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Leader (1850-1860), 2nd September 1854, Edition Town of 2, Page 820, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THE PRAYER FOR THE WAR IN INDIA . ^ From the Bombay Xetter of the Morning Chronicle . * ) Last Sunday was observed here , as all over India , as ei day of humiliation and prayer for the success ot the British , arms , and by natives as well as by Europeans . So valuable was the conduct of the natives both as a testimony to the equity and kindness of the British , and as a proof that old superstitions will speedily break up , that we may be justified in giving a minute account of it , as known to us here in Bombay . The movements of the native community on this occasion have possessed remarkable interest . Their sympathy with their British rulers , ¦ whom , after all , they know to be their best friends , their indefinite fears of the advance of Russia even to India , and their apprehensions of loss by the limitations and restrictions of

      commerce , led them in great rmiltitudes to r « solve to unite ia the religious solemnities of the day of humiliation . Their cessation from work was far more extensive than was ever known to be the case on their own religious high days , when the fueling of superstitious " unluck" has , been to theni a great restraint . In the management of their religious services the leading ininds , as might be expected , in originating the services of the higher castesj have not been the ordinary Brahmans and other priests , buy . their educated metnbers ; and In accommodation to their views , the God of the XTniyerse has in some of the 'prayers ^ , in consequence ^ taken the precedence of ; ther gods of the Pantheon . A retniarkable instance : ofj ttuf ia visible : in the case of the JParbhus , whose sjippiicsiidry chaiiti as prepared by a Brahman ^ ' aptf printed and distributed , was the following ; --.

      Pkayer to the Supreme Ishtpar . ( In the Sfarathiverse called ' Pad . ') Innntnerable evils are accruing from war ; . Except the'Lord of tlie Universe there is no peace-maker ; Let the danka ( druin ) proclaim Jiira the true Saviour ; Let it sound for Thee the great protector : of thy worshippers ; : : ' . ¦ ¦ ' '¦" . ¦ ' : '¦ . ¦ ' ¦¦ '¦ . . ' ¦' . ¦ : \/ ; ; : ¦'¦;¦ . The name Protectpr-of-the-Universe is suitable to Thee ; There is nd . one in bur difficulties but Thou alone . Innumerable soldiers are dying in fi ght , Their spouses are ^ making great lamentation ; , Their poor children are suffering-distress ; . The learned Hindus cannot even , describe their misery : The atfcention

      . princes is directed to war ; A stop isput to invaluable Works ; Universal destrucitioh . is everywhere occurring ; There is dishonour to Thee from ( his destruction ; All commerce is stopped ; There is fear about sending goods t © other lands ; Conspirators have arisen . and . devoted themselves to plunder ; On tnese accounts immeasurable loss is occurring ; . In . this manner war is tlie destroyer of wealth ; People are making great lamentation ; ¦ . ' . . " Wherefore , 0 Lord , be thou the Saviour from this ocean of calamity j Bo to all the Pointei' -of-the-good-Patli .

      This , however , as a compliment to the olden days , was followed by another poetical prayer , addressed to Vishnu under the name Hari , the scope of which is much the same as that which we have now quoted . Great difficulty was felt in giving sociality to the Hindu worship , which , it is well known , is generally of a personal or household character , each worshipper muttering a sentence or two , and presenting his own offerings for himself and relatives ; but an attempt at several places was the next day made by the Brahmans at a katha , or discourse , suited to the occasion , which some of those concerned in getting it up ha ve pronounced a failure . The feats of Kama and Krishna seemed very incongruous when viewed in the light

      of modern warfare . The meetings held at the principal pagodas finally went off very _ much in the form of conversation and newsmongering . At the small pagodas the priests had the entire management of affairs , tho shrines of Vittoba and Hanuman , under the form of Mara fci , being the principal places of resort . The mace of Hanuman , it is expepted , will not be unavailing for tho fracture of the skull of the Russian bear , should he ever show his ugly face in India . At Mumbudavie , the Horn , or sacred fire , was kindled , but « p sacrifice was offered to the goddess . Her votaries rang the pagoda bells with unusual loudneas , to let' her know of their arrival and departure . A distribution of sugar , which had

      been offered to Rama at tho Thalcurdwar temple , was mndo among his votaries before they separated . The Mohwmmediuis aeom to have been somewhat out in thoir arrangements for the occasion j but the cause of Turkey us well as Britain was not altogether forgotten by them . To tho Parsis must bo given the credit of having first , of tho native sects , moved in this matter , traditional usiigo having authorised them in so doing . Tho assembly of them at thoir principal ateshgahs or lire temples was unpreeedontodly great . Their sorvices thoro were principally conducted in tho ancient Zend language , tho priests being the great officials . A prayer in tho vernacular , however , was also used . It was addressed to tine Supreme , and was tho following : — t

