The most venerable and possibly the most powerful Ethnic religion is Brahmanism. Rising in India when that was the land of literature and art, the home of the cultured Aryans, for fifteen centuries this religion wrought unhindered on the people. At first a simple nature worship, it degenerated into a pantheon in which all the powers of nature were gods. On this was built a sacerdotalism with caste and idol worship. It became an oppressive tyranny. At this juncture, 500 years before Christ, a new and forcible factor entered the life of the people in the birth of a king’s son, Gautama Buddha, known in history as the great Reformer of Brahmanism. I have not time to speak of the fierce theological war that ensued (400 years), or of the bright _coup d’etat_ of the Brahmans in finally accepting Buddha as the ninth incarnation of Vishnu. Each of these systems evinces profound thought and lofty ideals, Buddhism a high morality. Each contains elements of truth, and each has been a tremendous power in the history of the race. Striving for supremacy on the same field, the result was a coalition. Together they enter the stream of history under the name of Hinduism. The time has been long enough, the field favorable and broad enough for the completest results, and the present condition of society in India affords an opportunity to see the results. Sir Monier Williams, the distinguished Sanscrit scholar of Oxford, says: “Although India in the early periods of Brahmanism was a land of literature and science, the present characteristics are poverty, ignorance and superstition. Whatever profound thoughts lay about the roots of Hinduism, it held and still holds the 280,000,000 of India in the bondage of degradation, cruelty and immorality.” “The average income per individual is less than that of any other civilized country, barely $13.50 per year, against $20 even for the Turks, $165 for every Englishman, and $200 for every man, woman and child in the United States.”[1] Dr. John Short, Surgeon General of India, long resident among the people says: “Wherever the Hindu religion predominates, there immorality and debauchery run riot.” [1] Rev. N. G. Clark, D. D. [Sidenote: Teachings.] The Code of Manu is the highest religious authority among the Hindus. You ask a Hindu about the date and age of his great law-giver and he quickly replies, “He was son of the self-existent Brahm.” Manu’s whole teaching about woman is based on the assumption of her impurity. For instance, a Brahman is enjoined “to suspend reading the Veda if a woman comes in sight.” Her ear is not pure enough to hear what the vilest man may read. “Though unobservant of approved usage, or enamoured of another woman, or devoid of good qualities, yet a husband must constantly be revered as a god by a virtuous wife.”[2] [2] Dharma Sastra, chap. 5, page 154.