under the notice of the writer of these remarks until within a few days. There was no exercise of discipline with respect to any of the topics considered in that extract. The general admonition is addressed "most pointedly to the clergy," that "the Christian profession exacts a greater abstraction from the world than that which consists in abstaining from acknowledged sin." A reference is made to those practices which a professor of religion" ought not to countenance," because they are nearly allied to sin, or easily abused to it."-With regard to certain amusements not of this description, a caution is expressed against employing too much time and lavishing too much affection upon them; and " aware of the difficulty of drawing the line between the use of the world and the abuse of it," owing to the "diversity of natural temperament and the different states of society in which men are placed," the Pastoral Letter warns against that near approach "to the territory of sin," which may endanger the safety of the Christian. Of the practice of "gaming," and of those practices "involving cruelty to the brute creation," there certainly can be no advocates among the friends of religion and morals. With these practices, the "exhibitions of the theatre" are condemned in the Pastoral Letter; not, because, as "works of fiction," they may have in view" instruction or amusement;" but, because, as "they have been in every age, and are at present," they abound in "the disgusting effusions of profaneness and obscenity," and present "what is radically base in alliance with properties captivating to the imagination." These sentiments of the Pastoral Letter indicate no design to make men "ascetics," or to condemn a moderate participation in those innocent amusements that refine and polish social life. But it ought not to be forgotten, that the limits of innocent refinement may be exceeded, and those corrupting pleasures may become generally prevalent, which will lead society in the retrograde course of sensuality and vice to a state worse thran "barbarism." There was no attempt, then, Mr. Editor, in this business, on the part of the Bishops, at the exercise of discipline; no condemnation of such an indulgence in the amusements of social life, as does not deaden the sensibilities of the heart to spiritual good; but there was certainly an attempt to establish, as necessary to the character of " a good Episcopalian," that he should not be "a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God." AN EPISCOPALIAN. OBITUARY. It is with feelings of no ordinary grief, that we record the death of the Rev. Dr. BOWDEN, who departed this life on the 31st of July last, at Balltown Springs, where he had gone for the benefit of hishealth. Neither our time nor our feelings permit us now to expatiate on the merits of the venerable deceased. Able and faithful as a Professor of Columbia College, he was endeared to Episcopalians by the talents and the zeal with which he uniformly advocated the principles and interests of their Church. And those who knew him will cherish with mournful pleasure the recollection of the sincerity of his piety, the purity of his character, and the disinterestedness and warmth of his attachment. In recording his decease, a melancholy feeling is also excitedby the recollection, that he is the last of the Clergy of the Church in this state, who received their orders immediately from the parent Church. May their virtues descend to their successors. LATE PUBLICATION IN ENGLAND. Ecclesiastical Colloquies; or Dialogues on the Nature and Discipline of the Church of England, with a particular Reference to certain Popular Objections; designed to establish the young Members of the Church in the Principles of Conformity. By the Rev. L. J. Hobson. Printed and published by T. & J. SWORDS, No. 160 Pearl-street, New-York; where Subscriptions for this Work will be received, at one dollar per annum, or 24 numbers.All Letters relative to this Journal must come free of Postage. No. 16.] CHRISTIAN JOURNAL, AND LITERARY REGISTER. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1817. Memorial Sketches of the Rev. DAVID BROWN, late Provost of the College of Fort William, at Calcutta; and the Rev. CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN; extracted from a Review of their Memoirs in the Eclectic Review. SOME of the most interesting details of history are to be found only in the form of Memoirs. It is from this source that we can derive the best account of the true spirit and character of past times, as exhibited in the familiar sentiments and actions of the men who were the growth of the institutions then existing, and who reflected back their own character upon society. Ecclesiastical biography is the most valuable species of memoir writing, because it supplies us with exactly those facts respecting which the historian is altogether silent, and because in the religion of a country, or more properly speaking, in the state of religion in a country, we have not only the most important portion of its history presented to us, but that portion which furnishes the key to most of the domestic or political events which distinguish the pe riod in its annals. [VOL. I. ple, in shaming them out of their inertion, in rousing a noble emula tion, or