Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/187

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KESHUB CHANDRA SEN
163

service which was as legal as that of any other religion in India.

It was inevitable that Keshub's many activities should stir up enmity in certain quarters and he had like all reformers to submit to a storm of abuse from those who were strongly opposed to his views. Though he numbered his friends among all ranks and all classes there were many who were not generous enough to agree to differ from him on certain points and to acknowledge the good work he was undoubtedly doing. From Government he met with great encouragement. Lord Northbrook, the Viceroy accompanied by his daughter paid him the almost unprecedented honour of a visit at his private house after having visited the Normal School in 1874. With many other officials from the highest to the lowest he was on cordial terms of friendship. All those who came in contact with him were impressed not only with his sincerity but with his moderation. He was anxious only to avoid on the one hand social and political stagnation, and on the other a too sweeping and radical programme of reform. He was convinced that progress must be worked out slowly and with infinite precaution and that the cause of true reform could never be advanced by sudden upheavals but only gradually evolved step by step, by retaining the good and sedulously eliminating the evil.

In 1878 Keshub's daughter was married to the