I. Jesus Christ said, "Will your heavenly father not give the holy spirit to those who ask him?" Pray to God, and He will give you the light of truth. H. S. Which is the best of all religions you have known? Monshee. Recite to Hurry Singh the sermon of Jesus, I will translate it. (I did so; a general delight was expressed in every countenance.) H. S. If any one purposes to leave this world, and to devote himself to God, what must he do with his wife and children? It is very hard to be obliged to leave them. I. If you seek God with all your heart and soul, He will manage affairs in such a manner, that you shall live the more happy with wife and child. Hurry Singh is a devout man, he makes every day a present of a cow to a Brahmin, and is just in his dealings. HINDOO NOTION OF GOD. Lena Singh and a Pundit,* Sawaram, called on me, and they made the following observation. "Ram Perwerdegar (God), is like the wide Ocean, of whom many drops are formed, and many rivers, but they do not exhaust the Ocean; many grains of sand and shells are cast by the Ocean on the dry land, and do not exhaust the Ocean: thus Wishnoo, whom you call Jesus, is a drop of that wide Ocean God, of which drop many other drops were formed, but do not exhaust the Ocean God, and God is not in want of any of them. From the beginning a religion was established for every nation, suitable to their several climates; and every one, who is faithful to that religion in which he was born, shall come nearer to Perwerdegar, and shall have his reward in Swarg." I asked, 'Why do you worship the cow? the cow is not God, nor that wide Ocean of which you are speaking.'† The Monshee of Hurry Singh, who was present, replied, "If you do not wish to make the Hindoos deadly enemies, do not ask about the cow." I broke off the conversation. ARE THE HINDOOS IDOLATORS? A Dafteree (book-keeper) of Hurry Singh, not a Seik, but a Hindoo, told me that the Hindoo acknowledge only one God, and the idols are only representations of the invincible Godhead. They call their book Bhughwud Geet (Divine song, in Sanscrit). Infidels among European Christians, who are ready to defend any religion save their own, exculpate the Hindoos from the crime of idolatry, in order to make the veracity of excellent Missionaries suspected. Those infidels, hypocrites as they are, whilst they *Pundit is a Hindoo title of a learned man. + Those Philosophers of Europe, who believe that power of Philosophy is able to bring men to the saving knowledge of Christ, ought to travel among the Philosophers of Hindoostaun and Persia, they will easily be undeceived. speak with horror about the Inquisition of Spain (which language of horror they adopt for no other purpose than to bring into discredit the religion of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, God blessed for ever), speak with enthusiasm about the Hindoo and Seik custom of burning their wives, and of the horrors of Juggur-Nath! Whilst I believe, that many a Hindoo, and many a Mussulman, and many a Zealander will be met with among the number of the happy in heaven; (for I believe many of these are so guided, by the spirit, as to arrive at the knowledge of the truth in a way unknown even to themselves;) I firmly believe, that such wicked infidels will be cast into utter darkness; for they had an opportunity of knowing better. What is Idolatry? It is the worship of an invisible Being through a visible likeness, by which the original is forgotten: now this is the manner of worship among the Hindoos, who therefore are idolaters. It is however clear to me, that idolatry originated from a false philosophical system, as that of Spinoza the Jew, upon the system of Pantheism. June 1.-I arrived at Attock, the Taxila of Alexander, where I was most kindly received by His Royal Highness Khurruck Singh, who also gave me 250 rupees, and sweetmeats. Khurruck Singh is the favourite son of Runjeet Singh; for Runjeet Singh was very fortunate during the time his mother was pregnant with him, and on the day of his birth: Attock is six English miles from Jehaangeer. I left it that same day, and arrived at Hydaroo, ten miles from Attock, where I lodged with a Brahmin. June 2.-We arrived at Hassan Avdal, the last place of Affghanistaun. Here I saw the first Seik temple. Pundits of the Seik were sitting in it, and reading Grunt Saheb, the book composed by Baba Nanak their founder. Hassan Avdal is 15 English miles from Hydaroo. June 4.-Arrived at Rawil Pindee, 15 English miles from Hassan Avdal. Here I received again, by order of the Maharajah, sweetmeats and 100 rupees. June 5.