10 THE BIBLE SCHOOL

Chapter 10 THE BIBLE SCHOOL

EARLY in 1879, Dr. Phillips was encamped at Bhimpore, where the annual week of prayer observed in all mission churches was held. Some considerable time had elapsed since the missionary was last in that neighborhood, and he thus describes the welcome which awaited him —

" As we rode into the village alone that chill day in a pelting rain a sign nailed to a tree on the outskirts of the village caught my eye. On it in large letters was written in Santal, ’ Welcome ’ ; and as I sat beside the pleasant fire in my mud house drying my wet clothes, and one by one the men and women, learning of my arrival, came in, I felt it was truly a real welcome, for from their full hearts, and some with tearful eyes, they bade me welcome back to Bhimpore. It rained all day and all night, but the next morning was one of the brightest. It was such a pleasure to go from house to house through he village and talk with the people. Ministers who do no pastoral work of this sort little know the joy it imparts or the help it brings for other duties. I have often thought that a minister who neglects to visit his parishioners can at best be but half a man in the pulpit. That Saturday’s tour from house to house after the apostolic manner helped me wonderfully in the work of the Sabbath. Instead of preaching on general principles, I was enabled, I trust, to give the flock what they needed." The long wished for Bible School soon became an accomplished fact. On May 1st it was opened, with Dr. Phillips as its first Principal. There was half an hour spent in prayer at dawn, attended by all the students who had arrived in town, and by several friends of the School. The public service began at 8 o’clock, and occupied two hours. Commencing with the doxology, hymns were sung in Bengali, Oriya, Santal, and English at fixed intervals between the other exercises. Passages from the Bible were read by one of the native preachers, and prayers were offered in all the languages just mentioned. Dr. Phillips then delivered an address, setting forth the objects and aims of this new institution, after which followed several practical and interesting addresses by missionaries and native preachers. Nearly all the members of the mission at Midnapore were present on this occasion. After the opening service, the names of the new students were registered, the courses of lessons arranged, and preparation made for commencing work on the following morning. The day closed with another devotional meeting in the mission chapel. The Bible School began in an old building which had formerly seen much service as Sepoy quarters, smallpox hospital, Santal school, orphanage, etc., and which was situated conveniently near Dr. Phillips’ bungalow. The School commenced with sixteen native preachers, one of whom served as a kind of pupil teacher. The first year’s work was regarded as entirely preparatory, the regular course of study not commencing until March 1880, Three days later the students, half of whom were Santals, began going to the bazaars with other native preachers, not to speak, but to listen, for it was a fixed principle with Dr. Phillips that no man could be a good speaker until he was a good listener. On May 5 th the Principal has thus early to record his first failure —

" Gyanendra Lai Sen was absent to-day from lessons, and it is said he will not come again, having told his mother that his skull was too thick for all these new studies in the Bible School! Vale ! "

Only four days later the diary records the death of one of the students. The following extracts from the record which Dr. Phillips kept with painstaking conscientiousness, will give some idea of the varied labours and experiences incidental to his new undertaking : —

"May 13th. — The first debate in the Bible School was held this evening. Topic — ’ Which has done more for the elevation of India, Christianity or science ? ’ The disputants were : — For Christianity, Debuath and Joseph ; for science, Samuel and Dakhu, Several took part in this discussion, but most of the students proved shy."

" May 18th. — Our Bible School students are working well in the Sunday School as teachers. Dharma and Matai have opened a little day school at Aligange, teaching a couple of hours every afternoon. They bring their students to the Sunday School. I hope to see the students doing much missionary work in this pagan city."

"May 22nd. — Munshi Abdulla, the Mohammedan preacher, and for several years a patient of mine, came into the Bible School this morning, and studied the Scriptures with us with great interest. He has been a diligent student of the Bible for several years, and I have sometimes thought that he really believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,"

"June 2nd. — All the students brought in a written synopsis of the first three chapters of St. Mark’s Gospel, which we studied last month. Some of these papers were quite good, being the first of the kind that they have done. Today I have paid the students their stipends for May. The single men receive from three to four rupees, and the married men from five to six rupees per month. All of them are regarded as probationers until they have passed their entrance examination in October."

