-
News From HamirpurNews of the missionary labors of Balph and
LaVon Harter
With good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto
men. Euh. 6:7
SPBINd, 1952 . OHUEOH OF OHEIST, HAMIRPUB, U. P. INDIA NEWS
LBTTEE NO. 7
Miss Ivy Roberts and Mrs. LaVon HarterMiss Roberts was baptised
in October,
1951 at the Women's Christian ServiceCamp. She is 21 years of
age, a collegegraduate, and speaks English fluentlybesides her
native Hindi. She is thesecond language teacher to become
aChristian Only and to work at the Missionat Hamirpur.
The ChurchMarches On
1950Sixteen baptisms and one transferfrom denominational
church.
1951Twenty-five baptisms some inKanpur, following a meeting
there.
1952New church planted in the city ofKanpur, with 8 more
baptisms inJanuary. Membership February 1was thirty.
1952Officers chosen for the church atHamirpur.Chairman of
Business meetings,Mr.- Negi; Adult Bible SchoolTeacher, Mr. Harter:
Teacher ofchildren, Miss Ivy Roberts: Treasurer of Bible School and
Church,Miss Ivy Roberts; Song Leaderfor Bible School, Mrs.
Harter.
As stated in the summer, 1951 issue ofNews from Hamirpur, we
have not since.Inly. 1950 been connected with the Christian Mission
to India, but are workingindependently, to the iDest of our
ability,deeply appreciative of the Interest, faith,and prayers of"
our friends and contributors.
Where Art Thou?By LaVon Harter
"Where art thou?" Adam's reply toGod was "I hid mysell'".
Geuesis 3:9.Adam had sinned and knew it. He triedto hide and escape
from God. Eventhough God knew where Adam was hiding He asked the
question, "Where- artthou?" it brought lorth an answer - atrue
answer, "I hid myself."
When we ask ^'Why did Adam hidehimself", or "What was he hiding
for?"we know it was because he had sinned.Who was he hiding from?
Or who washe TRYING to hide from? God, But wefind here that Adam
did not succeed, because there is no one who can hide fromGod. no
matter how hard he tries.
Some pi-eachers are sometimes guUtyof this. After preaching on
Sunday theytry to hide from God during the week.But God still knows
and asks, "Whereart thou?"
Of elders who take their office lightlyand who shrink from their
duty by guiding the flock only on Sunday, God asks,"Whei'e art
thou?" Likewise of deaconswho do not try to live righteously
duringthe week, but find themselves hidingfrom the minister and
members of thechurch, God knows, and asks "Where artIhou?"
Many Christians think that now theyare Christians that is all
that matters.They begin to wander from the Lord'stable and to miss
other services quitefrequently for unnecessary reasons. Godknows
and asks, "Where art thou?"
Some young folk try to hide fromChristian fellowship. They hide
tosmoke, attend movies and dances. Godknows. Remember, he asks you,
"Whereait thou?"
We missionaries on the field too mustbe ever watchful that we do
not neglectour work of preaching and teaching in aneffort to win
souls for Christ. We toomust remember that God knows and
asks,"Where art thou"?
If you and I were asked by God, "Whereart thou?" what would our
answer be?Would it be as Adam's was, "I hid myself?" If 80, then it
is time to get out ofthat hiding place, ask God's forgivenessand
put on the clothes of righteousnessand March On. But what about
theChristian who is slipping, and hiding,and does not hear the
voice of God asking, "Where art thou?" It is our blessed privilege
to be the one to step to thatperson's side and speak to him so
thathe may hear God when He asks. "Whereart thou'?" Many have not
come to theplace where they would admit that theyarc hiding from
God, or that they are Inthe hands of Satan. Often it Is becausewe
stand with folded hands waiting foropportunities. Instead of going
forwardto meet them. Tn the meantime brethrenSee 'WHERE ART THOU?"
- Page 3
Where ThereIs No Love
By LaVon E. Harttr
My Christian name Is Amos,And I am four years old,
Our mother died two years ago,.And father's love was cold.
My brother Paul is six years old-And a very smart lad Is be,
Just name a Bible story,He'll soon have it told, you see.
Sl.ster Queenie is now eight,She sings most all the time,
She tells her Hindu teacher.Of God and His love divine.
Our mother died of while plagueAnd left six children you
see,
To a father with no sign of love.For Paul, for-Queenie, or
me.
We were often cruelly beaten,Some days we had nothing to
eat,
Our clothes were In rags and shreds.Our father could have kept
us neat.
Father tried for two long monthsTo get Harters to take us
In,
They tried first to teach him to love.And to keep our home from
sin.
It's not that our father Is poor,He has a job with good pay,
But he had no love for anyone,So he Just sent us away.
We now live with the Hartera,And call them mama and dad.
We have gained in weight you see,.And are happy in the love of
God.
The three older childrenHad to leave father's cottage too.
But they found new Christian homes.And a chance to live and
grow.
Some thought we should have stayed,With our father, perhaps to
die,
-But here we're growing In Christian love,Learning to lead
others to Christ.
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News From Hamirpur People We KnowPublished In the tTnited States
for
Church of Christ Hamirpur, U. P. IndiaRalph and LaVon
Harter.
Mailing address ofRALPH ANU LAVON HARTER
isCHURCH OF CHRIST
HAMIRPUR, U. P. INDIA
WHERE TO SEND CONTRIBUTIONS
Banking and forwarding of funds Istaken care of by Ralph's
mother, Mrs.Louise Harter, Box Hi, Clinton, Ohio.All gifts promptly
-acknowledged.
Packages weighing up to ^ potmdsmay be sent. Please mark them ''
unsolicited gift - no commercial value." Orwrite Box 14i, Clinton,
Ohio for lists andpacking instructions.
Fifteen Minutes From
Home, But It TookAll Day To Get Trerel
By LaVon Harter
On Monday in February we left for avillage fifteen miles away,
to do somepreaching and teaching. It took a fullday to get there
and get our tents set up.We had a wonderful week there. Manycame to
hear the Gospel. Our evangelist,Mr. Negi, talked and used the film
ofthe Life of Christ, and Ralph taught withthe use of the flannel
board. The attendance ran from 60 to 135, and they werevery
attentive. It is our hope to go backto this village again later,
for many wereInterested.
Saturday morning at 9:00 we wereready for our return trip to
Hamirpur,in order to be there for the Sunday services. After many
delays we made itby 5:00 P. M., tired from the undepend-ttble bus
service, one bus having brokendown twice. Finally Miss Ivy and
myselfchanged our mode of travel and rode Inan ekka for eight miles
of the way. AJeep would have made this trip In halfan hour. It is
our prayer that we mayhave a Jeep when we come back to Indiaafter
our furlough in 1953. A fund forthis purpose has been started and
wehope many of our friends will give to it.
Plan now to attend the Fifth National
Missionary Convention at Dodge City,Kansas, September 24-28th.
1952.
WANTED Ohio Tax Stamps, proceedsto be used for Jeep fund. Send
to "LouiseHarter, Clinton, Ohio.
Govind Negl
By Ralph R. Harter
In our last Issue of "News From Hamir
pur" we printed a letter from our language teacher, Mr. G. S.
Negi, under thetitle, "Letter From Govind." We feelthat Mr. Negl
has proven himself evenmore worthy of mention than when wewrote of
him last.
You will remember that Brother Negiwas about to return to his
home to witness to his Hindu family. He requestedour prayers in
that effort. During hisvisit at home his family put forth
everyeffort to get him to return to Hinduismand to marry a Hindu
wife, but he stoutly refused all of it. They had seen to itthat a
Hindu idol was put in his room,but he made them remove it.
