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ence which they again exert on the || how much to be lamented must be principles, conduct and hopes of the character of such a ministry! others; and the continuance and However much we may esteem and diffusion of these blessed principles love them as men, and as citizens, by each succeeding race of converts we must regret, that with no higher until the end of time. When views and feelings they should susWHITFIELD and INGHAM and the tain the office of Christian teachers. two WESLEYS were at College, and How desirable then that the gospel were looked down upon with con- should become the power of God tempt and branded as fanatics, who unto salvation to our College Stucould have anticipated that they dents! Then we may hope to hear would have been instruments of learned men preaching the truth, awakening the British nation from a because they have believed and restate of moral and religious lethargy joiced in it themselves. How is that was truly awful? But they this blessed object most likely to be went forth, and, heedless of conse- attained? By special, humble and quences as it respected themselves, habitual prayer to God for their preached that men should repent, conversion and future usefulness. and believe in the Lord Jesus And lest we should be weary in Christ. The hand of the Lord was this holy exercise, for our encourwith them, and many believed and agement we are expressly assured, turned unto the Lord. Such were that the effectual fervent prayer the glorious effects of their preach- of a righteous man availeth much." ing, that the Dissenters in England who are extremely numerous, and in whom are embodied as much vital piety and true Christian benevolence as can probably be found on earth, not only owe their prosperity, but almost their existence, to the labours of these men of God.

We should pray that the Students in all our Colleges may experience religion, because many of them will be preachers, whether they are the subjects of divine grace or not. In making this statement, there is no violation of Christian charity. Every one acquainted with the Colleges and religious establishments in Europe, must know, that many enter on the work of the ministry, and subscribe even to an orthodox creed, who give no evidence whatever that the gospel is either understood, felt, or obeyed by them. Nor have we any reason to expect that this will not be the case here. Men of education will enter on the ministry merely as a respectable profession. If they are moral in their deportment, they will find no difficulty in obtaining patronage, let them believe, or feel, as little of the gospel as they may. But APRIL, 1826.

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REMARKS ON THE MANNERS AND CHAR
ACTER OF THE BURMESE.

(Communicated by the Rev. G. H. Hough.)

The authority which Great Bri tain maintains in the East, must be regarded by every impartial observer as laying a foundation for the subsequent welfare and improvement of a very large proportion of mankind. Hence the present ope rations on the other side of the Ganges, must excite peculiar interest in the minds of those, who expect from them, under Divine Providence, an enlarged sphere of benevolent exertion, and an extended influence given to rational liberty. Every man who possesses even the feelings of humanity, must rejoice in the humiliation of arrogance, and the downfall of oppression, in seeing the reign of injustice repressed and that of righteousness promoted. That this has been, in some degree, the happy effect produced by the British Government in India, there can be no doubt. Wherever its influence is

15

felt, millions are exempted from ||ed but little leisure for particular

the most unnatural tyranny, and no species of thraldom exists, but that which has its foundation in the delusion and voluntary surrender of its captives.

enquiries into the state of the country and its population; and whenever an individual has manifested a disposition for inquiry, it has ever been the policy of the government There is, perhaps, no country in either to withhold or disguise every the world in which the sway of des- fact, which concerned the internal potism has been less controlled by or physical resources of the counany correct feeling or sentiment, try. Correct information respector which exhibits a stronger speci-ing these indeed, could only be acmen of its injurious effects upon quired by long residence in the the physical and moral powers of country, by intimacy with the govmankind, than the Burman domin-ernment itself, and a familiar ac.ions. When, therefore, we see that the British conquests in India have issued, not in the destruction of its inhabitants, but in their improvement; that a firm foundation for the well-being of society has been established, as far as civil jurisdiction can consistently operate, and that increasing evidence of the advantages arising from free and well regulated intercourse is constantly exhibited; there can be no hesitation as to the side on which our best wishes lean respecting the present contest in Burmah.

quaintance with the language. The popular manners and customs have alone been open to observation, and as far as these, and the little already known of the genius and physical capabilities of the people, may be adduced as giving weight to an opinion, it may be safely said, that the obstacles to mental and moral improvement in the Burman dominions, are neither so numerous nor so formidable, as those which have presented themselves in this country. It will be seen that many of those barriers, which in some Although considerable evidence measure check the intimacy that of the progress of moral improve-leads to a friendly relationship, are ment may be seen on this side the not of the same magnitude in that, Ganges, yet the course of truth has as in this country. been much impeded by peculiarities Caste, which has separated the in the native religious character. Indian community into so many diIn the Burman dominions, however, versified sects, and the motto of the same peculiarities are not to be which is, " taste not, handle not,” found which have here formed such has no existence in the Burman impediments in the way of moral Empire. There, society is founded improvement; and therefore, while on a basis that would admit the exthe present war is opening a new istence of the most liberal institusphere for the extension of British tions. There, no individual through influence, greater facilities for its fear of personal defilement is deeffects, in the diffusion of truth, will terred from acting in every case consequently be afforded. according to those rules, which seHitherto the inducements pre-cure entire freedom of intercourse sented to foreigners to visit the between man and man. While in Burman dominions have been so many other countries, official rank, few, that little information has been wealth, and respectability of characquired, excepting what relates to acter, create the only lines of disthe general policy and character of tinction, the path to honour and inthe government. Of those who fluence is here equally open to all have visited the country, the great-without the least distinction. est part having resided therein for

