In Kali's Country: Tales from Sunny India

little knot by the door, another near the altar rail. This is not the church where the real Europeans meet to worship God, you know, nor is it even one

at three separate congregations can boast, our

largely occupied by Parsis. But although it is old and bare and far away from most of our native co

UL WIFE, AS FAIR

his day it was a union service of all our people to be conducted in two languages only, as the Marathi and Hindustani languages are near enough alike to be intelligible to both. And why was this great meeting held? That was what thrilled me I suppose and broke me all up so that when it came my turn to speak, I really just couldn't a

ospects of seeing home again, that meant America, looked pretty good to me! Think of seeing a snow-bank after the one hundred and twenty degrees in the shade in which I had scorched for years! Think of drinking cool, unboiled water right from the tap, and all you wanted of it! Think of being able to eat fresh, uncooked vegetables without fear of cholera! Think of being able to do all those things whi

men standing by the windows at the right nearest the altar. Shama Bhana is a Brahmin and when I have said that I have told you that he is a man of proud, d

him one inch, as it seemed to me, towards forsaking his old faith and accepting ours publicly. As I saw his face there that afternoon and knew that he had come to say good-bye to me, perhaps foreve

the sahib and to wish him "Godspeed" had done so and were gone to their homes, all b

o separate myself from the company near the altar rail and started towards the door. Shama Bhana did not come to meet me but I saw hi

my hand, and, Brahmin though he was,

r hearts to have you

t to go without having heard you confess the

very thing. "Shama Bhana," I went on, looking straight into his face and into his eyes,

Jesus Christ. There is nothing in Hinduism or Brahminism that can compare with His life and character. There is nothing that can compar

led with joy

asked him, hoping that I might see him baptized befo

to you, knowing that you will not tell what I have told you he

an's courage and strength? I was disappointed but I could

l possessions, Shama Bhana, that you fail

ould I care for that! I am young. I am strong. I could earn my way and my family would not starve. No, Sahib, it is not the fear of the loss of money that

have read much of the doctrine. She knows, too, that I no longer make offerings to the idols, and she fears that my heart inclines to this new creed. Sahib, my mother a short time ago took me out into our court

ay nothing. I could only look at him

our own, Sahib. I love my wife. I love my son. But, Sahib, the day I confess Christ publicly

d the separation from me forever of my wife and child? It is these two

ll you your duty. And He will make it plain to you, if you leave it all to Him. I will pray for you

s real name nor can I and keep faith with him, for, although Bombay is thousands of miles away, words when once spoken may travel far. But I have told you a true story. May I add a happy conclusion to at least one par