Chapter VIII · (continued 2)

Once more look at the rounds of the Ladder of Life, and as you look, ask your own heart, "Do I desire to climb it?" And if you find the desire, oh! Turn it into a prayer—"Lord! By the help of Thy Holy Spirit, give me strength to climb it, for the sake of Thy blessed Son."

A. L. O. E. would suggest to kind young friends eager to help Missionaries, how very acceptable would be copies of this Ladder made in cardboard, with bright colours and gilding. She has herself made several, and few things are so useful to her in Zenanas as the one which she has reserved for herself. A friend greatly added to its value by putting a little figure of a man upon it, who, by being drawn up by means of a string at the back, mounts from round to round. Children in Mahomedan schools have readily learned by heart the precious verses attached to Repentance, Faith, &c. Nothing should be written on the Ladder except the names of the rounds and references to suitable verses. Each Missionary should learn to repeat these verses in the language of the people she visits.

THE BRAHMIN BOY.

PRITHU was the eldest son of a "Brahmin" (one of the highest "caste" or class in India, who think themselves twice-born, and so entitled to look down on their fellow-men). Little Prithu would probably at one time have almost rather starved than have eaten food which had been touched by one of low caste, or by a Christian, or have cut off the tuft of hair at the top of his head, which was a sign of his being a Brahmin. Prithu has cut away the precious tuft, and now sits down at the Christian's table, and gives thanks to the Christian's God. But the Brahmin boy had a hard struggle to go through before he left father and mother, country and friends, for the sake of the Gospel.

Prithu's home was in Narowal, which is in the large province called the Punjab. Narowal is a heathen place, but in it is a school, which was watched over by Mr. Bateman, an English missionary. Earnestly had Mr. Bateman been trying to win souls for Christ in Narowal and the country around. His was not an easy work, nor always a safe one. On one occasion some villagers were so angry with Mr. Bateman for having been the means of drawing a boy to the Saviour, that they threatened to drown the missionary the next time that he should cross their ferry.

"I am not easily drowned," was Mr. Bateman's good-humoured reply.

The natives dared not drown the English gentleman, however willing they were to do so, but they showed their spite by trying to drown his camels. When the large heavy beasts had to cross the ferry, a villager led them into a quicksand, where they had no safe footing. Down went the poor camels and Mr. Bateman's luggage into the water. The heathen around refused to bring a boat, or to help the poor struggling beasts. But let us return to our Brahmin.

Prithu's father placed his boy at the Narowal school, hoping to make him a clever man, but certainly "not" a Christian; he wished his son to gain knowledge, but not that knowledge which is more precious than all besides. But Prithu was thus within hearing of God's Word, and with him it did not fall like seed by the wayside. The boy listened, attended, and learned to love the Gospel, Prithu did not read his Bible as carelessly as do many so-called Christian boys. The truth was taking root in his heart, and the young Brahmin believed that Christ died for sinners, and felt that he must love Him who had given so great a proof of His love for mankind.

Great was the vexation of Prithu's father when he found that his son wished to become a Christian. He took his boy from Narowal, and placed him in a school at Lahore. But though no longer with his friend the missionary, Prithu did not forget his teachings. The seed of truth went on growing, Prithu's faith and love increased. In the spring, Prithu returned to Narowal, and spent a fortnight there, studying the Gospel, and trying to encourage a fellow-scholar who, like himself, believed the truth, and had to suffer persecution for righteousness' sake.

You must not suppose that Prithu was a boy without faults; he had to fight against sin within, as well as bear opposition from without. The Brahmin lad had been brought up in a land where sins of the tongue, evil-speaking, and lying, are fearfully common. On one occasion, he insulted his friend the missionary.

Mr. Bateman was engaged in writing, when Prithu asked him a question. The reply did not please the young Brahmin, who uttered a rude word to express that he did not believe that what the clergyman had told him was true.

