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The New Missionary Grave by the Ganges

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 22, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 38.

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The New Missionary Grave by the Ganges

The particulars of the death of Elder J. C. Little, of India, have just come to hand. Weeks ago the cable brought the bare announcement that grieved all our hearts. The sad news impelled our brethren at home to renewed effort to get help off to India; and it was this also that led Elder J. L. Shaw, in spite of risks healthwise, to feel that he must be released from the Foreign Mission Seminary to return to India and the little band of workers sorrowing over the loss of one of their number.
Elder Little died while on tour among the villages of East Bengal. Caring for Brother A. G. Watson, his fellow worker who was ill, he himself was stricken even more acutely, and found a grave by the banks of the Ganges, that sacred stream of the Hindu. Sister Little was away in the mountain mission home, at Mussoorie. She has permitted Dr. Ruth Miller to make extracts from the letters Elder Little wrote his wife while on the tour, telling of incidents and encouragements by the way, down to the last Sabbath. “The poor people,” he wrote, “are like sheep without a shepherd,” referring to many interested ones and some scattered Sabbath-keepers left in this region by Brother L. G. Mookerjee’s work of several years before, which it had been impossible to follow up with so few laborers. The extracts from these last letters we shall print later in our World-Wide Field department. “I am sending them to you,” writes Dr. Miller, “together with a note that Sister Little has added, hoping you will be able to use them in some way to interest our people in this needy field.” And we are sure that, when printed, they will inspire many hearts with renewed devotion to the missionary cause.
But we must print here the brief note added by our bereaved sister:—
Mr. Little’s later letters show that as Brother Watson did not get better, he took him on to Barisal, where he called in the civil surgeon, who prescribed heavy doses of quinine. As Mr. Watson objected to taking the medicine, Mr. Little thought best to bring him to Calcutta. It is supposed that Mr. Little took the disease on the steamer.
A new grave on the banks of Mother Ganges. We are left to mourn, and in our sadness we feel that no other has ever borne so heavy a sorrow. Yet how many sighs and sobs have those calm, quiet waters heard! We have hope; yet they have gone down without hope or God in the world. Their loved ones have been left with a philosophy which teaches no meeting beyond the grave.
MRS. J. C. LITTLE.
We thank God that as our sister meets the trial, she gathers her two little ones closer to her, and finds sustaining grace in God. And her thought, even in the sorrow, goes out after those dying or sorrowing in darkness without hope.
Elder W. W. Miller sends a brief sketch of Elder Little’s life work and last labors. He adds, in a letter: “Brother Little’s death should be missionary seed sown that will be the means of causing many to give themselves to the work in India.” Following is the account and tribute by Elder Miller, acting superintendent of the field:—

The Death of Elder J. C. Little

John Clyde Little was born in Nebraska, Dec. 4, 1881, and died of cholera at Khulna, East Bengal, India, Aug. 10, 1910.
His parents accepted the truth when he was but a child. When about sixteen years of age, he was baptized, and consecrated his life to the service of the Master. He was graduated from the ministerial course at Walla Walla (Wash.) College in 1902, but continued his studies there another year, spending his vacations canvassing or in tent work.
He was married to Mary E. Kelly, Aug. 15, 1904, and soon after started to India, where they arrived December 21 of the same year. At the general meeting held early in 1905, he was elected secretary of the India Mission, which office he held till the time of his death.
For four years he was editor of the Oriental Watchman, and had charge of the Watchman office. During this time he devoted as much time as possible to the study of the Bengali language, as his heart was ever in the native work. When Brother W. E. Perrin came to take charge of the printing work, Brother Little was relieved from the office, and placed in charge of the Bengali work. For a short time he devoted himself to further study of the language; but early in December, 1909, he and his family located in Barisal, where, after spending about two months with the writer, visiting Burma, Tinnevelli, and other stations, he began active work for the people while still continuing his language study.
In July, after the rains had broken, in company with Brother A. G. Watson, he began a tour among the villages, visiting the people, and organizing the work. At this time of the year the country is flooded, and traveling is made more convenient by the use of boats. The latter part of July, Brother Little sent his family to the hills, expecting to continue his work among the villages for a few weeks, and then join his family in Mussoorie for a much-needed and well-earned rest.
He and Brother Watson had planned to engage a house-boat for their trip; but as they were unable to secure one for less than three months at rupees three hundred, they decided to take a small boat. Their boat was partially covered, but the roof was so low that they were not able to stand erect, and there was no room for exercise, and very little for cooking, eating, and sleeping. Many times they found it difficult to get suitable food and drinking water.
The last Sabbath of Brother Little’s life he conducted a Bengali Sabbath-school, dedicated a church, and preached a sermon in Bengali, besides giving treatment to Brother Watson, who had been taken ill.
As Brother Watson’s health would not permit continuing their visits, they started for Calcutta, boarding the steamer for Khulna the evening of August 8, and arriving in that place the following evening. Brother Little was taken ill on the steamer. While waiting for the train in Khulna, he grew rapidly worse, and was unable to continue his journey. He was taken to a native cholera hospital. Brother Watson, though very ill himself, spent the night on the veranda of the hospital. The suffering and struggles that our dear brother endured that last terrible night are known only to God; but we feel assured that his Heavenly Father, whom he had served so faithfully, was near to comfort and strengthen him in those dark hours. About ten o’clock the morning of August 10, a European Baptist missionary in Khulna learned of his illness, and went at once to see him. Brother Little was in a dying condition, but still conscious. He told the missionary that he was a Seventh-day Adventist, and also where he would find Brother Watson, who had left the hospital early in the morning. The missionary then went to find Brother Watson, but returned just before Brother Little’s death, which occurred at half past twelve.
Brother L. G. Mookerjee, who had been telegraphed for the night before, arrived from Calcutta about twelve o’clock, but found Brother Little unconscious, and too far gone to respond to his efforts to revive him.
As soon as the few Europeans who were in Khulna heard the sad news, they came to render what assistance they could. Two of them sawed boards and made a coffin, as none could be found in Khulna. With others they assisted in carrying the coffin to the grave, where Brother Mookerjee spoke a few appropriate words, and Pastor Milne offered prayer.
The first news of his sudden death came to his wife in a telegram, and it was four days before she could learn the particulars. These were days of inexpressible sorrow, but the Lord wonderfully sustained her.
Brother Little was dearly loved by all the workers in India, and by all for whom he labored. How much we shall miss him only those who are here, and see the great need of just such consecrated service as his has ever been, can realize.
He leaves a wife and two little children in India, besides a father, mother, brother, and three sisters in the home land; but they have the blessed assurance that, since he was faithful unto death, he will receive a crown of life that will never be taken from him. A memorial service will be held at our general meeting in October.