Bearing bravely his weight of years and some infirmities, Schwartz still pursued his labours of love, encouraging the young converts, warning the unruly and headstrong, tenderly seeking the welfare of the children, and doing his utmost to establish on a sound basis the Church in its sacred offices and work. While diligent in preaching the simple truths of Christianity to the poor and the outcastes, Schwartz proved himself a skilled debater in holding controversy on religious topics with the learned Brahmins. They on their part were perfectly frank with him and respected his willingness to hear any objections they thought well to urge against Christianity. Their attitude may well be expressed in their own words: “Very true,” they said, “your doctrine, your religion, your instruction is a pleasing thing, but it is inconsistent with flesh and blood, it is repugnant to our carnal affections, it strikes at the natural propensity to moral evil and to worldly pleasures. Moreover, we do not see your Christian people live conformably to what they teach. The Christians appear to be doing quite the contrary; they curse, they sneer, they get drunk, they steal, they cheat, and deal false with one another, nay, they blaspheme upon matters of religion and often make a mock of those who profess to be religious. In short, you Christians demean yourselves as badly, if not worse, than we heathens. Now pray, of what benefit and advantage is all your instruction and recommendation of Christ’s religion, if it does not reform the lives of your own people? Should you not first endeavour to convert your Christians ere you attempt to proselytize us pagans?” It is not difficult to call up the scene, the cluster of twenty-four grave Brahmins, watching with keen eyes to see what Schwartz would or could say in answer to all this. Then the white-haired man, perfect in his mastery not only of their tongue but of their literature, would in clear persuasive tones point out to them the truth as it is in Jesus. By a sudden consent of feeling they all draw nearer and when he has done speaking, they thank him for his words. “Of a truth,” they exclaim, “you are a holy man, and if all you Christians thought and spoke and lived as you do, we would without delay undergo the change and become Christians also.”