p. 1 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 45. (11/17/1914)

Signs of the Times

Nov 17, 1914

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 17, 1914

Telegraph and Postal Communication in India

By G. W. Pettit

SECTION OF RAILWAY THROUGH JUNGLE IN INDIA. NOTE THE NUMEROUS TELEGRAPH WIRES ON THE SIDE.

A Network of Communicating Wires— Postal Service Carried Even into the Jungles—Remarkable Proficiency of Car- riers—Find You Wherever You Are— Facilities for the Messengers of His Coming By G. W. PETTIT

LAST week Elder Pettit told of the network of railways that thread the great land of India. The whole country is brought into close intercommunication. His article this week, on the efficient telegraph and postal system, supplements what was said in the last issue, and helps to emphasize the transforming and civilizing work that is in progress. What a significant preparation for the world-embracing message of the Coming One! EDITOR.

THE use of the modern mail and telegraph systems has long been in vogue in India, but they are rapidly extending to the remotest parts of the country. Not only are the mails brought to almost every door in the cities and towns, but the delivery extends even to the jungle.

POSTAL SERVICE EVEN TO THE JUNGLES

When we consider that by far the larger part of the India population are wholly illiterate, there can not be any doubt that, on the whole, the business of this department of government is systematically and carefully handled. It is estimated that only about seven per cent of India's 317,000,000 souls can either read or write.

Some facts relative to the postal system in India will serve to show how successfully the work is carried on in spite of the fact that ninety-three per cent of the population can neither read nor write. During the year 1913, there were handled and delivered by the postal authorities 1,014,000,000 articles of mail. This included papers, letters, post-cards, packages, etc. Parcel-post, which is well established in the empire, extends to even the most isolated districts of the jungle. One may send by parcel-post anything from a large trunk to a paper of pins. The rates are very reasonable.

PHENOMENAL GROWTH

During the years 1879 and 1880 there were sent out 140,000,000 letters and less than 12,000,000 newspapers. The growth is shown when we compare this with the work done in 1913, when there were delivered by the postmen 890,000,000 letters and 60,000,000 newspapers. These figures strikingly testify to the comprehensiveness of its organization and the thoroughness with which the masses have been educated to use the postal service. Rural delivery is effected by means of branch post-offices supplemented by thousands of village postmen, who are practically projecting branch offices, in addition to delivery of mails, paying money-orders, and registering letters, etc.

THE POSTMAN WILL FIND YOU

Many of these men have little education, being scarcely able to read in their own tongue, and can not read a line in English; yet in some way they hunt you up and deliver that letter or paper. We have been in various sections of the empire, but have never had reason to complain of the way these men did their work. After being in the country for a time, one loses all that uneasiness which is felt at first. Out of over two thousand articles, including letters, papers, etc., that have been addressed to us since we have been in India, we do not believe we have lost a total of one half dozen. These government servants seem to be perfectly reliable, and usually are very obliging men.

MONEY AND POSTAL SAVINGS-BANKS

There has been devised an excellent system of postal savings-banks throughout the country, where the native is encouraged to save from his meager earnings. A total of millions of pounds is thus deposited by the people of the country, mostly in small amounts.

We have an excellent system of "collect on delivery," which is very beneficial to the people. Too, we find that in our literature work we can make use of this to a great extent. One copy of a periodical is sent collect on delivery; and if the person to whom it is sent desires the paper for the year, he turns in to the postman the amount to cover the same, and this is returned to the office. The money sent by money-order is delivered to one's door, never in the shape of a money-order, but in cash.

I have been twenty-five miles away from the railway, out in the jungle, and in need of money, and have gone to the jungle post-office and sent a wire for money, and in a little while the money was delivered to my door. But little money is lost in this way, although millions of pounds is thus handled annually.

GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION AND FAST MAIL-TRAINS

The postmaster-general and his staff are able men, and are almost constantly on the road, inspecting, devising new methods, and working to unify the system. He and many of his staff are Europeans, as well as many of those who serve under him in the various presidencies. Each presidency has its postmaster-in-chief.

