XIV. 1784. thing connected with his character, marked by the CHAP. most perfect simplicity; but, at the same time, by an energy of thought, and frequently by a vigour of expression, which prove at once the sincerity and the efficacy of his religion. One grand subject pervades his sermons, as it formed the prevailing theme of his correspondence and his ministerial labours-the gospel of Christ, as the only and all-sufficient remedy for the guilt and misery of fallen man; the love of God, in sending his Son to save us; the love of Christ, in dying for us; pardon and peace through faith in the atoning blood of the cross, that faith "working by love" to God and man, purifying the heart, and overcoming the world; producing, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, true happiness even here, and animating the Christian with a lively and joyful hope of perfect and eternal blessedness hereafter. Such was the cheering, intelligible, and scriptural view which Swartz invariably presented of Christian doctrine. The incidental references to his ministerial instructions, which occur in his letters and journals, show how diligently he laboured in filling up this outline with the details of principle and precept, and how wisely he adapted his exhortations to the peculiar character and condition of his hearers. There is one circumstance relative to his discourses, which is particularly deserving of XIV. 1784. CHAP. attention. This is the sound judgment and practical tendency by which they are distinguished. Nothing visionary, doubtful, or enthusiastic, is to be traced in any part of them. The purest evangelical truths, and the most spiritual and exalted principles, are combined with the most forcible appeals to the conscience and the heart; and while the mercies of redemption are inculcated, as the exclusive ground of acceptance with God, the tenor of a holy life is insisted upon as the only satisfactory evidence of a state of salvation. These were the leading features of his teaching: and, confirmed and illustrated as they were by his own eminent and consistent example, we cannot be surprised that they should be followed by the most striking and beneficial results, not only on the professed Christians, but on the various classes of idolaters and unbelievers, who surrounded him and listened to his instructions. The very few of his surviving friends who remember Swartz in the pulpit, represent his appearance and manner as remarkably resembling the preceding specimens of his style-simple and unaffected, but energetic and impressive; using, like the apostle to the Gentiles, "great plainness of speech," but speaking also like him, "in demonstration of the spirit and of power," and "by manifestation of the truth commending XIV. 1784. himself to every man's conscience in the sight of CHAP. God;" while equally with the great apostle, 'speaking the truth in love," out of the fulness of a heart penetrated by the mercies of the gospel, and habitually glowing with Christian kindness, he succeeded in conciliating the confidence and affection of his hearers, and vindicated his claim to the character of true wisdom by winning many souls to the faith and hope of the gospel. CHAPTER XV. XV. Introduction and progress of Protestant Christianity in Tinnevelly-Journey to Ramanadapuram and Palamcotta-Letter to a friend of Mr. Chambers-Provincial Schools-Testimony to the usefulness and disinterestedness of SwartzCommunication to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge-Letters to Mrs. Duffin and Mrs. Chambers; a second to Mr. Chambers' friend-Retrospect of the year 1786-Wretched state of the Rajah and kingdom of Tanjore -Committee of inspection for the affairs of that country, appointed by Sir Archibald Campbell, of which Swartz is requested to become a member-Their proceedings-Beneficial influence of Swartz with the people of Tanjore-The Madras Government expresses its high sense of the value of his services-Female Orphan School, established by Lady Campbell-Swartz requests the Society to receive his young friend Mr. J. Kohlhoff as one of their missionaries. CHAP. IT is uncertain at what period the district of Tinne1785. velly in the south of the Peninsula was first visited by the Protestant missionaries. The Roman Catholics had long been numerous, and it is not improbable that some of the early converts at Tranquebar may have carried thither the knowledge of XV. purer evangelical truth. The first notice of this CHAP. part of the country in the journals of Swartz, occurs in the year 1771, and is as follows: "At Palamcotta, a fort and one of the chief towns of Tinnevelly, about two hundred miles from Trichinopoly, there resides a Christian of our congregation, Schavrimuttu, who having been instructed, reads the word of God to the resident Romish and heathens. And an English sergeant, whose wife is a member of our congregation, has in a manner taken up the cause. A young heathen accountant had heard the truth with satisfaction. He was once here, (at Trichinopoly,) listened to all that was represented from the word of God in silence, and promised to place himself under further instruction. The sergeant made him learn the five principal articles of the catechism, and then baptized him. It grieved us that he should have baptized the young man before he had attained a distinct knowledge of Christianity. Besides, such an inconsiderate step might prove injurious both to the heathens and Roman Catholics. May God mercifully avert all evil!" A few years after the time at which the circumstances thus related, took place, Mr. Swartz visited the neighbourhood of Palamcotta, when the widow of a Brahmin applied to him to be VOL. II. G 1785. |