Present state of Christianity, and of the missionary establishments for its propagation in all parts of the world

Front matter

PRESENT STATE

OF

CHRISTIANITY

Preface

In a country distinguished above all others by the strenuous efforts of numerous Societies, and by the liberal pecuniary contributions of individuals, for the propagation of Christianity in all parts of the world, any recommendation of a book chiefly designed to exhibit the effects of those efforts would be almost superfluous. Some reflections on the importance of this object will, however, be found in the Introduction, to which the reader is referred. It will, therefore, be unnecessary for me to solicit more than a moment's attention here, for the purpose of explaining the nature of my participation in this volume.

Justice requires the acknowledgment that the groundwork was furnished by a publication from the pen of Mr. H. Zschokke, a well-known German writer, many years resident in Switzerland, whose numerous literary productions attest his ardent desire to promote the best interests of mankind. Its first appearance was in the year 1819. To complete his Sketch by supplying the events worthy of record during the intermediate period down to the present year, I have had recourse to

VI PREFACE.

the Reports of our principal Societies engaged in. the propagation of Christianity and in the circulation of the Bible, and toother authentic materials. The additions which they have enabled me to make I purposed at first to introduce in the form of notes, to avoid interfering with the work of another ; but, to spare the reader the inconvenience of referring to and fro and the consequent unpleasant interruption of the thread of the text, I have been induced to forego that intention and to interweave all such additions in their proper places.

If we have between us presented as accurate and ample a picture of the subject as the narrow limits of this volume would permit, to the Public, it must be matter of the utmost indifference by whom such or such passages have been contributed. The enlightened author will not I trust have reason to be ashamed of the partnership into which he has been involuntarily brought; and if the work shall prove the means of refreshing in one mind convictions of the divinity and eternal truth of Christianity — of removing one of the strong mutual prejudices still cherished by many of the sects professing the religion of Jesus — or of kindling in one bosom an active zeal for the promotion ot human happiness by the diffusion of the beneficent doctrines inculcated by its founder — cordially shall I congratulate myself on my humble co-operation with the philanthropic foreigner.

Chapter I. — Review of the First Diffusion and Subsequent Suppression of Christianity in Asia . . 37

Chapter II. — State of the Christian Sects in Turkey in Asia — Catholics, Greeks, Maronites, &c. — Their barbarism 40

Chapter III. — The Paganism of Siberia and the Russian States — Defective Institutions for Conversion— Conventual Schools — Missions 4&

Chapter IV. — Attempts of the Jesuits and Capuchins in Tibet — Resemblance of the Ecclesiastical System of Lamaism to that of the Catholic and Greek Churches 58

Chapter V. — Religions in Japan — Severity towards the

Christians G3

Chapter VI.— State of the Christian Congregations in the

Chinese Empire — Dissensions among the Missionaries GG

Chapter VII. — Survey of Tunkin, Cochin China, and

the Birman Empire — The Palee Language 74

Chapter VIII. — Survey of Hindoostan — Former narrow-minded Policy of the East India Company in regard to Missions — Schwartz, the Missionary — State of the Protestant and Catholic Missions — The Syrian Christians 85

Chapter IX. — The Persian Christians — Zabeans — Suflas 100

Chapter X. — Ceylon and Java— State of Christianity in

the other large Asiatic Islands 109

Chapter XI. — General Observations on the Slow Progress of Christianity in Asia , 121

VJ11 CONTENTS.

PART HI.— AFRICA.

Chapter I.— Rise and Decline of Christianity in this quarter of the Globe 128

Chapter III. — The Missions in Labrador — Paganism in the extreme North of America 17.3

Chapter IV. — Survey of the Two Canadas — Astonishing Progress of Religion and Civilization among the Savage Tribes in and near the United States and the Spanish Territories in North America 184

Chapter V. — Spirit of Conversion in Spanish North America — The Caiifornians — Their Religious Notions 193

Chapter VI. — The Spanish and Portuguese Possessions in South America — Empire of the Jesuits on the Uraguay — Slow Progress of Christianity of late years 202

Chapter VII. — Survey of Brazil and Guiana 212

Chapter VIII. — The West India Islands — Negro Slaves — The Empire of the Blacks in Hayti— Activity of the Protestant Missionaries in the British and Danish "Islands 216

