OF AN INDIAN CHAPLAIN, THE REVEREND CHARLES CHURCH, M.A., ON THE MADRAS ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY; 1859. 210. i. 228. INTRODUCTION. THE following Memoir was composed several years ago, within a comparatively short period of the termination of the labours and the trials of him whose life and portraiture it exhibits. Circumstances, to which it is unnecessary to advert, occasioned the Memoir to remain in manuscript until nearly all the immediate family of Mr. Church, and most of his attached friends, have followed him from the scene of toil and trial on earth to the enjoyment of the victory of faith in Him, whom he and they alike loved and served in their generation according to the will of God. A perusal of the manuscript has led to the acceptance of the Memoir by the Religious Tract Society. The Society, by its publication, makes an instructive addition to the list of Christian biographies with which it has enriched the religious literature of our language, and contributed greatly to the edification of the church of Christ in general. One of the few surviving friends of the subject of this Memoir has been requested to introduce the work to the notice of the public by some prefatory observations. The task will be found better performed by the hand which wrote the Memoir, in the concluding chapter. That hand, too, has long ceased its labour on earth, to share with his beloved friend and fellow-worker in India, the blessedness of the faithful servants of Christ, whose work in life being ended, and their course of faith finished, have gained the promised recompense. But little, therefore, need be said by the writer of this preface; nor would he have ventured to undertake the office, but for reasons which invest him, in some respects, with a peculiar interest in the work. He is now almost the only survivor of many who enjoyed the friendship, and witnessed the career in India, of the excellent subject of the Memoir. He is among the very few living who partook of the benefit of Mr. Church's ministry in Madras, who can bear testimony to the truthfulness of the description which is given of his life and ministry in that country, and to the grateful affection entertained for him by the earliest members of that religious society which has since been so prolific of earnest and devoted servants of Christ, and promoters of the interests of the gospel in the south of India. If it be allowable to assume a further personal interest in the Memoir, the writer may be excused for mentioning-with a vivid recollection of the emotions which the communication produced at the time that it was to him his revered friend addressed the note which records a deeply affecting instance of the rich consolation graciously vouchsafed, at a moment of the greatest need, to the sorely-tried but ever-submissive servant of God. Such experience has been common to the more eminent followers of Christ. Mr. Church's life. presents several such instances; and the record may serve as a fresh testimony to the faithfulness and tenderness of Him who wounds only to heal, and to perfect his likeness in those whose whole trust is on his word. To the fidelity of the Memoir the writer offers his willing testimony. Of the justness of the reflections on the life and character of Mr. Church, and on the remarkable exemplification which the Memoir presents, of the love and grace of God in Christ Jesus, every enlightened reader will form his opinion. And from many such readers, it may be safely anticipated, will arise, in adoring aspirations, His praises who hath washed us from our sins in his blood-who, by his grace, transforms alike the naturally proud and self-righteous, the presumptuous sinner, or the conceited sceptic, into living monuments of |