Page:On the Coromandel Coast.djvu/272

 CHAPTER XX

GHOSTS AND DEVILS

An intelligent man is he who knows when to speak and when to be silent, whose friendship is natural and sincere, and who never undertakes anything beyond his powers.—.

sits in the very bosom of idolatry, an idolatry which is real and apparent on every side. It is the worship of the power of evil, unmixed with any leavening philosophy ; nor is it elevated by any idea of symbolism. The devil, in whom the man-in-the-street believes, is a malignant sprite with a strong personality. The devil must be propitiated in his opinion, lest it should exercise supernatural powers for evil. It manifests its presence to its votaries in all kinds of ways, taking the shapes of animals and men when desirous of moving, and resting in an uncut stone or rude image when stationary.

Europeans look on the idolatrous practices of the heathen with varied feelings. Many pass them by with a scornful contempt, as though they were beneath their notice. Some are repelled, others merely show an idle curiosity, which is too often mingled with a flippancy that gives offence to the keen-witted native. A few openly ridicule the worshippers of idols, a method that does not assist the missionary in his endeavour to teach the people better things.

In the early days of the British in India heathen rites and ceremonies were regarded by the Europeans with something like horror. It was a time of superstition in