In a second letter from Tondi, on the 29th of September, referring to the mission in which he vas engaged, respecting the establishment of provincial schools, Swartz observes, "Neither will I despair, nor entertain too sanguine hopes; leaving all to an overruling Providence. The proposal is, as I think, good; and would be beneficial to the country in more than one respect.' He then mentions that the military commander had cut down more than a thousand Palmeira trees for building bungalows for the troops. "The natives," he says, "wept; these trees forming a dowry for their daughters." He therefore proposes a small compensation, to be paid by Colonel F- not to the sirkar, but with his own hands. "I am happy," he adds, " to hear that your health is rather mending. Ex animo opto precorque ut animus sit sanus in corpore sano. Take care of both-body as well as soul. Remember me to your friends. Yours are mine." On his return to Tanjore in October, he informed Mr. Sullivan, who was then absent, that he had received an answer from the Pradani of Ramanad, stating that the Rajah had resolved to allow for the proposed school, monthly, twenty-four pagodas.Whether this will meet with your approbation or not," he says, " "I know not. Some people think that a monthly payment is uncertain, and a sort of monthly begging, attended with trouble, and struck off as soon as they are tired. The Shevagunga man has written to me that he would make a small addition. However, I hope all will be better settled when you return to us. May God establish your health, and bless you with peace and cheerfulness of mind!" A few days afterwards, he again wrote to Mr. Sullivan as follows: "Your favor of the 10th inst. gave me all possible satisfaction. It was but right that the nabob should be acquainted with the plan of the schools; otherwise he would have looked upon it with uneasiness. I have informed the honorable Society that you, on one Sunday, (a good thought and speech on a Sunday,) had proposed to me such a plan; that I hoped to give them a fuller account of it next year. The pradani assures me, that his master is willing to pay the schoolmaster, and that I may send the man. The Shevagunga man has assigned two small villages for the maintenance of a school. If we were sure of plenty of rain, it might be well enough. But the vakeel told me that I must not make any great account of it: but rather try to get a good village near Arentangi, (commonly Ardingi,) because there is more water; and it is the same place which your dubash pointed out. "For the generous present of the Malabar dictionaries for the benefit of schools, I thank you heartily: I trust that a merciful God may make you a happy instrument of benefiting this poor disregarded country. I shall be unspeakably happy to spend the little strength God gives me, to forward the affair, and so fulfil your kind desires. quit this aceldama. May God, by his blessed Spirit, fit us for that grand transition every day!" In a subsequent letter in November, Swartz forwarded to Mr. Sullivan an earnest request from Ramanadapuram, that Colonel Martinez might be continued in the command at that place, and mentioned various circumstances which proved his benevolent activity in doing good, particularly to the poor. At last," he says, "I would and should make a long apology for my impertinence; but as I write to you I think it unnecessary." Early in December, he communicated to Mr. Sullivan the report of an intended invasion, on the part of Tippoo, and suggested the expediency of purchasing paddy, in order to be prepared. He then adds, I have got a new congregation. 1 mean the soldiers at Wallam, whom I am desired to visit. As often as I come, they receive me in a friendly manner, and attend divine worship decently, and take tracts. Nay, some learn to read, for which good purpose I have supplied them with spelling books. I have read the Sketch of English Government, translated by Mr. F. At present this paper would do no good. Times ought to be more undisturbed for such a publication. This I merely refer to you. "Here we have no rain; and therefore a dismal prospect. The small grain withers away; the paddy likewise looks ill. It seems as if God intended to punish this country again. And who can say any thing against his judgments? Every one has reason to humble himself. Nay, the people begin to suspect Tippoo's intentions. May God have mercy on this poor nation, and spare them kindly!" Af At the close of this year, Mr. Swartz addressed the following interesting letter to one of his valued friends at Vellore, who had requested his opinion as to some well-known writers of our church. ter referring to his young friend, J. Kohlhoff, who had written to inform them of his recent journeys, and had assured them that notwithstanding his advanced age, he performed his various duties with the same vigor and ability