1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

influences of the Bible and the Missionaries. The nativesof lower castes look up to the whites, but find theirdisgraces easier to copy than their graces.In Madras we became acquainted with a native Christianworker who was conducting a temperance mission.We remarked that we had been greatly surprised to findthe natives quite free from the influence of intoxicatingliquors, and that we were surprised at his havinga Temperance Mission. He corroborated our understandingof the matter that Hindus and Mohammedans,who constitute the bulk of the population, repudiate intoxicatingliquors. He said that his labors were chieflyamongst the young natives who were influenced by Christianity,and who were rapidly becoming addicted to intoxicatingliquors. We learned also that amongst theMohammedans there is a class increasingly numerouswhich, following the example of the whites, are becomingskeptical of religion and correspondingly dissolute in theirR5013 : page 134habits. As for the whites, nearly all seem to use liquorsand tobacco. The irreligion and nominalism of the majorityof the whites discount greatly all missionary efforts.A REVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE'S TOURThe Committee traveled in India about four thousandmiles altogether--by railway, bullock-carts, automobiles,pony-carts, jinrickshas, carriages, etc.From the Straits of Malay our party came to the Islandof Ceylon. We had some interesting experiences in itschief city, Colombo. A number of Bible students of thatplace met us on our arrival, and gave us hearty greetingsof welcome. Our fellowship with them was sweet,and three of them subsequently accompanied us for a fewdays through the Travancore District of India. Here inColombo a meeting had been arranged for in the PublicHall, to be addressed by Pastor Russell. Although thehour appointed was early, the house was crowded, about900 being present. Close attention was given, and at theconclusion of the meeting many addresses were handedin for literature on Biblical topics.Another interesting experience worth relating was avisit by the Committee to the Lepers' Hospital on anisland adjoining the city. The hospital is presided overby an educated Indian of the Parsee faith, who withgreat cordiality arranged for Pastor Russell to give anaddress (through an interpreter) to the lepers. Manyheard with interest, and amongst them some inquired forliterature.TRAVANCORE PROVINCE--INDIAA full week was given to southwest India, and it wasworthy of it. Our first stop was at Russell-Purim, the