The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-05-24
A MYSTERIOUS VOICE.
The Strange Manner in Which a Missionary
and His Party Were Saved from
Terrible Death.

ana his PARTY Were saved from
a Terrible Death.
The following interesting phenomena
is taken from Times of Refreshing, the
organ of the '.Work Faith, under DR..
Charles Cullis:
At a very recent meeting in New
York, DR.. Cham berlain, veteran OF
the ''Arcot" Mission in India, related
the following personal experience to
strengthen the faith of his Christian
audience in the power of prayer:
While upon tour, which lasted five
| months, he found himself overtaken
by the rainy season and on the out
skirts of the jungle. He applied to
the authorities for forty coolies OF
bearers. They were furnished with a
guard, to prevent the others from for
saking him. They had not pro-
ceeded far before both guard and
coolies ran away rather than face
the terrors of the jungle at that season.
Proceeding as best he could to the
nearest station Of the province, he de-
manded assistance. The Governor
said NO" with emphasis, adding that
not man could be obtained to enter
the dreaded jungle, where the ground
was covered with water, where lurked
the fever and the man-eating tigers,
more ravenous than usual since the
fiocks upon which they preyed had
been driven to the uplands. The
| doctor showed to the Governor a fir.
man compelling every one, under
severe penalties for disobedence, tC
assist him all he needed. Under this
pressure forty-four coolies were oh.
tanned, divided into four companies of
eleven each, watched over by the doc
tors four assistants, the doctor him
self proceeding on horseback. with a
loaded revolver to menace the men
and kill wild beasts. The coolies were
paid full wages in advance, with the
promise of as much more at the end OF
the journey.
Their objective point was at the foot
of a cataract about sixty miles distant,
where they expected to find boat or
which they might float down the river
Above the cataract not boat could be
found, and the river had overfowed
its banks. All day they waded in the
jungle under alterations of heavy.
showers and boiling sickening sun.
Toward evening the doctor met two
hunters returning from the examina,
ton of their traps, and now running
to reach, if possible, before nightfall,
the highlands. In answer to questions
the doctor was told there was not a
hill, not even a hillock, on which he
could spread his tents for the night
nothing but water, water, and endless
stretches of it, like that which they
were splashing through. What could
he do for himself and the band that
locked TO him for leadership? Nothing.
Where on earth could he find the
means of reaching the cataract and
boat? Nowhere. Must they, then,
all perish?
In this extremity the doctor, on the
back of his horse, prayed to his cove
nant God, saying in substance: 20
Lord, | am helpless to extricate N.Y.
self from this dangerous situation.
Yet | am thy servant, and in obedi-
ence to the command of the Lord
Jesus have come to India to preach
the Gospel to the heatben. In His
service | have been brought into this
difficulty and peril. Be pleased to
show me where to 60" Immediately
an answer came, as distinctly pro-
nounced in the ear of his soul as ever
any words were spoken to the ear of
his body: Turn to your left. 90 to
the river, and you will find that which
you need" Immediately he consulted
his guides, who assured him of the
folly of proceeding in the direction
indicated. Then came the voice the
second time, repeating the direction
first given. Consulting the guides
again, he was told that the river had
overhowed its banks, and it was i'm
possible that rescue could come from
that quarter. For the the third time
the voice came, saying: Turn to the
left, proceed to the river, and you will
find that which you need"
Then, as master in command of the
company, he gave the order to turn
to the left, and coming to the river
what dId he see? The very thing that
he needed most-a large, fiat boat, and
in it two boatmen, who, mistaking
him for an English officer, began to
apologize for the boats appearance in
such strange spot. They said the
flood in the river had lOosened the
boat from its moorings, and that the
'devil himself seemed to be IN the
boat" for, despite their efforts to the
contrary, it persisted in floating to the
spot where it was found.
DR.. Chamberlain. armed with
authority from the English Govern
ment, took possession of the boat,
which he found just broad enough to
allow the spreading of his tent, under
which they safely rested that night un-
disturbed by the hungry tigers, who
were heard bowling in the jungle.
The next morning they began floating
down the river, and continued floating
until they came to the next cataract,
where they found another boat, and
with it relief from all anxiety.
''All things are possible to him that
believeth;" Pray without ceasing," d"
''seek," knock" "ask," ''only be-
leye.'