Christian, and in a quiet way attempted to promote the spiritual
well-being of his neighbours. He was well qualified by his knowledge of
the Scriptures to set forth the truth as it is in Jesus; and was "ready
always to give an answer to every man that asked him a reason of the
hope that was in him with meekness and fear;" and his word was often
accompanied with divine power. He had long disputations with the
village priest, (a nephew of the man who was priest when the idol was
thrown out of the temple). His case is a very interesting one. He was
a sincere enquirer, and became a regular attendant at Daniel's family
prayer. He said one day to the Missionary, "Although I have walked
daily several miles to gather flowers, after bathing and putting on my
temple garments; although I have gone into the temple and made offerings
to the idol; although I have done all this in sincerity to the present
time--this idol, neither in my dreams nor when awake, has ever said,
`Thy sins are forgiven thee.' Although from fear lest the idol should
destroy me, I have fasted and prayed, it never said to me, `Thou shalt
escape hell and enjoy heaven.' Therefore the idol is a lie, and I
forsake it. I embrace Jesus Christ as my Saviour and my God." Mr
Walker gives the following account of him:--"A few days ago, just as I
was leaving the village of Singonahully, after preaching, I saw the
_poojari_ with his guitar in his hand, going off to another village to
beg his bread for the day. I stopped him, and we entered into
conversation on the sin of idol-worship. I told him that in order to
obtain salvation it was absolutely necessary for him to abandon his
idols and embrace Christ as his only and present Saviour. He tried to
appear unconcerned, and said, `It is getting late; I must go for alms,'
and left me. In a few days he came to the Goobbe Chapel, and after the
sermon I spoke pointedly to him, asking him, in the presence of the
whole congregation, if he was desirous of obtaining salvation. He said,
`I am.' I asked if his idols could save him. He answered, `No.' I
then said, `If you will, with all your heart, believe in Christ and
become His disciple, He will save you.' Throughout this conversation
all the people looked at him in amazement. After a few days I went
again to Singonahully, and saw the _poojari_ in company with Daniel. I
preached to a small congregation from a part of the eighth Chapter of
Saint Matthew's Gospel; and in my sermon I proved the divinity of our
Lord Jesus Christ from the miraculous cure he wrought upon the leper. I
showed to them the leprosy of sin; and after dwelling upon the awful
consequences of sin, I exhorted the people to seek for the healing of
their spiritual maladies by faith in Jesus Christ. This done, the
_poojari_ and Daniel accompanied me to my house. At Daniel's request I
read the parable of the Pharisee and Publican, and commented on it. The
next morning the _poojari_ came to my house again, and said he wished to
be baptised. I exhorted him to stand steadfast, by faith in Christ, and
then prayed with him. He appeared to be deeply affected. He came with
Daniel to our next Class-meeting, and joined heartily in our devotions.
In a day or two he came to my house again, and gave me the idol which he
and his family had worshipped for many years." He then went home, and
told his wife what he had done with the idol, and that he had made up
his mind to become a Christian. His wife on hearing this began to beat
her breast and cry bitterly. She threatened to go to the mission-house,
pull out her tongue and die there. The heathen people in Singonahully,
hearing that the priest had given Mr Walker the idol which he and his
family had worshipped, became alarmed, and secured the keys of a temple
inside the village, where the priest officiated daily, lest the idol in
it should also be taken and given to the Missionary. After a few days
the priest's wife ceased her opposition, and began herself to converse
with Daniel's wife and others about the truths of Christianity. The
villagers annoyed the priest in every possible way. As he could not
remain peaceably in his own house, he left the village, and the
Missionary gave him a room on the mission premises. Sunday, December
20th, 1846, was the day fixed on for the baptism. The place was the
chapel in which Daniel had been baptised about three years previously.
The congregation was unusually large, and a solemn awe rested upon the
people. The interest increased as the service proceeded. _Vysha Runga_
was the priest's heathen name. After he had answered all the questions
proposed to him in the presence of the congregation, he was baptised in
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and was henceforth
known by the name of Abraham. On the same day he voluntarily took food
with the other Christians, as a public announcement that he had broken
his caste. The Missionaries considered that Daniel was the chief
instrument, in the hands of God, of this man's conversion.
CHAPTER TWENTY.
DANIEL "MADE A MARRIAGE FOR HIS SON."
In the year 1848 Daniel "made a marriage for his son," and the
Missionaries fearing that he might go to some excess either in
expenditure or in some worldly conformity, gave him special warning, and
watched over the preparations with anxious care. On the wedding day a
great number of the friends of both families assembled, and amongst them
were many heathens. There were present some who at one time had
manifested the greatest hostility to Daniel on account of his baptism.
