Shut Doors and Open by Vera Chilton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 11, 1913

Shut Doors and Open

By Vera Chilton

VERA CHILTON

Rashke Jahan Regam and Babee Sahab are two bright, intelligent Indian girls belonging to Mohammedan families of good standing. From the beginning of my visits they took deep interest in their Bible lessons, and gradually began to awake from the drugged stupor of the Mohammedan religion. The workings of the Spirit were soon made manifest by the forsaking of many long-revered Mohammedan customs. The Naharram and Ramzan were neglected. The call of the faithful to prayer, five times daily, by the muezzin, from the minaret of every mosque, was no longer heeded, but a special time was set apart for prayer to the Saviour, whom they freely acknowledged to be the Son of God.

What holy, thankful triumph fills the heart, when once that fact is confessed by one of the adherents of the “false prophet”! As time went on, they read the lesson of the Saviour’s baptism, and this opportunity was used to bring baptism before them,—all it means, and the need to be born again. This lesson, through the working of the Holy Spirit, was accepted, and both girls felt the need of baptism and expressed their desire to receive it. What happy seasons were spent!

THE COMPANY OF MISSIONARIES WHO SAILED FROM SAN FRANCISCO FOR CHINA AND MANCHURIA ON AUG. 16, 1913

It then seemed that if these two girls could be brought together, it would be an opportunity for strengthening and encouraging each other. Their families were on calling terms, but some bitter family feud had separated them for some time. Nevertheless, the two girls managed to secure little seasons together on the roofs of their respective houses, and they strengthened and encouraged each other and were full of joy at the thought that when they came out they would be together. It was not possible for several reasons that they should take the step at once, but they asked me to teach them how to be true Christians in their zenanas. I gave them each a Bible—how glad they were to have it!—and soon they were having daily reading and prayer, each one by herself, midst the midnight darkness of Mohammedanism.

Then comes the sad part of this true little story, and ’twere well to be brief—O, the pathos of it! How jealous is Satan of the workings of the Holy Spirit! When these girls began to leave off their Mohammedan customs, it did not long remain unnoticed by the members of their households, and their hearts were stirred up by the evil one and filled with hatred and suspicion. Persecution to some extent followed, but the girls were not daunted. Rashke’s people said she had been baptized in her heart already. Stronger measures were adopted. Their Bibles were taken from them, and I was forbidden to teach them any longer. I still continued to call; though not allowed to teach, it seemed possible to help them by word and exhortation. But they were always mounted guard over, and now they have been removed far from my sphere of influence, and I know not where they are.

There remains little to be said, but it makes the heart bleed even to write—“O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors.” Just a few weeks after, Rashke’s beautiful baby boy, the joy of the whole house and the pride of his mother’s heart, died after a few days’ illness. And what did they say? Who but Satan could invent such a fiendish weapon of torture in their hands to tempt this dear tried one to the uttermost? But surely God can overrule, and the thought of the Saviour’s bringing back her baby boy for her when he comes will surely be a great help to keep her faithful.

The sad part does not end here. A whole mohalla (district) has now closed its doors to the entrance of God’s Word because of these two girls, and another one seems at the point of being closed. I have had this experience before. As soon as the reader has reached the stage of accepting Jesus and wants to step out, it means that the worker is banished and the door is shut. But none of these things move me, as I believe firmly

that in opening these dear women’s hearts to the reception of the message, God is opening a great door and effectual.

“Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it!”