p. 15 | The Outlook for India by J. L. SHAW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1907

The Outlook for India

By J. L. SHAW

J. L. SHAW

THE outlook for the work as a whole in India is very encouraging. Never have we seen more manifest evidence that the Lord's hand is in the work than at the present time.

Our workers at Mussoorie are getting well settled, in their new home at Annfield, and Brother and Sister Hansen have done some yeoman's service in securing the place. Brother Barlow and family and Brother and Sister Jewell are among the first to enjoy a change at the mountain mission. They have all expressed themselves as well pleased with the selection. We hope negotiations for the property will be finished by the end of the month.

We have received several letters full of good omens for the work in Burma. While Elder Thompson was there, a church of twenty-three was organized at Rangoon. Afterward others took their stand. Nine were baptized by Elder Votaw in one of the beautiful lakes near Rangoon. We are profoundly thankful to God for the prosperity which is attending his work in Burma. We now have an organized church in that land where Judson, the father of American missions, labored and spent his life. May many others follow.

Sisters Jewett and King have been having phenomenal success in taking orders for papers and books. These papers are spreading the truth. Sister Knight tells of a man who has been keeping the Sabbath some time, through reading the Oriental Watchman.

In the vernacular work there is surely a new era in our mission work in India setting in. Never before have we had such a band of capable men and women studying the different languages. Truly the time is coming when we shall give with a “loud cry” the message of truth in the leading languages of this land. It can not be long, for God is going out before us.

Brother and Sister James are studying the Tamil language in a systematic way, spending six hours a day in this study. They have been fortunate in finding a munshi that pushes instead of being pushed. It pays to use great care in selecting a teacher.

Dr. Oberholtzer is spending from seven to ten hours a day on Burmese. By plowing away at that rate for a year or two, our sister will be telling the message in the tongue of the Burmese.

Brother and Sister Little are working away at Bengali under very trying circumstances. When we consider what burdens have rested upon these workers the last two years, the progress which they have been making in the language is truly encouraging. Learning a language while editing a paper, looking after an orphanage, and running a printing-office, is no small undertaking.

We understand that Brother and Sister Cook rise early in the morning to study Santali—a very good plan. There is one thing about language-learning, the hardest part comes first; the more we learn, the more our interest grows, and the easier it becomes to study and learn.

As for the Hindustani work, those who associate with Brother and Sister Burgess find them buried in language study. Sister Kurtz has united with them at Dehra Dun to study the Urdu, and Sister Burroway to study Bengali. From a letter written by Sister Burgess, just to hand, in which she encloses a letter from a man deeply interested in the truth, I take the following:—

“My husband left Thursday night for Agra, expecting to visit John Last on the way, who has taken a firm stand for the Sabbath, then go on to Bulaudshahu, where Amar Nath is working, and from there to Agra, where there seems to be a real interest. Do pray that the Lord will bless and strengthen him, and give him wisdom, that these souls may be established in the truth. We feel that the Lord has set his hand to the Hindustani work, and will raise up laborers from among the native people, that the work may be quickly finished.”

A very encouraging letter from Dr. Menkel regarding the work at the Calcutta Sanitarium is to hand. He says:

“We are having Bible studies every Thursday evening. I am feeling fine, and take delight in my work, and am getting an experience all my own out of it, which was well worth coming for.” We are sure great results will follow teaching the truth at the sanitarium. It can not be otherwise. “My word . . . shall not return unto me void.” Sunday evening meetings are also carried on in the Calcutta church.

We shall be glad to welcome Sister Quantock back to the field again. Elder Enoch, who has been for a number of years in the West Indies, is planning to arrive in India in the fall, and will probably go to Ceylon, or locate among the Marathi people. He will take up language study soon after his arrival.

The obtaining of land at Karon has been somewhat delayed, but Brother Watson is urging the matter along. When this land is secured, a well will be dug, and brick made, so that at the close of the rains the building can be started. Buying land and erecting buildings in this country is no small undertaking, but we hope the house at that place may be well under way by the end of the year.

Considering the work in India as a whole, there is abundant reason for thanksgiving to God. Nothing can stop the advancement of God's truth; the set time has come for this country to be worked, and the efforts to frustrate the truth will work out in the end to its advancement.