§ Mr. Prendergast, after stating that no one could be more desirous than he was to extend the light of Christianity wherever it could be done with effect and advantage, observed that he felt himself called upon to bring the subject of Missions to the East before the House, in consequence of a pa- 759 ragraph which he had seen, purporting to be a part of the proceedings of a society in this city for propagating Christianity. The paragraph in question he thought highly exceptionable; for if the proceeding which it recommended were adopted, the effect would be to scatter disaffection among 40 or 50 millions of the most peaceable people in the world, and those strongly attached to the British. He was sure the member for Yorkshire himself, if he had sufficient local knowledge, would see the impolicy of any compulsory mean?, of whatever description, to spread Christiainty in India. He hoped that some explanation of the paragraph in question would be given, and if that should be satisfactory, he would not press his motion for ail the documents sent to India since 1807, relative to the missions in that quarter, otherwise he would.
Mr. Grantsaid that neither he, nor his hon. friend (Mr. Wilberforce) had ever heard of the measure alluded to till it was read at a meeting of the society for propagating the knowledge of Christianity in Africa chiefly, and also in the East. But he had felt no alarm at the passage in question. It referred merely to a recommendation of the Committee of that society in the East, that the Scriptures should be read in public to the people in their native language. The Hindoo and Mahometan Scriptures were read publicly already, and the reading of the Christian Scriptures in the same manner, would give no offence whatever. But even this could not be attempted without the sanction of the government; and the regulations of the government on this subject, if at all erring, fired rather on the side of extreme prudence and caution. He trusted he need make no apology for the Committee in this country'. There was no intention to enforce this measure by any authority of government, or any compulsory means whatever. It was only proposed to leave the matter to make its own way.
§ Mr. Prendergastsaid he was satisfied with the explanation, and would not press his motion.