New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-09
SORCERY AND SACRIFICE IN INDIA.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
MELUR MADURA Feb. II, 1862.

MELUR MADURA, Feb. H. 1862.
In the missionary field, occupied by the Ameri-
can Madura Mission, are class Of sorcerers called
in Tamil K0rdangkes They profess to have the
spirit Of some god come upon them; and thus, when
questioned, they give answers showing what should
be done TO remove disease where stolen property
NAV be found, &c. They also have twelve lotus
seeds, representing the twelve signs Of the Zodiac,
with which they perform divination. They are
much sought after, and ] very often hear, in the
villages, the sound of the little drum which they use
constantly, while invoking tie divine power, and
then continue it when giving the responses. Yester
day, on the afternoon Of the Sabbath, in village
near Meldr, heard the sorcerer's drum; and j
know four or five such persons living near me.
few days ago visted the house Of man who had
the day before buried a son Of about twelve years.
asked him if he consulted the kordangkes, and
what they said about his son. lie spread out the
fingers Of both his bands indicating that he had con
suited many, and had reason to believe that he had
at least ive ALL he said assured him that his boy
would recover! And now here were the father and
mother sighng and mourning in their loneliness and
sorow, trusting not in that Ympathzing, comforting
Savior who wept at the grave Of Lazarus. Ii thing'
occur as the sorcerer predicts, be gets much credit
and when they do not he Gays, 1t was the writing
in the head" or fate; and the unrefecting people,
in their ignorance accept the excuse and very like.
ly seek him again the next time person it i'll. ]
have sometimes tried 70 undeceive a crowd Of the
deluded people by writing in Tamil, word or name
on q tract and putting down sum Of money, hav.
ing told the sorcerer he should have it, If be wouk
tell what was written. OF course he always falls
and yet he seems very little ashamed. Ny
stomach wants I must get living" he replesi
and strange 20 say, the people are usually satisfied
with this foosh excuse and go on as before consult
inQ these decevers. How sad is their slavery to ig
norance deception and sin
The favor Of the gods evil spirits is often sough
by sacrifices. Let me tell you of ono saw soms
months since at place Ia miles from Meldr. wen,
out On the Sabbath afternoon with catecbist 70
village. where we found the people, particularly
women, engaged in boiling rice as an Offering O
thanksgiving TO a goddess, Paravaihi Amman, fo
recent rain. A temporary temple, like booth, hat
been built and the idol within was highly decorated
with flowers and tinsel. Near the entrance, seate<
on straw, was Brahmn, the great man and lord o
the village. He and the company listened TO an ex
position Of the ten commandments and the way o
liie for the most part quietly and without much Of
spirit Of disputation, until 1t began TO grow dark
The then politely gave me leave to withdraw, but u
ntmated desire to stop longer, and observe ther
mode of worship and sacrifice, they made no seroui
objection. then retired TO a little distance and sa
down, the Brahmin kindly sending me portion O
his straw as y seat. Women came with their dlshe
Of rice, presented them TO the idol, and gave por
ton 10 the priest. Persons were busy, as is usual or
such occasions, in giving the worshipers sacTee
ashes, made of burnt cow-dung with which they
rub their foreheads, necks bare arms, aud breasIs
Lights were placed before the IDOL and 10 the ell
trance OF the temple, and after a time lamb wa
brought water was twice poured over 1t, and ther
its head was cut oil. Afterward four or five full
grown sheep and numerous fowls were thus saon
feed, the head only going to the priest while the
oerers took home the bodies of the animals T. feast
upon. Meanwhile drums were beaten, and the
women of the crowd kept up strange NOISE by the
trng of the tongue. Those who had sacrificed
were constantly hurying away in the darkness, with
the bleeding, quiverng victims in their bands. Al
together II was wild and strange scene the like
of which have not before witnessed in a lie Of
nearly thirteen years among the Hlndoos nave
before seen great numbers OF goats on their way to
be sacrificed at the famous Temple OF Alagar, Twelve
miles from Mtlr and also more than once the lead
less trunks of goats and sheep borne on pole be-
tween two men, bu, never had | seen AN actual enc
rifce, reminding me forcibly OF the everywhere-ieh
want in the human soul Of some mode OF expia'ine
sin. and tie truth Of Revelation that almost all
things are by the law purified with blood and with
out shedding of blood is 10 remission" What CHRIS
,an heart can refrain from the desire and prayer thai
these poor idoators may soon be led by the sp'rt !"
accent of Him who "now once IN The END OF 'he
world hath appeared to put drdy san BY tie sA'Hi'
YIcE os uINsLLf.' Tours uuiy, .,,
SI,vr-CAromlSG N BLAIR CouNrf.-We zee