It should here be noticed that this stipend, or rather allowance, was in no sense regarded as a payment either for attending the Bible School or for assisting in mission work, but was simply an allowance barely sufficient to enable the men to maintain themselves during the time of their attendance at the Bible School. In other words, the payment was in lieu of residence. On the 17th June, Dr. Jeremiah and Mrs. Phillips, after more than forty years of arduous labour in India, left the mission field, Dr. Phillips accompanied his parents to Calcutta, whence they sailed for London in the SS City of Carthage. Dr. Bacheler took the Principal’s place in the meantime. The aged missionary only survived his arrival in America a few months, and in the December of the same year he passed to his reward. When the news reached Midnapore the grief of the now orphaned missionary was shared by all the natives. A widow, with loud wailing, told how " Phillips sahib " helped her to come to Christ thirty-six years before, and how forlorn and friendless she felt now that he was gone. One of the Bible students said, " He found me, he brought me here, he saved me." An old blind man exclaimed, " He was our friend, he found us in the jungles, he came to us with Christ’s love in his heart and Christ’s Word in his mouth." A Hindu, whom the departed missionary had taken in as an orphan lad during the fearful famine of fourteen years before, brought tears to many eyes when he said: " He died for us; his work for us in heat and cold, by day and night, has cost him his life, I feel that he has died for us; let us be worthy of such love," On receipt of the news, Dr, Phillips at once wrote to his widowed stepmother in terms which show better than any description the relationship existing between them —

" My dear Mother, — You once said that should dear Father be taken home, and you left alone, you would like to come here and work on as long as the Lord gives you strength. Do you feel so still ? I know all of us would be delighted to have you come and live with us. Almost forty years ago you took charge of me, and is it not fairly my turn now to take charge of you ? . . . Though my heart is heavy at the thought that you are now a widow and we children fatherless, yet I cannot mourn that our dear one is free from pain, and is forever with the Lord. Dear Father’s noble life will not cease to shine on our path. We shall await so anxiously your account of his last days. Let me know what your plans are, and how I can help you. May you feel that the everlasting arms are beneath you ! God bless and comfort you ! "

Meanwhile the Bible School had been making good progress. Proud Brahmins’ and Santals from the jungles, sons of both Christian and heathen parents, were pursuing their studies side by side, and working together for their common Saviour. Only a part of the year was devoted to study, the cold season being spent in the districts preaching, teaching, and distributing books and tracts. During the term time, all who were able preached in the bazaars ; some students frequently spending the Sunday in sowing the good seed in the neighbouring villages, while others conducted Sunday Schools in different parts of the city, holding some of them on the verandahs and in the open courts. Many a native woman, closely confined to the zenana, crept silently to her door, left ajar, to listen to the singing of the children. An idea of the work of the Bible School, when it had become fully organized and developed, will be gathered from the following extracts from the Annual Report for 1883:—

" Another very pleasant year of Bible study has been granted us. The chief book has ever been the Word of God, and the study of it has been sweet and inspiriting. The young men have given me much joy by their cheerful devotion to the work of the School, and I have had frequent occasions of hearty thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for many and marked proofs of His love and long-suffering. The two higher classes have done well in Scripture exegesis and homiletics, and the highest class has derived much benefit and inspiration from the study of Church history. This class has written weekly essays on simple topics of practical importance, e.g. The duty of parents towards their children ; The marks of a successful Sunday School teacher ; The benefits of persecution ; The right attitude of the Church towards the temperance movement ; etc. Tuesday morning lectures have been continued as before, and have dealt with practical themes, e.g. Native helpers ; The blue ribbon ; The fruits of Christian effort ; and the like. The men have been examined on these lectures, and I have been much pleased by their ready answers. In several instances they have asked for the repetition of the lectures delivered in previous years, thus proving their interest in the topics brought before them. Sometimes I have, without previous notice, examined the men on lectures delivered two years ago, and have been much gratified to discover how retentive their memories were. It goes without saying that some of the subjects introduced into these lectures are of a character which call for frequent mention in such a school as ours, such as matters of private and social morality, which it has been my constant endeavor to keep fresh in the men’s minds. This year I have had three lectures on astronomy, taking up the easier points which men who are to be teachers of men ought to know. The large and beautiful telescope presented by a friend in Providence, Rhode Island, has been invaluable, for it has not only opened up new worlds to the men, but — which is even of more importance — has dislodged the lifelong superstitions inherited from their ignorant ancestors. This year the telescope was used on many clear and delightful evenings during the hot season, and I cannot doubt that it served to direct the thoughts of the students more pointedly and powerfully to Him who is the great Creator and Preserver of this wonderful universe. The Carey Missionary Society has made steady progress during the year. The monthly meetings have been well attended, and the members have manifested genuine zeal in their work, and remarkable liberality in their contributions. The weekly-offerings plan works admirably, and is winning favour from all. The funds of the Society have been devoted to missionary work." A few more extracts from the early records of the Bible School will serve to show the many-sided character and the practical common sense of Dr. Phillips. We take them without special reference to dates : —

