, 1874-07-26

| N11o1tNAN1 AL11U4ON5.
When it was announced that Max Muller vas
to lecture on Sunday in Westminster Abbey
High Churchrnen called it desccration. When
the lecture WAS published. Clurchmen and Dis
senters groaned alike at its doctrine. It classi.
fed the great religions as missionary and non.
missionary. In the first category the speaker
placed Buddhism Christianity, and Mahomet-
anism. In the second he put Brahmanisn,
Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. The former we're
VITAL growing. The latter were dying or dead.
Tho reflex action Of missionary effort kept q re-
ligion alive Nothing else could insure long life.
Tho world was to bo portioned out, therefore.
between Buddhism, Christianity, and Mahomet-
anism. So said ths Professor. This classi-
fcat1on Of Christianity With two other
! forms Of faith gnyo Its devotcss great
| disQujet. When tho eTer-ready storm Of
| reproaches had somewhat died away, Prot.
! Muller found that he had managed to offend
believers in all the missionary religions. He.
WAS accused OF misrepresenting all OF them.
Duddhists opened fire upon him. Mahometans
tried to show how he had underratedthe strength
u luE1I ElGEu 4toN tut fDk4lB8 VI LQ8 uuU-1ulS-
slonary religions are upon him. It is said that,
though Zoroaster opposed missions, his follow
crs have broader viows. Tho Parsees arc
busily proselyting in the far East. Dr.. Adler,
the Chief Eabbi of London, declares that the
Hebrews "have been the most proselytizing
people in tho world" The Rev. Charles Voyncy
defends this Saying, 4 Jewish mission
NY society ia now being formed in
London. It is probably an indirect result
OF the lecture. The ablost reply is in
behalf Of Drahmnnism. The Fortntqhty Recic,o
for this month publishes elaborate article by
Mr.. A. C. Lyau on the condition and prospects
OF the great Hindu creed He says it proselytes
rapidly. "More persons in India become every
tho other religions in India put together" It
gathers converts in two ways. Whole tribes On
the outskirts of Hindostan embrace it en- mds.e
This process is q frequent ono. Secondly, Brah-
man1sm absorbs all the new sectB which are con-
tiuually appearing. It's creed is 'capacious. Al
most all beliefs can find resting-place in it. |
4 "prophet" speaks. Thousands Of creduloua !
Hlndus flock to him. In short time, he and |
his followers within tho fold Of Brahms.
1lr. Lyau declares that their faith s'still !
other religion" because it is Indigenous. the
product OF circumstances that still exist; be-
cause it is q social syptem,-"a man is not
Hindu because he inhabits India OF belongs to
any particular race or State, but because he is q
Brahmin" -; and, finally, because it provides q
constant supply Of miracles, and the Hindu
makes miracles prerequisite Of faith. It ia as
strong as Buddhism OF Mahomctanism, says the
writer, and will come out in as good condition Us
they from the great fight that the four faiths will
Hase on Indian soil ere long.
Max lluller has appended 3 note to this arti-
lie. He defends his views By saying that re-
igion may be prose1yt ytizng and yet not non-rnis-
'ionary. Tho word proselytes means literally
& those who come to us, not those to whom
70 CO." By missionary religion the
;crts to enter its fold. but one 'sin which the ,
of the truth aud the CONVERSION OF un-
'elieyers are raised to the rank of eacred duty
y tho founder or lis immediate SUCCESSORS" ;
'rahmanism accepts proselytes. It does not :
onduct missions. Therefore Prof. Muller still ,
onaidcrs it dying. uo qualities this state +
1cat, however. BY saying: i
When spoke OF Brahmantsm as dead, meant the | y
ugar, orthodox Brah.uanis1n which Is openly patron
led by tho B7ahman6 though scorned by them in
ct. did not mean the worahip Ut Drahma the | q
rrGm1 S{Irit. which hag HY{staj IN Tpdi |