Battling and building amongst the Bhils

Presented to the
LIBRARY of the

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

by

THE SSTATE OF THE LATE
DR. L. W. BRYCE

Digitized by tine Internet Arcliive

in 2008 witli funding from

IVIicrosoft Corporation

littp://www.arcliive.org/details/battlingbuildingOOcliuruoft

Battling and Building
amongst the BhTls

Some TyiJical Ulnls

LONDON

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY

SALISBURY SQUARE, E.C
191 +

PREFACE

This little history has been written by a lady who asks that
it " may be published without her name being given, as the
information it contains is culled from many sources, and
many others have given helpful criticisms and contributions."
On behalf of those who have helped her I would express our
gratitude for the labour which has shaped the mass of
materials into the present interesting history. 1 have
myself as far as possible compared every statement with
the original sources and believe it is absolutely trustworthy.
It is sent out now for the information of many who have
asked for a book on the Bhil Mission, with the prayer that
God will so use it that all who read it may be helped to more
earnest and persevering prayer that the little Bhil Church
may be sanctified and built up in the Lord and become a
channel of life and blessing to its own land. Its trials and
temptations are many and great, and it needs all the help we
can give it in this way, for Satan will not let a district be
rescued from his rule of darkness, without putting forth his
best to keep it. Shall not we put self to death on the Cross
daily to make time for prayer to win this interesting tribe for
Christ, Who died upon the Cross for us and them ?

A. I. BIEKETT.

CONTENTS

( ll.VrTKH

I. BiiiL Characteristics and Customs

II. Pioneering .

III. The Dawn of Light .

IV. Advance
V. Times of Blessing

VI. Kherwara and Education

VII. BiLADIA

VIII. KOTRA ....

IX. Medical Work

X. Church Organization .

XI. Women's Work in Camp and Station
Appendices .....

I'AOB

9
16

24
32
43
51
GO
G4
69
74
80
87

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Some Typical Bhils

Drawing Water from a Well ....

A Hiiulu Potter in the Bhil Coiuitrv

A Bhil Baby and his Cradle ....

A Group of Ancestral Stones ....

Claj- Horses dedicated to a goddess

IBhil Converts preaching to Recipients of Famine Relief

The Rev. C. S. Thompson ....

Four Generations of Christian Bhils

Famine Relief Work : Building Temporary Houses

Memorial to the Rev. C. S. Thompson .

The House of Sat Guru Das ....
Samlaji : a Hindu Sacred Place . . .
Hindu Traders captured by Bhils .
Group of Bhagats who became Christians
Giving Medicine to Famine Sufferers

The Rev. J. W. Goodwin

Mrs. Birkett attending Women and Children Famine Sufferer
Lusadia Church : Congregation laying the Tiles
Lusadia Church : After the Dedication Service

A Bhil Greeting

Bhils bringing Grass for Jiuilding Sheds

LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS

Bhil Woman in Gala Press

Thompson Memorial School, Khcrwava

All Saints' Church, Kherwara

Bhil Thieves at Work

A Village School

The Boys' Orphanage at J5ilad

A Bhil Farm .

St. Andrew's Church, Biladia

A Bhil Church Band

" A nice, open-faced youth "

Cart to carry away the Spirit of Sickness from a Villag

The Medical Mission Premises at Lusadia

Opening a new Ward, Lusadia Medical Mission

Starting out on an Itineration

Hospital Staff and Patients, Lusadia

The Church at Mori ....

The Beginnings of a Congregation .

A Bullock Waggon ....

Some Christian Children at Lusadia

On the Way to a Camping Ground

Bhil Woman in Working Dress

Orphan Girl with Water Pot .

Drawing Water from a Well

CHAPTER I

BHIL CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS

Far off the beaten track frequented by globe trotters, and Features
with few features of attraction to lead visitors to face the
difficulties of the route, on the borderland of Rajputana and
Gujarat, lies the sphere of the C.M.S. Mission to. the Bhils.
Range after range of low-lying hills, rising to a height of
1000 to 3000 ft. above sea-level, some covered with stunted
trees and brushwood, others clothed with the graceful foliage
of the bamboo, succeed each other ; and some of the prettiest
spots in India are to be found amongst these hills to reward
the traveller who penetrates into these remote regions. The
country is intersected with rivers, the courses of which are
tortuous in the extreme, and alas, in the great heat, when the
need is greatest, they dry up, with the exception of a few
pools here and there, where the river bed is deepest or is
overshadowed by friendly rocks or trees. They seem to
typify the various religious systems which have been current
in this country — at best broken cisterns whose waters have
failed to meet the dire need of those who relied on them.

The Bhils ' are one of the aboriginal tribes of India, wlio Race

' The number of the whole race used to be estimated at 2,()()0,000,
l)ut after the famine of 1903 the census of 1901 gave their number as
1,20(J,000. The 1911 census gives it as 1,635,988. These figures arc.only

10 imlL CHAUACTKUISTU'S AND CUSTOMS

in the times of the Mcahribharat were lords of all the
countries through which they are now sparsely scattered.
They were driven to take refuge in the hilly country by
successive invasions of Hindus and Mohannnedans, the last
Bhil kingdom being the small state of Jhabra, which was
conquered by the ancestor of the present Eajput chief in
A.D. 1550. Driven from the good land, they took to robbery
and cattle lifting, proving troublesome neighbours to the
Rajput chiefs, who treated them with great cruelty. The
Marathas impaled them on the spot, or burnt them to death
chained to a red-hot iron seat, if caught red-handed com-
mitting serious crimes.

The race is endogamous, but is divided into an almost
endless number of exogamous septs or clans, each with its
own tutelary deity. If two septs happen to have the same
tutelary deity they do not intermarry.

The Bhil men are generally slight of stature and of
medium height, and they allow their long, straight hair to
grow until it reaches their shoulders. Their appearance is
not suggestive of wealth, many of them only wear a dirty rag
round the head and a loin cloth, and go barefoot. The
women, who often in their youth are exceedingly good-looking
and gi-aceful, adorn themselves with many ornaments, their
arms and legs being covered with cheap bangles and
anklets. Their dress consists of a short, full petticoat of
red or dark green material, a long blue or red shawl covers
the head and is drawn over the body, and beneath it they
wear a very diminutive bodice. The children, bright, lovable
little beings, are rarely troubled with garments until they
reach the age of eight or nine.

By disposition the Bhils are lazy, suspicious, and addicted
to drink, while murder often hardly troubles their conscience
more than a cat is troubled by kilhng a mouse. They are
loyal to their own people, generally kind to their women,
respectful to their elders, and exceedingly hospitable. They

approximate, as the Bhils are very shy of the enumerator. The C.M.S.
Mission works only amongst Bhils living in native States. These are
ruled by Indian princes with the advice of British Political Officers.

nniL CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS

11

are almost all heavily in debt, and the tradesmen and money-
lenders in dealing with them take advantage of their ignorance
to oppress them in the most unscrupulous manner. Wages
among them are low in the extreme, varying from twopence
to threepence a day, while women are paid at even lower
rates than these.

Tlie Blills are polygamists when they are sufiQciently Customs
well off to afford more than one wife. When women reach

A Hindu Potter in the BIVil Country

a marriageable age they are purchased as wives at a price of
about four pounds. To them is delegated most of the hard
work, but they go in and out to their fields, or to cut wood and
grass on the hills, and thus enjoy far more freedom than
their Hindu or Mohammedan sisters. Widows frequently
remarry. Divorce is sometimes practised by men and is
easily accomplished.

The poorer huts are built of wattle and daub, and tlie Dwellings
roof is thatched with grass and leaves, over which heavy
boughs are laid to guard it against the wind. Where the

12

BHIL CHAKACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS

owner is better off, the walls of his dwelling are composed of
pressed mud, and the roof is tiled. The house is surrounded
by a hedge of brushwood, or cactus, to keep out wild animals
and robbers. These houses have seldom more than one room,
which is shared with the cattle of the establishment.

The furniture is extremely simple, consisting in most
cases of a bedstead, a few cooking pots, two or three large
earthenware bins made of sun-dried clay for storing grain, a
pestle for husking rice, a hand-mill, one or two drinking
vessels of brass or earthenware, and a bamboo cradle which
swings by cords from the roof, or is carried on the mother's
head when the baby makes a journey.

Every Bhil carries a bamboo bow with a plentiful supply
of arrows, a knife and a sword, or even an antiquated gun,
if he can afford one, for use in attack or defence and in
hunting.

Much of the land is rocky and barren, but most of the
valleys are well cultivated. The richer lands have been
appropriated by Eajputs and other Hindus, who have
driven out the former Bhll owners ; and now in every

A Bhil Baby and his Cradle

BHIL CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS 13

valley there are compact Hindu villa«>;os with well cultivated
fields all round them, while the Bhil farmsteads are scattered
over the poorer parts of the country, often ou high ground,
separated from one another by fields or jungle, so that a
Bhil village may cover an area of several square miles.

]^hil agriculture is very simple, the ground being merely
scratched over by a very primitive plough drawn by two
bullocks. The seed is sometimes sown broadcast and some-
times in drills. The fields are often surrounded by a tem-
porary hedge of bamboo or thorns to keep off stray cattle,
deer, pigs, or other wild animals. Two crops are grown
during the year, one during the rains ripening in October,
and the other during the cold weather ripening in March ;
Init too often the failure of the rains, too much rain, or an
unlooked-for frost robs the Bhil of his at all times precarious
harvest.

The Bhils are Animists, save where they have come in Religion
close contact with Hinduism and have adopted Hindu beliefs
and customs. Their religion chiefly consists in the dread of
sickness and disaster, and they do not seem to have any
conception of a supernatural power, except the power of
evil. They endeavour to propitiate the angry deities by sacri-
ficing cocks, goats, and buffaloes ; and they entertain a strong
belief in omens, witchcraft, ghosts, and malignant spirits.
They have no temples, but w^orship either at the shrines of
Matas (i.e. goddesses, literally, mothers) beneath certain trees,
or at memorial stones erected to the spirits of their deceased
ancestors. At the shrines they offer small horses, quaintly
shaped in unglazed earthenware with a hole in them, through
which the spirit of the deceased is supposed to enter and
travel up to paradise. They believe in a future life, and say
that there is a great ball or wheel of fire which every male
Bhil must face as soon as he dies. If, however, he burns in
this world he will not burn in the next, so every boy is
branded in several places on his forearm with a hot iron or
roll of burning cloth.

There is a certain observance of caste amongst them,
though they are by no means so rigidly bound by it as other

14

BHIL CHAKACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS

Imliiins. They are not looked down on as " iintoiicliables "
by Brahnians, who freely enter their houses.

The Bhagats or devotees are a Bhil sect much influenced
by the Hindu Eamaplr sect, which deprecates idolatry and
worships " Light " and the " Word." Bhagats are forbidden
to eat meat or drink spirits, and may not cat or drink with
the ordinary Bbll.

With a view to civilizing these troublesome tribesmen
and preserving order amongst them, several Bhil regiments

A Group of Ancestral Stones

have been formed. This forms one of the most honourable
episodes of Anglo-Indian rule. In the Mutiny of 1857 the
only native troops in Eajputana that stood by their British
officers were the Merwara Battalion (now the 44th Merwara
Infantry), the Bbll companies of the Erinpura Irregular
Force (now the 43rd Erinpura Eegiment), and the Mewar
Bhil Corps at Kherwara. The Bhil regiment in the C.M.S.
district is stationed at Kherwara, with three companies at
Kotra, and one at Mount Abu.

It was the presence of English officers in Kherwara which

BHTL CnARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS

15

led to the sendin<,' of the Gospel to these children of the
forest. Mrs. Eundcall, the daughter of the Rev. E. II. Bicker-
steth, afterwards Bishop of Exeter, had gone with her hus-
band, Lieut. Rundall, Adjutant of the Mewar Bhll Corps, to
this remote station, and her heart was deeply troubled by
the degraded condition of the poor Bhils around her. Letters
to her father led to a generous offer of £1000 to the C.M.S.
to send out a missionary for three years to 'begin work
amongst them. This offer was made when the C.M.S., in
pursuance of a policy of retrenchment, was keeping back all
its men who were ready to go out. It was accepted ; and in
November, 1880, the Rev. C. S. Thompson arrived and
planted the Bhil Mission in Kherwara. He continued his
service until his death in 1900.

:'>.-^-,*«."\^

■fc. -.

'^:

Clay Horses dtciicatea to .t t;oaciess

Bhil Converts preaching to Recipients of Famine Relief

CHAPTEE II

PIONEERING

Charles Stewabt Thompson came from Easington in
Durham, and was accepted by the Church Missionary
Society as a missionary in 1880, after three years' training in
the College at Islington. He was then twenty-nine years
old, and was ordained deacon by the Bishop of London on
June 11, and priest by the Archbishop of Canterbury on
October 23 of the same year, that he might be ready for the
pioneer work that lay before him. Dr. J. Shepherd, of the
Eajputana Presbyterian Mission at Udaipur, showed him
great hospitality while he was learning the language, and
took him for a tour to introduce him to the country.

But while it was easy to reach Kherwara, to reach the
Bhils was a totally different thing. The timid and suspicious
highlanders doubted which of two things Mr. Thompson
had come for — to kill them, or to levy fresh taxes ; and the
Census taken the very year he arrived added to their fears.
Let us read his own account of his early difficulties : —

I hardly dared to speak upon any topic whatever. If I
inquu-ed about the family, then how very naturally might they

PIONEERING 17

have looked upon nie as another enuuici-ator ? If I spoke about
their cattle, fields, or crop^ then the tax question might have
disturbed their minds. To talk about God, — I knew that with
them, as with others, nothing could so easily or so strongly call
forth their highest fears. There was, moreover, another fear to be
overcome. I had hoped to have relieved sufiei'crs, and to have
gained a hearing by treating their sick. I found, however, tliat
they were full of fear on this head also. A doctor, who had but
just left Kherwara before my arrival, had succeeded, by paying
premiums, in getting several Bhils into hospital to be operated
on. They have now a wholesome dread of the knife. The con-
sequence is that, although there are hundreds of suflTerers lying in
the villages, it is a very rare thing indeed to see a Bhil man,
woman, or child, near the dispensary. Of
course, they looked with suspicion upon
me. When I made my appearance in their
midst, they, in great fear, I am now told,
asked one another, "Who is he?" "What
does he want?" "What will he do?"
" Has he come to kill us ? "

When we began our visits it was almost
impossible to get near the people, fear filled
their minds. If we met any one, or passed
a hut, I endeavoured to be as free and look The Rev. C. S. Thomp-
as unconcerned as possible about things in

general. Long before we got anywhere near them, the children
ran ofif to their homes as fast as their legs could carry them.
Men and women, peeping round corners, or over the enclosures
surrounding their houses, might be seen watching us in all
directions.

