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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 1, p. 445.

vIII1 RELIGIONS 445 to missionary effort than the Buddhist population. It is only since the annexation that missionaries have enjoyed free opportunities in Upper Burma, and the full harvest of their work is still to be reaped. Throughout the Empire the progress of Christianity in the Progress of period between 872 and I9go has been remarkable. It has Christian- ity in the about doubled its numbers in thirty years, rising from an Empire. aggregate of one and a half to nearly three millions. Naturally Native Christians are most largely recruited from the classes outside the Hindu system. The missionary view lays stress on the labours of the early missionaries, the efficiency of the present body of workers, the dissemination of translations of the Scriptures, the improved status of Christians won by their own exertions, the spread of education, benevolence in seasons of famine, and lastly, the impartiality and disinterestedness of the British Government, which has conferred so many benefits upon the people, and is known to be influenced by Christian principles. The question of the large increase in Madras has been discussed from another point of view by Mr. Francis, who points to the improved social position enjoyed by the low- caste man who embraces Christianity. He sums up by saying: ' The remarkable growth in the numbers of Native Christians thus largely proceeds from the natural and laudable discontent with their lot which possesses the lower classes of the Hindus; and so well do the converts, as a class, use their opportunities, that the community is earning for itself a constantly improving position in the public estimation.' W. CROOKE.