Chapter IX. — General Observations on the Diffusion of Christianity in America 220

Chapter I. — New Holland — First Christian Settlement in New Zealand 227

Chapter II. — Conversion of the Society Islanders to Christianity — Survey of the Friendly and Sandwich

Islands. 238

'.)'tf,r III.— Conclusion 259

SURVEY

OP

CHRISTIANITY-

Introduction

The superiority of the Europeans in arts, sciences, and civil institutions, is not by any means to be ascribed to the influence of their soil and climate. This part of the globe was one vast Scythia, long after India, China, Persia, Syria, Asia Minor, Egypt, and Greece, were distinguished for knowledge, industry, and civilization. But, after the prodigious wars and the successive invasions of migratory barbarians, it rose far above the Asiatic and African states, because it had embraced Christianity. In the East the human mind appears, amid the wreck of what has been, in a state of deplorable torpor, bowed down by servitude and despotism.

Had the doctrine of the Messiah pursued its course towards the east or south, instead of spreading to the west and north, who knows whether at this day those regions might not be occupied by the most polished nations of the globe, while we should be half-savages in comparison with them ? To what cause was it owing that Greece, Asia, Egypt, and Carthage, after being crushed by barbarian invaders, did not rise again so speedily and so buoyantly as Italy, Gaul, and the south of Germany ? — There, Mongols and Muhaaiedans terminated the universal revolution ; but the conquerors of Italy, Gaul, and Germany, the Goths, Lombards, and Franks, were already Christians.

As far as we know, there never yet existed a nation without some reverence for the supernatural. Even the polytheists and idolaters, who, with rude simplicity, adore the power of a Supreme Being under images made with their own hands, or in the splendour of certain natural phenomena — even these reverence, fear, and love, what we do.

With the origin of nations and states arose many different notions of heavenly things. But that which Christ imparted to mankind is the most perfect and the most sacred, because it harmonizes as completely with the economy of Nature as with the eternal laws of the spiritual world ; it is, therefore, adapted to all countries and to all ages ; it cannot be improved by any human wisdom or ingenuity, legislation or form of government ; but, on the other hand, it refines, ennobles, and communicates its divine spirit to the ideas of philosophers, lawgivers, moralists, and politicians. It is the root and stock of all religions — the highest and the holiest, upon which all of them are founded. Hence it fills the mind with pure images of the all-perfect Being and with longing after him. Hence it stimulates to the cultivation of the sciences ; and these again, by a grateful reaction, divest the doctrine of its di* vine author of human deformities, and of the inventions of ignorance, fanaticism, and priestly love of rule.

The diffusion of Christianity — not merely of its churchceremonies—is at the same time viffusion of knowledge, civilization, and moral freedom. We cannot, therefore, be friends to our kind, friends to reason, without ardently wishing for the extension of the all-glorifying kingdom of God, and beholding with transport the ennobling of our race in every region under heaven.

The late excellent Dr. Milne, in his " Retrospect of the First Ten Years of the Protestant Mission to China, 53 in which he spent the latter part of his life, has so ably exhibited, in a short compass, the admirable adaptation of the Christian religion to the character and circumstances of the whole human race, that I cannot forbear transcribing his words : —

" Christianity, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, is the Only religion which is in all respects adapted to the moral

INTRODUCTION. 15

state of the whole world ; hence it possesses an indisputable and unrivalled claim to universal preference. The positive declarations of its divine author prove it to be intended for the whole family of man ; and its doctrines, precepts, and ritual, all unite to declare its suitableness to the internal character and external circumstances of sinful creatures in every state of society and in every part of the earth.

" Its doctrines, though in some particulars above the comprehension of man in the present infancy of his being, are yet remarkablv adapted to exercise his intellectual facul- ' ties and all in perfect conformity with the dictates of sound reason. Their unequalled sublimity imparts an elevated character to the mind, which the utmost refinements of human wisdom could never produce. Their certainty brings the world out of that maze of endless perplexities, in which the best and most enlightened pagan sages wandered, and led after them the blinded multitude. The powerful support which the doctrines of Christianity afford to the hopes of the. guilty pacifies the conscience, purifies the heart, and gladdens the countenance. Their greatness enlarges the soul and raises it to God ; while their fulness and variety furnish endless topics of thought and exhaustless sources of pleasure. Most of them are easily understood, and they are full of consolation to the truly penitent and to the upright in heart.

