DR. WARDLAW'S MEMOIR OF THE REVEREND JOHN REID.
WECN any particular subject is pursued to minuteness and treated in a phraseology peculiar though it may be appropriate, it passes from the literal to the pedantic. This, so far as we have observed, is strikingly the case with the bulk of Nonconformist writings, whatever may be the particular denomination of the writer. The serious nature of their sub- jects would not alone give them this character; as, in productions by divines of the Anglican or Roman Churches, however urgently the theme may be treated, it seldom passes beyond catholic appeal, scientific theology, or religious commonplace. Neither is it the somewhat tedious minute- ness and exaggerated tone of the Nonconformists which alone conduce to their peculiar character; for so long as a writer is general in his tone and topics, he is merely literal or rhetorical, however minute or inflated he may he. Common enough the matter of the writers we speak of often is, though it does not wear that appearance to us from not being constantly met with ; but if inflation consist in assigning to matter an importance which it does not intrinsically possess, and treating it in a corresponding tone, they are inflated enough, though not in the style of the followers of Chateaubriand. Part of this peculiarity is no doubt to be traced to their profession. The importance of the human soul is beyond that of all other things; but as everybody has a soul to be saved, and the modes in which salvation is wrought out are not many in kind, it follows that a full account of every individual case must be somewhat common and rather fiat. If to this be added the narrowness of view which arises where minds are confined to a single subject and a limited circle, together With the mannerism which is apt to be induced when men are continually called upon to handle the same topics, the pedantry of Nonconformists is easily accounted for. Dr. Vaughan is almost th,e only writer we have met with who is able to rise above this smallness of matter and peculiarity of style. Notwithstanding the great merit and high reputation of Dr. Wardlaw, this Memoir of the late Reverend John Reid, his son-in-law, is by no means free from the defect we speak of. The subject is unduly ex- panded; an importance is assigned to the matter, which in a literary, or indeed in any sense, it cannot be said to possess ; and Dr. Wardlaw farther extends the bulk by remarks, almost extending to short dis- courses, upon casual circumstances or common incidents that happen to arise. Some of these comments are just enough, and often convey judicious advice to the religious world on pharisaical frame of mind or deportment. Many, however, are of a more sectarian cast, and, to minds not attuned to the same pitch, smack of words out of season ; whilst all tend to overlay a subject that had scarcely strength to carry its own bulk.
In the career, the character, or the exertions of John Reid, there was nothing very striking. He was born in London, in 1806. His father appears to have been a tradesman in Compton Street, Soho ; and the ha* were members of the Presbyterian chapel in Crown Court. After the usual school-education, young John Reid was placed with a cousin ;
in whose service he had the advantage of a pious shopmate and a still more pious porter. Dr. Wardlaw's statements upon these early matters are not very clear ; but about 1824 John Reid seems to have again. gone to school, with a view to prepare for the ministry. At all events, in the autumn of that year lie proceeded to Glasgow, to acquire the ad- vantages of an university education ; was placed in the house of Dr. Wardlaw; distinguished himself for industry in his studies and zeal in religion ; became convinced of the unscriptural character of a state church ; was in due time ordained ; married one of the Miss Wardlaws ; and, having offered his services as a missionary, was accepted, and ap- pointed to the East Indies. In 1829 Mr. and Mrs. Reid sailed for Madras ; where they arrived in safety. Bellary was the station to which he was appointed, and which he never quitted ; having died eleven years after his arrival, from the effects of the climate, and his zealous exertions, which embraced English as well as native duty,—for it appears to be the financial policy of " Coompanee " not to furnish chaplains to a station when they can get anybody to perform the duty gratuitously. Steadiness and sound common sense appear to have been prominent traits in the character of John Reid. These qualities, coupled with the respectable and pious character of his family, prevented his religious feelings from running wild. He does not himself date his regeneration till about his sixteenth year ; but even in boyhood lie was religiously in- clined, so that his conversion had few external signs. Hence, his reli- gious experiences are deficient in the force and unction which distinguish those of more enthusiastic minds, whose youth has been passed in levity and profanity, and who look upon themselves as brands snatched from the burning. His letters on religious subjects, though sensible enough to those who partake of his extreme views want strength and animation. They are not beyond what any man of good abilities might write to his family and friends on a subject which deeply interested him. An early habit lie had formed, of penning epistles upon something like a text, has tended to destroy the naturalness and familiarity of his correspondence ; so that it wants the gush which is found in many outpourings. The probable effect of this principle of letter-writing Dr. Wardlaw has justly observed upon ; but it has not restrained him from quoting too liberally from the letters of his son-in-law.
