Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-01-18

I
oession illustrated on q small scale some
thing of what Hindooism can do for the
world. The Christian procession illus
trates on a small scale something Of
what Christianity can do for the world.
But those two professions were only
fragments Of two great professions ever
marching across our world, the process
sion blasted Of superstition and the pro-
cession blessed of gospel light saw
them in one afternoon in Ceylon. They
are to be seen in all nations.
Nothing is of more thrilling interest
than the Christian achievements in this
island The Episcopal church was here
the national church, but disestablish
ment has taken place, and since Mr..
Gladstones S accomplishment Of that fact
in 1880 all denominations are on equal
platform, and all are are doing mighty
work. America is second to no other
nation in what has been done for Cey-
lon. Since 1916 she has had her religious
agents in the Jaffna peninsula Of Cey-
Ion. The Spauldings, the Howlands, the
Drs. Poor the Saunders and others just
rs good and strong have been fighting
pack monsters Of superstition and cruel
~ greater than any that ever swung the
iusk or roared in the jungles.
Christ Buddha-
The American missionaries in Ceylon
nave given special attention to medical
instruction and are doing wonders in
driving back the horrors Of heather sur
gerry Cases of suffering were formerly
given over to the devil worshipers and
such tortures inflicted as may not be
described. The patient was trampled by
the feet of the medical attendants 1t
is only Of Gods mercy that there is
living mother in Ceylon. Oh, how
much Ceylon needs doctors, and the
medical classes of native students under
the care Of those who follow the exam
pie of the late Samuel Fish Green are
providing them, so that all the allevi-
ations and kindly ministries and scien-
tifio acumen that can be found in Amer
lean and English hospitals will soon
bless all Ceylon.
In that island are 80 American
school, 2lO Church of England schools,
234 Wesleyan schools, 234 Roman
Catholic schools. Ah, the schools de-
eide most everythingl How suggest
Ne the incident that came to me in Cey-
lon. In a school under the care Of the
Episcopal church two boys were con-
verted to Christ and were to be baptized
An intelligent Buddhist boy said in the
school, Let all the boys on Buddha's s
side come to this part Of the room and
all the boys on Christ's side go to the
other part Of the room. q"
All the boys except two went on Bud
dha's side, and when the two boys who
were to be baptized were scoffed at and
derided one Of them yielded and retired
to Buddha's side. But afterward that
boy was sorry that he had yielded to
the persecution, and when the day OF
baptism came stood up beside the boy
who remained firm. Some one said to
the boy who had vacillated in his choice
between Buddha and Christ You are
a coward and not fit for either side,
but he replied, 81 was overcome OF
temptation, but 1 repent and believe.
Then both boys were baptized, and from
that time the Anglican mission moved
on more and more vigorously VIII
not say which of all the denominations
of Christians is doing the most for the
evangelization Of that island, but know
this-Ceylon will be taken for Christi
Sing Bishop Heber's hymn:
What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft over Ceylons islel
A College and Temple.
Among the first places visited was
Buddhist college, about 100 men study
ing to become priests gathered around
the teachers. Stepping into the build
ing where the high priest was instruct.
ing the class, we were apologetic and
told him we were Americans and would
like TO see his mode Of teaching If he
had no objections, whereupon he began,
doubled up as he was on lounge, with
his right hand playing with his foot
In his left hand he held package OF
bamboo leaves on which were written
the words Of the lesson, each student
holding a similar package Of bamboo
leaves. The high priest first read, and
then one of his students read. A group
of as finely formed young men as ever
saw surrounded the venerable instructor
The last word of each sentence was i'll
toned. There was in the whole scene
an earnestness which impressed me-
Not able to understand word Of what
was said. there is look of language
and intonation that is the same among
all races That the Buddhists have full
faith in their religion no one can doubt
That is, in their opinion, the way to
heaven. What Mohammed is to the
Mohammedan and what Christ is to the
Christian Buddha is to the Buddhist
We waited for pause in the recitation,
and then expressing our thanks retired
Nearby is Buddhist temple, on the
altar of which before the image OF
Buddha are offerings OF flowers. AS
night was coming on we came up to
Hindoo temple First we were pronib-
tied going farther than the outside steps,
but we gradually advanced until we
could see all that was going on inside
The worshipers were making obeisance
The tamtams were wildly beaten, and
shrilI pipes were blown, and several
other instruments were in full bang and
blare. and there was an indescribable
hubbub and the most laborious style OF
worshipl hadever seenor heard The dim
lights, and the jargon, and the glooms'
and the fitting figures mingled for eye
and ear horror which it is difficult to
shake of. All this was only suggestive
of what would there transpire after the
toilers of the day had ceased work and
had time to appear at the temple. That
such things should be supposed to please
the Lord or have any power to console
or help the worshipers is only another
mystery in this world Of mysteries But
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