<^ assistance ; and then returned to the bedside, wliere my
<« master appeared labouring under a spasm in the breast.
" He intimated a wish for me to hold his head ; and in
" this posture, without struggle or convulsion, his breath
<* appeared to leave him ; so that before twelve, by which
" time Mr. Watts the printer, Mr. Yeates, and a few other
<« neighbours, were with me, we were obliged to conclude,
« that our excellent friend's spirit had joined the glorified
<« saints above. I should have mentioned, that on returning
<« home in the morning after the fit. Dr. Buchanan seemed
<* lame on the left side ; but, as it went off, he did not think
<< it of any consequence. I have reason to think it might
" be a third attack of paralysis. The medical man, on
<» his coming after my master's dissolution, said it did not
" surprise him. A letter was immediately forwarded, by
<« express, to communicate the melancholy intelligence to
" my master's family in Yorkshire ; from whence some one
<< is hourly expected. Mr. Macaulay was also written to ;
" and Mr. Simeon, at Cambridge. On Saturday Mr. Ba-
<* bington, the member for Leicester, came down, and ap-
DR. BUCHANAN. ggl
*< proved of the precaution and arrangements taken imme-
" diately after the departure of my master ; hoth as to
" putting seals on the drawers, study, &e. &e.
" With the greatest respect,
" I beg to subscribe myself,
<* Rev. Sir,
<« Your most obedient, faithful servant,
« T. Vaux.'*
Such was the sudden summons by which, on the 9th of
February 181.5, in the 4-9th year of his age, this eminent
servant of God was called to his heavenly rest. To himself
it could scarcely be said to have been unexpected. The
debilitated constitution which he brought with him from In-
dia, and the repeated shocks it had subsequently sustained,
led him habitually to regard his continuance in life as ex-
tremely uncertain and precarious ; while his various afflic-
tions, personal and domestic, had tended to withdraw his
thoughts and affections from the world, and to fix them
on spiritual and eternal objects. We have seen, that in
fulfilling the important engagement which terminated his
earthly course, he evidently appeared to be working while
it was called «* to-day," and to be constantly anticipating
the near approach of «• the night," in which he could no
longer work. Of his habitual preparation for the liour of
his departure, no one can entertain a doubt, who has mark-
ed the scriptural foundation of his faith, and the unques-
tionable evidences of its sincerity, in the long and uniform
tenor of his truly Christian career. It might, perhaps,
have been desirable, both for himself and for others, that
some interval, however short, had been vouchsafed; in
which this " good and faithful servant" of his Lord might
have had an opportunity of renewing his repentance, of
testifying his faith, of perfecting his patience, of purifying
and exalting his charity, of bidding a more solemn and ex-
press farewell to " things seen and temporal," of prepa-
ring more deliberately and devoutly for an immediate en
V 3
5aS MEMOIRS OF
trance upon ♦• things unseen and eternal'^." Such an inter-
val, however, so precious to the generality of mankind,
and usually so important, the Divine Wisdom did not see fit
to grant to the suhjcct of these Memoirs. Neither, indeed,
oan it he said to have heen necessary. The readers of the
preceding narrative have already ohscrved Dr. Buchanan
in India, upon what he strongly, thougli erroneously, believ-
ed would prove his death-bed ; and they liave witnessed the
deeply penitent, yet resigned and peaceful frame of mind,
which he then exhibited. Such, as we are evidently autho-
rized to conclude, only of a more mature and heavenly na-
ture, would have been his testimony and his feelings, had he
been allowed again to express them. In the absence, how-
ever, of any such opportunity, we must be contented to recur
to that scene ; and, together with the recollection of his sub-
sequent " work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of
" hope," endeavour to enter into the full meaning of the fol-
lowing brief sentence, which occurs amidst a few other
" private thoughts," and in which its author appears plain-
ly to have anticipated the probability of some final stroke,
which should impede the exercise of his faculties, and prove
the prelude to his departure. *< If," said he, " my mind and
" memory should be affected by illness of body, I shall look
" to my head, Christ. I am but a member." From any
painful infliction of this kind. Dr. Buchanan was mercifully
spared ; and, after having paid the last sad tribute of affec-
tion to the friend and benefactor of his early years, was re-
moved almost contemporaneously, and reunited to him, and
to other kindred spirits of the ** just made perfect," in re-
gions where sickness and sorrow, change and separation,
are for ever unknown.