which he had ma nifested ten years before, he proceeds as follows: "At present, I am so far established in health, that my labor is rather delightful to me than troublesome, which was not the case in April and May. May God, who has bestowed so many blessings of me, a poor sinner, grant that the last days of my life may be well spent; that I may finish my course with peace, if not with joy. "We are not only allowed, but even commanded to 'rejoice in the Lord. No joy has so good and firm a foundation, as that which is to be found in the Lord, who has bought us, redeemed us, and prepared for us all true happiness. Shall we not kingdom? But whoever wishes to rejoice in the rejoice in his salvation, pardon, peace, strength, and blessings purchased for us by Jesus Christ, must be in him, closely united to him, renouncing sin, and all the false pleasures of the world, and hungering and thirsting after him. This true union and communion with Jesus is the source of Joy-the only "Mr. Hallam told me this morning, that you are source. From hence will follow a willingness to not well. Now, dear Sir, hear the voice of a friend, love, serve, obey, and glorify him as long as we (vox amici vox Dei.) Abstain a good deal from live. Is it possible that we, who have found parbusiness, and give your body a fair chance of re-don, peace, and a lively hope of a glorious eternity covering. Be sure your health is precious to me, in Jesus; that we, who have been made happy by and to many. him, should not wish and endeavor to live to his glory? "I truly condole with you on the death of your dear sister. To be resigned to the will of God, is our duty and happiness too. Unspeakably happy are they, who being prepared for a better world, For promoting Christian Knowledge. "But if, instead of trusting in Jesus, and his consummate atonement, we trust and rely on our own virtue, and consequently stand upon our own foundation, we shall never enjoy a moment's peace and unshaken delight. Our virtue and holiness are. CHAPTER XIII. Swartz as a Preacher-Extract of a letter from Mr. Kohlhoff to Dr. It and must remain, imperfect. We shall, therefore, anticipation of the future progress of the gospel in always have reason to confess before God. If thou India! wilt mark in my thoughts, designs, intentions, what is amiss, Lord, who shall stand before thee?' Let us, therefore, seek for pardon, peace, and joy in Jesus; and having found that, let us be grateful and obedient. But though we should be as holy as any of the apostles, let us beware lest we put our confidence in any thing but the sufferings and THE conclusion of the letter in the preceding chapatoning death of Jesus Christ. ter, in which Mr. Swartz, with so much simplicity, "In this grand fundamental article of true Chris-mentions the disinterested liberality with which he tianity, I like none so much as good Bishop Beve- contributed to the fund for building a church for ridge. He forgets not to raise the superstructure the native Christians in the suburbs of Tanjore, of holiness; but he lays first the foundation in a may with propriety direct our attention to his chatrue and lively trust in Jesus, as Paul likewise has racter as a preacher. His religious principles, and done. Read Philippians iii. In the explanation even his views of Christian doctrine, have been al of holiness Archbishop Tillotson is excellent; but ready amply developed, both in the extracts from he does not so well, so clearly lay the foundation as his missionary journals, and in the letters to his Beveridge, Hervey, and the first reformers. When friends in the former part of this memoir. thou comfortest my heart, then, and not till then, may be useful, however, and interesting, to present shall I run in the way of thy commandments. The a fuller and more distinct view of his ability and divine commandments, well and spiritually con- method, as a teacher of that gospel, which he so sidered, will convince us of our sinfulness and cor- thoroughly understood, and so cordially loved, and ruption, and, of course, condemn us. (Rom. vii.) of which he was so eminent and successful a mi Being condemned by the law, as servants who owe nister. Swartz himself published nothing, either to their Lord ten thousand talents, how shall we in the form of sermons, or any other religious inpay off our debt? By the few pence of our own struction, except the Dialogues between a Christian virtue? No; but by the complete atonement made and a Heathen, which have been already menby Jesus Christ. This atonement of Jesus is offer- tioned, as translated into the Tamul language. His ed in the gospel to every one who knows and feels original destination, and his principal employment his sinfulness, and wishes to be delivered from the as a missionary, requiring chiefly catechetical incurse he has deserved by it. To those who feel the struction, and the simple exposition