devoted himself with eager unselfishness, giving unsparingly of his time, his
money, and his talents. His work derived no inconsiderable moral support from
his unblemished personal character. He provided the Samáj with a printing-
press, expended much money in fitting up their place of worship, and collected a
valuable library of the Hindu sacred books, besides providing for the support of
poor but promising students, sent to Benares to prosecute their studies.
A remarkable change, however, soon came over the faith and teaching of the
Samáj. Hitherto, as we have seen, they had been based upon the Vedas, as the
authorized rule of Hindu theology; but inquiry and criticism had gradually
disclosed their Pantheistic character, and their consequent incompatibility with
the creed of the Samáj. Thus it came to pass that about 1850 the Vedas had to
go; and the members of the Samáj no longer called themselves Vedantists but
Brahmoists, or Brahmists (from Brahm, or Brahma, the Supreme Being.) In
other words, they openly became Theists.
A religious sect, brought together by a common monotheism and accepting a
common covenant, was naturally impelled towards an expansion of their creed.
But this expansion in the case of the Brahma Samáj, was probably hastened by
the number of branch Samájes that sprang up in the neighbourhood of the
metropolis and in some of the larger towns of the Bengal presidency. These
branches, constantly increasing in number through the accessions of educated
young men from the colleges and zillah schools, naturally looked to the parent
Samáj to define and establish their creed; and what must be regarded as an
authoritative exposition of it was published in 1868. The following is a summary
of it:—
“1. The book of Nature and Intuition form the basis of the Brahmaic faith.
“2. Although the Brahmas do not consider any book written by man the basis of
their religion, yet do they accept with pleasure and respect any truth contained in
any book.
“3. The Brahmas believe that the religious condition of man is progressive, like
the other facts of his condition in this world.
“4. They believe that the fundamental doctrines of their religion are at the basis
of every religion followed by man.
“5. They believe in the existence of One Supreme GOD—a GOD endowed with a
distinct personality, and attributes equal to His nature, and intelligence befitting