" Its precepts are all simple, holy, reasonable, and useful to man in every capacity and in every relation of life ; and man's dependence on the Supreme Being, his circumstances in the world, the desires of his immortal nature, and the testimony of his conscience, all prove it to be both his duty and his interest to obey.

" Its ritual is neither complicated, expensive, nor irksome. Christianity can be carried to all parts of the world, and observed just as well where neither gold, silver, gems, nor materials for costly array exist, as where they are found in the richest abundance. It enjoins no uniformity of dress, no vexatious peculiarities in the gait, gestures, and postures, of its worshippers ; no magnificent temples or expensive apparatus for the celebration of divine ordinances ; no technical shibboleth to characterize the doctrines of the followers of Jesus. Simpli-

16 SURVEY OF CHItKTlANITY.

^ity and utility are the characteristics of its observances* Piety, truth, justice, purity, peaceableness, benevolence, and usefulness of life, are the only marks by which it requires the servants of God to distinguish themselves from the world fc which lieth in wickedness.'

" Christianity claims the world as the sphere of its operations ; it knows no other locality. It commands the nations to give up nothing but what is injurious for them to retain, and proposes nothing foV their acceptance but what they are miserable without. It casts not slight on any one country by exalting the virtues and glory of another. It represents all people and nations as on a level in the eyes of God — as equally offenders against him, equally subject to the decisions of his awful justice, and equally Welcome to the benefits of his abundant mercy. Its moraf and positive duties are equally binding on all to whom the Gospel is made known ; its salvation and privileges are open on the same terms to all who receive them, without distinction of age, rank, talent, or country ; and its tremendous denunciations will be executed on all who reject or abuse it, without partiality and without the possibility of appeal or escape.

" It commands nothing inconsistent with the outward condition of nations or individuals to perform ; while it contains the germ of every principle necessary to render the throne stable, the nation prosperous, the family happy, the individual virtuous, and the soul eternally blessed. Christianity is the only religion fitted for universal adoption, and the only one capable of conducting the world to immortal felicity. It is the duty of all who expect to be saved by Christ to do, their utmost for the extension of Christian knowledge."

To the testimony of this eloquent servant of God I shall subjoin a brief exposition of the beneficial effeots resulting from the efforts for the diffusion of Christianity, by the Rev. Dr. Philip, the active superintendent of the establishments of the London Missionary Society in South Africa.

u In those countries where our missions have gained a marked ascendancy, there is scarcely one spot, however much secluded, impervious to their all-pervading light and

INTRODUCTION* 17

feeat. Even while they are grossly misrepresented and spoken against, they are checking the undue exercise of power ; raising the standard of morals ; literally proclaiming liberty to the captives, and opening the prisondoors to those that are bound ; diffusing abroad the light of science and literature ; undermining the false systems of religion against which they have to contend ; multiplying those charitable institutions which have for their object the relief of suffering humanity ; vanquishing infidelity by the most direct and powerful of all arguments, by living exhibitions of the truths of Christianity ; changing the face of our colonies, and accelerating the approach of that moral revolution which will sooner or later Usher in the kingdoms of the world as the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ."

After quoting these testimonies, it may perhaps be deemed presumptuous in me to subjoin any further remark in illustration of the excellence of that religion which forms the subject of this volume. At the hazard, however, of incurring this censure, I shall add an observation, which seems to me to deserve the serious attention alike of the statesman, the philosopher, and the philanthropist

One of the first and most important effects of Christianity is to elevate and ennoble the female character, and to place woman in that station which she ought to hold in society. She — who was destined to be the partner of man, the depository of his thoughts, his solace in affliction, his counsellor in adversity and prosperity ; to sooth him by the exercise of the kindliest affections at home for the crosses tnd vexations which he has to encounter abroad — she is reduced by the Savage to the level of the slave, or even of the brutes which he has domesticated for his service. Throughout the whole eastern world, by the more polished professors of the doctrines of Muhamedj of Buddha, and of Fohi, constituting a very great majority of the human race, woman is regarded as of inferior nature to the other §ex, by which she is held in profound subjection, and treated as a being formed solely to minis* ter to the passions, pleasures, and caprices, of her lord. The religion of Christ calls her from this degraded state t© the equal participation in the privileges and enjoyments

9* of man ; it raises and refines his own character in the same proportion as it inspires him with consideration for hers — for where the character of woman is most respectable and respected, there we invariably find most public virtue and private happiness.