Then we decided upon spending a week or so in one village,
instead of going from place to place. It soon became evident that
our new plan was going to work admirably. On the Tuesday we
had fifteen visits for medicine or treatment ; on Wednesday, thirty ;
on Thursday, forty-five ; on Friday, fifty-nine ; and on Saturday,
fifty-eight ; total, 207. Among the number was the headman of
the village. On the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we held
little meetings to make known the Saviour. We did not think it
advisable to say too much in this way on our first prolonged
visit.

Patiently, cautiously, prayerfully, Mr. Thompson went on,
and at the end of 1882, he was able to report that the Bhils

18 PIONEERING

" had lost their fears and suspicions " ; that a great numher
had been successfully treated at his little dispensary ; and
that a few lads had been brought to Kherwara to attend a
school he had opened on his verandah. The Eev. H. P.
Parker, the Calcutta Secretary, who was subsequently
Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, having visited the
infant Mission and reported very favourably upon its
prospects, Mr. Bickersteth gave the Society another £1000
with a view to a second missionary being sent.

Between 1884 and 1900, the Rev. and Mrs. G. Litch-
field, who had previously worked in Uganda, the Rev. and
Mrs. W. B. Collins, and the Revs. H. J. Peck and H. Mould
joined the staff, but from ill-health and other causes were
compelled, sooner or later, to leave this field of service.

While Mr. Thompson itinerated in the more distant
parts of the country, these missionaries worked in and
around Kherwara, trying to gain the confidence of the
people by school and medical work. In this they were very
successful, having congregations on Sundays which some-
times numbered over a hundred listeners. Mrs. Litchfield
opened a girls' boarding school at Kherwara and it prospered
for a time, but had to be closed through opposition. Mr.
Mould spent much of his time at Kotra. The Rev. E. P.
Herbert was lent by the Gond Mission to take charge when
Mr. Thompson went on furlough in 1896, and again during
the great famine.

The Rev. Arthur Outram, a grandson of Sir James
Outram — who is best known in connexion with the relief of
Lucknow but who did a wonderful work in taming the Bhils
and winning their confidence in 1828-38 — joined the staff in
1897. After studying the language at Ahmedabad he was
married to Miss Gertrude E. Withers, and began work at
Kherwara at the beginning of the famine.
Firsifruits It was not, however, till 1889 that the missionary saw
the firstfruits of his labours. Suka Damer, a man belonging
to the Bhagat sect, with his wife and four children were
baptized in that year. He had been with Mr. Thompson
for nine years, and had accompanied him on some of his

PIONEERING

10

itinerating tours, and one may well believe that it was tlio
witness of the missionary's Ufe as well as his teaching which
brought the first Bhll convert to Christ. Mr. Thompson
wrote of him : " He is as bold as a lion for his Master."
He died in 1909.

During the years 1887 to 1893, schools were opened at Educational
the out-stations of Lusadia, Biladia, Ghoradar, Sarsau, Kotra,

Four Generations of Christian Bhils
Suka iJumer, his daughter, graiulduughter, grandson, and great-grandsdn.

and Baulia, and j\Ir. Thompson was much encouraged by the
sustained interest shown in them by the ruling chiefs,
especially by H.H. the Maharajah of Idar and H.H. the Rao of
Ghoradar, both of whom gave generous assistance on several

20 nONEERING

occasions, while several of their feudatory chiefs gave
considerable help. In addition to his extensive itinerating
and medical work, Mr. Thompson carefully superintended
these schools, encouraging the unwilling children with treats
and tempting prizes.

Literary He also prepared and published a simple catechism and

a translation of parts of the Prayer Book in the Bhil dialect
of Gujarati, as well as a Bhili-English Grammar and
Vocabularies.

Famine Ii^ 1^^^ the rains completely failed, causing a famine

which lasted till the rains of 1900. The loss of life from

starvation and disease was terrible, and was increased by the

looting, for many were killed in defending their homes, and

the survivors were left without food or the means wherewith

to buy it. Belief works were started at various centres, and

the out-station schools were utilized as food kitchens,

especially for the children. These relief centres were speedily

surrounded by hundreds of Bhil children and many adults,

who showed in greater or less degree the awful ravages

which an insufficient and unwholesome diet had wrought on

their bodies and constitutions. Having neither work to do

nor food to eat, nor even water to drink except when brought

from a great distance, the people, at all times lacking in

resourcefulness, were absolutely helpless.

Acute Many fled from the villages in search of food, leaving

Sufferinn ' kj

wives and children behind to their fate. Many succumbed

to an early death, hopeless and exhausted. The Commanding

Officer of the Bhil Corps wrote from Kherwara at this time

to one of the papers as follows : —

It is horrible to go into the Bhils' huts and see a row of living
skeletons sitting, waiting for death. They just look up when I go
in, and say, " Salaam, Father," and relapse into silence. Every
tree capable of being used that way has been stripped of its bark
for food. Every palm tree has been cut down, pounded between
stones, and eaten, and now only the black rocks and sun-baked
mud are left. All cattle are dead and eaten, and wa+er is dried up
in nearly all the wells. I said at the beginning of the famine that
under no circumstances could more than fifty per cent, escape ;

PIONKERINO

21

but unless aiil of a very substantial kind comes, and tliat soon,
ten per cent, only will be left alive in July.

In order to cope with this terrible situation, Mr. Thompson Famine
and Mr. Outrani divided the district into two parts, Mr.
Outram taking the Kherwara side and Mr. Thompson the
Gujarat side of the work. Valuable help was given by the
Resident at Udaipur, who provided camels to transport
the grain. The difficulty of this task may be gauged by the
fact tliat many animals which were obtained from other

Famine Relief Work: Building Temporary Houses

districts to bring the grain from the railway station at
Udaipur (fifty miles distant from Kherwara), died for lack of
water and fodder en route ; and, moreover, every bag of
grain had to be escorted all the way by armed Sepoys, kindly
provided by the Commanding Officer, to prevent its being
looted by the many bands of robber Bhils who infested the
country.

An orphanage was started at Kherwara in 1899 by Mr. Orphanage
and Mrs. Outram, and all possible measures were employed

22

riONKEUING

Cholera
Epidemic

Death of
Rev. C. S.

in front of the

to alleviate tlie sufferings of the famine-stricken cliiklren,
who were passed on from the Political Sviperintendent's
poor house, or drafted in from the relief centres. " In most
cases," Mr. Outram wrote, " the poor children were too weak
to walk, and so were carried in large baskets on men's
heads. Bhils invariably walk in single file, and as they
approached they formed a semicircle
bungalow, and each one
deposited his basket
at his feet, and gradu-
ally a little Bhil un-
curled and sat up in
each basket. Poor little
things, they were gene-
rally too neglected and
emaciated to be saved ;
many revived for a time,

but the improvement

was in most cases only

transitory."

In spite of all that

could be done, numbers

perished, not only from

hunger, but from dis-
ease, which often follows

in the track of famine.

A terrible outbreak of

cholera occurred w^hich

swept away many of

the enfeebled people.

During this epidemic

Mr. Thompson lost his

life.

On May 19, 1900,

Mr. Outram, who had

been attending cholera

patients all day at Kag-

dar, a few miles] from Memorial =to the Rev. C. S. Thompson

Sacred

tOTHENEHOIJYOI

THE REV:

OttRUS STEWART

THONPSON,

OF THE

HISSIONARV

SOCIETY.

FOR 20 YEARS

A MISSIONARY TO

THE BHILS.

WHODIEDOfCHOlER*

ON NAY 13. 1900,

WHILE MINISTERING

TO THE NECESSITIES

Of THE

FAfflNE STRICKEN

PEoaE.

I'lONEEKING 23

Kheiwura, received a message by runners from Baiilia telling
liim that Mr. Thompson was ill with cholera. He started
ofT immediately with food and medicines, but on reaching
Kalbai after midnight, he met a sad procession of people
from whom he learnt the following tidings. Mr. Thompson
had left Baulia at 3 a.m. the previous morning, endeavouring
to reach Kherwara, but at Jhanjari, about three miles from
Baulia, he told his bearers to stop under a big tree, and
there he peacefully passed away at noon, too weak to give
any particular messages, simply sending loving greetings to
all. Bhagwan, his faithful servant, was then seized with the
fatal disease, so the bearers brought Bhagwan and the body
of Mr. Thompson right through to Kalbai, a distance of ten
miles, where Mr. Outram met them. A grave was dug on
the little hill opposite the Kalbai school, and just as the dawn
was breaking the weary body was laid to rest there, in the
very heart of the Bhil country. The spot is now marked by
a marble cro^s presented by a Southampton sculptor who
read of ^Ir. Thompson's death in the " CM. Gleaner."

That lonely grave is a standing witness to the eternal
truth of the precious promise, " Except a corn of wheat fall
into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die it
bringeth forth much fruit." These words have been strikingly
fullilled in the Bhil Mission.

The House of Sat Guru Das

CHAPTEE III

THE DAWN OF LIGHT

History of Eeference has been made in a preceding chapter to a
Leader sect of Bhils called Bhagats, or devotees. In the village of
Lusadia, about thirty miles from Kherwara, lived the cele-
brated leader and teacher of the Bhagats, Shurmal Das by
name. In his early days, he had been a most desperate
character, not only a murderer and a robber, but he had
fallen even lower than the ordinary Bhil in the scale of
crime, stooping to murder women for the sake of their
anklets and bracelets. Many wonderful stories are related
about his subsequent life. He determined to do penance,
and for thirteen years he is said never once to have stood
upright. In the hot weather he sat surrounded by fires ; in
the cold season, he would wear only a rag on his loins.
Twice he rolled over stones and fields and hills to a village
two miles off, and once to a Hindu sacred place, called
Samlaji, three miles away ; once he ate one and a quarter
pounds of red pepper ; another time one and a quarter
pounds of molten lead,^ and is said to have licked up boiliug

' In 1887 Mr. Thompson wrote, " Until recentlj', I looked upon
Shurmal Das as an ordinary reformer ; but by living near him for
nearly a year I have come to the conclusion that he is a successful
impostor. He owes his present position and influence to a long, steady,
and growing system of deception and lies" ("Hill Tribes of India,"

THE DAWN OK LIGHT

25

butter from a brass tlisb. At the end of the thirteen years,
he was able to rise up and walk freely, and was regarded as
superhuman, becoming an object of worship in all the district
round. His hut stood on the slope of a hill in the southern
part of the village and there he kept the sacred fire always
burning. He wvas supported by the oiTerings of his followers.
He taught his disciples by singing to them to the accompani-
ment of his drum, and they repeated each line after him, as
the majority of them could neither read nor write. One of
his hymns reads as follows : —

The siuloss God will come with an army on a white horse,

From his mouth will go forth the Spirit,

He will come in great pomp, decorated with jewels,

To save the world, and all quarters will hear him.

Swords will he turned into garlands,

And he will marry the heavenly (sanctified) hride.

Bhagat
Hymn

Samlaji : a Hindu Sacred Place
p. 25). He must, however, have been a really ascetic devotee, for some
of the best of the converts believe that the things told of him here
really occurred. It is quite possible that he deceived his disciples by
swallowing mercury instead of molten lead, but his drinking boiling
butter is a perplexing problem, for Sat Guru Das, a very sincere
convert, says he saw it blaze as he drank it up. The " EucyclopjEdia
Britannica" suggests that Richardson, who performed similar feats in
Europe in the seventeenth century, anointed his mouth with a pro-
tective composition ; but I do not think this possible.— A. I. B.

26

TIIK n.WVN OK IjKiHT

As tho time of bis death approached, lie gathered his
disciples around him and foretold many things. He told
them that a terrible famine would shortly occur, and teachers
would come from the north and tho west, and teach them
the true way of salvation from a book, free of cost. They
would teach them also about the true God, and a sinless In-
carnation born of a vu'gin. Eventually, a temple would be
built for the worship of the true God on a hill, which he
indicated in the middle of the village. His disciples asked

Leader's
Exhortation

he replied,
neighbourhood would be

Hindu Traders captured by Bhils

him when these things would take place and

" When a certain tank in this

repaired."

He exhorted his followers to worship the sinless God,
Whom they could not see, because He was like air without
any form. They were to pray to Him with uplifted hands,
and not to bow down to stones and idols like their ancestors.
They were not to steal or commit wickedness and were to
refrain from looting cattle or killing cows. They were to
endure suffering, to be faithful to the end, entwining

TFTE DAWN OF LIOTTT 27

themselves ronucl the worship of the true and sinless God.
They were to understand that if they continued to worship
with true heart and soul, they would go to the Great Master,
and if not, their habitation would be hell.

About a year after the death of Shurmal Das, the famine Fresh
of 1899-1900 came upon the land. The rivers dried up and ''®"'"^*
the grass on the hills was scox'ched and burnt by the long
protracted heat. The first to suffer were the animals, —
cows, buffaloes, bullocks, upon which the Bhils so largely
depend for their livelihood. Day by day, the grain stores in
the houses became less, and the women and children were
forced to go out into the jungles to search for grass-seed,
which they ground up and made into a coarse kind of bread.
When this supply was exhausted, the starving people ate
roots, bark, and leaves of the trees, and ghastly tales are
told of women and children being murdered, when found in
possession of a small piece of bread.

Lusadia, the home of the Bhagats, shared the common
affliction and Sava, one of the leaders, was not exempt. He
was a devout man of mystic temperament, intensely devoted
to the teaching of Shurmal Das, his former leader, and very
prejudiced against the work of the Mission and the teaching
of the missionary. Sava had at that time two children, of
whom the elder, Lalu, a boy of ten, had long attended the
mission school, and was able to read the fifth book. At last
this lad feU a victim to one of the prevalent famine diseases,
and one day he asked that his relations and friends might be
called to him. This was done, and repeating the old
prophecies, he begged them to give up their deeply rooted
ideas concerning defilement incurred through eating with men
of other castes, as there was no truth in them. When dying
he told his father and mother he was going to a beautiful
country to be with God, and he implored them to meet him
there. He called the names of each one in turn, telling
them to answer " present" as he named them, and then fell
back dead.

His son's death made a profound impression upon the God's
father, but although recognizing in it a direct call from God,

28

TIIK DAWN OF LIOUT

Catechist's
Visit

Devotee's
Letter

Religious
Discussion

Sava hardened his heart against the truth, and his disciples
followed his lead. Again God spoke to him, and this time
his wife, succumhing to poor feeding and unhealthy con-
ditions, was called from his side. The self-satisfied heart of
the devotee leader, however, again refused to yield, though
restless and unhappy. He would sit brooding alone in his
hut, keeping the sacred fire burning, and feeling there was
none left to care for or help him.

