Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-05-28
A NEW INDIAN PROPHET.
All His Predictions Failed, Bnt lie Created
Lot OF Excitement.

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The growth of seets and hetesies un-
der our tolerant rule in India is more
frequent than is generally known, for
Hinduism is elastic enough quickly to
absorb them, and they are still more
Ehort-liyed when their leaders have
been Christians. 1t is when the rel-
gious itnpostor heads movement
which threatens the peace of the coun-
try that we learn the curious details.
The latest event of this kind has De-
Cured in the Bengal division Of Chota
Nagpore, the aboriginal tribes of which
have joined the Christian church, Ang-
lican, Lutheran and Scottish Presby-
terian by the thousand. Bifsa, lad
of 2O,who had lapsed from Christianity,
was in the jungle with d companion.
when d fash of lightning for moment
transfigured his face, and bis friend sa-
luted him as god. Birsa returned to
his village, Chalkad, and proclaimed
himself an incarnation who could N6rk
miracles Of healing.
His first case was that of baby
who was perfectly well; he breathed
upon 1t, declared he had cured it, and
his fame brought thousands OF the
simple demon worshipers to his feet.
Over every case of sickness he pro-
nounced charm, consisting of such
head lines of an English primer as he
had read in the Lutheran school at
Chaibasa. "Stul, store, stare, stale" was
the favorite Invocation. He admitted
TINT Christianity was good but for two
evils-tke offertory in church and the
permission to wear boots when at wor-
ship.
He soon proclaimed the end of the
world for fixed day and hour; all
were TO be destroyed by fire and brim-
stone except those who found refuge
with him. Money was therefore use
less, and the people were told to spend
their all at once on clothes, with the
result that the Hindu dealers could not
supply the demand. The coming har-
vest would not be wanted; the cattle
accordingly were turned into the
crops.
When thousands waited at high noon
on the day fixed for doom. and nothing
occurred, Birsa tied string between
two trees and declared that the end
would not come till that broke. The
nearest English missionary, who had
tried to open the eyes of the deluded
multitude, and feared famine, then
informed the British deputy commits
sioner at Ranchi, the county town. He
sent constable to arrest the impostor,
but the crowd was too great. A whole
posse of native constables followed and
had to fee. He then went out himself,
nnd by night arrested the prophet, who
was sleeping in the midst of his chosen
followers.
But by that time there was the be.
ginning of rebellion such us, in Lord
Dalhousies time, caused the Santel wal
in the neighboring hills. AS Birsa
went to Jail he prophesied his return
in four days, and 1000 men whom hC
had ordered to arm themselves witt
nXes waited in vain. Now, afraid of thu
military police under the white man
they are ilocliDg TO the chapels, ehgei
to be recognized as Christians; but o.
these the majority are expected tC
change their minds when the terrol
and deiusion have disappeared will
Birsa's long imprisonment in dis
tant place. A similar impostor cause,
what is known as "the war Of the AK
among the Kailirs of South Africa
Edinburg Scotsman.