Towardthe end of his visit his younger sisterdied which made things
all the moredifficult, but his faith won through. Hecontinues his
responsibilities as a sonby sending them money each month, andhe
continues to hope and pray that someday they might be saved.
Because Mr. Negi was a teacher of theLandaur Language School, we
were onlyable to hire him for the winter months.Last week, however,
Mr. Negl announcedthat he would prefer to work for us
pei--nianently even if the salary were less.This was one of the
really bright spotsin our life In India.
Mr. Negi has given us a tremendousamount of help in the
publication of ourHindi Christian magazine JIWITA PANI.At present
he bears the title of "Language Editor," but we hope to
graduallywork him in as Editor-in-Chief. He worksvery hard at his
job, many hours abovewhat is required of him in his contract.
Then, as mentioned in my other article,I have the company of Mr.
Negi onpreaching trips. As a former Hindu, Mr.Negi preaches very
effectively to the villagers. In the mornings we use the picture
rolls as our visual aid, and in theevenings we use the projector
with filmstrips on the Life of Christ. In the evening meetings,
Brother Negl explains thepictures, while I give a short talk
nearthe conclusion of the roll. Our work this
Our Sincere ThanksTo each one who has given to our
mission funds, personally or through aChristian group.
To the Church of Christ at Buchanan,Michigan. Pledging $200 per
year forLaVon's L/L fund, they have added tothat for general funds
and last year wentway "over the top" by giving $1023.52.It can be
done!
To the Church of Christ, East Rochester, New York, for a pledge
of $5 permonth for child care.
To Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Condon, Nor-walk, for a pledge of $5 per
month.
To Mrs. Beulah Mae Ray, Mendon,Michigan, for making a pledge of
$5 permonth.
To Mr. and Mrs. Glen Morrical, Portland, Indiana, for a pledge
of $5 to helpone of the boys.
And thanks to the Liberty ChristiaaCouncil, Cairo, Missouri,
pledging $5 forchild support.
Thanks to the church of Christ, Oxford,Indiana, for their
special gift of $159.58,making it possible for us to get a
muchneeded storing cabinet; and furniturefor the printing office
and church officeat Kanpur.
We feel these groups are all happy Insending these amounts each
month, andall are a truly wonderful help in extending the Gospel in
India. If group aftergroup would collect and send funds tovarious
missions In this way what awealth of help and work would
result.
Here we want to also thank those whohave given or sent money to
Mother Eag-ley to apply on a Jeep Fhind, so that wemay have
transportation upon our arrivalin the states, (possibly in the
summerof 1953), and to be brought back herelater. Funds for the car
may be sent toMother Harter, Clinton, Ohio, or to
Mrs. Ervin Eagley,407 N. Portage,Buchanan, Michigan
In Christian Love,Ralph and LaVon Harter
winter would have been quite lame without the help of Mr.
Negi.
But the story of Ramadhar is something else again. You will
rememberthat Ramadhar was once our most trusted servant, but he has
since followedafter the things of this world. He hasstolen, lied,
cheated, and backblted untilthe members of the church in
Hamirpurare about to disfellowship him by a voteof the
congregation. We have been verygrieved to see this man drift slowly
downthe stream away from the HeavenlyShores. We have adopted three
of hischildren saving them from the environment of a wretched
father. We praythat he might yet recognize his state andturn
again.
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The Story OfBeautiful Feet
By Ralph R. Harter
"How beautiful are the feet of themthat preach the gospel of
peace, andbring glad tidings of good things." Rom.10:15; Isa.
52:7.
This morning as Mr. Negl and I cycledto the village of Mylapur
to preach init's streets, it was impressed upon methat the gospel
is NEWSthe latestnews. We like to sing, "Tell Me the Old,Old
Story," but the Indian villagers continue to listen to the Gospel
as thoughChrist arose from the dead only yesterday. The amazement
which we read ontheir faces as we tell them of the LordJesus Is^pne
of the greatest rewards wehave as we preach in this land.
"Brethren," we begin, "We want youto remember three things this
morning:(1) Jesus died; (2) He was buried; and(3) on the third day
He rose again." Wethen give out two or three rewards of"Primary
Bible Story" leaflets (Std. Pub.Co.) to the villagers who first
memorizethe three points. Then we go on to emphasize these points
using the big picture roll, which we also receive from theStandard
Publishing Company. We conclude by selling them copies of the
Gospels and by distributing tracts.
The work in the villages continue tohe a work of sowing seeds.
We have notyet seen the village work bear fruit,BUT WE KNOW IT
WILL.
The work in the City of Kanpur is awork of reaping where others
had sown.Our meetings there in the past threemonths have so far
resulted in twenty-two baptisms, and the new congregationthere now
has a membership of thirty.The last eight baptisms took place
duringa meeting which was led by Brother TomRash of Kulpahar and
Brother MacleanLuther, an Indian evangelist. Most ofthese who- were
baptised were formerlymembers of the Presbyterian and Methodist
denominations. We have rented abuilding in Kanpur for meetings and
living quarters, and our evangelist, FredJoseph, has moved there to
work withthat new congregation.
The other day a resident of the villageof Ghbatampur stopped and
asked mewhen we were once again coming into hisvillage. "That time
you preached in ourvillage," he said, "something stuck in myheart.
I want to hear you preach again."As a result of what he said, we
are goingto spend the whole of next week livingand teaching in his
village. What thisman said is perhaps true of many villagers who
have heard us preach the gospelin the past few years. Pray that
theymight be brought to an obedient faith.
We are also developing evangelismthrough the printed word. We
had beenprinting from time to time a small papercalled, "Jiwita
Pani," or translated meaning, "Living Water." From the first ofthis
year, however, we began publishing
T -
Picture taken during the First Annual Christian Service Camp for
Women, inOctober, 1951. Miss Ivy Roberts (one of the three baptised
that week), Mrs. JoanGetter, Mrs. LaVon Harter, Mrs. Marie Remple
and Mrs. Leota Rash.
On the ground are religious plaques which were painted by the
campers as oneof the projects.
Where Are Thou?(Continued From Page 1)
slip and hide in the arms of Satan.
It makes no difference what city, stateor country we are in, but
it does make adifference if we are hiding from God.
I never want to hide from God,
It seems a waste of time to missOne hour of His love and
care
And blessing of sweet fellowship.
What is our answer to be. dear_frlend8,_Are we trying to hide
from God?
Or will we answer by working hard.Before souls slip away from
God?
Awake! Arise! Go forth and serve!
Ye soldiers of the cross.
There is no time to try and hide,If in His Grace you would
abide.
it on a regular monthly basis. We havebeen very happy to receive
the enthusiastic support in this venture of all of ourmissionaries
In India. It is still a smallpaper, eight pages sized and atpresent
has only a circulation of 700.But as yet it is only an infant, and
as aninfant it is somewhat of a prodigy. Weare also publishing
tracts, and are working on Bible lessons for Bible schoolsand
Correspondence Courses. We feelthat this is an important
development inthe work of the Lord In India, and thatit deserves
your interest and prayers.
Many ask what our Needs are. Yes,thank you, we have many. Will
youhelp?
1. Wanted a congregation to take thesupport of our Evangelist,
Fred Joseph, who now has charge of the newchurch in Kanpur. $25.00
a month isnecessary.
2. A congregatim to take the support ofMr. S. G. Negi, one of
our best preachers and evangelists, and who is alsoin charge of
getting out the Hinduperiodical mentioned in this newsletter.
