The Tamil Mission, South India
By J. S. James
SINCE I last reported through the columns of the REVIEW, we have begun the building of a mission house upon the land furnished us by the Tamil Sabbath-keepers. This project has been under consideration for over a year; and after carefully canvassing the situation from all sides, it was thought best to begin work at the opening of this hot season. While it is not the most comfortable season of the year for a task of this nature, it is a time when more laborers are accessible, wages are not so high, and the work of building will not be hindered by the rains. As far as I know, this is the first building of our own put up by mission funds in all this great empire. We have made every effort to have our building harmonize with the self-denial of our people who are laboring so nobly at home to supply us with means. Every dollar we spend we know is a token of the prayers and consecration of those whose hearts are warm with this message, and in a double sense we feel that we are using sacred money. Means thus invested appear to us to be seed sown in good ground, which will bring forth a rich harvest unto eternal life. Our building is a plain structure fifty by thirty-eight feet, built of native burned brick and jungle lumber, which are prepared for use in the most antique fashion. The entire building contains three rooms and two bath-rooms, with a large veranda on the north and south sides. These verandas are the most essential part of a house in this country, for on them we spend the greater portion of our lives. Very few except those who have been in the tropics can appreciate what a large, well-shaded veranda means to those who spend their lives in these countries. One of the verandas we will use as a dining-room, and the other for sleeping-rooms during the hot weather. The house will be terraced, so that additional rooms may be built above if more room is required. The housetop is an inviting resort in the evenings, where one can get the full benefit of any air that may be stirring at the time. Most of the work is being done by heathen workmen. All the carpenters and bricklayers are heathen. Some of the young men and children from among the Sabbath-keepers are helping with the more simple work. We had our brick burned about two miles north of us, and the total number (over fifty thousand) required two hundred ox carts to haul them. The door and window frames are large, clumsy affairs, cut from timber called kongu, which is proof against white ants. The rafters are cut from the palmyra-tree, which grows in abundance in these parts. The lime used in making mortar is burned in a kiln close to our building, but the limestone is hauled several miles. This plan enables us to have plenty of pure lime whenever we want it. The digging of our well was an important part of our building plans. The vicinity about our location has a number of salt-water wells, which are useless. To obtain good water during the dry season, one has to dig very deep. When we selected the site for our well, we asked the Lord to lead us, but some of the native astrologers and prognosticators predicted that we would get salt water. Some of the Sabbath-keepers concurred in the same opinion. After the dimensions of the well had been staked out—fifteen by fifteen feet—one of the leaders of the congregation, more credulous than the rest, took a large hoe, such as is used for digging in these parts, and stepping into the center, raised it over his head and exclaimed, “O Lord, we are beginning a good work in thy name. Bless it, and give plenty of good water.” He then dug a small hole, and a few others present received the hoe from him, and did likewise. Three days after the work began, water was found in the hole. Was it salt water, or fresh? One of the men descended, dipped up a handful, and tasted it. It was fresh! Then everybody said our mission would be a success. We have an abundance of good fresh water. When the main stones were laid in the foundation of the house, the elders took part in a short service, each taking some mortar and a stone and placing it in the ditch. Some two hundred villagers of various congregations were present, and I took occasion, from the top of a pile of dirt, to speak to them on some foundation principles connected with our mission, and the importance of laying a right foundation in our characters to stand the test of the judgment which was nigh at hand. We are grateful to God for the good degree of health and strength he has given us under the many trying conditions surrounding us. With anxious hearts we wait for news that others are on the way to join our tiny force. In a future report I will speak of some openings that present themselves to us in these parts which yet have not claimed so much of our attention. Our Saviour's words in John 4:35 have never appealed to me with so much power as at present: “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Our address is Nazareth P. O., Tinnevelli District, South India. J. S. JAMES.