Sumatra by B. JUDGE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 9, 1914

Sumatra

By B. JUDGE

B. JUDGE

HERE in Sumatra we have a school for teaching the Chinese and the Malays. The object is to teach Christianity. School work seems to be the only way of helping these children to learn of the God of love. As it is, they know absolutely nothing of him or of a risen Saviour.

Many times parents have come to us and asked us to take their children into our homes, offering payment. In some instances we were sorry that we could not do this, as it would take the children away from the influences surrounding them in their homes. At the time of entering our day school, it is quite natural for these children to deceive, tell lies,

smoke cigarettes, and use bad language. But after a great deal of patient teaching, we have found sometimes that they are impressible, and will confess when they have done wrong.

Our hearts are filled with pity for these heathen little ones who have no one to teach them in their homes. Day by day at the school they learn what is right and good, but upon returning home for the rest of the day they see their parents' heathen ways, and live in surroundings which do not help them to carry out the instruction given in the school. It is from their parents that they learn to deceive and speak wickedly. Though the teaching of these little ones is no light task, still if we finally see at least a few of them enter the kingdom of God, the sacrifice will not have been too great on our part. We believe the work of teaching the children will finally bring its reward.

The older people are very unimpressible. They are so bound to their old ways and customs that it seems almost impossible for them to give them up. Their customs seem to be part and parcel of themselves. But a few do get the victory. We turn to the young with hope that the influence exerted on them will surely bear fruit when they come to years of greater accountability.

When upon earth, our Saviour blessed the children and tenderly bade them come to him; and it will be a cause of great rejoicing to us if we finally see these little ones safe within the great Shepherd's fold.

Will you not pray for the heathen children? Will you not pray for their parents? Sumatra cries aloud for divine help. Pray that God will send his Spirit to convict them of sin, and then lead them to search for the true and living God.