MIRZAPORE. THE FALSEHOODS AND THE FOLLIES OF HINDOOISM. FROM the Missionary journal of the Rev. W. M. Wollaston, forwarded from Mirzapore in May last, we take the following facts illustrative of the puerile but pernicious errors of the Hindoos; the unworthy character of their teachers, and the modes of instruction they adopt; the futile arguments by which they attempt to subvert the truth and defeat the claims of Christianity; and the methods adopted by our brethren to expose the evil nature and tendency of their religious system and bring them to the obedience of faith. Refutation of Hindoo Errors. -Visited a part of the Bazar, occupied by the principal merchants. On approaching a group who were seated on a raised platform, they rose and politely offered the seats on which they had been sitting. They had seen us before and knew us. As we declined taking their seats, stools were brought out, and we at once sat down. Brother Artope, myself, and our Catechist, Mirza, formed our party. The conversation was opened by our stating that we had come to talk to them about the salvation of their souls, and we asked them how they expected to be saved. One replied, "By attending to the Shastres." Another said, "You might also receive emancipation by worshipping God." We observed, that, by the Hindoo creed, we could not become Hindoos, and that their Scriptures were inapplicable to us. This they admitted. "What, then," said we, "is God so partial as to exclude the largest portion of mankind from salvation?" They said there were several roads to heaven, and every nation had its own. We asked if it were not more reasonable to suppose that God made one law for all, and had but one scheme; but this they could not see. We then replied, "But if in one scheme God propounded certain doctrines, and in another directly opposite ones, did it consist with his character? Can God oppose himself?" "No," they said. "Then," we said, "as the Hindoo and Christian systems differ essentially, how can they be from one God? Both cannot be true. All men are sinners. How can man obtain pardon?" "By penances and ablutions," was the reply. We said, "No: by sin we deserve death. Justice required an expiation. Seeing no one able to expiate sin, God himself became incarnate, and suffered for us." They trusted in Ram, they said. "Ram is not God," we rejoined; "he was guilty of falsehood, and not omniscient, and therefore he was not God." They then said we were abusing their religion. This we denied, saying, the representation was their own, and that their own books testified against them. After some further conversation we returned home. Interview with a Hindoo Priest. - Visited a Gooroo or Mohunt in the city, on the river-side. He was represented as a man who had obtained much wealth by the practice of reading and expounding the Hindoo books of religion. I found him seated, with a mere girdle about his loins, on a raised platform of wood about five feet square. He was apparently meditating, and enjoying the cool breeze from the river. I was accompanied by a native vakeel or pleader, and his son; and a crowd soon gathered round. After some complimentary observations, and being politely offered a chair, I sat down, and said I had heard of his fame, and was glad of the opportunity of meeting him. I asked him whether he continued his morning expositions. He replied No, that he had now relinquished them. "There is so much confusion," he said, "amongst us—so many creeds and opinions-that there is no getting at the truth." He and his disciples professed to abide by no system in particular, but tested doctrines by reason and demonstration. I commended him for so doing, at the same time observing, that the reason of their being so divided was, because their religion was of human invention, and not a divine revelation that man by searching cannot find out God-that all knowledge was derived from revelation or our senses--that no man could invent a true religion. He inquired, If God had revealed a religion, why had not the Hindoos received it before? I replied to this giving a sketch, briefly, of the Christian belief. On my naming miracles, he averred that the Hindoo books related countless miracles. I observed, that we could produce proofs of the truth of our books, and that hundreds and thousands of books had been printed regarding these proofs; whereas the Hindoos had no book whatever that professed to demonstrate the truth of their religion. "But," said he, "these books of ours are not of to-day: they have been handed down from time unmeasurable." I admitted that many of them might be ancient, but denied that proofs of the authenticity of any of them had been given. "Besides," I said, "there are other marks by which true religion may be known. You," I said, "claim Ram and Khrishna as deities. How can he be God who is convicted of sin? Krishna was cruel in killing a washerman. He told a lie, and was at last killed by a Bheel with an arrow." 