The total number of human beings at present inhabiting the globe is by some computed at between a thousand and twelve hundred millions ; but, in a table, furnished by a German publication, the Allgemeine Kirchenzeitung^ printed at Darmstadt, which appears to have been diligently compiled from the most authentic sources, and exhibits the population of the earth according to its different religions, the total number of inhabitants is estimated at eight hundred and twenty-eight millions. Of these two hundred and thirty-five millions are competed to be professors of Christianity ; two and a half millions Jews ; one hundred and fifteen millions Muhamedans ; ten millions disciples of Zoroaster and Confucius ; while the Polytheists, composed of Lamaites, Brahminists, Budhists, and Fetish worshippers, amount to four hundred and sixty-six millions. What an immense field, then, is still open for the most exalted species of beneficence !

Europe has already rendered immense benefit to the other portions of the globe, by the diffusion of the divine revelations concepning the dearest interests of mankind. For ages past, thousands of pious men have gone forth into both the Indies to carry thither the light of Christianity. In many cities of Europe, considerable efforts have been made for spreading civilization and the arts and sciences in the remotest regions. In the Orphan-House, at Halle, were trained teachers for the two Indies. Paris and Naples instructed Arabs and Chinese. Russia made Irkutzk an academy for Tartars and Japanese. Rome accomplished more than all the rest. Here the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith has, ever since the seventeenth century, despatched into all the world messengers of God, educated for this especial purpose. Works were printed in this congregation in more than thirty languages, foreign to Europe. The Seminary for the Diffusion of the Faith co-operated in its efforts, Avhich were emulated by the Congregation of the Priests

INTHODITCTION. 19

of the Foreign Missions, the French Seminary for Missions to Foreign Nations, and the French Congregation of St. Sacrament.

In all the Protestant world there were a few years since but four or five Societies for the conversion of the heathen, of which the church of England furnished two, and another was the exemplary Society of the United Brethren. Now the Church Missionary Society is added to those of the United Church — the Church of Scotland has her Societies — every principal denomination of Christians, not of the established churches, has formed its own institution — the Protestants of the continent are uniting in a Missionary Society, which is awakening an interest from Basle, the seat of its deliberations, in all the countries round ; and the fire is kindled in the American churches : — the Congregational — the Presbyterian — the Baptist — the Methodist Churches of the United States — are all acting with zeal in the cause — and the whole Episcopal Church, with its nine bishops, has recently formed a society for sending the Gospel to the heathen of the American continent, and throughout the world.

We witness also the rise of institutions around us, which take up all the various departments of labour for ultimately rendering the earth one great garden of God. Missionary Societies break up the ground and prepare the seed — Bible Societies multiply that seed and scatter it, by the hands of the missionary and other labourers, all over the world — Jews' Societies are training the most irrefragable witnesses, and probably the most successful preachers of the divine word — Education Societies are giving a powerful impulse to that universal instruction which is to prepare readers of the word — Tract Societies are calling the attention of men to that word — and the primitive and apostolic Liturgy of the English Church is teaching multitudes in what manner to worship Jehovah.

The importance of the operations of some of these Societies may be inferred from the following authentic statements : —

The Church Missionary Society had, in 1827, in its. nine Missions, in the Mediterranean, West Africa, Calcutta and North India, Madras and South India, Bombay and Western India, Ceyion, Australasia, West Indies, and North West America, 54 stations, with which are connected 286 schools. All these stations employ 458 labourers, of whom 124 are Europeans and 334 born in the respective countries where they are employed, in the schools there are 13,447 scholars, 9,479 of whom are boys, 3,036 girls, and 882 adults. Many churches have been built ; and at some of the principal stations printing-presses have been established, from which the Scriptures, Liturgy, and religious tracts, are issued in large numbers.

