This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY.
463

selves. The effect of the present system will be to develop their powers of self-government. In addition to the native princes, who are still recognized as the heads of their limited territories, natives are admitted as members to the Supreme and Provincial Councils. The Government is doing nothing directly to advance the Christian religion, (though as much as our own Government is doing,) and many evils growing out of the peculiarities of the people, the varieties of races, the inveterate nature of hoary prejudices, yet remain to be removed or remedied; but, judging from the promise of the present, India bids fair to become again a mighty empire in the East, and to outshine in its glory the splendor of the old Moguls.”

Sixth. The improved condition and prospects of Christianity and of native Christians, as the result of the rebellion, is most marked and important.

The position of Christianity in India, and its disabilities, will be well understood from what has been already advanced. The condition of the native Christian before the Rebellion was a most trying one. He was cut off and proscribed by his heathen friends, looked down upon too often by European officials, refused all employment under Government, with no one to sympathize with him except a few pious persons and the missionary, the latter very often unable to help him, though his heart was distressed for him. Short as the time was that I had then been in India, I learned some most distressing cases of this kind.

The very last letter that I had from the martyred Missionary, Brother Campbell, of Futtyghur, was on this subject. He writes, “Poor Saul, whom you saw when at my house, is still without employment. I sent him to Cawnpore and Futtypore, but those places were full; had more help and native Christians than could be well provided for. He is now at home near Agra, and writes to me that he is in a sad condition. Christians will not receive him, though he is willing to do any kind of work; and his relations say, that if he remains with them in his native village he must become one of them, that is, a heathen. Poor fellow, I pity him, for I think him a good man; weak, perhaps, but still, I trust, a