The times., 1897-11-08
MISSIONARY WORK IN INDIA.
An Interesting sermon by the Rev.
DIR. Buck

DR.. Buck.
The Rev Dr. Buck, who for twenty
seven years has been a missionary in In
dia, occupied the pulpit III Trinity Meth
utlist Episcopal Church, corner OF Fifth
and streets southeast, yesterday morn
ing. There was good sized congre CATION.
Dr. Buck devoted his address to mis-
siOu8ry work among the hIndoos- He is
a man probably SiXty-Tive years Of rye.
lie has a kindly, genial face, aud an
exceedingly modest though earnest way
Of talking. and greatly interest ed his
hearers.
India, he said, was in great need from
the Christian world. Famine horrors there
could not be Cverdrawn. Thousands Of
natives had died and Were dying. More
than 100, 600, ,0O0 people III India live ON
81 year, a fraction over l cent day.
But money is not all theyneed. They need
intellectual ana spiritual education.
The Hiudoo goa is an iCo!. He knew
of a case where Hindoo priest dug
hole in the ground, threw into it a lot
OF grain, placed wooden Idol on top
OF il, and after sprinShng tie whole well
with water, covered it, grain, idol ana all,
with dirt. Presently the grain began to
SpTOut. THIS pushed the head Of the idol
up through the earth and finally raised
II until the whole of the image was above
ground. When the idol had appeared the
priest called the people about hin and
showed it TO them, and they were awcd
with reverence. When the Idol had wholly
appeared they We're filled With ear and
wonder. They erected temple around
the Image, and now tue priest lives there
in ease and luxury.
The Hindoo has no conception of saliva
ton, no idea OF Immortality. as we under
stand these things. They have no hope
for the future.
Professionalism began work iii India forty
years ago. During that period much had
been done toward educating the people
there, but he believed that if that country
Is ever saved. il VIII be saved by natives,
whom the Christians may enIighten
When the MethUdistS began work there
they borrowed missionary from the Pres
byJerlaas, now tie church has ; 900 native
workers. They have a college for girls
and one for boys, where children are taua.ht
10 read and write and the Christian doc
trlne. Native preachers are told that they
must stand alone with God ana the Bible.
During the first ten years OF missionary
effort only one convert was made. The
second ten years brought 40. the next
decade 800, and the last t en- years 90, 900.
This shows the progress of Christian
work.
In the future it is a question of workers.
There are $4,000, ,000 people in India whose
eyes are now turned toward Christianity.
If they are left without care their in
terest will languish.
The converted Hindoos are right out of
the dark, but they have learned to be-
lieve in Christ, and 90, 900 600 are ready
10 follow the believers if they have proper
attention and encoura cement. Religion in
India is, in fact, growing we'll, Compare
lively, with its growth at home. Mis-
sionary work was formerly confined To
fEarar .
years ago native Christian invaded the
country east Of the river, and now there
are 10000 converts in that section.
The Hindoos have learned that TO give
TO the Christian cause is an importan n {
part of their duty. Compare lively few give
money, for that is scarce with them. but
they help with such things rs they have.
Some of the most Interesting sights he
ever witnessed, Or. Buck said Were seen
ON contribution occasions. The people
would bring grain, flour, fruit, eggs, and
flowers and lay them at the feet of the
missionary lie saw one native bring a
crane, while little boy gave two bull
pups. He saw another man take off his
coat and Offer il, while Still another one
gave camel. Ponies and cows were not
lnirequeDtly given, while brooms and
similar articles were abundantIy offered
Forty pounds OF red pepper was the con
tribution of a native one year, and the
next year ne gave eighty pounds
But the missionaries were having their
troubles. Three men, who represented 500,
400, and $50 Hindoos, respectively, had
Come to hun for aid in preaching the
Christian faith but he was powcrIess to
help them. he had no men To send, or
money to send them with Teachers and
money were sadly needed to further re-
ligous interests. His own return TO India,
Or. Buck said, depended largely on the
finan cial condition of the missionary
society.