Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/189

Rh felt no hesitation in telling them that they differed very little from the heathen around them. The fact is so palpable, that it cannot be denied; nor do I remember to have seen a Roman Catholic at all resent the charge. They have answered, “We do not worship the image, but the person represented by the image;" “But,” say the heathen, “neither do we: we are not fools, to pray to a stone." They sometimes attack us as heretics, when preaching to the heathen; but the reading of the second commandment (especially from the Latin vulgate) to the audience is sufficient to overthrow their claim to the assumed title of "Sattya-veda-karer,” or true Bible men.

The difference between the Roman Catholics and the heathen Hindus is so small, that both are alike considered idolaters by the Mohammedans; while many Hindus, knowing no other Christianity than this, look upon all Christians as worshippers of wood and stone. They see but little difference between their own worship and that of Roman Catholics, except the change of names in the objects of worship. Hinduism finds almost a full reflection of its own customs in the religious observances, rites, and ceremonies of the members of the Roman Catholic