I observed that the rite of suttee is riveted in the affections of this people.  The following communications from two of the native princes who lately consented to put a stop to this rite, will show you that this is the case.  The rajah of Oorcha declares, that “no subject of his state shall in future be permitted to become a suttee, though according to the Shasters, it is no doubt very meritorious for a widow to die of grief for the death of her husband.”  The rajah of Sumpthem says, “The practice of suttee is so very old, and has been countenanced and encouraged by the wise men of so many generations that I have never thought myself justified in interposing to prevent it; but my anxiety to meet the wishes of the governor-general in this and in all things, is so great, that I have waived all other considerations, and forbidden suttee.”

If the British were to lose their power in India, the suttee would immediately be reestablished.  Power has put it down, but power alone will never root it out of the affections of the people.  Nothing but the Gospel can do this.  O that Christians would think of this, and hasten, yea, with great haste, to send this blessed Gospel to them.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE REVENGEFUL NATURE OF THE HINDOO RELIGION.

My dear Children—­The sacred books of the Hindoos encourage revenge.  In the Vedas, which are the most sacred books, are laid down forms of religious service, or acts of worship, which are designed to injure or destroy their enemies.  When a person wishes to have his enemy destroyed, he goes to a Brahmin or priest, and secures his supposed aid.  The Brahmin, before he proceeds to his work, clothes himself with a black garment.  He also makes four images of the foe, and clothes these with black garments.  He then kindles a sacrificial fire, and after the performance of various ceremonies, he takes pieces of some animal which has been consecrated for the purpose, and throws them into this fire.  On every occasion when he makes this burnt-offering, he touches the mouth of the image of this enemy, uttering one or other of the forms of prayer which are written in the sacred books.  Of these, the following are a few:  “O Agni,” god of fire, “thou who art the mouth of all gods, do thou destroy the wisdom of my enemy.”  “O Agni, fill with distraction the mind of this my enemy.”  “O Agni, destroy the senses of this my enemy.”  “O Agni, make dumb the mouth of this my enemy.”  “O Agni, fasten with a peg the tongue of this my enemy.”  “O Agni, reduce to ashes this my enemy.”

How different, my dear children, is the religion of Jesus from the religion of which I have been giving you a description.  No precepts teach us that we may injure or destroy our enemies.  On the contrary, they teach us to love them, and do them good.  Let me repeat to you some of the words which our Saviour spoke on this point.  “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”