The Needs of India Considered at the General Meeting
By G. B. THOMPSON
We had much clear evidence at this meeting that the Lord is preparing to do a quick work in this land. From a feeble beginning a few years ago, the work has grown until we now have over fifty earnest laborers in different parts of the field engaged in various lines of effort, and believers are being gathered from the various languages among the Indian people. A good beginning has already been made among the Burmese, Bengalis, and Santals. The Lord led us at this meeting, and helped us to lay some broad plans, which, when carried into effect, will greatly lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes of our missionary operations in India. India is a land of superstition, ignorance, idols, and systems of false religion. All these have done their baneful work for centuries. Three hundred million souls, or one fifth of the population of the globe, live here, in the shackles of caste and idolatry. The land swarms with human beings, and not more than five millions of these speak the English language. To sit down in the midst of these millions and plan a campaign which will carry the message of the third angel to them in this generation, means much. But this was the key-note of this conference from beginning to end. Not a doubt was expressed that the message we carry is the truth, and that God will finish his work for man in this generation. In many respects this was the greatest missionary convention I ever attended. My own heart was greatly stirred. In order to accomplish the great work before us in this heathen land, we must study the languages. We must speak to the people in their own tongue. Scores of young workers of good education must be speedily sent to this land, who can study the languages, and do pioneer work in the various vernaculars. There are several hundred languages and dialects. The Hindi is the most widely used, but there are many other tongues which are spoken by millions, and into which the Bible has been translated, thus preparing the way for the last message. As stated, a substantial beginning has been made in some of these languages, and some literature has been prepared. Brother and Sister Burgess, who have recently returned here to labor, have just gotten out an excellent pamphlet in Hindi, on several points of our faith. This will be circulated. In locating the workers, it was decided that Brother J. S. James and family go to southern India, and while forwarding the message in that field, study the Tamil language. This means much more than placing a laborer in some part of a local conference. There are sixteen millions who speak the Tamil, or one fifth of the population of the United States. It is practically opening a new mission field, where as yet we have not a single missionary who speaks the language. The Lord is already at work in this field. Some in attendance at the conference told us that in the extreme south of India there are between five hundred and a thousand of the Tamil-speaking people, who are keeping the Sabbath. Elder Owen has talked with some of them, and they have asked that we come and teach them. The Catholics have sought to turn them from the faith, but in vain. They are said to have also some knowledge of the nature of man, and the coming of the Lord. Though they still have some heathen customs, no doubt this part of India will be a fruitful field of labor. It is surely time some one was preparing to give them the truth. There are also other languages in southern India spoken by millions, which should be pioneered by some one. In the Bombay district the Marathi is spoken by eighteen millions. We felt burdened to see a beginning made among this people and endeavored to place some workers in this vernacular, but were not able to secure suitable persons. Plans are under way, however, for a competent laborer to pioneer such an effort. Brother Cook and his wife were sent to labor among the Santals and learn the language. There are more than two millions who speak Santali. These are said to make the most substantial Christians of any of the Indian people. Caste does not prevail among them. Brother Barlow, has made a beginning there, and some literature has been prepared. This is being widely circulated, and some have already embraced the Sabbath. A number of the Bengalis have accepted the Sabbath, and considerable literature has been circulated. There are about forty-five millions who speak this language, and arrangements were made by which other laborers could take up work in this tongue. It was recommended that Sister Della Burroway and Brother A. G. Watson, who already have a limited knowledge of this language, plan to devote their whole time to it. They will begin in Kora, a native village of several thousand inhabitants a few miles from Karmatar. In addition, Brother and Sister Burgess will give their entire time to preparing literature and pushing out among the Hindi-speaking people. Pioneering among all these vernaculars is a stupendous task. Besides the languages mentioned above, there are the Gujerati, spoken by ten millions, the Telugu, by over twenty millions; the Punjabi, by seventeen millions; the Rajasthani, by eleven millions; and the Kanarese, by ten millions; and others. What shall be done among these millions? Not yet have we a single voice speaking to them. We believe we should begin among these languages at once. Our prayer is that God will raise up consecrated laborers to pioneer the way. Taking up the study of these languages means giving the life to the message in India. All felt greatly cheered that we were able to take such advanced steps in the vernacular work at this meeting. The effort in Burma was also strengthened. Brother and Sister Votaw are getting the language. Dr. Ollie Oberholzer was sent to this field, and will get hold of one of the languages of Burma, while carrying on her work. Sister Ruoff and others will push the sale of our English literature. The administrative staff in the field has been strengthened. While Elder J. L. Shaw is director, Elder W. W. Miller, who has so faithfully carried the responsibilities the past two years, is assistant director, and will share the burdens, which are necessarily heavy in a large mission field like India. Dr. Menkel was chosen medical secretary, and other departmental secretaries will be arranged for by the board, as our operations demand. What a wonderful message God has given to us! With mighty, irresistible power it is pressing its way in the darkest places of the earth, and when received, it rejoices the heart of the most benighted Hindu as it does that of the most enlightened European. Speedily the Lord is stationing his messengers in all places, and preparing the way, that, under the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain, he can cut short his work in righteousness, and bring the long-looked-for end. India is waiting for the message, and we saw clear indications in our meeting just closed that the Lord is preparing to do a great work in this land. The brethren and sisters separated for their fields of labor with thankful hearts for the blessings received, and with courage to labor for the advancement of this truth as never before. Let all remember them in prayer.