1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

principal point at which Brother Davey for two years haslet shine the "Gospel of the Kingdom." Pastor Russellpreached there twice through interpreters to audiencesvariously estimated from two to five thousand. Nearlytwo miles from the meeting place we were met by a thousandof the natives who escorted us to a hastily improvisedauditorium. A fife and drum corps preceded us,while behind us came bagpipes, tom-toms and variousmusical instruments unknown to us. Many of those whomet us carried banners of welcome and marched ahead ofour motor car, while on either side werelined up others who greeted us, singingnative hymns of welcome. Our Committeewas quite unprepared for such areception, and in the general din couldmerely express our appreciation by bowingto the multitudes who walked andran before, beside and behind us to themeeting place, constantly joined by otherhundreds on the way, and finally by thousandswho were waiting for us at theauditorium.When we stepped upon the platformeach member of the Committee waspresented with a garland of flowers,strung after the native style. These werehung about our necks. To each of uswas presented also a bouquet of flowershandsomely arranged in a manner which,we were informed, to the natives signifiedpeace, love and good will. Next camefans and a glass of cocoanut milk. It was followingthese experiences and refreshments that Pastor Russellgave his address. Following the first address we wereintroduced to some of the officials of the vicinity.NAGERCOIL--MISSION CENTEROur next stop was at Nagercoil, where the LondonMissionary Society has a college. We were kindly receivedby the Secretary in charge, and, as per arrangementmade in advance, Pastor Russell delivered an address.The auditorium was crowded, as were the doorsand windows, while hundreds were unable to get withinhearing distance. Natives constituted the audience, exceptthe white teachers. Amongst them, we were informed,were educated Hindus as well as Christians, and nearly allwere men.TRIVANDUM--THE CAPITALThe next stop was at Trivandum, the capital ofTravancore. Two meetings were held in Victoria CityHall, which on both occasions was crowded to overflowing.We cannot, of course, know to what extent the hearersreceived the message. It was quite manifest, however,