Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-05-31
A HINDOO BURIAL.
The Death. Obsequies, and Cremation
Of Keshub Chunder Son.


Calcutta" 1t was little thought of then
that tie Oriental patriarch would be no
longer numbered with the living when
l reached Calcutta. The old proverb
that prophet is never without honor
save in his own country is partly exem-
plified in the present case, for while the
late Minister of the Brahma-Somaj has
his warmest native friends in India. l
find that the knowledge concerning this
fair flower of the Orient is scarcely as
universal among the masses in Calcutta
OF those who speak English as it is in
America.
1t was 4 o'clock in the afternoon when
the company of apostles and mourners
arranged themselves in order, took up
the f1owery bedstead with its precious
burden and started for the cremation
CHAT in Nimtollah, suburb to the north,
on the bank of the Hooghly. Many
hundreds of grief-stricken people follow
ed, their eyes downcast, their feet with
out shoes, and their hair dishevelled.
There was much difficulty at the outset
to preserve order and to form a line, as
each was eager to have a glimpse of the
benignant smile which still played up
on that beautiful face, cold in death
though it was.
The housetops were full of gazing men
and women, who frequently took up the
chorus of Jai Sachchidananda Hari in
common. piteous lament. Europeans,
Mohammedans, and Hindoos all con-
spired to render homage to the dead
leader of the New Dispensation.
Well, it was just dusk as the earthly
remains and the fiowery cot upon which
they reposed were laid upon a pile of
sandal wood there. The hand rested
upon the heart, outside of the winding
sheet AS the body lay upon the pyre,
the vast assemblage shouted: GAS the
true, the intelligent, the infinite, and the
blissful. He manifests himself He is
the peaceful and merciful God He is
one without a second. He is holy and
sinless.'
| The chief mourner, Karuna Chunder
Sen, the eldest son ofthe deceased, then
took torch in his right hand and
applied it to the pyre. saying: "1n the
name of God apply this holy fire to the
deceased. The mortal shall burn away
and perish, but the immortal shall live.
o Lord, the departed soul is rejoicing in
Thee, in Thy blissful abode" As the
body began to burn the multitude again
chanted Keshub's favoriIe anthem, "Glo-
nv unto the Redeemer, who is Truth,
Wisdom, and JOY" The cremation last
ed about five hours, and at quarter
past IL o'clock the ashes were collected
in an urn and brought back to the Lily
Cottage by the chief mourners and apos-
ties of the New Dispensation.
In reply to my question about Keshut
Chunder Sens successor, my guide said
"Mr. Mozoomdar thinks that the mantle
of our departed leader should fall upon
, him, and even with independent power
to act in matters of Church administra
ton. There are some who think him
the natural successor of Mr.. Sen, and
MANY who do not, so that two faction:
: have grown up. The place has not beer
usurped as yet, however. 1t is my view
that God will raise up a natural leader
: in time, and perhaps it will be Mr.. Mo
zoomdar. / think he must work first
however. until the force of circumstan
, ces declares him unquestionably oul
spiritual shepherd"
OF course / wanted TO see the author o
the Oriental Christ, and the prObabl,
, successor of Keshub Chunder Sen. SO
followed my apostolic informant out o
the compound past the Mission home
, where all the missionary residences wer'
built on the European plan, and into ;
, ward bearing the pleasant inscription
upou the gatepost of "Peace Cottage"
|, We were ushered into the study.
gazed about me in delight at well-nllet
book shelves, a fine desk, and stud!
chairs, all on thelforeign plan. Present.!
: Mr.. Mozoomdar entered, a handsome
well-formed gentleman, clad in the nea
estIof native costumes. His featuresiwe-
; rather light, he wore a remarkably sym
. metrjcal beard for an Indian, and ther
was sometime IF refined languor in hi
utterance. " /. ;h was rather fascinatin
than suggestive of effemiacy. He con
yersed pleasantly with me, recalling re
miniscences of the round the world tri
from which he has just returned, partit
ularly those relating to America, to whicl
$ country he seemed to have an especis
t attachment. During his sojourn in th
, United States he delivered frequent let
: tures. and it may be that some of you
readers heard him then. Everywhere,
q he said, 81 found such surprising intel
e est in Keshub Chunder Sen, and it was a
: 20 kindly. Infidels and denomination
alike spoke in his praise simply on tn
: ground of what they had read of hi
i life work ana excellent principles. Eve
|. such an uncompromising man as Josep
# Cook relaxed and unbent in a manne
that amazed me. You know Josep
N Cook had several interviews with ou
o Minister when he was visiting Calcutta
. and the latter even presided at one {
% his meetings.
i. Although about six weeks have elap'
ed since the minister's death, l fin
: that a universal feeling Of sorrow hans
over India. For two weeks after tn
event all the followers of the late apostl
throughout the whole country observe
seven points of commemoration. The
wore a piece of gairie cloth they abstain
d ed from animal food they gave up a
manner of mirth they studied the Ii
and teachings of their minister; the
prayed for the descent of the Holy Spi
Ie Il. and practiced communion daily wit
the view of realizing the presence OF Il
Divine Mother, with her child-the d
y, parted minister upon her lap they the