ic
example, formed the purpose of going with the Gospel to Benares. Robert
Haldane sold a fine estate, that with a band of chosen companions he
might preach the Gospel to its inhabitants. He was obliged to abandon
the enterprise by the prohibition of the East India Company; and then,
in company with his brother and others similarly minded, he turned to
home mission work, which for a time was prosecuted by them with ardent
zeal and great success.

[Sidenote: HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY.]

In 1781 the city and district of Benares, which had for some time paid
tribute to our Government, were brought directly under our rule. We are
sure no Christian missionary would have been previously tolerated in
Benares for a day. He could not speak of Jesus Christ as the Lord of all
and the Saviour of the world without implying that Mahadeo and the other
gods of Benares were no God. His teaching would be speedily discerned in
its antagonism to the genius of the place, and would ensure his speedy
expulsion, if not his death. To the present hour no missionary is
allowed to plant his foot in Mecca, or Medina, the sacred cities of the
Muhammadans. Till a very recent period, when the Pope's political power
came to an end, no Protestant minister was allowed to open his mouth in
proclaiming the Gospel in Rome. The mild Hindu can be as fanatical as
the Muhammadan and the Roman Catholic in resenting an attack on his
religion, and in persecuting its opponents.

We have no historical records from which we can learn how Buddhism was
overthrown in India; but, as we have already observed, we have reason to
conclude it was not overthrown by argument and persuasion, but by fire
and sword. The intense hatred shown to the Gospel by those who are
imbued by the spirit of Hinduism will not allow us to doubt that, if
they had the power, they would forbid all Christian effort, and
especially such effort in their sacred city. They were long under the
rule of the Muhammadans, and were subjected by them to grievous
indignities, which they were helpless to avert or resent; but their
attachment to Hinduism, instead of being diminished, was inflamed by the
treatment they received, and during the semi-independent position they
held previous to coming under our sway they had both the power and the
will effectually to prevent the entrance of a new antagonistic religion.
The superior strength and daring of the English were so signally shown
in the overthrow of Rajah