A MISSION STORY FROM ASSAM.
THO Korno Siga had become chief, he was none the less interested in the spread of the Gospel among his people, and he was able to wield a wider influence for good than before. One day, when he had gone to look after some of the business interests of his tribe with an adjoining tribe, he sat down under a tall tree to eat his rice. A landholder of considerable note came and asked him many questions about his tribe, his religion, and his business interests. Korno Siga, always on the lookout for doing good to people, took his Testament and read from it some of the words of Jesus. The man, whose name was Habe, listened with great interest, and asked Korno Siga for a tract. He gave him a Gospel, and Habe, who had learned to read in a Hindu school, read it privately with great care. After six months he suddenly appeared at our bungalow. He sought Mr. Marston, and told him how Korno Siga had given him the sacred Book, and how he had studied it until he had decided to ask the missionary for Christian baptism. The missionary asked him if he had considered how much persecution he must suffer if he became a Christian. "Your tribe has adopted the Hindu religion; if you become a Christian, your people will cast you out, and call you a Christian dog. Your family will forsake you; your property will be confiscated, and you may become a homeless wanderer. Can you endure this for the sake of a religion which you heard of only six months ago, and which none of your tribe have embraced?" asked the missionary. Habe replied, "I have enjoyed such happiness and such liberty of soul since I believed in Christ, that I can endure all you have mentioned and more for His sake." And so he was baptized and went back to his village. The results were what the missionary predicted. His brothers took his land13from him; his wife and children forsook him; and he was obliged to build himself a little hut and live alone. Often was he spit upon and called a Christian dog by those who had formerly treated him with deference. Quietly and conscientiously did Habe endeavor to live out, before his people, the teaching of Christ, and as opportunity offered he earnestly besought them to study Christ's Word and life, and see for themselves what this new doctrine could do for them. When the time came for gathering in the rice crop, every available person in the villages was called into service. The rainy season was fast coming, and the rice must be gathered and stored before then. The villagers did not ask Habe to help them, for after their conduct to him they never thought he would lend them a helping hand. But, unsolicited, he worked day and night for the saving of their crops. When the crop was all harvested, the people gathered about Habe's hut and asked to be taught his religion. They had never known a man working day and night for his persecutors. They believed that Habe must have some spirit moving him of which they were ignorant. Gladly did the good man open to them the beautiful life and doctrines of the divine Christ, and they heard and believed, until one after another joined him, and a brotherhood of Christians was formed, and finally all the villagers became Christians. They built a church and a school, and Habe became their preacher and teacher. His wife and family came back to him, and accepted Jesus as their Saviour, and thus his home and all his surroundings were happier than they had ever been.—Messenger for Children.