MISSION INDUSTRIES 47 



widespread. They asked, "Why did the Government 

 accept our fees for educating us and then not give us 

 jobs?" 



Failing Government services, the law is their second 

 choice, and India, though possessed of some good, great, 

 constructive and clever lawyers, has far more men in 

 this profession than the country needs. If they fail in 

 law, things have come to a bad pass, and there is nothing 

 left but teaching in a Government school, or failing this, 

 in a mission school, or a clerkship on the railroad or in 

 a mercantile house. But in any one of these occupa- 

 tions life can never have the glory and honor it would 

 have had in Government service. 



Only a small minority go out into life looking for re- 

 sponsibility or for public service or to see how much 

 good they can do. 



There are a few who do not feel like accepting any 

 post under Government since in such a position they 

 would be prevented from criticizing its policy or ques- 

 tioning its action in any way. They prefer their inde- 

 pendence and poverty to a post in a Government "ma- 

 chine" where there is the assurance of a fair salary, 

 leading to a comfortable old age with a good pension. 

 The number of occupations open to educated Indians 

 which allow them to preserve their independence are 

 very few. 



In choosing agriculture I felt that a training in it 

 would give the educated non-Christian Indian opportu- 

 nity to earn a decent livelihood, and to keep his own in- 

 dependence and self-respect. If a large body of such 

 men could be created in India to-day they would be of 

 great assistance both to the Government and the people. 

 As a class they would not be so bitter as the present dis- 



