The question with which we are confronted is whether we shall ourselves take a hand in the elevation of the depressed castes or whether we shall leave it to others, many of whom would exploit them for their own purposes.

Is not this an opportunity for the Government of India to respond to the Gaekwar's invitation and depart for once from their traditional policy of _laisser faire_?
In the Christian Missions they have an admirable organization ready to hand which merely requires encouragement and support.

Though there are manifold dangers in giving official countenance to proselytizing work amongst the higher classes of Indian society, none of those objections can reasonably lie to co-operating in the reclamation of whole classes which the orthodox Hindu regards as beyond the pale of human intercourse.

From the religious point of view, this is a matter which should engage the earnest attention of the great missionary societies of this country.

The hour seems to be at hand when a great and combined effort is required of them.