In consequence of a wish he had expressed to Mrs.
Thompson, not long before his death, the remains of Dr.
Buchanan were removed from Broxbourne to Little Ouse-
burn, in Yorkshire, and deposited near those of his second
a See the exquisite defence, by the pious and learned Hooker, of the petition in
the Litany against " sudden death." Ecclesiastical Polity, vol. ii. p. 175.
DU. BUCHANAN. 5^3
iamented wife. A nioruimontal inscription, written by the
Rev. W. Richardson, of York, records in plain but expres-
sive langua.J^e the leading particulars of his life and cha-
racter*.
It may, perhaps, be expected, that a more definite and
comprehensive review should be given of both, at tlie close
of these Memoirs. The length, however, to which they
have been already extended, and the distinctness with which
the events of Dr. Buchanan's life, and the features of his
character, have been marked, will only require such a gen-
eral recapitulation as may assist the reader in forming a
correct judgment of the whole.
In reviewing the history of Dr. Buchanan, our attention
must be first directed to his religious character. It was this
which originally introduced him to our notice, and by this
he was principally distinguished throughout his benevolent
and useful career. The deep and solemn impression of reli-
gion, which, through the grace of God, was made upon his
mind in his twenty-fourth year, formed the commencement
of a life devoted to the service of Christ. We have traced
the effects of this great spiritual change in the course of his
studies at the University of Cambridge, during his various
labours in India, and his continued exertions after his re-
turn to this country. Amidst these diversified scenes and
engagements, an energetic conviction of the infinite impor-
tance and value of the Gospel, and a lively sense of his own
obligations to that grace which had made him efTectually ac-
quainted with its blessings, were the commanding princi-
ples which actuated his conduct.
Those who know little of real Christianity may, perhaps,
attribute his earnestness and activity in religion, as they
would that of the great Apostle himself, to enthusiasm, zeal
for proselytism, or the love of fame. But the whole tenor
of this narrative sufficiently proves, that no corrupt, weak,
or worldly motives swayed his mind. The great object, to
wiiich he devoted his life, engaged him in an unceasing con-
a See the end of the volume.
^^ MEMOIRS OF
test with the principles and the prejudices of those whom a
rej^ard to his worldly interest would have led him carefully
to conciliate ; and though his benevolent exertions undoubt-
edly procured him many valuable friends, few men of such
sober and practical views, and of such genuine philanthro-
py, have gone through a greater variety of <* evil" as well
as of " good report." With still less justice can the activity
of Dr. Buchanan in the great labour of his life be ascribed
to a controversial or innovating spirit. He was, on the con-
trary, disposed, both by constitution and principle, to avoid
rather than to court opposition : while, during several years,
the languor of declining health was continually urging him
to self-indulgence and repose.
Amidst such powerful inducements to a very different
line of conduct, it is scarcely possible not to perceive that
Br. Buchanan could only iiave been actuated by pure and
disinterested motives. The love of Christ and of the souls
of men, and a fervent desire to be the instrument of impart-
ing to others that unspeakable blessing which he had him-
self received, were in reality the springs both of his public
and private exertions. These were the principles by which
he was animated, and which supported him with equanimity
and patience amidst labour and reproach, infirmity and sor-
I'ow, and even rendered him joyful in tribulation.
Combined with these motives, Dr. Buchanan possessed a
spirit of lively and vigorous faith, which substantiated
« things not seen," and led him to think and act under a
strong impression of their truth and reality. He was there-
fore eminently a practical man. Tliougli inclined by natu-
ral taste, and the habits of a learned and scientific educa-
tion, to indulge in speculative pursuits and pleasures, the
strength of his faith, and the ardour of his love towards
objects of spiritual and eternal concern, rescued him from
their fascination, and taught him to account all knowledge,
and all occupation, vain and unimportant, compared with
that which tended to render himself and others « wise unto
*^ salvation." Hence, from the period at which the religious
necessities of his own countrymen in India, and the moral
DR. BUCHANAN. 525
state of its beni.shted native inhabitants, first impressed iiis
mind, the life of Dr. Buchanan exhibits a continued series of
strenuous, self-denyin.s;, and disinterested efi<)rts to supply
the deficiencies, and to ameliorate the condition, which he
lamented.