'Being omnipotent, Krishna," he said, "could do all things, and that no sin can be imputed to him,—that to him it was no sin." I then observed, "If it were not sin in Krishna, why was it pronounced by all the gods to be so in Brahma?" Here the Gooroo was much at a loss, and staggered for an answer; at last, he said, That Brahma performed penance, and the sin was remitted. I asked, "Can God perform penances? Do you not say, God is without sin, and yet Brahma, your God, is convicted of it!" Quite overcome, he could only think of an attack upon Christianity, but all his objections were easily met and overthrown. We parted in peace. A Hindoo condemning Idolatry, &c. - Preached in the Bazar from Matthew vi. After expounding the precept of Christ, that our alms-deeds should be done in private, and not ostentatiously displayed before men, as is the custom among Hindoos as it was among the Jews, and saying that we were accountable to God for all he had intrusted to us, a procession happened to pass by. There were drums and trumpets, and after them the votaries, with their offerings of fruit, grain, and flowers, professedly for the goddess, but really for the Brahmins. One man in the crowd exclaimed: "What fools they are! there is only one God, and he alone ought to be worshipped. Who were their Debtas and Debis? What good had they done to their disciples? They were only the inventions of the priests, who put people to great expense to purchase fruit and sweetmeats, and feasted on it themselves." This man pleaded his cause with such earnestness and truth, that his opponents were quite abashed, and could only observe, that he could not approach God without a mediator, and that the Debtas and Debis were their mediators. This he denied; and asked, if he could not lay a complaint before the magistrate, without the intervention of the inferior officers? It was cheering to hear his sentiments, mostly so true, uttered with such feeling, force, and sincerity; but I regretted I could not induce him to come and receive from us more knowledge in the way of salvation, by our true Mediator Jesus Christ. Our service had been much broken up by this conversation; so, after speaking a few more words, we separated. A celebrated Hindoo Teacher. Went into the city, and met a young native, who asked me if I would like to go and hear a famous pundit expound the Mohabharrat? I said I should, and we started for the place of the assembly. On reaching the spot we found there about 200 persons, seated on the platform of an open verandah. Several were polite enough to offer me a chair. One inquired, "Who is it? "Oh, the Padre Sahib," said another. I declined a seat, preferring to stand; when a large high-back chair was brought. They were at a loss where to place it. Some said, "Don't put it near us," as though my touch would pollute them. They then put it far away. I said I came, not to see, but to hear. Eventually the chair was placed on the platform. I sat down, and all eyes were upon me. At last a cry was made: "He comes, he comes." "Ah," said one behind me, "that is the pundit. Can't you tell it by his walk? How he steps from side to side!" He at last came and passed by me. I gave him a look of recognition; but he was a little taken aback on seeing me, stared hard, and passed on. A dozen or two persons accompanied him, one being in advance, making way for his approach. He was dressed in red silk, and his head and shoulders were covered with a shawl. He was rather stout, about thirty-five years of age, middle height, with a commanding, intelligent countenance. A throne was erected for him at the further end of the platform, and a curious and characteristic structure it wa A sort of bedstead, five feet long and four feet wide, was placed, supported on legs from two to three feet high; against the back was an immense pillow; two others, flat and horizontally placed, formed the seat, on which he sat with his legs drawn up, in the squatting position, which is natural and easy to them. But the most curious part was four pillars at each corner, of plantain-trees, the depending leaves of which formed the canopy, while all around were hung garlands of various coloured flowers.