Chapter XV: India and Devotees

Nowhere has The Army shown its marvellous power to unite men of all races and classes so rapidly and completely as in India. With its Headquarters in Simla, and its leader, formerly a magistrate under the Indian Government, looked upon almost as a felon, and imprisoned when he first began leading Open-Air Meetings in Bombay, but now honoured by the highest both of British and Indian rulers and by the lowest of its outcasts equally, The Army has become the fully-recognised friend of Governors and governed alike.

When The General decided upon issuing a weekly paper called _The War Cry_, it was to be as nearly as possible The Salvation Army in print, and Mr. Booth-Tucker, then an Indian official, at once got the idea, from the copy he read, that such a force as it described was exactly what was wanted in that country--a set of Christians determined to fight for the establishment of Christ's Kingdom by every method love could devise; but loving especially the poorest and weakest, and proving their love by working continually amongst them. After visiting England, to see The Army and its leaders for himself, he had no hesitation in abandoning his Government appointment, and giving himself up for life to this War.

Such was the devotion of our Officers, and especially of the first Indians they won, that The General, far from having to urge them forward, had rather to check the tendency needlessly to sacrifice health and life. He gladly gave, at later dates, two of his own daughters to the Work; and, perfectly informed by his own repeated visits to the country, and by what he learnt from the actualities of the War, he was the better able to correct mistakes, and so to utilise to the uttermost the forces that were raised in various parts of the vast peninsula. Nobody would hesitate to acknowledge how much his counsels helped to prevent an excessive zeal from sacrificing precious lives.

He divided the country into six Territories, each under a separate Commander, realising that India could not be treated as one country, but that its diverse people must be dealt with according to their several needs, and that unless those using different languages were trained to act independently enough of each other they could never form strong enough forces to cope with the vast enterprises required. But the following account, written to his children, of his first visit to the country gives a photographic view, both of his own activities and successes, and of the attitude of the high and mighty generally towards him at that remote date. He writes from Benares, January 13, 1892, just ten years after our beginning in India:--

"Benares, _January_ 13, 1892.

"My Dear Children,--

"Wednesday and Thursday, 6th and 7th, were consumed in travelling
to Calcutta, and, all things considered, I got through the journey
very well. Nevertheless, I was exceedingly weary on being roused at
five o'clock to prepare for the arrival.

"It was early, 5.35 a.m., and Colonel Ajeet Singh did not expect
any reception beyond that of our own Officers.

"To our surprise, however, we found the platform crowded with our
own enthusiastic little party (who raised some music from a scratch
Band), some native Christians, and a very large number of Hindu
gentlemen.

"I was taken by surprise, and, unaware of the extent of the
demonstration, allowed them to leave by only shaking hands.

"Interview upon interview followed during the morning, but in the
afternoon I was down for the Town Hall Meeting. I scarcely ever
remember in my life feeling more thoroughly weary than on that day.
Three times I laid down to try to sleep, and each time failed to
get a wink, and my brain was benumbed and bewildered when I entered
that immense building and was called upon by General Merrill, the
American Consul, who presided, to address that crowd.

"I don't know whether Commissioner Booth-Tucker ever had a Meeting
at the Town Hall. It is a long building, 120 feet long, with the
most clumsy pillars down the sides shutting out almost the side
seats from view.

"There was quite as large an audience as I expected, although it
was not what it might have been. There were a few Europeans present
and a few native Christians, and the remainder were composed of the
non-Christian element.

"Amongst others who interviewed me during the day, or were
introduced to me before the Meeting, was the successor to Chunder
Singh and the two most prominent teachers of the Brahmo Samaj, and
a number of other leading people. On the platform was the Judge of
the Supreme Court and Vice-Chancellor of the University, and one of
the few Hindus who are strict observers of every principle and
usage of their sect. Near to me was the Nawal Abdool Luteef
(Mohammedan), and just behind me was a boy of about fourteen, a son
and heir of a Maharajah whose father had intended to have been at
the Meeting, but was prevented, and so sent his son, a bright-eyed
youth who paid every attention to what was said.

"General Merrill had consented to preside at the last moment, being
induced to do so very largely from the fact that every one of the
English of any note had refused.

"Bombay, _January 16th_.

"I broke off at the beginning of my Calcutta Campaign as above, not
having had a moment's space to resume. Never had I such a crush of
engagements before, and it was really all I could possibly do to
keep pace with them, and that I only did to some extent in a
poorish way.

"The detail of them I must leave to another day.

"I may say, however, that Calcutta in interest exceeded anything I
have seen since I left England. From the rush of welcome at the
railway station at six in the morning, to the pack who came to say
farewell (in which the papers say there were 3,000 people), it was
one series of surprises. Although the Town Hall Meeting was stiff,
and the Europeans were conspicuous by their absence, still there
was sufficient indication of the high esteem in which The Army was
held in general, and myself in particular, to make it a matter of
great interest and encouragement.

