EARLY MARRIAGES IN INDIA.
In view of the agitation now rife in India over the question of abolishing early marriages, an Indian paper lately said: "To give them up is to give up the zenana system. To give up the zenana system is to introduce the system of courtship. And the introduction of courtship means the destruction of our caste; for if a Brahmin girl takes a fancy for a 'kyasta' and marries him, the former will surely lose caste, and the latter will find no place in society. The destruction of the system of caste means the total destruction of the Hindu religion." "Thus the Hindus cannot give up the system of early marriage without destroying their society." In token of the waning power of caste in India, it may also be noted that a Bombay paper has just referred to the fact that recently forty-two Brahmin gentlemen took tea together at a social gathering in St. Mary's Convent, Poona, an act which was in violation of caste rules, and which years ago would have led to their speedy excommunication. Though the fact of this gathering was well known, as yet no definite steps have been taken for their discipline. Some of the priests have, indeed, talked of excommunication, but it is said to be so difficult to find any who have not, in secret at least, broken caste that there is little hope of enforcing the rules. It will be remembered that a certain Dr. Bhandarker not long since gave his daughter, who was a widow, in marriage, an act which is abhorrent to most Hindus. But when the Shenvi Brahmins met together to discuss the question of excommunicating the doctor, his friends came in such numbers that no one dared to propose a resolution for excommunicating him, though challenged to do so.—Christian Union.