p. 8 | A Word From India

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1914

A Word From India

WE take the liberty to present before our readers a portion of a personal letter written by Prof. H. R. Salisbury to the editor of the REVIEW. It will be read, we feel sure, with much interest by our brethren and sisters, and will be appreciated none the less on account of its more personal touch than a formal article. Doubtless before this, Brother Daniells has reached the Indian field, and, with Brother Salisbury, is visiting the mission stations in that country.

I am greatly encouraged with the progress of the work. It is a most difficult field, but the truth is making steady advance in nearly every division. I am thankful to say that so far the war has not interfered with our work. In our English efforts the people have been more willing to hear than before, and we are having good audiences in Rangoon, Calcutta, Simla, and Bombay, where we are carrying on regular work. With the native work it has, I think, made no difference. You may be sure that we are very thankful to our Heavenly Father that during this time of war and distress we are thus far left free to carry on our work. Since these things have come to the nations of Europe, our workers and other members have realized their meaning, and with few exceptions they have sought the Lord for more power in their work and a deeper growth of grace in their own hearts.

We are all looking forward to the general meeting. We are hoping that nothing will happen to keep Brother Daniells from reaching us. While many things can happen in three months, especially in these days, yet the present outlook is favorable. He wrote me in his last letter that he hoped to get away with no trouble from Sydney on September 30. As far as I know, the sea is clear and the boats are making regular trips, but I have not heard from that side for about four weeks.

It would be a most serious disappointment to our workers if our meeting would have to be abandoned, for they are looking forward with a real desire that they may get more help at that time. We need help in our daily battle with the darkness that surrounds us. Some of our workers on the mission stations who are daily in direct contact with heathenism and who do not often have the privilege of Christian fellowship, are looking forward to this meeting as one longs for a breath of fresh air after having been in a polluted atmosphere.

I was glad to have Brother Daniells tell me in his last letter that his former health had returned to him, and he was able to do all the work the brethren had planned for him. I am sure the Lord is blessing him with special help because of his devotion to the work.

This war has been another means of showing that Seventh-day Adventists believe in the prophecies, and see in these things a sign that the end of all things is very near at hand. I have thanked God that I am connected with a people so willing to show their faith by their works. Other missionaries in India express amazement at our strength at this time, and I have had reason to be proud of our Mission Board. Other missions, notwithstanding their large endowments and the large constituency of wealthy members back of them in England and America, have sent word to cut down salaries, and in some places to let all their Indian workers go. They have had to close schools or turn them over to the government; they are sending out no missionaries, and are canceling all furloughs, as they have no money for transportation either way. In the face of the war, and in spite of the fact that without warning all the European missions have been turned for support on the American Board, our Mission Board has hurried us on a double remittance that our work might not be hindered if communications were interrupted, and instead of holding back our new missionaries, have sent them right on to us, and because the short route seemed closed, sent them the long way around, so that our work could go on without a break. That is what I call "holding the ropes." When the darker days come to us, as they must before the end, I hope this same courage will be in our hearts out here, that we may be willing to give all.

Mrs. Salisbury is still in the hills, but will come down in a few days. At the close of this month she takes her examination in the Urdu language. She is very anxious to get out and work for the Mohammedan women in their homes. The Lord has been good to hear our prayers and allow us to work among the followers of the false Prophet. There are millions of them all about us, and here we have more freedom to work for them than we would had we gone to the Levant. I am studying the language as best I can with my other work, and look forward to the time when I can work more directly for them. Just now, however, I am having a very interesting time with some well-educated Mohammedans who speak English. I am getting from them their belief in the events of the near future. It is really wonderful how close they come to our interpretation of the Eastern Question.