Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/99

For a time during his retirement, Ramtanu acted as guardian of the minors of the Mukherjee family of Khetra Gobardanga, a responsible post for which he was recommended by Government. There, as elsewhere, his wonderful personality won its way. "Ramtanu's influence was felt by almost every villager" wrote one who knew him well. "He was a friend of both the orthodox Hindus and the members of the Brahmo Samaj. The long standing breach between them in the village was healed by him, who was a friend of both." Although Ramtanu had broken with Hinduism and had not joined the Brahmo Samaj, he was quick to acknowledge what was good in both. To him it mattered little what a man's outward creed might be. Goodness was the same whether it was the goodness of a Hindu, a Muhammadan, a Christian or a Brahmo. Everything that was good and noble he set before himself as the end and aim of life. Every social movement, every reform calculated to improve the position of his fellow countrymen, met with his ready sympathy. Often he approved a proposed reform, yet realised that the times were not yet ripe for bringing it about. Such an instance was female emancipation, which was then one of the many topics of the day. While he was a zealous advocate of it on principle, none recognised quicker than he what care was necessary in putting it into practice, and how jealously their women folk must be guarded from contact with society that might be hurtful to them.