The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-25
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poc,r,n.s of the New Fuith-Deputation of
EurOpean ssIoafers'-Suif for Separation
from Her HineiOo Husband by English
Lady-Curious Action in Reference To an Idol.
CALCUTTA, August %, 1859.
Although at Umrtsir, Agra, and several other
places which have been attacked cholera has sem
sipiy abated 1t is stl raging IN many districts in
various parts OF the country with fearful violence.
and the total death s at the very lowest esti-
mate, 400 a day. Since 1858 there has been no hot
season so fatal as the present to Europeans All
through the Northwest provinces the pestence IS
making sad ravages. AT Gwalior the deaths are
from Sky to a hundred day, and Sepree, Bhopai
and Sehore are suffering heavily. The scourge
seems, indeed, to be steadily marching along
the Agra road TO Bombay. At lndore the native
Rajah has made the people offer sacrifices outside
the city walls, with bare heads and dry chapdaies
but without any marked success as upward OF loo
men have persned during the past three weeks.
All through Malwa the horrors OF pestence are
aggravated by the privattons Of famiue, especially
among the thousands OF pilgrims who have been
visiting the shrine Of omcar and are now obliged to
remain in that district until the rains are over.
From Southern India we hear almost equally gloomy
tidngs AT Hyderabad the cholera has made ter
ribe inroads and at Madras and ali the other main
centres OF population 1t has had more or less
victims.
In the presence OF this severe mortality 1t is but
natural that the medical faculty should be severely
--cised In spite OF the careful observations that
have been made this fatal scourge IN spite OF the
repeated supposed discovery Of the proper mode OF
treatment and In spite also OF the improved sanitary
surroundings OF the greater part OF the population
the percentage OF deaths TO attacks is higher than
ever. Either the maady must be increasing in vru-
lence or the more modern forms OF treatment are
even less eflcaclous than the old. Physicians are
beginning TO despair OF mastering the grand secret
OF this most fatal OF Indian diseases; no theory how
ever plausible and reasonable has yet been found to
conform to the facts of the case.
semi-onlcial statement has been made that
unless a very marked and scarcely hoped-for I'm
provement takes place IN the crops the proposed
Durbar OF the Duke OF Edinburg at Agra will not be
held. At present there seems every likelihood Of
there being disastrous famine all over
the Punjab, and In many districts OF Lower Bengal,
at the best, only hope that the crop Will be
barely sufficient to main tain the people. SO the
Governor General has very wisely made up his mind
TO abandon that splendid PROJECT or royal Durbar
which should eclipse the old magnlfcence OF those
OF Akbar and Jehangr.
Last sunday temple OF the new religious faith OF
educated Hindoos, the Brahmo Soma was opened
with simple but appropriate ceremonies In this city.
AS spectacle, the affair was not very noteworthy;
q
service, though 1t lasted from half past six IN the
morning unlil seven O'Clock at night. consisted
merely OF hymns, prayers, silent meditation. social
conversation ana readings. IN imitation or Chris
tan churches, there collection FOR the build
ing fund.- and notice was given that regular wor-
shippers could have seats allotted to them. But uu-
pretending as 1t may be, the Brahmo Somai Will
PROBABLY do more TO break down hlndoo idolatry
and the system or caste distinctions than the elabo-
rate aud costly missions OF the various branches OF
the Christian Church. Founded thirty years ago by
ali educated and enlightened Bengaes who despsed
"a nna
time doubted the claims OF Christianity, Brahminism
has assumed q form that corresponds exactly TO the
religious needs OF large class OF the native
community Missionaries bitterly complain that
education instead Of preparing the mind or the Hin
doc for the Gospel or Christ merely disDoses him 10
disbelief OF all revealed religion. The Of this
Is very simple. The Baboo intimately acquainted
with the Nedas ana the history OF Gandama the last
Bundh, tells his Christian friends that he regards
their faith as but another development OF the Indian
religions, and TO confirm his statements he Will point
TO what he and many Europeans who have lived in
India believe to be the orgin OF many parts OF the
Biblical narrative OF the LIE OF Christ. Gandama lie
VIII show you, ike Christ, was the scion OF royal
house; cages visited his cradle and foreold for him
o splendid destiny as reformer, ana he lnauga-
rated his mission to his fellow creatures by pass
ing through severe temptation, III the course Of
which the spirit OF evil offered him universal do
slight correspondence between the two religions Is
80 iattering to the national vanity OF the Hindoo
that he readily adopts belief IN their common
origin.
