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which can only be expected where these are found. Their so cial institutions form of themselves, in this view, a missionary education. The Jesuits, though in other respects so different, were likewise prepared for the work, and kept in it, by the influence of their social institutions. The humility of the primitive Christians, and the divine legation of the apostles, were the bonds by which the union and subordination necessary to the advancement of the Gospel were originally secure. The nearer we approach to their purity, the greater success may be looked for: but except these indispensable objects are by some means insured, no permanent good can be expected. The first sacrifice to be made by a missionary, and, perhaps, the most difficult, (to an Englishman especially) is that of self-will.

The subject on which we have judged it indispensable to glance, is by far too extensive to admit of adequate discussion within the limits of a review. We shall advert only to one of its remaining branches; the line of conduct which may be pursued by missionaries in Hindostan with the greatest probability of permanent success. On this topic, happily, we have infallible precedents for our direction. In various respects there is a striking resemblance between the present state of India, and that of the Roman Empire at the first promulgation of the Gospel. In the principal measures, missionaries have, therefore, the opportunity of copying apostolical example; and this was done in several important instances, by the Jesuits. Like the apostles, they placed themselves in, or near, the most populous towns; like them, they remained in each place till a congregation was assembled, of persons willing to be instructed, with their families, in the knowledge of Christianity. When this was accomplished, the missionary, in imitation of the apostles, proceeded to a new station of a similar description, leaving the society which had been formed, under the care of a younger fellow-labourer; or, if he was required elsewhere, of those among the Catechumens, who were best qualified to lead on the rest in progressive knowledge and practice. In this manner, numerous congregations were settled in the most important stations, children were early initiated in Christian habits of thinking and acting, and many of the natives were gradually prepared for extensive usefulness as preachers. These congregations were revisited as often as possible by the missionaries, who found in each many persons disposed and prepared by the catechists to avail themselves of their superior qualifications for Christian instruction. A few missionaries were thus able to superintend many thousands of disciples, resident in towns that were scattered over a vast extent of country.

The expediency of such a plan might apparently be rested on rational argument, even if it had not the sanction of aposto

lic example; but the execution of it is attended with difficulty, especially as it must interfere with the progress of translating the Sacred Scriptures into the Hindoo languages, which is ob viously of great importance. If missionaries, at an early period of their labours, devote themselves to Biblical translations, it is impossible that they should plant many Christian Societies among the natives. The apostles had the advantage, in preaching to Jews and religious Gentiles, of addressing persons already acquainted with the Scriptures of the Old Testament, either in the original, or the lxx version; and of inculcating from the prophecies the kingdom of the Messiah; but they did not postpone the formation of Christian churches, till the New Testament also was composed for their edification. There is no intimation in any of the Epistles, that the churches, or individuals to whom they were sent, were at that time furnished with any of the four Gospels; and there is room to apprehend that none of these was composed before the Apostle Paul's confinement at Cesarea. What extensive utility indeed, can be derived from a translation of the whole Scriptures, till multitudes are pre-disposed by familiar and impressive addresses, to read them with serious and patient attention? We cannot but think, therefore, that missionaries should devote themselves chiefly to the public ministry of the Gospel; and be sati-fied, in the first instance, with translating a few of the more essential and striking parts of Scripture, for the immediate use of their converts, till the whole is urgently demanded at their hands, and can be executed without superseding the establishment of Christian Societies among the Heathen. By the latest accounts of our countrymen at Serampore, it appears that their own experience has now fully convinced them of the propriety of the plan long since recommended by Sir William Jones on this subject. For the entire versions, to which they have devoted much time and labour, they will probably find little occasion during several future years. If they persevere to the same extent on similar exertions, it will, doubtless, be greatly to the hinderance of their own success in the conversion of the natives; and we must hope for the accomplishment of this object from others who may enter into their labours.

That scriptural knowledge should be diligently inculcated in Christian Societies, when formed, can admit of no question among Protestants; and the absence of this indispensable advantage, may account for the inefficient fruits of the Roman Catholic Mission, wherever supplies of missionaries have been wanting But the utility of Biblical Versions is likely to be increased,by the order in which we have recommended the execution of them, in proportion as the missionaries themselves may

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become qualified for the arduous undertaking. Let the whole of our Sacred Scriptures be rendered into every dialect spoken by Hindoos, at those seasons, and in those circumstances, when such versions can be executed and circulated with the greatest advantage, and when the performance of them will least interfere with labours that are strictly missionary. Thus we may hope that a foundation will indeed be laid, which will prove more effectual and durable than the consequences of any Roman Catholic Mission have proved. The ease, however, with which the converts to Popery relapse again to heathenism,' according to Mr. M., is a circumstance of which we have never heard. On the contrary, many of them, defective as their knowledge was of Evangelical Truth, have cheerfully endured the loss of all things, and have even submitted to the most cruel deaths, rather than abjure their profession of Christianity. But our author's information respecting Protestant Missions is so grossly defective, that it would be absurd to expect from him much knowledge of those which have been conducted by Papists. Hardly any thing is said of the Danish Mission in Tranquebar and Madura; and of the very recent undertaking by our own countrymen, for the benefit of the South Sea Islanders, it is incorrectly observed, that

'In our days we have seen at least one splendid missionary undertaking fail in its object, abandoned by its projectors, and disastrous in its consequences to those zealous but unfortunate men, by whom it was prosecuted, and who embarked in it with the most sanguine hopes of success. The Sovereign Ruler of all has seen meet to frown upon

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The mission to the South Sea Islands, which is here referred to, is by no means abandoned: nor do we think it entitled to the epithet of splendid.' It was composed almost wholly of uneducated mechanics; the chief part of whom were shut up in one small island, among the most voluptuous and volatile people, perhaps, on the face of the earth. They had, therefore, extreme difficulties to surmount, with very inadequate qualifications. Let us not too readily impute those disappointments which may arise from our own ignorance or indiscretion, to the sovereignty of God.

