Life of Ahmad — Page 382
382 CHAPTER 37 DEBATE WITH ATHIM Christian missionaries were carrying on their work in the country without much opposition. The orthodox Muslims and their mullahs bothered little about the progress of Christianity 76. 76 The Church Missionary Society was established in India in 1799. On July 21st, 1813, the law received the royal assent in England: 'Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that it is the duty of this country to promote the interests and happiness of the native inhabitants of the Br. dominions in India, and that measures ought to be adopted as tend to the introduction among them of useful knowledge and moral improvement. That in the furtherance of the above objects sufficient facilities shall be afforded by law to persons desirous of going to, or remaining in India for the purpose of accomplishing those benevolent designs. ' In 1858 the Church Missionary Society presented a memorial to Queen Victoria: 'Your memorialists humbly beseech your Majesty to have it declared to the public authorities in the East Indies: 1. That the existing policy will be no longer professed or maintained, but that, as it is the belief of your Majesty and of this Christian nation that the adoption of the Christian religion, upon an intelligent conviction of its truth, will be an incalculable benefit to the natives of India, the countenance and aid of Government will be given to any legitimate measures for bringing that religion under their notice and investigation. 2. That since the Government, in addition to maintaining its own educational establishments, provides grants in aid to all other