A Hindu Boy by Mary V. Peugh

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C.

FromReview and Herald, Harvest Ingathering Number

A Hindu Boy

By Mary V. Peugh

The tropical summer sun had risen and was beating down with all its fury upon the parched and burning landscape. In the distance two travelers were wearily plodding along. They had started on their journey from a far-off village long before the cock had sounded the notes of coming day, and now the noonday heat is at its height, and they are compelled to seek shelter under the thorn tree half shorn of leaves. But they must not tarry long, for the mission school must be reached before night.

As they come nearer, we see that their heads are shaven, and that they are decked with rings in their ears and bands about their wrists and ankles; we also see the large red and white marks on their foreheads, which tell us that they are worshipers of the Hindu god Vishnu.

But why should they be coming to our station? The father speaks: “I have brought my son to put in your school. I have heard that you take boys here and teach them. And,” he added, “I also hear that bad boys become good when they come to your school; so I have brought my son.”

When some of the father’s friends tried to persuade him to take the boy from our school lest he should become contaminated with Christian doctrines, the father answered: “Before I took my son there, he was disobedient and caused us much trouble. Now every time he comes home, I see a great change in him. He is obedient and kind, and is always ready to help about the home. I am not afraid of such contamination; he shall stay in the school.”

Today this Hindu lad is a firm believer in the Word of God. Now you see no marks of the Hindu god upon his forehead. When the last Christmas vacation came, he went to his father’s village determined to teach the new-found faith.

BOYS' DORMITORY, NAZARETH SCHOOL, TIRUNELVELI, SOUTH INDIA.

There are scores of other boys just as promising as this lad who are not in our boarding school today because they are not able to pay their way, and we have not the room and means to take them.

MARY V. PEUGH.

Nazareth, Tinnevelli, South India.