The missionary rebuked the insolent lad. "Do you take me for a Hindoo or a Mahometan," said he, "that you think that I should lightly tell you a lie?" And turning round, the missionary went on with his writing.

Mild as was the reproof, it cut the boy to the heart. As Mr. Bateman described it, "he shrivelled up like the branch of a sensitive plant." Prithu felt how unjust, how ungrateful it had been to give the lie to one whom he so well knew to be speaking the truth in love.

For about half-an-hour Mr. Bateman went on with his writing, leaving the boy to reflect over his fault. Then the missionary, looking at the silent humbled Prithu, asked him of what he was thinking.

"I was thinking that if God were to cut out my unworthy tongue, it would be better for me," was the poor young Brahmin's reply.

Surely the "idle word" thus repented of was forgiven both by the master on earth and the Master in Heaven.

Thus has been described the peace and joy which came to Prithu when shown how he could overcome the sins of the tongue.

No burst of Sunshine on that April day made any landscape brighter than was his face when God's light broke through the cloud which hung over his heart, and he found the true remedy for his fault as he learned to pray, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips, that I offend not with my tongue." How many of my British readers have from the heart uttered this prayer, and if they have never yet done so, is it "because they do not need it?"

Brightly and more brightly the light of truth shone upon the Brahmin boy. He received Christ as his Saviour, he was willing to leave all, and take up his cross to follow Christ. But oh! what a heavy cross it was to the tender loving heart of Prithu!

We who have been born of Christian parents, and brought up in Christian homes, know little of the agony to be borne by the convert who stands alone in his family, the one Christian amongst many heathen. The more tender the heart, the more sharp is the pain.

Prithu had the courage to ask for baptism, but Mr. Bateman thought him, under the circumstances, too young yet to receive it. Prithu was then not fifteen years old; he must count the cost before he gave up all for Christ; he must not hastily take a step which might divide him for ever from those whom he fondly loved. Prithu returned to Lahore without having had the water of baptism on his brow, but he carried with him the grace of God in his heart. Unlike many lads in Britain who dread even the scoff or laugh from ungodly companions which might follow their showing that they care for religion, unlike those who are ashamed even to be seen engaged in prayer, Prithu boldly confessed his faith in Christ.

The Brahmin father took his boy from the school in Lahore, and placed him in another, where he heard wicked blasphemous words uttered against Christ. Prithu was sorely distressed. He was like a light shining in a dark place; the wind of opposition was blowing round it; would it not flicker, would it not go out? Could a boy not yet fifteen years old hold fast his faith to the end?

Mr. Bateman was anxious about Prithu, and consulted a magistrate regarding the case of the boy. By the magistrate's advice, the missionary had a serious conversation with the father of his young friend. Mr. Bateman told the Brahmin that in three months more Prithu would be old enough to judge for himself which God he would serve, and that if, after that time, the lad still wished to be a Christian, the missionary would no longer refuse to baptise him. But during those three months of trial Prithu must go home with his father; that father might do all that he could to draw him back to the Hindoo religion, every means might be taken to work upon the boy's love or fear, his desire of praise, his dread of shame, and his pride of caste.

It was just and fair that the father should be given those three months during which he might try to win back his boy; it was honourable in the missionary to do nothing, even for the sake of converting a soul, in a deceitful underhand way. But it was a bitter trial to Mr. Bateman thus to part with his beloved young convert; he could not but dread the effect which those terrible three months might have upon the courage and faith of Prithu. Could the lad, with no Christian friend beside him, resist the arguments of his father, the tears of his own dear mother, the taunts or entreaties of those whom he had known from his childhood? Doubtless Mr. Bateman was very earnest in prayer for his poor Brahmin boy, but he felt like Darius when giving up Daniel to be thrown into the den of lions!

Prithu had indeed a trying time before him, his faith and perseverance had to endure a very sharp test. He was carried off into the land of Cashmir, which does not belong to our Queen, that he might be quite beyond reach of Christian friends. He was washed in so-called sacred springs; he was talked to by famous Brahmins; he was made to sit day after day before one of the hideous idols whom the heathen worship. Those around him tried to stir up the pride of the youthful Brahmin.

