Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-06-22
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning June 90.

Beginning June &c.
Topic.-signs that India is becoming
christs.-Ps, xxi, 22-S1
India has been for many reasons one
Of our most difficult mission fields. II
was the birthplace of Brahmanism and
Buddhism and has been chief center
for Northumberland there being To-
DAY 62,00O.0O0 Mohammedans in the
empire. In fact, King Edward VII. OF
England rules today over more Moham-
medans than does the sultan of Turkey
or the shah of Persia. The Brahman
caste system has also been Il great
stumbling block to Christianity. In ad-
dition to these things, the character of
the people their national customs and
methods Of living have formed barriers
to the progress of the Christian rel-
gion. Yet there are not wanting signs
that India is becoming Ghrists and
that some day this beautiful and fas-
chatting land will be Giadeia in the
crown of the saviour
Some of the signs that India is be-
coming Christ's are rs follows:
/. The great work among the out
casts of India. The uutcasts are the
millions of India who are beneath all
castles. They are scarcely looked upon
as human beings. For centuries they
have lived hopeless, despairins lives,
but now they see hope i'll Christianity
and for the past thirty years have been
turning to Christ in large numbers.
The work among them was begun by
the Methodist church in northern In
dia thirty years ago. but has since
spread over the empire, for the out
casts are everywhere.
2 The reformed movements from
within HindooiSm itself. Important re.
form movements have been introduced
among the Hudoos themselves. These
are not distinctively Christian, but they
Were brought about under the pressure
of Christianity aud are therefore a
Sign of Christianity's increasing iufiu,
ence.
8. The movement among the edacat-
Cd of India Under the influence Of
eastern teaching and customs the Ell
ucated men of India are becoming dis
satisfied with their native religions.
This will not immediately make them
Christians. 1t may even for time
tend to drive them TO iafdellty aud
atheism. but it gives Christianity an
opportunity 10 reach them since it IS
more apt 10 bring them under its in
nuence. That this is the case is illus
trated in the vast audiences that have
listened to the lectures Of DR. John
Henry Barrows and Cuthbert Hall de-
hvered in the great cities of India I'M
der the Haskill foundation, which pro
vides for such lectures every two years
4. The passing away of prejudice
against Christianity From one India
mission field it is reported; a marked
change is noticeable in the treatment
OF the Christians by the people They
are no longer held in such contempt
as they used TO be, Their very touch
was considered pollutinE. But now
many enter into friendly CONVEX
sation with them, and some even 20 so
far as to shake hands with them We
mention this simply to show how the
light of the gospel has begun to dispel
the thick darkness Of prejudice that
has envelOped their minds for centu-
ries."
5. The results of famine relief In
the recent famines in India Christians
have been of great assistance in re-
heving the great distress. From $4,000
to 100000 children in the famine dis
tricts have been placed in. Christian
orphanages, where they viii be Under
the influence of Christianity. And.
more than this, such Christian phlau-
thropy cannot bat break down preju-
dice and win the hearts of the people.
6. The gradual weakening of the caste
system of India. This has been a
great barrier but Il is breaking down.
There is as yet nothing like intermar-
riage. and yet the line of demarcation
is gradually becoming less distinct.
Only recently ut a college reunion 200
students. composed of Hindoos. Mo
hammedans and Christians, ate ut the
same table. Such fellowship a few
years ago would have been absolutely
undreamed of.
Z. The constant extension of Christ's
kingdom. New converts are being
made every year. The Bible is being
more widely circulated and more faith
fully studied. The workers are being
Increased. though many more could be
used. THE field is ripe to the har-
vest" and some day "India's coral
strands" shall have responded to the
claims of Jesus Christ. their Saviour.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps. xxi, S-11; evil, 10; lisa. xiii. II:
Iii, 7; Zech. vii, Z. 8; Matt. If, 1-12;
xviii, 10, 20; Rom. /, 1928: X. 1913:
Rev. xxi, II.