VI.-On the Spelling of the Scripture Names in Hindustání. To the Editors of the Calcutta Christian Observer.

DEAR SIRS,

You will agree with me, that the proper names in the Bible should be uniformly spelt, throughout the Old and New Testament. The English authorized version is very imperfect in this particular, it has Elijah and Elias, Timotheus and Timothy, Hosea and Osee, &c. &c. But the question is, shall we, in Hindustání, adopt the Musalmán corruptions of those names, or shall we slavishly copy them from the Hebrew, consonant for consonant, and vowel for vowel, or shall we adopt the Arabic forms of them? I am decidedly for the last method, and for these reasons. If we adopt the corruptions of the Musalmáns, we uphold some of their erroneous opinions built upon these names. Noah they call Núḥ and state that he was so called from his lamentation (Nauḥa) on account of the obstinacy of mankind who rejected his admonitions. By translating Gen. v. 29, " And he called his name Núkh (rest) saying, he shall be our munákh (rest, or place of rest) in our work and toil," we convince the Muhammadans of their error. John the Baptist they call Yahiya; and Muhammad, mistaking the meaning of the passage in Luke i. 61, "There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name," maintains in the Quran that no person was ever called so before. By translating by Yuhanna in both Testaments we shall open their eyes to the blunders of their prophet. If we translate Gen. xvii. 5, "And thy name shall no more be Ab i rám (exalted father) but thy name shall be Abi rahám (father of a great multitude) for a father of many nations I have made thee," we express fully the meaning of the original; if we translate Ibráhím we niake God the author of the Musalmán corruption of the name of him "who is the father of us all." Rom. iv. 16.

I am also against slavishly copying the names from the Hebrew because most of them would sound barbarously and some would be unpronounceable. On this plan,

As the Hindustání language has adopted so many words from the Arabic, and can almost at pleasure adopt others from the same source, we may in almost all instances express the meaning of the Scripture names if the forms of the Arabic language be adopted, which is only a dialect of the Hebrew. That this really is the case, I will show by some striking instances taken from the book of Genesis alone. Gen. iii. 20, "And Adam called his wife's name Hawah, because she is the mother of all living" (ki wuh hai kul kí má hai.) Gen. x. 25, "And unto Abir were two sons born; the name of the one was Falj (Peleg), for in his days was the earth divided (zamín kí tafíj húí.) Gen. xvi. 10, " And the angel of the Lord said unto her, behold thou shalt bear a son and shalt call his name Ismael (God-hears), because the Lord has heard thy affliction (is wáste ki Alláh ne terí musíbat men terí samáạt kí hai.) Gen. xxi. 3, "And Abraham called his son Izhák (making to laugh.) And Sarah (sar-aurat) said, God has made laughter (tazhík) for me, so that all who hear will laugh at me (merí tazhík karenge.) Gen. xxvi. 8, "And Abi malik saw, and behold Izhák was mizhák with his wife Ribqah (pp)." Gen. xxv. 25, "And after that came his brother out and his hand took hold on Esau's heel (aqab), and his name was called Aqúb, (heel-catcher.)" Gen. xxvii. 36, And he said, "Is he not rightly called Aqúb, for he has now two times heeled me (merá taaqqub kiyá), i. e. cheated me behind the back or subdued me in wrestling by means of the heel." Gen. xxix. 32, " And she bore a son and said the Lord has heard me (merí samáạt kí), and she called his name Samaán." Ch. xxx. 3, "And Rakhil (lamb) said: God has judged me (merá díwán húá), therefore she called his name Dán (judge.)" 11, "And Leah said, with good fortune! (jadd se !) and she called his name Jadd." 13," And Leah said, for my happiness! (merí yasárke liyé !) for the women will call me happy (maisúr), and she called his name Yasar." v. 18, "And Leah said, God has given me my reward (mashkúrí), and she called his name Ishkár." Gen. xli. 51, "And Joseph called the name of the first born Munassí (one who makes to forget), for God, said he, has made me forget (nisyán kiyá) all my toil and all my father's house."

If we in this manner take, through the medium of the Arabic, which is only a dialect of Hebrew, all the Scripture names into Hindustání, we shall completely naturalize them in India as far as that language is spoken. In Hinduwí and other Indian dialects almost every Scripture name looks foreign and sounds barbarously. The Hindustání being closely allied to the Arabic, offers singular advantages in this respect of which we should make use. If we follow the plan here proposed, every Scripture name will look and sound as a Hindustání word. I have at present no time to enter more fully into this matter, but I hope that what I have said will be sufficient to give you an idea of the views which I entertain on a subject which is at present, when several Missionaries are engaged in translating the Old Testament into Hindustání, of great practical importance. The question whether the Musalmán corruptions of Scripture names shall be adopted, or the Hebrew be servilely copied, or the plan I propose be acted upon, must now be decided in practice.

Yours truly,

J. A. S.

VII.-On the sin of Christians countenancing, by their presence, Idolatrous Festivals.

