tirely different aspect, from the Native's point of view." (Report, p. 29). Clarkson remarks: "Nor are the Hindus weak antagonists. They have acquired a most skilful use of all the weapons of falsehood. Their wile is, perhaps, equalled by none. Their dexterity is serpentine. They prove an argument by figures, and happy illusions, not by reasoning. They disprove what the Missionary says, by employing false illustrations; so that when he is conscious of victory, they treat him as a prostrate foe. "Let not the youthful Missionary imagine that well framed reasonings will convince the Hindus; and that the logic of the schools is to preside over the discussions of an Indian crowd. He must learn to use other weapons, ere he can disarm his adversaries."* Phillips says: "In the crowded bazar the Missionary has to entend at once with several angry, noisy, ignorant disputants, and if he can induce them to speak one at a time, they conduct the argument with the greatest unfairness, never allow themselves beaten, and glide from one topic to another interminably."+ By all means let the young Missionary avoid bazar controversy. At first he should always be accompanied, if possible, by an experienced European or Native brother. Objections will be brought up which he does not know how to answer, and the enemy will triumph. But the general feeling is that, in nearly all cases, controversy should be eschewed as far as practicable. The points mooted by assailants are often unimportant; valuable time is lost, and the direct preaching of the Gospel is prevented. Not unfrequently also, while few, if any, are convinced of their errors, a hostile spirit is engendered. It has happened in the case of set, formal discussions, even with Missionaries like Dr. Pfander, that, although opponents have been thoroughly beaten, reports to directly a contrary effect have been circulated far and wide. *India and the Gospel, p. 180. Some Missionaries, however, think differently. The Rev. T. Evans, Delhi, says, "On the whole I court discussion, for it seems to enlarge the audience, and also to rivet their attention the more to the things spoken, while it often affords an opportunity for divesting error of its fascinating garb, and exhibiting the truth in a new and powerful light."* Without doubt the people prick up their ears and listen much more attentively during a discussion. In the hands of a skilful Missionary, well acquainted with the Hindu mind, controversy may sometimes be employed with advantage. Still, on the whole, there are many drawbacks. It should be understood that an answer to a question, proposed by an honest inquirer, is not regarded as controversy. If not irrelevant, it should be noticed. Put off Objections till the close.-The following remarks by Buyers are very judicious: "As almost all the objections of the heathen are well known to every experienced Missionary, he may so construct his discourses as to anticipate most of the arguments they are likely to bring forward, so that the intended objectors, observing this, will be careful of committing themselves, and will in all probability remain silent. He has thus the advantage of their not being piqued at any supposed exposure of their own weakness, so that he may use the utmost liberty in appealing to their consciences, in order to leave an impression on their minds." "If practicable, all objections should be put off to the end of the discourse, so that the people may not be deprived of a connected view of the subject, merely to gratify the vanity and love of wrangling in a few individuals. It not unfrequently happens, that a man, who, in the earlier part of a discourse, wishes to say something in objection, if put off to the end, will be so convinced by what he subsequently hears, that he will decline saying what he intended, and the effect is good when one owns that his mind is satisfied, and that what he wished to say was unfounded. The audience then breaks up with the favoura * Bengal Baptist Report for 1857, p. 61. ble impression of what they have heard, on their minds, and retire with a much greater degree of seriousness than when a discussion has taken place; when, at least one of the parties has argued for nothing but the victory, or the display of his talents. Where there is anything like a disposition to honest enquiry, discussions are very useful; but the Missionary requires to be very cautious how he plunges into an argument, before he has any idea about the object of his opponent. Sometimes that object is only to raise a laugh at the expense of religion, or the preacher, in order to show off his own wit: at other times, it is to divert the people, by mere senseless talk, from the attention they have been manifesting. In such cases, I have found one rule to be useful, that is, never to begin any discussion with those whom I have marked as inattentive, listening with a sneer; or, who, by whispering, winking, &c., seemed to wish to turn attention from the speaker towards themselves. When I have seen such an individual come forward to start an objection, or make a speech, I have cut him short at once, without hearing him, and addressed him so that all might hear, to the following effect: 'Sir, I have observed you all the time of my discourse. You have not been attentive, but have been