of Scripture, burden of their sins, and groan under it, how inex- the elaborate composition of discourses for the pulpressibly sweet is and must be that tender invitation pit never formed a part of his stated occupation. of Christ, (Matt. xi.,) "Come unto me, all ye that Though from the period of his residence at Trichiare weary and heavy laden, and I will give you nopoly, he was engaged in preaching to the British rest;' by taking the burden from you. troops in garrison at that place, and afterwards at Tanjore, it was only occasionally that he wrote his sermons at length. Such is the account given by Mr. Kohlhoff, in a letter to the late Dr. Buchanan, from Negapatam, dated February 7th, 1810, when transmitting, together with other materials for a memoir of his life, the only specimens which remain of his pulpit compositions. "That you and your dear husband may rejoice in Jesus, here and in a blessed eternity, is the sincere wish of your old friend, "C. F. SWARTZ. "P. S. Pray let us know how your school goes on. Are there some of the black people who profess Christianity? Is there any one who instructs them? four sermons of the late venerable Mr. Swartz, copied from those written by himself, and am sorry there are not more to be found among his papers. His work and labors would not allow him to write the whole of his sermons. He generally preached extempore, and only sometimes put down on paper the chief heads of his sermon, either in English or German. I have collected a good many of these from his papers, and shall transmit to you some of the former, by the next opportunity that offers." "I have the pleasure," says this excellent man, "As to the Malabar church which I have been" of sending you herewith two packets, containing building in the suburbs, General Munro encouraged me, by giving me fifty pagodas. But when I found that the stones which I needed for the foundation, cost twenty-five pagodas, without chunam,* Í thought I should soon stop my mill for want of water; but the Rajah having given me some gold cloths at the time of Lord Pigot's arrival, when the general was lately here, I took them to the merchants, who, to my agreeable surprise, valued them at one hundred and thirty-six pagodas; so that I could prosecute my plan without interruption. I hope that God, who has so graciously furnished me with The collection of notes, to which Mr. Kohlhoff the means of building a house of prayer, will fill it refers, unhappily never arrived; but of the four also with spiritual children, to the praise of his sermons which Dr. Buchanan received, the followname. He is strong who hath promised us suching is the substance; and while it seems a sacred glorious things. Read for that purpose my favorite chapter of Isaiah xlix. verses 4-7,18-20. I cheerfully believe that God will build the waste places' of this country. But should it be done after we are laid in the grave, what harm? This country is covered with thorns; let us plough and sow good seed, and entreat the Lord to make it spring up.Our labor in the Lord, in his cause, and for his glory, will not be in vain." How truly elevated and apostolic are these sentiments; and how powerfully have subsequent events proved the value of the labors of this eminent missionary, and tended to realize his cheering * Stucco. duty to rescue them from oblivion, their intrinsic excellence well deserves their insertion in this memorial of their revered author. It was evidently his general practice to adopt some portion of Scripture which formed part of the service for the day, as the subject of his discourse. Thus two of the sermons which have been preserved, appear to have been preached on Christmas-day, from Luke ii. 1-14; the second lesson for the morning of that festival. "The most superficial consideration," observes the judicious preacher, "of this history, will convince us of two remarkable circumstances respecting the birth of Jesus Christ. There is an intima before him all your wants, trusting in his mediatorial power to supply them. You are poor, but behold, to those who acknowledge their poverty, and, sensible of their own inability to help themselves, hunger and thirst after righteousness, the riches of his grace are offered. tion of the deepest humiliation of our Saviour, and there are, at the same time, very visible evidences of his greatness. Both circumstances must be considered; otherwise the birth of our Saviour will prove rather a stumbling-block to us than a divine means of raising our hearts to gratitude and praise. 