, and adds some inte-
resting particulars respecting his ministry at Welbeck
chapel.

** Cambridge has conferred on me the highest honour in
" her gift. She petitioned his Majesty to grant me the de-
" gree of Doctor in Divinity. The mandate was issued, and
" i received the degree on the commencement day last week.
** Dr. Ramsden, as Regius Professor of Divinity, delivered
•• a speech on the occasion, in the name of tlic University,
•<in which he referred to the evangelization of the East, and
" to my endeavours. The Duke of Gloucester and many of
<< the nobility were present. I waited on the Bishop of
•* Bristol after my degree, and received from his Lordship
•* an assurance, that he would ever support the cause in which
*< I Iiad been so long engaged. He subscribed at the same
•« time to the Bible Society. AH the Heads of Houses whom
<* I saw professed their gratification at the public notice the
" University had taken of the subject. I shall be shortly
•^called to preach before the University.

*• I live very retired at present; preaching regularly to
'' my congregation, and attending little to public affairs.
" The nobility have mostly left town; but their seats at my
•'* chapel are filled generally by the poorer sort. The Duke
<» of Gordon, Lord R. Seymour, and othei >. yet remain. I
<< pray to be enabled to j)ersevere to the nd of my time
<* with them, next November; and after thai, to the end of
" my race, wherever I shall be called to run.

<• The Christians in Travancore are suft'« ; ing persecution,
<* which may do them good. I foresee another conflict on
** missions ; may we all be found faithful and prudent, wise
»* and harmless !

G 3



418 MEMOIRS OF

*< Before the nobilitj left town, I delivered to some of them
<* at Welbeck chapel my views of the pious and useful life of
" the late Bishop of London. 1 noticed liis exertions to pre-
♦« serve the purity of public morals; and gave them an ac-
*< count of my last interview with the Bishop, a few days
«« before his death, and of his testimony to serious piety.
« Speaking of a public trial then pending, in which some
<* allusion had been made to the religious character of one of
<« his friends, he observed, that the character of public men
♦< professing religion was severely tried, and often greatly
« misrepresented in the present age. And, addressing him-
" self to the Master of a college in one of our Universities,
*< then in company, he added these words : « The man who
<« shall at this day conduct himself in a strictly religious man-
<< ner, and make a profession of serious piety, must be con-
<< tent to be misunderstood by some, and called by a name
** of reproach.' "

The following is a somewhat fuller account of the effect of
Dr. Buchanan's ministry at Welbeck chapel, from a letter
to a friend soon after he had left it.

" The power of religion which I witnessed in Marybone
^^ was more among the lower than the higher classes ; though
*< even among them I have reason to believe that good has
" been done. A general spirit of conciliation was manifest.

^« Lady retains an abiding impression, and does the

*< works of righteousness. 1 visited her frequently. Lady

« also has evinced a just sense of true religion, and

"others of rank. But the glory of the Gospel was chiefly
" manifested in Mrs. B. who died last month. She was but
« in humble life; but many of the nobility visited her, and
<* benefited by her example."

In the month of August Dr. Buchanan left London on a
journey into Yorksiure ; the object of which will be per-
ceived by the following extract from a letter to Colonel
Sandys.

" London, 31st Aug, 1S09.

" I have been absent from London the last ten days. My
** friends wished to know if 1 should like to fix at Scarbo-



DR. BUCHANAN. 4^9

" roui^lj, if the advowson of the livin!^ were purchased ; and
" f went down to see tlie place and the people. There is
** but one church, and seven thousand inhabitants, besides
<'the visitors. I found the Rev. Mr. Robinson of Leicester
*« tliere ; and we both preaclied last Sunday, he in the morn-
" ini^, and I in the evening. It was calculated that three
'* thousand persons were in church. I do not think that I
•* shall settle there ; but I leave the event to Him whose
** providence governs all things.

** While at Scarborough, I was hospitably entertained by
" a family I have long heard of, and wished much to see,
«* Mr. Thompson's of Kirby Hall.

** I am glad you are reading Milner's Church History.
" He has combined more real piety and sound sense in these
" volumes than are to be found in half the books of the day.