The priests have their religious

the purposes of trade, have possess- peculiarities; but even these have

The priests perform no labour, except what is considered as par ticularly meritorious, and this consists in eradicating the grass and shrubs which sprout up around their monasteries and the pagodas. They never ride on horseback, nor eat after the sun has passed the meridian; and such is their reverence for the yellow cloth which covers their bodies, that they view

no relation to caste. These peculiarities are seen in their monastic habits, their yellow apparel, their shaven heads, their unshod feet, their sober, meditative demeanour, and in their morning perambulations to receive the voluntary contributions of the people. Their monasteries may be considered as the literary as well as religious institutions of the country. Into these, without restricting them-it as disgraceful to pass underneath selves to any limited term, young any building, or convey themselves men in their noviciate enter, con- through any aperture, while to do sidering it a merit which will here- so even by bending the head, would after meet its sure reward, to deny save them the trouble of avoiding themselves indulgences enjoyed by any obstruction which may happen other men, to assume the yellow to stop their path, or of encompasscloth, to deprive the head of that || ing it by a protracted circumambuornament which nature has bestow-lation. They restrain their minds ed, to taste the fancied sweets of|| from all attachment to the fair sex; abstraction, and employ their minds and no female ventures to approach in committing to memory extracts a priest, unless to perform some from the books they esteem sacred. religious duty, or present some piThe age or previous character of ous offering. Their public duties candidates for the priesthood, forms consist of recitations from the no objection to their admittance. Dzats, said to be revelations of Present intention is the only sub- Gautama relating to his own hisject of investigation, and this is tory throughout his previous transdone by an established catechetical migrations, in which the conseform. Persons of all ages, from quences of works of merit and dethe mere youth to the hoary head, merit are illustrated by his own assume the sacred habiliments and personal example; and in repeatcharacter; even conjugal and pa- ing extracts from other writings esternal affection are not unfrequent- teemed sacred, which tend to enly smothered by the superstitious force the duties of morality as wish of self-consecration to this sa-taught in their system of religion. cred order. To reject a wife and On days of publick worship, they family, to abandon them to distress edify their congregations, which and suffering, are esteemed acts of assemble in Zayats or sheds, conreligion in any individual who wish-tiguous to some pagoda of importes to enter it, and his thus doing is esteemed an eminent attainment in piety, and a meritorious result of self-denial. It is related that Gautama, the last Boodh, in one of his incarnations, while heir apparent to the throne, not only suffered banishment to a remote and solitary place for giving away a white ele. phant, but during the term of his expatriation attained to such an eminent degree of self denial-as to yield up first his son and daughter to slavery, and then his wife to the importunities of another.

The

ance, by repeating their liturgy or
form of religious service, when the
auditory evince their devotion by
their humble posture, by elevating
their hands with the palms united,
and by regular responses.
priests affect the most entire disin-
terestedness in the discharge of
their sacred functions; but their
worldly wants are always amply
supplied, and they uniformly re-
ceive the tribute of a respectful and
reverential public: even their mon-
asteries are not approached or pass-
ed with the feet covered. Many

of them are learned in the Pali or Magudha, but the great majority exhibit evident marks of mental sloth and inanity.

merit and demerit; he has undergone incarnations as beast, as man, and as a celestial being. He has been punished repeatedly millions of years in hell, has enjoyed ages of sensual happiness in the Nat country, and is now in Niekbaan, or annihilation.

