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at the shrine of ofFended or avenging deities; and well-authenti- 

 cated anecdotes might easily be collected to a considerable extent, 

 of the sanguinary propensity of this people, such as would startle 

 those who have imbibed certain opinions from the relations of 

 travellers, on the character and habits of the " abstinent and 

 blood-abhorring Hindoos; and of the brahmins, with souls unspot- 

 ted as the robes they wear." 



I will add no more on the subject of Hindoo depravity ; nor, 

 in contrasting it with Christianity, shall I speak of that blessed 

 Catholicon on a limited scale, but place it on the broad basis of 

 divine and human love; its grand objects being to reconcile fallen 

 man to his offended Creator, through the mediation of a Redeemer; 

 and by ennobling his views, enable him to sustain the glorious 

 character of a candidate for eternity; that while passing through 

 the probationary period of lime, he may make a proper estimate 

 between the transitory nature of earthly enjoyments, and the de- 

 lights which await the virtuous in regions of bliss, without satiety, 

 and without end. In such an estimate, engrafted on the principle 

 of faith, hope, and charity, how is the soul raised above sublunary 

 pursuits! how degraded is vice, however gilded by wealth, or sanc- 

 tioned by fashion; how triumphant is virtue, however forsaken or 

 obscure! Animated by such a prospect, how trifling are the vani- 

 ties of time, compared with the Christian's everlasting inheritance! 

 To the young and thoughtless, in the morning of life, when the 

 roses of health bloom, and pleasure presents her enticing cup, 

 these may appear unimportant observations; but when the sha- 

 dows lengthen, the flowers fade, and the mellifluous beverage is 



