How She Found Christ — Escape from a Persecuting Home
I WAS given in marriage according to Hindu custom at the age of ten years. When I was thirteen, I went to the home of my mother-in-law, where I passed a few happy years, for I was loved by my husband's people.
One day, while I was standing on the veranda talking with my mother-in-law, a European lady, accompanied by a Bengali, came up. I had never seen a white woman before, and I exclaimed, "See, a mem-sahib is coming!"
She stopped at our door, and asked if we would like to have her study the Bible with us; but my mother-in-law's "No" was very positive, and she turned away. She had gone but a few steps when mother-in-law asked her if she taught sewing. She said she would teach the child sewing if the child were permitted to study the Bible with her.
"No," said mother-in-law, "my daughter-in-law cannot study your Bible. As you have your book, so we have ours; why should you teach us your Bible?"
"Yes," said the missionary, "there are many so-called holy books; but there is one God, and His word is one only. Your book is written by men, and much of it is false."
"If she will teach me sewing, let her come," I said; "for if I can learn to make my own clothes, I can save you much. Why should I be afraid of her Bible?"
After a moment's thought, my mother-in-law replied: "Yes, I want you to learn to sew, but the men will not like it. They have forbidden me to open the door to any Christian."
"But," I answered, "what is the harm of letting a mem-sahib in? Bengalis who come to sell books and preach are to be feared; but just think, she will teach me sewing for nothing!"
"Girl, keep still," mother-in-law said; "this woman will not teach you without something in view."
When she saw my disappointment, however, she told the missionary that if she would come when the children were in school, and the men in the office, she might do so; therefore from twelve to two was appointed for my lesson. She told her she must leave exactly at two o'clock; for if the men should come home and find her there, she would not answer for the consequences.
One day, we did not notice the time, and the missionary remained longer than usual. Suddenly, from above the veranda where we were sitting, a brick came down with a crash, striking the missionary on the foot, and cutting it badly. We attempted to stop the flow of blood, but could not, whereupon I began to cry.
Leaders school for natives in India, sent several leaders.
"Do not cry," she said; "I am glad to suffer for Christ's sake. Your husband [for it was he who had thrown the brick] does not understand. Christ has suffered, and He has told us we will be persecuted for His sake; so I am thankful to have the privilege of suffering for Him." We had just been studying about Christ's death on the cross; so I understood her words, and marveled. I had never seen the like before.
She left, and I did not see her again for a year. Then I went with my husband's people to Kashi for a change. One day, a woman came to the door; and on looking up, I was overjoyed to see my missionary. She told us the reason she had not been back to see us was because she had been transferred to Kashi. As she was about to leave, I asked her where she lived.
"Not far from here," she said; "just over in the missionary cantonment. But why do you ask? Will you come to see me?" Then looking me straight in the face, she said: "Do you love Jesus? Will you forsake all for Him who forsook all for you?"
I said nothing; but I marveled that Jesus had forsaken all for me, and I longed to forsake all for Him.
A few days later, while the family were taking their noonday rest, I opened the gate, and with great trembling, started down the street in the direction of the mission. As I walked, I prayed, "Lord, I am forsaking all for You; show me the road to the missionary's home." I had never been on a street alone in my life, and I knew not where to go. I saw a gharri, and called it, and told the driver to drive very fast to the missionary's home.
TREE WORSHIPERS
We had scarcely started when my missionary threw a tract into my gharri. I called, "Mem-sahib! Mem-sahib!" and she stopped the gharri. "God has answered my prayer," I said, "and brought me to you."
"How did you get here?" she said, when she recognized me. "Have you run away?"
"Yes," I said. "Take me somewhere before they discover I am gone."
She got into the gharri, and told the driver to drive quickly to the station, where she bought tickets, and we took the train for a two days' journey to another mission. I was now far from home, and safe to serve Him whom I had chosen.
My people, upon learning that I had left the house, went at once to the mission, and demanded that I be brought out. But no one there knew anything about me, and could give no information. Then they called the police, who searched until they learned of my whereabouts. We were called into court, and on the witness stand I was asked if the missionary had stolen me away. "No," I said; "I ran away from home to her." As I was now of age, the case was dismissed, and I was left free to serve God.