They had refused him access to their houses, and invoked the most
dreadful calamities upon him and his family for renouncing the religion
of his fathers. However, in many things Daniel had prospered: the
blessing of God upon his diligence had placed him in better
circumstances than he was in when he embraced Christianity. There was a
cheerful generosity in his manner which was well calculated to remove
unpleasant feelings, whilst respect was gained by his consistent
Christian deportment. This was an illustration of the proverb, "When a
man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace
with him." After the marriage ceremony was over, all went together to
Daniel's house, which was not large enough to contain half of them. But
he had, as is usual on festive occasions, erected a temporary covering
at the front part of the house, which was very cool and pleasant. Here
at eight o'clock in the evening the marriage supper commenced, and
without a drawback of any kind all went on very pleasantly. But the
Missionaries felt anxious lest there should be, through mistaken
kindness, a yielding in some degree to the customs followed at heathen
weddings. They therefore determined to go from the mission-house to
Singonahully, so as to arrive about the time when the supper would be
over, and heathens, on such occasions, would commence their music,
dancing, etcetera. They thought that if any ill-advised arrangements
had been contemplated they would thus be averted; and also that their
presence would be a mark of interest felt in the happiness of the
newly-married pair. The delight of the Missionaries may be imagined
when, as they approached the house, they not only found all to be peace
and good order, but what was more gratifying, the bridegroom was reading
a Chapter of the New Testament, and Daniel was commenting, at proper
intervals, upon what was read, endeavouring to explain and apply the
words. The Missionaries sat down in the temporary verandah, where they
spent a happy half-hour with the wedding party in religious conversation
and prayer. Daniel was full of joy. This was his "family prayer" on a
larger scale than usual. He said to all present, with gratitude to God,
"When I became a Christian, my neighbours told me that I should never be
able to get my children married, nor even to procure bread for my
family. But God has supplied all my wants. Whatever I have needed He
has given, and I have no fears as to the future." The Missionaries
returned home truly thankful to God for this instance of His preserving
grace.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
THE GOOBBE CIRCUIT GIVEN UP.
Up to this time Daniel had been sustained by Divine power against all
the opposition of his _enemies_. He had been tried and found faithful.
But now he had to endure trial from the conduct of his best friends--the
Missionaries and the Missionary Committee. In the year 1851, the
Society was in debt to a large amount, so that retrenchment was resorted
to, and the Mysore District was one of the sufferers. In this
difficulty the District Meeting decided to abandon the Goobbe Circuit.
In accordance with this decision, not only were the Missionaries
removed, but the Goobbe mission-house, the Goobbe chapel, in which
Daniel had been baptised, the school-rooms, and all other buildings,
were sold. When the idol was tumbled out of the temple, _Christianity_
triumphed; and when the house of God was sold, _heathenism_ triumphed.
That was not only a bitter day to good old Daniel, but _a terrible blow
to the cause of Christ in Goobbe_. Enquirers after the way of salvation
enquired no more. Some who had taken a few steps in the narrow path
turned back, and never entered it again; while every heathen priest
found in this breaking up of the Mission a powerful argument to keep his
disciples out of the way to heaven. Whenever Daniel went from his own
village to Goobbe, he was derided by the heathen, as Pilgrim was at
Vanity Fair. The blasphemy and ridicule with which he was assailed were
almost unbearable. One day especially he was most severely tried. As
he was going along one of the principal streets some of the `lewd
fellows of the baser sort' were most insulting and abusive; and a few
shopkeepers joined them in ridiculing the Christian. His own account is
this: Some said, "What! did your Missionaries leave Goobbe because they
had no food?" "They had nothing to eat, so they sold the bungalow, and
the schools, and even God's house! Such is your fate. Have they given
you any of the money to live upon?" I replied, "God will not forsake
me. When I was an enemy to God, He protected and took care of me; and
now I am His child, will He forsake me? Never!" They said, "Will your
God maintain you if you sit doing nothing at home?" I answered, "It is
idleness to sit quietly at home. God has given me strength and a mind
to work for my living." One said, "You spoiled your caste when you had
every comfort; you are mad." One man, without attempting to ridicule,
said solemnly, "All that has happened to him was his fate; it was
written in his forehead; let him alone." Of course Daniel was much
distressed. He went home quite cast down, and in tears told his wife
how the people had ridiculed him, and how dejected he felt. But she
comforted him by saying--"We are called to bear all these reproaches for
Christ's sake, and He will support us under them; He will never forsake
us." At night he had a portion of God's Word read to him as usual, and
at family prayer he was much comforted: his faith and hope were
strengthened. In this way he went on for four or five years, without
any human help except an occasional visit from a Missionary, who, on a
preaching tour, turned aside to spend a few hours with him. Daniel
says, "One day the Reverend Messrs. Sanderson and Hardey called to see
us, and I exclaimed, `O, Sirs, we are left here as sheep without a
shepherd. You have planted a young tree, but it is dying for want of
water. The people reproach us, saying, "Your Missionaries having no
food, have sold the mission-house, the schools, and even the house of
God."'" Messrs. Sanderson and Hardey did and said all they could to
comfort and encourage the few forsaken Christians, and their effort was
not in vain.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
THE GOOBBE CIRCUIT RECOMMENCED.
