Though he never became a Christian, he loyally supported the Christian missionaries in their educational efforts. He even went so far as to secure rooms where Dr. Duff might start a school, and got him some pupils. Further, he gave assistance to the missionaries in translating the scriptures into Bengali, though his interpretation of the original texts caused violent disagreements between him and them. One of them, Mr. Adam by name, was won over to Ram Mohan's side. Bishop Middleton once wounded his feelings without meaning it, of course, —by suggesting that only if he became a Christian, he would have the prestige of the Imperial race behind him, and that " he would be respected in life and honoured in death." Ram Mohan never spoke to the Bishop again, for it caused him mortal offence to realise that he should be asked to become a Christian, except for the highest of motives and without any ulterior aim.
His thoroughness in research may be gauged by his endeavour to study Greek, Hebrew, Arabic and Sanskrit, in order that he might thus be enabled to understand and interpret the teachings embodied in the original versions of the scriptures of the Christians, Muhammadans and Hindus. He was greatly attracted by the ethical value of Christ's teachings, and wrote a pamphlet called " The Principles of Jesus : the Guide to Peace and Happiness." At the conclusion of his researches, he said : " The consequence of my long and uninterrupted researches into religious truth has been that I have found the doctrines of Christ more conducive to moral principles, and better adapted for the use of rational beings, than any other which have come to my knowledge." In the preface to " The Principles
of Jesus " he says : " This simple code of religion and morality is so admirably calculated to elevate men's ideas to high and liberal notions of one God . . . and is also well-fitted to regulate the conduct of the human race in the discharge of their various duties to God, to themselves and to society, that I cannot but hope the best effects from its promulgation in the present form." He never returned to India from his English visit. His last remains were laid to rest in a quiet cemetery in Bristol, where a few friends gathered to show honour to one whose greatness was unique.
Curiously enough, in spite of his attempts to resist the complete Westernisation of Indian religions and society, his vision of the India of the future was that of a Christian India, industrialised, socially eman cipated and self-governing. Perhaps he felt that the tide of Western influence would carry everything before it. Some of his efforts are bearing fruit, but the vision of a Christianised India seems yet to be a long way off from realisation.