p. 17 | Learning the Truth in India by S. N. Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1907

Learning the Truth in India

By S. N. Haskell

We have received a letter from Sister Burgess, of India, in which she says: “Last Monday was a happy day in our experience. The day before, we climbed down the steep mountainside several hundred feet to a tiny stream trickling through the ravine. Here we had a dam made for baptism, and the following day our dear Hindustani brother, John Last, was buried with his Lord in baptism. The Lord witnessed in a marked manner, and I think I never saw a happier man than Brother Last was after his baptism.

“The Sabbath before his baptism he gave an account of how the Lord had led him in preparing him for this closing message; and even an outsider, a worldly man who was present at the meeting, was constrained to admit that surely God was with him. This man afterward sought occasion to have an interview with Brother Last to talk further with him in reference to his experience.

“Brother Last has now returned to his home in Patiala, hoping to win his wife to the truth, and to return with her to Dehra Dun for some further study after we go down. We hope that you will remember this brother in prayer, for we feel that God has especially called him to this work. His age and deep experience in the things of God will enable him to be of great help in establishing others in the truth.

“I must mention another thing. In our work we have felt very much the need of songs that express the sentiment of the message. Only a short time ago Mr. Burgess and I were talking about it, and expressed the hope that God would raise up some one who had the gift of composing music in the Hindustani. This gift Brother Last has. While here in Mussoorie, he composed a song on the soon coming of the Lord (his favorite theme), and sang it with great power in the crowded bazaars of Mussoorie. Hindus and Mohammedans crowded around, asking him to sing it again. The Lord especially blessed him as he went up and down the streets of Mussoorie singing and preaching the coming of the Lord, and we believe that fruit will be seen in the judgment as the result of it.

“I think several weeks ago I mentioned a man who had come several hundred miles to learn more of the truth. He has been with us studying, and has accepted the message gladly as far as he has studied. He was called home to-day by sickness in his family, but went home with the intention of teaching his wife and sister the truth he has received. He is planning to engage in the work of selling the little pamphlet.

“We are enjoying the bracing air of the mountains, and shall probably remain here until after the rains break. Amar Nath and his wife are with us again for a little season of study. We are also expecting several brethren from Agra who are keeping the Sabbath.”

The readers of the REVIEW should remember that Brother and Sister Burgess earned sufficient money by selling the Bible Training School at full price to our people to pay their fare to India. The money thus earned set the ball rolling, and since then there has been sufficient funds to support them and the workers who have embraced the truth through their labors among the Hindustani-speaking people since they returned.

Sister Burrows, now Sister Burgess, was the pioneer missionary to India; she remained there alone one year, learned the language, and was thus prepared to enter the work when Elder Robinson and wife reached India. Now she is the pioneer missionary among the Hindustani-speaking people. She was supported by volunteer contributions the first year from a brother in South Africa.

Papers are still taken and sold for ten cents a number, and the profits go to assist them in their work. Donations for the paper will be received from any desiring to aid Brother and Sister Burgess in their work.

For this particular enterprise, send your donations to Bible Training School, South Lancaster, Mass.

S. N. HASKELL.