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When Christianity was introduced into that province, whilst the people of other castes neglected to receive it, it was embraced by many of the Shéndrs, and on their embracing Christianity, cducation made progress amongst them, and through their education they obtained many benefits and rose to a higher position in society. If you now inquire in many Christian Shinir villages, it will be difficult to find either a man or a woman under thirty years of age who is unable to read. Many of them have become catechists and schoolinasters. There are also schoolmistresses amongst them for the instruction of girls. Some of the catechists also have made progress in knowledge and character, and have Deen ordained gurus, or ministers. When they look at all these things the inhabitants of the Zillah of Tinnevelly cannot but see how greatly Christianity promotes education; and seeing that Shinfirs have made such progress through the Christian education which they have received, it cannot be doubted that if other classes of people also would, in like manner, embrace Christianity they too would grow in intelligence, and make progress in the world. Weigh well now this point. Which is of most advantage to mankind—a religion which despises education, or a religion which prizes and promotes education?
There is an irreconcilable enmity between the religions of this country and intelligence. It is difficult for persons to acquire sense who worship senseless stones, and if they do acquire sense any how, they will of course renounce those stone gods. As a lamp is the enemy of darkness, so education is the enemy of heathenism. Whoever they are that sincerely embrace the Christian religion, they necessarily learn to read, to reflect, to inquire, and to compare.
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