The author has in his possession historical quotations to prove the
truth of each one of the above parallels. He has all the historical
facts on which they were constructed found in and drawn from the
sacred books of the Hindoo religion and the works of Christian writers
descriptive of their religion. But they would swell the present volume
to unwieldy dimensions, and far beyond its proper and prescribed limits,
to present them here; they are therefore reserved for the second volume,
and may be published in pamphlet form also.
In proof of the correctness of the foregoing comparative analogies,
we will now summon the testimony of various authors setting forth the
historical character of the Hindoo God Chrishna, and the essential
nature of his religion, so far as it approximates in its doctrines
and moral teachings to the Christian religion. We will first hear from
Colonel Wiseman, for ten years a Christian missionary in India.
"There is one Indian (Hindoo) legend of considerable importance" says
this writer... "This is the story of Chrishna, the Indian Apollo. In
native legends he is represented as an Avatar, or incarnation of the
Divinity. At his birth, choirs of Devitas (angels) sung hymns of praise,
while shepherds surrounded his cradle. It was necessary to conceal his
birth from the tyrant ruler, Cansa, to whom it had been foretold that
the infant Savior should destroy him. The child escaped with his parents
beyond the coast of Lamouna. For a time he lived in obscurity, and then
commenced a public life distinguished for prowess and beneficence.
He washed the feet of the Brahmins, and preached the most excellent
doctrines; but at length the power of his enemies prevailed.... Before
dying, he foretold the miseries which would take place in the Cali-yuga,
or wicked age (Dark Age) of the world."
"Chrishna (says another writer) taught his followers that they alone
were the true believers of the saving faith; throwing down the barriers
of caste, and elevating the dogmas of their faith above the sacerdotal
class, he admitted every one who felt an inward desire to the ministry
to the preaching of their religion. A system thus associating itself
with the habits, feelings, and personal advantages of its disciples
could not fail to make rapid progress." (Upham's History. Doctrines of
Budhism.)
"Budhism inculcates benevolence, tenderness, forgiveness of injuries,
and love of enemies; and forbids sensuality, love of pleasure, and
attachment to worldly objects." (Judson).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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