3. A congregation to pledge the supportof Miss Ivy Roberts,
$30.00 per month.She is housemother for the children.and_aIso
teachea_f)ur or five_ hourseach day. Only 21, she Is a
collegegraduate, and had been LaVon's language teacher in the
hills.
4. We need Rope Holders for the HindiChristian paper we are
putting outmonthly. Any amount appreciated.
Total needed $20.00 per month.5. Funds are needed to purchase a
Hindi
typewriter, costing $210.00. Also anEnglish Portable
typewriter.
6. We need your prayers in All Things.Especially for these
larger projects we
like to receive help from the church as awhole, for we feel It
is the duty of thecongregation to work together to accomplish
things for the Lord. But all missionaries know what would happen
totheir support and funds if gifts were notreceived from faithful
individuals andgroups of consecrated women. Becausein many
instances the congregation fallsto promote missions, we are
thankful forthose who have picked up the cross aloneand made it
possible to March On.
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Financial ReportRECEIPTd
JULY 1 to DECEMBER Slst, 1951
CAUFORNIA Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Peel.5 timea, $25.00*; Mrs. Laura
Uammon,$10.00; Elbert Holland. $5.00.
COLORADO Mary E. Tource, $5.00.OEORGIA Balnbrldge First
Christ
ian Church. L. E. Groseclose, $5.00.ILLINOIS Mrs. George E.
Robertson.
$9.50.INDIANAAttica Christian Church,
$20.00; R6. Bedford LeatberwuodChristian Church, V.B.S.. $8.86;
Burlington Church of Christ, MissionarySociety. $5.00; Leisure
HarmonyChristian Church. V.B.S., $25.21; Portland Church of Christ.
Children'sSummer Christmas Tree, $15.00;Church of Christ, Busy
Beavers Class,$80.00; Poseyville Old Union Church.$6.00; A Friend
In Christ, 2 times,$l-i5.00*; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Cole-stack,
$5.00; Kenneth and Helen Bade,$5.00; Mr. and Mrs. Roy L.
McCullough,5 times, $25.00*: Mr. and Mrs. GlenMorrical, $10.00; Mr.
and Mrs. FrankReas, 6 times, $100.00*; Mr. HomerShaffer, $5.00;
Mrs. Earl Stahl, 5 times,$5o.OO*: Mrs. Henry Weicker, $5.00.
IOWA Hampton Missionary Churchuf Christ, 2 times, $40.00.
KE.NTUCICY Altou Station CorinthChristian Church, $25.00;
Carlisle East Union Church, $38.13*; ChristianChurch, designated by
Individuals,$6.00; Covington, Latonla CbristlanChurch, $60.ii0*;
Lawrenceburg Gleuaboro Christian Church, $100.00*;Moorefleld Mt.
ZIon Church of Christ2 times, $22.92; Mt. Eden ChristianChurch.
$35.92*; Mt. Olivet Christian Church Missionary Soc., $10.00;New
Corinth Christian Church, $5.00;Willlsburg Christian
Church.$121.19*; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Steph-eiiRon. $9.88; Mr. and
Mrs. LaVerneTaylor. $10.00.
MICHIGAN Berkley Church ofChrist. Bonnie Acre Missionary
Group,$15.00*; Buchanan Church of Christ,$510.80*: Mendon Eagley
Family Re
union. $6.00; Nlles Church of Christ,
MAILED BY MRS. LOUISE HABTEBBOX 144 CLINTON, OHIO
IVomeit's Missionary Soc., $5.00; ThroeOaks Church of Christ, 6
times,$52.00*; Mrs. Edwin DeSonia, $10,U0;Mrs. Erwin Eagley, $5.00;
Mrs. BeulabM. Ray, $20.00*: Mrs. Mabel Gould,$1.00.
MISSOURI Cairo Liberty ChristianChurch, $13.75; Miss Thelma
Colestack$6.00.
NEBRASKA Central City ChristianChurch Missionary Soc.,
$7.50.
NEW YORKEast Rochester Churchof Christ, $60.00*; Mr. and Mrs.
GeorgeW. Wilson, $30.00*; Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Karr, $5.00.
NORTH CAROLINA Athens Chapel Church of Christ, Harter
MissionarySoc., $35.00*: Church of Christ, $25.00*;Roanoke Rapids
First ChristianChurch Circle 2, $20.00*; Mr. and Mrs.J. L. Harris,
$10.00.
SOUTH DAKOTA Carthage Carthage Church of Christ, $13.50.
OHIO Bladensburg Church of Christ6 times, $60.00*; Belleville
Churchof Christ, Primary Class, $20.00; Churchof Christ Loyal
Women's Class, $10.00;Centerburg First Milford Church ofChrist,
$50.00; Clinton Proceedsfrom Tux Staiaps, $23.82; Church ofChrist,
$50.00*; Ironton CentralChurch of Christ, Missionary Soc.,$13.60;
Loveland Branch HUl Churchof Christ. $10.00; Millersburg Ch.of
Christ, 6 times, $210.00*; Norwalk Church of Christ, Home-makers
Class,6 times, $35.00*; Orrville Church ofChrist. $375.00*; Church
of Christ. V.B. S. Primary Class, $17.96; Church ofChrist, V.B.S.,
beginners. $13.63; Cb.of Christ, V.B.S., juniors. $12.01; Churchof
Christ. Junior Christian Ehideavor.$11.30; Rocky Fork Church of
ChristLadies Aid and Missionary Soc. $50.00;St. Louisville Eden
Church of Christ$179.00*: Utica Bell Church of ChristThe Willing
Workers. $10,00; BellChurch of Christ, $60.00*; Wilmington,
Macedonia Church of Christ, Chlra-tlan Endeavor, 4 times, $35.00*;
Macedonia Church of Christ, a friend, $5.00;Mrs. Mildred Fogle, 6
times, $60.00*;a friend, $2.00; J. C. McMullen, $1.00;
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lair and Family,$5.00; Sadie Brown, $2.00; Miss
Dore-thea Snider, 6 times, $66.00*; Mrs.
" Martha Wright, $5.00; Mr. and Mrs. R,W. Gillam, $75.00.
OKLAHOMA Dewey First ChristianChurch, Women's Council $5.00.
TENNESSEE Johnson City CentralChurch of Christ, 2 times, $8.55;
Knox--ville Miss Jessie Parmalee, $1.00.
WEST VIRGINIA Pollansbee Pol-lansbee Christian Church,
Women'sMiss. Soc., $20.00.
VIRGINIA Jonathan D. Hunt, 3rd.,$60.00.
WEST VIRGINIA Huntington SixthAvenue Church of Christ. Loyal
Women's Glass, 6 times, $90.00*.
Received from contributors $3545.03* Received on pledges
On hand In India. July Ist. $ 623.59Contributions July 1 to Jan.
1 3545.03
Total $4168.62L/L funds for Ralph & LaVon $1125.00
$3043.62DISBURSEMENTS
Govm. tax in India $ 2.52Literature 18.33Christian Publications
34.92Equipment and games ........ 17.95Language School
21.59Medicines ..... 106.73Transportation 135.47Mission church at
Kanpur
Inciuding furniture 101.59Publications and postage 163.72Camps.
Evangelistic work .... 249.95Child care 632.39Salaries of workers
674.90Labor and Material 659.95Supplies sent from D. S.
55.82Newsletter and postage In U. S. 127.92Other postage and
parcelpost .. 19.52
$3043.622918.27
$ 125.35 Balance in India.
