India by J. S. James

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 27, 1908

India

By J. S. James

KODAIKANAL.—We are now taking a little rest in one of the hill stations of south India. Kodaikanal is situated on the summit of the Pulney Hills, seven thousand feet above the sea. We are forty-five miles west of the nearest railway station of the South Indian railway. The location and surroundings are ideal, but it is very expensive living here. Fruits and vegetables of almost every variety can be had—for the price. We have delightful rambles through the woods, picking berries and wild flowers, and breathing deeply the fresh, cool air. We are wearing our winter clothes now, and a wood fire on the hearth is very comfortable. We are taking no time from our work, but are going ahead with our Tamil, and are preparing for another year of hard work which is just before us. Mrs. James and I came very near to succumbing to the heat of the plains, and it took all the strength we could muster up to pack a few things and get away. When we left Mukkupiri, an epidemic of cholera was raging, and people were dying all about us. In addition to this, a famine was imminent, and the people were very much alarmed.

Our work among the so-called Sabbath-keepers is getting a start now, and the confidence of the majority of the people has been gained, but there is a tremendous task ahead of us. These people know very little about Christianity. I have found, by a close contact with them for four months, that they are little, if any, better than the average heathen. Still there are some good people among them, who, I think, will be led out of their darkness into the gospel light. The young people are the most promising material we have to work for among them; but before we can do much in a material way to help them, we must have some facilities. In fact, I am thoroughly convinced that a good school, conducted after our own standards, will be the large part of our work. By this means we shall be able to break up one of the most fruitful sources for perpetuating the old order of things, and educate a few young men and women for work in other sections of the Tamil country. The real heart-workers will come from among the young people. The situation among these people is vastly different than was supposed when we made our first visit among them, and reported through the REVIEW.

A young Tamil man has recently accepted the truth, and is now with me, being more fully instructed. He has a good English and Tamil education, and if he proves faithful, will be of great service to the cause in this part of the field.

One great need is another young man and his wife who can join us and take charge of the school work, and work along evangelistic lines at the same time. When I read the report of the last General Conference Committee meeting, and saw that no one had been chosen for this part of the field, I felt like sitting down and weeping.

The medical work should be carried forward among these people, and this is the surest and quickest way to reach their hearts. Mrs. James and I carried this work from the first, many times doing the work of surgeon and nurse, until we came near breaking down, and had to give it up. Are there not a young man and his wife to be found anywhere who can be sent out to help us?

We think of you often in our work, and hold up the interest of the world-wide field in our prayers. Our courage is good, and we desire to push the work harder than ever before. Pray for us.

J. S. JAMES.