NURSOO | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 6, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 39.

NURSOO.

A Sketch of Indian Native Christian Life.

It is delightful to trace the beginnings of the new life in any soul; but some there are who awaken our special interest and admiration, and such, it seems to me, is the one whose story is briefly given below.

Nursoo was, for many years, engaged in daring deeds of theft and robbery. Again and again was he thrown into prison for his lawless acts.

One day, while visiting a village near his own, he met Mr. H., a missionary, who was going about preaching in that district. The latter spoke a few words to him. Nursoo went his way, and the one who had spoken to him saw him no more for several years; but the Spirit of the Lord followed him. The question so kindly put, "Are you a Christian, Nursoo?" with the added words, "You ought to be," sank into his heart; nor did his struggle cease till he had found pardon in Christ. He was baptized a little later, some eleven or twelve years ago, and received into the Watwad church, sixty miles and more to the northeast of Sholapur. And now, when we visit that region, no one greets us more cordially than this same good man. His heart seems to be overflowing with gratitude for having been told of Jesus, the Saviour. Often, on hearing of our arrival, this dear man hastens to our tent with eggs and fowls, rice and flour, too, perhaps.

"But, Nursoo, we do not care for your good things," he is told over and over again; "we come to bring you help—to tell you more of the better life."

And the reply is ever the same, "If the Lord gives me these things, they are yours."

At one time, after Mr. H. had been refusing some favor from him, Nursoo remarked, "I would be willing to take out a piece of my flesh and give it to you if necessary." One day, after the birth of his little son, when we were in tents near his village, Nursoo's heart was so full of gratitude that his gifts seemed to have no limit. It was hard for us to express our thanks. "Don't thank me," he said; "thank the Lord alone. He has prospered me, and I want to do for you who have come from such a distance, and have done so much for us." When told to lay by something for himself and family for a time of need, he replied, "The Lord has had compassion on me, a miserable sinner, and now I wish to do all I can for others, for the poor and needy, and especially for the widow and the fatherless." And this he has done, in various ways. At a special meeting of the Watwad Christians, a few years since, the widows being especially invited, a garment was given by Nursoo to each of the latter who were present, ten or eleven in number, thus causing joy and relief to their hearts. Indeed, his home seems to be a place where the Christians, being ever welcome, love to go. A humble, modest man he always seems, of the lowest caste, too, being a watchman, or night guard, of his little village, and receiving in return for his services various perquisites for his support from the farmers there; yet his tall, upright figure, his pleasant, bright eye, and his kind, homely face seem really attractive.

One day the question was put to him by Mr. H., "Nursoo, what are you doing now for Christ?" No answer. Again the same question, and yet no reply. The third time, too, and the simple answer was, "Nothing."

But the poor man was evidently stirred in his soul. He went home and thought it all over. "I cannot read," he said to himself; "I am an ignorant man; but I can pray, and I'll do it."

So, night after night, Nursoo, before beginning his duties as watchman, goes off into a field, where he can be quite alone (for his house has but one room, where the whole family cook, eat, and sleep), and there, prostrating himself, he prays earnestly for a blessing on his own family, and that the Lord's kingdom might come in the hearts of his neighbors and friends.

And the fruit has already appeared. Several of the families near him have come out and fearlessly acknowledged Christ as their Saviour, their conversion being traced to his direct influence. Indeed, several from the higher classes of the Hindus were for a time so much influenced by him that many of their relatives and friends consulted together what should be done. "Nursoo," they said, "if you go on influencing our young men in this way, and disregarding the gods we worship, you will have to leave here, and then, if you have no work, what will you do? Will you go to the government official?"

"No."

"Will you go to your missionary?"

"No," was the answer; "I will not trouble him or anyone. I will try some other means of living, but if I fail, I will just fold my hands meekly, and commit my life again to Him who gave it."

The people seemed impressed by his reply, and, on thinking further of the matter, decided to have him remain in his work. And to-day he seems more highly respected in his village than ever before.—Selected.