At Monghyr, near the banks of the River Ganges, there lived a family of korees (weavers). With a few simple implements they made stuffs and cloths, such as are used by Hindoos. The koree caste (or class) was one of the lowest, poorest, and most despised.
The husband of the family had heard the gospel of Christ; he believed it, and became a sincere Christian. At once his wife and family deserted him. Then in the middle of the night, when he was fast asleep, they set his house on fire, and he was awaked by the burning embers falling upon him. He instantly started up, seized his loom, and happily made his escape, through God’s mercy; but his house, clothes, and bed were burned to ashes.
He was denied shelter in the village, and was compelled for several months to remain outside under a tree. Here he worked his loom, and supported himself as best he could.
While living in this exposed situation, his wife returned to him, and declared her determination to be a Christian too. He was soon afterward joined by his brother, and his wife and children, who also made up their minds to follow the Lord Jesus.
With no better protection than the tree afforded, they all lived together for a considerable time. The village people refused to allow them to live with them, and the zemindars (lanwners) would not give them another plot of land on which to build a house outside the village. Thus they really became outcasts for Christ.
But the Lord, in whom they trusted, supplied their simple wants, comforted them in their difficulties, and enabled them to say, “We were living very happily under the tree.”
These poor outcasts were full of joy, because of the precious portion they had by faith in a Christ whose riches are unsearchable and everlasting.
ML 02/24/1946