The Brahmo soma offers to men OF this class q
falta which taey can easily accept. An American
VI
rhapsodes OF the Brahmist may easily believe that
he IS attending Sprituast convention The Brah-
mist processes himself 70 be pre-emlnently truth
seeker, and 10 have dismissed from MS mind al
belief IN revealed religion, whether IL be that OF
bIahlna, OF 1aAulHa, OF Mohaimeu, vi onrlst: lie
recognizes, however, IN the government OF the
universe benefcent and loving intelligence, and to
tnat supreme Beng whose goodness mas created
and sustained him he offers the homage Of his inner
most soul. As rule OF life he accepts the lntuive
teachings OF his conscience and the dictates Of
reason, and he Is also willing to bow TO such laws OF
necessary. OF life beyond the grave he knows
nothing but believes in IT. because ne has an lntui-
knowledge OF its existence, and because 1t seems
agreeable to MS intellectual perceptions OF the gen
erai laws OF the universe.
Such are very briefly the leading doctrines OF the
new faith, and they are fast spreading over Bengal
among the educated natives. me most important
peans Is that II refuses 10 countenance the distnc
lions OF caste. whether II VIII become permanent
form oi religious faith Is, Of course, doubtful; but
Is certainly doing much 10 break down the hold OF
Brahmlnlsm upon the affections ana intellect or the
Hindoo. The present leader OF the Somaj tBaboo
keshuo Chundcrsen) cynteLnplates going 70 Eng
land early next year, ana 1 have been told, though
on very doubtful authority, that he may possibly
tend MS Visit 10 the states. by the way heard the
other day that a prominent Hlndoo scnolar, Baboo
Peary Cnand Mtra, is splrituallst and corresponds
with Judge Ednonds.
A Law has Just been passed for the suppression OF
European Vagfancy. All over the country there IL
sDrnkILg oi tisfeputable white men VINO I'VE by
begging and petty thet They mostly sailors
VINO have strayei nom their SHIPS away the
terror or soldiers wno having obtained leave 70 stay
IL Ihda Oh the expiration OF their term OF service,
have failed IN business. These men are regarded by
the more fortunate wbItes as scandal 10 the Cau-
caslaD race, and 10 has al last been determined To
defort them TO England. 4 man VINO has tnus Deen
deported VIII be liable 90 term OF Imprisonment II
ne visits India again without special permission.
curious case mas Just come up before The Ses-
sions court OF Benarea An English lady named
Mrs sseehood-deen, pleaded IN }0fad panDa'tS
Tor the restitution OF $4,000 her dover, from her
husband III seems tnat some ten years ago this
LADY, whose maiden name vas Cara Jams BilK DO
came acquainted villa some HInd0O magnates who
were wishing England. one Or them arranged 10
marry ner, but broke Oh tue engagement, and had
To pay sum Of 1000 rupees as compensation after
suit Tor breach OF promise Alter SHE obtained
Lhis money sue found favor In tna eyes Oh the man
whose name she now bears, the M0ulvie Mussech-
Ood-deeD, and Ia 1900 he married Ter. The Mouigle
Eos possession 81 her money aud lett England IA 1906
slce which lime his WI 2 mas not even heard from
nun, much less received any pecuniary assistance.
She has now come OUT 20 India, and having foqnd
her husband asks thar ne snail be compelled 10 give
her 5000 rupees. she also desires separation.
WHAT Inc DECISION Of the court may be IL of course
very uncertain, but the progress or tle case Will no