enables men to appreciate virtue; and again, on a knowledge of the circumstances of the nation, and of its relative state to other nations. For, almost every man of ordinary education is not only acquainted with his own country, but he has a picture of the world before him; and he is enabled to understand the purposes and ends of that power which is convulsing the world, and would enslave it.

This knowledge, then, is an inestimable blessing. It is that which distinguishes our nation at this moment from other nations; and it is the instrument which God is pleased to use, not only, we trust, to save ourselves but others; not only to defend the Christian religion at home, but to extend it throughout the world. But, take away the Bible, and the instruction of the lower classes, and we should soon fall into that darkness which envelopes the other nations of Europe. Neither science, nor philosophy, nor the fine arts, would ever illuminate the public mind as it now is. Neither conquest, nor commerce, would add any thing to our public virtue. The fountain of our knowledge, and of our happiness, is the Bible; and the greatest blessing we can render our country is to call every poor person, and to teach him to drink from this fountain.

On my return from the East, I was informed. that it had been a question much agitated in

this country," Whether the poor ought to be "instructed;" and that, to this day, many persons are prejudiced against the measure, and even question the utility and advantage of the Sunday Schools.

These persons, perhaps, do not know that this is the very character of the superstition of the Hindoos ; "That the POOR shall not be "instructed."—"That no glad tidings shall "be published to the POOR." For, in this, as in almost every other respect, the religion of Brahma is just the opposite to the religion of Christ.

It is ordained by the Brahminical law, that the lowest class of the people, called Sooders, "shall receive no instruction;" as being a race of men of so degenerate a nature, as not to be worthy of Heaven. They are, therefore, prohibited from hearing the words of the Ve dahs, or sacred books; and punishments are actually devised for those who shall read them, or hear them read; punishments of a painful and ignominious nature. *

The argument used by the Brahmins, for not instructing the Sooders is this: That if you

* If a Sooder be guilty of hearing the words of the Shaster, it is ordained, "that melted lead shall be poured into "his ears." If a Sooder be guilty of reading or pronounc ing the words of the Shaster, the prescribed punishment is, "that his tongue shall be cut out."-See Hindoo Code.

give a poor man religious knowledge, you make him equal with yourself. For it is a maxim of Brahma, and a true one, "That an "equal heaven makes all men equal." If you assure a poor man of obtaining an equal heaven with yourself, it exalts his thoughts, relieves his afflictions on this earth, inspires him with hope and triumph, and causes him to look upwards as to a home. He is no longer a slave, but an heir of immortality.

The argument which is adduced for not instructing the poor in this country, is, it seems, the following; "that if you teach the poor to "read and write, it will bring them nearer to "an equality with yourself; and will, thereແ by, unfit them for their menial duties, and "for their proper service aş Christians." The former part of this consequence is true; we thereby certainly bring the poor nearer to an equality with ourselves. And this is the argument of the Brahmins. But when it is alleg ed, that they will become unfit for their proper duties as servants and Christians, is not this to argue directly from the abuse of knowledge? It is, undoubtedly true, that some men will abuse knowledge, as some men abuse health, and wealth, and every blessing of God. But let us look to ourselves in this case, before we weigh the poor in the balance. There are many of the learned who abuse their learning. There. are many of the rich who have learned to read,

but who reject its most important use, which is, TO READ THE WORD OF GOD. And this is the real source of danger to the unlearned, éven the example of the learned. For the prominent idea on the mind of an ignorant person is naturally this, " of what use can reading be, "if it be not to read and know the will of " God?"

Let us then obey the command of our Saviour, and allow the Gospel to be read and heard by the poor. And, in particular, let Christian instruction be given to poor children. For, how incalculable is the benefit, if we believe the Christian revelation! He who teaches a child to read, and then gives him a Bible, hath performed a nobler work than if he had bestowed on that child the riches of the habitable globe. It is proper to record, on this day, the sentiments of our gracious SOVEREIGN on this subject. His majesty patronises schools for the instruction of the poor, in the most earnest manner; and hath publicly expressed his wish," that EVERY POOR CHILD IN THE na

This is a sentiment worthy of a Christian king; and the example he hath given is worthy of the universal imitation of his Christian subjects. EVERY poor child, certainly, in this nation, ought to be able to read the Bible. What is there to prevent it? If it be not ef

fected, it will not be the fault of the poor, but the fault of the rich. Let every one of us, then, according to his opportunity, influence, or ability, endeavour to fulfil this obligation, and contribute his aid to the accomplishment of the divine purpose," that the poor should "have the Gospel preached to them." The Bible is the proper inheritance of the poor in this world. The rich seldom read the Bible. "The rich," saith our Lord," have received "their consolations." But the poor, having little hope in this world, will more readily "embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope "of everlasting life." Having no honour or glory here, they will the more earnestly look into that book which contains their charter for "glory, honour, and immortality;" which our Saviour hath given them, saying; "Bless"ed are ye poor, for your's is the kingdom of "heaven."*

* It is well known by those who have had the means of forming a competent judgment on the subject, that there is in Scotland more religion, a higher tone of morals, more classical learning, more general knowledge, in short, more absolute civilization, in proportion to the population, than there is in England. And this hath been produced in the course of time by the natural means, viz. the establishment of schools. The common servants in that country (I speak of the Lowlands chiefly) can both read and write; but they make better sevants for that, not worse. It may be, that the child who comes to your door for an alms, can both