By Charles H. Stalker
In beginning the account of the second tour around the world with the precious wife God has given me during my stay in the home land, I would acknowledge the special leading of the blessed Holy Ghost from the time I arrived in San Francisco, until the time of sailing from New York, January 26th, 1904.
The burden of the lost world increases from day to day, as more than one-half of this world was vet without a song or sermon, and so many missionaries on the field who had never received their Pentecost.
God placed His special seal on the work and the messages which He gave me in the different camp meetings and conventions that I had attended since my return from the other trip. While others were being called of God, I began to feet that He would let me go again, although knowing some of the realities on the field, and that the former trip almost cost my life; yet I was glad to say, "Here I am, send me." Oh, the teeming millions of precious souls who were fast passing into eternity without the Bread of Life. I spent many nights in tears and prayer, and he told me I could go. His voice was so sweet to my soul, and I just kept this secret to myself, and shed tears of joy to think that He would let me go again to the fields that have been dead ripe for centuries; and yet so few have appeared to garner the sheaves of gold from the fields of sin.
After I had spoken on missions at a convention in Chicago, a person came from the second seat from the front and gave me five dollars; but as the offering was for Japan, I supposed this was to go there to, but they said, "No, the Lord told me to give you this, that you were going around the world again, and this was the earnest." No one knew it but God, and I could hardly wait for the time to slip off to my room and express my gratitude to Him. Soon the money was sent me in large and small amounts. The Holy Ghost told one man to give me five hundred dollars, and he did. These among other things were special seals to the words the Lord had spoken to me in my room while on my knees, a few weeks before.
The meetings kept getting better and better, and I shall never cease praising God for the secrets, sermons and souls that He gave me in the last few months. At the close of a wonderful convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after giving a missionary message, the altar was filled and a large offering laid on the platform. God was there in power, and to Him be all the glory.
Upon the day following, November 16th, 1903, I was married to Catherine Stephenson, at the home of her sister in Pittsburgh. Aside from the Holy Ghost she is the most precious gift God has ever given me. A woman full of faith and the Holy Ghost and a like burden for the salvation of the lost world, and a clear call to visit the heathen field. I shall never cease praising God for the real helpmate He has given me.
We continued in evangelistic work until we sailed. The farewell meeting in Mahaffey, Columbus, Philadelphia and other places, were times of great blessing; and we were so grateful to those who stood by us in those days.
George Williams of Philadelphia came to New York to wave us a last farewell. He presented us with a watch which began ticking as the steamer left the harbor, and has been ticking ever since. Engraved upon it were these words, "Because He has set His love upon me, therefore will I deliver Him." During an attack of fever while in India, being too weak to read my Bible, I would look at those words, and the glory of God filled my soul, and my faith looked up to Him, and He healed my body. Bless His precious name forever.
Soon New York was out of sight, and we were so glad we were on our way and such a sweet assurance in our souls that we were in Divine order. We read some farewell letters, and looked at some tokens of love and remembrance from our friends. The trip was no longer something to look forward to and dream about, it was a reality, and we were out on the ocean with a deep settled peace in our souls.
We went to our stateroom and arranged things there, then came up stairs again. The steward arranged our places at the table, but we did not have much use for those places for several days. We took one good look at the table, that satisfied us for sometime, although it was loaded with all the good things one could wish, if on land, and a great deal more than one wants on a tossing ship.
We found ourselves surrounded with a number of so-called Christians, who were going out as missionaries to the heathen. They played cards, read the latest novels and some drank, with the excuse that it would prevent sea-sickness, but we noticed they had their struggle at the end of the journey, while we had ours at the beginning. It brought the blush of shame to our faces as the officers and passengers would sneeringly refer to these, "drinking missionaries.
They sat at a table by themselves, as there was quite a party of them; but praise the Lord, there was one young lady among them who refused to enter into their frivolity, and when we talked to her about being sanctified wholly, she gladly received the Holy Ghost and was made to rejoice. She said she had gone to a minister some months previous to her sailing and told him she knew she was clearly converted and asked him if there was not something that would satisfy her heart before going to a strange land, and he told he "No," that was where the warfare of the Christian life came in, and she must always battle against carnality. How glad we were to uncover the erroneous statements, and see her rejoice in the "Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." It made us doubly glad as she was on her way to carry the Gospel to the heathen. I had been speaking plain on this line before, but my heart was stirred afresh", and I promised the Lord I would do all in my power to show people the importance of tarrying until they be endued with power from on high, before going into the mission field. Is it not sad that so many go to. the mission field who have never received their Pentecost, and are ignorant of salvation? It was during these days. and with these surroundings that the Lord spoke more plainly to me than ever that we were to go around the world, and return to the same land and give the message that He had laid on our hearts, and do all we could to keep others from going to the heathen who have not known the Christ.