In 1901, Mr. E. Walker, who was lent by the Gond
Mission to help in evangelistic work during the absence of
Mr. Outram on sick leave, came to stay at Lusadia, and
while he was there, the catechist, Mr. L. Hurry, came over
from the village of Baulia to examine the school, and twice
he addressed the village leaders in words of earnestness and
pow'er. His message stirred them to a spirit of inquiry, and
God Himself spoke to those w4io had hitherto opposed.
The Bhagats assembled one night at the head Bhagat's
house, wrote a long account of their late guru's teaching and
prophecies, and appended the following petition to the letter
which they sent to the missionary : —

Before we heard your teaching, our Guru taught us these
things on which we rest our faith. If all takes place as our Guru
has spoken, then we will accept your teaching. Our Guru has said
that a Shepherd will come. . . . Tell us plainly where your
religion has come from, and what is its foundation. We have
become devotees in order to attain the true way of heaven and
salvation.

Another letter followed the first, containing amongst
others the following words : —

If you have come with the shield of truth and the sword of
wisdom, then we are ready to run into the sea while you hold us.
Not only we, but all will follow us. You go on receiving us. But
first of all if you do as we teach there will be great profit, and in
the end the work will be pure. This is our petition.

In answer to these requests, a three days' discussion was
held, when Mr. L. Hurry, a Gujarati catechist lent by the
Sindh Mission, answered their questions from the Bible.
The devotees assembled in the rest house, with their

THE DAWN OF LIGHT 29

musical instruments, and, as most of their tenets and pre-
cepts arc embodied in their hymns, the first day was spent
in listening to the verses as they were sung, and taking
down their explanation. Mr. Hurry then commented on
each separate verse, pointing out the Scriptural truths con-
tained in them. On the second day, there were twenty-eight
Bhagats present, some of whom belonged to a village about
live miles distant from Lusadia. In order to be present they
had come in the previous night, and as the room in the rest
house was too small, the company adjourned to the school.
For three hours they listened most attentively while the sub-
jects mentioned in their letters were explained from the Bible
one by one, during which time a solemn stillness and
calm pervaded the meeting. Jungle people are very sus-
picious, and they might have thought that the catechist was
reading what was not in the book, so, to disarm suspicion, a
young man of their number, who had studied in the school,
was asked to read the Scripture passages aloud. They were
surprised beyond measure that their Guru's words tallied so
wonderfully with the Scriptures. The following day the
hearts of missionary and catechist were I'ejoiced by three
men sending a third letter saying that they were convinced
that Jesus is the Sinless God, and expressing the wish to
become His disciples. Sava was one of these three.

What had occurred in the meantime to change the atti- God's fur
tude of three leading opposers so that they became wulling
disciples of the new faith? Sava's account of it was as
follows : One evening, he was sitting alone in his hut,
looking out on a land devastated by famine ; whole villages,
in some cases left without owners or inhabitants, were fast
becoming the habitations of jackals. As he looked on his
own lonely home, bereft so recently of wife and son, he felt
himself indeed alone and forsaken. Then, too, he reflected
that the new teaching was undoubtedly gaining ground, and
his own position as a religious leader, with all its accompany-
ing advantages and honours, was being roughly threatened.
Where would it all end ? Besides, had they not promised
that if the Sahib could answer their questions they would

ther Call

30 THE DAWN OF LIGHT

accept liis religion. Surely there was no other alternative
left him but to take refuge in flight, lie would go down to
some place in Gujarat, where he would beg alms for himself
and his one remaining daughter. There at least he would
be spared the disgrace of seeing his followers forsaking him
and his teaching for this foreign doctrine.

The lonely man sat far into the night planning ways of
escape from his intolerable position. But it is best to let him
tell the story of tliat eventful night in his own words : —

I slept and dreamt. Then a voice came as from the door,
" Son, Sou, are 3'ou awake or sleeping ? "

" Maharaj, I am not sleeping, but awake."

" Why do you intend to flee, the work is mine. If you flee the
people will die, and if they perish you will be responsible. There
will be famine and this year nothing will ripen. This kingdom is
passing away, and another kingdom will come."

On hearing this I remained wrapped in thought, and taking a
slate I wrote down the words I had heard. It was about mid-
night. I sat on meditating. Then Jiva, a fellow Bhagat, came
in and said, " Maharaj, Maharaj, what has happened this night V "

I replied, "Why have you come? Tell me this, and after-
wards I will answer your question."

Jiva answered, " No, tell me your story, and afterwards I will
speak."

I said, " Look at this slate."

He looked, read it, and began to laugh.

Then I said, " Now, what is your story ? "

Jiva said, " I also have seen in vision one like a man who said,
" Why do you fight against me ? I am come to give you the
Scriptures. Take them, the work is God's."

Afterwards yet another joined them, and when morning had
dawned they all three went to Jiva's house, and calling another of
the Bhagats related the vision to him. At length Sava spoke,
" Do not retreat. It is the work of God. I thought of flight ; but
God has laid hold of me and prevented me. Have covirage and
accept this religion, fearing nothing. Should all our relatives and
friends and the Bhagats cast us out, w-e will dwell apart from
other men in a separate quarter of the village, as the despised
sweepers are forced to do. Come, let us accept this religion."

All four resolved to become Christians, but one was kept
back by his mother, and only three went to the missionary

THE DAWN OF LICiHT

31

lo tell of their desire. Other relations joined them, and Mr.
Walker was husy teaching them when he was stricken down
with hlackwater fever and had to be carried out of the
country.

Group of Bhagats who became Christians
Sat Guru Das is on the extreme right, with a drum.

After about three months' teaching, twenty-two converts Fresh
were received by baptism into the visible Church of Christ a church
on November 7, 1901. At his baptism Sava took the new
name of Sat Guru Das, which means, " Servant of the true
Teacher." On becoming a Christian he lost the alms of his
disciples upon which he had hitherto subsisted. He there-
fore took up farming, and has been able to support himself
and the family he now has by his second marriage. Thus a
nucleus for a Church was formed at Lusadia during troublous
times.

Giving Medicine to Famine Sufferers

CHAPTEE IV

ADVANCE

Relief
Work

Expansion

We must now return to the time of Mr. Thompson's
death, to pick up the threads which we dropped to tell of the
fruit it has borne. The news of the terrible sufferings of
the Bhils aroused much sympathy, not only in India, but in
England and America also. Friends of different denomina-
tions sent generous help to the famine-stricken people. The
Irish Presbyterians at Ahmedabad and Parantij gave most
valuable hospitality and other help to C M.S. men, at a time
when they were overwhelmed by famine relief work in their
own field. Offers of personal service from the C.M.S. and
other Missions in Kashmir, the Punjab, and the United
Provinces were gladly accepted and the volunteers gave most
valuable aid. Mr. and Mrs. Outram broke down and were
reheved by the Eev. J. W. Goodwin who remained in the
Mission till his death at Bombay on November 9, 1901.
His kindness and readiness to help will long be remembered
by his fellow-workers.

At the end of the rainy season following the great famine,
the Eev. and Mrs. A. I. Birkett, from Lucknow, took
temporary charge of the western side of the Mission, living
at Bauha, and soon had the joy of welcoming the Eev. W.
Hodgkinson and Mr. G. C. Vyse, the recruits sent out to

ADVANCE

33

replace Mr. Thompson. Biladia was selected as the head-
(luaiters of the western side of the Mission, a bungalow was
built there in the spring of 1901, and thither the orphan
boys were transferred from Baulia. Mr. Ilodgkinson was
put in charge of the new station after the rains, and about
the same time Mr. Vyse went to help at Lusadia.

In March of the same year. Miss Bull from Benares and
Miss Carter from Azimgarh took charge of the girls' orphan-
age at Kherwara, and in July, Mr. Hurry, who has been
mentioned already, came from Sindh. As none of the Euro-
pean missionaries were familiar with Gujarati, Mr. Hurry's
native tongue and a dialect of which is spoken by the Bhils,
he was a great help in dealing with the devotee inquirers,
and later on the Sindh Mission gave him up as their offer-
ing for work amongst the Bhils, though he was already pre-
paring for ordination. Soon after his arrival he carried on the
work of translating the Prayer Book begun by Mr. Thompson
as far as the Office for the Churching of Women.

Everywhere these new workers were welcomed and

gladly listened to, for it became more and more evident that

the attitude of the Bhils towards the message they had

received so coldly in Mr. Thompson's time was completely

changed. The orphan children, too, were responding to

care and nourishment, and changed lives began to bear

witness to the transforming power of Christ.

During the rainy season of 1900 the Mission had The Rat
T.i-,,, 11 n 1 Famine

distributed bul- locks and seed

corn as far as it
people had not had
when a plague of
land. Eats every-
successive sowings
a field of its maize
They invaded
sheds, devouring
hand. Eventu-
as mysteriously
they came.

could, but the
time to recover
rats invaded the
where devoured
of corn, or cleared
cobs in a night,
liouses and store
whatever came to
ally they vanished
and suddenly as

The Rev. J. W. Goodwin

34 ADVANCE

At all the mission stations children crowded to the
schools for the daily allowance of grain, and relief work
was eagerly welcomed by the impoverished people. Advan-
tage was taken of this readiness to work to provide proper
buildings at Lusadia, which the movement among the
devotees had made an important centre. The little rest
house which Mr. Thompson had built, having two rooms,
one above the other, that he might retire to the upper
one for uninterrupted prayer, was enlarged to a four-roomed
bungalow, and a large school and houses for the teacher
and a catechist were built.

Many employed on these works wished to learn about
Christ, and an inquirers' class was formed for them ; this
was at one time attended by as many as 180 Bhils. The
sick and ailing were lovingly cared for by the lady doctor,
Mrs. Birkett, and her assistant, who put forth specially
strenuous efforts to preserve the lives of the wee babies who,
with their mothers, would probably have perished during
that time of privation but for her kindly aid. The long
deferred rains at length arrived, and brighter days dawned
on the Bhil country once more.
Transfer After the rat famine, Mr. and Mrs. Birkett returned to

Orphanage Lucknow, SO there was no one to teach the women and girl
converts from amongst the Bhagats at Lusadia. This need
and the insufficient accommodation for the girls at Kherwara
led to the transfer of the orphanage to Lusadia, at the close
of 1902. It was not an easy undertaking to move such a
number of children to a village about thirty miles distant, in
a country where there are neither railways nor made roads,
where water is scarce, and where wild beasts and robbers are
a source of real danger. The caravan started off in charge of
the stout-hearted Indian Christian matron. With it were
two bullock-carts to carry the few possessions of the
orphans, and the younger and less robust children were
allowed to ride in them by turn. A buffalo, a cow, several
goats, and some chickens, were amongst their most precious
treasures, and as occasionallj'^ some of these would escape
and make a dash for freedom amongst the hills, followed by

ADVANCE

35

sevenil children in pursuit, there was consideraljle delay
until the wanderers had been recaptured, and the progress of
the cortege never attained to great speed. God wonderfully
protected the little hand on their journey, and at length they
were eagerly welcomed by the two missionary Miss Sahibs,
who had preceded them. They were soon installed in their
new quarters, rejoicing in the free, open situation which
proved very beneficial to the health of the children.

The Sunday following their arrival, fifty-three Bhils were a Large
l)aptized. The service was held in the schoolroom, a long room
with doors instead of windows, to admit both light and air.
Many of the male candidates arrived picturesquely clad in red

Mrs. Birkett attending vVomen and Children Famine Sufferers

blankets which had been distributed during the famine.
Armed with bows and arrows, their black hair floating
wildly over their shoulders, they were wild and strange-
looking men indeed. Before they could receive the rite
of Baptism, they were obliged to submit to a ceremony which
is unnecessary in European circles. Nearly every male
Bhil follows the Hindu custom and wears a long lock of hair,
called the choti, on the top of his head. They believe that in
a future state, when they may be falling into some place of

36

ADVANCE

torment, a friendly being will seize them by this lock of
hair and pull them up to a place of safety. So before the
baptisms took place, Prema, the catechist, worked diligently
with a pair of scissors, cutting off the vhotis of tlie
men. Mr. Outram, who had returned from England in
1901, and had been privileged to baptize the previous
twenty-two converts, came over from Kherwara to ad-
minister the rite. The Bhils entered into the service with
great earnestness, and after it was over it was touching to

^^Hi^^^"-. -

Lusadia Church: Congregation laying the Tiles

see the welcome given by the older Christians to the newly
baptized. In some cases they literally hugged one another
for joy.

Many now became inquirers and the schoolroom was too
small to hold the increasing numbers who came to the
services. The worship of the converts, too, was frequently
disturbed by goats or perhaps by a buffalo calf which strayed
in through the open doors and was ejected with difficulty.
Even the Bhil Christians themselves recognized the need for
a place set apart for the worship of God. At this juncture,

ADVANCE 37

in 1903, Mr. Vyse called them all together and told them the
story of the Uganda Christians huilding their own churches,
and left them to think the matter over. After consultation voluntary
they determined to build their own church, if they * """^
were allowed to build it of mud and small stones hke
their own houses. Having just emerged from famine,
they were unable to meet the cost of wood and tiles and the
payment of carpenters ; these, however, could be paid for
from the Sunday collections which had accumulated since
1901, with the help of a few extra donations.

The next day a little band went up to mark out tho church
foundations for the sacred edifice, the site having previously " "
been secured in 1902 for a sum of Es 50. A further
discussion arose as to the size of the building. Some
remarked that as they were only a small company of
believers, the dimensions of the building need not be very
large, but others, whose faith was stronger, replied : "In a
short time, a goodly number will become followers of the
True Way, so we had better make the building large enough
to accommodate those who will also become disciples of the
Lord Jesus." This counsel prevailed, and the site was
marked out for a building large enough to seat four hundred
people. Then came the work of clearing away the scrub and
brushwood, followed by the digging for the foundations. It
was hard work, but the men with pickaxes and spades,
borrowed from the Mission, commenced their voluntary
labour with a will. Women and girls, with round baskets
on their heads, marched backwards and forwards carrying
the dry earth dug up from the trenches, to a shallow pit,
into which they emptied their loads. Girls brought water in
earthenware pots and poured it on this dry earth, and a man
with a heavy pole mixed it until it reached a proper con-
sistency, and then the women filled their baskets with tho
wet mud, and carried them to the trenches to make the
foundations. So by degrees the mud walls rose higher and
liigher, and although at times progress was slow because the
number of workers was small, yet they were enabled by
God's grace to persevere until at length, about the middle of

38

ADVANCE

May, the walls were finished. When the diHicuHy of pro-
viding wood for the roof arose, the Maharajali of Idar, General
Sir Partap Singh, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E., aide-de-camp to the
King Emperor, on being told of the need, kindly consented to
allow as much wood as was required to be taken from an
old teak forest not far distant.

