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CHAP. XXII.

I am verily a man brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel.

Verse 3.

This form of expression is only used in reference to great saints or great teachers. "He had his holiness at the feet of the gooroo, or his learning at the feet of the philosopher."

ROMANS.

CHAP. III.

With their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips.-Verse 13.

CONCERNING a deceitful man, one who speaks in smooth language, it is affirmed: "Ah! at the tip of his tongue is ambrosia; but under it is poison."

CHAP. XIV.

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.-Verse 2.

Thousands of Hindoos never (to their knowledge) taste of any thing which has had animal life; and to eat an egg would be as repugnant to their feelings as to eat flesh, because it contains the germ of life. They live on herbs, roots, fruit, grain, milk, butter, and honey. They appear to be as strong and as healthy as those who live on flesh, and they avoid the "sin" of taking life. They believe that all who take life for the purpose of food will assuredly go to one of the seven hells.*

It has a distressing effect on their minds to show them, through a microscope, the animalcules that exist in the water which they drink; for they are convinced by this, that they must often destroy life.

1 CORINTHIANS.

CHAP. I.

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.- -Verse 28. "As for the other people which also come of Adam, thou hast said that they are nothing." (Esdras vi. 56, 57.) AND things which are not-The venerable Mr. Wesley says, "The Jews frequently called the Gentiles them that are not,' in such supreme contempt did they hold them." When a man of rank amongst the Hindoos speaks of lowcaste persons, of notorious profligates, or of those whom he despises, he calls them alla-tha-varkul, that is, "those who are not." The term does not refer to life or existence, but to a quality or disposition; and is applied to those who are vile and abominable in all things. "My son, my son! go not amongst them who are not." "Alas! alas! those people are all alla-tha-varkul." When wicked men prosper, it is said, "This is the time for those who are not." "Have you heard that those who are not are now acting righteously?" Vulgar and indecent expressions are also called "words that are not." To address men in the phrase "are not," is provoking beyond measure; their eyes will soon brighten, and their tongue and hands begin to move at the individual by whom they are thus insulted.

The Lord did select the "base things of the world, and things which are despised, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are."

CHAP. III.

Ye are God's building.-Verse 9. See also Heb. iii. 6; 1 Peter ii. 5. It is said of him who is a great favourite with the king, "What can injure him? he is the king's palace."

CHAP. V.

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.-Verse 6. See Luke xiii. 21. This remark is made concerning the man who corrupts others, or a bad servant: "The more sour the leaven, the better the bread." When a mother has to administer nauscous medicine, she says, "My child, take it! do you not know the more sour the leaven, the better the bread?" she means, Because the potion or powder is offensive, it will produce better effects.

CHAP. X.

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience' sake. If any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience' sake for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.-Verses 25, 28.

These verses refer to articles of food which had been presented to the idols, and were afterwards sent to the shambles to be sold. To the temples the Heathen make large presents of grain, fruit, milk, and other eatables; and what they do not themselves require, the priests send to the market to be sold. The fruit called plantain (banana) may be known as having been offered to idols, by having a small piece pinched off from one end; and the other articles have generally some sign by which they may be distinguished. But it is impossible at all times to ascertain the fact; and I doubt not that most Englishmen have, at one time or another, eaten things which have been offered to idols.

The apostle is very particular in his directions to the Christian converts: "If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go, whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake." (Verse 27.) We see the converts were not forbidden to go to a feast; that is, to a family festival, not a religious one: but the phrase, "if ye be disposed to go," shows that there were doubts and some hesitation as to the propriety of their going. The moment when they found that the food had been offered to idols, they were to refrain from eating.

2 CORINTHIANS.

CHAP. V.

If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved.-Verse 1. THE Hindoos call the body a vuduthe, that is, “a lodgingplace;" it is occupied for a season, and then to be left. But they speak of heaven as a vudu, "a house, a home." In the book called Viyirakeya-sathagam is a colloquy betwixt the MIND and the WILL. The former addresses the latter in the following manner: "Thou appearest not as the servant of Siva, (who withholds not his fect from us,) nor executest his commands, nor approachest unto the home, difficult to obtain. The perishable property called wealth, brings various kinds of sorrow. Thinking of the earth as our home, thou becomest earth! O stupid WILL, devoid of shame! this is the vuduthe," (that is, "the lodging-place,") "this is not our home. If you ask, 'Is it proper so to care for it?' earth is indeed the place for this; but the divine feet of him who adorned himself with serpents is the refuge for all souls?"

CHAP. XII.

I knew a man in Christ about fourteen years ago.-Verse 2. Macknight says, "That the apostle speaks of himself here, is evident from verses 6 and 7." This is the Eastern way in which a man modestly speaks of himself. Has an individual performed a great exploit which he does not wish to mention in plain terms as having been done by himself? he simply observes in relating the affair: "I know the man who did it." Nān-arevain, that is, "I know." Do people express their pleasure or surprise in the presence of a person at some work which has been accomplished by himself? and should they inquire, "Who is the man?" he will say, "I know him.” He will not say that he is himself the man, because some would perhaps not be disposed to believe him; and the slight intimation (conveyed in the terms I know him) is quite suf

ficient to convince others that he is the fortunate individual. Should a person receive a favour from an unknown hand, he will make many inquiries; and when he thinks he has found him out, he will go to him and talk on the subject, and then, should he be right, the individual will say, "I know him." After this manner also the people praise themselves, by saying, "I know a man who performed such a penance." "I am acquainted with one who gave such gifts to the temples." "I know one who performed an extraordinary fast, or went on such a dangerous pilgrimage."

GALATIANS.

CHAP. II.

James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars.-Verse 9. PILLARS-That is, "the principal supporters and defenders of the gospel." It is said of those who have done much to support a temple, or who are zealous in its religious ceremonies, "They are the pillars of black stone belonging to the temple."

CHAP. III.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.-Verse 24.

The Hindoos have some books which they call "schoolmasters," etāsāriyan, or rather "schoolmaster-books;" meaning that they will teach science without the help of a master. When a man who was formerly in poverty has learned to procure a comfortable living, he says, "Ah! my adversity was my teacher; it has guided me into this."

⚫ Black granite. Nearly all their sacred edifices are built of that stone; and I have been in one, the flat roof of which was supported by nearly a thousand noble pillars of the same material.

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