Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-21
ing into agnosticism and irreligion and
materialistic and selfish views of life"
What Missionaries Say.

Experienced missionaries tell me there is
distinct tendency amongoeducated Hindus
to give up the old line of defense against
the Christian religion. and, admitting the
ethical purity and 'trutl. of the teachings
Of Christ, to attack some particular doc
trine, some dogma over which Christians
themselves have been in controversy, to
elaborate the criticisms Of Ingersoil and
Bradlaugh, and to call attention to the fail
ure Of the Christians to realize their own
ideals.
This is very significant, but at the same
time there is little encouragement or satis-
faction in studying and tracing the various
reforms that have been started from time
to time among the Hindus They have been
many and frequent. New teachers are con-
stantly arising, new organizations are be-
ing formed and reviva1s Of ancient pre-
cepts are occurring every year; but they do
not endure They ere confined to limited
circles, and none has yet penetrated to any
extent into the dense mass of superstition,
idolatry and ignorance which lays its offer
ings at the affairs Of cruel and obscene
gods.
At the Lady Curzons reception not long
ago met one of the most notable men and
one Of the most notable women in India
Sir Nepundra Narayan Bluff Bahadur, Ma
haraja of Cutch-Behar. yam Bluff Bahadur,
Maharaja OF Cutch-Behar and his wife.
dia who dress in modern attire and appear
in public like their European sisters. She
is the daughter of one of the most famous
Of Indian reformers.
The Truth-Seeking Society.
EARLY in the last century a scholar and
patriot named Ramohun Roy, becoming
dissatisfied with the teachings and habits
Of the Brahmins. renowned his ancestral
religion and organized what was called
THE Truth-Seeking Society" for the pur-
pose Of reviving pure Hinduism. He pro-
claimed a theisttc creed, taught the exist
ence OF one god and the sin of fdolatry. He
declared Tor the emancipation OF women,
for charity to the poor and helpless, for
the purity of life, and, altogether. his SER
mons and lectures are very similar to the
teachings of the Unitarians In the United
States. He was called the Theodore Par
ker Of India, and attracted many follow
ers. But before he had accomplished much
he died. and his mantle fell upon Keshab
Chunder Sen. a man of great learning, tai
emit and worth, the son of one Of the most
bigoted families of the Brahmin caste. and
he was brought up in fetid atmosphere
OF w superstition and idolatry;
Wmle attending school at Calcutta he was
thrown In with European teachers and as
sociates and, being of an inquisitive mind,
undertook the study OF other religions than
his own. 1t naturally came about that he
heard of the Truth Seeking Society" and
ultimately Joined IT. and by his force of
character and ability became one of its
leaders. Early in his career he concluded
tii1t lut greatest weakness among the peO-
pie OF India Is their treatment Of their wo-
men. and he formed what was known as
The Indian Reform Association for the
purpose OF promoting the education Of wo-
men. preventing child marriage, relieving
widows from their ferlorn ostracism and
securing for the daughters of Indian famt-
lies the same legal and property rights that
are enjoyed by the hsonss The movement
became quite populax and he gained con-
siderable reputation He went to England
and Germany and delivered lectures and
published several books. His agitation ac-
compfshed some practical results, and he
secured the passage Iofl several laws of i'm
portance establish iIlg the civil rights OF
wives, widows and daughters.
About twenty years ago his daughter, q
very brilliant and beautiful woman, married
the Maharaja of Cutch-Behar. who was
converted, Joined the movement and be-
came an active member Of the society. Like
many others Of the princely families of In
dia, he lays claim to divine origin. the
founder Of his dynasty having been god
In 1772, the ruling raja, having been at
tackled by more powerful neighbors. applied
for protection to Warren Hastings. then
governor of Bengal, and acknowledged sub
lection to the East India Company. The
Province Of Cutch-Behar was thus one Of
the f1rst TO be absorbed by the British enn-
pire, but Il has ever since been governed
all OF the land In his territory and receives
taxes in lieu Of rent from his tenants. who
are his subjects His territory has q pop
ulatfon Of 10000, OF whom $4,000 are Hin
dus and 1889 are Mohammedans. He 10
assisted In his government by resident
English adviser. appointed by the viceroy
yssy tts g Sc Tor I te nss
port Of himself and family; and inherited
from his ancestors one OF the most rare