In the course of three or four years there was an improvement in the
pecuniary circumstances of the Missionary Society, and arrangements were
made for recruiting the Mysore District. In connection with these
changes, Mr Hodson returned to India. He landed at Madras January 1st,
1854. After being detained there several months, he went to live at
Bangalore, and paid his first visit to Goobbe on the 16th of April,
1855. He found the old mission-house in a very dilapidated state. It
had become the property of Government, and was used as a travellers'
bungalow--a public rest-house for every traveller passing that way who
needed accommodation. Mr Hodson and Daniel soon had an interview, and
the past days of trial were brought under review. In the midst of all
difficulties and persecutions Daniel had `kept the faith.' In his
conversation with Mr Hodson, he referred to the time when the first
sermon was preached in Goobbe, his being employed by Mrs Hodson, his
conviction of sin, and his baptism. He stated with wonderful
correctness many events that had happened in the Mission from its
commencement to that day; and some of them were referred to with deep
feeling. When Mr Hodson said, "We will try to re-purchase this house,
build a new chapel, and put a Missionary to live at Goobbe again,"--the
good man wept with joy. He said that this revival of the Mission had
been his prayer and hope ever since the Missionaries went away. The
Government re-sold the mission-house to Mr Hodson for the sum they had
paid the Mission for it. Under Mr Sullivan's care the house was put
into complete repair, and a good substantial chapel was built in the
town of Goobbe. Mr Hodson preached the opening sermon, June 12th,
1860.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
A CONVERTED VILLAGE BLACKSMITH.
We have already seen how Daniel tried to bring his heathen neighbours
into the way to heaven; but another instance of his successful efforts
is given by Mr Sullivan, the then resident Missionary: "Runga was a
blacksmith, a very immoral man, who lived in Singonahully. Daniel
instructed him and warned him. He told him of heaven and hell; showed
him that unless he repented and believed in Christ he could not be
saved. Sometimes Runga was attentive, and his case seemed hopeful, but
at other times it was quite the reverse. At length he yielded to
Daniel's invitation, and attended morning and evening in Daniel's house
at the time for family devotions. After that he began to attend divine
service in the Singonahully chapel. He was ridiculed and persecuted by
the heathen, but he held on his way. These means of grace were blessed
to him. He became penitent, and brought forth the fruits of repentance.
The reformation in his conduct was evident to all who observed him.
From being a drunkard he became a sober man; and he resolved never to
take another drop of intoxicating liquor--a resolution which he
faithfully kept to the day of his death. He also became industrious, so
that his wife and children, who had formerly been half starved, and who
were covered with rags and dirt, now experienced a wonderful change.
They had abundance of good food, were well clothed, and their house, as
well as their persons, was always neat and clean. But Daniel, though
pleased with this outward reformation, was not satisfied; he knew that
something more was necessary. He persevered in exhortation and prayer
for the man's conversion to God; and he wished him to make an open
confession of his faith by baptism. As often as Daniel pressed this
duty upon him, so often did Runga declare, `I am not worthy to be called
a Christian; I am not worthy to be as you are. I believe in Christ for
salvation, but I am too vile to be honoured with baptism.' One day, by
way of showing that he had done with idolatry, he took a number of iron
things--not idols, but instruments that had been used in idolatrous
ceremonies by himself and his forefathers--and with his own hands he
made them into reaping-hooks and other useful farming instruments,
preceding his work by the declaration, `These things won't be wanted any
more in their present shape, so I will make something useful of them.'
When he was attacked by a fatal disease, some of the villagers said to
him exultingly, `Ah! you have become a Christian; you trust in the
Christian's God; let us see if He will cure you; He cannot; our god will
kill you.' Daniel said to the sick man, `Do you believe that their god
can harm you?' He said, `No, no!' Daniel's wife then added, `But we
all think you will die; are you afraid to die?' He answered, `I am not
afraid; I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.' When he became worse, and
it was evident that he had not many minutes to live, Daniel said to him,
`Runga, continue to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.' He replied, `I
believe ONLY on the Lord Jesus Christ,' and in a few minutes he died.
He was never baptised, but doubtless he was saved through the merit of
Jesus' death, and Daniel was the chief instrument in his conversion."
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
NEW VILLAGE CHAPEL.
