Such are the results of an attempt to establish the Protestant religion, by building and endowing Churches, and by doing precisely all that the Catholics did in the Peninsula of India. See what has been the event; that whereas there were 340,000 Protestants in this neighbouring island, the moment the pressure of the law was taken off, 50,000 returned to the Catholic faith, and a great many of the rest went back to their old idolatry! But you shall hear some other authorities on this subject. Bishop Heber visited also this part of his diocese, and while there, he says, "those who are still Heathen are professedly worshippers of Buddha, but by far the greater part reverence nothing except the devil, to whom they offer sacrifices at night that he may do them no harm.* Many of the nominal Christians are infected with the same superstition, and are therefore not acknowledged by our missionaries, otherwise, instead of 300 to be confirmed, I might have had several thousand candidates."† Mrs Heber, by whom his narrative is continued, says, "the number of Christians on the coast, and in our settlements, do not fall far short of half a million; very many of these undoubtedly are only nominally such, who have no objection to attend our church, and even would, if they were allowed, partake without scruple in her rites; and then, perhaps, the same evening offer a propitiatory sacrifice to the devil! Still the number of real Christians is very considerable; the congregations in the native churches are good, and the numbers who came for confirmation (none were of course admitted of whose fitness their ministers were not well convinced,) was extremely gratifying; I think the bishop confirmed above 300." She then says, "after service his lordship took a view of the Mission Church, and expressed his

This is literally true; as, besides Buddhism, there exists in Ceylon a real demonology, or worship of evil beings, known by the name of Capuism, from Capua, enchantment. This is described by Upham, in his history of Buddhism. See also the translation of the Yakkun Nattannawa, by Mr Callaway, published by the Oriental Translation Committee. Lond. 1829. Tom. iii. p. 400.

regret at the decayed state it was in, and the distress of the mission."

97

The Missionary Register observes, "that we cannot question, that the Protestant congregations were as numerous as Baldeus has described them; for the ruins of a large edifice in every parish show how much was done to root up idolatry and introduce a new religion. "There are here," it adds, many poor Protestant natives, but for the most part they have relapsed into heathenism." And another letter says, that "the Pagans, Mohammedans, and Catholics, are bigoted in their respective systems, but that the Protestants in general are perfectly indifferent to the religion of Christ."†

Here are the results of precisely similar foundations: when laid by the Catholic Church in India, the people remained attached to that religion, after the empire and dominion of the Catholics had passed away: in another case, where the same provision had been made for the Protestant Church, the moment their dominion was ended, a large portion of the people became Catholics, and a great many relapsed into their ancient idolatry.

Pursuing this matter a little farther, the returns which we have, regarding the increase of Catholicity there, have continued to be of the most consoling character. By official returns presented to the government, we learn that in 1806, the number of Catholics was 66,830; by 1809, there had been an increase from 66,000 to 83,595;-in 1820, the return was 130,000; and on the 16th August, 1826, the vicar-general stated the number to be 150,060; so that from 1806 to 1826, a period of twenty years, we have an increase from 66,000 to 150,000. This assuredly shows that religion gains ground, and makes its way without the protection of government, or any provision being made in its favour. For, although there are 250 churches in the island, there were only twenty-six priests in 1826; and it is most delightful to read the accounts

* Ib. p. 194.

Twentieth Rep. pp. 353, 354.

of the manner in which their system is conducted. In each parish there is a Catechist, who instructs the people, and reads prayers and religious discourses to them on the Sunday; and the clergy, who have all particular districts allotted to them, come at stated periods, and find all prepared to receive those consolations which the Catholic religion affords to its members.