This Society has founded at Islington, near London, a seminary for preparing and training missionaries, in which there were at the same period thirty-one students. The first examination took place in July, 1827 ; and it has been determined to enlarge the buildings'for the accommodation of fifty students.

The gross receipts of the same Society for the year ending May, 1827, including the contributions to the Institution at Islington, fell very little short of 4t),000Z. The net income available to the general purposes of the Society, during the same period, was nearly 43.300Z., and the expenditure 40,470Z.

The London Missionary Society has stations in many of the South Sea Islands, at Malacca and in Java, in most of the principal cities in British Hindoostan, in Siberia, in the Mediterranean, in South Africa, both within and beyond the Colony of the Cape, in Madagascar and Mauritius, and at Demerara and Berbice, in the West Indies ; in which are employed nearly one hundred European mis* sionaries and assistants, besides native teachers. The contributions to this Society, in the year ending March, 1827, amounted to nearly 33,700/., and the disbursements during the same period to upwards of 43,U00Z.

The British and Foreign Bible Society, from its establishment in 1804, to March, 18^7, had issued upwards of 5,200,000 Bibles and New Testaments. In this number are comprehended forty-two re-prints, five re-translations 5 fifty-seven languages and dialects in which the Scriptures had not been printed before the institution of the Society, and forty-three new translations in progress. The total receipts of the Society during the year preceding March f

INTRODUCTION. 21

1827, were little less than 100,OOOZ., and the sums paid for translating and printing amounted to nearly 63,000Z., When it is recollected that these and all the other Societies established for the propagation of Christianity are entirely supported by voluntary contributions, it must be admitted that their pious and benevolent efforts for the improvement of the human species constitute one of the most admirable traits in the picture of the present age. The attempt, therefore, imperfect as it may be, to delineate the present state of Christianity in the different regions of the globe, can scarcely fail to prove an acceptable offering to many ; I am certain, at least, that it would be difficult to find one possessing stronger claims to the consideration of every enlightened observer.

Part The First- Europe

CHAPTER I.

DIFFUSION OF CHRIST IAN IT Y IN THE FIRST EIGHT CENTURIES.

It is not more difficult to point out the finger of God in the wonders of history than in the wonders of Nature.

The three years in which Christ, poor and despised, preached his doctrine among a poor and despised people, were incontestable the mosr suitable epoch for the purpose in the six thousand years to which our historical records extend. We are not less astonished at the subsequent concatenation and power of circumstances, that wisely calculated game of accidents, if you choose to term it so, which developed the seed of the Gospel of Christ into a tree of Jife for numberless tribes and nations. Antiquated thrones and religions of the time, victors and vanquished, nations issuing from unknown wilds, submitted at length to become but instruments in an invisible, irresistible hand, for the accomplishment of the great work for which Christ was destined to bleed on Golgotha. But this is not the proper place to pursue that mysterious topic.

The few individuals who went forth from the school of Jesus carried, it is well known, the light which they received from him, with equally astonishing courage and success, from Jerusalem into the neighbouring and remoter countries. They conveyed it through Syria, Phoenicia, and the rest of Asia Minor, to Greece and Italy.

Whether Mark imparted it to the Egyptians, and Thomas or Andrew to the interior of Asia, we know not : but the traditions preserved by the oldest ecclesiastical historians are not improbable. So early as the second century of our era, Justin Martyr exuited, though indeed rather prematurely, in these terms : — " There is not a tribe, either among the Greeks or foreigners, even among those that live without any permanent places of abode, by whom praise and thanksgiving are not offered to the Father and Creator of the universe, in the name of the crucified Jesus."

The sublime perspicuity and simplicity of the new religion, the persuasive force with which it addresses itself to all minds, the purity of life and the contempt of death manifested by its first professors, soon gained it numerous friends. Besides the urgency of the times and the unity of the empire of the world, of which Rome was the heart, the removal of the legions of the Cajsars, now transported from Asia to Africa, and presently from Africa to Europe, certainly contributed not a little to the diffusion of Christianity. Many of the soldiers who had no home hut the conquered world, and who found, beyond the frontier of every new state, new deities and new forms of worship, could not fail to imbibe at length a thorough contempt for these religious absurdities. Unbelief began at Rome with the return of the armies from remote provinces of the empire.

