Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-10-27
PAGODA IN LONDON.

The proposal, says the New York
Irs65nas TO erect a pagOda IN London,
and therein transact public worship
after Buddistie forms and prescriptions,
naturally stis emotion in the bosom Of
His Grace, the Archbishop Of Cauter-
bury. II Is not many years since the
orthodox world Of Great Britain was
moves as with an earthquake thrOe by
the announcement that a Greek zealOt
resident in London had privately re-
stored the forms Of Pagan worship, and
was making preparations ON an immense
scale to sacrifice q bull 20 Jupiter. The
story turned out 70 be the hoax Of some
ingenious and INSCRIPTIONS person, as
in~defaigable search failed to discover
either bull or idOlatOr. The Church
drew a long breath Ofrelief and resumed
her repOse. Whether the later re-
port turn out to be similarly baseIess is
yet to be ascertained, but il is not de-
hcient in FEASIBILITY. Certain more
than one-half, probably three-f0urths,
OF Her Majesty's subjects observe the
principles OF the religion 70 which in the
capital other dOminions It is proposed 10
erect a temple. Communication be-
tween England and India is now so
regular and rapid that ROttenrow is ha-
bitUally Of an afternoon clOUded with
HindOOs, as the thorOughfares Of CaIcuU-
Ia are sanguine with the artillery whfs-
kers Of burly, beer-cOusumiug British
Christians. The drawing-rOoms of Bel
gravia and May Fair rustic with the
robes and sparkle with the Jewels of rich
and cultivated Indians. some Of whom
do not scr1ple to discuss in excellent
English and excellent temper questions
Of theology with the distinguished pre-
lateOf Lambeth.
One Of these gentlemen recently
brought to His GTace's attention that a
portion Of the recorded creed of Skava
NUM- was embodied in the i~niuuctions
to Fright faith, right Judgment, right
language, right purposes. right practice,
right obedience, right memory, and
right meditation" That Of the ten
commandments, called in HiudOO
speech precepts Of aversion, five are Of
universal obligation. Ui-. Not TO steal.
commit adultery, lie, nor get drums:
the supplemental five, eni0ined on all
who have moral stamina enough to en-
brace them, pertain to fasts, interdfct
amusements and luxuries, and commend
asceticism and piOus meditation. The
writer, by implication, desires TO know
Of His Grace whether the diffusion OF
these principles in London could be con-
sidered contrary 10 good morals or pref
Judicial 10 the welfare Of society. 1t is
not likely that the Bishop VIII descend
TO a pOlemical discussion with his dusky
but polite and accomplished correspond
ent. But he viii doubtless d~euOunce
nom MS cathedral pagauism in general,
and the possible pagOda in particular.
The spectator Of a new temple of Born
BuddOr, sending its rising terraces and
pointed dOmes high above .'the light
aerial gallery golden railed' which Sits
ike q cOrOlet upon the majestic dome
OfSt. PaGiis. may well darken the archi-
episcopal brow. aud loose the denuneia-
tory thundeTs OF the cathedral. Still it
IS a puzzle how the majority Of the
Queens subjects could De prevented
from building a Westinghouse il they
wanted to. Hthey choose to put abronze
idol in it with large ears and a diamond
eye, an Obtrusive stomach and folded
legs, il they choose to conduct their SER
vices in HindOO or Sanscript, through
the INTERPRETATION Of breuzes instead of
Bishops, it is difficult TO see what act
of Parliament is TO restrain them. The
suggestion has been seriously made that
this initial adventure Is a missionary
enterprise Intended to attempt the o D
fN+lA1L ~ 0ANtAAA1AA w LAE AlAlNDN OL
the Vests as the nations Of the Westhave
sen many missionaries 10 ATTEMPT the
conversion of Christianity Of the nations
Of the East. These latter have usually
been politically received and permitted
to assume their works of CHARACTERIZATION
in peace. We do not think that this is
the design at present, but deem ii mere
ly the effort Of a small number Of piOus
HindOos permanently resident in Lon
don to establish a temple in which they
may unmOlested wag reverentiaI tur-
bans before the images Of their ancient
gods. Nor al we share the Archbish-
ops evident appreciation that any peril
will come to Christianity from such e.
Enlistment. We have not the least
dread that a brazen image of Guatama
will ever be erected before the high altar
of Canterbury nor thereverend benchCf
Bishops, and the established clergy. all
and singular, will be turned adrift to
make way for the wandering and mendi-
cant Sramanas or Bikshus, who are the
sole ministers of the alien faith. 1t was
sasd Of Rome thatit was "Shrine Of all
Saints and Temple Of all Gods and it
may be that London is in time to be-
come so. But she viii put back the day
of that imperial contamination if she
interdicts the pagOda and brings the in
strumentaiities of ecclesiastical Oppress-
ion to bear upon JamsetzeO Jecjee and
other b'hOys.