The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-08
How an Indian Prince was Con
verified

How an Indian Prince was Con-
verified.
Many years ago, in one of the mission
schools, was bright young Hindoo boy,
named Bhajah Lal. Active in play, he
was also diligent in study, and as a re-
ward for his proficiency in learning, a
Bible was given him. The boy did not
value the gift because it was God s word
for, child though he was, his young
heart was joined to the idols to which
his parents bowed down-but because
the book was prize, given him on ac-
count of his diligence as student, he
gave it place among his treasures.
Ten years before this time the Ma
harajah of the Punjaub, in Northern
India, died. The heir to the throne was
his little son, Duleep Singh, then but
four years of age. AS he was too young
to WELD the sceptre of government, re-
gents governed in his place; and at the
time when our story opens, these regents
were engaged In war with the British.
In this war they were defeated, and the
sceptre of the Punjaub passed into the
hands of the English.
The British Government placed the
young prince, then fourteen years OF
age, on pension and removing him
from the country where he had expected
one day to reign as king, sent him to
Futteghur to be educated. Those to
whose care he was committed, desired to
make as pleasant as possible the life of
the exiled prince; and to amuse him.
sought for him a young companion
The person to whom the choice of such
a companion was intrusted, visited one
day, the school in which young Bhaiah
Lal was pupil. The bright, handsome
face of the boy at once attracted his at
tention, and the intelligent answers he
gave, when qestioned in his classes, de-
lighted and surprised him. and he re-
solved to secure this young student as a
companion for the boy-prince.
Bhajah Lal was pleased with the dis
tinction conferred upon him, and was at
once transferred from the school room
to the home of the young prince-a
fine mansion in the midst Of extensive
grounds, on the banks of the sacred
Ganges.
One day young Duleep Singh found
lying among the possessions his compan-
ion had brought to his new home, the
Bible which he had received at school as
prize. 1t was a new book to him, and
he curiously turned over its pages.
What is this?' he asked.
1t is tie sacred Book of the Chris
tians, was answered; land it was given
me as prize at school, so I keep it.
81 wish to know what it contains, -
said the prince. Turning over its leaves,
he pointed to chapter. Read this to
me, he said.
Strangely enough, it was the chapter
in Acts containing the account of the
conversion of Saul. Eagerly the young
prince listened. Again and again the
story Of the wonderful change in heart
and life in this man was read to him.
And then he desired to know more of
that gospel which had power to convert
the fierce prosecutor into the faithful
and self-denying minister and missionary
of that faith which he had once sought
to destroy. And so, day after day, the
wondrous story of redemption was read
to him, until he began to feel a personal
interest in the great theme. Did he not
find In his own heart just such passions
as once burned in the heart of Saul {?
And did he not need just such Saviour
as Saul needed? Some of the faithful
missionaries at that time living in Fut-
teghur were made acquainted with this
case, and sought to instruct him more
perfectly in the things of the kingdom.
Duleep Singh withdrew his confidence
from the Brahminical priest, and placed
his trust alone in Christ as his great
High Priest; and on the 9Th of March,
1858, he received the ordinance of bap-
tism in the presenc: of all the servants
of his retinue, Of the European residents
of the station, of the missionaries, and of
the native Christians. He was at that
time eighteen years of-age.
In the years that have come and gone
since that eventful day, Duleep Singh
has continued faithful to his VOWS. For
many years he has resided in England
but he does not forget his own country
and people. A large number of mission
schools for boys are supported by him
In India; and each year, on the ami
versary of his marriage, he sends prince
ly gift to the mission, in one of whose
schools his wife, to whom he is devotedlv