Rammohun Roy
I was but little acquainted with the rajah, but I feel inclined to notice him, not only because I was struck with him as a man of prodigious powers of mind, and treasures of knowledge, and readiness of address; but because I think justice has not been done to him in another and far more important view.
I first saw him at the Mansion House, London, to which I was invited to meet him by the then Lord Mayor, with whom, as an author, I had had considerable dealings. The dinner was early and the company select, though not entirely religious; and I was allowed to bring any of my acquaintance with me. Several accompanied me, one of whom, John Poynder, Esq., could turn the intercourse to account, in conversing with the rajah, on a subject in which he was then so zealously labouring, and did not labour in vain, (the abolition of Sutteeism,) and which the rajah himself before he left India had nobly advocated.
Of course this man was the lion of the company. He spoke freely on several topics, especially of Mahometanism, which he considered as an improvement on Paganism, and of some considerable advantage to Christianity itself, whose professors were yielding to a kind of idolatry in worshipping masses and relics. He also expressed himself with regard to Mahomet himself, as possessing greater talents and some better qualities than had been commonly ascribed to him. This was not sulQPered to pass without some hesitation and dissent, especially by the Rev. Mr. Melville..”.
The Lady Mayoress asking his opinion of the comparative estinaate of the sexes, he promptly replied,, ‘’ Physically considered, men are superior to women. Morally considered, women are superior to men. Intellectually considered, they are on a level, admitting the same opportunities and advantages;” a confession which, if not questioned, was deemed remarkable, as coming from a quarter where females are commonly, if not universally, undervalued and degraded.
When he spoke of the Gospel, he frankly avowed his full belief of it, adding,” But I consider this as no merit of mine, for I found it impossible to peruse the Book itself, and not be convinced that it was the work of a Being of perfect wisdom and benevolence.^^ The Rev. Mr. Dale, who sat next me, could not help expressing rather audibly his approbation and admiration of the sentiment, and the manner in which it was delivered; and Mr. Melville, who principally led the discourse with the rajah, acknowledged, as I went away with him, that he had a much more favourable opinion and hope of him than he had before.
On the following Sabbath- evening he came with the Lord Mayor and the rector of St. Olave’s to hear the Reminiscent. He gave proof of his liking, not only the preacher, but the subject, by coming into the house afterwards, and soliciting a copy of the discourse to print for distribution among his friends. As the sermon was taken down in short-hand, I was able to comply with his desire. I procured him a transcription, and he printed it at his own expense. (The sermon is to be found in the seventh volume of my Works.*)
I fear this is too personal to be excused; but it tells upon what I have in view; for though the discourse was not strictly doctrinal, it contained allusions and statements only to be found in” the truth as it is in Jesus.
He had engaged to accompany Mr. Poynder to Surrey Chapel * See page 100 of that volume.
again the Sunday after; but, before its arrival, he wrote Mr. P. a note, (which I keep, and value as an autograph,) saying he was afraid he should not be able to attend, owing to a degree of indisposition, and the pressure and heat of the congregation; but lamented the loss the less as he should soon have an opportunity to hear, so he expressed it, that truly evangelical minister in Bath.
This was denied him, as, the week before his intended visit to Bath, he died in Bristol. There he was by invitation, at the house of a lady belonging to Lewin’s Mead Meeting, where he attended on the morning of the Sabbath, but heard an evangelical clergyman at Clifton in the evening. During his short stay in Bristol, a party of several distinguished individuals met him. Among these was John Foster,* who, upon my inquiry, said that nothing on this occasion very striking or definitive came from him. He probably began to feel the approach of the disorder which so rapidly carried him off.
Soon after his private interment in the premises of his friend, an extolling account of him was published by Dr. Carpenter, assuring the public that he was a Christian, in the Socinian translation of that word. Here I am persuaded he was mistaken. He was this on his conversion to Christianity in India, when he only considered Christ as a moral Teacher, and wrote accordingly. But we have reason to hope and conclude, that, on his coming to this country, his views varied, and were approaching evangelical sentiments. At first, (and it was not wonderful, with such talents and reasoning powers,) on emerging from heathenism, he felt difficulties with regard to some of the more mysterious doctrines of the Gospel; but there is no little proof that his mind was beginning to open to the doctrine of the cross
* Mr. Foster’s interesting account of this interview, and of the rajah’s death, we shall subjoin to this article.
G g2 and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He commonly in London attended the preaching of an orthodox clergyman.
Earl Gainsborough was not only much pleased with him, but much encouraged concerning his state and character by the rajaVs visit to Barham Court. When he dined with Mr. Poynder he begged to be allowed to attend his evening family-worship, after the company were gone; and next day he came also to attend his morning- worship; and expressed much delight at the blending with prayer, the reading of the Scriptures and singing. Mr. Poynder engaged the Rev. Mr. Knight to conduct these services, by means of which this pious and judicious minister became acquainted with this prodigy; and he also had good hope concerning him, both from his interviews and correspondence; for the rajah often addressed notes to him respecting passages of Scripture, (with the solutions of which he seemed satisfied,) and often called upon him; and in his last interview with him, finding him very serious and tender, Mr. Knight said to him, “Sir, I trust you do not less prize Christianity since you came amongst us.” He rose, and taking him by the hand said with tears,” Mr. Knight, I feel such a regard for the truth and importance of Christianity, that I think I could die for it.’’
