Dr. Scudder's Tales for Little Readers, About the Heathen.

by John Scudder

"Dr. Scudder's Tales for Little Readers, About the Heathen" by John Scudder is a collection of narratives written in the mid-19th century aimed at educating children about Hindu culture and practices. The text emphasizes the contrast between Christian beliefs and Hindu customs, aiming to invoke a sense of duty in children to pray for and contribute to missionary work. Through its instructive tone, the book serves as both a cultural primer and a moral lesson, seeking to inspire a generation to engage in spreading Christianity. At the start of the book, the author addresses children directly, imparting a prayer he learned as a child and contrasting the teachings children receive from their Christian upbringing with the idolatrous practices observed among Hindu children. He describes the instances of wickedness that arise from this idolatry and shares a poignant story about a little girl suffering in a hospital who has never been taught the virtues of Christianity. By illustrating her pain and the absence of kindness from her community, Scudder highlights the dire need for Christian love and intervention in the lives of those he refers to as "heathens." The opening sets the stage for discussions on various aspects of Hindu culture, including dress, social customs, and religious practices, which will follow in subsequent chapters.