A Tour of the Missions: Observations and ConclusionsStrong, Augustus Hopkins
Religion
A Tour of the Missions: Observations and Conclusions
Strong, Augustus Hopkins
East Asia -- Description and travel; Missions
We must not ignore the work of The Theosophical Society, though it has
made a name for itself more in Europe and America than in India. While
it has done something to encourage education and to teach modern
science, it has used the knowledge thus given as an instrument in
defending superstition. The immoralities of Krishna are discussed and
palliated in Mrs. Besant's Magazine for the instruction of young
students. Charms, incantations, astrology, idolatry, caste, are all
woven into the system, for the sake of propitiating the Indian mind, so
that its influence is hostile to Christianity and to missions. Idols are
to be worshiped because they are "centers of magnetism." In England Mrs.
Besant predicts a second advent of Christ. But in India this becomes a
new avatar of Krishna. In spite of her stout denunciation of
child-marriages and her inculcation of modern science, her propaganda
has not been so much a reform of Indian religion, as it has been a
hindrance to reform. Hindu devotees indeed have eulogized her for what
they call her successful opposition to the proselyting efforts of
Christian missionaries.
And yet, even the Theosophical Society, with all its absurdities of
levitation and the astral body, has been compelled to bear some witness
to Jesus Christ. He is "the light that lighteth every man," and he has
given even to this system some elements of truth. We do not hesitate to
recognize the truth that Buddha and Confucius, taught, and to regard it
as a ray of Christ's light shed forth before the rising of the sun. And
it is our privilege to conclude our list of Hindu reformers with the
name of Justice Renade, who recognized in Christ the source of all
former revelations of God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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