For the accomplishment of this great purpose, he was ad-
mirably qualified both by natural and acquired advantages.
Sagacious and observant, calm and persevering, resolute,
yet mild and courteous, he took a penetrating and extensive
survey of the various objects around him ; and, omitting
points of inferior consideration and importance, fixed his at-
tention on the grand and prominent features by w^hich they
were distinguished. The temper also and habits of Dr. Bu-
chanan were peculiarly calculated to soften the asperities,
and to remove the prejudices, of opponents, to treat with
men of every rank upon their own grounds, and t(^engage
them in promoting the great objects which he himself had in
view ; while the compreliensiveness of his mind, and the
munificence of his disposition, enabled him both to conceive
and execute designs of no ordinary difficulty and magnitude.
We have accordingly seen in the course of these Memoirs,
that, by the publication of authentic documents and convin-
cing statements, by the proposal of magnificent prizes, by
the active exercise of his influence with those who respected
and esteemed him, and by personal exertions, which inclu-
ded a journey of more than five thousand miles, amidst ma-
ny difficulties and dangers, he endeavoured to extend and
perpetuate among the European population of India the na-
tional faith and worship ; and, unmoved by the obloquy of
opponents, and by the want of cordial assistance on the part
of some who might have been expected to support and cheer
him, laboured unceasingly to diff*usc among millions, immer-
sed in the thickest darkness, " the light that leads to hea-
•« ven."
Nor did he labour in vain. Whoever has attended to the
state of public opinion, and to the course of public events,
in this country and in India during the last twenty years,
must perceive the revolution of sentiment and feeling, which
5S6 MEMOIRS OF
lias taken place in that period, upon these important ques-
tions. The general acknowledgment, and the recognititm in
Parliament, of the solemn duty of attending to the religious
interests of British India; the establishment of our Episco-
pal Church, and the facilities afforded to the efforts of Christ-
ian piety and zeal to promote, the knowledge of the Gospel
in that extensive empire;' and the progress whjch has been
actually made in this great work, demonstrate the truth of
this assertion. It is equally certain, that to the able and
persevering exertions of Dr. Buchanan must this happy
change of opinion and these salutary measures be principal-
ly attributed. Of his claim to the merit of having success-
fully pleaded the cause of an Ecclesiastical Establishment
for Britisb India, and thus of having prepared the way for
the most effectual civilization and moral improvement of the
natives, there can be no doubt ; and of his zealous partici-
pation in the great plan of oriental translation, his original
proposal of the Mai ay alim version, and of a new edition of
the Syriac Testament, and his generous and self-denying
exertions to promote both those important works, are proofs
which neither can nor will be forgotten. Millions yet un-
born will, doubtless, on account of these and many other
great and truly Christian services of this eminent man, have
reason to rejoice, and will hereafter *« rise up and call him
" blessed."
The qualifications of Dr. Buchanan as a writer were pe-
culiarly suited to the task which he had undertaken. Bold,
perspicuous, and decisive, he is distinguished in all his
works by the accumulation and display of new and striking
facts, connected, for the most part, by brief, pointed, and
sententious observations. Even in his writings which are
more strictly theological, he adopted a similar plan ; seldom
pursuing a long train of reasoning, but laying down certain
undoubted facts, truths, or principles, and arguing from them
directly and practically to the conclusions which he had in
view. The style, however, of Dr. Buchanan, though in gen-
eral simple and unambitious, was, as we have more than
once had occasion to notice, frequently dignified and elo-
DR. BUCHANAN. 5^7
quent. But upon this point we may refer with advantage to
two most competent and respectable authorities. The first
is that of Dean Milner -, who, in speaking of Dr. Buchanan,
observes as follows.
«* I perfectly well rememher that the circumstance which
^« very soon marked his character, even in the early part of
« his residence, as an undergraduate, was plain, sober, good
<< sense, with a perspicuity and brevity of expression in all
« his English compositions on religious and moral subjects.
