THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT AND BUDDHISM.
MR. J. MCGUIRE, of Rangoon, says that the British Government is guilty of openly-aiding and encouraging a heathen religion. The Lieutenant-Governor of Burma, as the representative of his excellency, the Viceroy of India, on the 13th of November, officially recognized a Thathanabaing for the Buddhists of the upper province. A Thathanabaing is, literally, one who has jurisdiction in religion, hence a sort of pope or archbishop. There has not been a Thathanabaing since the annexation of Upper Burma in 1885, and the consequent dethronement of the Burman king. This so-called recognition by the Viceroy is a virtual appointment, as the Buddhists have not themselves chosen a Thathanabaing. It took place at Mandalay, and was a most imposing State function. The object, of course on the part of the Government is to gain favor with the Burmans, who are Buddhists. A Baptist conference and convention which recently met at Bassein, Burma, boldly condemned this action on the part of the government. It was a great gathering of missionaries and native Christians from all parts of Burma. The enrolment committee reported an attendance of 4,063.