The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-12
MISSIONS IN INDIA.

DR.. Fields letters from the Orient in the Eoan-
gelist are models of epistOlary correspondence
Unlike many Of the exaggerated, sentimental and
sensational illusions of tourists they are unambi.
tious in style, full of information, and are charac
terized by an intrinsic evidence of truthfulness.-
His letters from Egypt we're especially instructive,
and his portrait Of Ismail Pasha, the present Khe-
dive, and the analysis Of his administrative policy,
display the qualities Of discriminating ard accu-
rate observer The Doctor last communication
gives his first impressions Of India 1t is graphic
and interesting throughout, and his deiueation Of
Hindoo character, and his views Of Christian mis-
sons in India, make it one of real value. He says:
when came here, and saw what strange
people was among, how unlike Christian nations
asked question which many have asked before
whether these people could become Christians. 1t
is fayorite idea of many travellers--aud Of many
English residents in India-that not only is the
number of conversions enthusiastically small, but
that the "converts" are not worth having when
they are made 1t is said that 1t is only persons
of the lowest caste who have nothing to lose, that
can be persuaded to become Christians; and that
thew are Influenced only by the lowest motives, and
that while they profess TO DO converted they are
in no wise changed from what they were, except
that to their old heather vices they have added
that of hypocrisy. Hearing these sayings, have
taken some pains to ascertain what sort of people
these native Christians are have attended their
religious services, and have net them socially, and
so far as | could judge, have never seen more
simple. minded Christians. Some of them were
very intelligent also, ss much SO as the best in-
structed member of American churches They
have faced opposition and odium which would
shake the courage of almost any one, to become
Christians Think what they have had to en-
counter. When Hindoo becomes a Christian,
he is literally an Outcast. His most intimate
friends will not know him. His own family
tnrn him from their door, feeling that he has
brousht upon them neffable disgrace, disgrace,
far greater than if he had committed crime
for which he was to perish on the scattod. To
them he is dead. and they go through with his
funeral rites as if he were no more in this world
The pastor of the native church here has thus been
buried or burned by his own family. Another one
has had his own father turn from him in the
streets and refuse TO recognize him. These things
are very hard to bear. And SO far from wondering
that there are not more conversions among the Da-
tiyes of India, | wonder that there are so many,
and can ascribe it only to the power of Him who
has all hearts In HIS hands, and who can give cour-
age TO the weakest, and make the most timid
strong and brave. Let not then the Christians of
America or England despair OF India. There, are
many signs That the power OF caste, which has held
its millions in bondage tor thousands of years, is
breaking, and the progress which has hitherto been
slow, is beginning to move with an increased ra-
nidity. Ii the movement SHOULD continue to in
crease in the future in the sams ratio as in the past
fifteen years, the whole population of lndis-more
than two hundred millions OF people would be cor.
yerted to Christianity IN the next two hundred
years.