Canvassing in India by Della Burroway

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1905

Canvassing in India

By Della Burroway

It was with many misgivings that I bade my friends in Calcutta good-by, and, accompanied by one of our young sisters, started out to canvass the railway towns in Central India.

After a few hours’ ride, we reached our first town. When the train stopped, my companion called the coolies, giving them orders where to take our luggage. There was nothing for me to do but to stand and look on, for I did not understand one word that was being said. We decided to canvass together the first day, as she had never canvassed, and I did not know how to enter the homes with servants at the doors who could not speak English. With trembling hearts we called at the first bungalow. My friend gained entrance through the servant, and I canvassed the family. We were treated very cordially, which gave us confidence to go on. We are taking subscriptions for the Oriental Watchman and the Good Health, and are selling “Story of Daniel the Prophet.” God gave us success this first day, and when we returned to our room after our day’s work, we had only praise to offer him. My first evening was spent in learning a few words that were really necessary to gain admittance to the homes. After the three days, we were ready for our next town.

Among others that we canvassed was the station master, who was very kind to us. When we bought our third-class ticket of him, he accompanied us to our train; and as we should have to travel all night, he put us into a second-class compartment, which was empty, telling the guard to look after us. If you could know the difference between the two compartments, you could understand how much we appreciated this kindness.

To our surprise, on reaching the next town we heard that the plague was in the native city one mile away, and all Europeans had fled. By the time we learned this, our train was pulling out of the station, or we would have gone on at once. Finding that we must remain there for several hours before we could get another train, we decided to canvass the bungalows nearest the station. We felt, too, that God had some purpose in taking us there, so we started out to see what could be done. We went to the nearest bungalow, and after canvassing for our literature and taking an order, we made inquiries concerning the plague, and learned that it was only the people in the city that had fled. All the people living near the station were at home. We believe God led us to this family, for they would have us stop with them while we were canvassing the town, and would not take anything for their trouble. God gave us wonderful success the two days we spent at this place, and at the close of the two days we could understand why we were not permitted to go on the day we entered the town. Just before taking our train we canvassed a gentleman who has become much interested in the truth. He followed us to our compartment, asking questions in regard to the truth. He said he was sorry he had not known we were in the town, for he would have liked to talk with us.

The people of India breakfast at eleven o’clock. We are always canvassing at this hour, and very often are invited to take breakfast with the family. The canvasser receives a warm welcome in most of the homes.

We canvassed a town in the jungles of India, where the tiger and panther come into the town at night. Many of the deadly snakes of India are killed there. The gentleman with whom we stopped gave us a letter of introduction to a family in the next town. Upon arriving there we were given a hearty welcome to their home. We went back to the station to get our luggage, which we had placed on a tongo, a two-wheeled vehicle drawn by oxen. We walked by the side, to see that nothing was lost, but imagine our surprise on reaching the bungalow to find my friend’s small hand-grip gone. The police were notified, but it could not be found. Among other things in it was her Bible, which she prized very highly. We were six hundred miles from Calcutta, and a Bible could not be purchased in the small stations. She took it to God, in childlike faith, asking him to send her a Bible. The next morning when we boarded our train to leave this place, a strange thing happened. After we were seated, a native came to the car window with a Bible for sale. This sister at once recognized it as the hand of God; for in all her travels in India she never knew or heard of a native selling Bibles. He came in answer to prayer.

Just before entering a town we always ask God to help us find a place in which to stop while there. The canvasser is much more dependent on the people here than at home. There are no boarding-houses or hotels. In some of the towns there is the Dak Bungalow, a public building, but one is largely at the mercy of strangers for a home. We entered a town one Sunday afternoon, and started out to find a room. We went from house to house. “No room,” “no room,” was the cry, until we became almost discouraged. At last just before dark we found two vacant rooms, which we were told we could have for a few days. Although there was not one piece of furniture in them, we knelt and thanked God for the covering over our heads. As we made our beds on the hard floor that night, our hearts were heavy. Our Heavenly Father again came to our rescue. When we rented the rooms, we happened to mention that we were vegetarians, and did our own cooking. Somehow this came to the ears of the woman who lived up-stairs. Just when we needed a friend, she came to us, and told us that her husband was a vegetarian, and hearing we were, she felt there was a bond between us, and had come to make our acquaintance. She at once ordered a bed, table, and

chairs, knowing we were so uncomfortable. During our stay there she sent us many a nice vegetarian dish. They took exceptions to our belief, but when we left them, this good woman bade us good-by with tears in her eyes.

At this place we canvassed a woman who is reading herself into the truth. She has taken the Oriental Watchman four years, and has read “Coming King” and “Christ’s Object Lessons.” She told us the Lord would soon come, as the signs are fast fulfilling. The same day we canvassed a native physician. He has been taking the Good Health for some time. He has given up the practise of medicine, because he can not use drugs. He would have me sit down and tell him something of our manner of treating the sick. We get many of the natives to subscribe for our papers and buy our books. Of course they do not believe in our God, and he alone knows the result of placing the literature in their homes. The educated classes like to read, and those who read English are pleased to have us call upon them, and if they have the money, subscribe for our papers and buy a book.

One morning we stopped in a small railway station. I canvassed seven houses, and took subscriptions for our papers in all but one. Of course we do not always meet with like success; but canvassing in India, as a whole, is much more pleasant than at home. How I should like to be able to speak the language, that I might gather the native children about me and tell them of a Saviour’s love. If my companion stops to ask a question of a native, many of them gather about us to hear what is being said. We never enter a native village but I am reminded of bees in a hive; so many live in one little hut, and the huts are one against the other. We have opportunity occasionally to hold a Bible reading as we canvass, and often have the privilege of calling the attention of some one to some phase of the message. God is good to us, and we are thankful for a part in the work here in India. DELLA BURROWAY.