The remarks which we have been compelled to suggest, demonstrate the propriety of Mr. Buchanan's insertion, in his new proposal, of a high reward for a statement of the manner in which Christianity has formerly been propagated among the Heathen. For a copious work on this subject, sufficient materials may be collected, as the history of almost every mission that has been attempted since the period of Reformation, is recorded in print; Mr. Wrangham has drawn from some of these

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sources nearly as much intelligence as was to be expected in his short dissertation: and we attribute to Mr. Mitchell's obvious neglect of them the chief defects in his otherwise valuable treatise. Having already expressed our positive and comparative judgement of these two performances, we are glad to subjoin a commendation that is merited by both. They are highly creditable on the whole to the principles, the feelings, and the talents of their respective authors.

Art, XI. Memoirs of the Life of George Morland; with criticaland descriptive Observations on the whole of his Works hitherto before the Public. By J. Hassell. 4to. pp. 204. Price 11. Is. Boards. Cundee, Chapple, London. 1806.

MR.

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R. HASSELL might have quoted classical authority in support of his suggestion, that the same individual may possess two souls; one of which incites him to excellence and honour, the other to disgrace and perdition. The struggle between these inmates, of course, implies distraction, never ending still beginning' and their alternate dominion appears in the contradictions, inconsistencies, and waywardnesses, which mark many characters to which Nature has dispensed her favours with no ordinary bounty. If ever there was an instance of promising ta lents degraded by disgusting eccentricities, of genius subjugated by gross licentiousness, it was in George Morland. Often, very often have we regretted, that while our prediction of this artist future fame was verified by the event, our hopes of his reformation, as a man, should suffer a total disappointment. In the hyper-metaphorical language of his biographer, "with abundance of fire, and scarcely one particle of serious reflection, as if untaught to fear the curb, his centrifugal powers, (probably heightened by the long captivity from which he had liberated himself) like a proud pampered steed that runs away with his rider, hurried and transported him as it were beyond himself, and led him to burlesque exhibitions of his person and character, and all manner of ludicrous and absurd practices"!

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We are friends to the arts, but we are friends also to morals. We unreservedly commend many of the performances of this artist, because we feel their merit; but we equally reprobate many of his practices, because they originated in vicious indulgencies, and issued in complicated distress and ruin. The description of what he really was, by his friend before us, cannot but excite regret, in those who recollect their wishes for what he should have been. His example, however, if held up in terrorem, may contribute to check the wild sallies of some future genius; and, the consideration that our remarks, which cannot injure the deceased may caution the unthinking, who emulate his merit, compensates those painful feelings which accompany this discharge of our duty.

George Morland was born June 26, 1763. His father was an artist of repute; not intended originally for the profession, but induced to pursue for his livelihood what he had before only followed as an amusement.' Mr. H. might have told us, that he principally excelled in the management of crayons, and that he exhibited many years with the Royal Society of Artists of Great Britain, of which Society he was a member. The elder Morland felt very sensibly the res angusta domi, and brought up his family on principles of economy and diligence. George was the eldest son, and his genius displayed itself in his infancy; not by sedately copying the works of others, but by intuitive imitations of nature. Mr. H. affirms, that his father, misled by avarice, immured him in an upper room, where he forced him to unremitted labour, and 'scarcely allowed him respite for his meals.' But this we doubt; partly, because the first pictures he exhibited were studies from rural nature, and partly because we think it probable, that Mr. M. aware of his son's volatility, endeavoured to correct it, by seclusion, and by the habit of assiduity. This opinion Mr. H. himself, confirms, by relating that the youth and his associates, practiced on his father, many modes of deception, which however dexterously contrived, were not the less reprehensible.'

George however became industrious, and in this respect his father's plan-succeeded; but so low were his ideas, that neither the favours of Sir Joshua Reynolds, of Mr. Angerstein, nor of other amateurs, could infuse the smallest portion of elevation or dignity into his mind.

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Releasing himself from the irksome confinement of parental superintendence, our hero started first as a portrait-painter, in an excursion to Margate; but portrait-painting requires a politeness of personal manners, and a skilful infidelity favourable to the subject, neither of which Morland possessed. His attention was attracted by those elegant amusements a pig race, an ass race, a smock race, a grinning match, or a jovial dinner,' and subjects such as these, with the boors, their customary attendants, became those in which he best succeeded. He had, however, so correct an eye in studying nature, that his landscapes possessed uncommon fidelity and resemblance. His excursions to the seacoast also opened his mind to effects which he delighted to represent, and which he did represent with accuracy. He saw with the eye of a painter, and drew his principles from nature, Though his figures are not elegant, they are unquestionably well suited to his landscape, and they perfectly harmonize with his composition. His foliage in general is well touched, when he fancied it; and he particularly excelled in painting the oak. His rocks are good, when they are recollections; and his water is occasionally very fine, especially in the middle distance; but he has not always succeeded in that near the eye. His skies are ex

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