"July 4:th, 1879. — Independence Day. Holiday in the Bible School ! The first holiday ! We hung out the ’ Stars and Stripes ’ as usual. As missionaries have to encounter wild beasts, it is important that they should know how to shoot, so Dr. Bacheler, Mr. Burkholder, and I had some rifle practice in the morning. In the evening Mr. Burkholder taught the students American baseball, he and I playing with them. So far as I know, this is the first time that the game has been played in India."

" October 14:th, 1879. — This evening we have had a new exercise, and one which I hope to continue, i.e. the telling of a parable or a miracle. A student stood up before us all, and told the story of Christ raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and then another related the parable of the Prodigal Son. After each had spoken, all the auditors had an opportunity for pointing out errors or omissions in the account given. The exercise proved thoroughly interesting and useful. I want these young men to tell the story of Christ’s wonderful words and works."

" October 17th, 1879. — There is much for which I am very thankful on this closing day of the first session of our Bible School. Strength of body has been granted me for my work, and the students have devoted themselves as a rule well to their books. I have not been obliged to dismiss a single man, and only five of the twenty-one young men admitted to the School have left it, three Oriyas and two Bengalis. Above all, there has been an excellent religious spirit in the School, and the only student admitted unbaptized has now been baptized, and is living an exemplary life. Surely there is much for which I should be thankful. The students seem to have enjoyed their work in the bazaars and villages. Now they go home for a fortnight’s rest ; after which they will begin touring in the districts with some of the missionaries."

" May 15th, 1880. — I am teaching three hours a day this year. Often it requires three hours more to prepare for my classes ; but I am enjoying my work much."

" May 2nd, 1880. — This being the Queen’s birthday, we had a holiday in the Bible School. I worked hard at my report, and have finished it. The students had a fine game at baseball in the evening." On the 25th of May in this year (1880) Dr. Phillips contracted a severe chill, and after a week of great suffering, was ordered by his medical adviser to go to Darjeeling for a period of complete rest. Not until August 10 th was he able to resume his work. In the meantime, Mrs. Phillips, with the help of native pundits, carried on the work with considerable success, while Miss Hattie Phillips conducted a class for the wives of the married students. Dr. Bacheler superintending the whole work. Thus when the Principal resumed his place in the institution he was able to record with intense gratification that the work had suffered less through his prolonged illness than might have been expected.

" August 31st, 1880. — This evening we have had an exercise in public Scripture reading at the chapel. Four of the students read — Rham, the story of the Prodigal Son ; Ben, the account of the Transfiguration ; Daniel, the parable of the Sower ; and Kisum, the first chapter of Isaiah. Each reader having read his passage aloud, takes his seat to listen to corrections in pronunciation, tone, etc. After this he rises again, and tells the story in his own language, when he is again subjected to free and friendly criticisms, covering points in grammar, omissions or additions in the narration, etc. This exercise will do the students much good. They need to learn how to tell the Gospel story well."

"July 4ith, 1881. — Today I secured a grant of a large compound for our proposed Bible School Hall, dormitories, etc. Through the kindness of certain officials I have secured 85 Bughas of land for our educational work at a merely pepper-corn rent."

"March 27th, 1882. — Dr. Bacheler, Mr. Burkholder, and I had a meeting of the Bible School Local Committee for fixing the stipends of students. I am far from satisfied with this plan, and wish I could find some way for the men to earn what we give them every month. We should not encourage beggary, or break down the self-respect of the men by giving them a monthly stipend. Inveniam viam aut faciain." In the summer of 1884 Dr. Phillips was once again compelled to lay aside his Bible School work through a serious break-down in health. On July 31st we find this significant entry in his diary —

" The fever has made my head so bad that I cannot do my work. I have not been able to teach an hour this week. Mr. Burkholder has helped me much, and the School has been held at the chapel. There seems no help for it, but I must run off" to sea for a thorough change of air, so as to get this fever poison out of my blood. It seems hard to send my students to the four winds, but, being alone in the School, I have no Vice-Principal to leave in charge. The Will of the Lord be done ! " Not till the 2nd October was he able once again to continue the diary of his labours in the training school for native helpers:

"Oct. 31st, 1884. — Completed the teaching of the whole Bible in my senior class. This study has been sweet, and my soul has feasted richly for these six years."