The postmaster-general and the presidency postmaster-general have very great powers vested in them. They control not only his majesty's mail, but the mail-trains as well. The special mail-trains, though operated by the various railway companies, are under the orders of the government. These trains make close connection with the weekly mail-boats, and leave by order of the presidency postmaster-general. When a mail-boat pulls into port, these special trains stand on the track ready to take the mails in every direction to the ends of the empire. One train will be bound for Madras, or south India, and another for Calcutta, or east coast, and still another for Delhi, the north of India. The railways make all lines clear for these government mail-trains; and as soon as the mails are segregated, the postmaster-general of the presidency is notified, and at his discretion he may send them at once, or for any valid reason, may hold them. Generally they are quickly despatched, and go with maddened speed to the end of their line, making only a few stops in their rush to reach their destination. In order to serve the best interests of the people and the government, but few passengers are usually carried on these trains, and those for long distances only.

CHEAP POSTAL RATES

Letters cost one cent for any place within the bounds of the empire. Postal cards as used in America cost one half cent. Other rates are correspondingly cheap. Newspapers, however, are somewhat higher than in America, not

POST-OFFICE AT RANIKHETT, INDIA, COVERED WITH SNOW

being sent out by pound rates. Books, parcels, money-orders, and ordinary packages are sent by the ounce at a very reasonable rate.

THE TELEGRAPH

The telegraph is under government ownership, and directed by the postmaster-general. Almost every post-office of the country is a telegraph office. Thus the two serve together, and oftentimes it costs but little more to send by telegraph than by mail. While in the large cities we have separate telegraph offices, yet generally the post-office and the railway station are the only places in the city for sending telegrams or receiving them. The operators are usually young men of the country, and become very expert in the art of transmitting messages.

MILES OF WIRE, ALSO WIRELESS

During the year 1913, the telegraph system was extended by 2,284 miles of line and 11,691 miles of wire, giving at the end of the year 1913 a total of 78,862 miles of line, the total number of miles of wire being 311,034.

The first telegraph line in operation in India was used in 1851, and consisted of only eighty-two miles. In the year 1852 it was extended so there were 3,050 miles, and in 1857 there were 4,555 miles in use.

Radio telegraphy was first introduced in India by the government in the year 1905. It has been now extended and perfected so there are eight principal stations where messages may be sent to sea or over the mainland by private companies or individuals.

LOW RATES OF TELEGRAPH SERVICE

Distance does not increase the cost of telegrams in India. It is no more expense to send a message for a distance of 2,000 miles, than for one mile, just so long as it goes anywhere within the borders of Hindustan. The minimum rate is twelve words for twelve cents, to be sent to any part of the country. This, too, includes delivery within a radius of a few miles of the station to which the message is sent. Thus it will be observed that the rates have been reduced to

the lowest figure at which good service can be maintained. Nearly all telegraph lines are owned by the government, therefore there is no competition.

FOR THE SERVICE OF THE MISSIONARY

The value of these conveniences in the promulgation of the gospel of Christ to all India can not be fully estimated. A missionary can send a letter to a friend in the empire or across the waters with but little fear of loss. Letters not only help to keep the missionaries in isolated places of courage, but as well enable them to keep in touch with those for whom they have been laboring. In sickness or emergency, it often happens that the telegraph service of India is used to bring relief. When a worker has worked beyond his strength, in this trying field, and is compelled to make a change to save his life, the telegraph service, which is so cheap, is of vast importance, as another may be called to take the place, and thus the work moves on under such circumstances with but little interruption.

GOD LEADING THE WAY

Surely the hand of God has gone before us and provided these things for the accomplishing of a speedy work in India. They enable us to send literature to the ends of

this land at but little cost, and gospel literature has a very important part to play in reaching the masses in this land. Too, cable-grams may be sent from any part of the empire to England at very moderate rates.