$2918.27
Sec. 31.60 P. L. & R.U. S. POSTAGE
PATDCLINTON. OHIOPERMIT NO. 5
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MONTHLY LSTTEH FROM THE HARTERS
14/18 Cooper Allen Kc?.clOvrdltoli. Il.-inpurU
-
A 12o Baby bom to this couple March 22, 1951, and so he too
became oneof our large familyo
Harry, age twenty eight, is beginning his third year in
KulpaharBible College,
14o Sharoia, Harry's wife,also with him all this time,> She
is twentyone
15c Shila, daughter of Harry and Sharoia, celebrated second
birthdayin June
16o Dewan, age twenty four, in Bo home at Bilaspur^ After
sixmonths there he is recovering, but must stay longer He was
baptizedat Hamirpur and was our cooko
17,^ Govind Negi, age twenty three ^ siivgle, former language
teacherwas a Hindu, but became a Christian and was baptized after
coming withus in 1950o He. is now editor of our Hindi ninthly
Christi^an paperJiwati Pam, meaning "Living Water", published here
at Kanpurc Circu-lation 1000 and giewing
.i6o Miss Ivy?, age twenty-three, former language teacher, came
to us 1:1^51 and was baptizedo fer job vras to teach the children^
but sincechey are now in school at Kulpahar, she is going this year
to collageat Lucknow to take teacher training, to help with mission
worka
19o Freddy Joseph, our Evangelist, age twenty^two, came to us
after^ra.iuating from four year course at Bible Collegeo He is
preacher of
newly planted Church of Christ in Kanpur, now having membership
ofover fourty^
'0;. Doris^ Freddy's wife, age eighteen, came to us following
their2e.rriage In Juneo She has since been baptized, having been
immersedvJien a babyo
-:io Dorcas, age twenty four, whose husband left her and baby
four. agOo She worked with us and the chtirch in Hamirpur, Now
train-- in Lucknow, to become a midwife
oiiireanp daughter of Dorcas, five years old, staying with
herii].ulmother in Hamirpur, while iiK)ther is in trainings
Joseph, age eighteen, recently baptized at Kanpur, in school inL
-V laSp-iTo
T-4o Benjamin Lai, age eighteen, beginning first year in
Kulpahar Bi-c.'.e Collegeo
2oo Tuasir^j age seventeen, baptized in Kanpur, now vo rking for
us.in ICanpur We are praying that he may soon take up some
special
... ^dining o
Yes, here are the twenty-five who are being supported that
theymay now and later be Christian workers. This v/e are able to do
onlyDecause of you folk at home who give through us and make it
aTiI possible How else could v;e support them and give them an
opportunityS
-
Some of the above are supported by pledges from groups,classes
andindividuals^* Eleven are not Will you pray with us that they too
maybe taken by some group or congregationo For some a pledge of |5
isenough 9 others need $30 per months Further information about
this mayby received from mother Harter, or an airletter to us,
IXiring the extreme heat Miss Ivy and I spent a few weeks at
NainiTal, in the hills c Much was accomplished on book-work^
writing of articles, plans for the Womena' Christian Service Camp,
and many letterswritten in regard to the camp, and to the
Homelande
Ralphf three college students and three of the boys spent a
monthpreaching on the Pilgrim Trail See article, in next
news-letter
The adopted children spent this time at the Kilpahar Kids
Home.oThen in June we were all at the Mission at Hamirpurj and what
a haopyplace Though busy too with the(dersey)sewing on clothing for
thechildreng and much planning and packing to get all the students
awaytha first of July to their colleges and schools
Now Ralph and I will be here in Kanpur the next few months,we
leave for furlough in February or Mnrcho The new congregation
heie.now has over fourty manbers Here it is we are publishing the
months^-vi'iristian paper, Jiwati Pani (Living Water), translating,
printing anddistributing many tracts^
We pray that pledges and contributions will continue so that
theA'ork will be carried on here until we leave, and while we are
in theStates The prjuting of the paper and tracts will continue
\tv-ar the^^c.;tor, Gtovind Negi
Thanking you and May God Bless you is our prayer
Signed Ralph and LaVon
The Harters.
; cided for Travel $1000 on hand $56" " ^^000 on hand $325
A.: tress
d-'yj Mrs^ Ralph Harter, v>: jciSf Kanpur, U. P. India. r;
.y?.rdi^ Agent. Louise Harter,icK 144, Clinton, Ohio
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News of the missionary labors of Ralph and LaVon Harter.
'With good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto
men." Eph. 6:7
FALL, 1952 CHURCH OF CHRIST, KANPUR, U. P. INDIA NEWS LETTER NO.
8
The Church
Ten months ago the door of the cityof Kanpur opened to us. A
buildingwas rented, and a new congregation ofthe churches of Christ
was establishedin the center of the city. About thattime it also
became necessary for us to
Waiting!
Waiting for the Christ, their Savior,Waiting for His "Peace be
still",
Waiting for the Gospel story,
Twenty Days On TheMarches On Pilgrim Trail
RALPH R. HARTERThe end of May found seven of us on a
missionary journey to Rudraprayag.There was Govind Negi, who has
beenworking with us at Hamirpnr and Kan-pur, Cyril and Putu of
Kulpuhar BibleCollege, and the three boys. Stanley, Ben-
shift our publication efforts to Kanpur Lai and Preme Nath. This
haswhere better printing facilities are available. These two things
have graduallydrawn us into Kanpur, until we have fewactivities
left in Hamirpur. For the record it should be stated that neither
Dr.Rothermel nor the Rolands at any timeasked us to leave Hamirpur.
We havegrown, however, to realize the disadvantages of continuing
on in Hamirpur whenwe are not members of the ChristianMission to
India, Inc. Even then, wehesitated to leave until the Lord showedus
that our talents better suited us towork in Kanpur and that we
would beable to accomplish more for Him there.
The new congregation in Kanpur hasgrown to a membership of
forty-seven.Our monthly evangelistic magazine,JIWITA PANI (Living
Water) nowhas a free circulation of one thousandcopies, and we are
publishing otherChristian tracts and materials. We aresupporting
our five adopted Indian children at the Children's Home in
Kulpahar.Three boys are at the Schaefer MemorialHigh School in
Bilaspur, four are inother schools. We have one boy in
theTuberculosis Sanitorium at Pendra Road.In Kanpur we have
Evangelist FredJoseph, and Editor Govind Negi with us,and are
renting three living quarters.
This is our work up-to-date, and In a Ralph and Prem Nath on
Pilgrim Trail.nut-shell. We daily thank God for you Yes, that is
Ralph with the beard.in the States who have made this Our
opportunities here have surpassed water we did get from our well
for drink-possible. Quj. expectations. The people are most ing soon
proved to be too poIlul:ed to
friendly and hungry for the truth. Nar- drink. Then they brought
us drinkiugain Singh, the richest merchant here, water from the
other well - the foulestseemed very indifferent as he showed us
water I have ever tasted. Then wethe new rooms he had for rent.
When ed asking for water from otherwe told him we thought the rent
of 75
been a journey under providence and wehave been conscious of the
Lord's presence during these few weeks in this corner of the world.
This is indeed a corner of the world. The highest mountains in the
world make this district theend of the line. Only the skilled
mountain climbers of Europe ever try to gofurther. There are routes
over the mountains to Tibet and Nepal, but not throughthis
particular area.
Thanks to each and every contributor.What is done in Jesus's
name here In
India is only possible through our friendsat home.
Thanks to LaVon's home church ofBuchanan, Michigan, who made it
possible for us to buy the much needed Hinditypewriter.
Thanks to all who send letters and whocontinue to remember us in
their prayers.