^< 1 am engaged by Mr. Burn to preach two sermons at
'^ Birmingham on the 8th of October next, on some annual
" occasion. My journey has refreshed me, I think, after
" ^ome months residence in London, though it was rapid,
<* and chiefly in the mail. I am glad that William has such
** an awful sense of the importance of the ministry. That is
** more likely in time to lead him to it, than to drive him
^« from it."

About the first week in October Dr. Buchanan took a se-
cond journey into Yorkshire, and returned at the end of a
fortnight, for the purpose of preaching a series of sermons
on the interesting occasion afforded by the fiftieth anniver-
sary of the reign of our venerable Sovereign ; and with the
last of these discourses he closed his engagement at Wel^
beck chapel.



4:20 MEMOIRS OF



CHAPTER 111.

EARLY in the ensuing month Dr. Buchanan communi-
cated to the friend to whom the preceding letter was ad-
dressed his intention of again entering into tlie marriage
state. The lady with whom he formed this second engage-
ment, was the daughter of Henry Thompson, Esq. of Kirby
Hall, near Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire. Dr. Buchanan,
as we have already seen, became acquainted with this re-
spectable family during his first visit to Scarborough, and
was attracted towards Miss Thompson by her piety, her
active benevolence, and her filial duty and affection. This
connection was particularly agreeable to Mr. and Mrs.
Thompson, and was universally approved by the friends of
Dr. Buchanan. The marriage accordingly took place in the
month of February following; from which period he fixed
his residence in Yorkshire.

A few extracts from his letters will describe the plan of
life upon which he now entered, and shew with how much
promptitude and diligence he engaged in the duties of the
ministry.

" Kirby Hall, March 1810.

« We live at Moat Hall, or Parsonage, within a quarter
*<of a mile of the mansion. I have undertaken the whole
" charge of the parish of Ouseburn. On the Thursday and
" Sunday evenings I have a meeting of my parishioners in
•« my own house. I read a portion of Scripture to them, and
<« expound it ; and generally incorporate the subject of the
" lecture in a prayer. I ought to be thankful for the atten-
^< tive ear of the people.

« Mrs. Buchanan enters into these plans with mucii ardour
" and affection.

'•' After staying here some months, I shall probably return
*< to London ; at least my friends urge me to resume Wel-
« beck. I published three Jubilee Sermons, as a record that



DR. BUCHANAN. 431

.^ I was once tliere. They are passing through a second
*^ edition, to which is to be annexed ' the Star in the East.' "
The friend who originally introduced Dr. Buchanan to
Welbeck chapel was anxious that he should be permanently
fixed in that or in some similar station, which he had shewn
that he was so well qualified to fill. He therefore proposed
the building of a chapel in one of the western parishes oi
London, and wrote to Dr. Buchanan for his approbation oi
the plan. To this he replied as follows.

*^ \ccept my sincere thanks for your kind congratula-
-tions. I was about to write to you, that our correspon-
" dence might not cease on account of distance.

.* I have next to thank you, in the name of the Church in
«* India, for your zeal in relation to tlie organ.

ii I much approve your proposal for building a chapel ;
** and I trust it will please Providence to bring the work to
.^ a conclusion. I take it for granted that you mean a build-
" ing which will contain two thousand people, with all the
'' latest improvements in church accommodation, and propri-
« ety of decoration.

" I know not how it may please God to dispose of my life
w* and services in the revolution of years, but I consider the
^' situation you propose as highly important ; and I beg you
^' will proceed with your plan of building the chapel, under
" the presumption that I shall be its minister.

'' Great simplicity, I think, ought to be observed in the
<* constructiim and finishing; approaching nearer to the
" Gothic than the Grecian taste, but not to be wholly in
*« either style ; for there is no such thing, I allege, as truth
i' in architecture. An oval or oblong octagon is by far the
" best general plan of an edifice, having the pulpit in the
** phonic centre. But I shall submit to your judgment in all
« things."

Notwithstanding the apparently promising nature of this,
and of a similar plan, which was supported by many opulent
inhabitants of Marybone, various difiiculties, well known to
those who embark in such engagements, prevented the ac-
complishment of either ; and circumstances in the life of Dr.