Up to this time, we did not know but what we would remain on the field indefinitely, but His voice was clear. It came with no uncertain sound. So we continued our journey, giving testimony by lip and life to our fellow passengers, that there is power in Jesus' blood to keep us clean. A society lady on board, who wore silks and diamonds, listened attentively with tears streaming down her face to the story of the cross. She said she had never heard before that the heart could be changed and satisfied, but she told how repulsive the empty things of the ball room and theater had become, how glad she was to hear the simple story. When she would see Mrs. Stalker sitting alone, she would go to her and ask her if she had time to tell her more of this wonderful salvation. She had always been taught to worship the Lord afar off, but to receive Him into her heart was like beginning life over anew.
Before leaving the home land, we felt that the Lord made it plain to us that we should stop in Palestine. We felt that it might be too much of a luxury for us, but when the Holy Ghost spoke, that settled it.
On arriving in Port Said, the agent in the ticket office informed us that Jaffa was under quarantine, and had been for some time, and that we would have to go a roundabout way that would take a week longer to go and a week to return, and even then it was uncertain, as he would not assure us anything. As we only had a month for the entire trip, and the steamer we came in on would leave in an hour for India, we must decide quickly. So we went to the Lord in prayer, and He made it plain that we were to stop regardless of circumstances and seeming impossibilities. It is wonderful how he leads, sometimes in places we cannot see. We had our baggage taken off the steamer, and she soon pulled out, leaving us with nothing in sight but the assurance in our hearts that God had spoke and He would fulfill, in what way we could not see. We went to the office to buy our tickets the long way around, and while there the word came, The quarantine is lifted, book all passengers to Jaffa." We were the first to land there for months. Our hearts were assured, "The iron gates had opened of their own accord." Praise the Lord, He always has a way through for the one who will trust and not be afraid. "He leadeth me, oh blessed thought."
One must have a permit from the Turkish Government in order to enter this land. Everything is under lock and key.
Jaffa is said to be the roughest landing in the world. After a night's ride on the steamer we found our ship anchored about two miles out, and very boisterous waves between us and the shore. But soon the little boats began to arrive and draw up by the side of the steamer, and instead of putting the gang plank down, as was the custom, we were taken one at a time and tossed down into the little boat. It was not a very pleasant sensation at the time, but we felt better when we reached the little boat below. It took six strong men to row us to the shore over those high waves. This was the place where Jonah tried to run away from the call of God.
While here we visited a mission, and the Lord greatly blessed. It is a wonderful work in which souls are being saved and sanctified. Just before we left, the children sang in English, "Go tell the world, go and tell them Jesus died for sinful men," and oh, it seemed to fire us anew, and we were glad to go on such a wonderful mission. They sang it so earnestly, and we believe from a heart of love, for those who are yet in the bondage of sin. And while they were but children, and it would be some time before they could' return to their people with whom they mingled, we felt a solid foundation was being laid in their lives that would make them brave soldiers for the cross. The Lord bless Miss Parsons, who is working so faithfully among them.
We went from here to Jerusalem, and in going from one place to another in which our Savior walked, wept and. prayed, our hearts were thrilled with delight to behold the scenes he saw, and walk where he walked, and see the people with whom he mingled, who, we are told, have changed but little since He was there. It was all such an inspiration to our lives and increased our faith and confidence in the Word of God. On the first Sabbath we asked the Holy Ghost to lead us to a place of worship. We walked along the narrow street for some time, and just before we reached a mission a man on a donkey passed us. We did not think much about him, as he was a stranger to us, but after we reached the mission, we saw that he was the one in charge. He came and shook hands with us, and asked me to take the service. He said that the Lord had told him as he passed us, I was the one who had the message for the people that day. I knew that I felt a great longing in my heart to tell of the a salvation that had saved me from sin, but I did not know whether or not there was any place in Jerusalem that I might deliver this message. But as I stood before the audience, some missionaries and some residents of the city, the Lord began to speak to me about how faithful He would be to the heart that would be true to Him, and the victories he would give. He had verified this in my own life within the last few months, I could give it as a personal testimony. At the close of the service a number held up their hands for prayer, and some prayed through. A lady who had been on the field but a short time said she felt a longing in her heart that some way she might be sanctified, and had been told many things by people, but nothing satisfied. She listened to the message that day, and the light flashed on her heart and she saw that it was between her own heart and God alone. She must look to God, not to people. She prayed so earnestly, with tears streaming down her face, and as she looked to Him, the Holy Ghost came into her heart, and in her own words she said, "It is settled, and He has come to abide forever, and I shall never cease to praise Him." That night I spoke to a large audience of natives through an interpreter. Although it was given at great disadvantage, it was marvelous how God convicted and spoke to souls. Glory! As we were going to our room, we praised God for His leading the first Sabbath in the Holy City. "I being in the way, the Lord led me."