OUR NEEDSWe have pledges for 14 of the 25 we
are supporting. Eleven have no pledgedsupport. We pray that some
one willtake them at from $5 to ?25 per monthin order that
education may continue.
Funds are needed for furlough travel.Also a "jeep" fund has been
started sowe can have a jeep to use while homeand to bring back to
India.
Some have mentioned sending boxes.These should be mailed by
October 10th,or contact Mrs. Louise Harter, Box 144,Clinton,
Ohio.
BY RALPH HARTER
"And David longed, and said, 'Oh thatone would give me drink of
the water ofthe well of Bethlehem which is by thegate'." During
this past summer "Bethlehem water" became a by-word for us.Early in
April the well in front of thebungalow went dry. We were able toget
a little from it for drinking, but waterfor washing, etc., had to
be brought fromanother well further away. The little
some of them were dry also, and others- , , , cents a uay tuo
muuu, lu our surprise iie too far away. In the end we began
toMillions still are bound and helpless, rooms free of boil the
water from our own well, which
Bodies wrecked and souls betrayed, charge. Govind Negi explained
to him meant we were drinking warm waterSatan's grip Is
overwhelming- that we were Christians, thinking that most of the
time. The cook, however,
These for whom the price was paid, might prohibit us, but he
answered that happened to have in his own house anIt didn't make an
ounce of difference to especially good water container, wnicnhim.
We felt very keenly the presence succeeded in getting quite cool.
He saidof Divine Providence. A free room over- he had bought it "in
the winter" and
. . .. looking the bus station where hundreds that was why it
worked so good! This'No hone! No hope! Waiting of Hindu pilgrims
passed each day. became our "Bethlehem water". WlienfT\>. . ^ ^
+
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News From KanpurPublished in the United States for
Ralph and LaVon Harter.
Mailing address in IndiaMR. AND MRS. RALPH HARTER
CHURCH OF CHRIST14/18 H. COOPER ALLEN ROAD
GWALTOLI, KANPURU. P. INDIA
WHERE TO SEND CONTRIBUTIONSMrs. Louise Harter
Box 144Clinton, Ohio ^
All gifts and requests for informationpromptly answered.
Pilgrim iroil(Continued From Proceeding Page)As soon as I
stepped into our room I
knew it was something different. As Iwalked across the floor,
the whole roomseemed to shake. I warned the boys towalk carefully,
to which Govind, a nativeof that region, laughed quite heartily.He
explained to us how the room wasmade and that we need have no fear
offalling through the floor. Whereas onthe plains we are used to
cement floors,this floor was made of wood like ourAmerican homes,
but the lumber used isrough hewn. On top of this woodenfloor
several inches of mud is plastered.We were therefore able, and did,
burnwastepaper on the floor. But everytime someone walked across
the floor mystomach jumped as the floor gave up anddown. This was
especially distressingwhen I was lying on the floor to sleep.We did
not, incidentally, have any beds.So our twenty days on the Pilgrim
Trailincluded 21 nights on the floor. Therewas a small porch for
sleeping, but theseven of us used the one room for cooking and
eating.
Our main activity was to talk with theHindu pilgrims about the
Lord JesusChrist. We usually sat by the side ofthe trail and called
to the pilgrims tostop for a moment of rest. Half of themdid, and
would listen to the Gospel story.These pilgrims remind one of the
Prodigal Son. They go up the trail very gay,but come back very
weary. Some havewalked between 100 and 150 miles. Theyhave climbed
from an altitude of 2000feet to more than two miles above sealevel.
The trails are not only high, butvery steep, narrow, stony, and
treacherous. But year after year the thousandsmake the journey;
aged women (one Isaw was walking with two canes), whocouldn't walk
upstairs in America:women carrying babies, small children;heavy
women being carried by six men,with extra men for replacements;
thesick, the well, just everybody! Some donot bring any money with
them, othersare robbed of what they did bring. Uponreturning here
some have not eaten fortwo or three weeks.
And why have they dgne all this ?They say the body is evil and
thereforethey must punish it. But they havefound no peace, no
salvation. So youcan begin to understand why they stopin the shade
to hear us. and why they
appreciate the words of Christ, "Come allye who are weary and
heavy laden and Iwill give you rest."
Teaching the Sadhus the Way of Salvation was our obsession. A
Sadhu is aholy man of the Hindus. While mostpilgrims came this far
on busses, the Sadhus made their entire journey on foot.While most
walked along swiftly, theseSadhus came more slowly and were willing
to listen to what we had to say.They were making the trip strictly
fordevotional reasons. This was the soil onwhich we cast most of
our seed.
We cast our "nets" all over the "lake"but we had two good
fishing points. Weare talking about fishing for men, andthe lake
was the pilgrim trail. In themornings we were usually found on
theTrail to the West. This was the placewhere the famous English
hunter, JimCorbett, killed a famous man-eater. Youmay remember his
book, "The Man Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag", in whichbe recorded
this experience. Amongthose to whom we preached were the families
of some of the 300 who had beenkilled by the leopard. We had our
pictures taken under the tree where the leopard was killed.
In the late afternoon, after naps andbathing, we took our stock
of Bibles tothe bridge that crosses one of the tributaries of the
River Ganges. There, perhaps, we taught the greatest number
ofpeople and sold the most portions otScripture. One morning as we
sat rather discouragedly without a Sadhu insight I mentioned to
Govind that thefishing was not very good. To this hesaid, "Why
don't you cast your net?"So, still without a person in sight,I
unrolled the picture roll at thepicture of the crucifixion. Then I
asked,"On which side should I cast my net?"He replied, "In the
middle, then you willget fish coming from bcth directions."So this
I did. Within five minutes wewere teaching three of the most
interested Sadhus we met on the entire journey.
On another occasion as we sat singingby the roadside, two school
boys camealong. When they heard us singing olChrist's love, they
stopped and listened.Then I unrolled the picture roll andtaught
them how Christ, in love, gave Hislife for theirs. Just at this
point a woman Sadhu from Calcutta came into sight.When she saw the
picture of Christ onthe cross she began weeping and praising God.
We had never seen anythinglike this. Govind gave the boys
sometracts and they went on, while we seatedthe woman on a stone
and talked to her.This was difficult however, since shetalked
Bengali and we spoke Hindi.When we spoke to her about the Way
ofSalvation, she broke into uproarouslaughter. Somehow we managed
to explain a little to her and she went shouting down the road.
One night at the bridge we met ayoung Sadhu, about 16 years of
ago.The boy seemed to have a hungry heartand listened to all we had
to say. Whenwe learned that he had not eaten forthree days, we
invited him to eat with us.But he was too deeply rooted in
Hinduismto accept our invitation. We hope hewas able to get food
elsewhere. AnotherSadhu did accept our food, but he hadn't
eaten for three weeks.Wo decided to visit some of the vil
lages on the hillside. At the first village we found only one
man and he wassick. As we taught him the parable ofthe Prodigal
Son, he interrupted us tooffer us money. This we refused.
Afterwards we asked him about his illnes.s.He said tnat his family
was trying to gothim to sacrifice a goat to the gods, andthus
appease them and become cured.We told him that the name of Jesus
wasmore powerful and that, it he wished, wewould pray for him. He
agreed, andwhen we had finished he said he feltbetter already. He
went on to say thathe was willing to do anything we said,even to
leaving his home. Later thatday he came with his brother and
wetanght him the blessed story of Jesus.He did not accept Christ
during our staythere, but we pray that the Word of GodIs working in
his heart.
>1
Negi and Cyril showing Bible BoU onthe Pilgrim Trail.