Successful About this time heavy clouds began to gather and many

'"'' ' feared that rain would come before the church roof was <3om-
pleted, and that would have meant serious damage to the
mud walls. So the Christians roused themselves to a final
effort. A general invitation was issued that on a certain day
whoever would join in tiling the roof would receive food in
return for labour. On the specified day the church building
and compound were literally swarming with workers. The
orphan children carried baskets of tiles on their heads from the
kilns, the carpenters w^ere busily laying split bamboos across
the wooden rafters, and many hands were swiftly handing up
and placing the tiles on the bamboo work. Cheerfully the
workers toiled all through the long hot day till night descended
and put an end to their efforts. The church roof was
finished before the rains began, but still much remained to be
done to complete the interior. Here the women and girls
helped greatly in giving the floor and walls a nice even
surface by plastering them wath wet mud smoothed over
by hand.

Church The church furniture was exceedingly simple ; no pews

were needed for a congregation which preferred sitting on the
floor, and a hoUowed-out trunk of a tree served as a font,
harmonizing well with the mud walls.

On 13 February, 1904, the Bishop of Nagpur came and
formally dedicated the mud church to the service of God.
Before the opening ceremony he called the Christians to-
gether and asked what name they would wish to give their

Naming the church. He himself proposed that it should be called either
St. Andrew's, or St. John's in the Wilderness, as they were so
far from civilization. Sat Guru Das, whose education had
been somewhat limited, sat in thoughtful silence, and then
said, " Sir, I know little of St. Andrew and nothing at all

ADVANCK 39

about St. John in the Wilderness, hut we huilt this clnu'ch
for the love of Christ, and to me there is no name like the
name of Christ. We would like it to ho called Christ
Church." So it was named Christ Church, and the Bishop
dedicated it amidst great rejoicings.

On the same day the first confirmation took place, when First
twenty Bhils were confirmed, and the following day the {j^mation
Lord's Supper was celebrated, when the newly confirmed
partook for the first time of the Holy Sacrament.

The mud church has no special features of architectural
beauty, and doors, windows, and walls in many cases are
somewhat crooked, yet to many of the Christians it has a
beauty of its own, for not only did their hands help to build
it, but it has been to many of them a very Bethel, a meeting-
place with God. The faith of those who advised its roomy
proportions has I)een amply justified, for on special occasions
the church has been completely filled with a congregation of
reverent worshippers.

About a month after the dedication of the church, a A Heathen
strong proof was given by the Christian community of the
reality of their faith. It was during the festival of Holi.
This festival takes place in the spring time of the year, and
is observed with more or less vigour all over India. At the
rising of the new moon, the large drum, which is kept in the
headman's hut in each village for various purposes, is sounded.
Here the villagers assemble, sing vile songs in honour of the
goddess Holi, dancing round in a circle to the beating of the
drum, and this continues night after night, for a longer
period each night, as the moonlight increases. The full
moon is the climax of the horrible festival. A huge bonfire
is built in the centre of the village, the headman sets it
alight, and the villagers dance round it the whole night long,
throwing in offerings of cocoanut, grain, or clarified butter,
while calling on the goddess to send them good haiTests.
Intoxicating spirits are freely partaken of, and as the night
wears on the singing of foul songs is interspersed with the
shouts and yells of the drunken dancers ; the drum-beat
becomes faster and more furious and an onlooker watching

Festival

40 ADVANCE

the reeling figures dancing iu the light of the flames, might
well imagine that he is gazing on some scene from the
infernal regions. It is a veritable pandemonium. The
women attired in new dresses, and decked out with new
ornaments, take part in both singing and dancing, and
also in the feasting, which is a great feature of the Holi.
Any evil act committed during this festival is said to bring
the perpetrators into favour with the goddess in whose
honour it is held.

Hitherto the sacred fire had always been lighted near a
large banyan tree, in the centre of the village. This was
close to the new church, in a field surrounded by the houses
of the Christians. Tliere was a strong feeling that the fire
ought never to be lighted there again, where the revolting
songs with their evil suggestions would ring in the ears of all
the members of the Christian households. A meeting of the
chief men was called to consult as to what was to be done
about the Holi fire, both Christians and non-Christians being
present. The representatives of the heathen section were
very angry at the proposal that the fire should be lighted in
another place. They were, however, rather divided amongst
themselves, some asserting that the spot made sacred by
immemorial custom could not be changed, while others held
that the place did not greatly matter. They ended by asking
for a few days in which to think it over, and promised to
return and give the Christians their answer. Several days
elapsed, when soon after daybreak one morning the headman
of the village and another of the non -Christian leaders
appeared at the mission bungalow, with the message that
they were determined to light the fire on the old spot, and if
the Christian leaders wished otherwise, they should have
given longer notice. The missionary replied that the
Christians were equally determined that it should never be
lighted there again, upon which the deputation left without
further comment. Shortly afterwards a service was held in
church, and reading the account of Elijah's action on Carmel,
Mr. Vyse exhorted the Christians to stand firm at all costs,
and to rely upon God's unfailing help.

ADVANCE

41

Then followed a time of humble confession of sinfulness
on the part of the Christians, and earnest petitions that
those wlio were opposing themselves to the truth might be
brought into Clirist's fold. After the service, a short con-
sultation was held, arranging that, in case no answer was
received from the non-Christians, the place should be
watched all night, and any attempt to light the fire should
be resisted.

The long day was drawing to its close when at length Prayer

AnswGrBd

Sat Guru Das came up to the bungalow with beaming face,
reporting that the non-Christian leaders had been to tell him
that they would light the fire right on the outskirts of the
village at some distance from the Christian centre. Thus
God answered prayer, and the dreaded struggle between
those nearly related to each other was averted. That
evening a little company met in the courtyard of Sat
Guru Das's house and there, near the disputed ground, a
short praise service was held to thank God Who had given
the victory. The ashes of Iloli iires of previous years still
remain to mark the spot, but, as long as there are Christians

Dedicationlof Christ Church, Lusadia: after the Service

Additions

42 ADVANCE

in Lusadia, we believe that the [\\v. will never again be
lighted on its ancient site.

During tlie foregoing years, the mission staff had under-

to Mission jTone considerable change. Mr. and Mrs. Outram, who had

staff

done such strenuous service in the famine time, were reluc-
tantly compelled liy ill-health to give up work in India. Mr.
Hodgkinson, the resident missionary at Biladia, had married,
and with the coming of his wife a new day dawned for the
girls and women of that station. Many sick and suffering
Bhils have had abundant cause to praise God for her skilful
and loving ministry in times of sickness. When Miss Bull
went home for furlough, another lady, Miss Newton, was
appointed to the staff of women workers at Lusadia. As she
soon took over charge of the orphanage, the senior workers
were able to do much more direct evangelistic and itinerating
work in the villages around. At the close of 1904, Mr. and
Mrs. Birkett rejoined the staff of the Mission, and were
located at Lusadia, where a second bungalow had been
erected. A few years later, in 1909, Mr. Vyse married Miss
EUwood, daughter of the Kev. J. P. EUwood, and brought
her to his home amid the rejoicings of the boys of the
Thompson School. They very soon visited Lusadia for
Mr. Vyse's ordination, and the whole Church was glad to
welcome one who was to prove such a source of strength
to the work at Kherwara.

A Bhil Greeting

CHAPTKR V

TIMES OF BLESSING

The years 1905 and 190G, which marked such a high tide of
religious zeal and fervour in Wales, also brought seasons of
quickening and blessing to India. In the Khassia Hills, at
Sialkot, and at other centres also, the flame of revival was
kindled. In the Bhll country in 1900, a foretaste was given
of the still greater things God was about to do three years
later.

For the first time in the annals of the Church in Bhil-
land, a Christian mela was held in Lusadia. The Christians
assembled from Kherwara, Biladia, Khetadara, and other
places, and camped in grass shelters near the tank, which is
about a mile away from Lusadia. A large shed, wdth walls
and roof of grass, had been erected for the meetings.
Sports and competitions found many eager competitors, and
numeroiis traders spread out their wares in little booths, and
did a brisk trade in the various commodities which they
offered for sale.

But the great blessing given through the religious services
was the most striking feature of the mela. They were quiet
and unemotional in character, but the Word of God in all its

A Christian
Mela

44 TIMES OF BLESSING

searching power was brought to bear on the hearts of many
still in the initial stages of Christian life and experience.
On the concluding day, the services were held in the church,
and there the appeal to conscience went home with the
irresistible power of the Holy Spirit, resulting in public

Confessions confessions by about eighty people, old and young, of various
sins committed by them,— a rug stolen ten years ago; a
watch stolen ; grain to be sown for the orphanage farm
turned into money and used for themselves by four young
men ; other acts of deception, pride, anger, covetousness,
and, alas, gross sins of the flesh, were brought to light at
that time. Some confessed with sobs which almost prevented
their speaking, especially a mission agent, who told how he
had got careless in his efforts for the salvation of others, and
anxious for worldly gain for himself. Others walked up to
the chancel steps, faced the congregation, folded their arms
and bowed their heads, and bravely told out what no power
of man could have made them confess, their attitude a
characteristic mixture of Bhil independence and Christian
humility. The service was exceedingly orderly, the con-
fessions w^ere heard and the missioner accepted willingly-
restored money, or promises of restoration as soon as it
could be earned. Before partaking of the Holy Communion
next morning, a few further confessions were made, and two
of the officiating missionaries were also led to ask forgiveness
for troubling letters which had passed between them.

Preliminary Thus the mela closed, and although it was not the long-
ansing pj.aye,j.for revival, it was undoubtedly the necessary pre-
liminary cleansing of which the young Church stood in need
before it could receive the greater blessing. There had been
little or no sense of joy and victory such as usually
accompany revival scenes, and the dominating note was that
of humbling and penitence before God. There were two
marked results of this mela. First of all, a clearer spiritual
perception of the evil of sin was gained by the Christians.
Then, too, the line of demarcation between Christians and
non-Christians became mors strongly defined, so that it was
no longer easy even to be a nominal Christian, much less to

TIMES OF BLESSING 45

be a whole-hearted follower of Christ. The reproach of the
Cross had become a reality.

Two years later, God again visited the Bhil Church with A Parochial
marked blessing through the parochial mission held at the
beginning of 1909. Much prayer had preceded this effort
and had paved the way for the wonderful working of the
Holy Spirit.

Tlie mission opened on Sunday, January 31, at Kheta-
diira, one of the out-stations, and the special missioner was
Mr. Chanan Khan, a Punjabi Christian. From the first it was
evident that the Spirit of God was drawing the people, and
day by day the little schoolroom was the scene of many a
spiritual conflict.

At first the ground seemed rock-hard, but the work of Conflict
conviction went on steadily. God laid His hand first on the
missionaries and workers, and showed them the unsuspected
sinfulness, pride, and unbelief, which were the real hindrances ;
and when they had been brought very low before the Lord,
then the real break came. At the morning meeting, suddenly, conviction
two Christian lads were stricken down with grief, and for
some time there was such crying and wailing for sin that
some of the villagers thought that there must have been a
death in the adjoining house, and one man started to take
down his axe to go out and get wood for the burning.
Perhaps they were not so very much mistaken, for the old
self truly died in some of God's children that day, and as
they were brought low before the Cross they learnt some-
thing of the secret of resurrection life and victory through
the blood of Jesus Chi-ist. One man had steadily refused
to come to the services, and the last morning when some one
went to fetch him, he fled. Then three of the brethren met
together for prayer for this special man and he came to
the afternoon service, draw^n there by the power of God.

On Thursday morning the mission in Lusadia was opened Prayer
by a prayer meeting which was a very blessed time of^waiting
on God. The ground at this station was more prepared for
blessing ; there was a spirit of greater expectancy and
longing, and the ^Master Who planted the longing in the

4G TIMI'.S OF ULESSING

hearts of His children more than satisfied them witli His

abundant goodness. At Lusadia simultaneous prayer was

a great feature of the meetings, and many learnt to make

their petitions deep under the searching influence of the

Spirit. Evening by evening they gathered for hymn

singing, and truly profitable and happy times were spent,

the sense of fellowship and love deepening every day.

A Mem or- Sunday, February 7, will ever be a memorable day

in the annals of the Bhil Church. At the early meeting

the veil was lifted from many hearts, and a vision was

given of the appalhng sinfulness of the individual sins

wherewith the Master was being wounded in the house

of His friends. At Morning Prayer the love which brought

Jesus to die for sinners broke down the last barriers between

God and His children. One lad confessed that all through

the meetings he had been hardening his heart, but the sight

of the Lord's Table and all the love with which Jesus was

waiting to receive him quite broke him down. Several

backsliders were brought back to the Lord, and the three

brothers to whom God first revealed Himself in the early

days here were specially touched by the Spirit, and their

confession of sin opened the way for the weaker brethren.

That morning the Spirit just swept through our Church,

confession followed confession, and the secrets of many

hearts were laid bare. The non-Christians present were

seized with such fear and trembling that they got up and

left the church, and one young man of good position, who

had long been desiring to come to Christ, left in deep

distress, recognizing the Truth, but not yet able to forsake all

for His sake. May the love of Christ even yet constrain

him to do so. In the afternoon came testimony and praise,

followed by signing of temperance pledges and restoration of

stolen monies, and a joyous sense of deliverance from sin and

the possibility of victory through the Blood of Jesus began to

be evident. The evening meeting was the crowning time, and

the picture rises before the mind of that final gathering of the

mission. On the brick floor of the schoolroom is seated a

group of Bhil Christians in a circle round the oil lamp, the light

TIMKS OF HLHSSING 47

of which I'aUs on their faces ami white garments. The

iiiissiouer is kneeling in the centre, cyml)als in hand, his

upturned face aglow with fervent adoration. Outside the

seated group move with solemn rhythmic motion a circle of

dancers, singing and praising God in the dance, as truly as

David did of old, led by one of their own people, who

improvises a hymn of praise to a well-known native air.

The whole scene suggests worship and adoration, and a

fervour which is little known to the Western mind, and

seems to foreshadow in some faint measure that glorious day

when all nations shall worship before Him Whose Name is

above all names.

The following year saw a further development in our A Christian
rn ■ L- -.1 1 1 i 1 Convention

christian community, and many new' lessons were learnt by

those who were privileged, at no small cost of physical
endurance, to attend the first convention for Christians held
at Nadiad, which is a small town in the centre of the
Gujarati-speaking country. Seven missions were repre-
sented, and it w^as very interesting to see the different
contingents arriving, with happy, expectant faces, from
their various stations. Some of these bands of Cliristian
men had marched several days, preaching at a number
of villages en route ; thus the fact of a Christian con-
vention being held had been widely proclaimed and
iiad given many opportunities for presenting Christ to
those whose curiosity had prompted them to enter into
conversation.