'Jesus came into the world for a most extraordi- "At the same time, I entreat you to use every nary purpose to save that which was lost, to be- blessing, whether spiritual or temporal, to the glory come the first-born, or head of the unhappy family of your Redeemer. If, instead of thanking him for of Adam. The consideration of this intention will his bounty, you abuse it by rioting, drunkenness clear up all our doubts, and convince us of the pro-and intemperance, how will you answer for such priety of the humble circumstances in which he ap- heinous ingratitude? peared; and none are, or ever will be, offended at his humiliation, but those who forget that they are sinners." The first indication of our Saviour's humiliation to which Swartz refers, is the enrolment at Bethlehem, in pursuance of the decree of the Emperor Augustus, which was a mortifying proof that the Jewish nation was no longer free, but that God had, as in ancient times, delivered his people into the hands of the Gentiles. "O that the view of our Saviour's humiliation might destroy all the seeds of pride in our souls! O that it might be the divine means of bringing us to a true knowledge of ourselves, and consequently to a deep-rooted humility! Whoever cherishes pride is ignorant of his true condition; he denies the necessity of Christ's humiliation, and becomes an unbeliever, who has no share in the merits of his Redeemer. "Let us then entreat God to work in our hearts true humility from the consideration of that of our Lord, even from his very birth. Let us check all the sinful emotions of pride and haughtiness, and lay hold on the humility of Christ, as a part of the atonement made for our sins, that we may obtain pardon by it; and let us humbly thank and praise him for this his amazing love to mankind, in redeeming them from all the effects of their pride and self-exaltation. "Having considered the proofs of the deep humiliation which our blessed Redeemer suffered at his birth, let us now attend to the evidences of his dignity and greatness. "If," he says, "we heartily believe the true dignity of Jesus Christ, who was the Son of God, the Creator and Preserver of all things; if we look upon him, as holy Scripture teaches us, as the heir of all things, and then consider how he appeared at Bethlehem, how his name was enrolled, we must acknowledge that he was made very low. The Son of God hid his glory, and condescended to be treated as the subject of a heathen emperor. 'He took upon him the form of a servant,' that we, as holy Zacharias prophesied, 'might be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.' These latter throw a most striking light upon "A second proof of our Saviour's humiliation the former, by teaching us how highly God was was his becoming a pilgrim, being born on a jour-pleased with him, and consequently that the lowliney, as one who had no fixed habitation. ness in which he appeared, was not on account of (6 Our first parents were placed in paradise, in himself, but only of his being our mediator and the garden which God had planted for them. But surety. These proofs of the greatness of our SaJesus was born as a pilgrim, at an inn, even in aviour dispel all our doubts, cheer and strengthen stable, and laid in a manger, and thus became like ourselves, who were turned out of paradise into the desert of the world. This, as it is a striking proof of his humiliation, so is it of his immense love to mankind. He had deserved to be in the house of "The first testimony of the Redeemer's greathis father, amidst the joyful acclamations and praises ness, was the divine contrivance for gathering the of angels; but moved with divine compassion, he whole nation of the Jews together. It is true, when chose our condition, that he might restore us to his we take a superficial view of it, we may think that father's house, even to a heavenly paradise. Again; there was nothing in the decree of Augustus which 'He was born in the night. And what was our reflected honor upon the new-born Redeemer. But condition? 'Behold,' says the prophet Isaiah, more mature consideration will convince us that 'darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the hand of Providence directed all these circumthe people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, stances. Jesus was promised to the Jewish nation, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.' Zacharias as their king and deliverer from sin, from the power described in a similar manner the condition of the of the devil, and from eternal condemnation. It world at the coming of Christ, as sitting in dark-was therefore just and meet that the nation should ness and in the shadow of death.' The Saviour appeared to procure for us the light of life.' 6 The poverty which he suffered from the day of his birth, was another proof of our Lord's deep humiliation. There was no room for him in the inn.' There was no provision made for him. He came, but none regarded him. Heaven and earth belonged to him as their maker and Lord; but though infinitely rich, for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich-rich in heavenly, and even in temporal blessings, as far as is consistent with the welfare of our souls. "O my brethren, here