Progress in South India by J. S. James

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 30, 1916

Progress in South India

By J. S. James

J. S. JAMES

The year 1915 has been one of blessing and progress for our work, and for the workers laboring in this part of the vineyard. One or more baptisms have been held at every station where the work has been established any length of time. At Nazareth, our oldest station, three baptismal services have been held, adding fourteen to the membership. Brother E. D. Thomas, our Indian evangelist in charge, has worked faithfully and hard, and the Spirit of God has witnessed liberally to his efforts. He writes that others are interested in the truth, and another baptism is contemplated in the near future. Mrs. Thomas, aside from her duties as mother and housekeeper, has engaged in Bible work among the women in the village, carried regular teaching work in the school, and conducted a special class for wives and mothers who wish to learn to read and write.

Two baptismal services have been held at Pondicherry, where we have a Tamil church established in a French colony. Ten have been added to their number, and Brother Devasayaham, our Indian evangelist in charge, writes that others who are studying with him will soon be ready to go forward. Here, too, Mrs. Devasayaham has joined her husband, laboring in the interests of the women and children in their homes. This is a very important work, contributing largely to the success and healthy growth of every company or church. What a blessing it is that the wives of these workers can thus join their husbands in uplifting and advancing the spiritual and moral conditions of their respective communities.

From Coimbatore, Pastor G. G. Lowry sends word of the baptism of five candidates during the Christmas holidays. One of these, Mrs. Sighamoni, is the wife of the preceptor of the training school, who has been a faithful worker with us the past three years. After a severe struggle with an enlightened conscience and a keen sense of duty, she at last yielded willing obedience to the Lord, put off her jewels, which were an idol and a stumblingblock to her, as to every Indian woman, and is now taking a genuine heart interest in the work to which her husband has given his life. The other four candidates were advanced students in training in the school.

Last October I baptized a Brother Jacob, at Ongole, in the Telugu field. Our work is just beginning in that great language area, Brother Jacob being the first Telugu to receive baptism in his home country.

MALAYALIM BELIEVERS AND INQUIRERS, TRAVANCORE, SOUTH INDIA

Nothing else does our hearts so much good as to see the gospel soldiers laying siege to new strongholds, and claiming friends and adherents for Christ in the untouched fields. Two large language areas have opened to us in this mission the past year, of which I must write briefly.

Every year many Indians of southern India seek employment outside their native country, traveling as far as south Africa, Burma, Singapore, Java, and Sumatra. Two Telugu men, named Solomon and Benjamin, while working in Burma, heard the present truth, accepted it fully, and were baptized. Later the Spirit turned them back to their homes here in India, where they began working for their friends and the people in the surrounding villages. They were then joined by Brother Jacob, mentioned above, who had heard of the truth before, but had not yielded himself to it.

These brethren succeeded in arousing considerable interest by their work; but owing to a lack of systematic training and deeper study of the truth, it was thought their value to the cause would be greatly enhanced by some training in the school for Indian workers, just started in Lucknow. As all three men have a good grasp of the English language, they could be sent for training to the school at Lucknow, which is conducted entirely in English. At the same time a nephew of Brother Solomon's, and another young man of the same neighborhood, entered the school at Coimbatore, in this field. Upon the return of these workers to the Telugu field, providence permitting, we shall resume an aggressive campaign in the largest language area in our mission. Twenty million Telugus are waiting to hear this message. We are thankful that we have forces in training, and a literature in preparation, that will not keep them waiting long.

The second field to be entered this year lies in the southwestern part of our territory, and includes the native states of Travancore and Cochin. Malayalam is the language spoken by six million people in this section. There is a very close resemblance in many respects between Tamil and Malayalam, although they are two very distinct languages. About four years ago one of our first colporteurs began circulating Tamil tracts and giving Bible readings among some Malayalam people who understood Tamil. As a result, a number became interested in the truths we teach, and two men went to Nazareth to attend a series of meetings held by Brother Thomas. Later these men were baptized, and returned to their native country to teach the truth to others. God has blessed their labors, and they now send me the accompanying picture of those who have covenanted together to walk in all the truth taught them. They ask for an experienced worker to come and give them further instruction and organize a church. The man sitting in front is Brother Abel, the leader. His wife sits by his side. The second man from the left in the row seated is Brother Daniel. Both these men have been baptized, and Brother Abel attended our colporteurs' institute held in Trichinopoli last July. He is anxious to train some of these men to sell our literature.

We have been able to reopen the outstation about eight miles east of Nazareth, which we had to abandon five years ago on account of the leader's death. Brother Santhanam, who was then acting as the assistant, is now in charge. Recently his little daughter was taken away by death, which has been a severe blow to the family. He writes that a number are earnestly studying the truth, and some are ready for baptism.

From all the field comes news of progress and good courage, and the Lord is going before the workers day by day to help them. There is greater earnestness on the part of all the believers to do something in the work. Home missionary

work is proving a blessing to every individual. There is a greater faithfulness in tithe paying, and not a few distinct personal sacrifices have been made in contributing to various funds. Truly we have entered into the loud cry of the message, and the Spirit of the Lord is being poured out in large measure into the hearts of those who are now being called at the eleventh hour.