300 FORMER ASCENDENCY OF CHRISTIANITY
Id reject those customs and practices which they regard as
the link binding them all indissolubly together. However, it must be confessed that if, in these latter days, idolatrous Hindus have shown a greater aversion to the Christian religion as they became better acquainted with Europeans, the result must be attributed solely to the bad conduct of the latter. How could the Hindus think well of this holy religion, when they see those who have been brought up in it, and who come from a country
where it is the only one that is publicly professed, openly violating its precepts and often making its doctrines the subject of sarcasm and silly jests I It is curious to note that the Brahmin does not believe in his religion, and yet he outwardly observes it; while the Christian believes in
his, and yet lie does not outwardly observe it. What a sad and shameful contrast!
Before the character and behaviour of Europeans became well known to these people, it seemed possible that Christianity might take root amongst them. Little by little it was overcoming the numberless obstacles which the prejudices of the country continually placed in its way. Several missionaries, animated by a truly apostolic zeal, had penetrated into the interior of the country, and there, by conforming scrupulously to all the usages and customs of the
Brahmins— in their clothing, food, conversation, and general conduct in life— had managed to win the attention of the people, and by dint of perseverance had succeeded in gaining a hearing. Their high character, talents, and virtues, and above all their perfect disinterestedness, obtained for them the countenance and support of even the native princes, who, agreeably surprised at the novelty of their teaching, took these extraordinary men under
their protection, and gave them liberty to preach their religion and make what proselytes they could.
It is a well-known fact that Robert a Nobilibus, a nephew of the famous Cardinal Bellarmin, and founder of the
Mission at Madura, where he died at the beginning of the last century, converted nearly 100,000 idolaters in that very kingdom. His contemporary, the Jesuit Brito, baptized 30,000 heathens in the country of the Maravas,
where lie finally gained the crown of martyrdom. The