is a mirror of the transcendent love of your Redeemer. Look upon his poverty with the enlightened eye of faith; and how can you withstand his amazing love! Whatever blessings you enjoy, remember that you owe all to his meritorious poverty, by which he purchased for you all spiritual and temporal blessings. Lay, then, our faith in him, and make him appear in his divine brightness and glory, removing all the offence which without them we might take at the lowly circumstances of his birth. be collected together, at the time when their longexpected king appeared. Nor ought it to seem strange to us, since we know that God by his unsearchable wisdom, orders all the occurrences of civil government to the purposes of his glory. "A second proof of the dignity of Christ, was the assembling of the angels, or children of heaven, to whom God manifested the riches of his mercy to a fallen world. The angels themselves were not so much concerned in the birth of Jesus as we are; but still we find it filled their hearts with joy and adoration. And ought it not to have the same effect upon us? Thirdly; the birth of our Saviour was immediately manifested to mankind, and that by the command of God, though at first only to a few, namely, to the shepherds who were watching over their flocks in the plains of Bethlehem. If you ask why the gospel of Christ was not proclaimed first to the high-priest, scribes and Pharisees, the answer | "It was," he observes, "a most agreeable invitais plain; because those priests were less qualified tion to joy which was addressed by a heavenly to receive the glad tidings of his birth. Their messenger, first to the poor shepherds, and not only pride would have hindered them from perceiving to them, but to all who are concerned in the wonderthe dignity of Jesus in the manger; but the humble ful event proclaimed by that angelic preacher. shepherds were better prepared for the reception of that gospel, and therefore they were favored with the intelligence of the new-born Saviour. 'Wherefore,' he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.' "Fourthly; the messenger who was sent to publish the glad tidings of the birth of Jesus, was an angel, who appeared in bright glory, speaking of him in a very lofty manner. Fear not,' said he to the affrighted shepherds, 'for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' "To-day God has begun to accomplish his divine promise concerning the salvation of mankind. The Saviour whom you stand in need of, and who has been promised by a merciful God, is Christ, who is able to save, being filled with the Holy Ghost; and not only so, but he is the Lord, our Lord and yours; he is truly God. "That which the angel thus spake to the praise of Christ, was not of his own mind, but by the command of God. From the day of the Redeemer's birth he began to glorify Jesus, in order to attract our hearts to trust in him. "All mankind wish for joy-what pity is it that they too commonly mistake the true source and foundation of it. Let us consider them as disclosed in our text. "The very first word spoken by the angel is a spring of joy. Fear not.' They were alarmed at the glory which accompanied his appearance. This was a plain proof that they were of the race of sinners. Fear, or the apprehension of a threatening evil, is a sign that we have lost our original innocence. No sconer did our first parents sin, than a fearful apprehension of punishment seized them. It is true, a wise and gracious God may and does use and direct our fear as a method of awakening us from the impending storm; but when we recur to its first origin, we must own it to be the sad effect of the fall. This fear we all feel, if we reflect on what passes in our hearts. Nay, even those who shamefully deny their Maker, saying, 'There is no God,' even they fear, and often where nothing is to be feared. So that all mankind are subject to this afflicting passion, because all are sinners. "Is it not, therefore, matter of joy when a merciful God sends a messenger from heaven, and bids us restrain our fear? How reviving is such an exhortation! It testifies of the tenderly compassionate heart of God towards us. He beholds us afflicted with fear; but he has provided an effectual remedy for curing it, and restoring us to true serenity and peace of mind. "Behold,' said the angelic messenger, 'I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.' This is the gospel, the very essence and marrow of it, which God designed for the effectual comfort of mankind. "And suddenly a host' of heavenly spirits appeared, and fired with the love of God, sang praises to him, proclaiming the salvation which the divine Redeemer was born to purchase. 