Bombay, India by C. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 15, 1906

Bombay, India

By C. A. Hansen

ONCE more through the Lord's grace we have been spared to write you from far-off India,—the land of heathenism, darkness, misery, sickness, and tears,—the land that has forgotten God through its sins, and yet feels a longing for something, but does not know what. These people have great faith in their gods, and often, when spoken to about religion, will say, “How do we know which religion is right? No one has ever come back from the burning ghats to tell us how it is.” All the Hindus are burned instead of being buried, which, though it seems cruel, is really a prevention against the spreading of disease.

India has just been blessed with a very heavy rainfall, which we are assured will ward off the famine for another year in many districts. At present three hundred and ninety thousand people are fed by the government in order to prevent death by starvation. This is the plan that is followed: The government begins to build railroads, reservoirs, roads, etc., and pays these people from six to eight pice, which is three or four cents, a day, and thereby the country is improved, and the people are kept from hunger.

These natives are a great deal like children; ninety-five out of every hundred can not read their names, hence are not enlightened, and they refuse to work unless there are several of them together; and then it takes a boss to get them started. When once they start, they plod patiently along day by day, and I never yet have heard one word of complaint. That is one thing remarked about a great deal, that the native is so completely reconciled to his lot. They serve us a lifetime, but they never sit on one of our chairs, nor do they eat of our dishes, but when their duties are finished at night, they huddle together in some small, dark hut, where a candle is scattering a part of the darkness, cook their rice, and eat it with their fingers, and tell what wonders the sahib (master) and mem-sahib (master's wife) have done that day.

It is very hard to get the truth to these people; they can understand only the clearest part of the gospel, and this they do not believe. Their priest has given them permission to practise many things contrary to Christ's teaching, which appeals to their carnal hearts. The other day I saw about fifty thousand people running about the city dressed in gay colors, led by their priests. They seemed to be trying to catch something. Upon inquiry I found that they were trying to catch the Holy Spirit.

Our work of late has been for the Europeans mostly, and we hope soon to baptize some, and organize the first church in India west of Calcutta. It is over a thousand miles to the nearest Seventh-day Adventists, so we have no trouble about territory.

Pray for us that we may not fail in planting the banner of the third angel's message in the land of burning sands.

C. A. HANSEN.