"Alas!" said one. "That you should trouble so holy a man as your father, and disgrace so great a family by becoming a Christian!"

"If I am the son of a great and good man, why should I not put out my hand to take a great and good thing?" was Prithu's reply.

Prithu had indeed put out his hand to grasp the Christian's hope; but would he have strength to hold it fast? The poor boy's comfort and strength was found in prayer. Even when forced to crouch before a hateful idol, the young convert was lifting up his heart to his Lord.

Prithu was specially comforted by the Saviour's promise, "BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE."

Prithu had no opportunity of writing to Mr. Bateman, and yet he contrived to send a message to him. The way in which the poor lad did this is one of the most interesting parts of his story.

Before Prithu had been forced to leave his Christian friend, the two had studied together a part of the Bible which to some of my readers may be little known. In the law of Moses it is written that a freed slave might have the choice of serving his master still, if he loved that master so well as to resolve never to leave him till death. In sign of such earnest, devoted love, the freed slave had his ear bored, such was the token appointed by Moses. Now Prithu had resolved to take the Lord Jesus as his Master for ever, and he thought that he would have a sign like that of the freed slave. There was no need to bore Prithu's ear, for it was already pierced for rings, after the custom of the East, where boys as well as girls wear jewels. Prithu, as a token of his love for his Master in Heaven, had put a little sprig of wood into the hole in his ear, and had told Mr. Bateman that if ever he, Prithu, should take that sprig out, it would be because he had given up serving Christ as his Master.

Often must the missionary have anxiously thought of his tempted boy, and have asked himself the question, "Does my poor Prithu still wear the sprig in his ear, or has he thrown it away, and with it cast away his faith in Christ, and his hope of heaven?"

Mr. Bateman was not to be left in doubt. One day a letter from Prithu's father reached the missionary. I do not know what the letter contained, most likely words of reproach, perhaps of abuse. But it was not on the letter itself but on the yellow envelope which had held it that the eyes of Mr. Bateman were fixed with eager interest.

I have seen that yellow envelope in the missionary's album, there kept amongst his treasures; and why is it thus preserved and valued? It is certainly a very common-place thing to look at, and its neatness is not improved by having on it an odd little sketch of a head in profile, a head not so large as a pea, and roughly drawn, as if by the hand of a child. Out of the head something appears to be sticking, such a very small thing that when I saw it first it scarcely attracted my notice. But that tiny head with something sticking out of it, had not only attracted the missionary's notice, but had filled his heart with thankful delight. Not the finest painting in the world could have given Mr. Bateman such joy as did the rude sketch on the yellow envelope. He knew that Prithu, his brave noble boy, must have drawn it on the cover of his father's letter; and was sure that the small line, which to a stranger would have no meaning, must represent "the sprig in the bored ear!" The tried, tempted Prithu in that sketch had sent a token that he was still resolved to serve the Lord.

Mr. Bateman described his feelings on seeing the tiny picture as like those of King Darius when he heard the voice of the living Daniel coming from the lions' den, "My God hath sent His angel, and stopped the lions' mouths, that they should not hurt me."

It wanted but one day to the end of the three months of trial, when the Brahmin father brought back Prithu to Mr. Bateman. There was a little disappointment felt by the missionary at that meeting; for though Prithu said that his faith was firm, yet he did not ask yet to be baptised. Perhaps the lad's courage failed him a little before he took so decisive a step; perhaps he shrank from cutting himself off from family and friends. Prithu may have been suffered to feel natural fear, that he might know the better that all his former strength had been given by God. But if Prithu wavered a little, it was not for long, his mind soon was made up, and soon the Brahmin convert was baptised in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, thus openly confessing his faith, and devoting himself, boy and soul, to the service of his Redeemer.