i have had the satisfaction of seeing a later return, which gives a very full and detailed account of the state of religion in that island, drawn up by order of the present governor, Sir Wilmot Horton. In it every chapel and school is exactly laid down, with the number of attendants at each. It proves a continued and progressive increase; while, still, the same zeal and good order are observable throughout. Since I came to this country, I have learnt with sincere pleasure that a Bishop has been appointed to that island, which has been made an apostolic vicariate; so that, now, provision is made for keeping up the succession of pastors there. Had I been aware that I should have been called on to treat of these subjects, I would have procured far more interesting documents, than are now within my reach; at present, I can only make use of such as most easily come to hand. But to show that the conversions in this island are not merely nominal, I will read you the testimony borne to the character of the Catholics, by Sir Alex. Johnston, when Chief Justice of the island. In 1807, he thus addressed the archbishop of Goa. "The propriety of their (the Catholics') conduct, reflects great honour upon the priests of the order of St Philip Neri, who have the charge of their instruction. In a circuit which I lately made round the island, I was much pleased to find, that there was not a single Catholic brought before me for trial." Again, on another occasion, he repeats the same observation:-"The records of the circuit which the supreme court made round the island in 1806, show that not a single individual of your religion, was even accused of the smallest misdemeanour during that circuit." There is another passage in which he speaks of the example given to the whole of the

East, by the zeal with which the clergy had made arrangements for the education of their flocks, and the liberality with which they had provided for it; so as to prove, how they considered that a Christian ought to be distinguished beyond others, by his intelligence and superior education. I think, indeed, that it would be difficult to find a history of any Church more consoling, or more truly proving the blessing of God to be on it, and on the labours of those who watch over its care, than the history of this island.*

So far, I have been engaged on those countries, in which other religions have also missionaries; and I have been able, consequently, to take these in some respects, if not as guides, at least as guarantees for my assertions; and this circumstance affords a fair ground of comparison between what we have effected, and what they have been able to do. We must now proceed into countires where the Protestant religion has not been able to penetrate, or where, if it has attempted any thing, its labours have been perfectly without fruit. Let us begin with China, in which the mission was begun in 1583, or rather even later, when the Jesuits were admitted into court, and were allowed to preach the Catholic religion and build churches.

Before proceeding, however, I will give you the character of these missionaries, as drawn by one most intimately acquainted with China and its history. "They all happened to belong to different religious societies of the Roman Catholic persuasion, founded in different parts of the Continent of Europe; and were men who, being inspired with zeal for the propagation of the principles of their faith among distant nations, had been sent abroad for that purpose by their respective superiors. Several of those who arrived in China, acquired considerable wealth and influence, as well by their talents and knowledge, as by uncommon strictness of morals, disinterest

* The details here given of the progress of religion in this island, are chiefly taken from an interesting article in the Catholic Miscellany, vol. vii. p. 273.

edness, and humility. By means like these, they not only gained proselytes to their religion, but gave a favourable impression of the countries whence they came.

*

Again, the same writer says:-"It must have appeared a singular spectacle to every class of beholders, to see men actuated by motives different from those of most human actions; quitting for ever their country and their connections, to devote themselves for life to the purpose of changing the tenets of a people they had never seen, and, in pursuing that object, to run every risk, suffer every persecution, and sacrifice every comfort; insinuating themselves by address, by talent, by perseverance, by humility into notice and protection; overcoming the prejudice of being strangers in a country where most strangers were prohibited; and gaining, at length, establishments for the propagation of their faith, without turning their influence to any personal advantage."†

But to return: within a few years after the Church was established, a partial persecution arose, which ended in the martyrdom of several missionaries both foreign and native. Notwithstanding this, the Church there continued extremely prosperous, until the beginning of the last century, when persecution came in its fiercest form, and has continued unremittingly until the present day. Hence every bishop and priest engaged on that mission is working with the axe suspended over his head; and in constant danger not merely of banishment into Tartary, but even, under many circumstances, of certain death.

This is the state of the Chinese mission at present, and I have Protestant authority for what I have stated; for a missionary observes, that the Catholic missions which have existed for a long time in China are in a very critical state; because every now and then decrees are issued against the European religion, and both Chinese and Europeans suffer martyrdom:

* Authentic account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China, by Sir G. Staunton, Lond. 1797, vol. i. p. 3. † Vol. ii. p. 160.