The Christian Indian’s Hope
By Fernando A. Stahl
BEFORE our mission was established on Lake Titicaca, in Peru, Indian burials were scenes of the wildest debauchery. But now for many miles around everything is done decently and in order. And, best of all, the Indians have grasped the hope of the resurrection and the future life. As one of them remarked of a brother who was being laid away, “He is resting, and we have hope of seeing him again.” Sometimes the work goes hard, and one gets weary and depressed, but every once in a while the Lord sends some experience for our encouragement. For instance, when Maria, a beautiful Indian girl, was dying, Mrs. Stahl and I set out to visit her. After many hours of hard riding over rough mountains, a road which she had traveled regularly to attend Sabbath services and the Wednesday night prayer meeting, we reached her humble home. As we entered the low door, Maria rose in her bed to embrace us, but drew back as she remembered her horrible disease (black smallpox). How changed she was! all scarred and marred. She exclaimed: “O my brother, my sister, I am so glad you have come! Sing some of those lovely gospel hymns with me before I die. I shall die; but I am not afraid, for Jesus is with me. I am so glad that I know him! He will raise me to life when he comes.” We sang with her and prayed with her. Although she manifested no fear nor sadness, we could not help but weep, and even now I shed tears as I think of that death-bed scene. But it was a great encouragement to us to see that once benighted Indian girl, seventeen years of age, grasp by strong faith the precious promises of God. Two days later she was laid to rest, to await the coming of the great Life-giver. This is one case among many. And it is not only when death comes that we learn how completely they have taken hold of this blessed hope, but we see it in the wonderful change in their daily lives. One does not fully realize how great the change is until he goes out among the Indians who have not heard the good news of salvation.