The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1905-08-09

eastern TaIIns. Thus may be inau.
gurated a movement for a nearer ap.
proach to unification of the religious
systems of the world than has be-
fore seemed to be possible-a unifica'
ton that is based not upon the deser-
ton by some Of their religion, but
upon the better understanding on the
part of each of the ideals Of the others
and the perception that the essentials
CT true religion are in fact indentical,
however different external names and
forms may be.
It must be admitted by those who are
familiar with Indian life that Chris
tan influence in the east has In real
ity been not only in extent but In
quality and beneficial effect far from
what 1t has been supposed to be by
those who have lent it their support.
It Is certainly true that human nature
Is SO constituted that when a mans
religious ideals are once disturbed
those by which they may be replaced
are likely to be so insecurity rooted as
his character or future career
Still more serious, however, is the
fact that change of faith on the part
Of Hindoos is generally brought about
by desire to secure material benefit
Employment, both under the English
government and that controlled by I'M
official westerners resident In India,
is frequently dependent upon religious
affiliations. This was no doubt to have
been expected, in the absence at least
of special precautions, since one natu-
rally wishes to have about him those
who appear to sympathize with his
ideals, but the deplorable result has
been to produce class Of time serv
ing Hindoos, which embraces a large
part of the SO called Christian converts
in the country who have nOSninally
at least repudiated their inherited
faith and formally adopted Christian
ity with the hope Of securing employ
ment These unfortunatCspeople have
lost the sustaining influence of their
native religion without securing any
ly they are as a class although nomi-
nally Christians, quite without moral
basis of character. There results from
these conditions among the intelligent
natives Of the country who observe
them a feeling Of resentment, harden
ing against all western approaches,
which is a most effective barrier to the
spread Of Christian influences.
If, therefore, it be possible, as Mr..
Ramanathan's efforts and the success
which has already attended them in
dictate that it is, to direct the energies
which are now devoted to spreading
Christian ideals into channels which
shall attain that object without dis
turbiSg the religious convictions of
those to whom they are addressed,
much will be gained not only in the
effectiveness of the appeal, but in the
consequences to the character of those
who are Influenced, while, above ALL
the unification of mankind, the recogni-
ton of the undoubted fact that under
all names and forms and creeds there
IS out Tue one IellSIOH, dS LASIC 10 DuC
one God in the universe and in the
hearts of men, will be brought appre-
ciably nearer.
Mr.. Mammalian will spend the sum-
mer until September at Green Acre,
Eliot, Me-, where he will deliver sew
eral series of addresses on the Unity
of Faith" and kindred topics and will
meet all who wish to make his ac-
quaintance. In the fail Mr.. Ramana-
than will reside for some time in or
near New York and later will probably
visit the principal cities Of the country.