DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0519
Modern Theism. Rammohim Roy's successors. 509
religion which must precede the performance of the civil mar-
riage, considering that because they are Brahmas they are
not, therefore, un-Hinduized.
Yet, it cannot be doubted that Mr. Sen and his followers
deserve the gratitude of their fellow-countrymen for their
labours in agitating for and obtaining the ratification of so
useful an Act. At any rate the events of the year 1872
must always constitute an epoch in the history of the reform-
ing movement.
For some time afterwards the Adi Brahma-Samaj led by
Debendra-nath, and the Brahma-Samaj of India under Keshab
Chandar Sen, achieved good work in their respective spheres,
and in not unfriendly co-operation with each other. The two
leaders, though very different in character, were both men of
unusual ability, and both penetrated by a sincere desire for
the regeneration of India. Each Samaj, too, had its able
Secretary and Writer, and Adi-Samaj in Raj Narain Bose,
and the more Progressive Samaj in Mr. Sen's cousin Pratap
Chandar Mozoomdar1. Moreover, the Conservative Samaj
had its literary organ in the Tattva-bodhini patrika, and the
Progressive in a daily newspaper called ' The Indian Mirror.'
No better proof of the activity of the two societies could be
given than the success of their missionary operations. By the
end of 1877 the number of Brahma Samajes scattered through-
out India, including Assam, had increased to a hundred
and seven, some following the Conservative pattern, and
some the Progressive. In 1875 fresh attempts were made to
establish a general representative Council of all the Samajes,
and one or two meetings were held, but no definite scheme
has yet been matured.
Meanwhile, lamentable dissensions leading to a serious
1 This gentleman has been in England for three or four months this
year (1883). He kindly called to see me at Oxford and much impressed
me by his conversation. I hope to give an account of my interview with
him in a future volume. He has lately published a very interesting
summary of the doctrines of his Samaj.
religion which must precede the performance of the civil mar-
riage, considering that because they are Brahmas they are
not, therefore, un-Hinduized.
Yet, it cannot be doubted that Mr. Sen and his followers
deserve the gratitude of their fellow-countrymen for their
labours in agitating for and obtaining the ratification of so
useful an Act. At any rate the events of the year 1872
must always constitute an epoch in the history of the reform-
ing movement.
For some time afterwards the Adi Brahma-Samaj led by
Debendra-nath, and the Brahma-Samaj of India under Keshab
Chandar Sen, achieved good work in their respective spheres,
and in not unfriendly co-operation with each other. The two
leaders, though very different in character, were both men of
unusual ability, and both penetrated by a sincere desire for
the regeneration of India. Each Samaj, too, had its able
Secretary and Writer, and Adi-Samaj in Raj Narain Bose,
and the more Progressive Samaj in Mr. Sen's cousin Pratap
Chandar Mozoomdar1. Moreover, the Conservative Samaj
had its literary organ in the Tattva-bodhini patrika, and the
Progressive in a daily newspaper called ' The Indian Mirror.'
No better proof of the activity of the two societies could be
given than the success of their missionary operations. By the
end of 1877 the number of Brahma Samajes scattered through-
out India, including Assam, had increased to a hundred
and seven, some following the Conservative pattern, and
some the Progressive. In 1875 fresh attempts were made to
establish a general representative Council of all the Samajes,
and one or two meetings were held, but no definite scheme
has yet been matured.
Meanwhile, lamentable dissensions leading to a serious
1 This gentleman has been in England for three or four months this
year (1883). He kindly called to see me at Oxford and much impressed
me by his conversation. I hope to give an account of my interview with
him in a future volume. He has lately published a very interesting
summary of the doctrines of his Samaj.