in inspiriting them to confidence, has not had at seasons, an efficacy which no other considerations seemed to possess! Of this powerful mode of argument, how strikingly the Apostle has availed himself, in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, where he brings before the Christian the whole company of Jewish wor thies, as both fore-runners and witnesses of his course, who, having left on record the trial of their faith, look down with attentive interest on those who are still engaged in the combat from which themselves have come off victors. The names of David Brown and Claudius Buchanan, are familiar to most of our readers, as fellow-labourers in the great cause of advancing the interests of Christianity in our Eastern dominions. The Rev. David Brown was a na tive of Yorkshire, where his venerable parents are still living. He was early distinguished by the indications he gave of intelligence and piety, and he was indebted to his promising appearance, when only between ten and The memoirs of individuals emi- eleven years of age, for the result of nent in respect of their combining a casual interview with a stranger, talent and station with true piety, are which appears to have decided his fuindeed calculated to answer a purpose ture fortunes. It is no unusual thing of more direct, though not more ex- to find the secular advancement of tensive utility. They are Christian- individuals distinguished in the annals ity made easy to the learner; and of their country, turning upon what they often give a most potent and is termed a fortunate accident, a hap beneficial bias to the character of py conjunction of talent and opportupersons to whom it is more natural nity. But it is with peculiar feelings, and easy to imitate, than to obey; that in perusing the life of a Chrisless difficult to follow an example, tian and a Christian minister, from than to adhere to a moral standard of whose character and infinitely imporexcellence. Who is there indeed, tant exertions it is impossible to dig upon whose mind the force of exam-sociate the idea of the plastic inflas Vor. I. 31 ence and the superintending providence of God, we trace in some such fortuitous disposition of events, the first intimations of the Divine purpose, which communicated to that insignificant casualty, the power of giving birth to a chain of consequences the most beneficial to society. The stranger, struck with young Brown's intelligent inquiries, expressed his conviction that he was destined to a higher and more important profession than that for which his unambitious parents had designed him, and with their consent, liberally undertook to prepare him for a grammar school, with the further view of his being fitted for college. After enjoying the private tuition of this friend, he was accordingly removed to Hull, to attend the grammar school under the care of the Rev. Joseph Milner, between whom and the scholar a lasting attachment was formed; and he subsequently entered upon his University studies at Magdalen College, Cambridge. 'From these he was unexpectedly called off by a remarkable and unforeseen offer made him of going to India.' A Major in the East-India Company's service, to whose very name he was an entire stranger, in consequence of being informed by a mutual friend, of Mr. Brown's benevolent exertions while at College, applied to him to undertake the superintendence of an institution recently formed at Bengal, for the protection and instruction of the orphans of indigent officers. The inducement held out, was, the opportunity of instilling into the minds of these young persons, many of whom would probably spend their lives among the heathen nations of India, the knowledge of salvation by Jesus Christ. Ten days were allowed Mr. Brown to give his definitive answer, and in two months he was to be ready, in case he accepted the offer, to sail for India. Mr. Brown had just recovered from a long indisposition, and he was strongly inclined to sit still and enjoy the tranquillity of college life, and the dear delights of pious and literary friendship there.' He resolved to leave the matter to the decision of three tried friends in the Church, but not to accept it at any rate, unless he could first obtain ordination. The salary proved to be less than was at first stated: this had no influence upon his determination, and awakened no regret; but on his meeting with some obstacles to his ordination, he caught at them, as setting him at liberty to return to college and pursue his former plans. Those obstacles were however removed; the late bishop of Landaff (Dr. Watson) consented to ordain him, and showed him, Mr. Brown states, "a truly pastoral regard." His "He knew my principles, my purposes, and my views: he conducted a long examination of me himself, and gave me much valuable advice, which has been a great comfort and support to me. last words were, "Go in peace, and may the blessings of God go with you. Do all the good you can, and if it is no better for you in this world, it will be in the world to come." Mr. Brown's Journal, during his unexpected detention for some months in England, was well worth preser vation. It presents a most interesting transcript of his feelings in the prospect of his important adventure; feelings partaking in