But the notion of higher supernatural beings was not extinguished in the bosoms of men together with the reverence for the ancient mythology. The well-informed warrior, at home in every part of the world, needed a God independent of the narrow limits of countries, and a faith independent of the priesthood of the nations. What, he had an obscure feeling of was rendered clear to him by the simple doctrine of Jesus. What he learned of this doctrine in Asia, Kgypt, or Greece, he communicated to others in Gaul and Britain.

It is not improbable that in this manner Christianity was partially introduced, or that at least the way was paved for it among the nations of Europe. We know that the orthodox bishops of Britain afterwards found in the Scottish Highlands a sort of Christians who knew nothing of the Pope and of the Roman Catholic dogmas. Neither is it unlikely that the doctrine of John the Baptist was carried by the legions, or even by merchants, from the banks of Jordan into far distant countries. For, if we may give any credit to the most ancient records and the symbolical customs of the Freemasons, we shall find that these people in their assemblies and lodges seem to have long known nothing of Christ and of the Cross, but that, besides retaining the pagan libation — Funde merum Genio! — they talked much of Pythagoras and still more about John.

In the third century there existed a great number of Christian congregations, as well in western Asia and North Africa as on the European coasts of the Mediterranean. The sacred Scriptures of Christendom were circulated both in Latin and in Syrian, Egyptian, and Ethiopic translations. The indifference or partiality of individual emperors or local authorities to the votaries of the new religion afforded time for the establishment and diffusion of its principles. The impolicy of particular persecutions raised against it tended still more to produce this effect. But for these persecutions the first holy ardour would perhaps speedily have cooled. Now, however, exiles carried with them the opinions for which they suffered to countries where they were yet unknown. The confidence and fortitude of individual martyrs now inspired the other Christians with enthusiastic courage, and excited the astonished pagans to the investigation of a faith for which men and women gloried to die. The professors now exerted themselves the more strenuously to increase their numbers among all classes of the people ; partly from piety, partly from the very natural wish to gain more general acceptance for their own convictions, and partly to be rendered more secure from future dangers by the strength of their community.

Hence it was that Christianity spread throughout Europe with wonderful power and rapidity ; that whole places, whole legions, nay, even many of the most distinguished statesmen and generals, embraced the new religion ; and that at last the Emperor Constantine, who is called the Great, deemed it consistent with his policy to declare publicly in favour of the hitherto persecuted party. Though by far the greater portion of the people steadfastly adhered to the ancient paganism, yet- the Christians, by means of their numbers, their influence, their learned men, and their desperate resolution, were of sufficient consequence in all parts of the empire to be the grateful protectors of an oft-shaken and tottering throne. The energetic activity with which the emperor followed up his politic declaration, combined with the ardent zeal of the professors of his new faith, proved decisive. The Christian became the predominant religion of the Roman empire in the fourth century.

The Emperor Julian, disgusted in the recollection of the past glories of Rome with the then state of things, strove once more, but in vain, to re-establish the exploded polytheism of antiquity. He mistook Christianity, which is not surprising, since it was mistaken, though indeed in a different sense, even by many of the Christians of his day ; he mistook his age : he shared, therefore, the fate of those who oppose the spirit of their time. Meanwhile Persia and Armenia, and the inhabitants of the countries situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian, received apostles of the gospel. Ulphilas gave to his Goths in lYloesia the narratives of the Evangelists in their native language ; and Frumentius, the Egyptian* carried the substance of them beyond the great cataracts of the Nile, across the sandy deserts to Habesh.

Christianity was established in three parts of the world, but the Roman empire in them was destroyed. Vandals and Goths, iVllemans, Franks, and Lombards, were acquainted with tho doctrines of Christ. They founded new empires, but not a new religion. On the other hand* the terror spread in the fifth century by the ferocious Huns strengthened with superstitious fear and hope the inclination of numberless minds to Christianity ; while bold champions of the faith were not weary of proclaiming the gospel of the crucified Jesus in the mountains of Lebanon and Antilibanus, in th€ forests of Germany aitfl Ireland, and even on the coast of Malabar.