of these festivals is held for the purpose of worshipping this serpent.
Temples in many places are erected to it, of which there is one of great
celebrity in Mysore. When the festival occurs at this temple, great
crowds of people come together to offer sacrifices to this creeping god.
Many serpents besides the Cobra Capella live within it, in holes made
especially for them. All of these are kept and well fed by the Brahmins
with milk, butter, and plantains. By such means they become very
numerous, and may be seen swarming from every crevice in the temple. To
injure or to kill one would be considered a great crime.

Many of the natives call the Cobra Capella nulla paampu, that is, good
snake. They are afraid to call it a bad snake, lest it should injure
them. The following is the prayer which is offered before the image of
this snake. O, divine Cobra, preserve and sustain us. O, Sheoh, partake
of these offerings, and be gracious unto us.

Can you think of any thing, my dear children more dishonoring to a holy
God, than such worship? And what have you ever done to prevent it? Have
you, every morning and evening, prayed that the Gospel might be sent to
this people? Did you ever give any money to send it to them? Did you
ever think whether it may not be your duty, by and by, to come to them,
to tell them of this Gospel?




CHAPTER XII.

THE RIVER GANGES.