A Word from India by W. W. Miller

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 6, 1909

A Word from India.

By W. W. Miller

I FEEL it my duty, through the SIGNS OF THE TIMES to thank those who donated so liberally to the fund that enabled us to purchase the Annfield Estate in Mussoorie for our mountain-rest home. Our hearts go out to God in gratitude for putting it into the hearts of our dear people at home to raise the money so quickly, tho so soon after the fire of the Pacific Press.

While the money was being collected, Professor Shaw would send us, from time to time, the good news of how the money was coming in, and it always filled our hearts with fresh courage. We were also interested in the list of names and donations which was published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. God only knows what sacrifices many others made that we workers in India might have a place to go for our health without having to return home.

That the “Mission Rest Home” has been a blessing I can truly testify. Brother Burgess was stricken down with a high fever while visiting among the native Sabbath-keepers. Sister Burgess at once took him to Mussoorie where a comfortable “Home” was ready to receive them. Many earnest prayers were offered for him, and he received careful nursing under the direction of Dr. Menkel. We praise the Lord that it pleased Him to spare our brother to the work he dearly loves, but had it not been possible for him to have received just the care he did here, we doubt if he would have survived.

I myself was taken down with thermic fever about the same time, through too much exposure to the sun in Lucknow. While I was ill, my little boy received a severe nervous shock from a fall which nearly ended his life. My wife was quite worn out caring for us, so we all felt the need of a change. How thankful we were that we could go to the “Mission Home” to regain our strength, and escape the heat which was becoming very trying, to say the least. What we would have done without our “Home” in the mountains, I do not know. It is such a comfort to know that we have a definite place to flee to, when we see we are beginning to fail in health.

As workers we enjoy the privilege of becoming better acquainted with each other, which is a great blessing. We are not idle all the time, but as soon as our strength permits, we engage in missionary work of some kind. This year we rented a hall and held public meetings in the town. The result was that several took their stand for the truth, and a church of seventeen members was organized. Twelve natives accepted the truth and were baptized. Brother and Sister Burgess with the aid of Brother and Sister Meyers have been conducting a school for natives during the past three months, and the Lord has blessed their efforts.

We all appreciated the efforts of Sister Shaw to make the “Home” pleasant for us. She saw that we were well provided for in every possible way.

In closing we want again to thank the Lord, and our dear friends at home for what they have done for us here in India.

W. W. MILLER.