Storia do Mogor 281.20.3

281.20.3

I was very much concerned that the mode of action adopted by the reverend fathers had raised such feelings in the minds of these idolaters. I replied that the Jesuits did not approve Hindu ceremonial as good or bad in itself, but, living in the midst of Hindus, they believed that these things could be done as matter of indifference and for reasons of policy ; governed by this feeling, they permitted some things which looked as if they were Hindu, but were not so in reality. The poor people really believed — for they told me so — that the God of the Jesuits was different altogether from that of the Capuchins, by reason of the great contrast and difference between the ceremonies of the one and of the other ; those of the fathers of the Society being remarkably like those of the Hindus, as I have described. But before ending the narrative of the persecution, it will not be out of place to remark that the weakness of these new-made Christians has been something extraordinary and surprising. Their most famous catechist, Vlrapavati, was hung up by his hair for a whole night, and by excess of pain was obliged to deny his faith and do what was required of him. After this all the Christians left in the kingdom (Tanjor) went back to their pagodas. It is true that there were a few among this great number who, in spite of their presence at the sacrifice to idols, still did not worship them, but, raising their thoughts to God, gave to Him their homage and adoration as if still in church.