Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/197

Rh street to meet such blasphemy, and from pressing upon these hardened idolaters a salvation at which they will scoff; but in this way only can he reach the present adult population. It is a duty from which he cannot draw back; and though he may go forth with shrinkings, he returns rejoicing that he has borne witness for Christ before the heathen, and made known to them the way of life.

At first, this is doubly trying; for the beginner knows that an imperfect knowledge of the language will lay him open to attack and ridicule, and may injure the cause he advocates. And yet the beginning must be made, or the work be left undone. Sallying forth at sunrise, tracts in hand, about the time of my first going out to meet the idolater and heathen on his own ground, I stopped at a street corner, and soon had an audience. My topic was heavenly bliss, and the way to attain it. I spoke of man's sinfulness, his consequent unfitness for heaven, and the worthlessness of good works as a means of atoning for sin. Attracted by the sight as they passed along the street, one and another added himself to the crowd, and all listened attentively. I tried to make Christ known to them as the Saviour who had provided