Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/598

Rh Narayan believed that if Vidyasagar had turned a missionary and preacher, he could have done a great good to the people. He even went so far as to declare his idea to Vidyasagar. The latter gave a somewhat humorous reply. He said, -'I don't want to be a preacher. If I have to suffer punishment for what I am and what I have been doing, I must take the consequences. Suppose, I turn a missionary and convert some people to my faith. If they should be asked who converted them, they must point to me, and supposing that they are punishable for their acts, it is I on whose back the punishment is sure to fall. I can suffer for my own sins; but how can I receive stripes for others?'

Raj Narayan consulted Vidyasagar on all important matters. He once asked for his friend's advice on the subject of his daughter's marriage. Vidyasagar conveyed his instructions by a long letter couched in respectful terms. The letter was written in Bengali; we will give here its purport in English:—

'Accept my best compliments—

'It is some days that your letter reached, me; but I was very busy with different matters, and could not therefore reply to your letter in time. Please excuse me the delay.

'I have bestowed my best thoughts on the subject of your daughter's marriage, but have failed to decide upon the advice that I am to give you.