4:23 MEMOIRS OF

Buchanan not long afterwards occurred, which proved that
the expectations of his friends upon this point would, as far
as his ministry was concerned, have been but too soon dis-
appointed. In the mean time the idea was mutually che-
rished.

The Jubilee Sermons, to which reference has more than
once been made, were published early in the year 1810, and
were very generally read and admired. The threefold view
Dr. Buchanan took of a subject, which the well-known cir-
cumstances of the occasion rendered peculiarly interesting,
gave him an opportunity of embracing a variety of topics,
which a more limited plan would scarcely have allowed.
The first of these sermons exhibits a view of the Mosaic ju-
bilee, as a religious, moral, and political institution ; toge-
ther with its analogy to " the acceptable year of the Lord,"
proclaimed by the Saviour of the world. The second was
devoted to the British jubilee, and contained an animated
review of the political and religious blessings which had
been bestowed upon this favoured country during the length-
ened reign of his present Majesty ; amongst the latter of
which he particularly dwells on the preservation of our na-
tional Church in her faith and polity, the increase of true
religion throughout the empire, the general instruction of
the poor, and the universal diffusion of the Holy Scriptures.
The last of these excellent discourses, which is perhaps the
most generally useful and important of the three, leads us
forward to the closing scene of all, the heavenly jubilee.
The employment and felicity of heaven, and the character
of those who shall be admitted to the celestial jubilee, are
here considered ; and the whole is concluded by a copious
application of the subject, which includes the most important
practical topics, adapted to the circumstances of the higher
classes of society. Amongst these Dr. Buchanan introduced
a powerful appeal as to the duty of propagating the Gospel
in,nieathen nations. Though the subject of these sermons
partook of an occasional character, the general views they
display will doubthss preserve tliem from oblivion, and ren-
der them more than temporary proofs of the various know-



DR. BUCHANAN. 403

leds^e, the fervent yet rational piety, and the warm yet en-
lightened benevolence, which distinguish the writings of
their author.

Of the second edition of his Jubilee Sermons, Dr. Bu-
chanan sent a copy to liis eldest daughter, accompanied by
the following note.

<* My dear Charlotte,

<« I have the pleasure to send you a book, which I hope
*' you will receive as a mark of my affection. My chief dc-
** sire in regard to you and Augusta is, that you may be prc-
^« pared on earth for the heavenlij jubilee ; and in regard to
«' myself, that I may meet you there.

« I hear from some, that you are not inattentive to religi-
*^ ous subjects. This gives me real pleasure. It is a noble
*« thing to see the young daughter follow the steps of her de-
<' parted mother. That mother now rejoices in the heavenly
*< jubilee, and looks for the time when her two children shall
<* join her in singing the song of the Lamb."

In the spring of this year, Dr. Buchanan received letters
from Mr. Brown, which announced to him the tranquil and
even prosperous state of things in India, as to the promo-
tion of Christian knowledge, and the active labours of many
learned and excellent persons in forwarding the designs of
his Christian Institution, under the fostering care of the
Corresponding Committee of the British and Foreign Bible
Society. Mr. Brown dwelt with peculiar energy and de-
light on the exertions of Mr. Martyn and his associates, and
pleaded strongly in behalf of tlie new Arabic translation of
the Scriptures, then recently undertaken by Sabat.

Another Indian letter which Dr. Buchanan received at
this time was from the Rev. Mr. Kolhoff, the pious and ex-
cellent missionary in Tanjore. It is dated October 21, 1809,
and is as follows.

" Rev. and very worthy Sir,

« Your very kind letter of the 4th of January directed to
" the Rev. Mr. Horst and myself, we had the pleasure to re-
*< ceive on the 8th of July last, and beg you to accept of our
*< hearty and sincere thanks for vour kind remembrance



^2^ xMEMOIRS OF

** of us, and for the affectionate regard and attention you
" have shewn towards the mission committed to our care.

<* Upon the receiptof your favours, Mr. Horst has, agree-
** ahly to your request, without delay, set about collecting
*< materials for publishing the life of our much respected and
« beloved predecessor, the late Rev. Mr. Swartz, and has
« ready about ten sheets closely written, which will give
•< nearly the same number in print, and which he would
'< have despatched ere this, if he had not found out that he
" had unfortunately omitted several material points in the
'' very beginning of Mr. Swartz's life.