While these things are much to the commercial world, no one so much appreciates the blessings that come through these agencies as does the missionary for Christ. When used with consecrated hearts, they help to bring about that glad day when Christ will return to reap the harvest of the earth.

"And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give Him glory; for the hour of His Judgment is come: and worship Him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters." Rev. 14: 6, 7.

"I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud I saw one sitting like unto a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send forth thy sickle and reap; for the hour to reap is come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, he that hath power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send forth thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe." Verses 14-18.

That day hastes greatly, and these things both serve as a sign of it and help to carry the good news of the coming Redeemer. The writer looks forward to that day, believing that from India will come forth a large number to stand with the faithful of all the earth on the sea of glass.

God Is Love

By M. A. H.

HIS character is shown in thought and action. His thought is expressed in action. His action is expressed in His law. His law is love, an expression of His character. The climax of His character is rest — Sabbath. M. A. H.

Successful Training of Children

By Mrs. E. G. White

COMRADESHIP BETWEEN FATHER, MOTHER, AND CHILDREN — CHEERFULNESS IN THE HOME THE HOUR OF WORSHIP

By Mrs. E. G. White

The home should be to the children the most attractive place in the world, and the mother's presence should be its greatest attraction. Children have sensitive, loving natures. They are easily pleased, and easily made unhappy. By gentle discipline, in loving words and acts, mothers may bind their children to their hearts.

REGARD THEIR SENSITIVE FEELINGS

Young children love companionship, and can seldom enjoy themselves alone. They yearn for sympathy and tenderness. That which they enjoy, they think will please mother also; and it is natural for them to go to her with their little joys and sorrows. The mother should not wound their sensitive hearts by treating with indifference matters that, though trifling to her, are of great importance to them. Her sympathy and approval are precious. An approving glance, a word of encouragement or commendation, will be like sunshine in their hearts, often making the whole day happy.

Instead of sending her children from her, that she may not be annoyed by their noise or troubled by their little wants, let the mother plan amusement or light work to employ the active hands and minds.

DIRECT THEIR AMUSEMENTS AND EMPLOYMENTS

By entering into their feelings, and directing their amusements and employments, the mother will gain the confidence of her children, and she can the more effectually correct wrong habits, or check the manifestations of selfishness or passion. A word of caution or reproof spoken at the right time will be of great value. By patient, watchful love, she can turn the minds of the children in the right direction, cultivating in them beautiful and attractive traits of character.

Mothers should guard against training their children to be dependent and self-absorbed. Never lead them to think that they are the center, and that everything must revolve around them. Some parents give much time and attention to amusing their children, but children should be trained to amuse themselves, to exercise their own ingenuity and skill. Thus they will learn to be content with very simple pleasures. They should be taught to bear bravely their little disappointments and trials. Instead of calling attention to every trifling pain or hurt, divert their minds, teach them to pass lightly over little annoyances and discomforts. Study to suggest ways by which the children may learn to be thoughtful for others.

PATIENTLY INSTRUCT THEM

But let not the children be neglected. Burdened with many cares, mothers sometimes feel that they can not take time patiently to instruct their little ones, and give them love and sympathy. But they should remember that if the children do not find in their parents and their home that which will satisfy their desire for sympathy and companionship, they will look to other sources, where both mind and character may be endangered.

For lack of time and thought, many a mother refuses her children some innocent pleasure, while busy fingers and weary eyes are diligently engaged on work designed only for adornment, something that, at best, will serve only to encourage vanity and extravagance in their young hearts. As the children approach manhood and womanhood, these lessons bear fruit in pride and moral worthlessness. The mother grieves over her children's faults, but does not realize that the harvest she is reaping is from seed which she herself planted.

BE UNIFORM IN TREATMENT

Some mothers are not uniform in the treatment of their children. At times they indulge them to their injury, and again they refuse some innocent gratification that would make the childish heart very happy. In this they do not imitate Christ. He loved the children. He comprehended their feelings, and sympathized with them in their pleasures and their trials.