This interpreter, whose name is Melkie, an Armenian, went with us to the different parts of the city. Our hearts were greatly touched on hearing him tell how in the late massacre his father and forty of his relatives were killed. He, with his wife and large family of small children, fled from Nineveh, thirty days' journey on donkeys, and came to Jerusalem. He gives a beautiful testimony to the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and says while their hearts were almost broken, yet they praised the Lord through it all. We visited their home and could feel the sweet presence of the Lord. He was doing mission work in this city, and we believe he is one of the Lord's anointed. As he went with us through the streets, he would speak to people behind the counter, or any place he would meet them, and the Spirit of God seemed to touch their hearts. We were inspired anew by his earnestness to help those about him to a higher and nobler life.
While here we visited a mission for the blind, and talked to them about receiving the Holy Ghost. One young girl confessed Christ, and when she returned home, they threatened to kill her and put her down a well if she would not renounce Him, but she said, "although they do all this I will be true to the One who has done so much for me." At this. mission we became acquainted with Miss Mary Reed, who contracted leprosy during her noble work among the lepers of India, and the Lord so wondrously healed her. She was here for a little rest We felt it a real blessing and privilege to meet such a saint of God.
By invitation from the Superintendent, we went to the Ramallah Mission to hold some meetings in the school. We received a warm welcome, and so much enjoyed the time spent with brother and sister Kelsey and Rosa Lee, who are in charge. This is a real oasis in the desert land. We found many receptive hearts, and souls were saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. The work was impressive for its solidity and spirituality. It has been established for a number of years, and has been fruitful in the salvation of many souls.
After going to a number of other places and seeing precious souls pray through to God, we felt that our work in Palestine was done. And leaving the account for the Recording Angel himself to keep, We went on our way rejoicing to other fields of labor.
After reaching Port Said, while waiting for the steamer, we were walking up the street looking for a hotel, when we stopped to ask a young man who was standing in front of a shop to direct us to one, which he kindly did. But before we left him, as he afterwards told us, he felt he could open his heart to me, which he did. His story was that several months before he left the home land, he had been sanctified wholly. There was not a doubt about it.
The Lord gave him souls, and he had a wonderful time, but on reaching Egypt, the field to which God had called him, he found such opposition from some of the leaders to his preaching plain and telling people they could live perfect before God, there was such pressure brought to bear upon him, that he scarcely knew which way to turn. He was standing there thinking and praying about what he should do. He felt he must be true to God. He went with us to our hotel, and we had a blessed time in the presence of the Lord, and I exhorted him to go on and be true. I was afterward asked to preach in that same mission, and God helped me to uncover some things, and souls were saved and sanctified. Much of the opposition was broken down, so when we left the port the young man was encouraged and rejoicing in the Lord, and said he would be true to Him unto the end.
We returned to the ship and had a very pleasant, but uneventful voyage. There were very few passengers on board, and it was a time of quiet and prayer, seeking special wisdom for our work in India, that we might accomplish the most for God and souls during our stay there. We felt that the Holy Ghost was revealing the sweet will of God and assuring our hearts that all would be well, and He would be with us, no matter what we had to meet. We passed in sight of Sinai, and could also see the border of Africa at a great distance across the water. As we thought of the workers there, our hearts went up to God that He would keep them true until Jesus comes.
It was a glad morning when we arose and could see the glimmering lights of the heathen city of Bombay. We were met at the wharf by faithful Abraham, with a smile on his face, and a hearty welcome. The first thing he said was, "Praise the Lord, brother Stalker, I am glad you are back, I still have the Holy Ghost." The sun was burning hot. It seemed to defy God and man to cross the borders of India. The heat almost prostrated Mrs. Stalker before we could find a resting place. Tongue or pen cannot describe what is brought to bear upon one in those awful climates, where the devil is worshipped and Christ is not known. "Who is sufficient for these things?" "Our sufficiency is of God." We were met by a number of precious saints who had received the Holy Ghost on the former trip. How it made our hearts rejoice to hear them shout the victory and tell how wonderfully the Lord had kept them. Our dear brother Hughes and wife, who were so kind to me before, and who at that time received the Holy Ghost, made us very welcome in their home, and we spent the day with them.