This account, we presume, will not be satisfactory to some; they will ask for more evidence; and we could have wished we had been able to furnish more. We cannot be too anxious and inquisitive, where our own religious state is concerned; but with regard to others, there is a charity, which, with due discrimination, “hopeth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things.’’ We may know what heresy is without being able to ascertain the state of a heretic. We know not what disadvantages he has been under; what struggles he has had with difficulties and doubts, to which others have been strangers; and what prayers he has offered, which, though they cannot be lost, may not have been immediately and consciously answered. But we know who hath said, “Seek and ye shall find.^’” He that doeth His will shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God: “and —” Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.’’
Why cannot we admit in connexion with Christian safety and sincerity, doctrinal as well as moral deficiencies? And why cannot we imagine, that where there is less enlightenment, there may be more excellence of another kind to balance it — more humbleness of mind, more benevolence, and more active zeal? I have met with instances in which, where there was little speculative and systematical clearness and accuracy, there has been much of that” wisdom which is from above, and which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.’’ When the blind patient in the Gospel first looked up, he only saw men as trees walking; but he was under the operation of a Divine Restorer; and a second touch enabled him to see every thing clearly. How little of the Gospel-salvation did Peter know at the time; yet upon his confession, our Lord pronounced him blessed; and affirmed that flesh and blood had not revealed this unto him, but his Father in heaven!
From this case we are led to another reflection. How readily and eagerly are the advocates of religious parties induced to claim and avow extraordinary men as belonging to them; as if their faith stood in the wisdom of men, and not in the power of God. But let no man glory in men. We should be thankful when any of superior intellect and endowment are found walking in the truth; but we are not to have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons. The poor and the common people are generally the evangelized. These “things are hidden from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes!” Not many wise men after the flesh are called; and these are often in our churches more glaring than useful members; yea, it is well, if they do not become like Diotrephes — loving to have the pre-eminence.
Mr. Foster gives the following interesting particulars of the rajah’s visit to Bristol, in a letter to Mr. Hill dated Oct. 8th, 1833: — “The most remarkable thing of late is the visit, so soon to end in the death, in the house behind our garden, of the Eajah Rammohun Roy (the title of rajah, of no very definite import, was conferred on him by the king of Delhi, the remaining shadow of the Great Mogul). I had entertained a strong prepossession against him, had no wish to see him, but could not avoid it, when he was come to the house of my young landlady, Miss Castle.
“My prejudice could not hold out half-an-hour after being in his company. He was a very pleasing and interesting man; intelligent and largely informed, I need not say — but unaffected, friendly, and, in the best sense of the word, polite. I passed two evenings in his company, only, however, as an unit in large parties; the latter time, however, in particular and direct conversation with him, concerning some of the doctrines of the Indian philosophers, the political, civil, and moral state of the Hindoos. In the former instance, when the after-dinner-company consisted of Dr. Carpenter, and sundry other doctors and gentlemen, Churchmen and Dissenters, he was led a little into his own religious history and present opinions. He avowed his general belief in Christianity as attested by miracles, (of which, I had understood, that he made very light some ten or a dozen years since,) but said that the internal evidence had had by much the greatest force on his mind. In so very heterogeneous a company, there was no going into any very specific particulars. Carpenter, in whose company I have since dined at Dr. Pritchard’s, very confidently claims him as of the * Modern Unitarian ’ school. * * * * It may be that he was finally near about in agreement with that school, but I do not believe that they have any very exact knowledge of his opinions. * * Here he went to sevei-al churches, and to hear Jay on a week-day at Bridge Street, as well as sometimes to Lewin’s Mead, where the family in which he was visiting constantly attended. There is, or a few days since there was, a great perplexity how to dispose of his remains. He had signified his wish not to be committed to any JEcclesiastical hnrying-ground, but, if it might be so managed, deposited in some quiet corner of the mere prqfane earth. His principal London friend (a Mr. Hare, from India) thinks it the most desirable that he -were conveyed to India. During the greater part of his short illness (it was an affection of the brain) he was in a state of such torpor as to be incapable of any communication. Dr. Pritchard, who attended him during the latter days, says, he did not utter, while he was with him, ten distinct sentences. As far as I have heard, there was nothing to indicate the state of his mind. There were actions (of his hands, &c.) which his own attendants said were the usual ones that accompanied his devotional exercises. To me and several of our order of friends, who were, the latter evening to which I have referred, (at Mrs. Cox’s,) in such close and interesting conversation with him, then apparently in perfect health, but then within hardly two days of the commencement of his fatal illness, it was emphatically striking, nine or ten days after, to think of him as no longer in our world.” — Foster’s Life, Vol. II. p. 218, &c.