CHAPTER VII.

THE KOOLIN BRAHMIN.

Mokesh Chunder Ghose was not long to stand alone. He was followed by a Koolin Brahmin, Khrisha Mohun Banerjea, now a well-known and much respected Christian clergyman. Of a candid, enquiring disposition, he had been convinced of the errors of Hinduism before he had received Christianity as truth from God. He was at the head of party of deep-thinkers who would no longer consent to be duped, and his own very high rank as a Koolin Brahman made him an object of special wrath to his former co-religionists. They fiercely demanded of Banerjea's family they should disown him, on pain of themselves losing their caste should they refuse to do so.

The reformer's family called on him to renounce what they called his errors, and own his belief in the Hindu religion, or be for ever cast out from his home. The poor young man chose ruin rather than falsehood. Banerjea left his home at night with some of his friends who held the same views as himself.

"We left," wrote he, "the home where we passed our infant days; we left our mother that nourished us in childhood; we left our brother with whom we associated in our early days; we left our sisters with whom we sympathised since they were born."

Personal danger was added to private grief. As Banerjea and his friends were returning, a furious mob broke loose on them, and it was with some difficulty that they made their escape. No wonder that the Koolin Brahman fell into a fever. He had as yet lost all, without any positive gain; he had left Krishna but he had not found Christ.

"I was perfectly regardless of God," he wrote at a subsequent time, "yet, as a merciful Father He forgot not me!"

Dr. Duff sent a native friend to invite Banerjea to his house. Blessed was the hour when the out-cast reformer crossed a Christian's threshold. Banerjea's own description of the interview must be given.

"Mr. Duff received me with Christian kindness, and enquired of the state in which we all were. He openly expressed his sentiments on what we were about, and while he approved of one half of our conduct he lamented the other. He was glad of our proclamation against error, but sincerely sorry at our neglecting the truth. I told him that it was not our fault that we were not Christians; we did not believe in Christianity and therefore could not consistently profess it. The Reverend gentleman with great calmness said that it was true that I could not be blamed for my not believing in Christianity so long as I was ignorant of it, but that I was certainly guilty of serious neglect for not enquiring into its doctrines and evidences. This word enquire was so uttered as to produce an impression on me which I cannot sufficiently well describe . . . I was so struck with Mr. Duff's words that we instantly resolved to hold weekly meetings at his house for religious instruction and discussion."

Persecution drove the reformer to a European lodging house, for not a native dared to shelter him. Banerjea narrowly escaped death by poison! But the former Koolin Brahman went on earnestly with his search after truth, and at length he found it. "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Banerjea desired to be baptised in the house of the Missionary who had led him to Christ, and was so, in the presence of many of his friends who still remained Hindus.

After prayer by another clergyman, Mr. Duff thus questioned the convert:—"Do you renounce all idols, superstitions, and all the frivolous rites and practices of the Hindu religion?"

To this the former Koolin Brahman replied, "I do, and I pray God that he may incline my countrymen to do so likewise."

"Do you believe in God the Father and Creator of all; in Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, and in His Sacrifice as the only means whereby man can be saved; and in the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit?"

To this Banerjea with emotion replied, "I do, and I pray God to give me grace to do His will!"

Then the convert received the pure water of baptism, and the company, kneeling, engaged in prayer. Thus was gathered in Alexander Duff's second sheaf in Calcutta.

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