FOOTNOTE TO “SELF-CONTRADICTIONS OF THE BIBLE”

[The Theosophist, Vol. IV, No. 5, February, 1883, p. 120]

[Lakshman Singh, in a letter to the Editor, says among other things: “The Rev. Missionary accuses me in his letter that I had always been buying anti-Christian works from a scholarship which I was getting from the school.” This refers to troubles in connection with the Rawal Pindi Mission School authorities. H. P. B. remarks:]

And where’s the offence even were the charge true? If, as every Missionary, the Rev. Mr. Newton had an eye to converting his heathen pupils to Christianity, he was himself, in honour bound, to furnish Lakshman Singh with means of ascertaining the real superiority and worth of the religion offered him as a substitute for that of his ancestors. How can a thing be proved good, unless both its outward and inward value are found? Truth need fear no light. If Christianity be true, it ought to welcome the strictest and closest of investigations. Otherwise “conversion” becomes very much like selling damaged goods—in some dark back room of a shop.

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