The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-04-21
Lecture Is Given At The
Mt. Vernon College
By A Missionary Who Has
Returned From Abroad
tey Keith Kari kassrl

-NllSSiOHdIg ApliC6ts opShN oONNi o. u"yS
recently at the Mt, Vernon College
Professor Shaw was formerly a mis-
sionary to India and spent about sew
enteen years there. While at the col
lege he gave many interesting talks.
On Tuesday he spoke at the regular
chapel hour on one of his experiences
among the Tamil people Of South
india. n
These people had been interested in
the study of the Bible by some mis-
sionaries from the Church OF England
many years ago. They finally grew
to dislike the Church Of England and
started to study the Bible for them
selves with view Of founding a
church OF their own. From what they
found in the Bible they decided to
keep the seventh day for the Sabbath
and also to pay tithes.
About three years ago the Tamil
people learned of the Seventh-day
Adventists in the northern part of
India, and sent an urgent invitation to
Professor Shaw to come down and
leach them more about the Bible,
Professor Shaw and two other mis-
sionaries answered the call and trav-
eled the most OF the two thousand
miles by rail, and the rest by the way
of ox-cart
Professor Shaw give very vivid
description of this trip and their warm
reception by the Tamils. In the OK
cart, or lightning express" as Pro
fssor Shaw called it, they travelled
twenty-five miles by night as that is
the best time to make speed with the
oxen When they were within about
two miles of Nazareth, in the Tin
nevelly District, their destination, they
we're met by large number Of people.
These people, to show their respect
for him and his fellow missionaries.
took the oxen from the cart and
pushed and pulled 1t the rest Of the
way themselves.
Once in the city, they were taken
to large pavilion, that had been es-
pecially prepared of palm leaves, for
building was large table, around
which there were seated the twelve
elders OF the people. A place had
benn left vacant near the middle Of
the table for Professor Shaw and his
companions Each OF the twelve eld-
ers arose and shook hands with the
missionary and handed him lemon
to show their respect, as is the GUS
tom of the natives. When this cere-
mony was over, he had his hand full
of lemons. and not knowing what TO
do with them he put them in his
pocket. He afterward learned that
they would have been offended If had
not done this.
Professor Shaw and his companions
then spoke for about an hour and o
half. The people wanted them to go
right on, but they said that they want
ed something to eat ana that they
would like to rest and then they would
talk some more. They were taken TO
house in the center Of the town and
we're given some food and allowed to
rest. But All the time they were try
ing TO rest, the people were watching
them. From early morning until late
at night they were watched. for the
people wanted to learn al much as
possible about the missionaries and
their queer ways.
For ten days they We're kept busy
IN this way and had not minute To
themselves On the Sabbath (the
seventh day., they went 90 the reg
Z illar service OF the people It started
at four o'clock IN the morning and
lasted about two hours A horn was
blown at three O'Clock TO tell the
people that It was time for them Il
get ready to come TO the meeting
As the missionaries were about tC
enter the church, they were told I,
remove their shoes, Nor fear they
would defile the place. They took of
their shoes and went in ana sat dowI
'on the ground. In the course of thu
meeting two chapters we're read from
the Old Testament and two from tn,
New Testament, which was followe
by preaching service.
After the meeting. u is the custom
OF the people to bring 1.-THE Thi
y brought in the form of fruits. yegt
tables, chickens eggs and even calye.
They are very particular about wha
sis received In their treasury and tie
a@El not accept any tainted money
II the donor is not just what he shoul
be, the elders viii not accept the Gif
Prof Shaw told Of one case Of thi
kind. The man had brought her
and when she was held up, the treaI
urer asked II any one knew why thi
gitt should not be received, and on
of the old men said that the man ha