Maharaja of Cooch Behar. Considerable opposition to the marriage was manifested by a certain section of his followers and difficulties arose over the marriage ceremonies, which the relatives of the Maharaja naturally wished to invest with Hindu rites. The controversy unfortunately led to a further split in the Brahmo Samaj, but opposition served only to stir Keshub to greater exertions and the wonderful revival of that year led to his proclamation of the New Dispensation. To him the harmony of religions was the first mission of the Brahmo Samaj. The best that was in Hinduism, Christianity, Muhammadanism and Buddhism should be welded together in the Church of the New Dispensation. To spread abroad his views, in addition to his own personal eloquence, he turned again to the press and himself started The Sunday Mission and later, The Liberal and The New Dispensation. All his publications were studiously moderate and though by no means lacking in courage and independence, were always courteous to the opinions and beliefs of others. He never denied access to his columns to fair and honest criticism of his work, and throughout he was consistent in following the motto that he had adopted, 'Try all things; hold fast to that which is good.' His Catholicism was proved by the number of his friends who were drawn from all walks of life. He was respected and esteemed by so orthodox a
