The King continued to cherish, with much solicitude, the interests of the mission, after the death of Ziegenbalgius; and in ten years from the date of the foregoing letter, a second was addressed to the members of the mission, by his Majesty.

"Reverend and beloved,

"From your letters dated Tranquebar, the 12th of "September, 1725, which some time since came to hand, "we received much pleasure; since by them we are inform❝ed, not only of your zealous exertions in the prosecu❝tion of the work committed to you, but also of the happy 66 success which hath hitherto attended it, and which hath "been graciously given of God.

"We return you thanks for these accounts, and it will "be acceptable to us, if you continue to communicate "whatever shall occur in the progress of your mission.

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"In the mean time, we pray you may enjoy strength "of body and mind for the long continuance of your "labours in this good work, to the glory of God, and the "promotion of Christianity among the heathens; that its "perpetuity may not fail in generations to come.*

2

"GEORGE R.

"Given at our Palace at St. James's, "the 23d of February, 1727, in

I "the 13th year of our Reign."

Niecampius, Hist. Miss.

But these Royal Epistles are not the only evangelic documents, of high authority, in the hands of the Hindoos. They are in possession of letters written by the Archbishop of Canterbury, of the same reign;* who supported the interests of the mission with unexampled liberality, affection, and zeal. These letters, which are many in number, are all written in the Latin language. The following is a translation of his Grace's first letter; which appears to have been written by him as President of the "Society for promoting Christian Knowledge."

"To Bartholomew Ziegenbalgius, and John Earnest "Grundlerus, Preachers of the Christian faith, on the "Coast of Coromandel.

"As often as I behold your letters, Reverend Brethren, "addressed to the venerable Society instituted for the 66 promotion of the gospel, whose chief honour and 66 ornament ye are; and as often as I contemplate the "light of the Gospel, either now first rising on the "Indian nations, or after the intermission of some ages 66 again revived, and as it were restored to its inheri"tance; I am constrained to magnify that singular "goodness of God in visiting nations so remote; "and to account you, my Brethren, highly honoured, whose ministry it hath plea ed him to employ in

Archbishop Wake.

"this pious work, to the glory of his name, and the "salvation of so many millions of souls.

"Let others indulge in a ministry, if not idle, "certainly less laborious, among Christians at home. "Let them enjoy in the bosom of the Church, titles "and honours obtained, without labour and without 66 danger. Your praise it will be (a praise of endless "duration on earth, and followed by a just recompense "in heaven) to have laboured in the vineyard which "yourselves have planted; to have declared the name "of Christ, where it was not known before: and through "much peril and difficulty to have converted to the "faith those among whom ye afterwards fulfilled your "ministry. Your province, therefore, Brethren, your "office, I place before all dignities in the Church. "Let others be Pontiffs, Patriarchs, or Popes; let them

glitter in purple, in scarlet, or in gold; let them seek "the admiration of the wondering multitude, and receive "obeisance on the bended knee. Ye have acquired a "better name than they, and a more sacred fame. And "when that day shall arrive when the chief Shepherd ❝ shall give tovery man according to his work, a greater "reward shall be adjudged to you. Admitted "the glorious society of the Prophets, Evangelists, and 66 Apostles, ye, with them shall shine, like the sun cc among the lesser stars, in the kingdom of your Father, "for ever.

into

"Since then so great honour is now given unto you by all competent judges on earth, and since "so great reward is laid up for you in heaven; go

"forth with alacrity to that work, to the which the Holy "Ghost hath called you. God hath already given to 66 you an illustrious pledge of his favour, an increase not "to be expected without the aid of his grace. Ye have "begun happily, proceed with spirit. He, who hath "carried you safely through the dangers of the seas "to such a remote country, and who hath given you "favour in the eyes of those whose countenance ye most "desired; he who hath so liberally and unexpectedly "ministered unto your wants, and who doth now daily "add members to your Church; he will continue to << prosper your endeavours, and will subdue unto himself, "by your means, the whole Continent of Oriental India.

"O happy men! who, standing before the tribunal "of Christ, shall exhibit so many nations converted "to his faith by your preaching; happy men! to "whom it shall be given to say before the assembly of "the whole human race, Behold us, O Lord, and the "children whom thou hast given us ;' happy men! who "being justified by the Saviour, shall receive in that "day the reward of your labours, and also shall hear "that glorious encomium; Well done, good and "faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your "Lord.'

"May Almighty God graciously favour you and "your labours in all things. May he send to your aid "fellow-labourers, such and as many as ye wish. May ❝he increase the bounds of your Churches. May he "open the hearts of those to whom ye preach the

"Gospel of Christ, that hearing you, they may receive "life-giving faith. May he protect you and yours from "all evils and dangers. And when ye arrive (may it "be late) at the end of your course, may the same “God, who hath called you to this work of the Gospel, "and hath preserved you in it, grant to you the re"ward of your labour, an incorruptible crown of 66 glory.

"These are the fervent wishes and prayers of, "venerable Brethren,

"Your most faithful

"fellow-servant in Christ,

"GULIELMUS CANT.

"From our Palace at Lambeth,

January 7, A. D. 1719.”

Providence hath been pleased to grant the prayer of the King," that the work might not fail in generations to come; and the prophecy of his Archbishop is likely to be fulfilled, that it should extend" over the whole Continent of "Oriental India."---After the first Missionary, Ziegenbalg had finished his course, he was followed by other learned and zealous men, upwards of fifty in number, in the period of a hundred years, among whom were Schultz, Iænicke, Gericke, and Swartz, whose ministry has been continued in succession in different provinces, unto this time. The present state of the Mission will

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