A large company of Christian Bhils, from most of the
C.M.S. stations and out-stations, travelled together the thirty-
four miles, more or less, to Idar Eoad Station, some in
carts, some on horseback, the majority on foot. One night, or
rather part of it, for the word of command to get up was
given at 1 a.m., was spent on the way, camping under a
wide spreading tree, and they were off by two o'clock,
travelling by the light of lanterns, so as to be able to rest
during the heat at mid-day. There was much that was new
and strange to many; the railway train, the cities, the
macadamized roads, and, the greatest wonder of all, the

48

TIMES OF BLESSING

great number of fellow-Christians, which demonstrated to
them that the Cliurch of Christ does not simply consist of a
few hundreds, but is a large and growing body, — the Holy
Catholic Church.

By the first evening the grass sheds which had been
erected for the many visitors were well filled, and at five
o'clock they met in the shadow of the church for the opening
meeting of the convention. It was an impressive sight day
by day to watch the sea of upturned faces, and to realize
that many of those eager listeners had only within a short
period turned from darkness to light. Day by day the Holy
Spirit worked in many hearts, and in the closing meetings the
intensity of conviction increased. Sorrow for sin led in some
cases to open confession, and joy and peace followed when
the burden of sin had been lifted. In the sectional meetings,
too, much blessing was given, and they gave an opportunity
for more individual dealing with souls. The grass sheds in
the evening were often the scene of joy and praise. Groups
gathered round for hymn-singing, and drums and cymbals
were not allowed to lie idle. These were times of happy
fellowship, when the educated and cultured brother from a
town centre would sit side by side with the simple and less-
educated brother from the village or jungle, both of one heart
in praising the Lord.

Bhils bringing Grass for Building Sheds

TIMES OF BLESSING 49

It was good, too, to see in the women's and girls' sheds
how, after a Httle while, shyness and constraint vanished and
a spirit of love and unity increased. The little party of Bhil
girls and women were conspicuous, because they still retain
their characteristic dress and ornaments. For this reason
many at first eyed them with suspicion, wondering if they
were Christians at all, hut soon their doubts vanished, and
the right hand of fellowship was extended from all quarters.

The convention closed with a meeting for praise, and
many touching testimonies were given of blessing received
ere the large body of 2000 Christians dispersed to their
different homes. Perhaps one of the most striking testi-
monies to the convention came from a Hindu official, who,
witnessing the united gathering of so many different
missions, inquired with no little astonishment, " Have all
the Christians become of one religion '? "

Steady progress followed the wave of blessing which increased
has been recorded in this chapter, and there was a very ''"""'•''
beautiful atmosphere of fellowship and unity amongst the
Christians. At the same time opposition became more
marked, and a time of perilous conflict followed. As in all
kinds of war strategy the severest attacks are aimed against
the leaders, so the adversary has sought with more or less
success to entangle those who were separated of God to be
the leaders of the Christian community. Some who had
formerly followed hard after the Master fell into the old
habit of drinking spirits, and conscience once most sensitive
to the gentle influence of the Holy Spirit grew hard, proud,
and callous. Faithful rebuke from those who w^ere their
truest friends was proudly resented.

For the last two years a sifting process, slow but sure,
has been going on, and the chaff is being steadily winnowed
from the grain. Nearly all the congregations are mourning
over diminished numbers owing to excommunications ; and
especially has this been the case in the Church of Khetadara,
where a number of persons were cut off from Christian
fellowship for having deliberately taken part in heathen
festivals, the exorcism of evil spirits, and other heathen rites.

D

50

TIMES OF HLESSINO

There are also great divisions amongst many of the
Christians ; envy, hatred, and mahce are easily aroused ;
the temptation to immorality is strong ; drink and super-
stition hinder progress; and. there is very little missionary
zeal on the whole. Nevertheless there are signs of the
shadows passing, five men who were excommunicated at
Lusadia for taking part in the Holi have been re-admitted to
communion, and hope and faith look forward to the dawning
of a brighter day, when the Bhil Christian Church shall
become the shining witness to the truth which the Master
intends her to be.

BhTI Woman in gala dress

Thompson Memorial School, Kherwara

CHAPTER VI

KHERWARA AND EDUCATION

Khkkw.vka stands ia a valley 1050 feet above the sea, and
is the head-quarters of the Mewar Bhil Corps and of the The station
Political Superintendent of the Hilly Tracts of Mewar. The
Charitable Dispensary (not connected with the Mission) is
supported by the Mewar Darl^ar and the chiefs of the
Kherwara Hilly Tract. The beautiful little church, dedicated
to All Saints, is built of the dull green serpentine stone found
in the neighbourhood, from the design of Col. Sir Swinton
Jacob. Both the English residents and the converts use the
church and the well-cared-for little cemetery in mutual
harmony and good will.

In the second chapter, with its record of the founding of Educational
the Mission, we noted Mr. Thompson's efforts to establish
elementary schools amongst the Bhils. Recognizing the
great civilizing and uplifting influence of educational work
amongst these wild people, he and his fellow- workers founded
twelve village schools, w^hich, under their unceasing care and
supervision continued to floui'ish until the time of the famine.
In consequence of this scourge, whole villages became
deserted, many children perished, and school work for the
time being was brought to a standstill. As soon as the
etfects of the famine had to some extent passed away, eflbrts

Work

52

KHEHWAKA AND EDUCATION

were once more made to develop the educational work, but
these attempts were fraught with special difficulty.
Difficulties Permission to open any more new schools, even for

Christian children only, has of late years been withheld by the
ruler of one of the States in which the work is carried on, but
it is hoped that, in answer to many prayers, this restriction
will soon be removed. The greatest and commonest difficulty
is getting Bhil children to attend school regularly ; for as
soon as they are able to work they have to take their share
in minding the flocks and herds which graze in the jungle,
and in guarding the crops from monkeys, squirrels, birds, and
other depredators. The wild life on the hills or in the field
has far more attractions for the average youthful Bhil than
books and lessons and school discipline, while very few
parents have yet understood the great advantages which
education brings to their children. Christian parents, how-
ever, are learning to place a higher value on education and
in some cases, where there are two or more children of a
school-going age in one family, the difficulty is solved by
sending each in turn on alternate days.

All Saints' Cliurcli, Kherwara

KHERWARA AND EDUCATION 53

Kherwara was the only mission station till Biladia and Kherwara
Lusadia were occupied in 1901 and 1902. Here Mr. school
Thompson began his medical and evangelistic work, and here
he opened the first mission school in his verandah. That
school is still the centre of the educational work, and claims
some notice in our history. Before the great famine it only
reached the lower primary standard, and the brighter boys
were sent to Sadra in Gujarat or Eutlam in Rajputana for
higher teaching to prepare them to be schoolmasters.

During the famine the schools were kept open but the
children made little progress and the teachers were scattered,
so in 1904 Mr. Vyse collected all the youths who had
learnt in former days into a monitors' class to prepare
them to supply the need for teachers. In 1902 the Biladia
and Kherwara Boys' Orphanages had been united at Biladia,
and in 1909 the more studious boys were transferred to
Kherwara, and the monitors' class was developed into a
school, now called "The Thompson Memorial School," as it was Thompson
enlarged in his memory by the addition of class rooms and School
a large hall to be used for public lectures and meetings as
well as for gatherings of the whole school at prayers, etc.
This school prepares boys for the Government Gujarati
School Final Examination, a certificate of passing which
admits to the Government Teachers' Training College at
.\hmedabad and to minor government posts. Here the best
Christian and non-Christian lads from the village schools,
many supported by an endowment in memory of Mr.
Thompson, study for the last four years of their course.
The first two successful students passed in October, 1910,
though it should be mentioned that they had to be sent to
the Irish Presbyterian Mission School at Anand for the last
three months of their preparation, as the C.M.S. staff was
shorthanded for the time being. It is intended that the best
of those who pass should complete their education by a two
years' course at a Christian Teachers' Training College, now
being built by the Irish Presbyterian Mission at Anand, that
tliey may be well-equipped for the work of lay pastors or
teachers, to whichever they are called of God.

Mela

54 KUKKWAKA AND KniTAriON

Some of tlie siiulcnts on leaving tlic school, have taken
up work as teachers in the primary schools ; while two
students and one teacher have offered for the work of lay
pastors, and are undergoing a special course of training to
fit them for their high calling. Thus there is every hope of
the educated Christian Bhils hecoming the spiritual teachers
and evangelists of their own people.
A School It had been Mr. Thompson's custom to assemble the

boys from all the schools of the Mission once a year at one
of the centres for sports and games, and the giving of prizes
for the year's school work. This happy custom was revived
wdien the new buildings of the Thompson School were opened.
These buildings were begun in 1910, and in almost any other
place would have been ready for use in a few months, but in
Bhil-land where the labourers are nearly all unskilled, have
no desire for work, and when actually at work are somewhat
lacking in speed, things move but slowly, and it was not
till November, 1911, that the glad public opening took place
amid such an assembly as Kherwara had never seen before.
Masters, boys, and the elders of the various congregations,
as well as all the parents of the children, were invited to
attend. It is not usual to answer invitations in this land,
so it was not known how many guests to expect, but as the
idea was new and the greater number would have to travel
many miles through the jungle, it was feared that few would
respond. On the appointed day, however, party after party
of visitors continued to arrive and the hearts of the mission-
aries were grateful that all the accommodation a Bhil wants
is a little space of ground to sleep on, and that he will wait
patiently any length of time for his food. Eelay after relay
went into the orphanage for refreshments, and no sooner
were big piles of unleavened cakes ready than the busy
cooks had to commence again, for a new batch of lads or
their friends had arrived. The mission compound that
night was teeming with life. Every available room was
occupied, and hall and verandah were covered with sleeping
figures. Tents had been erected for missionaries and their
friends.

KlIKKWAUA AND KDUCATION 55

The liist clay was Old Boys' Day and was spent cliiefly Old Boys'
in sports. Many of the Sepoys who had at some time or
other attended the school joined in with the others. There
was the usual higli jump and other sports so dear to
Enf^Hsh boys, but, in addition, the national weapon of the
Bhil came into use in the shooting competition with bows
and arrows.

In the afternoon prizes were distributed and the new hall
was filled to overflowing ; 600 must have been present on that
great day. Many were the approving ejaculations from the
parents and friends, as one little brown figure after another
received a piece of cloth as a school prize, or a shining piece
of silver for being first in some sports' competition, and all
were happy. The officers and ladies of the regiment showed
their interest by their presence, which added much to the
importance of the day's proceedings. In the evening a
magic lantern lecture, with hymns and a little talk, drew a
good audience once again to the newly-built ball.

The next day was given up to the Christian lads and
masters. Scripture Union meetings and a special meeting
for masters only were held. By the end of the third day
all the guests had left, and thus terminated one of the
happiest experiences the school has ever known.

Educational w^ork is essentially a work for the future, a Faithful
l)ut from time to time immediate encouragement is given,
such as is shown by the following instance. A lad after
completing his school course passed the seventh standard
examination, and became the teacher of a newly-opened
school. Soon after he commenced work in his new
sphere, the chief of the village, who was inchned to
be favourable to Christianity, called him to his bouse.
There, seated in some state and surrounded by the leading
men of the neighbourhood, he began to ask the young
Christian master questions concerning his religion, questions
by no means easy to answer. Standing there, the only
Christian in that heathen darbar, the youth was not dis-
mayed, but, after quietly listening to all the questions, he
took his Bible from under his arm and offered it to his

56 KiiinnvARA and education

questioner, with words to this effect: " Sir, 1 \\.\\\ not clever
enough to answer all your questions, hut if you will read
this Book and ask God to give you light in your heart, it
will answer all that you need to know." The chief was
evidently impressed by the quiet answer, and shortly after-
wards sent his sons to learn at the mission school. Since
then more than one family has requested to be instructed
for baptism.

Opening a About twenty miles from Kherwara, away from all

New School , • , n in . ^ i i ;

restramts oi man and (jrovernment, stands a large pal or

village surrounded by thick jungle, through which no Bhils

who are not inmates of the pal venture to go in the dark,

but those within this stronghold of nature fearlessly go forth

without any weapons. Even the little children do not fear

the wild animals, for there seems to be a truce among these

denizens of the jungle, whether wild beasts or people. But

should a trader go with goods for sale without assured

protection from the headman of the village, the people

would think nothing of taking his life for the sake of his

goods or even for his clothing. Such are the people of a

place in which a little school was started in January, 1913.

A Christian teacher had married a famine orphan from
the Lusadia Orphanage, and she had since found that her
relatives were living near the village described above. A
Bhil may arrive at his relations' house without notice and be
sure of a welcome, and however long he stays he can reckon
on receiving the best his host can give all the time. The
young couple had already visited their relations once, and
now the teacher went again, accompanied by a more
experienced Christian to support him in his request for
leave to open a school. In a few days they returned with
the joyful news that they had been well received,, had been
questioned by some devotees about the new religion, and
had been offered a room in which the teacher and his wife
might live and give lessons in reading and writing, provided
that the sahib would never want to build a bungalow in the
village.

To prove their independence of outside authority and

KHKKWAUA AND KDICATION

57

laws the villagers told the following story. A Mussulman Young
trader, taking a little tobacco, salt, and molasses with him, *^**
visited the village, hoping to be able to set up a small shop
there, and a friendly Bhil partitioned oti' one end of his
house for him. Some small boys, the eldest not more than

58 KIIKHWAUA AND KDUCATION

six years old, spied the vessel of sweet stui'l' ;uk1 in tlieir
little miuds planned out a campaign of stealth. Four of
them resorted to a quiet part of the jungle, and in a way
they had doubtless often witnessed, set about asking the
jungle spirit whether their endeavours would be fraught
w^ith success or failure. One boy sat down on his haunches
and began to rock to and fro, aping the man familiar with
evil spirits, working himself up into a sort of frenzy, while
one of the others, with an arrow head in his hand tapped
the bowstring above him asking, " Brother, shall we go or
not, and shall we be successful ? " " Yes ! Go, my son, the
way is clear, be brave, and gladly bring away the spoil."
Having ascertained the advice of the jungle spirit they
set out. After dark they crept up to the house and dug a
hole in the wall through which the smallest member of
their party could creep. Having crawled in, the boy
passed the contents of the vessel of molasses to his
companions outside, and so stealthily and cleverly did
he manage it, that the merchant sitting and talking only
a few feet away knew nothing about it till next morning.
He immediately made the theft known, and the headman
made all possible inquiries, but to no effect. The little
culprits might never have been found out, had it not
been that one showed no signs of hunger for the midday
meal ; this roused the suspicions of his fond mother's mind,
and after some persuasion he told her the whole story. In-
stead of being punished the children were extolled for their
cleverness, and the merchant was told he could not expect
anything else if he came to live with them.