"July 4th, 1885 (Independence Day). — This evening I invited all the students and their wives and children to dinner. It was served in native fashion on my south verandah. The Rev. E. S. Summers, B.A., of the English Baptist Mission, Serampore, came with the Rev. G. H. Rouse, M.A., LL.B., of the English Baptist Mission, Calcutta. They gave hearty cheers for "Washington, Lincoln, and Garfield, and pleased our young men much. Each year since this School was opened I have invited the students to dine with us on this day, and find it very pleasant indeed."

Dr. Phillips was Principal of the Bible School for seven years in all, during which time he was unceasingly working for the mission churches and Sunday Schools, and laboring to spread the Gospel amongst all classes of society. At the same time he practiced daily as a medical man, and found that in healing the body he often gained an opportunity of pointing the patient to the Great Physician, who alone can heal the diseases of the soul. One of his most interesting patients was a man of good social position, but suffering from leprosy. The following account is condensed from a sketch of this man’s career which Dr. Phillips contributed to a periodical : —

" One of the very first patients I had upon joining my station at Midnapore, Bengal, twenty-five years ago, was a Mohammedan Molvi, who officiated in a little mosque in the Sepoy bazaar near our bungalow. He was a leper. My first meeting with him was pleasant. He knew a little English, and seeing me beside the garden gate one morning as he was riding by on his pony, he said, ’ Good morning,’ and inquired kindly how I was, and how I liked my station. To my question as to how he was, he answered very cheerfully, ’ By the grace of Jesus Christ, I am pretty well, thank you.’ This answer startled me at once, and stirred within me a strong desire to know the man better. I did not then know that he was a leper ; but this was easily determined upon a subsequent interview at the mission dispensary, where he became a regular patient, and was treated for years. The Molvi’s home was a humble house with clay walls, and a thatch of rice straw, and less than half a mile from the American mission premises. We visited each other often, and it was a great pleasure to study the Scriptures with this intelligent man. I very soon came to feel that he was a devoted pupil, sitting at the feet of our adorable Master. As we could get on but poorly in English, I used the Bengali New Testament, and he the Hindustani printed in the Persian character, with which he was more familiar, though he spoke Bengali fluently. Those half-hours on his mud verandah or in my study I shall never forget, for they were always delightful and helpful to me.

Frequently I found verses marked in his book, and he would call my attention to them, sometimes comparing verse with verse, Gospel with prophecy, history with prediction, dwelling upon the etymology of words, locality of events, spiritual significance of story and parable, always admiring and reverencing and praising the life and words of our Lord. My ten years were almost gone, and the first furlough home was about due, when one morning I walked over and bade my leper friend good-bye. Fully an hour did we talk concerning the Bible and its saving truths, and I once more bade him heed its lessons. But the sun was waxing hot, and, our ’ salaam ’ over, I had reached his gate when I heard him calling me back. ’ Doctor,’ said he, ’ cannot you tarry long enough to hear some lines I wrote the other day ? ’ From his Testament he drew a sheet upon which in the beautiful Persian characters he had written several stanzas. How many times I have wished that I had taken a copy of those lines ! They told of the heart’s hunger and of the Bread of Life, of the world’s sin and of God’s salvation, and there was one line which came so beautifully and with increasing emphasis into each succeeding stanza that I have cherished it after these intervening years with peculiar pleasure. A free translation of it would be this : ’ Beside Thee alone, Jesus, Messiah, my soul has no hope.’

" This Molvi friend of mine has long since gone. He died during my absence at Midnapore, and as far as I know he never made a public profession of his faith in Christ. India has many like him to-day in nominally Hindu and Mohammedan ranks, and like Nicodemus they are secret disciples. Christian missions are doing much for lepers and all the suffering classes in every land.Brahmanism, Buddhism, and Mohammedanism provide neither sympathy nor succor for the unfortunate. It was left for Christianity to bring succor for all the woes to which human flesh is heir." But there was a darker side to the picture, as every missionary in India knows full well. Dr. Phillips again and again rejoices in the evidence that the seed was growing secretly in the hearts of many of his hearers, still we find frequent entries in his diaries lamenting the falling off of others, and the cropping up anew of old habits and vices. He speaks also in strong terms of the evil example set by many of the European residents in India, who are naturally enough regarded by the natives as living examples of Christianity, and who by their habits of drinking and self-indulgence have too often led the natives to look down upon Christianity as a religion less moral than their own.