that the pandits are beginning to see that various situations are open to them under British rule, which they can fill with honour and comfort to themselves; and, as they are just as desirous of worldly ease and distinction as other people, it is only natural that they should be anxious to obtain them, even at the risk of foregoing their favourite study.

Again, while it is an undoubted fact, that Hinduism is still kept up by the people generally in the temples, at the sacred wells and tanks, on the gháts, and in the holy streams, with enthusiasm and punctiliousness, yet it is, I believe, indisputable, that there are thousands of persons, in this city alone, who are not satisfied with their rites and devotions; and, although, for the sake of appearance, they do as others do, they have no faith whatever in idolatry. Furthermore, there are some who have entirely abandoned it, except under certain circumstances, when the necessity of their position has got the better of their convictions, and who, nevertheless, have not outwardly embraced a better creed, nor have any immediate intention of doing so. As already remarked in a previous chapter, this is an age of templebuilding, in Benares and in all this part of India, such as has not been known, perhaps, since the period preceding the Mohammedan rule and succeeding the decline and extinction of Buddhism in India; and yet, withal, it is an age of uneasiness, anxiety, and alarm, among all ranks of rigid Hindus. These latter know well, that they are erecting temples in vain, and that, while they are contributing to the outward splendour of their religion, its inner life is being gradually under

mined and destroyed; for the thought constantly rises up in their minds, that their sons are a different race from themselves, with new and enlarged ideas, antagonistic to and destructive of those which they and their forefathers long cherished. The ground, they feel, is slipping from under them; and there is a dim prevision of consciousness in their breasts, that, one day, their temples will be forsaken, and that the huge structure of their religion will fall with a crash.

These remarks are especially true with regard to the youths brought up in the Government and Mission colleges and schools. These institutions are yearly sending forth a large number of young men, well-trained and well-educated, who understand our English books, speak and write our language, take delight in European literature and civilization, and are generally, more or less, acquainted with the Sacred Scriptures. During their course of study, they have reflected upon the facts of history, of science, and of the Christian religion, that have been brought before their attention; and they have, almost involuntarily, been led to compare them with the dogmas of their own religion, and with the practices which it either permits or enjoins. The consequence of this course of instruction and reflection is, that, after spending several years as students, when they come to go forth to the business of the world, they find themselves very different, in thought and belief, from their friends and parents at home. A few of them, as shown before, of more courage than the rest, whose hearts the grace of God has touched, honestly avow their disbelief in idolatry and belief in Christianity, and, in spite

of all opposition, cast in their lot with the small but continually increasing body of native Christians. Others, -but how large a class I cannot say,-abandon their idols, yet do not become Christians. Others, again,a considerable number, I believe, worship idols re

luctantly, from feelings of respect to their relations and acquaintances, and, if possible, solely on public occasions and at festivals. They are not yet ready to give up everything for their principles; they are not ready to sacrifice property, position, family, and friends, for what they have been brought to feel is the truth.

The fact is, all this class are beginning to be scandalized by idolatry, and somewhat ashamed of it. They know too much to be honest and conscientious idolaters. They cannot willingly prostrate themselves before an image of stone or clay. Some have deeper feelings than others; and some are too frivolous and thoughtless to distress themselves much about the matter. But, I believe, very few, indeed, of the educated class,-that is, educated on the English model, — are thorough and hearty idolaters; and I am satisfied, that there is not one who does not hold Hinduism with a lighter and looser grasp than formerly, or than would have been the case, had his mind not been expanded and benefited by the education he has received. Let it be well understood, that education de-Hinduizes the Hindu, breaks down idolatry, and inspires him with a distaste for it, and a latent desire to be free from it. Not long since, as I was conversing with an educated native gentleman in Benares,

he made a remark of great significance, as showing the

feeling of men of his own class, attached by association

to idolatry, and yet prepared for something better, if only a movement were commenced, and if some one of courage, of force of character, and of enthusiasm, would lead the way. "We need," he said, "a Luther amongst us;" as who should say, that, under the guidance of a Martin Luther, he himself, with the rest, would break away from Hinduism; that, led by such a man, a new era of religious reformation would be inaugurated in the land; and that all who were longing for reform, who were ready to be free, but not daring to be so, would rush eagerly to his standard, from every quarter.

This brings us to the constructive process at work in this city, and in other places in the country. It was no easy task, but one of gigantic difficulty, to awaken a desire for knowledge, or for any improvement whatever, amongst a people so confident in their own creed, so satisfied with their own condition, and so profoundly unconscious of the necessity of any change in the one or in the other. Nevertheless, the task has been performed, and with astonishing quickness. And it may be affirmed, with perfect truth, that the desire for knowledge, for an advanced civilization, for a thorough conformity to some of the enlightened usages of life practised by European nations, and for the possession of nobler principles than idolatry inspires, is the most important and noticeable feature among all the changes now taking place in native society. In accomplishing this result, the liberal legislation of an upright Government, the education imparted in the Government and Missionary Schools, and the various influences, of a more or less salutary character, produced by the great mate

rial improvements which British enterprise and skill have introduced into the country, have lent their aid; but the most potent and efficacious instrument of all, it must be confessed, has been the direct and indirect teaching of Christianity in many places, the patient and persistent exhibition of its divine principles, the preaching of the Word to all classes, in the city and in the village, in the streets and in the lanes, and in all places, and at all practicable times, perseveringly and unintermittingly.

Putting together all the favourable circumstances connected with the Hindus in relation to the progress of Christianity among them, I consider that there is every reason for encouragement and hope in the future. Indeed, I feel that it is incumbent on the Church to render special thanksgiving to God for the wonderful change in the sentiments of the people generally which He has already graciously effected. To cherish doubts and fears in the prosecution of this great work, or in regard to its ultimate issue, would be significant of unbelief, and of distrust of God's all-powerful grace. It is one of the most gratifying features of the spirit of inquiry now manifest among the natives, that it has spread to the most unlikely and unpromising members of the community. I will give an illustration of this assertion. It is well known, that a large number of priests are engaged in temple and other religious services in Benares. They are a very bigoted people, and, in fact, with the pandits, are the main stay of Hinduism. Of this entire class, the most prejudiced and most strongly attached to idolatrous rites are the Gangá-putras, or