<< It gives us great pleasure to acquaint you, that the Ho-
" nourable the Court of Directors have taken into their be-
« nevolent consideration our humble petition addressed by
<< us to the government of Madras, at the end of the year
<* 1806, and have been kindly pleased to grant an addition
" of seven hundred to their former donation of five hundred
" pagodas on account of the Protestant schools of this mis-
" sion.

" The resolution of government came to our hands on the
«< 13th of this month, at a time when we were ready to de-
^< spond and sink under the burden which oppressed us, and
<* has given us a fresh motive for thankfulness to God for his
<* fatherly care towards us. To you also, my dear Sir, our
<^ warmest acknowledgments are due, for having suggested
" that measure to us, and we beg you to accept the assu-
«* ranee of our most lively gratitude for your friendly advice,
<* which has had such a beneficial effect on the cause of the
** mission, and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

The life of that eminent missionary, the venerable Swartz,
which is thus alluded to in his worthy successor's letter, was
a favourite subject with Dr. Buchanan. He had proceeded
so far with it as to be intending to publish it a year or two
before his own death ; but was prevented from executing his
plan by the information he received of the same work having
been undertaken by another person. The papers which he
had collected for this purpose are now in the hands of his
familv.



DR. BUCHANAN. ^25

The followini^ extracts frosii Dr. Buchanan's correspon-
dence, in the spring of this year, will illustrate his piety and
Christian sympathy, as well as the habitual activity and ar-
dour of his mind with reference to the great object of his
life.

« Kii-by Hall, 1st May, 1810.^

<* My dear Sister,

« Your letter gave me great pleasure. You have a hope
<< of being restored to your family and to active service a lit-
" tie while longer. I say a little while ; for you must not look
« to long life, unless it should please God to restore you
** soon to strong and confirmed health. But let us not talk
« of life, but of how we are to live. I admire your expres-
" sion, and the spirit which animates it. * I trust I have an
« increasing desire to devote myself to the Lord.' May
« this desire, my dear Sister, live in your heart till you die.
" It will be like < a well of water springing up into everlast-
<* ing life;' for this desire of which you speak has been im-
" parted to you by the Holy Spirit, which our Lord com-
« pares to the water of life. « If any man thirst, let him
« come to me and drink;' and then it is added, *This spake
" he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should re-
« ceive.' John vii. ,37. Blessed are they in whose hearts
<« this desire has been awakened ! It is more to be valued
" than crowns and diadems. How beautiful is this desire in
« a female, and in a young person, and in the mother of
« children ! For who led your steps to « the waters' when
<<you first heard the invitation, ' Ho every one that thirst-
«* eth?' Behold the world around you, how few thirst for the
*« waters !

" I now behold in you, your dear sister Mary thirsting
<« after righteousness. The promise will be fulfilled to you,
" as it was to her. * They shall he filled.' I have no admoni-
« tion to give you. Vou are under heavenly guidance. One
*< thing I will notice ; this is your season of prayer. Let
« your prayers be offered up incessantly at this time for
<* your husband and children ; first, that he also may be a

H 3



4g6 MExMOIRS OF

"well of water, nourishing the souls of others unto eternal
" life ; that he may * increase,' if you are to decrease ; and
** tliat new strength may be given him as he approaches the
** vigour of lite and understanding. You know that by the
«« divine command the persons appointed to tlje * service of
" the tabernacle' were confined to the period between thirty
•* and fifty ; and that is certainly the period of the most ef-
•' fective service. And it will cost him and me many a sigh,
** if, when that period has elapsed, any tiling should have
*< interrupted our zeal and labour in the heavenly ministra-
*< tion. Secondly, that your dear children may grow up in
** the nurture and admonition of the Lord. For now is the
'* time to lay up a treasury of prayers for them, which may
** be answering when your spirit is on high, and your body