The Burmese, considering the moral features of their religious system, and their being surround

among beasts and their own species, which they are taught to contemplate as the effects of retributive justice, awarded by irresistible and unmerciful Fate, ought to be a pi

In

The sacred writings of the Burmese are reported to have been transcribed in the most miraculous manner, in one day, from the original copies first put into a legible form by yahans, or priests, on the Island of Thee-ho, (Ceylon) nearly four hundred years after the sup-ed with objects of misery both posed annihilation of Gautama, and about a century previous to the Christian æra. These writings, embracing every science natural and religious, within the scope of their author's reputed universalous and orderly race of men. and infallible knowledge, amount to some thousands. Few of them are read by the priests, and fewer still by the reading part of the public. The middling and lower classes of society are content with knowing little more of the principles of their religion than what is ascertained from the public form of worship. This announces the three grand objects of religious homage, God, (or his substitute, a pagoda or image,) Fate, or the immutable law or course of things, and the Priest-mese, therefore, do not appear to hood. The fundamental moral pre- be so deeply impressed with cordicepts are five, and are merely pro- al regard for their religion, as with hibitory; they forbid the destruc- the duty of conformity. While this tion of animal life, theft, lying, is the case, although they apparentadultery, and drinking ardently attach credit to the doctrines of spirits. their Atheology, as it may with

this respect, however, little can be said in their favour. Of their religious character it may be observed, that while it exhibits little of personal concern and anxiety, and appears to be unmixed with enthusiasm, it exhibits on all occasions a sufficiently conspicuous faith in the religion of their country. The religion being national, is therefore popular, and every appearance of dissent presents just cause for criminal prosecution. The Bur

It would require a volume to propriety be termed, such is the give a sketch of all the particulars genius of their minds, and so little which the Burman religion embrac-is theirs a religion of the affections, es ; it may be enough to remark in || that a careful observer will see reaaddition to the above, that the doctrine of transmigration is most firm ly believed, and also the final annihilation of animal life, and the destruction of material substances. Every thing is mutable but Fate which is eternal; and while that ordains the final destruction of present things, it has provided that another material universe shall of itself necessarily arise, and thus successively, ad infinitum. Even their God or Deity is a subject of

son to believe, that arguments in favour of truth could not be forcibly applied without producing some degree of conviction. They exhibit in matters of religion, just that state of mind and that exterior deportment, which might be expected from a people among whom secular authority claims dominion over the free exercise of conscience. The despot of the realm, by one word, could annihilate Boodhism with all its monumental me

morials and imagery; and with the same ease, could ordain the observance of a new religion. We may judge then with what affection the Burmese now adhere to the one, and with what sincerity they would be attached to the other, if upheld by the same authority.

out consulting astrologers. The particular day and hour, with the position of the planets, are carefully observed on the birth of a child. A man's fortune may be read on the lines of the palm of his hand. They believe in the existence of evil spirits, ghosts, and witches, in demoniacal possessions, and the The effect of buluse of charms.

lets, swords, and spears, may be restrained by the power of fascination, and the attacks of epidemical or other prevalent diseases, prevented by making terrific noises, placing a hideous representation of a face near the door of a dwellinghouse, or wearing charms. Accord

The days of public worship are pointed out by the change, the first quarter, the full, and the last quar- || ter of the moon. Those of the full and new moon, are observed with more general attention. The grand annual festival happens at the beginning of the year, (about March.) It is a time both of hilarity and homage. On this day, or rather during three days, religious pros-ing to their ideas, the cholera has tration, music and dancing, masquerades, pugilism, throwing water upon one another, puppet shows, and comic scenes, make up the festive jumble.

been several times expelled from Rangoon by the noise arising from the simultaneous discharge of cannon, muskets, and beating the houses with bamboos! In the year

Religious duties consist in build-1823, when the cholera was extening pagodas and ornamenting them sively fatal in its effects, the suwith gold leaf, in forming large and preme court at Ava issued an orsmall images of Gautama, in erect-der that the inhabitants should ing monasteries, zayats, and bridges, in digging tanks, in supporting the priesthood by donations of food, cloth, &c. in prostrations before pagodas and images, in presenting before them lighted candles, clusters of flowers, umbrellas of various descriptions, rice, and fruits; in erecting high poles and suspending long flags on their tops; in casting bells and hanging them near their pagodas, or contributing to any of these objects; in attention to the recitations of the priests, and when ever an offering is made, expressing a wish that the merits of it may be enjoyed. The use of the bells is to proclaim to the celestial regions the fact of presenting an offering; and the person who thus announces the fact, is both worshipper and bell

wear the title of the heir apparent, written on a small slip of paper, in the hole of the lobe of their ears, as an infallible specific against the effects of that destructive demon. If a vulture perch upon a house, some awful calamity threatens its inhabitants, and they immediately abandon it. The doctrine of transmigration, it may be supposed, leads them into the absurdity of propitiating their future.destiny by offerings of food to animals; a deceased friend may thus be nourished in the form of a four-footed or feathered animal, and in some future period of existence, the good deed repaid with ample interest. Carved images of the most ridiculous shapes are to be seen in many places, the superstitious representatives of different Nats or demons. Nearly allied to the religion of Astrologers are numerous, and obthe Burmese are their superstitious tain the means of subsistence by ideas. They have their fortunate the practice of their profession. A and unfortunate days, and no affair great proportion of them are Brahof importance is undertaken with-muns, or professors of Hindooism,

man.

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