Not very long after the above visit the missionary was
invited to go and see the teacher settled in the village. So
with as little delay as possible taking his bottle of water and
some sandwiches, he set forth one morning to the village,
twenty miles away, accompanied by three Bhil Christians, one
to play the drum. With just a little misgiving they entered
the new land, but the shyness and suspicion of the people
gradually wore off as the missionary first played with one
child at shooting with bows and arrows, and then drew another

Kiii:i;\\AK.\ \M> i:i)i(' \'n()N

59

to see an English pocket knife (wliicli eventually he was
allowed to keep), and a third became acquainted with the
pocket flashlight. By ten at night a small company had
assembled to hear the Christians sing their songs and preach
about their great Teacher, and then, in the early liours of
the morning they left the hut, whilst the Christians strove
lu snatch as long and sound a sleep as cattle, dogs, smoky
room, and hard tioor for a bed would allow. They returned
homewards to Kherwara rejoicing in having established an
understanding and friendship with these wild people.

A Village School

The Boys' Orphanage at Biladia

CHAPTEE VII

BILADIA

Boys'
Orphanage

Farm

Biladia, which Hes on the chief road of the country along
which many pilgrims pass to the sacred shrines of Eikabdev
in Eajputana, became a mission station, with Mr. Hodgkinson
as its first resident missionary, in 1901, after being an out-
station since 1888, when Mr. Thompson built a school and
rest house there. The latter wrote, " This place would make
a capital centre for work and ought to be the head-quarters of a
missionary." So another of the points which he considered
to be of strategic value was occupied soon after his death.

For the nine years following the famine the orphan boys
from the Gujarat side of the Mission, about thirty in number,
were settled at Biladia and occupied the greater part of the
missionary's time and care. . They varied much in age and
temperament, but all were wholly uneducated, and had known
nothing beyond the free and open life of the jungle. Besides
the ordinary routine of the school it was soon found necessary
to give the elder lads some manual work, and efforts were
made to teach several of them trades, such as carpentering,
weaving, etc., but with little success. Eventually it was
decided to start a farm on which they could learn to
earn their livelihood like other Bhils.

A plot of land was obtained near the bungalow and a

BILADIA 61

woll sunk, and all the boys were taught the rudiments of
farmuig, the elder ones giving practically the whole of their
time to this work, and in their spare moments learning
enough to enable them to read their Bibles and to manage
their accounts. The younger ones spent the greater part
of their time at school, hut were required to do a certain
amount on the farm also. As farming is the natural vocation
of the Bhil this effort has proved a success. Ten of the old
boys are now married and settled out on farms of their own,
and the majority of them are doing well. In some cases
(lod has so prospered them that they have been able to pull
down the simple houses erected for them on leaving the
orphanage, and to erect more substantial houses such as are
used by well-to-do Bhils. They are also the proud possessors
of bullocks, cows, and goats, while some own even the more
expensive buffalo.

Three of the boys have become teachers in village schools,
after passing the highest standard then taught in the Thomp-
son School, and are now hoping to pass the Government
School Final Examination, and receive the coveted govern-
ment certificate. Better still, one of the former orphans felt

sc -;'*4

A Bhil Farm

62

]ULADIA

Day School

Converts

Building
of the
Church

called of God to evangelistic work and is now preparing
for the Readers' Examination.

The great hope for the regeneration of Bhil-land lies in
the education of the young, so it is a matter for joy that the
day school in Biladia, after a somewhat chequered career, is
now well attended hy numerous Christian as well as non-
Christian children.

Besides the orpluin settlers there are only a few Christian
families in Biladia, consequently a recent addition to their
numher caused great joy and added considerably to the
standing of the Church. For many years. Gala, the mission
gardener, had listened to the Gospel and regularly attended
the Church services ; but, although he seemed to be drinking
in the message of God's love, he showed no inclination to
accept it. Whenever he was spoken to he would promise
to think it over but would venture no farther. A severe
struggle w^as going on in the man's soul, and from time to
time he would express his intention of joining the Bhil regi-
ment at Kherwara, and even went so far as to ask over and
over again, for a recommendation to it, although he knew
full well that no Christian is allowed to enlist. On one
occasion, in answer to the missionary's pleading that he
should definitely decide for Christ, he replied, " If you men-
tion this subject to me again, I will run away, I will not
remain in your service." The matter, therefore, was allowed
to drop for a year or two, but eventually the grace of God
prevailed, and in spite of many attempts on the part of
heathen relatives to hinder this step, he and his wife and four
little girls were baptized. He had formerly remarked when
pressed to decide, " Not yet, but when I do make up my
mind I will never break my word," and he has kept true to
his promise in the strength which God has given.

The Church services in Biladia were held Sunday by Sun-
day in the schoolroom until 1908, when a small stone church
was erected. The site chosen for the new edifice is quite
near the main road, and passers-by, attracted by the sound
of drum and cymbals, often turn aside to listen. The church,
which makes no pretensions to beauty, is built of rough hewn

HILADIA 63

stone, and has no furnilure save that which is necessary for
the minister. At the east end it is surmounted hy a stone
cross, the Christian symhol, witnessing to Bhil, Hindu, and
Mohammedan aUke of God's love to us in Christ. It is
called the Church of St. Andrew, in the hope that those who
worship there will hring others to Christ, even as Andrew
" hrought his own hrother Simon."

Since 1909, when the hoarding school was transferred to Evangelistic
Kherwara and the ophanage practically came to an end, more
time has been devoted to making known the Gospel in the

St. Andrew's Church, Biladia

surrounding villages. Those in the immediate vicinity are
visited during the hot weather, while the camping season
makes it possible to reach those at a greater distance.

During an itineration in the winter of 1912-13 the
message was welcomed on all sides. Never before has there
been such a manifest willingness on the part of the people to
listen to the Gospel. It would seem that here, as in other
parts, signs of a great advance of the Kingdom of Christ are
beginning to appear. May God in His mercy hasten the
day.

A BhTI Church Band

CHAPTEE Vlir

KOTRA

First
Efforts

Retreat

Looking back over the years it is helpful and cheering to
trace God's Hand overruling circumstances which at first
sight seem most contrary to the spread of His Kingdom.

In 1891 Mr. Thompson, after several previous visits,
opened work at a village called Kotra, situated about fifty
miles from Kherwara, which offered many facilities for reach-
ing a large tract of hitherto unevangelized country. Kotra
comprises two independent villages, one a small cantonment
of the Mewar Bhil Corps, which lies on the right bank of the
Pamri in Rajputana, and the other a simple Bhil village
in Gujarat on the east of the river. It was in the latter
that Mr, Thompson erected a rest house and a school, and
the Gospel message was proclaimed there until 1900.

After the great famine the work in Kotra was abandoned,
and owing to lack of workers to occupy it, and, above all,
owing to lack of funds for necessary repairs, the disused
school and bungalow were dismantled and the materials
sold. Not without sorrow was the decision made to give up
Kotra, and only those who have faced a similar situation can
realize the cost of relinquishing an outpost once held for the
Master.

KOTKA 65

After a long interval, a missionary climbed the natural Re-occupa-
barrier of massive liills l)eyond Som, and following tlio Kivor
Wakal along its rocky gorge, readied the small cantonment,
near which the ruins of deserted school and rest house,
gradually crumbling into decay, made their mute appeal.
For ten years the appeal had seemed in vain, but prayer was
made for Kotra, and one by one the barriers were removed.
A bungalow in the cantonments fell vacant, and the Com-
manding Ofiicer at Kherwara, Col. C. Hutton Dawson, a
warm friend of the Mission, at once informed the missionaries
that it could be purchased on reasonable terms. It was
privately purchased, and then arose the question of workers to
occupy it. Miss Bull, on whose heart the needs of Kotra
had pressed heavily for years, was free to go, but it was not
considered advisable for a lady to go alone to such a distant
outpost. Quite unexpectedly, a lady at home offered to go out
at her own charges to help wherever she might be most
needed in the Bhil Mission, and so in November, 1911, Miss
Bull started off wnth the new recruit from England and
several whole-hearted Christian servants, and once more
Kotra was occupied in Christ's name.

The timidity and suspicion which greeted Mr. Thompson False
on his arrival at Kherwara also marked the reception which
awaited them in the Kotra district. The usual report was
circulated in the bazaar, " The sahibs have come to make us
all eat beef and become sweepers." One evening, when the
little band, with hymn books, drum, and cymbals, went by
invitation to a village about a mile and a half away, and sat
down in the appointed place, not a soul turned up to listen
to them. It was somewhat depressing, but, nothing daunted,
after a little prayer among themselves, they started the
hymn-singing. By and by a scared-looking youth appeared,
and bursting into their midst during the singing of a hymn,
in a frightened voice hurriedly delivered a message to the
effect that all the people in the village were away, else they
would have been only too glad to listen. This was a
palpable lie, for figures could be distinctly seen peeping
through the fences of the houses and fields. However,

B

66

KOTRA

the missionaries immediately packetl up and took their
departure. Some weeks later a nice open-faced youth came
up to the bungalow. He said he had attended Mr.
Thompson's school as a small boy, and now he wanted to
learn more. His knowledge was tested, and it was found
that he had not forgotten how to read and write easy words,

"A nice, open-faced youth"

and his arithmetic soon came back to him. It was also dis-
covered that he lived very near the place where the hymn
singers had been so coldly received. Instantly the question
was asked, " Why were we treated so badly here, and why
would not the people come to listen to us-? " " Oh," was
the answer, " they heard that you were men dressed up in
women's clothes, and that you had come to steal their w^omen

KOTRA 67

and children, so they shut them all up inside their houses —
but they are sorry now, and wish you would go again."

From the very lii'st the evening meetings on the verandah
of the bungalow were well attended, and plenty of patients
came every day for medicine and treatment, so gradually the
prejudice was broken down. Meanwhile visits were paid to
the surrounding villages, where the reception was almost
invariably friendly.

Itineration is carried on during the cold weather, but only
those villages are visited from which invitations are received.
At first certain roughly outlined plans were made as to
the villages to be visited, but generally these plans have
been more or less altered, as a deputation of village head-
men would appear at the tent door, dressed out in their
best, with bows and arrows, swords, villainous-looking
knives, and, if possible, an old gun, to add to the imposing
effect, and they would plead so urgently for a sojourn in
their midst before the mission party left the neighbourhood,
that they usually succeeded, and away would go the camp to
some unknown little place tucked away among the hills, and
never before visited by white people.

A Bengali gentleman who was travelling in these parts
asked for a guard to accompany him, and, when told
that the mission ladies rode about everywhere without one,
expressed great sm-prise that they had not been robbed or
murdered. But the people realize in a wonderful way the
beauty and truth of the rehgion presented to them, and
know quite well that the missionaries are their best friends.
Were it not that they are so terribly bound down by ignor-
ance, superstition, and the dread of evil spirits, many would
doubtless accept the Good News immediately, and acknow-
ledge with their lips, what it is evident they really believe
in their hearts.

Meanwhile much good is done by the very presence of Arrestino
the white ladies in these dai'k places. One woman is quite " ""^^
certain that her life was only saved by their appearance in
her \-illage. She and her husband were both ill, and the man's
other wife declared that this poor woman had an evil spirit.

68

KOTRA

and was " sitting " on tho husband, and causing all the trouble.
The missionary was assured that, not long before, a neigh-
bour of this woman had been put to death with a red
hot iron, because suspected of being a witch ; and another
woman had her legs cruelly burnt for the same reason.
Truly " the dark places of the earth are full of the habita-
tions of cruelty." It is hoped that soon God will open the
way for one or two little village schools to be started in the
district, and so not only may the children be brought under
daily Christian influence and instruction, but through them
the story of redeeming love may permeate the dark ignorant
hearts of those livintj around Kotra.

^l'>

Cnrt to carry away the Spirit ot Sickness from a Village

The Medical Mission Premises at Lusadia

CHAPTER IX

MEDICAL WORK

The Bhils have very few real remedies lor sickuess, though
some use roots and herbs which they obtain from the jungle
wiien needed. Cauterizing with a hot ii'on is frequently
used instead of a mustard plaster. The lobe of the ear is
often tied round tightly to cure a bad eye, or the big toe to
cure or pi'event indigestion ; but sickness is almost invariably
attril)uted to evil spirits, so charms, exorcism, and similar
superstitious practices are at once resorted to. A snake or
scorpion bite will be treated by brushing the patient with a
leafy branch, while a spell is muttered by the wise man.
Superstition and dirt often greatly aggravate the sufferings
caused by the unskilled attempts of relations and friends to
reUeve the patient. Mr. Thompson's sympathetic nature
was deeply stirred by the sufferings of these poor ignorant
people in times of sickness, and he began the medical work
which has ever since formed a special feature of this Mission.
Not only does it relieve actual suffering, and so make known
the love of God in the only way many people can under-
stand, but it has proved an effective means of overcoming
their prejudices and superstitions.

At Kherwara the missionaries undertake no medical work, Biiadia
as there is a hospital and dispensary under government

MEDICAL WORK

Lusadia

auspices, but Mrs. Ilodgkinson's medical work at Biladia
has already been spoken of, and all the missionaries carry
medicines on their itinerations, and give every help they can
to the sick, who look on ail wliite people as skilled doctors.

At Lusadia, the medical work under Mrs. Birkett's super-
intendence has become a strong evangelistic agency. In
1905, new buildings comprising dispensary, operating room,
and drug store, and also two wards, one for male and one
for female patients, were erected to replace a small dispensary
built by Mr. Thompson. In the centre a convenient house
was built for the hospital assistant, but soon the attendance
of patients increased so rapidly that he had often to vacate
his own dwelling to accommodate patients who had travelled
long distances for medical aid. This rendered a further
extension an urgent necessity, and funds were raised, for
the most part locally, by his untiring efforts. A new block
for women, which brings the total accommodation for in-
patients up to twenty-four beds, was opened by Mrs. Eyre
Chatterton, the wife of the Bishop, in January, 1912, amidst
much local rejoicing. The work of the hospital and dispen-
sary has exercised a softening influence in various directions.
In many instances opposition and prejudice have been

Opening a new Ward, Lusadia Medical Mission

MEDICAL WOltK

71

disarmed by this gentle ministry. Although there have been

few actual conversions as a direct result of the medical

work, and spiritual results are always difficult to tabulate, yet

from time to time, encouraging tokens of God's blessing

have cheered the hearts of the workers.

In his report [for 1909 Mr. John 'Brand, the hospital The con-

* - . version of

assistant, tells the following striking incident : " Ever smce Rupa and

the Eat Famine ' the household of Rupa had heard the hold

Starting out on an Itineration

Word of God. His daughter emln'aced the Gospel and was
baptized, but the others were kept back by superstitious fears
and the opposition of their friends. Generally in times of
trouble they sought unto their old gods, but twice when they
' See page 3.3.

