22 
THE LEGEND OF ST. THOMAS. 
Christianity in India an orthodox instead of a heretical origin. 
This and the annual festivals which bring hundreds of 
visitors to the St. Thomas holy places in our neighbourhood 
are but specimens of the devices used to keep the tradition 
alive. The Irish Catholics of Madras are said, indeed, to be 
strong in disparagement of the special sanctity of the locali- 
ties and of the whole story connecting St. Thomas with 
Maylapur ; but some of their naughty critics, perhaps un- 
kindly, add that they would sing a different tune to-morrow 
if the said holy places were suddenly transferred fi'om 
Groanese hands to their own. Be this as it may, it seems to 
me that the origin of the tradition in India is due to the 
founders of the church of Malabar, and that it has been 
kept alive by the so-called Syrians themselves, by Catholics, 
and by Protestants on grounds that are not historical. For, 
in my opinion, there is not a shred of evidence to prove that 
the feet of St. Thomas ever trod the soil of Peninsular India ; 
and such evidence of his destination as our available records 
supply points in another direction. 
