RELIGIOUS RESULTS OF THE FAMINE IN INDIA.
By R. A. Hume
THE present famine is sure to have far-reaching religious results. All such calamities which break up the social system greatly undermine caste, and interfere with the practise of Hindu rites. In a famine, people can not go on pilgrimages; they can not observe religious feasts; they neglect their priests; neglect attending temples, and neglect religious ceremonies; so that confidence in Hinduism and in Hindu religious guides is weakened far more than would have been the case if plenty had reigned. Moreover, people see that idols accomplish nothing, and that their religious leaders do little for them. On the other hand, respect for Christian missionaries, for Christian people of other lands, and for Indian Christian leaders has been immensely increased, so that it is practically universal. From the viceroy down to the humblest peasant, over and over again, there have been sincere and strong expressions of gratitude to Christian missionaries for what they have done. These missionaries have been wise, sympathetic, and devoted. They have co-operated wisely with officials, have avoided overlapping, and have supplemented governmental relief. In general, missionary relief-agencies are acknowledged to have been honestly and wisely administered. The fact that a large part of the one million one hundred thousand dollars from America has been administered by missionaries has made it widely known that most of the famine relief to India has been from Christian motives.—R. A. Hume, D. D.