PREFACE. Ar a period like the present, when the labours of missionaries are highly extolled by some, and equally depreciated by others, it appears desirable that the public should, as far as practicable, be furnished with such materials as may enable them to form an unbiassed judgment on this interesting topic. The account here presented to them, of one who laboured nearly twenty years among the natives of India, will afford a clear insight into the character, designs, and pursuits of evangelical missionaries, and enable them to judge how far they resemble the first propagators of the Christian religion, and how far their unwearied endeavours are likely to prove instrumental in promoting the glory of God and the salvation of the heathen. Lives of this description are not yet very numerous; and this may furnish an apology for the present publication. The redundancy of biographical works has of late years been the subject of complaint; but we conceive this complaint can apply only to those of private individuals, who have rendered no important service to the world, either in a civil or religious capacity: and even in this case, we see no just cause for regret, if it be true, as Johnson has asserted, "that there has rarely passed a life, of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not be useful." But the subject of these Memoirs was not a private individual-he occupied a conspicuous situation, and discharged the duties belonging to it with ardour and perseverance. He moved in a sphere in which angels would choose to move, were they commissioned to pass through this transitory world, like human beings :-for he was an humble imitator of Christ and his apostles; and his energies as a man, his simplicity as a Christian, and his zeal as a missionary, have entitled him to a place amongst those who, in the records of truth, are judged worthy of everlasting remembrance. Such being the character of Mr. Chamberlain, it will not be thought wonderful that the world should be presented with a narrative of his life; though it may be matter of surprize, that this should not have been drawn up by one better qualified for the task. The only apology the compiler can offer on his own behalf, is, that he was requested to undertake it by the most intimate friends of the deceased, and could not refuse, without being unfaithful to his own convictions of duty. The sources whence he has drawn his information are principally three: private papers, periodical works, and personal acquaintance. In addition to what he was able to collect from periodical works, it will be perceived that he has been indebted to friends for the communication of several important facts and documents. To such he desires to return his sincere thanks, and trusts that the use he has made of their favours will be sufficient to convince them that they were duly appreciated. His acknowledgments are particularly due to Mr. Lawson, for the trouble he has taken in furnishing a likeness of Mr. C. and a fac-simile of his handwriting. In the perusal of this volume, the attentive reader will perceive that the greater part of the materials were supplied by Mr. C. himself. Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to a man's writing his own memoirs, all seem agreed, that if he has not drawn up these himself, those who do, should, as much as possible, make him the narrator of his own history. Being convinced that this is a general opinion, and that it is founded on a just estimate of things, the compiler has scrupulously attended to it, and in the body of the work has added only such remarks to the original matter as seemed necessary to introduce, connect, or elucidate the subject under consideration. It cannot be expected that a work of this nature will be equally interesting to readers of every description; there is too much reason to fear, that it may be inspected by some, more disposed to censure than approve of exalted piety and missionary zeal. Could such persons be prevailed upon seriously to reflect, that the time is fast approaching, when none but those who are possessed of experimental religion will enter into the kingdom of heaven; and that "it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing;" they would find little reason lightly to esteem, or rashly to condemn, the piety and zeal which are essential to personal happiness and the propagation of the gospel. It is hoped that this Memoir will be perused with profit by sincere Christians: and should it, under the divine blessing, be made instrumental in leading some to consecrate themselves in a more eminent degree to the service of God; of encouraging others, while using the appointed means, to rely more firmly on those promises which declare, that to the Messiah shall be given the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession; and of animating in their arduous course, those who, not counting their lives dear unto themselves, have gone forth into distant barbarous climes, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; the object of the compiler will be accomplished, his best wishes fulfilled, and his labour abundantly compensated. |