'Glory to God in the highest.' Now is the blessed time when the glory of God, which has been concealed and darkened by sinful man, shall be illustrated. The glory of his mercy, holiness, righteousness, and truth, shall be displayed, not only by the doctrine, but by the sufferings and atonement of the Redeemer, to the intent that all mankind may fear and love him. "And on earth, peace.' Now is the time when peace, which men had lost by the fall, by which they became obnoxious to the wrath of God, shall be established by the Saviour, who came to bear "The person of Christ is described by the angel. the curse mankind had deserved, and to restore He describes him as David did in the 110th Psalm; them to the favor and blessing of the Almighty.The Lord said unto my Lord.' So majestic and A new foundation will thus be laid for their happi- divine a person has been sent. Well might the proness. By the tidings of this peace mankind will phet call upon the world to rejoice. Of this divine be comforted, and induced to believe in God, to ac- person who was promised and foretold by the procept his grace, and to rejoice in him. 'Good will phets, particularly by Isaiah, it is said that he is towards men.' As God will regard them with born-that he left the throne of his majesty, and stoopkindness, so will men begin to love God as their ed very low to rescue us from our misery. This is father. The image of God, in which they were at the divine doctrine which affords rich matter of the first created, will now be re-established. highest and purest joy-that a Saviour has taken upon him our nature, and out of mere love to mankind is concerned in the highest degree for their salvation. O what wonderful love must have been in the heart of our compassionate Redeemer! Blessed are we who have so clear and certain an assurance of this astonishing transaction, with the distant light of which many pious kings and prophets were obliged to be contented, and in the prospect of which they rejoiced. How much more should we rejoice, who have so much better an opportunity of knowing the personal glory of our Redeemer!" "This is the purport of that angelic hymn which those children of heaven sang that very night when Christ was born, by which they joyfully proclaimed the unspeakable blessing which should be purchased by Jesus Christ, and by which God glorified him as the divine Redeemer of the world. "Let us all, therefore, be animated to praise that blessed Saviour. His love towards mankind was truly great when he took upon him our nature. Our love to him should consequently be very lively, and show itself in all proper expressions. Let us draw near to him, adoring him for his inestimable loving-kindness; and let us entreat him to grant us divine light, grace, and blessing, that by us, as always, so particularly on these days, God may be glorified, true peace and reconciliation with him may be enjoyed, and a filial disposition and obedience towards him may be excited in our hearts by the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit. Amen!" The second sermon upon this passage of Scripture, dwells chiefly on the angelic message and the anthem of the heavenly host. He next refers to the lowly and suffering condition in which the divine Redeemer appeared, as illustrating and aggrandising his love to mankind, and on which he had enlarged in the preceding sermon, and then proceeds to the grand intention of his coming. "There is not a sweeter name in heaven or earth than that of a SAVIOUR. It is the source of all our peace and joy. The hymn sung by the angelic host contains nothing more nor less than the consolation comprised in that blessed name. experienced it. O! try to have the happy experience in your own hearts. "The third part of the angelic hymn is, 'Good will to, or in men.' For as the preceding clause declares the good will of God to us, this describes our good will both to God and one another. The meaning, I apprehend, is this. Now will men be rightly disposed towards God in consequence of the Redeemer, and of the love of God displayed in him. They will look upon God as their gracious Father, and will love, and honor, trust, and praise him.And being in that happy frame of mind, they will love one another also, because God has loved them. This is the true spring of all godliness, justice, charity, and goodness. In and through Jesus Christ, and his redemption, the love of God and his infinite mercy to sinners are so clearly revealed, that every one who receives the glorious light of it into his heart, cannot but be made unspeakably happy by it; and as soon as man knows and tastes the loving kindness of God to him, he begins to love him in revery natural. We love him because he first loved turn. The conclusion which St. John draws, is us. All that enmity which is naturally in our heart to God, arises particularly from want of true and saving knowledge of his love to us. Could tion of that divine love of God towards him, he the most wicked man be brought to a lively percepwould lay aside his enmity, adore God, and love |