-We arrived at Bande, 18 English miles distant from Rawil Pindee. June 6. We arrived in the forenoon at Pishentowr, 17 English miles; in the afternoon at Damack, six English miles. June 7.-We arrived at Rawtas, 18 English miles from Damack. MUSSULMANS AMONG THE SEIKS. The Mussulmans under the government of Runjeet Singh, in a country formerly belonging to the descendants of Tamerlan, stand in the same relation to the Seiks, as the Christians do in the Ottoman Empire to the Mussulmans; except that Runjeet Singh is more tolerant than the Turks and Persians. The Mussulmans in the Punjaub are not allowed to eat cow's flesh. June 8.-We arrived at Jelom, 15 Eng. miles from Rawtas. Here the river Jelom flows. We felt to-day a strong earthquake. June 9.-We arrived in the village Saray Kare, 21 Eng. miles from Jelom, inhabited by Brahmins and Mussulmans. Wherever a traveller comes, they prepare near a house a kind of sofa, which they call Tshoke. June 10.-I arrived at Goozerat, where I was most kindly received by a very interesting man, the Governor of the place and province, whose name is Josiah Harlan, an independent citizen of the United States of North America: his life and career is so interesting, that I cannot omit inserting an epitome of it here. DOCTOR JOSIAH HARLAN Was born of a respectable Quaker family in Philadelphia, in the year 1799. His brother, Richard Harlan, is a physician, and writer on medical subjects in America. Josiah Harlan, when 15 years of age, amused himself with reading medical books, and the history of Plutarch, as also the inspired Prophets; in which study I found him wonderfully well versed. When he was 21 years of age, his father sent him as a supercargo to Canton, in China. He returned thence in 13 months to Philadelphia, where he fell in love with a young lady, who promised to marry him. He sailed again to Calcutta; but hearing that his betrothed lady had married somebody else, he determined never again to return to America. He went to China in a commercial capacity, and returned a third time to Calcutta. He presented himself for examination at the Medical Board, and was appointed surgeon at the Calcutta general hospital, from whence he was transferred to the Artillery of Dum-Dum, and proceeded with that detachment to Rangoon. Having visited the Burmese Empire as far as Prome, he returned to Calcutta, and from thence travelled up to Simlah to Lord Amherst, from whom he demanded and obtained permission to resign. Next he went to Khorassaun, as Agent to the ex-King Shah Shoojah Ool-Moolk, who honoured him with the title of Azeez ood-dowla behadoor, (the friend of the King.) He went to Bohawul Pore, accompanied by 100 attendants, and travelled on across the Indus, up to Peshawr, where he intended to take possession of the fortress of Tack; but he failed, and went disguised as a Dervish to Cabool, from whence he finally returned to the Punjaub. He was accompanied for some time by a Mr. Mason, who afterwards travelled about in Persia, as an American. Dr. Harlan is now Governor of Goozerat. He speaks and writes the Persian with very great fluency; he is clever and enterprising. Dr. Harlan is a high Tory in principles, and honours kingly dignity; though on the other hand, he speaks with enthusiasm of Washington, Adams and Jefferson, who wrote the declaration of independence, &c. He informs me, that the restoration of Shoojah-oolMoolk would be of the greatest advantage to the British Government; however, being no politician, I was not able to understand well the reasons he assigned. June 11.-I preached in the house of Dr. Harlan to some Armenians and Mussulmans, in the Persian tongue. June 13.-I left Goozerat, and went towards Vizirabad. On the road I met with Hindoos, walking barefoot, and saying their prayers; they were coming from their pilgrimage to the river Gunga, near the city of Kaashe (Benares), and from the city of Allahabad. I arrived at the hospitable dwelling of Signor Avitabile, Governor General of Vizir Abad, in the service of Runjeet Singh. This ingenuous man has made this the finest town in the Punjaub, and added to it a new town with a gate, to which he has given the name of "Ram Katera," the quarter of God. He has established gallows, which he calls the ornament of civilization; for he has the power of life and death; but he is devoted to his Royal Master, and to the welfare of the country: the people of his province love him as a father. He remits every year to Runjeet Singh 1,200,000 rupees, which amount to £120,000 sterling, and this is the only province in which no complaints are heard. He has made Vizirabad the asylum of the oppressed Cashmeerians, and his name is far known. He is