      I offer my prayer to Thoo , 0 glorious and oxulted God , that tho sovereign of this realm may havo tho victory with honour and triumph in tho war . May tho aovoroign of sovorolgna inspire with wisdom , and endow with strength ,

      her army and navy .. Long live the sovereign , and may the empire nourish . May God annihilate her enemies , and may His blessing rest upon her . May He watch over all thesp events-, and destroy the enemy . I make my prayer and supplication unto Thee , Almighty God , that success may attend the cause of our Queen in the field of battle . May our Queen continue her rule in justice and mercy , and may her name and her power be handed down to many generations . May she ever maintain in all its integrity her exalted position , which is illumined with light and glory . Such is my prayer . " In most of the Roman Catholic churches , also , prayers were offered up for Britain . Lords Elphinstone and Frederick Fitzclarence are at Poona . The fall of rain hitherto has been ample ; the quantity gauged at the presidency is upwards of forty-two inches . Trade in general is dull , but the moneymarket is easy .

      Untitled Article

      ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL VISITS TO THE OUTPORTS . ( From the Hampshire Advertiser and ' Portsmouth Herald of August 26 . ) We have often been much struck with the thorough absurdity of such annual official Admiralty visits as that which our reporter / has chronicled . Our naval justices arrive at their outport ( after duly proclaiming their intention of coming ) , and they go in state in their barge ( . with flag flying ) to the dockyard , where a large body of talented officers await their landing , and attend upon their pleasure . The '' pfficial'inspectian" then and there cqrameneeSj but what a farce upon the terra it proves , The First Lord goes cliatting along with the : Pbr . t Admiral , or Admiral Superintendent , upon the topics of the day , and his colleagues follow suit ; until the party arrives at sorne object of prciminence , such as the steanilbasin ; this they- look at , walk round its brink-r-perchance think that if they fell " overboard" they might be lost to ; nature , their friends , and their ¦ country ; they " look at the E xcellent ; " they lt look" at the ships , building , and they go : on board one ready for the pendant , ivhere they do really form a cabinet of" discussion relative to the object : before them ; they then £ 0 ashore ^ arid v isit the Admiral Superintendent at his pifice , and therei at a little after mid ^ day they terminate the first day ' s . ' official labour (?) The First Lord having , during his perambulation , wet his cprns , cuts ( hot those obnoxious excresehces , but ) the society of hi 3 ? colleagues , and leaves for Covves ,: ahd the other members of the board , adjourn to the comforts of mine excellent host of the < Jeorge , where they" tidy up" a little , and then go to dine with the officer Tvb'brn they innst havei so much fatigued by their minute examination Of . the state of his establishment during the forenoon . Next to bed , and then to sleep , On .: the second day . their " Lordships" go out again in their state barge , visit the Victualling Yard , th « Naval

      Hospital , the Eoyiu Marine Bsirraeks , one or two matters afloat , have another ' * little go" over the Dockyard , and , then drop in at the Gun Wharf or Marine Artillery quarters en route to '' . their hotel ; and this generally closes the second day ' s " official inspection , " ending with a dinner at ; the Fort Admiral ' s . On the third day the First Lord holds a levee , at which : he allows courtiers or growlers five minutes' time , or lessftopass compliments or urge claims , all who havo not had the honour of being admitted to his First Lordship ' s presence during the twelvemonths antecedently being admitted to this privilege ; meanwhile ^ his colleagues muster the ordinary , " visit the training ships , and " make a day of it" b y dropping in again on the happily-situated dockyard , finishing up by giving a dinner at their hotel to the whole staff of the port and garrison , benevolently including that hybrid functionary , Mr . JVIsiyor , but who , on the present occasion , seems to have been forgotten ! Perhaps a ball in aid of tho funds of a sea-service charity may form a graccwutB iiio

