p. 16 | India by Anna Orr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 17, 1904

India

By Anna Orr

CALCUTTA.— When I reported last, Sister Jewett and I were in Colombo, Ceylon. From there we went up country to some charming hill stations. The Lord gave success in these, and blessed our work. We came back to India in April. After going to the Malabar coast, we again went up country in India, canvassing at Cananore, Ootacamund, Banganore, and some other stations. Ootacamund is the most aristocratic hill station of the south. The governor resides there a part of the year, and other people of rank and distinction come to spend the warm months among the beautiful Nilgiris, and enjoy the cool, bracing climate. Sister Jewett was instrumental in placing “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the hands of Lady Ampthill, the governor’s wife, also the Watchman in Lady Robert’s home. When she went to England, she arranged to have her paper sent to her there. I hope that some of this titled class will accept the message, and bring it before their own friends and associates; for it is hard for us to reach them.

We spent the hot months of May, June, and July canvassing hill stations. This was a change for us, and did us good, after months of work in the hot plains. We canvassed the Kolar gold fields, going from mine to mine, and here also the Lord gave good success. We afterward went to the Bombay Presidency, and then to Hyderabad, before coming back to Calcutta. We had canvassed Hyderabad the year before, and the Lord had given success; but this year in going over the old ground he gave us much better success. It was so pleasant to step up to a door and be recognized and welcomed at once. Most of my old subscribers were willing to renew.

The way the Lord influences Parsees, Mohammedans, Cingales, and Hindus to take the Watchman, is wonderful. Some who will not take a religious paper will take our London health journal, the Good Health. The work for our papers and books is, indeed, a far-reaching one. We canvass from the palace to the hovel, and we are working for Europeans, Eurasians, and natives. The most influential class of natives is reached—the educated.

At Mysore the Lord helped me to place

the Watchman and “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the hands of quite a number of educated natives. That being a native state, with native ruler, the offices are occupied by natives, and not sahibs, or Europeans. I did not have a copy of Good Health with me, but they took the religious paper readily.

I called at the maharanni’s (princess’) palace. I could not see her, but I sent “Christ’s Object Lessons” and the Watchman in. Without knowing where our orphanage was, the maharaja (the Indian prince) sent me a donation of twenty-five rupees, for the orphanage, although I had not asked for a donation.

At Secunderabad I canvassed a Parsee, who took both papers for two years, and paid in advance for that time. The assistant collector at Hyderabad is also a Parsee. He was very friendly, and took the Watchman and two small books. He invited us to stop with them if we came again to Hyderabad. The Parsees are not an easy people to reach, but surely God is turning their hearts to his messengers, that from them a people may be gathered out and made ready for his coming. I am sure the health publications will prove the entering wedge with some of these people. I had proof of this at Hyderabad. I had canvassed a Parsee gentleman when I first visited this place. At that time he would not take any religious matter, but took the health journal. When I called, on my second visit, he seemed glad to renew, and asked me if I had any other books. I had only two left—one “Christ’s Object Lessons” and one “Prophetic Lights.” He took both. When I bade him good-by, he wished me Godspeed, and hoped I would come again soon. We meet hungry souls among the Europeans—those who are tired of the world’s husks.

We are again on our way south, and have been enjoying much of God’s blessing. We hope to have greater success this year in placing our books and papers in the hands of thousands in India. Pray for us. ANNA ORR.