"Of the welcomes that followed from individuals of note, such as
Mr. Bannerjee and Mr. Bhose (representing the Brahmo Samaj); and
the Successor of Chunderssing, Mr. Chuckervetty, the lay reader of
the Yogal Samaj, His Highness the Maharajah Sir Joteendro Mohun, of
Tanjore, one of the most princely men of the city; the Nawab
Abdool Luteef, the most distinguished leader of the Mohammedans,
etc.; and of the several missionaries who came up, all was really
complimentary and respectful--nay affectionate.

"Then there were the crowds, perhaps the greatest in the Emerald
Theatre, in which there must have been nearly 3,000 people, inside
and out, listening through the doorways. It was certainly the most
remarkable audience I ever addressed. Exclusively native. I only
saw one white face in the crowd beyond our own people. Nothing more
hearty could have been conceived. Then came Meeting upon Meeting;
but the Circus on Sunday night outdid almost anything in some
respects, that I have ever witnessed in my life. It came upon me
quite by surprise. The hour fixed was the same as the churches, and
it had been predicted that we should not get an audience. It was
right away outside the city, in a park in the swellest part of the
suburbs. Consequently, it was not at all attractive to the native,
who doesn't like to get outside his own quarter.

"The Emerald Theatre had been a great success because it was in the
midst of his quarter; the Europeans would not come there, and now
it was fair to assume that the native would not come to the
European centre.

"As to any attendance of English people, that was hardly to be
expected. They had cold-shouldered me at the Town Hall, the
Lieutenant-Governor had even refused to see one of our Officers
when she called, although he had the reputation of being a
Christian man. The Viceroy had been civil to me--he could not have
been otherwise; in fact, he verged on friendliness before we
parted--but that was all. His Military Secretary had been as stiff
as military etiquette could possibly make him. There seemed to be,
therefore, nothing much to expect as to audience from them.

"Then I was tired out--a more wearying morning and afternoon I had
seldom experienced--and I bargained in my own mind, and even
mentioned it to Ajeet Singh, that if there was not much of an
audience I should leave them to bear the brunt of the burden.

"As we drove up the appearance of things seemed to confirm my
anticipations. Everything was silent. They had been afraid of the
roaring of the wild beasts disturbing the Meetings, but there was
not a growl to be heard, nor a carriage to be seen, nor even a
pedestrian. It is true we were at the back part of the Circus.

"Hoe came to meet us, however, at the gates, and when asked about
the audience very coolly announced, to our amazement, that they
were _full_. Without any delay, therefore, I mounted the platform,
and the sight that met me certainly was sufficiently surprising to
be actually bewildering. They say the place seated 3,500; it
appeared to be full. It was a simple circle, with a ring set in the
centre. At one end was a little platform seating myself and my
Staff, opposite me was the entrance for the horses, which was
packed by the crowd, while the remaining space, on circle upon
circle, tier upon tier, the audience was to be seen. On the right
hand we had row after row of Queen's soldiers in their red jackets,
lower down the Eurasian and middle-class Europeans, with a few
natives. In the centre we had a very fair proportion of the _élite_
of Calcutta: there was the Lieut.-Governor, the Chief Commissioner
of Police, the Consuls of America and two or three other countries,
some great native swells, ladies bespangled with jewellery and
finery, while on the left was one mass of dark faces reaching right
up to the canvas sky. It was the most picturesque audience I ever
addressed, to say the least of it.

"Our singing of 'Grace is flowing like a river,' was very weak,
still everybody listened, nobody more so than the swell Europeans.

"The solo, 'On Calvary,' was sung with good effect, and then I rose
to do my best. The opportunity put new life into me. I was
announced to speak on 'The Religion of Humanity,' but this did not
seem to me to be the hour for argument of any description; there
was no time for dissertation. I felt I must have something that
went straight to the point. I had been talking to these Brahmo
Samaj and other people upon Social Work, alluring them on
afterwards by indirect arguments long enough. Now I felt that I
must go as straight to the point as it was possible to do. So I
took 'What must I do with Jesus?' and made it fit into 'The
Religion of Humanity' as best I could.

"I never hit out straighter in my life, and was never listened to
with more breathless attention--except for the few wretched natives
in the top seats, who would go out, I guessed, because they did not
know the language, and came perhaps expecting I should be
translated, and after sitting an hour felt that was enough.
However, they soon cleared out, the audience taking no notice of
the process.

"Once done, however, a general movement took place; a Prayer
Meeting was impossible. We retired feeling that a victory had been
gained so far.

"I cannot stop here to speak of the Meeting at which the Brahmo
Samaj presented me with an Address of Welcome the next day.