" He had no pretensions to elegance ; but he was altogether
« free from that vicious, flowery style, into which young
« students are apt to fall. Buchanan had always too much
" matter to allow him to be very wordy."
The other testimony to which a reference has been made
is from the review of one of his works in the Christian Ob-
servers.
" Dr. Buchanan is characterized, as a writer, by ease,
'< and by a colouring of the picturesque, with which he con-
<' trives to invest his subject. Some great writers have la~
<< boured to clothe fiction in the garb of truth : Dr. Buchan-
" an's peculiarity is, that he gives to truth many of the
« charms and ornaments usually appropriated to fiction. In
<< consequence of this, he has, we think, eminently the pow-
*« er of touching some of the best feelings of the mind, and of
«< winning over those whom dry reasoning might not con-
« vince."
The subjects to which Dr. Buchanan devoted his atten-
tion did not require or even admit the display of learning,
strictly so called. It has, however, sufliciently appeared,
that without afl'ecting the character of a consummate scho-
lar, from which he was precluded by the duties of an active
and laborious profession, his attainments in European litera-
ture and science were of no ordinary nature, and such as
qualified liim to sustain with credit the important offices to
which he was appointed in India. His acquaintance with
oriental learning, if not critical or profound, was extensive
Vol. xii. p. 242,
5^8 MEMOIRS OF
and considerable. After making some pro.ajress in the Per-
sian language, he relinquished it, from a conviction of its
comparative inutility to himself, soon after his arrival in
India; but with the Hindostanee he was familiar; and of the
Hebrew, Syriac, and Arabic, he possessed a very competent
knowledge. His grand object, however, being popular and
practical, his chief excellence consisted in the collection and
exhibition of important and various information, and in
bringing it, by convincing and luminous deductions, to bear
upon some weighty and interesting question. In this talent
he stands nearly unrivalled ; and to this must be in a great
measure ascribed the success of his appeals to the under-
standing and the heart upon the great subjects discussed in
his writings.
The sentiments of Dr. Buchanan as a divine have been
for the most part fully developed in these Memoirs. They
have appeared to be truly scriptural, and in perfect unison
with the doctrines of the Church of England. With respect
to erne point, which, for the very reason that it is now for the
first time noticed, evidently formed no prominent part of his
creed, he was what, for the sake of distinction, may be call-
ed moderately Calvinistic. The avowal of his belief in the
doctrine of personal election does not occur in any of his
publications, and was in very few instances introduced into
his discourses from the pulpit. It appears, however, some-
what remarkably in the preamble to his last will ; which is
expressed in the following words.
<« T Claudius Buchanan, of Little Ouseburn, make this my
" last will and testament. I commit my soul and body to
"Jesus Christ, the Saviour of lost sinners, of which sinners
"I am one, the chief of sinners; but I trust I have obtained
« mercy ; and I look for eternal salvation through the obe-
" dience of Christ unto death, even the death of the cross.
<< I account the origin of my salvation to be the love of God
" the Father, who loved my soul in Christ its head before the
« foundation of the world. I renounce all works as a claim
« of merit. All my works have been mixed and sullied
^< with sin and imperfection. Whatever has been accepta-
DR. BUCHANAN. 529
" ble to Grod is his own, even the work of his Holy Spirit;
*« it is not mine. Glory be to God the Father, Son, and Ho-
** ly Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen."
Such is the emphatic declaration of his faith, with which
the eminently pious subject of these Memoirs bade adieu to
every earthly concern, and anticipated an eternal world.
While the grand truths of which it consists accord with the
sentiments and feelings of every real Christian, it undoubt-
edly recognizes a position with which many will not agree.
Though Dr. Buchanan was thus reserved upon this myste-
rious subject, it was, however, one on which he had thought
and read much. He left behind him an unfinished work, in
which it was fully but cautiously discussed.