-See Engraving, p. 545. The Lessons of the Hindoo Instructor. After a short time had elapsed the great man took his station in a pompous and dignified manner, and deliberately placed a cushion before him for the manuscript copy of the Mohabharrat. Before he commenced, some of his attendants began bowing before him with closed hands, offering actual worship; others held a lighted lamp; while one behind, with a large fan, was driving away any flies or musquitoes that might settle on him. He had already some half-dozen garlands of flowers round his neck, but two or three men were busy putting on more. When they became too numerous, some were removed and new ones put in their place. Whilst this was being done he looked more like a statue than anything else. At last a voice was heard, almost inaudible, but very musical the great man had begun to chaunt some tune-it was a sort of hymn. This done, he reverently bowed his head, joined by many in the assembly. He then commenced reading some lines from the Mohabharrat (p. 545). The passage selected was the account of the wives of Krishna, 16,000 in number, which the people seemed to relish exceedingly. The subject of religion was not touched upon, nor were the wicked acts of Krishna concealed. Believing Krishna to be God, and therefore omnipotent, they assume that whatever he . does cannot but be right, and that he is not bound to give any account to men of what he does. Then they represent his actions as sport or amusement,-the gambols of an almighty being; but when pressed with the arguments that he was abused, condemned, and opposed by men, and actually acknowledged and expiated, by bathing, the crime of having killed a bull, they throw a mantle over it all, and say it was all a delusion. When I found that there was nothing more profitable to listen to than such a theme, and no opportunity for conversation, I went away. MISSIONARY LECTURES TO THE YOUNG. THE Directors are happy to announce that, during the month of October, the Rev. C. H. BATEMAN, of Hopton, Yorkshire, has, at their solicitation, consented to deliver LECTURES TO THE YOUNG in several metropolitan places of worship. The Lectures will be illustrated by a very large transparent Missionary Map of the World, with idols and other objects adapted to instruct and interest the important class for which they are designed. Under the conviction that these Lectures will be eminently calculated to deepen and extend the Missionary spirit, the Directors earnestly request the active co-operation of all their friends, and especially of Ministers, Parents, and the Conductors and Teachers of Day and Sunday-schools, to secure a large attendance of the young. Due notice of each Lecture will be sent to the chapels aud schools in the district where it is to be delivered. APPLICATION FROM THE REV. JAMES ROOME. OUR brother, Mr. Roome, who has been on a visit to this country for the restoration of his health, is now preparing to return to British Guiana to resume his important labours at the station of Ithaca in the Colony of Berbice, where his former ministrations, during a period of seven years, were greatly blessed to the negro population. The great want of his Mission is a suitable place of worship, without which it is impossible he can pursue his labours with comfort and efficiency. The present chapel is so small and confined, that his health was much injured by it; and comparatively few of those who desired statedly to enjoy the means of grace could gain admission to the services; while the want of accommodation, for the small number in actual attendance at any one time, interfered not a little with their profitable attention to the worship of God. Anxious to remove those serious obstacles to the enlarged success of his ministry, Mr. Roome now proposes to erect a chapel more adapted to the advancing condition of the people, and capable of containing a congregation of 800 persons, and in this project the Directors most heartily concur, while they deeply regret their inability to aid the necessary outlay from the general funds of the Society. They will gladly receive special subscriptions towards meeting the expenses; and, at the request of Mr. Roome, they insert the following list of articles, by the presentation of which, even in the smallest quantities, the friends of the negro may as effectually promote the object as by pecuniary contributions : : Bricks and slates-nails of every description, small and large-door-hinges o various sizes-sheet-lead-paint-oil