was inconsistent with such a return.” Afterwards at a subsequent interview the poor ruler, the slave of his courtiers and sadly addicted to intoxicating drugs and the love of women, said to the missionary, after an earnest personal appeal that he would give his heart to God, “Alas! my padre, that is no easy matter!” But in spite of the opposition and intrigue of his Brahmin advisers, the distracted King of Tanjore was compelled to seek the help of his old friend to save him from political complications. And here it is well to observe how unwilling Schwartz was to be drawn in as a judge in the strife of politics and the hazard of war. He felt so keenly that his proper place was the sphere of the souls of men, that he was most anxious not to allow anything to interfere with his liberty as a preacher of the Gospel, with hands clean from the suspicions of a bribe, and willing to be the friend for Christ’s sake of both sides, if by any means he might save some. Of course, as unofficially representing the British Government and acting as chaplain to their troops, he was in a sense committed to advance their interests in every possible way. On the other hand he felt that this strong confidence which he had inspired in the hearts of the native rulers, especially King Tuljajee of Tanjore, was a sacred advantage which he must use for the highest purposes and ought to exercise if need be to keep the peace and save conflict. The King had sent for him again because he felt that his friendly understanding with the English was not so cordial as it had been. So he asked Schwartz to interview them on his behalf. But the position was fraught with risks, and he records his impressions. “Now this in itself would not be sinful but it is a dangerous matter to engage in such things with a people so prone to deceit and this I distinctly avowed to them. The King said, ‘Padre, I have confidence in you because you are indifferent to money.’ But his officers did not wish me to be engaged in this affair lest their own iniquity might be discovered. And thus it passed off; for which God be praised, as I had no occasion to declare fully my averseness to the employment.”