South India by V. E. Peugh

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1914

South India

By V. E. Peugh

V. E. PEUGH

The work is onward in this part of the field. Many are interested in the truth. I believe that the printed page is one of the greatest means of spreading a knowledge of the truth in this dark land. This feature of our work is quite encouraging at the present. Our Tamil paper, the Present Truth, is having a wide circulation. The last edition printed consisted of five thousand copies. A little book of Bible readings, called "Bible Studies for the Church and Sabbath School," is also being widely circulated, along with several other smaller tracts on other phases of the message. Our ten native colporteurs are working on a commission basis, and are having good success. From all parts of the field we are hearing from those who have become interested in the truth through the reading of our papers and tracts, and are desirous of learning more of the message for this time.

We have just closed one of the best institutes with our colporteurs and mission workers that we have ever had in this part of the field. It was held during the week of prayer, and truly it was a feast of good things to all who attended. Elder Salisbury and Dr. Menkel were with us, and their talks were a great blessing and encouragement to all.

A short time before our last institute I spent a few weeks in the field with the Tamil journal. I had many good experiences while taking subscriptions for it. I secured subscriptions from all classes, from the Brahman to the outcaste. On one occasion, while in Madura, as I was canvassing under the shadow of the large Hindu temple, one of the largest in India, a Brahman subscribed for my paper and then began to canvass the crowds who had gathered about through curiosity. In a few minutes he secured several orders for me; and all I had to do was to write down the names and addresses. One day in the great heathen city of Madura I secured twenty-eight yearly subscriptions in six hours. In Trichinopoli, which is a strong Catholic and Hindu center, in six hours I secured twenty-one yearly subscriptions, besides selling several single copies. Within six days the Lord had blessed me with one hundred and thirteen yearly subscriptions for the journal. My limited experience has taught me that our missionaries may also have a part in scattering the vernacular literature in these darkened lands.

The school at Nazareth is doing good work, and the membership is steadily growing. Very soon we hope to have some good workers from it. Some of the Hindu boys who have attended the school for some time, have become very much interested in the Bible studies, and have expressed a determination to be baptized in spite of the determination of their parents to prevent them from doing so.

The dispensary is also doing well, considering the limited help we have for it. It is being operated now by a native brother and a native girl, both of whom have had only a limited amount of training. They treat about thirty patients daily. Even under such conditions, we are drawing patients from a well-equipped hospital because the patients are treated kindly by our workers.

Because of Brother Thomas's sickness, we expect to start to Nazareth the first of next week to fill the vacancy there. We find that it is necessary for the foreign missionary to be "all things to all men." This we hope, by the Lord's help, to be.

Trichinopoli.