and white lead-sash-cord-pulley-styles-a good sized bell-a clock-tin or iron guttering. Mr. Roome would also be very thankful for a Communion-Service, even of the least expensive description; and also for some school-supplies, including lesson-books. The Directors will be happy to take charge of packages or cases of any of the above articles, if directed to Mr. Roome, at the Mission House, Blomfield-street, Finsbury. DEPARTURE OF THE REV. DR. BOAZ. ON Monday, September 10, the Rev. Dr. Boaz and Mrs. Boaz embarked at Portsmouth, in the Queen, Captain M'Leod, for Calcutta, and sailed on the following day. Previous to the departure of Dr. Boaz, a deeply interesting Valedictory Service was held at Poultry Chapel, Thursday Evening, Sept. 6, when our esteemed brother took leave of his Christian friends, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Massie, Rev. Dr. Archer, and Rev. George Smith. To complete all the objects of the intended COLLEGE AT CALCUTTA the sum of about 4007. is still needed. Dr. Boaz will feel greatly obliged to those friends who have promised to assist the Institution, or who may be disposed to do so, either by pecuniary contributions or presents of books, philosophical instruments, &c., to send their gifts and donations, directed to him, to the Mission-House, Blomfield-street, Finsbury. *** There will be an opportunity, in the course of this month, of forwarding to Calcutta boxes or packages of Articles intended for the use of the College. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The Thanks of THE DIRECTORS are respectfully presented to the following: For Mrs. Young's School, Amoy. To Anonymous, for a parcel of calico and books. For the Goojurat Mission. To the Ladies of Rev. J. Flower's congregation, Beccles, for a box of valuable articles for sale. To Friends at Orange-street Chapel, for a box of useful articles. For Mrs. Taylor's School, Baroda. To the Young Ladies of the Mission School, Walthamstow, and other friends, per Miss Hall, for a box of fancy articles. For Mrs. Porter's School, Madras. To the Great George-street, and Crescent Chapel, Liverpool, Ladies' Working Society, for a box of useful articles, value 541. For the Orphan School, Calcutta. To friends at Windsor, per Miss E. Raynelds, for a box of useful and fancy articles. For the Native Teacher, "John Reid," Bellary. To a few friends at Hanover Chapel, per Miss Reid, for a box of books. For the Orphan School, Bellary. To Miss Reid and Friends, for a box of fancy articles, For Schools at Hankey, under the care of Rev. T. D. Philip. To the Ladies of the Working Missionary Society, Bedford, per Mrs. White, for a case of clothing, and other useful articles. For Rev. R. Moffat, Lattakoo. To a class in Westminster Chapel Sabbath school, and other friends, per Miss Newell, for a box of useful articles. For Rev. R. B., and Mrs. Taylor, Cradock. To Mrs. Dafforne and Friends, Camberwell, for a box of clothing. To Mrs. Johnson and friends, Harpenden, for a box of useful articles. To the Ladies' Working Missionary Society, Doncaster, per Mrs. Snow, for a box of clothing. For Rev. James Read, Kat River. To the Great George-street, Liverpool, Working Missionary Society, for a box of useful articles, value 12. For Rev. T. Powell, Savaii. To the Juvenile Missionary Working Party, Sandwich, per Miss Tapley, for a box of useful articles, slates, &c. For Rev. A. Buzacott, Rarotonga. To Mr. J. Greenwood and Friends, Ilfracombe, for a parcel of clothing. For Rev. A. W. Murray, Tutuila. To Mrs. Hughes, for a parcel of useful articles. To the Claremont Chapel Boys' Bible Class, and the Children of the Sundayschool, for a box of stationery, and useful articles. For Rev. J. Andrews, Morant Bay. To the Norwood Juvenile Missionary Working Association, for a box of clothing, and useful articles. To Mr. Whitby, Axminster. To Mr. H. Chetham, Coventry, and to a Friend, Welford, for volumes and numbers of the Evangelical Magazine. Mr. Hunkin, of Manua, South Sens, desires to return his best thanks to the Teachers of the Independent Sabbath School, Mevagissey, for a box of slates, pencils, paper, pens, ink, &c. Also, to Miss Sarah A. Jolly of Wycliffe Chapel, for a box of useful articles. MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS. From the 16th of February to the 25th of April, 1849, inclusive. Continued from the September Magazine. 500 George Haden, ditto Mary Ann Haden, ditto * Including 251. previously acknow. * Including 43. 23. 11d. acknow Less Expenses.. 48 2 11 060 *47 16 11 ledged in December. |