In the sight of God there is no sin so hateful as idolatry. The judgments of the Almighty have ever been denounced against it, and history, both sacred and profane, testify to the fearful manner in which those judgments have been executed. In his righteous indignation, God has declared of those who "walk after other Gods, I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them; for I am the Lord, that is my name, my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Idolatry in every age and in every land is the samewhether practised by the civilized inhabitants of Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome, or by the fierce barbarians of Africa-the voluptuous and rude tribes of Polynesia, or the semi-barbarous and effeminate Asiatics. Whether the object of adoration be Osiris, or Baal, or Jove, or Kálí-whether the offering be presented by Druids, Priests or Bráhmans, one set of features marks the whole; namely, cruelty, impurity, pride and folly. Idolatry aims immediately at the throne of God; and if it does not in every instance absolutely deny the existence of the Almighty, it invariably robs him of his glory, tramples on his authority, despises his precepts, and in his stead sets up a contemptible object, the patron of every vice, and renders to it the homage only due to His holy and reverend name. A more humiliating scene is not to be witnessed than that of beings possessing immortal souls bowing down to stocks and stones, and calling on senseless idols to save them!

Το

what a low condition has man fallen, and how fearfully has his heart gone astray from God! Marked was the contrast exhibited on Mount Carmel between the dignified worship of Elijah, and the wretched senseless service of the priests of Baal; and not less marked is the contrast, in the present day, between the holy and reverential service of the Christian sanctuary, and the mean puerile ceremonies of the people amongst whom we dwell.

Idolatry, as presented to our view in this country, is a compound of childish folly and gross iniquity, and cannot fail to impress every considerate mind with the truth of the Apostle's declaration, "professing themselves wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things; wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts." The silly parade of the Hindu processions-the tinsel finery of their idol decorations-their mimic banners-their rude grotesque dancing— and the combinations of horrid discordant sounds by them called music, prove that both priests and people, old and young, learned and ignorant, have by mutual consent banished from their minds every particle of common sense, and have, as the Apostle says "become fools." The filthy songs that are sung-the indecent gestures that are used-the abominable crimes said to have been committed by the idols which are extolled, and the beastly representations on many of their cars and temples, declare too plainly the truth of the latter part of the Apostle's words, "God hath given them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts."

What Christian can witness their processions without being affected and humbled at the sight; and how ought every one who feels for the honor of God, to cry with the Prophet, "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the sins and the follies of the people!" But it is a distressing fact, that very many who call themselves Christians, not only are strangers to these feelings, but actually become confederates with idolaters in their rebellion against God! Witness the Charak pújá, and see the numbers of professing Christians, both male and female, who can stand by unconcerned, and sanction with their presence the cruelties that are practised in honor of the god Shiva. Witness also the numbers who visit Kálíghát, and there to please a crowd of begging bráhmans who are constantly in attendance at the temple, actually present offerings of money to the monster Kálí; and in token of these offerings being accepted as an agreeable sacrifice, a string of consecrated flowers is given in return ! Witness also the attendance of professing Christians at the Dúrgá pújá festival, at the feasts, the dances, and the shrines of the idol, and we need be ashamed and confounded before God for the dishonour cast on his name by the very persons who express a hope of being saved by his mercy and grace!

The periodical return of the Dúrgá pújá festival being at hand, in order to induce those who are named by the name of Christ not to dishonour themselves, or the name by which they are called, by being

present at the idolatrous ceremonies, or partaking of the idolatrous feasts, I venture to make the following remarks, and humbly pray that the perusal of them may convince many of the sin and folly of such conduct, and cause them with holy abhorrence to exclaim, "" My soul, come not thou into their secret, and to their assemblies mine honour be not thou united."

Every individual attending the Dúrgá pújá festival, becomes identified with the abominations of the place, and is positively guilty of participating in the gross sin of idolatry! This awful fact perhaps they never consider; and without giving the subject a thought, the God in whom we live, and move, and have our being, is insulted, and his glory given to another. But though men think not, the crime is still the same. Whilst the ox knew his owner and the ass his master's crib, "Israel (says God), doth not know, my people do not consider." But did this excuse their conduct? No, it rather aggravated their offence. God has given us reasoning faculties, and for the neglect or abuse of them we shall be answerable at his bar. But it is only when the honor of God is concerned that men refuse to think; in all matters which affect their own interest they can think deeply, reason acutely and consider well their doings. In order that we may see the wickedness of countenancing by our presence, the idolatries of the land, and that by giving this sanction to their practices, we become partakers of their sin, let us notice some of the particulars connected with a Christian's attendance at the Dúrgá pújá festival.

He first, conducted by the master of the house, enters the consecrated place and beholds the idol. The place is splendidly illuminated -the image gorgeously arrayed-thousands of infatuated beings are either gazing with reverence upon it or bowing themselves before it. Several of the attendants on this mock divinity are engaged in beating away the flies, whilst others are employed in shouting her praise, but the majority of the priesthood are occupied in inciting the spectators to liberality and in receiving the offerings they present. Nothing but the grossest idolatry is here to be seen, and none but idolatrous sounds are heard. It is one of the high places of iniquity, where souls are led captive by Satan at his will,-it is the hall of death, where the king of darkness reigns-it is a place from which God is expelled-where purity and peace are unknown-where the people are feeding on ashes, a deceived heart having led them astray, and they leave it to go down to hell with a lie in their right hand.

Into this fearfully abominable place, oh shame! the Christian enters. Disgrace attends his steps, but he heeds it not !-he has gone after an idol, and his heart becomes hardened. But the heathen see their triumph and rejoice. A follower of Christ has come to do honor to Dúrgá! and every honor shall now be paid to him. The Brahmans retire a few paces and leave the idol fully exposed to his view. A wreath of flowers from the image is placed in his hands. The singers become louder in their songs, and the noise of the people in shouting hari bol becomes a deafening shout of triumph. The wretched deluded Christian, as in all courtesy bound to do, makes to his host a few complimentary observations on the appearance of the image and the granVIII.

4 L