It is easy to dis])ose of this great controverted question in
a summary way, and to deny that there is any scriptural
foundation for what is termed the Calvinistic view of it : but
those who are aware of the difficulties in which the whole
subject is involved, whatever may be their own sentiments
respecting it, will be neither surprised nor offended at those
of Dr. Buchanan. That he was far from being the retailer
of other men's opinions, or from blindly and indiscriminate-
ly adhering to the tenets of any earthly « master," is evident,
not only from the general tenor of his character, but from
his express declaration in a note to one of his published scr-
monsa; in which, referring to the general propensity to ren-
der the religion of Christ a human system, and to enlist un-
der the banner of some celebrated 'eadcr, he observes, that
the enlightened Christian acknowledges no name but that
of Christ; and exclaims with indignant surprise, " Calvin
<« and Arminius ! Is it not an insult to men of intelligence
<« and learning, humbly receiving the revelation of God, to
" suppose, that, instead of drawing pure water from the
" fountain-head, they should drink from such shallow and
«« turbid streams !"
Of human guides to the knowledge of divine truth, Dr.
Buchanan was undoubtedly disposed to follow the decisions
a The Healing Waters of Bethes!!a,
X 3
530 MEMOIRS OF
of the Church of which he was a member ; and upon no other
point more readily than upon the doctrine of the divine pre-
destination, as contained in the seventeenth article. He
considered that admirable composition as expressinj^ nearly
in the language of Scripture the mysterious truth, of which
it has been seen that he declared his own solemn belief; and
as doing this in so guarded a manner, as to preclude all ob-
jection and abuse, except such as is corrupt and wilful.
Whether right or wrong in this interpretation of Scripture
and of our Church, may be a matter of discussion ; but if he
erred in his view of the doctrine in question, let it not be
forgotten, that he erred with many of the greatest divines
and brightest ornaments of the Church ; with Whitgift and
Hooker, with Davenant and Hall, with Usher and Lieighton.
And where, it may be safely added, so far as mere human
authority is concerned, are more illustrious names to be
found ? Or who will venture to throw contempt upon opi-
nions thus accredited and adorned ?
Dr. Buchanan's view of this profound subject, like every
other sentiment which he entertained, was far from being
merely speculative. Whenever he thought it right to incul-
cate it, which, as it has been observed, was but seldom, it w^as
not crudely or exclusively ; but with reference to certain spe-
cific marks of the Christian character, in connexion with
other scriptural truths, and especially such as declare the
obligations and responsibility of man, as an intelligent and
accountable hiding, and in harmony with the general promi-
ses of the Gospel.
Tlie observations which have been already made, as well
as the specimens which have been given of his discourses,
render more than a single remark upon Dr. Buchanan as a
preacher unnecessary. His manner was by no means what
would be calleil popular. His delivery was slow, but im-
pressive, and thi)ugh far from being studied, was yet pleas-
ing and persuasive. His sermons were often doctrinal, but
more frequently practical and experimental ; and generally-
interesting, either from the historical or parabolical form.
DR. BUCHANAN. 531
or from the simple yet energetic and affecting style in which
they were composed.
Preaching was not, however, that by which Dr. Bucha-
nan was chiefly distinguished. His peculiar excellencies
as a public character were of another kind, and are to be
discerned in his enlarged and truly Christian philanthropy,
in the extent and acknowledged importance, utility, and
disinterestedness ot his plans, and in the boldness, gene-
rosity, and ability, with which he laboured to accomplish
them.
Of his fidelity, diligence, and activity, in the fulfilment of
his official duties, the conduct of Dr. Buchanan, as Vice-
Provost of the college of Fort William, is a striking and
satisfactory instance ; and it is no slight proof of the value
of his services, that the year in which they were superseded
by the abolition of this office is distinctly marked, by a very
competent witness, as the period of the declining useful-
ness of that important institution.* During his residence
in India, independently of his acknowledged value as a pub-
lic servant, he was, according to the memorialist of his
excellent colleague, << beloved and admired by many of every
*' rank for his fine abilities, and for the estimable qualities
*< of his heart ;" and, after his return to this country, his
uninterrupted labours in the cause of Chrisiianity, amidst
accumulated infirmities and sorrows, equally secured him
the respect and esteem of all who are capable of apprecia-
ting pure and exalted virtue.
Dr. Buchanan, however, sought not *< honour from men.'*
His faith enabled him to '< overcome the world," and ren-
dered him comparatively indifferent to its applauses and its
frowns. He lived,
" As ever in his great Task-master's eye ;"
and appeared on all occasions supremely anxious to fulfil
his appointed duties, and to hasten towards tlie heavenly
prize. " He carried about with him," observed one of his