Health School and Canvassing in Allahabad, India
By Anna Knight
SIMLA.—During March and April Sister Donna Humphrey and I spent six weeks in Allahabad, one of the large stations in the northwest provinces of India, canvassing for “Ladies’ Guide,” and visiting the people. After we had finished our canvassing, we held a school of health. A sister who had been a patient at the sanitarium, having accepted the truth while there, invited us to make our home with her. She gave us a room, bath room, and two cots. We had our own furnishings, so we got on nicely, boarding ourselves. We met a number of nice people, and found many who seem hungry for this truth which the Lord has so graciously intrusted to us as a people. The first room we looked at when we were in search of a place to hold our school of health was just what we wanted. When we asked the man his terms, he said, “Well, I’ll tell you, but don’t be shocked—thank you.” We felt confident that it was the Lord’s doings. The man also said that he would seat the room, and put up punkahs so as to enable us to keep cool; for it was very hot. Sixteen ladies attended our studies, and every one seemed intensely interested in the different subjects presented, all expressing themselves as being sorry to have the school close. We had the secretary of the Y. W. C. A. with us in the classes three days, also a number of active Christian workers from different parts of the station, all of whom thoroughly appreciated the studies. Four took patterns of our health garments, and went to work with enthusiasm, remodeling their clothes. During the school a wealthy woman invited us to her home to give her some help in hygienic dressmaking, sending a carriage and two servants to convey us to her residence, and when our visit was over, sending us home in the same way. We felt that the Lord had most wonderfully blessed our effort, and had done even more for us than we could ask or think. We sold quite a quantity of the health foods, and left a number of warm friends behind, and obtained a list of twenty-eight names to whom the “Ladies’ Guide” will be sent as soon as the books arrive at the office. God has been good to us in all our work, and we do praise him. We are sure that it pays to trust the Lord for everything, and go forward each day in whatever path he leads. After finishing our work at Allahabad, we were invited by the mission to leave the heat of the plains and visit the “queen city” of the little hill stations, Simla. So in a few hours we were off on a two days’ journey to this station. It hardly seems possible that one can be carried from the scorching heat of the plains to the chilliness of the hills so soon. This is our first visit to a hill station, and to us it is most beautiful, and a great treat; but fruits and vegetables are scarce, so it is hard for us to get along. But as soon as we find rooms where we can board ourselves, we hope to do better. We have been here only two days, and are rooming and boarding with the Y. W. C. A. They received us kindly, and seem glad to have us. The Lord supplies all our needs in every place, and we only wish that all our dear friends and fellow workers were having the same experience. But I am sure that every one is having just what the Lord desires; for he has given to every man his work, and with the work he also gives the preparation and experience needed. The work is onward in India, and we are full of good cheer. We find friends everywhere, and the Lord is with us always. ANNA KNIGHT.