A Sumatra Malay by Bernard Judge

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 31, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, Nos. 43, 44.

A Sumatra Malay

By Bernard Judge

Is it possible, I wonder, to give you a description of the Malay character as we find it here? Here comes a Malay now.

He approaches within a few yards, and with a polite bow, raises his hand in salute, saying "Tabeh tuan" (good morning, master). If he receives a reply, he comes a little closer. On asking what his quest may be, usually the reply is, "I request a little help, sir."

His appeals, his gestures, his deep earnestness, cause you to feel that his story is perfectly true. He receives the gift with thanks (tho originally there was no word for "Thank you" in the Malay language), politely salutes, bows, and is gone. But probably if you have believed that fellow, you have believed a rogue. No sooner is he gone than he laughs, as he thinks how easily you were imposed upon. The idea that he is loved for the Master's sake is an incomprehensible idea to the Malay.

You know, of course, that the Malay is a Moslem. Mohammedanism has been here for over three hundred years, but it has had no power to save a man or to change his character. But there is a power—the Gospel of Christ—that can change these hearts. Some gems lying amidst the rubbish and dust of Sumatra will shine throughout the eternal ages, to the glory of Him who has found and cleansed them by His own blood. Will you take some shares in this mine? We need facilities, and we need workers.

BERNARD JUDGE.

Padang, Sumatra.