      luy « ( whoio i out mis iimc ic umn i ) . xnow , we all pay very dearly for these annual " boundary beatings , " for they aro not unlike those parochial I 3 umblu-dom celebrations . We should not grumble at the feasting of puWic servants at tho national expense if they would show something as earned during their expensive visits . If thoir "lordships , " at these periodical excursions , weeded out and remedied abuses ( there aro always plenty ) , that would bo ono good done . If " my Lords Commissioners" ferreted out wasteful expenditure or misappropriation of government stores , wasteful application of time , unnecessary expenditure , nnd waste in humouring tho whims of commanding officers in fitting out bhips . If their lordships iiscortnincd at these visits tho amount of service rendered for the high salaries paid from the public purso , hnd such like items , great good would necessarily result , nn < l much wholesome ecoiiomy ; but , under the " time immemotinl" system , tho very reverse ia tho state of the case , realising tho axiom , bad musters make bad servants .

      Untitled Article

      " Since the beginning of this century charitable associations of women have been formed in the larger cities of most Christian countries , perhaps in all , though we do not know of thdr existence . They have worked , jointly or individually , for Christian purposes . Their aim has been to relieve , partially at least , the misery prevailing in the world , and to promote the coming of better times , especially by spreading the Word of God , by teaching and caring for children , by trying to call forth the energies of the poorer classes . Hitherto these associations have acted mostl y without connexion with eacli other , scarcely knowing of each other ' s existence . We know , however , by daily experience , the power of association .

      United exertions to promote a common acknowledged aim strengthens the individual and increases the general amount of energy . It exercises a powerful attraction on those who stand indifferent , or otherwise isolated from the general movement , -which thus grows in power and influence to an extent not to be calculated . Drops of water united have formed fli . e ocean , atoms united the universe . " We wish , therefore , to propose that the associations of Christian women formed in various places of the earth , humbl y aiming to fulfil the law of love laid down by Christ himself , may hereafter enter into connexion with each other , and strengthen and extend their activity by united exertion and consciousness of a mutual aim . This aim we consider to

      be" Care of the destitute , under tbe following leading heads : — " Caring for children by means of a Christian education , for families by exercising Christian influence , by the distribution of work and its just reward ; " For the sick and the aged , by affording them protection and / help ; ' ¦ ' . ' ¦ : ¦' . ' . ' ' : ' . ' - . , ¦ "¦ ¦ . ; ' / . . ¦; ¦ ; ¦ . ¦' . ¦ . ¦ . ¦ ¦ ' : . ¦ ¦• " For prisoners and 6 th ei- fallen fellow-creatures , by compassionate exertions to raise : theni from their siinki cbnditioiu ; . ' . " ¦ ¦ - . . " : '¦ ;¦ ¦¦¦ .: . . ¦ '¦ ' . ¦" , ¦ . : " ' . ' ¦ ¦ ' ¦ - " ' - ¦ ' ¦ ' ¦ . ,. . '"• ¦ '¦ ¦ '" ;• '¦ " . ' , . " And , finajly , by encouraging a . 11 institutions and means aiming to piompte such piirposesi ¦ ' ¦ ¦ " \ Ve believe , that , by a connexion between tlie many difTerent associations all . 'having these and similar aims , much more could bedpne than what is done at present . We believe and feel that we want the encouragernent which would thus be afforded by reaping the fruit of each other ' s expeperiencc and example . "To be ab 3 e to realise such an alliance we would propose , — . , ; . ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ' :. ; ¦ . ' . ' . ¦;; . : ¦ ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦ ,. ¦; : ' ,,. ' . ¦¦ ; ' - "

      ; V 1 . That there should be a committee in the capital of each country , which should enter into communication with all the different female societies of that landj gathex all particulars relating to them and their work , and thus be able to take a survey of the whole . " .. '¦¦ ¦ ¦ . " ? . That each central committee , being the organ of circulation for all other societies in that land , should through its secretary , - or some other corresponding member , communicate to the central committees of other countries the principal details of the work of female societies in its own , together with accounts of such industrial efforts or good institutipns standing in connexion with the aim of the society that have arisen in their country . . " 3 . That a printed circular containing these details -may be sent , free of postage , at the end of every year , frorh every central committee to all those of other countries with whom they stand in communication .

