On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    which Heathen countries have upon them as well as upon other Christian sects , we cannot but regard them as constituting a new era in its history , and as giving an earnest of the ultimate attainment of those objects which , during the last four years , we have been almost hopelessly labouring to promote .

    The primary object of the Committee may be briefly described to be the promotion in British India of the knowledge , belief , atid practice of the princi p les of Unitarian Christianity , as that form of our religion which is in their judgment most consistent with the will of its

    inspired Founder , andbest adapted to secure the improvement and happiness of those by wfrom it is cordially embraced . The plans which they propose to follow for the attainment of this object , will hereafter more particularly appear . I only remark in this place , that they are not limited to the direct means for the

    propagation of Christianity . History , science , and philosophy , the Committee regard as the handmaids of true religion ; and whatever , therefore , has a tendency to diffuse the benefits of education , to destroy ignorance and superstition , bigotry and fanaticism , to raise the standard of intellect , to purify the theories of morals , and to promote universal charity aud practical benevolence , although not in immediate connexion with

    Christianity , will be considered by them as within the scope of their design . The melioration also of the physical condition of the numerous native population , the encouragement of the useful arts and of industrious habits amongst them , and the consequent increase of their social and domestic comforts , the Committee regard as legitimate objects of pursuit , as all experience shews that it is onl y when the first wants of nature and

    society are fully supplied , that the , higher degrees of improvement in intellect , in morals , and in religion , can be expected to follow . And , although it is not anticipated that the Committee will be able to devote any , or , at least , any considerable part of their resources to these' objects , yet it is hoped that the fafct of all the native members being extensive

    landholders , will open the door , when the services of qualified agents can be obtained , for the gradual introduction of important improvements in the social condition of the Pyots , or cultivators of their estates . Politics and government do not enter , under any form , iutb our plans ; but it may not be altogether irrelevant to add , that all the members of the Committee , Native as well as Euro-

    Untitled Article

    pean , unite in the strong conviction , that no greater misfortune could liappett to India , than the dissolution ' of its connexion with'Great Britain '; and that , as private individuals , they moat earnestly desire to see the bonds of union ev ^ i * more closely drawn , ' anil the principles of British law ' more fully engrafted on ' its institutions , tTiafti they are at present * .

    The labours in whieli the Committee have hitherto been engaged , have been Chiefly preparatory ' , and while they hav £ therefore little positive \ sucdess to boast of , they ye . t see much in the actiial state of European and Native society to Encourage them td continued and increased zeal . CAL ( JOTtA has as yet received ^ and will probably long continue to

    receive , the principal share of their attention ; for although they do ' not limit the operation of their plans , to this city , yej it is here that they will principally labour to sow the seeds of useful knowledge sm < l rational religtoti , and it is from ita intelligent and growing population that thctf hope to derive the greater part of tHat

    pecuniary support by which , in addition to the foreign aid they expect , they may Tje able to accomplish the objects they have In view . For this purpose the firsi thing necessary is , by a conciliatory but uncompromising course of wfell-dfbing , t 6 remove the opprobrium whidh it has been attempted to attach to the name of tJnl

    tariau among the ( Christian population ; and having assumed our p lace amcVng the acknowledged se ^ cW of'Christianity , if , in conjunctitiii yrtth the phiftfeut efforts of other denominations , we can succeed in making a deeprand extensive impression in favour of bur religion 6 h the influential classes of the Native cWnitfmty of Calcutta , we shall consider that one of the

    most important steps has been made toward a th 6 ultimate idoral regeneration of the whole of India . Such anticipations may be regarded as / too sanguine , "but it is not supposed that they will ever be realized except by a long course of persevering and jvell-directed exertions ; and no place can be chosen for the foctts and centre of such exertions , of

    with a better ^ rogpect success , than this great and populous city , wlilctf , ak the seat of tbe siipreme government aud judicature of British India , as the emporium ' of pM % ern commerce , an ^ as tfcQ toai ^ snijn ^ 6 f every entei iirifife For developing ' the resources arid capafbilitiea b ^' the cou ^ tryj' Is the constaat resqrt of all classes an ^ descripdbrts of men from its remotest jrdvluWa , and Would tHus l ) e emlhieiitly fitted , ttndei ait improved st 4 te bf society , to diffuse the

    Untitled Article

    Intelligence . —^ Foreign . 151

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1827, page 151, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1793/page/71/