WHEN we consider Britain’s vast Empire of India, it is well to remember how it was won, how it was re-conquered after the Sepoy mutiny in 1857, and has since then been held by the troops of Great Britain. The peace which has reigned there for many years depends, humanly speaking, on the powerful standing army which is kept up in that country.
The troops are stationed in numerous garrisons, which are to be found all over the land. The soldiers quartered in these have therefore a strong claim on our sympathy, and form a considerable portion of our many-sided responsibilities.
Considering a little more closely the soldiers’ life in India, we may readily comprehend many of the difficulties and hardships peculiar to their lot. Far from home and friends, many of them removed from home influences early in life, exposed to many temptations, and often led astray by bad companions: the climate is oppressive, and barrack life very monotonous and cheerless.
On every hand the soldier is surrounded by places purposely designed to attract and entrap him, and prey upon his slender means. Many youths who resolved to live well have given way to adverse influence, and have been drawn down into habitual sin, and consequent remorse and misery.
Such considerations of special and urgent need on the one hand, and on the other the yet more powerful incentive of the constraining love of Christ, together with His over-mastering command to carry His Gospel to every creature, have impelled many of His dear servants to yield themselves wholly to Him, for His work in caring for the souls of these soldier lads.
Several homes have been established in India for Gospel missions to soldiers, at some of the principal garrisons: but these are few compared with the numbers of stations where no such home exists at present.
The writer has a special interest in one of these Soldiers’ Mission Homes, having had intimate personal acquaintance with the Lord’s servants, Mr. and Mrs. Dannefoerd, who have established it at Poona, about four hours’ distant by rail from Bombay.
Our friends went to India about four years ago from New Zealand, having it laid on their hearts to devote themselves to Gospel work among the soldiers.
About 4,000 troops are regularly stationed at Poona, which is an important military center. There are three large barracks, four hospitals, and a military prison.
At all these Mr. Dannefoerd diligently visits, and is able to deal personally with many of the men.
Subsequently he felt it was necessary, in order more effectively to reach the soldiers, to provide a home for their use: and after laying the matter earnestly before the Lord, and feeling assured of His guidance, Mr. Dannefoerd took a bungalow suitable for the purpose, and conveniently situated, and adapted it thoroughly for the ends in view.
There is a spacious, cheerful sitting-room, comfortably furnished with tables and seats, wide airy verandahs, shaded with foliage: and to this pleasant, homelike place the soldiers from the barracks are freely welcomed, and made thoroughly at home. Refreshments are provided at a very moderate price, so that there may be no occasion to resort to any other place.
For the same reason, the rooms are kept open until the men are due to return to the barracks by midnight.
Gospel addresses are given every evening, and twice a week Bible classes are held for those who like to attend.
Mr. Dannefoerd’s happy and cheerful disposition wins the confidence of the men: his experience of soldiers’ habits and peculiarities gives him a great influence over them: and the simple, earnest, personal pleading of the Gospel has been greatly blessed.
While deeply feeling the responsibilities of undertaking this work, Mr. Dannefoerd had very strong assurance the Lord had called him to supply this great need, and he had the fullest confidence in God that He would sustain the work, and provide the means.
These have been sent month after month, and all that was needed for rent and expenses have been sent in unsolicited, simply in answer to prayer. The Lord has very graciously led His people, as stewards of His goods, to contribute to the work, and not only from India, but from New Zealand, Australia, and Great Britain.
While God’s servants may help in sending supplies, only God Himself can quicken dead souls, and this is the chief end in view. It is, therefore, with great joy and encouragement we have been permitted to see what God hath wrought, month after month, in establishing souls in Christ. Many godless, careless men have been converted to God: backsliders restored: believers helped on to a closer walk with God.
Many among these have become earnest and ardent winners of souls to Christ.
Every now and then regiments are ordered away, and others take their places: and so the work begins again with a fresh set of men.
A newly-arrived regiment of about a thousand men is immediately visited and searched for the Christians among them; efforts are made to get them to come to the home, and help to get in their comrades.
Not long ago, in a whole regiment, not one Christian could be found, but now, praise God, there are several who have been converted at the Mission Home.
By means of the home, Christians of different regiments get to know each other, and so can help each other, and remember one another in prayer.
And so the work goes on, begun, and continuing in prayer, and fruitful in praise to God, in hearts and lives.
This is but another little piece of the one great work of Christ, over which our blessed Master presides from His seat at the right hand of the Throne of God. How small a portion of His great vineyard can any one of us know, but it is a blessing from Him when we get acquainted with any of His works, and are permitted to co-operate with Him in any of His services of love; whether in prayer like Epaphras (Col. 4:1212Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)), or by contributing supplies like the fruit-bearing Philippians (Phil. 4:15-1715Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. (Philippians 4:15‑17)); or being in readiness for more direct service when called. The writer knows these workers and their work so well, that he heartily commends it as being undertaken, and carried on, for the glory of God and blessing of souls.
I shall be happy to give further information, of forward communications.
JOHN HENRY LOWE,