The
assistants also cry, or appear to cry. Fire being applied to the four
corners of the pile, the crowd retire, except the four Brahmins who
carried the body; they remain until the whole is consumed.
The funerals of the Sudras differ in some particulars from those of the
Brahmins. Deafening sounds of drums, trumpets, and other instruments of
music, not in use among the Brahmins, accompany their funerals. To
increase the noise, they sometimes shoot off an instrument which
somewhat resembles a small cannon. I do not now think of any other
particular worthy of mention.
By the ceremonies which are performed at their funerals, this wretched
people expect to secure the pardon of all the sins of those who have
died. Alas, what a delusion! O, that Christians had sent the Gospel to
this dark land in the days when they sent it to our heathen fathers.
Then might the Hindoos now be seeking the expiation of their sins,
through the blood of the ever-blessed Redeemer. Of this Redeemer,
however, they know nothing. They enter eternity, not that their souls
may be consumed as their bodies have been, but to endure the flames of
divine wrath for ever and ever.
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