Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/40

28 worship so to be performed as is hereinbefore stated and expressed: that such worship be performed daily or at least as often as once in seven days.'

Its breadth of sympathy, its earnest endeavour after a greater sincerity and simplicity of faith and its strong desire to avoid the condemnation of others make this trust deed a remarkable document in an age of intense bigotry and bitter personal anmosities [sic].

The bitterness aroused against Ram Mohan in certain quarters was very great. Freedom of thought and freedom of speech were then in their infancy, and Hinduism, which had so long exacted unquestioning and blind obedience, mustered all the forces at its command against the reformer. Though still clinging to all that was best in Hinduism and observing all outward performances necessary to retain his caste, he had too effectively attacked the abuses that had become a part of it, to escape the hatred of the orthodox. The storm of opposition he aroused would have overwhelmed a weaker man. Though he had proved again and again how deep was his zeal for the public good, it was counted to him as nought compared with his break with the old shibboleths of his faith. So fierce was the feeling against him that latterly his life was in danger, and his friend Mr. Montgomery Martin relates how he took up his residence with him in order that he might watch over and protect him. For many years he