XIII. 1784. CHAP and speech on a Sunday,) had proposed to me such a plan; that I hoped to give them a fuller account of it next year. The pradani assures me, that his master is willing to pay the schoolmaster, and that I may send the man. The Shevagunga man has assigned two small villages for the maintenance of a school. If we were sure of plenty of rain, it might be well enough. But the vakeel told me, that I must not make any great account of it; but rather try to get a good village near Arentangi, (commonly Ardingi,) because there is more water; and it is the same place which your. dubash pointed out. "For the generous present of the Malabar dictionaries for the benefit of schools, I thank you heartily. I trust that a merciful God may make you a happy instrument of benefiting this poor disregarded country. I shall be unspeakably happy to spend the little strength God gives me, to forward the affair, and so fulfil your kind desires. "Mr. Hallam told me this morning, that you are not well. Now, dear Sir, hear the voice of a friend, (vor amici vor Dei.) Abstain a good deal from business, and give your body a fair chance. of recovering. Be sure your health is precious to me, and to many. "I truly condole with you on the death of your dear sister. To be resigned to the will of God, is XIII. 1784, our duty and happiness too. Unspeakably happy CAP are they, who, being prepared for a better world, quit this aceldama. May God, by his blessed Spirit, fit us for that grand transition every day!" In a subsequent letter in November, Swartz forwarded to Mr. Sullivan an earnest request from Ramanadapuram, that Colonel Martinez might be continued in the command at that place, and mentioned various circumstances which prove his benevolent activity in doing good, particularly to the poor. "At last," he says, "I would and should make a long apology for my impertinence; but as I write to you, I think it unnecessary." Early in December, he communicated to Mr. Sullivan the report of an intended invasion, on the part of Tippoo, and suggested the expediency of purchasing paddy, in order to be prepared. He then adds, "I have got a new con gregation. I mean the soldiers at Wallam, whom I am desired to visit. As often as I come, they receive me in a friendly manner, and attend divine worship decently, and take tracts. Nay, some learn to read; for which good purpose I have supplied them with spelling-books. I have read the Sketch of English Government, translated by Mr. F——. At present, this paper VOL. II. D XIII. CHAP. would do no good. Times ought to be more undisturbed for such a publication. This I merely refer to you. 1784. Every "Here we have no rain; and therefore a dismal prospect. The small grain withers away; the paddy likewise looks ill. It seems as if God intended to punish this country again. And who can say any thing against his judgments? one has reason to humble himself. Nay, the people begin to suspect Tippoo's intentions. May God have mercy on this poor nation, and spare them kindly!" At the close of this year, Mr. Swartz addressed the following interesting letter to one of his valued friends at Vellore, who had requested his opinion as to some well-known writers of our church. After referring to his young friend, J. Kohlhoff, who had written to inform them of his recent journeys, and had assured them that, notwithstanding his advanced age, he performed his various duties with the same vigour and ability which he had manifested ten years before, he proceeds as follows:- "At present, I am so far established in health, that my labour is rather delightful to me than troublesome, which was not the case in April and May. May God, who has bestowed so many blessings XIII. on me, a poor sinner, grant that the last days of CHAP. my life may be well spent; that I may finish my course with peace, if not with joy. "We are not only allowed, but even commanded to 'rejoice in the Lord.' No joy has so good and firm a foundation, as that which is to be found in the Lord, who has bought us, redeemed us, and prepared for us all true happiness. Shall we not rejoice in his salvation, pardon, peace, strength, and kingdom? But whoever wishes to rejoice in the blessings purchased for us by Jesus Christ, must be in him, closely united to him, renouncing sin, and all the false pleasures of the world, and hungering and thirsting after him. This true union and communion with Jesus is the source of joy-the only source. From hence will follow a willingness to love, serve, obey, and glorify him as long as we live. Is it possible that we, who have found pardon, peace, and a lively hope of a glorious eternity in Jesus; that we, who have been made happy by him, should not wish and endeavour to live to his glory? "But if instead of trusting in Jesus, and his consummate atonement, we trust and rely on our own virtue, and consequently stand upon our own foundation, we shall never enjoy a moment's peace and unshaken delight. Our virtue and holiness are, and must remain, imperfect. We shall, therefore, always have reason to confess 1784. XIII. 1784. CHAP. before God, If thou wilt mark in my thoughts, designs, intentions, what is amiss, Lord, who shall stand before thee?' Let us, therefore, seek for pardon, peace, and joy in Jesus; and having found that, let us be grateful and obedient. But though we should be as holy as any of the apostles, let us beware lest we put our confidence in any thing but the sufferings and atoning death of Jesus Christ. "In this grand fundamental article of true Christianity, I like none so much as good Bishop Beveridge. He forgets not to raise the superstructure of holiness; but he lays first the foundation in a true and lively trust in Jesus, as Paul likewise has done. Read Philippians iii. In the explanation of holiness, Archbishop Tillotson is excellent; but he does not so well, so clearly lay the foundation as Beveridge, Hervey, and the first reformers. When thou comfortest my heart, then, and not till then, shall I run in the way of thy commandments. The divine commandments, well and spiritually considered, will convince us of our sinfulness and corruption, and, of course, condemn us. (Rom. vii.) Being condemned by the law, as servants who owe to their Lord ten thousand talents, how shall we pay off our debt? By the few pence of our own virtue? No; but by the complete atonement made by Jesus Christ. This atonement of Jesus is offered in the gospel to every |