The Portland daily press., 1892-04-09

the evening of the fourth day twenty
eight natives had given evidence OF be-
inc really converted to God and Mr..
Cioueh baptized them. They were the
first fruits of the work at Ongole.
Speaking of those tWenty-elght,
after lapse of quarter
of a century since their baptism, Mr..
Clough declares that not one OF them
has fallen away from the faith: Many
of them have died triumphant Christian
deaths, and today there are tour OF hve
of them still preaching the gospel to
their countrymen. One OF the twenty
eight has been instrumental III turning
hundreds to Jesus Christ.
A chapel was built at Ongole at cost
of 81, 1000. The gospel was preached
in more than eight hundred villages
within a circuit of forty miles of Ongole.
Converts began to multiply, and in 1875
the mission had between four and five
thousand members. In 1877 occurred
the great famine in India, when more
than five millions of people perished in
consequence. In order to provide work
for the suffering masses, Dr. Clough
went to English government officials and
proposed to undertake the construction
of three and a half miles of the Buck
ingham Canal. This offer was accepted.
When the days work was done the peo-
ple were gathered to. hear the gospel.
Their hearts were opened to receive the
missionery's message. Thousands flung
away their idols, and announced
themselves as converts to Christianity.
Rev. DIR. Clough declined to receive them
without sufficiently long probation to
test the sincerity of their action. Between
June and December, 1878, nearly 10000,
after careful examination, were received;
DR.. Clough, with one assistant, baptized
2,222 on single day, July ), 1873. since
that time the baptisms have averaged
over 3. COO year. The number of miss
ions have been greatly increased; also
the native helpers, ordained and unor-
dained.
About year ago DR.. Clough returned
to this country to ask the Baptists OF the
United States for $50, 900 and 25 men for
the enlargement of his work. Before he
left Ongole, however, he received a re-
markable testimonial in the form OF an
address from the leading men OF that
city, of different races and creeds. There
were present Hindoos of every caste,
Musselmans and Christians. The chs
trict Munsiff read the address. Itwas a
noble tribute. 1--WE take this opportu-
nitv of rendering you our deep gratitude
for the many obligations you have con-
ferred on us and the people at large. in
these parts. Actions speak louder than
words: hence, much does not remain Tor
us to say as to what valuable service you
have rendered the country in which you
have faithfully worked for the past quar-
ter of century, since the results OF your
hard and honest labor are themselves
monuments of standing evidence OF the
j 1ox inf tho 1n1nrOVlmAnf
and elevation of this place. We feel that
you have been powerful instrument in
Gods hands in the accomplishment OF
his great purposes. = The address,
which was lengthy one, closed with
the wish that DR.. Clough would return
to India with health restored and that
he would long be spared to remain and
work among the people. After remarks
by several Of the principal men OF the
place. Mr.. D. Marl1undayulu Sastry Saw
car addressed the meeting. lie sald ne
was clad to do honor to DR.. Clough on
the eve of his departure for America.
According to the Shastras," he said,
81 should not have left my house today,
| but the Shastras shall not prevent my
presence here to honor one who has done
SO much good to the people and the
country" Such testimony to the work
of q Christian missionary Ionl MY
caste Hindu speaks volumes for the
value of the service Dr.. Clough has per-
formed.
DIR. Clough has received his $50, 900 and
the 25 men he needs for the enlargement
| of his work Next week he will be
present at several missionary conferences
| in Maine, On Tuesday evening, April
! 18th, in the Free street Baptist church OF
this city he will give some account of his
| work in India In his personal appear
ance he much resembles Mr.. Blaine.
Those who attend this meeting will have
an opportunity of seeing and hearing one
| of the remarkable mon of our time.