226 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
tising on the credulity of their hearers, than in open- 
ing their eyes to the truth — it will naturally he cor- 
rupted; and nothing is too monstrous for ignorant 
credulity to receive.* Ignorance being naturally at- 
tached to the marvellous is consequently inclined to 
superstition, and thus, in order to satisfy this mor- 
bidly spiritual appetite, the attributes of the Deity 
have been personified, and a host of idols offered to 
human adoration, under the assumed sanction of a 
sacred name. The Divinity is so constantly asso- 
ciated with human actions and human infirmities, as 
to represent an Almighty monster of iniquity, pos- 
sessing the repugnant qualities of Omnipotence both 
in good and in evil. 
Such views of him are, alas ! but too grateful to 
the feelings of corrupt minds ; for we may easily 
imagine it is no difficult matter for men inherently 
depraved to persuade themselves that a God, who can 
be the great exemplar of vicious acts, will not be 
backward to pardon in others what his own conduct 
justifies ; and therefore this assumed sanction of vice 
in the Creator cannot fail to render it more palatable 
to the heart of the creature. The implicit reliance 
which the ignorant among the Hindoos place upon 
their priests, who are often as corrupt as they are 
illiterate, is the chief cause of that barbarous idolatry 
in which they are still involved, and which has 
hitherto bid defiance to the most zealous endeavours 
of our missionaries. 
* It is a general belief among the Hindoo vulgar, that no one 
has a chance of happiness in the next life, if he neglect to give 
alms to the Brahmins. 
