The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-09-18

and it is such blessed privilege to
be able to point them TO our Savior.
The worship Of idols is even more
dreadful than l ever imagined
could be possible.
The principal gods OF the Hindus
are Brahma, silva and Vishnu, but
they have almost countless incarna-
tions Of these.
Not long ago a festival occurred
in honor of Kali, the wife of silva.
/ will tell you about it, but first let
me tell you of Kali herself, then
you will better understand the fes-
tival.
She is represented as a black
woman, with number of hands
and arms, in one Of which she holds
the head Of the giant Durgo, who
had obtained favor in the eyes of
Brahma, and had become so power
full that he conquered three worlds
and dethroned India.
Around her body is girdle OF
dead mems hands. She wears q
necklace Of skulls, and is shown
dancing on the prostrate body Of
silva. Her tongue, fiery red, pro-
, trudes from her mouth, and in her
hand she holds a cup filled with
blood, while her whole appearance
, is most horrible and revolving. She
is cruel, blood-thirsty goddess.
. Every year at festivals held in her
e honor the ground flows with the
q blood Of the victims slain 10 satisfy
G her thirst for blood. This is very
f popular goddess here in Gashwal,
!, so on the annual festival day l went
e over to the village, where the cele
bration was to take place. As we
: neared the village we noticed that
}. all the people were out in their gay
Il est holiday attire; when we arrived
l. we found great crowd assembled; !;
t they filed the narrow streets and
d swarmed all over the house tops.
ct In some places they were dancing a
sort Of American Indian war dance,
$ minus the tomahawks. In other
D. places we saw Hindu priests burn
id ing their five sacred fires and taking
D. all the money they could from the
III poor deluded worshipers.
r. On the outskirts Of the village a
n sort Of -go-round had been
erected where men, women and
ur children enjoyed themselves in
8, childish sport, while waiting their
,rt chance to join in the dance.
he After several hours OF this q
g. young buffalo was brought out. A
or man struck it blow which caused
D. few drops of blood to flow; then
the animal was set free on the hill
ID side and as it ran the men and boys
to followed. Away they went, heltec-
il skelter, over rocks, through under
brush, wild, maddened crowd,
striking at the poor, frightened an
te imal, chasing it hither and thitheI
with cruel blows at every step, un-
til finally, dripping with blood, the
poor thing fell, and they continued
the beating until it was quite dead
es shouting in wild frenzy, like sc
many mad men.
NJ 1t was a horrible sickening sight,
rs from which we turned in disgust,
: and our hearts were heavy as we
- thought of the dear innocent one,
:. our Savior, who shed his precious
a. blood for these poor ignorant
+ people.
in In former times human beings
es were sacrificed in this festival, but
government has forbidden that.
Sometimes the work seems toe
great and human agencies too veal
n to accomplish the task. but He who
d said 81 will be with you" is able tc
ye give all needed help. In his owr
m time these blinded idolatrous ones
IN will turn away from all their idols
and worship the one true God.
AZ Coming away from all these
:. heather practices and entering one
I'd Of our mission schools where thu
,is children are singing christian
IN hymns, one seems to have Q fore
so taste Of whas it will be when al
shall know and worship the ons
ed true God.
Va What a Paradise this earth vii
ce be when all the nations shall b
n won for him.
in Our greatest need is for laborers
Il Often l find myself lsnging TO b
m multiplied hundred fold, for Their
at are so many places needing ad
rd ditional workers.
at How would like TO see you ans
of talk over affairs Of 80 much inter
v. est to us both. l want to ask yo,
or to pray for me especially that Coz
may so fill my heart with his love
ip that may be enabled to draw
IL many precious souls to His side, ;