APPENDIX.

CIRCULAR OF MAR IGNATIUS GEORGIUS, PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH, TO THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES IN INDIA, RECOMMENDING TO THEIR PROTECTION HIS ENVOY,

MAR ATHANASIUS.

TO THE CHIEFS OF THE BRITISH NATION IN HINDOSTAN.

From the humble Ignatius Georgius the 4th, by the mercy of Almighty God, Patriarch of the throne of Antake (Antioch) the apostolic, the holy over the Syrians and Jacobites of Derah Zefran, and rest of the Nast.

THE SEAL.

Salutation to the most holy God, the Creator of bodies, and the releaser of souls, may this prayer be received for my dear and fortunate friends the chiefs of the countries of Hindostan, the pure, the H h

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friends of God; may the blessings of the Almighty be bestowed on them, and their families, and descendants, and on those who are united with them, through the mediation of our Lady the pure Mary, and the whole army of Martyrs, and the Saints.. Amen!

Further, the cause of writing these lines of friendship and blessing is, in the first place to enquire after your affairs, and to acquaint you that I am constantly thinking of you, moreover we have sent to wait on you our fortunate children, viz. Matran Abadool Museeha, and the Casis Ishaac, and Casis Abdulahud, and Casis Bushara, deputed to our Syrian Jacobite children who are with you, and are beneath the shadow of God, and the shadow of your power, for the completion of several affairs which are wanting. Now, our request of your magnanimity is, that on their arrival in your presence you may be pleased to cast a favourable eye on them, and recommend them to the care and attention of the chiefs of whatever places they may visit, or wherever they may dwell, for they are my children, and are unacquainted with the customs of that country (India). And, be it known also, that what belongs to you belongs to us, what delights us delights you, and that which grieves us you are not approving. And, praise be to God, the zeal or assistance in matters of religion of your exalted nation, the British, is famous in all parts, more especially with respect to our tribe of Syrians, and this has been the case from times of old, but particularly of late our mutual friendship has been increased.

We beseech God that this may last between us until the last day. For these reasons, it is not necessary that we should appeal more at length to you, as your wisdom does not require a detailed explanation. Whatever protection and support you may be pleased to extend to my children, is to be carried to the account of my weakness; and that which you have vouchsafed for my weakness, will be taken into account by our Lord Jesus the Mighty, who will reward you on my behalf with innumerable blessings of vast and double measure, and we request His grace and favour, that He may favour you constantly with His holy blessings, and may protect you from all trials both ghostly and bodily, and may uphold you, and make easy your affairs, and grant you your desires, and break the force of your enemies. May your souls be strengthened. May your children be protected, and may He open the gates of mercy for you, and may He increase His favour and blessings, and His gifts on all of you, and may He grant you favour and prosperity in both worlds, peace in this world, and life everlasting.

Favour me always with news of your condition, and do not reprehend us for not having entered your name; the reason is that no correspondence has, as yet, passed between us (we therefore know it not). This letter was proper to be written on account of your friendship, after giving you our blessings.

[Written 29th Tisreen 2d, A.D. 1823. Rubeeoosani 1239, Hejree.]

TO MAR ATHANASIUS.

[As translated into Syriac by Messrs. Robinson and Mill.]

Calcutta, December, 1825.

To the excellent and learned father Mar Athanasius, Bishop and Metropolitan of all the Churches of Christ in India, which walk after the rule of the Syrians, Mar Reginald, by the grace of God, Bishop of Calcutta; grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have earnestly desired, beloved brother in the Lord, to hear that the Lord hath prospered thy journey from Bombay, and that thou farest well, and art in good health in the land of Malabar. (I hope that they have rejoiced at thy coming even as they rejoiced at the coming of Mar Basilius, Mar Gregorius, and Mar Johannes 1.) And my prayer to God for thee is, that even as he led Patriarch Abraham from his country, and from the midst of his kindred, through faith, to a strange and distant land, He may even thus guide, protect, and prosper thee, and give thee health and grace, and every good gift, and increase unto thee the love of thy flock, and that the fruits of the Spirit may be multiplied to thee from them; as it is written, "Com

1 The last Syrian Bishops, (before Mar Athanasius in 1825,) who went to rule the Church in Malabar, in 1751; all the Metropolitans after them (called Mar Dionysius, or Cyrillus, or Philoxenus severally,) being Indian Bishops of their ordaining.

mit thy way unto the Lord, and trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

Especially I have been desirous to hear from thee of the good estate of our brethren, the faithful, in Malabar, the Bishops, presbyters, and deacons; and also of my own children in Christ, the English presbyters who sojourn among you at Catterjam; may God reward you according to your kindness towards them, and may the brotherly affection between you and them be daily increased and strengthened!

Furthermore, I make known to thy friendship that the desire of my heart, and my prayer to the Lord, is, that the holy name of Jesus may be yet further known among all nations; and also, that all that love the Lord may love one another, to the intent that they which are without may behold the unity and peace that is among you, and glorify God in the day of visitation. Like as was the desire of heart and prayer to God of the blessed Thomas Middleton, who fed the Church of Christ in this Episcopate before me, whose memory is blessed among the saints of Christ, whether they be of the family of England or of India; but they are not two families, but one, which is named after the name of the Lord Jesus, who sitteth at the right hand of God, in whom all nations, tribes, and languages are united, and shall be glorified together.

I also pray thee to write me word of the health of thyself and all that are with thee, likewise of the health of my own children, the presbyters of England, and what is their conversation among you.