72 MKDK'Ah WOUK

I'oiiiid no help and were in sore need, liupa prayed to Christ
and said, ' Hitherto I have worshipped other gods, hut my
trouhles have not grown less, now leaving them I seize the
hem of Thy garment. If Thou he the True One, cut short my
trouble that I may thank Thee and worship Thee alone.'
His prayer was answered but in a few days he forgot his
promise. A third time he fell into trouble. This time his
wife was very ill. In spite of heathen remedies, she was so
troubled that for a month she cried through the whole
of every night. At last he called exorcists of every kind
to cure her, but in spite of all their charms and noise she got
no better, so he prayed to the evil spirit saying, ' Show me
a little improvement that my heart may have peace, or else
to-morrow morning I shall take her to Lusadia.' Next
morning she was carried in and he told his tale to the
hospital assistant, who warned him not to tempt God by
breaking his vow a third time. He examined the patient
but finding no disease thought it must be a special chastise-
ment, and gave a simple medicine as a placebo, saying, ' Do
not be afraid, God will send you relief.'

" Many Christians and heathen came that night to sympa-
thize with Eupa and his wife, for they are well known
people, and all were told that there was no disease but that
it was the ' grip of the hand of God.' The patient slept
comfortably all through the night, and next morning
husband and wife bore witness to her health and peace before
their numerous visitors, who, were amazed at God's power
and love. Their faces were radiant with joy and they eagerly
desired baptism. Even now Eupa was a little afraid of the
evil spirit and hesitated to remove its shrine from his house, but
at last he carried it out, threw it away, and was baptized."

This story may seem incredible in England, but evil
spirits are very real to all Indians, and the events related
here are just what occur in work amongst Animists all the
world over, as is shown in Warneck's " Living Forces of the
Gospel," a most useful book on work among Animists.

One other result of the medical w^ork may be related.
In the spring of 1912, a man came to the hospital for

Mi;i)IC.\L WOkK ( •)

treatment, sut'l'erinj,' from consumption. His condition im-
proved slightly under treatment, and the faithful teaching of
the message of salvation hrouj^ht peace and comfort to him and
his wife, who accompanied him. After five months' instruc-
tion he was baptized, and passed away shortly afterwards.
He was laid to rest by moonlight in the little Christian
cemetery, in sure and certain hope of the glorious resur-
rection hereafter. His wife was admitted as a catechumen,
l)ut left after her husband's death.

Patients come in from an adjacent native State, where at

Hospital Staff and Patients, Lusadia

present, with the exception of two elementary mission
schools, no missionary work is being done, and while furthei-
educational or evangelistic effort would be regarded with
disfavour, a strong medical mission would undoubtedly be
able to win its way in that large district of 1447 square
miles, with its unevangelized population of 101,103 souls. A
medical man to do surgical work is most urgently needed, as
many cases of great sufforing have now to be sent away
unrelieved.

The Church at Mori

CHAPTER X

The

Ordained

Ministry

CHURCH ORGANIZATION

The great task before all missions, in addition to that of
evangelizing the heathen, is the building up of a strong
indigenous Church in the wisest and best way.

The young converts had a unique and most valuable
lesson in Church organization when Bishop Eyre Chatterton
visited Lusadia in 1909 and ordained Mr. Vyse to the
diaconate. A great number of converts who had come
from all parts of the Mission, were able to enter fully into
the solemn service of Ordination, as it was conducted in Guja-
rati, their own language. There were 192 worshippers in
Christ Church, the " cathedral " for the time of the Bhil
Mission ; and a company of eighty believers gathered round
the Lord's Table at the close of the Ordination. The greater
number of these had been children of darkness ten years
previously, but were now rejoicing in the Hght and liberty of
the sons of God.

This was the first and so far the only time a Church
of England ordination has been held in the vernacular
in this diocese, and its taking place among them was a

CHIHCH OUGANIZATION 75

source of great joy to the whole community. It gave them
knowledge and insight into the ditTerent offices in the Chris-
tian Church and the responsihiHties attaching to them,
which we trust are calling forth increasing prayer for the
bishop and clergy. It is earnestly hoped that before many
years are past the Church will be provided with a ministry
ordained from amongst its own members.

In the ]^hil Mission efforts are being made to train the church
converts in self-government by means of a council, which
has the special feature that all the married men in the
Church are invited to attend it and take part in the debates
and vote. The object is to make all realize that they are
really responsible Church members, and that the Church
is their own and not a foreign one. Since most of the con-
verts have been baptized in this century, and are totally
unaccustomed to representative government, it seems best to
let all the men meet at the council. They have discussed
such matters as the admission of low-caste converts, tem-
perance, marriage customs, heathen festivals, and social
customs, and the council has proved a powerful means of
educating the converts both in morals and religion. All the
five congregations are wathin a day's w^alk of the centre, and
walking is the only means of locomotion, so these council
meetings are not prohibited by cost. Each congregation
has a committee to manage its local affairs. This is at
present nominated by the missionary, with the help of the
lay-pastors, but before long it will probably be elected by the
congregation. The way is thus being prepared for repre-
sentative government, which must be introduced when con-
gregations spring up so far from the centre that all the men
cannot attend the annual meeting.

The worship in church is as Indian as possible. All the worship
congregations sit on the floor. The canticles and hymns
are in Bhili metre, set to Bhili tunes, and are sung in
Bhili fashion. The precentor sings each line alone, and
the congregation sing it after him to the accompaniment
of drum and cymbals. All sit while singing. Our Church
of England services, when thus modified, seem as suitable

76

CHURCH ORGANIZATION

as could be desired, and never lose their deep spiritualiLy.
The great ditticulty is to translate the prayers into language
simple enough for illiterate people. It is hoped that the
Psalms may soon be put into Bhili metre, and then even the
most illiterate will be able to sing them after the precentor.
The Bhil Hymnal contains a hundred hymns, of which about
half, and those the favourites, are original hymns written by
the Bhil converts themselves. The rest are borrowed, with
kind permission, from older missions in Gujarat.
Ministry In the Bhil Mission all the catechists are under the

Church council which pays them, and they act as lay
pastox's of the Christians among whom they live, holding the
Bishop's hcence. They also evangelize the heathen near
them, and thus the Church is being trained to feel that the
responsibility for evangelization is theirs, not that of the
foreign missionaries. When the missionary is absent the
lay pastors conduct the services and act as chairmen of
the Church committees. When lioth missionary and lay
pastor are absent, the leading or best educated man in

The Beginnings of a Congregation

CHURCH ORGANIZATION 77

the congregation conducts the service and gives the address.
The Hcensed lay pastors and other laymen do very valuable
work, but as they cannot administer the Sacraments the
need of an ordained ministry is keenly felt.

The l^hil Church Council receives a gi'ant of about £50 a Finance
year from the C.M.S., and this is diminished by one-fortieth
eveiy year. In the present circumstances of mission work
in India this is the only possible plan. The offertories in
church, which are the only way the Bhils contribute, and
which include the missionaries' offerings, amounted in 1912
to £33. Out of these monies the Church pays its lay pastors,
and pro\ades everything it needs. The lay pastors get £1
a month, as a maximum, and are allowed to farm. When
there are ordained ministers, the Church council hope to pay
them perhaps up to half as much again, and still allow them
to farm.

The Christians have built two cliurches. The one at
Lusadia (see p. 36) is a substantial one, with mud walls and a
tiled I'oof. The congregation contributed all the unskilled labour
with their own hands, and they relay the tiles themselves
every year. The other, at ^lori, is wattle-aud-daub, and was
covered at first with a leaf roof, but the people have just
bought tiles and made it a better roof. This church w^as
built on their own initiative, without consulting the mis-
sionary. The pastor merely asked his permission. It is
erected in the corner of a field, and there are no title-deeds.
This may be insecure, but it has obviated the difficulty of
asking for land in a native State, where such proceedings by
the foreigners are much objected to. The council has built
two parsonages, which are just ordinary Bhil farmer's
houses, and is digging two wells for its pastors.

All catechumens are brought before the Church Com- Discipline
niittee, and none are baptized without their consent. All
discipline is administered by the Church itself, and the
Bishop only excommunicates when the offender is reported
to him for excommunication by a committee.

There are larger or smaller congregations in connexion Oui-siations
with Lusadia, Khetadara, Jesingpur, and Mori. In the two

78

CHURCH ORGANIZATION

Co-opera-
tive Society

more distant of those villages there are resident lay pastors,
while Mori is visited from Lusadia. Khetadara, with its
dilliculties, has already heen mentioned, but it has been
cheering to see very definite advance in two out of three of
these little congregations since regular Sunday worship has
been conducted in their midst. They are also visited weekly
when possible by one of the lady missionaries from Lusadia,
and persevering efforts are being made to raise the spiritual
tone of the Christian women to a higher level, the great
difficulty being that the majority of them are unable to read.
Reference has been made to the condition of debt and
difficulty in which most of the Bhils pass their lives. In
order to help them to free themselves from the hands of
the moneylenders and to raise them to a measure of inde-
pendence, a Co-operative Society was started in April, 1906.
Non-Christians and Christians alike may benefit by this insti-
tution, lest the hope of membership should bribe men to
become Christians. During the first five years of its existence
the Society made a profit of £22 ; of this it retained £15 for
the use of its own members, and used £7 to help those of its

members who live in

two rather distant vil-
lages to form two

daughter societies.
It borrows money

at 6\ per cent., and

lends it to its mem-
bers at 12^ per cent.

per annum. These are

very low rates, for

Bhils have generally

to pay 75 per cent, or

more to the local

moneylenders. Money

lent to the society is

protected by four

safeguards, viz., (1)

only trustworthy men a Buiiock waggon

CHURCH ORGANIZATION 79

are elected members ; (2) the liability of every member
is unlimited ; (3) loans are only granted for approved
objects ; and (4) every one wishing for a loan must bring
two sureties. As in each society each member knows
every other, and is liable for the money lent, they all
watch one another's use of the loans most carefully, and
there has been no loss through members failing to pay
interest or to repay loans.

The members now possess 103 head of cattle through the Benefits to
help of the society. In addition to this, six farmers have '^^'"'"^'■^
been helped to pay debts, three to make wells, two to build
houses, two to embank fields, and one to make a tank for
irrigation. The Society's greatest use, however, is the
splendid training it gives its members in the proper use of
money, thus teaching thrift and honesty, strengthening their
characters, and fitting them for the work of governing their
own Church.

Some Christian Children at Lusadia

CHAPTER XI

WOMEN'S WORK IN CAMP AND STATION

Op late years the number of inmates of the girls' orphanage
has been greatly reduced through the marriage of the girls to
the orphan boys, so that of the large number of girl waifs
sheltered during the famine only five remain under the
Mission's care. There is, however, a thriving infant school
at Lusadia for the village children. Weekly Bible classes
for vromen, both at Lusadia and Biladia, are held by one of
the lady missionaries.

The more definite opportunities for evangelistic work
amongst the women are found in the camping season.
Writing in 1895 of itinerating work in its usually accepted
sense, Mr. Thompson compared it to ploughing the sand of
the seashore. Indeed, a visit of a few brief days amongst this
unenlightened, untaught tribe cannot possibly make much
impression. It has been found therefore more profitable to
cover a small area, and to make longer visits than is usually

women's WOUK in cam I' AND STATION

HI

clone in other Indian Missions. Some of the lady missionaries
often arrange to camp first in the villages wliere thei'e are
ahcady Christians, feeHng tlic urgent necessity of giving
additional teaching to the women beyond the instruction they
receive at Sunday school and at the Sunday services. In the
Kotra district the work lies entirely among non-Christians,

"C>iK

On tne Way to a Camping Ground

82 women's work in camp and station

and there the joy is often given of proclaiming the Message
to those who have never previously heard of Christ.

Perhaps a short sketch of a day in camp will give the
best idea of the opportunities and privileges of this work. It
is early morning, and from the huts around come the
subdued sounds of the whirr of the grinding mill, showing
that the women are already astir to provide enough meal for
the bread for breakfast. After a time, as the day begins to
dawn, the outer curtain of the missionary's tent is lifted, and
the Christian servants, who are, indeed, fellow-workers in
camping time, and possibly a few of the village Christians,
gather for a short time of Bible reading and prayer. Armed
with a few necessary drugs, visits are then paid to the sick
folk who have asked for help, and however little the mis-
sionaries' medical knowledge may be, they are not exempted
from doing their utmost to help the suffering ones, who have
unlimited confidence in their capabilities. Various visits to
Christian and non-Christian houses fill up the morning hours,
and at mid-day the Christian women, released for the time
being from household cares and field work, come and sit in a
circle on the floor of the tent for teaching. Eeading lessons,
Scripture teaching, instruction for Baptism or Confirmation
is given, and often it is nearly three o'clock before the last of
the scholars leaves. It is uphill work for these dear women,
who have never been taught anything beyond the practical
duties of everyday life, and it is pathetic to watch their
efforts to master the difficulties of the alphabet sheet or first
reading-book. But they are very patient, and although they
have to stand jeers and taunts from their less enterprising
neighbours, some have definitely set before them as their
goal to read God's Word for themselves, and are not easily
discouraged.

The hour after sunset is usually devoted to the children,
many of whom have been out all day in the hills guarding
the cattle. There is quite a rush for the Miss Sahib's tent,
not solely for the sake of the teaching, but when once the
fear of the stranger is overcome, the wonderful things con-
tained in the tent, such as chairs, table, lamp, etc., are an

women's work in CAM!" AND STATION 83

inexhaustible mine of interest to the youthful Bhil. The
reading-sheets are far more easily mastered by the younger
brains of the children than by the scholars of middle age.
Scripture stories and Bible verses are quickly learned, — thus
the hour with the children passes rapidly. One evening a
Bhil boy of about twelve yeai-s appeared at the tent-door, his
long hair shaded his timid, eager little face, his lithe, upright
form was scantily clothed — he was, in fact, a typical heathen
Bhil child. " See, Miss Sahib," he said, pointing to his bare
leg, " I have been out on the hills to-day, and my axe slipped
and cut my leg while I was chopping wood, will you give me
some medicine to cure it? " The wound was not a bad one,
but he was made happy by having it attended to, and was
very proud of the clean white bandage, which showed up
well on his brown skin. He came from a heathen home,
and the bad leg was an excuse for coming every evening to
the tent not only for medicine, but for teaching too. One
evening, when most of the children had left, this little lad
lingered there, and began turning over the leaves of a few old
magazines on the table. Presently I turned to him, catching
the words, " Isu kyan ? " (" Where is Jesus ? ") spoken very
softly as he steadily examined the picture. " What are you
looking for? " I asked.

