1. "Not to kill any living creature." 2. "Not to steal." 3. "Not to commit unchastity." 4. "Not to lie." 5. "Not to drink intoxicating drinks." 6. "Not to lay up treasures upon earth." These are a few of his leading precepts, and which he himself practiced. In the observance of the last precept, he and his followers have excelled almost every Christian on earth, as their Bible contains the same precept, but none of them try to practice it. Hence the Hindoos are in this respect much better Christians than the Christians themselves. Here it may be noted that the Hindoos, like the disciples of the Christian faith, have had various ecclesiastical councils to settle the canon of their Bible or some controverted doctrinal questions. One of the most noted of these councils was called under the reign of King Asoka in the year 246 B.C. It was constituted of seven hundred "learned and accomplished priests." But they could not stop the progress of infidelity, as they essayed to do. It continued to increase till another council was called under the reign of King Kanishka, and another revision of the sacred text took place. But, as in Christian and Mahomedan countries, it tended rather to unsettle than to settle the popular faith. Nothing can arrest the intelligence and growth of progressive minds. Skepticism and infidelity will continue to increase whenever the mind is unfettered by priestcraft, till the last credal institution is swept from the face of the earth, and ceases to curse the human family. II. THE INSTITUTES OF MENU. "The Code of Menu," or "Institutes of Menu," constitutes another sacred book of the Hindoos. The Rev. Mr. Allen says of it: "It is a code of religious and civil laws, and makes a part of the Hindoo Scriptures." It is in many respects similar to the Vedas, and is almost equal to it in age; and, like the Vedas, it is a standard of faith and a guide for moral action. Hindoos call it _Menu Darma Shastra_, "the ordinances of God." "As these ordinances, or divine laws," says Mr. Allen, "profess to be of divine origin, kings have no authority to change them. Their duty was to administer their governments according to their teachings." All classes of people were required to live up to them. "In these respects," says Mr. Allen (p. 366), "they resemble the laws given by Moses, and contained in the Old Testament." These Institutes treat on the subject of creation, the doctrine of future rewards and punishments, and also define many of the duties of life. III. RAMAYANA.