The people of one village became especially interested. After we
showedthe film strip of the life of Christ, thehoys reported to me
that the villagerswere almost ready to become Christians.The next
day or so, one of three who wasthe most interested suddenly became
illand died of cholera. At this the villagepretty much broke up for
a few days.Later two young men from the villagecame to us in our
room to learn more ofJesus.
Cryil and Govind decided to hike further up the trail. In three
days they cameback, reporting that the trail was tootreacherous,
food too hard to find, andthe opportunity to teach too little
tomake the trip profitable. Later Putuand two of the boys went up,
so that theymight get a good look at the snows, froma distance,
being gone two days. Then Idecided to make the trip with the
thirdboy. Putu was quite worried that wherethey had made the trip
in two days itwould take me three, and was willing togo a second
time In order to protect me.'This challenged me to give them a
surprise. We returned not In two days, bntin one. We walked thirty
miles that dayand would have reached home that nighthad not
darkness overtaken us. We arrived home the next morning before
thetime we had set out the morning before.We had a hard time
convincing themthat we nad made the entire trip.
We had little opposition during ourSee "PILGRIM TRAIL" - Next
Page
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Pilgrim Trail(Continued From Proceeding Page)
tour. On our way to Rudraprayag westopped for tea at a town
named Pauri.There a Hindu official got rather heatedin a discussion
with Cyril. He warnedthat he would not allow us to preach anywhere
in Garhwal. We did not see himagain, and on our return trip we
spentthree days at 'Pauri where we were sograciously received that
we were invitedto show our film strips of the Life ofChrist in the
hotel restaurant. In Rudraprayag one night some men of theR.S.S.
tried to break up our meeting.But we held our peace. Jesus
said,"Bless those who persecute you" andthis Govind did. They went
away ratheipuzzled. It was a member of the R.S.S.who killed Mahatma
Gandhi. Anothertime after coming in contact with one oithe men of
the R.S.S. I was described toPutu, as "the American Missionary
whowas a communist and was making everyone Christian". Putu hastily
explainedtp. him that it was the Americans whowere trying to save
the world from Communism. When he recognized that Putuwas also a
Christian he turned on hisheels and left.
In our teaching and preaching we didnot force ourselves upon
people, nor didwe make ourselves a public nuisance.It was not our
plan to preach at the busstation since we felt it would do moreharm
than good. But one night thepolice sargeant in charge of the
stationstopped us and asked to see the pictureroll. So we opened it
and taught it frombeginning to end to a large crowd thatsoon
gathered about us. The inn wherethe pilgrims spent the night was
alsoavoided. But on two occasions as wepassed by we were stopped
and requestedto show the picture roll. We believesome good resulted
from these occasions.
One young man asked us what wethought about evil spirits. He
said thatthe evil spirits were giving him a greatdeal of trouble.
We explained that ifthere were evil spirits they never comearound
Christians. Govind, who wasraised a Hindu in these parts, has
muchto say about how the evil spirits and demons and gods molest
his family. Heonce began an article on this subject,but it grew too
complicated. He may,however, some time complete it.
It is difficult to say just how muchgood this trip has done. We
do not expect to know until we have an opportunity to read the Book
of Life. We knowthat the Seed wtas sown and thatthere was no fault
with the Seed. TheSoil also seemed very good to us.
We Are The ChurchWe are the ChurchWho follow HimLifting a
lanternWhere faith is dim;Shining a lightWhere darkness
palls.Forgetting self.When duty calls.
Mayme Garner Miller
//... But God That Giveth The Increase/#
BY LaVOH E. HABTEBThe first of April found Miss Ivy Rob
erts and myself at Naini Tal in the hills.The temperature had
been steadily overninety on the plains and climbing towardit's high
of 120 or more. Ralph was gonefor the month, and he thought it best
thatIvy ana I continue our work in a coolerclimate. There was much
to be done;plans to be made for the Women's Christian Service Camp,
articles to be writtenfor our Hindi paper Jiwita Pani (LivingWater)
which is published in Kanpur,articles and letters for the
Homeland,book-work for the mission, and myselftrying to study Hindi
in between. Because it was cooler we were able to accomplish far
more.
God is good and gave us many opportunities to witness for Him.
We passedout more than 4000 tracts, which hadbeen translated and
printed in Hindi - infront of the Catholic church, Methodistchurch,
and on the highways. We foundmany who were interested, some
givingtheir address and wanting to continueto receive any other
religious papers andtracts that we might print.
Especiallyinterested were the Methodist ministerand his wife. He
was quite surprised tolearn that there was such a church as
theChurch of Christ. We talked to himand enjoyed trying to answer
his manyquestions on "What Do You Believe?"Another man who was very
interestedwas Mr. Greenwood, who was in a government Job. He asked
us to please sendhim our monthly paper; that he wantedto learn
more.
And then there was Alex Joshua. Alexis a young man about
thirty-five yearsof age and a language teacher at theLanguage
School at Mussoorie. He cameto Naini Tal because of an interest
inMiss Ivy,, but we can't overlook the factthat he did want to talk
about baptism.About eight years ago Pat Johnson started to talk to
Alex about the New Testament Church of Christ. He was at thattime a
Presbyterian. Since then othermissionaries had worked with him,
including Dolly CJhitwood, Leah Mosier,Tom and Leota Rash, and
Frank andMarie Rempel.
We talked for several hours but didnot get too far, for he had
been taughtthe doctrines of men. We decided tomeet the following
day with scriptureswritten down for each other. That nightit was
past mid-night when Ivy awoaeand asked me when I was going to
bed.For five hours I had been writing scriptures and did not notice
the time.
The next day came and our long discussion ended. I am of the
opinion thaithese men who try and get away fromobeying God's word
take one verse hereand another there, not using the versesbefore
and after, and thus try to makethe Bible fit their doctrine.
Before Alex left a few days later heasked me several more
questions and Itold him I would write him on each subject as to
what I found the Scriptures tosay. The first letter I wrote him
wason the Baptism of Water, the Baptism ofthe Holy Spirit and the
Baptism of Fire.
I profited much myself in this study, andwas able to give him 26
verses on theBaptism of Water, six on the Holy Spiritand only two
on the Baptism of Fire. Igave him six verses which said as soonas
they heard they were baptised. Irejoiced in his reply that my work
wasnot in vain and had helped him much.The second letter I wrote
was about howa man's conscience could be seared.With these letters
backed up with prayerthe following letter camie.
"Dear Mrs. Harter: Thank you verymuch indeed for the letter and
inclosedScripture verses which I had last Wednesday. ' I read them
all from the Bible.I am glad to know that you gave all theverses
from the Bible, you did not discuss the subject by your own words.
Ithink and believe it is the best way tounderstand and solve the
difficulties andproblems. We are limited and heavenlyjthings never
the less the Spirit of Godhelps us to understand ,the depth of
theWord of God. Again I started to meditate the Word of God with
prayer.Please remember me in your daily prayer that God may open my
eyes and mindto understand the truth and keep meaway from all sorts
of worldly knowledgewhich hinders. How is Ivy? Pleaseremember me to
her. Once more 1thank you for all your help which yousent me and
grateful to you to know thatyou care so much for me. Today it
israining. This afternoon we had hailstorm. The nights are cooler.
Therethe 250 students in the school. Majorityare newcomers. When
you write pleaseremember me to Mr. Harter".
Brother in Christ,(Signed) Alex R. Joshua
Soon after this we left Naini Tal, andstopped off at Mussoorie
in order to visitthe new missionaries; Miss GladysHoppe, and also
the Walkers, whom 1went to school with in the Seminary
atCincinnati. I also met for the firsttime Mrs. Harry Schasfer and
the twochildren.