some degree of the fluctuation of the spirits, yet characterized by an unusual steadiness of purpose and fortitude of mind. We transcribe a few sentences. "My heart is broken off from relatives, ing is infinite; be still my heart, suffer friends, and country; but his understandhis great understanding to guide thee, and follow without reluctance or repining. "Life will soon be over: it signifies little where I am, or whither I go; what dangers, perils, or comforts I meet with on my way to a better country--to heaven my home. Much less than a hundred years will put an end to sin, the cause of every pain: provided it shall be found I have served the Lord Jesus, it will not matter where; at London, or Calcutta." "Lord, make me thankful, patient, and faithful. I had better stay here, than go without the orders of thy Providence: I had better go, than resist them." "There is an aptness in us to misinter pret providential discouragements in our duty, as if they amounted to a discharge from our duty, when they are only intended for the exercise of our courage and faith." The following are too characteriatic to be passed over.. "Behold the fowls of the air; consider the lilies of the field." I wish to walk before the Lord with simplicity of intention and simplicity of dependence at present I have but little in possession, and know not whence the next necessary supply must come. I am comforted with, "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." In the evening, after Mr. Brown had vented his feelings in this pious expression of his faith, a friend, who had borrowed of him a small sum, which Mr. Brown had entirely forgotten, returned it to him most unexpectedly and most seasonably. "I am now to reside in Chelsea," he remarks soon after, "and have very little money and food to provide for my wife and self: "The Lord will provide." For some time he appears to have continued under pecuniary difficulties, and we find him noticing with gratitude the receipt of a ten pound note, soon after he had parted with his last two shillings to a poor soldier whose wife lay in with twins, which he had just baptized. A spirit of calm and heavenly confidence pervades the brief notices in his Journal. At length his pecuniary anxieties were terminated by the Court of Directors advancing him three hundred guineas; and on the 19th of Nov. 1785, he sailed for India. It is delightful to contemplate, in connexion with all this cheerfulness of dependence in poverty, that singular disinterestedness and liberality by which Mr. Brown was so honourably distinguished through life. His could indeed be no ordinary character, of which it formed one trait of excellence, that "he more dreaded riches than most do poverty." "He had known," remarks Mrs. Brown, in his own person, what it was to be under pecuniary difficulties, and he had repeatedly experienced the salutary benefit of timely succour." This prompted him generously to sympathize with all whom he could relieve. He used to relate the anecdote of a person, who, when she had but little, gave cheerfully of that little; but when rich, said, " she had now something to take care of, and could afford to bestow no longer." "Immediately on his arrival at Calcutta, in 1786, writes his biographer, he found himself in a most responsible situation, at the head of an extensive Orphan establishment, which demanded and received all his zeal, perseverance, and af fection. Within a few days of his arrival, he was nominated chaplain to a brigade in Fort William. The following year, he superadded to these duties the charge, approbation of his brother chaplains, of which he voluntarily undertook, with the the Mission Church. Thus did he work in the full tide of his strength, officiating at each of these distant points in succession every Sunday. "On separating from the Orphan Institution he received private pupils into his own house, the education of youth being, next to the public ministry of the word of God, that line of usefulness to which school was much in request; and besides his own, he paid great attention, as inspecting visitor, to one then supported by the old charity fund, but now combined with the free school of Calcutta. He likewise statedly attended the hospital and goal, to impart religious instruction. At the latter place particularly, he was, as he had been in England, remarkably blessed to the awakening and unfeigned repentance of hardened convicts, of whom he was accustomed to give touching and instructive narratives. he was most attached, His domestic Chaplaincy of the Presidency, his work "On his appointment, in 1794, to the became still more increased. He continued in charge of the garrison; and was always unwilling to think that new ac cessions of duty exonerated him from he continued to officiate on Sundays twice any former engagements. Accordingly, to the Mission congregation, once at the Garrison, and once at the Presidency Church; beside establishing a weekly lecture, and catechetical instruction of children; which last he deemed an object of the greatest importance." ་ We have now to trace the outlines. of a different character; a man, in whom there certainly were the elements of greatness; who, if his powers of achievement had been adequate to his spirit of enterprise, had his physical