Attempting to Open a School Near Kalyan by M. D. Wood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 25, 1915

Attempting to Open a School Near Kalyan

By M. D. Wood

M. D. WOOD

The following illustrates the attitude of some of the people among whom we labor in the Kalyan district:—

Last year we visited a good-sized village about two miles beyond us, and told several of the prominent citizens of the place that we should be glad to furnish them with a schoolmaster, and conduct a village school for their untaught children, if they would provide a room for the purpose.

This village is composed largely of Hindus. They considered our proposition a fair one, and one man said he should be glad if we would take such an interest in the welfare of that place. For some time he had privately employed a master to come and teach his son a few hours a day, but he found it rather expensive. None of the boys and girls in thousands of villages about us know how to read or write.

After about two weeks had elapsed, we visited the village again, taking two masters with us, and talked the matter all over again to be sure the people had not changed their minds. We found they still wanted us to do as we had promised, and this time they showed us a large room where the master might live with his family, and another adjoining room in which our school might be conducted. We were much encouraged with the thought of gathering that whole village of youths into a school where we might instruct them.

We arranged to have the master move into the village on a certain date. When the appointed day came, the man who was to take charge of the school drove into the village with his family, accompanied by the writer and some others. When we got there, we found the promised room was still occupied. But another man offered a part of his home, so the master moved his things there.

As we were leaving, we all knelt down with the family and prayed God to protect and care for them. Then we said, “Salaam,” and left for home. In less than one week we received word from the master that the high-caste Hindus objected to such a school, and that he must quit the place.

To say the least, this was a sad disappointment to us. At present the only way we are able to influence these people is through our medical work. Some of them come for treatment and help when they are sick, and some have become quite friendly already; but they fear our religion. This is due to the criticisms of the high-caste Hindus, who lord it over the lower castes. Soon, however, some of our young men will be ready to go among them to preach. Then they must listen to the message as it is given in their own streets.