It was his wish and expectation that his Sketch of Religion and Life in India, and his account of his own Religious Experience should appear separately, each as a distinct publication. Perhaps, in view of the sectarian position which he will be understood as assuming in the latter piece, it might have been better that his intentions should have been carried out. But his friends and the publishers have concluded to pursue a different course, chiefly because each composition helps to illustrate the other, while the two together barely reach to the dimensions of a book.

I have been requested by friends of Mr. Gangooly to make proper reference here to some most unworthy and disgraceful remarks in three or more of the Calvinistic and Baptist newspapers—“religious journals,” so called—about the conversion, the mission, and the objects of this Hindoo disciple. I have had these papers before me, and have noted the gibes and sneers which they have cast, in the interest of a poor and discomfited bigotry, upon the personal character and history and the aims of an unoffending and thoroughly earnest believer of the Gospel of Christ, who has come to it through a process unlike that which for methods and results they approve. But I have not thought that it would help the cause of Christian charity, or be in harmony with the beautiful spirit exhibited in the pages following, for me to name those “religious papers,” or to extract their offensive matter. The harm they can do is steadily, year by year, becoming more circumscribed, as the readers for whose poor entertainment or “edification” they are edited form a proportionately smaller and smaller portion of our intelligent communities, and have an equally diminished importance or influence in giving a tone to the religion of the time. If this book should fall into the hands of any of those readers whose sectarian journals have lavished their abuse or ridicule upon its author, while it will be sure to engage their interest for him, it may also soften some of their own prejudices.

G. E. E.

CONTENTS.

LIFE AND RELIGION OF THE HINDOOS.

Page
PREFACE [xxvii]
BOOK I.
CHAPTER I.
Hindoo Caste.—Its Origin, Elements, Division, Subdivision,Strength, and Influence on the People. [1]
CHAPTER II.
The Birth.—Distribution of Presents.—Writing on the Forehead.—TheFeast of Eight Peas.—The Day of Purification, etc. [13]
CHAPTER III.
Education.—Sanscrith.—Chalk in the Hand.—Patshata, theTeacher.—The Discipline in the School. [18]
CHAPTER IV.
The Second Birth.—Brahmun Consecrated Thread.—Disciplineand Privileges of the Brahmun’s Life. [27]
CHAPTER V.
The Marriage.—Polygamy.—Koolyn and Moulick.—Marriage.—Age.—Selection.—Agreement.—Anointment.—Bachelor andMaiden Feasts.—The Joy-Cakes.—Bridegroom starts for Bride’sHouse.—Reception.—Discussion.—Twelve Friends Party.—ThrowingStone Party.—Ceremony.—Good Interview.—Dining-RoomPlagues.—Distribution of Money.—Return.—Reception.—BridalFeast. [38]
CHAPTER VI.
Death.—Boithornee.—Bathing.—Anointment.—Sho.—Burningthe Body.—Expression of Mourning.—Widows.—Shoratho. [55]
CHAPTER VII.
Domestic Life, Education, etc. [65]
BOOK II.
INTRODUCTION [80]
CHAPTER I.
BOIS-AK, APRIL.
The New Year’s Day.—The Change of Account-Books.—SacredChoir.—Dedication of Water-Pitcher.—Women’s Ceremony.—Way-sideHospitality.—The Idols in Water. [92]
CHAPTER II.
JO-ISTO, MAY.
The Worship of Shus-ty.—Son-in-law invited. [102]
CHAPTER III.
AUSH-ER, JUNE.
The Bath of Jogger-nauth.—The Worship of the River Gunga. [105]
CHAPTER IV.
SHRA-BUN, JULY.
The Roth Jatra, or the Car of Jogger-nauth. [130]
CHAPTER V.
VAUTHRO, AUGUST.
The Birthday of Krishno.—Fasting and Worship on the Occasion.—Rejoicingof Nuntho; the Worship of Monsha,—a Goddesswhose Messengers are Serpents, Adders, Toads, etc. [134]
CHAPTER VI.
AUSHEEN, SEPTEMBER.
The Doorga pooja. [136]
CHAPTER VII.
KARTIC, OCTOBER.
“The Lamp in the Air.”—The Goddess Kallee.—Torch-Festival.—RedMarks on the Door-Post. [149]
CHAPTER VIII.
OG-GROW-HAW-UN, NOVEMBER.
Juggur-dhartree and Rash-jatra. [155]
CHAPTER IX.
POUS, DECEMBER. [157]
CHAPTER X.
MAGH, JANUARY.
The Morning Bath.—Shoresh-sotee, or Muse. [158]
CHAPTER XI.
FAL-GOON, FEBRUARY.
The Thole-jatha. [165]
CHAPTER XII.
CHOITHRO, MARCH.
Churuck-pooja.—Hook Swinging. [167]
MISCELLANEOUS [180]
APPENDIX [185]
A SKETCH OF MY LIFE AND EXPERIENCE.
PREFACE [195]
CHAPTER I.
My Childhood and Education.—My Mother. [197]
CHAPTER II.
My “Second Birth.”—Consecration for the Priesthood.—ReligiousTraining.—Death of my Father.—English Schools.—Zeal forIdolatry. [210]
CHAPTER III.
First Views of Christianity.—Prejudices.—Sermon on the Mount.—NewTestament.—Efforts and Struggles.—Comparison of Hindooand Christian Doctrines.—Conversion.—First Zeal.—Perplexedby the Trinity.—Visit to a Missionary.—Trinitarianism.—MyDifficulties.—Deistical Companions.—Arrival of Mr. Dall. [221]
CHAPTER IV.
Why I became a Unitarian.—My own Reading and Study of theBible.—The Missionaries’ Doctrines. [256]
CHAPTER V.
Interest in America.—Desire and Purpose to go.—My Friendagrees to accompany me.—Ill Reports of America.—Horror ofSlavery.—My Friend fails me.—Will go alone.—Arrangements.—MyMother.—Last Days at Home.—Voyage.—Arrival inAmerica.—My Experiences here. [270]
FAREWELL! [301]

THE
LIFE AND RELIGION
OF
THE HINDOOS.

TO THE REVEREND C. H. A. DALL.

My dear Friend and Pastor:—