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    who are acquainted with the principles of science , who are given to examination and inquiry , who write and publish books on all the varieties of human attainment , who look for a reason in every thing , who have a na- «

    tional literature abounding i ^ numerous works on theology , law , jurisprudence , politics , geography , astronomy and other sciences , and who have settled opinions on all these subjects , founded on the basis of custom ,

    education and continued patient investigation . These are the people , whom the Missionaries would bring over to Christianity , by inculcating dogmas , which they confess are inexplicable , and not to be reasoned about !

    Moreover , these same people have a religion , which they can trace back many centuries anterior to the coming of the Saviour , and which is rooted in their minds by all that is imposing in the records of their ancestry , by

    the countenance of popular opinion , by the force of instruction , by the authority of sacred books , by all that is venerable in a long-established priesthood , by every thing , in short , which attaches them to their customs ,

    builds up and sustains tlieir institutions , and stamps the features of their character . They have a formal and systematic religion , taught in books of great antiquity , in which habit and

    conscience equally incline them to put implicit credence . They have their Veds and their Shastrus , their Poorans and Tuntrus , and to these are appended commentaries on commentaries , which have been the result of the

    wisdom and study of * ages . Now , whatever may be the absurdity or the defects of the system ^ which these contain , it cannot be doubted , that there Is something in \ f adapted to the better principles of the human

    wimd , something which i& npheld by plausible argua&ents ^ and the appearance of consistency . Oa up 0 ther grounds can you account for its being inaint airted for «© long a period <* Jt * time , by a people in many respects enli ghtened and polished .

    ye mfe . r that the errors of Such a reli gion , under circumstances in Which *; j 9 is enfrbraefcd , cmtoot be sufceessiully combated by any oilier we * - P ^ ns , tkaa those of pkwtu feeuse afcii ^ ument . To p reach my * teried Mti ° ™ y thicken the darkness i to eafcwee

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    things at which the understanding revolts , will make it cling the * more closely to its mistakes . This is the dictate of common sense , and it has been the result of experience . In the above letter , from a learned native , who feels a real interest in the

    Christian cause , we are told that the Missionaries begin with such doctrines a £ to expose themselves to ridicule , instead of gaining the attention and respect of the Hindoos . And why is this 2 Because they talk without reasoto . No one was ever ridiculed , who addressed the understanding and added demonstration to his assertions . Preach

    truth in a plain garb , and it will be received ; for no mind is below or above truth , when it is presented in its unobseured simplicity . Rammohun Roy has become a Christian , in spite of the Missionaries , by the force of his own mind , examining the Scriptures with a determination to find and understand their

    meaning . He is convinced of their truth and divinity , although he has never been able to discover in them the mysterious doctrines , which for twenty years the Missionaries have been endeavouring with great industry and zeal to inculcate . Other natives

    would not be long in following his steps , if they could be allowed to inquire , like the honest Bereans , why tkese things are do , and could be £ kvoured with a frank and ready answer . And , surely , it cannot be thought a difficult tfrsk to prove the superiority of the Christian religion o ^ er that ot the Hindoos . It is no doubt difficult

    to prove inexplicable and contradictory propositions either to a Hindoo , or to any other rational man ; but if we cannot prove the superiority of a ( H that is valuable and commanding and

    true in the Christian religion over every system of idolatry , wfe have bo reason to bofast of our privileges as ^ hfc disciples of one who came from 4 } od , ftna who had power tb enlighten and save aa erring w 6 rld *

    We know well wiiat obstacles the amiable and enthusiastic Henry Marty n eneoimteijed on this very ground . He utfeempted t 6 &fgu 6 , and his wfite a mitwj of Brt > ordinary > vig < mr and acutettess , Thufc parity of Iris sotl , his di&infcefffcst& ^ Noss , A&b piety * did nrot surpass thte strength * rf Ins intellect and tibe Variety of his attainBseilt ^

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    Rammohun Roy : Controversy between the Bramuns and Missionaries . 435

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1823, page 435, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1787/page/3/