trinity, its incarnations, and its predictions of a Messiah who shall restore the truth and establish righteousness.  The Hindu traditions maintain that mankind descended from a single pair;[66] that the first estate of the race was one of innocence; that man was one of the last products of creation; that in the first ages he was upright, and consequently happy.  “The beings who were thus created by Brahma are said to have been endowed with righteousness and perfect faith; they abode wherever they pleased, unchecked by any impediment; their hearts were free from guile; they were pure, made exempt from toil by observance of sacred institutes.  In their sanctified minds Hari dwelt; they were filled with perfect wisdom by which they contemplated the glory of Vishnu.”  Hartwell has pointed out the fact that the early Hindu traditions here unite with the Scriptural account in virtually denying all those theories of evolution which trace the development of man from lower animals.[67]

But compared with Christianity, its contrasts are far greater than its resemblances.  First, as to the nature of God, there is an infinite difference between the cold and unconscious Brahman, slumbering for ages without thought or emotion or any moral attribute, and the God of Israel, whose power and wisdom and goodness, whose mercy and truth and tender compassion, are so constantly set forth in the Bible.  The latter compares Himself to a Father who cares for his children, and who has redeemed the world by an infinite sacrifice.  Even in the most popular emanation of Brahman—­even in Vishnu—­there is nothing of a fatherly spirit, no appeal as to children, no kindly remonstrance against sin, no moral instruction, or effort to encourage and establish character, no promise of reward, no enkindling of immortal hope.

Second, there is a striking contrast in the comparative estimates which Hinduism and Christianity place upon the human soul.  Unlike Buddhism, Hinduism does recognize the existence of a soul, but it is only a temporary emanation, like the moon’s reflection in the water.  It resembles its source as does the moon’s image, but coldly and in a most unsatisfactory sense; there is no capacity for fellowship, and the end is absorption.[68] On the other hand, Christianity teaches us that we are created in God’s image, but not that we are his image.  We are separate, though dependent, and if reunited to him through Christ we shall dwell in his presence forever.

Third, the two systems are in strong contrast in the comparative hopes which they hold out for the future.  The doctrine of transmigration casts a gloom over all conscious being; it presents an outlook so depressing as to make life a burden, and the acme of all possible attainment is individual extinction, or what amounts to the same thing, absorption into deity.  The logic of it is that it would be better still not to have been born at all.  Christianity promises an immediate transfer to a life of unalloyed blessedness,