A Glimpse of Darjeeling
By L. F. HANSEN
Darjeeling is the headquarters of a large district in the lower ranges of the Himalaya Mountains. A ride from Calcutta through beautiful country, by rail, by water, across plains and over mountain roads, reaches Darjeeling in twenty-two hours. This city, situated fifty miles from the plains, at an altitude of seven thousand feet, is the seat of the Bengal government during the summer months. Here is also a resort and recuperating station for many a worn missionary, merchant, and official from the plains. The high altitude insures a cool, delightful climate. Located on hill slopes, amid ever-blooming flowers, the place is most charming. And to the praise of the government, great sums of money have been spent to make pleasant walks with occasional resting places, elaborate water ducts, and everything convenient and pleasing to the eye. For the care of the sick who need medical attendance, here is the Eden Sanitarium for Europeans, the Jubilee Sanitarium for the natives, and this summer there has been added a hospital with free dispensary for all classes. In clear weather the snows of the Himalayas can be seen from many places, and the view is marvelous beyond description. Although the snows are forty miles distant, they seem much closer. From the valleys below, up terrace upon terrace of mountain ranges, there is a height of fifteen thousand feet before the snow is reached. Then the snow covers another ten thousand feet. The picture on the first page will aid the mind to grasp the glory of the situation. But aside from these natural and incidental attractions, Darjeeling is an important missionary station to the “regions beyond.” The district of Darjeeling is wedged in among what is known in missionary language as “the three closed countries.” On the right is Bhutan, on the left is Nepaul, and right ahead is Tibet. Thus far these countries have stanchly and successfully resisted all efforts of the missionary to gain access. It is not this class alone who are denied access; for no white man is admitted. Just at the present time there is much apprehension of invasion, as the boundary lines are not well defined, and Russia is making rapid inroads from the east. A war is, however, not necessary to prepare the way for the gospel. For a long time God has had agencies at work for these people. Years ago the Germans translated and issued the New Testament into the Tibetan tongue. And the Scotch church has done much among the Nepaulese, and have many converts. And among the Bhutias there are several energetic missionaries who are beginning to see some fruit of their toil. And this has been accomplished even when they refuse to admit the white man to their countries. During the busy season at Darjeeling these hill people send many of their young people to work or trade among the visitors. And as a result, although the gospel is most carefully excluded, yet the good news of salvation in Christ has reached to the interior of even Tibet. The lamas (priests) are amazed. Let people come in contact with missionaries, and the gospel will affect them; but let them come in contact with the Word, and they will be converted. So far we have been able to do but little in this place. In Elder Robinson’s days some pioneering was done, and some accepted the truth. These have all moved away, with the exception of one family. During the past three years very little has been done here. But this year one after another of our workers went to Darjeeling for a little relief from the heat of Calcutta. Thus both Bible work and meetings have been conducted for several months. And God sent some precious souls to hear and accept the truth. The field is ripe for the harvest, and the three closed countries will open sooner than we think. What India needs just now is some earnest young men to take our literature fresh from the press to the people. There are thousands of English-speaking natives who will gladly purchase our books and papers if we carry them to their homes. Let the tried canvasser consider this field. There is a rich fruitage awaiting the faithful reapers.