Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-12
THE BIBLE IN INDIA.
Religious Ferment That is Bringing
Christianity to the Hindoos.

Clayton Sedgwick Cooper, in Century.
An old, whte-haired Brahman came to
me in Calcutta, after public meeting of
students, and said, is stir the con-
science an Ineligible use OF English?''
1 assured him that 1t was. He replied
'India's conscience has been dead for
centuries. at least along certain lines.
The Bible will stir the conscience of
India"
The men in the institutions of higher
learning in India are no longer idol wor-
shippers. They do not countenance the
superstftious rites of Benares. In short,
it is doubtful whether many Of the
Ganges devotees themselves are consist
ent believers in their cult. To seem thus
religious. paid man two rupees to lie
ON spike bed. Many of the so-called
devotees pose as religious for the pho
tographer or for revenue only. There is
critical concern on all sides for the awak-
ening Of a keen ethical sense in distinc-
tons OF right and wrong. DR.. John P.
Jones affirmS that 1.-The root Of India s
present incapability for self-government
is not Intellectual, but social and moral"
Indeed, no self-governnent worthy Of the
name can possibly result until the char
acter of India becomes firm and steady
enough for foundation. There is a feel
ing among many that the greatest use of
the Bible in the east is along the line of
an awakening Of personal, moral respon-
sibility, for Herbert Spencers words are
applicable here. Institutions are de-
pendent on character: and, however
changed in their superficial aspects, can
not be changed in their essential natures
faster than character changes"
The awakening OF midas conscientious
nature Is revealed in a new attitude to-
ward social and domestic reform, espe-
cially toward marriage. Until compare
lively recently 1t has been impossible to
obtain a serious hearing before student
body upon questions concerning the home.
so skeptical have been these men as to
the binding character of moral laws re-
lating to social conduct. Even now, to
be sure, virtually all the students one adj
dresses in the colleges are married, but
the marriage relation is being set farther
on each year. and while students are be-
trothed at an early age, the educated In
dams are becoming more and more averse
to the early marriages of their sons and
daughters.
This change of the accent of religion
from ceremonial to morals and conduct is
affecting not simply the physical life of
students but its bearing is seen directly
in a most timely fashion in business, poll
tics and the general trustworthiness OF
men of affairs.
An oxford man who was conducting a
most profitable work for students In con-
nection with the government college
hostels at Ailahabad, told me of Hindoo
student with whom he had been privately
reading the Bible fer over a year. He
had not mentioned to the students the
subject of his personal acceptance of
Christianity. He had noticed. however,
certain changes in the students life. AT
the beginning of the second year of
study he asked his Hindoo scholar what
impression he had gained from his read
ing He answered.: THE influence I have
gained is not one of thought merely; 1t
has changed my life and my life work"
For thirty centuries India has been
turning her gaze into her own soul. Re-
ligion has been spent upon Itself. Con-
templa ton rather than action has been
the objective. In short, religion in India
has been a disease. another name for
eeoism Mems souls have become burdens
to them, as usually happens with those
persons who give disproportionate atten-
tion to determination and intros pective
spiritual self-development
India's hope today is In positive partici-
patton in great altruistic enterprises. She
needs to make her religious and spiritual
development a product. or by-product,
of her life of service. Christianity must
take to her living faith, stimulus to a
| life OF deeds.