Lepers' Gift to the Bible Society in India
A TOUCHING incident happened during a recent tour in the Kolaba district in western India. At Poladpore there is a good leper asylum, with accommodations for about ninety lepers, conducted by the Mission to Lepers. When we arrived at this asylum, we found the lepers all seated on the ground, waiting for the meeting to begin. They sang some hymns, and then I spoke to them about the Bible Society’s work. I hardly liked to say anything about giving to the work, knowing how poor they were; but after a little hesitation I mentioned the subject in a general way. No sooner had I done speaking, than, to my surprise, the catechist, himself a leper, produced a brass plate, and round it went as quickly as possible, while on all sides coppers were poured in. Their bright, happy faces had perhaps just a tinge of mischievous delight depicted on them, as they realized that they had taken the Bible Society secretary by storm. I was so impressed that I hardly knew what to do or say, and when I took the money, it was with a curious lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes. I said, half under my breath, “May God bless them,” but I could say no more. The collection, although in coppers, amounted to five rupees. Where did this money come from? Let me tell you. Before the meeting, these lepers, of their own accord, went to the catechist, and asked if they might be allowed to give to the Bible Society. None of them had any money, but each one decided to give up a certain portion of his share of rice for the day, and asked that its value in money should be given into his hands instead. The request was granted, and each man brought his money to the meeting, and put it into the collection. How they put us to shame by their generous giving! — The Indian Standard.