" Where is Jesus ? " was the unexpected answei-.

" Where have you seen a picture of Him, for I have none
here ? "

" Some weeks back," was the reply, " the sahib was here,
and he showed us pictures with the big light (magic lantern).
One picture was of Jesus, with His arms stretched out
so " — (and he threw his arms back), " and they had put great
pegs " (using the word for the iron tent pegs) " into His
hands and feet. I want to see the picture of Jesus
again."

A little talk followed of the great love of the Lord Jesus
which made Him willing to suffer so, and with bright, eager
eyes, the little Bhil lad from that dark heathen home listened
to the stor}' we all know so well. Was it unconscious thirst
in the heart of that wild little Bhil that made him remember

84

WOMEN S NVOliK IN CAIMI' AND STATION

SO ^Yell the picture he had only seen once, and made him
wish to see it again ?

Later on a lire is made at a little distance from the tent,
and, when a few others have joined them, the Christian
servants begin to sing a native hymn to a well-known
melody with the usual accompaniment of drum and cymbals.
By degrees well-shrouded forms saunter up to the fire — a
few of the braver spirited of the non-Christians, attracted by
ihe sound of the singing. The evening ends with a short
Bible reading and prayer, and
some who have come thus under
the friendly cover of darkness
for the first time become inte-
rested and venture to come
again. As the fear and shyness
wear off, they will linger some-
times for a chat round the fire
with the Christian servants, who
as a rule are not slow to avail
themselves of such opportunities
of telling others the truths which
have become precious to them-
selves. Sometimes a magic
lantern display takes the place
of the evening hymn-singing.
This brings together a larger
number of people, and often
there is a fair sprinkling of
women and children, who as a
rule do not come out to evening meetings.

Sometimes invitations to visit the women of the higher
caste Hindu famihes are received, generally as a result of
medical work. A Hindu lady, who from time to time has
been an inmate of the hospital, expressed a wish to be visited
in her own home, and one day, late in the rainy season, an
opportunity occurred of complying with her request. In these
high-caste circles, a certain amount of etiquette prevails,
so, in conformity with their rules, word was sent beforehand

(Silk

Bhll Woman in Working Dress

women's \\on\\ IN CA^rr and station 85

of the proposed visit, and the numher of Christians who
would accompany the Miss Sahib, for it would not be
considered polite to visit a lady of rank unaccompanied. A
message of welcome having been duly received, the little
party, consisting of the Indian hospital assistant, his wife
and two children, another Christian woman, and the mission-
ary, set out, armed with Bible pictures, a few Scripture
portions, tracts, and hymn books. At the entrance of the
village, women were watching, and with many words of
welcome escorted the visitors to the chief house. There a
large crowd of women was already assembled, and the
hostess came forward and greeted the newcomers with
gentle courtesy. After a little preliminary conversation, Bible
pictures were shown and explained. Christian hymns were
sung, and with great eagerness the dear women tried to join
in the singing. After about two hours the missionary rose
to take leave, but the hostess would not hear of such an
eai'ly departure, and took her to an inner room, to rest till
the meal in preparation for the guests should be ready. A
young girl was told off to fan the visitor, and a woman with a
long palm-leaf was instructed to whisk off the flies. The
hostess herself meanwhile superintended the cooking of the
food. Then a little group of women gathered round the
white woman, and asked many questions about the foreigner's
home and relatives. Presently an old lady whose face was
lined with care, looking up, said sadly, " Miss Sahib, I have
always sorrow at heart. My husband and two sons are
dead. I am old and all alone." As simply as she could the
missionary spoke of the great Father's love for all His
children, the bereaved and lonely ones being His special
care, and proceeded to try and unfold something of the
message which had brought her into their midst. How far
those, who, in advanced years, hear thus the good tidings
for the first time, are able to enter into its meaning, is very
doubtful, but as the missionary concluded, the old lady again
spoke. " Miss Sahib," she said, " we in this village are just
like the animals, and so are our children. We eat and sleep
and drink and die, and are no better than the beasts. We

86

WOMEN S WOEK IN CAMP AND STATION

are only women ; who would care for us sulticicntly to come

and teach us the true worship ?
No one cares for us, we are
only women." These haunting
words linger on in the memory
of the writer as they voice the
pathetic cry from hundreds of
Indian villages, where, un-
visited in trouble, uncared for
in sickness, untaught in youth,
many thousands of women are
left to face the bitter sorrows
of this world, without a gleam
of comfort for the present, or
a ray of hope for the dark and
unknown future. There are
many such villages in Bhil-land.
Does no one care ? No, that is
not true. God the Father so
cared that He gave His best
to meet their need. The Son
of God so cared that He gave
His life for them.

One, the pioneer of this
Mission, following the foot-
steps of His divine Master,
loved not his life unto death,
that the message of life might
reach the poor untaught Bhils.
How much do we care for the
souls for whom the Master
thought it worth while to die ?
Upon the answer to this ques-
tion depends in large measure
the extension of His kingdom,

the hastening of His return, and our own personal share in

the joy of the final harvest.

Orphan Girl with Water Pot

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APPENDIX IV

CHRONOLOGY OF THE BHIL MISSION

1840
July. Mewar Bhil Corps raised.

1877
Feb. Conference on Non-Aryan Tribes at Salisbury Square.

1878

Sept. 29. All Saints' Church, Kherwara, consecrated by the Bishop
of Calcutta.

1880
Nov. 27. Eev. C. S. Thompson reached Kherwara.

1881

Nov. 7. Rev. C. S. Thompson begins to treat patients and visit
villages.

1882

Mar. 29. School in verandah begun.

1884
Nov. 19. Rev. and Mrs. G. Litchfield arrive.

1885
Mar. 16. First attempt at village school, in Karcha, near Kherwara.

1886
May 8. Grant of Land at Lusadia.

CHUONOLOGY OF THE BHIL MISSION 91

1887

April 21 Rev. C. S. Thompson selects site for Biladia bungalow with
-22. Nathabhai Sahib.

The Khcrwara girls' school was opened by Mrs. Litchfield.

1888

Sept. 2. Rev. and Mrs. G. Litchfield transferred to Benares.
Dec. 18. Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Collins arrive.

1889
Dec. 15. First baptisms — Suka, his wife, and four children.

1890

Feb. 9. Prcma Hurji baptized, after being poisoned by his elder

brother.
July. Strike in Biladia school, because twenty boys were examined

in the first book and failed.

1891

Kotra resthouse built.
Dec. 15. Kotra school opened.

1892

Jan. IS. First Christian marriage — Prema and Amari.
,, IG. Para Rao Sahib gives land for a school at Kalbai.

1893

April 18. Baulia school finished.

The Kherwara girls' school closed through opposition during
this year.

1894

April. Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Collins transferred to Mcerut.

Nov. 23. Revs. H. J. Peck and H. Mould arrive.

1895
Dec. Rev. H. J. Peck invalided home.

1896

Jan. 30. Rev. E. P. Herbert arrives to take charge of the IMission.
Mar. 21. Rev. C. S. Thompson sails from Bombay on furlough.

92

CHRONOLOGY OF THI'. HIlfL AMISSION

is;)7

Nov. Rov. A. Outram arrives.

Bokla school building bcguu (finished in 1898).

1899

Mar. 8. Rev. E. P. Herbert at Aden on his way home.

Sept. 6 Rev. H. IMould writes from Khorwara about the beginning
and 27. of famine relief. Ho leaves the Mission soon after.

Sept. 27. Rev. and IMrs. A. Outram begin famine relief work.

Oct. Rev. A. Outram opens dispensary and boys' orphanage.

Mrs. Outram opens girls' orphanage and school.

Dec. Rev. C. S. Thompson returns from England.

1900

May 19. Death of Rev. C. S. Thompson.

,, 31. Mr. J. C. Harrison arrives from Lucknow.
June 1- Rev. F. Westcott of the S. P. CI. Mission, Cawnpore, at

July 15. Kherwara, helping the Outrams.
June 100 tons of maize, sent by " Christian Herald," New York,

reaches Udaipur.
„ 9. Rev. E. P. Herbert and Mr. J. C. Harrison arrive at Baulia
to take up Mr. Thompson's work.
July 22. Dr. A. H. Browne from Amritsar and Rev. E. Rhodes from
Kangra arrive at Baulia. Dr. Browne finds Mr. Harrison
ill at Biladia. Mr. Wilson, an Indian medical assistant,
from Amritsar, joins him later.
July. Nearly 9000 receiving relief.

Aug. Rev. A. E. Day arrives.

,, 17. Rev. and Mrs. A. Outram leave for Agra, and are invalided
home; Rev. J. W. Goodwin and Mr. G. W. Tyndale-
Biscoe taking charge.
Mrs. Dawson (wife of the Commandant) takes charge of the
orphan girls till the Misses Davies and Richardson, lent
by the Z.B.M.M., arrive.
,, 19. Dr. Browne has dysentery; Dr. Orbisou of the American
Presbyterian Mission, Lahore, is with him, and stays a
month.
,, 25. Mr. Harrison invalided to Mussoorie, and Mr. Herbert for a
voyage to Aden.
Sept. (1st Sergeant MacArthur, 2nd Battalion K.O.S.B., joins Mr.

week) Rhodes, who has been transferred to the Gujarat side.

Sept. 20. Close of acute stage of famine.

Mr. Rhodes returns to Dharmsala with dysentery.
Nov. 20. Sergeant MacArthur rejoins his regiment.

„ 27. Rev. and Mrs. A. I. Birkett arrive at Baulia from Lucknow.

Dec. 6. Rev. J. W. Goodwin brings Rev. W. Hodgkinson and Mr.

G. C. Vyse to Baulia.

,, 15. Dr. and IMrs. Browne return to Amritsar from Biladia ;

thirteen orphans, Lalji their housefather and Nanka their

chokidar, go to Baulia.

CHHONOLOGY OF TllK HHIL MISSION 93

1901

J:tu. 19. Mr. K. Walker arrives, lent by the Gond Mission.

!\rar. Miss Bull and Miss Carter take charge of the girls' orphanage

at Kherwara (thirty-throe girls), from Miss Davies.
July. Mr. Luxnian Hurry arrives, in the first week, lent by the

Sindh Mission.
Aug. Meetings of Bhagats at Lusadia.

Oct. 17. Mr. Walker invalided with blackwater fever.

,, 20. Rev. A. Outran! returns from England.
Nov. 7. Twenty-two converts (including children) baptized at Lusadia

by Rev. A. Outrani.
„ 9. iDeath of Rev. J. W. Goodwin at Bombay from blackwater

fever.

1902

Aug. 29. Rev. and Mrs. A. I. Birkett return to Lucknow.
Doc. 14. First seven Khetadara converts baptized at Lusadia.

1908

May. Walls of Lusadia Church complete.

Dec. 3. Thompson Memorial Fund closed (Rs 8243.12.9).

1904

Jan. 8. Miss Newton arrives from Meerut.

Feb. 13. Dedication of Christ Church, Lusadia, by the Bishop of

Nagpur. Twenty Bhils confirmed.
Mar. 2. Iloli tire removed from its old site, Lusadia.

The Khetadara school opened early in this year.
May 3. Rev. and Mrs. A. Outram leave Kherwara, invalided home.
Sept. Mori— the school is flourishing.

Nov. 25. Rev. and Mrs. A. I. Birkett appointed to liUsadia for

permanent work.
Dec. School opened at Jesingpur.

1905

April. Jesingpur : land for rest house lent by Thakor of Bhentali.

Lusadia : Land lent by Thakor of Karcha for medical

mission. Dispensary, two wards, hospital assistant's

house built ; and also cookhouse, servants' quarters, and

stables for new bungalow.
May 1. Mr. Luxman Hurry ordained deacon.

July- Correspondence resulting in the closing of the schools at

Oct. Khetadara, ]Mori, and Jesingpur. They were closed for

the holidays on June 30, and must not be re-opened

without permission.
Aug. Mr. John Brand, hospital assistant, arrived at Lusadia vice

Mr. Reuben.

94 CHRONOLOGY OF THE RHIL MISSION

Sept. 10. Good rain began and lasted three days in answer to prayer

on the Gujarat Missionary Conference Day of Prayer.

There had been no rain since July 29, before which it

was good.
Dec. 25. Lusadia: A Committee of Bhils manages the Christmas

Feast.

190G

April 2. Lusadia : Co-operative Credit Society started.

Nov. 1.3- 1st mela at Lusadia ; missioner, liev. W. G. Proctor.

16.

1907

Jan. First baptisms under mohuda tree, Jesingpur.

May 5. District Church Council holds its first meeting, twenty-sis

Indian members from twelve villages.
Dec. 25. First service in St. Andrew's Church, Biladia.

1908

April 20. Lusadia D.C.C. Agents' Committee ; Premji, Peter, Kanda,
and Waja accept service under the Council.
D.C.C. Standing Committee Pastorate Fund formed, C.M.S.
grant Rs 60 per mensem.
Dec. 20. Rev. Luxman Hurry ordained priest.

1909

June 15. Boarding school moved from Biladia to Kherwara, and

named the Thompson Memorial School.
Aug. 1. Kherwara Standard VII opened.
Dec. 18. Mr. G. C. Vyse ordained deacon in Gujarati at Lusadia.

1910
Mar. 17-

21. Gujarati Convention at Nadiad.

April 5. Mr. Luxman Hurry transferred to Bombay.
May. Mr. Vyse has enteric fever.

Thompson School : all fourteen boys pass Standard VII
examination.
Nov. Miss Shaw comes as an honorary helper.

,, 3. Eleven Thompson schoolboys appointed teachers by

Conference.
,, 4. Three Thompson schoolboys accepted by D.C.C. for training
as Readers.

1911

Feb. 2. Rev. C. L. Shaw joins the Mission.

Mar. 30. Conference adds the School Final Standard Examination

to the Thompson School.
Oct. Singra Dhula and Halia Deva pass Vernacular School Final

Examination, after three months at the Irish Presbyterian

School, Anand.
Nov. First school mela at Kherwara.

,, 26. Miss Price joined the Mission at Lusadia as an honorary

helper.

1912
Dec. 22. Rev. G. C. Vyse ordained priest at Nagpur.

1913

Jan. Miss Newton leaves on furlough, and resigns on her

approaching marriage.
April. Bhil delejiates go to the Central Church Council at Jabal-

pur for the first time.
Oct. 25. Miss R. R. Watts joined the Mission as an honorary

missionary in local connexion.
Nov. 17. Bhil Rising on ^langad Hill suppressed.
Nov. 24. Rev. and Mrs. W. Hodgkiuson transferred to the Gond

Mission.

1914

Jan G. Teachers' Training College opened by Irish Presbyterian

^lission : three C.M.S. Bhil students admitted.
March. Printing begun of the revised Gujarati Prayer Book.

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