“Let those who plead the native innocence and purity of heathen nations visit Burmah! The system of religion here has no power over the heart or restraint on the passions. Though it forbids, on pain of many years’ suffering in hell, theft and falsehood, yet, I presume to say, there is not a single Burman in the country, who, if he had a good opportunity, without danger of detection, would hesitate to do either. Though the religion inculcates benevolence, tenderness, forgiveness of injuries, and love of enemies—though it forbids sensuality, love of pleasure, and attachment to worldly objects—yet it is destitute of power to produce the former, or to subdue the latter, in its votaries. In short, the Burman system of religion is like an alabaster image, perfect and beautiful in all its parts, but destitute of life. Besides being destitute of life, it provides no atonement for sin. Here also the Gospel triumphs over this and every other religion in the world.”
[9]. See Forbes’s “British Burmah.”
[10]. See Mason’s “The Natural Productions of Burmah.”
[11]. Oscar Peschel.
[12]. Major Yule, in his “Embassy to Ava.”
[13]. See Crawfurd’s “Embassy.”
[14]. “The Light of Asia,” by Edwin Arnold.
[15]. Hardwick’s “Christ and other Masters.”