goddess Meenaache, to ascertain what was her will respecting his
bringing her to me, or taking her to a native doctor. In order to
ascertain it, he had recourse to the following expedient. He prepared
several bundles of red and white flowers--the red to represent the red
or Tamil man, the white to represent the white man. These flowers were
carefully inclosed in leaves, so as to prevent their color being seen,
and then laid down on the ground, at the entrance of the temple. After
this, he called a little child to him, and then proceeded to entreat
Meenaache that, if it were her will that he should bring the sick woman
to me, she would direct the child to take up one of the parcels
containing the white flowers. 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.