l was withdrawn the Rajputs and Mahrattas would
be at each other's throats in a month. Our army has something better to
do than to uphold an alien government. It has to prevent the outbreak of
war which would desolate India from one end to the other. Happily its
prestige is sufficient to avert this terrible evil, but the prestige can
only continue while the army exists. By the suppression of the Mutiny
our prowess was shown in a manner which has made an indelible
impression. It is scarcely conceivable we can again have to encounter a
similar outbreak, though trouble may come from unanticipated quarters.
Our immensely improved means of communication contribute largely to our
security. Good government, the conferring of manifest benefits on the
people, will do more to establish our rule than all other things
combined. It is obvious to all who have any just conception of our
position in India, that never was a nation charged with greater
responsibilities, never was such a tremendous task committed to a
people, and never was there a more urgent call for the highest
qualities, if the duties devolving on us are to be worthily discharged.
Our Government cannot, and ought not, to undertake its evangelization,
but if the work of government be rightly done, it will indirectly, but
very effectually, help the Christian Church in giving the Gospel to the
millions of India, which, when accepted by them, will purify and elevate
their character, improve their condition, and fit them for true,
healthy, national life, while securing their spiritual and eternal
good.

STATISTICS.

Area of India and British Burma, 1,495,574 sq. miles. Population in
1881, 254,899,516.

Under British rule 197,815,508
Under Native rule 57,084,008

Hindus 187,931,450
Muhammadans 50,127,585
Buddhists--almost entirely in British
Burma 3,418,884
Sikhs 853,426
Aborigines--mainly Demon worshippers 6,426,511

_Christians_
Europeans[4] 142,000
Eurasians 62,000
Protestant Native Christians[5] 492,882
Roman Catholics 865,643
Syrians--about 300,000
-------- 1,862,525
Other Creeds not specified 4,479,135

The increase of the