      " Without enumerating various countries , we venture to express our beljef that there are not many on tho earth in * - capable of talcing part in such an alliance , partly because they profess to be wholly Christian countries , partly because in them Christian communities havo risen here and there , and continue to arise more and more , beautiful green spots in the middle of the desert . We venture to hope that in the regions near the Pole , as well as in those under the burning sun of the tropics , in the old as well as in the new world , wheresoever ono living spark of Christian love is glowing there Christian women will unite with each other to alleviate the miseries of the earth , and plant seeds for the kingdom of God ; and we hope and believe that these will not refuse us tho hand of fellowship . " We propose an alliance in the name of tho Prince of Peace , extending its hcalinc , rOEcnorutinc : influence over tho

      MISS BREMER'S APPEAL TO WOMEN IN FAVOUR OF PEACE . " invitation to a mack ai-i . ianoe . 11 At a timo like this , when tho Powers of tho West arm themselves against thoHo of tho En « t , and enter into a atrugglo threatening to spread over sovoral of thu countrieB of huropo hko n . largo blooding wound , ( curing men from thoir homos , leaving thousands of widows nnd fathorloHs children , destroying harvests , burning oitlos , filling hospitals , culling up bittor and hateful nasflionH . liivinir mIukiIHkh mi

      commorcc , embittering lifo in many thousand qulot , indnstnouH families , n . struggle , —tlio sorrowful effects of which possibly may bo folt by most of the nations of tho oartli , —at such a time wo lmvo ventured a thought , n hope , that through womnn a peaceful wllianco might bo concluded , embracing tho wholo earth—an nllianco opposing the direful effcota oi war , and contributing by united mid well-directed offorts , un < lor tho blunsing of God , to tho development of i \ state of ponco , love , and woM-bolng , to como iorthwlion onco tho terrors of wnrslmll bo over , nnd the timo of dovantntion lias passed away .

      whole earth—an alliance in which diversities of language , of national cliaracter , of climate , of castom , of Christian denominations , mny bo regarded as of little import in comparison with the aim , tho language , tlio heavenly hope , the Lord and master wo have in common . In these we propose to consider ourselves as having the same , native country , t \* belonging ; to the same family , and , whatever diversity of opinion there mny bo among us , yet to join hands sis sisters , and recognise ns our children and relatives all those , of whatever nation or denomination they may be , who aro bereft and unhappy , and whom our care possibly can reach . " Sisters , then , whom , wo do not Jcnow as yet , but in whoso existence wo believe and hope , hero and there among tho ancient kingdoms of Asia , tho steppes of Siberia , or in tho imperial cities of Russia ; sisters of tho western countries of Europe , wlio have lighted nnd guided us n lone time by your bright example ; nn < l you , sisters in that vnst now land beyond tho Atlantic Ocean , whoso homes wo have juut lenrnt to

      Know us nurseries ot all Uhriatum virtues ; and you , Christian women among tho nations of Africa ; Christian women in tho isles of tho South Sea ; mild , loving aistoi-H , all over tho enrtli , in whoso oxiatonoo wo boliovo , though wo htivo not aeon you , whom wo Iovo without even knowing you —Rivo us your hands I Mny tho enrth thus become encircled by a chain of healing , loving onergies , which neither ocean nor ovont j neither dtaoord nor timo , can intorrupt ! Lot u » unite to form « n ullluncc otcrniu ao Clod ' s own boing ; for war shall como to i » n end , and ' tongues ahull conao , a nd knowledge nhnll vaniuh away , but clinrity ohall not fail ; churl ty nbidoth for over . " Wo ought now to toll you who they nro who thus address you . Wo « ro Swedish women , united for tho euro of poor orphans and dostituto ( amilies in Stockholm , thooiipital of Sweden . Wo cun rejoico in tho co-oporntion of our Queen , and tho humblest woman can join ub , nnd , taking oaro of n fmni y or a single child , rieo to tho dignity of its guardian nngel on earth . Wo lmvo recontly entered into connexion with tho societies of womon , daily becoming inoro numerous ,

      Untitled Article

      820 / THE READER . Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 2, 1854, page 820, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2054/page/4/