Mission Work in India by Luther J. Burgess

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

Mission Work in India

By Luther J. Burgess

India

ALMORA.—As we are just getting settled in our new mission station, we will send a few words to our brethren and sisters in the home land who manifested such a warm interest in the work in India before our return to this country.

We spent the first four months of this year in the plains, and then as the weather became too warm for work there, we decided to come to Almora, a station well up in the Himalaya Mountains. We had met a native man from Almora, and received an invitation to visit his district.

The native people here have given us a friendly welcome, and we have spent a pleasant and profitable three months in studying the language and in working among the people. In connection with our study we are preparing some short articles in Hindi and Urdu, on the coming of the Lord and the signs of the times, which we hope to have ready soon to print in the form of a pamphlet about the size of Life and Health.

We have received much help from educated native men here in our translation work. We first prepare an article in simple language, and then give it to one of our native friends, who returns in a few days with it written in good Hindi. We read his copy over to see that he has made no mistake in the thought, and as we have opportunity, we read it to other native friends to see if they can comprehend it easily. In this way a number of persons are brought into contact with the message, and we have secured several good articles. There may be others in foreign fields who will find this plan helpful. We believe in getting as many as possible to help in giving the message, and that the Lord

will use any one whom he can lead by his Spirit.

About two weeks ago a young native man, Amar Nath, and his wife came to us to spend a few months in studying the message, preparing to return to the plains to work among their own people. Amar Nath was converted from Hinduism about twelve years ago, and since that time he has not thought it safe to return to his home, on account of the prejudice of his people. He had been working as a village preacher in connection with the Methodist Mission for several years when we met him at Tulsipur. Without any assurance of permanent support from us, he has left his former associates, and has come to us to receive more light. Amar Nath's wife, Suraj Bai, left her Hindu home and parents about six years ago to share the lot of her husband in following the Saviour. We hope that our brethren and sisters will remember these two young people in their prayers.

We are of good courage, and are enjoying our work, feeling very thankful to the Lord for the pleasant location he has given us for our mission quarters. We hope to write again soon and give a brief description of our place here among the pine trees on the mountainside. We trust that many of our brethren and sisters will remember us at the throne of grace. LUTHER J. BURGESS.