energy been equal to his ambition, and had occasion afforded full scope, and if there had been opposed no limit to his native ardour and lof tiness of mind, would have rendered the name of Claudius Buchanan still more illustrious than it is, in the Annals of British India. Claudius Buchanan was born at Cambuslang, near Glasgow, in 1766. At the age of seven years he was sent to the grammar school at Inverary, and when he had but just completed his fourteenth year, was appointed by a gentleman, tutor to his two sons. In the year 1782 he left this family, in order to pursue his studies in the University of Glasgow, where, at the age of seventeen, he conceived the romantic design of making the tour of Europe, like Goldsmith, on foot. It was not, however, till nearly four years afterwards, that the unfavourable issue of an imprudent attachment to a lady superior to himself in birth and fortune, determined him to prosecute his long cherished design. The following account was given by Mr. Buchanan himself, of the natural termination of this illplanned adventure. "I had the example of the celebrated Dr. Goldsmith before me, who travelled through Europe on foot, and supported himself by playing on his flute. I could play a little on the violin, and on this I relied for occasional support during my long and various travels. "In August, 1787, having put on plain clothes, becoming my apparent situation, I left Edinburgh on foot, with the intention of travelling to London, and thence to the continent: that very violin which I now have, and the case which contains it, I had under my arm, and thus I travelled onward. After I had proceeded some days on my journey, and had arrived at a part of the country where I thought I could not be known, I called at gentlemen's houses, and farm houses, where I was in general kindly lodged. They were very well pleased with my playing reels to them, (for I played them better than I can now,) and I sometimes received five shillings, sometimes half a crown, and sometimes nothing but my dinner. Whereever I went, people seemed to be struck a little by my appearance, particularly if they entered into conversation with me. They were often very inquisitive, and E was sometimes at a loss what to say. T professed to be a musician, travelling through the country for his subsistence: but this appeared very strange to some, and they wished to know where I obtain ed my learning; for sometimes pride, and sometimes accident would call forth expressions, in the course of conversation, which excited their surprise. I was often invited to stay for some time at a particular place but this I was afraid of, lest I might be discovered. It was near a month, I believe, before I arrived on the borders of England, and in that time many sinI once or gular occurrences befel me. twice met persons whom I had known, and narrowly escaped discovery. Sometimes I had nothing to eat, and had no where to rest at night; but, notwithstanding, I kept steady to my purpose, and pursued my journey. Before, however, I reached the borders of England, I would gladly have returned, but I could not; the die was cast; my pride would have impelled me to suffer death, I think, rather than to have exposed my folly; and I pressed forward. "When I arrived at Newcastle, I felt tired of my long journey, and found that it was indeed hard to live on the benevolence of others: I therefore resolved to proceed to London by water; for I did not want to travel in my own country, but on the continent. "I accordingly embarked in a collier at North-Shields, and sailed for London. On the third night of the voyage we were in danger of being cast away, during a gale of wind; and then, for the first time, I began to reflect seriously on my situation." "During the violence of the storm, as he afterwards acknowledged to a friend, Mr. Buchanan felt as if the judgment of God, as in the case of Jonah, was overtaking him; but, unlike the repenting Prophet, no sooner had the tempest of the elements subsided, than the agitation of his mind also passed away. He arrived safely in London on the second of September, and by this time,' he continues, in one of the letters referred to, my spirits were nearly exhausted by distress and poverty. I now relinquished every idea of going abroad. I saw such a visionary scheme in its true light, and resolved, if possible, to procure some situation, as an usher, or clerk, or any employment whereby I might derive a subsistence: but I was unsuccessful. I lived some time, in obscure lodgings, by selling my clothes and books; for I did not attempt to obtain any assistance by my skill in music, lest I should be discovered by some persons who might know me or my family. I was in a short time reduced to the lowest extreme of wretchedness and want. Alas! I had not sometimes bread to eat. Little did my mother think, when she dreamt, that she saw her son fatigued with his wanderings, and oppressed with a load of woe, glad to lie down, and sleep away his cares on a little straw, that her dream was so near the truth! What a reverse of fortune was this! A few months before, I lived in splendour and happiness! But even in this extremity of misery my eyes were not opened. I saw indeed my folly, but I saw not my sin: my pride even then was unsubdued, and |