cheerful like an Italian; but when he is occupied in business, he is as serious as an Englishman. After having stopt with the kind Italian till the 17th June, he provided me with all necessaries for the road, and I set out for Goojrawala, a large town. I wrote from hence to Runjeet Singh, and enclosed to His Majesty a proclamation, which I issued here in the Persian tongue, exhorting all nations to repent, and declaring to them that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for our sins, rose again, and went to heaven; and that He will come again in the clouds of heaven; and that great judgments are already beginning to announce His great coming: viz. Pestilence, Earthquakes and Cholera Morbus. June 18.-We arrived at Kore, 24 Eng. miles from Goojra-Wala. We lodged in a garden belonging to a holy man (Gooroo) of the Seiks. June 19.-I left this place for Lahore. When entering Lahore, I received the following letter from Capt. Wade, Political Agent at the court of Runjeet Singh. My dear sir, Loodianah, June 15, 1832. I have had the pleasure of receiving through Doctor Murray your letters from Jehaanger and Rawil-Pindee. That from Jehaangeer reached me at Simlah, the day I left that place; the other I received on the road yesterday. I informed Lord and Lady W. Bentinck of your safe arrival in Hurry Singh's camp, and that you might soon be expected at Lahore, which they were very glad to learn, as they have been anxious for some tidings of your safety, having heard of your departure from Teheraun for Toorkestaun and Lahore. Neither Lord nor Lady William had any letters for you from Lady Georgiana Wolff, which will no doubt be a disappointment to you. The last accounts which had 1 been received of her were from Malta, when she still was in good health. I have written to Calcutta, to ascertain whether there are any letters for you there, and directed that they may be forwarded to my care, should there be any awaiting your arrival. An answer may be expected within the month, before which I hope to have the satisfaction of seeing you at Loodianah, as my guest. Regard'ing your wish of visiting Cashmeer and Tibet, you had, I think, better speak to the Maharajah on the subject yourself. Mr. Burnes, whom you met at Cabool, was also desirous of seeing Cashmeer; but His Highness withheld his assent, and I have made it a point not to interfere in persuading the Maharajah to a measure to which he appears to object. Doctor Murray tells me, that he has written to Monsieur Allard to facilitate the resumption of your European costume, which I am sure the Chevalier will have great pleasure in doing, as well as in shewing you those marks of attention and hospitality, which are so natural to him. Since writing the above, the post has arrived with the enclosed letter for you from Lord William Bentinck, accompanied by another from Colonel Churchill. I have also just received your letter from Cabool, with the packet for Lady William, which I will forward to her Ladyship without delay. I refer you for the news of Europe to Monsieur Allard, to whom I beg you will offer my best regards. I hope to hear from you soon again. Believe me, my dear sir, yours very faithfully, (Signed) WADE. I had already arrived at Lahore, after having crossed the Ravee upon an elephant, and was stretched out upon a sofa in the house of Monsieur Allard, a French gentleman, General in the service of Runjeet Singh, who was absent at Amritsir, when I received the following letters. Dear Sir, LETTER OF LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK. Simla, June 12, 1832. I have learnt with much pleasure your safe passage through all the perils of the very long journey that you have undertaken, and I sincerely trust that your excellent endeavours may be crowned with success. Capt Wade shewed me the letter he had received from you. I have taken the liberty of desiring the Post Master General at Calcutta to send under cover to me any letters to your address, and I have also desired the Post Master at Delhi to send direct to Loodianah those that may have been received there. I have no letters from hence making any mention of Lady Georgiana, and the silence of the newspapers is always a satisfactory proof of the existence of distant friends. We have taken our residence in these mountains during the summer heats. Simla is only four days march from Loodianah, is easy of access, and proves a very agreeable refuge from the burning plains of Hindoostaun. I hope I need not assure you of the gratification both Lady William and I should derive in receiving you here. I remain dear sir, yours faithfully, W. C. BENTINCK. (Signed) |