Two Discourses Preached Before the University of Cambridge, on Commencement Sunday, July 1, 1810. And a Sermon Preached Before the Society for Missions to Africa and the East; at Their Tenth Anniversary, July 12, 1810. To Which Are Added Christian Researches in Asia.

Original publisher's beige paper pamphlet. Text printed in black ink. Separated along spine by part (consists of three smaller pamphlets). 5 1/4" x 8 1/2." 264 pages, complete. Pages 1-52 (Sermons I and II); Pages 53-86 (Sermon III). Pages 87-264 (Christian Researches in Asia). Pages are very clean and intact except for some surface tearing on title page (minimal loss of text to title), light to moderate age toning, moderate foxing, and splitting along spine (some glue repair). A Very Good copy. This pamphlet contains three sermons and a section of Western studies into the cultures and religions in parts of Asia, India, and the Middle East. In the first sermon, the late Reverend Claudius Buchanan, who was also the vice-provost at the College of Fort William in Bengal, speaks about the Christian "eras of light." He says the first era was the time of Christ in which the Gospels were formed. He says the next era was the period of the English Reformations. Buchanan warns against superstition (likely referring to pagan religions) and infidelity as threats to Christian faith. He discusses the view of how "less civilized" nations have been more open to Christian conversion than civilizations characterized scholarship and intellectualism. Buchanan references a verse from Scripture that says the knowledge of the world pales in comparison to God's wisdom. In Sermon II, Buchanan continues from his message in the first sermon. He revisits the theme of the three "Eras of Light" which possibly describe the periods of Christian evangelism. He claims that the world is currently in the third period in which Christianity is present worldwide; he cites global missions and how the Bible is being printed in different languages for example. However, Buchanan cautions there are new threats to Christianity. He says that while superstition was the main threat to Christianity in the past, infidelity and corrupt theology have become the leading ones. Buchanan says that superstition and infidelity both lead to the same result, a weakened prevalence of Christianity and the rise of barbarianism and despotism. Buchanan especially warns against corrupt theology; he resolutely proclaims that Christian ministers must preach the Gospel and the truth with a pure heart and no self-interest. Buchanan's third sermon was given before missionaries. He focuses on the principles that missionaries should live by. He says that missionaries should be well-versed in their understanding of the Bible as well as world history. He says that other knowledge can be used (such as knowing the classics and literature) but that it should be used toward the end of evangelism. He speaks against the "Romish Church" (likely the Roman Catholic Church) in this sermon. He also discusses the most efficient ways in which missionaries can do their work and what needs they may require. In the last section, "Christian Researches in Asia," Buchanan discusses the state of religion in Asian and other Eastern cultures. He is critical of the Roman Catholic Church and ardently speaks against its methods of evangelism in Asia. He begins with China and focuses on the relation of the Chinese language to evangelical efforts. Buchanan then talks about the "Hindoos" or Indians. Buchanan reprints accounts of missionaries who visited pagan temples in India. He decries pagan practices including the sacrificial burning of women in some parts of India. However, he says there has also been successful evangelism in India. Buchanan then talks about the Malay Empire and describes the role of the Dutch in introducing Christianity to the Malay Isles. Other subjects discussed in this last section: Malabar Bible and Syric Bible; Roman Catholic Church in India; colleges in Goa; state of religion with Persians, "Arabians," and Armenians; Jewish people; translations of the Bible in Eastern languages; Bibliotheca Biblia in Bengal; and an "ecclesiastical establishment" in British India.…