India by H. B. MEYERS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1905

India

By H. B. MEYERS

RAJAMUNDRY, MADRAS PRESIDENCY. — In accordance with the decision of our last general meeting in Calcutta, my wife and I, with Sister Orr, have been deputed for the present to labor in the Madras Presidency, with headquarters at Bangalore.

We left Calcutta January 15, proceeding directly to Bangalore. I left the party at Cuttack, to begin a canvassing tour through the Madras Presidency, in the interests of our London Good Health and Oriental Watchman.

I am glad that the India mission has been able to see its way to send Brethren Votaw and Hansen to labor in Burma. I trust that the result of their labors will soon prove sufficiently fruitful to warrant the mission in sending more workers to that country, which, I am sure, if a strong effort is put forth, especially among the Burmese, will prove by no means the least promising of our mission stations now established in the Orient.

Brother and Sister Votaw are taking up the study of the Burmese language, and I rejoice at the thought that the interesting and appreciative people of Burma will before long have an opportunity of hearing the third angel’s message in their own tongue. We are looking with much expectancy to the results of the General Conference, and trust that the Lord will touch the hearts of our brethren to still further strengthen the hands of the laborers in the India field.

There are many stations in both northern and southern India where permanent work could be opened to great advantage; hitherto only canvassing work has been done in these parts, no organized effort having been put forth to give the message to the people, especially in the language of the masses.

I have been having quite an interesting experience in canvassing for Good Health in the towns. I have thus far visited in the Madras Presidency especially among the high-caste Brahmans.

In the northern part of the presidency the language spoken is Telegu, while in the south it is Tamil. I have not yet had experience with the Tamil people. My work thus far among the educated Telegu Brahmans has convinced me that our health work would be much appreciated by these people, and would help to break down the prejudices which form such a barrier to the progress of Christianity among these people.

The Brahmans in southern India are strict vegetarians, and, unlike those of the northern provinces, do not even eat fish. As a class, these men are far more particular in regard to the observance of health principles, and the advice given in Good Health is eagerly sought and adopted, both as to diet and treatment, and somehow the little opportunity I have had thus far of working with these people has led me to the conclusion that if we had such an institution, it would doubtless have a good patronage.

When at Cocanada about ten days ago, I canvassed twenty lawyers, and secured eighteen subscriptions for the health journal. These gentlemen were so interested in our health work that they earnestly pressed me to give a public lecture at the Jajah’s college, on the principles of healthful living. This invitation I was constrained to accept, although pressed for time. Though the notice of the lecture was short, there were at least four hundred people who attended. This is proof that the subject is one which arouses interest among these people.

H. B. MEYERS.