THE FATHER'S RESPONSIBILITY

The husband and father is the head of the household. The wife looks to him for love and sympathy, and for aid in the training of the children; and this is right. The children are his as well as hers, and he is equally interested in their welfare. The children look to the father for support and guidance. He needs to have a right conception of life and of the influences and associations that should surround his family. Above all, he should be controlled by the love and fear of God and by the teaching

ing of His word, that he may guide the feet of his children in the right way.

The father is the lawmaker of the household; and, like Abraham, he should make the law of God the rule of his home. God said of Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household." There would be no sinful neglect to restrain evil, no weak, unwise, indulgent favoritism; no yielding of his conviction of duty to the claims of mistaken affection. Abraham would not only give right instruction, but he would maintain the authority of just and righteous laws. God has given rules for our guidance. Children should not be left to wander away from the safe path marked out in God's word, into ways leading to danger, which are open on every side. Kindly, but firmly, with persevering, prayerful effort, their wrong desires should be restrained, their inclinations denied.

The father should enforce in his family the sterner virtues, — energy, integrity, honesty, patience, courage, diligence, and practical usefulness. And what he requires of his children he himself should practise, illustrating these virtues in his own manly bearing.

COMBINE AFFECTION WITH AUTHORITY

But, fathers, do not discourage your children. Combine affection with authority, kindness and sympathy with firm restraint. Give some of your leisure hours to your children. Become acquainted with them. Associate with them in their work and in their sports, and win their confidence. Cultivate friendship with them, especially with your sons. In this way you will be a strong influence for good.

The father should do his part toward making home happy. Whatever his cares and business perplexities, they should not be permitted to overshadow his family. He should enter his home with smiles and pleasant words.

FAMILY WORSHIP IMPORTANT

In a sense the father is the priest of the household, laying upon the family altar the morning and evening sacrifice. But the wife and the children should unite in prayer, and join in the song of praise. In the morning, before he leaves home for his daily labor, let the father gather his children about him, and, bowing before God, commit them to the care of the Father in heaven. When the cares of the day are past, let the family unite in offering grateful prayer and raising the song of praise, in acknowledgment of divine care during the day.

Fathers and mothers, however pressing your business, do not fail to gather your family around God's altar. Ask for the guardianship of holy angels in your home. Remember that your dear ones are exposed to temptations. Daily annoyances beset the path of young and old. Those who would live patient, loving, cheerful lives must pray.

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Successful Training of Children

(Continued from page 3)

Only by receiving constant help from God can we gain the victory over self.

CHEERFULNESS, COURTESY, AND LOVE

Home should be a place where cheerfulness, courtesy, and love abide; and where these graces dwell, there will abide happiness and peace. Troubles may invade, but these are the lot of humanity. Let patience, gratitude, and love keep sunshine in the heart, though the day may be ever so cloudy. In such homes angels of God abide.

Let the husband and the wife study each other’s happiness, never failing in the small courtesies and little kindly acts that cheer and brighten the life. Perfect confidence should exist between husband and wife. Together they should consider their responsibilities. Together they should work for the highest good of their children. Never should they in the presence of the children criticize each other’s plans or question each other’s judgement. Let the wife be careful not to make the husband’s work for the children more difficult. Let the husband hold up the hands of his wife, giving her wise counsel and loving encouragement.

NO BARRIERS OF COLDNESS

No barrier of coldness and reserve should be allowed to arise between parents and children. Let parents become acquainted with their children, seeking to understand their tastes and dispositions, entering into their feelings, and drawing out what is in their hearts.

Parents, let your children see that you love them, and will do all in your power to make them happy. If you do so, your necessary restrictions will have far greater weight in their young minds. Rule your children with tenderness and compassion, remembering that “their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 18: 10. If you desire the angels to do for your children the work given them of God, cooperate with them by doing your part.

Brought up under the wise and loving guidance of a true home, children will have no desire to wander away in search of pleasure and companionship. Evil will not attract them. The spirit that prevails in the home will mold their characters. They will form habits and principles that will be a strong defense against temptation when they shall leave the home shelter and take their place in the world.

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