mained in the possession of the Armenian people; and many illustrious instances of genuine and enlightened piety occur in their history. The manuscript copies not being sufficient for the demand, a council of Armenian Bishops assembled in 1662, and resolved to call in aid the art of Printing, of which they had heard in Europe. For this purpose they applied first to France, but the Catholic Church refused to print their Bible. At length it was printed at Amsterdam in 1666, and afterwards two other editions in 1668 and 1698. Since that time it has been printed at Venice. One of the editions, which the Author has seen, is not inferior,

in beauty of typography, to

the best En

editions might

have supplied the Churches in Persia at that time, he does not know; but, at present, the Armenian Scriptures are very rare in that country, bearing no proportion to the Armenian population; and, in India, a copy is scarcely to be purchased at any price.

The Armenians in Hindoostan are our own

nian Christian, and translates chiefly from the Armenian Bible. But he also understands English, and consults the English version.

subjects. They acknowledge our government in India, as they do that of the Sophi in Persia; and they are entitled to our regard. They have preserved the Bible in its purity; and their doctrines are, as far as the Author knows, the doctrines of the Bible. Besides, they maintain the solemn observance of Christian worship, throughout our Empire, on the seventh day; and they have as many spires pointing to heaven among the Hindoos, as we ourselves. Are such a people then entitled to no acknowledgment on our part, as fellow-Christians? Are they for ever to be ranked by us with Jews, Mahomedans, and Hindoos?"* Would it not become us to approach nearer to these our subjects, endeavour to gain their confidence, and conciliate their esteem? Let us, at least, do that which is easily practicable. We are in possession of the means of printing, which they have not. Let us print

Sarkies Joannes, an Armenian merchant of Calcutta, when he heard of the King's recovery from illness, in 1789, liberated all the prisoners for debt in the gaol of Calcutta. His Majesty, hearing of this instance of loyalty in an Armenian subject, sent him his picture in miniature. Sarkies wore the Royal present suspended at his breast, during his life; and it is now worn by his son, when he appears at the levee of the Governor-general.

R

the Armenian Bible, and employ proper persons from among themselves to superintend the work, and encourage them to disperse their own faithful copy throughout the East. Let us shew them, that the diffusion of the Scriptures is an undertaking to which we are not indifferent; and, by our example, let us stimulate their zeal, which is very languid. But, however languid their zeal may be, it is certain that they consider the English as being yet more dead to the interests of religion, than themselves. Such a subject as this, indeed every subject which is of great importance to Christianity, is worthy the notice of our Government, as well as of individuals and societies. The printing press, which shall be employed in multiplying copies of the pure Armenian Bible, will prove a rich and precious fountain for the evangelization of the East; and the Oriental Bible Repository, at Calcutta, will be a central and convenient place for its dispersion.

VESTIGES

OF THE

DOCTRINES OF REVELATION.

IN passing through the regions of the East, and surveying the various religious systems which prevail, the mind of the Christian traveller cannot fail to be impressed with the strong resemblance which some of them bear to doctrines which are familiar to him. However varied or disguised they may be, there are yet some strong lines, which constantly recall his thoughts to the doctrines of revelation, and seem to point to a common origin.

The chief and distinguishing doctrines of Scripture may be considered the four following viz. The Trinity in Unity; the Incarnation of the Deity; a Vicarious Atonement for Sin; and the influence of the Divine Spirit on the mind of man. Now if we should be able to prove, that all these are represented in the

systems of the East, will any man venture to affirm that it happens by chance?

1. The doctrine of the TRINITY. The Hindoos believe in one God, Brahma; and yet they represent him as subsisting in three persons: and they worship one or other of these persons in every part of India.* And what proves distinctly that they hold this doctrine is, that their most ancient representations of the Deity is formed of one body, and three faces. The most remarkable of these is that at the caves of Elephanta, in an island near Bombay. The author visited it in the year 1808; nor has he seen any work of art in the East, which he contemplated with greater wonder. Whether considered with respect to its colossal size, its great antiquity, the beauty of the sculpture, or the excellence of the preservation. From causes which cannot now be known, the Hindoos have long ceased to worship at this Temple. Each of the faces of the Triad is about five feet in length.

* Le commun des Indiens n'adore qu'une seule de ces trois divinitès mais quelques Savans addressent encore leurs prieres

aux trois réunis.-Il y a même des Temples entierement "consacrés à cette espéce de Trinitè;" (such as Perpenad in Travancore.) Sonnerat, Vol. 1, 151.