We went to Bulsar, got our mail, which made our hearts beat high with gratitude and praise, as we read from this one and that one, how they had thought of us and prayed for us -sometimes in their meetings and sometimes about their work they would bear us to the throne in the arms of faith, and felt that their prayers were heard and answered. Here we also met some true and tried friends.
After being there a few days, we went to Pandita Ramabai's work, at Kedagon. On our arrival, we were met at the train by a native of India who was neatly dressed and perched upon the front seat of an ox cart. He helped us in the back of the cart with our luggage, and away we went, and in a short time reached the mission. When our cart stopped in front of the door, one of the workers came out to meet us, and took us to a little nice cozy room, and we soon felt quite at home.
Ramabai is a high caste Hindu woman, one of deep spirituality and knows the Lord as her Saviour and Sanctifier, who after becoming a Christian longed to tell her own country women in their own language the wonderful story. It is marvelous how God has blessed her in the work she is doing for the "child widow," the fallen girls and any and all whom she can help. It is the largest mission work in India. She impresses us as being a true representative of Jesus Christ, strong in character and convictions, and yet with the humility and simplicity of a child and much faith and prayer.
As we went into the mission that morning we saw a large audience of about five hundred people sitting on the floor listening to the message of God from one of His missionaries. After she was through speaking, they all joined in singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name." The tears rolled down our faces, we wondered if the music of heaven could be any sweeter. Surely the angels were bending to listen, as this great crowd of people were marching out of heathen darkness and singing the songs of the Lamb.
Widowhood in India is regarded as a disgrace. It is supposed to be a punishment brought on because the woman committed sins in her former existence on earth, or while her husband lived she disobeyed the gods, and she was the cause of his death. If she is a young widow without children, she receives even more of the abuse and hatred of the community in which she lives. She is only allowed one meal a day, she must never join any feast and jubilee, she is usually the one who does the hard work for the family, she must never wear the red paint on her forehead that the other women wear, and must have her beautiful black hair shaved, as well as give up all her pretty jewels, and she must never think of marrying again. Frequently she is turned on the street to beg for her living. Many times she is not over ten years of age, and sometimes not that old. So it is hard for her to understand why alt these hardships are heaped suddenly upon her. The iron bands of caste are so rigid that no one would dare to marry or help her, else he would be ostracized. No one would eat with him or no one would be willing to marry his children, or bury him at his death, nor would he be allowed to worship in the public temples, because he had broken caste by showing favor to the widows. So even though some honest men may see the great wrong of inflicting such punishment on the widow, yet they are so in the minority, they are powerless to obey their convictions. It seems that it is almost impossible for help to come from within. Oh, that men and women from the home land would dedicate their hearts and lives to God, and go forth full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and hold up the standard of the cross, until these stone walk of superstition are crumbled and buried forever. Ramabai's daughter interpreted for us during the special meetings we held there, in which a large number stood for prayer, and wanted to be sanctified wholly. Our hearts were greatly touched as they prayed in tears, in an unknown tongue, that He would come into their hearts to abide forever.
One testimony out of the many that were given, was from a young man, who when he started in this Christian way, met with strong opposition from his parents, as the stand he had taken not only involved himself, but them also. As he was their only son, they would have to share in the punishment for his disobedience to the gods, and no doubt they would refuse to answer any of their prayers on this account. Previous to this, they had given the son some money, but he was not td use it if he took up that "new doctrine," but 'he became a Christian and used the money anyway, and during the meeting the Holy Ghost flashed the light upon his heart that he must go to his parents and make that wrong right. He struggled and tried to get out of going, but found he must do it. It meant so much, but he went. They loved him and had been so proud of him, but were afraid to forgive the debt lest they should be severely punished by the gods. He promised to return it but they felt so disgraced they would have nothing more to do with him, but he found favor with the Lord. "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."
Those who come out of heathen darkness meet with opposition that many of us know nothing about. They have been taught from infancy to have idols in different places about their home, bow down to those along the highway and in the temples, attend and take part in the heathen festivals, and observe many customs which seem trifling and even foolish to. us, but sacred to them. These they must all denounce, and step out atone with their relatives all about opposing them, and live a life of faith in One, whom they cannot see, but can hear His voice, and know they have passed from death unto life. They cannot explain it to those about them, for, "The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us that believe, it is the power of God."
