The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-12-17
The Sepoy Soldier.

i curious fact IL brought to light in one of the
late discussions OF Indian affairs by the British
press. 1t ia q military investigation which was
ordered In 1887 by the British Governor General,
Of the case of hIgh-cssts sspoy who had been
converted 10 Christianity, The investigation took
Elscs at Meerut the post at which the soldier was
then stationed and at which the late instruction
broke out. The object Of the examination was to
ascertain whether any undue influences had been
exercised by the missionary at that post to con-
vert the 6epoy, and he was himself subjected 70
81 examination az to his motives in embracing
Christianity, and every particular Of interest con-
neetsd with the occurrence. The missionary made
= full statement, showing that the Sepoy had
voluntarily sought him out, and earnestly and
steadily persisted In his efforts to unite himseI,
with the believers in Christianity. The answers
CT the sepoy to the military tribunal were highly
Intelligent and manly; indeed he is represented
70 have been a man of high character and fine
sense, a. well as an excellent soldier. But upon
the pretsxt that his conversion had caused serious
discomfort among the men, which was however,
expressly disproved before the Court, the Sepoy
was dismissed from his regiment and put upon a
pension, from which dissgreeable and Illuminating
position he was never relieved. On one occasion,
when an expedition of interest was undertaken,
fight for those whose salt he was eating, but bis
request was refused. He had committed an Of
fence in becoming Christian which the Christian
East India Company could not pardon. The insur.
rection which commenced at Meerut, may suggest
the adoption Of different policy of ruling India
than that which has borne such fruits
When we find such facts as the above, fllustra
ting the policy BY which India has been govern.
ed when, in q word, We perceive that the govern.
ment Of that country has sacrificed Christianity
for the sake Of power, what are to think of the
hypocriticai denunciations Of African slavery.
which are 90 frequently hurled at America by the
British press. Mark the difference and let British
Christians see IL they are in position to cast con-
tsmptnous looks upon the poor publican on this
side the water, and haughtily sxclaim-"God. !
thank thee that am not as other men," On ore
side hundred millions Of subject races committed
to British care, only employed to swell, by their
labor, the commercial wealth of Britain, absolute
ly discouraged, 30 far as the East India govern
msnt 10 concerned. from becoming Christians. and
the excellent missionaries Of the English and other
churches watched M If they were plottsrs agafnst
the peace Of the country, and constantly thwarted
in their efforts to Christianize the heathenl On
the other side, three millions Of slaves. whose
forsfathers were forced upon the American colo
niles BY Great Britain, In opposition to the earnest
circumstances OF the colonists, not only treated
with kindness and indulgence, not only well fed
snd well clothed, 80 that no body of peasantry
IN the world equals them In the comforts aad case
OF their condition, but furnished with every OBJ
portunity for becoming acquainted with Christi
asity, and 50 diligently taught and cared for in sp
ritual things, that the whole body of Africans in
the United States may be set down az nominaIly
Christians, and the actual number of communi.
esnts Of Christian churches among them, far ex-
sseds the combined number Of all the converts
which all tho religious associations of the age have
made among the heather in all other parts of the
world! Such facts as these may be probably pom.
derec by the fanatics both of Great Britain and of
cur own country, and WILL at ali events, strength
On TIE confidence Of the South In the bsnefcent
yssUln Of her domestic institutions