A CHANGING INDIA

Evening Star, Issue 23273, 23 May 1939, Page 16

A CHANGING INDIA

HOME RULE PROVING SATISFACTORY INTRODUCTION OF FREE EDUCATION Changes, both political and social, in the national life of India, and the introduction of new methods in mission work were discussed by the Rev. B. N. Fade in an address to the quarterly meeting of the Baptist Men’s Association last night. Mr Fade, who has had missionary experience in Fast Bengal, of some 13 years, said that, although fears had been entertained by both white administrators and coloured subjects, the home rule introduced into India in 1936 had proved entirely satisfactory. Results of the new Government included the introduction of free education up to our Standard IV., the effort to have better water supplies, the provision of cheaper medicine ami a large number of doctors for rural areas, the reform of land tenancy, the extension of cooperative societies, the scheme for conciliation of debt, the support of the Government for the trade union movement, the prohibition of liquor in districts similar to uo-license areas in New Zealand (for example, Bombay city was to go dry on August 1), the All-India Women’s Movement, with the consequent amazing emergence of women, and high school education for girls. There was, said _Mr Fade, a real awakening of religion, and a new position was created by the 50,000,000 to 85,000,000 untouchables led bv Dr Ambedkar, a man with a remarkable record, who was leading his followers away from Hinduism, although not into another religion as yet. Dealing particularly with of the missionary society, Mr Fade referred to the new inquiring mind where before there had been indifference and even hostility. While the aims of mission work had never been altered, yet new methods had been introduced. The former method of attempting to win only or chiefly, the upper classes had been replaced by a desire to start at the bottom or under-privileged classes and work up. And surprising to say, the lower classes definitely influenced the higher classes where formerly the upper classes had shown no desire to help the untouchables. One of the chief aims of evangelism now was to send the convert back to live with his own people, which was very difficult to do sometimes.

Social reform, Mr Eade said, did not uplift anyone. Worship of God through Jesus Christ had been the one and only means of lifting men. Touching on the question of the value of Christian institutions in mission work, the speaker said that while evangelisation came first, yet there was a place, if a secondary one. for the training of ministers, the teaching of the people to read the Word of God, and the giving of medical aid where there was no Government provision. Dr C. North moved a vote of thanks to the speaker and thanked him for unfolding a most illuminating panorama of India’s story. Before the address was given it was decided that the time and place of future meetings be left in the hands of the executive. Officers for the-ensuing year were elected as follows-Presi-dent, Dr C. North; vice-presidents, Messrs S. C. Hercus and Young ; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. J. Gibbs.