India by J. L. Shaw

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Aug 27, 1903

India

By J. L. Shaw

DARJEELING.—We shall print the first number of the Oriental Watchman on our new press this month. It will be a great blessing to be able to do our own printing. We shall get the type for vernacular work as we are able. We already have “Steps to Christ” translated, and hope soon to begin publishing it in sections. We are glad the brethren saw fit to appropriate five hundred dollars to our printing office, which, by the way, is to be called The Watchman Press. This will nearly clear all indebtedness, and we hope to have it on a paying basis by the end of the year. We will do our best to cut down expenses this year, but it is hard to do this, when our corps of workers is larger than ever before.

We recently had a baptism at Chandernagor, which is about twenty miles from Calcutta. There were three baptized, among them a native preacher. He had a good position, but resigned for the truth’s sake. This was certainly a bold step for this man to take, who has a large family to support. His wife took it so hard that she went back to her Hindu parents. But he still holds firm. We gave him no promise of a place in our work, but I believe he is showing himself worthy.

We are now in Darjeeling, about four hundred miles north of Calcutta, in the beautiful Himalayas. It is so refreshing to have a little change from the excessive heat of the plains. This season the weather is hotter than it has been for many years in Calcutta, and our workers have felt its wearing effects upon them. Fortunately, Elder Armstrong came just when I most felt his need, and was wondering how I should get through the season. It will be a trial to us when he goes to Bombay, but if we can spare him, we hope to have him make a start in that city.

Mrs. Shaw is finding considerable to do here, as there are a large number of people who have come up from the plains, and she is busy canvassing and taking subscriptions for the British Good Health and the Oriental Watchman. She has met many missionaries of different denominations, and has had some interesting experiences.

As you know, missionaries in India are much prejudiced against our work, because our teachings provoke questions in the minds of their converts. The educated natives are keen reasoners, and when their attention is called to the Sabbath question, it is not a difficult matter for them to see that the Bible is on our side. As Mrs. Shaw works among them, she has opportunity to allay prejudice, and frequently gets them to take some of our literature. There are three thousand missionaries in India, and many of them are the very salt of the earth, and I think the time will come when these honest souls will see the truth.

The health principles are going to be a powerful agency in allaying prejudice among these people. We are now pushing the English Good Health in connection with the Oriental Watchman, and have recently increased our London order to fifteen hundred monthly, and we hope to raise it considerably before the end of the year. J. L. SHAW.