The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-16

attendants at the foot Of the staircase and VIII be
Strange that the new sect should navs ADOPTED the
custom OF the segregation Of the sexes just at the
time when the Armenians are beginning 70 relax
be set apart for the choir. The temple boasts spen.
Old harmonium. We may expect to see the example
mos scattered throughout Lower Bengal. The open
ing OF the new temple Is noteworthy, as an attempt
Church IL WIN form turning point in the history
OF the Brahmos, point from which their dyerg-
ence from Hindooism must become more and more
marked.
From the Frieu,.. ~ india August 24.l
Those who sympathize with mus csss-enorts at
reform cannot lightly pass over the proceedings "
the new Brahmo Mandir, OF temple, In Calcutta on
Sunday last. The progressive BrahmOs, for the fist
time IN the history Of their belief saw the hitherto
scattered and undetermined members Of their sect
manner OF Christian Churches they heard tie
principles laid down which are to guide them In
their relations with the professors Of other religious
bearing and unsupported position their claim to the
respect OF the public. There was much In the pro.
to elate the Brahmo TIE former was pleased to
trace In the worship and belief Of the new
ter Of the extent Of that and
looking back to the depth from which he had
emerged, felt proud Of the exertions BY which he
had attained his present position. TO the leader OF
tile sect the occasion was Q triumph. His labors
during the past eight nine years for the spiritual
temptations, the contempt and the opposition Incl
dental to career like Keshub Chunder SENS must
INN more thankful for his Commentaries success "Ae
Tue position now publicly taken by the pro-
gressive section or the Branmists naturally raises
their S0maj consist 70 this the most search
Ing Investigation can suggest but one reply:-.
from its being protest against the idolary Of the
m4sses. II denies all revelation; 1t refuses the
IN n ar
called intuition. Now experience Of free-think-
sibie it would be 10 form society, Of even the
moderate dimensions OF the Brahmo S0maj, without
be found in the mass OF Hindoo idolatry. But If the
strength Of the Brahmo Somaj be derived solely
from It's opposition to idolatry It must weaken as
strength be acquired, every triumph Of the Somaj
over ldoatry, instead Of frightening its cords and
iundamental principles OF its existence.
This consideration, If there were no other,
that the constitution of the Brahmo somaj Of
India can continue on its present footing. And
efe are osT weae which we %
we write might be liable to misconsruct0n, and
that be taken for consciousness which IS meant for
friendly counsel. The opposition to all revelation,
and the consequent dependence OF the sect upon the
Judgment OF the leader IN matters Of beier upon
the principles OF what Is called intuition in defiance
OF all experience and philosophy, forbid the Brahmo
SOmaj to make progress without assuming new
form totally uiiefeHE rom what IL is at present.
Among the educated members OF the Somaj this
must at remote period prove intolerabc and lead
to secessons and the multiplication OF thestic secs
Even as the intellect oil Keshab Chunder Sen could
not brook submission to DebendrO Nath Tagore, so
in al probability men viii ARISE IN the Soma who
will In turn question Keshubs right to lead the party
of reform. And what Is there to fall back pom with
which these schlsmat1cs may be silenced? Baboo
kesnub Chnnder Sen has founded small sect BY
the force OF his individual character But while in
the upper ranks Of the SonlaJ results are to
dreaded from conflict OF intellects In which there
nj m fn n phntnn arf
the denial OF q revelation upon the more ignorant
members? They see In their leader referee upon
sanity disposition beyond that OF his brethren, and
they Immediately grasp at the idea, which Is cock
tensye win human nature, OF mediator between
choy proof that this is not mere speculation 1t has
been proved beyond dispute that a tendency exists
pay that homage to the creature which the Somaj
declares to be due only to the Creator 1t is fortu
nate that this tendency to worship should have
been discovered and We hope suppressed ut early
period; but it is serious reflection that the Somaj
wo Uhs n ua meet the mno
Judging from the past history Of religious systems
the great mission of the Sonia, the destruction OF
has always been observed that attempts at union
among free-thinkels have signaly failed, and that
each fought for his own hand As the views or each
OF the greatest reethinkers who have influenced the
world-and we do not mean to say that free-thlnk.
have not at times been OF service TO both morals
aud rellgOn-have derived their force from his own
individuality, they must OF necessity gain Father than
lose by fusion with other opinions. SO it Is we fear
with the Brahmsts This attempt to cOncentra te
the forces that have hitherto oeen assaing Hindu.
Ism on all sides may Widen tie breach, but 1t has
less chance OF destroying the works. We could
rejoice that the gulf between Erahmsm and Hinau.
ism was now more widened than ever were 1t not
that the transition from the one to the other Is rem.
dered more difficult. We admire the 6rmness with
which KeshuD Chunder sen refuses to recognize
caste distinctions. but what has he or his system
got offer In return for the REIMBURSEMENT OF those
great social advantages which institution
ike caste aiford5f That there is nothing
incongruops between caste distinctions and
Brahnism the exemplary lives Of prominent
attest. When we say that no religious system but
Christianity presents advantages and assurances
commensurate VITA the sacrince involved in the
abnegatlon OF caste, we do not wish to be under
stool relaxing III the slightest degree abnor-
Of that fnlquftous system, or deprecatng the
efforts OF the Brahmo SOmaj to teach that all men
equal in the sight OF God. On the relation of
Brahmist to so called Christian thesm we have but
little to say. The determined position which the
Somai has taken up at the outset OF his career as
congregation will sadden the hearts OF those who
have been the most enthusiastic supporters Of It's
work. The Somdj has been unfortunate inasmuch
as its defenders in England have been neither
It's stronger nor the more Intelligent admirers and
they in their enthusiasm have promised more for the
SotnaJ than 1t seems likely to perform We have
little hope that Branmism anu Unltarianism will
ever coaesce. Looking at the tendencies OF both II
Is apparent that the goal OF the one Is the origin Of
the other. We would fain hope that the Brahmo
SomaJ OF India has entered on path that Will lead
to conceal the disadvantages under which 1t sets
out on q