p. 15 | C. A. HANSEN by C. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 31, 1906

C. A. HANSEN

By C. A. Hansen

India

BOMBAY.—We are now settled in the part of the city best adapted to our work, where are the European quarters. The car passing our door takes us to any part of the city.

I was reminded that the work is closing as I listened to Mrs. ——, of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Washington, last evening. They hailed with joy the convention for the federation of churches held in America, and the Bombay Methodist Conference sent an appeal to America that the first union church be established at Jerusalem, where the missionaries have had so much trouble in getting along together. Mrs. —— was cheered again and again as she boldly declared that the people who did not fear their gospel must fear their shot and shell. How true it is, as the spirit of prophecy has declared, that all nations will be glad to follow the example of the United States in forming an image to the beast! She also stated that several Methodist men, one of whom was a clergyman, had received important appointments in the Chinese government, and that they were now preparing the text-books and examinations for Chinese colleges. Thus we may look for a broad plank of persecution to be enforced in that government soon.

We have a nice circle of readers among English, Eurasians, Parsee, and Hindus. We have a young Hindu professor, who is advancing fast. He has begun to pray, and has given up his high caste, and removed the mark from his forehead. He speaks Gujarati, Marathi, Hindustani, and English fluently. This Hindu has already met the most cruel treatment at the hands of his uncle, whose school he is teaching. He travels seven miles about twice a week to study with us, and often do the tears course down his cheeks as we study and pray together.

We are of good cheer, and have decided to do all the little deeds for Christ that he brings to our notice—and we find plenty to do. Mrs. Hansen and I are studying Urdu Hindustani, this being the most universal language of India, spoken by all Mohammedans, although Marathi is the strong language of Bombay. In all the shops, Hindustani rules. We can converse freely in all business matters. We find the language quite easy. I hope in one year to be able to preach in it. We have plenty of work here, and especially need a Bible worker, a lady physician [a lady physician sails for Bombay, June 2], and means to employ native helpers as interpreters, etc. We can not, of course, see the real scope of the work as well now as we shall later, but we could use a great deal more help even now than we have. Remember us often in prayer, that our health fail not, and that we may be soul winners.