The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-10-12
HINDUISM VERSUS CHRISTIANITY,

The education of the Parsees in Eng
land, has for many years been carried
on to a great extent. These young Hin
dus of fabulous fortunes, and with all
the prestige of ancient names, and an
cientlore, enter Oxford, Cambridge, and
the principal English Universities to be
imbued with the philosophy and learn
ing of the Occident. OF course, as chill
dren, they have been brought up in the
Brahmanical or Buddhist faiths. Intheir
country there are more divinities than
inhabitants, and their science is in the
form ofreligious dogma. EmplOyments,
food, the details Of daily life, are regu-
lated by religious precepts. Sins are
committed religiOusly, and murdermade
a special religious worship. But yet the
sole reward and highest bliss of the be-
lever in Buddhism, is "Nirvana," or
Nothingness. To divest the mind of all
thought, and the body Of all action, to
become utterly unconscious of what we
call consciousness, is the great aim of
every Hindu devotee. This passive faith
is precisely the one on which a vital ac-
tive religion could have been grated,
for it offers no salient points of resist
ance to any.
There was, therefore, q deal of r~ejOic-
ing in the pious English circles over the
first Parsee scholars in English Univer-
stiles. Of course the modern "curricu-
lum" was to do away with all old super
stitions. The Heather was to be con-
verified thrOughthe humanizing Influence
of Christianity. What JOY to watch the
dark minds gradually light up under
Gospel teachings? Unhappily, in the
war of Dogma, Gospel tidings reached
these strangers in unhappy guise. "They
condemn every one to the deepest He'll
who don't entirely agree with Them"
| said the Indians. The result of this ex-
pertinent lies before us. These sons of
| Heathendom, with subtle, studious, en-
quiring minds ~unwarped by prejudice,
have gathered, compared, analysed, seen
| nothing invitiDginmodern Christianity,
and utterly reject it.
In fact, as Archbishop TAFT says, "The
conversion of the English by the Heather
is going on rapidly"
The study of Sanscrit whichopens the
ancient Mythology and Scriptures of the
East, the close analogy which exists be-
tween all Mythologies of the human race
and its early cultus, to have I'M
settled religious belief among the scien-
tiic circles in England. Therehas been
so much stress laid upon the outwOrks
of Christianity that when they were car
ried, it's vital truths seem utterly ignored
This crisis has long been foretOld by
earnest thinkers. The Comtean and
Darwinian philosophers opened the food
gates of doubt. The late pathological
and Observation-Disclosures which trace
a close analogy between the early tradi-
lions Of the Hebrews and Christian faiths.
and other primitive religions of the East
have also staggered weak beliefs. TIC
this let us add the wrangling and dis,
putes in the Christian churches them
selves upon dogmas and minor matters
and we a hardly be surprised at the
result. 7 d. ~
This great wave of infidelity is surg,
ing rapidly upon Ills. For the last eight
or ten years the class of intidel Thinkers
in the United States has waxed strong
and are rapidly increasing. Unless it ii
met by the true spirit of the Christian
Church, its strong faith, meekness, anG
self denial-unless many of it's encum,
ORANGES are cast aside, and the Churcl
purged of all intolerantspirit, Antichrisr
will run a successful "muck" in thi!
nineteenth century. 1t is very grievoui
to contemplate, this current strong il
learning and genius which is swelling
against the Church of Christ. BUTT il
within the Church itself that the defencei
are weakened, and the beauty and holi
ness Of Christianity impaired. If ther,
was more charity of word, and deed
more humility, and less urgency of dog
ma, there would be stronger defence
The world could not prevail agains
Christ and his disciples, because they ar
notof the world. But the Waterman FL
left to keep the towers of Zion hay,
slumbered on their posts, or grown su
pine, and a very pride of worldliness ha
entered in. Trifes are insisted upol
instead of the great vitalizing truths 0
Christianity.
So the dispute between Heathendon
and Christianity is growing hot over til
water, and we viii soon be In the yer,
midst of it. We must bear in mind on
fact, that Heathendom to-day does nc
mean ignorant, illiterate nations, bu
the most celebrated savans of every por
ton of the world, Yet Wemust believ
that's little of the salt oftrueG hristianit
would SAVIOR or destroy the indigestibl
mass which these men are offering u
for food.
The Courier says it will not suppol
Hon. Ebert CAN'T, the regular nomine
on the fusion ticket for Congress frol
this District. Mr.. CAN'T is as much en-
titled to support as any other candidat
on the ticket, according to the terms {
. fusion. We have no objection to th
Courier, g or any other man, not sur
: porting him but we want 60 stick a ri