p. 10 | J. L. SHAW by J. L. SHAW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1911

J. L. SHAW

By J. L. SHAW

India

J. L. SHAW

AFTER spending several months on the plains, getting better in touch with the work at the different mission stations, we came to Mussoorie a few weeks ago, and are now planning for the coming season's work in the hills. I have been very thankful for the measure of strength which has been given me since returning to India. I have been able to visit nearly all our mission stations, with the exception of Tinnevelli and the work in Burma. This has been a great help to me, planning with those at the different mission stations for future work. Although we have difficulties to contend with in the India Mission field, we are getting down to a basis of operation in our native work which will in time bring about larger results than we have seen heretofore.

Up to four years ago, we had done scarcely anything in native work, as most of the workers coming from America were compelled to assist in the English work, both evangelical and medical. Since that time, however, we have been giving the workers a better opportunity of learning the language; and I am glad to say that practically all our foreign workers in India will have passed at least their first year's examination in some language by the month of October. A knowledge of the language is absolutely essential for those working among the native people. When the worker has the language, he can come very closely in touch with the people, and learn the best methods of working for them.

I received word from Tinnevelli recently that sixteen persons had been baptized. We expect four or five will be baptized at Karmatar this coming Sabbath. During the past month we have opened six or eight new out-schools at our different mission stations. We find that the mission school is one of the best agencies for teaching the gospel, not only to the children and youth, but also to their parents. The people desire to learn, and are willing to assist by providing schoolhouses and allowing us to teach the Word of God; and it is by the continual teaching of the Word of truth that souls are brought from darkness into light.

I do hope we shall receive eight or ten thousand dollars from our share of the $300,000 Fund this year. Some of our mission stations are urgently in need of funds with which to provide homes for the missionaries. I recently received a letter from Brother H. H. Votaw, urging money from the $300,000 Fund to put up a house for Brother R. B. Thurber, who is carrying on an industrial school at Meiktila.

At Karmatar we have had thirteen biggahs (a biggah is from one third to three fifths of an acre) of land given to us upon which to build a mission property. Already at that station we have spent about four thousand dollars in rent, having nothing to show for it. We have asked for five thousand rupees, which is a little more than fifteen hundred dollars, to put up a mission house at Karmatar; this would also give us a good location. Our native work at this place is more encouraging than at any previous time. We now have four or five out-schools in operation; the confidence of the natives about the station is growing; and I believe that if we carry out the right policy, many souls will be brought to a knowledge of the truth.

Owing to the prevalence of plague, and not having a house for our workers to live in away from the native quarters of the city, we have been compelled to abandon the work we were carrying on at Najibabad, in North India. One of our workers, Sister O'Connor, was taken down with plague. As soon as her condition was known, telegrams were sent to workers at different stations, asking them to make her case a subject of prayer. The disease was miraculously stayed, and though she is not a strong woman physically, she rallied from the attack and is now at work. As a rule, not more than five or ten per cent at most recover from this disease. We must have a building of our own at Najibabad if we continue to carry on work there; and it does not pay to change locations after we have turned sod, unless there are the best of reasons for so doing.

We very much regret the necessity of closing the sanitarium for the coming year. We shall endeavor to carry on treatment-room work while we wait for a doctor to come out from home.

We are opening, in connection with the rest home at Annfield, a school for the children of our missionaries and believers in this country. It will be small to begin with, but it will fill a great want in the field; and by the blessing of God we hope it will grow.

Mussoorie.