and prevent the thoughts of those who worship them fitm wander. ' ing.” Ayeen Akbery Vol. III, Revd. Garrett's Bhagavatgita, 弱 Appendix. * s “The transcendent qualities of the Supreme Nature naturally led to the contemplation of the universality of its manifestations. The paragraphs which relate to this subject contains the '1'antheism of the system; which term is not intended to denote the vulgar doctrine of identity of God with the material universe, but that in every portion and phenomenon of it, God is to be realized; in other words, that the universe is full of God; that wherever we may go and on whatsoever we may think, there and then God is to be felt and recognized.” Ibid. “There are they, however, who demur admitting all that may be said in relation to the truth and sublimity of Ilindooism, because of the practical and popular errors of the people. THow can that system have aught in it, that is good or pure, the advocates and professors of which are so corrupt and unprinciplod? • Does not Hindooism patronize cruelty and oppression ? Are not its records stained with the blood of strangled infants and of burning widows : Are not its priests liceutious and its temples polluted 2 True; and none would confess it more mournfully than we. But the errors committed by some of the heathem are no proof that these were committed by all: that it was inevitable that they should be committed by any : neither may we conclude, that they were without the power to accomplish that which by reason of their sinfulness they failed to do. Plato and Cicero recommended idolatry in certain cases. Aristotle disapproved of the forgiveness of injuries. Socrates inculcated inhospitality to foreigners. Several induis gence in its grossest forms was allowed by Xenophon and Sohon. Cato committed suicide; and this after having read Plato's treatise on the immortality of the soul! Notwithstanding the encouragement of the vices we have enumerated by these renowned men, their writings onjoin nearly every general duty presented in the
