CHAPTER IV. TRIBUTES TO THE RAJAH'S MEMORY. It was indeed an appalling event,—a deeply affecting dispensation of Providence, which so unexpectedly deprived India of her noble son, and the world of one of the most remarkable men which the century has produced. The hopes of all who loved mankind, and who felt an especial interest in that great country which had become so closely connected with our own, had been raised to very high expectation by the steady unwavering progress of the great Hindoo Reformer. Having watched him at a distance with high admiration, we had the privilege of receiving him into our homes and our social circles ;— we had seen him in the midst of the attractions of our capital, steadily keeping in view his great object of promoting the welfare of his country, and making the gratification of any private wishes yield to this. We had witnessed his intense interest in the general diffusion of free principles, especially in England, a country whose destiny must so materially influence the M IV. Thy work thou didst fulfil while yet 'twas day; While glowing tints still gild the western sky. V. Bright hopes of immortality were given. To guide thy dubious footsteps, and to cheer Thine earthly pilgrimage. How firm and clear Arose thy faith, that as the Lord hath risen, So all his followers shall meet in heaven! Thou art gone from us; but thy memory, dear To all that knew thee, fades not: still we hear And see thee yet as with us:--ne'er are riven The bands of Christian love!-Thy mortal frame With us is laid in holy silent rest: Thy spirit is immortal; and thy name Shall by thy countrymen be ever blest. E'en from the tomb thy words with power shall rise, Shall touch their hearts, and bear them to the skies. CHAPTER IV. TRIBUTES TO THE RAJAH'S MEMORY. It was indeed an appalling event,-a deeply affecting dispensation of Providence, which so unexpectedly deprived India of her noble son, and the world of one of the most remarkable men which the century has produced. The hopes of all who loved mankind, and who felt an especial interest in that great country which had become so closely connected with our own, had been raised to very high expectation by the steady unwavering progress of the great Hindoo Reformer. Having watched him at a distance with high admiration, we had the privilege of receiving him into our homes and our social circles ;— we had seen him in the midst of the attractions of our capital, steadily keeping in view his great object of promoting the welfare of his country, and making the gratification of any private wishes yield to this. We had witnessed his intense interest in the general diffusion of free principles, especially in England, a country whose destiny must so materially influence the M East. Those who had any acquaintance with the less public proceedings of the Government, had observed how ready and able he was to afford all needed information;-how courteous, humble and respectful in giving it;-how firm and persevering in adhering to the course of duty;-how patient and assiduous in waiting for and seeking the proper opportunities. We trusted that he was now to rest awhile in the enjoyment of the intercourses of friendship, thus preparing to return with renewed strength to carry to his countrymen new light, and the assurances of help and sympathy from their brethren in England. But it was not so ordered. The sun of India went down with tropical suddenness, and left us in the deepest gloom. We were bewildered and cast down. The noble form of him in whom we had seen the embodiment of all that was good and noble and lovable, and which had appeared likely to last for many long years, was laid low in death, even while the thought of him in apparent health and strength was fresh in our remembrance. He passed away without one message to his countrymen, without one last testimony to the truths which he had laboured to establish,-without one expressed wish as to the future of his family, and especially of his adopted son, left thus in the land of strangers! He believed from the commencement of his illness that the hand of death was upon him, but, though his spirit was frequently in prayer, and though while consciousness remained he could give a loving, grateful look, and an affectionate pressure of the hand to those who were tenderly caring for him, disease checked all utterance of his wishes. Thus, too, was it ordered. In that solemn hour his faith in the Eternal Spirit resigned the labours of his life to higher keeping than his own, and his confidence in his friends left all else to them without distrust or anxiety. His faith had a sure foundation,for it was based on that revelation of the Father of our spirits which was made by his well-beloved Son. At this distance of time we can perceive some of the reasons of that appointment which appeared at the time so mysterious. India was not at that period prepared fully to appreciate its great reformer. Had he returned to his own country he might have received even greater opposition and persecution than he had before experienced; had he died there, it is not likely that the event would have excited any special interest at the time, judging from the remarkable want of it which was there manifested at the period of his decease. But now that thirty years have witnessed great changes in his native land, that some of his views have made much progress among his countrymen,—that important alterations have taken place in the position of our Government in reference to India, tending to remove the feeling of separation between the two nations,-it is now that the fact of the sacred remains of the Rajah RAMMOHUN ROY being laid in our country forms a kind of tie of relationship between us, while the reverence and love with which we treasure the memory of our distinguished guest are a token to them of our sympathy with themselves, and may give to his writings an added claim on their attention. |