The great majority of the population in India may not be able to read, yet many can, and feel a pleasure in the engagement. A great supply of elementary works is needful to furnish those with useful knowledge, who are now disposed and anxious to learn. True knowledge is valuable for its own sake, and very many inquirers will be found desirous to possess it, when they find it within their reach; because it gives a weight to character, and a superiority to the possessor, which are soon perceived and readily acknowledged by those who are less privileged. Men of correct information and enlarged conceptions, increasing in number, will very soon give a decided tone to public opinion, and such a general and powerful direction, that where useful knowledge is placed within the reach of the many whose means are limited, a very great and rapid moral improvement in society may be reasonably expected. How, need we ask, how is the increasing demand to be supplied without printing establishments at the different stations occupied by Missionaries? If societies were formed expressly for the purpose of fitting up and supporting the printing departments of Missions, the good likely to result might be incalculably great. The principal object of such associations would naturally lead them to direct their attention to works which they think best calculated to forward their designs, in promoting the highest interests of men. Any expensive, but truly beneficial publication, which they might deem of great importance to translate for the spread of Christian knowledge, could be suggested through the Directors to the Mission whose printing establishment they support, as also what they are willing to contribute towards defraying the expenses connected with such an undertaking. This is a subject we wish to press on the serious consideration of every liberal soul, capable of devising and supporting liberal things. A press would be advantageously employed, and we think is a necessary and important part connected with the Mysore Mission. This will appear by a consideration of the extent of the country, and the languages still much more extensively spoken in India which are common to this province. The country of Mysore is in extent nearly equal to Great Britain. The population is thin, perhaps not exceeding three millions. The system of heathenism, and the whole plan of Hindoo and Mahommedan governments, are, we conceive, very inimical to the interests of society. Famines, which are not infrequent, the want of prudent foresight in the people, the insecurity of private property, may in some measure account for the small number of inhabitants, whilst the ravaging and sanguinary proceedings of the late Tippoo and his father may have driven not a few, who once inhabited Mysore, to other parts of India. But on this subject we feel no desire to dwell, as it does not come within our province. The country, if properly cultivated, will, we are persuaded, support more than treble its present population. The Canarese and Hindostanee are the languages spoken in the Court of the Mysore Rajah, but the Teloogoo and Tamul are also extensively known in the surrounding country. The study of these in the Institution, whilst rendered necessary to supply the local wants, will, we hope, be the means of raising up many labourers to occupy very large districts adjoining the country of Mysore. The Portuguese language, which is spoken by numbers, will not at present be made a separate branch of study in the College, though pious young men who speak that language will be eligible, as students, to enjoy the benefits of the Institution. The four Elementary Schools have been suggested to our minds as likely to insure a regular increase of pious, devoted young men as ministerial students. The school which was commenced in 1821 has been the means of imparting much useful and religious knowledge to many who have left the school and entered the service of gentlemen. Six, who are now students, received their religious impressions whilst they attended the school. One of the students died in July 1824, who commenced learning to read his own language in the school; he gave, during his last illness, a pleasing evidence of the power of divine truth over his mind. Some of the boys in the schools are promising as religious characters; nearly all of them make conscience of secret prayer. As the schools have been commenced avowedly for religious purposes, there will be no ground for complaint that we have made any departure from our original plan, and the alarms have already ceased to operate on the minds of the parents M who have sent their children. Many of the boys have now surpassed the difficulty of applying their thoughts to the proper pursuits of the schools. The more we have considered the scheme projected, the more it appears to us, not only practicable, but likely under the blessing of God to insure the spiritual welfare of the people, and the extensive spread of divine and useful knowledge. The commencement of all great undertakings is attended with many and trying difficulties; and doubtless the projectors of the Mysore Mission College will have their share. But whilst we may be called to cope with them, we have the everlasting promises as an argument for perseverance, the power and grace of our Lord to support us, and that they will support us under every trial, and during the faithful discharge of our sacred engagements, we are encouraged to hope by what we have experienced of the divine faithfulness and goodness, and what our eyes have seen. Here do we leave our record. STEPHEN LAIDLER, |