CHAPTER XI.

Christian Missions in India.

" Self-control is meritorious, to wit, hearkening to the Law of
others, and hearkening willingly."

11 There is no such charity as the charitable gift of the Good
Law. (D7&amma)"—Asoka's Edicts.

" I do not strive with the world, but the world strives with me*
A teacher of the truth does not strive with anyone whatsoever in
the world."—(Saying attributed to Buddha.)

THE following remarks deal only with missionary
endeavour to convert Hindus and Mtihammadans to
some form of dogmatic Christianity, without touching upon
the question of missionary activity as it presents itself in
other countries, or in relation to the primitive tribes in
India, whose beliefs are purely animistic and outside the
pale oŁ Hinduism proper.

Two questions require separate consideration in any
discussion of Christian missionary activity in India ; these
are, first, is missionary effort justifiable at all, and second,
axe the methods employed defensible ?

The first question must be answered in the affirmative.
It is natural and desirable that every thinking man, who
feels himself to be in possession of some key to the solution
of the difficult problem of life, should desire to share this
knowledge with others to whom it is still unknown. All
to whom personal religious experience has come with the
force of revelation long to share the gladness of it with
others. Every teacher, every disciple, every common man
desires by argument and persuasion, or indirect influence,
to impress upon others some of the ideas which are, or seem