A religious sect, brought together by a common monotheism and accepting a common covenant, was naturally impelled towards an expansion of their creed. But this expansion in the case of the Brahma Samáj, was probably hastened by the number of branch Samájes that sprang up in the neighbourhood of the metropolis and in some of the larger towns of the Bengal presidency. These branches, constantly increasing in number through the accessions of educated young men from the colleges and zillah schools, naturally looked to the parent Samáj to define and establish their creed; and what must be regarded as an authoritative exposition of it was published in 1868. The following is a summary of it:-- “1. The book of Nature and Intuition form the basis of the Brahmaic faith. “2. Although the Brahmas do not consider any book written by man the basis of their religion, yet do they accept with pleasure and respect any _truth_ contained in any book. “3. The Brahmas believe that the religious condition of man is progressive, like the other facts of his condition in this world. “4. They believe that the fundamental doctrines of their religion are at the basis of every religion followed by man. “5. They believe in the existence of One Supreme GOD--a GOD endowed with a distinct personality, and attributes equal to His nature, and intelligence befitting the Governor of the Universe; and worship Him--Him alone. They do not believe in His incarnation. “6. They believe in the immortality and progressive state of the soul, and declare that there is a state of conscious existence succeeding life in this world, and supplementary to it as respects the action of the universal moral government. “7. They believe that atonement is the only way to salvation. They do not recognise any other mode of reconcilement to the offended but loving Father. “8. They pray for _spiritual_ welfare, and believe in the _efficacy_ of real prayers. “9. They believe in the Providential care of the Divine Father. “10. They avow that love towards Him, and performing the works He loveth, constitute His worship. “11. They recognise the necessity of public worship, but do not believe that they cannot hold communion with the Great Father without resorting to any fixed place at any fixed time. They maintain that we can adore Him at any time and at any place, provided that time and that place are calculated to compose and direct the mind towards Him. “12. They do not believe in pilgrimages, but declare that holiness can be attained only by elevating and purifying the mind.