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The Punjab, India

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 45.

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The Punjab, India

By F. H. Loasby

F. H. LOASBY
As we have now been a little more than a year in India, we feel that it is well for us to take a retrospective glance over our labors of the past year.
When we first arrived, we were expecting to devote the whole of our time to the study of the vernacular. It soon became apparent, however, that in the mission field one cannot always do as he would like, for our workers are often few and far between, and one has to fit in where he is most needed.
Brother G. W. Pettit was the first worker we met when we arrived in Bombay, and we found that he was looking for assistance for the opening of the English work in the great city of Bombay, the “Gate of India.” He at once desired us to unite with him in this work. This was finally decided, and also that I should have three hours each day for the study of the Urdu, also the services of a munshi.
We enjoyed our part in the English work. I had the privilege, on Thursday evenings, of giving lantern lectures on the prophecies and various points of our faith.
Like most English people, the people here do not always receive the new doctrines so quickly as in some countries. However, we were all greatly rejoiced at the close of the effort to see quite a good company who had decided to walk in the light. What is very encouraging, these people are all studying their Bibles, and are also desirous that their friends may know the truth for this time.
I shall tell of the many pleasant occasions we spent at Lonovla, in the Western Ghats. Here we have a stanch little company raised up by the labors of Brethren G. F. Enoch and S. A. Wellman. I think that we shall always remember our first trip up the ghats (the mountain ranges) that separate the narrow strip of coast land from the great plains of the Deccan. The monsoon (yearly rain) had broken about two weeks before, and the mountains were deluged with the rain that falls in great sheets and gives to this vicinity about two hundred and ten inches of water in three or three and a half months. This water brings new life to the parched and gaping soil, and as it rushes down the side of the rugged mountains, forms hundreds of waterfalls and rushing streams. As we make our way up the side of the mountain on the splendidly built double-track railway, cut through the solid rock in many places, and pass in and out of the twenty-one tunnels on the way up, it is a wild picture of steaming mountains, valleys over which black and bursting clouds hover, and dashing streams that look as if they must burst in volume upon our train as it fights its way up between the rugged overhanging stone walls. The valleys that two weeks ago were scorched brown by nine months of burning sun, have sprung into a wealth of green that excites our admiration and makes us rejoice with the grateful soil.
By and by we reach the reversing station seen in the picture. The ascent has become so steep that it cannot be attempted on a straight course, therefore we go up in a zigzag fashion. At this point two engines are used in the ascent.
Most of the people at Lonovla (where we came to labor) are engaged on the railway, and are acquainted with our work. It was a great pleasure for us, from time to time, to conduct the Sabbath services with our little company here, and to hold lantern lectures, to which some not of our faith came and heard the message.
We find the same smile of welcome here, the same desire “to give the truth to others,” as well as the faithful payment of tithe and giving to missions. The new view of life is plainly felt with all those things which stamp the man or the woman an Adventist the same here as elsewhere.
As we had been asking for some time to be allowed to enter the native work, and our first year's labor had come to an end, it was decided that we should be transferred to that great province of India, the Punjab, the land of the Five Rivers, there to begin native work in a part of India heretofore unentered by our mission. It was decided that in company with Brother S. A. Wellman, I should look over the new field and find a house in which to live. Accordingly, I set out for Lahore, the capital of the Punjab, early in May. Lahore is nearly 1,500 miles from Bombay by rail. The trains make regular trips to this city, even going farther north, to Peshawar. It took me only a little more than thirty-six hours to travel this distance; and as we missionaries travel, it cost only a little more than fourteen rupees, or less than five dollars. Surely these are the days of running to and fro, and of the preaching of the gospel to all the world.
During the first month that I was in Lahore, Mrs. Loasby was at Kalyan, near Bombay, assisting in the dispensary there while Mrs. Wood was away in the hills on a much-needed vacation.
After looking over our new field of labor, we believe that there are splendid prospects for a strong work in the Punjab. What we need is more men and more money in order to get among the people. We are glad to be getting hold of the language. I expect to take my first year's examination in a few weeks. We feel grateful to God for the good measure of health and strength he has given to us during the past year. Lahore is one of the hottest places in India. The temperature ranges from 117 to 120 in the shade in the summer time, and for about a week just recently it held the record for all India. We trust that we may continue in good health so that we may be able to remain long in service in India among its teeming millions.