LIFE IN INDIA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1173, 7 July 1911, Page 9

LIFE IN INDIA.

LECTURE BY MISS C. W. CHRISTIE.

A large audience assembled in the Concert Chamber of the Town -Hall last evening, when Miss C. Yv. Christie lectured upon "The Social and Religious Lifo ol' India." The lecture was illustrated by a profusion ol capital-lantern slides,-most of them depicting secncs :in Southern India,' but-thero v, : ero also a' number illustrating ' the life and habits of the people of Benares and the country adjacent to that city. The pictures were exceedingly varied, and each Was lucidly explained "by the lecturer in a way that greatly heightened its value. Some of the- most beautiful views were those of stately pagodas and temples. Of one extensivo range of pagodas, set picturesquely in a grove of palm trees, Miss Christie remarked that not one stone had been laid upon another when these elaboratelycarved buildings were formed. They had been carved from the solid rock. The pictures of people in their homes, and engaged in various occupations, among them that of .the potter, though less beautiful, were not less interesting than the architectural studies. Towards tho end of her lecture, Miss Christie contrasted the methods of tho ordinary .Christian missionaries with thoso adopted by the Thoosophists. The latter, she contended, were wise in admitting tho value of Indian images and idols as symbols. The psople did ' not really believe that idols were gods to bo worshipped, but 'they looked upon the images with reverence as symlxils, and naturally took offence when missionaries told them they were wicked to do so. Returned Miss Christie declared, invariably failed to make known tho truth as to the age at wliieb Hindoo girls were usually married in India. Ordinarily they were betrothed nt the ago of twelve, but as a rule they did not go to live with their husband' until they were U or 1.") years old. Mi" Christie added that. Mrs. B»snnt had induced some 7W Brahmin youths, of aer' ransing as high as twenty-one years, .tr remain unmarried, by denying marr'e.-' youths admittance .to her college at Be" ares. This, in turn, had led. to many liighcsstc Brahmin" I<e«ninjr their daughters unmarried until they were seventeen or eighteen rears of ago. The missionaries, Mi«s Christie remnrVed. with nil their "(Torts, had been to attain anv such result as this.- The lecture_ wns-■ li«-Uti-,1 to throughout its course with close attention. . . On Ruridav M'« Clinic is In lecture upon "The Brotherhood of Re I'V'in." Mies ivill l'olrl a "miKlie nlie«Hon«" afternoon from .1 P.m. to 4.31 n.n. at the Thenepphicnl Societv * room in Ballanee Street.