We were glad to meet with the workers alone and give the message the Holy Ghost had laid upon our hearts. We were loath to leave but felt the time had come to say good-bye. A young lady from the school was also leaving for America to enter a medical college, and after her training, return to her people.
We were not long in India until we learned to sit on the floor and eat with our fingers. I remember the first place we did this. The people all sat along either side of the room, and a cleanly dressed native girl in her bare feet passed along and helped each one to some rice and something of a gravy-like appearance. Then we mixed it with our fingers, and did our best at eating it. We were not experts, but took lessons from those who were accustomed to eating in that way. We were thankful when we got through, our feet were asleep and we had not disposed of much food. We are sure we had the sympathy of all in our undertaking. They looked as though they wished they could eat for us.
We want to call attention to the tender way in which our Father cares for His own, even though they may be ten thousand miles from home. We reached Poona early in the. morning, and found we could not get a train out until 8 o'clock that night. The heat was intense and considered dangerous. It was especially hot about a railroad station. We had inquired about the hotels, and felt they were entirely too expensive for us. So we prayed and asked the Lord to give us grace and strength to stay there, but He did far more than we had asked or thought. As we were sitting in the station, a native lady came in and told us that a Parsee lady, who heard of a couple of missionaries being at the station had sent her carriage to take us to her home. We gladly went, and found a most beautiful home, supplied with all the comforts of life. She was a highly educated, talented lady, could speak the English language, and best of all, she knew God as her personal Savior and Sanctifier. When the servant showed us to our room, our eyes fell on the scripture motto which hung on the wall, "The Lord careth for His own." We could not but weep and praise Him. Surely he was manifesting Himself again and again to His unworthy children.
We remained there several days, and visited some of the surrounding missions. This lady had a work for women and children. As I was not well, I was compelled to remain in my room, and spent the time in quiet and prayer. She and Mrs. Stalker visited a number of places and talked and prayed with the women and children. It was here that Mrs. Stalker first came in touch with some of the customs and lives of Zenana women, who live in such seclusion and are practically prisoners. Miss Sarabija had never heard of us, nor we of her, until that morning, but she received us so kindly into her home, and insisted upon our remaining longer, and since we could not, she urged us to come again, which we thought we would do, but we found too many open doors to go to the same place more than once. "Surely the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong" in the behalf of His people, and He will deliver them. Amen.
The condition of the Zenana women is not only sad, but it is a great problem how to reach them, since they live so secluded, the intellect is so dwarfed, that a woman of twenty or thirty is more like a child, while all the worst passions of the human nature are developed and stimulated. Jealousy, envy and hate are uppermost in their nature, thus making it hard for them to grasp the story of the Gospel. It is hard for them to understand, yet they ask the missionary to come often, and they will learn as fast as they can. It is possibly the first time they have ever had a kind word, or heard that any one cared for them. One woman said, "If I had heard and understood this before, I never would have been in this sad way." She was living day after day between four walls, and was seldom, if ever, seen on the street, or had the privilege as she called it to visit the sacred shrines or bow down before any other idols besides the ones in her own room. Often whole families, with possibly a brother-in-law, or some other relative with his family, will all live in one room. They can come and go as they please, but the wives must stay inside, and if they ever go on the street, it is with a veil over their face. One of the questions which confronts the missionary more than any other is, "If the Gospel is so important, why did you not come to us with it before?"
The Holy Ghost so wonderfully opened the way for us to go to a hill station. As it was getting very warm, we felt the need of a change, and we hoped to have meetings with the missionaries and soldiers as the Lord opened the way. The heat is so intense upon the plains during the summer months that the missionaries are unable to do much, so they go to the hills for a little rest and change. It is not a luxury, but it better prepares them for the work which is before them.
At one of the meetings there an English army officer kneeled at the altar and received the Holy Ghost. After which he told us how he was led to Christ. He was sent from India to China during the Boxer trouble, being sent with others to the relief of those in such peril at Peking. On arrival they could hear the shouts of those shut up in prison behind stone walls, but they were hard to locate. The order came to tear down walls and reach them at any cost. This they did, and when they found them some had become so weak during their long wait for relief they could not walk, and yet they had such shining faces and spoke of the sweet peace in their souls which passeth all understanding. Some were carried out and laid on the street and soon passed into eternity with a shout of victory and an expression of joy at being in the sweet will of God. This touching scene the soldier witnessed. It melted his heart and on his return march he said, "If people can shout under such circumstances, and in the face of death, there must be something in Christianity." So he gave his heart to God and became a follower of the same Christ. His comrades said there was an entire change in his life, and they had great confidence in him. He gave up smoking and drinking and all other bad habits. It was blessed to see how eagerly he sought the Holy Ghost. It was a wonderful work of grace, and one we believe will stand until Jesus comes.