Neither does John Reid seem to have attained sufficient distinction in the religious or missionary world to require such an elaborate display of biography. He was not eminent as a controvertist or a preacher : in fact, he appears to have wanted the learning of the one and the eloquence of the other. He did not particularly succeed in converting the Hin- doos : indeed, the only success he seems to have had was with an orphan school, which he founded for the education and support of children whose parents were dead, or had deserted them, or were willing to abandon them. He laboured, and with success, to have the Scriptures translated into the Canarese and Teloogoo tongues, by means of natives, whose versions he assisted in and revised ; though, from certain indications in the volume, we should entertain some doubts as to the theological accu- racy of these versions or to their representation of the spirit of the ori- ginal. But the list Of translations published by the Bible Society shows that this achievement alone is not rare. The most striking point in the missionary career of John Reid is the sound sense and thorough honesty he displayed in submitting to the appearance of failure rather than admit nominal converts. The following passage from one of his earlier letters is but a type of his whole Indian career,—except that, in spite of all his circumspection, he had grievous backsliders in his flock. After describ- ing the English, and the Natives in official employ, he continues as follows.
"The next class of people at Bellary are merchants and shopkeepers, who are come thither with the sole intent of becoming rich; and it is next to impossible to get any access to them, they are so thoroughly engrossed in business, without, alas ! even the intermission of a Sabbath. The lower classes of Canarese are very 11 ehuder Brahmic and priestly influence; t7do,lz/ever,in con- siderable nun,atenrtdpehingoftheword.ugenelybingvery poor, are obliged to toil from morning to night at their daily occupations, and.are thus prevented from receiving the tidings of the gospel. The Tamil population, which is very considerable, consisting of servants, camp-followers, &c. are a very indifferent race. They will profess any religion, or none, as their interest in a worldly sense may chance to direct them. I could, if I liked, make a grand show-off, and cause the religious world to marvel at the number of converts made under my instrumentality, if I felt disposed to encourage these_people to make a profession. Swartz made 5,000 Christians from among them. How many may stand, at the judgment-seat of Christ, on his right hand, God only knows; but I should be glad to hear if fifty had lived consistent lives. I could venture to say, that if I were to make it known that I would baptize those who would come forward and make a profession, even without any worldly inducement held out by me, but merely from the desire of becoming, like Europeans, Christians, I could baptize twenty a month. This would look very fine. It might bring a good deal of eclat in association with my name from a well-meaning but ill-informed public; but how would it stand before God? No. Let me only be the instrument of one real conversion to God; my heart will rejoice, and my labours, if at the expense of my life, will be abundantly remunerated: but away with those professional I* Thus, however, much work has been done in India; from the lack sometimes of discernment of character in the missionary, and sometimes from too sanguine a temperament of mind. I wish I could add, from these motives alone. There are about twenty of these people connected with our church. They hold frequent prayer-meetings together; they attend at the preaching of the word; they attend at the administration of the ordinance. But of three of them already I have found that they are walking in gross sin; and I fear we shall soon be obliged to dismiss them. Now, I have lived here only two months—not indeed two months yet; and this I have found out already : how much more iniquity lies concealed, I know not. These are as distinguished characters as any of the rest, to outward appearance. • • • • • • But lain deter- mined to have a pure church, or none at all."
The general character of the "facts" relating to the subject of conver- sion are to the same effect. Secular and social impediments which in an old society like that of India have much greater force than amongst savages—perfect willingness to listen to any new thing, and even a wil- lingness to discuss it, but with no serious feeling as to its importance—a readiness, even in the priesthood, to conform, if the new creed can furnish
*The word is torn away; and I do not like to substitute another, or to guess at the original one. employment in disseminating its doctrines—a still deeper hypocrisy, from motives not very obvious, which assumed all the externals of con- version, and was at some trouble in acquiring knowledge, but exposed itself in the long ran—are all obstacles with which the missionary has to Contend. Mr. Reid persuaded himself that he had at least succeeded in Shaking the Native superstitions, from a falling-off in the attendance at a eertain heathen festival ; but the year before his death it was attended by greater numbers than ever. The notices of the Indian character and the fluctuating prospects of the Mission are the most interesting parts of the work ; though they are mixed up with other things, which rather detract from their effect. It should also be said, that in judging of the volume and its subject, we have brought it to a different test from that which the writer intended. To the large class of religionists who take an interest in what may be Called the minuthe of sectarian religion, the book will be a source of attraction ; and the general reader may peruse with pleasure many of Dr. Wardlaw's original comments, and some incidental anecdotes or pictures of domestic life. Here is one of the former class.
