It is the earnest desire of the soldier, whose photograph appears with this article, that the name of the Lord Jesus may be magnified by what is herein recorded.
The subject of this narrative was born of Hindu parentage in March, 1886. His mother dying when he was but nine years of age, an uncle took him to his home in order to provide him with a good education, his grandfather (an eminent Tamil Pandit) giving him at the same time some Hindu religious teaching. When able to read and write Tamil he was sent to a school for the purpose of learning some English, receiving also some instruction about Christianity. By his father’s directions he was soon removed from this school, and sent to another established by the Government, where there was no religious instruction whatever. I might here remark that the subject of this brief sketch took a peculiar delight in reading and studying some old books, made by his grandfather. These books, constructed of Palmyra leaves, treated principally of things pertaining to Hinduism. His enquiring turn of mind led him to be ever on the look-out (as the Athenians of old) and others for opportunities of either telling, or hearing, some new thing.
Salvation Sought
For an Hindu boy his devotion to religion was most marked, fasting and worshipping at this time Ganesh, one of the Hindu gods, having an elephant’s face,, desiring that he would reveal to him the truth, if Hinduism was the true religion. Having no revelation from Ganesh, and no satisfaction from his worship, he began to discuss the matter, as to the truth of Christianity, at home, only to be forbidden to speak of such things; thinking, however, to satisfy in some measure the craving of the lad, a book was given to him called Bhagawat-Gita. In this book one of the Hindu Incarnations, the god Krishna, enjoins them all to faithfulness in their religion, promising that they will in no wise lose their reward. This, however, gave the lad no satisfaction, and having explained something of the experiences he had been passing through, he was again requested to fast and worship a family goddess. This was done, but all to no purpose.
Salvation Found
With a real desire to know the difference between Hinduism and Christianity, he eventually wrote to a well-known missionary, expressing a wish to study the latter. This was in March, 1902, and some little time after, whilst under the care of an Indian missionary, he became convinced of his need of salvation, and that Christ Jesus the Lord was the real and only Saviour of sinners. With a simple trust in the person and work of Christ he soon expressed a longing desire to be baptized, and this ceremony was arranged for Christmas Day, 1902. On the evening before, however, he was attacked with cholera, and the doctors gave him no hope of recovery. Strong in his intention to be baptized, an old Christian in the district was called, whilst the wife of the Indian missionary already referred to took the necessary steps, and with prayer at her heart suggested the name Moses be given him, the reason given being that God was able to save this lad, as He did ancient Moses from the Nile, and He did.
Now the birth-name of the lad was Nahappan, meaning “Father of Serpents,” one of the Hindu gods. After he became a Christian he was called Gnanappan, “Father of Wisdom,” his father’s family name being Ramasamy, he was called after his baptism, R. G. Moses. I owe boundless gratitude to my dear friend, he told me, for educating and explaining to me the truths of Christianity. He will undoubtedly receive the promised reward of Mark 9:4141For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41).
Sometime after the conversion of Moses, his brother and two of his cousins embraced the truth of Christianity, and were baptized in the name of Christ.
Salvation Enjoyed
In December, 1909, Moses was called to the deathbed of his aged grandmother, who protected him after his mother’s death. Great was his amazement when, on speaking to her of Christ, she exclaimed, “He glorified God.” “Glory to His Holy Name.” “And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you” (Isa. 46:44And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4)). As He Himself said, “A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench” (Matt. 12:2020A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (Matthew 12:20)).
How wonderful His words!
His Name be praised forever!
In March, 1910, Moses enlisted in the 83rd Wallajahbad Light infantry, and soon began to witness a good confession of Christ amongst his comrades. Finding several other native Christians in the regiment, he eventually formed a branch of the Soldiers’ Christian Association, the monthly official organ of which is “Ready.” In this connection an interesting incident may be recorded. Two European Christian soldiers were traveling on the same train as a detachment of the 83rd W.L.I. When the train was stopped, one of the native Christians of this regiment caught sight of “Ready,” which was being read by the two white soldiers. Not being able to speak to them in English, he hastened to tell his companions, the result being that Moses came on the scene, and recognizing one of them, enjoyed a brief period of Christian fellowship together.
On the outbreak of the great war, the 83rd W.L.I. were ordered on active service to—, and Lance Nazak (LanceCorporal) Moses was left behind to take up duty as hospital Havildar (Sergeant) on board the hospital ship L—, then engaged in taking British sick and wounded from an Eastern port to England, returning with Indian wounded en route for India. On one occasion the L—, outward bound with a large number of sick and wounded on board, came into collision at dead of night with a G—, the latter of which was sunk. “I was fast asleep at the time,” Moses told me, “when a friend came and awoke me, telling of the danger. ‘I have no fear of death,’ I said, ‘I am a Christian.’” Through the goodness of God, Havildar Moses’ life was saved, and he was transferred shortly afterward to the hospital ship S—sailing between A—and D—, eventually joining the—Indian Field Ambulance, and is still (July, 1917) serving with his unit “Somewhere in the East.”
The following extracts taken from some of Havildar Moses’ letters may be of interest:—
“The trials of warfare have been severe, difficulties and dangers have surrounded me on every hand, yet I have had no fear. The Captain of the Host is with me every step I take. He leads me.”
“I was very glad to receive your parcel, which I distributed amongst my comrades. I thank you for remembering me before the Lord. We may go to the firing line soon, and I desire that you pray that I may glorify His holy name in life, or in death.”
“His promises are true, and wonderful, and I prove them day by day. I feel His presence every moment around me, and I can, in the language of Psalms 23:4,4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) say, ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.’”
“I desire the prayers of the Christians for me in my testimony amongst my Indian comrades; I can lift up my head towards heaven, where Christ ever lives for me, knowing His ability to save completely those who approach by Him to God, always living to intercede for them (Heb. 7:25,25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) N.T.), and we shall meet each other on the day when the Lord Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven to take us to be with Himself.”
How much it means for a Hindu to take a stand for Christ, to forsake all and follow Him! How few of us know anything of it! Yet many from India will be found forming part of the Body of Christ, and thus giving joy to His heart when He presents the Church to Himself, glorious, having no spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing (Eph. 5. 27, N.T.).
The night is far spent, and as the dawn of the morning without clouds to the Christian draws nigh, may each in the spirit of the good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3,43Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:3‑4)) have increased desire to make known the blessed story of redeeming love to the vast millions who have never heard it.
J.J. PIPER.
Note. —The account of the death of Havildar R. G. Moses, who was killed by a Sepoy, is given in the April number of “Message from God.” The account of the “going home” of our beloved friend and brother, Mr. J. J. Piper, the writer of this article, is given in the May number of “A Message from God.” Mrs. Piper’s address Isaiah 2, Canterbury Road, West Worthing.