Up to the year 1864, one building in Singonahully, had served the double
purpose of chapel and school-room. This was not according to Daniel's
wish. He thought there ought to be two buildings. And he resolved to
erect a school-room at his own expense, and give it to the Mission, as a
thank-offering to the Lord for a good harvest; for by this time he was a
farmer as well as a washerman. Full of this idea he came to the
Mission-house, and with great modesty spoke of the plan which he had
made. The Missionary approved of having two buildings, but suggested
that instead of building a school-room, it would be better to keep the
present building for school purposes, and erect a new chapel. The sum
which Daniel had set apart was 4 pounds, but this would not build a
chapel. However, the Missionary proposed that Daniel should give his 4
pounds, and that a few friends should be asked to make up the
deficiency. This was done, and the chapel was built. Four pounds may,
to some persons, seem a small sum, but He who "searches the heart," and
Who approved of the widow's two mites, rightly estimated the value of
old Daniel's gift; and the Missionary Society would have a larger income
than it now has, if all Christians would give the same proportion of
their income as Daniel gave on this occasion.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
DANIEL'S SICKNESS AND HAPPY DEATH.
When Daniel was over seventy years of age, he said to a friend, "It has
pleased God to take my wife to himself, and I am _now_ an aged pilgrim
near my journey's end. I have been spared to see my children's
children, even to the third generation. I have five sons, twelve
grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. I commit them all to the
hand of the great God whom I serve. I pray that He will bless them,
keep them all in the way to Heaven, and that I may meet them all in
glory. May He help me to wait patiently here until He shall call me
into Heaven through the merit of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. God
bless the Missionaries and the Mission work abundantly."
About twelve months before his death, Daniel caused the following
testimony to be written, "I was born in sin, and I lived in the practice
of all kinds of iniquity. I performed the ceremonies and followed the
customs of our people for many years, but I found no peace in them.
Then I began to think about worshipping the _one_ God, of whom I had
heard something, but I was very ignorant and knew not how to worship
Him. While I was thinking much on this subject, the Missionaries came
and preached the Gospel. I heard the truth; and by their teaching I was
made to understand the way of salvation. I believed on the Lord Jesus
Christ with my whole heart, and then I felt that God, for the sake of
Christ's merit, had pardoned all my sins. Peace and joy sprung up in my
heart: and I now pray for His help to keep me from sin as long as I
live. I am nearly eighty years old; my days are uncertain; I do not
know when I may die. I have no delight in this world, and I hope to
enter the world of glory, through the merit of the death of Christ."
He became gradually more and more feeble, and for many weeks before he
died was blind and nearly deaf. Mr Haigh, who was then at Goobbe,
gives the following account: "On Saturday evening I went with Mr and
Mrs Hocken to see Daniel. We found him sleeping on a mattress. He
awoke soon after we entered his room, but the attendants found it
difficult to make him understand who we were. He did not answer our
questions, but muttered a few short sentences, and then after a long
pause, he said distinctly, `O, Jesus, take me to Thyself, take me to
Thyself.' When, at length, his son made him understand who we were, the
good old man wept, and said, `Alas! I cannot see them.' At this moment
of clearer consciousness, his son, at Mr Hocken's request, asked him if
he had joy in thinking of Jesus. He replied, `Yes, great joy.'"
Mr Hocken has given the following account: "On Saturday evening,
October 25th, Mr Haigh, Mrs Hocken and myself went from the
Mission-house to see old Daniel. We found him lying on a mat, and
covered with a white cloth. He appeared unconscious of our presence,
and murmured as one in a dream, `Jesu, Swamy, (Lord), take me to Thy
feet.' It was some time before he could understand who we were, and
then he cried because he could not see us. The villagers crowded round
the door, and watched us with almost deathly silence. I tried to draw
the old man into conversation, but his mind wandered. At intervals he
prayed fervently to Jesus, lingering over, and repeating many times, the
name of Jesus. His mind seemed to be continually running on the thought
that he should soon be with Jesus. We prayed, and made preparations for
giving him the Lord's Supper. As soon as I put the sacramental bread
into his hand, a flash of devout _joy_ lighted up his face, and he
lifted the bread reverently to his mouth. It was a very affecting sight
to see this worthy old Christian taking the Sacrament for the last time.
All his family were deeply moved. When we took leave of him he started
as he took my wife's hand. He said, `This is a little one, whose is
it?' They told him it was Mrs Hocken's. The old man bent over it and
blessed her."
A few days after this, while the Missionaries were away from Goobbe,
Daniel died; and the Catechist gives the following account: "On the day
of his death he appeared to be much better; his hearing and his sight
were both partially restored. He could see anyone moving about the
room. In the morning, being conscious that he was dying, he asked that
all his people might come around him, and when they had assembled he
exhorted them all to follow him to heaven. He said, `Give my salaam to
the Missionaries, and tell them I die happy; my heart is full of love to
God.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
THE END.