J. S. JAMES by J. S. James

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1912

J. S. JAMES

By J. S. James

India

J. S. JAMES

At our last meeting in Mussoorie all felt that we should make a special effort during the present year to publish suitable literature for circulation in the various vernaculars. We are really more behind with this branch of our work than with any other, and yet there is no agency better adapted to spread the message to all parts of this land. Our greatest need seemed to be a book containing a digest of the principal phases of the truth for this time, together with certain phases of gospel teaching especially needed in a country like India, to place in the hands of all our converts, workers, and interested persons, and to be sold generally by our colporteurs. Seventy-five or eighty subjects were selected, and

the past four months have been spent in preparing them. In form the work will be somewhat like our old “Bible Readings,” but will be especially adapted to this country.

For our part of the field we are getting out “Steps to Christ” in one volume, and the tract “Fundamental Principles of Seventh-day Adventists.” New editions of all our tracts will be printed, and others added. We had hoped to start a quarterly journal in Tamil, to be sold by subscription and single copies, but we are not able to put the necessary colporteurs into the field for its circulation. This may develop later in the year. We are giving special attention to this phase of the work, and hope to have some regular colporteurs at work before long.

There is no question but that our part of the field is ready for the spread of this message. We can scarcely go anywhere and work a few days but that an interest springs up, and calls are sent to us to send men to teach the Bible and establish work. How we are to meet these calls is the problem. We never can supply a foreign force, and even though it were possible to do so, it would not be desirable. It is evident that our work in these fields must very largely be carried forward through the agency of trained native workers. But such workers are exceedingly rare, and hard to get at present.

Since coming to Bangalore, I have improved a little in health, and have also made some progress in language study. Remember India at the throne of grace.

Bangalore.