"All I know is, that nothing surprised me more than to hear some of
the priests and laymen declare that they had gone with me in every
word I had said the night before.

"Other Meetings followed, interviews, visits to the houses of the
leading natives, and with blessings without stint poured upon my
head, and hand-shaking that almost threatened to lame me, the train
tore me away from the packed platform, and I left Calcutta with
unfeigned regret.

"I stayed a night at Benares, and had the Town Hall crowded, with a
leading Hindu in the chair. Quiet Meeting. Landed here (Bombay) six
this morning with a hearty welcome, and, I think, with the promise
of good Meetings, although anything equal to Calcutta is not to be
expected; and the news of the death of the Prince has come in our
way, the news of which we have only just received.

"This will be my last letter, I presume, and I send with it, as
ever, my undiminished affection to you all.

"For THE GENERAL,

"J. C. R.

"Written in a terrible haste."

This was immediately followed by the following final days:--

"Saturday:--
Noon. Interview with Governor.

5.0 p.m. Interview with native Christian Committee.
5.30 p.m. Welcome in pandal; a large temporary structure capable of
holding people, no seating being needed.

"Sunday:--
10.30 a.m. Meeting in pandal.
3.0 p.m. Interview with Indian Judge.
6.0 p.m. Meeting in pandal.

"Monday:--
10.0 a.m. Visit to our Institutions.
3.0 p.m. Visit to General Assembly Institute.
5.30 p.m. Drawing-room Meeting.
8.45 p.m. Meeting of gentlemen at Town Hall.

The Bombay programme further included:--

"Tuesday:--
7.0 a.m. Visit to the Leper Asylum.
Midday. Visit to the Gaekwar of Baroda.
3.0 p.m. Meeting in a pandal.
Evening. Meeting with native Christians.

"Wednesday:--
8.0 a.m. An assembly at the Institute.
8.15 a.m. Interview with a solicitor.
8.30 a.m. Interview with a Parsee engineer.
9.30 a.m. Interview with Pressmen, who took him to see hospital for
animals.
2.0 p.m. Interview with gentleman, who took him to see the
Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute.
4.30 p.m. Reception at Mr. Jamsetjee Tatas.
5.30 p.m. Meeting in the pandal.
9.0 p.m. Lecture in the Framjee Cowasjee Institute to Indian
gentlemen.

"Thursday:--
8.30 a.m. Officers' Meeting.
3.45 p.m. Officers' Meeting.
4.30 p.m. Farewell procession.
5.30 p.m. Farewell Meeting in pandal.

"Friday:--
8.0 a.m. Staff Council.
5.0 p.m. Reception at Mr. Cowasjee Jehangiers. (This was, however,
abandoned on account of Prince Albert Victor's death.)

"Saturday: Sailed for Europe."

Remembering that The General was already nearly sixty-three years old, such programmes in India might well, fatigue him. But these were easy days, compared with many country ones of this journey, during which he traversed Ceylon, visited South India, spoke to some 8,000 Syrian Christians, and, calling at Madras and Calcutta, went on to the Punjab and Guzerat. His final days in Bombay were, as we have seen, clouded by a bereavement of the Royal House. But to his telegram to the Prince and Princess of Wales (now King George and Queen Mary), he got the cabled reply:--

"Their Royal Highnesses' thanks for your prayers and sympathy."

It had thus already been seen that The General's plans for India were answering their purpose. It became possible first to march large parties through various tracts of country, so impressing thousands in a few days more than the isolated labours of the best individuals could have done in the course of years, and then it came to learn later from Officers placed amongst them. All this The General knew could not mean all that it would have meant amongst peoples who understood more perfectly our teachings; but he saw no reason for not making the most of such incidents. Why not abandon, so far as such people were concerned, our system elsewhere, and recognise them as "Adherents," leaving them to learn after, from Officers placed amongst them, all that was necessary for them to become Salvation Soldiers. By this plan we avoided any watering-down of our teachings or requirements, and yet those who were not fit to be enrolled in our ranks were able, so far as they chose, to abandon idolatry and every evil practice, to get the advantages of Christian schooling for their children, and generally to improve themselves, under our influence.

Famines, epidemics of cholera and plague, and other general calamities really helped us to increase our influence in various districts. We gathered many orphans and abandoned children and brought them up as our own, whilst over wide tracts of country the people learnt to look upon us as a family of "brothers born for adversity," whose help could be relied upon not merely with regard to heavenly but to earthly things.

The barriers of caste, which bind Indians to treat each other to so large an extent as if they were enemies are naturally a constant and serious hindrance to us, especially as most of our people naturally belong to the lower castes, or are even outcasts. And our plan of organisation has helped us wonderfully in this matter, for the villager of Guzerat, or Ceylon, who might be very greatly hampered amongst his own natural surroundings, may be placed in an infinitely better position in some other part of the country. Indians are marvellously quick at learning languages, so that we need seldom hesitate about their usefulness in any new appointment on account of difference of language.

