INDIA IS a land of bright days and sunny skies, but little Gopaul had never seen the beauties of his home land, for he was born blind; more than that, he was an orphan. His only living relative was his old grandmother, with whom he made his home. They lived in a sort of cave dug in the ground and covered with tree limbs. With them also lived an old dog—Gopaul’s constant friend and companion. During the day the grandmother spun cotton in front of the cave and the poor blind boy, guided by a string tied to his faithful dog, went begging from house to house. His day might end with either praise or blame, depending on how much he had gleaned from his daily rounds.
“Poor Gopaul!” my readers might say. Indeed he was to be pitied as he was not only physically blind, but living in a land of heathen darkness, he was also spiritually blind. Nevertheless God had His eye upon him.
One morning Gopaul, guided by his faithful dog, made the usual round in the neighborhood. The sun in the Indian heavens sent its rays upon the poor bareheaded boy. Sweat poured down his brow and face. As he wandered about, the dog led his master through an open gate. Behind some trees the faithful anal discovered a house, in front of which rested a European gentleman, dressed in white. As they drew near the dog stood still, and by a peculiar growl, gave notice to the blind boy that they were in the presence of someone. At once the boy bowed again and again until his head nearby touched the ground. However, he was unaware that he was bowing to a courteous gentleman who would give him an alm, much less that he would lead him to the Lord Jesus.
This European missionary had laboured with much success in India. Filled with pity he looked on the poor blind boy standing before him clothed in dirty rags. Touched with sympathy, he asked the boy, “Where do you come from, and what do you want?”
Encouraged by the kind voice, he raised his brown face and in a pitiful voice said, “Boukka hy, Sahib (I am very hungry, sir).”
The missionary then threw a piece of money toward the boy to see if he were really blind, or if he might not try to catch it, but Gopaul rained indifferent. However the dog ran up, grabbed the money in his teeth, and laid it in the hand of his master.
Soon the man inquired further into the circumstances of the boy. He ascertained that the poor lad spoke the truth. Before long he had secured a suit of clothing for Gopaul with the promise that he would come daily to the nearby school. Here he would learn verses and repeat them to the younger children every day. He would then receive enough money to keep him from begging and to take care of his old grandmother.
“Good, very good, Sahib!” cried the boy. “Sahib, my father, and a very good father for poor Gopaul.”
Every day the faithful dog lead his master to school and waited at the door to take the happy boy, clutching his money, back to the grandmother’s hovel. The boy seemed diligent and steadfast, and like most blind people, had an usually good memory. In a short time he had learned many verses and did not forget them. However, the missionary feared that the boy did not get the meaning of the verses, but merely repeated them parrot-fashion. But we will see if the good man was right.
Not long after this the missionary had to be away for two months. On his return he visited the school, but in vain looked for Gopaul. He was told that some weeks before his grandmother had come and dragged him away. The poor woman, who was an ignorant idol worshipper, had been told that the boy was learning many evil words from the gospel book, and so induced the wrath of their gods.
On the evening of the same day the missionary hastened to the pitiful dwelling place of the old woman. He entered the narrow opening and noticed the poor blind boy lying on a bamboo bed, with a pillow of rags under his head. The faithful dog, watching at the foot of his master, sprang up at once to greet the visor.
“Gopaul, my dear, are you sick?” the kind man was asking as he drew near. The boy, thinking it was his grandmother, answered in a weak voice that grew louder, “Oh, Mother, let me die! I cannot stay any longer in this dark place! Look there—oh how bright! I am going where it is all light! Oh, Mother, believe me, the words are true that I learned at school. Yes it is true, God sent His Son into the world to die for sinners.”
In a plain voice he said, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes’ shall behold, and not another.”
Twice he repeated the passages, but on the third attempt his voice failed, and he fell back exhausted upon the dirty rags.
Huge tears filled the eyes of the missionary. He recognized here a precious trophy of his labors. Dropping on his knees he adored the One who had counted him worthy to find this hidden jewel and place him in the crown of his Redeemer forever.
Another day and night and the voice of the blind boy ceased forever on this earth. And what were his last words?
“I see, I see!” he cried, “Now I have light, light! I can see Him in all His beauty! Tell my Sahib that he who was blind can now see. Glorious! Glorious!” With these words he gently fell asleep and angels carried his happy spirit beyond. There he shall see what eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. (1 Cor. 2:99But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9).)
ML-05/11/1969