Heard Among India's Women by Mrs. Georgia A. Burgess

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 26, 1908

Heard Among India's Women

By Mrs. Georgia A. Burgess

“Surely God Must Have Sent You”

THESE words were spoken by one of India's millions—a young woman with a sad, sweet face.

In going to my work one day, I noticed a path among the trees that I had not seen before. I was impressed to follow it. It led to a house in which I found a young woman crying bitterly. I learned that she had lost her only son, and was heart-broken in her hopelessness.

Sitting down by her side, I told her in a few words the story of the Saviour, and of his love and pity for her. On learning that I spent my time in this way, she exclaimed, “Surely God must have sent you to me. Do come again, and tell me more about this Jesus.”

Indian Girlhood

“I shall die, I shall die, I shall die!”

It was a child's cry. I was walking along the Balliaghata district of Calcutta, when the piercing wail rang in my ears. Turning down a street, I came upon a little group standing by a carriage. A bright-faced little girl of ten or eleven, sobbing and crying, clung to her mother's garments.

“O mama! mama!” she cried. “Don't send me away; don't send me away; I shall die, I shall die!”

I saw what it was. The little one had been married.

“How can you send such a little one away from home?” I asked.

“Ah, Mem-sahib,” the mother replied, “it is our fate. We women of India are under a curse. It is our custom, and there is no help for us.”

It is to these Indian sisters of ours, in their sorrows and darkness of soul, that we are called to bring the light and joy of the gospel.

MRS. GEORGIA A. BURGESS.