FAKIR lived at Kalipator, which is one of the 714,000 villages of Bengal. When quite young he joined his countrymen in attending heathen festivals, and instructed by Brahmin priests, worshiped idols of wood and stone. He offered animal sacrifices, and paid the priests to burn incense, in order to keep on good terms with the idols. Fakir went on pilgrimage to several shrines, hoping thereby to merit salvation. He was quite ignorant of the glorious truth of Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5): “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”
Under the influence of the priests, his faith in Hinduism increased, and he named his eldest son “Juggernaut,” after the great idol, and his second son, “Baneshor,” that is, the god of the jungle.
One day a missionary came to the village, and Fakir heard from his lips the story of the Cross. He trembled as he thought of his lost condition, and the vain hopes of Hinduism.
It seemed as though a great light from Heaven shone into his dark heart, for he saw Jesus to be the true and only Saviour of poor sinners. Taking refuge in Him, he found peace.
God’s Word became his delight, and after receiving more instruction he confessed faith in Christ and was baptized. A storm of bitter persecution broke over his head, and his own relations became the tools in the hands of the priests to inflict severe punishment. He was made an outcast and looked upon as corrupt, for having dared to forsake the religion of his ancestors.
Fakir continued to witness for Christ, and many heard from him concerning God’s way of salvation. Many years have passed, and though Satan has opposed, and Fakir has been sorely tempted, yet having obtained the help which is from God he continued witnessing (Acts 26:2222Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: (Acts 26:22)).
God has done great things in that little village, and many of Fakir’s former persecutors are now preaching the faith they once sought to destroy. About thirty saved ones now gather weekly, and a little gospel testimony is maintained by those who, like Fakir, have been translated “out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.” This is a district where every village has its idol house and priests. Truly Fakir was a brand plucked from the burning, a trophy of God’s grace, from among the many millions of idolatrous India.
ML-11/25/1962