Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-10-15
A REGIMENrAL MISSIONARY.

The censorious jealousy of the London Times
has disclosed another s' HEDLEY YIoARs," in
the army of India. Col. Wheeler, of the Bath
regiment of Native infantry, stationed at Bar
rackpore, has been brought before the Cover
nor and Council for conduct connected with
an attempted mutiny in his regiment on the
18th of March. From the very facts arranged
by the Times, from the minutes of the inquiry,
in the form of an accusation or argument
against Col. Wheeler as too consistent-or
to use its own language, &c forward and imper-
tinento-Christian, we learn that his regiment
was one in which the elements of revolt had
been earliest soWn and most actively propaga-
ted. The attempt at mutiny in his regiment,
was apparently meant for the signal of revolt.
Yet 1t failed through sheer want of vitality,
and the unsuccessful ringleader who gave the
signal and set the example, finding not soli-
tary follower, shot himself before he could be
arrested Although this regiment had been
centre of the Vaccinations Of the conspira-
tors, insomuch that the seeds of mutiny are
known to have been conveyed from 1t to other
regiments, yet for some reason the comhusti-
bles here prepared could not be ignited, ant
the work had to be begun again, elsewhere.-
| Some unexplained and secret cause restrained
the snlen soldiery, who, though they refused
to g turn out guard, for the arrest OF the mu
tineeer, listened to all his passionate and in
cendiary appeals, in the presence of full op
| tiuence2 Different minds will explain it ae'
cording TO their different predictions. We
cannot say what it was but the only thing be-
fore us that looks like it's the following
"good confession" which Col. Wheeler " wit
messed" before his judges, aud which the
Times presents to us as ground OF the sever
est animadyersion against him:
1t appears that Col. Wheeler had, besides
the military charge which his country gave
him, invested himself with another office, VIZ,
that of a Christian missionary. He is ques-
toned on the subject by the Governor and
Council, and he answers with perfect trankness
sc During the last twenty years, have been
in the habit of speaking to natives of all class
es, Sepoys and others, making no distinction,
since there IS no respect of persons with God
on the subject of our religion, in the highways
cities, bazars, and villages, (not in the lines
and regimental bazzars) have done this from
a conviction that every converted Christian is
expected, or commanded by the Senptul es, TO
make known the glad tidings of salvation to
his lost fellow creatures He was then asked
whether the Sepoys he has tried to convert in
clude his own Sepoysi and he replies quite
openly that ss he acts on the broad line which
Scripture enforces, which is to speak without
reserve to every person, and has no doubt
indeed, is quite certain--he has often in this
way addressed Sepoys OF his own regiment .
He speaks of himself, too, as Il preacher, Tor
he talks of the natives &c whom he had address
ed, whether individually or collectively" In
short, he describes himself as Christian mis-
sionary, and he, moreover, thinks, that every
$ converted Christian" ought to be mission
ary, and try to convert the heather, and that
is he principal thing which he ought to think
about. In &c temporal matters he is ready to
obey ss the orders of his earthly superior, bnt
in spiritual things he must obey his Heavenly
superior" He expects to fssuffer persecution
for this view of duty, and to ss be brought be.
fore the rulers and kings" but as that is the
lot Of all true christians, he reioices in it. He
even stakes shame to himself, for having
manifested sucli GOODNESS in his Masters ser
vice."
Who can read, without thrilling sympathies
this record of humble, holy, fidelity and faith
contemptuously sneered forth in this narratio
of the mbeiieving Timcsi We rejoice th'
! the inipregnablo discipline of Col. Wheeler
; regiment, underline severest test, has furnish
ed another proof, that humble piety is no dit
qualification for an efficient regmental office
and that the tendency of gentle and winnin
Christian love, striving to enlighten and
bless the souls of poor barbarians, is not t
prepare them for mutiny and murder !-Ne'
Pork Examiner.