I remember a young native who sat pretty well back in the congregation. She was neat and clean and modest in appearance. After the message I told my interpreter to ask her if she wanted what I was talking about. She said she had never heard anything about the Holy Ghost before, but her heart had been longing for something that would deliver her from the things that seemed to confuse her so easily. She looked up in faith and the simplicity of a child and bade Him come in. If the missionary in whose mission this young lady had been converted had received her Pentecost, this sad testimony would not have been given. "We have not so much as heard whether there he any Holy Ghost."
After a few weeks of blessed service here, we felt led to go to another field. Some felt it was a dangerous time to travel on the plains, but our confidence was in Him who sent us forth, so bidding our friends good-bye, we left the pure air of the mountains and started in a "tonga" for the railroad station, seventeen miles down the mountain. The curtains of the "tonga" were fastened down and the door closed so as to keep the heat out. It was like dropping down into an oven.
On our way we saw one of those hideous looking people known in India as "a holy man. A more degraded, lustful and filthy person cannot be found. His face and body was painted with different colored paint, his head was shaven, and he wore very little clothing. Yet millions are left in India to worship these characters and pay for the privilege of bowing down before them. Should not this condition of affairs bring awful conviction upon people in Christian lands who resist the Holy Ghost and do not believe in Bible holiness, when there is a desire in the heathen heart to respect this doctrine? As we looked at this man our hearts sank within us. This is the best representative of holiness one-half this world has today, and it is more than eighteen centuries since Jesus said to His church, "Go ye." It is an evident fact that we have not carried out the commission and that accounts for the sad condition of the many millions under the heathen yoke.
As we journeyed over the desert and through the jungle we could see on every side the sad sights connected with heathen worship -- the stone gods, the many heathen temples, the weary pilgrims and all kinds of degradation. How long, oh, how long, will they have to wait to hear of the true God?
After leaving the "tonga" at Abu Road, we spent two days and nights on the train. It was very hot and sultry, but the Lord gave grace and glory. The train stopped at the station at the foot of the mountain. I saw an intoxicated native, the first one I had seen on this trip. A heavy storm was coming up and his friends were trying to pull him in out of the rain, but he would not go. There he lay in the rain, while the lightning was flashing and the thunder rolled. It was a sad picture. Whisky had gotten in ahead and was doing its damning work.
We were very glad when we could leave the train with its noise and dust, and on horseback we began to ascend the mountain. Our baggage was carried by natives, sometimes on their heads and sometimes on their backs. They carry these heavy loads over the mountains for about eight or ten cents a day. In one place young girls about fifteen years old carried our trunks on their heads to the station.
When Mrs. Stalker objected to the men allowing such a thing, they said, "The women are used to it and they are not very heavy." We journeyed slowly on, winding round hills, going over dangerous and narrow places, where if the horse had made a misstep, we would have fallen hundreds of feet. Sometimes we would have to get off and pull ourselves up some steep place by the roots of a tree, while the kind native would help us until we reached a landing place, then he would go back and lead the horse. We traveled from ten to twenty miles a day. This was all new to Mrs. Stalker, as she had never ridden horseback before.
One day we stopped at a government bungalow to get something to eat. We were very tired and worn. The cook brought in a very nice looking dinner, but the "curry," which is the principal dish in India, had stale chicken in it and it poisoned Mrs. Stalker. One is easily affected by the foreign food. She soon began to feel very ill. It was not a suitable place to stay all night, and they had no bread, so all we could do was to hasten on to the next bungalow, which was ten miles farther on. We felt it was running a risk, but we mounted our horses and hastened on. She grew worse and worse until she could scarcely sit in the saddle. I rode in front and Abraham behind, praying all the time. We plodded on as best we could, and at last reached the village. We carried he? into the bungalow and she lay on a cot suffering intensely until about three o'clock the next morning. Soon after we reached there a heavy storm came up. There we were with no one to help but God, but He was faithful and verified His promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, and tie instantly healed her." Glory to God! What a wonderful Savior we have! One who can heal the body as well as the soul. I shall always praise Him for this sweet answer to prayer. Bless His name.