HUMS AT THE HELM.
In his voyage from London to Leith, by smack, in October 1825, when he was returning to the University for the second session, the vessel encountered a severe storm, in which, with the rest of the passengers and crew, he was exposed to imminent danger. They struck, in the darkness of the night, on the Goodwin Sands. The captain seemed to lose his presence of mind, and to be "at his wits' end." Mr. Joseph Hume, M.P., was on board. To his self-command, and such knowledge of navigation and seamanship as he had acquired on repeated voyages across the Atlantic, (a knowledge which now became of use,) Mr. Reid ascribed their preservation. He took the helm himself, and worked the vessel out of danger.
And since I have thus mentioned Mr. Hume, and shown how the acqui- sition of knowledge, much as it may be out of a man's own line, may one day come to be of service,—and the propriety, therefore, of never slighting any op- portunity of attaining it,—it is no more than justice to that "honourable gentle- man" to add, that to Mr. Reid and several fellow-students who were returning to college along with him, he was exceedingly attentive, and practically kind; turning all his superior acquaintance with the little mysteries of travelling to good account for their direction and accommodation. He was conversible and com- municative. And my young friend, having some little portion of a kindred inqtdsitiveness after general information, availed himself of this, and was Webted to him for various items of addition to his stock of knowledge. In a letter to his mother, he describes him as "an intelligent, communicative, and interesting man": and, after speaking gratefully of his opportune kindness, he adds—" The way we got so familiar was this. The captain's chart was all in tatters. On Monday Mr. Hume wanted to look at it, to show us our situation at different times; and, finding it in this state, he told the steward to go and make some paste and he would mend it. I immediately went and offered my assist- ance, and was with him I suppose three hours repairing it. During this time, he was talking to me on many subjects; and, finding me inquisitive, he took an interest in giving me information."
The following may be of use to ladies who are preparing charitable gifts for transmission to an Indian fancy-fair. "Amongst the modes of contributing from this country to the support of mis- sions in India, one has been the making and sending out of articles of ladies' handicraft for sale, for what are denominated 'Ladies' Bazaars.' It is some- times, however, apt to be forgotten what descriptions of articles are suitable for the climate and the customs of that far-distant and. We have heard of shafts forming part of a mercantile consignment to a count7 where ice was unknown. We cannot, therefore, be greatly surprised that our fair countrywomen should oc- casionally, through inadvertency, overlook the difference between Britain and India. The following short paragraph may contribute a little to their direction in this work of Christian charity; which we are far from intending to discourage, but would render it the more productive by insuring its appropriate application. He refers to a box of articles sent out for sale:—
" The whole was admirably packed; and the patience and skill of the packer or packers astonished us not a little. Not a feather nor a bead was out of its place; not even the lady's reticule was disturbed from its position; not a crease was to be discovered; all was in apple-pie order, just as it was despatched. Next, of the various contributions—there are a few which are unsaleable in this country, and others for which there is a great calL The fire-screens, though very pretty, and admired very much, are, when taken into the hand, immediately laid aside, as being too heavy for fanning and not wanted to screen the face from fires; the last one which we saw being on board of ship in the Channel. Purses are never used in this country, as no persons carry money about them. Pin-cushions are not much used. As little thread or silk cases. Of these, therefore, a few would suffice. Miss F—'s beautiful worsted mats are not saleable articles: they look toow arm; and rattan or cane mats are much preferred. In consequence, these are still on hand. The pretty caps, frocks, and worked articles, went the first day; and ten times as many would have been eagerly taken. Many ladies also asked for worked bodies of frocks. The reticules also sell well; every lady must have one to carry her keys in. Emery cushions are also asked for. Bands for ladies' waists would sell. Also, any toys for children, not cumbersome or fra- gile. Portfolios, large and small, would get a speedy sale. The pictures sold; but I would not have you to send many such things—most people are unable to spare money for such articles. The useful combined with the ornamental is more acceptable. However, we can always find sale for a few. All articles of dress are in demand. But this is to be borne in mind, that it is a hot climate, and worsted garters and thick frocks are not used.'"
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