History of Bengali Language and Literature c11.8

c11.8

But here came a people who showed real anxiety to ameliorate the condition of the people. Bent on high motives of philanthropy and love, they did not apply force but used gentle persuasion. Besides they showed a great anxiety to give to our countrymen the sort of education which they had not yet had, notwithstanding their higher flights in theology and metaphysics. A class of philanthropic men, whose mission was the propaganda of the great love of their master, Jesus Christ,—the missionaries in the earlier stages of British rule did for our country and her literature what we can not too highly eulogise. They approached with love and so touched the heart of the people. Dr. Carey called us semi-barbarians in a letter to a friend, but he had no contempt for the people; it was a bonâ fide statement which we may very well excuse, when we know that he was truly inspired with the spirit of Christian love for his fellowmen and did not mean to abuse. This love touched the heart of the Bengalis. In fact the ardour, with which the missionaries and even some members of the Civil Service commenced their self-imposed task of educating the masses and ameliorating their condition, elicits our unqualified respect and admiration. The first Bengali types in the country were those em-