whispering, smiling, winking, sneering. No well-bred, sensible man would act so, especially when the subject is important, and connected with our eternal interests. You have thus shown yourself unworthy of being allowed to speak on such weighty matters, among respectable men; therefore I will not discuss them with you, but if any other person present, who has listened attentively, will put a question, I shall hear him, and reply with pleasure.' This generally has the desired effect, and such persons have often received, at the same time, severe reproofs from the audience, so that they have been glad to beg pardon for their flippancy. "Those who come evidently with an intention to dispute, should rarely be indulged with an opportunity, as their purpose generally is not to hear a word from the Missionary, but to draw the attention of the people entirely from him, and then to get the meeting broken up in confusion. In such cases, a firm determination to admit of no interruption, but to insist on their having the good manners of hearing us before attempting to reply, generally defeats their object. When they find the Missionary has nearly done, they often slink away, as they know his immediate object is gained when his address has been heard; and he is now comparatively indifferent whether the people disperse or not; and as they have lost the chance of distracting the people's attention, they have no wish to run the risk of any greater defeat by an exposure of their own arguments. "Some also come after the discourse is partly over; and without staying to hear anything, press confidently forward to dispute. Such ought particularly to be kept in check, as they are generally impertinent wranglers, whose only object is mischief, or the display of their own supposed cleverness. The following is a specimen of the class, and the mode I have found best adapted to meet it :-I was one day addressing a considerable crowd of Hindus in a public place at Benares, on the evils of idolatry, and had got about half through my discourse, when all at once a very consequential-looking Mussulman Moulvi, pressed through the crowd, and, without listening a moment to what I was saying, interrupted me with an objection to the Divinity of Christ, to which I had made no reference whatever. I merely stopped to tell him to reserve this subject till my discourse was done, and then resumed. But', says he, drawing himself up as majestically as he could, 'I have put this question, and must have an answer now.' I replied,' Sir, you are a Mussulman, and I am addressing Hindus on a subject which has nothing to do with matters in dispute between Christians and Mahomedans. You ought to have as much good manners as to wait a proper time for introducing quite another subject-so if you cannot wait till I have done speaking to these people, you had better walk away and not disturb us.' Hearing this, he made a low bow, and walked away. The people made way for him; some of them smiling at his evident chagrin ; and then turned round with redoubled attention to hear the rest of the discourse. Had I permitted him to draw me into a discussion, his end would have been gained; the attention of the people would have been distracted; and most would have gone away without hearing the Gospel, who, in this case heard it plainly stated and enforced.' The Hindus pride themselves on their good manners. This may be acknowledged when a person is told, that politeness demands that he should remain silent till the speaker has concluded. * Letters, pp. 76-82. Sometimes, as Dr. Mullens suggests, an objection may be " skilfully woven into the thread of the discourse and answered." Answering Objections.-It has already been stated, that there are a few stock objections which are brought forward everywhere. The Missionary should study them carefully, and learn the shortest and most satisfactory replies. A list of objections will be found in the Church Missionary Intelligencer for February, 1854. An English version of Mundy's Answers to Hindu Objections is given in the volume of Translations of Select Indian Tracts. The Missionary acquainted with Tamil should consult the Rev. E. Sargent's Test of Hinduism. The works on Hinduism mentioned in the Appendix will also yield hints. The style of reply must depend a good deal upon the audience. With the masses abstract reasoning will not answer; an illustration is the only thing they understand." Consequently," says the Rev. G. Kies, “the great secret of arguing successfully with Hindus consists in upsetting their own illustrations by exposing their partiality and fallacy, and in impressing their minds with imposing illustrations of our Christian ideas." A skilful man will often shut their mouths by a single proverb or sentence. One or two examples may be given. Objection. "If a man have faith he will be saved." Answer. If a man drink off a cup of deadly poison believing it to be nectar, will he live? Show that faith must be placed on a proper object. Objection. Hinduism is ancient, Christianity new, Answer. Will you eat the fruit of an old poisonous tree in preference to the newly-grown sugar-cane? Objection. We must follow the customs of our forefathers. Answer. Should the son of a blind man put out his eyes? If our father was drowned, should we throw ourselves into a well. |