It so happened that the child took up one
of these parcels. Of course, he brought her to me. Had it taken up a
parcel containing the red flowers, she would have been taken to a native
doctor. May we not hope that, not Meenaache, but Jehovah directed him
to bring her to me, that she might hear of a very different being from
her goddess, even of Jesus. Of him she has fully heard.
CHAPTER X.
FESTIVALS OF THE HINDOOS.
My dear Children--The Hindoos have many festivals. These are all
occasions of joy and gladness. On such days, the people quit their usual
employments. Friends and relations unite in family parties, and give
entertainments according to their means. Innocent pastimes and
amusements of various kinds are resorted too to add to their happiness.
There are eighteen principal festivals yearly, and no month passes
without one or more of them.
One of the most solemn of these ceremonies is held in the month of
September, and appears to be principally in honor of Parvathe, the wife
of Siva. At this time every laborer and every artisan offers sacrifices
and prayers to his tools. The laborer brings his plough, hoe, and other
farming utensils.
Pages:
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73