It is good to get letters from one who is alone in India so full of trust in God. She writes: ―
“If any human being has proved these words true, I am sure I have. ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.’ ...It is wonderful His leading and guidance. One thing has upheld me in all the hard places: that I am in His will so far as I know it. At first there was bitter opposition to the Name of the Lord Jesus; that is all gone. Now there is a friendly attitude. My life here is just living amongst the people and gaining influence over them for miles around. No one but God knows what I went through till I had won them; now they come to me in their troubles and joys.”
My friend has occasionally unique speaking to travelers caught in a storm, and who are softened by the kind hospitality shown. Many earnest words have been spoken to careless hearts; the little Gospels given with the earnest request to read a portion each day, and suitable booklets. Will the reader pray that our Lord will abundantly answer her longing desire, that the Name of the Lord Jesus, may be exalted all over these hills”?
There is no European within miles, and eight days’ march from the railway station. What a test of faith it must be, alone in the present state of unrest. She writes: —
“Someone set fire to the back of this place. Fortunately it was seen in the daytime. There was no time for anything but the prairie way, to, set them all running to set fire to everything above a certain line, and the flames rolled up to meet those coming down, and the place was: saved.”
So full of interest and sadness, the trials some of these people pass through. My friend has already gone through the horrors of the great famine, among the people on the plains, but she broke down after it was over. Can we wonder, after the dreadful sights and sounds?
She writes: ―
“It is such a desperate struggle-for many of these hill people: all tenderness and sympathy gets-crushed out of them. What a cruel world! May the dear Lord come soon... Now the harvest has failed again; half or more than half failed. Next harvest is in May. I, do not know what will happen; all reserves gone the past year; on the edge of famine; used everything up; we are in for evil times. May God in the midst of judgment remember mercy.”
In a previous letter, writing of the constant need around her: —
“God can undertake. He does everything so beautifully and unexpectedly. He will show in prayer if, any of His children are to help; if not He will arrange somehow. Just pray that God will in Ills own way undertake.”
A. A. L.
Let us pray.