How happy I was when Alex came totell me that he was going to be
baptizedon June 8th, by Frank Remple, near thewater falls about
four miles away. Heagain gave me his thanks and askedMiss Ivy and I
to attend, which we didby walking that distance with the others.I
admired his courage to follow his desire, in spite of many teachers
and students at the school calling him a fool.But what can they say
againsst thatwhich God has commanded?
This has taught us missionaries several things. First, what is
Time? Whatmatters if it takes years of working witha person if the
outcome is victorious inChrist our Lord. We have found thatone
worker may plant the word of Godin a person's heart, another with
histeaching may water it, and others continue to water it, until a
soul for Christis harvested. This being made possiblethrough Jesus
Christ.
"I have planted, Apollos watered: BUT GOD THAT GIVETH THE
INCREASE" 1 Cor. 3:6.
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Financial ReportSEMI-ANNUAL
FINANCIAL STATEMENTCONTRIBUTIONS
RECEIPTSJANUARY 1st TO JUNE 30th, 1952
CALIFORNIA Mrs, Laura Hammon,?10.00.
COLORADO Mr. and Mrs. Don Peel,$20.00*.
ILLINOIS Great Lakes D. J. Parr,Jr. $11.00; Paxton Church of
Christ,V.B.S., $77.00; Mrs. George A. Robertson, $25.00.
INDIANA Elwood (Leisure) Harmony Christian Cuhrch Mission
Group(Mrs. Estel Frazier, $21.00; Mr. andMrs. Frank Reas, $40.00)
$61.00*; FortWayne Church of Christ, $30.00; Os-good Christian
Church Mission Soc.,$25.00*; Oxford Church of Christ,$159.38;
Portland Future Builder'sClass, $25.00; Homer Shaffer, $5.00;Mr.
and Mrs. Chas. Mills, $40.00*; Mr.and Mrs. Frank Reas, $20.00*; Mr.
andMrs. Geo. Wunderlick, $25.00; MissMary Burris, $3.00; Mr. and
Mrs.Claude Allison, $10.00; Mr. and Mrs.Raymond Colestack, $5.00;
Mr. andMrs. Glen Morrical, $30.00*; Mrs. EarlStahl, $60.00*.
IOWA Clarion Church of Christ,Mission Fund, $10.00; Hampton
Missionary Church of Christ, $15.00;Mrs. Clarence Huntington,
$20.00;Mrs. Luella Hendricksou, $10.00.
KENTUCKY Carlisle East UnionChurch, $27.90*; Flemingsburg
Mt.Carmel Christian Church, $25.00; Ger-mantown Christian Church,
$50.00;Mt. Eden Christian Church, $75.32*;Moorefield Mt. Zion
Church ofChrist, $54.09*; Willisburg ChristianChurch, $122.87*; Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas Omer, $15.00; Mrs. H. O. Sims, $5.00.
MICHIGAN Berkley Church ofChrist, Bonnie Acre Group,
$15.00*;BuchananChurch of Christ, $331.78*;Niles Church of Christ,
$250.00*;Three Oaks Church of Christ,$54.00*; Mrs. Edwin DeSonia,
$10.00;Mrs. Irwin Eagley, $60.00; Mrs. Beulah
MAILED BY MRS. LOUISE HARTEE
BOX 144 . CLINTON, OHIO
M. Ray, $60.00*; Mrs. Arthur Hallam,$5.00; Miss Mabel Gould,
$1.00; MissEthel Good, $25.00.
MISSOURI Cairo Liberty ChristianChurch, Women's Council,
$30.00*;Cairo Liberty Christian Church,Mission Fund, $35.23.
NORTH CAROLINA Athens Chapel,Harter Missionary Soc. $70.00*.
NEW YORK East Rochester Church of Christ, $30.00*; Mr. andMrs.
George W. Wilson, $30.00*.
OHIO Akron Noble Ave., Church ofChrist, Miss. Disb. Cab. $25.00;
Blad-ensburg Church of Christ, $60.00*;Clinton Church of Christ,
$100.00*;Clinton, Tax Stamps, $75.96; Kensington Christian Church,
$15.00;Loveland Branch Hill Church ofChrist, $20.00; Millershurg
ChristianChurch,$210.00*; Moscow Church ofChrist, Ladies Aid,
$10.00; Norwalk Home-makers Class, $60.00*; NorwalkMrs. R. M.
Condon, $5.00; Orrville Church of Christ, $937.50*; Orrville A
Friend, $25.00; Rushsylvania Church of Christ, Mission Soc.
$10.00;Sebring Church of Christ, Loyal Be-reans, $10.00; Toboso Old
StoneChurch, $50.00; Wilmington Macedonia Christian Endeavor,
$25.00*;Miss Sadie Brown, $2.00; Mrs. MildredFogle, $60.00*; Mr.
and Mrs. WilliamB. Gulick, $5.00; Jason Peterson, $5.00;Mrs. Carl
Williams, $5.00; Mrs. MarthaWright, $5.00; Miss Dorethea
Snider,$75.00*.
PENNSYLVANIA Scottdale Churchof Christ, $16.58.
TENNESSEE Johnson City Central Church of Christ, $10.84,
WEST VIRGINIA Huntington SixthAvenue Church of Christ, Loyal
Women's Class, $93.00*.
Received from contributors $3994.45 Received on pledges
On hand, January 1st, 1952 125.35
$4119.80Living Link, Ralph and LaVon $1125.00
$2994.80
DISBURSEMENTSBuilding repair $ 13.75Relief work 63.87Postage and
Publicity 72.27Hindi Monthly paper.
Pub. 6 times 119.00Medicine and dispensary 208.50Rent and
furniture at Kanpur 280.21Camping and Travel 346.03Child care and
students - 371.72Salaries of Evangelists and
Workers 799.58Postage and parcel post-states - 18.52Photos and
cuts 13.75Supplies used and sent 31.07Newsletter and postage
131.49Mailing permit for 1952 KF.OO
$2479.76
Balance In India and enroute $ 515.04
Mission Bungalow at Hamirpur, in 1949
Mission Bungalow two years laterafter repairs were made.
Sec. 34.65 (e) P. L. & R.U. S. POSTAGE
PAIDCLINTON, OHIOPERMIT NO. 5
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IN THE HEART OF IISfDlANews of the mMonary labors ofRalph and
L^yoo^ Harter
'*WithGood willdoingservice as unto the Lord, andndt tiato
xnexii'* Eph. 6-7
WINTER 1952 CHURCH OF CHRIST, KANPUR, U. P., INDtA NEWS LETTER
NO. 9
w. , iA C)i y.l -t
There GameAVisemen From the East
The other day as we went to market we could not help but notice
a man sitting bty the side of the road.Over his head Was a large
banher reading,''Jyotishi". When I saw this man I knew at ohce X
would write ypii;about him for Christmas. **Jyotishi". you see, is
the Hindi word for''Wisemcn"
**Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of
Herod the King, behold, there cameJyotishi fTom the east.'.
You are probably-anxious toknow what that naan was doing there
by the side of the road. For a fee,he was telling the'ifeople what
fUturethe starS indicated for theih. Thbthe'tf words', he was an
astrol^er. Whether ornot the'ipebple from the money
whichfHeyigayefto him. we did not stop tp^eetj^ -a i'Jtp .i.n T
'
11 -'Oncb^npon aAinoie^ sobie 1950 years ago, somewhere in the
great East, there were some Jyotishi telling folkthe meaning ofthe
stars. There are so many important things that we do not know about
these friends of thehaby-Jesus, What were their names? from what
country did they come? just exactly how many wcr? there?What
didthey tell after they returned to their homes? Oh that the
archaeologists would unearth some mformationabout these interesting
pilgrims.
