WITNESS is being borne for the truth of this advent message in far Assam. This is a province buried away in the northeast corner of the Indian empire. It has about the area of Ohio, with a population of five millions. It is a hill country, on the southern slope of the Himalayas. The tea-growing industry has called many Europeans into the district, Assam tea having a high reputation in Europe. Coolies from Bengal are continually passing in troops into the Assam tea districts, many never to return; for Assam generally is an unhealthful country. The Baptists have long had a vigorous and successful mission work among the wild hill tribes.
PLANTER'S HOME AND TEA GARDEN, HIMALAYAS
Assam is beyond the bounds of our organized work in India, but God has blessed an English sister there with the knowledge of the truth, and she is letting her light shine. I have just received a letter from her; and though it is a personal letter, not written for publication, I am sure our sister will not censure me for allowing others to read a portion of it here. It is the first word we have ever had from Assam. The reference to Brother Smith's death, news of which had just reached her, suggests how this truth is bringing believers into one family in all parts of the world, so that at such a loss there are hearts that sorrow away at the ends of the earth. I quote as follows:—
“Dear Elder Smith has fallen like a brave warrior at his post. I sat and wept when I read it. I have enjoyed his writings so much. After I had heard you preach twice from the second of Daniel, and had become interested in the truth, his book, ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,’ was a great help to me in studying the truth. It is the very book for these days, and though our friend has fallen asleep for a little while, truly his works will follow him. Many times I have lent these books to friends, and I hope the Lord will bless what they have read therein. My daughter is now an earnest worker in carrying the message to the world. [She is engaged with our canvassers and Bible workers in selling literature up and down India.] Do you remember us in Calcutta, how for eighteen months we came and went to the medical branch before we heard the truth? When I look back upon it, I wonder at the merciful, patient way the Lord has led us, how gently he caused us to have to return to these people who were to become the bearers of the King’s messages for us.
“And now I am standing for the truth, so far the only Seventh-day Adventist representing our people in Assam. I am doing, I must not say all, but something toward spreading the message here. It is in my thoughts by day and night, lest the blood of souls be found on my garments. With the aid of ‘Bible Readings,’ I have been getting the readings printed in order, beginning with the four kingdoms of Daniel, and going right on through the three messages with the solemn work of the cleansing of the sanctuary. These readings I am sending the length and breadth of Assam, to missionaries and other people, and I hope the Lord, will hear my prayer, and cause others to see what he has shown to me.
“A Baptist missionary told me the other day that there are one hundred and seventy-five different tribes and tongues in Assam. Every group of hills has its own tribe and tongue, and many have never even heard of the gospel. I do wish some of our people in America could see the fields here ready for laborers. I do pray that God may put it into the hearts of some to come here and ‘compel’ the people to come in to the feast that will soon be ready, and to show them how and through whom they may claim the robe of righteousness that will give them entrance to the King’s palace.
“Our workers in Calcutta are doing their uttermost. In the midst of the heat they work, work, work, as if there was no time to lose, as if the Lord might be expected to-morrow. They are cheerful, hopeful, loving, forgetting themselves in their service for others, and I am sure they are gaining ground. It has been my privilege to live among them, and I thank the Lord for it. They have worked against great odds, but the lump is leavening. If only more workers would come—if people would only listen to the voice of God through his prophet, how loud the cry could be made in India and everywhere! I look forward to the day when the REVIEW and the Signs are due. We in India believe we are going to see an advance all over the fields. Sister White’s warning will surely not be in vain.
“A few days ago an Assamese Mohammedan left this place for Calcutta, to be baptized. He is a storekeeper in the public works department. He had been reading the Bible, and was impressed with our Lord’s prayer for his murderers, ‘Father, forgive them.’ This convinced him that Christ was the Son of God. Such a return of good for evil sank deep into the mind of this Assamese, and some time ago he decided upon renouncing the religion of his fathers. Various denominations tried to lead him, but he is also convinced on the Sabbath question, and has decided to keep it. This man has suffered much persecution from his own people, but is of good courage, and says he knows the Lord is leading him. I pray the Lord may lead him into all the truth and into service.
“Do you remember how indifferent I used to be to heavenly things? Well, the Lord has shown me the way of life, and now people say I have this truth on the brain. My answer is that I hope I shall never be able to refrain from taking up the general cry of warning that will, I believe, go quickly through all the earth. May the Lord hasten the day. Yours in the blessed hope.”
This blessed hope makes us one the world over. I know that many an isolated one, working alone, will be cheered by this letter from the banks of Brahmaputra, one of the streams most sacred in Hindu superstition. The little jets of light are springing up in the darkness. Pray that other lights may be kindled among the Assam hills.