And thus it has come about that we have already, after some thirty years' work, nearly 2,000 Indian Officers, as absolutely devoted to the service of Christ as any of their comrades of any other land. And the forces under their command have shown already that they can deal effectively with peoples utterly inaccessible to the ordinary Europeans.

The Bheels, when we first went amongst them, were all armed with bows and arrows, living entirely by the chase, and so terrified at any sign of officialism that our Officers had to avoid taking a scrap of paper with them when visiting their districts. But we have now many Bheel villages entirely under our teaching, and quite a number of Bheel Officers who have learnt to read their own language, and to lead their countrymen as fully to follow Christ as they do themselves.

So many of our people in Guzerat were weavers that one Officer set himself specially to the task of improving their loom. He was soon able to make one with which they could double their daily product. The making of these looms created a new industry, also, so that we have been able thus to help many. In India we have also commenced in three of our Territories medical work, making it, after first cost of buildings, equipment, and Staff, largely self-supporting, as we found that the people really appreciated help more for which they were called upon to make ever so small a return.

In the same way, respecting all our work, The General has always urged the importance of applying, as far as possible, our general rule of self-support; for though the people may have very little to give, the very least they can do helps to protect us from the prejudice created by the term "rice Christians," applied to those who are believed to have made professions of Christianity for the sake of the food they hope to receive.

And now the Government, having seen the practical effect of our work, are beginning to give us opportunities such as we never had before. The Doms, a tribe systematically trained to live by thieving, were placed under our special care, and the result was such as to lead to our having other unmanageables likewise given over to us. In fact, we are barely now beginning to reap in India what in twenty-eight arduous years had been sown.

Does some one ask, Where does The General's own hand appear in much of this? Is it not all rather due to his having from the beginning, had so able a helper, acquainted with the languages and mental habits of the country, and other exceptionally able Officers both here and there?

Even if it were so, I should ask how all these people of ability placed themselves so absolutely at The General's disposal as to wish to spend all their lives under his direction in the greatest poverty in that far-away land? And I should inquire, further, how it came to pass that British, French, American, Swedish, Swiss, Dutch, and others could be got to submit, not only to work in union under the same "iron" regulations, but often under the leadership of women, and often under that of Indian Staff Officers? Who else but General Booth has ever attempted to place under command of a woman a missionary work, carried on largely by men, over a territory larger and more populous than the United Kingdom? Yet, undoubtedly, nothing has more contributed to the success of our work in a country where women have been so largely repressed, as the fact that The Army has thus demonstrated its confidence in God's power to lift up the weakest to the uttermost degree.

Nobody who reflects on these things will dispute that whatever The Army has done for India has been due most of all to its first General. And so surely as the knowledge of what is already done grows, shall we be allowed to do more and more to show India what Christ really desires, and so to capture it for Him.

In connexion with all our Indian work, one vastly important part of The General's work comes ever before us, whether we think of Commissioner Booth-Tucker or of one of his humblest native helpers.

Commonly enough in recent times The General was honoured because he had won from the path of vice to that of virtue some notorious sinner. But did he not even more remarkably earn the general gratitude by changing the comparatively helpless and uninfluential, though well-meaning, into enterprising and widely useful leaders in good work? How many millions of people he has taught or urged to sing:--

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

That grand verse was well known in this country, and widely sung, of course, long before he was born. But alas! how many sing it even now "with the understanding"?

How many thousands of choice spirits first learnt, under The General's direction, to look fairly at the immensity of their responsibility to God, as they sang that and similar verses? And how many only found out, as ever-widening responsibilities were pressed upon them, how great their "all" really could become. The humble labourer, without any great speaking ability, and often involved in a struggle to earn the barest livelihood for himself and family, was taught how to share in seeking the Salvation of men. To-day he has become a well-known benefactor in one way or another to thousands of his fellow-townsmen, and his children, in the Far East or West, are helping to realise his grandest thoughts of winning the whole world for God.

This result would never have come about simply by the reading and singing of the most beautiful words. But the man who was first of all made responsible, perhaps, only for the keeping of a Hall door, learnt with astonishing rapidity how much our common life could accomplish for God, and went on expanding in thought and purpose, as his responsibilities were increased, until he became not merely a local leader in every form of Salvationist effort, but a foreman or tradesman exercising a widespread influence amongst his fellow-townsmen for all that is good, and urging thousands of a younger generation forward in every way, to the glory of God and the advancement of their country.

Such development, when it comes to be applied, say, to an educated lady, produces one of those wise mothers of mankind whose practical counsels and help are being sought by the greatest cities in these days, when men have found out what largeness of both heart and understanding are often to be found under a Salvation Army bonnet.