Tt'Caine topass as these Jyotishi plied their trade.that they
nbticed one night inthe clear night sky, the brightest star they
had ever seen. Whether ornot they had been deceiving the people
previous to this time, we do notknow. But God revealed to them the
meaning ofthis star. This Star was shining because the King of
Kipgi hadbeen bom on earth. History's greatest moment had arrived.
Unto us was bom a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
V TheJyotishi were 80 positive of the meanipg of the star, and
so impressed with its Divine in^ortance,that ^ey left every thing
to follow, ^a^ter it,-And they persisted; in vtheir/journey when,
most oiherSj^MjpuldB^y^:returncfd,!' Wo Ichow not how many hundreds
or thousands ofmiles they may have travelled over the hot
burningdesert, but in any sense, it was a journey of such great
difficulty that-it would in.ly have been undertaken by menwho knew
beyond a doubt what they were after. It may; be that they returned
to ; their home completelypenniless, but the trip was well worth
it, wasn't it? ^ j i '
Or don't you think it was worth it? After tfav(Slling so far and
spending so much they could havesaid, All we saw was a baby in a
house." But they were not disappointed, for they knew by many
undeniableproofs that this was no ordinary baby. This was the So of
God,
!
Do you have a faith like the. Wisemen ^ad?^. Hpw far are you
willing to travel for the Lord? How muchare you willing tospend?
Are you willing to giye up everything to geta gBtiipfe'of^ lhe Lord
Jesus?
jiaiv/HiV-CIJ A.jIiU
11 i
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4s *:
SHANTIEL QUEENIE PAULAMOS BAJI
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LAVON AND RALPHHARTER
SHANTIEL, JOSEPHSTANLEY, PREM NATH
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"i'jtA -'J-'- i C./ !ii 'jii'JiI'll'2/i Jtlfnfiffl M-.jiT L':'}!
, .".? .ii -Wm^iscnias ^'vji^0tiii^'jS^rro'M ro-ic-
tiL.!5iirr.-i.jqr. i.i n; . >;{/ .c.i.-= .,V7.i .o| 'h.-Voj
y,r.n^ .,[ vr*1^"* ??. :,;T ;,-:-!n3-if rijc.-nt
tA- w --'IJ* baptisddec^riiber 25th lM i orti/iJ-;!
Bharwa, and will^raduwe,frol?^^S"in liv ^'95Q^, isther.
HWaib9rJuly[6di, 1933 and
'; ;' 13 v>Shwt.fcpyaI:Tr-Shmt was Iwra Ma^h 22, 1951 > :^
i. . ' ? ..
was Shantiel&8 t!tiieHrVatb#\iffh^ April,H951.:i Mter
he-baai!unawSy i.signed the boy over tous. InMarch, 1952, hejoined
our famil^with to t '^w '^Clhe '^S3 Amos'toJ^yf'lis? ^hcTmofh
'^h^d'dfed "'^ t' b^"'19"'?the father seemed to have little love
for his children/ FT#. Jcnsi,i moaner had died of tuberculosis,
andthe Kulpahar Kids Home in February, 1952. where she is now
studying in the Foird, SJ'^ e"'''
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18. Benjamin Motilal:Benji was born onOctober 18th, 1933 and was
baptised in Jhansi in 1951. AfterDiwan became ill, Benji helped us
as a part-time cook, accompanying us up the Pilgriin Trail in June,
1952. The nextmonth heentered Kulpahar Bible College where he plans
tostudy for two years. After that he wishes to apprenticeas a motor
mechanic.
19. Miss Ivy Roberts:Miss Ivy was born* July 12th, 1928 and was
baptised, at the Women*s Chri.stianService Camp on October 21st,
1951 When we became acquainted with her, she was a teacher in the
LandaurLanguage School where LaVon was studying. In November, 1951,
she became a member of our salaried staff whenshe became matron of
our Children's Home. As the Children went to Kulpahar and this work
decreased, she onceagain took up tutoring Mrs. Barter in the Hindi
language. In July, 1952 she entered teachers training in LucknowThe
question of the hour seems to be who is going to win Miss Ivy's
hand in marriage?
GROUP TWO PART SUPPORT. We have assumed only part support of the
following.20. Joseph Johnson:.Joseph is a cousin ofPrem, Stanley,
and ShantielNath Joseph was born on May 24th
1937, Joseph is the only surviving of six children. He also
suffered the tragedy oflosing his rnolher who, when he wasvery
young, lefthome and married a Mohamedan. The mother has since had
eight other children, but refuses to secJoseph. Joseph's father
brought his son t" Kanpur where he was sprinkled in the Methodist
Church. On June 29th,1952 he was baptised into Christ. He is now
studying in the 9th, Grade at Schaeffer Memorial High School
inBilaspur. Mr. Johnson agreed to pav 2 dollars a month for
Joseph's food. Failing todo this, he has instead helped uswith odd
jobs in Kanpur as part-payment.
21. Stephen Samuel:Stephen was born on January 24th, 1938, and
was baptised on September 15th,1952. We first met Stephen and his
brothers, Stanley and Horatius, at the funeral of their brother.
Their mother haddied just a month before. The father was in much
distress for his children and had already lodged the five
youngestwith the Roman Catholics. The father has agreed to pay 3
dollars and 12 cenes a month for the support of StephenStanley and
Horatius. They were accepted at Schaeffer Memorial High School in
September, 1952, Stephen is nowstudying in the Sixth Grade.
22. Stanley Samuel:Stanley was born on December 9th, 1940, He is
studying in the Fourth Grade.23. Horatius Samuel:Horatius was born
on September 6th, 1942, and is studying in the Third Grade.GROUP
THREE;SALARIED STAFF. Mr, Negi and Mr. Joseph are employed by the
mission, and
therefore we count them and Mrs.Joseph as part of our family.24.
Govind Singh Negi:Govind was born June 10th, 1923 and was baptised
from Hinduism in
November, 1950. We first met Govind in Landaur where he was
l.aVori's language teacher In September, 1950, heJoined us in
Hamirpur as language tutor, returning to the language school the
next summer. In October, 1951he returned to Hamirpur again, this
time to tutor the children as well as ourselves. Since that time he
workedpermanently with us and isnow the editor of our Hindi
magazine. He is now ill with tuberculosis.
25. Fred W. Joseph:Fred was born on November 5th, 1930, and was
baptised on May 26th, l'^46.He is of Disciple cxcraction, but
entered Jhansi Bible Institute where he graduated, in May, 1951.
He. worked firstwith us in Hamirpur and then accepted the call to
be the minister of the church of Christ in Kanpur,
27 Doris Joseph:Doris and Fred were married onJune 5th, 1952.
She was born on September 9lh,1933, was baptised on ,June 29th,
1952.
An Invitation
H
,Ul viu| fnod eiiv/i*);! driv/ jjtubnJfe ooriiz" B'
IJS I
KANPUR
RAGaL'L
KULPAHAR
liBsi b'jib TJiiJxO BTi! iiOilVfbtis t-'l'H cc..!/ivdJO-id iasbb
htu; i-ydiutv
oiiwoL'p .IfiG- ,ri3rl isdoui.) i 'bnn .skAoltV-du: in bs'b
-i':! ' .'i ;i:: ail
nl lii' nj I3V0 /ot: 3ri),? )intfidiiidA oino :uy ..41
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