New-York tribune., 1883-11-04
KESAB CHUNDER SEN.
THE HEAD OF THE BRAIIMo sOMAJ AND
HIS WORK.

Turned TO look at the speaker whose deep, oh and
thrilling voice came to my ear. tall, plain man. with
heavy features largo and snguarly penetrating eye ana
full sensual mouth was in conversation with two othere
one Mr. Tapton Of the Small Cause Court the other an
American stranger. 1t was evening ip August ana the
gentlemen stood together the Course In Cacutta-the
public promenade where al the citizens Of the European
quarter walk on summer evenings nom sunset till
O'Clock; and later midnight "the people" come TO
enjoy the Same cooling air. At its head Is the Govern
ment House. and near by the Town Hall Treasury Court
House. and other large buildings at its foot, two miles
SOUTH the rapidfowng Nullah. On either side Ii the
nGiddn public park; and among the trees
ut the right appear the grey, frowniDg walls
of Fort William scene OF the "Black Hole
tragedy To the Course one goes to find his friends
and there the Same persons are met every evening.
Among them none familiar to every requenter
than the gentleman who had spoken in my hearing to the
American, and who had passed his hand lightly across
his forehead, and walked on The speaker was remark
able man and one who is known throughout all India
Kesab Chpnder Sen, convert from Hinduism and the
apostle of a church, or sect, known as the "Brahmo
somaj of India"
Ii had been my pleasure to make his acquaintance at
the of the Asiatc Society, few weeks before ana
though had since then met him almost every evening"
had scarcely had the courage claim coveted conver
saon with him. But his remark about America tonoheu
my American nerves, and FASTENED &c overtake hin'
.Babu" Isaid beg your pardon, but are you to go
to America 2"
added, A." have dreamed Of It."
walked by his side and he spoke further Of his pro-
jec conversing with an easy grace and speaking as un
restrainedy II had known him all my life He spoke
English with 1uency, and of tho United States In such
complimentary only Hindu can use. He
neither admitted denied that the purpose Of his in
tended visit procure TO enable his great work
10 be carried on readily OWNED this and readily
found that he already knew Of American tolerance and
charity.
1o.f fharaR
asked.
"No," was his answer; "the New Dtspensatlon lie ex
clusiycly Indian"
but religions are cosmopolitan" said. 81 should
think you would seek universal dissemination Of your
doctrines"
of one Of sams accOstcd him business Of import
ance and he obliged TO hid inc gOOdevcning. But
think ae not rude" he sad he explained that be had
to retire; "think not nyou please we will resume
our conversation nj my house at 10 tomorOw
DOCTRINES OF THE NEW CHURCH.
found the street very Indian in appearance and the
house would all pleasant were not that directly
in front OF it lies Of those fine squares OF which the
city s 30 proud with its luxurant garden and sparkling
reservoir was shown into the " library "a white
walled room having desk few chairs and shelves con-
tanning probably hundred volumes, all looking as II
they had seen much use A volume that lay
open on the desk the "Pratanard
OF Dudder stitu Ent, very erudite work
Among the books English Bible, and my notice
off drew its owner into immediate conversation.
"Yes" he said, speaking English very like French
man. great In goodness is the Bible Assuredy, your
people were good your Book India would be Chris
tanized ia five years" He continued: al am not the
founder the Brahmo SODa 1t owes its origin TO Ram
MOhan Ra Rajah of BaTdwan). IN 1880" little book
OF faith which Mr. Sen me at that time contains
the following literaly) as the creed" that RAJ wrote
There fourteen articles " The bases OF faith are
Nature and intuition. C2 All truth is acceptable
(9) Religion is progressive form OF truth.
(i) The Brahmo sOmaj doctrines mderlie all religion
(5) Belief in Supreme God. (6) Belief in immortality
OF the soul C7) Repentance the only way to salvation
Gs Belief in efficacy of prayer ( Belief in Gods love-
QO) Worship is love of God and his works, Gl God
can be wOrshpped at any time and place Q2) Elevation
and purity Of mind necessary to holiness Q3 No faith
put in stated rites and ceremonies Q Theoretically
there should be caste" After calling my attention TO
this creed" Mr. Sen said: al raised my hand against
caste In 1860 began TO say that practically as well as
theoretically there should be no caste. Ny opponents
said that time this might be; but my word was
Now! Cease dolatry in every shape cried for perfec
ton OF Church. and It Is my idea to enlarge our
second article. We Gull truth from the Rig Voda, the
Bible, the Pitakas. and the Koran, and so dream
TO myself this question: Why cannot Hindu
Buddhist, Christian and Mohommedan, become unity in
the soIui All dispensatons but compoEens Of one
Divine schene that is, of the New DispensatOu, the
somU."
VIEWS OF GOD AND CHRIST.
lie then opened his Bible and read Of
prophecy Closing it, he said al claim that in my
church all Of this prophecy fulfilled In the soms to
be the gathering OF religions. Other sheep have which
Of this fold he says and the others Buddhist
HIndus and Mohammedans. Don't you sect huInbly
hope to this end and so teach love the God and in
the love of the Beautiful Eye live and teach"
"The Beautiful Eye I" repeated
"Ah," he said. You fail to understand That
Is one Of the Hundred Titles Of God; others
are the Il am 'Evernving,' Awful, First Cause Life
Of Life" Inotced that he Gid not the title of Christ
and remarkcdit
"Chrst is not Divine" he said. "Heisa great prophet
like Noses Chatanya and sakya Mani They give us OF
God We do not worship them else would we come into
idolatry than that which is But doatry Is we'll
meaning after ALL To break II up 10 bring unity out OF
multiplicity compute that there three hundred and
thirty millions OF gods and gOddesses and each is OF God
perfectly understand how idolatry originated Thus
All realized something divine. One sad Love Is
greatest; love must be my god Another contemplated:
the kindness OF God and said: Because God feeds mo-
will worfhp his mercy Annapurna)' Another said
'Greatest is force, it is divine So his object of worship
Is force (Satll)."
meaning was, that worshippers seize portion
and persuade themselves that they have the whole of
God is mercy, is love. is wisdom" he continued. ~
urge that idoaors T0P a01te Ss ana @ argue Ina S
napurna the Greatest! or Greatest sathP say to
they are do not care yourcvere Infinite Love above
mercy rsE only recognize that II is love or mer
cy nom being. Revere His love, beauty, OF glory
but worship only Him who makes love, beauty and
glory possible AS you know, some Hndus worship
the They do t because IL represents DOcity and
sustenance Why did the Egyptians hold the cat sacred
Because IL destroyed vernin which OF the devil II
you will but think OF worshipped the the
stork, the OK SO came the place OF the Judean hon
Worship neither image animal, not that Whch
they represent but worship Him of whom are those aud
many other attributes"
But you should honor Christ" suggested.
do" he said His sacriHCial blood freely given TO
wicked world, hs. gone into my fe-bloodl But He is
buta an : Father.
God living atributiye cOmponents. Divine good
OF Mercy Glory Life ia there good In Christ in
Gautaina In MahOmet, IN Moses, in John the Baptist; {;
and 10 some less degree In Paul, In Wesley, In Sweden
borg The Somai does not idoZe Christ Gautana,
Wesley but reyeres all we to worship men then