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but the word “science” is a somewhat vague one. I do not think it 
an appropriate use of the word to apply it to large classifications of facts. 
The facts must be collected independently; but there is no reason why 
they should not be classified, nor why different collections should not be 
made at the same time. Whether it is useful to do this is another question; 
but I think that no one who has considered the utility of a great number of 
collections can doubt the advantages derivable from the adoption of sys- 
tematic method, and so forming what some are pleased to name the in- 
ductive sciences. There are in India at least fifty districts where different 
languages are spoken, many of them large districts, in which the face of a 
white man is never seen ; but, if we have regard to the importance of that 
Empire to ourselves and the duties imposed on us as its rulers, surely every- 
thing connected with the classification of the people, their habits, customs, 
and religious beliefs, must be a matter of deep concern to us. Undoubtedly 
the population contains a large number of Mohammedans and Hindoos ; 
but, seeing the vast proportion of native tribes, in that territory, over 
whom we have control, we should be only too thankful to have informa- 
tion such as is contained in this paper, so that it may be turned to its 
appropriate use. It will-enable our missionaries to adapt the means at their 
command to the wants of the people ; it will also enable the Government to 
put a stop to immoral practices which they would otherwise know nothing 
of: it will, probably, be the means of attracting a large number of 
travellers to the districts spoken of and of developing a large amount of 
trade, although trade and travelling are matters of inferior importance when 
compared with the moral and religious well-being of the people. Before 
we can hope to benefit the large mass of the population by Christianity or - 
civilisation, we must first inform ourselves of the peculiarities of the creeds 
which at present exist among them. (Hear, hear.) I think the author of 
the paper has produced a very valuable contribution to our previous know- 
ledge, and I hope it may result, in benefit to the Indian races. 
Mr. Rassam.—I am afraid that the gentleman who has just spoken quite 
misunderstood me. I spoke as a Christian, and am sure very few Christians 
would disagree with me in regard to the comparison made between us as 
Christians and the Greeks who represented the heathens outside Christianity. 
There can be really no comparison. Even if we appealed to the Mohammedans’ 
theory, they would tell us that those who do not believe in God Almighty, 
whom we call Jehovah, are heathens. God has given the world revelation, 
and if we refer to history we shall find that, in the infancy of the Christian 
Church and in the fourteenth century, hundreds of missionaries went from 
Mesopotamia and preached to the Chinese, the Tartars, and the people of 
India. I do not mean to say they were all converted, but thousands were. 
Mr. GrirrirH.—I had no wish to depreciate Christianity or compare 
it with the heathen systems, The God of the Christians, the Father 
which is in heaven, is a Spirit whose will is just, whose wisdom, power, 
and goodness are infinite and consistent. It were indeed monstrous to 
compare this Heavenly Father with stocks, and stones, and graven images. 
