XXII. though a part of it was afterwards sunk by the CHAP. imprudence of a missionary, long since departed, it still continues to contribute towards those Christian and important objects, and to form a lasting memorial of the disinterested zeal and love of its pious and munificent founder. CHAPTER XXIII. Review of the Character of Swartz. XXIII. CHAP. THE character and life of Swartz have now been developed in all their bearings and relations; and it is confidently hoped, that the judgment universally formed of his unrivalled excellence as a Christian missionary, and the high estimation in which he has been so long and so deservedly held, both in India and in Europe, will not only be confirmed, but strengthened and enhanced, by the more complete view comprised in the preceding memoirs of his principles, sentiments, and conduct. Substantially, there has never been but one opinion respecting this extraordinary man; but though all who take an interest in the promotion of Christianity in India have thus concurred in ascribing to him the pre-eminence in this sacred and important work, the impression has been, for the most part, general and undefined, rather than the result of clear and enlarged ap XXIII. prehensions of his character and course. These, CHAP. illustrated as they have been by many public documents, and by a series of private and confidential communications, have now, it is trusted, been fully and satisfactorily displayed. Briefly, therefore, to review the holy and beneficent career of this "man of God," and to point out, more especially to those who may be engaged in similar Christian labours, the force and efficacy of his example, will form no unsuitable or unprofitable sequel to this record of his admirable life. Piety of no ordinary depth and energy formed the basis of his character. Unmarked by the terror and alarm which have sometimes led to peculiarly zealous and self-denying labours in the cause of religion, its origin and nature were calm and gentle as the "still small voice" which opened the heart of Mary and of Lydia to the reception of divine truth, yet not less powerful and efficacious than that which penetrated and subdued the persecuting Saul of Tarsus to the faith and obedience of the gospel. The mind of Swartz was at a very early period of his history deeply and permanently impressed with the ineffable love of God in the work of man's redemption. The great "mystery of godliness,"" God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself," not sparing "his own Son," but delivering him up to death for us all, to "the death of the cross" XXIII. CHAP. this miracle of mercy, this astonishing proof of divine love, this wonderful and effectual provision for human guilt and misery, brought home to his heart in "demonstration of the spirit and of power," humbling, consoling, purifying, elevating him, took possession of his soul, absorbed every opposing and every secular thought, and excited in him, as in the converted apostle, that one simple, predominating, inextinguishable inquiry, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" It is impossible to peruse the letters of Swartz, even from the commencement of his course, without perceiving that the very essence of his religion was this heartfelt impression of the grace of God in Christ Jesus, the cordial acceptance of that message of reconciliation which he was commissioned to announce to others, and which was to himself, from the hour in which he first received it "in truth" to the last moment of his existence, the source of inward peace, the principle of ardent gratitude and love, and the motive to self-denying and devoted, yet spontaneous and delightful, obedience. Though few, perhaps, could have less to deplore as to any positive and wilful deviations from the path of moral rectitude and virtue, few of those who have been conscious that they had "much to be forgiven," have evinced a more broken and contrite spirit, or have "loved more," than the humble and gratefully devoted subject of these memoirs. Humility, springing, as it did in Swartz, from a deep conviction of the depravity of human nature, and of his own immeasurable distance, even after his highest attainments, from the demands of the perfect law of God, was, indeed, one of the distinguishing features of his character, as it was the foundation of his security amidst many surrounding dangers, and one of the most efficient causes of his excellence and his happiness. He was "clothed with humility." Combined with this peculiarly Christian principle, was that singular and transparent simplicity, which so powerfully recommended him to men of every rank and every religion, and which was the grand secret of his unparalleled influence and success. Under any circumstances, Swartz would have been a man of integrity, and of frank and open manners; but it was his piety which produced in him that "freedom from guile," of which the Hebrew psalmist speaks, and which was characteristic of the Saviour himself, and of one of his earliest disciples, and that "simplicity and godly sincerity "which St. Paul declares was one of the sources of his own elevated joy. To him, as to that holy apostle, " to live was Christ." Separate from the attainment of his personal salvation, and from the daily and hourly endeavour to promote that of others, from the exhibition of Christian doctrine and the exemplification VOL. II. E E CHAP. |