You may think that Prithu had now passed through his trials, but they were not quite over yet. The boy was dear to his family, and even after his baptism they would have taken him back to their home and their hearts, had he consented to deny his Lord. But neither entreaties nor taunts moved Prithu to give up Christ.

The first time that Prithu's father came to see him after his baptism was a painfully anxious time for Mr. Bateman. The Brahmin took his boy alone with him to the top of the house; what passed between them I know not, but the time was one of great anxiety to Mr. Bateman, who remained below. The private conversation lasted so long, that the missionary grew very uneasy. Great was his relief when Prithu at last appeared, corning down from the top of the house, and singing that song which has cheered and encouraged so many Christians—

When Mr. Bateman, on account of shattered health, came to England, he brought his Prithu with him, and it was thus that I met the Christian convert. So bright I thought him, so clever, so full of intelligence and affection! I hope to meet Prithu again in his native land. The dear boy is anxious that the Gospel should be carried to his loved country; and he "wants me to see his mother."

And now, what lesson shall be gleaned from the story of Prithu the Brahmin boy? Dear readers, great is the need that Christian men and women should go to that dark dark land to tell the poor heathen, who worship wood and stone, of a Father in Heaven, and a Saviour who pities and loves them.

Let it first make us more zealous to help the cause of missions. Whilst I am writing this, the fields of England are bright with the golden harvest, sheaves are ready to be carried into the garner. Would it not be grievous if hands were wanting for the work, if no sickle were gleaming in the sunshine, if man looked on it with folded arms, till the overripe corn should rot on the stems, or be destroyed by the frosts of winter?

And India is a part of God's harvest field, a part many times larger than our isle. There are more than "two hundred millions" of souls in India! Oh! How vast a harvest, and the labourers how few, how very few! I have heard that there is but one European missionary to "five hundred thousand" natives! Oh! Pray, earnestly pray to the Lord of the harvest, that He may send forth more labourers into His harvest!

Pray that amongst the natives themselves many teachers may arise; even children may speak to children. The lips of a boy, young as Prithu, may be opened to tell former playmates of that loving Lord who hath said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me."

And pray for the English labourers already there, and those who are going forth to help them. How few we are, and how weak! Think of the difficulties before us, remember our need of help from above,—of courage, wisdom, patience, and love.

But why should we ask the prayers of those who perhaps have never once in their lives really prayed for themselves? The young Brahmin will, I fear, rise up in the judgment to condemn many who have had an open Bible before them from the time when they first could read it, those whose parents, unlike Prithu's, have tried to teach them to know the Saviour. Prithu, in face of opposition, turned from his idol to serve the living God. Reader! Will you turn away from God to serve your idol?

"We have no idols in Britain," perhaps you reply.

O Reader! Search your own heart; do not flinch from the duty. Ask yourself; "Has God the first place in my heart?" If not, some idol is there. It may be pride, or selfishness, or love of money; whatever it be, if it be what we will not give up at our Lord's command, it is as much an idol to us as is a bit of carved wood to the heathen. St. John's warning is for "all"—"Little children, keep yourselves from idols!"

Remember the sprig in the ear of Prithu, the sign that he had given himself to serve the Lord, and Him only. How often during his months of trial must the boy have felt tempted to take out that sprig, to give up the hard struggle, and go back to his heathen state! How often in such moments of temptation did God's Word sound in his heart, BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE! Do you know anything of such a struggle, are you seeking for, or caring for the crown of life? Think what it must be "to win;" and oh! think what it would be "to lose it!"

Dear Reader, I earnestly entreat you, "seek the Lord whilst He may be found, call upon Him whilst He is near." "Choose you this day whom ye will serve," and if your choice be made to serve your Master in Heaven, like Prithu, be faithful and firm, keep not the sprig in the ear, but the love in the heart. And oh! by the grace of God's Holy Spirit, may we be kept from falling away; and when our trial time is over, may we receive a welcome from the Master whose blood has bought and whose Spirit has led us! May we hear from His blessed lips the gracious words, "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord!"

FINIS.