The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-27
THE HINDOOS.

When asked by Mohammedans or Christians to change
their religion, they freely admit that other re
gons best for them they only claim that Hndooism
best for Hndoos TO put off their religion and put on
that of the Christians to them absurd would
be to put OF their light and graceful cotton garments no
well suited to the climate, and to put swallow-tail
coats and stoveppe hats and nearly impossible
change their bronze and black compilations which
we'll into old age for the marble faces of Euro
peans which only good while youth and health re-
main. As well renounce themselves their religion
which enters into their laws manners literature
stitutes their nationality, their cvilizationfos the
ground-wo of all their self respect.
One day. after noisy and idoatrous procession of the
Hndoos had taken place, happening to meet Brahmin
whom had often met for the purposes of business we
inquired of him why it was that his people woshpped
idols His reply would have done honor to Plato !:
"What you liz only the o,sd of religion cos
tune the fashion of the common people Men of sense
everywhere in all religions, worship the God Our
outside ways and forms are strange to you, yours
to but underneath oil this outside show and dress
unite in the substantial truth" But why allow
these idols and especially such and foolish ones
children have dolls and toys help their thoughts
and the common people msthave their idols often rude
ones Why do you not teach them better 'That is
hard take from them their IDOLS their outside FORMS and
helps and take from them also the internal reality
we confuse their weak and ignorant minds Ignorant
and foolish people will and must have ooshness their
religion In your country, have not the ignorant people
foolish notions and ways regionP" This home thrust
was as unexpected as It was effective.
With his utmost tenacity of his right to be let alone
10 his religion, the Hindoo that the rel
gons of other bad and false He believes that
to TEEN their religions true and sacred his to him
He ID educated to hold firmly to his religion and to
respect the conscienccs feelings and prendce of Others
We educated to believe that have in religion
monopoly of all religious truth and merits that other
religions arc false and wicked that it is of sol
emn dues 10 invade the religions of Others to thrust
our faith pon them in all ways except that of force 1t
is not Ugh that prefer Christianity above all other
Even from Unitarian WRITER'S often charged with carry
ing their lberssy 10 such extreme to evince indf
ference to all religion could mako quotations show
ing that they also might take lessons in bcrality
the Hndoos The example of the Hindoos proves that
boundless beraty to other religions entirely consist
cat with the most axdent and anatical attachment
to ones own. The 'greased cartridge rebellion is Of
itself sufficient proof that the Hndoos not charge
able with religious indifference. Neither need anybody
be though liberal and tolerant to the widest extent
Strange that should be importing into New England
facts and argumsnts from the anpodes to prove point
like this. t tsn fitfi ia. f}isttti 3sl4 lat+
a.. II J..