Notes on Indian Affairs/Volume II/LX

Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/462 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/463 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/464 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/465 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/466 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/467 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/468 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/469 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/470 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/471 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/472 character, ought to be the primary object. Nor should these be confined to works of a religious nature; but the selection should include books of instruction, and even amusement. History, geography, elementary works on arts and sciences, would be extremely acceptable to the people; and the acquisition of knowledge would be the first step towards throwing aside their absurd system of idolatry. That the missionaries themselves should learn to speak the languages of the country with correctness and propriety, is indispensable.

Much might be done by the clergy of the Established Church. At large stations, where there are many English troops, their time is much occupied by the duties among the European population, in visiting the sick in the hospitals, in weekly lectures, and a variety of other occupations; still, amidst all this labour, there are many who might, and a few who do, find leisure for the superintendence of native schools. At some of the smaller stations, the clergymen have scarcely any duty to perform except the weekly service. Some of these gentlemen exhibit a very laudable anxiety to benefit the natives; while others, I regret to say, appear wholly indifferent on the subject, and, if invited to exertion, excuse themselves on the plea that their duties lie among the Christian population, and that they have nothing to do with the heathens. It is remarkable that, generally speaking, those clergymen who have the hardest work in their own immediate sphere, are those that exert themselves most for the benefit of the people. It would be highly expedient if a knowledge of Hindostanee were an indispensable requisite to the appointment of a chaplain to a district; and that the superintendence of a native school should constitute a part of their regular work, in all those stations where the duties among the Christian population are not too heavy to allow it, which school it is the duty of Government to establish without delay.

I do not apprehend the slightest fear of any excitement being created among the people, by any endeavours either to diffuse education among them, or convert them to Christianity, provided they be made with temper and judgment. They would hail any assistance in the way of education with the greatest joy; and whatever was done for them by Government would conciliate their affection, and diminish their dislike to the British rule. Even direct attempts at conversion, by individuals, if accompanied with delicacy and mildness of argument, so far from offending them, would only raise us in their estimation, as affording evidence that we were sincere in the belief of our own religion; particularly if our conduct were consistent with our professions, and our practice proved the efficacy of our faith. Those missionaries and clergy who are good linguists, who treat the people with civility and consideration, and who argue with temper and forbearance, are highly respected by the people. Mr. T., at Delhi, is one of this character. I have seen him at the Hurdwar fair, surrounded by natives from all parts of India, both of our own and of foreign territories, and was quite surprised and delighted to observe the respect with which he was treated. Instead of making him the salutation which is usual to a temporal superior, the greater number, on approaching him, performed the dandwut (mode of salutation to a Brahmin). Some of the established clergy, who have pursued the proper means to attain this end, have been equally respected by them. It would, perhaps, be a prudent precaution to prohibit any direct attempts at conversion, in the schools established by Government, nor should the study of religious works be compulsory as school books. Such books should, however, be placed within their reach, for all who chose to consult them. There would be no necessity to extend this prohibition to the schools established by missionaries or private individuals with their own funds, nor should any check be given to the attempts at conversion made by those gentlemen: there is not much fear, in the present day, of their running into extravagances which formerly were too common; if they do, they will lose, instead of gaining ground. They may be safely left to their own discretion, and all that is required from Government is non-interference either way, not to be ashamed of acknowledging that the English have a religion, and, above all things, not to persecute those natives who become converts to that which we profess.

It is probable that a more judicious selection of books on Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/475 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/476 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/477 Page:Notes on Indian Affairs (Vol. II).djvu/478 been working hard as tutors or curates upon a salary of 100l. or 150l. a year at most. Let those who are disposed to repine at their lot, look back upon the life of labour and privation which, in spite of all that is now advanced by the enemies of the Church of England, is the lot of by far the greater number of her members at home, and fairly one, compared with which, as far as worldly advantages go, the life of a chaplain of the East India Company affords a very tolerable share of comfort and enjoyments.

In this point, however, the clergy and missionaries are by no means singular. There is, among a large number of the English in India, particularly among the civil and military services, a ridiculous affectation of the grandee system, and an attempt to persuade others that they were great people at home. Often may men be heard prating about how they wish they had never come to India; how they have sacrificed themselves and their prospects by so doing, &c., &c., whereas it is notorious that full half of the individuals who compose the civil and military services in India, are better off, both in regard to their standing in society, and the incomes they possess, than they ever would have been in England. Those of the lowest origin usually give themselves the greatest airs. This affectation is, however, now on the wane; men have begun to find out that no one believes their pretensions.

August 30th, 1836.

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