Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/378

326 their friends in choosing the new religion, rather than have two parties in the village community.

In a village inhabited by Shanars, but belonging to a Brahmin, part of the people had resolved to become Christians. When this came to the ears of the proprietor, he went to the place, and, convening a town-meeting, addressed them to this effect: “I hear that some of you have determined to learn the new Veda, (Scriptures;) now, I do not wish to have any divisions or quarrels in my village, nor shall there be two parties here. Therefore, all of you either remain in a body in your old religion, or else all join the new. If you like to embrace Christianity, do so; I shall not oppose you; and, if you like, you may turn your temple into a prayer-house. Only all be of the same mind; and if you do not act justly towards me, I shall look to the missionaries to see me righted." The Brahmin cared little what religion they embraced, if he only got his dues, and well knew that as Christians they would be quite as good tenants as if heathen. The result was, that all of the two hundred inhabitants of the village placed themselves under Christian instruction, destroyed their idols, (valued at two