DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9552#0638
114
THE PROSPECTS OF CHRISTAIMTV
It is reported, and universally believed by the native
inhabitants, that the generality, if not all of them, are o
low caste, and my acquaintance with the few of them 1
have met with has in a great degree confirmed me in this
belief.
" V. Are they Christians from inquiry and conviction
or from other motives?"
The real motives of our actions are very difficult to be
discovered. All that I can say on this subject is, that
several years ago there was a pretty prevalent report in
this part of India, that a native embracing Christianity
should be remunerated for his loss of caste by the gift
of five hundred rupees, with a country-born Christian
woman as his wife ; and while this report had any pre-
tention to credit, several natives offered from time to
time to become Christians. The hope of any such re-
compense being taken away, the old converts find now
very few natives inclined to follow their example. This
disappointment not only discourages further conversion,
but has also induced several Moosulman converts to
return to their former faith ; and had Hindoos with equal
facility admitted the return of outcasts to their society,
a great number of them also would, I suspect, have imi-
tated the conduct of their brother Moosulman converts.
In a populous country like Hindoostan, there are thou-
sands of distressed outcasts wandering about, in whom
the smallest hope of worldly gain can produce an imme-
diate change of religious profession, and their conversion
to Christianity is a matter of indifference to the commu-
nity at large. About two years ago I stated this circum-
stance to a Church Missionary who lives in my neighbour-
hood, and whom I respect for his liberal conduct; and
THE PROSPECTS OF CHRISTAIMTV
It is reported, and universally believed by the native
inhabitants, that the generality, if not all of them, are o
low caste, and my acquaintance with the few of them 1
have met with has in a great degree confirmed me in this
belief.
" V. Are they Christians from inquiry and conviction
or from other motives?"
The real motives of our actions are very difficult to be
discovered. All that I can say on this subject is, that
several years ago there was a pretty prevalent report in
this part of India, that a native embracing Christianity
should be remunerated for his loss of caste by the gift
of five hundred rupees, with a country-born Christian
woman as his wife ; and while this report had any pre-
tention to credit, several natives offered from time to
time to become Christians. The hope of any such re-
compense being taken away, the old converts find now
very few natives inclined to follow their example. This
disappointment not only discourages further conversion,
but has also induced several Moosulman converts to
return to their former faith ; and had Hindoos with equal
facility admitted the return of outcasts to their society,
a great number of them also would, I suspect, have imi-
tated the conduct of their brother Moosulman converts.
In a populous country like Hindoostan, there are thou-
sands of distressed outcasts wandering about, in whom
the smallest hope of worldly gain can produce an imme-
diate change of religious profession, and their conversion
to Christianity is a matter of indifference to the commu-
nity at large. About two years ago I stated this circum-
stance to a Church Missionary who lives in my neighbour-
hood, and whom I respect for his liberal conduct; and