DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0113
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
to God,) that a Christian divine would have been shocked while
writing in this manner. If Mr. Maurice think there is some-
thing in Hindooism to excite the most sublime ideas, let him
come and join in the dance before the idol;—or assist the bram-
hiins in crying Huree bull Huree bulf! while the fire is seizing
the limbs of the young and unfortunate Hindoo widow j—or let
him attend at the sacrificing of animals before the images of
Kalee and Doorga;—or come and join in the dance, stark
naked, in the public street, in open day, before the image of
Doorga, in the presence of thousands of spectators, young and
old, male and female. He will find, that the sight will never
make these holy bramhiins, these mild and innocent Hindoos,
blush for a moment.—Seriously, should sights like these raise
the ardour of enthusiasm, or chill the blood of a Christian
minister ? Say, ye who blush for human nature sunk in shame.
As a clergyman, Mr. Maurice should have known, that antiquity
sanctifies nothing:—' The sinner, being an hundred years old,
shall be accursed.'
What will a sober Christian say to the two following para-
graphs, inserted in the fifth volume of the Indian Antiquities s >
' Mr. Forbes, of Stanmore-hill, in his elegant museum of Indian
rarities, numbers two of the bells that have been used in devo-
tion by the bramhiins. They are great curiosities, and one of
them in particular appears to be of very high antiquity, in form
very much resembling the cup of the lotos; and the tune of it is
uncommonly soft and melodious. I could not avoid being
f Sounds of triumph, which the bramhiins use when the fire of the
Funeral pile begins to burn, and when they are choking a dying person
with the water of the Ganges. These words literally mean,' call upon
Huree,' or repeat the name of Huree, viz. Krishnu. In their popular
use, they are like the English phrase, huzza! huzza!
n While the author cannot but withhold his assent from Mr. Maurice's
application of the Hindoo triad, and the whole of his attempt to illustrate
Scripture doctrines from the ancient systems of idolatry, he embraces
this opportunity of expressing his admiration of the great merit of this
singular and masterly work.
to God,) that a Christian divine would have been shocked while
writing in this manner. If Mr. Maurice think there is some-
thing in Hindooism to excite the most sublime ideas, let him
come and join in the dance before the idol;—or assist the bram-
hiins in crying Huree bull Huree bulf! while the fire is seizing
the limbs of the young and unfortunate Hindoo widow j—or let
him attend at the sacrificing of animals before the images of
Kalee and Doorga;—or come and join in the dance, stark
naked, in the public street, in open day, before the image of
Doorga, in the presence of thousands of spectators, young and
old, male and female. He will find, that the sight will never
make these holy bramhiins, these mild and innocent Hindoos,
blush for a moment.—Seriously, should sights like these raise
the ardour of enthusiasm, or chill the blood of a Christian
minister ? Say, ye who blush for human nature sunk in shame.
As a clergyman, Mr. Maurice should have known, that antiquity
sanctifies nothing:—' The sinner, being an hundred years old,
shall be accursed.'
What will a sober Christian say to the two following para-
graphs, inserted in the fifth volume of the Indian Antiquities s >
' Mr. Forbes, of Stanmore-hill, in his elegant museum of Indian
rarities, numbers two of the bells that have been used in devo-
tion by the bramhiins. They are great curiosities, and one of
them in particular appears to be of very high antiquity, in form
very much resembling the cup of the lotos; and the tune of it is
uncommonly soft and melodious. I could not avoid being
f Sounds of triumph, which the bramhiins use when the fire of the
Funeral pile begins to burn, and when they are choking a dying person
with the water of the Ganges. These words literally mean,' call upon
Huree,' or repeat the name of Huree, viz. Krishnu. In their popular
use, they are like the English phrase, huzza! huzza!
n While the author cannot but withhold his assent from Mr. Maurice's
application of the Hindoo triad, and the whole of his attempt to illustrate
Scripture doctrines from the ancient systems of idolatry, he embraces
this opportunity of expressing his admiration of the great merit of this
singular and masterly work.