DR. ADAM CLARKE AND THE TWO PRIESTS OF BUDHA.
I have rarely been so interested as by the account Sir Alexander Johnstone gave me of the two young Priests, whose enterprise had as many difficulties, and a far higher object, than our forefathers’ pilgrimages to the Holy Land. They waited on Sir Alexander, to consult him as to the means of reaching England. Lady Johnstone’s health rendering an instant return imperative, he had fitted out a small vessel, whose accomodations were too limited to admit more than his own family and suite. In this ship, however, they worked their way as common sailors. Before we can appreciate this sacrifice, we must understand that they were of birth, education, and high standing in their own country. Let us for a moment suppose one of our prelates working before the mast on a mission of Christian faith; we shall then comprehend the depth and sincerity of the belief that urged the young Cingalese. Sir Alexander placed them under the care of Dr. Adam Clarke, of Liverpool, rightly judging that London, with its usual selfish and stimulating course of lionization, would defeat the high purposes of their visit. The progress of the strangers was so satisfactory, that at the end of two years Dr. Clarke publicly baptized them. They returned to Ceylon, where one is employed as a Missionary, and the other is an officer in the civil service. The benefit of their example and instruction may be more easily imagined than calculated.
HEY heard it in the rushing wind,
They read it in the sky;
They felt it in the thousand flowers
That by the river sigh;
That there must be some holier faith
Than they themselves had known,
Whose temple was within the heart,
And not of brick nor stone.
They saw this world was very fair,
And questioned of what hand,
That with the beautiful and good
Had gifted sea and land.
Their idols answered not—the mind
Ask'd something more divine
Than ever breathed from carved wood,
Or from the golden shrine.
They heard of more exalted hopes,
Revealing God above,
That spoke a universal creed,
Of universal love,
And looked beyond the little space
That is appointed here,
And made of yonder glorious heaven
Men's own and native sphere.
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