After spending a few days here praying with some souls, I received word that my father had passed away. I thought of dear ones at home and how I would like to have been with him in his last hours, but there was not a regret in my soul that I had left all to follow Jesus.
Soon after this I was taken with a fever. It seemed like a heavy load had settled down upon me, and a fire was shut up in my bones. I became weaker and weaker, and it seemed that I could not stand it long. Our interpreter had gone to hold some meetings in another place. We felt that we could not keep him back, so we were there alone, with only the natives about us. Mrs. Stalker succeeded in getting what I needed to eat, which was only a little broth, but she needed more than this. She could only make motions and use a few words she had gathered. She prayed and wept and held onto God. I was so weak I could scarcely pray. I had begun to think that an open grave was before me with only a few natives to cover it, and to be missed by one who loved, it would mean so much for her to be left in that lonely place. I went over carefully every step taken since we left New York, and there was not a place where I would have asked a change, either in triumph or test. The voice of the Lord had been so sweet and clear. I was taking less interest in things about me and felt that I was burning up. I would try to arouse myself when I felt Mrs. Stalker's hand on my head, but even then she seemed far away. I would try to talk, but it was with great effort. In my weakness I asked Him to give her strength for what was before her. She kept on praying and believing that God would deliver. She asked Him to lay the burden of our condition upon some one's heart at home who knew how to pray, and He did. On comparing the date with dear Brother Reese's letter we found he was prompted by the Holy Ghost to pray for us in great earnestness at that time, as he felt that we were going through a test, but he did not know what it was. That night I awoke and found that the fever had broken and I was perspiring freely. I felt new life in my veins and I was ready to go forth in His strength. Oh, magnify the Lord with me. He healed me. Glory!
A few days after I was healed I was in the saddle again, Mrs. Stalker going in a "dandy," which is a box-shaped affair carried by four men, on our way to another place where we found hungry souls. An English lady whose husband was an officer in the army came to us as soon as she found that we were missionaries, and began to inquire the way of salvation. She was educated and well informed upon the news of the day, but as she said, ignorant of the things of God. She did not know that one could have experimental knowledge of Him, and her heart was hungry. She longed to know Him, and one evening she came to our rooms and gave her heart to Jesus. May the Lord keep all these who have committed their way to Him. We go on, but He remains with the faithful ones.
One morning we were asked to go to a native school and speak to the students. On arrival we found about a hundred boys seated on the floor waiting for "sahib" and "mein sahib" to speak to them. It was the first time they had ever heard the Gospel. They asked Abraham to take their pictures and have the "mein sahib" to sit with them, which she did.
One day we saw a poor old man with his cane in his hand, plodding along the way. He had been to a sacred shrine to worship and looked so sad and discouraged. We spoke to him and he told us where he had been to worship, and he said that he had hoped his heart would be satisfied, but it was not. We told him of Jesus, and after he had started down a little path we could hear him say, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." He wanted to remember His name so he could tell His people about Him, and what the man said He could do for them when he got home. As we watched the weary pilgrims by the hundreds going to the sacred places, with scant food and very little clothing, only to return with heavy hearts, and to sink deeper in despair, our hearts cry out, "Lord, send forth laborers into the great harvest field," and we believe He is trying to speak to many people through providences and things He permits to come into their lives, about the neglected heathen, and of their privilege to lead them unto Him, and yet they are so taken up with other things they do not listen or heed. A high caste lady who is doing a noble work for her own people in India, who had been in America and visited in many of our homes, said to us one day, "I am quite confident that if some of the American ladies who are whiling away their time with the emptiness of society and entertaining and being entertained, knew the real joy of spending even one day among our women, and leading them to the cross, and helping to lift their awful burdens, they would never be content to remain at home."
After the heat was over and we finished our work in the mountain, we had several days of prayer and waiting before God. On our way across the plain we stopped at a place called Barnease, and visited what is known as the monkey temple." Here hundreds of them are kept and well fed. Sometimes people will feed them nuts or fruit from their hands, and they will snatch it and run up the side of the building to a little platform made across one side of the building to the other. Here they will sit and eat what has been given them. Sometimes they play tricks on each other, which might seem comical, but when you see men and women bow down and worship them, it makes one feel sad and heavy hearted, and you want to slip away and cry to God to equip and call forth more laborers into this great harvest field. Sometimes they will select a certain one, and they think their heart needs will be better understood by always going to that one. We shall never forget the great crowd of men and women who stood about that temple with such dejected and forsaken expressions on their faces.
