DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22901#0309
CHAP. VI.]
DR. WILSON.
293
ever been to be reckoned loyal and peaceable subjects
of the British Government. As further evidence of
the spirit of tolerance general among the Parsis, it
will not be out of place here to mention that when
Parsis were first converted to Christianity the event
was viewed with great alarm and consternation, and
their religious instincts were greatly injured, though
they always kept themselves within bounds. Dr.
Wilson and the Christian missionaries were considered
" devils in human shape," who had come to Bombay
to desecrate the hearths of families, to import misery
and unhappiness among the people, and generally
complained of, particularly of those which, have appeared in the
Bombay Gazette, in order, as we believe, to prejudice the mind of
Government and the European members of the community against
us during the trial of the question which we regard as of vital im-
portance to our best interests.
" In vindication of our character so shamefully assailed, and to point
out to Government who are the real disturbers of the public peace, it
is our intention to make this letter as public as the accusations them-
selves have been."
To the above letter the Parsis received the following reply from
the Secretary to Government:—
" In reply I am directed to assure you that Government will
never form its judgment either regarding public bodies or individuals
from the unsupported representations or statements published in the
public prints.
" I am directed at the same time to convey to you the satisfaction
which Government has derived from receiving the assurances of your
desire and endeavour (especially those of you who are the Justices of
the Peace) under the present excitement of the Parsi community that
the public peace shall not be disturbed, of which the best indication
will be that no assembling together takes place on the occasion, but
that the matter is left to be decided by the tribunal to which it has
been appealed."
DR. WILSON.
293
ever been to be reckoned loyal and peaceable subjects
of the British Government. As further evidence of
the spirit of tolerance general among the Parsis, it
will not be out of place here to mention that when
Parsis were first converted to Christianity the event
was viewed with great alarm and consternation, and
their religious instincts were greatly injured, though
they always kept themselves within bounds. Dr.
Wilson and the Christian missionaries were considered
" devils in human shape," who had come to Bombay
to desecrate the hearths of families, to import misery
and unhappiness among the people, and generally
complained of, particularly of those which, have appeared in the
Bombay Gazette, in order, as we believe, to prejudice the mind of
Government and the European members of the community against
us during the trial of the question which we regard as of vital im-
portance to our best interests.
" In vindication of our character so shamefully assailed, and to point
out to Government who are the real disturbers of the public peace, it
is our intention to make this letter as public as the accusations them-
selves have been."
To the above letter the Parsis received the following reply from
the Secretary to Government:—
" In reply I am directed to assure you that Government will
never form its judgment either regarding public bodies or individuals
from the unsupported representations or statements published in the
public prints.
" I am directed at the same time to convey to you the satisfaction
which Government has derived from receiving the assurances of your
desire and endeavour (especially those of you who are the Justices of
the Peace) under the present excitement of the Parsi community that
the public peace shall not be disturbed, of which the best indication
will be that no assembling together takes place on the occasion, but
that the matter is left to be decided by the tribunal to which it has
been appealed."