It is not an uncommon sight to see strong men worshipping the ant or snake, or whatever they have been taught would answer their prayers. One day while traveling over the plains we saw a man worshipping the sun. He was kneeling by the roadside with his eves closed and his face turned toward the sun. It was burning hot, but he was doing it regardless of the suffering it caused, in order that his sins might be forgiven. Does this not touch our hearts? We long for it to be changed, but the Bible says, "How then shall they call upon Him of whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a teacher?" Surely the Lord meant for those who have already received the light to take it to those who are in such awful darkness.
After being out on this long but victorious trip, it was such a blessing and benediction to our hearts to reach the Now Gong mission. We reached there about three o'clock in the morning, having ridden from the railroad station, a distance of seventeen miles, in a rough wagon without any springs. It was like reaching home. We found some of the missionaries up waiting for us, and how we thanked the Lord for preserving their lives and ours since we last met. The next morning as we alt gathered around the family altar, our hearts were melted with gratitude and praise to Him who had led us and brought us thus far on our journey. We felt His sweet presence in our midst. Glory! We shall never forget those days. His richest blessings continually rest upon those precious workers. We were impressed with their deep spirituality and their great desire to obey the Holy Ghost. We never appreciated the communion of saints any more than during those days. God bless them a thousand-fold. We had several meetings here which the Lord greatly blessed. Mrs. Stalker and some of the ladies visited the Zenana homes and prayed and sang with those women who are in such isolation. She also went with the nurse to visit the sick in different parts of the village. A great many who knew the nurse would follow them and beg them to come to their huts and sing and talk with them.
A touching story is told of the daughter of Arthur T. Pierson, who came to India and was the means of salvation of many souls, among others was a high caste Hindu. Her health failed and she came to Now Gong to rest, and she became seriously ill. She grew worse and worse and soon died, and she was laid quietly away in the little cemetery near the mission. This Hindu heard of her death and felt that he must live where he could visit the grave of the one who led him to Christ. He was told that if he came to live there they were afraid his wealth would hinder his work among the poor people, but he told them that if they would only let him come he would be willing to live in a sod house and eat rice as the others did in order to be near the grave. So he went and for some time visited her grave daily, and thanked the Lord -- because she was the means of letting the Gospel light into his poor, benighted soul and turning him to God. But it was not long until a deadly disease which is so common in India took hold of him, and when they told him he could not live, he would soon see Jesus and the missionary, he was glad to go and the Lord took him home, and his body was laid by the side of that of the missionary. As a result of her life, a memorial church is being erected there and hundreds and thousands will hear the Gospel. Thank God.
We had such a blessed time there with all its precious associations. We felt we would like to stay longer, but the time came to go on, and we left early in the morning in a hard rain, but with glory in our souls.
We held several meetings in Bombay in different parts of the city, and souls were saved and sanctified. To God be all the glory. One Sabbath morning I preached to a large English-speaking audience in the Methodist Church on Acts 17:23, "I found an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown God.'" The Holy Ghost sent conviction to the people and many realized they had the form of godliness, but did not have the power. A young man who was an officer on a ship came to my room and settled with God and took new strides in faith. Also a man who once knew the Lord, and who had charge of a mission, but had lost out in his soul, prayed and wept bitterly over his disobedience and came back to God. How glad we were to see those who had received the Holy Ghost on our former trip going on with Him, hear their prayers and songs and see the great change God has wrought in their lives.
We were glad to see dear brother and sister Grey and hear them tell of the victories God had given in the severe tests and trials through which they had passed. They surely are the Lord's chosen ones, and may He lay it on the hearts of those in the home land to stand by them in faith and prayer that many, yea, thousands, may be gathered into the fold through their faithful ministry on the field.
When the day came for us to sail a number of friends stood on the wharf and waved us good-bye. Our prayers went up to God that He would keep them true. Brother Hughes took our ship out into the deep, which we felt was a sweet benediction to our going. After he had taken the ship out from the dock and climbed down its side to a small boat to return, he took up the speaking horn and shouted across the waters as long as we could hear "494," which means among the sailors "God be with you." This was the last familiar voice we heard from India's shores.
The sea was troubled as it was monsoon season, but there was a deep calm within our hearts. There were quite a number of passengers on board and we found some real hungry hearts, but many of them had no time for God; they were too busy with the pleasures of the world and seeing after their wealth. We felt a sense of security in learning from our captain's lips that he was a Christian.
